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Today's Verse |
Challenged by a troubled U.S. economy and the steeply falling dollar, a growing number of U.S. manufacturers are making up for slowing domestic sales by expanding them overseas, often with sophisticated products.Even the title is stupid: Tide Is Shifting on US Exports. The tide is shifting? Which way? What do you mean?
Once fingered as a prime culprit in the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs, global business is shaping up as a bulwark against what some analysts fear is a looming recession. Some forecasters predict that the export boom will allow the United States to cut its huge trade deficit.
US Exports Increase Dramatically Shrinking Trade DeficitI mean, is it really hard to write straight and to the point?
US Exports increased by X % in the last year, shrinking the trade deficit. Analysts that contribute to economic news stories often tie a growing trade deficit with a worsening American economy.
The primary cause of the increased exports is the dollars decline, making American made goods and services more affordable to foreign countries.
With the deficit shrinking, we asked previous contributers to explain how this will affect the economy; and if a large trade deficit is bad for the economy, then a smaller one should be good for the economy; and if not, why the contradiction.
Dr. so and so from Princeton University blah blah
For to us a child is born,Matthew 1:18-22
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.Luke 2:41-50
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."Below, learn why Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and from where the first Christmas tree - and how all of this helped George Washington win this nation's independence! Wonderful tale and fascinating history lesson that encapsulates Rome, Christ, Germany, Thor and Oden, an Oak tree, an evergreen tree, General George Washington and America's founding!!!
"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Here we go:
1. Wrapping or gift bags?
Gift bags for everything accept books, CDs, DVDs or shoes.
2. Real or artificial tree?
I am a real tree guy (balsom firs please!). I want me and my man to go chop one down at a tree farm (when I get one - a man, not the tree). Otherwise, its Boy Scouts of America real trees. My parents have since bought a fake tree since my brother and I left home; fake trees that have 1000s of lights pre-installed are gorgeous and should not be scoffed at flippantly.
3. When do you put up the tree?
One week before Christmas.
4. When do you take the tree down?
It used to be when it died - but usually the second week in January.
5. Do you like eggnog?
I can stand a cup during the holidays; when I used to drink, I would mix it with Wild Turkey 101 whiskey (yumm!).
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Original Nintendo
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Not big on nativity scenes - they seem like idol worshipping (placing emphasis on Mary in particular) so I'll leave that to the Catholics...
8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Crystal Meth (good then, bad now)
9. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I send cards to people who send me cards. I send them about 3 days before Christmas. I'll post a blog post to the rest!
10. Wrapping or gift bags?
Magnolia (made it a family tradition the year I saw it)
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
When I get word of my mother spending all day at the mall; never a black Friday fan. I like shopping the week AFTER Christmas.
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Mom's crab dip (Eve) and the fresh, lumpy with four sticks of butter mashed potatoes (Day)
13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
All white to shine all night. A tree's lighting should not be for decoration. When turned on, people should feel awe at the brilliance of all the lights.
14. Favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night (or Hark the Herald Angels Sing - all stanzas!)
