#it's as if houston has limited critical thinking skills

[the-physicality]

the wild thing is that a 4-1 loss isn't even the worst loss or the most goals scored against today

[nikitafiber]

Studio Project 2 journal process

Ok so I have decided that I will make this post to serve as a journal for myself to write down my ideas in one place, but also be able to go back and see what I was thinking and my process as I go along but also after the project is completed. This way, you can also see how my ideas and thoughts have evolved. I am excited to document this like a journal so that I can have a way to analyze my own critical thinking skills and how they apply when being challenged creatively.

Tuesday 11/15:

Ok so I am struggling to figure out how I want to design my project. I decided I want to make this piece with some societal commentary like my artist does, while still incorporating my lighthearted and fun themes. I think I want to do women's reproductive rights. Or lack of. How we as a country are regressing when it comes to access to safe and effective healthcare as it applies to women's health. How our bodies have become politicized and are a divisive factor in our society. I know many people want to stay "neutral" on this topic, but to me, by staying neutral we cannot effectively elicit change. Women's healthcare has always lacked funding and research and for how far along we have made it in medical advancements, the lack of care given towards women is astonishing. This begins with a lack of proper sexual health education. Sex is not a bad thing. It is a very normal aspect of life and it is what creates life itself. This then leads into limiting access to birth control, which then leads to abortion. Our country had set a fair and balanced precedent on abortion access with the passing of Roe v Wade. However with the recent overturning of this landmark case, women's health seems to be regressing. With abortion access significantly limited, and even completely illegal in certain states (the states that need it the most to be honest), there has been some talk of birth control being limited. The first steps towards this has already been made with the supreme court ruling in the Burwell vs Hobby Lobby case, in which it was determined that private for profit corporations are able to deny birth control coverage to their employees. Therefore, I think it is important to talk about this.

Thursday 11/17

On Tuesday, I made a direct application uterus on silk chiffon. I am beading the ovaries, representing all the eggs we have. I also shifted my design idea. I am planning on doing the kalamkari traditional natural dyes process at home over the Thanksgiving break and I will use tumeric as my background color and add the additional elements after I have processed the main part of the fabric. For the design, I am planning on a fun, colorful planet (with swirls done by direct application). From this planet, a uterus (the one I made on Tuesday with the beading) is being beamed up by an alien spaceship, making the colorful planet shift to a cold, serious, barren place. The barren and cold will be depicted using the embroidered tree (it's back). This design is supposed to represent rights being taken away, thus causing a once fun planet to die. Still thinking about the presentation of the project, talked about a tent with Tina, but am still considering other shape ideas.

Friday 11/18

I decided to make the swirly planet using direct application. I think I will use the excess fabric that from the neon green dye I did in the previous flag project. I will then mix bright direct application colors to apply over the green and will leave some space for the green to show through. I am continuing to work on my embroidered tree.

Monday 11/21

I have ordered buffalo milk to my house in Houston and I will then go and try to collect the cow poop from a farm that is close to my neighborhood. I hope they say yes so I can begin processing my fabric for Kalamkari. The buffalo milk is coming on Wednesday.

Ok, so apparently I did not see that I have to meet a minimum of $69.99 to qualify for delivery, so I got an email saying that my order of buffalo milk is going to be cancelled. I looked up some alternatives and some websites are saying that goat milk works too, so I might try to get that at the store. I am emailing them so hopefully they can still help me out.

Tuesday 11/22

Today I got an email back saying they will do a specialty delivery for me since they are based in Austin, they require a minimum order for the drive to Houston to be worth it, but they did agree to deliver my order to my house. They also sent screen shots of their website that states the minimum delivery cost, so I really just missed that. I am glad they were able to accommodate me.

Around 5 pm, I will be going to the farm outside my neighborhood to see if I can get some cow poop.

I went to the farm and luckily there was a person there, and he gave me some poop. He gave me a lot, not sure how much I need because there are not any measurements, but I am planning to use all of it since the fabric is fairly large.

This is the farm!

These are the cows. I think it was their dinner time, they were all eating.

This is the poop. At first I was worried that there may not be any, but there was so much!!

The man was so nice considering I was asking for his cow's poop.

Wednesday 11/23

The buffalo milk has arrived and it came in reusable packing. So to keep the milk cold, they use insulated bags, but rather than creating further waste by manufacturing a bunch of these bags for customers to keep, they schedule packaging pick ups so they can then reuse their packing for another order, thus reducing waste. I think its great when companies do this because it is mass manufacturing done by corporations that cause the bulk of waste in our country, rather than individual consumption. It is great to see a company do this, as individual efforts result in very minimal change.

This is the bag that the buffalo milk came in! so fun, so cute.

Since all the materials have been gathered, I began the process this afternoon.

This is the cow poop. It was easily malleable and seemed to take to the water fairly easily, in that it was dissolving quickly. It also DID NOT SMELL.

In the chemical dye process, this is roughly equivalent to the soda ash soak solution that we place our fabric in before direct application so that the fabric is prepared for the dye. I think that the soda ash soak solution is significantly smellier than this cow poop mixture, as the cow poop mixture has no scent. However the soda ash soak smells like organic waste and immediately induces a gag reflex for me. Considering I was up close to the poop and actively mixing it, I would say that if there was a smell, I would have smelt it. But just opening the soda ash soak lid unleashes the pungent organic waste scent that is deeply disturbing and I do not even get that close to it.

This was my set up, I used my backyard patio to do this.

This is the fabric in the solution. I am planning to keep this in for a total of 3 hours, but will go out and mix the solution and fabric so that all of the fabric will be in contact with the poop.

Later on Wednesday 11/23

I ended up letting the fabric soak in the solution for almost 5 hours. Then, I washed it off and hung it to dry.

Here, I washed the fabric on my driveway. I'm glad I had the space that I did to be able to efficiently complete all of the required steps. It was dark by the time I was able to do the washing and rinsing. The cow poop still did not smell at all.

I hung the fabric to dry in my backyard over night. This is a broken swing frame that we have and hang stuff out on, so it really came in handy for this project. I used two clip hangers to put it up.

Friday 11/25

I did not get to do any work on Thanksgiving since we were out of the house all day for the holiday. It also rained a lot so it would not have been a productive day anyways in terms of working on this fabric.

However, the fabric was dry, so today I took a sturdy tooth brush to remove all of the debris from the fabric that remained from the cow poop mixture.

Then I prepared the buffalo milk soak. Apparently the fabric only needs to sit in the milk for 10 minutes, but I think I will leave it in longer to ensure that the fabric is prepared for "direct application" with natural dyes.

This is the buffalo milk that I got, it was 32 ounces, so the bottle was fairly small. It was in the same shape as a traditional gallon of milk, but since this was not a gallon, it looked so small and cute. My mom is saving the bottle because she likes it so much. I did the math and 32 ounces is 1/4 of a gallon. The brand is Oro Bianco, and I believe it is an Italian brand, the name translates to white gold in English.

I went out to pour it into the bin to soak within the fabric. However, I noticed there was a thick layer at the top, preventing the liquid part of the milk from coming out, almost like a stopper. I figured since we put it in the back of the fridge for a couple days, it had solidified too much, but when I brought it into the house my mom explained to me that it is actually cream that was sitting on top of the milk. Apparently buffalo milk has a higher fat content and this is why it had such rich cream on top. My mom, my dad, and I all tried the cream and it was good. Both of my parents said it reminded them of the dairy products they used to eat when they lived in India.

My mom used a chopstick to pull out some of the cream, as shown in the photo above. It was so thick that it was not really dripping down the chopstick, but staying in the same location on the stick.

This is the milk bath. After my mom removed the thick cream, I poured the actual milk part into a container.

This is a close up of the milk. It was very thick and bubbly. Not much of a smell really, but the after taste was a bit odd to me. It was not bad, but since cow milk does not have an aftertaste, I was not expecting this. The initial taste is very nice though, very rich and creamy.

Due to the thickness of the milk and the largeness of the fabric, I decided to add some water just to get the remainder out of the bottle, but also to ensure that the fabric will be properly saturated.

Then, I submerged the fabric into the milk. I will go out and flip the fabric over so there is maximum coverage. Also, the milk does not need to be rinsed off, it needs to remain as a layer on the fabric to mitigate potentially bleeding of the dye.

Since it was just milk, I did not use any gloves and I just put the fabric in with my hands. Therefore, the milk got on my hands, but when I rinsed it off with water, I noticed a waxy residue remained on my hands. It felt nice, like a moisturizer.

I also noted a scent. I was surprised in my research to find that people were using myrobalan seeds in the fabric processing to remove the scent from the fabric caused by the buffalo milk. Well, I sniffed it and the scent is a very mellow cream scent. It is very neutral, not good or bad, so I did not feel the need to remove the scent. Part of my surprise was due to the fact that no source says anything about the cow poop smelling at all, I guess I assumed it would and that it was obvious so it was not mentioned, but in reality there was no smell and I was very close to it and I did intentionally sniff it and still there was no smell. However, the buffalo milk smell was mentioned and it in fact did have a smell.

After it is taken out of the solution, I will hang it up to dry fully. Since I have to return to Waco on Saturday, I have to bring the natural dye colors with me to do in the studio. Hopefully I am not behind.

Saturday 11/26

My mom had all of the natural dyes that are usually used in traditional kalamkari: turmeric, tamarind, chili powder, Indian goose berry, Indian black plum, and cranberries. Some of these may not be used by people who actually do kalamkari, like the black plum or cranberries, but I am counting these as traditional materials since anything that is natural and gives a substantial color is used. The Indian goose berry serves as a natural mordant, as does alum, so I got both. A mordant stabilizes the natural dyes, which by nature can be unstable, thus allowing for the natural dye to last longer on the fabric.

I will have to bring the dried buffalo milk fabric back to Waco with me since I am leaving today so I can work on Sunday morning.

These are the Indian goose berry (Mildly green ones) and the plum colored ones are Indian black plum. The black plum was a surprise that my mom kept for me when I told her I was doing this project.

Close up of Indian goose berry.

Close up of Indian Black plum. This gives a nice rich purple color, so I am excited to see how it interacts with the fabric.

This is the Indian goose berry that my mom made into a paste, this will make it easier to use as a mordant.

This is the paste form of the Indian black plum, this form makes it easier to paint onto the fabric.

Later in the day Update: I am back in Waco now and I am storing these in the fridge so they do not go bad. My mom put them in jars for me so I can limit the oxidation. I am so glad she helped me, I probably would have figured it out, but definitely not as quick or effectively.

Sunday 11/27/22

Today I realized that I am very bad at managing time. I know that many people suffer from this, but due to my severe ADHD, I experience something called "time blindness", in which I experience an inability to sense the passing of time. I believe that this also applies to my art, where I will take on very detailed and time consuming tasks, but during the planning process I significantly minimize the amount of time a task will take, thus resulting in a last minute stressful scramble. What a fun life. However, this time I have tried to combat this by planning ahead and working over the break. I am writing my intentions here, so then I can go back and see if I was able to combat this issue or not. I have also decided that the spaceship that will be taking away the uterus will be all black, like a darkness stealing the rights of women everywhere. It serves as a metaphor for a dark force taking our rights, but it also does not give any one person or institution particular blame for this issue, but rather leaves it up to the interpretation of the viewer. Who specifically is taking away these rights? In my personal opinion it is the fault of institutions and systems built based on the thoughts and principles that cater to the needs of men alone, while neglecting women.

