Former science director sues Texas over intelligent design e-mail

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Christine Comer, former director of the science curriculum for the Texas Education Agency (TEA), is suing the Commissioner Robert Scott for wrongful dismissal. Comer alleges that she was “illegally fired for forwarding an e-mail about a lecture that was critical of the teaching of intelligent design in science classes.” Her suit alleges she was “terminated for contravening an unconstitutional policy” which required “employees to be neutral on the subject of creationism – the biblical interpretation of the origin of humans.”

The Dallas Morning News reported, “The policy was in force even though the federal courts have ruled that teaching creationism as science in public schools is illegal under U.S. Constitution’s provision preventing government establishment or endorsement of religious beliefs.” Among Comer’s supporters is Philosopher and National Center for Science Education speaker Barbara Forrest who was the presenter at the lecture Comer mentioned in the email.

News 8 Austin reported, “The TEA was not available for comment late Wednesday.”

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The Consequences Of Being Untruthful On Your Application For A Loan Lending

By Michelle Mann

Lying is easiest when the one thing that stands in the way of what we want, is a little ‘small fib.’ However, a minor mistruth that can lead you into big trouble is not telling the truth when filling out loan applications, especially home loans.

Lots of us were taught by our parents and secondary school instructors that it is wrong to lie. We understand this fundamentally. We understand that when we lie we run the risk of being found out and then embarrassingly, having to find a way to cover our tracks. However, lying may do much far worse then only cause of shame, it may also land us in jail.

Whether it is your plan or the loan officer to not tell the truth on the loan application, you both can end up in hot water. The result will not be a minor slap on the hand, but big time trouble like jail time and/or large monetary.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkLKPjmyDzo[/youtube]

There are many methods to misrepresent the truth on the application form. A person may manipulate their income or lower their stated expenses. Because a W-2 form is required for the majority of lending applications, telling untruths in regard to an individual’s income generally occurs with stated income loans. They do not have to provide proof of their income. Someone can also not tell the truth regarding whether or not they are work for themselves and could possibly even falsify lease agreements so that a mortgage company might be willing to offer them money.

Please note, before you agree to not tell the truth, know that once you sign your name on the dotted line, you open up yourself to criminal and civil penalties. It is against the law to lie about what is included on these documents. It is extremely serious and you will end up regretting it after you are caught. Being truthful and letting the chips fall where they will, enables you to sleep beautifully during the night, and do not have to stress about if anyone has uncovered your half-truths.

Being scared of being caught, is most times the worse part of not telling the truth. If you really would think about it, having a particular house or piece of property, is not worth the embarrassment and shame that an individual will face if you get caught. Also, if you are in jail, you will not even be able to enjoy the home or property that you place so much at risk for.

Not telling the truth to get loans, any type of loan, is taking on an amount of risk that surely is not necessary. The ends will not justify the method, especially if a person gets busted. Being forced to handle with angry authorities and having to find lawyers to enable keep you out of the slammer, is too much risk to handle for a loan. You will do much better to wait and save until you have the funds that you have to have. If you choose to do so, you will be able to sleep much more peacefully overnight because you will not be at the mercy of the lawyers and judges.

In the end, avoid lying to get loans. While you could temporarily get the funds or property that you want, not only do you run the risk of getting busted, but you will likely not even be able to afford it and will likely lose it anyhow. An individual will not only lose their home but a small piece of their integrity.

About the Author: Learn how to get the most out of your financial life. Visit: NationsFinance.co.uk for free tips and information!

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Blair ally Lord Levy arrested

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Police have arrested Lord Levy, chief fundraiser to the Labour Party and close associate of Tony Blair. Lord Levy was arrested by the Specialist Crime Directorate of London’s Metropolitan police as part of an on-going investigation into the cash-for-peerages row which has troubled the Labour government since the start of the year. He was bailed on Wednesday afternoon without charge pending further enquiries.

In a statement, Lord Levy said the arrest was “totally unnecessary”. A spokesman also said: “He has not been charged and does not expect to be, as he has committed no offence.”

The cash-for-peerages affair erupted earlier this year, after an independent body reported that Tony Blair had sold peerages (the title of Lord) to businessmen in exchange for secret donations to the Labour Party. This potentially breaks the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act of 1925 which was originally introduced after Prime Minister Lloyd George was caught selling peerages for personal funds.

