Early number sense plays role in later math skills

This image provided by the University of Missouri shows an illustration part of a University of Missouri study that examined first-graders? "number system knowledge." That?s how well they understand such things as that numbers represent quantities. Youngsters who didn?t have a good grasp of these concepts went on have lower scores on a key math skills test years later when they were in seventh grade. We know a lot about how babies learn to talk, and youngsters learn to read. Now scientists are unraveling the earliest building blocks of math _ and what children know about numbers as they begin first grade seems to play a big role in how well they do everyday calculations later on. (AP Photo/University of Missouri)

This image provided by the University of Missouri shows an illustration part of a University of Missouri study that examined first-graders? "number system knowledge." That?s how well they understand such things as that numbers represent quantities. Youngsters who didn?t have a good grasp of these concepts went on have lower scores on a key math skills test years later when they were in seventh grade. We know a lot about how babies learn to talk, and youngsters learn to read. Now scientists are unraveling the earliest building blocks of math _ and what children know about numbers as they begin first grade seems to play a big role in how well they do everyday calculations later on. (AP Photo/University of Missouri)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? We know a lot about how babies learn to talk, and youngsters learn to read. Now scientists are unraveling the earliest building blocks of math ? and what children know about numbers as they begin first grade seems to play a big role in how well they do everyday calculations later on.

The findings have specialists considering steps that parents might take to spur math abilities, just like they do to try to raise a good reader.

This isn't only about trying to improve the nation's math scores and attract kids to become engineers. It's far more basic.

Consider: How rapidly can you calculate a tip? Do the fractions to double a recipe? Know how many quarters and dimes the cashier should hand back as your change?

About 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lacks the math competence expected of a middle-schooler, meaning they have trouble with those ordinary tasks and aren't qualified for many of today's jobs.

"It's not just, can you do well in school? It's how well can you do in your life," says Dr. Kathy Mann Koepke of the National Institutes of Health, which is funding much of this research into math cognition. "We are in the midst of math all the time."

A new study shows trouble can start early.

University of Missouri researchers tested 180 seventh-graders. Those who lagged behind their peers in a test of core math skills needed to function as adults were the same kids who'd had the least number sense or fluency way back when they started first grade.

"The gap they started with, they don't close it," says Dr. David Geary, a cognitive psychologist who leads the study that is tracking children from kindergarten to high school in the Columbia, Mo., school system. "They're not catching up" to the kids who started ahead.

If first grade sounds pretty young to be predicting math ability, well, no one expects tots to be scribbling sums. But this number sense, or what Geary more precisely terms "number system knowledge," turns out to be a fundamental skill that students continually build on, much more than the simple ability to count.

What's involved? Understanding that numbers represent different quantities ? that three dots is the same as the numeral "3'' or the word "three." Grasping magnitude ? that 23 is bigger than 17. Getting the concept that numbers can be broken into parts ? that 5 is the same as 2 and 3, or 4 and 1. Showing on a number line that the difference between 10 and 12 is the same as the difference between 20 and 22.

Factors such as IQ and attention span didn't explain why some first-graders did better than others. Now Geary is studying if something that youngsters learn in preschool offers an advantage.

There's other evidence that math matters early in life. Numerous studies with young babies and a variety of animals show that a related ability ? to estimate numbers without counting ? is intuitive, sort of hard-wired in the brain, says Mann Koepke, of NIH's National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. That's the ability that lets you choose the shortest grocery check-out line at a glance, or that guides a bird to the bush with the most berries.

Number system knowledge is more sophisticated, and the Missouri study shows children who start elementary school without those concepts "seem to struggle enormously," says Mann Koepke, who wasn't part of that research.

While schools tend to focus on math problems around third grade, and math learning disabilities often are diagnosed by fifth grade, the new findings suggest "the need to intervene is much earlier than we ever used to think," she adds.

Exactly how to intervene still is being studied, sure to be a topic when NIH brings experts together this spring to assess what's known about math cognition.

But Geary sees a strong parallel with reading. Scientists have long known that preschoolers who know the names of letters and can better distinguish what sounds those letters make go on to read more easily. So parents today are advised to read to their children from birth, and many youngsters' books use rhyming to focus on sounds.

Likewise for math, "kids need to know number words" early on, he says.

NIH's Mann Koepke agrees, and offers some tips:

?Don't teach your toddler to count solely by reciting numbers. Attach numbers to a noun ? "Here are five crayons: One crayon, two crayons..." or say "I need to buy two yogurts" as you pick them from the store shelf ? so they'll absorb the quantity concept.

?Talk about distance: How many steps to your ball? The swing is farther away; it takes more steps.

?Describe shapes: The ellipse is round like a circle but flatter.

?As they grow, show children how math is part of daily life, as you make change, or measure ingredients, or decide how soon to leave for a destination 10 miles away,

"We should be talking to our children about magnitude, numbers, distance, shapes as soon as they're born," she contends. "More than likely, this is a positive influence on their brain function."

___

EDITOR'S NOTE ? Lauran Neergaard covers health and medical issues for The Associated Press in Washington.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/bbd825583c8542898e6fa7d440b9febc/Article_2013-03-25-HealthBeat-Math%20Skills/id-8fd07391805e41fe8d3dc107420dc2db

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For Israeli Gays, It's Not About The Ring

A refugee lawyer, a transgender specialist, and six other people sit in a circle in an empty classroom on the second floor of Tel Aviv?s Gay Center. They are here for the inauguration of Israel?s first-ever LGBT legal clinic. The evening?s keynote speaker is Frederick Hertz, an American legal expert who specializes in gay marriage. He describes a recent case he handled, in which a gay couple, one of them transgender, got married in Las Vegas as a man and a woman. Then they moved to California and wanted their respective healthcare benefits. ?So the question,? Hertz says, ?was how to register that same-sex couple when they had been married as an opposite-sex couple.?

The crowd stares blankly, some playing with their telephones. One attendee, wearing skinny jeans and Converse sneakers, breaks the collective yawn by quoting a New Yorker cartoon, republished in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, to convey how Israelis feel about the American debate over gay marriage: ?Gays and lesbians getting married ? haven?t they suffered enough??

Read the whole story at The Tower

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/24/for-israeli-gays-its-not-_n_2933753.html

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Trans Woman Denied Admission to Smith College: Why ?Just ...

By Sarah Giovanniello

March 23, 2013

About six months ago, I wrote a piece about my friend Calliope Wong?s attempt to apply to Smith College as a trans woman.? At her request, I?m here to present the conclusion to her story.

Calliope announced in a March 10^th post on her blog that Smith had returned her application for the second and final time. The first time, her application and fee were returned due to a ?male? gender marker on her transcript. Calliope and her guidance counselor, despite some confusion, finally managed to correct the error and sent the application materials back to Smith. On March 5^th, her application was once again mailed back to her. Debra Shaver, Dean of Admissions at Smith, told Calliope that the ?male? marker on her FAFSA forms rendered her ineligible for consideration.

