White House Salaries Released: Which West Wing Staffers Are In The Money?
by LukeThe White House released a full list of its employees titles and salaries on Friday. Those salaries range from $0 for some policy advisers to $172,200 for Obama's top aides like Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Special Adviser David Axelrod and Economic Adviser Larry Summers. In total, 23 members of the White House staff earn that much.
The list, however, is topped by two "detailees" -- employees from other agencies who have effectively been lent out to the White House for temporary duties -- who make nearly $179,700 a year.
CNN does the math, and calculates that the "average salary is $82,700 a year, while the median employee salary is $66,000. The lowest full time salary is just under $38,000 a year."
The White House spends a grand total of $38,796,307 a year in staff salaries.
View a selection of the White House's top earners -- those who earn $172,000 or more -- or look below for a full list of White House salaries:
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July 5th, 2010The Diligent Painter
by LukeThere was an ancient Chinese painter who was good at painting flowers and birds. He never stopped practising until he could paint perfectly well.
The emperor of China loved paintings, too. He liked to see beautiful pictures of beautiful roosters. So he asked the painter to paint a rooster for him. He wanted the rooster to be the best among all his collections.
The painter promised to do so. The emperor waited and waited for one year, but did not get the picture. He became angry and demanded to see the painter.
The artist was sent for. He came into the palace with paper, paint and a brush. In five minutes, a perfect picture of a rooster appeared on the paper. Seeing this, the emperor was all the more angry. " If you can paint a picture of a rooster in five minutes, why did you keep me waiting for over a year?" he said.
I'll let you know why, Your majesty, said the artist. "I beg you to come with me."
He led the emperor to his own study. There, paper was piled from the floor to the ceiling. On every sheet was a painting of a rooster.
"Your Majesty," explained the artist, "It took me more than one year to improve my skill in order to paint a perfect rooster for you
Branch comes to University of Memphis' Rose Theatre
by LukeGrammy winning singer/songwrite Michelle Branch is putting on a con cert of her own brand of folk rock fo the University of Memphis3 students.
The concert, which is sponsored b) the Student Activities Center, will bt held Monday on the U of M campus ai the Rose Theatre. U of M students car buy up to two $7 tickets with theii student ID4. Tickets for the general public are $ 15.
"We have planned this concert for about two months now," said University Traditions Committee chair Chris Hawk, sophomore journalism major5. "We put on a major concert every semester and try to rotate with genres6. Last semester, we had an R8B7 concert, and we wanted to try and reach a different audience this semester so we wanted to go with a modern rock concert. It was suggested by our production company that we use Michelle Branch, and it was the perfect genre we were looking for. "
Branch is currently touring college campuses across the country on the Virgin College Mega Tour8, presented by Dentyne Ice and Dentyne Fire9. Opening acts will include singer/songwriters Gavin DeGraw and Joe Firstman10, who will both be supporting their debut albums.
From her first release, Broken Bracelet in 2000, to her major label debut, The Spirit Room in 2001 , Branch has played a key part in the resurgence11 of the female singer/songwriter. In a business where many females are manufactured for glitz and glam12, Branch showed how writing songs could pay off. Not only did The Spirit Room sell 2.5 million copies, Branch toured with the likes of Sheryl Crow13 and won a Grammy for a duet14 she did with Carlos Santana15.
Her latest effort, Hotel Paper, finds Branch moving forward into maturity as an artist. Written during her tour in support of her debut, Hotel Room is almost a strike to those who ignored her works because of her age.
"I never asked for comparisons to other artists, nor did I expect outstanding
reviews," Branch said. "I did, however, demand a fair and honest critique of my work, and that simply never happened. Hotel Paper guarantees that my growth as an artist will overshadow16 non-related questions that followed me. Don't ask: I'm 20 years old now. "
SAC17 will also be sponsoring an event during the afternoon of the concert.
"We call it a ' Village, ' " said Hawk. " It will be at the Student Activities Plaza. We will have a couple novelty acts as well as some guys out there playing some acoustic18 guitars. Since Dentyne Ice is sponsoring the tour, I'm sure they'll be outside giving away stuff. "
Hawk said he is looking forward to seeing such a talented artist as Branch on campus.
"I'm also looking forward to the audience, how many people from the com-munity come out and support this show," he said. " I hope we get a diverse crowd. "
April Garner, senior psychology major19 , met Branch at a concert at the University of Central Arkansas two years ago.
"My friends and I met her in the bathroom at the concert," Garner said. She was in touring with The Calling20 and Lifehouse21 and was the only girl on tour, so she had to change in the front bathrooms. She was really nice and signed our CDs. My friends love her. "
No Smoking
by LukeHelen McCarthy worked for the Department of Social and Health Services for the state of Washington for over ten years. At work she was regularly exposed to tobacco smoke. A nonsmoker, Helen complained to her superiors about the smoke, but no arrangements were 5 made to help her. Eventually, Helen developed obstructive lung cancer/(Scott 13)
At first, one may think that Helen's is a rare and unusual case.
