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Articles by David Compton
Open Forum: My apologies
I have come to realize that I owe some people an apology. All but one of the people on my list I have never met, but it does a person good to come clean every once in a while. So, here you go: First on my list is the Democrat Senator from the fine state of Pennsylvania, John Fetterman. Wow, did I ever misjudge you. I am ashamed of the things I said about you when you were campaigning for office in 2022.
Haunted by Nightmares Factors Associated with Nightmare Frequency and Experiences
Previous research has reported relationships between nightmares, including nightmare frequency and variables such as gender, cognition, sleep habits and quality, and beliefs about dreams and their meaning. Using a convenience sample of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at a small Evangelical Christian university, a number of potential factors were examined for their respective influence on aspects of dream frequency and content and the typical emotional tone of dreams.
Open Forum: Presidential debates are not what they used to be
DAVID COMPTON I give up. I have tried to be an educated citizen before I walk into a voting booth, ready to make a well-informed decision on who to vote for in a presidential election. In the past, I relied on debates to give me policy stances, philosophical ideals, personal histories, or other such tidbits that might help me pull the best lever for the next president of the free world. Not so much these days.
Characterization of Products from Catalytic Hydrothermal Carbonization of Animal Manure
1. Introduction Significant environmental damage caused by livestock waste produced in large amounts is an issue of concern worldwide, especially in the United States, European Union, and China [1,2,3]. The problem stems mainly from two aspects of this waste.
What’s 12 Monkeys Got to Do with It? Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic as a Function of Personality and Interest in Suspense-Horror
1. Introduction “Sam Daniels: You know Salt, fear gets a bad rap. I don’t want anybody in my outfit that doesn’t get scared. Major Salt: Then I’m your man sir” (Soderbergh, 2011) . Indeed, the experience of fear is often adaptive and facilitates the survival of the organism (Carlson & Birkett, 2021) . Current research suggests that most human fears are probably acquired socially rather than through direct experience with an aversive event (Olsson et al., 2007) .
5-HTR2A Polymorphisms rs6311 and rs6313 and Major Depressive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis
1. Introduction Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects over 264 million people worldwide, with a lifetime prevalence rate in the United States of 12% in men and 20% in women [1] [2]. Numerous genetic features have been proposed as possible etiological factors in the development of MDD, and twin studies suggest a heritability for MDD of about 37% [1]. Many of the genetic features studied in relation to MDD are involved in the serotonergic system, as it has been widely implicated in depression.
Open Forum: Bah! Humbug! Scrooge sets his sights on MLB.
As if we don’t have enough other catastrophes to worry about (Covid, omicron, gas prices, fruit cake shortages), now we all must worry about, you guessed it, a Major League Baseball lock out. Somewhere, Mr. Scrooge (aptly played by both the players and owners) has taken another log off the fire, and Mr. Cratchit (played brilliantly by you and me, the fans) finds himself begging for a day off to take Tiny Tim to a ball game.
Gene therapy in the putamen for curing AADC deficiency and Parkinson's disease
This commentary provides an overview of the putamen as an established target site for gene therapy in treating aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency and Parkinson’s disease, two debilitating neurological disorders that involve motor dysfunction caused by dopamine deficiencies. The neuroanatomy and the function of the putamen in motor control provide good rationales for targeting this brain structure.
Open Forum: The heart of the problem
DAVID COMPTON ”What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness, but is love and wisdom and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice towards those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black.” — Robert F.
Life is complicated. Instructions are available.
On October 20, the McKenna Events Center is hosting “Surviving Life: Help and Hope for Teens.” The come-and-go daylong event will be the result of many local community resource groups coming together to help bring awareness and prevention to teen suicide in our area. This will be a great opportunity for parents and teens to learn some coping skills, more effectively recognize signs of distress or just find out better ways to help in what is a complicated time to be a youngster or parent.
I believe in ghosts
Ghosts come in a lot of shapes, sizes and types. Often, they can haunt us in the voices, words and memories of lost loved ones. While Hollywood would have us believe they are all spooky shapes that make their way down a dark hallway, they can more commonly represent guidance and insight. kAm|2?J E:>6D[ x’== 962C E96 H@C5D @7 C6DA64E65 >6?E@CD H96? 72465 H:E9 492==6?86D 2E H@C<] p A2DE 3@DD @?46 E@=5 >6 96 H2D =@@<:?8 7@C 2? FAE:4< :?
Not solving workforce housing is a choice
My granddad once explained how being the smartest person in the room wasn’t always a good thing. He said that being the smartest person in the room might say more about the other people in that room than me. He added that if I found myself too often to be the smartest person in a particular room that I should hang out in other rooms and around people who could challenge me. kAm%92E 25G:46 4@>6D E@ >:?5 H96? x DE2CE E@ 86E E@@ 7F== @7 >JD6=7] k^Am kAm(C:E:?8 2 4@=F>?
