Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/273995722?client_source=feed&format=rss
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Monday, December 31, 2012
Biden May Be the Most Influential Vice President Ever
Barack Obama just can?t get enough out of Joe Biden these days. And anybody who?s been following Biden?s steady ascent in stature over the last several years -- from gaffe-happy presidential contender to one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history? -- couldn?t be less surprised.
Perhaps the only surprise at all is that, in contrast to a year ago,? it took Biden quite this long to become the president?s point man on the latest round of fiscal talks. The exact reason for the delay is not clear. Perhaps it is that, only a week and a half ago, Obama had called on his vice president to lead a commission to expedite recommendations on a truly serious national issue, gun violence (as opposed to the present trumped-up issue, fiscal reform, which requires only the smidgeon of political courage necessary to depart from? ideological rigidities). Maybe Obama wanted to keep his veep?s powder dry for that.
Or maybe it is just that, in the awkward pattern of political dance partnerships that have emerged over the last couple of years, whenever Barack Obama and Speaker John Boehner fail to execute ? as they did after the ?Plan B? debacle -- it?s Biden and his old Senate colleague, Mitch McConnell, who step into the spotlight. The Biden-McConnell duo didn?t cut it during last year?s cliffhanger over the debt limit, of course. But in a sign of just how important a figure the vice president has become in Washington, Biden?s absence until now has been one reason that Republicans doubted Obama?s seriousness about cutting a deal, my colleague Chris Frates reported last week.
As the inevitable brinksmanship plays out, it?s useful to step back and look at just how central a role Biden has played throughout Obama?s presidency.
Over the past four years Biden has insinuated himself into the White House, while seeming hardly to try, in a way that no other vice president in memory has done. He and Obama, both consummate pragmatists though they tend to be liberal in outlook, have achieved something close to a mind meld across a whole range of issues, including foreign policy, the economy, and political strategy. Biden said it outright in his speech during the presidential campaign: ?I literally get to be the last guy in the room with the president. That?s our arrangement.? That?s no small thing in a town where power is often measured in minutes of presidential face time.
It wasn?t long ago that Biden?s predecessor, Dick Cheney, was seen as the gold -- some might say sulfurous -- standard in vice presidential power. Biden himself, ironically enough, once described Cheney as ?probably the most dangerous vice president we?ve had? because of what many observers saw as Cheney?s undue influence over George W. Bush.?
But in terms of the sheer number of issues Biden has influenced in a short time, the current vice president is bidding to surpass even Cheney. Fiscal issues and guns are only a small sampling of this vice president?s portfolio. Back in 2010 it was Biden?s office that, in the main, orchestrated the handover to the Iraqis. It is Biden?s view of Afghanistan that has, bit by bit, come to dominate thinking inside the 2014 withdrawal plan. On financial reform it was Biden who prodded an indecisive Obama to embrace, at long last, Paul Volcker?s idea of barring banks from risky trading, according to Austan Goolsbee, formerly the head of Obama?s Council of Economic Advisers. The VP also tilted the discussion in favor of a bailout of the Big Three auto companies, according to Jared Bernstein, Biden?s former economic adviser. ?I think he made a difference in president?s thinking," Bernstein said. "He understood the importance of the auto companies to their communities, and throughout the country.?
In an interview in the fall of 2010, Biden could hardly contain his enthusiasm for his partnership with Obama. The phrase ?Barack and I ? ? fell from his lips naturally, with no hint of diffidence. He told me then that to his continuing surprise Obama has continued to ?turn over big chunks? of policy to him to handle, whether it?s Iraq, middle-class issues, overseeing the recovery act.? At an early meeting, ?all of sudden Obama stopped. He said, ?Joe will do Iraq. Joe knows more about Iraq than anyone.?. The [Economic] Recovery Act, he just handed it over? to Biden, according to a senior administration official who attended the meetings and would talk about internal discussions only on condition of anonymity.
All of this power makes for quite an irony. Until his ascent to veep, Joe Biden was largely known as an amiable guy with a brilliant smile and a rather big mouth in which he frequently inserted his foot. And it?s not as if anyone could have expected that he?d be much more impressive as vice president. The vice presidency is a job that has tried to be taken seriously throughout U.S. history?and usually failed. John Adams, the nation?s first vice president, bitterly derided his job as ?the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived.?? Like Adams, it was often men who had tasted real power who had the most disdain for the job. John Nance Garner, a former House speaker and FDR?s equally slighted No. 2, declared the job wasn?t ?worth a bucket of warm spit? (it?s believed he used an even saltier term). In modern times the vice presidency began to grow in stature, especially as the hair-trigger calculus of the Cold War required presidents to keep their putative replacements informed. But the job remained for the most part a funeral-attending, snooze-inducing post, barren of almost all constitutional duties.
