EDUCATION & THE UNEMPLOYED MATTERS !!

Unemployment Benefits: As Other States Cut Back, Oregon Gives More

2011-04-27T16:31:00.000-07:00


Image Credit to Huffington Post

While some states have been cutting unemployment insurance for the long-term unemployed, Oregon has made its benefits more generous.

People laid off through no fault of their own are eligible for up to 99 weeks of aid in 25 states. But last month, Oregon lawmakers gave the long-term unemployed an additional six weeks of benefits. That means that in Oregon, where the unemployment rate stands tall at 10 percent, so-called "99ers" -- people who've burned through all 99 weeks without finding work -- can now theoretically become "105ers."

Last week was the first payable week of the brand-new Oregon Emergency Benefits program. Portland resident Harold Treinen told HuffPost he'd started receiving the benefits last week after joining the ranks of the 99ers about a month ago.

"It’s saving me, is what it’s doing," said Treinen of the new program. Treinen, a 57-year-old financial analyst, said he was laid off in in March 2009 and had relied on unemployment insurance during his fruitless job search. When his benefits stopped last month, he found himself in survival mode. "I had like a two or three week gap. You just have to shut everything down. You have to say, 'I can’t do anything.'"

The Congressional Research Service estimated that as of last October, 1.4 million Americans had been out of work for 99 weeks or longer.

For those who receive maximum aid, the benefits cycle like this: The state initially provides up to 26 weeks and the federal government provides the rest through two programs. The first is Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which provides up to 53 weeks of benefits broken into four "tiers," and the other is the Extended Benefits program, which provides the final 20 weeks. (Recent efforts to provide more weeks of federal benefits have stalled.) The programs can combine to provide fewer than 99 weeks depending on a state's unemployment rate.

The Oregon Employment Department expects 17,000 Oregonians to qualify for the Oregon Emergency Benefits program, which is funded with $30 million from the state's unemployment trust fund, according to spokesman Craig Spivey. The program will last until July 2 or whenever the money runs out. The extra benefits in place today actually represent the third time Oregon lawmakers have given an extra boost to the super-jobless, with previous programs in 2010 providing up to 6 or 13 weeks of aid.

At the same time Oregon is taking steps to increase aid, other states are effectively cutting it. Several are allowing the federal Extended Benefits program to expire by choosing not to update the arcane "trigger" used to determine a state's EB eligibility. A high unemployment rate is one condition; the other is that the rate must be 10 percent higher than in either of the two previous years. When it reauthorized the federal unemployment benefit programs in December, Congress invited states to modify their triggers to encompass an additional previous year, since unemployment rates in most states have risen dramatically from what they were three years ago but have held relatively steady over the past two years.

North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin let the program die on April 16, and the Arizona State Legislature has adjourned for the year without taking up the issue. Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. are expected to "trigger off" EB come May.

Lawmakers in Michigan and Missouri acted to preserve EB, but at the same time they cut state benefits to 20 weeks, making them the only states that provide fewer than 26 weeks for newly unemployed people. Twenty weeks will be all that remain once the federal programs expire in January, unless Congress decides to reauthorize them, which is an open question.

Treinen, for his part, said he's been participating in monthly networking sessions with other unemployed workers organized by Working America, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, where he's had some interview coaching and a chance to polish his resume. He suspects his age is a significant barrier to finding a new job.

"Because I’m middle aged -- you can’t prove it, but there’s definitely a bias there, even though you would think experience would carry some weight," he said. "There’s no way to prove it. It’s sad for a lot of reasons. I’m a team player."

Article Credit to Huffington Post.

On Morning Of Big Budget Vote, GOP Leaders Spare A Moment To Chat Unemployment (VIDEO)

2011-04-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON -- On the morning of an important and uncertain vote to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year, Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives spent a few minutes chatting with two Democrats from the Congressional Black Caucus about their bill to help the long-term unemployed.

Image Credit to Huffington Post

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) strolled out of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio)'s office Thursday talking to Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.). Cantor declined to comment on the meeting before parting ways with the two Democrats.

"Speaker Boehner encouraged us to work with the House Ways and Means Committee to move this bill forward, and while we will certainly do so, we maintain that these long term unemployed workers deserve a floor vote now," Lee said in a statement after the meeting. "Frankly, where there is a will there is a way, and we hope that the Republican leadership will show some serious will to move this vital effort forward."

"We'll have to see what they do, but they clearly understand the desperate situation that people are in," Scott said.

Earlier this year, Lee and Scott introduced a bill to give the long-term jobless an additional 14 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. (Currently, federal and state jobless programs combined provide up to 99 weeks of benefits in some states.) The bill went nowhere, as it would cost roughly $16 billion and the new Republican majority has no appetite for new spending.

But after Lee and Scott said they'd be open to looking for budget cuts to offset the cost of the unemployment benefits, Boehner and Cantor agreed to meet with them. Lee said they didn't talk about cuts during the meeting, however.

"We didn't talk about that because we still maintain it's an emergency," she told HuffPost. "They understood this very well. There was no conflict about this being an emergency."

Boehner's office declined to comment on the meeting.

Most Democrats insist federally-funded extended unemployment benefits be given an "emergency" designation, exempting them from "pay as you go" budget rules. The benefits serve a two-fold purpose: to provide a cushion for layoff victims and to stimulate the economy, since the unemployed tend to spend their benefits quickly on necessities like food and shelter. Some economists say offsetting the cost of the benefits counteracts some of that stimulative impact.

Some four million people will exhaust their unemployment benefits this year, according to a White House estimate. Yet the Lee-Scott bill is not likely to become law anytime soon, as deficit reduction has become Washington's top priority. No Democratic leaders have suggested they would support "paying for" extra benefits with budget cuts, and the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus suggested in a meeting with President Obama that the bill would be too costly.

Nevertheless, Lee and Scott pledged to plod on.

"We're going to strategize and work on this and figure it out, but we're still focused," Lee said. "We didn't leave the meeting saying there's nothing left to do. We have plenty to do to move this along, and that's what we're going to do."

The meeting had originally been scheduled for last Thursday, but Boehner had to cancel because he was summoned to the White House for last-minute negotiations on a budget deal that would avert a government shutdown. A vote on that deal will be held in both the House and Senate later on Thursday.
Crew of 42, a blog about the CBC, posted a video of Cantor, Lee and Scott emerging from Boehner's office.

Here's a video link of Lee and Scott after the meeting!

Article Credit to Huffington Post

Lee County School District releases Browder's 2010 W-2 tax form

2011-04-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

Posted: Apr 11, 2011 9:34 PM EDT
Updated: Apr 11, 2011 10:53 PM EDT

By Rob Koebel, Reporter - email

LEE COUNTY – Dr. Jim Browder left the Lee school district during a deepening budget crisis that's been forcing the district to lay off employees and consider digging into its reserves just to stay afloat.
Four in Your Corner Investigator Rob Koebel now showing you exactly how many of your tax dollars ... went to Dr. Browder. He's uncovered the former super's w-2 from last year.


Image Credit to Fox 4 News, Cape Coral/ Fort Myers, Florida

Adding up the numbers you might not be surprised its way over the roughly 160 grand he was being paid a year as superintendent. Something one former school board member warned could hurt the district big time if the economy didn't turn around.

Reporter Rob Koebel asks, "Why don't you take a look at the bottom line figure there?"

Bob Chilmonik says, "WOW -- Oh My!".

Former School Board Member Bob Chilmonik checks out ex- Lee County Superintendent James Browder's W-2 tax form from 2010.

Chilmonik says, "The first thing that comes to my mind is academic Enron we have children going without needed services in the school district".

The bottom line -- including his salary, perks and buys out -- Browder made 418,000 bucks. Almost a half a million dollars. The bill picked up by you --- the taxpayer.

Chilmonik says, "Its gone too far I am hopeful that the public now is engaged on this and we need to bring salaries under control".

Chilmonik who sits on a search committee to help select the new superintendent says he voted against Browder's contract years ago. But fellow board members like Jane Kuckel and Janine Dozier were all for it and Browder's golden parachute.

Chilmonik says, "Right now it's an operational mess down there and we are in the process of hiring a new superintendent I think there's a lesson to be learned from this when we go out and make the decision on the new superintendent we must get a salary structure that is fair but also holds people accountable".

Chilmonik says with spending out of control and the district digging into emergency reserve funds -- it's like running your engine in the red and it's ready to blow.

Bob Chilmonik says, "they are using reserves to fund ongoing operations the problem is going to come back next year."

You might remember that Edison State College is refusing to release President Ken Walkers or Jim Browder's W-2's to Fox Four citing a state statue that the college claims makes it exempt. But the University of Florida and the Lee County School District had no problem turning them over.

Image Credit to Fox 4 News, Cape Coral/Fort Myers, Florida

Article Credit to Fox 4 News, Cape Coral/Fort Myers, Florida

Governor Rick Scott looking to fill positions on board at Edison

2011-04-08T21:31:00.000-07:00

Posted: Apr 08, 2011 9:36 PM EDT
Updated: Apr 08, 2011 11:11 PM EDT

By Rob Koebel, Reporter - email

LEE COUNTY – The board of trustees at Edison State College in the hot seat. All eyes on them as faculty, staff, students and tax payers wait to see what they will do next to end the outrage at Edison.
Four in Your Corner looking into what qualifies these people to sit on the board and how much they make for doing the job.

