华尔街日报：拆穿美国股市的十大谎言
http://news.creaders.net/headline/newsViewer.php?nid=439956&id=998975&dcid=27
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华尔街日报 2010-07-29 10:13:44
道琼斯工业股票平均价格指数(Dow Jones Industrial Average)上周收盘时，跟一个星期多一点之前十分接近。上周三振奋人心地上涨200点，主要也就是填补前一个周五让人发愁的200点跌幅。
几个星期以前，道指重挫近800点，然后又以同样剧烈的程度回升。相比4月份，这个广受关注的市场指标目前下跌了7%，相比2009年低点则上涨了59%。
这种让人头晕眼花的起伏，又一次考验着投资者的神经。2008年到2009年的各种事情已经让人崩溃，而自今春爆发希腊债务危机以来，动荡行情又一次回到了市场。
在这种时候，经纪商或理财师可能会为你提供一些箴言或建议。有一些标准的安慰话，你会一遍又一遍地听到。但这些话说得有多对呢？下面的10句话，就需要进一步推敲。
1.“现在是投资股市的良机。”
真的吗？问一问经纪商，看他在什么时候警告过客户，说当时不适合投资股市。2007年10月？2000年2月？坏掉的手表，一天总有两个时刻显示的时间是对的，但并不能因为这个理由去捡只坏表来戴。或者像某人曾经说过的一样，找经纪商问现在是否适合投资股市，就像找理发师问你是不是该剪头。“当然该剪，先生。请跟我来！”
2. “股市平均让你每年盈利约10%。”
那又怎样？这是根据一部分过去的历史总结出来的，一直要回到19世纪初，而且有很多地方经不起检验。
这10%当中，约三个百分点只不过是来自通货膨胀。其他7%也不一定可靠。19世纪的数据是值得怀疑的，而20世纪的全球图景错综复杂。专家认为，5%可能更为典型。另外，股市只有在你以平均估值买进的时候才会产生平均回报率。如果你在估值较高的时候买进，回报就远远不如了。
3. “我们的经济学家预测……”
打住吧。问问经纪商，他们公司的经济学家有没有预测到最近的这场衰退，如果预测到了，是在什么时候。
人们过去的经济预测成绩并不怎么好。即使是到了2008年，很多经济学家还在否认衰退已经进行。常见的表演是预测经济将会出现“放缓”，但不会进入“衰退”。这样，不管实际情况怎样，他们都能够为自己开脱。巴菲特(Warren Buffett)曾经说过，在预测家面前，算命先生的表现还算不错。
4. “投资股市让你参与经济增长。”
把这话说给日本人听吧。自1989年以来，日本经济已增长逾四分之一，但股市下跌了逾四分之三。或者把这句话说给任何在10年前投资美股的人听。而且，这类例子还不仅限于这两个。1969年，美国国内生产总值约为1万亿美元，道指约在1000点。13年过后，美国经济已增长至3.3万亿美元，道琼斯工业平均指数呢？还是1000点上下。
5. “要有高回报，就得承担高风险。”
巴菲特听了这话肯定觉得意外，他宁愿投资那些没意思的公司和没意思的行业。在过去四分之一个世纪，FactSet Research公用事业指数的表现超出了激动人心的“高风险”纳斯达克综合指数(Nasdaq Composite index)。赚取高回报的唯一途径，是购买相对未来现金流比较便宜的股票。至于“风险”，经纪商可能认为它就是“波动性”，而波动性的意思往往就是股价的上下起伏。但大家都知道，风险其实是损失本金的可能性。
6. “市场估值真的很便宜了，现在的市盈率大约只有13倍。”
被普遍引用的市盈率（股价除以年度税后利润）可能会起误导作用，因为利润的波动性实在太大，繁荣期高得不得了，衰退时又低得不得了。
让经纪商谈谈其他估值指标，比如股息率，也就是每一块钱的投资得多少分红；或者谈谈经过周期性调整的市盈率，也就是股价除以过去10年的利润；又或者谈谈托宾Q值(Tobin's Q)，即股价除以公司资产实际重置成本之比。没有哪个指标是完美的，但这三个指标在过去的预测表现不错。目前，三个指标全都说股市相当昂贵，而不是相当便宜。
7. “市场变动的时间不能预测。”
这种老话使得客户一分钱都不敢从市场里撤出来。努力赶上市场的每一个起落，当然是傻子才做的事。但这并不意味着你就得一直不对整体估值给出判断。
如果你在股价相比现金流和资产显得便宜的时候投资股市（这往往是在所有其他人都看跌的时候），你一般都会取得不错的成绩。
如果在股价非常昂贵的时候（比如其他每个人都离奇地看多时）投资，你可能就会败得一塌糊涂。
8. “我们推荐您组建分散化的基金组合。”
如果经纪商的意思是你应该在现金、债券、股票、另类投资、大宗商品、贵金属当中进行分散化，那么这是一个不错的建议。
但在太多的经纪商那里，所谓分散化就是投资不同名称、不同“风格”的基金，像大市值价值型、小市值成长型、中市值混合型、国际小市值价值型之类。这些东西不过是营销噱头。比如，“中市值混合型”基金这样的东西根本就不存在。这些基金往往一直是100%入市，并且全部投资于股市。在全球化的经济中，甚至带“国际”字眼的基金所具备的分散性也不及以往，因为各种东西之间都在产生关联。
9. “这是一个选股人的市场。”
什么？每一个市场好像都可以定义为“选股人的市场”，但对多数人来说，投资回报（不管是正还是负）中的多数都来自他们所选的资产类别（见第8条），而不是单笔投资。面且，即使市场确实是一个选股人的市场，你要怎样才能相信你的经纪商就是合适的选股人呢？
10. “从长期来看，股市表现超过其他市场。”
何为长期？如果你能坚持10年或更久，那又有什么用呢？就像经济学家凯恩斯(John Maynard Keynes)曾经说过的那样，从长期来看，我们都会死。
Thursday, July 29, 2010
股市前途未知，保本最要紧
股市前途未知，保本最要紧
http://finance.creaders.net/newsViewer.php?nid=439326&id=997710
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万维读者网 2010-07-27 23:13:38
万维读者网记者唯一编译报道：Barron’s刊登分析文章说，股市今天跌一百点，明天升一百点，很多人不禁要问，这到底是什么意思？
曾经是Smith Barney技术分析部门的核心人物的著名专家Louise Yamada，在分析道琼斯星期四上升201点时说“一天的升降不能代表股市的发展方向” 。
她指出，从技术分析角度看目前股市还是出于“发行” 状态，意思是股票在转手，从已经获利的“强手” 中转移到“弱手” ，弱手就是追赶股市末班车的人。处于“发行” 状态的股市通常意味着股市已经到了顶部。
如果股市要从这里恢复长期上涨势头，必须先冲破几大阻力，Yamada说其中一个是7月的高点-道琼斯10370点，然后股市要再冲200天均线道琼斯10460点。只有突破了这两个阻力，才能够说股市重新恢复上涨。
她认为象星期四那样道琼斯上升200点的事情要多出现一些天才足以说明股市的方向。另外，目前股市下跌时的交易量总是高过股市上升时，这也是必须改变的。
说到具体的各种股票，Yamada比较看好科技股票。自从上次网络泡沫之后，科技股一直比较弱，一直到2007年才开始有些活力，所以今后还有上涨空间。
Yamada最不看好的是银行股票，她说科技股自从网络泡沫后衰弱了很久，这次银行股也会一样。特别是政府现在加强了对金融系统的管理，今后银行股做股市领头的机会不大了。
股市中各种情况都在发生，很难确定股市到底会向何处去。针对这种情况，Yamada说：投资者在股市受伤的可能有两种，一是失去机会，一是失去资本；但是如果你输光了资本，那么以后你就连翻本的机会都没有了。
因此，在目前这种不确定的股市状态下，最好的方法是“保本” 。
http://finance.creaders.net/newsViewer.php?nid=439326&id=997710
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万维读者网 2010-07-27 23:13:38
万维读者网记者唯一编译报道：Barron’s刊登分析文章说，股市今天跌一百点，明天升一百点，很多人不禁要问，这到底是什么意思？
曾经是Smith Barney技术分析部门的核心人物的著名专家Louise Yamada，在分析道琼斯星期四上升201点时说“一天的升降不能代表股市的发展方向” 。
她指出，从技术分析角度看目前股市还是出于“发行” 状态，意思是股票在转手，从已经获利的“强手” 中转移到“弱手” ，弱手就是追赶股市末班车的人。处于“发行” 状态的股市通常意味着股市已经到了顶部。
如果股市要从这里恢复长期上涨势头，必须先冲破几大阻力，Yamada说其中一个是7月的高点-道琼斯10370点，然后股市要再冲200天均线道琼斯10460点。只有突破了这两个阻力，才能够说股市重新恢复上涨。
她认为象星期四那样道琼斯上升200点的事情要多出现一些天才足以说明股市的方向。另外，目前股市下跌时的交易量总是高过股市上升时，这也是必须改变的。
说到具体的各种股票，Yamada比较看好科技股票。自从上次网络泡沫之后，科技股一直比较弱，一直到2007年才开始有些活力，所以今后还有上涨空间。
Yamada最不看好的是银行股票，她说科技股自从网络泡沫后衰弱了很久，这次银行股也会一样。特别是政府现在加强了对金融系统的管理，今后银行股做股市领头的机会不大了。
股市中各种情况都在发生，很难确定股市到底会向何处去。针对这种情况，Yamada说：投资者在股市受伤的可能有两种，一是失去机会，一是失去资本；但是如果你输光了资本，那么以后你就连翻本的机会都没有了。
因此，在目前这种不确定的股市状态下，最好的方法是“保本” 。
Friday, July 23, 2010
Lump Sum Versus Regular Pension Payments
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/retirement/05/lumpsumpension.asp
So you're on the verge of retirement and you're faced with a difficult choice regarding your company-sponsored retirement plan: should you accept the traditional, lifetime monthly payments or take a lump sum distribution? Understandably, you might be tempted to go with the lump sum. After all, it may be the largest single disbursement of money you'll ever receive. Plus, you may like the idea of having more control over your investments. Employees about to retire face this dilemma all the time. Before you make an irrevocable decision about your future, take the time to understand what it might mean to you and your family.
Why Employers Offer the Choice
First, you should ask yourself why your company would even want to cash you out of your pension plan. Employers have various reasons for offering the lump sum payment. Your employer may use it as an incentive for older, higher-cost workers to retire early. Or it may make the offer because eliminating pension payments generates accounting gains that boost corporate income. Furthermore, if you take the lump sum, your employer will not have to pay the administrative expenses and insurance on your money.
Understanding the Guarantees
Like many retirees, you may find it comforting to know that you can get a check every month for the rest of your life. But suppose your employer is in financial trouble - what assurance do you have that the check will always be there?
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is the government entity that collects insurance premiums from employers sponsoring insured pension plans. The PBGC only covers defined-benefit plans (stated payments) and does not cover defined-contribution plans. It earns money from investments and receives funds from the pension plans it takes over. The maximum pension benefit guaranteed by PBGC is set by law and adjusted yearly. The guarantee is lower for those who retire early or when the plan involves a benefit for a survivor. And the guarantee is increased for those who retire after age 65. Therefore, as long as your pension is less than the figures above, you can be reasonably sure your income will continue if the company goes bankrupt.
Why You Should Take the Lump Sum
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the value of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased an average of 3% per year over the past 20 years. Yet the cost of health care has gone up 5.5% during the same period. Does your pension include cost-of-living increases? What are the increases based on, and will they reflect the actual amount you'll need to meet your expenses down the road?
For example, something that costs $1,000 today will cost $1,344 in 10 years, assuming 3% inflation. But what if your $1,000 in prescription drugs goes up 5.5%? You'll need $1,708 to pay the same bill in 10 years, and your pension might not have kept up. The pension fund manager's primary concern is making enough money to send you the required check each month. In many cases, the pension fund payments are not indexed to inflation, meaning they will not rise with inflation. But if you handled the portfolio, you could rebalance the assets based on inflationary trends and possibly have a better chance of boosting your income as the years go by.
Do you want to leave something to loved ones upon your death? Once you and your spouse die, the pension payments will stop. On the other hand, with a lump sum distribution, you could name a beneficiary to receive money after you and your spouse are gone.
Income from pensions is taxable. However, if you rollover that lump sum into your IRA, you'll have much more control over when you remove the funds and pay the income tax. This could be a big benefit when you start receiving Social Security checks and want to keep that income from becoming taxable.
Why You Should Take the Pension
What about your spouse? If you opt for the pension, you can make sure that he or she will receive a steady income if something happens to you. But if you take the lump sum, will there be enough money to provide for your survivor? And will he or she be able to manage the funds as well as you?
You also need to think about health insurance. In some cases, company-sponsored coverage stops if an employee takes the lump sum payout. If this is the case with your employer, you'll need to include the extra cost of health insurance in your calculations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How To Evaluate the Offer
Many employers don't provide side-by-side comparisons of the lump sum and pension payments options and fall short of giving the information you need to make an informed decision. Therefore, it's your responsibility to find out what the numbers mean. Here are some key questions you'll want to ask:
Is the value of the lump sum equal to the monthly pension payments over your estimated life expectancy?
Did your employer remove any early-retirement subsidies in calculating the lump sum offer? Typically, these subsidies are added to the value of pension benefits as incentives to entice workers to retire early, and they could be worth tens of thousands of dollars. If that amount is stripped out of the lump sum payment, you could be missing out on a lot of money.
Could you get a better return than the pension fund managers earn? Calculate how much you would need to earn using your lump sum payment to equal the benefits of the pension payments. For example, suppose you were offered $400,000 in lieu of a $2,500 per month pension. The breakeven point if you earned 0% on the lump sum would be 13 years ($400,000 / $2,500 = 160 payments / 12 = 13.3 years). But if you could earn 5% each year on your lump sum of $400,000, the money would last 22 years, assuming you spent $30,000 ($2,500 x 12) annually. But would this be long enough?
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, a 65-year-old person is expected to live another 19 years, to the age of 84. However, this is an average. Half of the 65-year-olds will live longer and half will not. Therefore, a 65-year-old retiree who is basing his or her retirement plan and spending habits on living to 84 is flipping a coin. Furthermore, when you consider that there are more than 70,000 U.S. centenarians who represent the fastest-growing segment of our population, there is reason for you to think of your retirement in terms of decades, not years. (To learn more about planning for your retirement, see Determining Your Post-Work Income.)
Conclusion
Putting the numbers aside, when you make your choice between the lump sum and the monthly pension payments, it should come down to this crucial question: How confident are you that you'll make the right decisions to convert that lump sum into a stream of income that will last the rest of your life? Moreover, do you have the self-discipline to manage this money, or will you end up using it to buy a new car, go on vacations or pay down debts? Are you willing to give up the security of regular pension payments for yourself and your spouse in exchange for the greater financial control of the lump sum payment?
Ask questions, do your research and crunch the numbers - only then will you have the satisfaction of knowing you've made the right decision. (For further reading, see our archive of retirement planning articles.)
by George D. Lambert (Contact Author | Biography)
George D. Lambert is a freelance financial writer with more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked as a Certified Financial Planner, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and an arbitrator for the NASD, NYSE and AAA. George is approved by the Florida Licensing Education Section to instruct life, health and variable annuity courses. To read more about George and his services, visit www.e-financialWriter.com. Also be sure to check out his latest book, "A Boomer's Guide To Long-Term Care".
If you have questions about George's articles, please check his blog (http://e-financialwriter.blogspot.com/) before emailing him.
So you're on the verge of retirement and you're faced with a difficult choice regarding your company-sponsored retirement plan: should you accept the traditional, lifetime monthly payments or take a lump sum distribution? Understandably, you might be tempted to go with the lump sum. After all, it may be the largest single disbursement of money you'll ever receive. Plus, you may like the idea of having more control over your investments. Employees about to retire face this dilemma all the time. Before you make an irrevocable decision about your future, take the time to understand what it might mean to you and your family.
Why Employers Offer the Choice
First, you should ask yourself why your company would even want to cash you out of your pension plan. Employers have various reasons for offering the lump sum payment. Your employer may use it as an incentive for older, higher-cost workers to retire early. Or it may make the offer because eliminating pension payments generates accounting gains that boost corporate income. Furthermore, if you take the lump sum, your employer will not have to pay the administrative expenses and insurance on your money.
Understanding the Guarantees
Like many retirees, you may find it comforting to know that you can get a check every month for the rest of your life. But suppose your employer is in financial trouble - what assurance do you have that the check will always be there?
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is the government entity that collects insurance premiums from employers sponsoring insured pension plans. The PBGC only covers defined-benefit plans (stated payments) and does not cover defined-contribution plans. It earns money from investments and receives funds from the pension plans it takes over. The maximum pension benefit guaranteed by PBGC is set by law and adjusted yearly. The guarantee is lower for those who retire early or when the plan involves a benefit for a survivor. And the guarantee is increased for those who retire after age 65. Therefore, as long as your pension is less than the figures above, you can be reasonably sure your income will continue if the company goes bankrupt.
Why You Should Take the Lump Sum
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the value of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased an average of 3% per year over the past 20 years. Yet the cost of health care has gone up 5.5% during the same period. Does your pension include cost-of-living increases? What are the increases based on, and will they reflect the actual amount you'll need to meet your expenses down the road?
For example, something that costs $1,000 today will cost $1,344 in 10 years, assuming 3% inflation. But what if your $1,000 in prescription drugs goes up 5.5%? You'll need $1,708 to pay the same bill in 10 years, and your pension might not have kept up. The pension fund manager's primary concern is making enough money to send you the required check each month. In many cases, the pension fund payments are not indexed to inflation, meaning they will not rise with inflation. But if you handled the portfolio, you could rebalance the assets based on inflationary trends and possibly have a better chance of boosting your income as the years go by.
Do you want to leave something to loved ones upon your death? Once you and your spouse die, the pension payments will stop. On the other hand, with a lump sum distribution, you could name a beneficiary to receive money after you and your spouse are gone.
Income from pensions is taxable. However, if you rollover that lump sum into your IRA, you'll have much more control over when you remove the funds and pay the income tax. This could be a big benefit when you start receiving Social Security checks and want to keep that income from becoming taxable.
Why You Should Take the Pension
What about your spouse? If you opt for the pension, you can make sure that he or she will receive a steady income if something happens to you. But if you take the lump sum, will there be enough money to provide for your survivor? And will he or she be able to manage the funds as well as you?
You also need to think about health insurance. In some cases, company-sponsored coverage stops if an employee takes the lump sum payout. If this is the case with your employer, you'll need to include the extra cost of health insurance in your calculations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How To Evaluate the Offer
Many employers don't provide side-by-side comparisons of the lump sum and pension payments options and fall short of giving the information you need to make an informed decision. Therefore, it's your responsibility to find out what the numbers mean. Here are some key questions you'll want to ask:
Is the value of the lump sum equal to the monthly pension payments over your estimated life expectancy?
Did your employer remove any early-retirement subsidies in calculating the lump sum offer? Typically, these subsidies are added to the value of pension benefits as incentives to entice workers to retire early, and they could be worth tens of thousands of dollars. If that amount is stripped out of the lump sum payment, you could be missing out on a lot of money.
Could you get a better return than the pension fund managers earn? Calculate how much you would need to earn using your lump sum payment to equal the benefits of the pension payments. For example, suppose you were offered $400,000 in lieu of a $2,500 per month pension. The breakeven point if you earned 0% on the lump sum would be 13 years ($400,000 / $2,500 = 160 payments / 12 = 13.3 years). But if you could earn 5% each year on your lump sum of $400,000, the money would last 22 years, assuming you spent $30,000 ($2,500 x 12) annually. But would this be long enough?
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, a 65-year-old person is expected to live another 19 years, to the age of 84. However, this is an average. Half of the 65-year-olds will live longer and half will not. Therefore, a 65-year-old retiree who is basing his or her retirement plan and spending habits on living to 84 is flipping a coin. Furthermore, when you consider that there are more than 70,000 U.S. centenarians who represent the fastest-growing segment of our population, there is reason for you to think of your retirement in terms of decades, not years. (To learn more about planning for your retirement, see Determining Your Post-Work Income.)
Conclusion
Putting the numbers aside, when you make your choice between the lump sum and the monthly pension payments, it should come down to this crucial question: How confident are you that you'll make the right decisions to convert that lump sum into a stream of income that will last the rest of your life? Moreover, do you have the self-discipline to manage this money, or will you end up using it to buy a new car, go on vacations or pay down debts? Are you willing to give up the security of regular pension payments for yourself and your spouse in exchange for the greater financial control of the lump sum payment?
Ask questions, do your research and crunch the numbers - only then will you have the satisfaction of knowing you've made the right decision. (For further reading, see our archive of retirement planning articles.)
by George D. Lambert (Contact Author | Biography)
George D. Lambert is a freelance financial writer with more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked as a Certified Financial Planner, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and an arbitrator for the NASD, NYSE and AAA. George is approved by the Florida Licensing Education Section to instruct life, health and variable annuity courses. To read more about George and his services, visit www.e-financialWriter.com. Also be sure to check out his latest book, "A Boomer's Guide To Long-Term Care".
If you have questions about George's articles, please check his blog (http://e-financialwriter.blogspot.com/) before emailing him.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
You Don't Have to Pay for Cable TV
You Don't Have to Pay for Cable TV
by Dan Schointuch
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110122/you-dont-have-to-pay-for-cable-tv?mod=series-a-article
Almost a year ago I moved into a new apartment and did something revolutionary: I didn't set up cable or satellite TV. I was frustrated by the lack of choice (only one provider), lengthy contracts, and inexplicably high price. As someone who watches a lot of television, this seemed like a truly difficult problem, but I resolved to find a way to see my favorite shows without paying a cable or satellite bill. Fortunately, it was much easier than I thought.
More from MoneyTalksNews.com:
• How to Get Free Unlimited Cell Calls
• 10 Things People Buy They Should Get Free
• Find a Better Mortgage in Seconds
You might not know it, but you can watch HDTV with an antenna.
Over 99% of U.S. TV households can receive at least one local sation over the air, while 89% can watch five or more. The picture is perfectly clear thanks to the switch to digital TV completed on June 12, 2009. You'll either see a crisp, beautiful image or no image at all (static is a thing of the past). And the best part? All your favorite programming will still be in HD.
[Click here to check savings products and rates in your area.]
HDTV is more expensive for local stations to produce, so it's common to see a station broadcast in regular standard definition during the day, but switch their signal to high definition for prime time. So while the local news may not be in HD, your favorite shows like Glee, America's Got Talent, and The Bachelorette will be.
Popular Stories on Yahoo!:
• 5 Myths Crippling Your Job Search
• 5 Extreme Savers Reveal Their Secrets
• Best Places to Live in America 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More from Yahoo! Finance
Of course, you will need an antenna to make this work, but your HDTV will also have to have an "HDTV tuner" built in. This is sometimes referred to as "integrated HDTV". If not, you'll need to buy a separate HDTV tuner that connects your existing HDTV to an antenna. To check, you may have to consult your HDTV's manual, do a search online, or contact the manufacturer.
AntennaWeb, a site provided by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), will show you exactly where to point your antenna for the best reception at your address. It will also let you see which stations are broadcasting over the air in your area. There may be more than you think.
What about shows that aren't on broadcast channels?
Two of my favorite shows, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, air on Comedy Central, which isn't a channel you can receive with an antenna. Fortunately, Internet to the rescue! If you've got a computer and internet access (there's no way I'd be able to live without paying for Internet), both shows can be watched in their entirety on their respective websites for free. (Full episodes of The Daily Show and full episodes of The Colbert Report). Like most online shows, you'll have to sit through a few commercials, but less than you would see watching the same show on television and without having to pay for the privilege.
The popular website Hulu has hundreds of shows available to watch online, all free, commercial-supported, but it's not the only option. Netflix is a great way to watch past seasons of favorite shows, which can be streamed instantly to almost 100 devices like your computer, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, iPhone (soon), etc. You can watch as much as you want for only $9 a month; compared to the cost of a cable or satellite subscription with premium movie channels, a pittance. Plus, they've got almost every movie you've ever heard of, offer a 2 week free trial, and let you cancel whenever you want.
Where do you watch live sports online?
If you're getting your Internet from one of these providers, you can access ESPN3, a "broadband network for live sports programming". The site is currently in beta and not every game on TV is available online, but you can watch thousands of games and events (even World Cup soccer) live with chat, stats, scoreboards, and picture-in-picture. According to them:
Each year ESPN3 delivers thousands of live games and events like College Football and Basketball, NBA, MLB, UEFA Champions League Soccer, The Masters and US Open Golf, all 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and more. Plus you get a fully interactive experience with real time in-game stats and scoreboards and live chat.
Other sites to watch sports? MLB.tv has an $80/year membership that will let you stream every regular season baseball game (with a few exceptions) right to your computer/PS3/etc, live or on-demand, and in HD when available. Given the success of these ventures, look for even more games and events to be broadcast online through sites like ESPN3 and MLB.tv. The interactive nature of the web allows for an engaging, social experience and ultimately, more enjoyable spectating.
But what about "premium" shows, like the ones on HBO, Cinemax and Starz?
Some shows can be purchased individually from sites like Amazon.com or Apple's iTunes Store a day or two after they air. If you do the math, you'll find that purchasing your favorite show is likely to be cheaper than paying for the channel it airs on month after month.
For everything else, you'll have to be a little patient and wait for the inevitable DVD release of last season. The typical DVD set for one season of a television series costs between $25 and $35, so you could buy several sets each month and still save over the cost of cable or satellite. However, if it comes out on DVD, chances are it'll show up on Netflix where that $9 a month subscription is now looking really good.
How does all this internet video get on my TV?
While streaming video to your computer sounds great, most people want to watch television on their television. Fortunately, there are tons of options to get your favorite shows on your big screen. First, check your computer for an output designed to work with either an external monitor or TV. If you've got one, you may be able to buy a cable and adapter that will plug your computer directly into your television. Doing so is a bit like putting together a puzzle; you want to find pieces that connect to each other. This can be a little tricky, especially with all the different possible connections on the market. So if you're not tech savvy, you may want to get a little help from someone who is or check out this video from Howcast called "How To Connect Your Laptop To Your Television".
