Train kills four at U.S. parade for troops

By Greg Botelho and Joe Sutton, CNN

November 16, 2012 -- Updated 1713 GMT (0113 HKT)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Sgt. Maj. Gary Stouffer and Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Boivin died at the scene
• NEW: Sgt. Joshua Michael and Sgt. Maj. William Lubbers died at a hospital
• The last truck in the parade is hit by a train, a police spokesman says

(CNN) -- A train rammed into a flatbed truck carrying participants in a West Texas parade saluting U.S. troops, killing four people and injuring several others, a police spokesman said.

The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, during the "Hunt for Heroes" event in Midland. According to the group Show of Support, these festivities -- including a banquet and, after that, an "all expense paid whitetail deer hunt" -- are to honor members of all branches of the U.S. military.

The last flatbed truck in the parade was crossing tracks when an eastbound train slammed into it, said Midland police spokesman Ryan Stout.

Some people were able to jump off the truck in time.

First responders found two dead at the scene, while two others were later pronounced dead at Midland Memorial Hospital, Stout said. Ten other people were treated and released at the hospital, while five remained hospitalized Thursday night, one of them in critical condition.

Army Sgt. Maj. Gary Stouffer, 37, and Army Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Boivin, 47, were pronounced dead at the scene. Army Sgt. Joshua Michael, 34, and Army Sgt. Maj. William Lubbers, 43, died at Midland Memorial Hospital.

Five others continue to be treated at University Medical Center in Lubbock. One remains in critical condition.

Parade attendee: 'I'm waving at these guys and then you ... find out this happened'

Authorities don't yet know why the truck was on the tracks as the train arrived at the crossing, Stout said.

The National Transportation Safety board will initiate an investigation Friday that will include review of video from a camera on the train.

The gates and lights at the intersection were working at the time, and the train's two-member crew sounded the horn prior to impact, according to Tom Lange, a spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad. The train included more than 80 rail cars carrying double-stacked containers, he said.

The NTSB said it has not confirmed whether the crossing gates and signals were active at the time of the accident.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of those affected," Lange said, adding that Union Pacific employees are on site and more are heading that way to investigate.

Lange said the train itself is operational and its crew was not injured. They are being offered counseling, he said.

Part of complete coverage on

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Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/15/us/texas-parade-deaths/index.html?eref=edition

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NBA schedule 2012: Mavs start weekend with back-to-back

The Dallas Mavericks will play a back-to-back on the road against the Pacers and Cavaliers over the weekend.

This season, the Dallas Mavericks have started slow away from home, putting up a 1-3 record so far when playing away from American Airlines Center, and they'll start the weekend with a tough task ahead of them in the form of a weekend back-to-back on the road. They'll start in Indiana on Friday and move to Cleveland on Saturday, looking to boost themselves up in the Southwest Division a bit.

The Mavs can gain a game on the Spurs if they win both weekend contests, with San Antonio playing only once over the weekend. Memphis, the Southwest's top team at the moment, will play a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday as well.

Here is the weekend's schedule for teams in the Southwest Division:

Friday, Nov. 16

Mavericks at Pacers, 6 p.m. CT, FSN Southwest

Knicks at Grizzlies, 8:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

Rockets at Trail Blazers, 9 p.m. CT, CSN Houston

Saturday, Nov. 17

Grizzlies at Bobcats, 6:30 p.m. CT, NBA League Pass

Mavericks at Cavaliers, 6:30 p.m. CT, FSN Southwest

Hornets at Bucks, 7:30 p.m. CT, FSN

Nuggets at Spurs, 7:30 p.m. CT, Altitude

Sunday, Nov. 18

Rockets at Lakers, 8:30 p.m. CT, CSN Houston

A full NBA schedule can be found at SI.com.

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Source: http://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/11/16/3653650/2012-nba-schedule

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Research fellowships in South Africa for our MPH graduates and doctoral students and graduates

November 15th, 2012

CGHD?s partner in South Africa, the Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, has launched the QuantCorps, a program of funded, one-year research fellowships for quantitatively-skilled MPH graduates and doctoral students and graduates. Please encourage qualified students and alumni to apply!

