public int compareTo ( final Key < T > o ) { if ( m_sGroup . equals ( DEFAULT_GROUP ) && ! o . m_sGroup . equals ( DEFAULT_GROUP ) ) return - 1 ; if ( ! m_sGroup . equals ( DEFAULT_GROUP ) && o . m_sGroup . equals ( DEFAULT_GROUP ) ) return 1 ; int ret = m_sGroup . compareTo ( o . getGroup ( ) ) ; if ( ret == 0 ) ret = m_sName . compareTo ( o . getName ( ) ) ; return ret ; }


public static void importWeights ( Hdf5Archive weightsArchive , String weightsRoot , Map < String , KerasLayer > layers , int kerasVersion , String backend ) throws InvalidKerasConfigurationException , UnsupportedKerasConfigurationException { // check to ensure naming scheme doesn't include forward slash boolean includesSlash = false ; for ( String layerName : layers . keySet ( ) ) { if ( layerName . contains ( "/" ) ) includesSlash = true ; } synchronized ( KerasModelUtils . class ) { List < String > layerGroups ; if ( ! includesSlash ) { layerGroups = weightsRoot != null ? weightsArchive . getGroups ( weightsRoot ) : weightsArchive . getGroups ( ) ; } else { layerGroups = new ArrayList <> ( layers . keySet ( ) ) ; } /* Set weights in KerasLayer for each entry in weights map. */ for ( String layerName : layerGroups ) { List < String > layerParamNames ; // there's a bug where if a layer name contains a forward slash, the first fragment must be appended // to the name of the dataset; it appears h5 interprets the forward slash as a data group String [ ] layerFragments = layerName . split ( "/" ) ; // Find nested groups when using Tensorflow String rootPrefix = weightsRoot != null ? weightsRoot + "/" : "" ; List < String > attributeStrParts = new ArrayList <> ( ) ; String attributeStr = weightsArchive . readAttributeAsString ( "weight_names" , rootPrefix + layerName ) ; String attributeJoinStr ; Matcher attributeMatcher = Pattern . compile ( ":\\d+" ) . matcher ( attributeStr ) ; Boolean foundTfGroups = attributeMatcher . find ( ) ; if ( foundTfGroups ) { for ( String part : attributeStr . split ( "/" ) ) { part = part . trim ( ) ; if ( part . length ( ) == 0 ) break ; Matcher tfSuffixMatcher = Pattern . compile ( ":\\d+" ) . matcher ( part ) ; if ( tfSuffixMatcher . find ( ) ) break ; attributeStrParts . add ( part ) ; } attributeJoinStr = StringUtils . join ( attributeStrParts , "/" ) ; } else { attributeJoinStr = layerFragments [ 0 ] ; } String baseAttributes = layerName + "/" + attributeJoinStr ; if ( layerFragments . length > 1 ) { try { layerParamNames = weightsArchive . getDataSets ( rootPrefix + baseAttributes ) ; } catch ( Exception e ) { layerParamNames = weightsArchive . getDataSets ( rootPrefix + layerName ) ; } } else { if ( foundTfGroups ) { layerParamNames = weightsArchive . getDataSets ( rootPrefix + baseAttributes ) ; } else { if ( kerasVersion == 2 ) { if ( backend . equals ( "theano" ) && layerName . contains ( "bidirectional" ) ) { for ( String part : attributeStr . split ( "/" ) ) { if ( part . contains ( "forward" ) ) baseAttributes = baseAttributes + "/" + part ; } } if ( layers . get ( layerName ) . getNumParams ( ) > 0 ) { try { layerParamNames = weightsArchive . getDataSets ( rootPrefix + baseAttributes ) ; } catch ( Exception e ) { log . warn ( "No HDF5 group with weights found for layer with name " + layerName + ", continuing import." ) ; layerParamNames = Collections . emptyList ( ) ; } } else { layerParamNames = weightsArchive . getDataSets ( rootPrefix + layerName ) ; } } else { layerParamNames = weightsArchive . getDataSets ( rootPrefix + layerName ) ; } } } if ( layerParamNames . isEmpty ( ) ) continue ; if ( ! layers . containsKey ( layerName ) ) throw new InvalidKerasConfigurationException ( "Found weights for layer not in model (named " + layerName + ")" ) ; KerasLayer layer = layers . get ( layerName ) ; if ( layerParamNames . size ( ) != layer . getNumParams ( ) ) if ( kerasVersion == 2 && layer instanceof KerasBidirectional && 2 * layerParamNames . size ( ) != layer . getNumParams ( ) ) throw new InvalidKerasConfigurationException ( "Found " + layerParamNames . size ( ) + " weights for layer with " + layer . getNumParams ( ) + " trainable params (named " + layerName + ")" ) ; Map < String , INDArray > weights = new HashMap <> ( ) ; for ( String layerParamName : layerParamNames ) { String paramName = KerasModelUtils . findParameterName ( layerParamName , layerFragments ) ; INDArray paramValue ; if ( kerasVersion == 2 && layer instanceof KerasBidirectional ) { String backwardAttributes = baseAttributes . replace ( "forward" , "backward" ) ; INDArray forwardParamValue = weightsArchive . readDataSet ( layerParamName , rootPrefix + baseAttributes ) ; INDArray backwardParamValue = weightsArchive . readDataSet ( layerParamName , rootPrefix + backwardAttributes ) ; weights . put ( "forward_" + paramName , forwardParamValue ) ; weights . put ( "backward_" + paramName , backwardParamValue ) ; } else { if ( foundTfGroups ) { paramValue = weightsArchive . readDataSet ( layerParamName , rootPrefix + baseAttributes ) ; } else { if ( layerFragments . length > 1 ) { paramValue = weightsArchive . readDataSet ( layerFragments [ 0 ] + "/" + layerParamName , rootPrefix , layerName ) ; } else { if ( kerasVersion == 2 ) { paramValue = weightsArchive . readDataSet ( layerParamName , rootPrefix + baseAttributes ) ; } else { paramValue = weightsArchive . readDataSet ( layerParamName , rootPrefix , layerName ) ; } } } weights . put ( paramName , paramValue ) ; } } layer . setWeights ( weights ) ; } /* Look for layers in model with no corresponding entries in weights map. */ Set < String > layerNames = new HashSet <> ( layers . keySet ( ) ) ; layerNames . removeAll ( layerGroups ) ; for ( String layerName : layerNames ) { if ( layers . get ( layerName ) . getNumParams ( ) > 0 ) throw new InvalidKerasConfigurationException ( "Could not find weights required for layer " + layerName ) ; } } }


public static TYPE_1 METHOD_1 ( String VAR_1 ) { TYPE_2 VAR_2 = TYPE_3 . METHOD_2 ( VAR_1 ) ; if ( ! VAR_2 . METHOD_3 ( ) ) { return null ; } String state = VAR_2 . METHOD_4 ( 1 ) ; String VAR_3 = VAR_2 . METHOD_4 ( INT_1 ) ; String VAR_4 = VAR_2 . METHOD_4 ( INT_2 ) ; return new TYPE_1 ( VAR_3 , TYPE_4 . METHOD_1 ( state ) , VAR_4 ) ; }


public String getColName ( ) { // CursorAdapter requires lowercase _id col if ( EntityModel . ID_COL . equals ( colName ) ) { return EntityModel . ID_COL ; } else { return colName . toUpperCase ( ) ; } }


ANNOTATION_1 public TYPE_1 METHOD_1 ( TYPE_2 VAR_1 , String method , TYPE_3 VAR_2 , TYPE_3 to ) { throw new TYPE_4 ( STRING_1 ) ; }


public void executeAction ( AjaxRequestTarget target ) { Entity entity = getActionContext ( ) . getEntity ( ) ; try { SchedulerJob job = ( SchedulerJob ) entity ; if ( LOG . isDebugEnabled ( ) ) { LOG . debug ( "job = " + job ) ; } EntityBrowserPanel panel = findParent ( EntityBrowserPanel . class ) ; ScheduleWizard wizard = new ScheduleWizard ( "work" , job ) ; wizard . add ( AttributeModifier . append ( "class" , "wizardScheduler" ) ) ; panel . forwardWorkspace ( wizard , target ) ; //setResponsePage(new ScheduleWizardPage(job)); } catch ( Exception e ) { e . printStackTrace ( ) ; } }


@ Override public SequenceView < C > getSubSequence ( Integer start , Integer end ) { return new SequenceProxyView < C > ( this , start , end ) ; }


public static boolean [ ] distinct ( final boolean [ ] a , final int fromIndex , final int toIndex ) { return N . removeDuplicates ( a , fromIndex , toIndex , false ) ; }


