EdTech 20/20 Blog: Home Self Improvement (Unschooling our kids)

This post is not the beginning of my thinking on the topic, but it is the first time I've tried to articulate these thoughts into writing.? I beg you to forgive the rough edges.

Seth Godin just published his Stop Stealing Dreams education "manifesto."

I've read many, but not all, of the books that he references.? His manifesto and those foundational books resonate with me.? I have verbalized for the last four years that as a middle school teacher "I am part of the problem," but it's only in the last four months that I have some inkling of how to maybe actually change that status.?

I've taught for 14 years, mostly in the secondary level in the USA.? I'm part of an institution that is meant to do good and is staffed almost universally by good people wanting to do good.? And yet we do not do the good we mean to do (o wretched man that I am--who will deliver me?) and instead institutionalize obedience when what we wanted to do all along was to develop capacity and foster creativity.

My daughter and two boys are in currently in elementary school, and we their parents are grateful for their traditional classrooms, complete with its peer interactions (both the friendships and the dramas), recess, monkeybars, cafeteria food, spelling bee, penalties for late work, reward systems, science projects, and occasional homework.? I'm glad they are in elementary school and wouldn't have wanted to do those ages any other way.

Middle school looms.? My daughter is a 5th grader in a K-5 school and next year would go to a local middle school.? Now, my daughter is not yet a teenager and while we certainly hope for the best for her, middle school looms.? What a toxic environment to place the most emotionally fragile humans in our society.? Honestly, who would have invented, in this modern era, a plan that takes 500 of a town's middle schoolers to a central building and causes them to sit in clumps of 30 until a bell rings to signal that they should stand up en masse, jostle in the halls, and return to a different classroom of rows and columns for another hour of trying not to pay attention to the leader in the classroom?? Nobody would have thought that's a good idea if it hadn't already been that way when we found it.?

I believe adolescence is an artificially created "age" that is caused by society withholding responsibility from its emerging adults until too late. And yet, pubescent hormones are very real, and pre-teen turmoils are rarely avoided altogether.? There's something important there, though I really don't yet know what it is.? Something about adolescence not being in a causal relationship with pubescence.? Interesting to think more on.

We're the lucky ones, my family.? We live within the means of a one-salary home, and so we have the freedom to have our daughter at home with us next year rather than send her off to the middle school.? Does that mean we're going to home school?? No, I don't think so.? More like unschool, though I may be muddled in my terminology.? We're calling it HSI, Home Self Improvement.


Home Self Improvement:? Creative.? Capacity-building.? Exploratory.?
Foreign languages, math, geography, drawing, writing, typing, cooking, and EXTENSIVE reading.? In the reading category alone: biographies, historical fiction, science, Newberry Award winners.? Also TED Talks as jumping-off places for student-led research and discovery.

Is HSI going to be "school" for the Chase kids only until high school, or is this it through college?? I don't know.? The local high school has a fantastic DECA/FBLA club, and I'd love to have my kids get to do drama, culinary classes, and the upper level maths/sciences/humanities with engaged teachers and leaning-forward peers.? Can you imagine what their school experience would be if they could "skip" all the classes where peers don't want to be there--I'm thinking of my freshman health class as I write--and go right to the ones that are upper-level and not "required."? It's in those academic classes that you'll find kids leaning forward, and it's those classes that I'm excited to help my kids prepare themselves for.? The other credits they'll still have to get, but they can get them online.

I want each kid to come out of HSI a sleek, powerful racehorse of a person, not a fat little pony.

What Middle School Should Be (a bucket list for HSI)
Wonderopolis,
TED Talks,
http://thekidshouldseethis.com/
Typing
Volunteer Service
Language Learning
http://duolingo.com/
Dictation
Spelling/Writing
Blogging Explorations (photojournaling laser experiments, cooking recipes, etc)
Scratch/Alice
Khan Academy Math
Reading, Fiction and Non, historical fiction
Biographies: Temple Grandin: Animals make us human.
Arts Education
Geography
How Stuff Works
Newberry Award Books: www.goodreads.com
Rock/plant identification
Made to Stick, Rich Dad-Poor Dad and other similar "grown-up" titles.
Whyville
Quest Atlantis
World News

We'll set up in our home a pyramid scheme of incentive.?
Weekly requirements include extensive reading, blogging her way through her own explorations and discovery, and Khan Academy math, among other projects that will come and go.? She is only permitted to have a Chinese lesson if ALL other weekly requirements are in place and finished. I only release funds ($25 a week, in our case) if a Chinese lesson passes muster with the Chinese teacher (who requires homework/practice--she's no pushover).

Invitation to form a cohort:
We're unenrolling our daughter from school this June.? If she had another peer to run this race with, regardless of geographic place, she'd do better.? I can set up an Edmodo classroom for them to interact with and so they can comment on each other's HSI.? I don't think it's important that they be the same age, though most of my work will be toward challenging the middle school age range.? Any 6th, 7th, or 8th graders want to jump off the school train and see how it goes with unschooling and intentional self-improving at home?

Source: http://blog.edtech2020.com/2012/02/home-self-improvement-unschooling-our.html

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Marsquake? How rumblings could bolster hope for life on Mars.

If seismic activity on Mars is recent, and it can be traced to a volcano, it could mean that there is a source of heat to melt ice and provide potential habitats for simple forms of life.

A pair of long gashes in the surface of Mars associated with a towering volcano shows evidence of marsquakes that could have occurred within the past few million years, and perhaps within modern times, according to new research.

Skip to next paragraph

If such activity is recent, and it can be traced to the volcano, it would imply that the mountain is still active ? its magma providing a source of heat to melt ice and provide potential habitats for simple forms of life.

The gash is one of a pair of parallel features known collectively as Cerberus Fossae. These appear to be enormous collapsed lava dikes formed during eruptions of Elysium Mons, a volcano that vaults more than eight miles above the vast lava fields that surround it.

The mountain is thought to have been active within the past 2 million years. In principle, it still could be, with magma working its way down the flanks through subsurface conduits, rather than through repeated surface eruptions.

In 2010, another team of researchers hunting for heat sources on the Martian surface with an instrument aboard NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter reported that they had detected warmth in the gashes, known as graben. The team noted that the signatures were hard to explain without invoking a subterranean source of heat.

Now, a team of researchers interested in faults on Mars says patterns of fallen boulders in both graben testify to marsquakes.

The team estimates that the temblors have occurred over a geologically recent span of time that could include the present day. If the evidence they see resulted from one quake, it would have registered at least a magnitude 7.5 had it occurred on Earth, comparable to an earthquake that devastated eastern Turkey last year. The results appear tomorrow in the Journal of Geophysical Research ? Planets.

The link between volcanoes, active faults, and potential habitats ?makes the boulder data we have collected so intriguing,? said Gerald Roberts, a geophysicist at the University of London who led the British-Italian team that conducted the study, in a prepared statement.

Using boulders as benchmarks for earthquake activity is one way to get around the dearth of instruments on Mars for taking the geophysical pulse of the planet. So far, NASA's Viking landers, which arrived at Mars in the mid 1970s, are the only platforms that carried seismometers to Mars, notes James Head III, a planetary scientist at Brown University in Providence, R.I., who studies volcanoes, quakes, and tectonics on other planets.