Please click here for more information.

Source: http://www.bu.edu/ihblast/2012/11/15/research-fellowships-in-south-africa-for-our-mph-graduates-and-doctoral-students-and-graduates/

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This is just the ?beginning?: Israel ready to expand attacks after assassinating Hamas head

Israel carried out a blistering offensive of more than 20 air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, assassinating Hamas? military commander Ahmed Jabari and targeting the armed group?s training facilities and rocket launchers in Israel?s most intense attack on the territory in nearly four years.

?We must be clear that Israel will not tolerate a situation in which there is incessant [rocket] fire on our citizens. No life-loving country would accept this situation,? Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said at a news conference Wednesday. ??We are still at the beginning of the event, not at the end, and we expect some complicated tests ahead.?

The onslaught shattered hopes that a truce mediated on Tuesday by Egypt could pull the two sides back from the brink of war after five days of escalating Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli strikes at militant targets.

Israel said the airstrikes, launched in response to days of rocket fire out of Hamas-ruled Gaza, were the beginning of a broader operation against the Islamic militants codenamed ?Pillar of Defence.? Israeli defence officials said a ground operation was a strong possibility in the coming days though they stressed no decisions had been made and much would depend on Hamas? reaction. There were no immediate signs of extraordinary troop deployments along the border.

?Today we relayed a clear message to the Hamas organization and other terrorist organizations,? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. ?And if there is a need, the [Israel Defence Forces] are prepared to broaden the operation. We will continue to do everything in order to protect our citizens.?

Meanwhile, Hamas immediately called for revenge were broadcast over radio after Al-Jabari?s death.

?The occupation has opened the gates of hell,? Hamas?s armed wing said. Smaller groups also vowed to strike back.

?Israel has declared war on Gaza and they will bear the responsibility for the consequences,? Islamic Jihad said.

Southern Israeli communities within rocket range of Gaza were on full alert, and schools were ordered closed for Thursday. About one million Israelis live in range of Gaza?s relatively primitive but lethal rockets, supplemented in recent months by longer-range, more accurate systems.

?The days we face in the south will, in my estimation, prove protracted,? Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai, Israel?s chief military spokesman, told Channel 2 TV.

The Obama administration responded to the flareup by strongly condemning Hamas, an Islamist group shunned by the West as an obstacle to peace.

?There is no justification for the violence that Hamas and other terrorist organizations are employing against the people of Israel,? said Mark Toner, deputy U.S. State Department spokesman.

?We call on those responsible to stop these cowardly acts immediately. We support Israel?s right to defend itself, and we encourage Israel to continue to take every effort to avoid civilian casualties.?

Jabari, the shadowy Hamas military chief killed in the initial missile strike, had long topped the Jewish state?s most-wanted list for masterminding a string of deadly attacks.

One was the 2006 capture of an Israeli soldier in a complex cross-border raid that killed two other soldiers.

Jabari, a former history student who spent 13 years in Israeli prisons, also commanded Hamas fighters during a 2007 takeover of Gaza in which they drove out forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

During nine years as leader of the Hamas Izzedine al Qassam Brigades, Jabari largely stayed out of the public eye. His highest profile appearance came in October 2011, when he escorted the captured Israeli soldier, Sgt. Gilad Schalit, out of Gaza in a swap for about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Jabari was born in 1960 in Gaza City. He began as a member of Abbas? Fatah movement, but switched his allegiance to Hamas during his time in Israeli prisons.

Jonathan Kay: In Gaza, Hamas military leader Ahmed Jaabari got what he deserved

In general terms, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires a political solution: If it were merely a matter of military might, Israel could have declared victory decades ago. A two-state solution ? which Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas both nominally seek ? will require deals to be struck on borders, the status of Jerusalem, water rights and refugees.

Read the whole story

After Israel released him in 1995, he worked for a Hamas-run support group for prisoners. In 1998, he was jailed by Palestinian security forces in Gaza for his involvement with the Hamas military wing. Jabari was released two years later, after Israel shelled Gaza prisons as part of its crackdown on a Palestinian uprising.