Diesel model Winnie Harlow, who suffers from vitiligo, the same rare skin condition that singer Michael Jackson was diagnosed with, has been pictured enjoying a cozy night on the town with albino fashion star Shaun Ross. The pair attended a launch event for Popular magazine at Siren Studios in Hollywood, California, on Tuesday night, and were snapped holding hands while making their way into the venue. Winnie, 19, who was unveiled as one of the newest faces of fashion label Diesel earlier this year, was wearing a short and simple black and gold mini dress, which she accessorized with a pair of gold strappy heels. Scroll down for video . Looking cozy: Winnie Harlow, 19, who suffers from the same rare skin condition as Michael Jackson, was pictured hand-in-hand with albino model Shaun Ross on Tuesday night . Out on the town: The duo were attending the launch for Popular magazine at Hollywood venue Siren Studios . Skingraft black and gold dress . Get it from Pasar here . Visit site . This look is all types of yes. Winnie Harlow looks incredible in her leather tunic dress which features striking gold trims on the sleeves and hemline. The loose fit creates a flattering silhouette too. Winnie's dress is from LA-based fashion house Skingraft, and you can still buy it by clicking right to Paser's website now. It'll be your go-to party piece! It is however, slightly pricey coming in at $750, so if you want to add a golden standard to your style for less, why not check out these various finds below? We are particularly dazzled by this Mynt 1792 number at Nordstrom. A pair of strappy metallic heels will finish off your look to perfection! Choice's black and gold stamping dress . Visit site . Mynt 1792 color block dress at Nordstrom . Visit site . Maykool black and gold dress . Visit site . Dailylook fit and flare dress . Visit site . Meanwhile Shaun, 23, opted for a more low-key look, wearing an all-black ensemble, which he topped off with a unique tall baseball hat and a pair of leather sneaker-style boots. And while it appears to be the first time that the duo have been spotted enjoying an evening out together, it is likely not the first occasion that they have met. Both stars have made regular appearances on the catwalks at various Fashion Weeks, while Shaun has also starred in campaigns for the likes of Alexander McQueen and Givenchy. Coincidentally, the models also each had a helping hand from fellow fashion star Tyra Banks. Fashion stars: While Evan opted for an all-black ensemble, topped off with a bizarre baseball cap, Winnie wore a black and gold mini dress and strappy sandals . Rising stars: Both Shaun and Winnie have each achieved global recognition in the fashion indsutry, appearing in numerous high-profile fashion campaigns . Strut your stuff: Both Winnie (L), pictured at the Desigual fall/winter 2015 show, and Shaun (R), pictured on the catwalk in February, boast impressive runway credentials . Winnie, whose real name is Chantelle Brown-Young, was one of the contestants on Tyra's hit reality series America's Next Top Model, while Shaun made an appearance on the former model's eponymous talk show in 2009. Despite their cozy appearance, it's not thought that the two are dating - however Shaun did take the time to post a heartwarming message to the model on his Instagram account, just hours after the pair attended the Popular magazine event. Alongside an image of the two of them, Shaun wrote: 'So much fun last night @winnieharlow keep up the good work. From an original believer in you.' And it seems his sweet sentiments were reciprocated by Winnie, who posted a similar image on her own account, saying: 'Sweet nothings with my fly friend @shaundross'

Winnie, 19, was diagnosed with the rare condition when she was four-years-old .
Condition causes a lack of melanin which forms white patches on the skin .


(CNN)When Melissa Atkins Wardy, author of "Redefining Girly" and a passionate advocate for fighting gender stereotypes, heard from a frustrated mom on Facebook, she knew she needed to do something. So she shared the mom's story. In a blog post, Wardy told how the mom, Veronica of Richland, Washington, wanted to buy "Big Hero 6" fabric to make pillows for her two children. The problem? The fabric didn't include two of the heroes from the movie: the female characters, Honey Lemon and GoGo. So Veronica decided to send an email to Springs Creative, the company that makes the fabric, saying that as a woman and an engineer, she was offended. She got an answer from the company but it didn't help. Girl empowerment ads like GoldieBlox: Do they work? A licensing manager for Springs Creative responded that the company has found that boys don't want girl characters on their things. "Eeeww girls! Yuck! Haha," the licensing manager wrote. It will come as no surprise that Veronica was none too pleased to receive that response. "I was frustrated and disgusted that a manager, and a female manager too, would laugh off my initial contact with the company. It was unprofessional. So I responded," Veronica told CNN. She asked that we not use her last name, in order to maintain her privacy. In an email back to the company, Veronica wrote, "By eliminating the women in your fabric design, you are telling boys that it's OK to think girls are yucky, unworthy and less than a boy. "You are also telling girls they are unworthy, unwanted and that it's un-cool to be smart and confident." What happened next shows that parents, aided by social media outrage, may have more leverage to combat gender stereotyping in our culture than they realize. And the "Big Hero 6" example -- along with a similar recent one involving TOMS, the shoes retailer -- suggests that manufacturers may be finally getting it, too. First, the rest of the story about Springs Creative and the "Big Hero" fabric: After sharing Veronica's story with her readers and her 6,700 Twitter followers, Wardy encouraged people to give Springs Creative a piece of their mind. She also invited them to tweet their own stories with the hashtag #IncludeTheGirls. Women responded in droves, pointing out how Black Widow, the female character in the popular "Avengers" superhero movie franchise, is often excluded from merchandise and how cereal boxes rarely include female characters. "This sends the direct message to both boys and girls that females are forgettable, unimportant, undesirable. What a horrible thing to teach our children!" said Wardy, who is also the founder and chief executive officer of Pigtail Pals & Ballcap Buddies, a company that makes empowering clothing for boys and girls. "The prevailing theory is, 1. boys are the default audience, and 2. boys won't want an item with a girl on it," Wardy said. "Yet, I talk with thousands of parents every week who say otherwise." Why trying to make our kids happy can backfire . Those parents are clearly making their voices heard. Because not too long after Veronica received her initial response from Springs Creative, Wardy said she got a call from the company, asking her to post a statement from Springs Creative on her site. "It is sometimes difficult to hear negative feedback but the message was clear and we intend to act upon your message," the statement read. "Most importantly, Springs Creative does not condone sexism in any shape or form and does not design products to shine a negative light on females OR males." The company said it would be talking with Disney "immediately" about additional designs for "Big Hero 6" that would incorporate all the characters. "We would never intentionally offend any segment of the population. We are a strong company with positive morals and values and we respect and see both genders equally," said the statement. Springs Creative told CNN it would have no further comment. Veronica said she was surprised the company responded so quickly. "I do not believe this would have happened without the Pigtail Pals and Ballcap Buddies community also raising their voices." The real March Madness: When will women's teams get equal buzz? Around the same time, Wardy heard from another follower about an issue with TOMS and wrote about it on her site. On the normally progressive retailer's Web landing page for kids were photos that some parents felt played into gender stereotypes. One photo suggested "Playtime Approved" shoes for boys, and the other, this one on a pink background, included the caption "Little Ladies: adorn their feet for spring." "Really, TOMS? Girls are not ornaments we adorn. Girls play, too!" Wardy wrote on her Facebook page. Two hours later, Wardy received a comment from TOMS on her Facebook page, saying that the company completely agrees and that the wording has been changed to now say "new arrivals for kids." "We're really grateful whenever our community brings something like this to our attention," said Doug Piwinski, senior vice president, global marketing and communications for TOMS. "Perhaps as much or more than any other brand, I mean we really listen to our customers in our community." So, here's my question: Are the two speedy responses from companies after women spoke out on social media more a sign that companies are truly getting it about gender stereotypes and girl and boy empowerment, or more a sign of the power of parents? Or are they a mixture of both? How to Super Bowl #LikeAGirl . Wardy said there's no doubt that companies are in business to protect their bottom line, and that will always be a motivator. But she said these back-to-back incidents show what can happen when parents make it clear they won't buy products from companies that sell gender stereotypes. " 'Be not silent' is my mantra. Speak up!" Wardy said. "The success with Springs Creative and TOMS and other wins we've had in the past is an example of the power of parents (moms and dads) and children's advocates aggregating their voices to say, 'Enough is enough.' " Veronica said it's a sign of the power of parents becoming "more aware, reactive and using social media to make their voices heard by companies that market to children." She added, "One voice can be dismissed; the hailstorm of voices collectively cannot be ignored so easily." It is clear, from these two examples, that parents using their voices online and with their wallets can encourage companies to change. There's no question that raising awareness about stereotypes helps, said Wardy. "If companies aren't paying attention by now, they most certainly should be." Pink, princess-y and sexy too soon . Do you think more companies are getting the message to include girl characters on merchandise? Share your thoughts with Kelly Wallace on Twitter or CNN Living on Facebook.

A mom of two got upset when "Big Hero 6" fabric didn't include the two female characters .
Another mom called attention to gender stereotypes on a TOMS Web page .
In both cases, the companies responded quickly to answer parents' concerns .


(CNN)Blinky and Pinky on the Champs Elysees? Inky and Clyde running down Broadway? Power pellets on the Embarcadero? Leave it to Google to make April Fools' Day into throwback fun by combining Google Maps with Pac-Man. The massive tech company is known for its impish April Fools' Day pranks, and Google Maps has been at the center of a few, including a Pokemon Challenge and a treasure map. This year the company was a day early to the party, rolling out the Pac-Man game Tuesday. It's easy to play: Simply pull up Google Maps on your desktop browser, click on the Pac-Man icon on the lower left, and your map suddenly becomes a Pac-Man course. Twitterers have been tickled by the possibilities, playing Pac-Man in Manhattan, on the University of Illinois quad, in central London and down crooked Lombard Street in San Francisco, among many locations: .

Google Maps has a temporary Pac-Man function .
Google has long been fond of April Fools' Day pranks and games .
Many people are turning their cities into Pac-Man courses .


