No. 187 August 1998
THE ELECTRONIC "HAVES" AND "HAVE NOTS": WHO ARE THEY, WILL THEY MEET? The FCC's current policy and goal of "Universal Service" that everyone have affordable access to telephone service is now overshadowed by the problem of computer's and the electronic "haves" and "have-nots". In Falling through the Net: A Survey of the "Have Nots" in Urban and Rural America (July 1995) NTIA surveyed trends in telephone subscribership and the ownership and usage of personal computers and modems, using 1994 data. This was the first census survey of its kind regarding PC/modem ownership. A second survey has been completed in October 1997. This Falling Through the NET II: New Data on the Digital Divide is found at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/net2/falling.html was compiled by the Census Bureau in October 1997. These 1994 and 1997 PC/modem surveys present such variables as income, race, age, educational attainment in such geographic categories as rural, urban, and central city as well as by state and region. Now, that we have identified who has PCs and modems, let's see how the PCs are being used. What are the "haves" doing? buying? selling? learning? talking? dating? gambling? etc. in their new electronic world. The Emerging Digital Economy, released in April 1998 is found at http://www.ecommerce.gov/emerging.htm . This pdf file is 260 pages. The report is only 60 pages but the 5 appendixes are quite lengthy. Will the new digital economy provide the growth and jobs enabling the "have-nots" to become part of the electronic world and become "haves"? I don't have the answer(s), ...only two interesting publications for a newsletter article.
GRAZING/SNACKING SCIENTIFICALLY Did you ever watch a horse or cow graze in a pasture? Are they selectively or haphazardly selecting the blades of grass they eat? How do you graze? Yes, you graze!! In 1989, and again in a revised and updated 1993 edition of her article, Cheryl Platzman Weinstock said that Americans graze. The 'Grazing' of America: A Guide to Healthy Snacking (HE 20.4010/A:SN 1/993) is the new edition of an old article. Since snacks are a growing part of our diet, she presents some "healthy snack ideas" which present snacks of vegetables, fruits, grains, sweet treats, protein, etc. in the amounts that are conducive to good eating habits. Parents' concerns about teenagers' snacking are addressed and hints are provided on the ways to introduce snacking to toddler's, whose proper snacking is needed for good health and growth. To see the how and why of what Americans actually eat as snacks, read "Snacking Habits of Different Income Groups" by Shanthy A. Bowman Family Economics and Nutrition Review, v. 10, no. 4 1997, pages 45-49 (A98.20:997/4). This study took its data from the USDA's 1994 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII). The study also examined the snacking patterns of individuals at different household income levels--choice of foods as snacks, frequency of snacking at different time periods of the day, and contributions of foods and beverages consumed as snacks to be the total diet. The interesting results reflect that (an average of) 75% of the American people take a snack or beverage break and that is where I am going now.
STOCK PRICE ODDITIES If you check the Wall Street Journal on Friday August 21, 1998, you will find the stock prices cited in the AMEX, NASDAQ, and New York Stock Exchange charts alike (i.e. NOVELL closed at 10 7/8). All stock prices were given as fractions. However, the "Mutual Funds Quotations" (on pages 16 and 17) had a decimal figure given for each fund listed. None of the U.S. stock exchanges use the decimal format for stock prices. The Toronto Stock Exchange is the closest exchange, which has recently changed its stock price reporting to a decimal format. Other than the beneficial technological and mathematical changes of the decimal format, it allows for lower minimum price change increments (tick size). The lower tick size results in lower spreads that allow the investor to achieve lower buying and higher selling prices and the end result is the investor both saving and earning more money. Even in the fraction format, the NYSE's and the NASDAQ's previous reduction of the minimum tick from 1/8 to 1/16, has resulted in savings for stock investors. Securities Pricing, Actions Needed for Conversion to Decimals, issued by the General Accounting Office in May 1998 is 24 pages of introduction as to why decimals are better than fractions but will not appear in the Wall Street Journal before the year 2000. Securities... can be ordered by e-mail at http://www.gao.gov/AIndexFY98/abstracts/gg98121t.htm .
