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I'm not show-offy.
Quote from: maggs on April 03, 2006, 04:53:45 PMHe's not always rightIn other news, life isn't always fair, puppies arn't always cute, and posters don't always expect impossibilities.
He's not always right
1. It isnít at the margins. There was a 60% increase in American Indians from 1960-1980 (age range of 15-19 year olds and then 35-39 year olds 20 years later). Unless people were miraculously born in that range thatís an impossibility (barring reclassification as a minority group). In India this is so common that the original minorities that were to be protected are now a tiny fraction of those who receive positive discrimination. Same with the aborigines in Australia and with the minorities in China (who get to have multiple children if they arenít Han Chinese).2. Where did you get that from? At various points it has been about many things including redressing socio-economic inequality. How is this at all disingenuous? He claims that AA mostly benefits benefit the Rich, which if you read the clip I typed (2 pages in a book of several hundred) in is very difficult to argue (successfully with. In this particular book he rationales for AA are beyond the scope of the question. It is simply about the results of AA worldwide.3. You do know heís black right? Do you have any proof that inherited benefits of being white do anything along the lines of what AA does? Are you aware that both Jews and Asians (both historically persecuted minority groups) put whites to shame in just about any current field of endeavor (business, academics, etc.)? How is that possible if they arenít white (and by definition devoid of any white privilege) and at many points have been strongly discriminated against?4. Itís difficult to talk about AA without referring to groups. India and Malaysia are prime examples here, with several Indian provinces (Assam and Andhra Pradesh for example) having conflicts between prosperous minorities and idle majorities, and AA for the majority Malay against the prosperous minority Chinese.Your intelligence blinds you to your complete lack of useful information to debate Affirmative Action with. You made no references to facts, no appeals to sources, but managed lots of character assassination and innuendo. Iím going to guess that youíve read exactly zero Sowell books (or perhaps that economic issues arn't your strong suite), and further that youíve spent little time reading on positive discrimination in general. Youíre smart, but cut the rhetoric and read a bit more on the subject. Stuff like ďHe generally makes poor arguments, however, which is why he's affiliated with the Hoover.Ē is hopefully beneath you.
My best guess is that you have the typical opinions and a typical amount of research to back them up, i.e. none whatsoever.
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Whilst we don't claim to have visited absolutely every inch of Australia, we've seen more than our fair share. We've ridden the highways, rattled along the tracks, powered through the deserts, up the mountains, through the valleys and roamed deep into the Outback.
The information provided here is intended to give you the knowledge you'll need to stay safe in Australia, plus a little personal account of the main areas of the country.
Advice and information - Queensland
Starting at the top and working our way south, Cape York is proper 4WD country, not a place to be attempted by the faint hearted for sure! Most riders go north to Cooktown from the end of the surfaced road at Cape Tribulation, then head off into the depths of the peninsula from there. It's wild and remote so make sure to plan properly and stay away in the wet season, as most of the roads are impassable at one time or another.
Cape Tribulation is set in the heart of the ancient and mysterious rainforest. It's well worth taking the time to find out more about this fascinating ecosystem. There are trails throughout the area and the Daintree rainforest visitor centre has a wealth of information about the plants, birds and animals that inhabit the forests. It's incredible how densely life is packed together and how it changes as you move upward through the canopy.
The visitor centre has a tower with platforms at many different levels, so you can see how the parrot species and other bird and plant life changes as you climb in height. Information leaflets and boards at each level tell you what to look for and how the original inhabitants of the region used each unusual resource.
Head to the coast and you'll find the forest is unbroken right down to the beach. Paradise, castaway style forests and beaches. Deep green mountains topped with bulging white clouds, slope down to coconut lined white sandy beaches that slide gently into the turquoise waters around the Great Barrier Reef, with hardly a soul to be seen even at the peak of the tourism season. Captain Cook beached his ship Endeavour for repairs at Cape Tribulation and when you sit on the beach with no one around, you can really picture yourself in the scene and imagine what it must have been like to come ashore on an unexplored land.
The narrow roads twists and winds south from Cape Tribulation and are great fun on a bike. Eventually it opens out to a ferry crossing at the Daintree River and on to the coastal town of Port Douglas. This small settlement is, for my money anyway, far nicer than its better known neighbour of Cairns. It feels much more upmarket and the tropical vegetation seems to blend with the town, as opposed to being displaced by the buildings.
The Great Barrier Reef is only about an hour away by fast catamaran and there are several major tour operators to choose from, all leaving from the shop and restaurant lined marina. Snorkelling or diving on the reef is an essential experience if you're in Queensland, one I can heartily recommend. The abundance of fish, coral, turtles. sharks and other creatures is mind boggling and getting up close is an incredible experience. The only issue I'd have with the Great Barrier Reef is that you have to take a boat trip to visit it, but the cost and time taken getting out there and back is worth every penny.
