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August 2007 Archives

Congressional Deskbook: "Postpone"

Postpone: There are two types of motions to postpone: to postpone (indefinitely) kills a proposal, but to postpone to a day certain merely changes the day or time of consideration.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This definition is from our Congressional Deskbook.

Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms.
Learn how to translate words that are used every day on Capitol Hill.
4 x 9 inches, 16 pages

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider.

TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM


August 31, 2007 10:37 AM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

San Andreas Fault

The topographic texture of western California is controlled by the San Andreas fault system, the tectonic expression of the Pacific plate sliding northwestward along the western margin of the North American plate. Hundreds of miles long and up to a mile wide, the San Andreas Fault Zone has been active since its original development in the Tertiary.

About 10 percent of the present plate motion is compressional, which means horizontal forces are shortening and wrinkling the crust along the fault zone. This movement has created the parallel coastal northwest-southeast mountain ranges such as the Coastal Ranges along California's central coast. Comparatively quiet during the period between the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta event, the fault is again showing activity.

"San Andreas Fault," NationalAtlas.gov

More



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August 29, 2007 10:47 PM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)

Media Tip 64

Media Tip 64: Use email to provide valuable data or services to a receiver. Email can use viral marketing to spread a message if it includes one of the following elements: humor, topical issues, or a connection to a recipient’s values.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations.

Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media.  An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media.
4 x 9 inches, 15 pages

Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch.

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.


August 28, 2007 07:37 AM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Robert Gee

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Robert Gee (bio), Chief of Public Services for the Law Library of Congress, shares his favorites.

Most interesting places

Favorite Restaurants

For more, see our Visiting Washington DC pages and other Faculty Favorites.


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August 26, 2007 03:27 PM   Link    Dining ~   Dining and Things to Do & See ~   Faculty Favorites ~   Fun ~   Visiting Washington, DC    Comments (0)

Congressional Deskbook: "Quorum Call"

Quorum Call: A procedure for determining whether a quorum is present—218 in the House and 100 in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union; a quorum in the Senate is 51.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This definition is from our Congressional Deskbook.

Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms.
Learn how to translate words that are used every day on Capitol Hill.
4 x 9 inches, 16 pages

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider.

TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM


August 24, 2007 08:27 AM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Queuing

It is said of the British that they queue for the sake of the queue, unlike the Arabs who crowd in for services, each wanting to be the first. It is reported that the late Moshe Dayan, the former Israeli defense minister, said when he was told that the Arabs might have acquired the atomic bomb: "This does not worry me; I will be more worried when they learn to queue."

"Living in Great Britain," in "An Invitation to Laughter: A Lebanese Anthropologist in the Arab World," by Fuad Khuri, 2007



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August 23, 2007 08:17 AM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)

Hot Doug's - Chicago

"There are no two finer words in the English language than 'encased meats,' my friend."

If you like brats, sausages, or hot dogs, when you are in Chicago you owe yourself a visit to Hot Doug's, my friend.

The various combinations of encased meats and toppings are many, and the 5 different types we had were all good. The fries are also good - on the weekends Doug's offers duck fat fries.




Hot Doug's - there is usually a line




Doug Sohn and a fan














Duck Fat Fries - yummmmmm



Hot Doug's, web site, 3324 North California, Chicago, IL, 773-279-9550 [Citysearch | Yelp | Augieland | NYT | Metromix | WaPo]

August 22, 2007 04:37 PM   Link    Dining    Comments (0)

Media Tip 66

Media Tip 66: Target your web content for the particular needs of journalists. They are one of the most important audiences to any public affairs web site.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations.

Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media.  An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media.
4 x 9 inches, 15 pages

Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch.

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.


August 21, 2007 08:47 PM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

La Carreta - Colorado Springs

Recently had an outstanding dinner at La Carreta in Colorado Springs. A friend who eats there regularly recommended it, and we were not disappointed. Highly recommended.




La Carreta in Colorado Springs




The salsa was freshly made and excellent




Mole Verde Pork - excellent




Chilles Rellenos, stuffed with cheese - the best we have had in years.




Chicken tamal and 2 enchiladas - very, very good.




Sopapillas with honey, powdered sugar and cinnamon - we don't normally order dessert in Mexican restaurants, but this dish is not to be missed.



La Carreta, 35 Iowa Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, 719-477-1157 [Yelp]

August 21, 2007 07:27 AM   Link    Dining    Comments (0)

How to really secure your data....

From SSI, many more cool videos of various things being shredded are available, including tires, cars, photocopiers....

August 20, 2007 08:37 AM   Link    Tools    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Peter Loge

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Peter Loge (bio), a Principal with Milo Public Affairs, shares his favorites.

Favorite place

Favorite restaurants

Favorite thing to do

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages


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August 19, 2007 11:17 AM   Link    Dining ~   Dining and Things to Do & See ~   Faculty Favorites ~   Faculty and Authors ~   Fun ~   Visiting Washington, DC    Comments (0)

I'm counting on you!

This is a WWII poster from the Northwestern University archives.

I'm counting on you!
I'm counting on you!

August 18, 2007 08:37 PM   Link    Art    Comments (0)

Margin and leverage

Love this line by Steve Yuen commenting on margin and leverage, the securitization of debt, and sub-prime delinquencies:

[T]he lever on the way up is the screw on the way down.

