Archive for July, 2011
Debt dispute boils: Capitol’s hot, inside and out
Friday, July 22nd, 2011WASHINGTON (AP) — Gridlock stubbornly held the high ground in the steamy capital Friday despite the threat of a government default in 11 days’ time. Talks between President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner seemed stuck in limbo, and the Democratic-controlled Senate scuttled legislation drawn to conservatives’ specifications.
As most lawmakers left the sweltering city for the weekend — temperatures soared past 100 degrees and some tempers seemed close behind — there was vague talk but few details of backup plans in both houses of Congress to raise the nation’s 14.3 trillion debt limit before the critical Aug. 2 deadline.
Boehner said he was “frankly not close to an agreement” with Obama in talks to cut deficits by up to trillion and ease the government’s ability to keep borrowing.
He spoke shortly before the Senate voted 51-46 along party lines to kill House-passed legislation. That bill would have cut spending by as much as trillion over a decade and required Congress to send a constitutional amendment to balance the budget to the states for ratification — conservatives’ price for raising the debt limit.
Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, accused Obama of “a total abdication of leadership” on the nation’s debt, and said the legislation was a step toward “getting our house in order.”
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., attacked the bill as a “radical plan to kill Medicare and Social Security,” and said House Republicans needed to know it was dead.
“It’s interfering with the negotiations between the White House and the House of Representatives, and it is without merit,” he added.
Across the Capitol, Boehner rebutted.
“The House has acted. We’ve done our job,” he said. “The Democrats who run Washington have done nothing. … Where is their plan?”
Other Republicans said his remarks reflected the views expressed inside a closed-door meeting of the rank and file. “Our conference was loud. ‘Stand firm,’” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a leading conservative.
But Obama, seemingly more optimistic about compromise in remarks at the University of Maryland, said House Republicans who held to such views were “the only people we have left to convince” to swing behind a balanced plan that includes higher federal revenue as well as spending cuts.
The day’s events underscored the straddle Boehner must perform by siding with his tea party-backed conservatives at the same time he talks compromise with the Democratic president.
Despite the harsh rhetoric on the Senate floor, aides in both parties said rejection there of the House-passed bill was a necessary step toward building support for a backup plan to avoid default in case the negotiations between the president and House GOP leaders failed.
Nor was Boehner the only leader in a tight spot.
Bipartisan negotiations stalled, at least temporarily, following a revolt on Thursday by Democrats who feared the president would agree to deep cuts in Medicare and Social Security without gaining a commitment for additional revenue.
The president met privately late Thursday with top Democratic lawmakers, and nearly 24 hours later, no additional negotiations had been announced. It was not known whether the White House and GOP officials had been in contact by phone or email.
Republicans said Obama had begun backing away from earlier commitments on spending cuts to Medicare, in particular.
Cuts in Medicare, Social Security and other benefit programs and increases in some taxes have always been the principal stumbling blocks to a deal to rein in federal deficits and clear the way for Republicans to vote for raising the debt limit.
Republican and Democratic officials said the two sides had been unable to bridge their differences over provisions to take effect if tax-overhaul legislation failed to materialize, and thus the higher revenue envisioned in an agreement.
In effect, the two sides were discussing what legislative hostages to hold. Democrats wanted the expiration of Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy, while Republicans sought the repeal of key elements of the year-old health care legislation, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the private nature of negotiations.
In the absence of a deal, Reid and McConnell are collaborating on a backup plan to allow Obama to raise the debt limit by .4 trillion in three installments without prior approval by Congress.
That same plan would establish a committee of lawmakers to recommend cuts, with the House and Senate required to vote on any recommendations without possibility of changes.
Also under discussion was the possibility of inserting specific cuts into the legislation itself, and Reid and McConnell met privately during the day with the authors of a separate bipartisan plan released earlier in the week to chop deficits of roughly .7 trillion over a decade. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., one of the “Gang of Six” who prepared that separate proposal, said, “We talked about different ideas for how our work might be included.”
Reid said he was deferring debate on a fallback plan until next week because of changed circumstances.
“The path to avert default now runs first to the House of Representatives,” he said, countering Boehner’s challenge for Democrats to produce a plan of their own to cut spending and raise the debt limit.
Reid’s decision to give senators a weekend off was in itself a reversal.
Earlier in the week, he had announced the Senate would meet every day, including weekends, “until Congress passes legislation that prevents the United States from defaulting on our obligations.”
Also on Friday, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and New York Fed President William Dudley met “to discuss the implications for the U.S. economy if Congress fails to act,” according to a statement, which added that they “remain confident that Congress will raise the debt ceiling soon.”
