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steve2470
steve2470's Journal
steve2470's Journal
February 6, 2014
BARANKOVA, Russia — At the end of a road that winds through a mountain overlooking downtown Sochi — the last mile or so an unpaved, uninhabitable mess of mud and gravel — roughly 100 stray dogs that have been removed from Olympic Park are enjoying their reprieve from the slaughterhouse.
Some of them lay on the dirt, soaking in sunshine with their eyes closed. A few small puppies nip at each other and roll around in sawdust, while others make eager introductions to visitors, almost begging to be adopted. They perk up and start yapping when Jenya Popov, 25, who has been hired to live in a nearby aluminum shed with just a tiny cot, a stove heater and several bags of dog food, starts stirring around 3:30 p.m., eventually emerging with a large silver bucket.
"We feed the older dogs now," he said through an interpreter. "We fed the puppies in the morning."
It is by no means a luxurious home for the stray dogs that have essentially been classified as pests by the Russian organizing committee for the Winter Games, but it is indeed a home — for now, anyway — made possible by a billionaire philanthropist, the city of Sochi and various animal-loving volunteers.
Sochi's stray dogs find shelter, at least while Games go on
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/06/stay-dogs-sochi-olympics/5259005/BARANKOVA, Russia — At the end of a road that winds through a mountain overlooking downtown Sochi — the last mile or so an unpaved, uninhabitable mess of mud and gravel — roughly 100 stray dogs that have been removed from Olympic Park are enjoying their reprieve from the slaughterhouse.
Some of them lay on the dirt, soaking in sunshine with their eyes closed. A few small puppies nip at each other and roll around in sawdust, while others make eager introductions to visitors, almost begging to be adopted. They perk up and start yapping when Jenya Popov, 25, who has been hired to live in a nearby aluminum shed with just a tiny cot, a stove heater and several bags of dog food, starts stirring around 3:30 p.m., eventually emerging with a large silver bucket.
"We feed the older dogs now," he said through an interpreter. "We fed the puppies in the morning."
It is by no means a luxurious home for the stray dogs that have essentially been classified as pests by the Russian organizing committee for the Winter Games, but it is indeed a home — for now, anyway — made possible by a billionaire philanthropist, the city of Sochi and various animal-loving volunteers.
February 6, 2014
Washington Post: "FACT CHECK: Anti-Obamacare chorus is off key"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/fact-check-anti-obamacare-chorus-is-off-key/2014/02/05/a39d1632-8ed0-11e3-878e-d76656564a01_story.htmlTHE FACTS: No one knows whether the health care law will turn out to be good or bad for jobs and the economy. Everything is guesswork, however educated the guess.
The budget office, generally respected by both sides but not infallible, predicts some elements of the health care law will help job growth and other parts will hurt it.
On the plus side, for example, it expects lower-income people to have more money to spend because more of them will have their health insurance partially or fully paid for by government under the law. On the negative side, Elmendorf told Ryan’s committee that in the short run, the law would increase employers’ costs for their workers and reduce the number of people they hire. Over time, this could put downward pressure on wages, he said.
But those effects, good and bad, are expected to be modest. Of more consequence is the expectation that millions will take themselves voluntarily out of the labor force because they can afford to.
The budget office, generally respected by both sides but not infallible, predicts some elements of the health care law will help job growth and other parts will hurt it.
On the plus side, for example, it expects lower-income people to have more money to spend because more of them will have their health insurance partially or fully paid for by government under the law. On the negative side, Elmendorf told Ryan’s committee that in the short run, the law would increase employers’ costs for their workers and reduce the number of people they hire. Over time, this could put downward pressure on wages, he said.
But those effects, good and bad, are expected to be modest. Of more consequence is the expectation that millions will take themselves voluntarily out of the labor force because they can afford to.
February 6, 2014
CHINA, Maine (AP) — Police responding to reports of screaming coming from a home in Maine didn't find a victim of domestic violence as they feared. Instead, they found an amorous pig.