Tuesday 11/29/22

This morning I planned on further preparing my fabric by applying mordants. Mordants, in the world of natural dyes, are used to stabilize natural dyes to achieve longer lasting and vivid colors. Without mordants, natural colors are unstable and therefore produce lighter colors that are prone to fading. For my mordants, I had Indian gooseberry, gifted to me by my mom who blended it up for me, and alum. Since I had two options and my research concluded in conflicting information, I decided to mix the alum, gooseberry, and some warm water together for a fun and exciting mixture. I came to this decision based on questionable serious of very logical thoughts. By this I mean, when I tried to do them separately the alum and water mix was very grainy and the gooseberry and water mix had a texture similar to applesauce. This led me to the choice of mixing them all together and interestingly enough it seemed to work the best in terms of spreadability. Then, I let the intrusive thoughts win and further spread the mixture with my hands, not sure why, but it felt right. The mordant needs to sit on the fabric for 24 hours to dry and set in. Tomorrow, I plan on coming in after my morning shift at work to start putting the dyes on the fabric.

This was my set up for today.

On the left is the gooseberry and water mixture and on the right, is the alum and water mixture.

This is what the fabric looks like with the mordant applied.

I wanted to add that a few days after the buffalo milk soak, the fabric had a pleasant sweet cream smell!

Wednesday 11/30 @7:49 pm

I came into the studio tonight to see if the mordant mixture was dried and to start on the next steps of my project. I noticed that there was a weird crusting happening. I think it was the alum. It was very resistant to mixing into the water, insoluble I dare say. I then had to tediously scrape off the crust from the surface of the fabric.

After the crust was removed, I made a mixture with turmeric and water for the back ground of my fabric. I picked this because I feel like the bright yellow will be able to give a weird, eerie feel. I worked on this until 11 pm. RIP my sanity. I stayed long because I was making good progress and I did not want to stop or interrupt the process while my focus was still there. I also decided that the beads as eggs on the overies of the uterus I made was too much and not reasonable. I decided sequins might work better since they cover greater area, but this will still emphasize the eggs within the ovaries. The egg emphasis is important to me, it highlights that a woman can still choose to conceive whenever she wants (assuming no other fertility issues) even after getting an abortion. That forcing someone to carry a child that they may not be able to physically, financially, or emotionally take care of is more detrimental than letting a woman choose to have a child when she is good and ready.

As I was painting the background, I noticed the drops of color beading on the fabric rather than absorbing in immediately.

This is an up close beading. This post is crazy long, so I will make a different post explaining this phenomenon.

Thursday 12/1

Today I woke up struggling. Wednesday was a very tough day for me and my brain and body needed to recover. I decided it would be best for my health to rest a bit more. Eventually I made it to class and made some more progress, this time on the planet since the background was finished last night. I am using sindoor aka vermilion that is used in Hindu prayer rituals to try and achieve a bright red colorful planet in addition to Indian black plum. I also need to mix tamarind for a brown color and boil cranberries for another shade of red. The sindoor comes in multiple shades of red, so I have a true bright red, maroon, and orange. I hope these colors take to the fabric.

Today's planetary progress. I am a bit worried by the colors, they might be faded by the time I wash the fabric, but I hope not.

My goal is to finish up the planet painting, so that the colors can sit on the fabric for as long as possible to get it as bright as possible. Meanwhile, I will finish up the tree and uterus.

Friday 12/2

I continue to work on the planet.

Saturday 12/3

I have, as previously mentioned decided to change the beads on the ovaries to sequins. I felt that the beads gave a more clinical look, like it was a very apt way of showing the eggs, but I don't want this element to be solely clinical because it goes beyond that. By taking away the beads and replacing it with sequins, I am still able to emphasize the importance of the eggs within the ovaries, but in a more meaningful way.

I am almost done with this part of the project. I am going to leave the body of the uterus plain like this, as adding details would give it a more clinical look rather than serving a symbolic purpose. It was hard to make this choice as I liked the way the beads looked, but upon review, the realistic nature of the ovaries, in my opinion, would take away from the meaning of my piece. By this, I mean that reproductive rights, since being politicized, now go beyond a clinical setting, they play an integral role in reproductive justice. My work attempts to discuss this issue through symbolic social commentary.

Sunday 12/4

Things are getting crazy this week. Everything is happening all at once, but I continue to work on my project whenever I can. I plan to wash my fabric on Monday evening, let it dry (while it dries I will finish up the space ship/ dark force), and then applique the tree on and attach the uterus and dark spaceship. The turmeric has sat on the fabric for the longest so I am hoping for a bright yellow to achieve an eerie background feel and establish a contrast with the dark force spaceship.

So tumblr has a limit of 30 pictures only per post and I have reached the limit, so I will create a journal part two to continue the documentation with photos.

[complexob7]

How NASA Train Their Astronauts?

Astronauts - We have seen them floating in space. Many of us think of being an astronaut at some point in our lifetime. But becoming one is not that easy. In this article, we are discussing "How NASA Train Their Astronauts?".

An astronaut is a person trained by the human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft. Members of the space program of Russia or the Soviet Union are called cosmonauts.

Although it is usually reserved for professional astronauts, the term is sometimes applied to anyone who travels in space, including scientists, politicians, journalists, and tourists.

Until 2002, astronauts were sponsored and trained exclusively by governments, either by the military or civilian space agencies. With the suborbital flight of the privately funded SpaceShipOne in 2004, a new class of astronauts has been created: commercial astronauts.

Tests and training for Astronauts

Astronaut training describes the complex process of preparing astronauts for their space missions before, during, and after a flight in areas around the world, including medical tests, physical training, extra-vehicular activity (EVA) training, The process includes training, rehabilitation process. as well as training on the experiments they will achieve while in space.

Virtual and physical training facilities have been integrated to familiarize astronauts with the conditions they will face during all phases of flight and prepare astronauts for microgravity environments.

Special considerations must be made during training to ensure a safe and successful mission, which is why Apollo astronauts received training for geology fieldwork on the lunar surface and research on best practices for future extended missions. such as the journey to Mars.

Astronaut selection and training are integrated processes to ensure that crew members are qualified for space missions.

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Types of Training: Explained

The training is classified into five objectives in general and specific aspects: basic training, advanced training, mission-specific training, onboard training, and efficiency maintenance training.

In basic training, trainees must learn acronyms in medicine, language, robotics, piloting, space systems engineering, organization of space systems, and aerospace engineering.

Sixty to eighty percent of astronauts will experience space motion sickness, including pallor, cold sweats, vomiting, and anorexia, but candidates are expected to recover from the illness as training continues.

During advanced training and mission-specific training, astronauts will learn about the operation of specific systems and the skills associated with their assigned positions in a space mission.

18 months is typically required to complete mission-specific training for Space Shuttle and International Space Station crews. It is important to ensure the well-being, physical and mental health of the astronauts before, during, and after the mission period.

Proficiency maintenance training is intended to help crew members maintain a minimum level of performance, covering topics such as extracurricular activity, robotics, language, diving, and flight training. Astronauts also take classes.

They have a lot to learn apart from science. Sometimes they have to give speeches, so they take public speaking classes.

To be prepared for any emergency, astronauts undergo survival training. It can take up to two years of training to become a fully qualified astronaut.

You should learn the basics of spaceflight and the International Space Station, as well as how to be part of a team by flying a NASA T-38 training jet. After you finish your initial training period as an astronaut candidate, you will be given a technical assignment.

In this assignment, you will support astronauts who are already in space and who are training to go. Then you'll wait, sometimes years, for the next most exciting day of your life - the day you've been assigned to a space flight.

If you did well in your initial training and worked hard at your technical assignment, someday, the chief of the astronaut office will ask you if you still want to go to space.

If you are assigned to fly to the space station as an expeditionary crew member, you will need approximately 18 months of training. However, if you haven't received any specific training on space station systems, or if you don't have the required language skills, it can take more than 18 months.

It helps to have another expedition member trained as a backup and learn to speak Russian. Astronauts must be able to understand Russian so that they can speak to the Russian Mission Control Center and understand their instructors.

If you're going to live and work on the International Space Station, you'll need to speak at least two languages. Knowing more than two languages ​​is even better!

Travel during training

During your 18 months of training, you will make several trips between the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.

You can also go to Canada to take training on the robotic arm of the space station. In the future, the station's crew members will also train in Europe and Japan when modules from the European Space Agency and the Japanese Space Agency are added to the space station.

On-Orbit Operations Training

Now let's move on to on-orbit operations training... Astronauts are trained to prepare for launch conditions as well as the harsh environment of space.

The purpose of this training is to prepare the crew for events falling under two broad categories: events related to the operation of spacecraft - internal incidents; And phenomena related to the space environment - external phenomena.

During training, astronauts are introduced to the engineering systems of spacecraft, including spacecraft propulsion, spacecraft thermal control, and life support systems.

In addition, astronauts receive training in orbital mechanics, scientific experimentation, Earth observation, and astronomy.

This training is especially important for missions when an astronaut encounters multiple systems and this training is done to prepare the astronauts for events that may affect their health, crew health, or successful completion of the mission. can pose a danger to.

These types of events can result in failure of a critical life support system, capsule sedimentation, fire, and other life-threatening events.

In addition to requiring training for hazardous events, astronauts will also need to be trained to ensure the successful completion of their missions. External phenomena more broadly refer to the ability to live and work in the extreme environments of space.

This includes adaptation to microgravity, isolation, confinement, and radiation. Difficulties associated with living and working in microgravity include spatial disorientation, motion sickness, and vertigo.

During long-duration missions, astronauts will often experience isolation and confinement. This is known to limit the performance of the astronaut crew and hence training is aimed at preparing them for such challenges.

The long-term effects of radiation on the crew are still largely unknown. However, it is theorized that astronauts on their journey to Mars are likely to receive radiation doses 1000 times higher than that of a normal person on Earth.

As such, current and future training should include systems and procedures to protect astronauts from radiation.

Scientific Experimentation on ISS

Scientific experimentation has historically been an important element of human spaceflight and is the primary focus of the International Space Station.

Training on how to successfully perform these experiments is an important part of astronaut training, as it maximizes the scientific return of the mission.

Once in orbit, communication between astronauts and scientists on the ground can be limited, and time is strictly divided between the various mission activities. It is important that astronauts are familiar with their assigned experiments so that they can be completed in a timely manner, with as little interference from the ground as possible.

For missions to the ISS, each astronaut needs to become proficient in one hundred or more experiments. During training, the scientists responsible for the experiments do not have direct contact with the astronauts who will carry them.

Instead, scientists give instructions to instructors who in turn prepare the astronauts to perform the experiments. Much of this training is done at the European Astronaut Center.

For human experiments, scientists describe their experiments to astronauts who then choose whether or not to participate in the ISS.

For these experiments, astronauts will be tested before, during, and after the mission to establish a baseline and determine when the astronaut will be returned to baseline.

Virtual Reality (VR) Training

Sometimes astronauts can also take virtual reality training. Virtual reality has been explored as a technique for artificially exposing astronauts to the conditions and processes of space before they go into space.

Using virtual reality, astronauts can be trained and assessed to perform an EVA with all necessary equipment and environmental characteristics. This modern technology allows scenarios to be changed on the go, such as testing emergency protocols.

These training systems can reduce the effects of space motion sickness through a process of accommodation. Preflight VR training can be a counterpoint to the disorientation caused by space motion sickness and the weightlessness of microgravity environments.

When the goal is to act as a practice tool, virtual reality is usually explored in conjunction with robotics and additional hardware to enhance the effect of immersion or trainee engagement.

Conclusion

So, now you can understand that astronaut training is not for everyone. Even if you are very knowledgeable, but you do not have physical strength, you cannot be an astronaut.

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Thanks for reading till the end. Comment what's your opinion about this information "How NASA Train Their Astronauts?".