Observing this ?technicality? a bit more closely, two important problems come to light. First of all, using an applicant?s FAFSA information as a determining factor in their eligibility for admission presents an inherent classist bias. Secondly, the Department of Education does not cross-reference the FAFSA gender marker with what is written on one?s current Social Security card or other federal documents. Members of Smith Q&A, a group working for trans woman inclusion at Smith, contacted Jon O?Bergh, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of the US Department of Education. O?Bergh referred them to Cameron Washington, the Web Usability Specialist at FAFSA. Both O?Bergh and Washington emphasized that the gender marker on the FAFSA is used to make sure those who mark ?male? sign up for the Selective Service before receiving federal aid. The US Department of Education does not in any way track, check, or cross reference the gender students mark on the FAFSA. Therefore, a women?s college which chooses to accept an applicant whose FAFSA gender marker reads ?male? faces no legal federal consequences whatsoever.

FAFSA forms aside, even if Calliope had not needed or requested financial aid, would she have been eligible for admission? Quite frankly, probably not. If this had been the case, the admissions office could have found myriad other reasons not to admit her. In fact, they never needed a reason at all: private colleges can deny admission to anyone without justifying their decision. Dean Shaver?s decision to deny Calliope the right to have her application read at all therefore communicates a clear and deliberate message to the school?s applicants, current students, and alumni.

Calliope is not the only trans woman to have applied to Smith in recent years with unfavorable results. Bryn Kelly, a former applicant to Smith?s Ada Comstock program for non-traditional students, replied to Calliope?s tumblr post with her own story. In 2010, Kelly applied to Smith with an excellent community college GPA, an impressive reputation as an up and coming performing artist, and glowing recommendations. She had all her gender markers in order, including those on her FAFSA, except one: her high school transcript, which was impossible to change. Kelly had a friend in the admissions office who advocated for her, resulting in the admissions officers ?allowing? her application to be read and processed despite the inconsistency in gender. She was not admitted. Again, since private colleges are not legally obligated to accept anyone, we cannot definitively say that it was because she was trans. She writes, ?Certainly my rejection letter contained that old soft blow, ?we received so many qualified applicants this year?? and I?m sure they did. But given that I have never heard of an out trans woman being accepted at Smith, I have to wonder?

The Smith College administration has not directly commented on or responded to the vast amounts of criticism they have received for refusing to read Calliope?s application. However, on March 22^nd, Smith updated its ?Gender Identity & Expression? page with new information regarding the institutional policy on trans applicants. In response to the question, ?How does Smith consider applicants from transgender students?? the page repeats what Dean Shaver told Calliope in their previous correspondence: ?An application from a transgender student is treated no differently from other applications: every application Smith receives is considered on a case-by-case basis. Like most women?s colleges, Smith expects that, to be eligible for review, a student?s application and supporting documentation (transcripts, recommendations, etc.) will reflect her status as a woman.? The next question on the page asks, ?What documents are part of Smith?s admission process?? The response lists the standard Common Application, transcript, midyear report, and recommendations. Noticeably absent from the list is the FAFSA or any documents not directly related to admission.? Thus, according to the policy on Smith?s website, Calliope?s application should have been eligible for review.

By refusing to comment on the incident, it remains ambiguous whether Smith College acknowledges that discriminating against Calliope based on her FAFSA gender marker was a mistake. It is possible that this recent website update functions as Smith?s subtle adjustment of its policies in order to refrain from public apology. However, this policy ?adjustment? merely allows the administration to keep its trans admission policy opaque and veiled from outside criticism.? It is important to note that even if Smith were to cease discriminating against applicants with male gender markers on their FAFSA, its policy is still far too rigid to be amenable to many teenage trans women. Acquiring consistently ?female? transcripts and recommendations requires the applicant to have the full support and understanding of her school administration, making it easy for Smith to continue to return applications based on bureaucratic error. This need for the high school administration?s support automatically restricts the access of applicants who would most benefit from a women?s college environment, barring the entry of those who might have attended high schools insensitive to their identification. A more understanding policy would allow mismatching documentation if accompanied by an appropriate letter from a doctor or therapist, much in the manner of the policy of the State of Massachusetts in order to change gender markers on state identification.

Ironically, Smith College?s inhospitality toward trans women ultimately threatens, rather than upholds, their institutional image as a women?s college. As Katherine Kraschel states in her article for the Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, an educational institution may retain its single-sex status only if it can prove that it is helping to achieve a civil rights objective. Trans women in particular are excluded from women-only and men-only spaces based on their gender identity and/or genitalia. Excluding trans women from women?s colleges continues the institutional oppression and marginalization of people based on their gender identity. This therefore places Smith?s admissions policy in direct conflict with the trans rights movement and with its ?civic-minded,? ?empowering? image as a whole.

It?s also important to note that while Smith has yet to admit an out trans woman, it and other women?s colleges are rapidly becoming known as safe havens for trans men.? The ?Gender Identity & Expression? page on the Smith College website notes, ?Once admitted, any student who completes the college?s graduation requirements ? regardless of gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation ? will be awarded a Smith degree.?? This means that a trans man whose documents still read ?female? can easily apply for admission and transition while at Smith without being asked to leave or refused a Smith degree. Because of this policy, trans men are a small but conspicuous minority at Smith, and have been for some time. Many students feel that women?s colleges are, or could be, safe havens for anyone marginalized or oppressed by their gender identity. However, the administration?s ongoing refusal to admit anyone who was not assigned female at birth continually denies these marginalized groups a safe space.

Ultimately, Smith College?s actions fail to acknowledge that civil rights discourses in the 21^st century have become much more fluid and inclusive than in previous decades, especially as more and more people begin to discount the gender binary. On its ?History? page, the College describes its overarching goals and interests as, ?an uncompromising defense of academic and intellectual freedom, an attention to the relation between college education and the larger public issues of world order and human dignity, and a concern for the rights and privileges of women.? In order for Smith to continue to fulfill its stated mission, it must adjust its policies to reflect the changing discourse surrounding gender and sexuality by admitting both trans men and trans women. By deliberately excluding an entire marginalized group from admission, the college silences them and diminishes the importance of their fight to access women?s spaces.? If Smith and other women?s colleges wish to continue to move discussion of gender identity and equality forward, they must acknowledge that the process underpinning an applicant?s gender identification is more complicated than ?just checking female.?

Whether or not they decide to pursue legal action, it is up to Smith students to respond to their administration?s blatant transmisogyny. The group Smith Q&A is currently mobilizing to fight on Calliope?s behalf. On March 13^th, the group held a meeting open to all Smith students intended to clarify the week?s events and launch an awareness campaign. The group?s further plans are not known at this time, although an update on their Facebook page stated that the group ?will be organizing more specifically next week [March 24-30].? Q&A can be reached on Facebook and Tumblr. Have something to say? To contact Dean Shaver, email admission@smith.edu or call [413-585-2500].

Sarah Giovanniello is a freshman in Yale College. She is a staff writer for Broad Recognition.

Source: http://broadrecognition.com/politics/trans-woman-denied-admission-to-smith-college-why-just-checking-female-is-more-complicated-than-it-sounds/

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Has Obama's Mideast trip changed the game on the ground?

President Obama wrapped up his four-day visit to the Middle East after helping Israel and Turkey end a three-year diplomatic dispute. That, in turn, will help the region deal with the civil war in Syria. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.

By Martin Fletcher, Correspondent, NBC News

News analysis

TEL AVIV ? The verdict among Israeli pundits was unanimous: if President Barack Obama was an Israeli politician, he'd be a shoo-in to lead the liberal left.