State police say a woman called last week after hearing what she believed to be a fight coming from a neighbor's home in the town of China. The caller said she heard screaming and thought there was a domestic assault.
The Morning Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1jafexV ) reports that four state troopers responded and talked to the neighbor.
The neighbor explained that she raises pigs and the screaming was coming from an overjoyed male pig that had been placed in a pen with five sows in heat.
*end*
What's that expression, happy as a pig in shit ?
Police Investigating Horrific Screams In Maine Find Happy Pig
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/04/maine-police-screams-happy-pig_n_4722461.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopularCHINA, Maine (AP) — Police responding to reports of screaming coming from a home in Maine didn't find a victim of domestic violence as they feared. Instead, they found an amorous pig.
State police say a woman called last week after hearing what she believed to be a fight coming from a neighbor's home in the town of China. The caller said she heard screaming and thought there was a domestic assault.
The Morning Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1jafexV ) reports that four state troopers responded and talked to the neighbor.
The neighbor explained that she raises pigs and the screaming was coming from an overjoyed male pig that had been placed in a pen with five sows in heat.
*end*
What's that expression, happy as a pig in shit ?
February 5, 2014
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- One of the top jobs at computer software giant Microsoft now belongs to a Florida A&M University graduate.
John W. Thompson, a 1971 graduate of FAMU, was named February 4 as independent chairman of Microsoft Corporation; a role previously held by company founder Bill Gates. Thompson first joined Microsoft's board in February 2012.
According to a release from Microsoft, Gates is stepping down in order to give more attention to other projects. Thompson was named Chairman of the Board the same day Satya Nadella was named Chief Executive Officer, taking over for Steve Ballmer.
In addition to Chairman of the Microsoft Company board, Thompson is the chief executive officer of Virtual Instruments; a privately held company that reportedly produces products designed to "ensure the performance and availability of applications deployed in virtualized and private cloud computing environments.".
*end*
WTG FAMU grad !
UPDATE: FAMU graduate named Chairman of Microsoft Corporation
http://www.wtxl.com/news/local/update-famu-graduate-named-chairman-of-microsoft-corporation/article_9f2fce20-8dc0-11e3-8175-001a4bcf6878.htmlTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- One of the top jobs at computer software giant Microsoft now belongs to a Florida A&M University graduate.
John W. Thompson, a 1971 graduate of FAMU, was named February 4 as independent chairman of Microsoft Corporation; a role previously held by company founder Bill Gates. Thompson first joined Microsoft's board in February 2012.
According to a release from Microsoft, Gates is stepping down in order to give more attention to other projects. Thompson was named Chairman of the Board the same day Satya Nadella was named Chief Executive Officer, taking over for Steve Ballmer.
In addition to Chairman of the Microsoft Company board, Thompson is the chief executive officer of Virtual Instruments; a privately held company that reportedly produces products designed to "ensure the performance and availability of applications deployed in virtualized and private cloud computing environments.".
*end*
WTG FAMU grad !
February 5, 2014
trend to part-time jobs, feedback sought
My 18 year old son will be entering the job market soon for the first time. His friends tell him that full-time (40 hours per week or close to it) jobs are not available at the entry level at places like Wal-Mart, McDonald's, etc. His friends range in age from 18 to 20.
Is this your experience also ? Thanks for your time ! 
Steve
February 5, 2014
Police busted the foursome at a Mott St. apartment building, acting on a tip the heroin that killed Hoffman originated from the location. Officials also disclosed that the heroin found in Hoffman's apartment did not contain the pain reliever fentanyl, which has killed 22 people in Pennsylvania.
Cops Tuesday night busted three men and a woman in a downtown Manhattan apartment building who might have been suppliers of the heroin that killed Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Acting on informants’ tips that the deadly drug originated from the Mott St. location, cops arrested the four suspected dealers — Thomas Cushman, 48; Robert Vineberg, 57; Juliana Luchkiw, 22; and Max Rosenblum, 22 — at around 7 p.m. and seized more than 350 bags of heroin from three apartments, police sources said.