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[codyxzql520-blog]

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A Virus Spreads, Stocks Fall, and Democrats See an Opening to Hit Trump

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidates have seized on President Trump’s response to the spreading global coronavirus outbreak, and the growing threat it poses to America’s record-long economic expansion, to attack the president on what has been his greatest strength with voters: the economy.Until last week, the candidates had largely attacked Mr. Trump’s economic management on inequality grounds, at a time when growth has been steady and unemployment has sunk to a half-century low. But they have begun to attack his stewardship more directly after fears over the effects of the virus dealt stock markets their worst week since 2008 and forced Federal Reserve officials to reassure investors that they were considering interest rate cuts to combat a potential growth slowdown.Two candidates in desperate need of delegates on Super Tuesday, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York, revamped their stump speeches in recent days to aggressively attack Mr. Trump’s handling of the issue and portray themselves as the type of president the United States needs to endure a potential economic and public health crisis.Mr. Trump has played down the virus, insisting several times last week that it might not spread any further in the United States, and the economic threats from it. And he has lashed out at Democrats, saying they were the ones spooking investors.“Stock Market starting to look very good to me!” he tweeted on Monday, before four more days of losses. As markets continued to slide, he and members of his administration encouraged Americans to buy stock. “The market will all come back,” Mr. Trump told reporters on Saturday. “The markets are very strong. The consumer is unbelievably strong.”Mr. Bloomberg told a Democratic Party dinner in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday night that “the White House is endangering lives and hurting our economy” in its response to the virus. He has reserved three minutes of paid network airtime on Sunday evening to address the nation on the subject.“We all know the stock market has plunged out of fear,” Mr. Bloomberg said in Charlotte, “but also because investors have no confidence that this president is capable of managing the crisis.”Ms. Warren, who warned last summer that the economy could be tipped into recession by an outside shock, also called the virus an economic crisis in a speech Saturday night in Houston. She called for targeted stimulus measures, including direct support from Congress to businesses that have seen supply chains disrupted by quarantines and factory shutdowns in Asia, and low-interest loans from the Fed “to companies that agree to support their workers and that need a little help to make it through the next few months.”“The impact on our families, particularly on babies and elderly people and people with other health challenges, could be severe” from the spread of the virus, she said. “And the impact on our economy could also be brutal, putting jobs risk, threatening savings, undermining economic stability and even potentially destabilizing our giant, globally interconnected banks.”The front-runners in the race, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who won the South Carolina primary Saturday, have also criticized Mr. Trump’s management of the virus response. They have focused less than Ms. Warren and Mr. Bloomberg on the economic effects and have emphasized public health issues.Asked on Friday in a CNN interview how bad he thought the economic woes from the virus could get, Mr. Biden replied, “Well, I’m less concerned about the immediate economic impact than I am about whether or not we gain control of this.” He went on to criticize the Trump administration’s response. “The concern is: Do they have any idea what they’re doing?”None of the candidates have changed their core economic platforms, which to varying degrees all call for trillions of dollars in new taxes on the wealthy to fund programs meant to help the middle class and the poor. And they have often cited threats from the virus as new evidence to support the need for their plans, such as universal health care.Mr. Sanders said in a tweet last week that the outbreak showed that “it has never been more important to finally guarantee health care as a human right by passing Medicare for All.”Mr. Trump has called for the Federal Reserve to slash interest rates, though some economists caution that such a move may have a limited effect. And he has hinted at middle-class tax cuts, though tax experts who have spoken with the administration see the effort as more of a campaign centerpiece than an immediate stimulus package.Democratic strategists say the virus — and its potential economic effects — have given candidates a new opportunity to criticize Mr. Trump’s management abilities.“Candidates are right to be critical when the president and his economic team are whistling past the graveyard and putting out happy talk about the economy when it’s clear that a significant disruption is happening globally,” said Ben LaBolt, a partner at Bully Pulpit Interactive who was the press secretary for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. “There’s no doubt it could be a defining issue of the campaign.”Economic forecasters say the spread of the virus in China — and the supply chain disruptions it has already caused — will at least temporarily slow growth around the world, including in the United States, this year.Some economists expect the U.S. and global economies to rebound in the second half of the year, with minimal lasting damage: Goldman Sachs and Bank of America researchers have marked down their forecasts for U.S. growth this year by 0.1 percent because of virus effects.Still, Goldman Sachs economists warned in a research note last week that “the risks are clearly skewed to the downside until the outbreak is contained.”Morgan Stanley researchers said on Friday that in a worst-case scenario, where the virus spreads more widely across countries and sectors of the economy, growth could slow to a near halt in the United States for much of this year, resulting in a 0.5 percent growth rate overall in 2020, which would be the worst since the financial crisis. The unemployment rate would climb back above 5 percent in that projection.Such a slowdown could hamstring Mr. Trump’s re-election prospects. Voters give him significantly higher marks on economic management than his overall performance as president.That strength, and a relative lack of interest in economic issues among Democratic voters, has complicated candidates’ efforts to criticize Mr. Trump on his signature issue.Some pockets of the Democratic electorate, particularly black voters, rate the economy as their top concern, according to a new nationwide poll conducted for The New York Times by the online research firm SurveyMonkey. But Democratic voters overall rate health care and the environment as more important issues. They are about half as likely as independent voters to call the economy a top issue.Over the course of the campaign, Democratic candidates have generally sought to emphasize that the strong economy was not being felt by ordinary Americans, who they insisted were struggling to make ends meet. Several candidates blame Mr. Trump’s trade war with China for hurting American workers. Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren have called for broad transformations of the economy, with far steeper taxes on wealthy people and corporations. The leading Democratic candidates are all eager to raise taxes on the rich, though they disagree about how far to go with increases.Mr. Bloomberg and Ms. Warren levied more direct attacks this weekend, while championing their own qualifications to steer the country through economic tumult. Mr. Bloomberg said he had dealt with public health and economic crises as a mayor, as a philanthropist and as the leader of his business, Bloomberg L.P., “so I understand the economic damage that bad policies can cause.”Ms. Warren said on Saturday night that the crisis demanded a more skilled leader than Mr. Trump or several of her Democratic rivals, taking shots at Mr. Sanders, Mr. Biden and Mr. Bloomberg. The moment required “someone whose core values can be trusted, who has a plan for how to govern and who can actually get it done,” she said.Mr. Trump, in turn, has blamed his Democratic rivals for unnerving investors. “I think they’re not very happy with the Democrat candidates, when they see them,” he told reporters on Friday. “I think that has an impact.”Jim Tankersley reported from Washington, and Thomas Kaplan from Charlotte, N.C. Read the full article

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Facelift Surgery From Texas Top Plastic Surgeons

Houston Plastic Surgeon

Our Top Rated plastic surgeons take steps later you to pinpoint what you would with to reach cosmetically and use all their skills, talents and technological capabilities to urge on you achieve your ideal targets. A plastic surgeon may sham upon approximately any area of the human body, and lots of them specialize in a specific body location, subsequent to the head and neck or hands. It is indispensable to locate a plastic surgeon who's acquainted as soon as the male form for a within acceptable limits procedure and a prosperous outcome. in the manner of you find upon a board-certified plastic surgeon, you're deciding to pretend subsequently someone whose training and realization is centered upon aesthetic medication.

The surgeon can use front tuck surgery to eliminate birthmarks from your abdominal region and make it seem slim. It's essential that you are comfortable once the surgeon, and he or she addresses every one of your concerns and cares about your wellbeing. It's crucial that you have the carrying out to be honest and forthright past the surgeon you are thinking about, and that you character you're creature resolution the precise same treatment in return. It's important to research potential cosmetic surgeons and pick one that's board-certified|

Some plastic surgeons concentrate on the facial features even if some concentrate upon the fixed idea body. To begin with, you should interview a few surgeons whose specialties allow your requirements. Additionally, you are going to want to arrive across a surgeon that specializes in the specific procedure you're hoping to have performed on yourself. You might in addition to desire to learn how many years the surgeon has been operating. Also, you obsession to create certain the cosmetic surgeon is a person you're courteous behind and can establish the credentials of. You will meet later than a talented cosmetic surgeon who will go higher than the facts of the procedure and support determine if you're a wonderful candidate. suitably getting the lowest price upon your cosmetic surgery does not absolutely indicate you are receiving the ideal surgeon.

Breast surgery is just one of the most well-known regions of plastic surgery. Although no sum of surgery can attain perfection, modern-day therapy options permit plastic surgeons to accomplish considerable improvements in both impinge on and function. Our way in to cosmetic surgery enables you to create the most of our capacity and completion in a means that's cost-effective and delivers the best outcomes. It can be used to create all types of changes to the body. Reconstructive surgery for unfriendly injuries next burns and monster trauma may be an intricate practice.

Look for a specialist in the nice of procedure you will need. Some measures change the usage of lasers to acquire rid of unwanted hair or possibly to sand down the skin in an attempt to count scarring or hyperpigmentation. A thriving procedure will cause you to tone more similar to yourself and provide you greater confidence for a long times to come. Because cosmetic dealings are thought to be elective and optional, a majority of insurance companies won't cover the operation unless there's a medical reason, also. locate somebody who has already had some form of cosmetic surgery procedure. Last, a number of the cosmetic surgery trial aren't even real surgery in they don't assume critical and stitching. way in the neighboring guidance if you need to locate out more roughly facial cosmetic surgery procedures.

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TRUTHS ABOUT RESOLVING UNFILED BACK TAX RETURNS

The April 15 tax filing deadline is now well in the rear view mirror, but many U.S. taxpayers remain burdened with the stress and anxiety that can come from having one or more unfiled returns outstanding. The Internal Revenue Service estimates that approximately ten million taxpayers, for one reason or another, fail to get their returns filed each and every year. The individuals and businesses run the risk of mounting fees and penalties, and potentially even criminal prosecution.

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The IRS will eventually find and pursue non-filers in order to compel their compliance. At Advance Tax Relief LLC, we have vast experience successfully assisting non-filers with the process of regaining good standing with the government, often greatly mitigating fines and penalties. Our tax attorneys are prepared to address your concerns, review your financial data and determine how best to effectively achieve resolution.

Pursuit of non-filers by the IRS Though it may not happen immediately, those who fail to file tax returns will eventually be called to account by the IRS. Revenue agents, auditors and collection officers are employed by the agency as part of the IRS Non-Filer program for purposes of identifying delinquent taxpayers and urging their full compliance with filing requirements.

The IRS works to match Form W-2 and Form 1099 information it has received from employers to filing records of individual taxpayers. Other pertinent information will be gathered and a CP59 Notice may be issued, informing the taxpayer of their need to file a return for one or more years or explain why those returns are unnecessary.

If you have received such a communication from the IRS, it is wise to enlist the aid of a skilled tax attorney who understands how to address unfiled tax returns, comb through financial information and return the taxpayer to good standing.

Key considerations concerning unfiled returns If your unfiled tax returns are causing sleepless nights and worry, scheduling a consultation with Advance Tax Relief LLC from our team will start the process of resolution and help you achieve peace of mind.

Some important factors that will be explored include:

·         The number of outstanding unfiled returns

·         All accessible income and expense records

·         Relevant business records

·         Potential for penalties and fines

·         Appropriate time to disclose and file

·         Relevant statute of limitations, if any

Procrastination and fear behind some non-filer cases There are numerous reasons why some taxpayers fall behind with their annual filings. For some, it is simply the result of procrastination and forgetfulness. Others fail to file because they believe they will be unable to pay their tax bill, once determined.

Regardless of why you may have fallen out of compliance, swift action to achieve resolution is critical. The financial sanctions for failing to file can be significant and will mount quickly if not addressed. The IRS assess substantial amounts of interest and penalties, which vary depending on the amount of tax owed and the length of delinquency. If fraud and/or evasion are suspected, the penalties become even more onerous and the possibility of criminal prosecution becomes very real.

Fortunately, the IRS is often amenable to requests for abatement of penalties under a wide range of circumstances, and at Advance Tax Relief, we are very experienced with the process of securing such relief for our clients. Seeking dispensation from the IRS can be a complicated undertaking, and therefore it makes good sense to secure the aid of trusted professionals who can guide you through each step and bolster your chances of success.

Get help with unfiled back tax returns today Many taxpayers who have failed to file tax returns have been pleasantly surprised to discover that not only can they get back into compliance with relative ease, they are actually entitled to refunds. However, taxpayers generally only have three years from the original return due date to claim those funds. After that, the refund amount may be forfeited to the government.