(CNN)Would you want a TV program about your family history to include details of a distant, long-deceased relative who had owned slaves? Seriously, who in their right mind would want to be tarnished by the sins of an ancestor you had no connection to other than a remote bloodline? I wouldn't, and neither did Ben Affleck, who lobbied producers of a PBS show, "Finding Your Roots," to remove any reference to his great-great-great grandfather Benjamin Cole, a Georgia slave owner in the mid-1800's, in an episode that looked at Affleck's family history. (Affleck revealed Cole's name Wednesday night.) Here's the thing that might surprise many, given the tendency of the media to exploit any potentially scandalous material: The show's producer, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., apparently acquiesced to Affleck's request, because when the episode aired in October 2014, there was no mention of the star's slave-owning ancestor. Affleck's attempt to alter the content of the program only publicly became known a few days ago after WikiLeaks released hacked emails revealing an exchange between Gates and Sony Pictures chief Michael Lynton. When Gates asked how he should respond to Affleck's request to delete the material, Lynton responded, "all things being equal, I would definitely take it out." And on Tuesday, Affleck, via Facebook, admitted that he had urged Gates to excise any reference to his slave-owning relative. Affleck explained, "I didn't want any television show about my family to include a guy who owned slaves. I was embarrassed. The very thought left a bad taste in my mouth." Now Gates has publicly denied that he made his decision about the content of the program based on Affleck's request, but it seems likely that he did. After all, Affleck noted as much in his Facebook post, writing that Gates "agreed with me on the slave owner but made other choices I disagreed with." And three other celebrities profiled on the series last season were shown to have been related to slave owners. So it's unlikely that it was simply happenstance that it left out any reference to Affleck's familial slave ownership connection. In any event, PBS has launched an internal review to determine if the show violated its own editorial standards. Whatever the results of the review, Affleck and Gates did the right thing. Let's be clear: "Finding Your Roots" is not an investigative news show; it's an entertainment program. In fact, as Affleck noted, much of the material is provided directly by the celebrity being profiled. It's not "60 Minutes" but more in the nature of a sophisticated profile of celebrities, using their marquee names to attract viewers. There's not even a hint that Affleck strong-armed the producers or made any type of threats against them if they included the information. In the emails between Gates and Lynton, which they presumably believed at the time were confidential and would remain so, there was no mention of undue pressure by Affleck. Instead, Gates simply noted that Affleck  "asked us to edit out something." After the emails were revealed, Gates issued a statement, saying, "Ultimately, I maintain editorial control on all of my projects and, with my producers, decide what will make for the most compelling program. In the case of Mr. Affleck we focused on what we felt were the most interesting aspects of his ancestry -- including a Revolutionary War ancestor, a third great-grandfather who was an occult enthusiast, and his mother who marched for civil rights during the Freedom Summer of 1964." My view would be different if Affleck had a history of uttering racist remarks or engaging in racist conduct. That would have made the information truly newsworthy. But instead we have a man known for championing progressive causes, which I'm sure made him even more acutely sensitive that some on the right might possibly use this information against him in the future. Perhaps that's what Affleck meant in his Facebook post when he wrote that this information made him feel "vulnerable." Affleck has noted that he regrets asking PBS to not include information about his "distant relative."  That's a nice gesture, but it was not needed. Affleck had every right to ask for the information about a long-deceased distant relative to be left out of the show. And PBS had the choice to include it or leave it out. I applaud PBS for doing the right thing at a time when media outlets rarely show any restraint on the lives of people in the public eye.

Ben Affleck admits he asked PBS show "Finding Your Roots" to avoid mentioning his slave-owning ancestor .
Dean Obeidallah says the actor and the show were right to leave the detail out .


English: A wood cut of a seventeenth century English coffee house

The Rota Club was a debate society of learned gentlemen who debated republican ideology in London between November 1659 and February 1660. The Club was founded and dominated by James Harrington. It began during the English Interregnum and lasted until the early months of the Restoration.

The Rota Club as an institution seems to have had a wide variety of social classes in attendance. It was open to all, ranging from bohemians, aristocrats, officers, soldiers, merchants and other parts of society. The only stipulation for attendance was a fee to be paid, which did limit attendance to those who could afford it but also allowed for a wide range of persons who would not usually have access to such venues. This freedom of attendance allowed for the Rota Club no truly fixed membership as there was a free flow of individuals, those who sat in one meeting would not necessarily be there at the next one. For instance Samuel Pepys, a known member of the Rota Club through his diary, records a fairly sparse attendance. In some periods he records attending the debates once every third or fourth night, followed by long periods of time with no mention of the society at all.
This freedom of attendance and membership did however allow a very large groups of men to meet, filling the Rota Club's room at Miles' Coffeehouse on any given night. The size of the group allowed that many of these men were spectators to the debate which would have had relatively few direct participants. For these spectators the Rota Club was a novelty, and a popular one at that. This high attendance operated as a stage for Harrington's republican ideas to play and gain ground.
However, there was a core group who carried out most of the debate between themselves. Among these more notable and regularly attending members of the Rota Club were John Aubrey, Samuel Pepys, Henry Neville, Major Wildman, Francis Cradoc, Edward Bagshaw, William Croon, Philip Carteret, Maximilian Petty, Sir John Hoskyns, and Roger Coke. These were men from a wide array of backgrounds, much like the general attendance themselves. They were antiquarians, authors, members of parliament, Justices of the Peace, military officers, theologians, future New World governors, and aristocrats. In general they were Harrington's republican disciples and the virtuosi, well educated and attracted to the free flow of ideas and intellectual debate. They, like the mass of spectators, would not have attended every night, with the exception of Harrington himself, but they did play significant parts.
Those of differing views on any topic were encouraged to attend, and Harrington himself sought out men of every kind of viewpoint.

A 17th century coffeehouse


Political cartoon celebrating the defeat of "Loco Foco"

The Locofocos were a faction of the United States Democratic Party that existed from 1835 until the mid-1840s.

The Locofocos (also Loco Focos or Loco-focos) were a faction of the United States Democratic Party that existed from 1835 until the mid-1840s.

Cartoon celebrating 1840 defeat of Locofocoism


World War III Lyrics
Dont politics on the insanes nigga
You know how we coming nigga
Babies, 23, FLC
You know how we coming
Opps get hit and they call the cops
Double O he dont think, he just up it and hawk his top
All these opps getting choked a lot
While these boys talking hot
When they know I dont talk a lot
And Im shooting to end his life
When he open the door he get met with a couple pipes
Not trapped for a couple nights
You gon run from the sound, but go duck when you see the light
When you see me its terrorism
Say your big homie dead well, you can get buried with him
Send bro and I know he hit him
One chop, two chops start blicking with a steady rhythm
Me and Black, all black on a late night
They gone know who did it when the face white
Rock throwing up the V when the brake light
Oppers skin gone melt when the eight bite
Why you stalling, me and gang gon spin through
Got a dot on his head like he Hindu
Cant run from the shots gone win you
Blue tip pop his face like a pimple
Moving tact you get cooked like a dinner plate
Do a drill then we back on the interstate
Bullets hot you get blicked and your skin opaque
Do a drill with my guys then we sit and wait
Besides all the politics nigga
Who spinning?
 clutch
Two grips and a brief like Im Jeff Hardy
Last call from his mom, its a death parting
Max from the have him aching faking
 heart bitter
Twenty-three shots when the stars get him
TJ all the way on a different pace
Double O got his eye on the interscope
Kill him close
Babies masked and we flicking grains
The position, we clicking things
 and we clicking things
What? Beef cant settle, took charge
Now Im back to defending
Trap house Babies crazy
Throw that .9 at your back and receive it
Pistol talk to the Federallies, please
Off the porch, leave the score up to the streets
Hop out the V, get to blamming
M-Dot leave you drenched in your fashion
Face was on the PIX-11
Purge night, closed race, stain gang
 move tact if you talk them digits
 move tact, fingers itching, blitzing
Soo woo,
One chop, move wock
Get you boo wet
Lil kids never chilling with opps
They setting a drop
, they move up the block
Babies sliding unlimited flock
 then we plot again
Hop out the Burban and to God
 dash, its a different slide
 dash, its a different slide
Ed, Edd, and Eddie no picking pies
OMBK how my niggas ride
Spin through the then we leaving nines
Cant fuck with fuck with no lame niggas
They switch sides
Couldnt find their own lane so they dick ride
Niggas talk like they out but they inside
I know that for a fact thats how bitches lie
Run in your crib let me get that
Call brodie its time for the get back
Bitches love when I shoot then I step back
Bullets inserted right where his chest at
I put my life in this street shit
Swear to god I dont tolerate weakness
On court Im on offense and defense
Call Pop and he got it the cheapest
Got 23 shots for you opp niggas
He survive he gone die in a hospital
Kick doors come look in the house for you
Kick doors come look in the house for you
Smoking dead opps got me lazy
This new clip I filled up is for Jaydee
Put a beam on the tip, no safety
When I spin through the Ville, he gon take three
Dee Sav better run ricky, run
Told bro dont stop just shoot til its done
New .40 came equip with a drum
Spin through my block are you dumb are you dumb
Aint no hesitation its a man down anybody can get it
Final destination you a damn clown all my niggas with it
How you politicing, you aint spin yet
You aint touch a damn soul
Niggas politicing til the choppas hit him
Up the pole then Im back home
Two, three shots out the V or hop out and squeeze
Either way its a man down
Niggas start copping a plea til I pull up for real show you niggas some damn clowns
 thats the big bro
When he spin on the opps he let six go
When he spin on the opps he let six go
Bodies drop all the time then we get low
When he spin on the opps he let six go
Two fifty rock you know how we coming
Im back
Shit dont stop
EBK nigga, OMBK nigga, fuck nigga
Embed