Police were not certain if those arrested actually sold the lethal heroin to Hoffman or if they are part of a larger drug distribution ring, the sources said.
Philip Seymour Hoffman overdose death: 4 suspected heroin dealers arrested
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/philip-seymour-hoffman-knew-die-drug-report-article-1.1601596Police busted the foursome at a Mott St. apartment building, acting on a tip the heroin that killed Hoffman originated from the location. Officials also disclosed that the heroin found in Hoffman's apartment did not contain the pain reliever fentanyl, which has killed 22 people in Pennsylvania.
Cops Tuesday night busted three men and a woman in a downtown Manhattan apartment building who might have been suppliers of the heroin that killed Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Acting on informants’ tips that the deadly drug originated from the Mott St. location, cops arrested the four suspected dealers — Thomas Cushman, 48; Robert Vineberg, 57; Juliana Luchkiw, 22; and Max Rosenblum, 22 — at around 7 p.m. and seized more than 350 bags of heroin from three apartments, police sources said.
Police were not certain if those arrested actually sold the lethal heroin to Hoffman or if they are part of a larger drug distribution ring, the sources said.
February 5, 2014
Alaska could be the next state to reconsider the prohibition on marijuana, following legalization votes by Colorado and Washington last year.
Alaska elections officials posted data Tuesday showing that a petition for a statewide vote on marijuana legalization has gained enough signatures and met legal thresholds needed to put the issue before voters.
Under Alaska law, the petition when officially certified would appear on the Aug. 19 primary ballot. No formal opposition to the initiative has emerged thus far.
Taylor Bickford, spokesman for an Anchorage-based organization that is behind the ballot drive, said that while petitions are still being counted, the state has reported 31,593 signatures are qualified, more than the 30,169 needed.
Alaska moves toward August vote on legal pot
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/04/alaska-marijuana-ballot/5210613/Alaska could be the next state to reconsider the prohibition on marijuana, following legalization votes by Colorado and Washington last year.
Alaska elections officials posted data Tuesday showing that a petition for a statewide vote on marijuana legalization has gained enough signatures and met legal thresholds needed to put the issue before voters.
Under Alaska law, the petition when officially certified would appear on the Aug. 19 primary ballot. No formal opposition to the initiative has emerged thus far.
Taylor Bickford, spokesman for an Anchorage-based organization that is behind the ballot drive, said that while petitions are still being counted, the state has reported 31,593 signatures are qualified, more than the 30,169 needed.
February 5, 2014
Alaska could be the next state to reconsider the prohibition on marijuana, following legalization votes by Colorado and Washington last year.
Alaska elections officials posted data Tuesday showing that a petition for a statewide vote on marijuana legalization has gained enough signatures and met legal thresholds needed to put the issue before voters.
Under Alaska law, the petition when officially certified would appear on the Aug. 19 primary ballot. No formal opposition to the initiative has emerged thus far.
Taylor Bickford, spokesman for an Anchorage-based organization that is behind the ballot drive, said that while petitions are still being counted, the state has reported 31,593 signatures are qualified, more than the 30,169 needed.
Alaska moves toward August vote on legal pot
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/04/alaska-marijuana-ballot/5210613/Alaska could be the next state to reconsider the prohibition on marijuana, following legalization votes by Colorado and Washington last year.
Alaska elections officials posted data Tuesday showing that a petition for a statewide vote on marijuana legalization has gained enough signatures and met legal thresholds needed to put the issue before voters.
Under Alaska law, the petition when officially certified would appear on the Aug. 19 primary ballot. No formal opposition to the initiative has emerged thus far.
Taylor Bickford, spokesman for an Anchorage-based organization that is behind the ballot drive, said that while petitions are still being counted, the state has reported 31,593 signatures are qualified, more than the 30,169 needed.