Das Rec will provide a safe haven
With the opening of Das Rec and the impending request for new athletic fields on our next bond, people are wondering about the importance our community is now placing on recreation. It is a good thing to ponder. kAmr@>3:?:?8 E96 a_`b 2?5 a_`h 3@?5D H:== AFE FD @? E96 9@@< 7@C 2 4@>3:?65 Sc_\A=FD >:==:@? @? DA@CED\C6=2E65 AC@;64ED] %9@D6 2C6 ?@E D>2== A@E2E@6D]k^Am kAm|2?J A6@A=6 F?5@F3E65=J H:== 36 4@?D:56C:?8 E96 C62= :>A24E @?
Auslanders are free to have opinions
While nothing special, lots of feedback comes in on my column. It is overwhelmingly positive, and for that I am grateful. Still, there are critics who take the time to reach out to me. Their opinions are also appreciated. Some have told me they felt like my column is some type of weird, 12-step program. A few have called it “rambling.” Maybe both are true. I’ll work on the rambling and to be far more direct today. kAm%9:D 4@>>F?:EJ 6?ECFDED >6 E@ D92C6 >J @A:?:@? @?
Bringing out best version of me
There is certainly no instruction manual for raising a son or daughter. Moms and dads are built differently, values are not the same in every family and each child has distinctive needs. It doesn’t take a ton of awareness to see that most of us are a little broken in spots. Maybe we found some super glue or duct tape along the journey of life in the form of a supportive spouse, a rewarding career or in the arms of a loving church.
Father’s Day is inspirational for me
My dad’s name was William David Compton Jr., but I never had the chance to call him anything but “daddy.” I lost him when I was a young teenager. My mom called him Bill, but he grew up being called David. Maybe that is how I ended up being simply named David. kAmw6 H2D AC6EEJ D:4< 7@C J62CD 367@C6 96 A2DD65 2H2J] w6 2=H2JD E9@F89E 4:82C6EE6D 42FD65 9:> E@ 5:6[ 3FE :?
New Braunfels takes down ‘walls’
This week, national population growth figures for cities and towns are scheduled to be released. Locally, we expect New Braunfels once again will rank very high as far as the percentage in which we are growing. Some locals are anti-growth and would have our community put up walls. kAm(96? x H2D =:EE=6[ >J 525 A@:?E65 @FE D6G6C2= E:>6D E92E >J >@FE9 H2D E96 E9:?8 E92E H2D 2=H2JD 86EE:?8 >6 :?
Scars can be an improvement
Part of getting older is earning scars. Some of them are visible. I certainly have mine, like the basketball injuries I’ve endured with my knees and ankles. Playing basketball for me was never easy, but still, somehow, I thought it was my ticket out. kAmx E9@F89E x’5 D9@@E 2?5 CF? >JD6=7 C:89E :?E@ E96 }qp] x =:<6 E@ E9:?< 324< 2?5 D66 >JD6=7 2D 2? 2E9=6E6[ 3FE 9@?6DE=J =@@<:?8 324< x H2D 2=H2JD D9@CE 2?5 G6CJ “H9:E6]”k^Am kAmqFE x H2D 5C:G6?
Greater purpose than Texas senator
I was homeless for a while during high school. I’ve always thought my mom struggled when my dad died, but looking back is was me who didn’t handle it well. I wish I could have been more of man for my mom back then. My dad asked me to do it on his death bed, and I’m trying my very best to do it now.
Herald-Zeitung Online
Like many, my dad passed when I was really young. I remember enough about him to know he was my hero and not enough to recall him holding my hand. I do recall him imparting many words of knowledge to me. As I have gotten older, his thoughts have resonated more with me, possibly because of my limited time with him or maybe the wisdom just makes more sense as I mature. kA 4=2DDlQA`QmkDA2? 4=2DDlQD`Qmw6 H2D 2 DEC:4E D@FE96C? >:=:E2CJ >2? H9@ 7:C>=J 36=:6G65 :?
The pain means we loved her enough
As a proud Texas man, I’ll share with you that I feel a deep responsibility to keep my wife from feeling pain. There is no equality training that will get me to believe otherwise. When I see my wife hurt, I know I failed. Recently, our family lost another member. There was no loss of life, but the heartbreak was still significant. kAmkDA2?m|J 362FE:7F= H:76[ qC:2??6[ 2?5 x DE2CE65 7@DE6C:?8 2 564256 28@] (6’G6 @A6?65 @FC 962CED 2?5 9@>6 E@ `c A=246>6?ED[ H:E9 2== @7 E96> 6?5:?8 :? C6F?:7:42E:@?