Unfortunately, he adds, the only shaking they detected came from vibrations as wind buffeted the landers.

Indeed, he adds, ?it's pretty remarkably abysmal? that basic information gleaned from seismometers ? from the structure of a planet's interior to the level of quake activity ? is still lacking for Mars. Scientists have had to turn to Earth's moon as a model for what the structure of Mars' crust might be like. Apollo astronauts left seismometers on the moon that operated until 1977 and revealed a great deal about the moon's structure.

Given the paucity of data on quake activity on Mars, Dr. Gordon's team has provided a ?great analysis and is very thought-provoking,? says Dr. Head, who was not part of the team.

In an e-mail exchange, Roberts explains that the inspiration for using boulders as surrogates for estimating quake activity came during a conversation he was having with a colleague. The colleague asked about detecting earthquakes on Mars and Roberts recalls regaling him with the Viking story. The colleague then asked: "Can you not see evidence of landslides triggered by marsquakes?"

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/science/~3/ll5mZpxaXT4/Marsquake-How-rumblings-could-bolster-hope-for-life-on-Mars

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Fish-oil to get Pets - Cheap Car Insurance + Other Ideas

Despite the fact that regularly informed to refrain from doing so through more mature years, almost all canine owners at one time or any other are finding a means to slip dining room table scraps to the pet dog. As they should consume the exact food persons try to eat, puppies can certainly put up with and also behave confidently to popular remedies that humankind apply every day, for instance pain killers. In order that it should be no astonish that omega-3 fatty acids pertaining to puppies is a very common veterinarian suggestion for certain illnesses found in your furry friend.

Omega3 products are widely accessible at pharmacies, toiletries and also whole foods stores. The foundation in this oil?s valuable influence on our bodies is Omega 3 fatty acid perfectly found on the essential oil. Striper for instance fish are containing more Our omega 3s a result of the algae people ingest. The essential oil in products is received through pushing and also grounding versus eachother on the tissue on the seafood. Obviously, a similar gain can be purchased when you eat this seafood that is not necessarily doable; this products give a noise different. While there is as well worry about mercury poisoning by consuming seafood, this essential oil in products is be subject to screening and also filtration control.

Omega 3 is anti-inflammatory by nature, so in many cases it may be applied as an effective replace adrenal cortical steroids to deal with difficulties as a result of irritation for instance joint disease. It offers recently been shown to be effective pertaining to skin ailment as well as heart disease. Just what the particular process is simply by that it will work while in the treatments for heart disease, often being a precautionary as well as because check in therapies, is not truly regarded. Changes as well as improvements in signs or symptoms after having a diagnosis of heart disease is usually assessed and it is mainly for this foundation how the utilization of that essential oil has been commonly promoted. Additional scientific studies claim that a marked improvement inside a personal nervous system as well as a hold off while in the onset of Alzheimer?s disease may perhaps originate from a rise in utilization of that essential oil having its Omega 3 fatty acid information. The same added benefits can certainly in general always be assumed for the family dog.

Even though it is not essential to look for and have a new pharmaceutical drug at a veterinary to purchase these essential oil products, it will always be smart to talk to a new doctor pertaining to assistance with a new pup?s well being. Omega3 pertaining to puppies does not have to be applied through capsules?cod liver essential oil also comes in a new jar, is containing more Omega 3 essential oil which enable it to simply be added onto dog food. Unlike small children that are very likely to protest in regards to the oily persistence as well as tastes as well as cod liver fish oil, puppies will probably panel this with some relish. On top of that, considering the dynamics regarding ?dog breath? it has the reputation isn?t likely to be noticed.

This author possesses invested a long time learning about omega-3 fatty acids pertaining to puppies dry skin and other connected subjects. Discover more with regards to fish oil for dogs

Source: http://cheapcarinsurance123.net/fish-oil-to-get-pets/

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Should a Christian Band be NonProfit? | ChristianBandHelp

NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO.

Almost Always?

NO.

Here?s why?

• It is expensive to form a nonprofit corporation.
• It is expensive to maintain a nonprofit corporation.
• Nonprofit corporations are one of the most restrictive types of business.
• Nonprofit corporations require more paperwork than almost any type of business.
• Nonprofit corporations will allow the band the least amount of control over their ministry and business.
• Nonprofit corporations are a lot of work.

It is true that donors give larger amounts of money when they can take a tax deduction.? It is also true that charitable foundations give grant money to nonprofits. But, the tax benefit to potential donors generally just does not pay off for Christian bands. ?People that donate large amounts of money most often give it to organizations that address a physical need, such as food pantries or poverty relief in third world countries.? Additionally, funders of larger donations usually require paperwork to ask for the donation as well as paperwork to show how the money was spent. In the end, the band may receive more money but most often those donations are not increased enough to cover the costs or justify the huge amount of time it takes to get them.

That was the short answer. Read on if you need more info ? we?ll crunch some numbers and give you examples. Let?s take one issue at a time.

It is expensive to form a nonprofit corporation.

The filing fees with the IRS are over $500. If you are able to learn how to fill out the forms correctly you may get off easy here. But, I have not known many people who got it right the first time. Then, of course, you have to deal with your state laws; every states filing fees and requirements are different. Some people are able to convince an attorney to file all the forms pro bono. This is a HUGE blessing and does not happen often. If you are not able to figure out the forms by yourself and need to hire an attorney, plan on additional fees of at least $1,000. I have heard of companies being able to get nonprofit status for $750 total but most people end up paying in the neighborhood of $2,000 when it is all said and done. More start up information is available here.

It is expensive to maintain a nonprofit corporation.

Nonprofits are not required to pay taxes (which can save you a ton of money when buying equipment), but they are required to file tax forms. Of course those forms have filing fees ? usually in the neighborhood of $250 per year Federal plus state fees which vary widely. Can you file these forms yourself? Maybe, but probably not. Most organizations hire an accountant to do the basic forms. Also, nonprofits are required to give employees W-4?s and independent contractors 990?s ? more accounting fees. (Let?s not even discuss payroll taxes and withholding.) Most small nonprofits spend in the neighborhood of $1000 per year for their accountant. The big organizations spend a lot more. Your accounting fees could skyrocket? if you do not keep awesome business records using a professional program like QuickBooks. And guess what happens if you do not file the appropriate forms at the right time ? fines, and lots of them. You can get the fines waived but it usually takes an accountant or attorney to wade through the process (more accounting and legal fees).

Nonprofit corporations are the most restrictive types of business.

There is a lot of paperwork that has to be filed with the government for tax purposes in a nonprofit. There is also paperwork that has to be filed which tells how the company will be governed ? these are called by-laws.? Technically you get to write your own by-laws but the federal government and most state governments have requirements you must follow. These requirements include a Board of Directors that runs the business. The ins and outs of which band members are also Board members and who gets paid can be tricky. Ideally, employees get paid but do not have a say in business decisions and Board members make decisions but do not get paid ? in real life that can be a problem. There are ways to work it out, but it needs to be done correctly by someone who knows what they are doing or Uncle Sam can revoke your nonprofit status. There are also an almost uncountable number of laws governing things like what qualifies as a legitimate business expense, when the company can pay for food, how to write down mileage expenses, and even who has to be notified if you receive a donation of over $5,000. Many of these rules are applicable to any corporation, some are applicable to any form of business, and some are specific to nonprofits. If you know what you are doing it?s not a problem, if not ? it can be a real headache. You cannot just do whatever you think is right in any given situation; you must follow federal laws, state laws, and your organizations by-laws.

