NORTH AMERICA

Peterson, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto in Canada, rocketed to fame in 2016 after taking to the air waves to trumpet his refusal to use the gender-neutral pronoun one of his students requested he use.

This expectation would rest on Burstons unsparing critique of Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan, Louis Althusser and, especially, Friedrich Nietzsche, who are Petersons btes noires. With something less than precision, Peterson labels this heterodox group cultural Marxists whose works were used to undermine the traditional university and serve to found the post-modern university more committed to grievance than the search for truth.

Burston also agrees that it is no good thing that liberal arts faculties are top heavy with left-wing professors. Further, Burston criticises the fact that in some American universities, pseudo-judicial proceedings . . . convened to adjudicate allegations of sexual harassment or sexual assault are a grotesque mockery of justice because they lack due process (in some cases the accused does not even know the evidence presented against them).

Then, the Toronto-born Burston uses sociologist Don Carveth the way a football player would a reverse pass and shifts our attention to the fact that, ironically, the crisis in the liberal arts, the loss of faith in evidence has led not to any sort of liberation but, rather, has unknowingly furthered the corporate agenda now dominating many North American universities.

Generalising from his field, Carveth writes, under the hegemony of neo-liberalism, the displacement of truth values in psychoanalysis has proceeded apace as: Genuine critique has not been welcomed.

Towards the middle of chapter seven, after showing that Petersons claim to being a Classical Liberal is risible, Burston shows what Petersons call for the slashing of liberal arts budgets looks like in the real world. Citing declining enrolment, university administrators hire only part-time faculty, freeze tenured facultys salaries, slash operating budgets and research funds.

But the money, and lo and behold! the revenues directed away from the humanities and social sciences (and the fine arts, eg painting, music) invariably end up in the budgets devoted to STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] disciplines, the salaries of the rapidly multiplying cohort of assistants and associate administrators, and the budgets and salaries of sports coaches, some of whom in the United States earn millions of dollars. Money also goes to public relations professionals whose task is to boost the universitys brand or image.

Burstons trenchant critiques of thinkers like Althusser are central to understanding whats gone wrong with North American universities. Liberal arts professors have used Althusser and Nietzsche to undermine the traditional mission of the university, the search, however flawed, for truth. These same thinkers have served to found the post-modern university, more committed to grievance, rooted in Romantic views of the self as the primary intelligible unit, than rational inquiry.

Althusser convinced the generation I am part of (I entered university in 1976) that reading Freud meant reading Lacan. But, Lacans version of Freud, Burston shows, was never a serious or scholarly endeavour.

Often Lacan attributes ideas to Freud that he never said. The specific examples need not detain us, for, whats truly important is Burstons willingness to state baldly that objective truths exist: Freud did or did not say what Lacan says he did. The same is true for recording Lacans anti-Semitism, which wasnt discussed when I was in university but which Burston shows is in his texts. Facts matter.

Many will bristle at Burstons characterisation of left-wing authoritarianism and its dalliance with anti-Semitism and also try to dismiss that of both Hamas and Hezbollah. Burston is to be commended, however, by pointing out the contradiction that far from being progressive, both are unabashedly misogynistic, anti-gay and anti-democratic.

Before anyone dismisses Burston, who does nothing to hide being Jewish, for being an apologist for Israel, he is equally hard on Benjamin Netanyahu, who put the lie to the belief that a right-wing Jew was close to a contradiction.

Burston homes in on Petersons quite wobbly understanding of those he calls cultural Marxists. For all their errors, Burston argues, Marxists believe in progress in the sense that society can be remade into a classless society. Post-modernists like Nietzsche or more recently Jacques Derrida eschewed such a teleological view of history. Truths are illusions we have forgotten are illusions, wrote Nietzsche in 1873 in a line I quoted a number of times in literature essays.

Drunk with such power, my professors and I missed that in his first work, The Birth of Tragedy (1872), Nietzsche argues that slavery is necessary for the creation of high culture, while in The Genealogy of Morals (1887), perhaps his most quoted book, he divided the human race into birds of prey and lambs, which now makes me wince.

Which leaves the question, since Peterson rejects post-modernism, does he erase this difference or, perhaps, side with the lambs? Rule six in his book, Set your house in perfect order before you criticise the world, may sound like a folksy flourish, but it chills Burston: most of us manage to bumble through life without our closets let alone our lives being in perfect order.

Burston rightly links this rule with Petersons statement in a New York Times interview that the people who hold that our culture is an oppressive hierarchy . . . dont want to admit that the current hierarchy might be predicated on competence.

Burston doesnt let the modal verb might blind him to Petersons point, one eagerly embraced by corporate lenders and administrators who look back on (a mythical view) of the 1950s and hardly suggests that Peterson has any doubts about the legitimacy of todays hierarchies.

Witches and dragons

Parts of Burstons book are heavy going. Fortunately, he livens his discussion of notoriously difficult writers like Lacan and Theodor Adorno with witty asides. Peterson, however, moves him to being incredulous.

In one interview, Peterson said, witches do exist. They just dont exist in the way you think they exist You may say well dragons dont exist. Its like, yes they do the category of the predator and the category of the dragon are the same category. Its a superordinate category. It absolutely exists more than anything else. In fact, it really exists. What exists is not obvious.

To say that witches exist is not fake news. Rather, Burston declares, it is manifestly absurd. To say that dragons exist is utter nonsense.

Against Petersons bombast and faux erudition, recalls the Canadian literary critic Northrop Frye, whose The Great Code: The Bible and Literature became the surprise best seller of 1981. Frye spoke (and wrote) with genuine authority and it was his deep learning first to become an Anglican minister and then a professor of literature that led him to being a genuine liberal, who took strong stands against the Vietnam War and South African apartheid.

