May 17, 2006, 10:36 PM CT

Wal-Mart Equals Higher Poverty Rates

A study reported in the latest issue of Social Science Quarterly is the first to examine the effect of Wal-Mart stores on poverty rates. The study found that nationwide an estimated 20,000 families have fallen below the official poverty line as a result of the chain's expansion. During the last decade, dependence on the food stamp program nationwide increased by 8 percent while in counties with Wal-Mart stores, the increase was almost twice as large at15.3 percent. "After controlling for other factors determining changes in the poverty rate over time, we find that both counties with more initial Wal-Mart stores and with more additions of stores between 1987 and 1998 experienced greater increases (or smaller decreases) in family poverty rates during the 1990's economic boom period," Stephan Goetz a Professor of Agricultural and Regional Economics at The Pennsylvania State University states. Eventhough Wal-Mart employs a number of people living in its communities, for most, the hours worked and the wages paid do not help these families transition out of poverty.

Another effect is that the closing of "mom and pop" stores following the appearance of a store leads to the closing of local businesses that previously supplied those stores including: wholesalers, transporters, logistics providers, accountants, lawyers and others. The authors state that "by displacing the local class of entrepreneurs, the Wal-Mart chain also destroys local leadership capacity." They encourage community leaders to think about programs and policies in anticipation of helping those displaced by the arrival of the chain.........

Posted by: Tom      Permalink         Source

May 16, 2006, 10:55 PM CT

What Makes "The Davinci Code" So Fascinating

What makes "The DaVinci Code" so fascinating, is that people are drawn to the notion of a "counter-history," says Andrew S. Jacobs, associate professor of religious studies at UC Riverside. A counter-history, such as that provided by "The DaVinci Code," challenges everything we think we know about Jesus, the Bible, Mary Magdalene and Christianity itself, he says.

Dan Brown's tale is now a major motion picture. It's spawned countless theological debates, television documentaries, news stories, book club discussions, and even lawsuits.

The questions raised may be news to readers, but it's old hat to scholars studying the New Testament and early Christianity. "In fact, much of the scholarly work on the historical Jesus, the history of the Biblical canon, and the roles of the women of the Jesus movement, may prove more subversive and challenging than anything dreamed up by Brown in his best-selling novel," says Jacobs.

Recognition: His areas of expertise include early Christian history; Biblical interpretation; Jewish-Christian "relations" in antiquity; gender and cultural studies. He has also commented on the recently discovered "Judas Gospel".

"The Gospel of Judas, published by a National Geographic team in April 2006, adds new layers to our understanding of 'gnosticism'--a shadowy, yet pervasive, branch of earliest Christianity that viewed Jesus, his mission, and even his prime disciples in a far different light from the Christianity that eventually won the day," says Jacobs.........

Posted by: Tom      Permalink         Source

May 14, 2006, 11:13 AM CT

The Pontiac Solstice GXP

Drifting -- the art of defying a car's traction into a controlled slide sideways around corners at breakneck speeds -- is still below the radar for a lot of Americans, but the sport continues to grow nonetheless. Sound confusing? Take a look at this.

Tracing its origins back to underground races on Japan's winding mountain roads in the 1960s, drifting was a full-fledged and heavily funded motorsport in Japan by the 1980s. It arrived in the United States in the late 1990s, and has been gaining in popularity ever since, boosted by the cult following of the Japanese Manga/Anime series Initial D. This summer, American movie-going audiences will get hit with a full dose of the drifting phenomenon with the third installment of The Fast and The Furious trilogy, subtitled Tokyo Drift.

But to Rhys Millen, a New Zealand-born American, it's more than just a pop-culture fascination. Millen shifted from the top of the rally car racing circuit to drifting and now has two wins in the United States drifting series, known as Formula D. In last year's Formula Drift Championship, Millen muscled his way to first place in his drift car, a modified 2004 Pontiac GTO. When it was time for a new ride to slam through the corners, Pontiac had just the answer:.

The Red Bull Turbocharged 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Drift.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

May 14, 2006, 11:11 AM CT

Christening a New Design Center

Today I'd like to share a few thoughts about what I did yesterday, which was attend the dedication of the new General Motors Europe Design Center in Rüsselsheim, Gera number of.

I'm proud of the evolution of our design staff, and indeed our entire global product development organization. And now, as we run the business on a global basis, having all of our GME Design teams - Opel, Vauxhall, Saab and Advanced Design - together in one facility, is a great step forward.

The timing is good for this move, as Opel, Vauxhall and Saab are experiencing growth in the marketplace and are significantly advancing their future design language. Opel/Vauxhall has significantly raised its design profile with products like the Astra GTC, Meriva and Zafira. We'll continue to create more innovative concepts and adventurous designs in upcoming vehicles like the Antara and the new Corsa.

Saab, obviously, is a very different brand with a completely different customer base. Its Scandinavian origin and aircraft heritage is very important, and we'll continue to draw upon those for inspiration. The next generation of Saab models will be striking..... with the Aero X concept leading the way and providing a good sense of Saab's future design language.

Visiting the new facility in Rüsselsheim was particularly interesting for me, because I was there in the 1960s when Opel was doing groundbreaking designs like the original Opel GT, and the so-called 1720 Opel Commodore.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

May 14, 2006, 10:50 AM CT

Movie downloads using Bit Torrent technology

The Hollywood studio has reached a deal with the web company Bit Torrent, which uses peer-to-peer technology to allow the quick distribution of large files.