Nonprofit corporations require more paperwork than almost any type of business.

Every business requires the paperwork of bank statements,? inventory records, and lots of receipts for everything. Plus, we?ve already talked about the legal, accounting and tax paperwork for nonprofits. How much more can there be? Yup ? you guessed it ? a lot. Since nonprofits are governed by a Board of Directors, records of their decisions should be kept on file. This includes agendas and minutes from Board Meetings and committee meetings. Personal records of individual Board Members are also required, these include information like when they served as a Board member, their address, social security number, and phone number. Board members are liable for wrongdoings of a nonprofit, so these records both protect from and allow prosecution in extreme cases. Nonprofits also must keep a record of their assets, how much they are worth, and what happened to them if they are disposed of (yes, there are even laws governing that). If the nonprofit shuts down records must be kept of where the assets went, the IRS will ask. Other types of businesses should keep these records as well, but nonprofits will generally receive much more IRS scrutiny in this area.

Nonprofit corporations will allow the band the least amount of control over their ministry and business.

We have already discussed the Board of Directors and employees? the Board sets policy and employees implement their decisions. This is limiting enough, but the Board cannot set any policy or make any decision they want. When you file paperwork to set up your company you will include a mission statement. It is the Boards job to make sure your organization is living up to the mission statement. Not doing the mission or doing something other than the mission statement can cause legal issues. ?A certain amount of projects other than the mission statement can be done and mission statements can be changed, but again you have to know what you are doing. Legal advice is advisable.

There is also the issue of what to do with the profits or losses of the company ? you are limited in your choices as a nonprofit. The greatest limitation is that those profits cannot end up in your pocket.

Nonprofit corporations are a lot of work.

I think you have probably figured this one out by now.? The administration of a nonprofit corporation can be a full time job. It?s not something you do haphazardly, on the fly. There are long term tax and legal ramifications for everyone involved. So, it is important to get it right. Grantspace.org, Boardsource.org, snpo.org,? and Foundationcenter.org are great resources to find out what you will be getting into before you start.

So, when should a band consider becoming a nonprofit corporation?

In my opinion, Christian bands might consider becoming a nonprofit corporation if:

• There is someone in the band who can do all the work themselves ? like a CPA who specializes in nonprofit accounting.
• The band is forming a ministry that will focus on fundraising for a cause.
• If the band is promised a large gift of $5,000 or more only if they become a nonprofit.
• Band members are donating large enough amounts of money to the ministry as to justify the extra expenses with individual tax savings. Most often, band members are better off to take business losses at this point as a partnership.

If you do decide to start your own nonprofit corporation, here?s the best book I can recommend:

How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation (How to Form Your Own Nonprofit Corporation)

You should read this even if your hire an attorney to do the work for you because it will give you a good understanding of the process and how it affects you in the future.

There is another way?

It is called fiscal sponsorship. In the nonprofit world it means a nonprofit organization adopts your organization. In the Christian world it means you are sponsored by a Church. Donors are able to give to the Church and take a tax deduction for the gift. They are also able to designate that the money goes directly to the band, since the band is one of the ministries of the church. If you really need nonprofit status, talk to your Pastor ? see if this could work for your band. You?ll save headaches and a lot of cash if you can come under the Churches authority and structure. I do not recommend that every band should be sponsored by a Church, but it is a good option that works well for many bands.? Be discerning, get the most information you can, and seriously pray about it for your band.

Please note that I am not an accountant or attorney. You should consult your tax advisor and get sound legal advice before attempting any business structure for your band.

Hope this helps! Please leave a comment about your experience with the business structure of your Christian band.

Source: http://christianbandhelp.com/should-a-christian-band-be-nonprofit/

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The Risk-management-based Audit and It's Using in Enterprise's ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]With the development of the economic and the impetus of the new technological revolution and with the market changed from seller to buyer, the competition between producers becomes more and more intense. With the intensity of the ...

Source: http://www.economics-papers.com/the-risk-management-based-audit-and-its-using-in-enterprises-business.html

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Benkaat Blue wins at Monmore, pleasing trainer Mark Wallis | bettor ...

Benkaat Blue wins at Monmore, pleasing trainer Mark Wallis

Benkaat Blue stormed to a comprehensive victory in the Ladbrokes.com 480 Puppies Div 1 race at Monmore in England on Saturday, February 25, 2012. The cash prize for winning the 480 metres open race was ?150.

The victory was quite pleasing for Mark Wallis, trainer of the triumphant greyhound. He has gained a lot of confidence after Saturday?s performance and has now set his sights on the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby.

Benkaat Blue was not the favourite to win the race, as he earned a starting price of 5 to 2 for the event. However, he took the bettors by surprise, covering the total race distance in 28.24 seconds.

The blue coloured dog did not get off to an ideal start, as he was behind a couple of runners. He was also crowded in the middle section, which almost ruined his race. However, he stated increasing his pace gradually, finishing almost five lengths ahead of the runner up greyhound.

This dominant run will certainly encourage the punters to invest more money on the winning greyhound in future. He is the son of Droopys Scolari out of Star Of Dromin and was born in April 2010.

The biggest surprise of the race came from Millwards Alpha, trained by P. Young. He was the least favourite to win, with a starting price of 25 to 1, but still managed to finish as runner up.

Millwards Alpha was not considered to be a threat for the rest of the pack in this class. However, he surprised one and all with a terrific run. He went off to a great start, which almost earned him victory, but he was caught by Benkaat Blue in the end.

The second placed greyhound is the son of Royal Impact out of Dalcash Diva and was born in April 2010.

Third place went to Scramble, another greyhound not expected to finish in top three. She had a decent run, covering the total distance in 28.90 seconds. The D. Childs trained bitch is the daughter of Head Bound out of Bluetoon Megan and was born in May 2010.

P. Sallis would have been extremely disappointed at the end of the race, as his dog, Tulling Joy, failed to win despite being the favourite.

Fire Height Spec and Rooneys Lad completed the order of finish, taking fifth and sixth places respectively.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Benkaat-Blue-wins-at-Monmore,-pleasing-trainer-Mark-Wallis-a132431

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For what reason Forming a great LLC to maintain Investment ...

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Using that UPS retail outlet approach with regard to my online business address forming an LLC in New Jersey had various advantages. I will have anyone receive packages that might require a fabulous signature with no a success or pass up approach in regard to delivery situations. I can pick ? up ? any packages at the same time that is far more convenient for me personally. Acknowledged wise director Monica Poole, ?Pennsylvania LLC.? The members of each LLC can prefer to get classified for a corporation, ?S? business or joint venture. ($1000 times 3 Entrepreneurs x 3 A few months = $9000 Delayed Penalty) Type makes you intend to file timely ? isn?t going to it?.