In 2003, Jabari became the de facto commander of the Hamas military wing after then-chief Mohammed Deif was seriously wounded in an Israeli attack. Jabari survived four attempts by Israel to kill him. In 2004, an air strike on Jabari?s house killed his son, Mohammed, a brother and three other relatives.

Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but still controls its airspace, seacoast and all but one of its land crossings.

Hamas has ruled Gaza with an iron hand since the 2007 takeover, deepening the political split with Abbas. Repeated attempts at reconciliation have failed.

The takeover deepened the isolation of Hamas and prompted the group to rely increasingly on Iran and Syria. Jabari was instrumental in developing the Hamas military arsenal and the group?s networks in Iran, Sudan and Lebanon.

The Hamas founding charter calls for the destruction of Israel, though the group has been grappling with its political direction in recent years.

Founded in Gaza in 1987, Hamas carried out scores of suicide bombings in Israel, killing hundreds of Israelis, but halted most such attacks several years ago. Gaza militants, including those from Hamas, have fired thousands of mortars and rockets at Israel in the past decade, drawing Israeli retaliation.

Jabari was considered close to Hamas hard-liner Mahmoud Zahar, a Gaza strongman. In 2011, Jabari wrote in a Hamas publication that ?as long as the Jews occupy our land, they have one thing (in store), death, or they leave the occupied Palestinian territories.?

Files from Ibrahim Barzak and Josef Federman, The Associated Press, and Nidal al-Mughrabi, Reuters

Source: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/14/this-is-just-the-beginning-israel-ready-to-expand-attacks-after-assassinating-hamas-head/

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High Schools Teaching The War On Terror: The Atlantic Looks At A History Textbook

What kids learn in school tends to change with the times, and some curricular regulations that are either antiquated or simply embedded in beliefs have raised eyebrows across the country as of late.

Yet regulation aside, in a layer of education that reaches students firsthand, is the textbook: the student's omniscient manual in any given subject. Because these books dictate student knowledge and can shape perspective, their contents are sometimes the source of controversy. In Louisiana, for example, one commonly used textbook teaches students "the accumulated wisdom of the past from a biblical worldview."

And while September 11 is a recent memory that many still live with, the attacks are a distant reference to schoolchildren today. As the event and its subsequent war have become "recent history," The Atlantic's Conor Friedersdorf took to examine how high schoolers are learning about 9/11 and the years following.

His general findings: the threat of terrorism can be eliminated, the Patriot Act was not controversial and Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.

Friedersdorf's analysis is decidedly unscientific, looking only at one history textbook: a 2003 edition of The American Vision by Professors Joyce Appleby, Alan Brinkley, Albert Broussard, James McPhereson, and Donald Ritchie. Still, the book is one of the most used American history textbooks in schools for 11th graders.

He criticizes the book's flat portrayal of 9/11, perhaps misleading students to believe that the day's attacks killed more people than the invasion of Normandy. The authors, he points out, also use examples of "terrorist attacks" on America that don't fit the book's own definition of terrorism. Friedersdorf writes:

What follows is an account of the early War on Terrorism told from the perspective of the Bush Administration, often using paraphrased or direct quotes from government officials rather than exercising judgment. "President Bush decided the time had come to end the threat of terrorism in the world," the authors say, as if discussing a plausible proposal that might well end up succeeding.

Isn't that the sort of myopia historical study is supposed to gird us against?

To be sure, Friedersdorf points to the book's 2003 publish year as indication that its contents were written during a volatile time in America -- when tensions ran high and when public sentiment was patriotic. But that's not a factor in how students are learning about the country's recent history.

Click through to continue reading excerpts from the textbook and Friedersdorf's analysis of the chapter's teachings of the Patriot Act, acts of terrorism against America, anthrax and the Bush administration's response and decisions leading up to the Afghanistan War.

Friedersdorf's criticisms of the history textbook come as American students are continuously proving to know less in subjects like history. A study released last month by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni and GfK roper saw abysmal results on surveys gauging American history literacy among college graduates. The results seemingly echoed the findings of two viral videos from earlier this year that suggested students do not possess adequate knowledge of U.S. history, politics and current events.

