I will get to the thumb twiddles in a bit.
Krugman is teasing the GOP.
I thought poking the imprisoned mad with a stick was out of fashion.
There are better fakes recently. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhine_stones
A rhinestone, paste or diamante is a diamond simulant made from rock crystal, glass or acrylic.
Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river Rhine. The availability was greatly increased around 1775 when the Alsatian jeweller Georg Friedrich Strass had the idea to imitate diamonds by coating the lower side of glass with metal powder. Hence, rhinestones are called Strass in many European languages.
Rhinestones can be used as imitations of diamonds, and some manufacturers even manage to reproduce the glistening effect real diamonds have in the sun.
In 1955, the Aurora Borealis, a thin, vacuum-sputtered metallic coating applied to crystal stones to produce an iridescent effect, was introduced by Swarovski. Aurora Borealis tends to reflect whatever color is worn near it, and it is named after the Aurora Borealis atmospheric phenomenon, also known as the "Northern Lights". Similar treatments are Aqua aura and "Flame aura".
Typically, crystal rhinestones have been used on costumes, apparel and jewelry. Crystal rhinestones are produced mainly in Austria by Swarovski and in the Czech Republic by Preciosa and a few other glassworks in northern Bohemia. In the US, these are sometimes called Austrian Crystal. In the Spanish-speaking world they are called Cristal de Bohemia (Bohemian Crystal).
The rhinestone-studded Nudie suit was invented by Nudie Cohn in the 1940s, an Americanization of the matador's suit of lights. Rhinestone material is often used as an alternative to sequin.
Liberal use of rhinestones was associated with country music singers, as well as with singer Elvis Presley and pianist Liberace. In 1974 David Allan Coe released the album "The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy" and referred to himself as The Rhinestone Cowboy again in the 1977 song "Longhaired Redneck". In 1975 Glen Campbell had a top hit with the song Rhinestone Cowboy, and became known as the "Rhinestone Cowboy". That song served as the basis for the 1984 movie Rhinestone, starring Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton.
Sizing
Rhinestones are sized by using the term 'ss,' or stone size, followed by a number to indicate size (ex. SS8 is equivalent to 2.3 mm, SS10 is 2.8mm.[1] SS is more commonly used for apparel means, while PP (or pearl plate) is used for jewelry.[2]Hot Fix Rhinestones
Hot fix rhinestones, also called heat transfer rhinestones, are mainly used for apparel. The flat bottom of the stone has a glue backing and when heated melts onto the surface of the clothing.[3] These can be adhered using a regular iron, however, it is recommended to use a heat press, as they are able to reach higher temperatures (standard transfers require temperatures of up 350-400 degrees F which regular irons are not capable of) while applying heavy pressures resulting in a more professional standard quality.[4]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yag#Gemstone_YAG
Gemstone YAG
YAG for a period was used in jewelry as a diamond and other gemstone simulant. Colored variants and their doping elements include:[1] green (chromium), blue (cobalt), red (manganese), yellow (titanium), purple (neodymium), pink, and orange. As faceted gems they are valued (as synthetics) for their clarity, durability, high refractive index and dispersion. The critical angle of YAG is 33 degrees. YAG cuts similar to natural garnet, with polishing being performed with alumina or diamond (50,000 or 100,000) on common polishing laps. YAG has low heat sensitivity.As a synthetic gemstone YAG has numerous varietal and trade names, as well as a number of misnomers. Synonymous names include: alexite, amamite, circolite, dia-bud, diamite, diamogem, diamonair, diamone, diamonique, diamonite, diamonte, di'yag, geminair, gemonair, kimberly, Linde simulated diamond, nier-gem, regalair, replique, somerset, triamond, YAIG, and yttrium garnet. Production for the gem trade decreased after the introduction of synthetic cubic zirconia; as of 1995 there was little production.[1] Some demand exists as synthetic garnet, and for designs where the very high refractive index of cubic zirconia is not desirable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_zirconia
Cubic zirconia (CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). The synthesized material is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety of different colors. It should not be confused with zircon, which is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4). It is sometimes erroneously called "cubic zirconium".