LLC?s MO LLC either always be member-managed and manager-managed.

The second advantage of forming a strong LLC conditions the overtax structure. YOUR creditor receives a wisdom against anyone for $100,000 and also forecloses in your LLC curiosity. You currently have permanently dropped your ownership inside the LLC plus the creditor might receive even more than $100,000 in the event the assets inside the LLC appreciate in the foreseeable future. Do an individual feel that assets had been protected?.

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Source: http://www.steadman-group.com/for-what-reason-forming-a-great-llc-to-maintain-investment-properties-is-fundamental/

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Warning on flood insurance cover ? England on Sunday

26 February 2012
Last updated at 21:48 ET

Thousands of homes were damaged by the 2007 floods in the UK

Up to 200,000 homes could struggle to get insurance against flooding next year, according to council leaders.

The Local Government Association (LGA) wants to replace a soon-to-expire ?safety net? covering flood-risk areas.

It commits insurers to offer insurance to existing customers at significant risk of flooding if there are plans to reduce that risk within five years.

The government said it does not want impossible burdens put on the taxpayer.

The LGA has written to the government and insurers calling for the Flood Insurance Statement of Principles to be replaced, saying it could potentially risk an ?11bn liability. That statement expires next year.

It said people in areas including Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Devon, Kent and Huddersfield had been refused or priced out of home insurance because of flood risk.

Clare Whelan, from the LGA?s environment and housing board, said: ?Councils are the organisations to which people turn for help in their hour of need.

Continue reading the main story

It is not enough just to point the finger at the insurance industry?

End Quote
Nick Starling
Association of British Insurers

?However, we simply cannot afford to take the risk of being left to foot a multi-billion pound bill if we see more devastating scenes like those in Cockermouth three years ago.?

She said the insurance industry had a responsibility to help people manage risk and ?should not be allowed to hand-pick low-risk homes?.

She added: ?We all remember the wave of destruction the 2007 floods caused.

?It is imperative the insurance industry commits as soon as possible to providing affordable and fair insurance premiums once the current safety net agreement expires next year.

?Some families are already struggling to find cover for their homes, and we run the risk that tens of thousands more could soon face a double whammy of greater risk of flooding while being left unable to get insurance.?

?Foolish developments?

Nick Starling, director of general insurance at the Association of British Insurers, said members were determined that flood insurance remained as ?widely available and competitively priced? as possible.

?Insurers do not want to see people priced out of home insurance and have stood by their high flood risk customers under the Statement of Principles agreement for over 12 years,? he said.

?We now urgently need the government to work with us to ensure that a sustainable flood insurance market is in place once the agreement ends in June next year.?

He added that the LGA needed to ?recognise that local authorities have a role to play?.

?It is not enough just to point the finger at the insurance industry.

?They need to commit to investment in flood defences, and ensure that there is no more foolish development in high flood risk areas, particularly given the rising flood risk.?

Environment Minister Richard Benyon has previously said that it was wrong to impose impossible burdens on the taxpayer, adding that the government wanted to make sure that insurance continues to be available for the vast majority of households.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said it would consider targeted support over the next few months and said further announcements would be made in the spring.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-17175246

Source: http://www.englandonsunday.com/archives/9807?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=warning-on-flood-insurance-cover

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Not iPhone vs Android. Apple vs Samsung.

I've written previously that there is no iPhone vs Android battle. If there was, Android would have long ago waved the white flag. Apple is sucking up all the profits, has the most popular phone, the biggest, most developed ecosystem. Android makers, on the other hand, keep going back to Google for bigger and bigger handouts.

Except Samsung.

As I've written many times, the big iPhone - Android battle is really an epic Apple vs Samsung clash. As this Korea news video reveals, that's exactly what Samsung is hoping for.

I don't believe Samsung can match Apple; not in terms of brand power, customer loyalty, product design, software and innovation. But I do believe they will continue to mock Apple while copying Apple products wholesale, and without shame.

Source: http://brianshall.com/content/not-iphone-vs-android-apple-vs-samsung

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12 elevators you need to see to believe

The AquaDom can be found in the lobby of Berlin's Radisson Blu Hotel

By Ryan Murphy, Budget Travel

Usually, a ride on an elevator involves pushing a button and zoning out until the ding for your floor. Pay attention on these lifts, though, or risk missing out on one of the most thrilling rides of your life (even if it only lasts 30 seconds). From zooming up an inside-out London landmark to climbing to a scenic overlook in rural China to an ascent up an American icon, these vertical feats of engineering are about way more than getting from point A to point B.

Slideshow: See the coolest elevators

The Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Mo.

The ascent to the top of America's tallest monument begins in a futuristic, white pod elevator at the base. The mod design feels like something straight out of "The Jetsons," but the stroke of genius by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen was the addition of glass doors, which reveal the mechanical complexity of the structure's interior as the cars chug up to the observation deck of the 630-foot high wonder. The ride is over in just four minutes, at which point visitors can make their way out to marvel at how tiny the mighty Mississippi River and all of those cars below.

How to ride: Skip long lines by buying tickets online or over the phone. (11 North 4th St., 877/982-1410, stlouisarch.com, $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-15.)

Bailong Elevator, Hunan, China

Bailong Elevator in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park proves that extraordinary lifts aren't just for cities. In a feat of engineering, glass elevator cars rise nearly 1,070 feet up a sheer cliff as they transport folks to a scenic area overlooking the green-swathed valley below. In two minutes time, guests are treated to some of the park's best scenery, including scenic lakes and the distinct sandstone pillars the region is known for.

How to ride: The scenery in Zhangjiajie is spectacular, rain or shine, but be aware that the lifts may shut down for inauspicious weather. (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan Province, 011-86/744-836-2222, $39 for a two-day park ticket, lift is $8.90 per person.)

The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk, Scotland

Imagine boarding an elevator ... in a boat. It's not as crazy as it sounds. The Falkirk Wheel is exactly that ? a lift for boats ? and it serves a practical purpose. It opened in 2002, the long-awaited answer to the question of how to link two canals whose inconvenient, lock-ridden connection had been severed nearly 70 years earlier. Not surprisingly, the lift has become a popular attraction, with 50-minute gondola tours that traverse both canals and include two rides, up and down, on the elevator. At the zenith of the Wheel's rotation, visitors can see as far as two miles outside of Falkirk proper and marvel at both the bucolic countryside and the 115-foot tall contraption swooping them gently through the air.

How to ride: Due to the popularity of the Wheel, booking tickets online or over the phone is recommended. Check the weather beforehand ? clear days will yield the best views of these pastoral scenes. (Lime Rd., Tamfourhill, 011-44/8700-500208,www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk, $12.25 for adults, $7.75 for children 3-15.)

AquaDom, Berlin, Germany

It resides in the lobby of Berlin's Radisson Blu Hotel, but the AquaDom goes where few hotel elevators have ever dared venture: the middle of the sea (or close enough, anyway). A lift rising through the hollow center of a cylindrical, 82-foot tall aquarium transports visitors through a full panorama of tropical sea life. Fish festooned with vibrant colors nibble at the aquarium wall inches from their human admirers. Almost a hundred different species, including blowfish, silver moonfish, and humphead wrasse, are represented in the tank, which holds more than a million liters of water and is the largest cylindrical tank aquarium in the world. The ride is decidedly leisurely?perfect for reveling in the sensation of floating in an underwater wonderland.