For The Gang Lyrics
For the gang, babies gon hop out them Jeeps, get to kick, get to drumming
For the gang, we just gon sweep through them streets cause my janitors coming
For the gang, babies gon hop out them Jeeps, get to kick, get to drumming
For the gang, for the gang
For the gang, babies gon hop out them Jeeps, get to kick, get to drumming
For the gang, we just gon sweep through them streets cause my janitors coming
For the gang, babies gon hop out them Jeeps, get to kick, get to drumming
For the gang, we just gon sweep through them streets cause my janitors coming
For the gang, cook him like take him, we bake him, we burning his muffin
Look, you a stain, first snatch your chains, rob the jeweller
 got me bussin
Im a alpha, post like Ibaka
Let off shots, have him feel like Sinatra
Dont get stitched like a muppet
You moving too tactical, trust that Im slugging
You get stuffed with these shells, now you in bed rest with twenty a stomach
Now your priest making visits
Crossfire, halo top, bring the whole choir
And this shit cause the jocking
You hear them shots, now his heart skipping
Gang, gang, gang
Remember them nights, villains
We see a prey, now we all on it
Break bread, you cannot eat, you aint starve with us
For the gang, did you slide?
Affiliate yourself with that mission
Have him flap like a pigeon, he play with my blood and we sic em
Mr Black, Mr White on the goalie mission
I took the shots, he reload the bullets
Yall think you safe, we gon keep it coming
Ghostbusters, cross the Crips, aint no love from us
Go text on the net, watch it get back, we just sit back, get them blickys ready, see it spit facts
If locations is accurate, choppa take souls, you get sent to the Nazareth pussy
Niggas duck while they gathering, tuta named Katherine, send the drop and the matics in
For the gang, she just gon suck it, gon fuck it, get the drop from the oppys
Look, we dont need a molly, you jacking his K/D we spinning your body
Prolly kidnap your mommy, cut up her body, get sold to them zombies
Business with the oppys, I dont got it on me, they send me the shotty
The bullets departing, you cannot dodge
Bullets into your body
(The bullets departing, you cannot dodge
Bullets into your body)
For the gang, babies gon hop out them Jeeps, get to kick, get to drumming
For the gang, we just gon sweep through them streets cause my janitors coming
For the gang, babies gon hop out them Jeeps, get to kick, get to drumming
For the gang, we just gon sweep through them streets cause my janitors
In the arms got a baby here bleeding out
Fuck the broom, get the mop, we gon clean it out
Watch him walk out the house, bullets steam his scalp
Skin is cold in the spot, like the heat is out
Got the heaters out, gang is creeping round
Apollo Creed in the choppa, lets beat him down
In the hallway like gang didnt need a house
For the gang, split heads with my chop, dont ask me, he in Satans hands
Max ThaDemon I dont follow Jesus plan, if you do Ill just press bullets, you meet the man
Told he flying like Peter Pan
Got the drums in the spot, we dont need a band
All the sticks in the spot, we the drummer boys
And his brain get thrown back when the gun deploy
You dont scream from this chop, get a different toy
Have you up in the church like a christian boy
He got wet in the church like a altar boy
Holy water, the whole choir, kidnap your sister, you dont find her
Got the heat in the streets, Im the Ghost Rider
He not heated enough, he get more fire
And thats more trauma, shoot from all angles like, where to run?
If my .30 get jammed, click a different one
I got Black in the cut, he the hidden one
If my shot dont connect, he not missing son
He like, Where in the fuck is yall hitting from?
And we dressed in all black, we got mittens on
And we dressed in all black, we got
Gang, gang, gang
For the gang, babies gon hop out them Jeeps, get to kick, get to drumming
For the gang, we just gon sweep through them streets cause my janitors coming
For the gang, babies gon hop out them Jeeps, get to kick, get to drumming
For the gang, we just gon sweep through them streets cause my janitors coming2Embed


(CNN) -- Shelling hit areas near two key cities in eastern Ukraine on Sunday morning, intensifying fears that a ceasefire that took effect less than two days ago may be falling apart. Why is the ceasefire under strain? A variety of fighting factions in the conflict zone -- on both sides -- may not fall directly under a military chain of command. The pro-Russian rebels are mostly volunteer militias; fighting against them on the Ukrainian side are at least some far-right nationalist militias. Controlling these groups is difficult and some may have different aims, including sabotaging the truce. At this point it's been nearly impossible to figure out who's doing the firing and why. The conditions of the ceasefire agreement don't help either. The conditions are vague and at this point there doesn't seem to be an effective mechanism in place inside the conflict zone to monitor and enforce the agreement. Why can't the two sides' leaders control their forces? It's unclear if Kiev has control over all of the fighting forces in eastern Ukraine. Some of the volunteer militias fighting alongside Ukrainian soldiers are far-right nationalists who've been critical of the current government in Kiev, but they're still fighting because they feel Ukraine is under attack by Russia. And who controls the pro-Russian rebels? Is it the local commanders? Is it Russian President Vladimir Putin? None of that is clear. Which side has the most to gain from the truce? If the truce leads to good-faith negotiations and a compromise, then both sides can gain. A compromise could look like something like this: The pro-Russian region of Donbas gets autonomy and self-determination under a federalized Ukrainian government, and in return the rebels drop their demand for independence and Kiev gets to protect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. There are elements on both sides that don't want a compromise, and they could certainly have the potential of undermining the truce. What happens next? We wait to see if the overnight shellings and firings are an anomaly or if they're a sign of more violence and more fighting. If the ceasefire sticks, both sides have agreed to hold talks that will address the core issues and demands on both sides that are still unresolved -- including the disarming of the rebels, a guarantee of self-determination for the pro-Russian Donbas region, the fate of Russian-annexed Crimea, constitutional reform, and a solution to the humanitarian crisis in the conflict zone. Obviously if the fighting continues, all bets are off. What effect does this have on the rest of the world? What happens in the coming days will determine the next move by NATO and Western leaders. If the ceasefire falls apart, the West will likely turn up the pressure by following through with sanctions and bolstering Western forces in NATO's Baltic-member states. Moscow has already threatened to respond if that happens. The bottom line is, the conflict will escalate and so will the prospects of a regional conflict -- although at this point that seems unlikely.

Shelling in eastern Ukraine raises fears that a ceasefire may fall apart .
Reza Sayah: It's been nearly impossible to say who's doing firing and why .
It's unclear who has control over fighting forces on either side in east Ukraine .
There are elements on both sides that don't want a compromise .


(CNN) -- Remember when oil giant BP paid billions of dollars to clean up its own mess from the 2010 Gulf oil spill? Then the company agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges and pay an unprecedented $4 billion fine for the spill. In the latest development, Wednesday, BP was essentially told to stand in the corner when it comes to winning new federal contracts -- a potentially huge blow to the company's bottom line. And it's still likely on the hook for civil penalties the federal government hopes to recover for environmental damages. So, is BP being punished enough for the deadly and destructive Deepwater Horizon spill, or too much? It depends on who you ask. This matters. BP says it supports nearly a quarter of a million American jobs and has invested $52 billion in the United States since 2007. Experts suggest punishments ranging from massive fines to banning the company from offshore drilling. However this all shakes out, it likely will send a powerful message to the industry. Families of killed rig workers react to BP settlement . First, here's what happened Wednesday: . The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it will block BP from new government contracts due to its "lack of business integrity" stemming from the 2010 explosion and oil spill. It was a tragedy that killed 11 oil workers and dumped 205 million gallons of oil into the Gulf in a slow-moving, 85-day national drama that prosecutors called the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. This month hasn't been good to BP. The decision follows the London-based company's agreement November 15 to plead guilty to criminal charges including manslaughter, obstruction of Congress and environmental violations related to the explosion and spill -- an agreement that still requires a judge's approval. What it means . Wednesday's EPA decision means BP won't be allowed to compete for new contracts, grants or other business until the company shows it meets federal business standards. As of February, BP had $9 billion in contracts to supply the U.S. government with fuel, most of it destined for military users, said Christine Tiscareno, a London-based analyst with S&P Capital IQ. Those contracts aren't affected by the EPA decision, the agency said. BP said it's already filed paperwork to get back in good graces with the EPA, said the agency is already preparing an administrative agreement to lift the suspension and highlighted what the company says it's done to rectify the situation. "As BP's submissions to the EPA have made clear, the company has made significant enhancements since the accident," the company said in a statement. "The company launched an internal investigation immediately after the accident, publicly released the results, and has been implementing all 26 of the investigation's recommendations." What's ahead . The next big step in the case comes in February, when a civil trial is expected to begin over the government's demand for civil damages under the Clean Water Act. That case could draw huge new fines for the company. The disaster, in addition to claiming 11 lives, caused disruption to countless residents and businesses, many of whom counted on the Gulf for their livelihoods, whether in the oil fields, fishing grounds or tourist beaches. For some, including environmentalists, the company couldn't be fined enough or spend enough money to get back on their good side. "Well, you know, we're discussing the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history," said Matt Dundas, acting campaign director at the environmental group Oceana. "The punishment needs to fit the crime." But, he said, the record $4 billion fine BP is expected to pay as a result of the criminal case is a tenth of the maximum it could have faced, making it small consolation to BP's harshest critics. The fine, while a record for the U.S. justice system, represents less than three months worth of profits for BP. The company reported $5.2 billion in profits in the quarter that ended September 30. Dundas is now rooting for the maximum possible verdict in the civil case -- $50 billion in fines. But he says there's only one punishment that would really get BP and other oil companies to sit up and take steps to prevent what Dundas says is the overwhelming risk of another large oil spill: being kicked out of the game entirely. "I think a terrific minimum would be to bar them from offshore drilling," he said. "That's really the only standard that's going to get oil companies to pay attention." The head of a trade association representing BP and other oil and gas operators in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico said Wednesday that BP has already complied with government requirements. "BP has done everything that the federal government has asked and more. ... This new EPA designation is another layer," said Chris John, president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association. "How much is enough, when the economy in America is trying to dig out of the recession, and energy ... is a very important component to getting Americans back to work?" The EPA's decision could have a negative impact beyond BP, he said, affecting other companies in the industry who have also complied with regulators. "The companies that operate out in the Gulf of Mexico, they can go anywhere, they're global. They can drill anywhere in the world," John said. "They have chosen to come back to the Gulf in the past few years. ... This additional statement and designation by the EPA has to play into their decision of where to put their capital." BP didn't directly address whether it believes it has paid enough for the disaster, but noted Wednesday that it has spent $14 billion in response and cleanup costs, $1 million on restoration projects and $9 billion in compensation and expects to spend $7.8 billion more to resolve the majority of outstanding claims. Owning up . The company also pointed out it has acknowledged criminal responsibility, carried out recommendations made by investigators who studied the incident and has taken actions to strengthen safety and drilling standards that exceed federal regulations. Tiscareno, the oil analyst, said that while the costs to BP have been steep, they are bearable for the company. The big question is what happens in February, when the civil case goes to trial. Tiscareno said she expects BP, which has taken a long-term approach to recovering from the spill, will recover financially unless the civil trial nets an "irrational" decision. A huge verdict could pose problems for BP, Tiscareno said, but she said the government can't go too far in gutting the firm because of all the jobs and tax revenues the company provides. BP has invested $52 billion in the U.S. in the last five years, employs 23,000 U.S. residents and indirectly supports nearly 250,000 jobs, the company said Wednesday. "The U.S. needs BP as much as BP needs the U.S.," Tiscareno said. CNN's Kendra Wates and Catherine E. Shoichet contributed to this report.