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Advance Tax Relief is headquartered in Houston, TX with a branch office in Los Angeles, CA. We help many individuals just like you solve a wide variety of IRS and State tax issues, including penalty waivers, wage garnishments, bank levy, tax audit representation, back tax return preparation, small business form 941 tax issues, the IRS Fresh Start Initiative, Offer In Compromise and much more. Our Top Tax Attorneys, Accountants and Tax Experts are standing by ready to help you resolve or settle your IRS back tax problems.

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DOL Proposes Major Expansion of Apprenticeships

​The Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) newly proposed apprenticeship programs would be available to certified industry groups, schools, nonprofits and unions and would be largely free from regulatory oversight.

The DOL recently released the long-anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking establishing certification requirements for a Trump administration priority: industry-recognized apprenticeship programs.

The expansion of employer-led apprenticeships does not change any requirements of the current DOL-regulated apprenticeship programs, which would exist alongside the industry-crafted channel.  

The release of the proposed rule comes two years after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in June 2017 instructing the DOL to create guidelines for industry-recognized apprenticeships.

Participation in the DOL’s registered apprenticeship programs has grown significantly in recent years but still involves only a tiny fraction of the workforce. One reason for the lack of involvement is the frustration some employers report with the DOL’s registration process.

“The current registered apprenticeship model has a perception within industry of being complicated and heavily burdensome with paperwork and reporting,” said Glenn Johnson, workforce development leader with BASF Corporation in Houston.

Montez King, the executive director of the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, based in Fairfax, Va., said that the current system lacks flexibility.

Under the new proposal, several entities could be certified to set standards for training, structure and curricula for apprenticeships in relevant industries. Those entities include trade, industry, and employer groups or associations; education institutions; state and local government agencies; nonprofit organizations; unions; or any consortium of these. They could approve or reject employers seeking to host new apprenticeship programs.

“The DOL would certify [the administering organizations] to ensure that they meet all legal requirements and have the capacity to monitor [the apprenticeships] to ensure that they meet certain criteria,” said Michael Lotito, an attorney in law firm Littler’s San Francisco office and co-chair of the firm’s Workplace Policy Institute. “DOL’s criteria for high-quality [apprenticeships] include paid work, work-based learning, mentorship, education and instruction, industry-recognized credentials, and safety, supervision and EEO requirements.”

To guard against conflicts of interest, the DOL outlined that employers could not be certified on their own, and certified entities could not recognize their own apprenticeship programs.

But there are still many questions about how these intended protections and other aspects of the programs will be run, experts said.

“The proposal shows that the DOL intends to remove itself from regulatory oversight and transfer that responsibility to the accredited entities, but there is still a lot of confusion around what the role of the accredited entities would be and what level of oversight they are required to provide,” explained Katie Spiker, director of government relations at the National Skills Coalition, a Washington, D.C.-based public-policy research and advocacy group.

Spiker said employers, education providers and workforce stakeholders need more clarity about how the proposal will be carried out and how to best implement industry-recognized apprenticeships. She said they also need to understand how the new system’s benefits are preferable to other work-based learning programs.

“The idea of supporting employers’ ability to run and scale work-based learning opportunities and for more workers to be able to access those opportunities is great,” she said. “But I have a problem with the idea that industry-recognized apprenticeships are the only solution for all workforce challenges, to the detriment of investing in other workforce education programs. There is a spectrum of workforce programs in the United States that can help bring people into good jobs.”

Carolyn Lee, executive director of The Manufacturing Institute, the research arm of the National Association of Manufacturers, said that job openings in manufacturing have risen to an all-time high, and manufacturers will struggle to fill millions of jobs over the next decade unless steps are taken to prepare the workforce. “We welcome this step by the Department of Labor to help modernize and expand apprenticeship programs, which are so critical to bridging the skills gap and connecting more people to rewarding careers in manufacturing,” she said.

[Visit SHRM’s resource page on workforce readiness.]

Construction Excluded

Lotito explained that under the proposed rule, the DOL would limit its initial approval of industry-recognized apprenticeships to industries currently lacking robust programs, such as advanced manufacturing, health care and information technology.

The DOL announced, in tandem with the proposed rule, grants worth more than $180 million to 23 schools partnering with companies that provide a funding match in those sectors. The DOL is also soliciting applications for an additional $100 million in grant funding for apprenticeship programs to close skills gaps in a wider pool of industries.

Construction programs, which account for more than 50 percent of registered apprenticeships, would initially be left out of the new apprenticeship channel. That decision pleased the building trades unions—which say that registered apprenticeships work best for workers—but disappointed employers. 

“At a time when the vast majority of construction firms report having a hard time finding qualified workers to hire, it is deeply troubling that the Trump administration has opted to not include the [construction] sector in its new apprenticeship proposal,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America. “The fact is that it remains too difficult for many firms and their partners to establish apprenticeship programs for construction workers.”

Sandherr added that barriers for apprenticeship programs for construction workers include the excessive costs incurred during a “rigid and inflexible registration process.”

Concerns Still Abound

The industry-recognized apprenticeships approach has drawn criticism from congressional Democrats, labor unions and worker advocates who feel that the lack of government oversight could put workers at risk. “It’s a giveaway to private corporations and for-profit colleges without any guarantee that apprentices are getting quality training opportunities, are being paid fairly for the work they do, or are working in safe conditions,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., ranking member of the Senate’s education and labor committee.

Mary Alice McCarthy, director of the Center on Education and Skills at New America, a Washington, D.C.-based public-policy think tank, gives the Trump administration credit for the effort to make apprenticeships available to new populations and industries and better connect work-based learning to higher education. But she is not entirely assured by the new industry-sanctioned model.

On one hand, McCarthy was glad to see that the new apprenticeship programs would not automatically be entitled to the same types of federal benefits and funding as the more-regulated registered apprenticeship system, and that the DOL introduced some quality-control measures for the programs, including a complaint process for apprentices.  

But like Spiker, she believes there should be more clarity about conflicts of interest and the responsibilities of the certified bodies regarding data collection and equal employment opportunity compliance.

“What authority do the [certified entities] have to enforce compliance or collect data?” she asked. “What incentive will they have to do this? The proposal is an attempt to create a more self-regulated system, which we know from the higher-ed space doesn’t work very well.”

Under the DOL’s current system, sponsors of apprenticeship programs register with a state or federal agency that determines if their programs meet regulatory requirements regarding program length, curricula, and apprentices’ wages and working conditions. But accreditation under the new proposal is not as well-defined.

“The proposed quality-assurance process risks opening the door to low-quality programs and introducing considerable risk to apprentices and their employers,” McCarthy said.

She also anticipates problems with the DOL’s intention to recognize more than 200 accredited bodies. “That could be chaotic and hard to manage. It creates an arm’s-length relationship between the quality-assurance process and the government; enables the rise of multiple accreditors with overlapping jurisdictions, duplication of programs and competing standards; and provides no clear mechanism for holding accreditors or programs accountable for poor outcomes.”

Another potential sore spot for employers could be the new fees charged to host apprenticeship programs. The DOL said it anticipates that accredited entities may charge application and annual fees to employers hosting programs, although fees are neither required nor prohibited under the proposed rule.

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[studylifeusa]

Asya Ozkizilcik from Turkey studied English in the ESL Program at Rice University and is pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

My first reason for wanting to come to the USA was to enhance my English skills. I was a Ph.D. student in Turkey, and my English skills were limited when it came to academic reading and writing. I firmly believed that English skills could open many doors in my career. I enrolled in an English program in Turkey, but then I realized that my speaking and listening skills were developing very slowly compared to my grammar skills. Therefore, I decided to go abroad to advance my language skills. At the time, I had friends who were studying in England, Malta, and the USA. After talking to them and doing extensive web research, I decided to come to the USA. First, the USA offers a variety of language schools, so I could choose the option that best fit my budget. Second, in my eyes, the USA is one of the best places to gain comprehensive multidisciplinary academic experience.

How did you choose your intensive English program?

One of my close friends, who was living in Houston, helped me explore language schools in the Houston area. The ESL Program at Rice University was one of the most recommended language schools in the USA. After considering its education quality and previous students’ experience, I decided to enroll in the ESL program at Rice University.

What do you like best about studying here?

The education system here helps you to develop a more in-depth understanding of a subject, and it encourages you to link your prior knowledge to new information. Also, it allows you to create innovative ideas and provide opportunities for collaborative research. Additionally, most of the academic resources are readily available, which helped me a lot in achieving my goals.  

What do you miss most about home?

I miss spending time with my family and friends. Also, I miss the food, a lot!

How long have you been studying here? How has your English improved?  How has this program helped you to handle future study at a U.S. university?

I have been studying in graduate school for six and a half years. My English skills have improved dramatically, because I have been a teaching assistant for the past six years, and I have taken courses, written papers, and trained a lot of undergraduate and graduate students in research. I was fortunate that I had outstanding instructors in the Rice University ESL program who encouraged, prepared, and guided me in the U.S. university system. They trained me on email etiquette, resume building, interview preparation, and many other vital aspects of professional life. Additionally, my instructors in the ESL program provided very detailed and constructive feedback on my essays, and this has helped me incredibly to write better academic papers in the university.

What was your biggest surprise about U.S. life and education?

It was a little surprising to see how personal relationships are more distant, compared to how they are in my country. When it comes to the education system, classes are more interactive and student-oriented in the U.S.

How have you handled:

... language differences?

I would say with patience, self-encouragement, and practice. My listening and speaking skills were minimal when I first came to the USA. Then, I made friends and encouraged myself to talk with them even though it was very challenging to express myself. Besides, listening to news and watching TV series have speeded up my learning curve.

... finances?

I sought out teaching assistantship positions since the department or advisor pays your tuition once you have a TA position. This helps you to save thousands of dollars per semester. Additionally, you can stay at an affordable apartment and may consider having a roommate.  To further reduce your expenses, you can shop at low-cost grocery stores.

You may need to purchase a car since public transportation in most U.S. cities is not well developed. The good news is that used cars are much more affordable here than they are in our country. It is also important to note that gas prices are very reasonable.

... adjusting to a different educational system?

It wasn’t difficult to adjust to the U.S. educational system for me. In the U.S., students are more involved in class discussions, and they also contribute more in class by making presentations and asking questions. In brief, I would say the education system in the U.S. is more student-oriented, and it has helped me a lot in my personal growth.

What are your activities (clubs, sports, student associations, travel, homestay programs, special activities or trips sponsored by your Intensive English Program)?

I like hiking, biking, and canoeing. I try to exercise regularly. Also, going to music festivals is one of my favorite activities.

How easy or difficult is making friends in the USA?

It is very easy to make friends in the USA, especially in a university environment, since universities provide many activities that encourage students to form friendships.

What are your career goals? How is your U.S. education relevant to your personal goals and to the needs of your country?

Improving my self-confidence, gaining critical thinking skills, and becoming a more open-minded person have been my personal life goals. Experiencing the U.S. education system has allowed me to learn about different cultures from all over the world. Seeing people freely present their thoughts regardless of their age, race, and sex encouraged me to express myself more freely than before. I also became more aware of the importance of critical thinking. I would say my country needs more entrepreneurs and an environment that better encourages entrepreneurial activities. Students in U.S. universities are more motivated to become entrepreneurs, since there are numerous entrepreneurial programs provided related to their field of study. As a result, these activities help the U.S. economy to grow steadily.

What is your advice to other students from your country who are considering studying English in the USA?

I recommend they do extensive research about the city and the program they plan to go to. The cost of living, the quality of the program, and transportation availability should be evaluated in detail while choosing the language school. There are numerous resources available on the internet. I also recommend them to use any opportunities to meet and talk with native speakers. Besides, when students don’t catch what is said the first time, they should not hesitate to ask people to repeat themselves. Every country has its own distinct culture, and I suggest students respect all of them.