How to ride: The AquaDom is one attraction in Sea Life, an aquarium complex within the same property as the hotel. To ensure quick entry ? and to shave a few bucks off the walk-up price ? purchase your tickets online.?(3 Spandauer Str., 011-49/180-5-66-690-101, visitsealife.com, $15.35 for adults, $9 for children 3-14.)

Hammetschwand Lift, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

It looks like a rocket ready to blast off into the unknown, but the Hammetschwand Lift offers far more colorful vistas than anything you could find in the emptiness of outer space. The elevator opened in 1905 as an addition to the B?rgenstock Resort and its bird's-eye views of the rugged Alps and Lucerne's blue waters have been wowing visitors ever since. The years have done nothing to diminish its impact ? the 499-foot, 48-second ride is still the tallest outdoor lift in Europe. And while the structure's spiderweb latticework might seem precarious, the engineers behind the project clearly knew what they were doing because the lift has stood the test of time. Today, modern cars traverse the distance at a brisk speed of 10 feet per second, making this hotel elevator a legitimate thrill ride. Ready for liftoff?

How to ride: The lift shuts down for the winter months, so plan your visit between mid-May and mid-October. It stays open late on Saturdays in summer, making it?an excellent venue for enjoying a sunset. (B?rgenstock Resort,?Obb?rgen, 011-41/612-9090, buergenstock.ch, tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for children 6-16.)?

SkyView, Stockholm, Sweden

There is no better way to take in the sights of Stockholm than a ride along the Ericsson Globe. Gondolas attached to a track run along to the exterior of this spherical structure (361 feet in diameter). The glass lifts trace a 20-minute curve to the very top of the orb and back down, giving visitors a constantly evolving panorama of the city's skyline. The only downside is that it doesn't give you a view of the Globe itself; the clean, white structure dotted with porthole windows is one of Stockholm's most striking landmarks.

How to ride: There are only two gondolas for the popular ride, so reserve your spot online to ensure a seat. (2?Globentorget, 011-46/771-811-000, globearenas.se, tickets are $19 for adults, $14.60 for children 3-12.)

Lloyd's Building, London, England

The Lloyd's of London building on Lime Street was designed inside out, thrilling passersby with massive piping curving around the exterior. The 12 glass elevators are outside as well, gliding smoothly up the side of the building. They might not be the fastest or the tallest, but for these lifts, it's all about the view. The Thames River is only a quarter mile away and some of London's other eminent sights ? including the spire at St. Paul's from one side of the building, and the celebrated Gherkin from another ? are even closer, making a 30-second trip up those crystal pods is one of the best ways to savor the city.

How to ride: This one will be the hardest to check off the list: Lloyd's lifts are only open to employees and official visitors and security is tight. But don't give up hope. The building is usually included in London's annual Open House, when the public gets free access and tours to places normally off-limits.?(One Lime St., 011-44/20-7327-1000, lloyds.com, free during London's Open House, Sept. 22 and 23, 2012.)

Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan

Tearing along at almost 40 miles per hour, the tower's lifts reach the 89th-floor observatory in just 37 seconds, leaving riders well over a thousand feet above the city. From this viewpoint, every corner of the sprawling metropolis is tiny by sheer distance. Parks, temples and even other skyscrapers and distant mountains are practically Lilliputian. And the journey is only half over ? the stomach-dropping return trip is just as thrilling.

How to ride: The ticket office is found on the tower's fifth floor. Tickets are only sold on-site, so be prepared to wait in line. (7 Hsin Yi Rd., Sec. 5, 011-866/2-8101-8899, www.taipei-101.com.tw, tickets are $13 for adults, $12.35 for children under 12.)

Luxor Inclinator, Las Vegas

Don't call it an elevator. The Luxor's "inclinators" transport guests up the side of the hotel's iconic pyramid at a sharp 39-degree angle. Unlike others on this list, the cars lack observation windows, and they can't compete with other famed elevators in height (they only span 30 floors). But like so much of Las Vegas, the inclinators are all about standing apart from the crowd. There are also great views from the top floors of the faux Egyptian universe below, especially at night, when the lights of the lobby flash to life.

How to ride: Access to the Luxor's higher floors via the inclinators is restricted to guests, so the best way to take a ride is to spend the night at the 4,400-room hotel. (3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702/262-4444, luxor.com, from $45 per night.)

Long Island City Business Center, Queens, New York

For most of the lifts on this list, the thrill comes from the view outside the walls. But for this elevator, it's all about the view inside. Don't be fooled by the building's businesslike fa?ade or its no-nonsense entryway. A psychedelic scene awaits behind the deceptively unadorned doors of the elevator near a small entrance on 31st Street. The one-of-a-kind interior is painted with the massive, twisted visage of a grinning dragon with grotesque 3-D beasts bursting from its eye sockets. The effects are striking (made even more disorienting by the small fish-eye mirror on the back wall). The journey up the building's six floors is quite a trip, indeed.

How to ride: Anyone who works in the building should be able to point the way. (30-30 47th Ave., Long Island City, free, if you can get to it.)

Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany

With their stark, curving metallic exteriors and glowing visor-shaped windows, the elevators at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart are as much fun to watch rise and fall along tracks in the museum's atrium as they are to ride. The trip only takes about 30 seconds so feel free to ride multiple times. You might want to pop off every once in a while to see the exhibits covering 125 years of motoring landmarks ? and to see the inspiration behind the elevators' uber-modern look.

How to ride: The museum itself is worth a visit, but if you are really just there for the elevators (and we wouldn't blame you), tickets are half price between 4:30 p.m. and when the ticket booth closes at 5 p.m. (the museum is open until 6 p.m.). (100 Mercedesstrasse, 011-49/711-17-30-000, mercedes-benz-classic.com, half price tickets are $5.15 for adults, $2.60 for teens 15 to 17 after 4:30 p.m.)

Sky Tower, Auckland, New Zealand

The view from this tower's observation level (610 feet in the air) is impressive for sure, but watching it unfold in front of you on the 40-second ride up is even more magical. The glass-fronted elevators have views of the harbor and Auckland's modest cityscape, as well as the green countryside unfurling like a quilt in the far distance. If you can tear your eyes away from the view out the sides, look down through the glass floor for the extra thrill of seeing the ground speed away from you ? and come rushing back towards you on the descent.

How to ride: There is a free SkyCity shuttle bus to the Sky Tower that picks up at several points around central Auckland, including the Maritime Museum and the Waterloo Quadrant. (Corner of Victoria and Federal Sts., 011-64/800-759-2489, skycityauckland.co.nz, tickets are $21.50 for adults, $8.50 for children 6-14.)