NEW: Trade association: "BP has done everything that the federal government has asked"
Two years after the oil spill, experts weigh in on possible punishments for BP .
BP says it expects the temporary ban will be lifted soon .
The EPA says the oil giant showed a "lack of business integrity"


Adel Taarabt appeared for QPR for the first time since his public fall-out with Harry Redknapp in Monday afternoon's reserve game against Ipswich Town. The Moroccan's days at Loftus Road appeared to be numbered after his extraordinary spat with Redknapp last month. Taarabt claimed his manager never takes a training session after Redknapp had accused the midfielder of being 'three stone overweight' following the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Harry Redknapp say  Taarabt's camp have told blatant lies . Adel Taarabt has played just three first-team games for QPR this season after returning from loan at AC Milan . Taarabt laughed off claims by QPR manager Harry Redknapp that the midfielder was 'three stone overweight' The 25-year-old was due to play for the club's Under 21s last week, but wasn't included in the draw against Swansea. However, Taarabt came through 90 minutes in the 3-0 win against Ipswich Town as he tries to prove his fitness to his boss. The former Spurs man, who has been hampered by an ankle injury, has been limited to just three appearances for the R's this season after returning from a loan spell at AC Milan. Taarabt hit back at Redknapp during an exclusive interview with Sportsmail last month . Taarabt spent last campaign on loan at Fulham and then Serie A side AC Milan .

Moroccan played 90 minutes for Under 21s in 3-0 win against Ipswich Town .
Taarabt has made just three first-team appearances for the R's this season .
Midfielder was accused of being 'overweight' by manager Harry Redknapp .
Taarabt hit back and claimed Redknapp never took training sessions .


By . Wills Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 11:14 EST, 6 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:19 EST, 6 March 2014 . Members of the feminist punk group Pussy Riot have been attacked by a gang of men inside a Russian McDonalds. Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina were covered in paint while they sat and had breakfast in the city of Nizhny Novgorod. The pair, who were jailed for hooliganism in 2012, also had pepper spray, green antispetic and metal thrown in their faces during the assault. Scroll down for video . Attacked: Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina were covered in paint during the assault while they sat and had breakfast in the city of Nizhny Novgorod . Distressed: The pair spoke directly into the camera after the incident . They were visiting the area to inspect a local prison with Peter Verzilov and members of NGO 'Zone of the Rights'. Tolonnikova allegedly left the restaurant with a 'cut forehead' and the group have complained to the police. She was seen getting up from her seat and clutching her face during the incident. while the gang of men continually shouted abuse. When the attack eventually stopped, one of the men held up a sign to the camera while another was seen shouting down the lens. At around 7.00 am the group barged into the fast food restaurant where the musicians and their crew were eating. Gang: They were covered in paint, antiseptic and pepper spray by the group of men . Prolonged: The gang shouted abuse while they continued to launch the liquids at the members of the feminist band . Close: One of the attackers faced up to Nadya Tolokonnikova, preparing to throw something at her . Abuse: The individuals continued to shout at the musicians while a crowd built up behind them . It is not the first time the group have been targeted by members of the public. At the start of the Sochi winter . Olympics, members of the group were whipped and tackled to the ground by Cossacks as . they sang in protest. The . band started to perform an anti-Putin song under a sign advertising the . Winter Olympics. But singer Tolokonnikova was brutally whipped . in the attack and the guitarist was left bloodied and bruised. Last month, Tolokonnikova was filmed saying the anti-government protests in Ukraine were an 'inspiation'. She was also among those arrested during protests outside a Moscow courthouse. Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina were released from seperate prisons on December 23, 2013 after the Russian State Duma approved an amnesty. Speech: An attacker spoke into a camera owned by the NGO 'Zone of the Rights' in the aftermath of the assault . Slogan: One man holds up a sign to the camera before the group leave the restaurant .

Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina were also pepper sprayed .
The pair were in city of Nizhny Novgorod visiting a local prison .
Alyokhina reportedly left the fast food restaurant with a 'cut forehead'


Context: This is the most common method of construction procurement and is well established and recognized. In this arrangement, the architect or engineer acts as the project coordinator. His or her role is to design the works, prepare the specifications and produce construction drawings, administer the contract, tender the works, and manage the works from inception to completion. There are direct contractual links between the architect's client and the main contractor. Any subcontractor has a direct contractual relationship with the main contractor. The procedure continues until the building is ready to occupy.

Question: There are direct contractual links between who?


Context: After strengthening his government in northern China, Kublai pursued an expansionist policy in line with the tradition of Mongol and Chinese imperialism. He renewed a massive drive against the Song dynasty to the south. Kublai besieged Xiangyang between 1268 and 1273, the last obstacle in his way to capture the rich Yangzi River basin. An unsuccessful naval expedition was undertaken against Japan in 1274. Kublai captured the Song capital of Hangzhou in 1276, the wealthiest city of China. Song loyalists escaped from the capital and enthroned a young child as Emperor Bing of Song. The Mongols defeated the loyalists at the battle of Yamen in 1279. The last Song emperor drowned, bringing an end to the Song dynasty. The conquest of the Song reunited northern and southern China for the first time in three hundred years.

Question: What area was Kublai trying to capture by defending Xiangyang?


Context: The neighborhood of Sunnyside is on Fresno's far southeast side, bounded by Chestnut Avenue to the West. Its major thoroughfares are Kings Canyon Avenue and Clovis Avenue. Although parts of Sunnyside are within the City of Fresno, much of the neighborhood is a "county island" within Fresno County. Largely developed in the 1950s through the 1970s, it has recently experienced a surge in new home construction. It is also the home of the Sunnyside Country Club, which maintains a golf course designed by William P. Bell.

Question: Where is the home of the Sunnyside Country Club?


Context: The historical measure of a steam engine's energy efficiency was its "duty". The concept of duty was first introduced by Watt in order to illustrate how much more efficient his engines were over the earlier Newcomen designs. Duty is the number of foot-pounds of work delivered by burning one bushel (94 pounds) of coal. The best examples of Newcomen designs had a duty of about 7 million, but most were closer to 5 million. Watt's original low-pressure designs were able to deliver duty as high as 25 million, but averaged about 17. This was a three-fold improvement over the average Newcomen design. Early Watt engines equipped with high-pressure steam improved this to 65 million.

Question: What was the ideal duty of a concept engine?


Context: Imperialism and colonialism both dictate the political and economic advantage over a land and the indigenous populations they control, yet scholars sometimes find it difficult to illustrate the difference between the two. Although imperialism and colonialism focus on the suppression of an other, if colonialism refers to the process of a country taking physical control of another, imperialism refers to the political and monetary dominance, either formally or informally. Colonialism is seen to be the architect deciding how to start dominating areas and then imperialism can be seen as creating the idea behind conquest cooperating with colonialism. Colonialism is when the imperial nation begins a conquest over an area and then eventually is able to rule over the areas the previous nation had controlled. Colonialism's core meaning is the exploitation of the valuable assets and supplies of the nation that was conquered and the conquering nation then gaining the benefits from the spoils of the war. The meaning of imperialism is to create an empire, by conquering the other state's lands and therefore increasing its own dominance. Colonialism is the builder and preserver of the colonial possessions in an area by a population coming from a foreign region. Colonialism can completely change the existing social structure, physical structure and economics of an area; it is not unusual that the characteristics of the conquering peoples are inherited by the conquered indigenous populations.

Question: what do conquering people take away from native populations?