However, there is an increasing number of nonsmokers throughout the country who suffer illnesses from or are simply tired of being exposed to tobacco smoke on the job. There is, in addition, an increased recognition of the right of employees to work in a smoke-
free environment. Due to the awareness of nonsmokers' rights, some companies have implemented smoking policies in an effort to provide a more healthy and more productive workplace. While no-smok ing policies offer a good start to an improved work environment, there should be a ban on smoking in the workplace to ultimately get rid of all smoking on the job.
On-the-job smoking is a hot issue for both smokers and non-smokers, and many managers now see smoking as a productivity 20 problem. Although opponents question whether smoking affects one's productivity, it has, in fact, been proven that a smoker costs a company, both medically and in productivity, more than a nonsmoker.
According to William Weis, an associate professor in the Albers School of Business at Seattle University, a "smoking employee costs 25 his or her employer an estimated $5,740 more annually than a nonsmoking employee" (Collison 80). These costs include absenteeism (which is 50 percent greater for smokers), medical care, lost earnings, insurance, damages, and the health impact (Collison 80). Absenteeism, and absence due to smoking breaks, is but one of the 30 productivity problems, yet it accounts for a great deal of employer costs. Marvin Kristein, associate professor of Economics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook states:
Absalom Plans Rebellion
by LukeAfter this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run ahead of him. 2Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the road into the gate; and when anyone brought a suit before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out and say, "From what city are you?"When the person said, "Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Is¬rael, "3 Absalom would say, "See, your claims are good and right;but there is no one deputed by the king to hear you. "4 Absalom said moreover, "If only I were judge in the land! Then all who had a suit or cause might come to me and I would give them justice. "sWhenever people came near to do obeisance to him,he would put out his hand and take hold of them,and kiss them. 6 Thus Absalom did to every Israelite who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
7 At the end of four years Absalom said to the king, "please let me go to Hebron and pay the vow that I have made to the LORD. 8 For your servant made a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram; If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will worship the LORD in Hebron. "9 The king said to him,"Go in peace. "So he got up,and went to He¬bron. 10 But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, say ing, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet,then shout:Absalom has become king at Hebroni"ll Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom; they were invited guests,and they went in their innocence,knowing nothing of the matter. igWhile Absalom was offering the sacrif ices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city Giloh. The conspiracy grew in strength, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.
Teng Haibin1 ends his black week with gold
by LukeTeng Haibin , the youngest in the star-studded2 Chinese men's gymnastics team, jumped out of? his black week and clinched3 the first Olympic gold medal for his team on pommel horse4 here on Sunday night.
Teng's gold was so heavy as he had to beat not only the world-recognized pommel king, Marian Urzica5from Romania, but also the great pressure exerted on6 him in the past week in Athens.
Teng , 19, the rising star in recent years who was expected to be the successor of the popular star Li Xiaopeng7 , suffered a string of heavy blows since the beginning of the Athens Olympic Games.
On August 14 in the qualification8, Teng fell twice from the parallel bars, which is his strongest apparatus, getting the shameful score of only 6. 775 points. The result not only deprived China of a gold-catching point on parallel bars, but also sent the Chinese men's team to the fourth place in the qualifiers of the final9.
On August 16 in the team final, Teng sank into Waterloo'°as he tumbled" on the floor, fell from the parallel bars and the high bar, scoring 8. 662 , 8. 737 and 9. 125 points respectively12 , which, to some extent, directly sent the Chi-nese team to the fifth place, the worst mark of the team in Olympics since 1984.
From then on, "inexperienced, too young" , such words were tags13 from the Chinese coaches and analysts when they were asked to comment on Teng.
However, Teng made a brilliant return tonight, telling the world that he still has power to go ahead.
In the pommel horse final, Urzica, the top favorite for the gold who finished first on the event at the 2000 and 2001 worlds, and at the 2000 and 2002 World Cup finals, performed before Teng and scored the then highest points of 9.825.
As all the spectators expected Urzica to defend his Olympic title, Teng, the last one to perform, featured a series of dazzling movements and his stuck landing won huge applause'4. "9. 837" , Teng became the winner and the hero of the gold-thirsty Chinese gymnastics team. Teng said after the competition
that he did not feel that great for taking the gold. " I made too many mistakes in the team final. I felt deeply regretted for that. And I think today's gold can not offset15 my errors at that night. " Teng said.