You might also want to look at "media streaming" boxes. Like the cable box you'll be ditching, these connect to your TV and allow you to watch programming you wouldn't otherwise be able to see. The big difference? You can watch free and paid internet content. Depending on the box, you'll be able to stream video from Netflix, Amazon, MLB.tv, Hulu, and YouTube, audio from internet radio stations, Pandora, and Last.fm, and watch movies or look at photos that have been stored your home PC. Think of media streaming boxes as mini-computers for your TV.
The Roku Digital Video Player is $80 ($100 for the HD version), but you can get $20 off if you're a new Netflix subscriber. It'll stream dozens of "channels" from the web right to your TV for less than the price of one month of cable or satellite. Plus, it's an open platform so developers are adding new channels all the time.
The Boxee Box by D-Link wont be available for purchase until later this year, but you can install their free software on your home computer right now. It'll turn your Mac or PC into a full fledged media player, with an interface specifically designed to look great on TV. It's much easier to navigate with a remote and provides easy access to your personal collection of movies and music, as well as every video website under the Sun.
Google will soon enter the market to pair TV and the Internet with Google TV, a software package they developed to be built in to TVs, Blu-Ray players and set-top boxes. It's sort of a super-TiVo that will let you watch and record broadcast programming while seamlessly switching to internet streaming when what you want to watch isn't on a channel you receive. In essence, Google created the perfect companion for anyone who wants to ditch cable or satellite without sacrificing their favorite shows. Upcoming devices with Google TV built in have been announced by Sony, Logitech and Intel, but wont be available until later this year.
Apple TV is like an iPod for your TV. It'll let you stream videos and audio from your iTunes collection, but only if they're in the right format, and nothing from Hulu, Netflix, etc. Of course, anything you purchase from iTunes will play perfectly, so this may be a great option for some. However, at $230 with seemingly limited capabilities, your best bet might be to wait for the Apple TV 2 (if such a thing is coming).
So there are plenty of inexpensive options. You don't need a new computer for every TV in your house, though with the money saved by cutting out cable or satellite, you could afford several.
How much does all of this cost?
While the average cable bill is $75 a month or $900 a year, I was paying closer to $150 a month or $1800 a year to see everything I wanted. Now I pay $9 a month for my Netflix subscription and watch everything else for free online or over-the-air broadcast. I don't need a TiVo (since you can just hit pause on a website), and I use an old, cheap computer running Boxee hooked up to my TV as my "media center". My $1800 a year expense is now only $108 and I can watch just about everything I want, whenever I want.
Update: Hulu Plus
Just one day after writing this story, Hulu announced their new premium membership called Hulu Plus. For $9.99 a month, it promises full and current seasons of shows like The Office, Friday Night Lights, Dancing with the Stars and Lie to Me. Shows can be watched on your computer, through an iPhone/iPad app, or on a compatible television, blu-ray player or gaming system. While you are paying money for a premium service, Hulu has said that programming will still be advertising supported, so be aware. Currently, the full Hulu Plus catalog is only open to those who request an invitation, but look for wider availability soon. Personally, I can't wait to try it out.
by Dan Schointuch
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110122/you-dont-have-to-pay-for-cable-tv?mod=series-a-article
Almost a year ago I moved into a new apartment and did something revolutionary: I didn't set up cable or satellite TV. I was frustrated by the lack of choice (only one provider), lengthy contracts, and inexplicably high price. As someone who watches a lot of television, this seemed like a truly difficult problem, but I resolved to find a way to see my favorite shows without paying a cable or satellite bill. Fortunately, it was much easier than I thought.
More from MoneyTalksNews.com:
• How to Get Free Unlimited Cell Calls
• 10 Things People Buy They Should Get Free
• Find a Better Mortgage in Seconds
You might not know it, but you can watch HDTV with an antenna.
Over 99% of U.S. TV households can receive at least one local sation over the air, while 89% can watch five or more. The picture is perfectly clear thanks to the switch to digital TV completed on June 12, 2009. You'll either see a crisp, beautiful image or no image at all (static is a thing of the past). And the best part? All your favorite programming will still be in HD.
[Click here to check savings products and rates in your area.]
HDTV is more expensive for local stations to produce, so it's common to see a station broadcast in regular standard definition during the day, but switch their signal to high definition for prime time. So while the local news may not be in HD, your favorite shows like Glee, America's Got Talent, and The Bachelorette will be.
Popular Stories on Yahoo!:
• 5 Myths Crippling Your Job Search
• 5 Extreme Savers Reveal Their Secrets
• Best Places to Live in America 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More from Yahoo! Finance
Of course, you will need an antenna to make this work, but your HDTV will also have to have an "HDTV tuner" built in. This is sometimes referred to as "integrated HDTV". If not, you'll need to buy a separate HDTV tuner that connects your existing HDTV to an antenna. To check, you may have to consult your HDTV's manual, do a search online, or contact the manufacturer.
AntennaWeb, a site provided by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), will show you exactly where to point your antenna for the best reception at your address. It will also let you see which stations are broadcasting over the air in your area. There may be more than you think.
What about shows that aren't on broadcast channels?
Two of my favorite shows, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, air on Comedy Central, which isn't a channel you can receive with an antenna. Fortunately, Internet to the rescue! If you've got a computer and internet access (there's no way I'd be able to live without paying for Internet), both shows can be watched in their entirety on their respective websites for free. (Full episodes of The Daily Show and full episodes of The Colbert Report). Like most online shows, you'll have to sit through a few commercials, but less than you would see watching the same show on television and without having to pay for the privilege.
The popular website Hulu has hundreds of shows available to watch online, all free, commercial-supported, but it's not the only option. Netflix is a great way to watch past seasons of favorite shows, which can be streamed instantly to almost 100 devices like your computer, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, iPhone (soon), etc. You can watch as much as you want for only $9 a month; compared to the cost of a cable or satellite subscription with premium movie channels, a pittance. Plus, they've got almost every movie you've ever heard of, offer a 2 week free trial, and let you cancel whenever you want.
Where do you watch live sports online?
If you're getting your Internet from one of these providers, you can access ESPN3, a "broadband network for live sports programming". The site is currently in beta and not every game on TV is available online, but you can watch thousands of games and events (even World Cup soccer) live with chat, stats, scoreboards, and picture-in-picture. According to them:
Each year ESPN3 delivers thousands of live games and events like College Football and Basketball, NBA, MLB, UEFA Champions League Soccer, The Masters and US Open Golf, all 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and more. Plus you get a fully interactive experience with real time in-game stats and scoreboards and live chat.
Other sites to watch sports? MLB.tv has an $80/year membership that will let you stream every regular season baseball game (with a few exceptions) right to your computer/PS3/etc, live or on-demand, and in HD when available. Given the success of these ventures, look for even more games and events to be broadcast online through sites like ESPN3 and MLB.tv. The interactive nature of the web allows for an engaging, social experience and ultimately, more enjoyable spectating.
But what about "premium" shows, like the ones on HBO, Cinemax and Starz?
Some shows can be purchased individually from sites like Amazon.com or Apple's iTunes Store a day or two after they air. If you do the math, you'll find that purchasing your favorite show is likely to be cheaper than paying for the channel it airs on month after month.
For everything else, you'll have to be a little patient and wait for the inevitable DVD release of last season. The typical DVD set for one season of a television series costs between $25 and $35, so you could buy several sets each month and still save over the cost of cable or satellite. However, if it comes out on DVD, chances are it'll show up on Netflix where that $9 a month subscription is now looking really good.
How does all this internet video get on my TV?
While streaming video to your computer sounds great, most people want to watch television on their television. Fortunately, there are tons of options to get your favorite shows on your big screen. First, check your computer for an output designed to work with either an external monitor or TV. If you've got one, you may be able to buy a cable and adapter that will plug your computer directly into your television. Doing so is a bit like putting together a puzzle; you want to find pieces that connect to each other. This can be a little tricky, especially with all the different possible connections on the market. So if you're not tech savvy, you may want to get a little help from someone who is or check out this video from Howcast called "How To Connect Your Laptop To Your Television".
You might also want to look at "media streaming" boxes. Like the cable box you'll be ditching, these connect to your TV and allow you to watch programming you wouldn't otherwise be able to see. The big difference? You can watch free and paid internet content. Depending on the box, you'll be able to stream video from Netflix, Amazon, MLB.tv, Hulu, and YouTube, audio from internet radio stations, Pandora, and Last.fm, and watch movies or look at photos that have been stored your home PC. Think of media streaming boxes as mini-computers for your TV.
The Roku Digital Video Player is $80 ($100 for the HD version), but you can get $20 off if you're a new Netflix subscriber. It'll stream dozens of "channels" from the web right to your TV for less than the price of one month of cable or satellite. Plus, it's an open platform so developers are adding new channels all the time.
The Boxee Box by D-Link wont be available for purchase until later this year, but you can install their free software on your home computer right now. It'll turn your Mac or PC into a full fledged media player, with an interface specifically designed to look great on TV. It's much easier to navigate with a remote and provides easy access to your personal collection of movies and music, as well as every video website under the Sun.
Google will soon enter the market to pair TV and the Internet with Google TV, a software package they developed to be built in to TVs, Blu-Ray players and set-top boxes. It's sort of a super-TiVo that will let you watch and record broadcast programming while seamlessly switching to internet streaming when what you want to watch isn't on a channel you receive. In essence, Google created the perfect companion for anyone who wants to ditch cable or satellite without sacrificing their favorite shows. Upcoming devices with Google TV built in have been announced by Sony, Logitech and Intel, but wont be available until later this year.
Apple TV is like an iPod for your TV. It'll let you stream videos and audio from your iTunes collection, but only if they're in the right format, and nothing from Hulu, Netflix, etc. Of course, anything you purchase from iTunes will play perfectly, so this may be a great option for some. However, at $230 with seemingly limited capabilities, your best bet might be to wait for the Apple TV 2 (if such a thing is coming).
So there are plenty of inexpensive options. You don't need a new computer for every TV in your house, though with the money saved by cutting out cable or satellite, you could afford several.
How much does all of this cost?
While the average cable bill is $75 a month or $900 a year, I was paying closer to $150 a month or $1800 a year to see everything I wanted. Now I pay $9 a month for my Netflix subscription and watch everything else for free online or over-the-air broadcast. I don't need a TiVo (since you can just hit pause on a website), and I use an old, cheap computer running Boxee hooked up to my TV as my "media center". My $1800 a year expense is now only $108 and I can watch just about everything I want, whenever I want.
Update: Hulu Plus
Just one day after writing this story, Hulu announced their new premium membership called Hulu Plus. For $9.99 a month, it promises full and current seasons of shows like The Office, Friday Night Lights, Dancing with the Stars and Lie to Me. Shows can be watched on your computer, through an iPhone/iPad app, or on a compatible television, blu-ray player or gaming system. While you are paying money for a premium service, Hulu has said that programming will still be advertising supported, so be aware. Currently, the full Hulu Plus catalog is only open to those who request an invitation, but look for wider availability soon. Personally, I can't wait to try it out.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Happily Unmarried?Nothing Happened?再談販犬的歷史
July 19, 2010
Happily Unmarried?Nothing Happened?再談販犬的歷史
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
卓以定 在 YLib Blog 發表於 9:04:01
當真的社會新聞比愛情小說更聳動人心時，那麼就難怪當今愛情小說或是電影很難吸引人了。Paul Wiseman在2004年USAToday訪問新聞專題報告標題是「別談性，我們是日本人」「No sex please, we are Japanese」中就像是一篇短篇小說一般精彩地描述當今日本男女關係。內中提到一個日本女子叫酒井順子(Junko Sakai)和她男朋友一次到了海邊旅館過夜。她男友居然要求和她分開兩間房睡，她想男友一定是求取新鮮感，等下必會在半夜來敲她的門，結果他居然沒有。所以兩人的關係走向是無性的結局，「Nothing happened。」
在日本，這幾年結婚率直降，生育小孩也年年減少，甚至男女戀愛都越來越少。這使得工作的中年人得面對將要奉養上下兩代越來越多人口的危機。現在居然在日本有雜誌登載熱心勸說年青人來享受性愛(Young people, donot hate sex)的廣告呢。因為日漸增多的日本年青男女感到男女之間的愛情不好玩也不好談，既消耗時間，又會造成人生的痛苦，和生活複雜。
所以，前面的這位酒井小姐就出了本書叫做「敗犬的怒吼」(Crying of the losing dogs)。書中主要就是以日本不婚的三十多歲的未婚女性為主題，稱她們為打輸了的狗,被日本社會視為過去「失敗者」的單身女性，其實很快樂。這本書就是她們將敗者轉勝的故事，投入勞動市場的經濟獨立而又奮鬥有成的人。她們有事業，不願再一輩子為思想老舊的日本男性燒飯，洗衣，她們可以自由支配金錢，可以旅行和購物，購買自己熱愛的珠寶，實在沒有必要選擇去結婚。
在日本，其實男和女都各過著快樂的單身生活，一堆女性朋友在工作閒暇，一起去逛精品店，或是去嘗新鮮的飯店，有時也和母親或是姐妹出去。男性則是一堆去KTV飲酒或是唱歌，在那兒也可解決性的需要，或是由 A片自己解決。或是自己在電腦面前，玩著不同的遊戲。兩性都覺得過得不錯，生活簡單又充實有趣。日本男性不喜歡陪女友逛街，甚至很少陪女友過優閒的時間，兩性之間沒有共同興趣的交流。
反之，女性早已比前幾代的女人受過更高的教育，自己的環境優渥並不需靠人養，也早已旅遊看過世面，不再感受到需要早婚來肯定自己，也比較更易表白自己的意願。這種女性對傳統的日本男性，或是不肯共同成長的男性已經不易再罩得住，所以兩方面都不再來電。
因此豈止婚姻率降低，男女雙方的婚姻的意願也低。日本的生命保險研究機構(The Japan Institute of Life Insurance)就調查出超過半數的日本女性在35歲到54歲之間的女性根本沒有意願想婚。所以生育的小孩也開始急劇減少， ....
Happily Unmarried?Nothing Happened?再談販犬的歷史
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
卓以定 在 YLib Blog 發表於 9:04:01
當真的社會新聞比愛情小說更聳動人心時，那麼就難怪當今愛情小說或是電影很難吸引人了。Paul Wiseman在2004年USAToday訪問新聞專題報告標題是「別談性，我們是日本人」「No sex please, we are Japanese」中就像是一篇短篇小說一般精彩地描述當今日本男女關係。內中提到一個日本女子叫酒井順子(Junko Sakai)和她男朋友一次到了海邊旅館過夜。她男友居然要求和她分開兩間房睡，她想男友一定是求取新鮮感，等下必會在半夜來敲她的門，結果他居然沒有。所以兩人的關係走向是無性的結局，「Nothing happened。」
在日本，這幾年結婚率直降，生育小孩也年年減少，甚至男女戀愛都越來越少。這使得工作的中年人得面對將要奉養上下兩代越來越多人口的危機。現在居然在日本有雜誌登載熱心勸說年青人來享受性愛(Young people, donot hate sex)的廣告呢。因為日漸增多的日本年青男女感到男女之間的愛情不好玩也不好談，既消耗時間，又會造成人生的痛苦，和生活複雜。
所以，前面的這位酒井小姐就出了本書叫做「敗犬的怒吼」(Crying of the losing dogs)。書中主要就是以日本不婚的三十多歲的未婚女性為主題，稱她們為打輸了的狗,被日本社會視為過去「失敗者」的單身女性，其實很快樂。這本書就是她們將敗者轉勝的故事，投入勞動市場的經濟獨立而又奮鬥有成的人。她們有事業，不願再一輩子為思想老舊的日本男性燒飯，洗衣，她們可以自由支配金錢，可以旅行和購物，購買自己熱愛的珠寶，實在沒有必要選擇去結婚。
在日本，其實男和女都各過著快樂的單身生活，一堆女性朋友在工作閒暇，一起去逛精品店，或是去嘗新鮮的飯店，有時也和母親或是姐妹出去。男性則是一堆去KTV飲酒或是唱歌，在那兒也可解決性的需要，或是由 A片自己解決。或是自己在電腦面前，玩著不同的遊戲。兩性都覺得過得不錯，生活簡單又充實有趣。日本男性不喜歡陪女友逛街，甚至很少陪女友過優閒的時間，兩性之間沒有共同興趣的交流。
反之，女性早已比前幾代的女人受過更高的教育，自己的環境優渥並不需靠人養，也早已旅遊看過世面，不再感受到需要早婚來肯定自己，也比較更易表白自己的意願。這種女性對傳統的日本男性，或是不肯共同成長的男性已經不易再罩得住，所以兩方面都不再來電。
因此豈止婚姻率降低，男女雙方的婚姻的意願也低。日本的生命保險研究機構(The Japan Institute of Life Insurance)就調查出超過半數的日本女性在35歲到54歲之間的女性根本沒有意願想婚。所以生育的小孩也開始急劇減少， ....
健康的家庭是時時隨著時空，不斷成長!
..2010年 3/29日的最大華人影劇新聞，是香港兩位明星蔡卓妍(阿Sa)和鄭中基 (Ronald),突然高調宣佈離婚，四年前他們神秘在美國賭城結婚很少人知。但是為何兩人開記者招待會，宣佈好聚好散，不分身家，他兩的離婚反倒轟動整個華人世界。據報導兩人在美國註冊填報的洛杉磯住址和香港淡水灣獨立屋都是鄭中基擁有，鄭中基是擁有億萬的太子爺，但是阿Sa明明可以享福做少奶奶，但她依然堅持工作。
兩人離婚時，都不希望因分手而為錢反目，其實阿 Sa自己也是吸金的天后級歌影星，離婚也不會影響她的生活品質。值得注意的是兩人分手的記者會上，鄭中基比阿 Sa顯得更為頹廢神傷。兩人記者會結束時，一起手拉著手，一起對大眾表示感謝。相信並不是很多人看得懂他們之間的感情，但是又有什麼關係呢?兩人將來都會康復，生活的很好的，這就是新世紀的千變萬化的男女關係。
我也同時相信，他們的父母也不見得了解他們。父母不會管得動已經長大的兒女了，上一代的父母也不可能能夠跟得上這代的男女文化。其實，父母和兒女兩代有相同的看法，也定有不同的處理方法。如果長期生活在一塊兒，長大的兒女，即令有了自己的家，為了彼此對上一代的守護，難免會和配偶衝突。在華裔社會，很多母親(或是父親)還常把兒女或父母放在家人中的第一位。過份關注父母或兒女，就減少了對配偶的關懷。所以即使住在一起，更需努力培養夫妻關係。
因為，長期糾纏在這樣上下兩代的關係之中，很難看清自己或他人的問題，唯有學會關係改變，和任何家人有自己的界線，才能明白先生(或是妻子)長期被忽視如同「出走」一般，感覺不到關懷。如何建立夫妻兩人的關係，給兒女一個更完美的榜樣才是。客觀去想問題才能茅塞頓開吧?
在一個健康的家庭成長之中(Family Life Cycle)，家庭發展循環會隨著時間改變，關係也跟著成長。家中的父母是需要隨著兒女的年齡發展，不斷地調整對他們的相處和管教方式。小孩子時，得用管小孩子的模式管教。初時全是父母自己養育，然後逐漸送孩子去學校接受他人教育。到了兒女長大成人，父母一定要學會慢慢放手，他們才會學會處理自己的危機和問題。等到兒女成家立業，每個兒女開始有了他們自己的管家方式，慢慢地才會成熟，有些反會學著過來照顧父母了。
*註一:管教和控制是不同的父母教育方法。譬如教導兒女釣魚屬管教，看到兒女長大了，結交朋友不滿意會理性分享也是管教。控制是除了教導釣魚，還常常想盡辦法把魚送到兒女面前。看到兒女朋友不好，告訴他的害處，會想盡方法把對方罵走，要兒女換掉情人。像前面所述匡爸爸，看到大女兒被先生逼回家，他還要女兒為了小孩不要離婚，強迫她再回夫家等等。
兩人離婚時，都不希望因分手而為錢反目，其實阿 Sa自己也是吸金的天后級歌影星，離婚也不會影響她的生活品質。值得注意的是兩人分手的記者會上，鄭中基比阿 Sa顯得更為頹廢神傷。兩人記者會結束時，一起手拉著手，一起對大眾表示感謝。相信並不是很多人看得懂他們之間的感情，但是又有什麼關係呢?兩人將來都會康復，生活的很好的，這就是新世紀的千變萬化的男女關係。
我也同時相信，他們的父母也不見得了解他們。父母不會管得動已經長大的兒女了，上一代的父母也不可能能夠跟得上這代的男女文化。其實，父母和兒女兩代有相同的看法，也定有不同的處理方法。如果長期生活在一塊兒，長大的兒女，即令有了自己的家，為了彼此對上一代的守護，難免會和配偶衝突。在華裔社會，很多母親(或是父親)還常把兒女或父母放在家人中的第一位。過份關注父母或兒女，就減少了對配偶的關懷。所以即使住在一起，更需努力培養夫妻關係。
因為，長期糾纏在這樣上下兩代的關係之中，很難看清自己或他人的問題，唯有學會關係改變，和任何家人有自己的界線，才能明白先生(或是妻子)長期被忽視如同「出走」一般，感覺不到關懷。如何建立夫妻兩人的關係，給兒女一個更完美的榜樣才是。客觀去想問題才能茅塞頓開吧?
在一個健康的家庭成長之中(Family Life Cycle)，家庭發展循環會隨著時間改變，關係也跟著成長。家中的父母是需要隨著兒女的年齡發展，不斷地調整對他們的相處和管教方式。小孩子時，得用管小孩子的模式管教。初時全是父母自己養育，然後逐漸送孩子去學校接受他人教育。到了兒女長大成人，父母一定要學會慢慢放手，他們才會學會處理自己的危機和問題。等到兒女成家立業，每個兒女開始有了他們自己的管家方式，慢慢地才會成熟，有些反會學著過來照顧父母了。
*註一:管教和控制是不同的父母教育方法。譬如教導兒女釣魚屬管教，看到兒女長大了，結交朋友不滿意會理性分享也是管教。控制是除了教導釣魚，還常常想盡辦法把魚送到兒女面前。看到兒女朋友不好，告訴他的害處，會想盡方法把對方罵走，要兒女換掉情人。像前面所述匡爸爸，看到大女兒被先生逼回家，他還要女兒為了小孩不要離婚，強迫她再回夫家等等。
卓以定: 父母斷奶，啃老族才有機會新生(下)
答:我大致將妳的冗長英文信，翻成了中文，也希望你的父母可以看到這封信。
其實草莓族的兒女將會因為全球經濟的不景氣，有產生越來越多的現象，更有稱為啃老族，或是寄生族的。他們已經習慣享受，抗壓性低。自信過度，經過打擊，就易產生消極和憂鬱。
心理學發展大師艾瑞克森(Erik Erikson)曾將人類一生的成長分為八個階段，其中青少年演變成青年這個過程，十分重要。青年的成熟現象是了解基本的社交和職業認同，想要獨立。否則不管年紀多大，仍然是吸奶水和無法割斷臍帶的孩子。所以父母及早認知，和態度很為重要。
父母不免對男兒有著更大的期許和寵愛，男生又非得學會自己養自己。女生還可選擇嫁人，休息在家帶孩子。男生沒有這個選擇，有著更大的壓力。所以，唯有父母的方法改變，觀念也要徹底重新定位。最重要的是父母將心中「讀書是必需走的路，讀書品最高」的觀念去掉，徹底希望這個讀了十多年兒子成博士的夢想去除。
譬如告訴兒子不希望兒子再繼續以讀書為名拖下青春。父母在兩年之內，就要退休，必需存些老本來養老。所以每月供給費用得很快縮減，如以往每個月得供給三五千元，半年之內就得減成兩千元，或是他如受不了，可以去找工作半工半讀。以我多年，主辦獎學金的經驗，在美國大學或是研究院，法學院，醫學院，自己申請貸學，借聯邦助學金的學生，都比較務實，知道攻讀什麼科系，人生目標設定，可以主動快點畢業。
一個男人平均壽命八十歲的話，他已經過了將近半輩子，都被父母供養，要學會獨立豈是可以速成的?但是父母已經感覺不對，並且要求女兒寫信給我，決心已有，必需快快實踐才是，父母的有些方面必需立刻根改了。趕快趁早改變，唯有父母根改，兒子才會覺醒。而且進展必有阻力，但是持續不斷地慢慢脫手才有希望。
2010年的三月 Washington Post就有一篇新聞報告，很多名校的去年大學畢業生都無法如以往的大學畢業生成為成人。因為這二十一世紀的「直昇機父母」是最寵愛兒女的一代，迄今依然替大學畢業的兒女準備晚餐，買屋，甚至申報所得稅。甚至大學錄取的電話，很多也是父母親打的去詢問。著名的University of Virginia就有統計，將近八九成的諮詢電話是來自父母。
可能也是因為美國的富裕不再，家家又是少子化，父母面對成人兒女不知如何幫忙。在美國1960年時18-34歲的兒女和父母同住是8.3million，而在 2007年的美國，18-34歲的兒女和父母同住已經升到19.2million了，並且超過75%的18-24歲兒女依然仰賴父母給予最少一萬美金的援助!
要去「工作」絕對是一門值得學習的課程。從工作之中，可以學習到吃苦，耐心和毅力，甚至如何和不同的人相處。這些都不能在書本上學到，但是在這競爭的工業社會卻是必修課。年紀越拖越大，人的惰性就越難改。將孩子推入社會，父母兩人都得有著替孩子斷奶水的團隊精神。孩子出去定會叫苦有阻力，父母一心軟，就一定功虧一簣!