Fryes example leads Burston to believe that education leads 1) not to quiescence but to seeing how the world can be made better because 2) genuine inquiry leads not to division into ever smaller group identities but, rather, to understanding the common humanity of men and women.

* Daniel Burston, Psychoanalysis, Politics and the Postmodern University, London: Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 978-3-03-349202.

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Has teaching objective truths become inconvenient? - University World News

starred Burgess Meredith. Photograph: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock

Fans of Don Patersons lyric poetry will find his latest volume, Zonal (Faber, 14.99), something of a surprise. Often given to self-reinvention, Paterson has always kept musical panache at the forefront of his multi-award-winning verse, be it in the laddish smarts of Nil Nil, the paternal meditations of Landing Light, or the metaphysical reach of Rain. This new book is not only his most seemingly confessional, but also a stylistic departure. Taking its cues from the first season of the TV classic The Twilight Zone, its often surreal, long-lined narratives jump from funny to sad to profound with a suppleness somewhere between Frank OHara and CK Williams. I am trying hard not to be that guy, sighs the speaker in one poem, and while I can fall prey to bitterness, I refuse to sound like some middle-aged incel addicted to Jordan Peterson videos. The poets cutting wit and acute awareness aside, the best poems here are the reimagined character portraits that bookend the collection: Lazarus, in which self-improvement meets the Orphic contemplation of the void; and Death, in which a self-deceiving salesman tries to buy off the grim reaper.

JO Morgan won the Aldeburgh first collection prize in 2009 for a book-length poem that recounted a childhood on the Isle of Skye. In his seventh volume, The Martians Regress (Cape, 10), he has quietly established himself as a gifted writer of the long poem. His previous book, Assurances, was an intimate presentation of his fathers involvement in maintaining Britains airborne nuclear deterrent. The Martians Regress is an imaginative leap, in its story of environmental collapse and a fragile humanity, though it mines not dissimilar terrain in conjuring familiar dystopias: Waking from his nightmare / The pressing blackness of the air / Failed to hide the martian from himself. / The nightmare too had woken. In portraying the variously hopeful, hopeless, comic and bleak ways of apparent aliens, Morgan brings us closer to ourselves.

Numinous musicality remains a hallmark of the former violinist Fiona Sampsons poetry. Come Down (Corsair, 10.99) traces the meeting points of our fleeting human lives and the shifting timelessness of the world that surrounds us, be it cool stone as our voices / lick at space, or words that make a wavering / line in snow. Free from punctuation except for the odd dash or question mark, Sampsons poems refuse to stay still, intent on pursuing lines of inquiry into what it all means: Wet stone smells / of lost meaning smells / of mysterious / wise intention / the unlived-in stonework / drawing back from us. But Come Down also faces up to precise human hurt, most hauntingly in the sexual damage of Old Man, and the titular long poem, exploring place, memory and the chasms of history.

David Harsent is the modern master of what could be called the poem noir. His formally adept work often draws a solitary character into disturbing, half-apprehended horrors, as the human psyche casts and conjures its shadows in an unforgiving world. In Loss (Faber, 14.99), we join an eerie narrative that begins at 00:00 and the full of night to come, as visionary insomnia engulfs a man confronting personal and public losses. While unremittingly bleak, this book-length poetic sequence is powerful in its metaphorical reach: Children in a pool of light, a pool of dust; the way / images deceive, the way time shunts and stalls, a test / of what gathers and corrupts. Like the best poets, Harsent reminds us what it is to lose sight of ourselves, as we might meditate / on the effect of pain but never on its cause.

Ben Wilkinsons Way More Than Luck is published by Seren.

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The best recent poetry review roundup - The Guardian

College football season is over. The offseason moves have begun. Some coaching carousels remain in full swing, while others have settled on whos to lead their respective programs in 2020 and, possibly, if the head coaches prove their individual worth in wins, beyond. Some players are bowing out and taking their talents elsewhere. Other players are deciding whether to stick around for the remainder of their eligibility or, at the behest of their Pop Warner dreams, to take it pro.

Thats where we come in, because news across the college football landscape comes at you fast this time of year. Check in here for the latest updates on the coaching carousel, as well as any player updates that impact the Big 12 Conference and the Texas Longhorns.

With Scottie Hazeltons departure for the defensive coordinator job at Michigan State, Kansas State has opted to promote safeties coach Joe Klanderman to the open coordinator job. Assistant coach Van Malone was also provided new titles of assistant head coach and passing game coordinator to add to his current job responsibilities as cornerbacks coach.

Texas Tech (defensive personnel)

IN Kevin Cosgrove (LSU), Derek Jones (Duke)

OUT Kerry Cooks (fired), Todd Orlando (USC)

It took Orlandos firing by Texas head coach Tom Herman to make it happen, but nevertheless, former Longhorns defensive coordinator landed with an in-state rival. Under Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells, Orlando was set to coach linebackers and had been named assistant head coach. To land him, Texas Tech nixed safeties coach Kerry Cooks and opted to move current defensive coordinator Keith Patterson in Cooks place.

However, all of the above fell through when Orlando ditched Lubbock for a gig as defensive coordinator with the USC Trojans just two weeks into his Texas Tech tenure. Also in tow with Orlando will be Texas ex Craig Naivar, who was originally expected to join him at Tech.

With Orlandos departure, the Red Raiders looked to Kevin Cosgrove to coach the programs linebackers. Cosgrove was most recently the leading defensive analyst on LSUs national championship-winning team. He also has nearly four decades of experience as a coach, with more than half of that coming as a defensive coordinator with New Mexico and Nebraska, among others.