Separately, former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who served under President George W. Bush, said after breakfasting with Geithner, “Failing to raise the debt ceiling would do irreparable harm to our credit standing, would undermine our ability to lead on global economic issues and would damage our economy.”
: Video: Jerusalem Basketball Derby
Friday, July 22nd, 2011Last week I went out to eat with friends in Jerusalem.
After dinner, we stopped off to watch part of the Jerusalem
Basketball Derby in Kikar Safra.
I took a short video and posted it at:
http://www.jr.co.il/videos/
You can also watch it directly on Youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
If you like the video, please give it a “like” on Youtube.
Thanks!
Have a good night,
Jacob
Become an author on this blog! Contact: Rainshadow@ipal.com for more information
Cleveland Chiropractic College hosts Discovery Day Open House
Thursday, July 21st, 2011July 20, 2011 — The campus of Cleveland Chiropractic College-Kansas City was plentiful with activity Jul 8 as a Office of Admissions welcomed some-more than 80 visitors to campus for a “Discovery Day Open House.”
The eventuality offering those deliberation a career in chiropractic a representation of what to design when they arrive on campus. With a accumulation of events and activities, a 40 intensity students and their families schooled what it takes to turn a chiropractor.
After being welcomed by Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, president, a guest were divided into smaller groups for a campus tour. While exploring a facilities, they witnessed a ridicule adjusting exercise, spent time in a Anatomy lab, a earthy therapy brook and toured a health center. To benefit a tyro perspective, they were also means to ask a row of stream Clevelanders questions about a program.
Hosted by a Office of Admissions, open houses take place 3 times per year, and have turn an constituent partial of a preference routine for impending students. So most so, that guest transport good distances to try their options. In further to those from Missouri and Kansas, a organisation also enclosed visitors from Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Minnesota and Colorado.
Melissa Denton, executive of admissions, attributes a continued success of a module to a extended operation of information that is provided.
“Students and their relatives wish to
knowledge a day in a life of a Cleveland Chiropractic College tyro initial hand,” Denton said. “That is what Discovery Day Open House provides — an tangible comment of what a students do any day on campus. And a communication with expertise and alumni is tip notch!”
Dr. Scott Bennington, a 2008 Cleveland graduate, sealed out a activities with a display about what he has gifted in a brief time given graduation. Bennington has a use in Rogers, Ark., though frequently works outward a bureau and has a leisure to set his possess schedule. That kind of veteran autonomy is something that many exploring chiropractic find appealing.
“The organisation was vacant during Dr. Bennington’s success after being in use for a small reduction than 3 years,” Denton said. “They were tender that he usually works in a bureau 3 days a week, though spends a rest of a time during large, area companies providing his services to a association employees. That is one of a advantages of a profession, creation your possess report since you’re a boss!”
After their time on campus, some of a guest were assured that a career in chiropractic was right for them. As a result, several people filled out an focus for acknowledgment during a end of a day. Discovery Day helped them take a subsequent step on a tour that will change their lives forever.
Source: Cleveland chiropractic College, www.cleveland.edu
Bipartisan tax plan trims mortgage deduction
Thursday, July 21st, 2011WASHINGTON — A new bipartisan plan to reduce government borrowing would target some of the most cherished tax breaks enjoyed by millions of families — those promoting health insurance, home ownership, charitable giving and retirement savings — in exchange for lowering overall tax rates for everyone.
Many taxpayers would face higher taxes — a total of at least .2 trillion over the next decade, and perhaps more.
The details and impact of the plan, released this week by the bipartisan “Gang of Six” senators, emerged as President Barack Obama called congressional leaders to the White House on Wednesday to determine, in separate meetings, their bottom line for extending the nation’s debt limit while also cutting spending at the greatest amount possible. The role of additional tax revenue remained a sticking point.
With the default deadline of Aug. 2 approaching, the White House signaled for the first time that Obama would be willing to sign off on a short-term extension of the debt limit if a grander deal were in the works and needed only a few days’ worth of extra time to wind its way through the legislative process.
For its part, the Gang of Six plan punts on many of the most difficult issues, leaving it to congressional committees to fill in the details later. But supporters say it provides a framework to simplify the tax code, making it easier for businesses and individuals to comply while eliminating incentives to game the system.
“I think this is an attempt to find a middle ground on taxes that emphasizes keeping rates low and broadening the base as much as possible, and I think that’s a very positive aspect of it,” said Eugene Steuerle, a former Treasury official who worked on the last tax reform package that passed Congress, in 1986.
Coupled with spending cuts, the plan would reduce deficits by nearly trillion over the next decade. While Obama and senators from both parties lauded the plan as a possible breakthrough in their negotiations, some congressional leaders said the plan lacks details and could produce much bigger tax increases than advertised.