A 2010 study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed the U.S. history testing scores are "stagnant," with only 9 percent of fourth graders correctly identifying a photograph of Abraham Lincoln and stating two reasons for his importance.

Lee White, executive director of the National History Coalition, says the problem stems from history's place in American curriculum.

"They've narrowed the curriculum to teach to the test. History has been deemphasized," he said. "You can't expect kids to have great scores in history when they're not being taught history."

Check out some of the Roper survey?s results -- and test your own knowledge -- below:

• <strong>Test Your Own Knowledge WIth These Six History Questions Asked Of 300 College Graduates...</strong>

• <strong>The Emancipation Proclamation issued by Lincoln stated that:</strong> A. Slavery was abolished in the Union B. Slaves were free in both the Union and Confederate states C. Slaves were free in areas of the Confederate states D. Slavery could continue nationwide, but buying or selling slaves was no longer legal

• Confederate States

  Just 16.6 percent of students could identify that the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in areas of the Confederate states. 41.2 percent believed it to have abolished slavery in the Union, while 32.1 percent said it freed slaves in both the Union and Confederate states.

• <strong>Which document established the division of powers between the states and the federal government?</strong> A. The Constitution B. The Articles of Confederation C. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions D. The Marshall Plan

• The Constitution

  58.2 percent of respondents answered this correctly, identifying the U.S. Constitution as establishing the division of powers. Another 25.2 percent believed the document to have been the Articles of Confederation.

• <strong>Who was the American general at Yorktown?</strong> A. George Washington B. Ulysses S. Grant C. Robert E. Lee D. William T. Sherman

• George Washington

  <strong>Fewer than half</strong> of college graduates surveyed could <a href="http://whatwilltheylearn.com/public/pdfs/Roper_GfK_History_Questions.pdf">identify George Washington as the general at Yorktown</a>, when asked to choose among him, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee and William T. Sherman. Ulysses S. Grant was the second-most popular answer, at 20.1 percent.

• <strong>Who was the "Father of the Constitution?"</strong> A. Thomas Jefferson B. James Madison C. Benjamin Franklin D. John Adams

• James Madison

  Only <strong>20 percent</strong> of college graduates surveyed could <a href="http://whatwilltheylearn.com/public/pdfs/Roper_GfK_History_Questions.pdf">identify the "Father of the Constitution."</a> 50.2 percent of respondents chose Thomas Jefferson.

• <strong>What was the source of the following phrase: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people"?</strong> A. Declaration of Independence B. U.S. Constitution C. Gettysburg Address D. George Washington's Farewell Address

• The Gettysburg Address

  Only <strong>17 percent</strong> knew the <a href="http://whatwilltheylearn.com/public/pdfs/Roper_GfK_History_Questions.pdf">source of the phrase</a>, "Government of the people, by the people, for the people." 54 percent selected the Declaration of Independence.

• <strong>The Battle of the Bulge occurred during:</strong> A. World War II B. Revolutionary War C. World War I D. The Civil War

• World War II

  <strong>Fewer than half</strong> of college graduates surveyed could identify the <a href="http://whatwilltheylearn.com/public/pdfs/Roper_GfK_History_Questions.pdf">war in which the Battle of the Bulge</a> occurred.

Also on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/14/high-schools-teaching-the_n_2130316.html

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People magazine says Channing Tatum is sexiest man

This magazine cover image released Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, by People shows actor Channing Tatum on the cover of People's Sexiest Man Alive special double issue. (AP Photo/People)

This magazine cover image released Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, by People shows actor Channing Tatum on the cover of People's Sexiest Man Alive special double issue. (AP Photo/People)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Channing Tatum is People magazine's "sexiest man alive" for 2012.

The 32-year-old actor says his first thought on hearing the news was: "'Y'all are messing with me.'"

Tatum's film roles include "Magic Mike" and the upcoming "Foxcatcher."

Other actors who have received the "sexiest" label include George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and Ryan Reynolds. Last year's "sexiest man" was Bradley Cooper.

People announced its 2012 list Wednesday.