The ruling Labour Party admitted soon after that it had borrowed over £14 million before the last general election in 2005. The opposition Conservative Party also admitted it had been loaned £16 million by wealthy businessmen. It’s believed that as chief fundraiser, Lord Levy arranged the Labour Party’s loans.

All political parties deny any wrong-doing, although the arrest of one of the Prime Minister’s closest allies is going to provide yet more scandal for the already troubled party.

Downing Street has so far declined to comment on what they call a “party matter” and Levy himself has accused the police of “over-reacting”. Some politicians have commented that the situation could be very serious for Mr. Blair.

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Refurbished cafeteria opens in Romanian parliament

Wednesday, May 4, 2005

A new, refurbished cafeteria at the Romanian Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest has opened for the use of parliamentarians. The new cafeteria, which has mahogany furniture and leather draped armchairs, was officially opened yesterday, and is situated at the entrance to the Senate headquarters in the Palace of the Parliament.

Members of Parliament said they were not satisfied with the former cafeteria in the Palace, saying that it didn’t have proper tables and chairs to sit on. Many parliamentarians expressed their satisfaction at the opening of the refurbished dining venue, saying that they can now drink a cup of coffee “in a civilised manner” before sessions.

Bucharest’s Palace of the Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului in Romanian) is the largest building in Europe and the third largest building in the world, with an area of approximately 350,000 m². It contains both houses of the Romanian Parliament (the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate), as well as the National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC). It is also frequently used as a function centre.

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Caring For Your Moroccan Berber Carpet

Submitted by: Andy West

Berber carpets have long held an attraction for many people. The Berber style of floor rugs speaks of a rustic, long-ago time when household needs were hand made with care and attention to functionality. They were crafted by people who loved color and life. The original Berber carpeting was made using wool, a natural product that was easily found. It provided both warmth and the endurance to defend against being constantly trod on. Durability drew individuals to Berber carpeting, and it is a style of floor rug that has proven itself with the test of time. Long been considered a high-end item to have in one’s home, Berber carpet’s popularity remains strong, fuelled by people’s desire to have attractive home accessories with lasting appeal and a preference for high-quality. Styles of floor rugs found today still maintain that craftsmanship and finding a colorful Moroccan Berber carpet to enhance the comfort of your home is only a matter of selecting the one that appeals to you and suits your personal palette and style.

While some styles of Berber floor rugs are available in synthetic materials and lower standard models, choosing a Moroccan Berber carpet that is of best quality is very important. This is especially true if you want your attractive floor rug to last for years to come. Synthetic materials may be new and promise plenty, but history has proven that the original material used to create this type of carpeting is preferred for a natural look and feel. Following the footsteps of ancestors, selecting a Berber carpet or floor rug that has been crafted from 100 percent wool is the best choice. Most authentic Moroccan Berber carpet that is of the highest quality is hand-woven and dyed in rustic colors that offer a natural, bright appearance, the shades and tones easily speaking of something crafted with care and attention to detail.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6GXV0FNEeI[/youtube]

Considering that your Berber carpet has been masterfully woven with sheep’s wool, you’ll want to ensure you maintain your floor rug properly. Wool demands a certain attention to cleaning that other materials don’t, but this only adds to its appeal. Knowing you have something in your home that may require certain care shows that it’s an accessory you’ll never want to abuse or throw away. In fact, Moroccan Berber carpets have maintained their appeal and popularity for so long, despite requiring careful cleaning. This only proves yet again that this type of floor covering is by far the one that will last through trends and fashions, always complementing your home d cor regardless of whether your interior design is rustic, modern or country in style.

While some myths still linger that Berber carpeting should be cleaned as any other carpet, this information isn’t quite reliable. In fact, natural, hand-spun wool cannot be cleaned using contemporary carpet cleaners, or marking and discoloration may occur. Moroccan Berber carpets are fabricated with rugged, short loops that are tightly woven for dense construction, but what’s more, the fibres are twisted. This process ensures a thick, durable rug that repels dirt. However, while Berber carpeting can prevent dirt from entering, its very construction can also trap dirt should particles that manage to weave their way inside the carpet. Frequent vacuuming, especially when soil is lying on the top of the carpet, is recommended to remove as much dust, dirt and particles as possible to prevent any from worming their way inside the thick carpeting. Avoid using a beater bar or brush attachment with your vacuum, as these cleaning accessories do more harm than good with Berber-style floor rugs, encouraging dirt to sink in more deeply.