所以做為成人兒女的父母一定要時時站在同一陣線上。學會放手不管，不是自私的表現。而是做為父母必需學會，如何不過份期望兒子出人頭地，決心令兒女長大獨立。父母遲早得先走，得撒手不管。何不現在趁父母還安在時，慢慢學著教導長大的兒女，如何可以邊在父母支援下，慢慢漸進的找到工作和人生獨立的目標。不獨立的大人其實心中很為痛苦，這就是他為什麼這幾年和父母會處不好，而妳卻可以和父母能夠相處的主因。
如果我這封信，可以經由妳的父母看過，再由妳翻成英文，傳給哥哥。我想這是一件大功德，對妳哥哥，妳的父母都是一個從新的開始。但是大家都得學會耐心，有計劃，有層次的，慢慢走出來。可以常來信討論。
其實草莓族的兒女將會因為全球經濟的不景氣，有產生越來越多的現象，更有稱為啃老族，或是寄生族的。他們已經習慣享受，抗壓性低。自信過度，經過打擊，就易產生消極和憂鬱。
心理學發展大師艾瑞克森(Erik Erikson)曾將人類一生的成長分為八個階段，其中青少年演變成青年這個過程，十分重要。青年的成熟現象是了解基本的社交和職業認同，想要獨立。否則不管年紀多大，仍然是吸奶水和無法割斷臍帶的孩子。所以父母及早認知，和態度很為重要。
父母不免對男兒有著更大的期許和寵愛，男生又非得學會自己養自己。女生還可選擇嫁人，休息在家帶孩子。男生沒有這個選擇，有著更大的壓力。所以，唯有父母的方法改變，觀念也要徹底重新定位。最重要的是父母將心中「讀書是必需走的路，讀書品最高」的觀念去掉，徹底希望這個讀了十多年兒子成博士的夢想去除。
譬如告訴兒子不希望兒子再繼續以讀書為名拖下青春。父母在兩年之內，就要退休，必需存些老本來養老。所以每月供給費用得很快縮減，如以往每個月得供給三五千元，半年之內就得減成兩千元，或是他如受不了，可以去找工作半工半讀。以我多年，主辦獎學金的經驗，在美國大學或是研究院，法學院，醫學院，自己申請貸學，借聯邦助學金的學生，都比較務實，知道攻讀什麼科系，人生目標設定，可以主動快點畢業。
一個男人平均壽命八十歲的話，他已經過了將近半輩子，都被父母供養，要學會獨立豈是可以速成的?但是父母已經感覺不對，並且要求女兒寫信給我，決心已有，必需快快實踐才是，父母的有些方面必需立刻根改了。趕快趁早改變，唯有父母根改，兒子才會覺醒。而且進展必有阻力，但是持續不斷地慢慢脫手才有希望。
2010年的三月 Washington Post就有一篇新聞報告，很多名校的去年大學畢業生都無法如以往的大學畢業生成為成人。因為這二十一世紀的「直昇機父母」是最寵愛兒女的一代，迄今依然替大學畢業的兒女準備晚餐，買屋，甚至申報所得稅。甚至大學錄取的電話，很多也是父母親打的去詢問。著名的University of Virginia就有統計，將近八九成的諮詢電話是來自父母。
可能也是因為美國的富裕不再，家家又是少子化，父母面對成人兒女不知如何幫忙。在美國1960年時18-34歲的兒女和父母同住是8.3million，而在 2007年的美國，18-34歲的兒女和父母同住已經升到19.2million了，並且超過75%的18-24歲兒女依然仰賴父母給予最少一萬美金的援助!
要去「工作」絕對是一門值得學習的課程。從工作之中，可以學習到吃苦，耐心和毅力，甚至如何和不同的人相處。這些都不能在書本上學到，但是在這競爭的工業社會卻是必修課。年紀越拖越大，人的惰性就越難改。將孩子推入社會，父母兩人都得有著替孩子斷奶水的團隊精神。孩子出去定會叫苦有阻力，父母一心軟，就一定功虧一簣!
所以做為成人兒女的父母一定要時時站在同一陣線上。學會放手不管，不是自私的表現。而是做為父母必需學會，如何不過份期望兒子出人頭地，決心令兒女長大獨立。父母遲早得先走，得撒手不管。何不現在趁父母還安在時，慢慢學著教導長大的兒女，如何可以邊在父母支援下，慢慢漸進的找到工作和人生獨立的目標。不獨立的大人其實心中很為痛苦，這就是他為什麼這幾年和父母會處不好，而妳卻可以和父母能夠相處的主因。
如果我這封信，可以經由妳的父母看過，再由妳翻成英文，傳給哥哥。我想這是一件大功德，對妳哥哥，妳的父母都是一個從新的開始。但是大家都得學會耐心，有計劃，有層次的，慢慢走出來。可以常來信討論。
卓以定父母斷奶，啃老族才有機會新生(下)
答:我大致將妳的冗長英文信，翻成了中文，也希望你的父母可以看到這封信。
其實草莓族的兒女將會因為全球經濟的不景氣，有產生越來越多的現象，更有稱為啃老族，或是寄生族的。他們已經習慣享受，抗壓性低。自信過度，經過打擊，就易產生消極和憂鬱。
心理學發展大師艾瑞克森(Erik Erikson)曾將人類一生的成長分為八個階段，其中青少年演變成青年這個過程，十分重要。青年的成熟現象是了解基本的社交和職業認同，想要獨立。否則不管年紀多大，仍然是吸奶水和無法割斷臍帶的孩子。所以父母及早認知，和態度很為重要。
父母不免對男兒有著更大的期許和寵愛，男生又非得學會自己養自己。女生還可選擇嫁人，休息在家帶孩子。男生沒有這個選擇，有著更大的壓力。所以，唯有父母的方法改變，觀念也要徹底重新定位。最重要的是父母將心中「讀書是必需走的路，讀書品最高」的觀念去掉，徹底希望這個讀了十多年兒子成博士的夢想去除。
譬如告訴兒子不希望兒子再繼續以讀書為名拖下青春。父母在兩年之內，就要退休，必需存些老本來養老。所以每月供給費用得很快縮減，如以往每個月得供給三五千元，半年之內就得減成兩千元，或是他如受不了，可以去找工作半工半讀。以我多年，主辦獎學金的經驗，在美國大學或是研究院，法學院，醫學院，自己申請貸學，借聯邦助學金的學生，都比較務實，知道攻讀什麼科系，人生目標設定，可以主動快點畢業。
一個男人平均壽命八十歲的話，他已經過了將近半輩子，都被父母供養，要學會獨立豈是可以速成的?但是父母已經感覺不對，並且要求女兒寫信給我，決心已有，必需快快實踐才是，父母的有些方面必需立刻根改了。趕快趁早改變，唯有父母根改，兒子才會覺醒。而且進展必有阻力，但是持續不斷地慢慢脫手才有希望。
2010年的三月 Washington Post就有一篇新聞報告，很多名校的去年大學畢業生都無法如以往的大學畢業生成為成人。因為這二十一世紀的「直昇機父母」是最寵愛兒女的一代，迄今依然替大學畢業的兒女準備晚餐，買屋，甚至申報所得稅。甚至大學錄取的電話，很多也是父母親打的去詢問。著名的University of Virginia就有統計，將近八九成的諮詢電話是來自父母。
可能也是因為美國的富裕不再，家家又是少子化，父母面對成人兒女不知如何幫忙。在美國1960年時18-34歲的兒女和父母同住是8.3million，而在 2007年的美國，18-34歲的兒女和父母同住已經升到19.2million了，並且超過75%的18-24歲兒女依然仰賴父母給予最少一萬美金的援助!
要去「工作」絕對是一門值得學習的課程。從工作之中，可以學習到吃苦，耐心和毅力，甚至如何和不同的人相處。這些都不能在書本上學到，但是在這競爭的工業社會卻是必修課。年紀越拖越大，人的惰性就越難改。將孩子推入社會，父母兩人都得有著替孩子斷奶水的團隊精神。孩子出去定會叫苦有阻力，父母一心軟，就一定功虧一簣!
所以做為成人兒女的父母一定要時時站在同一陣線上。學會放手不管，不是自私的表現。而是做為父母必需學會，如何不過份期望兒子出人頭地，決心令兒女長大獨立。父母遲早得先走，得撒手不管。何不現在趁父母還安在時，慢慢學著教導長大的兒女，如何可以邊在父母支援下，慢慢漸進的找到工作和人生獨立的目標。不獨立的大人其實心中很為痛苦，這就是他為什麼這幾年和父母會處不好，而妳卻可以和父母能夠相處的主因。
如果我這封信，可以經由妳的父母看過，再由妳翻成英文，傳給哥哥。我想這是一件大功德，對妳哥哥，妳的父母都是一個從新的開始。但是大家都得學會耐心，有計劃，有層次的，慢慢走出來。可以常來信討論。
其實草莓族的兒女將會因為全球經濟的不景氣，有產生越來越多的現象，更有稱為啃老族，或是寄生族的。他們已經習慣享受，抗壓性低。自信過度，經過打擊，就易產生消極和憂鬱。
心理學發展大師艾瑞克森(Erik Erikson)曾將人類一生的成長分為八個階段，其中青少年演變成青年這個過程，十分重要。青年的成熟現象是了解基本的社交和職業認同，想要獨立。否則不管年紀多大，仍然是吸奶水和無法割斷臍帶的孩子。所以父母及早認知，和態度很為重要。
父母不免對男兒有著更大的期許和寵愛，男生又非得學會自己養自己。女生還可選擇嫁人，休息在家帶孩子。男生沒有這個選擇，有著更大的壓力。所以，唯有父母的方法改變，觀念也要徹底重新定位。最重要的是父母將心中「讀書是必需走的路，讀書品最高」的觀念去掉，徹底希望這個讀了十多年兒子成博士的夢想去除。
譬如告訴兒子不希望兒子再繼續以讀書為名拖下青春。父母在兩年之內，就要退休，必需存些老本來養老。所以每月供給費用得很快縮減，如以往每個月得供給三五千元，半年之內就得減成兩千元，或是他如受不了，可以去找工作半工半讀。以我多年，主辦獎學金的經驗，在美國大學或是研究院，法學院，醫學院，自己申請貸學，借聯邦助學金的學生，都比較務實，知道攻讀什麼科系，人生目標設定，可以主動快點畢業。
一個男人平均壽命八十歲的話，他已經過了將近半輩子，都被父母供養，要學會獨立豈是可以速成的?但是父母已經感覺不對，並且要求女兒寫信給我，決心已有，必需快快實踐才是，父母的有些方面必需立刻根改了。趕快趁早改變，唯有父母根改，兒子才會覺醒。而且進展必有阻力，但是持續不斷地慢慢脫手才有希望。
2010年的三月 Washington Post就有一篇新聞報告，很多名校的去年大學畢業生都無法如以往的大學畢業生成為成人。因為這二十一世紀的「直昇機父母」是最寵愛兒女的一代，迄今依然替大學畢業的兒女準備晚餐，買屋，甚至申報所得稅。甚至大學錄取的電話，很多也是父母親打的去詢問。著名的University of Virginia就有統計，將近八九成的諮詢電話是來自父母。
可能也是因為美國的富裕不再，家家又是少子化，父母面對成人兒女不知如何幫忙。在美國1960年時18-34歲的兒女和父母同住是8.3million，而在 2007年的美國，18-34歲的兒女和父母同住已經升到19.2million了，並且超過75%的18-24歲兒女依然仰賴父母給予最少一萬美金的援助!
要去「工作」絕對是一門值得學習的課程。從工作之中，可以學習到吃苦，耐心和毅力，甚至如何和不同的人相處。這些都不能在書本上學到，但是在這競爭的工業社會卻是必修課。年紀越拖越大，人的惰性就越難改。將孩子推入社會，父母兩人都得有著替孩子斷奶水的團隊精神。孩子出去定會叫苦有阻力，父母一心軟，就一定功虧一簣!
所以做為成人兒女的父母一定要時時站在同一陣線上。學會放手不管，不是自私的表現。而是做為父母必需學會，如何不過份期望兒子出人頭地，決心令兒女長大獨立。父母遲早得先走，得撒手不管。何不現在趁父母還安在時，慢慢學著教導長大的兒女，如何可以邊在父母支援下，慢慢漸進的找到工作和人生獨立的目標。不獨立的大人其實心中很為痛苦，這就是他為什麼這幾年和父母會處不好，而妳卻可以和父母能夠相處的主因。
如果我這封信，可以經由妳的父母看過，再由妳翻成英文，傳給哥哥。我想這是一件大功德，對妳哥哥，妳的父母都是一個從新的開始。但是大家都得學會耐心，有計劃，有層次的，慢慢走出來。可以常來信討論。
卓以定: 人生只是一次旅行 ─ 談父親的生與死
人生只是一次旅行 ─ 談父親的生與死
卓以定
http://blog.udn.com/ChineseWriterHouston/3550620
我是家裡唯一的女兒，從來美國之後，就很有紀律地週週，甚至日日地寫信和打電話給父母。記得父親在中年時電話中的一次談話。他說他為了辦同學會，去找從中國大陸帶出的一批舊照片。他說他翻著他小時的全家福照片，有他爺爺，奶奶，和父母親，兄弟姐妹，甚至和老同學同攝的老相片。他說他感覺人生真是過得太快速了，就像睡一場大覺，或是經歷一次旅行，一下子就這麼玩兒，玩兒的，玩完了！
去年年底(2007,12月)我去看他，他老人家的年紀已經比他說此話時的自己爺爺和奶奶都衰老--身體器官機能還可，卻然樣樣退化，但比他的兄弟都高壽。隨著年紀的增長，他的腦力也突然衰退，連生活自理都出問題，有時都不大能認得我了。此時早已過了九十多歲。
當自己再次擁抱年過九旬的雙親時，所謂骨肉相連之痛，其實做為子女的我們真是對世間這不可避免的身心退化，感到十分無奈，辛苦又難受!
父親這幾十年都喜歡生活在他台灣的老屋子，我每年都會飛回台灣看他，但是也是不及住在附近的方便。我們依舊常常打電話，我就像寫日記般的寫信給他，更為老人家學會打中文電腦，為的是印好的中型楷書，讓他看得清楚。也更加注意台灣的健保和老人安寧照養。
陳榮基醫師曾任台灣大學的副院長，現在是台灣失智症協會名譽理事長，台灣安寧照顧協會理事長。在 2004 年12月他在台灣的健康世界雜誌發表了「蓮花心十年情—安寧緩和醫療之路」的文章中曾提到了一個案例，節錄在下 …
「有家醫學中心安寧病房(hospice)中住著一位癌症末期的老婦人，她鄭重要求主治醫師與護理長在她臨終時，千萬不要做無謂的急救(心肺復甦術CPR)動作，只幫她助念，讓她能夠安詳往生。當時在場的長子及三子，也都同意尊重母親的意願，放棄心肺復甦，以愛心與孝心，陪伴母親走最後的一程路。不幸在她臨終時，忽然跳出二兒子堅持要急救，否則將告醫院及醫師沒有盡最大的努力，救治病人。醫師雖然不忍，也只好發動心肺按壓，插入氣管，內管接上呼吸器等一連串使病人痛苦的急救動作，直到病人在痛苦中死亡。
事後護理長請問二兒子，為何要違反母親的意願，甘心讓母親受急救術的折磨?二兒子回答說，「媽媽有一百萬元的存款，她說要留給我的，我要你們把她救醒，親口告訴大哥與三弟，那一百萬元是給我的。」
陳醫師在文中舉此案例是告訴大眾，為了防止類似不幸事件一再重演，為了協助每一個臨終的病人，能夠可以安詳往生，台灣終於在2000年通過了「安寧緩和醫療條例」，也就是像美國這些先進國家的「自然死亡法案(living will)」。這個法案提供了為末期病人臨終時，選擇「不施行心肺復甦術」的權力，每一個人可以在健康時或罹病時，根據此條例第七條，預立「不施行心肺復甦術意願書」，聲明自己若是罹患嚴重傷病，經醫師診斷認為不可治療，選擇在臨終時可以不施行心肺復甦術。前面的老婦人如果事先預立，縱使二兒子反對，醫師就可以依病人意願而不理會二兒子個人的意見了。
成功大學醫學院教授趙可式是臨終照顧的護理博士，也是一位值得尊敬的天主教修女。她的著作「醫師與生死」(2007年寶瓶出版)中，雖然提到的是醫護人員對臨終病人該有的關懷和安寧療護，但是字字句句卻充滿著生命的力量。她從十五歲起就與病痛和死亡結了不解之緣。所以很慶幸學習和經驗的背景就是教導成大醫學院的青年學子。
沒想到在前年自己又罹患乳癌，又有淋巴腺轉移，這已是她人生第五次開刀。手術之後又接著完成化療，死亡一下子好像又回到眼前。於是她就決定將「生命的意義，努力的意義和痛苦的意義」等問題努力化為文字流傳給下一代。
她花了七年的時間，訪問了台灣五十六位名醫，記錄下來出書。她在書中仔細詮釋隱藏在醫師們白袍底下的生死觀，感受和反應。他們面對的生死折磨，失去希望和喪失成就感，內心挫折和自責。最重要的是，不論醫師有著不同的宗教，他們都感覺醫師當得愈久，愈為謙卑，愈為發現醫學是有極限的，醫師也是凡人而已，每個病人的離去都是一個寶貴的學習經驗。
我的父母都在六十多歲時照顧過八九十歲父親的叔嬸(因為他們的兒女有的先走，有的留在大陸)數年的經驗。他們深刻體會到無望病人臨終插管之痛，兩人都先後簽了不用插管急救的同意書。
父親擔任教職數十年，除了台灣大學之外，也曾教過二女中，護專，東吳大學和國防醫學院。他一生住在台灣將近六十年，來美玩過幾次，從未再回故土大陸。從來就是將台灣當成自己的家，老年後，每天都會走下家中四樓，到附近走走逛逛，更會主動清理鄰近下水道，到有難的人家去親自採訪和捐錢。一生都以樂善好施，積極公益為主要嗜好，八十歲以前都是親自去探望受難家屬，之後才每月直接捐給慈濟作慈善。他愛學生如自己的子女，終生鼓勵弱勢或是清寒學生，晚年更是和義女同住。
這位義女Jennifer是其中一位父親認養的高中清寒學生。後來她申請到我們家附近的專科大學讀書，從此就住在了家中。初時還有另位台大就學和越南家人失去聯絡的女生，她也住在我們家十多年，一直到住在澳洲的大姐替她申請移民。她初時在台工作還不肯離開父親，去了澳洲之後也一直念著要替我父親申請到澳洲。
她也常回來看父親，聽說去年年底父親住進安養中心，買了今年四月的機票準備回來看父親，當她知道父親已經走了，在電話中痛哭了起來。她們和父親的感情，情似祖孫。
Jennifer從十六歲搬來我家，大學畢業，工作，從1976年開始到2008年和父親共同生活了三十二年。她原是基隆鄉下的純樸大家庭的子女，她們一家的弟妹都和父親很親，這次父親的葬禮，家家都有熱心參與。 Jennifer現在擔任一家航運公司的經理，有自己的房子，口音有父親的北京腔，做人更有著父親的厚道和愛心，真是比我這個從 21歲就出國的親女兒，還像父親!
去年十二月才去台看他，回來不久，父親就因大小便失禁，住進理想的私人安養中心。這個安養中心和Jennifer工作極近，她每天下班就去看父親，還常帶著父親愛吃的甜點。我們天天電子郵件聯絡或打電話。父親看來身心都很穩定。
我和外子在父親進了安養中心就早已買了今年(2008,3)三月的飛機票，準備去看他。主要是因為每年的一，二，三的月份，我都在忙碌於菩提清寒獎學金的雜務。這也是多年來，父親十分鼓勵我做的義工，雖然身邊很多的助手，臨時也不可能全部拜託一人。
2008年二月，台北的天氣格外陰雨寒冷，老父感染肺炎，緊急住院。我和外子收到Jennifer通知，但是因為剛過完新年機票難求，第三天才隨後趕飛回台，父親除了帶著氧氣筒，打著點滴，住進了台大醫院私人病房。
因為我們事先的同意書，他沒有插上任何插管，腦筋清楚，還可說話，他也知道我們已在路上。頭兩天還摸著乾妹Jennifer的手說，自己走後最不放心的就是已經身具高職，依然未婚的她。她也拍拍父親的頭說，她有自己一群的老朋友和單身同學，又有三位妹妹和我，請老人家放心。過了兩天之後，父親就開始熟睡，有時可以叫醒，有時不行。走前我曾經和他的醫師溝通，他問我「要不要插管，等女兒回來?」我說不要，因為那是父親自己的意願，身為子女的要尊重他的意願和學會隨順因緣。
他就在深睡之中，安詳的往生。我們尊重他的遺願，請慈濟志工助念。等過了三小時，護士和乾妹替他更衣，都可以感受到他身體特別的柔軟和輕鬆。翌日，我們才趕到，當我在太平間摸著他冰冷的臉龐，是那麼的柔軟如生時，臉上表情平靜如同深睡，就更加感受父母當時的偉大抉擇和自己的無憾了。
我回到自己在大學時住的家，收拾雜物和處理喪事。面對著家前的小公園，這是他在六十多歲時眼見一群群的年輕人在那兒賭博，才發起鄰里簽名，他提筆寫信去見民意代表，才有的小公園。在買雜物清理的路上，聽著乾妹說起，父親去住私立安養中心的頭幾天，總吵著要回家。乾妹哄他說，這就是咱們的家，父親說怎麼多了這麼多的老人?乾妹說這些都是無家可歸的老人，父親說那麼收容他們是我們義不容辭的事。乾妹說父親還天天試著教自己的那個室友講話呢。我邊聽，邊感動的淚下。
走去過馬路的刻印店刻圖章，小店的操台語的母女問起多天不見的父親時，我們兩同聲說他已經走了。兩個母女都不覺地哭了出來。她們一直說父親幾乎天天都會散步過來，和他們談談天。父親一生視富貴如浮雲，看重的就是情，家中有的墨寶都已被蟲蛀了，還有更多的是各種不同學問的書籍，信件，學生的，朋友的，和我這四十多年寫的信件是家中主要的垃圾。還有一大堆的相片，他的英俊的青少年，青年，中年和老年的，還有更多的是他學生送他的合照等等 …
我們作為子女的總以為老早就已經準備好父母的「生老病死」，因為我們的身邊處處都是如此發生。其實不管我們年紀多大，或者多老，還是難過，還是心痛。看他們痛苦地在病床上掙扎的子女，見到他們走了，雖替他們解脫，但也是會想到落淚。就像父親走得這麼瀟洒，自在，還是痛徹內心地懷念他。
父親在台灣六十年，總共只進過兩次醫院。一次是在1960年被軍車撞到，昏迷數日，事後知道對方是金門人，不知台北地理又要趕著結婚，就完全原諒了對方，根本沒有起訴。這是第二次住院，住院不到五天，臨走的血液報告還一切正常，可謂無疾而終。他一生都能自理自立，過著自己愛過的日子，直到死前兩個月住進安養中心，他居然過了兩個月很安樂的日子。我走前和乾妹特地到他的安養中心和台大醫院去致謝。
推動安寧緩和醫療的理念對於年邁的病人，真的是值得推行的生命教育。美國早已在各個醫院都有安寧病房(hospice)，各個社區都有居家的安寧護理團隊到家中照養。他們個個都很有愛心，也能斷定病人快走的時日，我們作為家屬的更要學會和他們合作，才會使醫療成為更為人性化，也希望每個人都能享有和父親一般，安詳往生的權力。
尊重生命是重視在平常時盡力盡心地預防疾病，救治每一個生命。臨終時應該協助每一個會走的人，走的平靜，走的安詳，這才是現代人應有的觀念。大孝與大愛，並非是不計親人的痛苦，而搶救到底，而是時時和諧的相處，親切的陪伴，協助他坦然接受，減少他們身，心，靈的痛苦。協助他們放下，安詳的隨佛接引，或是回歸天國。人生終需一死，衰老絕症病人的死亡，並非醫療的失敗，未能協助病人安詳的往生才是醫療的失敗。
在我們面對他們往死亡的路上時，我們做為子女的更要學會鎮定。就像法鼓山聖嚴法師所云「面對它，接受它，處理它，放下它」。他們走後，我們定會時時的懷念他們。當難過得難抑時，要時時提醒自己，他們在天國或是西方淨土也是希望我們能夠振作和快樂的生活下去。讓他們的愛和美德永遠和我們常在一起。
親愛的爸爸，謝謝您，從生到死都在教導我。您教我從小就有大愛，愛世間所有有情，愛植物，愛動物，愛人，愛自然，愛大地，愛音樂，愛藝術，愛讀書，愛周圍所有的事物。記得您牽著我的小手和穿綠衣來送信的郵差致禮，訴說奉公守法的小百姓的不凡。您對任何人都沒有高低，都一樣尊重，一樣看待，您對外人的慷慨和無私熱誠，我將會一生奉行。由您九十二年的生死，體驗到人生的確是一場旅行，一場非常有意義又安詳的旅行。再次感謝您，真是很幸運做了您的女兒！
卓以定
http://blog.udn.com/ChineseWriterHouston/3550620
我是家裡唯一的女兒，從來美國之後，就很有紀律地週週，甚至日日地寫信和打電話給父母。記得父親在中年時電話中的一次談話。他說他為了辦同學會，去找從中國大陸帶出的一批舊照片。他說他翻著他小時的全家福照片，有他爺爺，奶奶，和父母親，兄弟姐妹，甚至和老同學同攝的老相片。他說他感覺人生真是過得太快速了，就像睡一場大覺，或是經歷一次旅行，一下子就這麼玩兒，玩兒的，玩完了！
去年年底(2007,12月)我去看他，他老人家的年紀已經比他說此話時的自己爺爺和奶奶都衰老--身體器官機能還可，卻然樣樣退化，但比他的兄弟都高壽。隨著年紀的增長，他的腦力也突然衰退，連生活自理都出問題，有時都不大能認得我了。此時早已過了九十多歲。
當自己再次擁抱年過九旬的雙親時，所謂骨肉相連之痛，其實做為子女的我們真是對世間這不可避免的身心退化，感到十分無奈，辛苦又難受!