Context: Bills can be introduced to Parliament in a number of ways; the Scottish Government can introduce new laws or amendments to existing laws as a bill; a committee of the Parliament can present a bill in one of the areas under its remit; a member of the Scottish Parliament can introduce a bill as a private member; or a private bill can be submitted to Parliament by an outside proposer. Most draft laws are government bills introduced by ministers in the governing party. Bills pass through Parliament in a number of stages:

Question: Who may also submit private bills to Parliament?

an outside proposer
an outside proposer
an outside proposer


SECTION 1. MODIFICATIONS OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN STATE
              AND LOCAL POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) Notification.--Paragraph (5) of section 527(i) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to organizations must notify Secretary
that they are section 527 organizations) is amended by striking ``or''
at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (B) and inserting ``, or'', and by adding at the end the
following:
                    ``(C) which is a political committee of a State or
                local candidate, or a local committee of a political
                party, as defined by State law.''.
    (b) Exemption for Certain State and Local Political Committees From
Reporting Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (5) of section 527(j) of such
        Code (relating to required disclosures of expenditures and
        contributions) is amended by redesignating subparagraphs (C),
        (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), respectively,
        and by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
        subparagraph:
                    ``(C) to any organization which is an exempt State
                or local political organization,''.
            (2) Exempt state or local political organization.--
        Subsection (e) of section 527 of such Code (relating to other
        definitions) is amended by adding at the end the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(5) Exempt state or local political organization.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `exempt State or local
                political organization' means a political
                organization--
                            ``(i) which does not engage in any exempt
                        function other than to influence or to attempt
                        to influence the selection, nomination,
                        election, or appointment of any individual to
                        any State or local public office or office in a
                        State or local political organization,
                            ``(ii) which is subject to State or local
                        requirements to submit reports containing
                        information--
                                    ``(I) regarding individual
                                expenditures from and contributions to
                                such organization, and
                                    ``(II) regarding the person who
                                makes such contributions or receives
                                such expenditures,
                        which is substantially similar to the
                        information which would otherwise be required
                        to be reported under this section, and
                            ``(iii) with respect to which the reports
                        referred to in clause (ii) are made public by
                        the agency with which such reports are filed
                        and are publicly available for inspection in a
                        manner similar to that required by section
                        6104(d)(1).
                    ``(B) Participation of federal candidate or office
                holder.--The term `exempt State or local political
                organization' shall not include any organization
                otherwise described in subparagraph (A) if a candidate
                for nomination or election to Federal elective office
                or an individual who holds such office--
                            ``(i) controls or materially participates
                        in the direction of the organization, or
                            ``(ii) directs, in whole or in part,
                        expenditures or fundraising activities of the
                        organization.''.
    (c) Annual Return Requirements.--
            (1) Income tax returns required only where political
        organization taxable income.--Paragraph (6) of section 6012(a)
        of such Code (relating to general rule of persons required to
        make returns of income) is amended by striking ``or which has
        gross receipts of $25,000 or more for the taxable year (other
        than an organization to which section 527 applies solely by
        reason of subsection (f)(1) of such section)''.
            (2) Information returns.--Subsection (g) of section 6033 of
        such Code (relating to returns required by political
        organizations) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(g) Returns Required by Political Organizations.--
            ``(1) In general.--Every political organization (within the
        meaning of section 527(e)(1)), and every fund treated under
        section 527(g) as if it constituted a political organization,
        which has gross receipts of $25,000 or more for the taxable
        year shall file a return--
                    ``(A) containing the information required, and
                complying with the other requirements, under subsection
                (a)(1) for organizations exempt from taxation under
                section 501(a), and
                    ``(B) containing such other information as the
                Secretary deems necessary to carry out the provisions
                of this subsection.
            ``(2) Exceptions from filing.--
                    ``(A) Mandatory exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall
                not apply to an organization--
                            ``(i) which is an exempt State or local
                        political organization (as defined in section
                        527(e)(5)),
                            ``(ii) which is a State or local committee
                        of a political party, or political committee of
                        a State or local candidate, as defined by State
                        law,
                            ``(iii) which is a caucus or association of
                        State or local elected officials,
                            ``(iv) which is a national association of
                        State or local officials,
                            ``(v) which is an authorized committee (as
                        defined in section 301(6) of the Federal
                        Election Campaign Act of 1971) of a candidate
                        for Federal office,
                            ``(vi) which is a national committee (as
                        defined in section 301(14) of the Federal
                        Election Campaign Act of 1971) of a political
                        party, or
                            ``(vii) to which section 527 applies for
                        the taxable year solely by reason of subsection
                        (f)(1) of such section.
                    ``(B) Discretionary exception.--The Secretary may
                relieve any organization required under paragraph (1)
                to file an information return from filing such a return
                where he determines that such filing is not necessary
                to the efficient administration of the internal revenue
                laws.''.
    (d) Waiver of Penalties.--Section 527 of such Code is amended by
adding at the end the following:
    ``(k) Authority To Waive.--The Secretary may waive all or any
portion of the--
            ``(1) tax assessed on an organization by reason of the
        failure of the organization to give notice under subsection
        (i), or
            ``(2) penalty imposed under subsection (j) for a failure to
        file a report,
on a showing that such failure was due to reasonable cause and not due
to willful neglect.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect as if included in the amendments made by Public Law 106-230.

SEC. 2. NOTIFICATION OF INTERACTION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation
with the Federal Election Commission, shall publicize information on--
            (1) the effect of the amendments made by this Act, and
            (2) the interaction of requirements to file a notification
        or report under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of
        1986 and reports under the Federal Election Campaign Act of
        1971.
    (b) Information.--Information provided under subsection (a) shall
be included in any appropriate form, instruction, notice, or other
guidance issued to the public by the Secretary of the Treasury or the
Federal Election Commission regarding reporting requirements of
political organizations (as defined in section 527 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986) or reporting requirements under the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971.

SEC. 3. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO SECTION 527 ORGANIZATION DISCLOSURE
              PROVISIONS.

    (a) Unsegregated Funds Not To Avoid Tax.--Paragraph (4) of section
527(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to failure to
notify) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
``For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term `exempt function
income' means any amount described in a subparagraph of subsection
(c)(3), whether or not segregated for use for an exempt function.''.
    (b) Procedures for Assessment and Collection of Penalty.--Paragraph
(1) of section 527(j) of such Code (relating to required disclosure of
expenditures and contributions) is amended by adding at the end the
following new sentence: ``For purposes of subtitle F, the penalty
imposed by this paragraph shall be assessed and collected in the same
manner as penalties imposed by section 6652(c).''.
    (c) Application of Fraud Penalty.--Section 7207 of such Code
(relating to fraudulent returns, statements, and other documents) is
amended by striking ``pursuant to subsection (b) of section 6047 or
pursuant to subsection (d) of section 6104'' and inserting ``pursuant
to section 6047(b), section 6104(d), or subsection (i) or (j) of
section 527''.
    (d) Duplicate Electronic and Written Filings Not Required.--
            (1) Subparagraph (A) of section 527(i)(1) of such Code is
        amended by striking ``, electronically and in writing,''.
            (2) Subsection (i) of section 527 of such Code is amended
        by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Electronic filing.--The Secretary shall develop
        procedures for submission in electronic form of notices
        required to be filed under this subsection and reports required
        to be filed under subsection (j).''.
    (e) Effective Dates.--
            (1) Subsections (a) and (b).--The amendments made by
        subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to failures occurring on or
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Subsections (c) and (d).--The amendments made by
        subsections (c) and (d) shall take effect as if included in the
        amendments made by Public Law 106-230.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt State and local candidate committees, as well as local committees of political parties, from specified notification requirements; (2) exempt certain State and local political organizations from specified reporting requirements; (3) remove language dictating that certain political organizations with gross receipts of $25,000 or more for a taxable year and specified political newsletter funds with such receipts shall file income tax returns; (4) mandate that, with certain designated exceptions, every political organization with gross receipts of $25,000 or more for a taxable year and specified political newsletter funds with such receipts file information returns with specified information including income, receipts and disbursements, as well as facts deemed necessary by the Secretary of the Treasury; (5) authorize the Secretary to waive certain related penalties; and (6) amend related penalty provisions.

To amend section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate reporting and return requirements for State and local candidate committees and to avoid duplicate reporting of campaign-related information.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Temporary Emergency Unemployment
Compensation Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. FEDERAL-STATE AGREEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Any State which desires to do so may enter into
and participate in an agreement under this title with the Secretary of
Labor (in this title referred to as the ``Secretary''). Any State which
is a party to an agreement under this title may, upon providing 30 days
written notice to the Secretary, terminate such agreement.
    (b) Provisions of Agreement.--Any agreement under subsection (a)
shall provide that the State agency of the State will make payments of
temporary emergency unemployment compensation to individuals who--
            (1) have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under
        the State law;
            (2) have no rights to compensation (including both regular
        compensation and extended compensation) with respect to a week
        under such law or any other State unemployment compensation law
        or to compensation under any other Federal law (and are not
        paid or entitled to be paid any additional compensation under
        any State or Federal law); and
            (3) are not receiving compensation with respect to such
        week under the unemployment compensation law of Canada.
    (c) Exhaustion of Benefits.--For purposes of subsection (b)(1), an
individual shall be deemed to have exhausted such individual's rights
to regular compensation under a State law when--
            (1) no payments of regular compensation can be made under
        such law because such individual has received all regular
        compensation available to such individual based on employment
        or wages during such individual's base period; or
            (2) such individual's rights to such compensation have been
        terminated by reason of the expiration of the benefit year with
        respect to which such rights existed.
    (d) Weekly Benefit Amount.--For purposes of any agreement under
this title--
            (1) the amount of temporary emergency unemployment
        compensation which shall be payable to any individual for any
        week of total unemployment shall be equal to the amount of the
        regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable
        to such individual during such individual's benefit year under
        the State law for a week of total unemployment;
            (2) the terms and conditions of the State law which apply
        to claims for regular compensation and to the payment thereof
        shall apply to claims for temporary emergency unemployment
        compensation and the payment thereof, except where inconsistent
        with the provisions of this title or with the regulations or
        operating instructions of the Secretary promulgated to carry
        out this title; and
            (3) the maximum amount of temporary emergency unemployment
        compensation payable to any individual for whom a temporary
        emergency unemployment compensation account is established
        under section 3 shall not exceed the amount established in such
        account for such individual.
    (e) Election by States.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
Federal law (and if State law permits), the Governor of a State is
authorized and may elect to trigger off an extended compensation period
in order to provide payment of temporary emergency unemployment
compensation to individuals who have exhausted their rights to regular
compensation under State law.

SEC. 3. TEMPORARY EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION ACCOUNT.