Also joining Texas Techs coaching squadron will be Derek Jones, who is set to join the Red Raiders as a defensive back coach, co-defensive coordinator and associate head coach, the program announced earlier this week. Jones has spent the past 12 seasons at Duke, where he helped turn around an otherwise abysmal defense in recent years; prior to then, he spent ten seasons between Memphis, Middle Tennessee and Murray State.

TCU (offensive personnel)

IN

OUT Curtis Luper (Missouri), Chris Thomsen (Florida State)

Two things are for sure: former running backs coach Curtis Luper is heading to Missouri for a similar role and offensive line coach Chris Thomsen is off to the Florida State, where hell serve as a deputy head coach under head coach Mike Norvell. The rest, however, remains up in the air, albeit delicately Football Scoop reported on Jan. 15 that former TCU offensive coordinator Doug Meacham is expected to return as an inside wide receivers coach. Colorado State running back coach Bryan Applewhite is also expected to join TCU head coach Gary Patterson, per Football Scoop.

247Sports reports that Patterson is expected to name former Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill to his offensive staff, as a special assistant to the head coach. 247Sports notes that Kill wont be among the ten assistant coaches in 2020. Instead, hell oversee the offense from the perspective of coach and player evaluations, play calls and schemes, among other things.

Baylor (offensive and defensive personnel)

IN Dave Aranda (LSU), Ron Roberts (Louisiana), Larry Fedora (Texas), Joe Wickline, Brian Stewart (Detroit Lions)

OUT Matt Rhule (Carolina Panthers)

The NFLs Carolina Panthers stole Baylor head coach Matt Rhule at a price of $60 million over seven years. As a result, Baylor hired LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Its the first head coaching job of his career and also means that the Longhorns will face a new defensive coordinator in Baton Rouge this September. Not longer after, Aranda then hired Ron Roberts, who spent the past two seasons as defensive coordinator at Louisiana. In 2019, Louisiana finished No. 18 nationally in scoring defense, allowing 19.7 points per game.

The coaching carousel continued. Days later, Aranda added former Southern Mississippi and North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora as his offensive coordinator. Fedora spent 2019 as an analyst for the Longhorns, and holds a 79-62 record as a collegiate head coach.

Joe Wickline, previously an offensive lineman coach and offensive coordinator for the Longhorns under Charlie Strong, is also heading down the road to Waco, Baylor announced over the weekend. Its not Wicklines first stint with the Bears: From 1997 to 1998, he was an offensive line coach at Baylor prior to spending time at Florida, Oklahoma State and then Texas, where he coached under Strong from 2014 to 2015.

As is Brian Stewart, who was hired as the Bears new cornerbacks coach. Stewart was most recently in charge of cornerbacks with the Detroit Lions. In 2007 and 2008, he was also the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys under former head coach Wade Phillips. In 2009, he was with the Philadelphia Eagles, prior to taking his talents back to the college level, where he served in stints at Houston, Maryland, Nebraska and Rice from 2010 to 2017.

Oklahoma (offensive and defensive personnel)

IN DeMarco Murray, Jamar Cain (Arizona State)

OUT Ruffin McNeil (personal leave)

Football will have to wait for now, because family comes first for Oklahoma assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach Ruffin McNeil, whos leaving the program to move back to North Carolina to take care of his sick father, the Sooners announced in January.

With the departure of McNeill, Oklahoma opted to hire Jamar Cain away from Arizona State to coach the programs outside linebackers, Fox Sports reports. At Arizona State, Cain coached the Sun Devils defensive linemen. In Norman, hell inherit a solid defensive core between the likes of Jon-Michael Terry, Nik Bonitto and Joseph Wete.

Multiple outlets are also reporting that Oklahoma alum DeMarco Murray will return to Norman as the programs new running backs coach. During his time at Oklahoma from 2007 to 2010, he rushed for 3,685 yards and 50 touchdowns. He also recorded 10 touchdown receptions and three kickoff return touchdowns, earning him a school-record of 64 all-purpose scores. Not to mention the fact that he also holds Oklahomas record for all-purpose yards (6,498) and receiving yards by a running back (1,512.)

Oklahoma State (offensive coordinator)

IN Kasey Dunn

OUT Sean Gleeson (Rutgers)

Longtime Oklahoma State assistant coach Kasey Dunn got the best of this move. Dunn, head coach Mike Gundys longest tenured staff member since 2011 and the 2017 National Wide Receivers Coach of the Year, was promoted to offensive coordinator after Sean Gleeson was hired away for the same role with Rutgers.

Kansas (defensive personnel)

IN Jordan Peterson (New Mexico)

OUT Clint Bowen (North Texas), Tony Hull

In December, longtime Kansas defensive coordinator Clint Bowen announced he was leaving the program to join North Texas, after serving in a variety of roles over two separate stints 1998 to 2009 and 2012 to 2019 and under several Jayhawks head coaches. As a result, Kansas head coach Les Miles hired a safeties coach in Jordan Peterson, who previously served in the same role with New Mexico since 2017 , and as defensive coordinator with the program after he was promoted last year.

Adding to that, and although its unclear where, exactly, hell land, Tony Hull announced in February that hes leaving the Kansas football program. In his four years with the Jayhawks, Hull has served as a position coach (most recently as a running backs coach in 2019), associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.

West Virginia (offensive personnel)

IN Gerad Parker (Penn State)

OUT Xavier Dye (South Florida)

When West Virginia receivers coach Xavier Dye announced his departure for South Florida, head coach Neal Brown landed on Penn State receivers coach Gerad Parker to step in as the programs new offensive coordinator. West Virginia assistants Matt Moore and Chad Scott shared offensive coordinator duties in 2019. Moore and Scott remain on the coaching staff and will likely be moved to position coaches.