父親這幾十年都喜歡生活在他台灣的老屋子，我每年都會飛回台灣看他，但是也是不及住在附近的方便。我們依舊常常打電話，我就像寫日記般的寫信給他，更為老人家學會打中文電腦，為的是印好的中型楷書，讓他看得清楚。也更加注意台灣的健保和老人安寧照養。
陳榮基醫師曾任台灣大學的副院長，現在是台灣失智症協會名譽理事長，台灣安寧照顧協會理事長。在 2004 年12月他在台灣的健康世界雜誌發表了「蓮花心十年情—安寧緩和醫療之路」的文章中曾提到了一個案例，節錄在下 …
「有家醫學中心安寧病房(hospice)中住著一位癌症末期的老婦人，她鄭重要求主治醫師與護理長在她臨終時，千萬不要做無謂的急救(心肺復甦術CPR)動作，只幫她助念，讓她能夠安詳往生。當時在場的長子及三子，也都同意尊重母親的意願，放棄心肺復甦，以愛心與孝心，陪伴母親走最後的一程路。不幸在她臨終時，忽然跳出二兒子堅持要急救，否則將告醫院及醫師沒有盡最大的努力，救治病人。醫師雖然不忍，也只好發動心肺按壓，插入氣管，內管接上呼吸器等一連串使病人痛苦的急救動作，直到病人在痛苦中死亡。
事後護理長請問二兒子，為何要違反母親的意願，甘心讓母親受急救術的折磨?二兒子回答說，「媽媽有一百萬元的存款，她說要留給我的，我要你們把她救醒，親口告訴大哥與三弟，那一百萬元是給我的。」
陳醫師在文中舉此案例是告訴大眾，為了防止類似不幸事件一再重演，為了協助每一個臨終的病人，能夠可以安詳往生，台灣終於在2000年通過了「安寧緩和醫療條例」，也就是像美國這些先進國家的「自然死亡法案(living will)」。這個法案提供了為末期病人臨終時，選擇「不施行心肺復甦術」的權力，每一個人可以在健康時或罹病時，根據此條例第七條，預立「不施行心肺復甦術意願書」，聲明自己若是罹患嚴重傷病，經醫師診斷認為不可治療，選擇在臨終時可以不施行心肺復甦術。前面的老婦人如果事先預立，縱使二兒子反對，醫師就可以依病人意願而不理會二兒子個人的意見了。
成功大學醫學院教授趙可式是臨終照顧的護理博士，也是一位值得尊敬的天主教修女。她的著作「醫師與生死」(2007年寶瓶出版)中，雖然提到的是醫護人員對臨終病人該有的關懷和安寧療護，但是字字句句卻充滿著生命的力量。她從十五歲起就與病痛和死亡結了不解之緣。所以很慶幸學習和經驗的背景就是教導成大醫學院的青年學子。
沒想到在前年自己又罹患乳癌，又有淋巴腺轉移，這已是她人生第五次開刀。手術之後又接著完成化療，死亡一下子好像又回到眼前。於是她就決定將「生命的意義，努力的意義和痛苦的意義」等問題努力化為文字流傳給下一代。
她花了七年的時間，訪問了台灣五十六位名醫，記錄下來出書。她在書中仔細詮釋隱藏在醫師們白袍底下的生死觀，感受和反應。他們面對的生死折磨，失去希望和喪失成就感，內心挫折和自責。最重要的是，不論醫師有著不同的宗教，他們都感覺醫師當得愈久，愈為謙卑，愈為發現醫學是有極限的，醫師也是凡人而已，每個病人的離去都是一個寶貴的學習經驗。
我的父母都在六十多歲時照顧過八九十歲父親的叔嬸(因為他們的兒女有的先走，有的留在大陸)數年的經驗。他們深刻體會到無望病人臨終插管之痛，兩人都先後簽了不用插管急救的同意書。
父親擔任教職數十年，除了台灣大學之外，也曾教過二女中，護專，東吳大學和國防醫學院。他一生住在台灣將近六十年，來美玩過幾次，從未再回故土大陸。從來就是將台灣當成自己的家，老年後，每天都會走下家中四樓，到附近走走逛逛，更會主動清理鄰近下水道，到有難的人家去親自採訪和捐錢。一生都以樂善好施，積極公益為主要嗜好，八十歲以前都是親自去探望受難家屬，之後才每月直接捐給慈濟作慈善。他愛學生如自己的子女，終生鼓勵弱勢或是清寒學生，晚年更是和義女同住。
這位義女Jennifer是其中一位父親認養的高中清寒學生。後來她申請到我們家附近的專科大學讀書，從此就住在了家中。初時還有另位台大就學和越南家人失去聯絡的女生，她也住在我們家十多年，一直到住在澳洲的大姐替她申請移民。她初時在台工作還不肯離開父親，去了澳洲之後也一直念著要替我父親申請到澳洲。
她也常回來看父親，聽說去年年底父親住進安養中心，買了今年四月的機票準備回來看父親，當她知道父親已經走了，在電話中痛哭了起來。她們和父親的感情，情似祖孫。
Jennifer從十六歲搬來我家，大學畢業，工作，從1976年開始到2008年和父親共同生活了三十二年。她原是基隆鄉下的純樸大家庭的子女，她們一家的弟妹都和父親很親，這次父親的葬禮，家家都有熱心參與。 Jennifer現在擔任一家航運公司的經理，有自己的房子，口音有父親的北京腔，做人更有著父親的厚道和愛心，真是比我這個從 21歲就出國的親女兒，還像父親!
去年十二月才去台看他，回來不久，父親就因大小便失禁，住進理想的私人安養中心。這個安養中心和Jennifer工作極近，她每天下班就去看父親，還常帶著父親愛吃的甜點。我們天天電子郵件聯絡或打電話。父親看來身心都很穩定。
我和外子在父親進了安養中心就早已買了今年(2008,3)三月的飛機票，準備去看他。主要是因為每年的一，二，三的月份，我都在忙碌於菩提清寒獎學金的雜務。這也是多年來，父親十分鼓勵我做的義工，雖然身邊很多的助手，臨時也不可能全部拜託一人。
2008年二月，台北的天氣格外陰雨寒冷，老父感染肺炎，緊急住院。我和外子收到Jennifer通知，但是因為剛過完新年機票難求，第三天才隨後趕飛回台，父親除了帶著氧氣筒，打著點滴，住進了台大醫院私人病房。
因為我們事先的同意書，他沒有插上任何插管，腦筋清楚，還可說話，他也知道我們已在路上。頭兩天還摸著乾妹Jennifer的手說，自己走後最不放心的就是已經身具高職，依然未婚的她。她也拍拍父親的頭說，她有自己一群的老朋友和單身同學，又有三位妹妹和我，請老人家放心。過了兩天之後，父親就開始熟睡，有時可以叫醒，有時不行。走前我曾經和他的醫師溝通，他問我「要不要插管，等女兒回來?」我說不要，因為那是父親自己的意願，身為子女的要尊重他的意願和學會隨順因緣。
他就在深睡之中，安詳的往生。我們尊重他的遺願，請慈濟志工助念。等過了三小時，護士和乾妹替他更衣，都可以感受到他身體特別的柔軟和輕鬆。翌日，我們才趕到，當我在太平間摸著他冰冷的臉龐，是那麼的柔軟如生時，臉上表情平靜如同深睡，就更加感受父母當時的偉大抉擇和自己的無憾了。
我回到自己在大學時住的家，收拾雜物和處理喪事。面對著家前的小公園，這是他在六十多歲時眼見一群群的年輕人在那兒賭博，才發起鄰里簽名，他提筆寫信去見民意代表，才有的小公園。在買雜物清理的路上，聽著乾妹說起，父親去住私立安養中心的頭幾天，總吵著要回家。乾妹哄他說，這就是咱們的家，父親說怎麼多了這麼多的老人?乾妹說這些都是無家可歸的老人，父親說那麼收容他們是我們義不容辭的事。乾妹說父親還天天試著教自己的那個室友講話呢。我邊聽，邊感動的淚下。
走去過馬路的刻印店刻圖章，小店的操台語的母女問起多天不見的父親時，我們兩同聲說他已經走了。兩個母女都不覺地哭了出來。她們一直說父親幾乎天天都會散步過來，和他們談談天。父親一生視富貴如浮雲，看重的就是情，家中有的墨寶都已被蟲蛀了，還有更多的是各種不同學問的書籍，信件，學生的，朋友的，和我這四十多年寫的信件是家中主要的垃圾。還有一大堆的相片，他的英俊的青少年，青年，中年和老年的，還有更多的是他學生送他的合照等等 …
我們作為子女的總以為老早就已經準備好父母的「生老病死」，因為我們的身邊處處都是如此發生。其實不管我們年紀多大，或者多老，還是難過，還是心痛。看他們痛苦地在病床上掙扎的子女，見到他們走了，雖替他們解脫，但也是會想到落淚。就像父親走得這麼瀟洒，自在，還是痛徹內心地懷念他。
父親在台灣六十年，總共只進過兩次醫院。一次是在1960年被軍車撞到，昏迷數日，事後知道對方是金門人，不知台北地理又要趕著結婚，就完全原諒了對方，根本沒有起訴。這是第二次住院，住院不到五天，臨走的血液報告還一切正常，可謂無疾而終。他一生都能自理自立，過著自己愛過的日子，直到死前兩個月住進安養中心，他居然過了兩個月很安樂的日子。我走前和乾妹特地到他的安養中心和台大醫院去致謝。
推動安寧緩和醫療的理念對於年邁的病人，真的是值得推行的生命教育。美國早已在各個醫院都有安寧病房(hospice)，各個社區都有居家的安寧護理團隊到家中照養。他們個個都很有愛心，也能斷定病人快走的時日，我們作為家屬的更要學會和他們合作，才會使醫療成為更為人性化，也希望每個人都能享有和父親一般，安詳往生的權力。
尊重生命是重視在平常時盡力盡心地預防疾病，救治每一個生命。臨終時應該協助每一個會走的人，走的平靜，走的安詳，這才是現代人應有的觀念。大孝與大愛，並非是不計親人的痛苦，而搶救到底，而是時時和諧的相處，親切的陪伴，協助他坦然接受，減少他們身，心，靈的痛苦。協助他們放下，安詳的隨佛接引，或是回歸天國。人生終需一死，衰老絕症病人的死亡，並非醫療的失敗，未能協助病人安詳的往生才是醫療的失敗。
在我們面對他們往死亡的路上時，我們做為子女的更要學會鎮定。就像法鼓山聖嚴法師所云「面對它，接受它，處理它，放下它」。他們走後，我們定會時時的懷念他們。當難過得難抑時，要時時提醒自己，他們在天國或是西方淨土也是希望我們能夠振作和快樂的生活下去。讓他們的愛和美德永遠和我們常在一起。
親愛的爸爸，謝謝您，從生到死都在教導我。您教我從小就有大愛，愛世間所有有情，愛植物，愛動物，愛人，愛自然，愛大地，愛音樂，愛藝術，愛讀書，愛周圍所有的事物。記得您牽著我的小手和穿綠衣來送信的郵差致禮，訴說奉公守法的小百姓的不凡。您對任何人都沒有高低，都一樣尊重，一樣看待，您對外人的慷慨和無私熱誠，我將會一生奉行。由您九十二年的生死，體驗到人生的確是一場旅行，一場非常有意義又安詳的旅行。再次感謝您，真是很幸運做了您的女兒！
請救救我哥
請救救我哥，我爸和我媽，好嗎?(上)
by 卓以定
卓以定的心靈診所
July 18, 2010 06:09 PM | 82 觀看次數 | 0 | 3 | | | 文章連結
問:以下問題由作者英翻中，並且為了保護隱私也修改了信中部份內容。
http://blog.worldjournal.com/pages/full_story/push?blog-entry-%E8%AB%8B%E6%95%91%E6%95%91%E6%88%91%E5%93%A5%EF%BC%8C%E6%88%91%E7%88%B8%E5%92%8C%E6%88%91%E5%AA%BD%EF%BC%8C%E5%A5%BD%E5%97%8E-%E4%B8%8A-%20&id=8806617
你好，我的父母都是開餐館的，他們天天忙於工作，無法有空寫信，這封信是由我這個女兒替他們求助。但是他們很為好學，都喜歡看你在世界日報上寫的有關親子文章。我父親是由中國溫州來的，母親是由台灣來的，他們在工作地方相識結婚。成家生育了兩個兒女。我是他們的小女兒，已經大學畢業，並且成家，有了一個小Baby。
我的父母為人勤勞，最重視我們受很好的教育。長大之後，讀很多書，拿了最高學位，可以成為專業的學術學者。不必像他們一生這麼辛苦，天天必需早出晚歸，親身負責工作，賺錢全靠自己的勞力，在美國的社會地位又不高。
我從小讀書不如大我五歲的哥哥。哥哥從小聰明，隨便用功就可以是班上頭兩名尖子。我是很努力的做完功課，數理還行，英文歷史就很弱。不像他樣樣都強，等上了高中，哥哥還是全國的National Merit榮譽榜的高材生。他申請了五間東北最好的大學，都被錄取，他就進了其中最有名的那間大學讀書。
想想那幾年，是我父母最最滿足又驕傲的時期。他大學畢業之後，就又留在原校繼續攻讀研究院，專攻X系博士學位，當時又有全額獎學金。不久，我就進了本地的公立大學讀計算機系大一。
我想那時候的父母是多麼得意，根本不會想到今天他們會拜託我寫這封信給你吧?總之，哥哥進了研究院之後，他就開始有了很不同的人生。他的個性開始被動和內向。先是和實驗室裡的一位女同學搞不好，我們不知道是為什麼?究竟是他患了單相思?還是對方故意整哥哥?反正他後來總說對方是惡魔。
不久，他就為此作主自己換了指導教授，全額的獎學金就在五年之前，泡湯沒有了。他開始在這之後成為父母的最大負擔。我倒是依照原來計劃，大學畢業，嫁給第一份工作的同事，和父母住的很近。我可以完全了解父母在這五六年的改變。
因為哥哥不是住在這裡，他的名校是生活水準很高的東部X區。父母每年為了養他，至少得花上十萬元美金左右，包括學費，生活雜費。自此，兩代關係越來越差。哥哥很少回家，也不打電話來。但是只要缺錢用，就立刻打電話來催父母，而且態度越來越惡劣。也是因為父母年紀大了，飯館生意不景氣了，加上哥哥拿博士的日子越來越遙遠，哥哥都快四十歲了。
每次父母問他，已經在研究院念了十多年，還要多久才能念完? 他就大吼大叫，甚至口出粗話。有時還會寫罵家人的電子信，請我轉給父母。他一點也不覺得對父母有歉意，根本很少回家，有他自己舒服的生活，難道不會想家嗎?我和先生都覺得自小很會念書的哥哥，長大做人實在太過份了。他一直在利用父母喜歡家中有個學者兒子的心，而繼續叫他們養他，我對父母辛苦養他更為同情。可是他們就是不忍心放手不養他。他們常常看你的文章，也知道養育一個草莓族，就是不知道如何可以放手不管?請你務必回信，救救他們，好嗎?謝謝!
Read more: 世界部落格(WJBlog)
by 卓以定
卓以定的心靈診所
July 18, 2010 06:09 PM | 82 觀看次數 | 0 | 3 | | | 文章連結
問:以下問題由作者英翻中，並且為了保護隱私也修改了信中部份內容。
http://blog.worldjournal.com/pages/full_story/push?blog-entry-%E8%AB%8B%E6%95%91%E6%95%91%E6%88%91%E5%93%A5%EF%BC%8C%E6%88%91%E7%88%B8%E5%92%8C%E6%88%91%E5%AA%BD%EF%BC%8C%E5%A5%BD%E5%97%8E-%E4%B8%8A-%20&id=8806617
你好，我的父母都是開餐館的，他們天天忙於工作，無法有空寫信，這封信是由我這個女兒替他們求助。但是他們很為好學，都喜歡看你在世界日報上寫的有關親子文章。我父親是由中國溫州來的，母親是由台灣來的，他們在工作地方相識結婚。成家生育了兩個兒女。我是他們的小女兒，已經大學畢業，並且成家，有了一個小Baby。
我的父母為人勤勞，最重視我們受很好的教育。長大之後，讀很多書，拿了最高學位，可以成為專業的學術學者。不必像他們一生這麼辛苦，天天必需早出晚歸，親身負責工作，賺錢全靠自己的勞力，在美國的社會地位又不高。
我從小讀書不如大我五歲的哥哥。哥哥從小聰明，隨便用功就可以是班上頭兩名尖子。我是很努力的做完功課，數理還行，英文歷史就很弱。不像他樣樣都強，等上了高中，哥哥還是全國的National Merit榮譽榜的高材生。他申請了五間東北最好的大學，都被錄取，他就進了其中最有名的那間大學讀書。
想想那幾年，是我父母最最滿足又驕傲的時期。他大學畢業之後，就又留在原校繼續攻讀研究院，專攻X系博士學位，當時又有全額獎學金。不久，我就進了本地的公立大學讀計算機系大一。
我想那時候的父母是多麼得意，根本不會想到今天他們會拜託我寫這封信給你吧?總之，哥哥進了研究院之後，他就開始有了很不同的人生。他的個性開始被動和內向。先是和實驗室裡的一位女同學搞不好，我們不知道是為什麼?究竟是他患了單相思?還是對方故意整哥哥?反正他後來總說對方是惡魔。
不久，他就為此作主自己換了指導教授，全額的獎學金就在五年之前，泡湯沒有了。他開始在這之後成為父母的最大負擔。我倒是依照原來計劃，大學畢業，嫁給第一份工作的同事，和父母住的很近。我可以完全了解父母在這五六年的改變。
因為哥哥不是住在這裡，他的名校是生活水準很高的東部X區。父母每年為了養他，至少得花上十萬元美金左右，包括學費，生活雜費。自此，兩代關係越來越差。哥哥很少回家，也不打電話來。但是只要缺錢用，就立刻打電話來催父母，而且態度越來越惡劣。也是因為父母年紀大了，飯館生意不景氣了，加上哥哥拿博士的日子越來越遙遠，哥哥都快四十歲了。
每次父母問他，已經在研究院念了十多年，還要多久才能念完? 他就大吼大叫，甚至口出粗話。有時還會寫罵家人的電子信，請我轉給父母。他一點也不覺得對父母有歉意，根本很少回家，有他自己舒服的生活，難道不會想家嗎?我和先生都覺得自小很會念書的哥哥，長大做人實在太過份了。他一直在利用父母喜歡家中有個學者兒子的心，而繼續叫他們養他，我對父母辛苦養他更為同情。可是他們就是不忍心放手不養他。他們常常看你的文章，也知道養育一個草莓族，就是不知道如何可以放手不管?請你務必回信，救救他們，好嗎?謝謝!
Read more: 世界部落格(WJBlog)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Fears grow as millions lose U.S. jobless benefits
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Fears-grow-as-millions-lose-rb-1408637055.html?x=0
On Wednesday July 14, 2010, 1:35 am EDT
By Nick Carey
CINCINNATI (Reuters) - Deborah Coleman lost her unemployment benefits in April, and now fears for millions of others if the Senate does not extend aid for the jobless.
"It's too late for me now," she said, fighting back tears at the Freestore Foodbank in the low-income Over-the-Rhine district near downtown Cincinnati. "But it will be terrible for the people who'll lose their benefits if Congress does nothing."
For nearly two years, Coleman says she has filed an average of 30 job applications a day, but remains jobless.
"People keep telling me there are jobs out there, but I haven't been able to find them."
Coleman, 58, a former manager at a telecommunications firm, said the only jobs she found were over the Ohio state line in Kentucky, but she cannot reach them because her car has been repossessed and there is no bus service to those areas.
After her $300 a week benefits ran out, Freestore Foodbank brokered emergency 90-day support in June for rent. Once that runs out, her future is uncertain.
"I've lost everything and I don't know what will happen to me," she said.
The recession -- the worst U.S. downturn since the 1930s -- has left some 8 million people like Coleman out of work.
Unemployment has remained stubbornly high at around 9.5 percent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in June 6.8 million people or 45.5 percent of the total are long-term unemployed, or jobless for 27 weeks or more.
Before the recession began in late 2007, the unemployed received benefits, usually a few hundred dollars a week, for 26 weeks or around six months after losing their jobs.
Under the federal/state programs, which are administered by state governments and partly funded by taxes on business, only full-time workers are eligible for benefits. Within federal guidelines, benefits and eligibility vary from state to state.
As the downturn left more Americans out of work for longer periods, Congress voted to provide funding to extend benefits to as long as 99 weeks in some areas.
Some critics say this adds to the country's large fiscal deficit, and may even discourage job-seeking.
FOOD BANKS FEAR STRAIN
An attempt to pass another extension has become bogged down in partisan political bickering in the Senate. Relief agencies fear that failure to extend benefits will strain their resources and may worsen the U.S. housing crisis.
"This will put a great deal of stress and strain on our organization, which has already been working hard," said Vicki Escarra, chief executive of Feeding America, which has a network of more than 200 food banks. In the year ended June 30, Feeding America distributed 3 billion pounds (1.36 billion kg) of food, a 50 percent increase over the past two years.
The benefits debate has pitted the majority of Democrats against most Republicans and some conservative Democrats.
When the House of Representatives passed a $34 billion benefit extension on July 1, 11 fiscally conservative Democrats voted against it. The Senate may take up the issue again in mid-July, but Republicans like Senator Tom Coburn have argued any extension must be paid for with cuts elsewhere.
"Even then he (Coburn) is not sure if that's a good idea," said John Hart, a spokesman for the Oklahoma senator. "The longer the unemployed have benefits, the less incentive there is to find a job."
Most economists argue that cutting benefits could slow recovery, describing benefits as direct economic stimulus because almost every penny of it gets spent. In a June 28 client note, Goldman Sachs said if all additional U.S. stimulus spending expires, it could slow the economy up to 1.5 percentage points from the fourth quarter 2010 to the second quarter of 2011.
The note added that extending unemployment benefits and a $400 tax credit would "substantially mitigate" that impact.
3 MILLION CUT OFF IN TWO MONTHS
During the Senate impasse, from the week ended June 5 to the week ended July 10, more than 2.1 million Americans lost their benefits. Another million will join them by July 31.
In Ohio alone, where unemployment stood at 10.7 percent in May, more than 83,000 people lost their benefits in June.
Sister Barbara Busch, executive director of non-profit housing group Working in Neighborhoods in Cincinnati, 65 percent of the people who come seeking help with their mortgages are unemployed or underemployed.
"I fear once the benefits run out, I suspect we'll see a new wave of foreclosures," she said. "I just hope I'm wrong."
Ohio is a bellwether U.S. state in elections. The state's Democratic attorney general Richard Cordray said blocking extending jobless benefits was politically motivated ahead of the midterm elections in November.
"If people lose their benefits they will blame the congressional majority and the administration," he said. "As unappetizing as it is, that would appear to be the strategy."
Senator Coburn's spokesman Hart said suggestions the Republicans were playing partisan politics were "ludicrous."
"The Democrats say that because they want to avoid making the hard decisions," he said.
Alonzo Allen, 55, a former aid agency worker in Cincinnati whose benefits will run out in September, spends two days a week volunteering at the food bank in Over-the-Rhine and the other three looking for work. He said he worries about the one-bedroom apartment he rents and how he will feed his dog Ginger, who is the "only family I have."
"If the benefits stop, I'll be out on the street and I'll lose all my furniture," he said. "That's going to be tough."
(Editing by Eric Walsh)
On Wednesday July 14, 2010, 1:35 am EDT
By Nick Carey
CINCINNATI (Reuters) - Deborah Coleman lost her unemployment benefits in April, and now fears for millions of others if the Senate does not extend aid for the jobless.
"It's too late for me now," she said, fighting back tears at the Freestore Foodbank in the low-income Over-the-Rhine district near downtown Cincinnati. "But it will be terrible for the people who'll lose their benefits if Congress does nothing."
For nearly two years, Coleman says she has filed an average of 30 job applications a day, but remains jobless.
"People keep telling me there are jobs out there, but I haven't been able to find them."
Coleman, 58, a former manager at a telecommunications firm, said the only jobs she found were over the Ohio state line in Kentucky, but she cannot reach them because her car has been repossessed and there is no bus service to those areas.
After her $300 a week benefits ran out, Freestore Foodbank brokered emergency 90-day support in June for rent. Once that runs out, her future is uncertain.
"I've lost everything and I don't know what will happen to me," she said.
The recession -- the worst U.S. downturn since the 1930s -- has left some 8 million people like Coleman out of work.
Unemployment has remained stubbornly high at around 9.5 percent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in June 6.8 million people or 45.5 percent of the total are long-term unemployed, or jobless for 27 weeks or more.
Before the recession began in late 2007, the unemployed received benefits, usually a few hundred dollars a week, for 26 weeks or around six months after losing their jobs.
Under the federal/state programs, which are administered by state governments and partly funded by taxes on business, only full-time workers are eligible for benefits. Within federal guidelines, benefits and eligibility vary from state to state.
As the downturn left more Americans out of work for longer periods, Congress voted to provide funding to extend benefits to as long as 99 weeks in some areas.
Some critics say this adds to the country's large fiscal deficit, and may even discourage job-seeking.
FOOD BANKS FEAR STRAIN
An attempt to pass another extension has become bogged down in partisan political bickering in the Senate. Relief agencies fear that failure to extend benefits will strain their resources and may worsen the U.S. housing crisis.
"This will put a great deal of stress and strain on our organization, which has already been working hard," said Vicki Escarra, chief executive of Feeding America, which has a network of more than 200 food banks. In the year ended June 30, Feeding America distributed 3 billion pounds (1.36 billion kg) of food, a 50 percent increase over the past two years.
The benefits debate has pitted the majority of Democrats against most Republicans and some conservative Democrats.
When the House of Representatives passed a $34 billion benefit extension on July 1, 11 fiscally conservative Democrats voted against it. The Senate may take up the issue again in mid-July, but Republicans like Senator Tom Coburn have argued any extension must be paid for with cuts elsewhere.
"Even then he (Coburn) is not sure if that's a good idea," said John Hart, a spokesman for the Oklahoma senator. "The longer the unemployed have benefits, the less incentive there is to find a job."
Most economists argue that cutting benefits could slow recovery, describing benefits as direct economic stimulus because almost every penny of it gets spent. In a June 28 client note, Goldman Sachs said if all additional U.S. stimulus spending expires, it could slow the economy up to 1.5 percentage points from the fourth quarter 2010 to the second quarter of 2011.
The note added that extending unemployment benefits and a $400 tax credit would "substantially mitigate" that impact.
3 MILLION CUT OFF IN TWO MONTHS
During the Senate impasse, from the week ended June 5 to the week ended July 10, more than 2.1 million Americans lost their benefits. Another million will join them by July 31.