Chris Vernon says, "I know the press is frustrated with me because I am not talking to the press".

Chris Vernon is Chairman of the Edison State College board of trustees. Seven other members make up the current board -- you might remember Vice Chairman David Klein called it quits and resigned last month in the wake of the turmoil brewing on campus.

Board member Randall Parrish, "I am extremely proud of this institution -- I went here more than 40 years ago. To see what it is today and what it was then makes me so proud".

Many on the board say that's why they do this -- because they are proud of Edison State College and President Ken Walker. You might be surprised to learn they certainly don't sit on the board for the money.

Vernon says, "we are not paid to do this and it puts us in a very good position, unique position top hopefully make some big picture decisions".

But those big picture decisions might soon be made by others -- appointed by our new Governor Rick Scott. Take a look -- JoAnn Helphenstine and Mahlan Houghton are both up for re-appointment and Mary Lee Mann's appointment ends next month.

The Governors office is currently taking applications for the spots on the board. Those interested in a seat need to fill out this nine page application -- answering numerous questions -- like past or current boards you sit on -- any criminal history -- what makes you qualified -- any awards or recognitions that relate to the board.

Article Credit to Fox 4 News, Cape Coral/Fort Myers, Florida

Edison State's Walker, Browder offer to take pay cuts

2011-04-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

Written by

Rachel Revehl
Rrevehl@news-press.com

8:35 PM, Apr. 6, 2011|

The embattled president of Edison State
College has proposed a six-point plan to
appease the faculty who earlier this week
voted a loss of confidence in his
leadership.

Credit to Fort Myers News-Press

In hopes of restoring that trust and
ultimately the position he’s held for 20
years, District President Kenneth Walker
also offered a “significant” salary reduction
for both him and Senior Vice President
James Browder.

Addressing a crowd of about 150 at a
special board of trustees meeting
Wednesday evening, Walker asked that the
difference in pay go toward the
establishment of a scholarship fund and
another for homeless students.

“We have a long history of great
relationships, and I will do my part to get
us back to that relationship,” Walker said.
“I ask faculty leaders to join me.”

Professors, after hearing his concessions,
say it may be too soon to tell whether it will

be enough.

Credit to Fort Myers News-Press

“Time will tell,” Professor Russell Swanson
said. “The reduction of the compensation
package — I can’t disagree with that.”

In addition to the pay cut, Walker
promised:

• Greater transparency and full disclosure.

• A third-party review of the management
team and processes, which will result in a
completed report to the board.

• A series of small-group meetings on each
of the four campuses to hear concerns and
suggestions.

• An anonymous survey outlining the
concerns of each faculty and staff member.

• Open office hours for faculty and staff to
meet with him.

• Several meetings with students to hear
their questions and concerns.

The 24,000-student college has also hired
a Fort Myers law firm to investigate claims
of discrimination in hiring. Swanson
questioned how a firm paid by the college
could be effective in that task.

Walker’s concessions came after weeks of
strained relations on campus, centering on a
myriad of complaints, including Browder’
s hiring without a formal search and
subsequent raise, Walker’s $832,125
annual compensation package, allegations
of discriminatory hiring practices, abrupt
resignations of several high-level
administrators and the question of
diplomas issued to students who hadn’t
met minimum requirements.

The professors, meanwhile, explained their
no-confidence vote, approved Tuesday by
84 percent of 103 voting faculty senate
members. Many of those members are
union, though the senate is a separate
entity focused solely on academic affairs.
Speaking on their behalf, Professor Jim
Daniels said staff felt Walker did not act in
good faith by moving Browder into an off-
campus position, when in earlier meetings

he suggested Browder would find another
job within 30 days or else the board would
decide the next step. Professors were also
upset with comments made by Walker in an
April 1 article by the Chronicle of Higher
Education, in which he stated those pushing
for Browder’s removal were a small group,
fueled by the media.

Walker told the publication concerns were
never brought to him, a point disputed by
Daniels, who said he had dates of prior

meetings and the names of those who were
there.

“That doesn’t sound like transparency to
us,” Daniels said. “...It was such a hostile
environment, and we could not stand by
and watch the college implode.”

He ended by asking the board to put the
students first, something Walker also said
is his goal.

Erica Patti, a 21-year-old junior
communications major, said she found it
strange that Walker made students the last
point on his list.

“I would kind of hope that he would have
made us a little higher on his list,” Patti
said. “And I really just think enough is
enough. Everybody has just been through
enough stress and tiresome arguing, and it
really just needs to end.

“I think if the students joined together and
came forward, I think the board would
come to the conclusion that (Walker) would

have to walk away.”

But if the board’s support of Walker is any
indication, that’s not likely to happen soon.
Many praised his decades of service but
still said they had heard the concerns
voiced.

“What I’d like to see happen is we take the
opinions of faculty and use them as a
springboard to make Edison even better,”
said Chairman Chris Vernon.

While the board was not able to fully craft
an agenda for the next scheduled April 26
meeting, Vernon did outline a list of 11
areas that may possibly be addressed:
improved board oversight, improved
systems to assure graduation qualifications,
improved accreditation preparation,
investigation of allegations of discrimination
and retaliation, Browder’s employment
status and pay, improved academics and
reporting structures, need for a new vice
chair of the board, current and future
leadership and leadership compensation
and issues that can and should be dealt
with prior to the regular meeting.

The board agreed they wanted time to
digest the information proposed, and
would individually report to Walker about
the issues they hope to discuss before the
next meeting. Walker will ultimately be
responsible for piecing together the next
agenda.

Article Credit to the Fort Myers News-Press

Vote of "No Confidence" for President Passes at Edison State College

2011-04-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Fort Myers, FL – Faculty at Edison State College have sent a message to the Board of Trustees that they have lost confidence in the leadership of President Ken Walker.

More than 100 out of 141 full-time faculty members participated in the vote which was a test of confidence in the leadership of President Ken Walker and Vice President James Browder. Eighty-four of those who voted said they had "no confidence" in Edison's top administrators.

The vote follows a month of turmoil where the Vice President of Academic Affairs resigned, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees stepped down, and we uncovered secret payouts to a former administrator, Noreen Thomas, who left just as Dr. James Browder joined the college as a Vice President of Operations. Browder was later given a raise and new responsibilities following Thomas' departure.

Faculty planned to take the no confidence vote late last month, but Walker called a meeting to discuss their concerns. In a letter, he agreed to re-assign Browder to a different role and remove him from all academic responsibilities.

Tuesday's vote comes a day before an emergency meeting of the Edison State College Board of Trustees to discuss faculty concerns. Stay tuned to Fox 4 for more on this developing story.

Credit to Fox 4 News, Cape Coral/Fort Myers, Florida

Rallies to protest Florida budget and education cuts

2011-04-04T20:49:00.000-07:00

Thousands rally around Fort Myers, Naples, and the state today to protest budget and education cuts proposed by Governor Rick Scott.

This group gathering at Hammond Stadium in south Fort Myers.

Those involved include teachers and members of local unions who say their right to collective bargaining is being violated.

Protestors say those in Tallahassee including the governor need to wake up and support workers' rights and public education.

Those in Collier County also getting in on the action.

Close to one hundred people gathering in Naples tonight to protest change within the state.

Those who attended the rally at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and U-S 41 say they are pushing for better public programs for workers and economic justice for all.

Credit to Fox 4 News, Cape Coral/Fort Myers, Florida

Edison State College faculty voting to oust leaders

2011-04-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

LEE COUNTY – New information in the outrage at Edison. Faculty now deciding the possible future of President Ken Walker and James Browder.

Faculty are casting ballots for a vote of no confidence that could send the two packing. Three weeks ago -- Steve Atkins' resignation fueled fire. Fox Four learning that Atkins might be working on returning to his old job.

When Steve Atkins resigned he made it very clear he loved the college and faculty -- what he couldn't deal with was the current administration that may be on its way out.

Well -- it appears as if Edison State College President is keeping his word to faculty again. First they wanted Jim Browder gone -- that's been done -- he was re-assigned last Friday. Another condition faculty asked for was a meeting between Walker and Atkins. Late this afternoon -- Atkins texted me to say: he and his attorney are waiting for walker to respond to his request to meet. I am ready to begin discussing my options.

Another key issue for faculty is transparency -- when it comes to hiring and salaries. They were upset Jim Browder was hired without a search and now it appears Edison State College created a job to keep him on after he was re-assigned!

And what about the salaries and perks for Ken Walker and Jim Browder? That has been a real hot topic. In fact -- so hot -- that Edison State College is refusing to grant a public records request to Fox Four asking for the W-2 tax forms for Browder and Walker citing a state statue that says they don't have too.

But the University of Florida had no problem releasing Bernie Machen's W-2's for the last three years. In 2008 -- he made nearly a million bucks -- in 2009 he made a little over a million and in 2010 -- almost 600 thousand bucks.

Credit to Fox 4 News, Fort Myers/Cape Coral, Florida.

Edison State College Board Member asking Governor Rick Scott to investigate!

2011-03-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

LEE COUNTY – The Edison State College President ignoring your questions for a 7th day in a row.. remaining silent about big payout's and huge salaries.

But one of his bosses is talking saying the state's top boss the governor should get involved.

The Board of Trustees is supposed to oversee what's going on at Edison but tonight one of those board members says spending is more out of control than he first thought and that's why he wants the Governor to get involved.

David Klien says, "I am mad as hell".