    (a) In General.--Any agreement under this title shall provide that
the State will establish, for each eligible individual who files an
application for temporary emergency unemployment compensation, a
temporary emergency unemployment compensation account with respect to
such individual's benefit year.
    (b) Amount in Account.--
            (1) In general.--The amount established in an account under
        subsection (a) shall be equal to 13 times the individual's
        average weekly benefit amount for the benefit year.
            (2) Reduction for extended benefits.--The amount in an
        account under paragraph (1) shall be reduced (but not below
        zero) by the aggregate amount of extended compensation (if any)
        received by such individual relating to the same benefit year
        under the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act
        of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).
            (3) Weekly benefit amount.--For purposes of this
        subsection, an individual's weekly benefit amount for any week
        is the amount of regular compensation (including dependents'
        allowances) under the State law payable to such individual for
        such week for total unemployment.

SEC. 4. PAYMENTS TO STATES HAVING AGREEMENTS FOR THE PAYMENT OF
              TEMPORARY EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.

    (a) General Rule.--There shall be paid to each State that has
entered into an agreement under this title an amount equal to 100
percent of the temporary emergency unemployment compensation paid to
individuals by the State pursuant to such agreement.
    (b) Treatment of Reimbursable Compensation.--No payment shall be
made to any State under this section in respect of any compensation to
the extent the State is entitled to reimbursement in respect of such
compensation under the provisions of any Federal law other than this
title or chapter 85 of title 5, United States Code. A State shall not
be entitled to any reimbursement under such chapter 85 in respect of
any compensation to the extent the State is entitled to reimbursement
under this title in respect of such compensation.
    (c) Determination of Amount.--Sums payable to any State by reason
of such State having an agreement under this title shall be payable,
either in advance or by way of reimbursement (as may be determined by
the Secretary), in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the State
will be entitled to receive under this title for each calendar month,
reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the
Secretary finds that the Secretary's estimates for any prior calendar
month were greater or less than the amounts which should have been paid
to the State. Such estimates may be made on the basis of such
statistical, sampling, or other method as may be agreed upon by the
Secretary and the State agency of the State involved.

SEC. 5. FINANCING PROVISIONS.

    (a) In General.--Funds in the extended unemployment compensation
account (as established by section 905(a) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1105(a)) of the Unemployment Trust Fund (as established by
section 904(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1104(a)) shall be used for the
making of payments to States having agreements entered into under this
title.
    (b) Certification.--The Secretary shall from time to time certify
to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each State the sums
payable to such State under this title. The Secretary of the Treasury,
prior to audit or settlement by the General Accounting Office, shall
make payments to the State in accordance with such certification, by
transfers from the extended unemployment compensation account (as so
established) to the account of such State in the Unemployment Trust
Fund (as so established).
    (c) Assistance to States.--There are appropriated, without fiscal
year limitation, such funds as may be necessary for purposes of
assisting States (as provided in title III of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 501 et seq.) in meeting the costs of administration of
agreements under this title.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations for Certain Payments.--There
are appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal
year limitation, to the extended unemployment compensation account (as
so established) of the Unemployment Trust Fund (as so established) such
sums as the Secretary estimates to be necessary to make the payments
under this section in respect of--
            (1) compensation payable under chapter 85 of title 5,
        United States Code; and
            (2) compensation payable on the basis of services to which
        section 3309(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
        applies.
Amounts appropriated pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be
required to be repaid.

SEC. 6. FRAUD AND OVERPAYMENTS.

    (a) In General.--If an individual knowingly has made, or caused to
be made by another, a false statement or representation of a material
fact, or knowingly has failed, or caused another to fail, to disclose a
material fact, and as a result of such false statement or
representation or of such nondisclosure such individual has received an
amount of temporary emergency unemployment compensation under this
title to which he was not entitled, such individual--
            (1) shall be ineligible for further temporary emergency
        unemployment compensation under this title in accordance with
        the provisions of the applicable State unemployment
        compensation law relating to fraud in connection with a claim
        for unemployment compensation; and
            (2) shall be subject to prosecution under section 1001 of
        title 18, United States Code.
    (b) Repayment.--In the case of individuals who have received
amounts of temporary emergency unemployment compensation under this
title to which they were not entitled, the State shall require such
individuals to repay the amounts of such emergency unemployment
compensation to the State agency, except that the State agency may
waive such repayment if it determines that--
            (1) the payment of such emergency unemployment compensation
        was without fault on the part of any such individual; and
            (2) such repayment would be contrary to equity and good
        conscience.
    (c) Recovery by State Agency.--
            (1) In general.--The State agency may recover the amount to
        be repaid, or any part thereof, by deductions from any
        temporary emergency unemployment compensation payable to such
        individual under this title or from any unemployment
        compensation payable to such individual under any Federal
        unemployment compensation law administered by the State agency
        or under any other Federal law administered by the State agency
        which provides for the payment of any assistance or allowance
        with respect to any week of unemployment, during the 3-year
        period after the date such individuals received the payment of
        the temporary emergency unemployment compensation to which they
        were not entitled, except that no single deduction may exceed
        50 percent of the weekly benefit amount from which such
        deduction is made.
            (2) Opportunity for hearing.--No repayment shall be
        required, and no deduction shall be made, until a determination
        has been made, notice thereof and an opportunity for a fair
        hearing has been given to the individual, and the determination
        has become final.
    (d) Review.--Any determination by a State agency under this section
shall be subject to review in the same manner and to the same extent as
determinations under the State unemployment compensation law, and only
in that manner and to that extent.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title, the terms ``compensation'', ``regular
compensation'', ``extended compensation'', ``additional compensation'',
``benefit year'', ``base period'', ``State'', ``State agency'', ``State
law'', and ``week'' have the respective meanings given such terms under
section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act
of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).

SEC. 8. APPLICABILITY.

    An agreement entered into under this Act shall apply to weeks of
unemployment--
            (1) beginning no earlier than the first day of the first
        week beginning after the date on which such agreement is
        entered into; and
            (2) ending before the date that is 18 months after the date
        of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 9. TEMPORARY REDUCTION IN INTEREST RATE APPLICABLE TO REPAYMENTS
              OF ADVANCES TO STATE UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS.

    With respect to advances made to a State under section 1201 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1321) during the period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date that is 18 months
after such date of enactment, the rate of interest paid by a State on
such an advance shall be determined under section 1202(b)(4) of the
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1322(b)(4)) by substituting ``5 percent'' for ``10
percent'' in the matter preceding subparagraph (A).

Temporary Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2001 - Provides for a program of temporary emergency unemployment compensation (TEUC).Sets forth TEUC program requirements for Federal-State agreements, formulas for determining amounts in individual TEUC accounts and weekly benefits, payments to States, and financing. Includes among eligibility requirements an individual's not having rights, with respect to a week, to other compensation (including both regular and extended compensation). Reduces an individual TEUC account by the aggregate amount of any extended compensation for the same benefit year.Applies TEUC agreements to weeks of unemployment: (1) beginning on or after the first day of the first week after the date on which such agreement is entered into; and (2) ending before the date that is 18 months after enactment of this Act.Provides for a temporary reduction in the interest rate applicable to repayments of advances to State unemployment funds.

A bill to provide for a program of temporary enhanced unemployment benefits.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Combating Climate Change Through
Individual Action Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Agricultural, grassland, and forestry practices play an
        essential role in capturing atmospheric carbon and sequestering
        it as soil organic matter.
            (2) Released carbon can be captured through improved
        grassland management, tree planting, forest preservation, and
        enhanced agronomic and irrigation practices.
            (3) Promoting increased natural carbon sinks could have a
        significant impact on the world's projected carbon emissions
        from the burning of fossil fuels.
            (4) Certain agricultural and forestry practices can reduce
        greenhouse gases: (A) avoiding emissions by maintaining
        existing carbon storage in trees and soils; (B) increasing
        carbon storage by, e.g., tree planting, conversion from
        conventional to conservation tillage practices on agricultural
        lands;
            (5) The large potentials exist through known cropping and
        land management practices such as adoption of no-till, reduced
        fallow and use of cover crops, and conservation set-asides with
        perennial grasses and trees.

SEC. 3. CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND SOIL CONSERVATION CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related
credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 45O. CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND SOIL CONSERVATION.