His call for the Israeli government to halt Jewish settlement building in the West Bank, for a Palestinian state, his recognition of Israel's historical claim to the land and his demand for a secure Israel, is all straight out of the playbook of what remains of Israel's left.

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His speech to Israeli students Thursday, who were carefully vetted to make sure they were in political agreement with him, was greeted numerous times by applause and a few standing ovations. And while many Israelis may have disagreed with the content of the speech, Obama's sincerity was felt by all.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

US President Barack Obama, left, listens to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their visit to the Children's Memorial at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, on Friday.

Obama drew a clear parallel between the Passover story of Jewish slaves fleeing Egypt and fighting for their rights, and the African-American struggle out of slavery and fight for their rights. That bond of shared experience, and the genuineness of his feelings, really came through.

So when Obama insisted that "all options are on the table" to stop Iran's nuclear program, he sounded convincing. And when he moved on to demand that Israel stop building settlements and make tough decisions to reach peace with the Palestinians, his words met with a more receptive audience.

For many Israelis, Obama won their hearts and their minds, but as one said to this reporter: "What now?"

Any closer to peace talks?
Are Israel and the Palestinians closer to peace talks than they were before Obama came? Did the fine words add up to momentum?

That will be up to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to discover when he returns to Jerusalem Saturday to try, as so many have before him, to kick-start the peace process.?

President Obama spoke to an audience of more than 2,000 Israeli citizens at the Jerusalem Convention Center and stressed the necessity of peace between Israel and Palestine.

Overall, Obama's message had something for everyone.

The first half of Obama's speech, in which he confirmed Israel's right to the land, pleased Israel's right wing. The second half, in which he called for compromise with the Palestinians and a Palestinian state, pleased the left wing.

When he said this is a Jewish democratic state, Jews were thrilled and Palestinians were furious.

When he said Israel will not survive as a Jewish democratic state with settlements on Palestinian land, Palestinians were thrilled and many Israelis were furious.

But after trying to be all things to all people, Obama departed leaving behind a question: What just happened? Was there any American commitment to get started with the talks?

Israelis charmed, Palestinians insulted
The answer is: no. The message was: we are here to help, but first you have to do the work. In other words, nothing changed, beyond people?s impression of Obama as a leader.

Israelis were encouraged that Obama really does like them; Operation Charm worked.

But Palestinians were left fuming, and many say they were insulted.

President Obama, alongside and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, says the U.S. remains "deeply committed" to the creation of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine.

They complained that he mentioned a Jewish rocket victim by name, but didn?t mention any of the many Palestinian victims, or the approximately 4,500 prisoners in Israeli jails. He visited the grave of two Israeli icons, Theodor Herzl and Yitzhak Rabin, but refused even to walk by the shrine to Yasser Arafat. He did not repeat the Palestinian demand that Israel stop building settlements as a condition for peace talks.

In short, Palestinians got very little, and Israel got a bit more.

At least, that's what the public saw.

Big brother still calling the shots
There was at least one big surprise from the backroom talks between Obama and Netanyahu that should go a long way toward improving frayed ties between two important U.S. allies in the region.?

After three years of refusing to do so, Netanyahu called his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan Friday to apologize for "any error" that may have led to the deaths of nine Turkish activists during a 2010 raid on a boat off the Gaza Strip.

The two agreed to normalize relations ? a major breakthrough. It means the two big U.S. allies can now resume military cooperation, which should help to contain the spillover of the Syrian civil war in the region ? and lessen Israel's isolation in the volatile region.

What isn't known yet is what was agreed to behind closed doors about how to deal with the twin threats of Iran and Syria.

In the press conference that followed their discussions, both sides seemed satisfied with the current degree of military and intelligence cooperation on both subjects.

But did Obama leave with the certainty that Israel would not interfere with the American timetable for dealing with the Iranian threat?

We don?t know more than we knew before, which is that impatient little Israel can't do much without their more patient bigger brother.?

But at least, after this visit by the American president, the brotherly relationship appears more credible than before.

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Related:

Israel's Netanyahu apologizes to Turkey over deadly flotilla raid

Photo Blog: Obama wraps up Holy Land visit at Bethlehem church after Holocaust tribute

Obama visits a Bethlehem in midst of change, Islamization

Obama appeals to Israelis: Give justice to the Palestinians

Iran threatens to destroy Tel Aviv, Haifa if Israel attacks

Obama: 'Still time' for diplomatic solution to Iran nuke dispute

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Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653387/s/29e82b1e/l/0Lworldnews0Bnbcnews0N0C0Inews0C20A130C0A30C230C174171340Ehas0Eobamas0Emideast0Etrip0Echanged0Ethe0Egame0Eon0Ethe0Eground0Dlite/story01.htm

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'Spring Breakers' Cast Brings The Party To Rated MTV

In the weeks leading up to the 2013 MTV Movie Awards, MTV News is bringing you exclusive interviews with some of the biggest stars for Rated MTV. This Friday on MTV, we have the cast of the most insane college party movie of all time, "Spring Breakers." Over the course of our chat with Selena [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2013/03/22/spring-breakers-rated-mtv/

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Foods can help fight inflammation

Mar. 22, 2013 ? Inflammation is the body's normal response to injury. While it may be a natural defense system, it can lead to disease development if it becomes chronic. A University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) expert says one way to fight inflammation is with food.

"The inflammation process has one goal: to respond immediately to detect and destroy the toxic material in damaged tissues before it can spread throughout the body," explained Lauren Whitt, Ph.D., UAB Employee Wellness director and adjunct professor of personal health. "The trouble with inflammation occurs when the defense system gets out-of-control and begins to destroy healthy tissue, causing more damage than the original issue."

Obesity has even been found to cause inflammation, and it can lead to the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, according to the National Council on Strength & Fitness. But weight loss is related to reduction of inflammation, and Whitt says the right anti-inflammatory foods are the answer.

"I encourage people to focus on eating whole foods and foods that are high in fiber," Whitt said.

Anti-inflammatory foods to try:

? Citrus fruits -- Vitamin C and Vitamin E are essential antioxidants

? Dark, leafy greens -- High in Vitamin K

? Tomatoes -- The fruit's red pigment, lycopene, is a potent antioxidant

? Wild-caught salmon -- Contains a rich concentration of omega-3 fatty acids

Whitt added that eating anti-inflammatory foods should not be viewed as daunting.

"Eating to minimize inflammation doesn't have to be an overwhelming task," she said. "Take baby steps by incorporating leafy greens into a salad at lunch, or add a piece of whole fruit to your breakfast."

In addition, Whitt said to consume more foods straight from the farm, as well as fewer processed and fried foods. Doing so may reduce the need for some medications.

"Americans are constantly on the lookout for a quick-fix, so when our immune systems kick into overdrive, we would generally prefer to pop a pill and keep moving," Whitt said. "But if we focus on our diets, we can alleviate the need for the anti-inflammatory medications in many cases."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Alabama at Birmingham, via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/health_medicine/nutrition/~3/lZGGp7WBX8A/130322154027.htm

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How Geography Paved the Way for Women in ... - Brain Pickings

by Maria Popova

From the ideals of ?republican motherhood? to a cure for ?the wayward attention of children.?