That's how Edison Board member David Klien responded after I emailed him this letter -- obtained by Fox Four written on behalf of the faculty at Edison State College -- strong allegations of abuse of power -- extravagant salaries and payout's -- even discrimination in its hiring process.

David Klien says, "I am not saying there is anything criminal going on but it is certainly distasteful I'll put it that way.

Klien is talking about James Browder's more than 100 thousand dollar raise, a 300 thousand dollar contract buy out for Noreen Thomas who had only been on the job for three months and President Ken Walker's contract worth more than a half million bucks.

David Klien adds, "I thought that Dr. Walker was highly paid but it's even more than I thought I have never seen those numbers".

But why not? He is a board member who oversees the operations of Edison State College.

David Klien says, "you are supposed to keep your trustees advised -- we were never told why -- basically we have the fiduciary responsibility and we don't know anything".

Klien says the very reputation of the college and years and years of work are at stake. We're also learning there are new allegations that students are getting degrees that they haven't earned.

David Klien added, "if it was just a matter of salaries and people quitting it would be one thing, this I hear about degrees being ground out then you start to worry".

Klien is so worried -- he thinks the state must get involved quickly.

David Klien says, "I would invite the Governor of the State of Florida to look into this -- he can send anybody he wants but I think at this point the people of South West Florida deserve that they need to know exactly what's going on".

And Thursday afternoon we may get some of those answers. President Walker will meet with the faculty to address these concerns and he has invited the media to attend. We will be there -- working to get your questions answered.

CREDIT: Fox 4 on Your Side with Edison State College Mess!

Teacher mutiny at Edison State College?

2011-03-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Is there a faculty mutiny taking place at Edison State College?

A new memo obtained by Fox 4 shows that might be the case and it's prompting an immediate reaction from the administration.

For seven days, Fox 4 has requested interviews with the college's president Dr. Kenneth Walker and the school's spokesperson Catherine Bergerson. For a week we've been told they were too busy to answer your questions face-to-face.

Now it seems, the school's faculty is fed up.

In a two-page stinging rebuke of the college's top officials, the faculty wrote up a statement calling recent pay hikes a "grave concern."

A top concern: How Vice President of Operations Dr. James Browder could get a $100,000 raise after just two months on the job.

"We were not informed of this directly," the faculty wrote. "And there was no semblance of a normal attempt to include faculty in the decision."

In fact, one board member told us he wasn't notified either after the college quietly moved Browder into a higher paying job, one held by then Executive Vice President Dr. Noreen Thomas, who was given a secret $300,000 buy out to leave and told to keep quiet.

"The situation reflects poorly on the college," the faculty wrote. "Since it gives the impression that Dr. Browder was...silently given the powers and salary commensurate with a position for which he has no credentials and little experience."

But the critique doesn't stop there.

In this rising revolt, faculty are also going after the school's president, Dr. Kenneth Walker, saying he's being paid a lot more than we thought - they quote $860,000 plus a yearly bonus.

"Dr. Walker, who prides himself upon 'Servant Leadership' has a total compensation package that exceeds that of most presidents of major universities," the faculty wrote. "Where is the fiscal oversight?"

Other concerns: That a large number of diplomas were given out to students who didn't meet graduation requirements.

And allegations the college isn't hiring enough minorities.

Fox 4 wanted to ask professors about this letter and their concerns but was told they are not allowed to talk to the media. We were told all questions have to be referred to the very school spokesperson who won't do an on camera interview.

But that could all change Thursday. The faculty will be meeting one-on-one with Dr. Walker and we will be there.

Read the full letter below:

District Statement of Faculty Concern

We, the District Faculty of Edison State College, have crafted this statement to express our grave concern with recent developments and revelations about our fine institution. The following is a list of concerns, both in terms of substance and impact on the image of the college, which we would like to have addressed at a district wide video-conference meeting between the District President of the College and the Faculty Senate on Monday, March 28^th at 4 PM in Room S-117 on Lee Campus.

1)      With all due respect to his professional achievements Dr. James Browder was hired at the college in September of 2010 to be the Vice President of Operations. At the same time we experienced the sudden departure of then Executive Vice President Dr. Noreen Thomas without an adequate explanation. Then the President of Lee Campus, Dr. James Martin, who was hired over the course of a year-long process, also left suddenly after only a semester on the job. Again, this took place suddenly and without adequate explanation. Most recently, we have witnessed the sudden departure of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Steve Atkins. Dr. Atkins was the leader of our on-going SACS re-accreditation initiative and the campus visit is this year. Furthermore, his letter of resignation clearly stated that he felt he could no longer work with current upper administration and do his job effectively. The attrition in the Administration is most troubling by itself, but it is made worse by all that is on the line for us as an institution this year. In addition, many of us have since discovered in the news that Dr. Browder has been assigned control of many other vital areas of the college beyond Operations. We were not informed of this directly, and there was no semblance of a normal attempt to include faculty in the decision. Crucially this expansion of power includes Student Services, Academics, and Accreditation. Despite his long-professional record, it is not clear what there is in it that would justify his becoming the Executive Vice President and, more specifically, the de facto chief Academic officer of a higher education institution. At the very least, the situation reflects poorly on the college since it gives the impression that Dr. Browder was originally appointed to a post for which he was arguably qualified, and then silently given the powers and salary commensurate with a position for which he has no credentials and little experience after three other top administrators mysteriously and suddenly departed. Both the pattern and the current situation are major concerns.

2)      The above considerations are exacerbated by the fact that a large number of graduates were granted degrees even though it was known that they did not qualify for graduation this past fall and in prior semesters. While the direct decisions were made at the level of the Associate Dean and a number of individuals throughout the institution are aware of the situation, Dr. Browder must have approved the most recent round of inappropriate substitutions of general education and program core classes that led to the faulty graduations in light of his expanded position. The integrity of our Edison State College degrees is of vital importance to our mission. The correct course of action that should be considered is a self-reporting of these violations and a plan for remediation and correction of the problem.

3)      In addition to the above concerns, recent public revelations indicate that our current long-serving District President, Dr. Kenneth Walker, has an annual total compensation package of at least $860,000 with yearly bonuses of 25% of that. Preliminary analysis of the total compensation in his contract suggests he may actually be the most highly paid college President in the nation. For comparison, the President of Miami-Dade, an institution with six or seven times the number of students we have, makes hundreds of thousands of dollars less. In fact, Dr. Walker who prides himself upon "Servant Leadership" has a total compensation package that exceeds that of most Presidents of major universities, including FSU, UF, Auburn, Berkeley, and many others. In fact, so far our research has not found a higher total compensation package anywhere in public education. In the context of recent state budget cuts to higher education and our current standing near the bottom of advisor to student ratios, low pay for staff assistants, and so on, this pay seems incommensurate with the financial picture that has been painted for us by upper Administration. This impression is made worse by recent revelations about the salary increase received by Dr. Browder, even though such increases may be claimed as justified by the above referenced increase in his duties. His total compensation as Executive Vice President is more than many college Presidents nationally. Another approach to the issue can be seen in the Edison budget documents from 2007-2008, the top five individuals at the college accounted for over $2,000,000 in compensations as of three years ago. Yet, in the 2010-2011 budget documents, no actual salaries for these posts are listed at all, and it would appear that formal requests by the press are required for us to see the full extent of the current situation. There is a concern that any numbers we discover through this process may again seem grossly out of line with the idea that we are all sharing the pain of doing more with less at Edison. It is important to note that the District Board of Trustees has oversight on such matters and it leads one to ask some difficult questions, "Where is the fiscal oversight?" and "How do Board Members explain and justify such total compensation packages when so many areas of the college that directly impact students are in need?"

4)      Over the last several years members of the faculty have worked very hard to put into place the bold visions of our District President. Many of us have worked longer hours, taught more students, and taken on expanded roles in terms of college service. While we are, on the whole, positive about our receipt of a raise in the recent academic year, we feel it is a just reward for this work. More specifically, we have worked hard to ensure that our on-going SACS re-accreditation process be as successful as possible by instituting a rigorous self-evaluation portfolio process, adding new avenues of Professional Development opportunities, and helping to coordinate assessment at the levels of our courses, programs, and divisions. Yet, with the departure of Dr. Atkins there is a serious concern that our SACS visit may result in the discovery of key institutional deficiencies. While we do not hope for this, we do want there to be a proper accounting for the sources of any deficiencies that emerge with the recognition that faculty have done their part.

5)      Lastly, there remain a number of other issues that threaten to sully what has been until recently a terrific and growing reputation for Edison State College. Here we will deal specifically with recent allegations of unfair hiring practices in combinations with very low minority representation in the Administration. We take diversity very seriously as a goal at our institution and have recently sought to expand protections. Yet, we have heard nothing about the nature of a thorough investigation from our own Human Resources Department into these allegations.

It is our position that these issues should be specifically addressed in a frank and open manner by the leader of Edison State College so that the faculty may feel confident in the direction of our institution. With all due respect for a long tradition of progress at Edison, this statement made on behalf of the District Faculty Senate constitutes a request that a satisfactory accounting of these specifics be forthcoming at the above mentioned meeting.

CREDIT: Fox 4 Exposes Teacher Mutiny at Edison State College?

White House Insider: Michelle Obama Blowout?

2010-10-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

Published by Ulsterman on October 13, 2010 in Opinions

NewsFlavor

Tags: Barack Obama, election, government, Michelle Obama, Politics, President Obama, White House Insider

Our White House Insider sends us this email detailing an explosive confrontation between First Lady Michelle Obama and members of White House Staff.