    ``(a) In General.--For purposes of section 38, in the case of a
taxpayer engaged in the business of farming, the credit determined
under this section for the taxable year is an amount equal to 30
percent of the qualified carbon sequestration and soil conservation
expenditures for the taxable year which are paid or incurred with
respect to the land used in such farming.
    ``(b) Limitation.--The credit allowed with respect to a taxpayer
under this section for a taxable year shall not exceed an amount equal
to $10,000, reduced by the sum of the credits allowed with respect to
the taxpayer under subsection (a) for all preceding taxable years.
    ``(c) Qualified Carbon Sequestration and Soil Conservation
Expenses.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `qualified carbon sequestration
        and soil conservation expenditures' means amounts paid or
        incurred to sequester carbon and conserve soil, including--
                    ``(A) expenditures described in section 175(c),
                    ``(B) conservation tillage expenditures,
                    ``(C) cover cropping expenditures,
                    ``(D) amounts paid or incurred to increase the
                nitrogen use efficiency (other than use of nitrogen
                fertilizers) of land used in farming, and
                    ``(E) amounts paid or incurred for multiple year
                rotations, including introduction of a perennial that
                reduces carbon loss and tillage, builds soil tilth, and
                increases carbon capture capacity.
            ``(2) Conservation tillage expenditures.--The term
        `conservation tillage expenditures' means any expenditures paid
        or incurred for a tilling and planting method in which at least
        30 percent of the previous crop residue remains on the soil
        after planting the current crop. Such term includes the
        following tilling practices: no till, ridge till, minimum till,
        and mulch till.
            ``(3) Cover cropping expenditures.--The term `cover
        cropping expenditures' means expenditures paid or incurred for
        the preparation and seeding of land for any grass, legume, or
        small grain--
                    ``(A) which is not the primary crop of the
                taxpayer,
                    ``(B) the primary purpose of which is to achieve
                one or more of the following: reduction in erosion;
                maintenance or improvement in soil fertility, tilth,
                and structure,
                    ``(C) a purpose of which may be interruption of
                pest cycles or conservation of water.
    ``(d) Per Acre Credit Alternative.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
        of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall, in
        consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, establish an
        alternative procedure for determining the credit under
        subsection (a), which, at the election of the taxpayer, shall
        be treated as the amount determined under subsection (a).
            ``(2) Procedure described.--(A) The Secretary shall
        establish credit amounts to apply to land used in farming on a
        per acre basis with respect to each method of carbon
        sequestration and soil conservation described in subsection
        (c)(1).
            ``(B) Such credit amounts shall be based on the efficacy of
        the method in sequestering carbon and preventing soil erosion.
            ``(C) No such credit amount may exceed $15 per acre.
            ``(D) The Secretary shall prescribe rules similar to the
        rules of paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (e) to apply
        for purposes of the procedure established under this
        subsection.
            ``(3) Election.--An election to use such alternative method
        shall be made in such form and manner as the Secretary may
        prescribe, and shall apply to the taxable year for which made
        and for all subsequent taxable years.
    ``(e) Definition and Special Rules.--
            ``(1) Land used in farming.--For purposes of this section,
        land shall be treated as used in farming only if such land is
        used (before or simultaneously with the expenditures described
        in subsection (c)(1)) by the taxpayer or his tenant for the
        production of crops, fruits, or other agricultural products or
        for the sustenance of livestock.
            ``(2) Expenditures must be consistent with soil
        conservation plan.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
        section, subsection (a) shall not apply to any expenditures
        unless such expenditures are consistent with--
                    ``(A) the plan (if any) approved by the Soil
                Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture
                for the area in which the land is located, or
                    ``(B) if there is no plan described in clause (i),
                any soil conservation plan of a comparable State
                agency.
            ``(3) Basis adjustment.--For purposes of this subtitle, if
        a credit is determined under this section for any expenditure
        with respect to any property, the increase in the basis of such
        property which would (but for this paragraph) result from such
        expenditure shall be reduced by the amount of the credit so
        determined.
            ``(4) Denial of double benefit.--No deduction or other
        credit shall be allowed under this chapter for any amount taken
        into account in determining the credit under this section.
    ``(f) Termination.--This section shall not apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2013.''.
    (b) Credit Made Part of General Business Credit.--Subsection (b) of
section 38 of such Code (relating to current year business credit) is
amended by striking ``plus'' at the end of paragraph (30), by striking
the period at the end of paragraph (31) and inserting ``plus'', and by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(32) the carbon sequestration and soil conservation
        credit determined under section 45O(a).''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Subsection (a) of section 1016 of such
Code (relating to adjustments to basis) is amended by striking ``and''
at the end of paragraph (35), by striking the period at the end of
paragraph (36) and inserting ``and'', and by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
            ``(37) to the extent provided in section 45O(e).''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding
at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 45O. Carbon sequestration and soil conservation.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to expenditures paid or incurred after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 4. QUALIFYING PLANTING EXPENDITURE CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to other credits) is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 30D. QUALIFIED PLANTING EXPENDITURE CREDIT.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--There shall be allowed as a credit
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount
equal to 10 percent of the qualified planting expenditures of the
taxpayer for the taxable year.
    ``(b) Limitations.--The amount taken into account under subsection
(a) for any taxable year shall not exceed--
            ``(1) in the case of expenditures paid or incurred by the
        taxpayer with respect to an area which is included under
        section 121 as part of the taxpayer's principal residence,
        $5,000,
            ``(2) in the case of expenditures paid or incurred by the
        taxpayer in the course of, or with respect to, a trade or
        business carried on by the taxpayer, $50,000, and
            ``(3) in any other case, zero.
    ``(c) Qualified Planting Expenditures.--For purposes of this
section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `qualifying planting
        expenditures' means expenditures paid or incurred--
                    ``(A) for the purchase and planting of any tree,
                plant, shrub, or bush which meets the requirements of
                paragraph (2), and
                    ``(B) for the purchase and installation of a
                vegetated roof system.
        Such term shall not include expenditures relating to any
        property which is held by the taxpayer for use in a trade or
        business or for the production of income, or which is property
        described in section 1221(a)(1) in the hands of the taxpayer.
            ``(2) Trees, plants, shrubs, or bushes.--A tree, plant,
        shrub, or bush satisfies the requirements of the paragraph if
        such tree, plant, shrub, or bush is certified, in accordance
        with guidance prescribed by the Secretary (after consultation
        with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
        and the Secretary of Agriculture), to be quick-growing,
        appropriate for the region in which it is planted, and
        effective in capturing carbon.
            ``(3) Vegetated roof system.--The term `vegetated roof
        system' means a system by which vegetation growing in a
        substrate is integrated with the roof (or portion thereof) of a
        building owned by the taxpayer.
    ``(d) Application With Other Credits.--The credit allowed under
subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if
any) of--
            ``(1) the regular tax liability (as defined in section
        26(b)) reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under
        subpart A and sections 27, 30, 30B, and 30C, over
            ``(2) the tentative minimum tax for the taxable year.
    ``(e) Definition and Special Rules.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Principal residence.--The term `principal residence'
        has the same meaning as when used in section 121, except that
        no ownership requirement shall be imposed.
            ``(2) Joint occupancy, cooperative housing corporations,
        and condominium management associations.--Rules similar to the
        rules of paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of section 25D(e) shall
        apply.
            ``(3) Expenditures outside united states.--The credit under
        this section shall not be allowed with respect to expenditures
        paid or incurred for areas located outside the United States.
            ``(4) Basis adjustment.--For purposes of this subtitle, if
        a credit is allowed under this section for an expenditure, the
        increase in basis which would result (but for this subsection)
        from such expenditure shall be reduced by the amount of credit
        allowed under this section.
    ``(f) Termination.--This section shall not apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2013.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Subsection (a) of section 1016, as amended by section
        3, is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (36),
        by striking the period at the end of paragraph (37) and
        inserting ``and'', and by adding at the end the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(38) to the extent provided in section 30D(e)(4).''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart B of part IV of
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting
        after the item relating to section 30C the following new item:

``Sec. 30D. Qualified planting expenditure credit.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to expenditures paid or incurred after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 5. GRASSLAND, RANGELAND, AND FOREST CONSERVATION CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation
with the Department of Agriculture, shall establish an appropriate tax
credit, with respect to land located in the United States, for--
            (1) the conversion of cropland to pasture for grazing
        purposes or to grassland or rangeland, and
            (2) reforestation and afforestation of land--
                    (A) which is not held by the taxpayer for the
                planting, cultivating, caring for, and cutting of trees
                for sale or use in the commercial production of timber
                products, and
                    (B) with trees which are not held by the taxpayer
                for use in a trade or business or for the production of
                income.
    (b) Other Rules Relating to Credit.--
            (1) Credit to be per acre.--The Secretary shall establish
        credit amounts to apply to land on a per acre basis with
        respect to each method of conservation described in subsection
        (a).
            (2) Pursuant to approved plan.--Such methods must be
        pursuant to a plan submitted by the taxpayer and approved by
        the Secretaries of the Treasury and Agriculture.
            (3) Basis for credit amounts.--Credit amount shall be based
        on--
                    (A) the efficacy of the method in sequestering
                carbon and preventing soil erosion,
                    (B) the expenditures relating to such method, and
                    (C) the number of years the taxpayer certifies to
                the Secretary or ensures (by conservation easement or
                otherwise) that the applicable land will remain subject
                to the approved plan.
            (4) Recapture.--The Secretary shall provide for recapturing
        the benefit of any credit allowed under this section with
        respect to any property that ceases to be used in accordance
        with the approved plan.
            (5) Denial of double benefit and basis adjustment.--The
        Secretary shall provide--
                    (A) an appropriate basis adjustment for property
                with respect to which such credit is allowed, and
                    (B) rules disallowing such deductions and other
                credits as may be appropriate to avoid allowing
                additional tax benefits for the same conservation
                method or expenses.
    (c) Effective Date.--The credit established by the Secretary shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 6. CARBON SEQUESTRATION CREDIT REPORT.

    (a) In General.--In the case of any substantial change in the
carbon sequestration market (including the enactment into law of a
carbon cap and trade program), the Secretary of the Treasury shall, in
consultation with any appropriate Federal officers, study such change
and any effect of such change on the efficiency of, and need for, the
credits allowed under section 5 of this Act and sections 45O and 30D of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    (b) Report.--As soon as practicable after sufficient opportunity to
observe the effect of such change in the carbon sequestration market,
the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress containing the results
of the study conducted under subsection (a) and any recommendations of
the Secretary for modifying such credits based on such results.

Combating Climate Change Through Individual Action Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) 30% of carbon sequestration and soil conservation expenditures made by taxpayers engaged in the business of farming; (2) 10% of qualifying planting expenditures, including expenditures for the purchase and planting of any tree, plant, shrub, or bush, and the purchase and installation of a vegetated roof system; (3) the conversion of cropland to pasture for grazing purposes or to grassland or rangeland; and (4) certain types of reforestation and afforestation of land.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for carbon sequestration.