Science education today is in crisis, troubled by a gaping gender gap and coupled with an equally appalling bias in popular perception. But it wasn?t always so: A mere 150 years ago, parents considered the physical sciences better-suited for girls than boys. In The Science Education of American Girls: A Historical Perspective (public library), education historian Kim Tolley traces how the curious reversal of gender norms ? much like the inversion of the pink-and-blue paradigm ? took place and how geography, more than any other discipline, opened the door to science for women.

?The revolution has been favorable to science in general, particularly to that of the geography of our own country,? wrote the Reverend Jedidiah Morse. In 1784, when Morse published his first geography textbook, he dedicated it ?To the Young Masters and Misses Throughout the United States,? signaling its appropriateness for females. Highly popular among boys and girls alike, Morse?s Geography Made Easy ran through numerous editions at least until 1820, when the twenty-third edition appeared. Geography was the first science to appear widely in girls? schoolbooks after the American Revolution.

Women were expected to be knowledgeable about scientific topics as they were entrusted with the early education of future citizens ? never mind they couldn?t yet vote and thus weren?t fully recognized as citizens themselves. At the same time, formal education was a rarity across genders ? in 1800, the average citizen was in school for a mere four months in his or her lifetime. In the postcolonial period, geography emerged not only as an area of academic study but also as a way of instilling in pupils national pride and patriotic values, essential in the architecture of the new country. Still, the rationale for teaching girls geography remained dreadfully rooted in the era?s gender norms:

Some educational reformers argued that knowledge of the sciences rendered women more interesting conversationalists and companions for their husbands. According to the well-known female educator Almira Hart Lincoln Phelps, scientific study would result ?in enlarging [women's] sphere of thought, rendering them more interesting companions to men of science, and better capable of instructing the young.? In general terms, educators often stressed the value of education in assisting women to bring up their children as virtuous and intelligent citizens. ? Americans promoted [geography] among girls because some contemporaries perceived women as playing a key role in developing scientific interest among children.

[?]

Jefferson believed the chief aim of a woman?s education was to train future generations to be effective citizens of the young Republic.

Once again, we see the utility of women in training and entertaining citizens, but not in being citizens. And yet, the study of geography was also promoted as a self-improvement means for women. Tolley writes:

Although some historians have emphasized the role of ?republican motherhood? as a rhetorical concept useful to advocates of female education, documentary sources indicate that the contemporaries just as frequently used justifications related o the self-improvement of young women. Arguments falling under the heading of ?self-improvement? can be categorized into three distinct groups: (1) moral improvement, comprising both general virtues and spiritual or religious growth; (2) mental improvement, constructed as the strengthening of the muscles of the mind, leading to improved intellectual prowess; and (3) psychological improvements, defined as the enhancement of personal well-being, increased fortitude, and the ability to provide oneself with intellectual resources leading to pleasure and happiness. ? During the eighteenth century, Americans came to view geography as a subject particularly capable of promoting moral and religious development.

'Miss Margaret D. Foster, Uncle Sam's only woman chemist,' Oct. 4, 1919 (Library of Congress)

Educators also saw geography as a may to bolster the mental discipline of American schoolchildren:

As citizens of a new political experiment, there were new requirements for young Americans. Faced with the task of building a nation on democratic principles, educational leaders argued that the development of an enlightened, rational citizenry was the key to a successful republic. The task of creating an educational system and a curriculum capable of molding children into enlightened citizens became a political imperative. The ability of a particular subject to promote mental discipline, to strengthen the faculties of the mind, was of utmost importance to educators. According to its advocates, to a grater degree than any other subject in the school curriculum, geography developed the student?s reasoning ability. Drawing maps could ?fix the wayward attention of children.? Altering the scale in drawings would ?exercise the power of judgment to a degree of which few studies are capable,? and learning geographical facts could ?exercise the memory.?

(Today, in the age of digitally rendered interactive maps and facts retrievable by Wikipedia searches rather than memory, one has to wonder how many of these alleged valuable skills are still being cultivated and celebrated.)

In addition to extolling its moral benefits, textbook-makers worked to make geography entertaining, hoping to spark a popular enthusiasm for science and frame it as not merely as useful, but also as enjoyable. Some textbook authors were particularly insistent upon engaging girls with the study of science, stressing the wider cultural benefits:

In the preface to their geography published in 1818, Vinson and Mann warned parents of the dangers of encouraging girls to decorate dolls and of allowing their boys too much time for idle play: ?The parent, who is contented merely with emulating a son by the spinning of a top ? or, a daughter by learning her to decorate a doll, to curl her hair ? must not be surprised nor disappointed if he discovers no higher, no purer emotions in their bosoms, and ideas in their minds??

Tolley concludes:

The introduction of geography into postcolonial schoolrooms marked an important shift in the way Americans began to think about the education of their daughters. Through geography, science became an acceptable part of the education of American girls. As the nineteenth century progressed, textbooks devoted exclusively to such subjects as botany, astronomy, and natural philosophy appeared in higher schools and diminished in geography textbooks, where they became redundant. Although scientific content declined in later geography texts, it did not disappear from the curriculum available to females. In the decades to come, increasing numbers of girls and young women would take up the study of science in their educational institutions.

For more on the capacity of maps and geographic curiosity to drive cultural change, pair The Science Education of American Girls with 100 diagrams that changed the world and how the cult of cartography got its start.

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Source: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/03/22/science-education-of-american-girls/

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Kerry sees Abbas and Netanyahu after Obama trip

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) ? U.S Secretary of State John Kerry met Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Saturday, following up on President Barack Obama's talks with each earlier in the week, but a return to negotiations did not appear to the main agenda item.

While making his first trip to Israel and the Palestinian Authority as president, Obama pressed for a resumption in peace talks between the two sides, but a U.S. statement released after Kerry's meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not mention the matter at all. Instead, the four-sentence statement focused on an agreement between Israel and Turkey to normalize strained relations that Obama brokered on Friday.

The White House championed the rapprochement as a major success of Obama's trip, a view Kerry echoed.

"The reconciliation between Israel and Turkey is a very important development that will help advance the cause of peace and stability in the region," Kerry said in the statement. He said Netanyahu and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erodgan "deserve great credit for showing the leadership necessary to make this possible."

"As I discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu this evening, this will help Israel meet the many challenges it faces in the region," Kerry said. "We look forward to an expeditious implementation of the agreement and the full normalization of relations so Israel and Turkey can work together to advance their common interests."

Once-strong ties between the Jewish state and NATO's only Muslim majority country have been badly strained since Israel's 2010 raid on a Turkish flotilla bound for Gaza that killed eight Turks. Israel had until Friday refused to apologize, drawing the ire of the Turks.

But with Obama listening in, Netanyahu called Erdogan from the tarmac of the airport in Tel Aviv on Friday to apologize for operational errors in the raid that led to the deaths. Erdogan accepted the apology and both said they would begin the work of restoring full relations.

Although Obama said that he had instructed Kerry to look into what would be needed to restart talks between Israelis and the Palestinians, Saturday's statement said nothing about peace talks. Nor did it even mention Kerry's Saturday meeting with Abbas, which took place in Amman, Jordan, before Kerry went to Jerusalem to see Netanyahu.