The previous two vice presidents, Cheney and his predecessor, Al Gore, significantly changed that power dynamic. But on Biden?s watch the ?OVP??Office of the Vice President-- has become something even more: almost a conjoined twin to the presidency, organically linked and indivisible from the Oval Office. Cheney succeeded for a time by creating a kind of shadow presidency, yet there?s nothing shadowy about Biden. Indeed Biden remains, in many respects, the anti-Cheney.
Yet in two critical respects the Delaware Democrat?and the Wyoming Republican do resemble each other. Both are known to be confident in pushing their views, and both became masters of the Washington insider game. Whereas John Adams was not invited to participate in meetings of George Washington?s Cabinet, Biden handles so many issues that when, say, the national security team leaves the Oval Office, he is often left alone chatting with Obama because he needs to be part of the discussion when the economic team arrives to brief the president. He will also often sit down with Obama in the residence before an important National Security Council meeting.?
Now, if Barack Obama does leave a lasting legacy on gun violence that comes out of the terrible tragedy in Newtown, Conn., Biden will be a big part of it. And if anything like an agreement is reached on fiscal issues, Biden is likely to be part of? that as well. His long Senate tenure, and the many relationships he developed across the aisle, are once again proving crucial.? As I reported in the fall of 2010, shortly before the looming congressional election that gave the Republicans?and the Tea Party?the House, no one has more experience working with the other party, reaching across the aisle, and that talent may be critical to just keeping the government going in the coming months. ?He can sit down in foreign policy or other issues and find a common interest and drive the ideas forward. Look at what he did with Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond? in passing the chemical weapons treaty and crime bills, respectively, in the ?90s, his former chief of staff (and later successor), Ted Kaufman, noted back then. ?I mean, Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond! You don?t get more conservative than that.?
Actually, you do, as the current breed of Republicans has demonstrated in this era. But if anyone can talk to Mitch McConnell, it?s Joe Biden. Whose stock is still rising steadily.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/biden-may-most-influential-vice-president-ever-133153208--politics.html
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ITC judge recommends ban on Samsung devices infringing on Apple patents: Following an October preliminary finding, judge also approves design tweaks for Samsung.
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Cast your vote in "Today's Poll..." in the left column below or go straight to the results here. WEEKEND BLOWOUT: Every NEW or RENEWING paid subscriber receives 2 YEARS FREE.... Weekend Highlights: More on the Apple/Samsung patent wars from Macworld UK and AppleInsider; Foss Patents reports that the ITC Judge wants Samsung to post a bond for 88 percent of its U.S. smartphone sales due to the Apple patent case; The Macalope considers small sample sizes; Insanely Great Mac updates a video review of results of charging iOS devices with the newest 12v charger, with interesting results; Rocco Pendola at TheStreet on the massive opportunity yet to be realized with Apple's million-dollar-per-day retail stores; MacNewsWorld's John Mello clarifies reports claiming Tim Cook's pay was cut 99%, when in actuality his base pay was raised by 51%; Macworld reviews the big Apple news stories of 2012; it seems that Apple's lack of online reviews are what brought down their online customer satisfaction score, which is still a respectable 80; $15 billion is what Samsung may be forced to pay for its attempt to ban Apple products in the EU; Apple had a huge Christmas according to Distimo, seeing an 87% increase in App Store downloads; report from Ina Fried over at AllThingsD says developers finding it more difficult to obtain app loyalty; Google's YouTube and Maps apps topped list of most downloaded apps on December 25th; former Apple designer reveals early product prototypes featuring some very interesting designs; LG seeking to ban Samsung's Galaxy Note for patent infringement; sending a quake of concern through ultrabook vendors, MacBook Air rumored to feature new processor platform in 2013 while retaining same design?reports in our Hardware/Software section; and apparently iDevice demand is so high that Apple's suppliers are going to keep working through the Chinese New Year; PC Magazine reviews Flickr for iPhone; PadGadget offers advice on finding accessories for your new iPad, iPad mini; Charles Moore discusses the pros/cons of buying Apple's extended AppleCare warranty for your devices; tablets now disposable commodity? This weekend's MacUpdate Promo offers 82% savings on Strata Design 3D CX & Foto 3D CX 7. "Strata Design 3D CX and Foto 3D CX are the ultimate pairing when it comes to 3D rendering and animation. Foto 3D CX has the power to turn any set of images into a textured 3D rendering of real-life objects. While Strata Design 3D CX allows you to bring your imagination to life with gorgeous textures, lighting effects, and animation." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sunday, December 30, 2012
Rose Parade float to honor military working dogs and their handlers
The Rose Parade held in Pasadena, California on New Year?s Day is seen by millions worldwide. This year?s parade will feature a float honoring military working dogs and their handlers.