The Republican staff of the House Budget Committee issued a critique saying the revenue increase could exceed trillion over the next decade, when compared with current tax policy.
“A tax increase is the wrong policy to pursue with so many Americans out of work,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va.
The plan would simplify the tax code by reducing the number of tax brackets from six to three, lowering the top rate from 35 percent to somewhere between 23 percent and 29 percent. That could provide a windfall for wealthy taxpayers because the 35 percent tax bracket currently applies to taxable income above 9,150.
To help pay for lower rates, the plan would reduce popular tax breaks for mortgage interest, health insurance, charitable giving and retirement savings. Other tax breaks would be spared, including the ,000-per-child tax credit and the earned income tax credit, which helps the working poor stay out of poverty.
The alternative minimum tax, which was enacted in 1969 to make sure that high-income families pay at least some income tax, would be repealed. The tax was never indexed for inflation, so Congress routinely patches it each year — at an annual cost of about billion — to prevent it from hitting more than 20 million middle-income families.
About 35 million households claimed the mortgage interest deduction in 2009, and about 36 million households claimed deductions for charitable contributions, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the congressional scorekeeper on taxes.
“Hi Bubbie! We Love You!” NOW YOUR LOVED ONES CAN “BE THERE” AT YOUR SIMCHA!
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
“Hi Bubbie! We love you!” Just one more reason to share your simcha
from Israel with loved ones who WANT to be there for your special day,
but can’t. Mazal Tov to Esther and Jonathan (Watch their GORGEOUS
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Elvis to be named honorary citizen of Budapest
Tuesday, July 19th, 2011BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Budapest’s mayor says Elvis Presley will be declared a posthumous honorary citizen of Hungary’s capital and a city landmark will be named after him.
Mayor Istvan Tarlos said Wednesday that Elvis will be commemorated because of his support for Hungary in the wake of the . . .
High blood sugar numbers
Monday, July 18th, 2011
high blood sugar numbers
High blood sugar numbers vary from person to person for various reasons such as age, family history, ethnic background and taking into consideration what a person eats or their daily sugar intake.
High blood sugar numbers mean that a person is not getting enough insulin to regulate their blood glucose or that their body cannot break up and use all of the sugar that a person intakes on a daily basis. High blood sugar numbers if left untreated can cause the body to start shutting down, organs to start being overworked and a person’s body to go into shock. If a person starts having high blood sugar numbers and leave them untreated or does not administer the proper amounts of insulin when needed the person can start showing symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, stroke, dizziness and even can go into a diabetic coma. Generally a high blood sugar number is considered high if the number falls over 150-177 range, but due to body mass, age and heredity the numbers can vary from person to person.
When a person is first diagnosed as being a diabetic they are asked to monitor their blood glucose readings very closely normally 2-3 times a day because this will allow the doctor and patient to determine what a high blood sugar number as well as a low blood sugar number for that specific patient. If the patient’s blood glucose numbers fall within those categories then they need to contact their doctor or seek treatment immediately, don’t let the symptoms go untreated for long periods of time because if so you could be doing more damage to your body than you realize.
As with any medical diagnosis always listen to your doctor and follow his or her instructions, although it may be difficult their advice can help save your life. So, if you are diabetic what are your high blood sugar numbers?
Continuous glucose monitors
Friday, July 15th, 2011
continuous glucose monitors
Continuous glucose monitors and how they can help you… The continuous glucose monitors are the new wave generation of glucose monitors because it will constantly monitor your glucose level.
Continuous glucose monitors are great for the younger ages who have gestational diabetes and need to be constantly monitored. Continuous glucose monitors are also great for the person who may have the fear of needles so that they can opt to wear the continuous glucose monitor so that they can avoid sticking themselves several times a day in order to monitor their blood glucose level.
The continuous glucose monitor hooks up to the body and can be worn so that the readings are always showing in order to maintain a healthy diabetic level. When the blood glucose level goes too low the body and all of the organs have to work harder in order to maintain the glucose or sugar level which makes them start having more symptoms and problems such as shutting down. If a person’s body has too much glucose or sugar then the body has to work hard in order to process it all which also can produce more medical problems and side effects.
By wearing the continuous glucose monitor you can eliminate the fear of checking your glucose constantly throughout the day by sticking yourself with lancets. By wearing a continuous glucose monitor you can also save yourself money because the continuous glucose monitor is a onetime cost and takes little cost to maintain while otherwise you would have to purchase lancets, test strips, batteries and monitors.