In Israel and the Palestinian Authority last week, Obama urged both sides to recognize the importance of restarting talks to end their decades-old conflict. But he rolled back earlier support for a Palestinian demand that Israel stop housing construction in disputed territory before negotiations begin. The new position has angered some in the Palestinian community who believe that Obama is biased in favor of Israel.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/kerry-sees-abbas-netanyahu-obama-trip-231814119--politics.html

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Ellen DeGeneres brings TV show to Australia

SYDNEY (AP) ? Ellen DeGeneres is so excited to be Down Under, she's even tweeting that way.

The talk show host's Twitter account had an upside-down message Friday saying, "I made it to Australia!"

She's visiting Sydney and Melbourne on her six-day trip to the country for segments being filmed for her popular U.S. television show.

DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi greeted fans at the Sydney airport upon arrival. Photos posted on the show's website and social media accounts showed the couple in front of the Sydney Opera House and DeGeneres looking at kaolas and a giraffe at Sydney's Taronga Zoo.

"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is in its 10th season. DeGeneres was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor last year.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ellen-degeneres-brings-tv-show-australia-074128494.html

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The Wildlife Society Participates in Annual Fly-in Event | The Wildlife ...

The Maryland Teaming With Wildlife Coalition poses with Naomi Edelson, the Senior Manager of State Wildlife Programs for the National Wildlife Federation, after being honored at this year?s Teaming With Wildlife Fly-in Reception. From left to right: Glenn Therres, Naomi Edelson, Laura Bies, Jim Rapp (Credit: Maryland Teaming With Wildlife Coalition)

The Wildlife Society participated this month in the 2013 Teaming With Wildlife Fly-in. Teaming With Wildlife is the largest and most diverse wildlife conservation coalition in the United States with over 6,300 members nationwide consisting of organizations, agencies, and businesses. This annual event gathers coalition members from across the United States to inform Members of Congress about the value of the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program. This program is the core source of funding for managing non-game and non-endangered species. These grants provide each state with approximately $1 million annually to develop and implement State Wildlife Action Plans and thus are crucial in preventing wildlife from becoming endangered and in promoting collaborative conservation projects.

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants are a small investment compared to the expense associated with the listing of a species for protection under the Endangered Species Act. According to the Government Accountability Office, the average cost of recovering a single species listed under the Endangered Species Act is $15.9 million, with a range of $58,000 to $125 million.

Since 2001, this grant program has provided over $400 million in federal grants that have been matched by at least $200 million in state funds to make available over $600 million in new funding for practical, on-the-ground conservation efforts. However, the level of appropriated funding has decreased by over 30 percent between 2010 and 2012. With sequestration taking effect, any further cuts to the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program will adversely impact efforts made to preclude species at risk from being listed under the Endangered Species Act by reducing on-the-ground management and monitoring, decreasing invasive species control efforts, garnering fewer dollars in matching funds, and reducing the ability to provide technical assistance to private landowners.

Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) (Credit: Jill Utrip/USFWS)

The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition, along with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, honored Senators Dick Durbin (IL) and Saxby Chambliss (GA), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT), and Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA) at this year?s event for their efforts in supporting conservation of at risk species and State and Tribal Wildlife Grants. Additionally, the Teaming With Wildlife Maryland Coalition was recognized for their year-round-efforts to maintain effective relationships with their Congressional delegation as well as promoting Teaming With Wildlife to the Maryland Sate Congress. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Hellbender Recovery Partnership were also acknowledged for their use of State and Tribal Wildlife Grant funds in the development of both a new environmental DNA protocol for the efficient monitoring of hellbender presence and a new sampling protocol to increase the understanding about the impacts of ranaviruses and chytrid fungus.

Over 70 individuals representing 32 states, 17 state agencies, 22 non-profit organizations, three universities, and two private businesses participated in this year?s fly-in and expressed their support for continued funding of The State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program. To learn more about State and Tribal Wildlife Grants, state action plans, or how to get involved in your state, visit the Teaming With Wildlife website.

Sources: Teaming With Wildlife Coalition, Government Accountability Office report GAO-06-463R, The Outdoor Wire (March 15, 2013)

Source: http://news.wildlife.org/featured/the-wildlife-society-participates-in-annual-fly-in-event/

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Wasp spiders' move north explained

22 March 2013 Last updated at 00:54 By Ella Davies Reporter, BBC Nature

Temperature tolerance is key to the spread of wasp spiders into northern Europe, according to scientists.

Since the 1930s the distinctive spiders have expanded their range from the Mediterranean coast to Norway.

Researchers in Germany traced the population boom to breeding between the native European spiders and an isolated colony living near the Black Sea.

Molecular Ecology reports the genetic mixing resulted in generations rapidly adapting to living in colder climates.

Wasp spiders (Argiope bruennichi) are commonly named for their bright, striped abdomens and were recently recorded by the Woodland Trust in Usk, south Wales for the first time.

The first official records of this conspicuous species in the UK were made in the 1920s.

Henrik Krehenwinkel from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany, analysed the DNA of spiders caught across their current range, and museum specimens to understand more about their evolutionary history.

Piecing together the genetic puzzle, he found that the spiders diverged after the last ice age: part of the population stayed on the Mediterranean while a colony headed east to Central Asia.

While these eastern populations adapted to live in climates as diverse as the tropical south of Japan and cold south-eastern Siberia, the spiders in the Mediterranean remained limited to warm areas.

But, according to the research, rising temperatures across the continent in the last century allowed the Mediterranean spiders to join up and breed with a previously isolated Black Sea population.

"This possibly restored genetic variation within a few generations and allowed for rapid adaptation," said Mr Krehenwinkel.

He theorised that the novel combination of genes resulted in new physical characteristics that helped spiders to survive in different environments.

Out in the cold

To test the whether these more northerly spiders adapted a different temperature tolerance than Mediterranean populations, the PhD student analysed how they reacted when moved into one another's habitats.

Southern spiders could not survive the freezing temperatures in the north, and their counterparts suffered from heat stress in the south.

Mr Krehenwinkel explained that the eastern population had adapted to cooler temperatures and this was passed on to European spiders in the population boom.

The result was the rapid adaptation of hardier offspring that could settle further north than their predecessors.

The spiders found in northern Europe have smaller bodies and are not seen in the coldest months of the year.

Scientists attribute both traits to seasonal changes which do not affect southern species. Spiders found in northern Europe "overwinter", meaning their young are buried during the coldest months; emerging in spring.

The spiders then have limited warm months in which they can mature, which restricts how large they can grow before they reproduce in the autumn and the cycle begins again.

Mr Krehenwinkel described the hatchlings as "highly dispersive", commenting that they can cover huge distances via a method known as "ballooning": riding the breeze on a special parachute made of gossamer silk threads.

"By aerial dispersal, little spiders can cover distances of several hundred kilometres," he told BBC Nature.

"Members of different genetic lineages can thus quickly track warming climate, which increases the likelihood of contact."

Join BBC Nature on Facebook and Twitter @BBCNature.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/21877948

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Leeds owner says seeks investors, not buyer

By Martin de Sa'Pinto and Keith Weir

ZURICH/LONDON (Reuters) - The Dubai-based owner of Leeds United said it is seeking new investors in the English football club but denied it plans to sell up completely three months after buying the team.

A statement from owner GFH Capital issued by the Championship (second division) club on Wednesday tried to reassure fans that the owners remained committed to Leeds after buying out majority shareholder Ken Bates only in December.