Huang Xu" , the Chinese men's gymnastics team captain who finished fourth in tonight's pommel horse final with 9. 775 points, told Xinhua, "As a teenager, Teng is so great that he jumped out of those failures in such a short time and get the first gold medal for our team in Athens. "
Chinese team head coach Huang Yubin'7has ever said, "Teng is very light. All his moves look like he is floating. He has a couple of tricks that have never been done on parallel bars — a jam full-twisting18 — and can do the same trick on the high bar. He is only 18 and he caught everybody's attention. People are predicting he will peak19for the 2008 Olympics. "
Mr. Pontellier finally lit a cigar and began to smoke, letting the paper drag idly from his hand
by LukeHe fixed his gaze upon a white sunshade that was advancing at snail's pace from the beach. He could see it plainly between the gaunt trunk of the water-oaks and across the stretch of yellow camomile. The gulf looked far away, melting hazily into the blue of the horizon. The sunshade continued to approach slowly. Beneath its pink-lined shelter were his wife, Mrs. Pontellier, and young Robert Lebrun. When they reached the cottage, the two seated themselves with some appearance of fatigue upon the upper step of the porch, facing each other, each leaning against a supporting post.
"What folly to bathe at such an hour in such heat! " exclaimed Mr. Pontellier. He himself had taken a plunge at daylight. That was why the morning seemed long to him.
"You are burnt beyond recognition, " he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage. She held up her hands, strong, shapely hands, and surveyed them critically, drawing up her lawn sleeves above the wrists. Looking at them reminded her of her rings, which she had given to her husband be-
fore leaving for the beach. She silently reached out to him, and he, understanding, took the rings from his vest pocket and dropped them into her open palm. She slipped them upon her fingers; then clasping her knees, she looked across at Robert and began to laugh. He sent back an answering smile.
"What is it?" asked Pontellier, looking lazily and amused from one to the other. It was some utter nonsense; some adventure out there in the water, and they both tried to re¬late it at once. It did not seem half so amusing when told. They realized this, and so did Mr. Pontellier. He yawned and stretched himself. Then he got up, saying he had half a mind to go over to Klein's hotel and play a game of billiards.
"Come go along, Lebrun, " he proposed to Robert. But Robert admitted quite frankly that he preferred to stay where he was and talk to Mrs. Pontellier.
"Well, send him about his business when he bores you, Edna, " instructed her husband as he prepared to leave.
"Here, take the umbrella, " she exclaimed, holding it out to him. He accepted the sunshade, and lifting it over his head descended the steps and walked away.
Among young conductors today, one who has personality plus musicianship to an extraordinary degree is Bombay - born Zubin Mehta, conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic
by LukeThough he is only 31, Mehta managed the formidable feat of adapting to Western culture, then precociously stormed the most daunting redoubts of European music. He became one of the youngest men ever to conduct both the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic orchestras. He electrified the August Salzburg Festival with stirring performances of Stravinsky and Brahms. At 24, he was named conductor of the Montreal Symphony, and a year later won the same post with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, thus becoming not only the youngest conductor of a leading U.S. orchestra , but also the only man ever to direct two major orchestras in North America at once. In fact, he conducted the two groups simultaneously at Expo 67; he led them in a massed performance of Berlioz' Symphonic Fantastique.
Chattered through the seas of the world are billions of tons of small plants and animals called plankton
by LukeMost of these plants and animals are too small for the human eye to see. Phey drift about lazily with the currents, providing a basic food for many large animals.
Plankton has been described as the equivalent of the grasses that grow on the dry land ontiiients, and the comparison is an appropriate one. In potential food value, however, ilankton far outweighs that of the land grasses. One scientist has estimated that while grasses f the world produce about 49 billion tons of valuable carbohydrates each year, the sea' s lankton generates more than twice as much. Despite its enormous food potential, little effort 'as made until recently to farm plankton on land. Now, marine scientists have at last begun ) study this possibility, especially as the sea' s resources loom even more important as a leans of feeding an expanding world population. No one yet has seriously suggested that plankton-burgers" may soon become popular around the world. As a possible farmed supple-lentary food source, however, plankton is gaining considerable interest among marine scien-sts. One type of plankton that seems to have great harvest possibilities is a tiny shrimp-like reature called krill. Growing to two or three inches long, krill provide the major food for the ant blue whale, the largest animal ever to inhabit the earth. Realizing that this whale may •ow to 100 feet and weigh 150 tons at maturity, it is not surprising that each one devours ore than one ton of krill daily. Krill swim about just below the surface in huge schools some-Ties miles wide, mainly in the cold Antarctic. Because of their pink color, they often appear i a solid reddish mass when viewed from a ship or from the air. Krill are very high in food ilue. A pound of these crustaceans contains about 460 calories—about the same as shrimp or bster, to which they are related. If the krill can feed such huge creatures as whales, many ientists reason, they must certainly be contenders as a new food source for humans.
Jehoiada's Reforms
by LukeJehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people, that they should be the LORD 's people; also between the king and the people. 18 Then all the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces , and they, killed Mattan,the priest of Baal, before the altars. The priest posted
guards over the house of the LORD. 19 He took the captains, the Carites , the guards , and all the people of the land ; then they brought the king down from the house of the LORD , marching through the gate of the guards to the king's house. He took his seat on the throne of the kings. 20 So all the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been killed with the sword at the king's house.
Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.