In Ohio alone, where unemployment stood at 10.7 percent in May, more than 83,000 people lost their benefits in June.
Sister Barbara Busch, executive director of non-profit housing group Working in Neighborhoods in Cincinnati, 65 percent of the people who come seeking help with their mortgages are unemployed or underemployed.
"I fear once the benefits run out, I suspect we'll see a new wave of foreclosures," she said. "I just hope I'm wrong."
Ohio is a bellwether U.S. state in elections. The state's Democratic attorney general Richard Cordray said blocking extending jobless benefits was politically motivated ahead of the midterm elections in November.
"If people lose their benefits they will blame the congressional majority and the administration," he said. "As unappetizing as it is, that would appear to be the strategy."
Senator Coburn's spokesman Hart said suggestions the Republicans were playing partisan politics were "ludicrous."
"The Democrats say that because they want to avoid making the hard decisions," he said.
Alonzo Allen, 55, a former aid agency worker in Cincinnati whose benefits will run out in September, spends two days a week volunteering at the food bank in Over-the-Rhine and the other three looking for work. He said he worries about the one-bedroom apartment he rents and how he will feed his dog Ginger, who is the "only family I have."
"If the benefits stop, I'll be out on the street and I'll lose all my furniture," he said. "That's going to be tough."
(Editing by Eric Walsh)
马云给正在奋斗的人的经典语句
绝了！马云给正在奋斗的人的经典语句
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://news.creaders.net/society/newsViewer.php?nid=438289&id=995613
天涯社区 2010-07-14 02:17:41
*今天很残酷，明天更残酷，后天很美好，但是绝大多数人死在明天晚上，见不着后天的太阳
*上世纪80年代挣钱靠勇气，90年代靠关系，现在必须靠知识能力!
*在我看来有三种人，生意人：创造钱;商人：有所为，有所不为。企业家：为社会承担责任。企业家应该为社会创造环境。企业家必须要有创新的精神。
*发令枪一响，你是没时间看你的对手是怎么跑的。只有明天是我们的竞争对手
1.免费，是世界上最贵的东西。
的确，免费是个很诱人的东西，最显著的例子却不是马云也不是阿里巴巴，而是马化腾和他的QQ。从98年开始，QQ就开始提供免费的即时聊天账号和软件下载，并且在功能上不断完善自己，直到有一天，那个胖企鹅说自己要收费了，我们才恍然大悟——你已经离不开他，你身边的所有人都在用QQ，从警察到妓女，无一例外。而直到现在，腾讯还保持着这个传统，每个业务初期都是免费的，瞄准现在年轻人爱时尚爱攀比的心理，赚足了票子。当你看见一张几K大的gif图都能卖 4、5块钱的时候，你就不能不佩服马化腾真是只老狐狸。
2.要假设你融不到一分钱的情况去做事业。
什么叫没钱?不是说你饭都吃不饱了，如果真是那样，你还不如去救济站领取城市最低生活保障来的实在。如果你做网站就是为了赚融资，准备“花美国股民的钱”，那就也要假设一个融不到资的情况，毕竟你身边的部下你的兄弟都看着你，以你的马首是瞻，你自己爬不好摔死了是你活该，但是砸死一堆兄弟就是你不对了。不要眼高手低，踏实做事的人才有收获。
3.花时间去学习别人失败的经验。
这个没什么好评论的，我认为，等你什么时候能看别人惨败的经验，看得一身冷汗，你就离成功不远了。如今反映成功的例子和书越来越多，我倒是希望哪个出版社出本《营销史上最傻B的100个错误》，肯定卖的好!
4.营销最佳的语言是自己的语言，而不是套用别人的话。
能打动用户的，只有你自己最真实的东西。套话谁都在说，你说的不烦人家听的都烦了，营销需要的是一个人，一个聪明的人，而不是一台3、4十块的复读机。
5.每个企业都会有使命感，但必须要有能做到的使命感!
你改变行业风气了?没有，该骗点击还是得骗，该打擦边还是得打。
你利国利民了?没有，能偷税漏税你一样会去偷，能少一个人干活你还是得开。
你为社会为政府为民族能做什么?什么都做不了。
OK，埋头苦干，别管别人死活了，毕竟你还没成功。
6.最优秀的创业一定是简单的!优秀公司一定是简单的!
看看谁发家了，KFC和大M，连小学生玩大富翁都知道这两家的股票买了准赔不了，而他们卖的是什么?随便一个人都知道是简单到不能再简单的汉堡薯条汽水冰淇淋，但是他们为什么能横行中国几十年搞的人尽皆知，而有百十种甚至上千种珍馐佳肴的国内餐饮业却没一个能在全国各省都开连锁的?虽然原因很多，但是简单是个大问题。其实互联网业跟餐饮业有着惊人的相似，同样是关起门来做内容，打开大门给顾客，但是你不知道你门里走进的顾客是什么样的，有什么喜好。最简单的，才是适合更多人的。
那么企业呢?一个企业开几十个上百个部门，员工分化严重，互相钩心斗角，你怕我不服你管，我怕你告我黑状，能把事业做好才怪。高在郎的eNet就是个很好的例子。我曾经跟公司的每个人都说过，硅谷动力的人事不改革，他就做不到发布奥运会新闻那天。还融资还上市，扯淡!
7.如果你的公司目前只有两个人，你就在名片上把自己的称呼放低一点儿，这样会赢得尊重!
这个情况在很多小企业和小网站太常见了，明明是个4、5个人的小地方，非得告诉说这是CEO，这是COO，这是CFO，这是UFO……哦，UFO是飞碟。讲个小故事，当年刘备落魄之时，创业之初，公司只有两个铁杆员工，关羽跟张飞。而他们俩的官衔一个是马弓手一个是步弓手，连公孙瓒都说：“如此可谓埋没英雄!”此时刘备跟公孙瓒对话时也提及自己不过是“平原县令”，想想如果刘备当时说：“这俩是我兄弟，一起打黄巾的，关羽是骠骑大将军，张飞是兵马都督……”那我估计公孙瓒也不会拉着刘备一起投奔袁本初去了……
8.成功的企业一定要搞清楚为什么成功!这个很好解释，别把功劳一个人占了，要明白你今天的荣誉和地位是谁给你的，好好对待自己的下属，对待自己的员工，才能让你的威信更高，在企业与企业之间也是如此，毛主席说的好，“谦虚使人进步”……
9.不要在乎别人别人如何看你,要在乎你自己如何看未来,看梦想,看世界..!
10.女性创业是一个挑战，女性创业最大的挑战和突破在于用人，用人最大的突破在于信任人。
11. 赵尧你的整个成熟度，以及项目的可行性，我觉得刚才讲了，我们挺认同的。我可能担心的事第一您最骄傲的是你的团队，而你的团队恰恰是最担心的，创业时期不要找明星团队，或者成功者在一起，已经成功过在一起创业很难，创业初期要寻找那些没有成功，渴望成功，团结的团队。等到你一定程度的时候，请到一些人才，对你的投资，非常好。尤其是那种35岁，40岁的话已经有钱了，有成功了，我提醒你，创业要找最合适的人，不一定要找最成功的人。
12.我想很多事自己不想干就会变成任务.任何事如果不是强烈的兴趣都很难做好.创业就是那样的.
13. 不要迷信成功学要多看别人的失败经历(很多时候少听成功专家讲的话。所有的创业者多花点时间学习别人是怎么失败的，因为成功的原因有千千万万，失败的原因就一两个点，所以我的建议就是少听成功学讲座，真正的成功学是有心感受的，有一天你就是成功者，你讲任何话都是对的。)
14.“我永远相信只要永不放弃，我们还是有机会的。最后，我们还是坚信一点，这世界上只要有梦想，只要不断努力，只要不断学习，不管你长得如何，不管是这样，还是那样，男人的长相往往和他的的才华成反比。今天很残酷，明天更残酷，后天很美好，但绝对大部分是死在明天晚上，所以每个人不要放弃今天。”
15.“我认为，员工第一，客户第二。没有他们，就没有这个网站。也只有他们开心了，我们的客户才会开心。而客户们那些鼓励的言语，鼓励的话，又会让他们像发疯一样去工作，这也使得我们的网站不断地发展。”
“Judge 一个人， 一个公司是不是优秀，不要看他是不是Harvard，是不是Stanford.不要judge里面有多少名牌大学毕业生，而要judge这帮人干活是不是发疯一样干，看他每天下班是不是笑眯眯回家。”
我们认为与其把钱存在银行，不如把钱投在员工身上，我们坚信员工不成长，企业是不会成长。
16.“今天要在网上发财，概率并不是很大，但今天的网络，可以为大家省下很多成本。这个世界没有人能替你发财，只有你自己才能替你发财，你需要的是投资和投入，spend time，invest time，on the internet，把自己的时间投资在网络上面，网络一定会给大家省钱，但不一定今天就能赚多少钱，赚钱是明天的事，省钱，你今天就看得到。”
17.“看见10只兔子，你到底抓哪一只?有些人一会儿抓这个兔子，一会儿抓那个兔子，最后可能一只也抓不住。CEO 的主要任务不是寻找机会而是对机会说NO。机会太多，只能抓一个。我只能抓一只兔子，抓多了，什么都会丢掉。”
18.“任何企业家不会等到环境好了以后再做任何工作，企业家是在现在的环境，改善这个环境，光投诉，光抱怨有什么用呢?今天，失败只能怪你自己，要么大家都失败，现在有人成功了，而你失败了，就只能怪自己。就是一句话，哪怕你运气不好，也是你不对。”
19.“30%的人永远不可能相信你。不要让你的同事为你干活，而让我们的同事为我们的目标干活，共同努力，团结在一个共同的目标下面，就要比团结在你一个企业家底下容易的多。所以首先要说服大家认同共同的理想，而不是让大家来为你干活。”
如何把每一个人的才华真正地发挥作用，我们这就像拉车，如果有的人往这儿拉，有的人往那儿拉，互相之间自己给自己先乱掉了。当你有一个傻瓜时，很傻的，你很会很痛苦;你有50个傻瓜是最幸福的，吃饭、睡觉、上厕所排着队去的;你有一个聪明人时很带劲，你有50个聪明人实际上是最痛苦的，谁都不服谁。我在公司里的作用就象水泥，把许多优秀的人才粘合起来，使他们力气往一个地方使。
20.我们与竞争对手最大的区别就是我们知道他们要做什么，而他们不知道我们想做什么。我们想做什么， 没有必要让所有人知道。
21.网络上面就一句话，光脚的永远不怕穿鞋的。
22.互联网上失败一定是自己造成的，要不就是脑子发热，要不就是脑子不热，太冷了。
我觉得网络公司一定会犯错误，而且必须犯错误，网络公司最大的错误就是停在原地不动，最大的错误就是不犯错误。关键在于总结我们反思各种各样的错误，为明天跑的更好，错误还得犯，关键是不要犯同样的错误。
23.我们是教人钓鱼，而不是给人鱼。
24.中国电子商务的人必须要站起来走路，而不是老是手拉手，老是手拉着手要完蛋。
25.我是说阿里巴巴发现了金矿，那我们绝对不自己去挖，我们希望别人去挖，他挖了金矿给我一块就可以了。
26.我为什么能活下来?第一是由于我没有钱，第二是我对INTERNET一点不懂，第三是我想得像傻瓜一样。
27.If not now，when?If not me,who?
28.互联网像一杯啤酒，有沫的时候最好喝。
29.阿里巴巴的六脉神剑就是阿里巴巴的价值观：诚信、敬业、激情、拥抱变化、团队合作、客户第一。
30. 我永远相信只要永不放弃，我们还是有机会的。最后，我们还是坚信一点，这世界上只要有梦想，只要不断努力，只要不断学习，不管你长得如何，不管是这样，还是那样，男人的长相往往和他的的才华成反比。今天很残酷，明天更残酷，后天很美好，但绝对大部分是死在明天晚上，所以每个人不要放弃今天。
31.三年以前我送一个同事去读MBA，我跟他说，如果毕业以后你忘了所学的东西，那你已经毕业了。如果你天天还想着所学的东西，那你就还没有毕业。学习MBA的知识，但要跳出MBA的局限。
32.对所有创业者来说，永远告诉自己一句话：从创业得第一天起，你每天要面对的是困难和失败，而不是成功。我最困难的时候还没有到，但有一天一定会到。困难不是不能躲避，不能让别人替你去抗。九年创业的经验告诉我，任何困难都必须你自己去面对。创业者就是面对困难。
33.ebay是大海里的鲨鱼，淘宝则是长江里的鳄鱼，鳄鱼在大海里与鲨鱼搏斗，结果可想而知，我们要把鲨鱼引到长江里来。
34.一个公司在两种情况下最容易犯错误，第一是有太多的钱的时候，第二是面对太多的机会，一个CEO看到的不应该是机会，因为机会无处不在，一个CEO更应该看到灾难，并把灾难扼杀在摇篮里
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http://news.creaders.net/society/newsViewer.php?nid=438289&id=995613
天涯社区 2010-07-14 02:17:41
*今天很残酷，明天更残酷，后天很美好，但是绝大多数人死在明天晚上，见不着后天的太阳
*上世纪80年代挣钱靠勇气，90年代靠关系，现在必须靠知识能力!
*在我看来有三种人，生意人：创造钱;商人：有所为，有所不为。企业家：为社会承担责任。企业家应该为社会创造环境。企业家必须要有创新的精神。
*发令枪一响，你是没时间看你的对手是怎么跑的。只有明天是我们的竞争对手
1.免费，是世界上最贵的东西。
的确，免费是个很诱人的东西，最显著的例子却不是马云也不是阿里巴巴，而是马化腾和他的QQ。从98年开始，QQ就开始提供免费的即时聊天账号和软件下载，并且在功能上不断完善自己，直到有一天，那个胖企鹅说自己要收费了，我们才恍然大悟——你已经离不开他，你身边的所有人都在用QQ，从警察到妓女，无一例外。而直到现在，腾讯还保持着这个传统，每个业务初期都是免费的，瞄准现在年轻人爱时尚爱攀比的心理，赚足了票子。当你看见一张几K大的gif图都能卖 4、5块钱的时候，你就不能不佩服马化腾真是只老狐狸。
2.要假设你融不到一分钱的情况去做事业。
什么叫没钱?不是说你饭都吃不饱了，如果真是那样，你还不如去救济站领取城市最低生活保障来的实在。如果你做网站就是为了赚融资，准备“花美国股民的钱”，那就也要假设一个融不到资的情况，毕竟你身边的部下你的兄弟都看着你，以你的马首是瞻，你自己爬不好摔死了是你活该，但是砸死一堆兄弟就是你不对了。不要眼高手低，踏实做事的人才有收获。
3.花时间去学习别人失败的经验。
这个没什么好评论的，我认为，等你什么时候能看别人惨败的经验，看得一身冷汗，你就离成功不远了。如今反映成功的例子和书越来越多，我倒是希望哪个出版社出本《营销史上最傻B的100个错误》，肯定卖的好!
4.营销最佳的语言是自己的语言，而不是套用别人的话。
能打动用户的，只有你自己最真实的东西。套话谁都在说，你说的不烦人家听的都烦了，营销需要的是一个人，一个聪明的人，而不是一台3、4十块的复读机。
5.每个企业都会有使命感，但必须要有能做到的使命感!
你改变行业风气了?没有，该骗点击还是得骗，该打擦边还是得打。
你利国利民了?没有，能偷税漏税你一样会去偷，能少一个人干活你还是得开。
你为社会为政府为民族能做什么?什么都做不了。
OK，埋头苦干，别管别人死活了，毕竟你还没成功。
6.最优秀的创业一定是简单的!优秀公司一定是简单的!
看看谁发家了，KFC和大M，连小学生玩大富翁都知道这两家的股票买了准赔不了，而他们卖的是什么?随便一个人都知道是简单到不能再简单的汉堡薯条汽水冰淇淋，但是他们为什么能横行中国几十年搞的人尽皆知，而有百十种甚至上千种珍馐佳肴的国内餐饮业却没一个能在全国各省都开连锁的?虽然原因很多，但是简单是个大问题。其实互联网业跟餐饮业有着惊人的相似，同样是关起门来做内容，打开大门给顾客，但是你不知道你门里走进的顾客是什么样的，有什么喜好。最简单的，才是适合更多人的。
那么企业呢?一个企业开几十个上百个部门，员工分化严重，互相钩心斗角，你怕我不服你管，我怕你告我黑状，能把事业做好才怪。高在郎的eNet就是个很好的例子。我曾经跟公司的每个人都说过，硅谷动力的人事不改革，他就做不到发布奥运会新闻那天。还融资还上市，扯淡!
7.如果你的公司目前只有两个人，你就在名片上把自己的称呼放低一点儿，这样会赢得尊重!
这个情况在很多小企业和小网站太常见了，明明是个4、5个人的小地方，非得告诉说这是CEO，这是COO，这是CFO，这是UFO……哦，UFO是飞碟。讲个小故事，当年刘备落魄之时，创业之初，公司只有两个铁杆员工，关羽跟张飞。而他们俩的官衔一个是马弓手一个是步弓手，连公孙瓒都说：“如此可谓埋没英雄!”此时刘备跟公孙瓒对话时也提及自己不过是“平原县令”，想想如果刘备当时说：“这俩是我兄弟，一起打黄巾的，关羽是骠骑大将军，张飞是兵马都督……”那我估计公孙瓒也不会拉着刘备一起投奔袁本初去了……
8.成功的企业一定要搞清楚为什么成功!这个很好解释，别把功劳一个人占了，要明白你今天的荣誉和地位是谁给你的，好好对待自己的下属，对待自己的员工，才能让你的威信更高，在企业与企业之间也是如此，毛主席说的好，“谦虚使人进步”……
9.不要在乎别人别人如何看你,要在乎你自己如何看未来,看梦想,看世界..!
10.女性创业是一个挑战，女性创业最大的挑战和突破在于用人，用人最大的突破在于信任人。
11. 赵尧你的整个成熟度，以及项目的可行性，我觉得刚才讲了，我们挺认同的。我可能担心的事第一您最骄傲的是你的团队，而你的团队恰恰是最担心的，创业时期不要找明星团队，或者成功者在一起，已经成功过在一起创业很难，创业初期要寻找那些没有成功，渴望成功，团结的团队。等到你一定程度的时候，请到一些人才，对你的投资，非常好。尤其是那种35岁，40岁的话已经有钱了，有成功了，我提醒你，创业要找最合适的人，不一定要找最成功的人。
12.我想很多事自己不想干就会变成任务.任何事如果不是强烈的兴趣都很难做好.创业就是那样的.
13. 不要迷信成功学要多看别人的失败经历(很多时候少听成功专家讲的话。所有的创业者多花点时间学习别人是怎么失败的，因为成功的原因有千千万万，失败的原因就一两个点，所以我的建议就是少听成功学讲座，真正的成功学是有心感受的，有一天你就是成功者，你讲任何话都是对的。)
14.“我永远相信只要永不放弃，我们还是有机会的。最后，我们还是坚信一点，这世界上只要有梦想，只要不断努力，只要不断学习，不管你长得如何，不管是这样，还是那样，男人的长相往往和他的的才华成反比。今天很残酷，明天更残酷，后天很美好，但绝对大部分是死在明天晚上，所以每个人不要放弃今天。”
15.“我认为，员工第一，客户第二。没有他们，就没有这个网站。也只有他们开心了，我们的客户才会开心。而客户们那些鼓励的言语，鼓励的话，又会让他们像发疯一样去工作，这也使得我们的网站不断地发展。”
“Judge 一个人， 一个公司是不是优秀，不要看他是不是Harvard，是不是Stanford.不要judge里面有多少名牌大学毕业生，而要judge这帮人干活是不是发疯一样干，看他每天下班是不是笑眯眯回家。”
我们认为与其把钱存在银行，不如把钱投在员工身上，我们坚信员工不成长，企业是不会成长。
16.“今天要在网上发财，概率并不是很大，但今天的网络，可以为大家省下很多成本。这个世界没有人能替你发财，只有你自己才能替你发财，你需要的是投资和投入，spend time，invest time，on the internet，把自己的时间投资在网络上面，网络一定会给大家省钱，但不一定今天就能赚多少钱，赚钱是明天的事，省钱，你今天就看得到。”
17.“看见10只兔子，你到底抓哪一只?有些人一会儿抓这个兔子，一会儿抓那个兔子，最后可能一只也抓不住。CEO 的主要任务不是寻找机会而是对机会说NO。机会太多，只能抓一个。我只能抓一只兔子，抓多了，什么都会丢掉。”
18.“任何企业家不会等到环境好了以后再做任何工作，企业家是在现在的环境，改善这个环境，光投诉，光抱怨有什么用呢?今天，失败只能怪你自己，要么大家都失败，现在有人成功了，而你失败了，就只能怪自己。就是一句话，哪怕你运气不好，也是你不对。”
19.“30%的人永远不可能相信你。不要让你的同事为你干活，而让我们的同事为我们的目标干活，共同努力，团结在一个共同的目标下面，就要比团结在你一个企业家底下容易的多。所以首先要说服大家认同共同的理想，而不是让大家来为你干活。”
如何把每一个人的才华真正地发挥作用，我们这就像拉车，如果有的人往这儿拉，有的人往那儿拉，互相之间自己给自己先乱掉了。当你有一个傻瓜时，很傻的，你很会很痛苦;你有50个傻瓜是最幸福的，吃饭、睡觉、上厕所排着队去的;你有一个聪明人时很带劲，你有50个聪明人实际上是最痛苦的，谁都不服谁。我在公司里的作用就象水泥，把许多优秀的人才粘合起来，使他们力气往一个地方使。
20.我们与竞争对手最大的区别就是我们知道他们要做什么，而他们不知道我们想做什么。我们想做什么， 没有必要让所有人知道。
21.网络上面就一句话，光脚的永远不怕穿鞋的。
22.互联网上失败一定是自己造成的，要不就是脑子发热，要不就是脑子不热，太冷了。
我觉得网络公司一定会犯错误，而且必须犯错误，网络公司最大的错误就是停在原地不动，最大的错误就是不犯错误。关键在于总结我们反思各种各样的错误，为明天跑的更好，错误还得犯，关键是不要犯同样的错误。
23.我们是教人钓鱼，而不是给人鱼。
24.中国电子商务的人必须要站起来走路，而不是老是手拉手，老是手拉着手要完蛋。
25.我是说阿里巴巴发现了金矿，那我们绝对不自己去挖，我们希望别人去挖，他挖了金矿给我一块就可以了。
26.我为什么能活下来?第一是由于我没有钱，第二是我对INTERNET一点不懂，第三是我想得像傻瓜一样。
27.If not now，when?If not me,who?