Iowa State (tight ends coach)

IN Mick McCall (Northwestern)

OUT Alex Golesh (UCF)

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell couldnt hold on to tight ends coach Alex Goresh, whos taking over as co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach with the UCF. As a result, longtime college football guy and former Northwestern offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mick McCall has joined the Iowa State Cyclones as a running backs coach, according to Football Scoops. Assistant coach Tom Manning was in charge of running backs in Ames in 2019 but has opted to move to coaching the tight ends position.

Kansas State (special teams coach)

IN

OUT Sean Snyder (USC)

Its the end of an era, because the Snyder family is no longer at Kansas State. Sean Snyder, the son of longtime former head coach Bill Snyder, has accepted an offer to be the next special teams coordinator at USC, the Manhattan Mercury reports. During his time working with the Wildcats special teams from 2011 to 2018, Kansas State set or tied eight school records, and from 2013 to 2017, the program produced the first-team All-Big 12 kick returner each season.

Rumors of Scottie Hazelton being interested in the defensive coordinator job at Michigan State under newly hired head coach Mel Tucker also turned out to be true. Kansas State was unable to match the offer and Hazelton is heading to Lansing as the final assistant to be hired onto Tuckers somewhat promising staff.

Hell be sorely missed in Manhattan. In 2019, Hazeltons defense gave up a stingy 21.4 points per game to opponents, the second lowest among Big 12 teams. The Wildcats pass defense was also ranked as the conferences second-best, in which they gave up just 202.9 yards per game. Meanwhile, their eighth-ranked run defense gave up just 165.6 yards per game.

Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Houston Miller Listed at 6-4, 275 pounds, Miller has declared for the NFL Draft. In 28 games at Texas Tech, Miller notched just three tackles.

Redshirt junior defensive tackle Ross Blacklock Despite the NFLs Advisory Committee telling Blacklock that he should hold off on declaring for one more season, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, hes opting to do so anyway and has signed with an agent.

Junior receiver Jalen Reagor After leading the Horned Frogs in catches (43), yards (611) and touchdowns (5) an inconsistent season by his standards Reagor has opted to forgo his senior season and try the NFL. Hes projected as a first round pick later this year.

Redshirt junior cornerback Grayland Arnold After earning a second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2019 and a second overall conference ranking with six interceptions, 40 tackles and two pass breakups, Arnold is heading to the NFL, like former coach Matt Rhule.

Junior defensive lineman James Lynch This one was a no-brainer for the 2019 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He finishes his college career with 33.5 tackles for loss and 22 sacks.

Junior receiver CeeDee Lamb For those who watched the Longhorns take on the Sooners in 2019, this move was in itself equally obvious for Lamb. After consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons with double-digit touchdown catches, Lamb is a projected first round pick.

Junior linebacker Kenneth Murray It didnt end well for Murray and the Oklahoma defense against LSU in the College Football Playoff Semifinal game (Heisman Trophy-winning LSU quarterback Joe Burrow ate their lunch), but Murrays 102 tackles and four sacks in 2019 were enough to boost his confidence enough to send himself to the NFL.

Freshman Utah State linebacker Christian LaValle LaValle, a member of the 2019 signing class with the Utah State Aggies, will finally get his chance to play for Wells, who left the Aggies for his current role at Texas Tech after the 2018 season. At 511, 240 pounds, 247Sports ranked LaValle and the No. 44 inside linebacker in the nation coming out of high school. LaValle will likely be forced to sit out the 2020 season unless he successfully petitions the NCAA for an eligibility waiver.

Redshirt junior quarterback Justin Rogers Although hell have to sit out a year before hes eligible to compete, the former TCU quarterback is transferring to UNLV. Once one of the highest touted recruits in TCU history, what was presumed to be a prolific career to come for the Horned Frogs was thrown into array when Rogers injured his knee early in his high school senior season, effectively delaying his career. In Las Vegas, hell join what our SBNation neighbors Frogs OWar described as a crowded QB room. Notably, Rogers will likely compete for the starting job once hes eligible for the 2021 season.

Senior Temple tight end Kenny Yeboah Yeboah barely missed his chance to reunite with former head coach Rhule, who recruited Yeboah as part of the 2016 class. As a redshirt junior with the Temple Owls, he accounted for career highs in catches (19), yards (233) and touchdowns (5). Yeboah is expected to fill a much needed role for the Bears in 2020.

Senior UCLA receiver Theo Howard Three months after he announced his intention to transfer away from the UCLA Bruins, Howard has found a landing spot in Norman, where hell help push what will be a younger group of receivers for the Sooners in 2020. During his career at UCLA, Howard amassed 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns on 119 receptions.

A host of current Sooners have also entered their name into the transfer portal. Names included among that bunch are redshirt sophomore linebacker Levi Draper, redshirt sophomore linebacker Ryan Jones, freshman linebacker Jonathan Perkins, redshirt junior cornerback Jordan Parker, freshman safety Ty DeArman and redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Troy James, among others players on the offensive side of the ball, such as redshirt junior receiver Mykel Jone and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Michael Thompson.

Though James and DeArman are set to land at Prairie View A&M and SMU, respectively, it remains to be seen where the remainder of the transfer hopefuls will land in 2020.

Junior West Virginia offensive lineman Josh Sills West Virginias loss is Gundys gain. With two years of eligibility remaining, Sills opted to remain in the Big 12 as a graduate transfer. His 2019 season ended early on with an ankle injury. Prior to then, he started 22 of 25 games with the Mountaineers and was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2018.