(http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20130320/a-message-from-the-owners_2247585_3116320)

But the statement will not quell uncertainty about the future of the former English champions as it conflicts with comments made by its Bahrain-based parent Gulf Finance House.

Two sources close to the matter told Reuters earlier on Wednesday that parent GFH had all but completed a sale of the club, with just one or two legal issues left to resolve.

The new consortium seeking to buy Leeds is led by Steve Parkin, a locally-based businessman who made his money in road haulage. Parkin attempted to buy the club in 2004, prior to it being snapped up by former Chelsea owner Bates.

The sources declined to be named either because they still conduct business with GFH or have links to the new buyers.

Sources said Parkin is working with potential partners from the Middle East on the deal. One source said Parkin had met potential partners when watching his racehorses in training at the famous Godolphin stables in Dubai.

Parkin declined to comment when contacted by Reuters on Wednesday.

NEW INVESTMENT

GFH Capital bought Leeds in December after protracted negotiations lasting more than six months and despite concerns over their financial firepower.

Rumours the new owners were planning a swift exit first surfaced last month.

They appeared to be confirmed when parent GFH reported in its 2012 financial report that talks on a sale of the stake had already begun. The sale plan was reported by Reuters on Tuesday evening.

"GFH Capital is looking for investment in part of its share in the club, not its entirety," the subsidiary said in response to the speculation.

In its annual report GFH has booked a $10.4 million (6.8 million pounds) profit on the deal, despite not having sold the club yet, attributing this to the "bargain price" it paid for Leeds.

The putative gain allowed GFH to post a profit and is the latest in a series of one-time items in recent financial reports that have allowed GFH to appear profitable despite bleeding cash.

NO "CRAZY MONEY"

The cashflow statement indicates GFH has so far paid over $33 million for Leeds, with a further $42.7 million in liabilities. The statement values the club, classed as "assets held for sale" on the balance sheet, at $88 million.

In the accounts, GFH Chairman Esam Yousif Janahi calls the club "a high yielding investment opportunity".

The sources said negotiations on behalf of GFH were being led by its CEO Hisham Alrayes.

GFH Capital acting CEO Salem Patel and deputy David Haigh were now only peripherally involved in the club despite fronting the takeover when it was announced at Elland Road in December, they added.

Leeds were English champions in 1992 and are one of the best-supported teams outside of the elite Premier League.

Patel said GFH Capital would not spend "crazy money" to reach the top flight. That dampened fans' hopes that the new owners would replicate the lavish funding that has transformed clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City over the past decade.

GFH Capital said it had injected 10 million pounds into Leeds to boost the squad and as working capital.

Leeds are currently in 10th place in the 24-team second-tier Championship and retain only faint hopes of reaching the play-offs for a place in the big money Premier League.

(Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/gfh-capital-says-seeking-investment-leeds-not-full-160220575--finance.html

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The Note's Must-Reads for Friday, March 22, 2013

The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News' Carrie Halperin, Amanda VanAllen and Will Cantine

CONGRESS The Hill's Ramsey Cox: " Ryan's budget rejected in Senate on 40-59 vote" The Senate rejected House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) budget Thursday night. Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) forced Senate Republicans to vote on Paul's plan through an amendment she offered, which failed on a 40-59 vote. LINK

Bloomberg's Kathleen Hunter and Roxanna Tiron: " Congress Duels Amid Budget Yield Campaign Attacks" U.S. lawmakers are using this week's debate over each party's fiscal priorities to generate fodder for 2014 congressional election attacks. As they did in the 2012 campaign, Democrats intend to criticize the Republican-controlled House's plan for balancing the budget in 10 years by cutting $4.6 trillion across a variety of programs and partly privatizing Medicare. Republicans will take aim at the Senate's proposal to generate $1 trillion in fresh revenue. LINK

The New York Times' Jennifer Steinhauer: " Women Make New Gains In The Senate" An hour before her colleagues gathered for their first vote of a new Congress, Senator Kelly Ayotte slipped into an empty Senate chamber to savor the grandeur of her legislative home. As Ms. Ayotte, a freshman Republican from New Hampshire, sat down at the wooden desk where generations of lawmakers from her state had cast their votes, a doorman marched toward her with purpose. LINK

USA Today's Susan Davis and Jackie Kucinich: " Congress turns to domestic policy after budget battles" A brief reprieve in the fiscal battles between President Obama and a divided Congress will allow two contentious and politically divisive domestic issues - guns and immigration - to take center stage in the national debate this spring. The ability for Washington to find solutions to either issue will require the kind of bipartisan cooperation and common ground the president and congressional leaders have been unable to find on the budget. LINK

The Wall Street Journal's Janet Hook: " Tired of Fights, Congress Passes Funding Bill" After months of careening from showdown to nail-biting showdown, Congress moved Thursday with remarkably little fuss to pass a major funding bill to keep the government open through September. Approval of the bill by wide bipartisan margins-in the House Thursday, in the Senate the day before-marks a retreat from the politics of brinksmanship for the second time this year, just two months after Congress voted to temporarily suspend the federal debt limit without an 11th-hour showdown. LINK

GUN CONTROL ABC News' Josh Haskell: " Biden, Bloomberg and Newtown Parents Press for Strict Gun Control" Just two days after Senate Democrats in Washington, D.C., dropped the assault weapons ban from gun legislation to be introduced in April, Vice President Joseph Biden was in New York City, joining Mayor Michael Bloomberg and three Newtown families to urge lawmakers to think about Sandy Hook Elementary. "For all those who say we shouldn't or couldn't ban high-capacity magazines, I just ask the one question. LINK

The Washington Post's Paul Kane: " Senate To Take Up Gun Control after Break" Gun control will be the first order of business in the Senate when lawmakers return in April from their two-week holiday break. Senate majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) formally moved a package of gun-related bills onto the legislative calendar Thursday night, setting up the most serious debate on gun control in Congress in more than a decade. LINK

The Washington Times' David Hill: " Federal appeals court restores Maryland's concealed carry law" A federal appeals court has ruled that Maryland can require concealed-carry handgun permit applicants to provide a "good and substantial reason" for wanting to carry a gun outside the home, leaving state officials feeling vindicated and Second Amendment advocates vowing to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. LINK

MIDDLE EAST The Los Angeles Times' David Lauter: " Obama repositions himself as broker for Mideast peace " President Obama's involvement in the tortuous Middle East peace process can be divided into three chapters, two of which opened with high-profile speeches to audiences of young people. The first began four years ago in Cairo, where Obama called for a "new beginning" in U.S. relations with the world's Muslims. LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS " President Obama Talks Peace in the Holy Land" LINK " Obama Faces Heckler, Gets Standing Ovation" LINK

BOOKMARKS The Note: LINK The Must-Reads Online: LINK Top Line Webcast (12noon EST M-F): LINK ABC News Politics: LINK George's Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK Follow ABC News on Twitter: LINK ABC News Mobile: LINK ABC News app on your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad: LINK

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/notes-must-reads-friday-march-22-2013-072608047--abc-news-politics.html

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Passing reference in 'Argo' rankles New Zealand