Author’s Note: This email came to us yesterday afternoon. As of publication, our White House Insider has been unable to confirm the specific details of this report. This account is based solely upon information they received from one or more staff currently within the White House. Here is that email in its entirety with the exception of personal information regarding the Insider that was withheld.

___

Sorry for delay in getting back to you. -personal information not included- Situation very fluid RE elections, WH, Obama
, etc. Received something you may find interesting RE First Lady. M.O. has become increasingly aggressive w/staff at WH. Recent blowout took place involving First Lady
screaming (exact word used) at staff member. Said something to effect – “You are either with us or against us. One or the other.” Also heard to say that “the country doesn’t deserve us” to more than one member of WH. Apparently M.O. convinced Emmanuel has staff leaking information to him or fears that. Not sure what she fears from R.E. specifically but working to find out. Believes he may be dealing directly with Clintons? VJs role has increased dramatically in recent weeks even more than it already was. Axelrod diminished. Also told Gibbs very much out of favor with M.O. may be gone soon. Developing.

West Wing is increasingly in bunker mentality these days. President remains unresponsive/agitated while at W.H. ,repeats that he “wants to be out speaking to the people.” Staff paranoia at all time high. Fear of H.C. described as “palpable”. President DID offer VP spot to her. CONFIRMED AGAIN. Have more specifics on that developing but not ready to share yet. Will say it appears H.C. considering VP offer. B.C. wants her to run for Pres. in ‘12 though. Developing.

Will have more in coming days. -personal information not included- Talk in person then.

REFERENCE: WHITE HOUSE INSIDER: CLINTONS GOING FOR IT
http://newsflavor.com/opinions/white-house-insider-the-clintons-are-going-for-it/

Read more: http://newsflavor.com/opinions/white-house-insider-michelle-obama-blowout/#ixzz12oG3qI5M

AP-mtvU Poll: College Students' Obamamania Wanes

2010-10-19T05:45:00.000-07:00

by Associated Press/AP Online

October 14, 2010

By ALAN FRAM

WASHINGTON – The Obamamania that gripped college campuses two years ago is gone.

An Associated Press-mtvU poll found college students cooling in their support for President Barack Obama, a fresh sign of trouble for Democrats struggling to rekindle enthusiasm among many of these newest voters for the crucial midterm elections in three weeks.

Forty-four percent of students approve of the job Obama is doing as president, while 27 percent are unhappy with his stewardship, according to the survey conducted late last month. That’s a significant drop from the 60 percent who gave the president high marks in a May 2009 poll. Only 15 percent had a negative opinion back then.

It’s not just students. Obama’s support from many groups has ebbed since his early months in office because of persistently high unemployment and opposition to his plans to revive the economy and overhaul the health care system. But his diminished backing from college students raises further questions about whether the

Democrats’ efforts to rally them – and other loyal supporters such as blacks and union members – will be enough to prevent Republicans from winning control of Congress in the Nov. 2 elections.

Obama’s weaker performance on campus also underscores his party’s struggles to turn the 15 million first-time voters of 2008 – nearly one in eight of that year’s total – into a solid political army. Exit polls from 2008 show 55 percent of new voters were age 18 to 24, and those young first-timers strongly backed

Obama and Democratic House candidates – a potent bloc if Democrats could lure them back to the voting booth.

Hoping to rekindle campus enthusiasm, Obama planned to appear Thursday at a youth town hall being shown live on MTV, BET and other networks. He also is to lead a rally Sunday at Ohio State University, and in recent days he headlined a massive gathering at the University of Wisconsin and a webcast town hall at George Washington University.

Ohio State’s 55,000 students are a big part of a central Ohio congressional district in which Democratic Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy is facing a rematch with her 2008 opponent, Republican Steve Stivers. Kilroy spokesman Brad Bauman says the students are “a huge voting bloc for us,” but Stivers spokesman John Damschroder says any advantage Kilroy had on campus in the close 2008 race will be minimized.

“She had a wind at her back last time,” he said, referring to students’ support then for Obama. “Now it’s a stand-alone election for her.”

Political scientists, campaign workers, students and others say many students are unhappy with Obama’s handling of the economy, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and failures to end the ban against gays serving openly in the military or to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. There’s also frustration with the messy political process and his inability to deliver on his campaign promise to change Washington.

“People expect things to happen quickly,” said Elizabeth Wright, a senior at the University of Colorado. “I don’t think people understand it takes time.”

The findings in the AP-mtvU poll, which surveyed more than 2,000 undergraduates age 18 to 24, come as students and others say political activity on campuses is way down from the frenetic levels of the 2008 presidential race. Josh Rohrer, a senior at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., says it was impossible to walk to class two years ago without seeing campaign fliers, T-shirts and tables strewn with candidates’ brochures.

“Now, if you don’t read a newspaper, you wouldn’t know there’s about to be an election,” he said.
Even so, college Republicans and Democrats are still registering students and helping them vote with absentee ballots if needed. Republicans aired a TV ad in college towns in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida called “The Breakup,” showing young people expressing disillusionment with Obama. Democrats say they’ve made nearly 2 million phone calls and visits to young voters since late May.

Enthusiasm by all groups dips in midterm elections compared to presidential races. The drop-off is compounded for college students, who can be distracted by everything from classes to football and often aren’t registered to vote in their school’s congressional district.

“It sort of falls under the radar,” said Rebecca Leber, a senior from the University of Rochester.

In the AP-mtvU poll, white students are about evenly divided over Obama – 34 percent approve of his performance while 37 percent disapprove. In May 2009, they approved by 53 percent to 21 percent. The drop is consistent with his decreased popularity among all whites.

Minority students are positive by 58 percent to 13 percent margin, slightly worse than in May 2009. In both polls, about a quarter overall were neutral.

Heather Smith, president of Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan group that encourages young people to vote, said it has registered 225,000 young voters for this year’s election, more than four times as many as in the last midterm in 2006. But she says the political parties aren’t spending enough to energize students, and she predicted turnout would resemble 2006, a mediocre year.“It’s a cycle of neglect,” she said.

To combat that, entertainer Jay-Z has made a TV ad for HeadCount, a group of musicians and others who register young people to vote, in which he says, “Fight for what you believe in.”

AP-GfK polls show Obama remains more popular among younger than older voters, but more older people express interest in the congressional elections. A September survey by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found that among people under 30, those favoring Republicans are likelier than Democratic supporters to say they’ve thought a lot about the election.

The AP-mtvU Poll was conducted Sept. 20-24 by Edison Research of Somerville, N.J., and involved interviews with 2,207 randomly chosen undergraduates at 40 randomly selected four-year schools with at least 1,000 undergrads. To protect privacy, the schools were not being identified and students’ names were not recorded. The survey had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The sponsorship by mtvU, an MTV channel for college students, is related to its “Half of Us” program, which it runs with the Jed Foundation for publicizing students’ mental health issues.

AP Polling Director Trevor Tompson, Deputy Polling Director Jennifer Agiesta and News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.

Online:
AP polls: http://surveys.ap.org
A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

CREDIT: http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/2749-ap-mtvu-poll-college-students-obamamania-wanes?g=1&page=2&utm_content=fw_c1_20101019_&utm_source=nlet

College Dropouts Cost Taxpayers Billions: Report

2010-10-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

Dropping out of college after a year can mean lost time, burdensome debt and an uncertain future for students. Now there's an estimate of what it costs taxpayers. And it runs in the billions.

States appropriated almost $6.2 billion for four-year colleges and universities between 2003 and 2008 to help pay for the education of students who did not return for year two, a report released Monday says.

In addition, the federal government spent $1.5 billion and states spent $1.4 billion on grants for students who didn't start their sophomore years, according to "Finishing the First Lap: The Cost of First-Year Student Attrition in America's Four-Year Colleges and Universities."

The dollar figures, based on government data and gathered by the nonprofit American Institutes for Research, are meant to put an economic exclamation point on the argument that college completion rates need improvement.

But the findings also could give ammunition to critics who say too many students are attending four-year schools — and that pushing them to finish wastes even more taxpayer money.

The Obama administration, private foundations and others are driving a shift from focusing mostly on making college more accessible to getting more students through with a diploma or certificate.

Mark Schneider, a vice president at the American Institutes for Research and former commissioner of the Education Department's National Center for Education Statistics, said the report's goal is to spotlight the costs of losing students after year one, the most common exit door in college.

"We're all about college completion right now, and I agree 100 percent with the college completion agenda and we need a better-educated adult population and workforce," Schneider said.

The cost of educating students who drop out after one year account for between 2 to 8 percent of states' total higher education appropriations, Schneider said. He said the report emphasizes state spending because states provide most higher education money and hold the most regulatory sway over institutions and can drive change.

Ohio, for example, has moved toward using course and degree completion rates in determining how much money goes to its public colleges and universities instead of solely using enrollment figures.

"We recognize an institution is not going to be perfect on graduation and completion rates," said Eric Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents. "But at the same time, we know they can do better than they're doing. And if you place the financial rewards around completion, then you will motivate that."

The AIR report draws from Department of Education data, which Schneider concedes does not provide a full picture.

The figures track whether new full-time students at 1,521 public and private colleges and universities return for year two at the same institution. It doesn't include part-timers, transfers or students who come back later and graduate.