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Source: http://itineraries.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/31/10281062-12-elevators-you-need-to-see-to-believe

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Have Some Family Fun Time in a Beautifully Landscaped Backyard

Backyards can easily be transformed into a second living room. They provide a new place for families to spend some quality time with each other without taking long drives to amusement parks or vacation hot spots. If you don't see families soaking in their own pool, you'll see them throwing a barbecue party or having a picnic in the comforts of their own backyard.

If you think swimming or barbecue parties are a tad too boring, for family fun time at the backyard, then you may want to consider camping. Camping in your backyard?for expert mountaineers and adventure-craving souls, it may sound absurd. After all, why bother setting up a tent and sleeping under the stars if you're only a few feet away from your house? But for kids, backyard camping provides an undeniable sense of adventure that sets off the feeling like they're in a wild forest or jungle?despite the fact they can see their backdoor.

However, camping in the backyard is more fun if the place actually resembles a lovely forest. So what can you do to ensure your kids attain the highest level of fun during the experience? This is where landscaping enters the picture. Landscaping involves the modification of visible land features like living elements (flora and fauna), natural elements (e.g. terrain shape, landforms), and human elements (e.g. buildings, fences), and abstract elements (weather and lighting conditions).

Landscaping Pearland TX homes are thankful to have can be performed by homeowners themselves or, better yet, by a professional landscaper. Unless you have the time and expertise, it's more advisable to have it done professionally. Besides, landscaping professionals know what perfectly goes with which and can match different pieces to make your backyard seem like your own little piece of paradise on earth.

If you think Pearland landscaping services is only good for aesthetic reasons, you better think again. According to an article from Money Magazine, landscaped properties can increase resale value from 100 to 200 percent if done properly and blends perfectly with foliage nearby. Compared to other improvement projects like kitchen and bathroom remodeling, landscaping gets the job done when it comes to ROI (Return of Investments).

Landscaping is science and art combined. It requires good observation and design skills to create a marvelous backyard from scratch. Contact your local landscapers and peruse through different Pearland landscape designs to transform your ordinary backyard into a family haven.

Source: http://lifestyle.ezinemark.com/have-some-family-fun-time-in-a-beautifully-landscaped-backyard-7d343f742bd1.html

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News round the world - Society - EzineMark

The news literally means the coverage of what is happening every second. News will also include an interface element written in news. News has two priorities, like news must be current, and news must also be able to help the people for something new that will be presented through internet, print and other media. The news will be telecasted throughout the world is said to be world news. This news has a relation with different countries like news about India, Europe news, China news and more. India news includes different kinds of news like sports news, movie news, finance news, political Indian news, and more. News can also be telecasted in any local languages like Telugu, Hindi and other languages. World news will give the information of current events in every country. Some of the latest news in the globe was given in the news of the world.

This news is many times available in local languages of people. News may be based on latest news, political news and other kinds of news. The political people who are appointed by the government and how they control the government services are clearly explained in political Indian news.

Latest news gives the information of breaking news and upcoming movies news and more throughout the world. Politics is a process by which the groups of people made collective decisions. The term political has a general reference to government or any state affairs. It is also used for referring the behavior of opposition government. Politics can be observed by each and every people in the state or country. It involves the authority and power of the person.

The news which deals with the government of India is said to be political India news. This news gives the information that how the political people are controlling the government services and the latest news in politics. In the world news, the people can know any type of political news over the globe. India news sector has a further division into some categories like sports news, business news, and film news from these sectors different types of news are telecasting. Some of the latest news took place in the country will be shown in the India news and also in the world news. Europe news covers the information of current news of Europe. News about India gives the information of any news to the people. News may be based on political news, and more. The acting of politics in the country is clearly shown in the political Indian news. Latest news gives the information of breaking news and upcoming movies news and more.

Source: http://society.ezinemark.com/news-round-the-world-7d33c53eb19b.html

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Kroger Cart buster Savings Event and $25 Gift Card Giveaway ...

Each year I post about the Kroger Cart Buster Savings Event. Why? Because you can save money on great brand name products and I want you to know about it! That?s why.

There are some fantastic brand name products that participate each year, including but not limited to:

Cheerios Lucky Charms Pillsbury Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper Yoplait Progresso Totino?s Green Giant Cascadian Farm

Tide Charmin Bounty Pampers Pantene Crest Iams Febreze Old Spice Bounce

Pepsi Ruffles Quaker Tostito?s Rice A Roni Tropicana Stacy?s Sobe Mountain Dew Gatorade

That?s only some of the products! You can really get some great savings during this event. Beginning the week of February 26th, 2012, shop the Kroger Co. Family of Stores biggest-ever promotion and find the hottest prices around on more than 35 brands, across more than 60 categories from General Mills, P & G, Pepsi, Nestle, Kraft and Kroger Banner Brands. During the Cart Buster Savings Event, you?ll find great savings in almost every department at the Kroger Family of Stores, which includes:

? Kroger Ralph?s King Soopers City Market Dillon?s Smith?s Fry?s QFC Baker?s Owen?s Jay C Food Stores Hilander Gerbes Food4Less Pay Less Super Markets Scott?s Food & Pharmacy

Visit CartBuster.combeginning 2/26/12 to find money-savings digital coupons, shopping lists and more. And starting 2/29/12 you can participate in the ?Deal of the Day?! How does the Deal of the Day work?

• During seven days of the Cart Buster Savings Event, 2/29/12 ? 3/6/12, there will be a super hot, exclusive offer good on one participating Cart Buster item. Each offer will be exclusive and available for one-day only ? but the offer will be good for the duration of the entire event.
• You?ll see savings of up to and over 50% with the Deal of the Day offers ? maybe even some freebies ? and that?s on top of the already-low, low prices that Cart Buster has to offer!
• Look for seven days of ?Deal of the Day offers? beginning 2/29/12. The Last Deal of the Day offer will be up on 3/6/12. But don?t fret ? the Cart Buster event will continue even after the Deal of the Day ends. Check your local store for the exact end date for the Cart Buster Savings Event.

If you have one of the Kroger family stores in your area, you?ll really want to check this event out! Until then, one lucky reader can win a $25 Kroger gift card! Rafllecopter entry widget below.

Giveaway! $25 Kroger Gift Card

Win a $25 Kroger Gift Card!

Rafflecopter entry methods

Giveaway ends: March 08, 2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The Kroger Family of Stores gift card, information, and giveaway were all provided by the Kroger Family of Stores and General Mills/Nestle/Proctor & Gamble/Pepsi/Kraft through MyBlogSpark.