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[princeofny]

Inside the Empire: The True Power Behind the New York Yankees – Book Review

It would be a stretch to compare Inside the Empire: The True Power Behind the New York Yankees to a piece by Leni Riefenstahl mirroring content usually produced and presented on the Yankees’ state-sanctioned propaganda ministry, the YES Network. Were that the case, it would have been penned by Jack Curry, had twice the ingratiating obnoxiousness and a quarter of the skill.

Still, within the first 20 pages, the direction of the narrative was clear as the authors – Bob Klapisch and Paul Solortaroff – dumped on, in order, Derek Jeter, Joe Girardi and Joe Torre. Ranging from a Yankees icon to a Hall of Fame manager to a key role player and World Series winning manager, they had fallen out of favor in the Bronx for a variety of sins and were cast out to the purgatory not limited to estrangement, but to open hostility.

This is no coincidence as it occurs simultaneously to avoiding foreshadowing (or foreplay) or any other writerly (or sex-based) techniques and going straight into the borderline pornographic worship of Brian Cashman. Reading between the thinly veiled lines, Cashman could also be referred to as “The Man Who Could Do No Wrong.”

Part of the book’s disappointment and failure is not the story itself, but of the expectations that preceded the news that it was being written in the first place. For those who read baseball tell-alls like Ball Four, The Bronx Zoo and others, a yearlong case study followed by an autopsy regardless of the outcome holds tremendous allure. Unfortunately, the writers retreat to the safety of the current trend of “baseball business” books, most of which pale in comparison to the initial and admittedly interesting while incredibly flawed and misunderstood Moneyball. Post-Moneyball, The Extra 2% was the next and last of the immersing stories that had yet to be told. After that came the love letters to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Chicago Cubs and Theo Epstein, the Houston Astros and Jeff Luhnow, and a few others, all of which were agenda-based, misleading and largely dull.

It’s tiresome not just because the stories have basically been told, albeit in different forms with a different cast of characters, but because the stories are so repetitive and devoid of criticism. This goes beyond the caveated individual mistakes that turned into learning experiences with substantial blame doled out on others since the main characters certainly couldn’t have been at fault as that would have sabotaged the entire goal of the story: to create a hero even if there wasn’t one.

The book doesn’t enter the realm of The Yankee Years by Torre and Tom Verducci where Torre aired his gripes, executed his vendettas and cemented his self-created and media-promoted visage of a combination Vito Corleone and the Pope, but Cashman and Torre’s perception of what occurred during that time and, by extension, how that impacted his replacement Girardi, are key parts of Inside the Empire.

The baseball business book model might be what publishers are looking for and what editors steer the narrative towards, but for those who want an insider’s perspective, it simply no longer works. We want meat, not cotton candy.

Perhaps Klapisch was scarred by what was, on the surface, a legitimate attempt at a tell-all with The Worst Team Money Could Buy about the disastrous 1992 New York Mets. The book itself was also a disappointment for those who hoped for a day-by-day diary of spending spree, a cast of compelling characters and a promising season that quickly devolved into a nightmare, but it was far better than this patched together mess, a book that tries to appeal to the Yankee fan and retain access while taking care not to offend anyone who is still closely affiliated with the club.

As much as Klapisch says those Mets players labeling him as someone who can’t be trusted did not affect him one way or the other; that he was not intimidated when Bobby Bonilla physically threatened him, for someone like him, who is and has for a long time been under the impression that he was not just a journalist who covers the team, but a peer who sees himself as a player, this is a scar that could have been reopened had he been completely honest about the 2018 Yankees and not diluted the tale so as not to “betray” anyone in whose confidence he was taken.

And therein lies the problem. The authors traded access for the lavishing of praise upon the characters who remained in the Yankee family.

Aaron Judge? Awesome player and human who everyone loves.

Didi Gregorius? Emerging leader whose good humor and affability masks an intense competitor.

CC Sabathia? The Yankees’ version of Yoda.

Aaron Boone? Wonderful guy whose even keeled demeanor was a marked departure from Girardi’s twitchy tightness.

It goes on and on.

At its end, there is an open question of Cashman’s blueprint of power above all else, ignoring situational hitting and strikeouts, wondering whether he would eventually look at the Red Sox and Astros and admit that perhaps adaptation needed to extend beyond the restructuring of the organization and adherence to cold numbers, accepting that the analysts didn’t know everything and there was nuance to the tactics by using the strategic single rather than every swing being for the fences.

The one remaining Yankee who did get criticized was Giancarlo Stanton, but even that was limited to a hand-wringing, halfhearted musing of his positives and negatives.

Gary Sanchez – the player who deserves to be slaughtered for his inattention, lack of fundamentals and bottom line laziness – is largely spared from a deserved lashing.

Boone is protected from criticism for inexplicable reasons that one can only surmise of him being a nice guy who is so completely devoid of any responsibility apart from following orders and providing monotonous platitudes that the team could have won 100 games if they stationed a mannequin in a uniform at the corner of the dugout and used a series of wires for him to perform “managerial functions.”

It all reverts to Cashman and his vision; his goal; his intent when masterfully taking charge of the organization and nudging Hal Steinbrenner into the direction he wanted.

The excuses are mind-numbing and fall into precisely what the late Boss, George Steinbrenner, would not have tolerated not because he was an unhinged, raving lunatic (he was), but because he would have been right not to want to hear that Sanchez's lackadaisical behavior was because he was injured; that Boone's absence of fire was a positive; that Stanton repeatedly striking out was part of the $300 million package. Nor would he have quietly acquiesced to the other explanations as to what went wrong as a team that won 100 games was discarded like irrelevant debris by its most hated rivals.

Cashman tried to assuage the concerns of fans and media members who were slowly coming to grips with the reality that this was no longer the Yankees of The Boss by proclaiming the organization a “fully operational Death Star,” implying that the so-called Evil Empire had gotten its payroll under control, rebuilt the farm system sans the Boss’s constant interference and template of preferring to trade young players for proven veterans while spending on exorbitant free agents, and was again prepared to combine tactical decisions with price being no object to return the Yankees to baseball’s pantheon not with a sole championship to break their decade-long drought, but with a team that was set to be the next dynasty.

In truth, it was unabashed hyperbole. Without Darth Vader, there is no Death Star. And The Boss was the organizational Darth Vader and proud of it. Instead, the Yankees’ ultimate weapon is more something out of Mel Brooks with Cashman as Rick Moranis’s “Dark Helmet,” someone who looks unimposing in person, sounds unimposing in practice, and is a technocrat who seized power piecemeal with an admittedly admirable Machiavellian efficiency and has decided to use that power to be like every other supposedly forward-thinking organization in sports and hope for a chance at a championship rather than winning the championship itself. The constant statements about accountability are nonexistent under this regime because no one is getting fired if they fail; players are unafraid of checking their names on social medial for a missive from the deranged Boss; and a Little League credo of “just try as hard as you can” is deemed sufficient.

And that’s not the Yankees that George Steinbrenner built.

The book could have been an exposé of what would otherwise have been a failed season for the Yankees, but was instead a borderline celebration of what they have become with the architects credited for its own sake. Had they ignored the fallout of telling truths that would have angered the organization, the book could have been excellent. Instead, it’s another generic tale about the baseball business, the kind we’ve seen too much of already to be memorable.

[toldnews-blog]

New Post has been published on https://toldnews.com/united-states-of-america/start-here-2020-shutdown-venezuela-what-you-need-to-know-to-start-your-day/

'Start Here': 2020, shutdown, Venezuela. What you need to know to start your day.

It’s Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Let’s start here.

1. Poll: 56 percent wouldn’t re-elect Trump

Fifty-six percent of registered voters said they wouldn’t vote for Donald Trump in 2020, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, while 28 percent said they definitely would.

The presidential election is 21 months away, but it’s a “tough position” to be in when assessing support for a re-election, ABC News’ John Verhovek tells us: “There’s no real good way to spin that.”

And with no clear Democratic front-runner, 43 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents said they have no opinion on whom they’d support in a primary today, the poll found.

Where does that leave former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who recently announced he’s thinking about running as an “independent centrist?” He’s facing criticism from Democrats worried he’ll split the vote in 2020, and he may not have the votes to win outside of the two-party system, according to FiveThirtyEight Managing Editor Micah Cohen.

“The problem is, most of those voters, while they like to call themselves independents, they’re not true independents,” he says. “They, year after year after year, vote for one party or the other, and so if Schultz is relying on them, I think he’s in for a rude awakening.”

2. Congress, federal workers back to work

Government workers are back on the job … for now.

Congress has less than three weeks to negotiate solutions for border security and wall funding to avoid another shutdown.

ABC News’ Anne Flaherty and John Parkinson walk us through the next steps for federal workers, lawmakers and the president.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi responds to reporters after officially postponing President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address until the government is fully reopened, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 23, 2019.

3. US has ‘agreements in principle’ with Taliban for peace deal

There have been “encouraging conversations” between the U.S. and the Taliban to end 17 years of war in Afghanistan, according to Pat Shanahan, the acting defense secretary.

“I’d say really, right now, the takeaway is encouraging,” he told reporters on Monday, without elaborating on how the talks would affect the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

The top defense official was reacting to a statement in the New York Times from U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who said the U.S. and the Taliban reached “agreements in principle” to the framework of a peace deal with the insurgents.

ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz explains that the U.S. has been trying to deal with the Taliban on and off for years, before removing U.S. forces.

“I think the U.S. has learned such lessons from Iraq, and pulling out all of the troops there at the end of 2011 and ISIS moved in,” she says. “You don’t have the ability to gather intelligence the way you do if you have some force on the ground.”

Omar Sobhani/Reuters, FILE

U.S. troops patrol at an Afghan National Army Base in Logar province, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2018.

4. Sanctions on Venezuelan oil

The U.S. on Monday announced sanctions against Venezuela’s state-owned oil firm, further limiting the power of Nicolas Maduro days after the Trump administration announced it was recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s legitimate president.

The sanctions will divert any purchases of oil from Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. into accounts Maduro is blocked from accessing, according to the Treasury Department.

ABC News Foreign Editor Kirit Radia says the move is aimed at degrading support for Maduro within Venezuela’s military.

Other news:

‘I want to thank Michael Cohen for agreeing to appear voluntarily’: The president’s longtime personal lawyer and fixer has agreed to talk to the House Intelligence Committee behind closed doors.

‘This has been a tough day for our city’: Five Houston police officers are injured in a shooting ambush where both suspects are killed.

‘We’re aware of this issue and we have identified a fix that will be released in a software update later this week’: Apple, at least temporarily, shuts down Group FaceTime after a glitch allows callers listen in on call recipients.

‘As the dust settles from the Trump Shutdown, it is clear as day that the president’s temper tantrum caused serious and lasting damage to our nation’s economy’: The shutdown actually may have cost the U.S. $11 billion, not the $6 billion estimated earlier.

From our partners at FiveThirtyEight:

How President Trump is like a terrible poker player: What will happen at the end of the next three weeks is very much up in the air. But the way Trump has played his hand so far on the shutdown has a lot in common with how bad poker players tend to cost themselves money.

Last ‘Nightline’:

Cardi B’s ‘Twerk’ video sparks conversation on women’s empowerment: Critics are taking aim at the rapper’s new music video, opening a debate on the line between body positivity and objectification in the age of #MeToo.

Play

Cardi B’s ‘Twerk’ video sparks conversation on women’s empowerment

Chris Christie on his relationship with Donald Trump: The former New Jersey Governor and a major player in the president’s campaign discusses the Mueller probe, what the ‘Bridgegate’ scandal cost him and why he believes Jared Kushner worked against him.

Play

Chris Christie on his relationship with President Donald Trump

On this day in history:

Jan. 29, 2002 — In the State of the Union, President George W. Bush calls Iran, Iraq and North Korea the “axis of evil.”