Missouri cornerback Christian Holmes is also taking his talents to Stillwater for his senior season in 2020. Holmes was a three-star prospect in the 2016 recruiting class. Over the course of 12 games in 2019, he recorded 29 tackles and defended four passes. In 2018, he recorded 35 tackles, defended 12 passes and picked off two interceptions for the Tigers.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State receiver Tyrell Alexander has entered the transfer portal, according to GoPokes. In Stillwater, Alexander was recruited as a receiver but was moved to cornerback prior to the 2018 season. He was then moved back to receiver, where he played for the remainder of his time as a Cowboy. The redshirt senior will be immediately eligible wherever he lands, as noted by our SBNation neighbor Cowboys Ride For Free.

Joining him in the transfer portal will be sophomore receiver CJ Moore. A former four-star recruit out of Tulsa Union, Moore totaled four catches for 81 yards in five games, including a 59-yard reception against McNeese State, in 2019.

Senior running back Khalil Herbert You know run game-happy Les Miles hates to see this one. Prior to his commitment to Virginia Tech in early December, at Kansas, Herbert, who redshirted four games into the 2019 season, rushed for 1,735 yards and 14 touchdowns with an average of 5.4 yards per attempt during his time with the Jayhawks.

Junior West Virginia offensive lineman Josh Sills Like we noted above: West Virginias loss is Gundys gain.

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Big 12 Offseason Tracker: Kansas States Joe Klanderman promoted to DC - Burnt Orange Nation

It dawned on me the other day when I was preparing to give a lecture to my Chapman University students on the cardinal principles of taxation.

I suddenly realized that a wealth tax as proposed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and other radical democrats is already in the tax law.

It is called RMD Required Minimum Distributions that all U.S. citizens and residents are subject to if they are 72 years old or older.

RMD requires older Americans to withdraw around a certain percentage of their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) and other retirement funds every year, which is then subject to income taxes. The percentage depends on their age it tends to go up as people get older starting at 3% and gradually moving higher.

The amount you must withdraw depends on the RMD table provided by the IRS. The table can be found at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/uniform_rmd_wksht.pdf.

For example, if you are 72 years old, you divide the value of your IRA funds by 25.6, and that amount has to be withdrawn during the year and is taxable income.

If you have $1,000,000 in your IRA, that amounts to $39,062 of taxable income. At a 35% tax rate, you pay a wealth tax of $13,672.

Every year, your RMD percentage gradually rises. By age 80, you will have to withdraw $53,476 from a million-dollar IRA.

By age 90, you will be forced to withdraw $87,719, subject to income tax.

Is that not a federal wealth tax that is as extreme as Bernie Sanders is demanding?

The RMD was hidden inside the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) passed in 1982 and signed by President Ronald Reagan (possibly holding his nose). The people who snuck this provision into the law knew that it would affect only a few people at first, but then a floodgate when the baby boomers like me hit their 70s.

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A capital gains tax is a tax on capital, but it is not a wealth tax per se because you can postpone indefinitely the tax by not selling your assets. But with RMD, you are forced to sell part of your assets (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.) every year as taxable income to the IRS.

Of course, a property tax is also a wealth tax, but its imposed by states and counties, not the federal government.

If Bernie Sanders wealth tax became law, it would be a form of double taxation, since older Americans already pay a wealth tax through RMD.

A Tale of Two Triumphs

At the political conference at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California, I spoke before 400 conservative leaders, including Steve Moore, about How to Get Rid of a Bad Idea (Democratic Socialism): With a Better Idea Democratic Capitalism!

At the end of my talk, I told the audience that my book, The Making of Modern Economics, has become the Book the New Socialists Fear the Most. Why? Because my book addresses students directly those who find socialism appealing.

As one reviewer wrote, The Making of Modern Economics offers the most devastating critique of Marxism and Keynesianism ever written.

My book has converted many young socialists to democratic capitalists the stakeholder philosophy that shows that enlightened capitalism can benefit everyone, rich and poor. It solves the inequality issue that young people are most concerned about.

Afterwards, I sold my entire lot 51 copies of the paperback copies of The Making of Modern Economics. People were buying multiple copies to give to their children going to college and to their friends.

If you want an autographed copy, send $35 to http://www.skousenbooks.com, or call Harold at 1-866-254-2057.

Maxims and FreedomFest a Hit at EconoSummit!

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My second triumph was at the EconoSummit in Las Vegas. Rare coin dealer Robert Mish, president of Mish International (www.mishinternational.com), presented me with a Spanish real dollar minted in Mexico in the singular year 1776!

Robert Mish presents me with a 1776 Spanish real dollar.

It will be always be a prized possession. Im adding it to my collection of 1776 memorabilia, which includes a first edition of Adam Smiths Wealth of Nations.

Robert also told the audience that FreedomFest was the most important conference of the year and encouraged everyone to attend.

We signed up 30 people on the spot and are now close to 700 attendees! I expect a record crowd this year due to our keynote speaker, Dr. Jordan Peterson. If you want to see why hes creating so much buzz, watch this recent interview in Sweden over 6,300,000 views!

Were lining up great new speakers and sessions every day. To learn more and sign up, go to http://www.freedomfest.com and use code FF20EAGLE.

Remember, every subscriber who comes to FreedomFest will receive a FREE 2020 American Eagle silver dollar and a copy of the 7th ed. of Maxims. To become a subscriber to Forecasts & Strategies, go to http://www.markskousen.com, or call Eagle Publishing at 1-800-211-7661.

AEIOU,

You Blew it! Media Hype on the Coronavirus: Much Ado About Nothing?

An investment advisor informed me this week that he was canceling his clients conference in California because of the coronavirus scare.

Yesterday, the governor of California declared a state emergency, even though there are only 60 cases of the virus. More than 300,000 students are now kept out of school.