28.互联网像一杯啤酒，有沫的时候最好喝。
29.阿里巴巴的六脉神剑就是阿里巴巴的价值观：诚信、敬业、激情、拥抱变化、团队合作、客户第一。
30. 我永远相信只要永不放弃，我们还是有机会的。最后，我们还是坚信一点，这世界上只要有梦想，只要不断努力，只要不断学习，不管你长得如何，不管是这样，还是那样，男人的长相往往和他的的才华成反比。今天很残酷，明天更残酷，后天很美好，但绝对大部分是死在明天晚上，所以每个人不要放弃今天。
31.三年以前我送一个同事去读MBA，我跟他说，如果毕业以后你忘了所学的东西，那你已经毕业了。如果你天天还想着所学的东西，那你就还没有毕业。学习MBA的知识，但要跳出MBA的局限。
32.对所有创业者来说，永远告诉自己一句话：从创业得第一天起，你每天要面对的是困难和失败，而不是成功。我最困难的时候还没有到，但有一天一定会到。困难不是不能躲避，不能让别人替你去抗。九年创业的经验告诉我，任何困难都必须你自己去面对。创业者就是面对困难。
33.ebay是大海里的鲨鱼，淘宝则是长江里的鳄鱼，鳄鱼在大海里与鲨鱼搏斗，结果可想而知，我们要把鲨鱼引到长江里来。
34.一个公司在两种情况下最容易犯错误，第一是有太多的钱的时候，第二是面对太多的机会，一个CEO看到的不应该是机会，因为机会无处不在，一个CEO更应该看到灾难，并把灾难扼杀在摇篮里
Monday, July 12, 2010
年过四十，世界还没开始听我的，身体已经开始不听我的
年过四十，世界还没开始听我的，身体已经开始不听我的
作者 孙安迪 医师
工作要尽责，但过於尽责只不过是美丽的谎言，谎言的背後，是权力的享受，
享受过後，你剩何几？
前几年底，四十八岁的和信集团少东辜启允因胆管肿瘤英年早逝。
隔年元月十九日，统一證券总经理高树煌参加公司南部尾牙宴时，上台跳舞之後回到座位上，趴到桌上後就不曾再起来，五十叁岁的他因心肌梗塞撒手人间。而他在一个月前才做健康
检查，健检结果是一切正常！
农曆过年後，当多数人还沉浸在新春的气氛中，交通大学却传出教务长沈文仁、电信工程系教授张柏荣、机械工程系副 教授金甘平等叁位教授，先後在半个月内因癌症或不明原因猝死的消息。他们都正值壮年，却来不及享受工作的成果，骤然离开人间。
是「谁」杀了这群站在事业颠峰的台湾菁英？潜藏在心脏病、癌症…… 背後的真正「杀手」是谁？
八成的疾病与压力有关
对工作放不下心、枉顾健康
企业老闆和主管成了高危险群
一九九八年十二月，前中视新闻主播马雨沛漫步在美国史丹佛大学，她背後就是著名的胡佛塔与钟楼，这时的她无比快乐，因为她如愿成为这知名学府东亚研究所学生，而且叁个月後
，要与男友在史丹佛校园古老教堂中成婚。但是，就在男友飞回台北两天後，医生却发现她的胸部有 ○ ． 六公分 的癌细胞。这不到 一公分 的细胞，突如其来，改变马雨沛的人生。同时，竟让她在之後的十个月内，开了七次刀，做了四个月的化学治疗，也中断她的读书计画 …… ，这年，她才叁十二岁，一个捨不得休假、因为怕工作表现而输给别人的主播。
「 每个人都会被生命『抽考』到，相较之下，我只是比较早被抽考的人。 」去年七月，刚动过心脏血管绕道手术的ＩＮＧ安泰人寿投资部资深副总经理蒋国樑用完美主义的高标準，努力工作，四十七岁的他没想到，心脏里的血管早已阻塞成像香肠般一节一
节的。
前台北市议员李新是典型的工作狂，在他的人生顺位中，健康总是排在最後。过去他每天工作时间经常长达十七、八小时，选举期间，一天甚至只睡两小时。直到前年十一月象神颱风
来袭，他到选区处理淹水事情，在水里泡了四小时，导致椎间盘突出（椎间盘介於脊椎的骨头与骨头之间），住了十七天医院，才感触到：「 空有一身本事，但没有健康，什麽事都不能做 。 」椎间盘突出若是严重，可能会让人卧床困难，甚至下肢无力或萎缩。
一位时常往来於两岸、因工作时常废寝忘食的企业家第二代，日前罹患骨癌而进行化学治疗。该公司高阶主管形容老闆以前的作息，不由得叹息：「真的很可怜！他飞到大陆，才下飞
机，就被接到公司开会，常常一开就到半夜，第二天一早，又赶到大陆其它分公司去视察。」生病期间，他还是天天电话遥控公司的状况，他太太有感而发：公司就像他的另一个小孩
，永远放不下心。
放不下、工作狂、忽视身体，这些特质跟现代职场无所不在的压力充分结合，成了一个随时会窜出来的可怕隐形敌人。尤其企业界老闆和高阶主管，长期在高压状态下，更成了高危险
群。他们行走在事业与死神拉扯的峡谷，生命正如一句广告词：「 年过四十，世界还没开始听我的，身体已经开始不听我的。 」
癌症、气喘、肠胃溃疡都与压力有关
白文正吃儿茶素治疗十叁年的痛风
王令麟睡了十年水晶床预防生病
前年底，获知罹患血癌的华新丽华总稽核唐基明接受化学治疗的过程，全身发抖，甚至昏死过去。她体内的白血球数目从正常的四千至一万，一度骤降至只有七颗可用的白血球。她懊
悔自己没有来得及在死神逼迫她之前，先做预防，竟让压力严重威胁到她的生存权。
安法诊所院长王桂良说，大约有八成的病人，所罹患的疾病与压力有关。《压力管理》一书作者傑洛（ Jerrold S. Greenbery）列举与压力有关的疾病，包括癌症、高血压、中风、冠状动脉心脏病、气喘、肠胃溃疡、头痛等。其中的癌症、脑血管疾病、心脏病，也是一九九 ○ 年国人十大死因的前叁名。
简单的说， 潜藏在这些病症背後的真正「杀手」叫做「压力」。你看不到它，但它会渐进的减少人体内的Ｔ淋巴细胞，免疫力会降低，最後挥出致命的一击。它冷不防的出拳後，有人还有爬起来
的机会；有人就此一蹶不振，就像高树煌与交大的叁位教授。
为了解决压力和疾病问题，企业界人士各有「秘方」，例如，前中华开发总经理胡定吾和中国信託商银总经理辜仲谅投资成立安法抗老诊所；看好抗老市场，冠德建设董事长马玉山也
在去年成立善能泉抗衰老预防医学中心，马玉山也成为善能泉的当然会员；另外，像宝来證券董事长白文正吃儿茶素治疗困扰他十叁年的痛风；中华民国商业总会理事长王令麟则是睡
了十年价值新台币十五万元的水晶床预防生病（在床上舖满鹅卵石状的水晶，水晶上再舖上床垫），最近企业界更风行起「洗血」（以血浆析离术，分离血浆中的不良物质）健康术。
别忽视心中想休息的声音
当工作量增加，就必须增加休閒 用脑越多，运动也要越多
法宝虽然人人都有，但生活方式和态度，恐怕才是避免压力上身伤害自己的关键。王桂良有感而发指出，和欧美国家的人比起来，台湾多数人生活中只有工作，不懂得休閒，不知道如
何让自己放松一下。「美国总统可以到大卫营，一口气休两个星期的假，但是，我们的总统不会做这种休閒。」台湾的政治人物也很少笑。
抗病、抗压的治本之道，要从日常的工作和生活观做起。《人生不是特技表演》作者班．库巴塞克（ Ben Kubassek ）在书中提到：「大多数人都听过自己心中那股提醒自己休息的声音，可悲的是，大多数人对这股内心的声音置之不理。 」班．库巴塞克曾经每週工作八十小时，工作上的压力，让他得到「职业倦怠症」，这段时间，他甚至想要自杀结束一切。班．库巴塞克听从医师的话，到佛罗里达休假两週半，在休
息期间，他体悟到，过去他一切以工作为重，没有均衡的生活。而均衡生活精髓是：保持生活各层面的相同比重，「 当这星期工作量增加时，就必须增加休閒的时间。用脑越多，就越需要花更多时间运动。 」这个观点，跟一般人的习惯大为不同。因为多数人总认为，工作太多就先牺牲休閒时间吧。班．库巴塞克同时在书中指出， 有两成的人在压力下，健康不会出问题，他们对压力有免疫力，因为他们过著均衡生活，这是其他八成人所没有做到的事。
事实上，当压力过度时，身体还是会不断的对我们发出讯号，问题只是，我们有仔细聆听身体的声音，调整我们的生活吗？
「以前为了达成工作和目标，那种要把事情做好的『精神』力量太大，以致忽略身体发出的警示（长期腰痠背痛，以及下班後就疲倦、没精神），我工作时甚至很难得觉得疲倦，没想
到，一生病，『代誌就很大条』。 」 四十六岁的唐基明，前年因血癌住院做长达半年的化学治疗，她康复後最大的感想也是：生活要均衡。
忙碌之中要过均衡的生活，运用巧思做好时间管理就很重要。
班．库巴塞克举例，如果你有叁个目标分别是：每天花半小时运动、半小时独处，半小时祈祷，其实你就可以在慢跑时一边祈祷，或独自散步半小时，也可以把陪家人的时间和运动时
间併在一起。
有些休閒或运动，看似很花时间，其实反而是「赚」到了。
一位假日经常爬山的上班族指出，很多人在五天工作後，週六、日待在家看录影带或睡觉，但根据他的经验，週六、日强迫自己去爬山，虽然身体很累，但晚上睡得好，隔週再回职场
上，会觉得充满活力。上一週的工作压力，透过爬山发散掉，也不会递延到这一週。这就是工作量增加，运动也要增加的均衡例子。
「健康资产管理」也是一种投资
唐基明调整生命中的优先顺序，每天运动
马雨沛用「健康存摺」抵禦压力和疾病
安法诊所最近新推出休閒度假中心诊所的概念，利用六天五夜的时间，让参加者一边度假，一边学习重新调整身体，收费高达新台币十八万八千元。可以想见，这样的「行程」，参加
者大概都是金字塔顶端的消费者。不过，王桂良说，叁月底第一期十二个名额已额满，主要成员多半是企业主，因为他们觉得，花一个星期、十八、九万元学会管理健康资产，也是在
赚钱，也是另一种投资和「增值」。
过均衡生活，除了懂得适时抽离，同时也需要调整生命中的优先顺序。唐基明说：「在医院面对死亡威胁时，我最大的牵掛是十岁和十五岁的两个孩子，既然他们如此重要，为什麽过
去我的生活中，工作占去七五％时间，而留给家庭、小孩和自己的时间，却只有二五％？当时我觉得我好惨，生活完全过错了！ 」唐基明重回工作岗位後，她离开每天都有时间压力的财务长工作，改当总稽核。工作上，她的时间压力从每天拉长到一年。不仅如此，现在唐基明每天花一个小时运动，她比生病之
前更神清气爽。
「人生无常，变数永远存在 。 」
从癌症复元满叁年的马雨沛如今有著不同的人生观，她检视过去七、八年的新闻工作，没有留下真正有意义的片段。因此，她离开亮丽的主播台，当起金融研训院顾问，策画製作台湾
金融发展史的电视节目，并同时担任「中华民国癌症希望协会」副理事长，「每天醒来，我觉得做这些工作很快乐，这才是我要的生活。」马雨沛提出「健康存摺」的观念：「 健康是可以用累积的，现代人平常在健康上，应该多花一些时间和精力，平时要有健康存款（如运动和健康饮食）。当处於压力状态下，如果存款簿内空无一物，当然会透支，免疫力
全被击垮。如果存款簿内有足够的健康积蓄，就足以应付。」
作者 孙安迪 医师
工作要尽责，但过於尽责只不过是美丽的谎言，谎言的背後，是权力的享受，
享受过後，你剩何几？
前几年底，四十八岁的和信集团少东辜启允因胆管肿瘤英年早逝。
隔年元月十九日，统一證券总经理高树煌参加公司南部尾牙宴时，上台跳舞之後回到座位上，趴到桌上後就不曾再起来，五十叁岁的他因心肌梗塞撒手人间。而他在一个月前才做健康
检查，健检结果是一切正常！
农曆过年後，当多数人还沉浸在新春的气氛中，交通大学却传出教务长沈文仁、电信工程系教授张柏荣、机械工程系副 教授金甘平等叁位教授，先後在半个月内因癌症或不明原因猝死的消息。他们都正值壮年，却来不及享受工作的成果，骤然离开人间。
是「谁」杀了这群站在事业颠峰的台湾菁英？潜藏在心脏病、癌症…… 背後的真正「杀手」是谁？
八成的疾病与压力有关
对工作放不下心、枉顾健康
企业老闆和主管成了高危险群
一九九八年十二月，前中视新闻主播马雨沛漫步在美国史丹佛大学，她背後就是著名的胡佛塔与钟楼，这时的她无比快乐，因为她如愿成为这知名学府东亚研究所学生，而且叁个月後
，要与男友在史丹佛校园古老教堂中成婚。但是，就在男友飞回台北两天後，医生却发现她的胸部有 ○ ． 六公分 的癌细胞。这不到 一公分 的细胞，突如其来，改变马雨沛的人生。同时，竟让她在之後的十个月内，开了七次刀，做了四个月的化学治疗，也中断她的读书计画 …… ，这年，她才叁十二岁，一个捨不得休假、因为怕工作表现而输给别人的主播。
「 每个人都会被生命『抽考』到，相较之下，我只是比较早被抽考的人。 」去年七月，刚动过心脏血管绕道手术的ＩＮＧ安泰人寿投资部资深副总经理蒋国樑用完美主义的高标準，努力工作，四十七岁的他没想到，心脏里的血管早已阻塞成像香肠般一节一
节的。
前台北市议员李新是典型的工作狂，在他的人生顺位中，健康总是排在最後。过去他每天工作时间经常长达十七、八小时，选举期间，一天甚至只睡两小时。直到前年十一月象神颱风
来袭，他到选区处理淹水事情，在水里泡了四小时，导致椎间盘突出（椎间盘介於脊椎的骨头与骨头之间），住了十七天医院，才感触到：「 空有一身本事，但没有健康，什麽事都不能做 。 」椎间盘突出若是严重，可能会让人卧床困难，甚至下肢无力或萎缩。
一位时常往来於两岸、因工作时常废寝忘食的企业家第二代，日前罹患骨癌而进行化学治疗。该公司高阶主管形容老闆以前的作息，不由得叹息：「真的很可怜！他飞到大陆，才下飞
机，就被接到公司开会，常常一开就到半夜，第二天一早，又赶到大陆其它分公司去视察。」生病期间，他还是天天电话遥控公司的状况，他太太有感而发：公司就像他的另一个小孩
，永远放不下心。
放不下、工作狂、忽视身体，这些特质跟现代职场无所不在的压力充分结合，成了一个随时会窜出来的可怕隐形敌人。尤其企业界老闆和高阶主管，长期在高压状态下，更成了高危险
群。他们行走在事业与死神拉扯的峡谷，生命正如一句广告词：「 年过四十，世界还没开始听我的，身体已经开始不听我的。 」
癌症、气喘、肠胃溃疡都与压力有关
白文正吃儿茶素治疗十叁年的痛风
王令麟睡了十年水晶床预防生病
前年底，获知罹患血癌的华新丽华总稽核唐基明接受化学治疗的过程，全身发抖，甚至昏死过去。她体内的白血球数目从正常的四千至一万，一度骤降至只有七颗可用的白血球。她懊
悔自己没有来得及在死神逼迫她之前，先做预防，竟让压力严重威胁到她的生存权。
安法诊所院长王桂良说，大约有八成的病人，所罹患的疾病与压力有关。《压力管理》一书作者傑洛（ Jerrold S. Greenbery）列举与压力有关的疾病，包括癌症、高血压、中风、冠状动脉心脏病、气喘、肠胃溃疡、头痛等。其中的癌症、脑血管疾病、心脏病，也是一九九 ○ 年国人十大死因的前叁名。
简单的说， 潜藏在这些病症背後的真正「杀手」叫做「压力」。你看不到它，但它会渐进的减少人体内的Ｔ淋巴细胞，免疫力会降低，最後挥出致命的一击。它冷不防的出拳後，有人还有爬起来
的机会；有人就此一蹶不振，就像高树煌与交大的叁位教授。
为了解决压力和疾病问题，企业界人士各有「秘方」，例如，前中华开发总经理胡定吾和中国信託商银总经理辜仲谅投资成立安法抗老诊所；看好抗老市场，冠德建设董事长马玉山也
在去年成立善能泉抗衰老预防医学中心，马玉山也成为善能泉的当然会员；另外，像宝来證券董事长白文正吃儿茶素治疗困扰他十叁年的痛风；中华民国商业总会理事长王令麟则是睡
了十年价值新台币十五万元的水晶床预防生病（在床上舖满鹅卵石状的水晶，水晶上再舖上床垫），最近企业界更风行起「洗血」（以血浆析离术，分离血浆中的不良物质）健康术。
别忽视心中想休息的声音
当工作量增加，就必须增加休閒 用脑越多，运动也要越多
法宝虽然人人都有，但生活方式和态度，恐怕才是避免压力上身伤害自己的关键。王桂良有感而发指出，和欧美国家的人比起来，台湾多数人生活中只有工作，不懂得休閒，不知道如
何让自己放松一下。「美国总统可以到大卫营，一口气休两个星期的假，但是，我们的总统不会做这种休閒。」台湾的政治人物也很少笑。
抗病、抗压的治本之道，要从日常的工作和生活观做起。《人生不是特技表演》作者班．库巴塞克（ Ben Kubassek ）在书中提到：「大多数人都听过自己心中那股提醒自己休息的声音，可悲的是，大多数人对这股内心的声音置之不理。 」班．库巴塞克曾经每週工作八十小时，工作上的压力，让他得到「职业倦怠症」，这段时间，他甚至想要自杀结束一切。班．库巴塞克听从医师的话，到佛罗里达休假两週半，在休
息期间，他体悟到，过去他一切以工作为重，没有均衡的生活。而均衡生活精髓是：保持生活各层面的相同比重，「 当这星期工作量增加时，就必须增加休閒的时间。用脑越多，就越需要花更多时间运动。 」这个观点，跟一般人的习惯大为不同。因为多数人总认为，工作太多就先牺牲休閒时间吧。班．库巴塞克同时在书中指出， 有两成的人在压力下，健康不会出问题，他们对压力有免疫力，因为他们过著均衡生活，这是其他八成人所没有做到的事。
事实上，当压力过度时，身体还是会不断的对我们发出讯号，问题只是，我们有仔细聆听身体的声音，调整我们的生活吗？
「以前为了达成工作和目标，那种要把事情做好的『精神』力量太大，以致忽略身体发出的警示（长期腰痠背痛，以及下班後就疲倦、没精神），我工作时甚至很难得觉得疲倦，没想
到，一生病，『代誌就很大条』。 」 四十六岁的唐基明，前年因血癌住院做长达半年的化学治疗，她康复後最大的感想也是：生活要均衡。
忙碌之中要过均衡的生活，运用巧思做好时间管理就很重要。
班．库巴塞克举例，如果你有叁个目标分别是：每天花半小时运动、半小时独处，半小时祈祷，其实你就可以在慢跑时一边祈祷，或独自散步半小时，也可以把陪家人的时间和运动时
间併在一起。
有些休閒或运动，看似很花时间，其实反而是「赚」到了。
一位假日经常爬山的上班族指出，很多人在五天工作後，週六、日待在家看录影带或睡觉，但根据他的经验，週六、日强迫自己去爬山，虽然身体很累，但晚上睡得好，隔週再回职场
上，会觉得充满活力。上一週的工作压力，透过爬山发散掉，也不会递延到这一週。这就是工作量增加，运动也要增加的均衡例子。
「健康资产管理」也是一种投资
唐基明调整生命中的优先顺序，每天运动
马雨沛用「健康存摺」抵禦压力和疾病
安法诊所最近新推出休閒度假中心诊所的概念，利用六天五夜的时间，让参加者一边度假，一边学习重新调整身体，收费高达新台币十八万八千元。可以想见，这样的「行程」，参加
者大概都是金字塔顶端的消费者。不过，王桂良说，叁月底第一期十二个名额已额满，主要成员多半是企业主，因为他们觉得，花一个星期、十八、九万元学会管理健康资产，也是在
赚钱，也是另一种投资和「增值」。
过均衡生活，除了懂得适时抽离，同时也需要调整生命中的优先顺序。唐基明说：「在医院面对死亡威胁时，我最大的牵掛是十岁和十五岁的两个孩子，既然他们如此重要，为什麽过
去我的生活中，工作占去七五％时间，而留给家庭、小孩和自己的时间，却只有二五％？当时我觉得我好惨，生活完全过错了！ 」唐基明重回工作岗位後，她离开每天都有时间压力的财务长工作，改当总稽核。工作上，她的时间压力从每天拉长到一年。不仅如此，现在唐基明每天花一个小时运动，她比生病之
前更神清气爽。
「人生无常，变数永远存在 。 」
从癌症复元满叁年的马雨沛如今有著不同的人生观，她检视过去七、八年的新闻工作，没有留下真正有意义的片段。因此，她离开亮丽的主播台，当起金融研训院顾问，策画製作台湾
金融发展史的电视节目，并同时担任「中华民国癌症希望协会」副理事长，「每天醒来，我觉得做这些工作很快乐，这才是我要的生活。」马雨沛提出「健康存摺」的观念：「 健康是可以用累积的，现代人平常在健康上，应该多花一些时间和精力，平时要有健康存款（如运动和健康饮食）。当处於压力状态下，如果存款簿内空无一物，当然会透支，免疫力
全被击垮。如果存款簿内有足够的健康积蓄，就足以应付。」
Saturday, July 10, 2010
How to Get Into College
How to Get Into College
by Hana R. Alberts
Friday, July 9, 2010
http://finance.yahoo.com/college-education/article/110026/how-to-get-into-college?mod=edu-continuing_education
The competition to get into college is getting tougher every year. This April Harvard University accepted less than 7% of the 30,000-plus students who applied for freshman admissions. The number of applications to the University of Chicago shot up 43% over last year. Even a well-respected public university like UNC-Chapel Hill admits just 30% of its applicants. It's no surprise students and parents are overwhelmed by the admissions process.
More from Forbes.com:
• In Depth: 21 Tips from College Admissions Experts
• Top 10 College Majors for Women
• America's Best Prep Schools
Applying to college seems like it should be easy: Fill out a dozen forms--which, for the most part, contain the same basic questions--and you're done. But as winning admission to the top schools grows ever more difficult, students need every bit of advice they can get. So Forbes polled four college admissions consultants and compiled their words of wisdom.
[Click here to find an online degree program]
Many of their tips center on how students can differentiate themselves from counterparts at their high schools, in their towns and across the world.
Admissions officers are "social engineers, and they are looking for that kid from Montana who has potential, and they know that Harvard will rock his world," says Denver-based college consultant Mark Montgomery. "They are going to have a certain number of kids who come from the Deerfields and the Dalton Schools. That's great--we want them, too, but they are looking for that kid who is genuinely different."
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"The boy who lives on a ranch in North Dakota," he adds, "is not judged by the same standard as the private school kid in New Jersey."
So how can you best stand out? Contrary to conventional wisdom, it's more important to show that you spearheaded original and creative initiatives at home, than participated in a pricey public service trip abroad. "Show that you've got other people involved, that you did something great in your own backyard," says Bev Taylor, founder and president of New York-based college counseling firm The Ivy Coach. "You didn't have to go off to Guatemala to build houses."
The experts also agree that essays are the most crucial part of any application, because it's one of the few chances students have to bring their application to life--otherwise it's just a laundry list of academic and extracurricular credentials.
"Make sure that every time you have the opportunity to write an essay, that it's about some different aspect about you," says Katherine Cohen, founder of the New York-based college consulting firm IvyWise. If a student's résumé says she is captain of the soccer team, and her coach wrote an extra letter of recommendation, then turn to another topic. Says Cohen: "Maybe I don't know that you're a vegetarian. Tell me about that."
Montgomery recalls one student who wrote an essay about ironing shirts. "It's not 'I won the championship by throwing the Hail Mary pass'; it's an unusual aspect of the person's personality," Montgomery says. "How can I communicate the whole of me to someone who's never met me?"
When brainstorming what to write, it's important to steer clear of taboo essay topics. There are certain subjects--national disasters, homeland visits and sex--from which applicants should steer clear, unless they have a unique and personal perspective. "People are going to write about the oil spill now, or they used to write 9/11 a lot … It's sort of hard to write about something in the public consciousness," Cohen says. "Stay away from writing the 'trip to the homeland' essay. It's a hard essay to do well, and it happens to be cliché and kind of common."
Almost every school asks applicants to write a few sentences about why they are interested in that college. The trick, counselors agree, is to make the essay more about you and why you are a good fit for the school, rather than about the school itself. One of Montgomery's students was struck by a particular sculpture outside a science building, and was able to seamlessly explain why it symbolized the way art and science interacted in her passions and at the school.
There are also some tactical strategies to keep in mind. Many schools have special admissions deadlines, with earlier ones around November and final dates in January or beyond.
"Don't wait for regular decision. Be decisive. Your odds are vastly increased and generally you'll get as much [financial] aid," says Michele Hernandez of Hernandez College Consulting. "Beat the crowds." The downside, however, is that many colleges will require you to enroll if you are accepted under an early program. So applicants who are dead-set on their top college are in good shape--but those who aren't might wind up committed to a school they're unsure about.
An added challenge for today's technologically savvy students is managing their online identities. Cohen advises removing most personal information and photos from social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. College admissions officers aren't really searching for you, but they do get anonymous tips from other people, and they have to follow up on any tip they receive," she says. "If its not something you want your grandmother to see, take it down."
There are ways to use social media to your advantage. "If you're a dancer, put up all your recital videos," says Taylor. "If you're an artist, let's see what you've done. Your portfolio can be up there."
Logistical details matter too. Cohen recommends her clients start working on their essays in early summer. Though the latest iteration of the so-called Common Application, which is used by more than 150 schools, isn't available until Aug. 1, there is a preliminary version available. Things that are always required: a résumé; a shorter essay on a meaningful extracurricular activity or work experience; and a longer personal statement based on five prompts or another topic of your choice.
Applicants, it's time to get to work.
Tips from College Admissions Experts
1. Match Up Grades and SAT Scores
A mismatch between GPA and class rank and standardized test scores is just one warning sign of a weak application, according to Bev Taylor, founder and president of New York-based college counseling firm The Ivy Coach. Some other pitfalls: sending in a list of activities without any explanations to bring them to life, and penning essays on subjects like napping, which paint a picture of a passive student.
2. Improve Teacher Recommendations
Instead of giving the teacher writing the recommendation a laundry list of extracurriculars, Taylor suggests students impart a more nuanced sense of their interests and motivations. "Remind them about how you were in their class, what you did and accomplished, what you found exciting about the class," she says. "So few students will go to that extreme, because it takes a lot of work."
3. Leadership in the Community
It's more important to show you spearheaded original and creative initiatives at home than participated in a pricey public service trip abroad. "Show that you've got other people involved, that you did something great in your own backyard," Taylor says. "You didn't have to go off to Guatemala to build houses."
4. Take Advantage of Social Media
Though stories of college admissions officers scoping out applicants' credentials on Facebook is exaggerated, it does happen. Applicants should be careful about what information they make public. Says Taylor: "If you're a dancer, put up all your recital videos. If you're an artist, let's see what you've done. Your portfolio can be up there."
5. Don't Be Redundant
"Make sure that every time you have the opportunity to write an essay that it's about some different aspect about you," says Katherine Cohen of the New York-based college consulting firm IvyWise. If a student's résumé says she is captain of the soccer team, and her coach wrote an extra letter of recommendation, the student should turn to another topic. Says Cohen: "Maybe I don't know that you're a vegetarian. Tell me about that."
6. Don't Send in Too Much
Deciding how much information to send in is a tricky balancing act. "[Some students] will send in copies of every award they've won since sixth grade and repeat all their test scores on their résumés as well as all of their senior-year courses," details that are already listed on the application, Cohen says. In addition, letters from influential people or notable names may hurt more than they help, if the person writing doesn't really know the applicant well.
7. And Don't Send in Too Little
"Some kids will shortchange themselves on their résumés or activity lists. They won't think about the number of hours per week and weeks per year they spend," Cohen says. And there are times when supplemental letters are appropriate, she adds, such as "from a coach or an employer or someone you've worked closely with over a long period of time, who you think would share new and different information about you."
8. Start Early
Cohen recommends her clients start working on their essays in early summer. Though the latest iteration of the so-called Common Application, which is used by more than 150 schools, isn't available until Aug. 1, there is a preliminary version available. Things that are always required: a résumé; a short essay on a meaningful extracurricular activity or work experience; and a longer personal statement.
9. Become a Specialist
"The most selective colleges aren't really looking for well-rounded students. They are looking to create a well-rounded student body made up of specialists," Cohen says." Pick a focus--academic or extracurricular--and try to dive deep. Instead of being a 'serial joiner,' focus on those couple of things that you enjoy and can do well."