Warner says users will be able to buy downloads of films and TV shows on the same day they become available on DVD.

Read more at BBC........

Posted by: Gina      Permalink         Source

May 14, 2006, 10:44 AM CT

Forget Blockbuster and Netflix

Have movies delivered directly to your TV. All you need is the $199 setbox by Moviebeam, which comes loaded with 100 movies in HDTV or DVD quality with Dolby 5.1 surround sound, perfect for your home theatre setup. After that you can get up to 10 movies a week at prices ranging from $1.99 to $3.99 per movie.

Moviebeam totes the product as "brilliant new way to rent and watch movies at home. Get movies delivered directly to your TV - no cable, satellite, or computer is required".

This should have you wondering by now, how the movies are actually delivered to your Moviebeam box. The company has patented a digital wireless service that "beams" the movies into your home.

There are no subscription fees, no late fees, nothing to return ever!!! The only downside, you have 24 hours to watch each movie you rent, but you can watch it as a number of times as you want to during the rental period, and Moviebeam while avalable throughout the US is still not available in all areas. Check availability for your area before you run out to get a set @ Moviebeam.

Blockbuster & Netflix watch out!!!........

Posted by: Gina      Permalink         Source

May 14, 2006, 9:57 AM CT

Eizo ColorEdge CE240W 24" LCD

This is the coolest monitor around for image quality. Sure you can get a bigger screen with the 30" Dell and Apple monitors, but can they give you a 1000:1 contrast ratio and a brightness of 450cd/m2 brightness? Ummm.no they can't.

The Dell and Apple 30" displays can only muster a 700:1 contrast ratio and the brightness of both 30" displays is 400 cd/m2. That makes the Eizo the highest contrast and brightest monitor you are likely to find. Gaming on the 24" Eizo is a dream. The 8ms response time is fast enough that ghosting and smearing is not an issue, while the exceptional brightness and contrast ensure that the picture is exactly as the guys intended your game to look when they programmed it. Native resolution is 1920 x 1200 and the Eizo also has a great 178 degree viewing angle. If size is not all you are after, the Eizo is simply an excellent monitor for work and play.........

Posted by: Gina      Permalink         Source

May 14, 2006, 9:40 AM CT

Car That Takes You 8000 Miles Per Gallon!

The world's most fuel-efficient vehicle has been unveiled by its British inventor.

Andy Green, 45, from the University of Bath, believes his three-wheel TeamGreen car is capable of doing 8,000 miles to the gallon.

His budget eco-motor cost just £2,000 to build and will be the sole British contender for the title of the world's most fuel-economic car in a global competition being later this month.

The car, which weighs less than 5 stone - the average weight of a nine-year-old boy - made its debut at the Somerset university campus.

It will compete against 250 teams from around the world for the Shell Eco-Marathon championships in France from May 19.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

May 14, 2006, 9:30 AM CT

Shape-shifting Car Will Brace For Impact

Cameras and radar work together, pinpointing the position and velocity of potential impactors (Image: Siemens)
A car that can anticipate a side-on impact and subtly alter its body shape to absorb the force of the crash is being developed by scientists in Gera number of.

The car will use hood-mounted cameras and radar to spot a vehicle on course for a side-on collision. Once it realises an impact is imminent it will activate a shape-shifting metal in the door. This reinforces the bond between door and frame, which is normally a weak spot, and distributes the force of the blow more safely.

Side impacts are as common as front or rear ones but cause a number of more injuries, says Joachim Tandler, a car safety researcher at engineering firm Siemens who is working on the EU-funded project.

"It's because there is so little crush zone, and less energy is absorbed before the passenger compartment is crushed," he told New Scientist. There is also insufficient time for a conventional safety system - such as a built-in airbag - to react and protect a passenger, he says.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

May 14, 2006, 8:55 AM CT

KIA gets zapping!

Rio, Cerato and Picanto Zapp! arrive nationwide this month as Kia Zapps! its hatchback range.

The Rio is getting the exclusive Kia Zapp! therapy this month as customers looking for an excellent deal can bag themselves a bargain with the Rio Zapp! The limited edition Rio Zapp! will be available in all Kia dealerships from 15 May.

Coming in at £1,000 under the current GS model at £7,495, the limited edition 1.4 litre petrol Rio Zapp! has a first-rate level of specification including air-conditioning, CD audio system with MP3 player and power steering.

With a 'grand' saving and one year's free insurance, the Rio is also fully equipped in the safety department with ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), twin airbags and engine immobiliser.

Paul Williams, Managing Director of Kia Motors UK, said; "The Rio Zapp! is a great new special edition that gives car buyers a financial leg up from being able to just afford a cramped small car to actually buying a versatile family car.

"The Zapp! special editions stem from the popularity of the Picanto Zapp! which is back in showrooms at £5,995 with one year's free insurance*. Not to be left behind, our large hatchback, the Cerato, is joining in the Zapping! fun," he added.

The limited edition 1.6 litre petrol Cerato Zapp! comes with an unrivalled Zapp! price tag of £9,995 and specification that includes air conditioning, 15" alloy wheels and remote central locking.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

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