Play

This day in history: Jan. 29, 2017

The must-see photo:

Members of a rescue team react upon returning from the mission, after a dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed, in Brumadinho, Brazil. (photo credit: Washington Alves/Reuters)

Washington Alves/Reuters

Members of a rescue team react upon returning from the mission, after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed, in Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan. 28, 2019.

For more great photos from around the world CLICK HERE.

Socially acceptable:

A man is arrested for stealing art from a gallery in broad daylight.

Play

Man arrested for stealing art from gallery in broad daylight

All right, you’re off and running. Get the latest news on ABCNews.com and on the ABC News app. Details on how to subscribe to the “Start Here” podcast are below.

See you tomorrow.

“Start Here” is the flagship daily news podcast from ABC News — a straightforward look at the day’s top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, or the ABC News app. On Amazon Echo, ask Alexa to “Play ‘Start Here'” or add the “Start Here” skill to your Flash Briefing. Follow @StartHereABC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for exclusive content, show updates and more.

[eliteprepsat]

Should I Take the SAT or ACT?

Deciding whether to take the SAT or the ACT is a decision every college-bound student will face at some point. 😨 While you may have heard stories or stereotypes about both tests, the simple fact is that colleges accept both equally. Which test you ultimately decide to take comes down to a matter of personal preference. Therefore, it is important to do your research to determine which test best fits you. 💪

First, let’s look at the basic structure of each test:

As you can see, both tests run about 3-4 hours depending on whether or not you take the essay. Each test has reading, english and math sections, but the ACT has a separate science section. The SAT has 154 questions in total, and the ACT has 215 questions in total. While this may look like a large discrepancy, SAT questions can require a little extra reasoning to get the correct answer, so more time is allowed per question. On the other hand, ACT questions tend to be very straightforward and to the point, so there’s less time to answer each question. It’s important to keep these details in mind when making your decision about which test to take. Now, let’s look at the differences in a little more depth:

📖 Reading

Both tests will contain passages from fiction, social sciences, and natural sciences. The ACT will also have one Humanities-based passage. The SAT will also have one passage from the Great Global Conversation, which discusses US and World historical documents, civil rights, suffrage and similar topics. Two of the SAT Reading passages will include graphics (figures, charts, graphs) and ask questions that test basic graphic literacy. ACT passages will be slightly longer (~100-200 words) than SAT passages, but remember the SAT has one extra passage.

SAT Reading: You have about 75 seconds to answer each question. The questions tend to go in order of the passage itself - use this information to guide you when answering questions. Passage difficulty can range from 9th grade up to college-level reading material.

ACT Reading: You have about 50 seconds to answer each question. The questions do not go in order of the passage. Passage difficulty is at about the 11th-grade level on the ACT. The ‘EXCEPT’ questions can be time-consuming, so you may want to save those for last.

The main thing to remember about both tests is that the answers will be supported by the passage, so the answers are IN the passage - your job is to find and understand them.

✏ Writing & Language/English:

Both tests will measure your understanding of punctuation, grammar, and usage, sentence structure, strategy, organization and style. Furthermore, the SAT tests word choice (vocabulary) and graphic literacy (data interpretation) in the Writing & Language section. Of all the sections on both tests, these two mirror each other the most.

➗ Math

Both tests contain questions from algebra, geometry, data analysis, and trigonometry. The SAT has more data analysis/problem-solving questions (ratios, percentages, graphs), while the ACT has more advanced math questions (plane geometry/trigonometry). All of the ACT questions are multiple choice and allow you to use a calculator, but the SAT has a handful grid-in questions per math section, one of which no calculator usage is allowed. ACT math tends to be relatively straightforward, whereas SAT math can require in-depth thought.

🔬 Science

The ACT Science section tests your interpretation, analysis and reasoning skills. You will be presented with a brief passage and accompanying graphs, charts, or figures. The questions will appear in one of three formats: data representation, research summaries or conflicting viewpoints. There is no specific scientific knowledge or recall required. In some ways the Science section is similar to the Reading section because they both apply similar comprehension and interpretation skill sets. Though there is no separate Science section on the SAT, graphs and tables appear throughout all sections of the SAT, and the accompanying questions require the same data interpretation skills as the ACT Science section.

💭 Essay

The SAT essay will test your understanding of a one-page passage and ask you how the author builds his or her argument to persuade the audience. You should consider analyzing the evidence, reasoning, and style utilized by the author in the construction of your essay. The ACT essay will test how well you evaluate three different perspectives on a given issue and then demonstrate your own unique perspective in relation to the three provided. It requires you to directly tackle an issue and come up with supporting evidence to develop your argument. Think of the SAT essay as a critical analysis and think of the ACT essay as a debate.

☝ There’s no penalty for incorrect answers on either test, so you should never omit any questions.

So, after all of this information, here are my suggestions:

If you work well under time pressure and have a strong command of the content, tackle the ACT. It’s much more to the point and the answers should just pop up right in your head if you stay focused as you’re going through the different sections. You may encounter incredibly wordy questions, but they shouldn’t require much thought to figure out.

If you do well at making connections and can benefit from a little extra time for thought-processing, tackle the SAT. Most of the questions are based on evidence and context with a focus on problems with real-world applications. Some of the problems may require multiple steps to come up with the correct answer, but in general, nothing overly complex is involved.

✅ Final verdict:

The structure of each test and the material in each test are relatively similar enough that neither has a distinct edge over the other. Therefore, it all boils down to this: practice, practice, practice. You should carve out the time in your schedule to take a full-length practice SAT and a full-length practice ACT, making sure to follow the specific time limits for each. Under these conditions, the differences in the test will become much more apparent to you on a personal level. See which test you perform better on and then determine which sections you need to strengthen up on. From there, focus your energies on improving upon that particular test since it’s not necessary to take both. There are a variety of sources you can use to practice standardized testing, but it’s important to start early so you can make the progress you want and reach your full potential.

About the author: Jon G. is originally from Houston, Texas. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Harvard University and is currently one of the resident English gurus at Elite Prep Los Angeles. Nothing makes him more proud and pumped up than watching his students succeed. When it comes to hitting the books, Jon recommends starting early and studying in increments to avoid burnout. He's a huge basketball fan, loves green tea, and his favorite vocabulary word is “seditious.”

[gibsonsflowofthoughts]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked like the NBA’s best rookie point guard at Vegas Summer League

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was an afterthought when he arrived at Kentucky one year ago. John Calipari’s incoming recruiting class featured five 5-star recruits, and Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t one of them. But it didn’t take Calipari long to realize who his best player really was.

By the middle of the season, Kentucky’s only real play was giving the ball to Gilgeous-Alexander and letting him create everything. It made him a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, where he went No. 12 to the Clippers.

So why is Gilgeous-Alexander still underhyped? Despite being the best player on America’s biggest program and a lottery pick taken by a team in one of the country’s largest markets, SGA enters the NBA in relative obscurity compared to his more heralded peers. He was the third point guard off the board, behind Trae Young and Collin Sexton. He wasn’t even the first freshman SEC point guard to be taken — that honor went to Sexton.

It’s time for that obscurity to stop. Gilgeous-Alexander was tremendous in Las Vegas Summer League, showcasing the two-way versatility that makes him a great fit for the modern game. He has all the tools to be the best point guard in this class.

SGA is an elite slasher

Gilgeous-Alexander’s signature skill is driving the ball into the paint and finishing. This was on full display against the Rockets, when he burned Houston to the basket repeatedly.

That’s on De’Anthony Melton, one of the premier perimeter defenders in this rookie class. It didn’t matter. This was the strongest game any rookie played in Vegas (25 points, five rebounds, four assists) largely because there was nothing Houston could do to stop him from getting to the cup.

Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t have the fastest first step, and he’s not the most explosive leaper, but he’s such a smooth ball handler at 6’6, and has the length and craft to finish around the basket from a variety of angles. Watch him hit a wrong-footer runner against the Kings in his second game in Vegas:

This showed up in his college stats at Kentucky, too. He compared favorably to James Harden at Arizona State at the same age in pick-and-roll and isolation situations:

Synergy pnr handler + iso scoring at age 19:

Harden: 212 pts on 262 poss Shai: 244 pts on 268 poss

Shai isn't nearly on Harden's overall level as prospect, but he is a great slasher who overcomes his limited athleticism with elite footwork

— Dean Demakis (@deanondraft) May 10, 2018

SGA *is* a point guard

There was some debate among NBA people if Gilgeous-Alexander was actually a point guard heading into the draft. He lacks the pull-up jump shooting ability that is so critical for offensive initiators right now. Would he be best as a secondary creator next to another ball handler?

I don’t think so. Gilgeous-Alexander proved his chops as a facilitator in Summer League, using his ability to break down opposing defenses off the dribble to set up his teammates while also showing nice touch on his passes. This bounce pass against the Wizards was immaculate:

Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t going to drop dimes like Trae Young, but he’s proven he’s a capable playmaker who can take care of the ball. Here’s how he stacked up to the other first-round rookie point guards (minus the injured Landry Shamet) in Vegas in turnovers and assists per 100 possessions while on the floor:

First round rookie point guards at summer league

Player Assist rate Turnover rate

Player Assist rate Turnover rate

Trae Young 38.8 20.8 Collin Sexton 23.6 14.3 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 29 10.5 Aaron Holiday 33.9 24.9

Gilgeous-Alexander finished No. 98 in the country in assist rate (28.8) during his one season at Kentucky, a metric that estimates the percentage of field goals made by a team that a particular player assisted on while he was in the game. That college assist rate was better than Sexton, the same as Shamet, and slightly worse than Holiday. His facilitating ability is on par with any rookie point guard in this class outside of Young.

SGA has so much defensive potential

Today’s NBA covets switchable perimeter defenders, and Gilgeous-Alexander fits the mold. He has the length (7-foot wingspan) to defend three or four positions in the NBA, and he will tower over most point guards. He also has quick hands and can get aggressive hunting for the ball.

Gilgeous-Alexander needs to work on the art of navigating screens and certainly needs to add muscle to his lean 180-pound frame, but he has a lot to work with defensively. Just check out how he compares to the other top rookie point guards in block and steal rates, metrics that estimate the percentage of blocks and steals a player forces while he’s on the court.

First round rookies in Vegas

Player Steal rate Block rate

Player Steal rate Block rate

Trae Young 2.6 0.7 Collin Sexton 1.1 0.6 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 3.8 3.1 Aaron Holiday 4 1.4

It will take any 20-year-old some time to figure out NBA defense, but Gilgeous-Alexander has the tools teams are seeking. He’s going to become an incredibly valuable player if he becomes a committed defender.

There’s lots of room to grow, too

The knock on Gilgeous-Alexander entering the draft was his shooting ability, especially on pull-up jumpers. He’ll never be as deadly as Stephen Curry there, but he hit a variety of shots off the dribble in Vegas that are encouraging for his development going forward.

He’s already good enough as a ball handler to break defenders down off the dribble. Now it’s about taking the same advanced footwork that makes him so dangerous around the basket and using it to his advantage on the perimeter, too.

Clippers may have something in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He showed some of this during the 2nd half of last season at KU, but there's just so much to like about him.

This is some really good breakdown wiggle by Shai. No PnR, just 1v1, gigs. Size + breakdown wiggle. pic.twitter.com/zNu0QFXKq0

— Clipper Film Room (@ClipperFilmRoom) July 13, 2018

Gilgeous-Alexnader’s true shooting percentage (49.5 percent) in Vegas was still below-average for an NBA guard. He didn’t get to the free throw line as much as you’d like, and he hit only 63 percent of foul shots when he did get there. He also only hit 3-of-12 three-pointer attempts in Vegas after knocking in 40 percent of his threes on a small volume (57 attempts) at Kentucky. So there’s still work to be done.

Gilgeous-Alexander can still grow into a more efficient offensive player and more consistent defender, but his talent is obvious. There are not many 6’6 point guards in the world who can finish at the basket as effectively as him while still being capable of setting up teammates and protecting the ball. He will to fill up the box score on raw tools alone.