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Source: http://thecinnamonhollow.com/2012/02/23/kroger-cart-buster-savings-event-and-25-gift-card-giveaway/

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What Are They? | 16mmfilmstock.com

Retirement villages are a giant step up from retirement homes. People that are allowed to stay in retirement villages are not constantly watched by employees of the home. They are allowed to function on their own, unless they have some sort of medical issues, and can be taken care of by family. Retirement villages are apartment complexes that offer reduced rental rates for older people that can no longer afford to stay in a more expensive place. They can live with younger family members or not- it all depends on what their specific needs are. Most towns and cities have these readily available. More info: retirement villages San Clemente

Source: http://16mmfilmstock.com/what-are-they/

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Qualcomm Atheros flaunts 802.11ac WiFi module for Snapdragon S4

The 802.11ac WiFi standard may sound like an alphabetical step backwards, but for high-bandwidth tasks like 1080p streaming it promises to wipe the face off 802.11n. Qualcomm Atheros wants its share of the billion unit pie and has just launched a series of products to flesh out its 802.11ac ecosystem. Top billing goes to the WCN3680 WiFi/BlueTooth/FM combo module, which plugs into the new Snapdragon S4 (MSM8960) and offers speeds of up to 433Mbps to complement that blistering CPU performance. Since the S4 already includes built-in b/g/n WiFi (not to mention its 3G/4G/LTE baseband), manufacturers who choose to add the 802.11ac component will achieve full WiFi cross-compatibility and make many consumers happy in the process. Meanwhile, you'll also find similar multilingual abilities in QA's other 5G WiFi modules for PCs, laptops, routers and enterprise, which are all detailed in the PR after the break. Rest assured that we'll bring you more hands-on impressions of the latest Snapdragon just as soon as things kick off at MWC -- and hopefully in the form of a finished, market-ready tablet or handset.

Continue reading Qualcomm Atheros flaunts 802.11ac WiFi module for Snapdragon S4

Qualcomm Atheros flaunts 802.11ac WiFi module for Snapdragon S4 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/qualcomm-atheros-flaunts-802-11ac-wifi/

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Double Rainbow: Parent Guides, Part 2 | Bitch Media

In my last post and this one, I'm taking a quick look at a selection of four parents' guides on autism and Asperger syndrome, to see how sex, sexuality, and gender are addressed. This is not a book review, but an overview of how these topics are presented in literature intended for parents of adolescents. Do these texts contribute to the erasure of autistic sexuality? What do the books have to say about gender?

It was inevitable that I would come down pretty hard on these books, but in my frustration I left out an important point: These guides are not "disgusting" works of bigotry. They're unassuming parenting guides right off the "Children with Special Needs" shelf of a mainstream bookstore. They're meant to help parents of autistic adolescents guide their children through the transition into adulthood, and in that regard they're perfectly well-intentioned.?

The problem is that a text doesn't have to be overtly bigoted or hateful to exclude and become complicit in the oppression of gender non-conforming and non-heterosexual people. Even with all of the media attention given to same-sex marriage and, increasingly, to trans* issues, it's mainstream culture itself that remains bigoted. The gender binary and its attendant gender roles are still deeply entrenched as "common sense." Heterosexuality is still perceived as a basic, default, kid-friendly sexuality, while non-heterosexual orientations are too "complex" to explain to children.?

As I mentioned before, Growing Up on the Spectrum nods toward the inclusion of homosexuality (only homosexuality, even though gay and straight aren't the only choices) but the authors continue to frame relationships in terms of "opposite sex," a phrase that is both homophobic and transphobic. (And nonsensical; a person's sex doesn't have an "opposite.") The book also dwells on normative gender performance as a means of "looking good" and fitting in, placing it right alongside bathing and wearing clean clothes as if it is equally "common sense."

On my last post one commenter asked whether I would expect the text to address "every possible relationship" and asserted that the book is meant to cover "the basics" and that to address queer identities would have been outside of the scope of its purpose.

The problem I see with this line of reasoning is that heterosexuality and gender conformity aren't somehow more "basic" or less complex than non-straight and gender non-conforming identities. And the book's purpose is to help parents guide their autistic children through adolescence into adulthood. Queer people don't spontaneously coalesce as fully formed adults. We have childhoods, and we need guidance, reassurance, and validation through our own transitions into and beyond adolescence. Even if an author isn't qualified to comment on queer issues, I don't think an acknowledgment that they exist and a list of relevant resources would be too much to ask for. (Even big bad Autism Speaks does just that in its own materials for parents.)

In addition to the two books I have already mentioned, I took a look at two more books that specifically address "high-functioning autism" and Asperger syndrome. Neither book presumes to dictate gender performance, and both books address intimate relationships in neutral terms that emphasize forming healthy and fulfilling connections. This is all well and good on its own, but taken in comparison with the previous books I find it a little troubling. Autism Life Skills, the first book I mentioned, is directed at parents of children with a diagnosis of "classic" autism?children who are constructed as "lower functioning" than children with Asperger syndrome. It frames the avoidance of abuse and sexual assault as the primary?even only?reason to discuss sexuality with one's children, and never addresses romantic or intimate relationships. The uncomfortable implication is that enjoying sex and intimacy is a privilege reserved for sufficiently "high-functioning" autists.?

Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence, by Teresa Bolick, only briefly addresses sex and intimate relationships. The author initially remarks on basic interpersonal skills, like communicating and interpreting interest, and then focuses on safety. In one remark that stuck out to me, the author asserts:

...it's very important for us to teach that romance and sex occur within the context of relationships. This is important for all adolescents, but it's even more critical for adolescents with AS. Their interpersonal skills and social self-esteem are such that romance is unlikely to work except in the context of a strong friendship.

I'm not sure how to feel about that. I certainly?don't believe that sex has to occur within the context of a relationship, and I actually think it's damaging to insist that young people treat sex as an emblem of emotional intimacy. I also don't know exactly how I would talk to teens about casual sex. Popular culture on the whole has a general problem with wringing its hands over casual sex among teenagers while consistently failing to address the issue in any meaningful way.?

In a chapter called "The Rules of the (Social) Road," Bolick offers lists of bullet points that describe the bounds of socially acceptable behavior. A couple of these address gender, and those that do struck me as a little...odd. Under a section titled "Rule for Sending the Messages You Want to Send," she writes: "Long hair (on boys or girls) is okay if it's clean and well kept." That's perfectly admirable, but it's also a little bit random and contradictory, since the same list of "rules" includes "Even if you don't care that much about clothing and belongings, try to match the basic styles with the clothing of classmates."?

The same list of bulleted points also veers uncomfortably toward slut-shaming, with "Don't wear 'provocative' clothing to school" because it might "make others think you're showing off your body." The rationale is that schools "want you to be thinking about schoolwork, not bodies," and "besides, who can do schoolwork is she's worried about falling straps?"?

The fourth book that I took a look at is called A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome & High-Functioning Autism, and it's the only guide that I might actually recommend because it seems quite thorough. (Though I didn't closely read through the entire book.) It doesn't presume to dictate gendered behavior, and in the section on sexuality and romantic relationships the authors avoid heterocentric language. The book also acknowledges the possibility that adolescents on the spectrum might not develop an interest in sex, though it doesn't do so unproblematically:

For many, such as Temple Grandin, the option of living a productive life without a partner is more appealing and less complicated. As a parent of a child with AS-HFA, your mentoring can help your child understand relevant issues and make informed choices in this area as an independent individual.

I can't and do not wish to rip that to pieces, but the wording suggests that autistic people who don't pursue either sexual or romantic relationships (and one certainly can pursue one without the other) are ushered toward that identity because autism itself renders initimate relationships too "complicated." It's an assumption that subtly denies agency and erases asexuality as a valid sexual orientation, rather than a consequence of pathology.