The actual cost to taxpayers may run two to three times higher given those factors and others, including the societal cost of income lost during dropouts' year in college, said Richard Vedder, an Ohio University economics professor.

And tying state appropriations to student performance could just cause colleges to lower their standards, he said.

Robert Lerman, an American University economics professor who, like Vedder, questions promoting college for all, said the report fleshes out the reality of high dropout rates.

But he said it could just as easily be used to argue that less-prepared, less-motivated students are better off not going to college.

"Getting them to go a second year might waste even more money," Lerman said. "Who knows?"

URL: http://www.cnbc.com/id/39611550/

99ers Legislation Blocked In Senate for Tier 5 Emergency Unemployment Compensation!

2010-09-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

First Posted: 09-29-10 04:55 PM | Updated: 09-29-10 04:59 PM

Legislation by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) to help the "99ers" -- unemployed people who've exhausted the 99 weeks of unemployment insurance available in some states -- failed in the Senate on Wednesday, to nobody's surprise.

Sen. George LeMieux (R-Fla.) objected to Stabenow's unanimous consent request. "Without knowing how much it is going to cost and how we're going to pay for it, while we're all certainly sympathetic and want to work to make people go back to work -- my home state of Florida certainly suffering with very high unemployment -- we need to know how we're going to pay for it so we don't put this debt on our children and grandchildren," said LeMieux.

Stabenow's bill would have provided an additional 20 weeks of benefits in state where the unemployment rate is above 7.5 percent, and it would have boosted a tax credit for businesses that hire unemployed workers. Stabenow said she wanted the bill to be designated "emergency spending" and exempt from "pay-as-you-go" rules, as is customarily the case with unemployment benefits.

"The reality for us in America is that we will never get out of debt with more than 15 million people out of work," said Stabenow. "So when folks talk about the deficit and leaving the deficit for our children, we will never get out of debt had this country until people get back to work, until they have good-paying jobs, and in between times, we will not move this economy forward until we are helping people be able to keep going in this recession."

Despite the lobbying of the unemployed, additional weeks of benefits seemed like a hopeless cause after the Senate spent 50 days this summer in gridlock over a reauthorization of the existing 99 weeks.

Several unemployed people have told HuffPost over the past few weeks, however, that they appreciated the gesture even if the bill had no chance of success. Stabenow's spokesman ignored repeated requests for info from HuffPost.

To fight recessions Congress has routinely enacted extensions of unemployment benefits, but the 99 weeks currently available in some states is an unprecedented amount. The previous high was 55 weeks during the recession of the early 1980s. The current extensions will be up for reauthorization again in November.

"It seems to be business as usual in the Senate, with yet another attempt to help the long term unemployed blocked by someone who just doesn't understand how truly awful it is for job seekers," said Judy Conti, a lobbyist for the National Employment Law Project. "It's a sad day."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/29/tier-5-legislation-for-99_n_744215.html

NBC NEWS - Education Nation

2010-09-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

Education Nation is a nationally broadcast, in-depth conversation about improving education in America.

During an interactive summit on Rockefeller Plaza, parents, teachers, and students will come together with leaders in politics, business, and technology to discuss the challenges and opportunities in education today. In addition, NBC News will turn Rockefeller Plaza into a “Learning Plaza," a series of five galleries, open to the public, which will allow visitors to explore America's educational "ecosystem." During the entire week of September 26th, NBC News will highlight education stories as well as broadcast live from the Plaza.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT WILL INCLUDE:

SUMMIT WITH TOP LEADERS IN EDUCATION: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Harlem Children Zone’s CEO Geoffrey Canada, and President of MIT Susan Hockfield will be among those in attendance at the Education Nation Summit.

SPECIAL APPEARANCES: The Summit will feature several presentations from guests, including a speech on improving the lives of children from U.S. General Colin Powell, Founding Chairman of America’s Promise Alliance, and Alma Powell, Chair of America’s Promise Alliance.

MULTI-MEDIA COVERAGE: During the entire week of Education Nation, "Nightly News," "Today," "Meet the Press," MSNBC, CNBC, Telemundo, msnbc.com, iVillage.com, and EducationNation.com will highlight stories in education.

TEACHER TOWN HALL: On Sept. 26th, NBC's Brian Williams will talk with thousands of teachers on-air and online about critical issues facing educators.

THE STUDENT VIEW: The Scholastic Kids Press Corp will cover the Summit from the student perspective.

INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS: The latest tools and technologies used in award-winning classrooms across the country will be on display in Learning Plaza.

Mission Statement

Education Nation seeks to engage the public, through thoughtful dialogue, in pursuit of the shared goal of providing every American with an opportunity to pursue the best education in the world. More

Press Room

The Education Nation press room includes NBC News press releases as well as links to recent media coverage on Education Nation. More

Teacher Town Hall

Hosted by Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, the Teacher Town Hall will bring together teachers from across the country, both in-person and online, to brainstorm ideas, talk about what works in the classroom, and highlight the challenges of today’s education system. More

CREDIT FOR ARTICLE: NBC NEWS - Education Nation : http://www.educationnation.com/

Flat-rate tuition system weighed

2010-09-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Miami Herald

Being a full-time undergrad at some Florida schools may soon mean paying a flat rate for tuition, no matter how many classes you take.

BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ

mrvasquez@MiamiHerald.com

Florida's state university system is mulling a one-size-fits-all tuition structure for full-time students -- an idea that could lead some to graduate sooner, but also carries the risk of students biting off more than they can chew.

Under the plan, which could receive receive final approval from the state Board of Governors as soon as November, full-time students at participating universities would pay a flat rate per semester, regardless of how many classes he or she actually takes.

The pricing structure, known as block tuition, is already the norm at private universities across the country, and has been adopted by some high-profile public universities as well, including The University of Texas at Austin and UCLA.

An exact pricing model for Florida schools has yet to be hammered out, and schools may decide to charge slightly different rates.

If a school chose 15 credit hours as the standard, a student taking only 12 credits would be paying for a class he or she wasn't taking. On the plus side, a student taking 18 credits would be taking an extra class for free.

If approved by the Board of Governors, schools could then request to make the switch -- or they could opt to keep the current per-credit pricing.

``We're giving it serious consideration,'' said University of Florida Provost Joseph Glover. ``It accelerates students' progress toward graduation. . .it's definitely an encouragement for students to take additional hours toward their degree.''

UF could potentially begin charging block tuition as early as fall 2011.

South Florida's two state universities, Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University, have yet to take a position on the issue.

``We have not done the analysis of how the proposal would affect FIU,'' spokeswoman Maydel Santana-Bravo said in an e-mail. ``At the moment we are focused on maintaining quality and improving the student experience.''

A class load of 12 credit hours -- the equivalent of four classes -- is considered full time, but students must take 15 credits hours each semester to earn a standard bachelor's degree in four years. Taking less than 15 credits often results in the student needing to stay an extra semester, or year, in school.

Students who in the past might have taken 12 credit hours might take that extra class -- feeling they should get what they pay for -- and end up graduating sooner.

Of course, setting the definition higher than the current average class load would also likely result in increased tuition revenues, as students who decide to stick with their current pace would have to pay for more credits than they are actually taking.

``Usually what this does is it's a way of having a tuition increase without calling it a tuition increase,'' said Mark Kantrowitz, a college financial aid expert who publishes Fastweb.com and FinAid.org. Kantrowitz cautioned that students who add more classes to get greater bang for their buck may ultimately become stretched too thin, and their grades could suffer.

Five years ago, Florida's universities considered a switch to block tuition, but the idea became bogged down in a tug of war between the Legislature and Board of Governors over who had tuition-setting authority.

The two sides are now working together seamlessly -- paving the way for the block tuition idea to go forward. The biggest hurdle left may be whether each of Florida's 11 public universities decides block tuition is right for them.

The financial wallop to students would likely be more-pronounced at local schools like FIU, where undergrads tend to be working adults who are a couple of years older than traditional undergrads. These students may find it more difficult than their UF counterparts to take a 15-credit or 18-credit classload.

``There's a reason they're only taking 12 credits,'' said William-Jose Velez, the student government senate speaker at FIU's main West Miami-Dade campus.

Velez said the proposal ``would place an unfair burden on those that are not taking a full course load.''

Cohen Marks Up Bill to Restore Fairness in Student Lending

2010-09-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 15 September 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law (CAL), today marked up legislation he authored to restore fairness in student lending by treating privately issued student loans in bankruptcy the same as other types of unsecured debt.

“People who seek higher education to better their futures should not be dissuaded from doing so by the threat of financial ruin,” said Congressman Cohen. “The bankruptcy system should work as a safety net that allows people to get the education they want with the assurance that, should their finances come under strain by layoffs, accidents, or other unforeseen life events, they will be protected. My bill takes a modest but important step toward achieving this goal.”

The Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2010 (H.R. 5043) was today marked up in CAL, which Congressman Cohen chairs. Before changes were made to the Bankruptcy Code in 2005, only government issued or guaranteed student loans were effectively nondischargeable during bankruptcy. This protection has been in place since 1978 and was intended to safeguard federal investments in higher education.

The Cohen bill would restore the pre-2005 treatment of private student loan debt in bankruptcy. For the past decade, private student loans have been the fastest growing and most profitable part of the student loan industry. According to the College Board, roughly 15 percent of total student borrowing is in private student loans. Ten years ago, only five percent of total education loan volume was in private loans.