Cliché advice regarding Castell
“Cliché” is a word I believe has taken on an unnecessary negative connotation. After all, phrases only become overused because they are justified and credible. As I’ve matured, I’ve come to appreciate the predictability of clichés. In fact, maybe we all do more than we realize. kAmx?
Honoring my son’s last name
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the national suicide rate for males ages 15–19 years increased by 31 percent to a rate of 14 percent (per 100,000 population) from 2007 to 2015. Rates for females ages 15–19 were lower than that of males but followed a similar pattern and doubled from 2007 to 2015 to 5.1 percent. The rate in 2015 was the highest for females since 1975.
Business loss can mean tax deduction
When your business makes money, you pay income tax on the profit. What happens when your business deductions are greater than the income in a particular year? In that case, the result is what's called a net operating loss, or NOL, and you may be able to benefit from federal tax rules that allow you to deduct the loss in another year.How do NOL rules work? In general, an NOL can be carried back two years or carried forward twenty years and used to offset business profit in those years.
Boost employee productivity with paid time off
A good employee is a valuable company asset, and no doubt you want your employees to be as productive as possible – which is why a suggestion to boost productivity with time off might sound counterintuitive. Paid time off (PTO) can be a critical component of your employee benefits package. Besides the obvious perk to workers, as a business owner, you stand to gain from offering paid time off as well. One reason is that PTO is tax deductible, just like regular wages.
Simple ways to establish good credit
A good credit history is nearly indispensable. Without it, you’ll have trouble buying a car, renting an apartment, and perhaps even getting a job, since some employers order job applicants’ credit reports. Here are ways to establish a good record.— Start by ordering free credit reports from the three major credit bureaus. What’s the point if you don’t have a credit history? Because you want to make sure no one has appropriated your financial identity. — Open a bank account.
News Herald launches new look - delrionewsherald.com: News
Posted: Tuesday, May 24, 2016 12:00 pm News Herald launches new look David Compton Del Rio News-Herald | 0 comments During the past few months, I've met and listened to countless local business leaders, readers and residents tell me all the things that we needed to improve in your newspaper. That is right. kA 4=2DDlQA`QmkDA2? 4=2DDlQD`Qm%9:D :D QJ@FCQ ?6HDA2A6C] s6= #:@ 92D 6?ECFDE65 FD E@ :?7@C> 2C62 C6D:56?ED D:?46 `ggc] k^DA2?mk^Am kA 4=2DDlQA`QmkDA2?
Real estate matters: Know the tax rules
Taxes are an important part of the decision to own real estate. Here's a brief overview of tax benefits you can realize while you own real property, as well as when you sell or otherwise dispose of the property.Current expenses. As a rental property owner, you can deduct current expenses to offset the tax you owe on the rent you receive. For instance, you can write off mortgage interest, property taxes, repairs, and expenses of maintaining your property.
Deter identity theft with fraud alerts and security freezes
If a fraudster steals your identity, you may find yourself embarking on an unpleasant journey to recover your good name and pilfered finances. Fortunately, tools are available to prevent and minimize potential losses. Here are two options to consider if you suspect your personal data has landed in the wrong hands. Fraud alert. Say you lose your wallet or discover suspicious charges in your credit report.
It's time to come clean on past due tax returns
Failing to file tax returns on time doesn't necessarily make you a criminal, but the penalty for procrastinating can be punishing. What's the price you'll pay? The IRS can assess a failure to file penalty, which is usually 5% of your unpaid taxes per month, up to a maximum penalty of 25%. In addition, there is a penalty for failure to pay taxes on time. This penalty accumulates at a slower pace of 0.5% of unpaid taxes per month. You may also have to pay interest on both taxes due and the penalties.
Start your planning for next year’s taxes by using this year’s tax return
Whew! You filed your return and now you're ready to forget all about taxes until next year. Not so fast! Your 2015 tax return is a great tool to help you plan for 2016. Here's what to look at. Review your withholding. If you owed tax this year or received a large refund, consider adjusting your withholding. Underpaying your liability may result in unnecessary interest and penalties. Overpaying means giving the government an interest-free loan.
Owe the IRS and can't pay? You have options
What happens if you owe the IRS – and you can't pay? First, be sure to file your return anyway to avoid penalties for nonfiling. Then consider the following options, and choose the one that fits your financial situation. Can you pay off the balance within 120 days? If so, apply for a short-term payment agreement. No fee is required. Need more time? The IRS offers four types of installment plans. Generally, a fee of $120 is required ($52 if you pay through direct debit).
