| Political background to the CPE protests
We are reposting the following series of articles on the revolt of the French working class in November-December 1995 in the hope that it will help to clarify the political background to the present upheaval in that country. The ongoing revolt by millions of youth and workers is a further response to the effort by the French ruling class to slash or eliminate entirely the social gains made in decades of struggle. In November-December 1995, the working class revolted against efforts by the right-wing regime of Prime Minister Alain Juppé to reform the social security system, just as today the government of Dominique de Villepin is reforming Frances labor laws. In 1995 millions of workers, led by the transport workers in particular, rejected the claims made by the government and the media and recognized the maneuver for what it wasan attempt to shift the burden of the social costs on to the back of the working population.
Buck & New Dawg: Bring on the Giants for Round 3
Vinny was a Heisman Trophy winner/No. 1 pick overall who didnt win enough ... but didnt give up trying. I think history will treat him kindly. It should. Can anyone beat the New England Patriots? NEW DAWG: Yes, the Colts can beat them. BUCK: I just have a gut feeling about Jacksonville. The Jags could get first crack at the Patriots, too. I dont see anyone else winning at New England including the Colts. And I dont see Tom Brady losing in Glendale, Ariz., if he gets there. Is the Cowboys offense headed into the playoffs in any better frame of mind than last years team? NEW DAWG: Ill say yes. The Cowboys gave a weak effort against the Redskins because they didnt have much to play for. Last years team could not say that. BUCK: Losing two of the last three in December is about all thats the same.
January 2008
Paul's online supporters helped him raise almost $20 million last quarter, most of it online. But it looks like there might be a new champ in town. Or maybe he's just reclaiming his title. TechPresident reports that in the past two weeks, the Barack Obama campaign (which has had a great track record online since Obama announced his candidacy last February) says it has raised money from more than 100,000 donors via the Internet. The report is based on an e-mail sent out by the Obama campaign Wednesday afternoon. "After the New Hampshire primary last week, we set a goal of 100,000 online donors in 2008 - a goal we hoped to reach before the Nevada caucuses on Saturday. Last night we got there five days early. Think about that: 100,000 donors in 15 days." As TechPresident notes, that is a huge number of supporters.
The SNP and the mystery of the vanishing bobbies
THE Scottish Government suffered a major and embarrassing setback yesterday when Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, admitted his long-awaited plan to put an additional 1,000 police on Scotland's streets might not deliver a single extra officer. .
Sundance: Chris Pine And Alan Rickman Talk Bottle Shock
Due to technical difficulties, the press was asked to wait outside the conference room (which was actually a tent set up just outside the Yarrow hotel) while they got things fixed. Leanne and I got situated near the door and this afforded us the opportunity to see the various cast members of the film walk right by us.
Id like to pretend as though I was unfazed by the sight of actors like Alan Rickman, Eliza Dushku, Freddie Rodriguez, Chris Pine or Bill Pullman as they walked by me but lets face it: I may wear a press badge on the outside, but on the inside I was squeeing like a dorky fangirl. Rachael Tayler, who is also in the film was present as well. You might remember her from her role as the hot blonde Aussie tech-geek in Transformers.
We were eventually let into the tent, which was surprisingly warm and the conference got started fairly quickly.
Losing vacation time to bankruptcy
Baltimoresun.com's tax-advice column features three experts from the Hunt Valley accounting firm SC&H Group answering questions about preparing your return every Monday until April 17. To be included in the following weeks, please use the form at the right side of this page to submit your questions.
Barbara Smith, Baltimore: I worked for a company that filed for bankruptcy. When they filed, they owed me 20 days of vacation. I filed as a creditor on the bankruptcy. I have been notified by the court that the 10 years is up and the company never came out of bankruptcy. Can I claim this as a loss, as the debt will never be paid?
SC&H Group: Individual taxpayers file on the cash basis method of accounting. Since you did not include any of the accrued vacation in your income in previous years, you do not get a bad debt or other deduction for the lost income.
NBH posts fiscal gains
Palmisano, CEO of NBH, the parent company of North Adams Regional Hospital, said the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2007, showed a surplus of $325,000 on $78.4 million in total revenue. "We had an excellent year last year," Palmisano said. "But we're not out of the woods yet. To make a profit of $300,000 in an $80 million budget is nothing. So I don't mean to imply that the turnaround is complete." He said that a $2 million essential community provider grant from the state helped get the budget back in the black, and that he hopes to get the institution to the point where that grant is no longer a part of the profit-and-loss formula. State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, said the grant did exactly what it was designed to do: "Put them over the top and help them to have a positive year." Downing credited Palmisano with doing "a tremendous job" getting the entire medical community involved in the turnaround.
S.C. or else for Thompson
The issue that he hears about most on the campaign trail is illegal immigration. But voters also are concerned about a variety of other issues, such as the war in Iraq, radical Islam, health care, the nuclear threat posed by Iran and the political turmoil in Pakistan, he said. Wherever he goes, his message is the same - that he is the only candidate who has fought consistently for the issues that matter to conservatives, things such as national security, tax cuts, balanced budgets and gun owners' rights. "I've been fighting for these things for a long time," Thompson said. The other Republican candidates "have had to adapt their positions, bring them up to date, shall we say. Where they have been in times past, I have not." Judging from the size and enthusiasm of the crowds that show up at his events, Thompson is convinced that his message is getting through.
Medicare Part D May Be In Your Future If You Are Nearing Age 65
As older adults get closer to age 65, they will need to make choices about their Medicare coverage and prescription plan options, because Medicare Part D may be in their future. Enrolling in Medicare will depend on an individuals circumstances. Part A is for hospitalization, Part B is for doctors visits, and Part D is for prescription drug coverage. The Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services (DAS) GeorgiaCares program is encouraging older adults nearing age 65 to consider their options for prescription drug coverage during the Medicare Part D open enrollment period, November 15 through December 31, 2007.Our GeorgiaCares program is encouraging older adults to start thinking about their Medicare prescription drug options if they are getting close to age 65, said Maria Greene, Director of DAS.
Filed under: CollegeBasketball
She set out as she had done every Sunday afternoon for years. She locked her door, turned to the weather, and held the hand rail as she stepped carefully down from the porch. Once on the ground she adjusted her hat on her gray head. As this was a winter day in the Christmas season, a cold day, she also adjusted her coat. Had it been raining, she would have pulled a large lawn and leaf bag, as if it were a poncho, over her head and upper body. Most times she shouldered her hand bag. This day she also shouldered a bulging plastic shopping bag. She walked along the dirt road that would lead her to the paved road that would lead her to the highway. Her only company was her shadow, small and indistinct at her feet. She walked without the deliberate care of someone unfamiliar with the terrain, but neither was her gait quick.
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