It is all overreacting due to media hype. The scaremongers are everywhere, and its hurting business and the stock market.

Chapman University, where I teach, reports that there are no cases of the virus on campus. It states, Campus operations are normal and the risk of COVID-19 within Orange County is considered by the Health Care Agency to be low.

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I have had a few students with the flu, which is typical during the winter, but no serious outbreak.

Even though my investment friend admitted that the chances of getting the virus was extremely low, and the chances of dying even lower, he said he couldnt take any chances that one of his clients might come down with the virus.

I spent the weekend at two conferences, a private political event in Laguna Niguel, California, and an investment seminar in Las Vegas (the EconoSummit). Thankfully, nobody canceled except one of the speakers, economist Art Laffer, 80, who was afraid he might contract the virus and die. Better safe than sorry.

Is the federal government, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overhyping the worries about the COVID-19? Public health officials have warned Americans to prepare for a pandemic. Congress and the Trump administration are giving them billions of dollars, and what for? Meanwhile, private sector (pharmaceutical companies) are rapidly developing a vaccine.

Out of the 162 confirmed cases in the United States, only 11 people have died in America, and they were mainly elderly patients with a high medical risk. For most cases, the coronavirus has been mild.

One expert showed that the number of cases in China is topping out. Thats good news.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been more reserved in its warnings, We do not see evidence as yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities. The WHO has refused to define COVID-19 as a pandemic.

Thank God that the Olympic Committee took a more sanguine attitude and has decided to go ahead with the 2020 Summer Olympics, July 24-Aug. 9, in Japan.

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We Already Have a Wealth Tax, and Its a Lot! - Stock Investor

Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and Initialized Capital, is forever on the road. Heres what keeps him going. As told to Marjorie Korn

The week started in Buenos Aires. Then I flew to Mexico City. Now Im home in Miami. Last year, I did 550 flight hours for Initialized Capital, which I co-founded. So Im thoughtful about what I packlike a TRX to get a quick pump in before meetings. It makes me feel alive and helps with jet lag.

I try not to be away for more than a week at a timelonger for Grand Slams and tournaments. The mornings my wife, Serena [Williams], and I are together, shell go train, and Ill hit the gym with my trainer. I do whatever he tells me to dostrength training, weights, and old-school medicine ball work. I like to incorporate big, heavy chains into those workouts. I find excuses to wear them during exercises. As far as tennis, Ive never played in my life, and I dont really plan to pick up that sport unless my daughter, Olympia, wants to learn. Then Ill play with her.

I love intermittent fasting. Its easy for me because I love black coffee; thats all the breakfast I need. On weekends, I cheat. Family breakfast is more important. And Im 90 percent plant-based. I saw the documentary Game Changers before Olympia was born. It made a compelling case for a plant-based diet. At 34, I drink less than I did in my 20s. In business, its easy to drink every night. Now when I drink, I make it count. As far as my overall health, Id give myself a B+room for growth, but the trend is in the right direction.

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How Alexis Ohanian Keeps His Health and Fitness in Check on the Road - Men's Journal

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, second from left, along with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, center, and public health officials arrive to provide updated public guidance around the coronavirus during a press conference at the Thompson Center, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP)

Passengers wear face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus Feb. 29 as they arrive at Los Angeles International Airport.

A large monitor displaying a map of Asia and a tally of total coronavirus cases, deaths, and recovered, is visible behind Vice President Mike Pence, center, and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, left, as they tour the secretary's operations center on Thursday Washington.

Through established plans and drills with the Iowa Department of Public Health as well as other local hospitals and health departments, Muscatine Public Health is promising to stay prepared in case of a coronavirus outbreak in the community.

A fifth case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Illinois.

According to a Illinois Department of Public Health press release, the fifth confirmed case is a Cook County resident in his 20s who traveled through Chicago O'Hare International Airport earlier this month after traveling to Italy. He acquired the infection in Italy and has been hospitalized at Rush University Medical Center in isolation. Currently, public health officials are working to identify and contact his close contacts.

The state of Illinois is working around the clock to contain COVID-19 and educate the public, Governor JB Pritzker said in a press release. Public health officials anticipated there would be additional cases and we will continue to implement robust measures to contain the virus while also preparing for further transmission. The risk of COVID-19 to the general public in Illinois remains low, but we encourage the public to be vigilant and take extra care with the normal precautions you should take during flu season.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed one of the earlier presumptive positive cases, and Illinois is awaiting results on the other case.

According to the IDPH, the transmission route for the third and fourth cases, a couple in their 70s, is currently unknown. "Both individuals recently traveled to another state, but health officials have not been able to link them to a COVID-19 confirmed case in Illinois or the other state," the release says. "Therefore, because IDPH has been unable to identify a point of exposure for these two cases, IDPH believes it is possible these cases may be due to community transmission in Illinois.

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Fifth case of COVID-19 confirmed in Illinois | Health and Fitness - Quad City Times

Starting an exercise routine for the first time as an adult can feel intimidating or even worthless -- but the pros say it's not too late to improve your fitness.

In 2019, Nicholas Rizzo, a personal trainer, biologist and fitness research director at RunRepeat, accomplished what he never thought possible: He helped his father -- who had just entered his 60s -- lose 25 pounds, adopt an exercise habit and kick pre-diabetes.

Beginning an exercise routine in your 50s or later can feel scary and intimidating, whether you are starting for the first time or rekindling an old habit. You may feel like it's too late or you aren't in good enough shape to get started, but Rizzo asserts that the smallest changes produce drastic results.

With his dad, it started simply: Rizzo encouraged his dad to add basic exercises -- including push-ups, sit-ups, shoulder presses and lunges -- into his morning routine. He then invested in a stationary bike and a standing desk to add in even more daily movement. These small changes, combined with healthy diet tweaks, allowed Rizzo's dad to get in the best shape of his life.