NOAH'S ARK REINVENTED Our 20th century ark would not be wooden, it will be a "frozen ark" which will a large insulated vat full of liquid nitrogen. Even the current goal is to save all the animals, this new ark was not designed to hold fully-grown animals. The plan of our current (three) Noahs is quite different. Our current Noahs (played by Drs. Kenneth Gould, Abdelmoneim Younis, and Mary Hagedorn) are currently at an experimental and selective stage. Unlike old Noah, they are not looking for a fully-grown pair of each species. Our Noahs are cryopreservationists. Cryopreservation of animals as embryos, eggs, or sperm would allow the zebrafish, chimpanzees, and other animals to be preserved and brought to life at some later date(s). Instead of a flood, our Noahs see the end of many endangered species and the problem of the availability of some animals for biomedical research. Animal species need not end if these Noahs can overcome the problems of freezing of both human and non-human eggs. Current cryogenic techniques have not overcome the problems of the formation of intracellular ice crystals that damage the egg and its fragile chromosomes. Jan Greene's "Cryopreservation, Noah's Ark Reinvented" in the NCRR Reporter, v. 22, no. 3, July-September 1998 pages 4-7 (HE 20.3013/6:22/3) is a brief but informative introduction to a new slant on an old topic: self-preservation.
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE IS BAD & GOOD In previous newsletters, the topic was cell phones as a hazard in hospitals and similar settings. The electromagnetic waves produced by cell phones could interfere with the operation of wheelchairs, pacemakers, and a patient's life-support equipment. The same electromagnetic interference has positive uses. It is a fact that electromagnetic interference can be used to stop a motor vehicle. When a law enforcement officer wants a driver to stop his vehicle and the driver does not want to stop, the officer is involved in a dangerous car chase. The alternative to a dangerous car chase is to have a device that will stop the suspect's vehicle. If the electromagnetic waves from cell phones adversely affect the electrical equipment in hospitals, why not put that disruptive power to some beneficial use? The National Institute of Justice is calling for interested applicants to submit their prototype electromagnetic (EM) devices for submission to NIJ's vehicle stopping Phase III testing--engineering field-testing. "Announcement of the Availability of the National Institute of Justice Solicitation for Evaluation of Vehicle Stopping Electromagnetic Prototype Devices: Phase III--Engineering Field Testing, Notice of Solicitation" Federal Register v. 63, no. 159 August 18, 1998, page 44286. A copy of the Evaluation ...document can be found at http://www.ncjrs.org/fedgrant.htm#nij or http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm . Need I say more??
TAX DOLLARS AT WORK SIGNS Do you remember when you last approached a major highway construction site? If you live in the Cincinnati area that should not be difficult, but do you remember the big sign that says: something like "YOUR HIGHWAY TAX DOLLARS AT WORK"? Your tax dollars are at work in many places other than highways and the signs are quite different. The Federal Register is one of the most obvious places where there are signs showing millions of our tax dollars at work. Every time a new regulation is proposed, its comments considered, and implemented as final, the underwriting agency spends money. When outdated regulations are withdrawn, this process uses tax dollars. There are obvious benefits for every labor standard regulation that saves a worker's life as with pollution standards, which help clear the air we breathe. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is now issuing its first report to congress on the costs and benefits of Federal Regulations. The OMB wants public comment on its review of the economically significant federal regulations which were reviewed by the OMB from April 1,1995 through March 31, 1998. The 65 pages you will find in "Draft Report to Congress on the Costs and Benefits of Federal Regulations, Notice and request for comments", Federal Register v. 63, no. 158 August 17, 1998 is just a draft. The American public can read this draft and, until September 30, 1998, send comments to the OMB for possible revision of the report before it is sent to congress. This is the second year for this OMB regulatory accounting report (the first was on September 30, 1997) but I don't know how many more reports are mandated by Section 625 of the Treasury and Government Act of 1998 (PL 105-61). This is one of more obscure "TAX DOLLARS AT WORK" signs.