The interest rates and fees on private loans can be as onerous as credit cards. There are reports of private loans with interest rates of at least 15 percent, and higher rates are not unheard of. This can place a tremendous burden on student borrowers with private loans and, unlike federal student loans, there is no government-imposed loan limit on private loans and no public regulation over the terms and cost of these loans.

Private loans involve only private profit and do not have the protections that government borrowers enjoy, including caps on interest rates, flexible repayment options, and limited cancellation rights. Most types of unsecured debts are dischargeable in bankruptcy, with only a few exceptions for very strong public policy reasons. For example, the Bankruptcy Code makes it especially difficult for people to escape child support responsibilities, overdue taxes, and criminal fines. Privately issued student loans should not be on that list.

Congressman Cohen is a longtime advocate of making higher education more affordable and accessible, most notably through the establishment of the Tennessee Lottery.

http://cohen.house.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1298

SPECIAL REPORT: College Loan Default Rates Rise!!!

2010-09-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

The number of college students defaulting on their federal student loans is climbing, and those who attend for-profit schools remain the most likely group to default, according to new government data released Monday.

The U.S. Department of Education says numbers from fiscal year 2008 show 7 percent of borrowers of federal student loans default within two years of beginning repayment, up from 6.7 percent the previous year.

The default rate for students at for-profit schools rose from 11 percent to 11.6 percent.

For-profit colleges are fighting proposed Education Department regulations that would cut off federal aid to for-profit college programs if too many of their students default on loans or don't earn enough after graduation to repay them.

URL: http://www.cnbc.com/id/39151999/

Obama's Plan May Do Little to Help the Unemployed

2010-09-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama's new stimulus plan directs government assistance to some of the strongest parts of the economy without solving the biggest problem: finding work for the 14.9 million unemployed.

The three main ideas he plans to introduce Wednesday—$50 billion in infrastructure spending plus two sets of business tax incentives—could provide a modest burst of activity in a slow-growing economy.

The risk is that they succeed only in pulling forward planned investments, which would do little to spur hiring and alter the sluggish growth trajectory.

"They could be helpful but are unlikely to have a large effect on growth," said Goldman Sachs economist Jan Hatzius.

Some of the proposed programs cover multiple years, spreading out the potential benefit; others are merely modifications or extensions of old ideas or policies, he said.

The White House hopes the programs will get idled construction workers back on the job and shake loose some of the spare cash held at corporations if it can convince wary lawmakers to go along.

The infrastructure plan—the most likely of the three proposals to generate a significant number of jobs—may face a particular fierce challenge in Congress.

Republicans and some deficit-hawk Democrats have repeatedly blocked spending packages for fear of adding to an already large budget gap.

The timing also looks challenging with only about a month left before lawmakers leave to prepare for November elections.

Think Small

Obama administration officials argue that the United States is grappling with two deficits, budget and jobs, and can't afford to ignore either. The jobless rate hit 9.6 percent last month and is likely to drift higher in the coming months. As long as it remains elevated, demand will be subdued.

But there is reason to doubt whether the business incentives will do much to close the jobs gap.

Tax writeoffs for plant and equipment investment may not generate much new activity because there is plenty of unused factory space available. Capacity usage was 7 percentage points below normal as of

July, according to Federal Reserve data.

And businesses were busily buying equipment and software even without special tax writeoffs. Those categories grew at a 25 percent clip in the more recent quarter, which marked the third consecutive period of double digit growth.

The third idea, research and development tax breaks, is a recycled policy proposal that is normally renewed every year and therefore unlikely to spark a major new wave of investment.

And it would likely benefit larger companies far more than the small businesses that remain reluctant to hire.

Obama acknowledges there is no magic policy prescription that can repair the badly damaged job market. But his critics propose a laundry list of ideas including lower payroll taxes, a public works program akin to those of the Great Depression, or perhaps offering older workers early full retirement benefits to help young people get on the job ladder.

Brian Bethune, an economist with IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts, said Obama's latest proposals fell short in addressing the needs of small businesses which normally account for the biggest portion of new jobs.

Large businesses, particularly those that export to fast-growing economies such as Brazil, China and India, have fared far better than their smaller counterparts in recent months, and that shows up in their hiring decisions.

The National Federation of Independent Business's monthly employment survey showed small companies remain reluctant to hire. NFIB has said its members are most concerned about sluggish sales, but their worry list also includes taxes, healthcare costs and regulatory reforms.

Companies with fewer than 50 workers employ almost three times as many people as firms with more than 500 employees.

Wall Street Shrugs

Even if Obama's proposals succeed in encouraging business investment, they may be borrowing from future quarters, much like tax incentives for home buyers that drove a frenzy of activity followed by the steepest sales decline on record.

"You just change the timing," Bethune said. "That creates distortion and noise in the quarterly pattern of economic activity."

Wall Street seemed unimpressed by the stimulus proposal. Major stock indexes were lower at midday, dragged down by fresh worries about economic growth prospects in Europe.

Andrew Busch, a currency and public policy strategist at BMO Capital Markets in Chicago, said there were big question marks about how Obama intended to pay for them.

"If he chooses to take away a corporate tax break to pay for this proposal, the net gain is zero," he said. "This is likely why U.S. stocks are not seeing much of a bounce on the news."

URL: http://www.cnbc.com/id/39043699/page/2/

Fed Mulls Stimulus if Outlook Worsens 'Appreciably'

2010-08-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

ECONOMY, FEDERAL RESERVE, FED MINUTES, FED MEETING, US FEDERAL RESERVE, BEN BERNANKE, US ECONOMY, BERNANKE, FED NEW, FEDERAL RESERVE STATEMENT, FEDERAL RESERVE MINUTES, FOMC, FOMC MEETING, FOMC MINUTES, FOMC MEETING MINUTES

Reuters

| 31 Aug 2010 | 02:31 PM ET

The outlook for the U.S. economy would have to deteriorate "appreciably" to spur fresh support from the Federal Reserve, minutes of the central bank's last policy meeting released on Tuesday said.

"The committee would need to consider steps it could take to provide additional policy stimulus if the outlook were to weaken appreciably further," the Fed said in minutes of its August 10 policy session.

At that meeting, officials agreed to reinvest maturing mortgage-related securities in longer-term U.S. government debt to hold the Fed's balance steady at about $2 trillion and keep in place supports for the stumbling economic recovery.

While the minutes showed the current preference was to buy Treasury debt, officials left the door open to other options.

"While reinvesting in Treasury securities was seen as preferable given current market conditions, reinvesting in MBS (mortgage-backed securities) might become desirable if conditions were to change," the minutes said.

The Fed stopped buying MBS and mortgage-agency debt at the end of March after it had accumulated about $1.4 trillion worth. It also bought $300 billion in longer-term Treasury securities as part of a program to spur recovery.

The buying spree came after the U.S. central bank had chopped benchmark borrowing costs to near zero in December 2008, leading policy-makers to cast about for additional ways to stimulate the economy.

Financial markets were little changed after the release of the minutes, with the dollar holding earlier declines against the Japanese yen and the euro, and with prices for U.S. Treasury easing slightly.

Oil prices continued to decline sharply; crude futures for October delivery ended Tuesday trade $2.78, or 3.72 percent, lower at $71.92 a barrel.

URL: http://www.cnbc.com/id/38936514/

SPECIAL REPORT - Education Matters Fundraising Thermometer !!

2010-08-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

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Whatever happened to our rights to redress grievances with our elected officials? This is sad!

2010-08-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

Bruce Shore To Plead Guilty To Sending 'Harassing Email' To Jim Bunning's Office

First Posted: 08-24-10 01:13 PM | Updated: 08-24-10 04:25 PM

Bruce Shore, the unemployed Philadelphia man indicted for sending "harassing email" to Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), intends to plead guilty to the felony charge after pleading not guilty in May.

"I wish to plead guilty to the offense charged, to consent to the disposition of the case in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in which I reside," said Shore in an Aug. 12 federal court filing. His case has been transferred from Kentucky to Pennsylvania.

Shore sent Bunning's office several emails in February after the senator blocked a bill to reauthorize extended unemployment benefits. "I was livid. I was just livid," Shore, 51, told HuffPost in May. "I'm on unemployment, so it affects me."

Shore said at that time that he had no idea what, exactly, he'd written that had resulted in the felony charge. The Feb. 26 grand jury indictment merely said he "did utilize a telecommunications device, that is a computer, whether or not communication ensued, without disclosing his identity and with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, and harass any person who received the communication."

The Kentucky public defender representing Shore told HuffPost in May that he had not yet seen the government's evidence. The lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Neither did Shore, who faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 maximum fine.
Shore had shared one email with HuffPost. "If I do NOT get my check next week I WILL HAVE NO FOOD AND WILL BE ON THE STREET," said the letter. "IF THIS POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING DOES NOT END TODAY - WE WILL COME TO YOUR OFFICES AND MAKE OUR POINT. YOU ARE PLAYING A LIFE AND DEATH GAME HERE."

Shore pretended in the letter that his first name was "Brad" and that he lived in Louisville. He told HuffPost he has no record of other emails sent via the contact page on Bunning's site, but that FBI agents had printouts of those messages when they visited him at his mother's house in March.

Bunning's office did not comment on the case but said it forwarded several threats to the U.S. Capitol Police as a matter of course. Bunning's office is not involved in the prosecution.