February 4, 2014
I cried when I heard about Philip Seymour Hoffman. The news scared me: He got sober when he was 22 and didn’t drink or use drugs for the next 23 years. During that time, he won an Academy Award, was nominated for three more, and was widely cited as the most talented actor of his generation. He also became a father to three children. Then, one day in 2012, he began popping prescription pain pills. And now he's dead.
The root causes of addiction, like those of many multifactorial diseases, are frustratingly elusive, a nebulous mixture of genetics, exposure, and environment. Addiction runs in families, but plenty of addicts come from families with no history of the disease. Availability plays a role, too—but having access to crack doesn’t make someone a crack addict. The science about recovery is also hazy: Alcoholics Anonymous, the most widely used form of treatment in the country, has no set structure or methodology, which makes it tough to evaluate its effectiveness. (There’s also the fact that its core principle—that members never publicly acknowledge their presence in the program—makes broad longitudinal studies difficult, to say the least.) In-patient treatment centers, like the one Hoffman checked himself into last May, have been accused of obfuscating their success rates.
If anything, the science on relapses is even more slippery. (We do know that relapse rates for drug and alcohol addiction are comparable to people’s inability to control other chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and hypertension.) The challenges are as basic as agreeing on a definition for long-term sobriety. In a graphic titled “Extended Abstinence is Predictive of Sustained Recovery,” the National Institute of Drug Abuse says, “After 5 years—if you are sober, you will probably stay that way.” I unconsciously added a “forever” to the end of that sentence—but the study that chart is based on ran for eight years, a bar Hoffman cleared easily.
My first attempt at recovery came in 1991, when I was 19 years old. Almost exactly two years later, I decided to have a drink. Two years after that, I was addicted to heroin. There’s a lot we don’t know about alcoholism and drug addiction, but one thing is clear: Regardless of how much time clean you have, relapsing is always as easy as moving your hand to your mouth.
Why Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Death Is So Scary
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2014/02/philip_seymour_hoffman_s_drug_death_the_science_of_addiction_recovery_and.html?wpisrc=burger_barI cried when I heard about Philip Seymour Hoffman. The news scared me: He got sober when he was 22 and didn’t drink or use drugs for the next 23 years. During that time, he won an Academy Award, was nominated for three more, and was widely cited as the most talented actor of his generation. He also became a father to three children. Then, one day in 2012, he began popping prescription pain pills. And now he's dead.
The root causes of addiction, like those of many multifactorial diseases, are frustratingly elusive, a nebulous mixture of genetics, exposure, and environment. Addiction runs in families, but plenty of addicts come from families with no history of the disease. Availability plays a role, too—but having access to crack doesn’t make someone a crack addict. The science about recovery is also hazy: Alcoholics Anonymous, the most widely used form of treatment in the country, has no set structure or methodology, which makes it tough to evaluate its effectiveness. (There’s also the fact that its core principle—that members never publicly acknowledge their presence in the program—makes broad longitudinal studies difficult, to say the least.) In-patient treatment centers, like the one Hoffman checked himself into last May, have been accused of obfuscating their success rates.
If anything, the science on relapses is even more slippery. (We do know that relapse rates for drug and alcohol addiction are comparable to people’s inability to control other chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and hypertension.) The challenges are as basic as agreeing on a definition for long-term sobriety. In a graphic titled “Extended Abstinence is Predictive of Sustained Recovery,” the National Institute of Drug Abuse says, “After 5 years—if you are sober, you will probably stay that way.” I unconsciously added a “forever” to the end of that sentence—but the study that chart is based on ran for eight years, a bar Hoffman cleared easily.
My first attempt at recovery came in 1991, when I was 19 years old. Almost exactly two years later, I decided to have a drink. Two years after that, I was addicted to heroin. There’s a lot we don’t know about alcoholism and drug addiction, but one thing is clear: Regardless of how much time clean you have, relapsing is always as easy as moving your hand to your mouth.
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