___

Online:

http://www.people.com/people

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2012-11-14-People-Channing%20Tatum/id-998482a84a484e42814b621952be49c2

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Preserving Your Income Stream Through Retirement Part 3

Rick Rodgers, CFP?, CRPC?
Certified Retirement Counselor?

Even a novice investor has heard of the importance of diversification as a tool to lower risk. Diversifying among investment classes and diversifying within the investment classes themselves reduces volatility. The main concept is to avoid concentrating your assets in one position that could cause serious harm if it the investment doesn?t work out.

Diversification is just as important on the basis of taxability as it is to investing. Simply put, tax diversification involves allocating investment assets across accounts and investment vehicles that are taxed differently ? taxable, tax deferred, and tax free. We call these three vehicles the?New Three-Legged Stool??of tax efficient retirement planning. A sound tax diversification plan includes the following techniques:

Allocate assets by tax treatment.?The return from your equity investments is generated in the form of dividends and capital gains. Qualified dividends and long-term capital gains are currently taxed at maximum rate of 15%. Therefore a larger percentage of your equity holdings should be held outside of retirement accounts. A larger percentage of your fixed-income holdings should be kept in retirement accounts because the return is taxed as ordinary income. The return from equity investments is taxed at a maximum rate of 35% when it is held inside retirement accounts because it is considered a retirement distribution.

Use tax-free bonds when holding fixed income in taxable accounts.?It is not always practical to hold all your fixed income in retirement accounts and all equities in non-retirement accounts. When fixed income must be kept in non-retirement accounts consider using municipal bonds which are free from federal, and in some cases, state and local income taxes. These bonds are particularly advantageous for investors in the highest tax brackets. Tax-free bonds may even be attractive to those in lower tax brackets now because their yields are equal to and in some cases above the long-term average versus comparable taxable fixed income securities. When equities must be held in retirement accounts use those with higher dividend payments such as real estate investment trusts.

Find ways to fund a Roth regularly. Consider funding a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) account based on your tax bracket each year. Only put enough money in a traditional tax-deferred account to stay in the 15% tax bracket. This will require estimating your taxable income to determine when you have reached the optimum tax deferral and saving additional funds in a Roth. Use this chart to check your taxable income.

You should consider converting part of your IRA to a Roth in a year when you know your taxable income will be in the 15% tax bracket. For example, a couple filing jointly that estimates their taxable income will be $60,000 should consider converting $10,000 of their IRA to a Roth IRA.

The financial press will often advise retirees to take money from their accounts in the following order:

• Taxable
• Tax-deferred
• Tax-free

The reasoning is to preserve tax-deferred assets for as long as possible thus delaying payment of the tax. This reasoning is not without merit. However, depending on an individual?s tax situation, this order may not be the best course of action. Consider the following chart (click the image for a larger view).

Anyone with significant unrealized capital gains in taxable accounts may want to withdraw funds from tax-deferred accounts first. Appreciated assets will get a ?stepped-up? cost basis when passed on to heirs but tax-deferred accounts are fully taxable to heirs when the assets are withdrawn.

It is very important to actively estimate taxable income each year. Distributions from tax-deferred accounts need to be adjusted to maximize the 15% tax bracket. You should take more from your tax-deferred accounts when income is low especially in the years before you are age 70 1/2. Consider Roth conversions if you don?t need the income for living expenses. This way the taxable income is realized in a low tax year. It can be withdrawn tax-free from the Roth in a later year when the income is needed but your tax situation may not be as favorable.

Maintaining your lifestyle through a potential 30 years of retirement is a challenging goal. Start with a sound investment strategy and be sure to include tax-efficiency when implementing the plan. A tax-efficient portfolio requires smaller distributions to maintain your spendable income. This could make the difference between having plenty to pass on to your kids or running out of money.

Rick Rodgers

This article is the third in a three part series. Read parts 1 and 2 below.
Preserving Your Income Through Retirement ? Part 1
Preserving Your Income Through Retirement ? Part 2?

Source: http://www.restartretirement.com/2012/11/14/preserving-income-stream-retirement-part-3/

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