It's not Shore's first brush with the law: He was released from prison in the 1990s after being convicted for serial burglary as the Clyde part of what the Philadelphia Daily News called a Bonnie & Clyde team. He has since gone to school and even distinguished himself academically. "I'm walking around in my head: jail for email, jail for email," he said. "To think you turn your life around, you don't do anything wrong after you make a mistake when you were younger..."

Link to Article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/24/bruce-shore-to-plead-guil_n_692625.html

Economy Caught in Depression, Not Recession: Rosenberg

2010-08-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

Positive gross domestic product readings and other mildly hopeful signs are masking an ugly truth: The US economy is in a 1930s-style Depression, Gluskin Sheff economist David Rosenberg said Tuesday.

Writing in his daily briefing to investors, Rosenberg said the Great Depression also had its high points, with a series of positive GDP reports and sharp stock market gains.

Bread Lines of the Great Depression!

But then as now, those signs of recovery were unsustainable and only provided a false sense of stability, said Rosenberg.

Rosenberg calls current economic conditions "a depression, and not just some garden-variety recession," and notes that any good news both during the initial 1929-33 recession and the one that began in 2008 triggered "euphoric response."

"Such is human nature and nobody can be blamed for trying to be optimistic; however, in the money management business, we have a fiduciary responsibility to be as realistic as possible about the outlook for the economy and the market at all times," he said.

The 1929-33 recession saw six quarterly bounces in GDP with an average gain of 8 percent, sending the stock market to a 50 percent rally in early 1930 as investors thought the worst had passed.

"False premise," Rosenberg said. "And guess what? We may well be reliving history here. If you're keeping score, we have recorded four quarterly advances in real GDP, and the average is only 3%."

Rosenberg's warning comes as a slew of major analysts—Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan among them—have slashed GDP projections for 2010 to the 1.5 to 2 percent range.

Chicago Federal Reserve President Charles Evans said in a speech Tuesday that the risk of a double-dip recession has escalated. He said government programs to help distressed homeowners have been ineffective and aren't helping the pivotal housing sector recover.

The dour outlooks come on the same day that the National Association of Realtors said home sales reached a 15-year low in June, dousing hopes that the industry had reached a bottoming point.

Rosenberg points out that the "overall economic malaise" has come despite aggressive efforts by the Federal Reserve to stimulate the economy through rate cuts. The central bank itself has scaled back its economic projections, has held steady on its balance sheet, and could be announcing another round of quantitative easing measures at its Jackson Hole summit this week.

"How's that for a reality check," Rosenberg said. "It's not too late, by the way, to shift course if you have stayed long this market."

URL: http://www.cnbc.com/id/38831550/

2010-08-22T01:54:00.000-07:00

Fears May Be Overblown as Iran Reactor Comes Online

By Tony Karon Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010

Iranian technicians walk outside the building that houses the Bushehr nuclear power plant's reactor, in the Iranian port town of Bushehr.

Behrouz Mehri / AFP / Getty Images

Despite the media hysteria over a supposed drumbeat for war with Iran, the White House is not unduly worried by the news that Russia will, on Saturday, begin loading enriched uranium into Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor. While former Bush Ambassador to the UN and Fox News favorite John Bolton breathlessly warned Monday that Israel has just five days within which to bomb the reactor — after which an air strike would risk killing many thousands of civilians from a radiation leak — the Obama Administration has been more sanguine on the Bushehr news.

To Administration critics, the move to bring Iran's atomic energy plant online makes clear that Iran is not nearly as isolated by sanctions as Washington would like. But that misses the point, since Bushehr is actually exempt from those sanctions because it represents no nuclear weapons threat. And the Administration is moving to tamp down the hysteria being fomented by the likes of Bolton, reportedly making clear to the Israelis that the minimum time frame Iran would need to build a nuclear weapon, after declaring their intent by kicking out inspectors, is one year — plenty of time in which to take dramatic action. (See the world's worst nuclear disasters.)

Instead of prompting confrontation, the move to bring Bushehr online will be used by the Administration to argue that it demonstrates Western readiness to accept a Iranian nuclear energy program without uranium enrichment. The uranium that will power the Bushehr reactor is imported from Russia, while the reactor's spent fuel — from which Iran could hypothetically extract plutonium if it had the technology to do so, and if it weren't under the scrutiny of IAEA inspectors — will be removed from Iran by the Russians. And the fact that Bushehr will produce electricity with Russian-supplied uranium, says White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, "underscores that Iran does not need its own enrichment capability if its intentions, as it states, are for a peaceful nuclear program."

In other words, the U.S. believes that Iran's determination to enrich its own uranium calls into question its stated motives; like other Western powers, Washington fears that the enrichment activities, some of them initially conducted in secret, could service a clandestine bomb program. But that's not how the Iranians see it. For them, the fact that Russia says it will finally fuel the reactor after some 14 years of dragging its feet on the project is only proof that, as Mohammad Ahmadian, head of Iran's Nuclear Power Plants Production and Development Company, indelicately put it, "Western countries cannot be trusted." Tehran believes the Russians used Bushehr for political leverage to press Iran to comply with

Western demands, and see the project as an object lesson in why they can't allow their nuclear program to be dependent for reactor fuel on the kindness of strangers. (See pictures of terror in Tehran.)

Iran has always insisted on its right, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to enrich uranium for energy purposes, and maintained that its purposes are peaceful. But enrichment does put bomb-making capability closer within reach for Tehran, and Iran has been ordered by the UN Security Council to suspend its enrichment until all issues of disclosure and transparency raised by the IAEA can be resolved. Iran, however, has made clear it is planning to expand its enrichment capacity (although Western intelligence believes it has encountered technical problems).

Bushehr coming online, then, is unlikely to alter the standoff over Iran's nuclear efforts either way. Sanctions adopted by the Security Council and a raft of new measures imposed by the U.S. and Europe aimed at stopping third countries trading with Iran have certainly had some impact in Iran, but most analysts still believe economic pressure is unlikely to change Iran's calculations. Iranian opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi this week warned that the sanctions are actually strengthening the hand of the hardline Republican Guard Corps because of their central role in sanctions-busting economic networks, and by creating an external excuse for economic hardship.

The improbability of sanctions breaking the stalemate has led to a flurry of media speculation over the possibility of Israel bombing Iran's nuclear facilities as early as next spring if the U.S. — as most expect — is reluctant to do so. Such speculation, however, tends to be based mostly on the apocalyptic rhetoric of Israeli politicians who frequently invoke Holocaust imagery in referring to Iran's enrichment activities, rather than on the more sober assessments of its security establishment. Whereas Netanyahu likes to tell Western audiences that Iran is led by an irrational "messianic cult", that view is not shared by Israeli military and intelligence analysts, according to Yossi Alpher, a Mossad veteran and former adviser to Israel's Defense Minister, Ehud Barak. Alpher argues that in light of the potentially catastrophic consequences, Israel would only take military action if Iran was in a position to launch a nuclear attack on the Jewish State in an "extremely short" time frame — and that a strike could set back the Iranian program for a significant period of time. (See the top 10 Ahmadinejad-isms.)

And the fact is Iran is nowhere close to the ability to attack Israel with nuclear weapons. The U.S. intelligence consensus holds that while Iran is developing the infrastructure necessary to create a bomb and also doing theoretical research on bomb design, it is not currently developing nuclear weapons nor has it made the decision to do so. Its goal is generally viewed as "breakout" capacity, i.e. the ability to build a bomb relatively quickly if it chose to do so — and even that capacity still appears to be some way off.

In explaining the peril they see in the Iranian program, Israeli leaders tend to accept that even an Iran armed with nuclear weapons is unlikely to initiate a nuclear exchange that would be suicidal for Tehran given the size of Israel's own nuclear deterrent. Instead, they warn that an Iranian bomb's primary impact would be to end Israel's strategic dominance in the regional balance of power, which would in turn embolden Israel's insurgent neighbors such as Hamas and Hizballah. Right now, the war talk may be designed primarily to stiffen the spine of Western policy makers on sanctions and diplomacy, by invoking an alternative too ghastly to contemplate.

Both sides know that rather than imminent military action, the next phase of the Iran standoff is likely to be a renewed round of talks with Iran. The U.S. and its allies hope to use the leverage of sanctions to persuade Iran to back down, while Iran will look to make smaller concessions, especially in areas where they have upped the ante, such as enriching uranium to 20%, which takes them a lot closer to the technological capacity to create bomb-grade materiel. For each side, the long game remains shaping the diplomatic compromise to their own liking.

Very Interesting Prophecy from a Religious Standpoint?

2010-08-22T01:25:00.000-07:00

World War 3: Nuclear Attacks on New York City,
and on Rome and Vatican City

Please understand that my writings about the future are speculative eschatology,
based on study and interpretation, not based on knowledge that is absolute or certain.

2011: In the year 2011, as a reaction to the Warning and the Miracle, there will be an upheaval among the Arab/Muslim nations of the Middle East and northern Africa. Extremists will fight against moderates, and the extremists will win. There will be uprisings, coups, and outright war. Arabs will fight against Arabs, Muslims will fight against Muslims. This will begin and end in the year 2011, over the course of only a few weeks or months (beginning after the Warning on Good Friday of 2011). At the end, the extremists will have won in each of the Arab/Muslim nations. If they cannot win through uprisings and coups, then the other extremist nations will attack in open warfare. They will not permit any Arab/Muslim nations in the Middle East and northern Africa to be moderate or democratic or friendly to the West.

