According to a study released by an organization that examines the plight in America of low income families they have determined that it is easier to be poor in some parts of the United States than others.
The Anne E. Casey Foundation studied factors like health and education and has compiled a list of the best states in the union to live in if you are a low income family and the worst. Listed below are the top ten for each:
10 best low income states:
1. Utah
2. North Dakota
3. Idaho
4. Wyoming
5. South Dakota
6. Montana
7. Iowa
8. Vermont
9. Colorado
10. Hawaii
10 worst low income states:
1. Massachusetts
2. Rhode Island
3. New York
4. New Jersey
5. Maryland
6. Delaware
7. Louisiana
8. Kentucky
9. Ohio
10. Mississippi
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Huey Long: "King Fish" of Louisiana
One of the more colorful figures in American political history Huey Long is remembered for his domination of power in Louisiana while Governor of the state and who later became a U.S. Senator.
He was born on August 30 1893 in Winnfield, Louisiana and got his education at the University of Oklahoma and Tulane. He became a lawyer by trade and was practicing in Shreveport when he managed to get himself elected Louisiana railroad Commissioner by 1918 where he served for 8 years. By 1928 he ran for Governor and won. He built roads, bridges and schools but his influence was total and charges of corruption were always in the air. In 1929 there was a move to impeach him on charges of bribery but the case was eventually dropped.
During the Great Depression he put forth a program of wealth redistribution which won him great support among the working class. His program would give every family a minimum income of $5000 a year by limiting the maximum incomes of the wealthy to 1 million dollars a year and redistributing those funds.
By 1930, he had an iron grip on politics in his home state and he began to look to Washington for even more power. He became elected to the U.S. Senate and went to Washington to take his seat only after leaving behind a hand picked successor for Governor that he controlled.
In 1932 Long supported President Franklin Roosevelt for re-election as President. Once F.D.R. won his second term Long felt slighted by him and his lack of patronage towards him and so he began to battle openly in the Senate against Roosevelt's new deal policies.
By 1935 there was talk about a possible presidential run by him and others who supported him and he was gearing up to do that when he was suddenly shot to death by the relative of a political rival on September 10th of that year. He had just turned 42.
He was born on August 30 1893 in Winnfield, Louisiana and got his education at the University of Oklahoma and Tulane. He became a lawyer by trade and was practicing in Shreveport when he managed to get himself elected Louisiana railroad Commissioner by 1918 where he served for 8 years. By 1928 he ran for Governor and won. He built roads, bridges and schools but his influence was total and charges of corruption were always in the air. In 1929 there was a move to impeach him on charges of bribery but the case was eventually dropped.
During the Great Depression he put forth a program of wealth redistribution which won him great support among the working class. His program would give every family a minimum income of $5000 a year by limiting the maximum incomes of the wealthy to 1 million dollars a year and redistributing those funds.
By 1930, he had an iron grip on politics in his home state and he began to look to Washington for even more power. He became elected to the U.S. Senate and went to Washington to take his seat only after leaving behind a hand picked successor for Governor that he controlled.
In 1932 Long supported President Franklin Roosevelt for re-election as President. Once F.D.R. won his second term Long felt slighted by him and his lack of patronage towards him and so he began to battle openly in the Senate against Roosevelt's new deal policies.
By 1935 there was talk about a possible presidential run by him and others who supported him and he was gearing up to do that when he was suddenly shot to death by the relative of a political rival on September 10th of that year. He had just turned 42.
Mosaic Stock up 300% in a Year
Agricultural Chemicals had a good year last year and Mosaic Inc. (MOS) was part of that. The company came together as a result of a merger between IMC Global and a unit of Cargill in 2004. The result was one of the worlds largest makers of crop nutrients. The union with cargill turned the company business global. Mosaic does almost 70% of its sales outside of the United States.
In September of 2006 the stock was sitting at around $15 a share. By January of 07 it was at $20. By May of 07 it was at about $30. By September $40. In October $70 a share. On January 2 2008 it closed at $94.74. Thats over a 300% rise since the beginning of 07 and it played around with possibly going to 400%. Not a bad year for the stock or the company. Companies that were involved in fertilizer and feed grew a lot last year.
In September of 2006 the stock was sitting at around $15 a share. By January of 07 it was at $20. By May of 07 it was at about $30. By September $40. In October $70 a share. On January 2 2008 it closed at $94.74. Thats over a 300% rise since the beginning of 07 and it played around with possibly going to 400%. Not a bad year for the stock or the company. Companies that were involved in fertilizer and feed grew a lot last year.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Hannibal: He was Determined to Conquer Rome
He was the Carthaginian General whose famous march over the Alps from Spain to invade Rome is considered one of the greatest military achievements in all of history.
His hatred for Rome was instilled in him early by his father Hamilcar Barca who was a successful General who fought hard for Carthage in the bitter rivalry with Rome. As a young man Hannibal had been working under his brother in law who led the Army. When he was killed in 221 B.C. Hannibal rises to become Commander in chief.