10. Avoid Taboo Essay Topics
There are certain subjects--national disasters, homeland visits and sex--which applicants should avoid unless they have a unique and personal perspective. "People are going to write about the oil spill now, or they used to write 9/11 a lot … It's sort of hard to write about something in the public consciousness," Cohen says. "Stay away from writing the 'trip to the homeland' essay. It's a hard essay to do well, and it happens to be cliché and kind of common."
by Hana R. Alberts
Friday, July 9, 2010
http://finance.yahoo.com/college-education/article/110026/how-to-get-into-college?mod=edu-continuing_education
The competition to get into college is getting tougher every year. This April Harvard University accepted less than 7% of the 30,000-plus students who applied for freshman admissions. The number of applications to the University of Chicago shot up 43% over last year. Even a well-respected public university like UNC-Chapel Hill admits just 30% of its applicants. It's no surprise students and parents are overwhelmed by the admissions process.
More from Forbes.com:
• In Depth: 21 Tips from College Admissions Experts
• Top 10 College Majors for Women
• America's Best Prep Schools
Applying to college seems like it should be easy: Fill out a dozen forms--which, for the most part, contain the same basic questions--and you're done. But as winning admission to the top schools grows ever more difficult, students need every bit of advice they can get. So Forbes polled four college admissions consultants and compiled their words of wisdom.
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Many of their tips center on how students can differentiate themselves from counterparts at their high schools, in their towns and across the world.
Admissions officers are "social engineers, and they are looking for that kid from Montana who has potential, and they know that Harvard will rock his world," says Denver-based college consultant Mark Montgomery. "They are going to have a certain number of kids who come from the Deerfields and the Dalton Schools. That's great--we want them, too, but they are looking for that kid who is genuinely different."
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"The boy who lives on a ranch in North Dakota," he adds, "is not judged by the same standard as the private school kid in New Jersey."
So how can you best stand out? Contrary to conventional wisdom, it's more important to show that you spearheaded original and creative initiatives at home, than participated in a pricey public service trip abroad. "Show that you've got other people involved, that you did something great in your own backyard," says Bev Taylor, founder and president of New York-based college counseling firm The Ivy Coach. "You didn't have to go off to Guatemala to build houses."
The experts also agree that essays are the most crucial part of any application, because it's one of the few chances students have to bring their application to life--otherwise it's just a laundry list of academic and extracurricular credentials.
"Make sure that every time you have the opportunity to write an essay, that it's about some different aspect about you," says Katherine Cohen, founder of the New York-based college consulting firm IvyWise. If a student's résumé says she is captain of the soccer team, and her coach wrote an extra letter of recommendation, then turn to another topic. Says Cohen: "Maybe I don't know that you're a vegetarian. Tell me about that."
Montgomery recalls one student who wrote an essay about ironing shirts. "It's not 'I won the championship by throwing the Hail Mary pass'; it's an unusual aspect of the person's personality," Montgomery says. "How can I communicate the whole of me to someone who's never met me?"
When brainstorming what to write, it's important to steer clear of taboo essay topics. There are certain subjects--national disasters, homeland visits and sex--from which applicants should steer clear, unless they have a unique and personal perspective. "People are going to write about the oil spill now, or they used to write 9/11 a lot … It's sort of hard to write about something in the public consciousness," Cohen says. "Stay away from writing the 'trip to the homeland' essay. It's a hard essay to do well, and it happens to be cliché and kind of common."
Almost every school asks applicants to write a few sentences about why they are interested in that college. The trick, counselors agree, is to make the essay more about you and why you are a good fit for the school, rather than about the school itself. One of Montgomery's students was struck by a particular sculpture outside a science building, and was able to seamlessly explain why it symbolized the way art and science interacted in her passions and at the school.
There are also some tactical strategies to keep in mind. Many schools have special admissions deadlines, with earlier ones around November and final dates in January or beyond.
"Don't wait for regular decision. Be decisive. Your odds are vastly increased and generally you'll get as much [financial] aid," says Michele Hernandez of Hernandez College Consulting. "Beat the crowds." The downside, however, is that many colleges will require you to enroll if you are accepted under an early program. So applicants who are dead-set on their top college are in good shape--but those who aren't might wind up committed to a school they're unsure about.
An added challenge for today's technologically savvy students is managing their online identities. Cohen advises removing most personal information and photos from social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. College admissions officers aren't really searching for you, but they do get anonymous tips from other people, and they have to follow up on any tip they receive," she says. "If its not something you want your grandmother to see, take it down."
There are ways to use social media to your advantage. "If you're a dancer, put up all your recital videos," says Taylor. "If you're an artist, let's see what you've done. Your portfolio can be up there."
Logistical details matter too. Cohen recommends her clients start working on their essays in early summer. Though the latest iteration of the so-called Common Application, which is used by more than 150 schools, isn't available until Aug. 1, there is a preliminary version available. Things that are always required: a résumé; a shorter essay on a meaningful extracurricular activity or work experience; and a longer personal statement based on five prompts or another topic of your choice.
Applicants, it's time to get to work.
Tips from College Admissions Experts
1. Match Up Grades and SAT Scores
A mismatch between GPA and class rank and standardized test scores is just one warning sign of a weak application, according to Bev Taylor, founder and president of New York-based college counseling firm The Ivy Coach. Some other pitfalls: sending in a list of activities without any explanations to bring them to life, and penning essays on subjects like napping, which paint a picture of a passive student.
2. Improve Teacher Recommendations
Instead of giving the teacher writing the recommendation a laundry list of extracurriculars, Taylor suggests students impart a more nuanced sense of their interests and motivations. "Remind them about how you were in their class, what you did and accomplished, what you found exciting about the class," she says. "So few students will go to that extreme, because it takes a lot of work."
3. Leadership in the Community
It's more important to show you spearheaded original and creative initiatives at home than participated in a pricey public service trip abroad. "Show that you've got other people involved, that you did something great in your own backyard," Taylor says. "You didn't have to go off to Guatemala to build houses."
4. Take Advantage of Social Media
Though stories of college admissions officers scoping out applicants' credentials on Facebook is exaggerated, it does happen. Applicants should be careful about what information they make public. Says Taylor: "If you're a dancer, put up all your recital videos. If you're an artist, let's see what you've done. Your portfolio can be up there."
5. Don't Be Redundant
"Make sure that every time you have the opportunity to write an essay that it's about some different aspect about you," says Katherine Cohen of the New York-based college consulting firm IvyWise. If a student's résumé says she is captain of the soccer team, and her coach wrote an extra letter of recommendation, the student should turn to another topic. Says Cohen: "Maybe I don't know that you're a vegetarian. Tell me about that."
6. Don't Send in Too Much
Deciding how much information to send in is a tricky balancing act. "[Some students] will send in copies of every award they've won since sixth grade and repeat all their test scores on their résumés as well as all of their senior-year courses," details that are already listed on the application, Cohen says. In addition, letters from influential people or notable names may hurt more than they help, if the person writing doesn't really know the applicant well.
7. And Don't Send in Too Little
"Some kids will shortchange themselves on their résumés or activity lists. They won't think about the number of hours per week and weeks per year they spend," Cohen says. And there are times when supplemental letters are appropriate, she adds, such as "from a coach or an employer or someone you've worked closely with over a long period of time, who you think would share new and different information about you."
8. Start Early
Cohen recommends her clients start working on their essays in early summer. Though the latest iteration of the so-called Common Application, which is used by more than 150 schools, isn't available until Aug. 1, there is a preliminary version available. Things that are always required: a résumé; a short essay on a meaningful extracurricular activity or work experience; and a longer personal statement.
9. Become a Specialist
"The most selective colleges aren't really looking for well-rounded students. They are looking to create a well-rounded student body made up of specialists," Cohen says." Pick a focus--academic or extracurricular--and try to dive deep. Instead of being a 'serial joiner,' focus on those couple of things that you enjoy and can do well."
10. Avoid Taboo Essay Topics
There are certain subjects--national disasters, homeland visits and sex--which applicants should avoid unless they have a unique and personal perspective. "People are going to write about the oil spill now, or they used to write 9/11 a lot … It's sort of hard to write about something in the public consciousness," Cohen says. "Stay away from writing the 'trip to the homeland' essay. It's a hard essay to do well, and it happens to be cliché and kind of common."
Friday, July 9, 2010
Long Recession Ignites Debate on Jobless Benefits
Long Recession Ignites Debate on Jobless Benefits
by Sara Murray
Thursday, July 8, 2010
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/110013/debate-on-jobless-benefits
Management Recruiters of Sacramento, Calif., says it recently had a tough time filling six engineering positions at an Oregon manufacturer paying $60,000 a year -- and suspects long-term jobless benefits were part of the hitch.
"We called several engineers that were unemployed," says Karl Dinse, a managing partner at the recruiting firm. "They said, nah, you know, if it were paying $80,000 I'd think about it." Some candidates suggested he call them back when their benefits were scheduled to run out, he says.
More from WSJ.com:
• Video: Jobless Benefits Spark Fierce Debate
• Graphic: Still Looking for Work
• FAQ: Unemployment Extension
Rick Jewell has a different take on extended jobless benefits: He didn't want to be on the dole, but had no alternative. He has been out of work since he lost his $12-an-hour job driving a forklift for a cosmetics company in Greenwood, Ind., in December 2008. He collected $315 a week in benefits until early June -- when Congress declined to renew the law that gave workers in Indiana and some other states up to 99 weeks of assistance.
"I am tired of sitting at home. I am tired of not being the breadwinner," says Mr. Jewell, who says he looks for work every day. He and his wife now rely on her $480 a week job as a distribution supervisor at the same cosmetics company.
[Click here to find an online degree program]
In the long recession and the lackluster recovery, the government expanded unemployment payments more than at any time since the benefits were rolled out in the 1930s. And workers have gone jobless for longer than any time since official tallies began in 1967.
Politicians and economists are now in a fierce debate that could have big consequences for the jobless: Did more generous unemployment benefits prompt jobless workers to be pickier in their searches? Or was the program a prudent response to the worst recession in generations?
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The debate remains pressing as Congress wrestles with whether to extend the expired benefit program. The House passed an extension renewal backed by President Barack Obama as part of a broader bill that died in the Senate, after skirmishes about the wisdom of enlarging the deficit. The House passed a scaled-down version last week, but the Senate won't revisit this issue until after its week-long recess.
Economists have argued for years about the extent to which government benefits prolong unemployment -- and possibly augment the overall jobless rate. Most believe that expanding benefits does discourage some unemployed people from looking for work or taking available jobs. But they disagree on how acute that effect is, particularly at a time when jobs are scarce.
"Given the current economic situation I doubt that effect is very large," says Harvard University economist Raj Chetty. "I think people will take whatever job they can get."
Economists on the right see a danger to prolonging benefits. "I don't think anybody's getting rich off of unemployment, and I'm not saying people are lazy," says Michael Tanner of the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank in Washington, D.C. "The fact is, when you have a check coming in, even if it's a fairly low check, you're less motivated to either look for work or accept less optimal jobs."
Note: Data as of June 2010; Source: Labor Dept.
The recent recession was unusual in almost every respect. Compared to other post-World War II recessions, it was deeper, longer, and put more people out of work. A year after the economy began growing, unemployment is still a very high 9.5%. Nearly half the jobless -- 6.8 million total -- have been out of work for more than six months, and 4.3 million of those have been without work for more than a year. The typical unemployed person has been out of the job market for a median of 25.5 weeks.
The government response was also unusual, and not just in the big bank bailout. In normal times, the unemployed are offered up to 26 weeks of benefits, largely financed by a tax on employers. In recessions, state and federal governments often jointly finance up to an additional 20 weeks in hard-hit states. In this recession, Congress added up to another 53 weeks of federally funded benefits; in the deep crisis of the 1980s, the maximum total never exceeded 55 weeks.
The unemployment compensation system, created in 1935, was designed to tide workers over during periods of temporary unemployment. Benefits are based on a worker's prior wages; the average is $310 a week. Only workers who have lost a job through no fault of their own are eligible. Those who quit or who are new to the work force don't qualify. They must reapply weekly or biweekly, depending on the state, and indicate that they are looking for work.
In the 1980s, only half of all unemployed received benefits. In the first quarter of 2010, 69% of the unemployed did. That's partly because the benefits lasted so much longer, economists say. It's also because Washington gave states incentives to extend benefits to workers looking for part-time jobs and those who enrolled in training programs.
A variety of studies suggest that adding another 53 weeks of benefits increases the time the average worker is jobless by between 4.2 and 10.6 weeks. The higher estimates are based on studies conducted decades ago when layoffs were often temporary; in this recession, many unemployed workers will never return to their old positions.
"People do get jobs in a substantial number," when their benefits run out, Cato's Mr. Tanner says, citing a study from the 1980s recession. The study, by economists Stepan Jurajda, of Charles University in Prague, and Frederick Tannery of the University of Pittsburgh, discovered 29% of workers who lost jobs in Pittsburgh between 1980 and 1985 found positions as soon as their benefits ended. Mr. Tanner expects that will also be true this time around, though the fraction could be smaller given the high rate of unemployment.
In a recession such as this one -- with five unemployed workers for every job opening -- it's not clear whether the old academic findings apply.
In his scholarly past, Lawrence Summers, now Mr. Obama's economic guru, wrote in 1993 that "government assistance programs contribute to long-term unemployment ... by providing an incentive, and the means, not to work." When an April Wall Street Journal editorial described his position, Mr. Summers fired back in a letter to the editor: "In the wake of the worst economic crisis in eight decades ... there can be no doubt that the overwhelming cause of unemployment is economic distress, not the existence of unemployment insurance."
A 2000 study by David Card of the University of California at Berkeley and Phillip Levine of Wellesley College looked at a one-time 13-week extension of jobless benefits in New Jersey. It found that in normal times, such an extension added about one week to the duration of unemployment. If that study's formula was applied to the current recession, the typical spell of unemployment would be about 4.2 weeks longer than normal.
In times when jobs are scarce, Mr. Levine argues that any disincentive to work is minimal. A recent Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco study arrived at the same conclusion: Those who were eligible for unemployment benefits were out of work just 1.6 weeks longer than those who weren't receiving benefits.
Most workers, economists say, wouldn't risk holding out for an ideal job in this economy. But individual attitudes and circumstances vary widely.
Paul A. Johnson's $65,000-a-year job evaporated when the digital entertainment company for which he worked folded in May of 2009. The 31-year-old went on unemployment benefits, collecting $475 a week.
A few offers surfaced, but Mr. Johnson says the pay wasn't tempting enough to give up his government check. "The jobs I was being offered were less than I was making when I got out of college," he says. "I didn't see a point."
After two months of unemployment, he took a $72,000-a-year job with an advertising agency, but quit after a week. Mr. Johnson says he became depressed as he realized he was miserable in his career. No longer eligible for benefits, Mr. Johnson moved in with his mother in East Hampton, N.Y. He says he plans to launch his own company selling baked goods online.
Partnership Staffing Inc. in Richmond, Va., which supplies temporary workers to warehouse and manufacturing companies at wages between $8 and $14 an hour, occasionally finds workers who refuse offers, says Bill Auchmoody, chief executive. "We only get about 2% or 3% who use the excuse to us, blatantly, face-to-face, 'You know, that's not enough money, I make more money on unemployment,' " he says.
When benefits run out, some workers take jobs but still struggle. After Gale Satchell's benefits of $232-a-week ran out in March, the Pittsburgh resident found a part-time position at a local Dollar Tree Inc. store. But she works just eight hours a week for a weekly check of $58. Ms. Satchell, 43, gets $200 a month in food stamps and recently borrowed money from a relative to pay her gas and electric bill.
"Before I even applied to unemployment, I was applying for jobs," says Ms. Satchell, who lost her customer service position in 2007. She's applied for work as a cashier, a housekeeper and a telemarketer, among other gigs. At a recent interview, some 50 people turned out for one position, she says.
While curtailing benefits could prod some jobless workers to take unappealing jobs, benefits supporters say there would be other negative effects. The expanded benefits may have underpinned consumer demand at a time when it was weak. Unemployed workers tend to spend most or all of their unemployment checks quickly, economists say. In one analysis this year, the Congressional Budget Office said that each dollar spent on extending benefits would increase economic output by $0.70 to $1.90.
Some economists argue that benefits can help the jobless perceive themselves as still part of the labor force. If benefits end, these workers may be more likely to apply for disability or similar benefits.
"It's a really worrisome situation," says Lawrence Katz, a Harvard University economist. "That could be very fiscally expensive and there are large human costs."
Cindy Paoletti, 58, understands those costs. Laid off from her job as a bookkeeper in J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.'s operations center in December 2007, she used a severance package to pay bills, and then began collecting $330 a week in unemployment benefits. She has exhausted her 99 weeks of benefits, and still can't find a job. Employers "just don't want to hire anybody in our age group," she says.
For now, she's budgeting the $2,000 left over from her late husband's life insurance policy.
"Unemployment benefits do not pay the bills," she says. "The people that I know that have been unemployed are searching every single day."
Write to Sara Murray at sara.murray@wsj.com
by Sara Murray
Thursday, July 8, 2010
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/110013/debate-on-jobless-benefits
Management Recruiters of Sacramento, Calif., says it recently had a tough time filling six engineering positions at an Oregon manufacturer paying $60,000 a year -- and suspects long-term jobless benefits were part of the hitch.
"We called several engineers that were unemployed," says Karl Dinse, a managing partner at the recruiting firm. "They said, nah, you know, if it were paying $80,000 I'd think about it." Some candidates suggested he call them back when their benefits were scheduled to run out, he says.
More from WSJ.com:
• Video: Jobless Benefits Spark Fierce Debate
• Graphic: Still Looking for Work
• FAQ: Unemployment Extension
Rick Jewell has a different take on extended jobless benefits: He didn't want to be on the dole, but had no alternative. He has been out of work since he lost his $12-an-hour job driving a forklift for a cosmetics company in Greenwood, Ind., in December 2008. He collected $315 a week in benefits until early June -- when Congress declined to renew the law that gave workers in Indiana and some other states up to 99 weeks of assistance.
"I am tired of sitting at home. I am tired of not being the breadwinner," says Mr. Jewell, who says he looks for work every day. He and his wife now rely on her $480 a week job as a distribution supervisor at the same cosmetics company.
[Click here to find an online degree program]
In the long recession and the lackluster recovery, the government expanded unemployment payments more than at any time since the benefits were rolled out in the 1930s. And workers have gone jobless for longer than any time since official tallies began in 1967.
Politicians and economists are now in a fierce debate that could have big consequences for the jobless: Did more generous unemployment benefits prompt jobless workers to be pickier in their searches? Or was the program a prudent response to the worst recession in generations?
Popular Stories on Yahoo!:
• Best Advice Warren Buffett Ever Received
• Bush's Tax Cuts Set to Expire
• Secrets of Credit Score Perfectionists
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More From Yahoo! Finance
The debate remains pressing as Congress wrestles with whether to extend the expired benefit program. The House passed an extension renewal backed by President Barack Obama as part of a broader bill that died in the Senate, after skirmishes about the wisdom of enlarging the deficit. The House passed a scaled-down version last week, but the Senate won't revisit this issue until after its week-long recess.
Economists have argued for years about the extent to which government benefits prolong unemployment -- and possibly augment the overall jobless rate. Most believe that expanding benefits does discourage some unemployed people from looking for work or taking available jobs. But they disagree on how acute that effect is, particularly at a time when jobs are scarce.
"Given the current economic situation I doubt that effect is very large," says Harvard University economist Raj Chetty. "I think people will take whatever job they can get."
Economists on the right see a danger to prolonging benefits. "I don't think anybody's getting rich off of unemployment, and I'm not saying people are lazy," says Michael Tanner of the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank in Washington, D.C. "The fact is, when you have a check coming in, even if it's a fairly low check, you're less motivated to either look for work or accept less optimal jobs."
Note: Data as of June 2010; Source: Labor Dept.
The recent recession was unusual in almost every respect. Compared to other post-World War II recessions, it was deeper, longer, and put more people out of work. A year after the economy began growing, unemployment is still a very high 9.5%. Nearly half the jobless -- 6.8 million total -- have been out of work for more than six months, and 4.3 million of those have been without work for more than a year. The typical unemployed person has been out of the job market for a median of 25.5 weeks.
The government response was also unusual, and not just in the big bank bailout. In normal times, the unemployed are offered up to 26 weeks of benefits, largely financed by a tax on employers. In recessions, state and federal governments often jointly finance up to an additional 20 weeks in hard-hit states. In this recession, Congress added up to another 53 weeks of federally funded benefits; in the deep crisis of the 1980s, the maximum total never exceeded 55 weeks.
The unemployment compensation system, created in 1935, was designed to tide workers over during periods of temporary unemployment. Benefits are based on a worker's prior wages; the average is $310 a week. Only workers who have lost a job through no fault of their own are eligible. Those who quit or who are new to the work force don't qualify. They must reapply weekly or biweekly, depending on the state, and indicate that they are looking for work.
In the 1980s, only half of all unemployed received benefits. In the first quarter of 2010, 69% of the unemployed did. That's partly because the benefits lasted so much longer, economists say. It's also because Washington gave states incentives to extend benefits to workers looking for part-time jobs and those who enrolled in training programs.
A variety of studies suggest that adding another 53 weeks of benefits increases the time the average worker is jobless by between 4.2 and 10.6 weeks. The higher estimates are based on studies conducted decades ago when layoffs were often temporary; in this recession, many unemployed workers will never return to their old positions.
"People do get jobs in a substantial number," when their benefits run out, Cato's Mr. Tanner says, citing a study from the 1980s recession. The study, by economists Stepan Jurajda, of Charles University in Prague, and Frederick Tannery of the University of Pittsburgh, discovered 29% of workers who lost jobs in Pittsburgh between 1980 and 1985 found positions as soon as their benefits ended. Mr. Tanner expects that will also be true this time around, though the fraction could be smaller given the high rate of unemployment.
In a recession such as this one -- with five unemployed workers for every job opening -- it's not clear whether the old academic findings apply.
In his scholarly past, Lawrence Summers, now Mr. Obama's economic guru, wrote in 1993 that "government assistance programs contribute to long-term unemployment ... by providing an incentive, and the means, not to work." When an April Wall Street Journal editorial described his position, Mr. Summers fired back in a letter to the editor: "In the wake of the worst economic crisis in eight decades ... there can be no doubt that the overwhelming cause of unemployment is economic distress, not the existence of unemployment insurance."
A 2000 study by David Card of the University of California at Berkeley and Phillip Levine of Wellesley College looked at a one-time 13-week extension of jobless benefits in New Jersey. It found that in normal times, such an extension added about one week to the duration of unemployment. If that study's formula was applied to the current recession, the typical spell of unemployment would be about 4.2 weeks longer than normal.
In times when jobs are scarce, Mr. Levine argues that any disincentive to work is minimal. A recent Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco study arrived at the same conclusion: Those who were eligible for unemployment benefits were out of work just 1.6 weeks longer than those who weren't receiving benefits.
Most workers, economists say, wouldn't risk holding out for an ideal job in this economy. But individual attitudes and circumstances vary widely.
Paul A. Johnson's $65,000-a-year job evaporated when the digital entertainment company for which he worked folded in May of 2009. The 31-year-old went on unemployment benefits, collecting $475 a week.
A few offers surfaced, but Mr. Johnson says the pay wasn't tempting enough to give up his government check. "The jobs I was being offered were less than I was making when I got out of college," he says. "I didn't see a point."
After two months of unemployment, he took a $72,000-a-year job with an advertising agency, but quit after a week. Mr. Johnson says he became depressed as he realized he was miserable in his career. No longer eligible for benefits, Mr. Johnson moved in with his mother in East Hampton, N.Y. He says he plans to launch his own company selling baked goods online.
Partnership Staffing Inc. in Richmond, Va., which supplies temporary workers to warehouse and manufacturing companies at wages between $8 and $14 an hour, occasionally finds workers who refuse offers, says Bill Auchmoody, chief executive. "We only get about 2% or 3% who use the excuse to us, blatantly, face-to-face, 'You know, that's not enough money, I make more money on unemployment,' " he says.
When benefits run out, some workers take jobs but still struggle. After Gale Satchell's benefits of $232-a-week ran out in March, the Pittsburgh resident found a part-time position at a local Dollar Tree Inc. store. But she works just eight hours a week for a weekly check of $58. Ms. Satchell, 43, gets $200 a month in food stamps and recently borrowed money from a relative to pay her gas and electric bill.
"Before I even applied to unemployment, I was applying for jobs," says Ms. Satchell, who lost her customer service position in 2007. She's applied for work as a cashier, a housekeeper and a telemarketer, among other gigs. At a recent interview, some 50 people turned out for one position, she says.
While curtailing benefits could prod some jobless workers to take unappealing jobs, benefits supporters say there would be other negative effects. The expanded benefits may have underpinned consumer demand at a time when it was weak. Unemployed workers tend to spend most or all of their unemployment checks quickly, economists say. In one analysis this year, the Congressional Budget Office said that each dollar spent on extending benefits would increase economic output by $0.70 to $1.90.
Some economists argue that benefits can help the jobless perceive themselves as still part of the labor force. If benefits end, these workers may be more likely to apply for disability or similar benefits.
"It's a really worrisome situation," says Lawrence Katz, a Harvard University economist. "That could be very fiscally expensive and there are large human costs."
Cindy Paoletti, 58, understands those costs. Laid off from her job as a bookkeeper in J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.'s operations center in December 2007, she used a severance package to pay bills, and then began collecting $330 a week in unemployment benefits. She has exhausted her 99 weeks of benefits, and still can't find a job. Employers "just don't want to hire anybody in our age group," she says.
For now, she's budgeting the $2,000 left over from her late husband's life insurance policy.
"Unemployment benefits do not pay the bills," she says. "The people that I know that have been unemployed are searching every single day."
Write to Sara Murray at sara.murray@wsj.com
4 Lessons from Billionaire College Entrepreneurs
4 Lessons from Billionaire College Entrepreneurs
by Michael Deane, Managing Editor
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/109999/4-lessons-from-billionaire-college-entrepreneurs?mod=career-leadership
There are more than enough college business success stories to go around - and I'm not talking about that dude who lived next to you in your dorm and made enough money for books by selling home-made Che Guevara t-shirts. I'm talking about the businesses that started in college and became billion-dollar companies. There's something to learn from the Zuckerbergs, Dells and Gateses of the world. Here are four of those lessons.
1. Find a Need and Fill It
This is the most basic of advice for starting a business; either find something that doesn't exist but would improve the lives of those around you, or find an already available product and make it better and cheaper. Mark Zuckerberg is probably the most famous and richest 26-year old on the planet right now, and he did exactly this when creating Facebook.