2011: These Arab/Muslim extremists will consolidate their power within each of these nations. The leader of Iran and the leader of Iraq, at that time, will have the most power, control, and influence over the other Arab/Muslim nations in the Middle East and northern Africa. They will form one group of nations, led by Iran and Iraq. Then they will begin to threaten the West.

2011: Later that same year, I think that the extremists will strike New York City with a nuclear bomb.

The explosion occurs in mid to late 2011. This bomb will be an actual nuclear bomb, not merely 'dirty bomb.' It will not be sent by a missile. The city will not be totally destroyed, but the effects of the explosion will be devastating. The radioactive fall-out will devastate the surrounding area, particularly New Jersey. The bomb will be sent by the group of Arab/Muslim nations formed earlier that year, led by Iran and Iraq. This nuclear attack marks the start of World War 3. Iran is already close to obtaining enough highly enriched uranium for a bomb (now, in early 2010)

2011/2012: After the upheaval that brings the extremists to power, and after the attack on NYC, the Arab/Muslim nations of the Middle East and northern Africa, led by Iran and Iraq, threaten, attack, and begin to invade Europe.

2012: They capture the Pope (Cardinal Arinze/Pope Pius XIII) in Italy, in 2012, after he had fled the Vatican. They blind his eyes, bind him, and imprison him in Iraq, where he will die. Subsequently, the extremist forces capture Rome and Vatican City. They burn many of the churches of Rome. They burn or otherwise destroy some of the buildings of Vatican City.

2013: The Allies recapture Rome. It will be hailed as a great victory and will be called a turning point in the war. But the victory will soon turn into utter defeat and the turning point is to the favor of the Arab/Muslim extremist forces.

July of 2013: The extremist forces, because they could not hold or recapture Rome, attack the city with a nuclear missile, causing great destruction in Rome and destroying Vatican City. The true Pope and a prominent antipope are both in Rome at the time, and they are both killed.

July of 2013 to 2018/2019: The Arab forces are unstoppable. They have nuclear weapons and the will to use them. The Allies have nuclear weapons, but not the will to use them. Some nations capitulate without a fight. The Arabs conquer all of Europe, parts of other areas (Eastern Europe and Scandinavia), and the northern part of Africa. They can be stopped at or above the Equator in Africa. But they cannot be stopped in Europe or elsewhere. The Arab forces will win World War 3, and they will conquer and occupy a vast territory.

Many Other Predictions

I have many other predictions for the time period of the 2010's and the subsequent decades and centuries. (See my web site CatholicPlanet.com for more information.) Be assured that the world will not end anytime soon. Also, the Antichrist is not in the world today, nor will he arrive any time soon. Do not listen to anyone who claims that the Antichrist is in the world today. The Antichrist's reign will be from 2430 to 2437 A.D. And Jesus Christ will not return until the year 2437 A.D. When Jesus returns, Mary will return with him. Do not believe anyone who claims that Jesus is returning before the year 2437 A.D.

The Media

Do not trust or believe what the news and entertainment media claim about myself and my predictions, nor about the teachings of the Catholic Church in general. At best, they present distorted and inaccurate reports on Catholicism. At worst, they do much harm to the Faith, and they mislead very many persons. The media will surely reject and ridicule all of these predictions of future events. They will also distort and sensationalize. If you are listening to me on the topic of the future and the faith, do not listen to the media on the same topic.

The Tribulation

The sufferings described in the book of Revelation are often called 'the Tribulation.' But what most people do not understand is that the Tribulation is divided into two parts. The first part is from 2011 to 2040 A.D. Then there is a respite from the sufferings and a time of relative holiness and peace. Gradually the world slips back into greater and greater sinfulness. The second part of the tribulation occurs in the early 25th century, during and subsequent to the reign of the Antichrist (2430/2431 to 2437 A.D.). After the reign of the Antichrist ends, Jesus the true Christ returns. And yet even that time is still not the end of the world.

Islam

Let me be clear that the Muslims who participate in the atrocities of World War 3 (and of the small war that precedes it in 2011) are not representative of all Muslims. Their extremist leaders are not devout practicing Muslims, but they only use Islam as an excuse for their crimes and as a way to influence large numbers of people. Christians and Jews should not persecute Muslims for following Islam. (Remember that there have been extremists within the Christian and Jewish faiths as well.) Any human person who devoutly follows Christianity, or Judaism, or Islam, with the true and sincere intention of pleasing God, certainly does please Almighty God. We should allow devout Muslims to practice their faith without interference, even during times when some who claim to be Muslim are persecuting Christians and Jews severely. In this way, we will show the truth and sincerity of our devotion to God.

Sources

I myself have never received any private revelation of any kind. My predictions are based only on my interpretation of the Bible and a few other sources. There are a number of sources that indicate New York City will be struck with a nuclear bomb.

1. Private Revelation

Maria Esperanza of Betania used to plead with people to 'pray for the people of New York and Rome.' I believe that she singled out these two cities to pray for because she knew that each would be struck with a nuclear bomb during World War 3.

Also, at La Salette, the Virgin Mary described three great cities being destroyed by fire falling from the heavens. Her words described an event during the second part of the tribulation (in the 25th century A.D.). But the first part of the tribulation is, to a some extent, a mirror image of the second part, so these words also apply to the destruction of New York (in 2011), and Rome with Vatican City (in 2013).

In this rare instance, I have made limited use of a few of the predictions of Nostradamus. “The sky will burn at five and forty degrees. Fire approaches the New City. Immediately a huge scattered flame leaps up, when they want to have proof of the Normans.” (Century VI, Quatrain XCVII). The State of New York is between 40 and 45 degrees latitude and New York City is its most prominent city. The fire that burns the sky is a nuclear explosion.

“The garden of the World near the New City, in the road of the hollow mountains. It will be seized and plunged in the tank, forced to drink water poisoned with sulphur.” (Century X, Quatrain XLIX). The fall-out from the nuclear explosion will fall on New Jersey, the Garden State. The phrase “poisoned with sulfur” refers to nuclear fallout. The road of the hollow mountains refers to tunnels from New York City to New Jersey. The hollow mountains are the skyscrapers of New York City. [Erika Cheetham, The Final Prophecies of Nostradamus, p. 297, 424.]

2. Scripture

In the book of the prophet Daniel, the ram with two horns, signifying the leaders of Media (Iraq) and Persia (Iran), attacks first to the West (the U.S.), then to the North (Europe), and finally to the South (Africa). It is clear from my understanding of the timeline of these events that this attack on New York City will occur in mid to late 2011.

It is clear from the Book of Revelation that, during the first part of the tribulation (2011 to 2040), nuclear weapons will be used. For example, the Sixth Seal (World War 4) is described in this way: “And the stars from the heavens fell upon the earth, as the fig tree casts its green figs when it is shaken by a great wind.” (Rev. 6:13). This image of something like stars falling to the earth is a fitting description of nuclear weapons being used in an all-out nuclear war (World War 4). But some nuclear weapons are used during World War 3.

The destruction of Vatican City is referred to in Sacred Scripture: “Awake, O spear, against my shepherd and against the man that clings to me, says the Lord of hosts. Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. And I will turn my hand to the little ones.” (Zech 13:7).

In this passage, the spear is a nuclear missile. Unlike the attack on New York City (a nuclear bomb delivered without a missile), by this time, the Arab forces have been able to put a nuclear bomb into a missile. The date of July in 2013 comes partly from the chapter and verse numbers. Zechariah 13:7 indicates the year 2013 and the 7th month, July.

The shepherd refers, in level of meaning, to the place where the Shepherd of the Church resides, Vatican City, which will be struck by the nuclear missile. It also refers, in another level of meaning, to the Papacy. Since Pope Peter the Roman was captured in 2012, blinded, and imprisoned in Iraq (where he will die), this passage does not refer to him. It refers to his successor, who is killed by the nuclear missile sent against Rome and Vatican City. The text refers both to 'my shepherd' and to 'the man that clings to me.' Therefore, another man will be killed in this same nuclear attack, at Vatican City or Rome, who is also a leader within the Catholic Christian faith (perhaps a Patriarch of the East living in exile in Rome or in Vatican City).

3. Common Sense about the Attack on New York City

It is well known that, for some time, Iran has been trying to obtain nuclear weapons. North Korea, Pakistan, and India were able to obtain nuclear weapons, even though these are less developed and less wealthy nations. Therefore, it is not out of reach for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. Iran has long been cited as a major state sponsor of terrorism. Most recently, in early 2010, it has become clear that they are even closer to purifying enough uranium for a bomb.

Eventually, an Arab/Muslim nation, hostile to the U.S. and the West, will obtain a nuclear bomb (by building one or buying one). It is clearly not out of the financial and technological reach of Iran and similar nations to obtain or build a nuclear bomb. Currently, it is generally believed that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, and that, within a short time, they will be able to build a small number of nuclear weapons.

The Arab/Muslim extremists hate the U.S., and they especially hate New York City. They have already attacked New York city twice. If they had a nuclear weapons, do you think that they would use it anywhere else except New York City? For some reason, which I cannot fathom, NYC is their target of choice.

Conclusion

There are many more related events that occur in this same time frame, but I cannot fit them all into one article. Read my books and articles about the future for more information. Be careful who you listen to, for there are many false claimed private revelations in the world today.

by Ronald L. Conte Jr.
November 10, 2005
last updated April 10, 2010