Within two years he had conquered most of Spain including a portion that was under Roman control called Sagunto. The Roman Empire claimed this move to be a violation of an existing treaty and demanded from Carthage that Hannibal be handed over to them. When Carthage refused Rome declared war and so in 218 B.C. the second Punic Wars began.
Hannibal's march began that year from New Carthage (now Cartagena in Spain) with about 40,000 men and material including a large number of elephants which he later used in battle. Despite snow storms, landslides, and attacks from mountain tribes he crossed the Alps in only 15 days. During this time he lost about 15,000 men whom he replaced by recruiting men from tribes in northern Italy who shared his hatred for Rome and others he subjugated. A series of victories in battle followed. The battles of Ticina and Trebia in 217 B.C. After the Battle of Lake Trasimene he crossed deep into Rome and began to ravage her provinces.
The Romans sent a force of 50,000 men North to oppose him. This force was crushed by Hannibal and one of its two Roman Generals was killed with only a loss to his own army of less than 7000 men.
Had Carthage provided him with the reinforcements he needed Hannibal may very well have conquered Rome but they failed to and the tide began to turn. In the Battle of Cannae Hannibal fails because he lacked siege weapons. He marched on Naples and fails to take that city as well. By 211 B.C. he tries to take Rome itself but fails again. He fought for the next ten years to stalemates with Roman forces inside Rome itself with depleated men and materials.
In 202 B.C. he is called back to Africa to defend Carthage against a counter attack there from Roman forces under the command of Scipio Africannus the Elder. Hannibal's forces here were routed when many of his men deserted and his most experienced warriors were killed. Carthage then surrendered to Rome and the Punic Wars were over in 201 B.C.
After the Punic Wars Hannibal turned his attentions to rebuilding Carthage but never gave up his desire to conquer Rome. Years later a dispute between Rome and Carthage erupts and the Romans accuse Hannibal again of violating the uneasy peace between them and they again demand Hannibal be handed over to them. He flees Carthage and spends the rest of his life on the run from the Romans who do not let up in their pursuit of him. In 183 B.C. Hannibal now aging and in poor health and weary of being chased committed suicide by taking poison while hiding in Asia Minor. He was 64 years old.
His hatred for Rome was instilled in him early by his father Hamilcar Barca who was a successful General who fought hard for Carthage in the bitter rivalry with Rome. As a young man Hannibal had been working under his brother in law who led the Army. When he was killed in 221 B.C. Hannibal rises to become Commander in chief.
Within two years he had conquered most of Spain including a portion that was under Roman control called Sagunto. The Roman Empire claimed this move to be a violation of an existing treaty and demanded from Carthage that Hannibal be handed over to them. When Carthage refused Rome declared war and so in 218 B.C. the second Punic Wars began.
Hannibal's march began that year from New Carthage (now Cartagena in Spain) with about 40,000 men and material including a large number of elephants which he later used in battle. Despite snow storms, landslides, and attacks from mountain tribes he crossed the Alps in only 15 days. During this time he lost about 15,000 men whom he replaced by recruiting men from tribes in northern Italy who shared his hatred for Rome and others he subjugated. A series of victories in battle followed. The battles of Ticina and Trebia in 217 B.C. After the Battle of Lake Trasimene he crossed deep into Rome and began to ravage her provinces.
The Romans sent a force of 50,000 men North to oppose him. This force was crushed by Hannibal and one of its two Roman Generals was killed with only a loss to his own army of less than 7000 men.
Had Carthage provided him with the reinforcements he needed Hannibal may very well have conquered Rome but they failed to and the tide began to turn. In the Battle of Cannae Hannibal fails because he lacked siege weapons. He marched on Naples and fails to take that city as well. By 211 B.C. he tries to take Rome itself but fails again. He fought for the next ten years to stalemates with Roman forces inside Rome itself with depleated men and materials.
In 202 B.C. he is called back to Africa to defend Carthage against a counter attack there from Roman forces under the command of Scipio Africannus the Elder. Hannibal's forces here were routed when many of his men deserted and his most experienced warriors were killed. Carthage then surrendered to Rome and the Punic Wars were over in 201 B.C.
After the Punic Wars Hannibal turned his attentions to rebuilding Carthage but never gave up his desire to conquer Rome. Years later a dispute between Rome and Carthage erupts and the Romans accuse Hannibal again of violating the uneasy peace between them and they again demand Hannibal be handed over to them. He flees Carthage and spends the rest of his life on the run from the Romans who do not let up in their pursuit of him. In 183 B.C. Hannibal now aging and in poor health and weary of being chased committed suicide by taking poison while hiding in Asia Minor. He was 64 years old.