"Bernard Guerrero, from the comments," by Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution, August 17, 2007

Another good one from Steve Yuen:

Q. How do you borrow 100% of the value of your house?
A. Buy it with 20% down...

"This Party's Over," Views by the Bay, August 7, 2007

And don't miss the link to the YouTube video of a VW Beetle being shredded....

August 17, 2007 09:07 PM   Link    Economics    Comments (0)

Congressional Deskbook: "Byrd Rule"

Byrd Rule: Bars the inclusion of extraneous matter in a reconciliation measure considered in the Senate.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This definition is from our Congressional Deskbook.

Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms.
Learn how to translate words that are used every day on Capitol Hill.
4 x 9 inches, 16 pages

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider.

TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM


August 17, 2007 04:37 PM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Media Tip 4

Media Tip 4. Don’t say anything you don’t want to see in print. Never talk to a reporter unless you’ve carefully thought out your comments or said them previously. Anything you say to a reporter can and will be used against you in the court of public opinion.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations.

Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media.  An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media.
4 x 9 inches, 15 pages

Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch.

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.


August 14, 2007 04:57 PM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

"Globalisation really began about 60,000 years ago"

[Nayan Chanda] points out that globalisation is a new word to describe an old process. The word was introduced in the late 1970s and had gained widespread currency by 1999, the time of Mr Bové's visit to McDonald's. Many thought it described a wholly novel phenomenon. But globalisation really began about 60,000 years ago, when the first migrants walked out of Africa. Human history ever since has been a process of growing interconnectedness.

"The early pioneers," The Economist, July 26, 2007



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August 13, 2007 09:17 AM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)

Congressional Deskbook: "Appeal"

Appeal: Member's challenge to a ruling made by the presiding officer or a committee chair.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This definition is from our Congressional Deskbook.

Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms.
Learn how to translate words that are used every day on Capitol Hill.
4 x 9 inches, 16 pages

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider.

TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM


August 10, 2007 07:43 PM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Common sense advice from an economist

MacLeans: "Do you think that economists use their learning on a day-to-day basis in mundane decisions?"

Tyler Cowen: "I don't think they do. If one really understands economics, the real lessons are pretty palatable. 'Be nice, be a little more self-critical, don't try to control other people so much, realize that not everything's money.' It's common sense advice."

"Interview with Tyler Cowan: The economist talks about what good bosses know, and why you shouldn't pay your kids to wash the dishes," by Kenneth Whyte, MacLeans Magazine, August 13, 2007



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August 8, 2007 02:47 PM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)

Media Tip 28

Media Tip 28: Press Conferences/Events-Create engaging events based on visuals available, and script the participants as much as possible. Press conferences or events are like staging a play, with the public relations professional as the director.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations.

Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media.  An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media.
4 x 9 inches, 15 pages

Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch.

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.


August 7, 2007 09:50 AM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

"Aristotle’s Email – Or, Friendship In The Cyber Age"

In Book VIII of his Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle categorizes three different types of friendship: friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure, and friendships of the good. Friendships of utility are those where people are on cordial terms primarily because each person benefits from the other in some way. Business partnerships, relationships among co-workers, and classmate connections are examples. Friendships of pleasure are those where individuals seek out each other’s company because of the joy it brings. Passionate love affairs, people associating with each other due to belonging to the same hobby organization, and fishing buddies fall into this category. Most important of all are friendships of the good. These are friendships based upon mutual respect, admiration for each other’s virtues, and a strong desire to aid and assist the other person because one recognizes their essential goodness.
. . .
Email has added a new wrinkle to Aristotle’s threefold schemata. Thanks to it, and the wonders of the internet in general, it is now easier than ever to stay in touch with people from throughout one’s life.

"Aristotle’s Email -- Or, Friendship In The Cyber Age," by Tim Madigan, Philosophy Now, May/June 2007

August 6, 2007 09:17 AM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)

"This is your brain on love"

Other studies also suggest that the brain in the first throes of love is much like a brain on drugs.

"This is your brain on love: When you're attracted to someone, is your gray matter talking sense -- or just hooked? Scientists take a rational look." by Susan Brink, Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2007

Hat tip ALD



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August 5, 2007 09:47 AM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)

"Boyz in the Hillz"

Love these lines:

"Stand back, cause I'm about to wreck this, you don't wanna make me take off my puka shell necklace..."

"Now I'm looking in the mirror for my daily affirmation, skins still glowing from my microdermabrasion...."

"My mom looks 24 but she's really 62."

"Life behind bars aint nothin new to me, I was born and raised in a gated community."

August 4, 2007 10:47 AM   Link    Humor    Comments (0)

Congressional Deskbook: "Appropriated Entitlement"

Appropriated Entitlement: An entitlement for which budget authority is provided in annual appropriations acts.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This definition is from our Congressional Deskbook.

Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms.
Learn how to translate words that are used every day on Capitol Hill.
4 x 9 inches, 16 pages

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider.

TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM


August 3, 2007 03:07 PM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

"Five monarchs will survive the onslaught of political modernization"

Perhaps it is [the] overwhelming attachment to tradition that gave rise to the old Lebanese saying: "Five monarchs will survive the onslaught of political modernization in the world: the king of hearts, the king of spades, the king of diamonds, the king of clubs, and the king of England."

"Living in Great Britain," in "An Invitation to Laughter: A Lebanese Anthropologist in the Arab World," by Fuad Khuri, 2007



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August 1, 2007 09:27 AM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)