Because of its low cost, durability, and close visual likeness to diamond, synthetic cubic zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important competitor for diamonds since commercial production began in 1976. Its main competitor as a synthetic gemstone is the more recently cultivated material, synthetic moissanite.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moissanite
Silicon carbide.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saphire
Sapphire (Greek: σάπφειρος; sappheiros, "blue stone"[1]) is a gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide (α-Al2O3). Trace amounts of other elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper or magnesium can give corundum blue, yellow, pink, purple, orange or greenish color. Chromium impurities in corundum yield a red tint, and the resultant gemstone is called a ruby.
Sapphires are commonly worn in jewelry. Sapphires can be found naturally, by searching through certain sediments (due to their resistance to being eroded compared to softer stones), or rock formations, or they can be manufactured for industrial or decorative purposes in large crystal boules. Because of the remarkable hardness of sapphires, 9 in Mohs Scale, (and of aluminium oxide in general), sapphires are used in some non-ornamental applications, including infrared optical components, such as in scientific instruments; high-durability windows; wristwatch crystals and movement bearings; and very thin electronic wafers, which are used as the insulating substrates of very special-purpose solid-state electronics (most of which are integrated circuits).
I would prefer to do bidirectional cable.
Satellite television is one direction only. I have no objection to it as a service but would rather pay just once. I will happily use it if it is there.
I have no criminal record and only the mildest interest in yours.
To preserve social security and Medicare vote Democratic.
The GOP wants the money.
There is no good way to escape taxation. Just pay the least you can.
If you don't fight the instructions they are simple. There are lots of confusers and social engineering features in the book that are best ignored.
The free services do very well or hire an accountant.
Tax planning is best done a year ahead. There is no tax owed until you take the income.
I have not declared retirement. My insurable risk is not. My auto insurance is the legal minimum. The rate is set by law.
I read that Greece is not passing inspection.
This will be a fascinating several days.
The betting has been the other way.
BBC:
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I am amazed.
The Athens News:
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 The Athens press was again abuzz with the outlandish demands of the dread troika, which thirsts for the blood of civil servants. Greece’s lenders want direct sackings, and they want them now, the press reported. To make matters worse, the word is that a move to raise the retirement age by two years (from the current 65 to 67) is also on the cards. Though the three coalition parties reportedly attempted to avoid the measure, it was always an aim of the troika, and now it is supposedly needed to complete the monstrous spending cuts package. Of the 11.5 billion in budget cuts that the government came up with, the troika is satisfied only by half of them! So the government will bring out the hatchet and make minced meat out of the income of pensioners and salaried employees. Premier Antonis Samaras, Pasok leader Evangelos Venizelos, and Democratic Left chief Fotis Kouvelis claim they are distressed over having to put their thinking caps back on and take out the scissors. Kouvelis is not happy with the demand for sackings, as he and Adminstrative Reform Minister Manitakis (who is one of Kouvelis’ nominees for the cabinet) had it all figured out. They would give those near retirement a few extra years of insurance and put them out to pasture, while others would be sacked after they got bad performance evaluations. Some say Manitakis may even resign over the matter. Public Order Minister Nikos Dendias’ decision to withdraw police protection from Golden Dawn MPs also garnered broad attention. The party’s MP’s have participated in recent assaults against migrant vendors at street markets, and they vowed to continue that in the future. Dendias obviously thought the cops couldn’t be allowed to stand around and look at that without reacting. But does it make sense to remove a police escort from people who are considered at high risk of committing a crime? It seems as if the escorts are leaving so as to see no evil and hear no evil. “Pension at age 67, in order to save 1 billion euros” declared Eleftheros Typos’ headline. It also reported that the troika wants to sack (rather than transfer) employees whose agencies are abolished or merged with other bureaus. “Declare [your income], pay [your taxes] and save!” proclaimed Ethnos’ headline. Those who hid assets on their tax returns can keep them if they come clean and pay a tax of between 5-10 percent, the report said. “The golden scam! - how singing stars dodge taxes” read Ta Nea’s headline. It seems they create limited liability companies and pay much lower taxes. “All the measures on the table” read Kathimerini’s headline, which sounded like a thinly veiled threat of war (against the middle class). That is exactly what it was, as the story announced even bigger pension cuts, hikes in the retirement age, and layoffs in the state and local government." | |||||||
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