An image of a U.S. State Dept. document provided by the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, crediting four embassies, Canadians, Britian, Swedish and New Zealand, with aiding in the protection and escape of six Americans from Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. There is only a brief mention of New Zealand in the Oscar-winning movie "Argo,", that seems to suggest that New Zealanders turned away the group of Americans, and that is rankling New Zealanders five months after the film was released in the South Pacific nation. Even Parliament has expressed its dismay, passing a motion stating that Ben Affleck, who also directed the movie, "saw fit to mislead the world about what actually happened." (AP Photo/Jimmy Carter Library and Museum)

An image of a U.S. State Dept. document provided by the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, crediting four embassies, Canadians, Britian, Swedish and New Zealand, with aiding in the protection and escape of six Americans from Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. There is only a brief mention of New Zealand in the Oscar-winning movie "Argo,", that seems to suggest that New Zealanders turned away the group of Americans, and that is rankling New Zealanders five months after the film was released in the South Pacific nation. Even Parliament has expressed its dismay, passing a motion stating that Ben Affleck, who also directed the movie, "saw fit to mislead the world about what actually happened." (AP Photo/Jimmy Carter Library and Museum)

FILE - In this Sunday Feb. 24, 2013 file photo, director and producer Ben Affleck accepts the award for best picture for "Argo" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre, in Los Angeles. ?Argo? mentions New Zealand just once in passing, but the four-word reference is rankling Kiwis five months after the Oscar-winning film was released in the South Pacific nation. Even Parliament has expressed its dismay, passing a motion stating that director Ben Affleck ?saw fit to mislead the world about what actually happened.? (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) ? Thirteen minutes into the Oscar-winning movie "Argo," CIA agent Tony Mendez asks supervisor Jack O'Donnell what happened to a group of Americans when the U.S. Embassy was stormed in Tehran.

"The six of them went out a back exit," O'Donnell tells Mendez, played by Ben Affleck. "Brits turned them away. Kiwis turned them away. Canadians took them in."

That's the only mention of New Zealand in "Argo," but it is rankling Kiwis five months after the film was released in the South Pacific nation. Even Parliament has expressed its dismay, passing a motion stating that Affleck, who also directed the movie, "saw fit to mislead the world about what actually happened."

New Zealand joins a list of other countries, including Iran and Canada, that have felt offended by the fictionalized account of how a group of Americans was furtively sheltered and secreted out of Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The strong reaction in New Zealand indicates the country remains insecure about its own culture, said Steve Matthewman, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Auckland. People are prone to bouts of unwarranted outrage when somebody from abroad says something bad about the country, he said, and simpering enjoyment when they say something good.

"It's touched a really raw nerve," Matthewman said. "We do seem in New Zealand to be oversensitive to how the rest of the world perceives us."

The movie's New Zealand reference may not be totally fair but has an element of truth.

Some in New Zealand have taken those words ? "Kiwis turned them away" ? as implying the country did nothing to help. Published interviews indicate that diplomats from Britain and New Zealand did help by briefly sheltering the Americans, visiting them and bringing them food, even driving them to the airport when they left.

Yet those interviews also indicate that both countries considered it too risky to shelter the Americans for long. That left the Canadians shouldering the biggest risk by taking them in.

Lawmaker Winston Peters, who brought last week's uncontested motion before Parliament, said New Zealanders are unfairly portrayed as "a bunch of cowards," an impression that would be given to millions who watch the movie.

"It's a diabolical misrepresentation of the acts of courage and bravery, done at significant risk to themselves, by New Zealand diplomats," he said.

Affleck could not be reached for comment this week.

During Oscar media interviews last month, Affleck told reporters: "Let me just start by saying I love New Zealand, and I love New Zealanders." He added that "I think that it's tricky. You walk a fine line. You are doing a historical movie and naturally you have to make some creative choices about how you are going to condense this into a three-act structure."

But Affleck and his screenwriter, Chris Terrio, who won the adapted screenplay Oscar, did catch some flak from critics for taking major liberties, especially a heart-stopping ? but fictional ? airport finale that had gun-wielding Iranian Revolutionary Guards chasing the Swissair plane down the tarmac, with the plane lifting off just in the nick of time. (In reality, the airport exit went smoothly.)

And after the film was made, Affleck took the step of changing the film's postscript, the Toronto Star reported, to more generously credit Canada and its ambassador at the time, Ken Taylor, who protected the Americans at huge personal risk and was uncomfortable with some details in the film.

"Argo" was not the only Oscar-nominated film this year to be criticized for factual issues.

Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" came under fire for its depictions of interrogations. A group of senators charged that the film misled viewers for suggesting that torture provided information that helped the CIA find Osama bin Laden.

Even Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln," with its rich attention to historically accurate detail, was criticized for its inaccurate depiction of the Connecticut delegation's vote on the 13th amendment outlawing slavery. The film's Pulitzer-winning screenwriter, Tony Kushner, said he'd changed the details for dramatic effect.

Matthewman, the sociology professor, said the line in Argo may have provoked New Zealanders because the country prides itself on being generous and hospitable. People have a reputation for doing things like picking up hitchhikers and inviting them into their homes for a week, he said.

Small countries like New Zealand that are far from the world's centers of power are often shaped by bigger countries like the U.S. and often look to them for affirmation, Matthewman said. It's interesting to note the different reaction Affleck got in Britain, Matthewman said, which was arguably equally maligned in the movie.

"They give the guy a BAFTA in Britain and bash him in New Zealand," he said, referring to the best director prize Affleck won at the British Academy Film Awards.

Some in Britain, however, have criticized "Argo's" reference to that country, and some in Canada are upset the CIA gets credit at the expense of the Canadians, a claim backed by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. And Iran is planning to sue Hollywood for the movie's alleged "unrealistic portrayal" of that country, according to Iranian media reports.

Yet while Iran and Canada are central parts of the movie, the New Zealand reference could easily be missed ? at least by outsiders.

Patrick Gower, the political editor for TV3, one of two main television news stations in New Zealand, wrote in a blog that Affleck should apologize after he "deliberately slammed" the country.

"Some people will say I'm being oversensitive here," he wrote. "But in my opinion, what Affleck has done just isn't right."

The controversy was not reflected in box-office receipts. "Argo" has done well in New Zealand, earning just over $1 million. As of this week, the film has earned $92.3 million internationally and $135 million in North America.

National carrier Air New Zealand has even extended an olive branch to Affleck by offering to fly him to the country as its guest. Airline spokeswoman Marie Hosking said this week it has yet to hear back from him.

Prime Minister John Key, meanwhile, has tried to sound a note of reason.

"New Zealand, I think, sees itself as a country that always wants to lend a hand to help people," he told reporters recently. "But in the end, this is Hollywood, and they do make movies. And a bit like when they transfer a book to a movie, often it's a little bit different. So, look, I think we've made our point and we should probably move on."

But the country doesn't seem ready to move on quite yet.

___

AP reporters Jocelyn Noveck and Randy Herschaft in New York contributed.

___

Follow Nick Perry on Twitter at twitter.com/nickgbperry

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-03-21-New%20Zealand-Argo/id-61119ef8f1744816b57d46cf01a82a22

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Auto Insurance Quotes | Internet Guardian

March 10, 2013 ? admin

Everyone tries to get as many quotes as possible from all the insurance companies before deciding which policy to chose. So there are several ways by which one can get insurance quotes. One way is to go to each company?s office and ask for all the policies which are suitable for you and get their quotes by best designing them. Other way is by seeking the help from the government authorities, in this way you can go to transport offices and ask for the insurance requirements. The governmental authorities will provide you with basic requirements which are to be included in an insurance policy and then they will refer you the best dealers available who deal in insurance policies.