USER FRIENDLY WRITING Am I a user-friendly writer? Are you? I haven't read what you wrote but you are now reading what I wrote. How does one handle the written word clearly? What is a user-friendly writer? What is a user-friendly document (piece of writing)? It took the U. S. Government 124 years (from 1776) to find out that communications to the American people are best in Plain Language. On June 1, 1998, the President issued a Memorandum mandating the use of Plain Language in the communications issued by Federal Agencies to the American people. By October 1, 1998, agencies must use plain language in all new documents that explain how to obtain a benefit or service, or how to comply with a requirement that the agency enforces or administers. Does this mean that the brochures and information pamphlets from these agencies will be less confusing? What about the IRS tax guides and instruction booklets? As of January 1, 1999, all agencies must use plain language in all proposed and final rulemakings in the Federal Register. There are 23 documents you can read and/or download in Microsoft Word or WordPerfect from "Writing User-Friendly Documents" page. You will find these guidelines at http://www.blm.gov/nhp/NPR/pe_toc.html as part of the Plain English Network website (at http://www.plainlanguage.gov/ ). The "Plain Language Tools" announcement is found on the title page of any current issue of the Federal Register or in the Office of the Federal Register's website which is at http://www.nara.gov/fedreg/ . This concern for the use of plain English and clarity of writing style is not new. In 1983, the Department of Commerce sponsored a forum on the Productivity of Plain English that resulted in The Productivity of Plain English, (C 1.2:En3) and How Plain English Works for Business, Twelve Case Studies, March 1984 (C 1.2:En 2/3). It took only 15 years to develop the guidelines for writing user-friendly documents.
TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS 1 & 2 It was on July 4, 1776, the American people declared freedom from King George's taxes with their own Bill of Rights, and then allowed their Congress to impose taxes. However, our Bill of Rights lack tax rights and it was not until 1988 that Congress gave the American people any tax rights. A historically interesting scenario: in 1776 all Americans fight against foreign taxation and then people allow themselves to be taxed by a congress which provides them no tax rights until 212 years later in 1988 and then these rights need a part "2" in 1996. "Omnibus Taxpayer Bill of Rights" which is Title VI, Subsection J--Taxpayers Rights and Procedures of Public Law 100-647 (U.S. Statutes at Large v. 102, pages 3730-3752) was passed on November 10, 1988. These rights became "Taxpayer Bill of Rights 1" on July 30, 1996, which was the day Public Law 104-168 was signed by Clinton. "Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2" (U.S. Statutes at Large v. 110, pages 1452-14 81) expands the rights of the 1988 law. Did you know you have tax rights? Who can find the "Rights 1" on the 18 pages "buried" within a 470 page 1988 law? Who knows about the "Rights 2" which were publicized and made easily available as IRS Publication No. 1 Your Rights as a Taxpayer, part of the bulk distribution of 1996 tax forms and publications in January 1997?
TAX RIGHTS: INCENTIVE(S) TO BE A SNITCH Did you know the new Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 provided added incentives for one to be a snitch? Rights 2 increased the reward for informing on a violator of the tax laws. The informant gets a percentage of the violator's penalty(ies)? Rights 2 makes it more "appealing" to snitch on our fellow Americans who we think are violating federal tax laws. In the Rights 2 law (page 1473) changes "Section 7623" of Title 26 of the U.S. Code and requires the creation of new IRS regulations for taxpayer informant rewards. Thus, in the Federal Register, v.63, no. 162, August 21, 1998, pages 44777-44779 you will find "Rewards for Information Relating to Violations of Internal Revenue Laws, Final and temporary regulations". Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23, Part 301.7623-1: "Rewards for information relating to violations of internal revenue law " will provide all the latest details of how and what rewards are available. The IRS solicitation of tax informant(s) is not new. IRS Publication No. 733, Rewards for Information Provided by Individuals to the Internal Revenue Service has been on depository library shelves since 1986 and the latest edition on those shelves is 1990 (Rev. 11-90) (T 22.44/2:733/990). Publication No. 733 will have to be revised and reissued to include the latest legal revisions.
October 6, 1998
http://www.nku.edu/~yannarella/news9808.html