?Canines with Courage? is the name of the float sponsored by Natural Balance Pet Food and it will showcase an exact replica of the first-ever United States Military Working Dog Teams National Monument.??I?m so proud of this float,? said Natural Balance President Joey Herrick. ?This is not trying to set a Guinness record this is honoring our soldiers.?
Four handlers and their dogs representing the Air Force, Army and Marines will be riding the float. Lucca, a German shepherd-Malinois mix who lost her leg to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan nine months ago, will be one of the dogs riding on the float. In the over 400 missions Lucca led not a single Marine was injured.?Lucca will be accompanied by Cpl. Juan Rodriguez. ?She?s loving the attention; Lucca deserves it,? he said. Rodriguez says he owes Lucca his life. Lucca lost her leg from a roadside bomb, an effort that saved many marines. She now lives happily in retirement and is enjoying being part of the Rose Parade this year.
Another participant on the float is 86-year-old retired Marine Robert Harr. He trained the most decorated war dog in the Pacific theater in WWII, Oki. After the war he smuggled Oki home. When Oki passed away in 1958 he was buried with full military services in Newport Beach. Harr visits the site every year on Oki?s birthday.
The Rose Parade will take place on Tuesday, January 1st at 8 a.m. (PST) and will be broadcast on several channels including ABC and Hallmark Channel. The actual United States Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is scheduled to be completed in San Antonio on October 13th.
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Beyond Structured Settlements: Structured Settlements in 2012 - 3
Secondary Market
In contrast to anticipated 2012 sales declines in the U.S structured settlement primary market, industry experts interviewed by S2KM agree the U.S. structured settlement secondary market achieved record sales and profits in 2012.?
S2KM secondary market estimates for 2012 - based on interviews with industry experts:
- 12,000 secondary market transfers - with less than 120 contested by annuity owners and/or providers.
- $360 million of total secondary market purchases (money paid to transferors).
- $30,000 average individual transfer.
- Average discount rates in the low double digits - with the lowest average discount rates (high single digits) provided by AllState's commutations.
- Total industry profit of $120 million calculated as follows:
- $1 billion received from investors;
- Less: $360 million paid to transferors;
- Equals: $640 million of revenue;
- Less: $520 million of expenses;
- Equals: $120 million of profits.
Discount Rates
- As explained by Earl Nesbitt, Executive Director of the National Association of Settlement Purchasers (NASP), during his presentation at the NASP 2011 Annual Meeting: the concepts of "discount rate" and "discounted present value" both play an important role in court hearings to evaluate structured settlement transfer proposals.
-
The Model State Structured Settlement Protection Act defines "discounted present value" to mean: "the present value of future payments determined by discounting such payments to the present using the most recently published Applicable Federal Rate for determining the present value of an annuity, as issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service."
- Secondary market experts interviewed by S2KM agree generally that discount rates for structured settlement transfers were "low" during 2012 compared with prior years - especially when compared with 2009 when discount rates were exceptionally "high" as a result of the 2008 financial crisis.
- "Average" discount rates are difficult to define because many factors determine the discount rate for a specific case. For examples: cost and availability of funds; single vs. multiple bid transactions; duration and amount of payments; and whether payments are certain or life contingent.
- During his 2011 NASP presentation, Nesbitt
summarized these results from a 2011 survey he conducted of the discount
rates approved by judges in Harris County Texas:
- The average discount rate: 15.8 percent;
- The weighted average (i.e. taking into consideration the relative case size): 12.96 percent;
- The lowest discount rate: 7.4 percent; and
- The highest discount rate ($3494 paid for $7282 due in less than one year): 61.3 percent.
Market Shares
- Industry experts interviewed by S2KM disagree on who controls what percentages of the structured settlement secondary market.
- Estimates of the post-merger 2012 market share (revenue and sales) of the now-combined J.G. Wentworth and Peachtree Financial Solutions (JGW/Peachtree) vary from a low of 50% to a high of 75%.
- The remaining 2012 market shares (revenue and number of transfers) are believed to be split relatively evenly among other NASP members and non-NASP members including re-sellers.