These dealers will provide you with the cheap and best policies available in market, the also provide you with the comfort that you don?t have to go to each company and ask for their quotes, dealer will provide you with the quotes of best policies. Dealers will also help you in getting your policy which means that you will not have to run for anything all the paper works would also be done by these dealers. But for this also you have to make out time from your busy schedule to go to dealer and choose the policy.

The best option is to get insurance quotes online. In this way one can get auto insurance quotes online by just sitting at your home or your workplace only. Now with the help of internet people don?t have to run to each company?s place for their quotes or they don?t have to fix their appointments with dealers to get an auto insurance policy. Now one just has to click on computer and the person can find quotes in front of him. This is beneficial by many ways as in this you don?t have to make out time especially for insurance policy, you can get your insurance policy just by doing your work side by side, and it saves a lot of time.

Another benefit of finding the insurance quotes online is that you can get the quotes of many companies on just one site.

Now some comparison sites are also available which help people by providing them with the best policies available in market that too without being biased. So if one wants to get the best policy that may suit all his requirements then the person should search out for the policies on internet only.

Related Computer Worms Articles

Source: http://www.internetguardian.co.uk/auto-insurance-quotes/

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Venezuela sets presidential election for April 14

A Venezuelan army officer salutes a photo of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez at a makeshift memorial outside the Venezuelan Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Chavez died on March 5, 2013 after a nearly two-year bout with cancer. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

A Venezuelan army officer salutes a photo of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez at a makeshift memorial outside the Venezuelan Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Chavez died on March 5, 2013 after a nearly two-year bout with cancer. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

People line up to see the body of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez outside the military academy where he is lying in state in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturdaday, March 9, 2013. Chavez died on March 5, 2013 after a nearly two-year bout with cancer. He was 58. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A woman wipes photos of late President Hugo Chavez at a makeshift altar set in his honor at the main square of Sabaneta, western Venezuela on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Chavez, who died of cancer on March 5, 2013 was born in Sabaneta. His former home has been turned into the local headquarters of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, PSUV. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Venezuela's elections council chief, Tibisay Lucena, arrives for a press conference to announce April 14 as the date for the country's presidential election to choose a successor to Hugo Chavez, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, March 9, 2013. The constitution mandated the election be held within 30 days of Chavez's March 5 death, but the date picked falls outside that period. Critics of the socialist government already complained that officials violated the constitution by swearing in Vice President Nicolas Maduro as acting leader Friday night. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

A supporter of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez places a message on the wall of the Venezuelan Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Chavez died on March 5, 2013 after a nearly two-year bout with cancer. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) ? Venezuelans will vote April 14 to choose a successor to Hugo Chavez, the elections commission announced Saturday as increasingly strident political rhetoric begins to roil this polarized country.

The constitution mandated the election be held within 30 days of Chavez's March 5 death, but the date picked falls outside that period. Critics of the socialist government already complained that officials violated the constitution by swearing in Vice President Nicolas Maduro as acting leader Friday night.

Some people have speculated Venezuela will not be ready to organize the vote in time, but elections council chief Tibisay Lucena said the country's electronic voting system was fully prepared.

Lucena announced the date on state television while a small inset in the picture showed people filing past Chavez's coffin at the military academy in Caracas, where his body has lain in state since Wednesday.

Chavez's boisterous state funeral Friday often felt like a political rally for his anointed successor, Maduro, who eulogized him by pledging eternal loyalty and vowing Chavez's movement will never be defeated. Maduro is expected to run as the candidate of Chavez's socialist party.

Ramon Guillermo Aveledo, coordinator of the opposition coalition, immediately followed the election announcement by offering his bloc's presidential candidacy to Henrique Capriles, the governor of Miranda state who lost to Chavez in October. A Capriles adviser said the governor would announce his decision Sunday.

David Smilde, an analyst with the U.S.-based Washington Office on Latin America, said the opposition needs to run a candidate in the presidential election even though he believes it will almost certainly lose.

Smilde said he wasn't sure Capriles will accept the candidacy.

"If he says he doesn't want to run I could totally understand that," Smilde said. "He is likely going to lose, and if he loses this election, he's probably going to be done."

In that case the opposition would be wise to run someone such as Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledesma or Henry Falcone, governor of Lara state and one of just three opposition governors, he said.

That would give the opposition an opportunity to clearly articulate its platform and vision.

"Really what this campaign would be about is allowing the opposition to put themselves in position for the future, to show that they have some ideas for the country," Smilde said.

In his speech after his swearing-in Friday, Maduro took shots at the United States, the media, international capitalism and domestic opponents he often depicted as treacherous. He claimed the allegiance of Venezuela's army, referring to them as the "armed forces of Chavez," despite the constitution barring the military from taking sides in politics.

The opposition has denounced the transition as an unconstitutional power grab, while the government moves to immortalize Chavez. Since his death, the former paratrooper has been compared to Jesus Christ and early-19th century Venezuelan liberator Simon Bolivar, and the government announced that his body would be embalmed and put on eternal display.

Edith Palmeira, a 47-year-old Caracas resident at a park Saturday in central Caracas, said she would vote for Maduro, but made clear her allegiance was based purely on her love of Chavez.

"Imitations are never as good as the original," Palmeira said. "But I think he must have grown as a person during so much time at the president's side. He must have learned to be a president."

Elvira Orozco, a 31-year-old business owner, said she planned to sit out the vote to protest Maduro's swearing-in Friday.

"What they want is to say that here there's a democracy, but here they violate the constitution and there's no authority who says anything," Orozco said.

Observers voiced mounting concern about the deep political divide gripping Venezuela, with half of it in a near frenzy of adulation and the other feeling targeted.

"Everything that happened yesterday (with the funeral and Maduro's speech) are outward signs of a fascistic aesthetic, complete with armbands," said Vicente Gonzalez de la Vega, a professor of law at Caracas' Universidad Metropolitana. "It is the cult of the adored leader, an escape from reality. ... They are trying to impose on the rest of the country a new pagan religion."

He said the ruling party was playing with fire with its strong nationalistic rhetoric and the implication that a vote against Maduro was somehow subversive.

Capriles, too, has used emotionally charged language in his public comments. On Friday he denounced Maduro as a shameless liar who had not been elected by the people, and condescendingly referred to him as "boy."

Opposition figures have said they are concerned about the election's fairness, particularly given the public vows of allegiance to Chavez from senior military officials. Capriles lost to Chavez in Oct. 7 elections, but he garnered 45 percent of the vote, which was the most anyone had ever won against the late president.

A boycott of 2005 legislative elections was widely seen as disastrous for the opposition, letting Chavez's supporters win all 167 seats and allowing him to govern unimpeded by any legislative rivals.

___

Associated Press writers Frank Bajak, Jorge Rueda and Vivian Sequera contributed to this report.

___

Paul Haven on Twitter: www.twitter.com/paulhaven

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-03-09-Venezuela-Chavez/id-0c02ae87cd3f4720aa943126491b2fa3

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