Manage your tax refund with direct deposit
Will you be receiving a tax refund this year? If so, you have the opportunity to make some smart financial choices – and best of all, you can make them painlessly. Here's how: Direct deposit your refund. That way, all or part of your tax refund will automatically be deposited via electronic transfer system into a bank account that you choose – or two or three different accounts if you like. If you're a traditionalist, you may be thinking of checking or savings accounts.
Tax news - 2016 changes to note
Effective beginning with 2016 taxable years, the de minimis tangible property safe harbor has increased to $2,500 per invoice or item. The change affects regulations issued in 2013 that clarified when your business could expense tangible real and personal business property.
Last-minute moves can lower your tax bill
Only one month to go until tax filing day! That means you still have time to trim your 2015 tax bill. Here are last-minute moves to consider and deductions to remember.Maximize your 2015 IRA contribution. You have until April 18 (or April 19 if you live in Maine or Massachusetts) to make deductible 2015 contributions to a traditional individual retirement account. The maximum contribution is $5,500 for 2015 ($6,500 if you were 50 or older last year).Check for overpaid social security tax.
Consider advantages and disadvantages before making an S corporation election
Are you deciding whether to make your business an S corporation for 2016? Here are tax considerations to review before the March 15 due date of the election. When you make an S election, you’re opting to have your business’s income or loss “passed through” to you and other shareholders. That means you’ll report the income or loss on your personal tax returns.
These 2015 tax laws can affect your 2016 planning
The late-year 2015 tax extenders law grabbed headlines, but two other federal laws enacted in 2015 may also have an impact on your tax planning. Here’s an overview of selected provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act and the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. Bipartisan Budget Act. This law includes changes in the way the IRS audits certain partnerships.
Keep up with changes to tangible property expensing rules
When you acquire tangible property to use in your business, you have to determine whether the costs should be expensed or capitalized. You probably prefer expensing so you can deduct the entire cost in the year of purchase. Otherwise, you’d need to capitalize the costs, meaning you’d get a partial deduction in the first year, with the balance written off over the property’s remaining life.
Use these updated tax numbers in your 2016 planning - Meridian Star: News
Posted: Sunday, January 31, 2016 4:00 am Use these updated tax numbers in your 2016 planning By David Compton / Guest Columnist MeridianStar.com Certain tax numbers are adjusted annually for inflation, as required by law. Being aware of these changes lets you make updates to your tax planning and take full advantage of retirement and other tax-advantaged savings. Here are some of the 2016 tax numbers you’ll need to use as you get started with this year’s planning.
Are you aware of your health care reporting requirements? - Meridian Star: News
If you’re an applicable large employer, you may be required to file a new tax form this month. Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage, is required for each full-time employee. The form discloses information on the group health insurance coverage you provide. The filing requirement applies to applicable large employers (ALEs). You’re an ALE if you have a combination of 50 or more full-time employees or full-time equivalent (FTE) employees in the prior year.
Tax 'extenders' renewed in late December legislation - Meridian Star: News
But this time, the extender renewal went further than making the breaks retroactive to the beginning of 2015. Some of the rules are now effective through December 31, 2016, some are effective through 2019, and some are effective permanently. Other provisions made changes to existing tax rules that were not part of the extenders. Are you wondering what federal breaks are once again available for your 2015 personal and business income tax returns?
Do you need to pay income taxes on gifts? - Meridian Star: Business
The act of gifting is generally not a taxable event when you’re the receiver, or "donee." Why? At the point of receiving the gift, you typically have not received income. What about when you’re the gift-giver? How does the act of giving the gift affect your tax situation? If the gift is large enough, the giver, or "donor," may have to file a gift tax return and may owe gift tax. But in either case, you don’t need to report the gifts on your personal federal income tax return.
How to navigate the tax rules for business gifts - Meridian Star: News
Business gift giving is a way to say thank you to customers, suppliers, and employees, and to show your appreciation for the business relationship. Do you know how to treat gifts for tax purposes? Here’s an overview. The general rule is you can deduct up to $25 of the total cost of business gifts you give to any person in any year. You may choose to spend more, but only the first $25 is deductible. There are exceptions. For example, the cost of gift wrap or engraving is not included in the $25 limit.
Don't let the alternative minimum tax sneak up on you - Meridian Star: News
The alternative minimum tax (AMT) is often called a “stealth tax” because it sneaks up on unsuspecting taxpayers. But you can keep from being caught if you take timely year-end action. Begin with understanding how AMT works. The AMT requires a separate computation on your tax return. You start with regular taxable income, then add back certain itemized deductions and “tax preference items.” Example: The itemized deduction for state and local income taxes is an AMT adjustment.
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