Dope article from sbnation.com

[junker-town]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked like the NBA’s best rookie point guard at Vegas Summer League

The Clippers rookie has all the tools to be the top rookie point guard in the NBA.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was an afterthought when he arrived at Kentucky one year ago. John Calipari’s incoming recruiting class featured five 5-star recruits, and Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t one of them. But it didn’t take Calipari long to realize who his best player really was.

By the middle of the season, Kentucky’s only real play was giving the ball to Gilgeous-Alexander and letting him create everything. It made him a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, where he went No. 12 to the Clippers.

So why is Gilgeous-Alexander still underhyped? Despite being the best player on America’s biggest program and a lottery pick taken by a team in one of the country’s largest markets, SGA enters the NBA in relative obscurity compared to his more heralded peers. He was the third point guard off the board, behind Trae Young and Collin Sexton. He wasn’t even the first freshman SEC point guard to be taken — that honor went to Sexton.

It’s time for that obscurity to stop. Gilgeous-Alexander was tremendous in Las Vegas Summer League, showcasing the two-way versatility that makes him a great fit for the modern game. He has all the tools to be the best point guard in this class.

SGA is an elite slasher

Gilgeous-Alexander’s signature skill is driving the ball into the paint and finishing. This was on full display against the Rockets, when he burned Houston to the basket repeatedly.

SGA has a real nice hesitation dribble and a quick burst that he used several times last night to blow by defenders. Here's one example in real time and then slowed down. Going to be fun to watch him develop. #Clippers #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/uxjicjfwmU

— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) July 10, 2018

That’s on De’Anthony Melton, one of the premier perimeter defenders in this rookie class. It didn’t matter. This was the strongest game any rookie played in Vegas (25 points, five rebounds, four assists) largely because there was nothing Houston could do to stop him from getting to the cup.

Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t have the fastest first step, and he’s not the most explosive leaper, but he’s such a smooth ball handler at 6’6, and has the length and craft to finish around the basket from a variety of angles. Watch him hit a wrong-footer runner against the Kings in his second game in Vegas:

This showed up in his college stats at Kentucky, too. He compared favorably to James Harden at Arizona State at the same age in pick-and-roll and isolation situations:

Synergy pnr handler + iso scoring at age 19: Harden: 212 pts on 262 poss Shai: 244 pts on 268 poss Shai isn't nearly on Harden's overall level as prospect, but he is a great slasher who overcomes his limited athleticism with elite footwork

— Dean Demakis (@deanondraft) May 10, 2018

SGA *is* a point guard

There was some debate among NBA people if Gilgeous-Alexander was actually a point guard heading into the draft. He lacks the pull-up jump shooting ability that is so critical for offensive initiators right now. Would he be best as a secondary creator next to another ball handler?

I don’t think so. Gilgeous-Alexander proved his chops as a facilitator in Summer League, using his ability to break down opposing defenses off the dribble to set up his teammates while also showing nice touch on his passes. This bounce pass against the Wizards was immaculate:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the spin and the dime!#NBASummer pic.twitter.com/VybXxaXPY5

— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2018

Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t going to drop dimes like Trae Young, but he’s proven he’s a capable playmaker who can take care of the ball. Here’s how he stacked up to the other first-round rookie point guards (minus the injured Landry Shamet) in Vegas in turnovers and assists per 100 possessions while on the floor:

Gilgeous-Alexander finished No. 98 in the country in assist rate (28.8) during his one season at Kentucky, a metric that estimates the percentage of field goals made by a team that a particular player assisted on while he was in the game. That college assist rate was better than Sexton, the same as Shamet, and slightly worse than Holiday. His facilitating ability is on par with any rookie point guard in this class outside of Young.

SGA has so much defensive potential

Today’s NBA covets switchable perimeter defenders, and Gilgeous-Alexander fits the mold. He has the length (7-foot wingspan) to defend three or four positions in the NBA, and he will tower over most point guards. He also has quick hands and can get aggressive hunting for the ball.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shows off his length with the steal and slam pic.twitter.com/RpL3RBAMMB

— The Render (@TheRenderNBA) July 10, 2018

Gilgeous-Alexander needs to work on the art of navigating screens and certainly needs to add muscle to his lean 180-pound frame, but he has a lot to work with defensively. Just check out how he compares to the other top rookie point guards in block and steal rates, metrics that estimate the percentage of blocks and steals a player forces while he’s on the court.

It will take any 20-year-old some time to figure out NBA defense, but Gilgeous-Alexander has the tools teams are seeking. He’s going to become an incredibly valuable player if he becomes a committed defender.

There’s lots of room to grow, too

The knock on Gilgeous-Alexander entering the draft was his shooting ability, especially on pull-up jumpers. He’ll never be as deadly as Stephen Curry there, but he hit a variety of shots off the dribble in Vegas that are encouraging for his development going forward.

Shai gilgeous-Alexander is looking better every game pic.twitter.com/a7k1izbI59

— Sports World (@OurSportsWorld) July 10, 2018

He’s already good enough as a ball handler to break defenders down off the dribble. Now it’s about taking the same advanced footwork that makes him so dangerous around the basket and using it to his advantage on the perimeter, too.

Clippers may have something in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He showed some of this during the 2nd half of last season at KU, but there's just so much to like about him. This is some really good breakdown wiggle by Shai. No PnR, just 1v1, gigs. Size + breakdown wiggle. pic.twitter.com/zNu0QFXKq0

— Clipper Film Room (@ClipperFilmRoom) July 13, 2018

Gilgeous-Alexnader’s true shooting percentage (49.5 percent) in Vegas was still below-average for an NBA guard. He didn’t get to the free throw line as much as you’d like, and he hit only 63 percent of foul shots when he did get there. He also only hit 3-of-12 three-pointer attempts in Vegas after knocking in 40 percent of his threes on a small volume (57 attempts) at Kentucky. So there’s still work to be done.

Gilgeous-Alexander can still grow into a more efficient offensive player and more consistent defender, but his talent is obvious. There are not many 6’6 point guards in the world who can finish at the basket as effectively as him while still being capable of setting up teammates and protecting the ball. He will to fill up the box score on raw tools alone.

If Gilgeous-Alexander continues to get better as a shooter and works to reach his potential on defense, he’s going to look like a steal at No. 12. The Clippers’ post-Lob City era is still murky, but it looks like they’ve found their point guard of the future.

[newstfionline]

Headlines

California fire that killed 3 threatens thousands of homes (AP) A Northern California wildfire threatened thousands of homes Thursday after winds whipped it into a monster that incinerated houses in a small mountain community and killed at least three people. Several other people have been critically burned and hundreds, if not thousands, of homes and other buildings are believed to have been damaged or destroyed by the North Complex fire northeast of San Francisco, authorities said. Some 20,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings in Plumas, Yuba and Butte counties.

500,000 people in Oregon forced to flee wildfires (AP) Authorities in Oregon now say more than 500,000 people statewide have been forced to evacuate because of wildfires. The latest figures from Thursday evening come from the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. That’s over 10% of the state’s 4.2 million population. More than 1,400 square miles (3,625 square kilometers) have burned this week in the state. Authorities say the wildfire activity was particularly acute Thursday afternoon in northwestern Oregon as hot, windy conditions continued.

Think 2020’s disasters are wild? Experts see worse in future (AP) A record amount of California is burning, spurred by a nearly 20-year mega-drought. To the north, parts of Oregon that don’t usually catch fire are in flames. Meanwhile, the Atlantic’s 16th and 17th named tropical storms are swirling, a record number for this time of year. Powerful Typhoon Haishen lashed Japan and the Korean Peninsula this week. Last month it hit 130 degrees in Death Valley, the hottest Earth has been in nearly a century. Phoenix keeps setting triple-digit heat records, while Colorado went through a weather whiplash of 90-degree heat to snow this week. Siberia, famous for its icy climate, hit 100 degrees earlier this year, accompanied by wildfires. Before that Australia and the Amazon were in flames. Amid all that, Iowa’s derecho—bizarre straight-line winds that got as powerful as a major hurricane, causing billions of dollars in damages—barely went noticed. Freak natural disasters—most with what scientists say likely have a climate change connection—seem to be everywhere in the crazy year 2020. But experts say we’ll probably look back and say those were the good old days, when disasters weren’t so wild. “It’s going to get A LOT worse,” Georgia Tech climate scientist Kim Cobb said Wednesday. “I say that with emphasis because it does challenge the imagination. And that’s the scary thing to know as a climate scientist in 2020.” That’s because what’s happening now is just the type of crazy climate scientists anticipated 10 or 20 years ago.

Pleasures of food and sex ‘simply divine’, says Pope Francis (AFP) The pleasures of a well-cooked meal or loving sexual intercourse are “divine” and have unjustly fallen victim to “overzealousness” on the part of the Church in the past, Pope Francis says in a book of interviews published Wednesday. “Pleasure arrives directly from God, it is neither Catholic, nor Christian, nor anything else, it is simply divine,” Francis told Italian writer and gourmet Carlo Petrini. Francis said that there was no place for an “overzealous morality” that denies pleasure, something he admitted existed in the Church in the past but insisted is “a wrong interpretation of the Christian message”. “The pleasure of eating is there to keep you healthy by eating, just like sexual pleasure is there to make love more beautiful and guarantee the perpetuation of the species,” the pope said. Opposing views “have caused enormous harm, which can still be felt strongly today in some cases,” he added.

Speak softly and scatter fewer virus particles (Reuters) More quiet zones in high-risk indoor spaces, such as hospitals and restaurants, could help to cut coronavirus contagion risks, researchers have said, after a study showed that lowering speaking volume can reduce the spread of the disease. A reduction of 6 decibels in average speech levels can have the same effect as doubling a room’s ventilation, scientists said on Wednesday, in an advance copy of a paper detailing their study.

COVID hardships (CJR) Yesterday, NPR, along with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, published a bleak poll on the economic health of the nation since the pandemic began. Nearly half of respondents said their household has experienced “serious financial problems” linked to COVID-19, including with rent, mortgage, utility, and car payments, affording medical care and food, paying off debt, and maintaining savings. America’s four biggest cities—New York, LA, Chicago, and Houston—have been especially hard hit; more than half of their residents reported losing a job and/or income, and more than half those cities’ households with kids reported serious childcare issues. People of color are doing worse than their white peers: in Houston, for example, over 80 percent of Black households attested to serious financial difficulty. Harvard’s Robert J. Blendon, who worked on the poll and expected the results to be bad, said they were “much, much, much worse than I would’ve predicted.”

Covid Is Turning Us Into Hipsteaders (Bloomberg) While Covid has decimated large swathes of the global economy, it has sparked others, like video conferencing and home appliances. Do-it-yourself pursuits, such as bread making, gardening and crafts, have also boomed and appear primed to last after the pandemic becomes a dark, distant memory. Just as victory gardeners supplemented rations and boosted morale during the World Wars, the DIYers of coronavirus are facing quarantines and shortages with a mix of survivalist bravado and self-expression. Many are skipping the usual retailers, and instead turning to recycled goods, small businesses or individuals for their needs. People who were already DIY hobbyists are expanding their skills. Tynika-Ann Carter, a 24-year-old former model in Western Cape, South Africa, turned to farming and gardening years ago in a quest to replace materialism with something more wholesome. Since the virus, she’s added making baskets, weaving and crocheting. “Covid has given me more time to dive in and give myself fully to the things I love,” she said. Like hipsters, these people are setting new trends and flaunting the look on Instagram. But they’re also doing a lot of the hard, survival-focused work that defines homesteading. Some have dubbed them the hipsteaders.