Although the continuous glucose monitor is still new to the market, you still can ask your doctor about purchasing one for yourself. The continuous glucose monitor is not suitable for all diabetics, but could be right for you.
WiG Summer Program: A List of Shiurim & Activities
Friday, July 15th, 2011 Women in Green <wfit2@womeningreen.org
Dear Friends,
Below is Women for Israel’s Tomorrow (Women in Green)
summer program for Eretz Israel in the area of Judea.
Looking forward to see you! With love for Israel,
Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar
——————————
Summer Program
Tuesday, July 19th (fast 17th Tammuz), Adurayim, 5:30 pm
Mincha followed by a Shiur given by Rabbi Yehuda Glick:
”Destruction and Connection” (in Hebrew)
Thursday, July 21st, Hevron, starting at 5:00pm Conference:
Regaining the initiative! Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.
Participants: MK Tzipi Hotovely, MK Arieh Eldad, Caroline Glick,
Yoram Ettinger, Dr Gabi Avital, Prof. Rafi Yisraeli, Eran Bar-Tal, Atty. Elyakim Haetzni
Tuesday, July 26th, Netzer, 4:30pm Family farming and Ceramic
Workshop with artist Rivka Leibovitz
Friday, July 29th, Netzer, 9:30 am Women’s Shiur by Sara Jo Ben Zvi:
”From Destruction to Redemption”
Monday, August 1st, Netzer, Agricultural Youth camp
Monday, August 8th, Eve of Tisha B’Av, 8:00pm Jerusalem -
Eicha reading across from US Consulate Annual March around
the Old City Walls with: Rabbi Mordechai Rabinovitch,
Caroline Glick and MK Arieh Eldad
Friday, September 2nd, Netzer, 9:30am Women’s Shiur given by
Rabbanit Shani Taragin: “Teshuvat Elul”
Sunday, September 18, Hevron Machpela Visitors Center
7:00pm Women’s Tefilla with Esther Pollard,
Jewish soul music with Odelia Berlin
Transportation from Jerusalem, Gush Etzion, Kiryat Arba,
& Hevron upon registration only
For details:
Yehudit Katsover 050-7161818 Nadia Matar 050-5500834
http://www.womeningreen.org/ Find Women in Green on Facebook
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(Full name, street, street number, zip code, city and country.)
A few times a year we send updates and photos of our activities
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battle for safeguarding Eretz Israel.
==============================
Women For Israel\’s Tomorrow (Women in Green)
POB 7352, Jerusalem 91072, Israel
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Norwalk elementary and middle school students make overarching strides on the Connecticut Mastery Test
Thursday, July 14th, 2011NORWALK – Students made strides this year on the Connecticut Mastery Test, with gains across the board that have jettisoned the city, in some subjects, toward the front of its class among similar school districts.
The test was administered in March to students between third and eighth grade. It evaluates reading, writing, math and science skills, and results are used to determine which schools are succeeding under the federal No Child Left Behind policy.
Scores are reported by “proficient” and “goal,” a more challenging level that represents the state’s target for student performance.
Results made public Wednesday by the state Department of Education showed an overarching trend of improvement for Norwalk since last year and 2006, when the current version of the exam was first given.
“Over time, our focus on data and the district improvement plan — our commitment — has been more focused,” said Diane Filardo, the testing specialist for the district. “It really is a united effort.”
Among the highlights, fourth-grade students earned their best scores in goal in the past five years and fifth-grade students ranked first among the district reference group in goal-level reading and writing.
The achievement gap persists, however, between low-income and minority students and their white peers. In fifth-grade, for instance, about one in four black students met the state benchmark for reading, compared with about one in three white students.
By and large, every score went up.
In terms of short-term improvements, eight grade students saw the greatest gains, including a jump of 11.7 percentage points in the number of students who made goal in writing. Sixth-grade students posted one of the largest hikes in the district, as well, as the number of students who met goal in math rose by 7.2 percentage points. On the other hand, it was the only grade in which scores dropped from the baseline year.
Despite long-term gains in math and reading, only 54.1 percent of sixth-grade students made goal in writing, compared with 55.6 percent in 2006.
In terms of long-range success, fifth-grade students have posted the most notable gains, in math. Since 2006, the percent of children meeting the state benchmark for performance has increased by 19.6 points to 70.9 — also one of the strongest results to be achieved here in general. Only one group scored higher — seventh-grade students, in reading.
Seventy-four percent of those students met goal.
On the whole, Norwalk also produced robust scores within its district reference group — a cache of school districts that are comparable size and demographic makeup. They include Ansonia, Danbury, Derby, East Hartford, Meriden, Norwich, Stamford and West Haven.