- Not all secondary market participants, however, share equally in industry profits.
- Some industry experts believe JGW/Peachtree's share of the estimated 2012 industry profits of $120 million was $100 million, or 83%.
- Many new secondary market participants, including re-sellers, who began entering the market in 2009, are experiencing lower profits (or losses) in 2012 according to industry experts interviewed by S2KM. In addition, attorneys representing insurance companies report these newer (non-NASP member) factoring companies and re-sellers frequently lack legal and transactional knowledge ("don't know what they are doing") and cause an inordinate number of transfer problems.
Primary Market Response
As S2KM previously reported, continuing secondary market sales growth has occurred despite restrictive actions by primary structured settlement participants. Examples:
- The National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA) continues to prohibit its members from "actively soliciting and promoting structured settlement factoring transactions to individuals who are receiving periodic payments under structured settlements?"
- In Stone Street Capital v. McClendon, a Louisiana state court ruled that Travelers Insurance, as owner of structured settlement annuities, had no right to order structured settlement annuity issuers (in this case MetLife) to stop making payments to transfer companies following the death of the original annuitant/payees despite existing court orders approving those transfers.
Historic Metrics
Based upon interviews with industry experts and DBRS' June 8, 2011 Pre-Sale Report for J.G. Wentworth's Fixed Rate Asset-Backed Notes Series 2011-1, S2KM estimates the following historic (1986-2012) structured settlement secondary market metrics:
- 136,000 transfers - involving 68,000 structured settlement recipients.
- $4 billion - aggregate sums paid to transferor structured settlement recipients. For comparison, S2KM estimates the primary market has sold $134 billion of structured settlement annuities since 1975.
- $10.4 billion - aggregate periodic payments purchased by secondary market companies.
2012 Secondary Market Developments
- Vermont became the 48th state to enact a structured settlement protection statute. The new Vermont statute is generally based upon the NCOIL Model Act with some variations related to independent professional advisors, notice requirements for certain state agencies and the required court appearance by the structured settlement payee.
- JLL Partners, owners of J.G. Wentworth, are reportedly attempting to sell the company for $1 billion with several private-equity firms identified as potential purchasers.
Source: http://s2kmblog.typepad.com/rethinking_structured_set/2012/12/structured-settlements-in-2012-3.html
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Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini, a Revolutionary in the Study of the Brain, Dies at 103
[unable to retrieve full-text content]By studying chicken embryos in the bedroom of her house in Turin, Italy, Dr. Levi-Montalcini discovered how embryo cells built a latticework of intricate connections.
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2012 TV: 12 Things We'll Miss Including Larry Hagman, 'Smash' Scarves And More
As this year winds down, we're looking back at the good, the bad and the ugly of TV in 2012.
Not only did Liz Lemon finally tie the knot after years of singledom, but "Dallas" legend Larry Hagman passed away and the new "Smash" showrunner Josh Safran announced that scarves, the show's iconic accessory, would be done away with.
Click through the slideshow for a look at 12 things we'll miss from this year. Add your own in the comments below!
Related on HuffPost:
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Saturday, December 29, 2012
Ever Play "skip a rope"? You could with this power line.
Ever Play "skip a rope"? You could with this power line.
When we inspect homes for our client's we are diligent about the safety of the buyers or sellers.
Even if the seller has an issue with safety. And they are present at the inspection, I will tell them about the safety issue so they can get the concern resolved as soon as possible.
On a recent Home inspection in Carlsbad, New Mexico. I found this power line in the back yard that was so low, I could actually reach up and touch the power line. It was about eight foot from the ground.
Way, way too low to be safe. Not only ?for the residents of the home but for any children that may visit the home.
At Desert Sun Home Inspections in Carlsbad, New Mexico. We strive for the best inspection we can provide. And safety is paramount when inspecting.
Lets take a look at this power line that is way too low.
It was simply amazing the power company would even allow this home to have such a low power line. Even the power company has limits on how low the power line can be.
There is no Sixteen foot rules here. And there are no Five foot rules in play either.
I hope the seller will have the issue resolved before the home goes to closing.
Have a great day every one, and have a wonderful New Years Celebration.
Remember everything in moderation.
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Clint? McKie
Owner of Desert Sun Home Inspections Carlsbad, New mexico. Serving all of South East New Mexico
When it comes to Quality home inspections. Simply put, we are the best.
1-575-706-5586?? www.carlsbad-home-inspector.com?Call me for the latest specials.
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Source: http://activerain.com/blogsview/3566056/ever-play-skip-a-rope-you-could-with-this-power-line-
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