Letters reveal public distaste for booze in JFK White House (AP) It was a tempest in a teapot—or, more accurately, a whiskey tumbler. Researchers at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum have found a cache of letters from Americans objecting to JFK’s embrace of cocktails at White House events. Eisenhower was no teetotaler, but historians say he presided over a largely cocktail-free White House. Enter Kennedy, who had already raised some eyebrows as the first Roman Catholic to be elected president. JFK Library archivists say the letters of protest began arriving after newspapers reported on Kennedy’s first official event: a January 1961 reception honoring the new president’s appointees. “For the first time, there was a bar in the State Dining Room, with waiters to stir up martinis or pour vodka, Scotch, bourbon, or champagne,” The Washington Post reported. What followed was a sort of low-key Liquorgate. Letters—some typed, others handwritten—expressed shock and worry that the U.S. would lose its dignity and standing in the world. “Dear Mr. President, I think many feel humiliation and disgrace over our nation today when we learn of our White House turned into shameful drunken all-night carousal and dancing,” reads one from Edith Fritz, of Idaho. “Dignity previously engendered—gone. May God have pity upon your poor soul.” The Kennedy administration played down the public’s reaction to the change, noting it received far more letters about civil rights unrest and the Cuban missile crisis. Presidents have held wide-ranging attitudes toward alcohol. George Washington, the nation’s first, is said to have enjoyed whiskey; President Donald Trump, its 45th, doesn’t drink at all, though he has had wine served at state dinners and other functions.

Dozens of Austrians puzzled after receiving U.S. stimulus checks, banks say (Washington Post) Hundreds of people have cashed U.S. stimulus checks at Austrian banks in recent months. Some of them appeared puzzled by the unexpected payments or were ineligible for the payouts, according to bank officials and Austrian media reports. One of the Austrians who claimed to have received such an erroneous check, pensioner Manfred Barnreiter, 73, told Austria’s public broadcaster ORF that he at first believed his check to be part of a sophisticated fraud scheme. “We quietly went to the bank … where we were told they’ll see if it’s real,” Barnreiter told ORF. “Three days later, we had the money in our bank account.” He and his wife received $1,200 each, although neither is a U.S. resident or holds U.S. citizenship—key eligibility requirements. Barnreiter briefly worked in the United States in the 1960s and still receives a small pension from that period of employment, he said. Similar instances have been reported in other countries. The payouts probably still account for a very small fraction of the first $2 trillion U.S. stimulus package.

Fire Destroys Most of Europe’s Largest Refugee Camp, on Greek Island of Lesbos (NYT) Europe’s largest refugee camp, on the Greek island of Lesbos, has long been a desperate makeshift home for thousands of refugees and migrants who have risked everything to flee war and economic hardship for a better life. They lived in cramped tents with limited access to toilets, showers and health care. For years, rights groups warned that these squalid conditions would sooner or later prompt a humanitarian disaster. On Tuesday night, that disaster came. A fast-moving fire destroyed much of the camp, leaving most of its 12,000 residents homeless. By Wednesday, a process of soul-searching had begun among many Europeans, for whom the Moria camp, and the neglect of its residents, has long been synonymous with the continent’s increasingly unsympathetic approach to refugees. No deaths were initially reported. But vast stretches of the camp and an adjacent spillover site were destroyed in the fire, leaving only a medical facility and small clusters of tents untouched.

India has record spike of 95K new virus cases (AP) India reported another record spike of 95,735 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours as the virus spreads beyond its major cities. According to the Health Ministry, the number of people known to be infected in India reached 4,465,863 on Thursday. It has the second-highest caseload in the world behind the United States, where more than 6.3 million people are known to be infected.

U.S. has canceled more than 1,000 visas for Chinese nationals deemed security risks (Reuters) The United States has revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese nationals under a May 29 presidential proclamation to suspend entry from China of students and researchers deemed security risks, a State Department spokeswoman said on Wednesday. The acting head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, said earlier that Washington was blocking visas “for certain Chinese graduate students and researchers with ties to China’s military fusion strategy to prevent them from stealing and otherwise appropriating sensitive research.” China said in June it resolutely opposed any U.S. move to restrict Chinese students from studying in the United States and urged Washington to do more to enhance mutual exchanges and understanding.

For Filipino migrant workers, coronavirus dashes their ticket to a better life (Washington Post) When the novel coronavirus upended lives and livelihoods around the world, it hit the poor especially hard. But the pandemic’s effects also proved damaging for those vying for a foothold in the middle class, knocking them back down the economic ladder. The repercussions are felt in places like the Philippines, the source of a vast migrant labor force that keeps industries ticking, from health care in the West to construction and domestic help in the Middle East. A steady income put many of these workers on their way to a better life, despite difficult conditions, allowing them to send money home, or save for a deposit on a house, car or their children’s education. More than 2 million Filipinos were employed as overseas workers in any given year over the decade preceding the pandemic; their remittances accounted for about 10 percent of the Philippines’ output. But as the coronavirus savaged the world economy, many lost jobs abroad or were unable to take up positions because of travel restrictions. About 170,000 overseas workers have returned to the Philippines since February, official data show. Returnees are recalibrating their lives, coming to terms with diminished earning power and prospects for their families.

U.S. to Reduce Troop Levels in Iraq to 3,000 (NYT) The United States is cutting troop levels in Iraq nearly in half, to 3,000 forces, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East said on Wednesday, in a long-expected move that will help fulfill President Trump’s goal of reducing the Pentagon’s overseas deployments. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the commander of the military’s Central Command, said improvements in the Iraqi military’s campaign against the Islamic State enabled the Pentagon to make the additional troop cuts. (Foreign Policy) Stars and Stripes interviewed a number of veterans on the idea of withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan after nearly two decades of operations. The reactions were mixed, but the consensus is that they’re not sure what was accomplished. “That the soldier in question, alive or dead, did their job—they won the battle on the ground, as they were trained to do—there is comfort in that,” Army Staff Sgt. Séamus Fennessy said. “But simultaneously, there is a sense of bitterness against the politicians and bureaucrats for big-picture incompetence.”

Huge fire breaks out at Beirut port a month after explosion (AP) A huge fire broke out Thursday at the Port of Beirut, the site of last month’s catastrophic explosion that killed nearly 200 people and devastated parts of the capital. The new fire nearly 40 days after the blast triggered widespread panic among traumatized residents of the area. The Lebanese army said the fire started at a warehouse where oil and tires are placed in the duty free zone. A column of thick black smoke billowed from the port at midday Thursday, with orange flames leaping from the ground. Smoke covered the capital and firefighters and ambulances rushed to the scene. Army helicopters were taking part in efforts to extinguish the fire. Panicked residents—still struggling to get over last month’s catastrophic explosion—cracked open windows and called and texted each other to warn them of the new danger. Local TV stations said companies that have offices near the port asked their employees to leave the area.

Beirut’s traumatized survivors (Washington Post) Social workers and other specialists working with survivors say many are showing signs of extreme stress, including flashbacks, nightmares and difficulties falling asleep. Half of the respondents in a recent UNICEF survey in Beirut said that the behavior of children in their household had changed or that the children were experiencing symptoms consistent with trauma and stress. One-third said adults in their household were also exhibiting signs of distress. Beirutis are still astonished by the destruction wrought across much of the capital by the explosion at a warehouse storing ammonium nitrate. Nearly 200 people were killed and thousands wounded. Hundreds of thousands were displaced. In the weeks since, residents have experienced post-traumatic stress, which is common in the aftermath of unexpected disasters such as earthquakes, said Elie Chedid, a psychiatrist treating victims of the blast. Some are experiencing survivor’s guilt, and many children are struggling to understand what happened. “It is the first time that they’ve seen blood and destroyed buildings and roads and cars, so for them it’s something very apocalyptic,” he said. Aid workers have responded by gathering children for community activities, creating safe spaces for them to play in public parks and offering basic psychological care. Some children, as well as adults, will require additional assistance as the city continues to rebuild.

[michaelpflemingassociatespc]

What’s the Difference Between a TBI and a Head Injury?

Any blow to the head is a serious one. But contrary to what many people think, a head injury and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are not the same. Using the terms interchangeably can cause confusion about the long-term effects of the injury and the type of medical treatment that is needed.

Texas accident victims could be entitled to financial compensation to cover the medical costs, lost income, and other damages that often accompany TBIs and other head injuries. It’s important to work with an attorney with extensive knowledge of brain injuries and their complex consequences to give you the best possible chance of obtaining a full and fair award.

Schedule a free consultation with a Texas brain injury lawyer from Michael P. Fleming & Associates, P.C. today. Our compassionate attorneys know how challenging life after a head injury and/or TBI can be. We’ll fight to obtain maximum compensation for you so that you have the resources you need as you recover.

Don’t wait another day to start the process of seeking money you need. Call or contact us today.

What Are Common Head Injuries?

An accident victim may sustain a head injury, brain injury, or both. In a head injury, the damage is limited to the scalp, skull, and layers inside the skull that protect the brain. No brain tissue is damaged with a head injury.

Common examples of head injuries include:

Lacerations to the scalp or tissues surrounding the head

Bruising

Skull fractures

Even with no brain damage, a head injury can be very serious. Victims may need surgery to repair a broken skull and to prevent shards of bone from breaking off and piercing the brain tissue. Any person who has suffered a head injury also needs to be checked for a brain injury, since they certainly can occur together.

How Do Head Injuries Happen?

A head injury typically occurs due to some traumatic force or impact applied to the scalp, skull, and tissues within the skull. In motor vehicle accidents, victims may suffer a head injury from striking the dashboard, windshield, or window.

Head injuries can also happen from being struck by or against objects. These types of trauma often happen in workplace accidents, such as when a construction worker is struck by a falling ladder. Physical assaults, bullets, and explosions can also cause head injuries.

Can You Have a Head Injury Without Suffering a Brain Injury?

Our skulls are designed to protect our brains. For that reason, it’s possible for a person to suffer a head injury without a brain injury. If a person suffered a head injury but no TBI, that would be because the scalp, skull, and other tissues did their jobs to shield the brain from harm.

However, with sufficient force, a head injury can also result in a brain injury. Head injuries and brain injuries have different effects and require vastly different treatments. It’s critical to identify whether an injured person has suffered a brain injury. The longer a TBI goes without treatment, the more damage to the brain is possible.

What Is Considered a Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is classified as any injury to the brain tissues. While TBIs vary in severity, all can cause neurological dysfunction or dysregulation (at least temporarily). A TBI can result in cognitive impairments, emotional problems, deficits in motor skills and coordination, and sensory issues.

Brain injuries heal over time. For some, the neurological complications disappear. But catastrophic brain injuries have long-term effects, impacting a person’s ability to move, eat, speak, and remember information. Severe brain injuries can also result in long-term complications like coma, seizures, persistent vegetative state, and post-traumatic dementia.

People with mild concussions may be able to return to daily life with a short period of rest and relaxation. But for survivors left with permanent disabilities after a brain injury, the consequences can be life-changing.

Many Texans are left unable to work after a severe TBI and need long-term nursing or a full-time caregiver to help them manage the tasks of daily life. For these people, obtaining compensation from the party responsible for their accident can mean the difference between getting appropriate care and falling into serious debt. If this sounds like you, contact a knowledgeable brain injury lawyer right away to learn about your rights to compensation.

What Are the Different Types of Brain Injuries?

Physicians and medical experts classify brain injuries in several ways:

Acquired brain injury (ABI): An acquired brain injury describes any damage that occurs after birth and does not result from any external force. Examples of ABIs would include brain damage resulting from asphyxiation or drowning, or brain damage resulting from infection, disease, or another medical condition (e.g., stroke, aneurysm, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.).

Traumatic brain injury: A TBI describes any brain injury that occurs due to an external force placed upon the head or brain. TBIs are further categorized by the types of trauma caused, such as concussions, contusions, coup-contrecoup injuries, and diffuse axonal (shearing) injuries. A TBI could also be open, coming from an outside object penetrating the skull, or closed, where the damage is fully inside the skull.

Get Legal Help from a Reliable Houston Brain Injury Lawyer

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