I opened my previous post with a musing on whether the jumble of books available to parents of children with "special needs" reflect a coherent parenting culture. What is the relationship between spiritual books like Autism and the God Connection and?the bizarre pseudoscience of "indigo children," and practical parent guides? What about the proliferation of books about "overcoming" and even "curing" autism?

All of the subgenres of books and materials produced by and available to parents of autistic people offer a response to the cultural construction of disability as brokenness and lack. Guides like the ones I've looked at here offer advice on helping one's child "fit in" and adjust "in spite of" disability, because the ultimate goal is to resemble non-disabled people?"whole," "normal" people?as closely as possible. Spiritual and pseudoscientific texts that ascribe mysterious abilities to autistic people?or even more grounded, mainstream texts that extol the "gifts" associated with autism?appeal to a desire to find the silver lining of an otherwise debilitating and undesirable condition. The "gifts" associated with autism are a kind of compensation for the attendant impairments.?

I understand that it can be overwhelmingly difficult to avoid perceiving autism as an expression of damage and lack. Mainstream media encourages parents to panic. Caregivers are overburdened, not because autistic people are a scourge, but because they are systemically denied compensation, respite, and access to community supports.?

I would like to offer the radical and even inflammatory proposal that autism is neither a gift nor a curse. If there's any "larger battle" to be fought, it's the battle against structural ableism. A discourse that fixates on "fitting in" and uncritically mimicking socially acceptable behavior doesn't just alienate queer autists, it marginalizes any and all autistic people who can't "fit in" to a society created by and for non-autistic people. The rhetoric of "gifts" and "overcoming" is just a different facet of the same discursive paradigm, a paradigm that others and pathologizes. As long as the construction of autism as abnormality and lack goes unchallenged, institutional ableism will continue to harm autists, allies, and caregivers alike.?

Previously: Parent Guides, Part 1; Autism and Masculinity

Related:

School's Out: Asexy Teens

You Can't Fight Child Abuse Without Fighting Ableism

Source: http://bitchmagazine.org/post/double-rainbow-parent-guides-part-2

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Obama Offers to Cut Corporate Tax Rate to 28% | G7Finance.com ...

Andy Manis/Bloomberg News

Master Lock?s manufacturing plant in Wisconsin. President Obama wants to give preference to manufacturers by setting their maximum effective rate at 25 percent.

WASHINGTON ? President Obama will ask Congress to scrub the corporate tax code of dozens of loopholes and subsidies to reduce the top rate to 28 percent, down from 35 percent, while giving preferences to manufacturers that would set their maximum effective rate at 25 percent, a senior administration official said on Tuesday.

Mr. Obama also would establish a minimum tax on multinational corporations? foreign earnings, the official said, to discourage ?accounting games to shift profits abroad? or actual relocation of production overseas.

With the framework for changes that the Treasury secretary, Timothy F. Geithner, will outline on Wednesday, Mr. Obama will enter an election-year debate with Republicans in Congress and in the presidential race who seek even lower taxes for businesses. But an overhaul of the corporate code is unlikely this year, given that political backdrop and the complexity of an undertaking that would generate a lobbying frenzy as businesses vie to defend old tax breaks or win new ones.

The announcement comes two days before Mitt Romney, a Republican candidate for president, is expected to expand on his economic platform in Detroit.

The administration plan to revamp a corporate code that is widely derided as inefficient and anticompetitive has been in the works at Treasury for two years, and is a priority of Mr. Geithner. Yet he has been preoccupied with crisis management, and is unlikely to see the project through since he plans to leave office after this year.

The proposed overhaul ?will help level the playing field for businesses and allow the government to collect needed revenue while promoting economic growth,? Mr. Geithner told a Congressional committee last week, without details.

Republicans and business groups complain that the 35 percent corporate tax rate is among the highest in the world, leaving American companies at a competitive disadvantage. They typically seek a 25 percent rate, with many of them saying that the current tax breaks should be kept in place as well.

Nonpartisan tax analysts consistently find that corporations here on average pay just slightly more than their competitors in other developed countries after exploiting the many tax breaks and loopholes. Recent news accounts have highlighted the low effective rates paid by companies like Google, Boeing and General Electric.

One analysis concluded that 115 of the 500 companies in the Standard and Poor?s stock index paid a total corporate tax rate ? federal and otherwise ? of less than 20 percent over a five-year period. A study by the Government Accountability Office in 2008 found that 55 percent of American companies paid no federal income taxes during at least one year in a seven-year period it studied.

?Under the current tax system, the United States will soon have the highest statutory corporate tax rate among developed countries, within a system that features a large number of tax expenditures for special interests,? said a senior administration official, who did not want to speak ahead of Mr. Geithner except on condition of anonymity.

?This puts American businesses ? especially those in areas like manufacturing that are subject to more intense international competition ? at a disadvantage. And this system is also unnecessarily complicated for America?s small businesses.?

Earlier this year, Mr. Obama proposed to end tax breaks for companies that move jobs overseas and to create new breaks for those that bring jobs back.

Corporate taxes make up an increasingly small share of the federal government?s revenue, in part because of tax-avoidance maneuvers by businesses.

Mr. Obama is proposing that the simplification of the corporate code should not add to the deficit, and that most or all revenue raised by closing tax breaks should be used to lower rates or offset the cost of new or existing tax breaks favoring manufacturing, clean energy, and research and development activities, according to administration officials.

Mr. Obama is not proposing to overhaul the tax code for individuals, though he was spoken of it as a goal. Both codes were last revamped a quarter-century ago and the accretion of tax breaks in recent years has given rise to widespread calls, including from Mr. Obama?s 2010 Bowles-Simpson fiscal commission, to overhaul the tax systems in a way that raises enough revenue to both lower rates and reduce annual budget deficits.

But every tax break has its defenders, from homeowners who want their mortgage-interest deduction to corporations protective of depreciation tax breaks.

In October, Dave Camp of Michigan, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, proposed a 25 percent corporate rate without saying how he would offset the sizable revenue loss.

Source: http://g7finance.com/g7finance-news/obama-offers-to-cut-corporate-tax-rate-to-28/

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Why Use Economical Green Community Real-estate Selling Hints ...

• February 21st, 2012
• Posted by lsmmdk3

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Social media is a powerful way to start a strong Green Community Viral marketing campaign, and you can use sites like Twitter and Facebook to make the most out of Green Community Viral marketing. Remember that your tweet is the headline for your Green Community Viral event, so think about it carefully. There have been Facebook pages that attracted tens and hundreds of thousands of people in less than a day. Once you understand this simple ideology, you will easily be able to tap into Green Community Viral aspect of social media.

You can make something Green Community Viral if you are knowledgeable about why things go Green Community Viral in the first place. Once you have studied other things that went Green Community Viral, then that will give you more insights. Unless and until you?re ready to take consistent action, you won?t see results coming your way. This is something you can work on and learn from your mistakes, too. Once you are more familiar with who you are marketing to, then that will make you better prepared to do this.

Source: http://www.latinofarmers.org/why-use-economical-green-community-real-estate-selling-hints/

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Choosing the Best Home exercise space machines to the Health ...

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Source: http://www.shop-eighty.com/2012/02/20/choosing-the-best-home-exercise-space-machines-to-the-health-and-fitness-needs/

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