Rizzo's example is just one of many: Studies show that regular exercise can help older adults combat age-related muscle loss, improve bone and joint health, lower cardiometabolic risk factors, fight chronic diseases and improve mental health and cognitive functioning. Perhaps most importantly, exercising as you get older can help you maintain functional independence and improve your quality of life.

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In this guide to exercising in your 50s and beyond, three experts -- Rizzo, along with TRX's head of human performance, Chris Frankel, and Elizabeth Gardner, MD, a Yale Medicine orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine -- explain exactly how to get started and reap the benefits of a workout routine.

"Fitness" isn't synonymous with "gym." A sustainable fitness routine includes something you love, be it biking, hiking, dancing or something else.

First things first: See your doctor, Dr. Gardner says.

"When anyone first starts exercising, it is important to first assess your physical fitness," Dr. Gardner tells CNET. "While there is almost no absolute contraindication to exercise, certain medical or physical conditions may require certain adjustments to an exercise routine."

Your physician may want to make certain adjustments to your exercise routine. Dr. Gardner offers some examples:

After getting the OK from your doctor, Dr. Gardner says it's time to have some fun: "It's important to start with activities that are familiar and enjoyable, such as taking a walk or a bicycle ride," she says, adding that it's also smart to start slowly.

"The goal is to build a habit and be able to gradually increase your activity over time," Dr. Gardner says. "If lifting weights, start with weights that you can perform 10-12 repetitions of at first. You don't want to be so sore after the first outing that you can't move for a week."

Make sure to take care of your body before and after exercise with a good warm-up and recovery techniques like foam rolling.

The actual act of exercising is only part of the battle -- Dr. Gardner says that it's critical to take care of your body before and after exercise. "That includes being hydrated and fueling your body with nutritious food," she explains. "It also includes stretching both before and after your workout to help keep your muscles happy and prevent injury.

Fitness recovery doesn't have to be complicated: Find a modality that works for you and use it often, whether you prefer foam rolling, massage, compression or heat or cold therapy. These should all be complements to mobility work, good nutrition and hydration.

Don't forget to warm up, either, because jumping into your workout without preparing your muscles and joints can lead to injury.

Start with something simple, such as walking, and work your way up to more intense exercise.

If you have never had a consistent exercise routine, start off with a combination of aerobic exercise and light weight training, Dr. Gardner says. This gives your body a chance to get familiar with the different types of physical stress induced by exercise.

During the beginning stages, experiment with different types of aerobic exercise, such as walking, hiking, biking, dancing and swimming, to find what you enjoy the most, Dr. Gardner says.

"It is also important to include balance exercises, which can help to prevent falls in the future," Dr. Gardner stresses. "When getting started, it is important to use a chair for support, but with time it may be possible to do [balance] exercises without a chair."

Many great balance exercises can be performed at home, including:

Yoga, Pilates and tai chi are also excellent for building strength and developing balance to prevent falls. As you get started with exercise, make sure to also include stretching and mobility exercises to improve flexibility and joint range of motion.

After building up a solid fitness base with aerobic cardio, stretching and balance exercises, you can start to introduce resistance training to your workout plan, Rizzo says. Start with light weights and higher reps, taking as much time as you need to rest in between sets. Hold off on intense anaerobic interval-style workouts until you've developed a good base level of fitness and feel comfortable moving quickly while maintaining food form.

When you're just starting out, don't do too much too soon. Just 10 to 15 minutes of exercise each day is a good start.

The general recommendation is that all adults should strive for 150 to 300 minutes of exercise each week, Dr. Gardner says -- 150 minutes if the exercise is intense or vigorous, and 300 minutes if the exercise is moderate.

"This time can be split up into sessions on different days," Dr. Gardner says, "[but] really the goal should be to move, even if just for 10 to 15 minutes every day."

Rizzo recommends starting with just five to 10 minutes of light exercise per day, gradually working your way up to 20 to 30 minutes, focusing on the basics: light cardio, bodyweight exercises and stretching.

As for how many days you should complete full workouts, Rizzo says it's best to start with just one or two, in addition to focusing on small increases in your daily movement. When you're ready to add another full workout to your routine, only go at it with 50% of your usual intensity. Keep increasing the intensity until you can comfortably complete all of your weekly workouts at a 70 to 90% effort.

"This ensures your body has the time to adapt to the physical strain of just being active consistently," Rizzo says. "There is no point in rushing too fast into it and either injuring or exhausting yourself."

Hiring a personal or group trainer is a great way to learn proper form for different exercises and prevent injury.

Hiring a personal trainer can certainly provide extra benefits when starting a workout regimen, Frankel says, as can attending group fitness classes.

"The benefit of a qualified and experienced personal trainer or group instructor is having someone guide you through the proper biomechanics, exercise selection, sequence, intensity, and recovery to optimize your results," Frankel says.

And if you add the community component that comes with group exercise, "get ready to not only feel better physically, but also mentally," he says, citing a 2017 study in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association that reported people working out in a group setting resulted in lowered stress levels and improved quality of life compared to those working out alone.

Hiring a personal trainer or attending group classes is also a good way to avoid the "no pain, no gain" mindset, which can lead to poor results, exercise burnout, injury or illness, Frankel adds.

Your doctor may recommend a specific type of exercise based on your health -- such as water aerobics for arthritis.

As Dr. Gardner mentioned previously, there are very few people who cannot exercise at all in some way or another. Rizzo concurs, explaining that "This has less to do with being 50 years old and more to do with any conditions, chronic illnesses, diseases, age-related or otherwise, or injuries you may have."