Gender Gaps all Around The World
The World Economic Forum, which is a group based in Switzerland, has put out a list ranking the nations of the world based on how well they are doing with the issue of gender equality. The list ranks countries based on 4 categories: 1) education, 2) economic opportunity, 3) political power, 4) health. Listed below from best to worst are the top 20. Listed after these are some countries of note and where they rank on the list:
1. Sweden
2. Norway
3. Finland
4. Iceland
5. New Zealand
6. Philippines
7. Germany
8. Denmark
9. Ireland
10. Spain
11. U.K.
12. Netherlands
13. Latvia
14. Lithuania
15. Sri Lanka
16. Croatia
17. Australia
18. Canada
19. Belgium
20. South Africa
Other countries of note:
31. U.S. - 22nd place in 2006
36. Israel
45. Russia
51. France
73. China
84. Italy
91. Japan
93. Mexico
1. Sweden
2. Norway
3. Finland
4. Iceland
5. New Zealand
6. Philippines
7. Germany
8. Denmark
9. Ireland
10. Spain
11. U.K.
12. Netherlands
13. Latvia
14. Lithuania
15. Sri Lanka
16. Croatia
17. Australia
18. Canada
19. Belgium
20. South Africa
Other countries of note:
31. U.S. - 22nd place in 2006
36. Israel
45. Russia
51. France
73. China
84. Italy
91. Japan
93. Mexico
Walter Reed: His contributions to Medicine saved countless lives
He was an American Army surgeon and scientist who studied bacteria and discovered through his research what causes yellow fever and thereby how to fight it and in the process saved the lives of countless people.
Born in Virginia on september 13 1851 he was educated at the university there and later went on to Bellevue Hospital Medical college. From there he joined the U.S. Army and entered the Medical Corps as a surgeon. By 1893 he was teaching bateriology and microscopy at the Army Medical Museum in Washington. It was here that he began his research into transmitted diseases such as yellow fever and typhoid Fever. His work in the field led to an understanding of how these diseases worked and how they could be prevented both among soldiers in the military and civilians.
His biggest contribution came in 1900. He was appointed director of a commission to look into what was causing an outbreak of yellow fever in the nation of Cuba. Through his investigations he determined that the yellow fever germ was being transmitted by the bite of a specific type of mosquito that was found there. As a result of his work a project to exterminate the mosquitos was undertaken. The result was that the disease was all but eliminated within 3 months. The incidents of yellow fever have been reduced drastically worldwide since 1901 as a result of this effort to stop it.
Shortly after his return from Cuba however he suddenly fell ill from an recurring intestinal condition from which he had long suffered which caused his appendix to rupture. Surgery came too late to save him. He died on November 23 1902 at the age of only 51. The Walter Reed Army Medical center in Washington D.C. is named in his honor.
Born in Virginia on september 13 1851 he was educated at the university there and later went on to Bellevue Hospital Medical college. From there he joined the U.S. Army and entered the Medical Corps as a surgeon. By 1893 he was teaching bateriology and microscopy at the Army Medical Museum in Washington. It was here that he began his research into transmitted diseases such as yellow fever and typhoid Fever. His work in the field led to an understanding of how these diseases worked and how they could be prevented both among soldiers in the military and civilians.
His biggest contribution came in 1900. He was appointed director of a commission to look into what was causing an outbreak of yellow fever in the nation of Cuba. Through his investigations he determined that the yellow fever germ was being transmitted by the bite of a specific type of mosquito that was found there. As a result of his work a project to exterminate the mosquitos was undertaken. The result was that the disease was all but eliminated within 3 months. The incidents of yellow fever have been reduced drastically worldwide since 1901 as a result of this effort to stop it.
Shortly after his return from Cuba however he suddenly fell ill from an recurring intestinal condition from which he had long suffered which caused his appendix to rupture. Surgery came too late to save him. He died on November 23 1902 at the age of only 51. The Walter Reed Army Medical center in Washington D.C. is named in his honor.
Mechel Profits were Solid as Steel in 07
In the industry of steel production Mechel (MTL) had a year in 2007 that was as solid as steel. The company is one of Russias leading manufacturers of specialty steels and steel alloy products. Their operations mainly consist of the production of stainless steel which is used in the production of cars in the automotive industry but it is also used in the construction industry for buildings and in the rail industry for the construction of tracks among other things. They are also involved in semi finished steel and carbon. The company also has a mining operation where it produces coal, iron ore and nickel which it sells to other customers. The CEO is Igor Zyuzin who owns a majority share of the company.
For most of the last couple of years the stock had not done much. In September of 2006 it began to move. In that month it was at around $20 a share. By January of 07 it was at $25. By May it hit $30. By September it was around $45. In the last quarter of 07 it kept rising more and more and so on December 31 2007 it closed at $97.14 after taking a hit of $1.20 for the day. It went up almost 300% this year.
For most of the last couple of years the stock had not done much. In September of 2006 it began to move. In that month it was at around $20 a share. By January of 07 it was at $25. By May it hit $30. By September it was around $45. In the last quarter of 07 it kept rising more and more and so on December 31 2007 it closed at $97.14 after taking a hit of $1.20 for the day. It went up almost 300% this year.
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