[Click here to find an online degree program]
Zuckerberg was an undergrad at Harvard in 2004, taking computer science (go figure), and had been programming since he was in his teens. At Zuckerberg's old school there had been a registry of students and their photos published every year, but not at Harvard. So Zuckerberg set out to change that, but after his initial hacking into Harvard's server to retrieve the information needed to make a kind of "hot or not" Harvard page, he was shut down and had to go a different route. This gave rise to thefacebook.com and later, after he and his team moved to California, facebook.com.
There have certainly been problems and issues along the way, but what started as a desire to give everyone access to Harvard student photos has made Zuckerberg a billionaire. Facebook is expected to reach one billion accounts in the near future.
2. Think Outside of School
Michael Dell regularly ranks among the richest men in the world as the founder and CEO of Dell computers. Dell actually started this company while he was still in college doing his pre-med courses. Even as a teenager, Dell was interested in computers and finding out how electronics work, and while he was at college, he turned this into a part-time job. Dell started upgrading computers from a room in residence and eventually started operating as "PCs Limited" out of a condo, selling upgraded PCs via direct order. This eventually became Dell computers, which dominated the PC world during the 1990s and mid-2000s.
The company is not quite as dominant a PC force right now, but having started it as a hobby while pursuing an entirely different goal, Dell has certainly made his mark on the computer world.
3. Use Your School Projects for Larger Goals
When you're in college, it's best to try and focus your studies in a way that interests you and will work out in your favor once you're done school. So don't write a 2,000 word paper on Chapter 57 from "Moby Dick" unless you truly find it interesting or want to teach this Melville classic in the future; make your studies work for you.
This is what Larry Page and Sergey Brin did when they were both pursuing their PhDs at Stanford in computer science. They were working on a research project that would create a search engine that would analyze the relationship between websites, and Google was born. The idea of Google comes from Brin's and Page's idea that information should be accessible and universal, and they're making this a reality through a project started at Stanford.
4. Don't Let School Get in the Way
Bill Gates didn't let school get in the way of creating something that would both help the world and make him a multibillionaire. After scoring a mere 1590 out of 1600 on the SATs, Gates enrolled at Harvard with the hope of studying law, and after seeing one the first mass-consumed micro computers, the Altair 8800, Gates and his former classmate Paul Allen approached the maker of the computer to let them know they had written a programming language for the computer. After the maker of the computer, MITS, accepted the offer, Gates left Harvard to pursue his dream, never to return. Shortly after this, Microsoft was formed.
Gates used the college's computer labs to work towards his real passion, and when that passion paid off, he realized that college wasn't for him. Zuckerberg also left Harvard and hasn't returned.
The Bottom Line
There are many other success stories, like Frederick Smith who based the idea for FedEx on an economics paper he'd written while doing a bachelor's of economics at Yale, but the majority of money-making college entrepreneurs have been involved with computers. Overall, college entrepreneurs need to focus on their true passions and let schooling aid them in getting to this goal, and if schooling gets in the way, entrepreneurs have to be prepared to put it aside to follow their idea to the end.
by Michael Deane, Managing Editor
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/109999/4-lessons-from-billionaire-college-entrepreneurs?mod=career-leadership
There are more than enough college business success stories to go around - and I'm not talking about that dude who lived next to you in your dorm and made enough money for books by selling home-made Che Guevara t-shirts. I'm talking about the businesses that started in college and became billion-dollar companies. There's something to learn from the Zuckerbergs, Dells and Gateses of the world. Here are four of those lessons.
1. Find a Need and Fill It
This is the most basic of advice for starting a business; either find something that doesn't exist but would improve the lives of those around you, or find an already available product and make it better and cheaper. Mark Zuckerberg is probably the most famous and richest 26-year old on the planet right now, and he did exactly this when creating Facebook.
[Click here to find an online degree program]
Zuckerberg was an undergrad at Harvard in 2004, taking computer science (go figure), and had been programming since he was in his teens. At Zuckerberg's old school there had been a registry of students and their photos published every year, but not at Harvard. So Zuckerberg set out to change that, but after his initial hacking into Harvard's server to retrieve the information needed to make a kind of "hot or not" Harvard page, he was shut down and had to go a different route. This gave rise to thefacebook.com and later, after he and his team moved to California, facebook.com.
There have certainly been problems and issues along the way, but what started as a desire to give everyone access to Harvard student photos has made Zuckerberg a billionaire. Facebook is expected to reach one billion accounts in the near future.
2. Think Outside of School
Michael Dell regularly ranks among the richest men in the world as the founder and CEO of Dell computers. Dell actually started this company while he was still in college doing his pre-med courses. Even as a teenager, Dell was interested in computers and finding out how electronics work, and while he was at college, he turned this into a part-time job. Dell started upgrading computers from a room in residence and eventually started operating as "PCs Limited" out of a condo, selling upgraded PCs via direct order. This eventually became Dell computers, which dominated the PC world during the 1990s and mid-2000s.
The company is not quite as dominant a PC force right now, but having started it as a hobby while pursuing an entirely different goal, Dell has certainly made his mark on the computer world.
3. Use Your School Projects for Larger Goals
When you're in college, it's best to try and focus your studies in a way that interests you and will work out in your favor once you're done school. So don't write a 2,000 word paper on Chapter 57 from "Moby Dick" unless you truly find it interesting or want to teach this Melville classic in the future; make your studies work for you.
This is what Larry Page and Sergey Brin did when they were both pursuing their PhDs at Stanford in computer science. They were working on a research project that would create a search engine that would analyze the relationship between websites, and Google was born. The idea of Google comes from Brin's and Page's idea that information should be accessible and universal, and they're making this a reality through a project started at Stanford.
4. Don't Let School Get in the Way
Bill Gates didn't let school get in the way of creating something that would both help the world and make him a multibillionaire. After scoring a mere 1590 out of 1600 on the SATs, Gates enrolled at Harvard with the hope of studying law, and after seeing one the first mass-consumed micro computers, the Altair 8800, Gates and his former classmate Paul Allen approached the maker of the computer to let them know they had written a programming language for the computer. After the maker of the computer, MITS, accepted the offer, Gates left Harvard to pursue his dream, never to return. Shortly after this, Microsoft was formed.
Gates used the college's computer labs to work towards his real passion, and when that passion paid off, he realized that college wasn't for him. Zuckerberg also left Harvard and hasn't returned.
The Bottom Line
There are many other success stories, like Frederick Smith who based the idea for FedEx on an economics paper he'd written while doing a bachelor's of economics at Yale, but the majority of money-making college entrepreneurs have been involved with computers. Overall, college entrepreneurs need to focus on their true passions and let schooling aid them in getting to this goal, and if schooling gets in the way, entrepreneurs have to be prepared to put it aside to follow their idea to the end.
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert Disappointed Cavs owner hits LeBron with verbal rampage
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert Disappointed Cavs owner hits LeBron with verbal rampage
Posted Jul 9 2010 1:18AM
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/shaun_powell/07/09/gilbert/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1
You kept waiting for word from the Cavaliers that this was a cruel joke played on them. That a hacker, a drunken and jilted Cavaliers fan, staggered out of the bar, broke into the team's website and spit out a hate letter directed to someone who's being slimed in Cleveland today as the second coming of Art Modell. That the Cavs would quickly discover the crime and clarify that, as an organization, it holds no ill will toward LeBron James.
Dan Gilbert's Letter to Fans
Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;
As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.
This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.
Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.
The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.
There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.
You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.
You have given so much and deserve so much more.
In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:
"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"
You can take it to the bank.
If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.
Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.
Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.
This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.
But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.
The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.
Just watch.
Sleep well, Cleveland.
Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....
I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:
DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue ....
Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers
But no. This letter was legit. This was unedited, unadulterated, unrestrained and unreal. This was from Dan Gilbert, the owner -- an owner! -- who evidently refused to go for a long walk before he called his secretary and asked her to take a memo.
If you think Gilbert's open letter to Cavaliers' fans, posted moments after LeBron chose to sign with the Heat, was filled with vitriol, just imagine what came out of David Stern's mouth when he read it. Oh, yes, you can imagine the commissioner is hotter today than the Heat's championship chances. Gilbert should be fined, must be fined, and heavily, because he came off looking small in the wake of LeBron leaving, when instead he should've been above it all.
"Cowardly?"
"Betrayal?"
"Former hero?"
"Narcissistic?"
Some strong words from Gilbert to describe LeBron in what obviously was an emotional reaction to the bad news for Cleveland. Fightin' words, even. And while that's certainly an OK and understandable reaction from fans in a sports city that just took another kick to the groin, it's unprofessional and unworthy coming from a team owner.
Oh, and that's not the worst part. It's quite possible Gilbert issued a veiled threat, telling fans "there is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past." Is Gilbert planning to get even more personal and perhaps spill some company secrets, all designed to embarrass LeBron? Oh, boy. Have you ever heard an owner react this way to a player? The answer is never. Some owners in the past expressed anger and disappointment at players who broke the law or did something heinous that embarrassed the franchise. But what did LeBron do? Leave?
We might be talking about a record fine here. Not anything approaching the hit that Gilbert just absorbed, in terms of franchise value ($100 million?), now that LeBron's walking. But steep enough.
Sure, LeBron has made some PR mistakes in the last year leading up to free agency. Nothing horrible. Nothing that should've made him a media punching bag, which has been the case lately (what felony did he commit, exactly?). But a few. Yes, indeed. He didn't call Gilbert before making the announcement. Gilbert was owed that much. He turned a recruiting session into a public spectacle and then to ridiculous heights with a one-hour televised special, which screamed ego. Agreed.
But didn't he just give seven years to the Cavaliers? Two MVP years? Didn't he make Gilbert, already a rich man, even richer? Didn't he put Cleveland on the NBA map, when before he arrived, the team was a speck? Again, the fan reaction was understood and perhaps valid to a degree. But from an owner? Just because LeBron chose a change in scenery?
LeBron filled the requirements of his contract (Game 5 vs. Celtics aside); that was the extent of his loyalty to Gilbert. And about that word loyalty. There is none in professional sports. Not from players or owners. It's all about business. You want loyalty, go to your local youth league and soak it up. Don't come to the pros, where players are looking after their self-interests and owners after theirs. That's the unspoken agreement between the two sides. You do what's best for you, and I'll do what's best for me.
As for Cleveland, well, LeBron has been loyal to his hometown: Akron.
But back to the letter. Gilbert said he was "bitterly" disappointed, and again, his franchise value just took a massive hit, along with its national TV appeal. He added that LeBron "deserted" the region, as though LeBron fled a bunker and left Northern Ohio to fend for itself. In reality, LeBron wanted to win a championship, and he believes his best chance lies in Miami. He might be wrong, or perhaps right; time will tell. He left $30 million on the table. That's "cowardly?" Stupid, maybe, from a financial standpoint. But cowardly?
There's a rule in the NBA where teams must be given a 10-minute cooling off period after games before meeting the media. Gilbert should've followed that rule in the wake of The Decision. He didn't. Instead, he stoked the raw emotions of a bitter city; can you imagine the angry build-up leading to the Heat's first visit to Cleveland next season? A good owner -- and Gilbert is solid -- allowed his emotions to get the best of him, and made him look unprofessional.
Oh, and the most interesting part of the letter? Between the hate words directed at LeBron, Gilbert personally guaranteed the Cavs would win a championship "before the self-titled former 'King' wins one."
So, in addition to looking petty, Gilbert also sounds foolish.
Posted Jul 9 2010 1:18AM
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/shaun_powell/07/09/gilbert/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1
You kept waiting for word from the Cavaliers that this was a cruel joke played on them. That a hacker, a drunken and jilted Cavaliers fan, staggered out of the bar, broke into the team's website and spit out a hate letter directed to someone who's being slimed in Cleveland today as the second coming of Art Modell. That the Cavs would quickly discover the crime and clarify that, as an organization, it holds no ill will toward LeBron James.
Dan Gilbert's Letter to Fans
Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;
As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.
This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.
Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.
The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.
There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.
You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.
You have given so much and deserve so much more.
In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:
"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"
You can take it to the bank.
If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.
Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.
Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.
This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.
But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.
The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.
Just watch.
Sleep well, Cleveland.
Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....
I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:
DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue ....
Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers
But no. This letter was legit. This was unedited, unadulterated, unrestrained and unreal. This was from Dan Gilbert, the owner -- an owner! -- who evidently refused to go for a long walk before he called his secretary and asked her to take a memo.
If you think Gilbert's open letter to Cavaliers' fans, posted moments after LeBron chose to sign with the Heat, was filled with vitriol, just imagine what came out of David Stern's mouth when he read it. Oh, yes, you can imagine the commissioner is hotter today than the Heat's championship chances. Gilbert should be fined, must be fined, and heavily, because he came off looking small in the wake of LeBron leaving, when instead he should've been above it all.
"Cowardly?"
"Betrayal?"
"Former hero?"
"Narcissistic?"
Some strong words from Gilbert to describe LeBron in what obviously was an emotional reaction to the bad news for Cleveland. Fightin' words, even. And while that's certainly an OK and understandable reaction from fans in a sports city that just took another kick to the groin, it's unprofessional and unworthy coming from a team owner.
Oh, and that's not the worst part. It's quite possible Gilbert issued a veiled threat, telling fans "there is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past." Is Gilbert planning to get even more personal and perhaps spill some company secrets, all designed to embarrass LeBron? Oh, boy. Have you ever heard an owner react this way to a player? The answer is never. Some owners in the past expressed anger and disappointment at players who broke the law or did something heinous that embarrassed the franchise. But what did LeBron do? Leave?
We might be talking about a record fine here. Not anything approaching the hit that Gilbert just absorbed, in terms of franchise value ($100 million?), now that LeBron's walking. But steep enough.
Sure, LeBron has made some PR mistakes in the last year leading up to free agency. Nothing horrible. Nothing that should've made him a media punching bag, which has been the case lately (what felony did he commit, exactly?). But a few. Yes, indeed. He didn't call Gilbert before making the announcement. Gilbert was owed that much. He turned a recruiting session into a public spectacle and then to ridiculous heights with a one-hour televised special, which screamed ego. Agreed.
But didn't he just give seven years to the Cavaliers? Two MVP years? Didn't he make Gilbert, already a rich man, even richer? Didn't he put Cleveland on the NBA map, when before he arrived, the team was a speck? Again, the fan reaction was understood and perhaps valid to a degree. But from an owner? Just because LeBron chose a change in scenery?
LeBron filled the requirements of his contract (Game 5 vs. Celtics aside); that was the extent of his loyalty to Gilbert. And about that word loyalty. There is none in professional sports. Not from players or owners. It's all about business. You want loyalty, go to your local youth league and soak it up. Don't come to the pros, where players are looking after their self-interests and owners after theirs. That's the unspoken agreement between the two sides. You do what's best for you, and I'll do what's best for me.
As for Cleveland, well, LeBron has been loyal to his hometown: Akron.
But back to the letter. Gilbert said he was "bitterly" disappointed, and again, his franchise value just took a massive hit, along with its national TV appeal. He added that LeBron "deserted" the region, as though LeBron fled a bunker and left Northern Ohio to fend for itself. In reality, LeBron wanted to win a championship, and he believes his best chance lies in Miami. He might be wrong, or perhaps right; time will tell. He left $30 million on the table. That's "cowardly?" Stupid, maybe, from a financial standpoint. But cowardly?
There's a rule in the NBA where teams must be given a 10-minute cooling off period after games before meeting the media. Gilbert should've followed that rule in the wake of The Decision. He didn't. Instead, he stoked the raw emotions of a bitter city; can you imagine the angry build-up leading to the Heat's first visit to Cleveland next season? A good owner -- and Gilbert is solid -- allowed his emotions to get the best of him, and made him look unprofessional.
Oh, and the most interesting part of the letter? Between the hate words directed at LeBron, Gilbert personally guaranteed the Cavs would win a championship "before the self-titled former 'King' wins one."
So, in addition to looking petty, Gilbert also sounds foolish.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Surefire Ways to Turn OFF Your Teen
Surefire Ways to Turn OFF Your Teen.
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/surefire-ways-to-turn-off-your-teen-1954428/
by GALTime.com, on Tue Jul 6, 2010 7:28am PDT12 CommentsPost a CommentRead More from This Author »Report Abuse.. By GALTime.com Parenting Pro Michele Borba, Ed.,D.
Talking with an adolescent can be like walking through a minefield. At any moment you could be asking what you thought was a simple, sincere question only to find it triggering an explosive response. You know that communication keeps you connected to your child, but it often seems to backfire because of the type of questions asked.
Research proves our instincts: The number one antidote to risky-kid behavior is a strong relationship with a parent. Believe it or not our kids even like us and want us in their lives! (Really!!!!) A recent Girl Scout of America survey found that tween girls want their moms even more involved in their lives.
The trick is how to stay involved the right way so we don’t turn them off, they do want to come to us and we can be a sounding board to help them wade through tough issues. Watch out! The biggest turn off (according to tweens and teens) is often how we pose our questions.
7 Deadly Questions to Never Ask an Adolescent (Unless you want a guaranteed turn off)
Here are seven things you should avoid asking an adolescent because they are guaranteed to be big “turn offs.” Learn how to pose those trickier questions another way so you’re more likely to get a better response from your kid (or at least keep her standing in the same room with you).
DEADLY QUESTION 1: “So, how was your day?”
Trite, generic, remarks like “Did you have fun last night?” and “How was school?” don’t go over with tweens. They say they see them as “insincere” and “so-o-o predictable.” “Watch—My Mom is going to ask, “How was your day?” She always does.” Tweens put those comments at the top of their annoying list. Besides you’ll get nothing more than a “FINE” response from your kid.
DEADLY QUESTION 2: “Why didn’t you tell the kid to leave you alone????”
Bullying peaks during the tween years and is escalating and far more vicious. Reports say one in three tweens are involved in bullying either as a victim or bully. Tactics include: social exclusion, racial, verbal, sexual or emotional abuse, relational aggression, or electronic bullying (cell phones, websites, pagers or email). Research shows tweens often don’t tell their parents that they are being victimized for fear of retaliation and humiliation, or that you’ll say, “Tell the kid to leave you alone!” (Which they say is the worst advice you can give. A tween often cannot fend for herself and needs help in figuring out safety options and strategies to defend herself. In fact, bullying is a repeated pattern of willful cruelty. Bullies do not go away and generally continue to target victims, which can cause severe emotional ramifications.
DEADLY QUESTION 3: “What was she wearing?”
Materialism is huge with the tween set and is mounting. Marketers are tailoring the tween-aged kid. This is also a time when tweens are forming identities and are most impressionable. Tween-aged kids are most likely to believe that their clothes and brands describe who they are and define their peer status and it also impacts their professional goals (75 percent of 8 to 12 year-olds desire to be rich). More US kids than anywhere in the world believe that their clothes and brands describe who they are and define their social status. Preteens with lower self-esteem value possessions significantly more than children with higher self-esteem.
DEADLY QUESTION 4: “Why are you sooooo sensitive?”
Puberty is a period of intense hormonal changes. In fact, more changes are going on in your tween’s body than at any other time in their life and those changes are now occurring at younger ages! New research shows that the area of the brain that regulates emotions is still developing in tweens and teens. So, expect those mood swings and extremes. But also expect your tween to be “very touchy” and sensitive. Hint: Don’t tease–they will take it personally. And never tease or discipline your kid in front of a peer. You’re guaranteed to get big time resistance and a turn-off.
DEADLY QUESTION 5: “Why did you do that?” (Even worse: “What were you thinking?”)
Expect your tween to be a bit impulsive and act a little crazy. Neuro-imaging confirms that their pre-frontal cortex is still developing – the exact place where decision-making and impulse regulations are forming. Tweens may not always know the reasons behind their actions. And that’s one reason they may have that blank look when you ask, “Why did you do that?”
DEADLY QUESTION 6: “Why didn’t you just say no????”
The need to “fit in” is huge and peer pressure is huge. In fact, it will never be as strong. It’s tough to stand up to your peers, but even more so during these years. Tweens also say the worst advice their parents give is to “Just say no!” (Boys and Girls Club of America 2006 study of over 46,000 13 to 18 year-olds). Tweens say what the want from their parents are actual strategies to counter the pressure.
DEADLY QUESTION 7: “Why don’t you just get over it and move on?”
Peer relationships are critical and play a big part of an adolescents self-esteem. Tweens are discovering the “opposite sex” and have their first “crushes.” When there’s a friendship tiff or breakup with a “first love”, ah the anguish! Though the anguish may seem juvenile, don’t dismiss your kid’s hurt and tell her to “Get over it.” Their hurt is intense and real. (Remember way back. Did you get over it easily?) It may take a while for them to bounce back–especially during these years when one of their top concerns is “peer humiliation.” Not only are tweens concerned about their own pain, but what “all the other kids are saying.” And don’t dismiss boys! (Says the mom of three). Research shows they often have a tougher time bouncing back than girls.
For suggestions on what to ask instead, check out "Better Ways to Talk to Your Teen/Tween" with tips from Parenting Pro Michele Borba, Ed.D.
Those are my top seven. What question did I miss? Pass them on so we keep our relationship open and strong with our kids.
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/surefire-ways-to-turn-off-your-teen-1954428/
by GALTime.com, on Tue Jul 6, 2010 7:28am PDT12 CommentsPost a CommentRead More from This Author »Report Abuse.. By GALTime.com Parenting Pro Michele Borba, Ed.,D.
Talking with an adolescent can be like walking through a minefield. At any moment you could be asking what you thought was a simple, sincere question only to find it triggering an explosive response. You know that communication keeps you connected to your child, but it often seems to backfire because of the type of questions asked.
Research proves our instincts: The number one antidote to risky-kid behavior is a strong relationship with a parent. Believe it or not our kids even like us and want us in their lives! (Really!!!!) A recent Girl Scout of America survey found that tween girls want their moms even more involved in their lives.
The trick is how to stay involved the right way so we don’t turn them off, they do want to come to us and we can be a sounding board to help them wade through tough issues. Watch out! The biggest turn off (according to tweens and teens) is often how we pose our questions.
7 Deadly Questions to Never Ask an Adolescent (Unless you want a guaranteed turn off)
Here are seven things you should avoid asking an adolescent because they are guaranteed to be big “turn offs.” Learn how to pose those trickier questions another way so you’re more likely to get a better response from your kid (or at least keep her standing in the same room with you).
DEADLY QUESTION 1: “So, how was your day?”
Trite, generic, remarks like “Did you have fun last night?” and “How was school?” don’t go over with tweens. They say they see them as “insincere” and “so-o-o predictable.” “Watch—My Mom is going to ask, “How was your day?” She always does.” Tweens put those comments at the top of their annoying list. Besides you’ll get nothing more than a “FINE” response from your kid.
DEADLY QUESTION 2: “Why didn’t you tell the kid to leave you alone????”
Bullying peaks during the tween years and is escalating and far more vicious. Reports say one in three tweens are involved in bullying either as a victim or bully. Tactics include: social exclusion, racial, verbal, sexual or emotional abuse, relational aggression, or electronic bullying (cell phones, websites, pagers or email). Research shows tweens often don’t tell their parents that they are being victimized for fear of retaliation and humiliation, or that you’ll say, “Tell the kid to leave you alone!” (Which they say is the worst advice you can give. A tween often cannot fend for herself and needs help in figuring out safety options and strategies to defend herself. In fact, bullying is a repeated pattern of willful cruelty. Bullies do not go away and generally continue to target victims, which can cause severe emotional ramifications.
DEADLY QUESTION 3: “What was she wearing?”
Materialism is huge with the tween set and is mounting. Marketers are tailoring the tween-aged kid. This is also a time when tweens are forming identities and are most impressionable. Tween-aged kids are most likely to believe that their clothes and brands describe who they are and define their peer status and it also impacts their professional goals (75 percent of 8 to 12 year-olds desire to be rich). More US kids than anywhere in the world believe that their clothes and brands describe who they are and define their social status. Preteens with lower self-esteem value possessions significantly more than children with higher self-esteem.
DEADLY QUESTION 4: “Why are you sooooo sensitive?”
Puberty is a period of intense hormonal changes. In fact, more changes are going on in your tween’s body than at any other time in their life and those changes are now occurring at younger ages! New research shows that the area of the brain that regulates emotions is still developing in tweens and teens. So, expect those mood swings and extremes. But also expect your tween to be “very touchy” and sensitive. Hint: Don’t tease–they will take it personally. And never tease or discipline your kid in front of a peer. You’re guaranteed to get big time resistance and a turn-off.
DEADLY QUESTION 5: “Why did you do that?” (Even worse: “What were you thinking?”)
Expect your tween to be a bit impulsive and act a little crazy. Neuro-imaging confirms that their pre-frontal cortex is still developing – the exact place where decision-making and impulse regulations are forming. Tweens may not always know the reasons behind their actions. And that’s one reason they may have that blank look when you ask, “Why did you do that?”
DEADLY QUESTION 6: “Why didn’t you just say no????”
The need to “fit in” is huge and peer pressure is huge. In fact, it will never be as strong. It’s tough to stand up to your peers, but even more so during these years. Tweens also say the worst advice their parents give is to “Just say no!” (Boys and Girls Club of America 2006 study of over 46,000 13 to 18 year-olds). Tweens say what the want from their parents are actual strategies to counter the pressure.
DEADLY QUESTION 7: “Why don’t you just get over it and move on?”
Peer relationships are critical and play a big part of an adolescents self-esteem. Tweens are discovering the “opposite sex” and have their first “crushes.” When there’s a friendship tiff or breakup with a “first love”, ah the anguish! Though the anguish may seem juvenile, don’t dismiss your kid’s hurt and tell her to “Get over it.” Their hurt is intense and real. (Remember way back. Did you get over it easily?) It may take a while for them to bounce back–especially during these years when one of their top concerns is “peer humiliation.” Not only are tweens concerned about their own pain, but what “all the other kids are saying.” And don’t dismiss boys! (Says the mom of three). Research shows they often have a tougher time bouncing back than girls.
For suggestions on what to ask instead, check out "Better Ways to Talk to Your Teen/Tween" with tips from Parenting Pro Michele Borba, Ed.D.
Those are my top seven. What question did I miss? Pass them on so we keep our relationship open and strong with our kids.
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