When it comes to exercise, the most important question you can ask your doctor is if it's safe for you to start an exercise regimen and what kind of exercise is safe for you, Rizzo says. Arrive prepared to your doctor's appointment with a clear explanation of what you intend to do, and walk through it with your doctor.

Exercise is always a possibility, Rizzo says. You may just have to learn how to modify exercise to meet your specific needs.

Having a weekly workout plan can help you stick to your goals.

Based on the types of exercise recommended for people beginning an exercise routine in their 50s, Frankel offers a sample six-week workout plan divided into phases (every two weeks is one phase).

Phase 1 (weeks one and two):

Phase 2 (weeks three and four):

Phase 3 (weeks five and six):

Notice how the plan starts with two to three workouts and increases to four to five workouts by the time you reach week five. Repeat the phases over time, varying the exercises to continually give your body a challenge. Returning to phase 1 gives your body a chance to deload and recover from the higher intensity of phase 3.

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To anyone who thinks that age 50 is too late to start exercising, Frankel would say to look at the big picture. "Currently, the US life expectancy is just shy of 79 years, so that means at 50, you are still looking at close to another 25 to 30 years," he says. "Regardless if you are in your 50s, 60s, or older, you should consider exercise, nutrition and sleep as the 'currency' of quality and quantity of life."

Dr. Gardner adds that it's important to remember that not all exercise has to happen at the gym: Activities such as dancing or hiking can be an easy way to start building fitness and an exercise routine.

And Rizzo circles back to the magic he used on his dad: "There really is no such thing as 'too late' when it comes to exercise," he says. "The research is clear -- whether you are turning 50 or 80, it isn't too late to start. Exercise will help you live longer, improve your quality of life, fight the aging process and so much more."

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Exercising in your 50s and beyond: Tips from a doctor and fitness pros - CNET

Technavio has been monitoring the shaker bottles market in US and it is poised to grow by USD 32.54 mn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 3% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005620/en/

Technavio has announced its latest research report titled Shaker Bottles Market in US 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Growing health and fitness industry have been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Request a free sample report

Shaker Bottles Market in US 2020-2024: Segmentation

Shaker Bottles Market in US is segmented as below:

Type

Application

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR40162

Shaker Bottles Market in US 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our shaker bottles market in US report covers the following areas:

This study identifies popularity of recyclable plastic shaker bottles as one of the prime reasons driving the shaker bottles market growth in the US during the next few years.

Shaker Bottles Market in US 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the shaker bottles market in us, including some of the vendors such as Amway Corp., BlenderBottle Co., Cyclone Cup LLC, Danone SA, GNC Holdings Inc., Hydra Cup Inc., Newell Brands Inc., PhD Nutrition Ltd., Smartgroup AB and Universal Nutrition. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the shaker bottles market in US are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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Shaker Bottles Market in US 2020-2024: Key Highlights

Table of Content

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY TYPE

PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

PART 11: MARKET TRENDS

PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS

PART 14: APPENDIX

PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005620/en/

Contacts

Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: http://www.technavio.com/

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Shaker Bottles Market in US 2020-2024 | Growing Health and Fitness Industry to Boost Growth | Technavio - Yahoo Finance

CHARLESTON March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. It is estimated that four percent of adults in the U.S. have a gambling problem. The risk for college age youth is much higher. Illinois is ranked first among the states in the most gambling related arrests per capita. Problem gambling affects both the person doing the gambling as well as their family and friends. Problem gamblers often cannot see clearly the ways that their gambling is causing harm, and often hide the true extent of the problem from themselves and their loved ones.

Hour House will be providing problem gambling screenings from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10. The gambling screenings are free and confidential and can be conducted by phone or at any of the outpatient locations in Shelbyville, Mattoon and Charleston. Call 217-348-8108 for the free screening or to ask about starting services.

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If you are concerned about the effects gambling is having on you, your family or your finances, this is an opportunity to have a brief discussion about the issues you are experiencing and formulate a plan to get help if necessary. This is also a great day to call and talk over your concerns about someone elses gambling behavior and the effects it is having on you, and on them.

Gamblers Anonymous (a 12-step group similar to AA) meets on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at their 726 4th St. location in Charleston. Anyone with a desire to stop gambling is welcome to attend. There is no fee to attend GA and walk-ins are welcome.

Originally posted here:
Problem gambling screenings to be held | Health, Medicine and Fitness - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week to promote her new book, Find Your Path, all about embracing health and fitness. Never one to ignore a theme, Fallon took the opportunity to challenge Underwood to a bout of friendly sporting competition, which he dubbed the "Fittest of the Fit Challenge".

The contest included three rounds, starting with an assault course which Fallon described as "Dance Dance Revolution meets Twister", followed by a game of "Bodzilla," where he guided a blindfolded Underwood through a miniature city while he held a plank position.

Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life

The third and final game was the "Huff and Puff Faceoff", the rules of which are fairly simple and which turn a popular gym move into something altogether sillier and more fun.

It goes like this: three lanes are set up, with a ping pong ball in the middle of each. While in a bear crawl on either side of the lanes, each player has to blow a ping pong ball towards their opponent. After 30 seconds, whoever has blown the most balls onto the other side of the lanes wins.

"I'm out of breath already," Fallon says as they lower themselves into their bear crawls. A little bit of flagrant cheating later, Underwood declares herself victorious.

Floor-level exercises like bear crawls are actually a fantastic way of engaging your core muscles and honing your control and stability, which in turn improves your ability when it comes to accurate, subtle movements. Here's how to nail the move with nothing more than some space on the gym floor.

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Jimmy Fallon and Carrie Underwood Just Turned Bear Crawls Into a Game - menshealth.com