The thick, rugged construction and short, tight loops mean that Moroccan Berber carpets won’t show footprints or marks from being trod on, but these floor rugs, while benefiting from a regular maintenance program of frequent vacuuming, will eventually require cleaning. Avoid water, as wool tends to shrink, but if you must do spot cleaning to remove a spill, use only a damp cloth and a small amount of gentle soap designed specifically for wool. There will come a time when natural colors or brighter shades of Moroccan Berber carpets will need a profound cleaning, but should this be the case, hire the services of a dry cleaner only. While dry cleaning may be expensive, the initial investment of your Berber floor rug is one that you don’t want to lose by skimping on proper maintenance.

About the Author: Nine Seas D cor is quickly becoming one of the largest importers of

Moroccan Berber Carpet

into the US market. Please visit http://www.nineseasdecor.com/Home-Decor-Catalog/Rugs-Flooring-Wool-Carpets .

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Wikinews interviews former Salt Lake City mayor and 2012 presidential candidate Rocky Anderson

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Former Salt Lake City mayor and human rights activist Rocky Anderson took some time to discuss his 2012 U.S. presidential campaign and the newly-created Justice Party with Wikinews reporter William S. Saturn.

Anderson served as mayor of Salt Lake City for eight years (2000–2008) as a member of the Democratic Party. During his tenure, he enacted proposals to reduce the city’s carbon emissions, reformed its criminal justice system, and positioned it as a leading sanctuary for refugees. After leaving office, Anderson grew critical of the Democratic Party’s failure to push for impeachment against President George W. Bush, and for not reversing policies on torture, taxes, and defense spending. He left the party earlier this year and announced that he would form a Third party.

Anderson officially established the Justice Party last week during a press conference in Washington D.C.. He proclaimed “We the people are powerful enough to end the perverse government-to-the-highest-bidder system sustained by the two dominant parties…We are here today for the sake of justice — social justice, environmental justice and economic justice.” The party promotes campaign finance reform and is attempting to appeal to the Occupy Wall Street movement. It is currently working on ballot access efforts, and will hold a Founding Convention in February 2012 in Salt Lake City.

Among other issues, Anderson discussed climate change, health care, education, and civil liberties. He detailed his successes as mayor of Salt Lake City, stressed the importance of executive experience, and expressed his views on President Barack Obama and some of the Republican Party presidential candidates. He spoke in depth about former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, with whom he worked during the 2002 Winter Olympics, and fellow Utahan, former governor and U.S. ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, Jr..

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On the campaign trail in the USA, May 2020

Friday, June 19, 2020

The following is the first edition of a monthly series chronicling the 2020 United States presidential election. It features original material compiled throughout the previous month after an overview of the month’s biggest stories.

This month’s spotlight on the campaign trail includes interviews with the vice presidential nominees of the Constitution and Libertarian parties as well as the chosen running mate of the leading Green Party presidential candidate.

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NYSE to merge with Archipelago; NASDAQ to buy Instinet

Sunday, April 24, 2005

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced last Wednesday that it has agreed definitively to merge with Chicago-based Archipelago Exchange (ArcaEx) and form a new publicly traded, for-profit company known as NYSE Group. This announcement was followed two days later by NASDAQ®, which independently announced a definitive agreement to purchase Instinet Group.

Archipelago and Instinet are innovative e-trading (electronic trading) companies, and formerly were the two largest American rivals to NYSE and NASDAQ, in recent years taking increasingly large portions of their market share. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other regulatory agencies still have to review and approve the transactions, particularly with respect to US securities law and antitrust law, in order to ensure that the marketplace remains lawful and competitive.

Other pending issues for NASDAQ include obtaining the approval of Instinet shareholders, as well as customary closing conditions. NYSE must obtain the approval of its members and Archipelago shareholders.

These changes, a reaction to increased e-trading competition and a changed regulatory environment, will result in NASDAQ and NYSE trading each other’s shares and attempting to grab market share, which many hope will drive down transaction costs and ultimately benefit consumers. However, at least one commentator, Dan Ackman writing in Forbes, has noted that the trading commission at the NYSE currently averages less than a nickel (US$0.05) per share, and was less enthusiastic about potential efficiency gains from electronic trading at the exchange.

The transactions are also intended to make the two leading American stock exchanges more globally competitive with such exchanges as the London Stock Exchange, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange, and the Australian Stock Exchange located in Sydney.

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Why I Chose Cars And Sales

Why I chose cars and sales

by

Cornell Morgan

Having customers who have already checked available their used cars for sale online cuts down on the dealer\’s period and manpower at the same time. Online advertisements as well give car dealers much greater coverage within the second hand cars they making the effort sell and widens their choice of customers, potentially bringing them a lot more business.

Online investigation

Another significant good thing about the Internet when checking pre-owned cars for sales, is the chance to acquire a lot of information in a short time. You can acquire a detailed report of the vehicle by submitting your pickup identification number to help Carfax. This will provide information on this car\’s owners, any accidents and any major mechanical troubles.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dufnt2B9Uto[/youtube]

The initial attempt at an MPV which has been really like a mini van was launched in Europe in 1984 while using the Renault Espace. A more very small form was introduced on the European market in 1996 by means of the Renault Scenic as well as the Vauxhall Zafira. Mini MPVs started to appear in the early the main 21st century together with the Vauxhall Meriva and also the Citroen C3 Picasso. These motors had been very popular and there are numerous used cars available on the market with different features to suit your preferences and way of life needs.

Visual appeal

The key features of MPVs are their spaciousness and practicality. Therefore, people carriers have been completely traditionally boxy in design for you to maximise interior room or space. However, manufacturers have are more aware of the customer\’s preference to drive an aesthetic vehicle plus they are producing MPVs to comprehend sporty and dynamic styling. If image matters very much to you then it\’s best to look for more contemporary second hand cars that\’ll have a sleeker appearance and never the van look in the older models. Better MPVs include the Citroen C4 Picasso, Toyota Verso, Volkswagen Sharan together with Chrysler Voyager.

Seats

One of the better reasons why somebody chooses to buy a MPV is its capacity carry up to help seven to six people, usually across three rows regarding seats. Most also feature very versatile seating so that you can either maximise the quantity of people being transported otherwise they increase the valuables space. Seats can be added, removed, thrown down flat and moved forwards, backwards and sideways. The larger positioned seating moreover gives passengers better viewing and further legroom. Back seats is usually accessed at the rear through sliding or swing-out doors. Second-hand cars with great space and very flexible seating include the Vauxhall Meriva, Toyota Verso, Fiat Ulysse, Kia Galaxy, Chrysler Large Voyager and Volkswagen Caravelle.

Price range

You may normally find a great MPV in truck sales for £ 2000-£ 8000, though it\’s going to difficult to get one with lower than 100, 000 miles at under £ 2000. Japanese makes are typically among the best used cars to buy within the lower price bracket such as the Honda Shuttle, Toyota Previa as well as Mitsubishi Space Wagons.

Important checks

This new approach to purchase a car or truck removes the usual fears and worries which come once you bite a deal and drive the vehicle from the car parking lot. You don\’t ever ought to worry about needing buyers remorse using this type of new system.

Ocularist Benton Sette enjoys basketball, guitar. Furthermore he really loves vacationing particularly to Bahamas.

cars and sales

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ArticleRich.com

Commonwealth Bank of Australia CEO apologies for financial planning scandal

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Ian Narev, the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, this morning “unreservedly” apologised to clients who lost money in a scandal involving the bank’s financial planning services arm.

Last week, a Senate enquiry found financial advisers from the Commonwealth Bank had made high-risk investments of clients’ money without the clients’ permission, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars lost. The Senate enquiry called for a Royal Commission into the bank, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Mr Narev stated the bank’s performance in providing financial advice was “unacceptable”, and the bank was launching a scheme to compensate clients who lost money due to the planners’ actions.

In a statement Mr Narev said, “Poor advice provided by some of our advisers between 2003 and 2012 caused financial loss and distress and I am truly sorry for that. […] There have been changes in management, structure and culture. We have also invested in new systems, implemented new processes, enhanced adviser supervision and improved training.”

An investigation by Fairfax Media instigated the Senate inquiry into the Commonwealth Bank’s financial planning division and ASIC.

Whistleblower Jeff Morris, who reported the misconduct of the bank to ASIC six years ago, said in an article for The Sydney Morning Herald that neither the bank nor ASIC should be in control of the compensation program.

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