Another great day out for the fisherman amongst you is a deep sea fishing charter. It's a much more personal experience than the large dive boat operators as there's only 10 or so hopeful fisherman on a boat. You meet interesting people, get great views of the coast and always come back with a sack full of fish for the barbeque! No sooner is your bait on the bottom and the struggle begins. A 20 or 30lb fish is not uncommon but you've got to be quick pulling them up because sharks like the prospect of an easy meal! One minute you're struggling to pull up a decent fish then suddenly it gets much bigger and takes off into the distance! Bringing up what's left of tale worthy fish after a shark has had its fill, isn't as nice as being able to eat it yourself!
Throw your catch on the barbeque wrapped in foil with some garlic salt, a few slices of lemon and you're in for a real treat. These fish are seriously delicious and taste all the better for catching it yourself.
There are loads of other things to do up here but another good day out is to try Mossman Gorge. It's up in the rainforest and as well as the informative trails through the trees, the real attraction is the cool refreshing water flowing down from the hills. On a hot steamy day in January there's nothing better than sitting in the boulder strewn river listening to the birds and wildlife, as the water soothes and revitalises. Head south to Cairns past countless sugar beet fields and things start to get a bit busier. Cairns is not as big as you might expect but there are still plenty of bars, restaurants, shops, day trip tour operators and people from every corner of the world. Worth a visit but personally I wouldn't stay long - there's much better along this coast!
The road winds south along the coast towards Townsville with hills to your right and the sea on your left. There are one or two nice campsites right on the beach. Pitch your tent under a palm tree, cook your evening meal on the beach and watch the stars appear as the sun goes down. In the morning open your tent to see the sun rising over the ocean. Not a bad start to the day whichever way you look at it!
Townsville sprawls a little, but the town centre is quite compact. The 290m high Castle Hill dominates the view and there's a nice 2km path to the top where it affords some great views over the town and out to Magnetic Island, 8km off shore.
The town has a new looking marina and lovely seafront drive called the Strand with a large open-air salt water swimming pool at one end. It's free and open 24 hours. If you're keen enough to get there at 6.30am you'll see the locals all getting their daily swim before heading off to work! Townsville has one of the best Reef Aquariums in the world with an IMAX theatre and the Museum of Tropical Queensland right next door.
I liked Townsville and it gets even better with a visit to Magnetic Island. It's a short distance offshore and is easily reached with your vehicle on the ferry. Captain Cook named it when his compass spun uncontrollably as he passed the island. It's a quiet island with lovely sandy bays and some superb bush walks with fantastic views of the island and plentiful wildlife. Look closely and you could be lucky enough to see koalas up in the trees. 'Maggie' as the locals call it has a relaxed, laid back feel with a few small resorts spread around the expanse of the 494m high Mount Cook.
Just south of Townsville is Airlie Beach and the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. I haven't been there personally yet so won't comment too much, but from what I hear it's an incredible place and well worth the visit. It's certainly been added to the top of my 'must do' list that's for sure!
Stay on the long road south and the next big stop is Hervey Bay and the ferry to Fraser Island. One of the highlights of a trip to Queensland, Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world at 120km by 15km. The normal procedure for visitors is to either join a tour and accompany several other people with a guide, or hire a 4WD car in Hervey Bay and take yourself onto the island via the River Head ferry 10km or so south of town.
There are several resorts and apartments on the island but they can be expensive and supplies are vastly overpriced. In my opinion the true atmosphere of the place can only be felt when camping on the beach. Take your own food and water (maybe a few beers too) and camp just behind the 'road' in a series of small dunes. Light a campfire, cook a meal and watch the ocean as the sun goes down. All those things you thought were important in life seem to just drift away on the tide and you've time to reflect on what really matters. In the morning get up early and take a walk through the bush to one of the crystal clear freshwater lakes. Watch the fish eagles grab their breakfast, kick back and relax! Wonderful.
As you drive along the beach there are fascinating shipwrecks to explore, dingos to watch and many 4WD tracks leading you off into the rainforest to lakes, or other unusual features such as huge dunes called 'sandblows'. Towards the north of the island, Indian Heads is an area of high cliffs that overlooks the ocean. Swimming on the beach is definitely not recommended and if you walk up onto the top of the cliff you'll see why. Large dark silhouettes in the water are distinctly shark shaped, but the more benign turtles and whales are often seen passing by too.
Leaving Fraser Island and heading south you'll find yourself on the Sunshine Coast, probably in Noosa, from where you can see Fraser island across the ocean. This town is an upmarket tourist location located on the estuary to the Noosa River. Beautiful houses with jetties to the river mix with good quality restaurants and a modern, small town centre. Noosa has some of the best surfing in the area and the estuary is full of wind surfers and kite surfers when the wind suits them. The Noosa National Park has some lovely walks and the river is a magnet for fishermen.
An hour or so inland from Noosa is an area of high ground referred to as the 'hinterland'. It's a mix of pineapple farms, tremendous views to the coast, quaint country towns and rainforest. Captain Cook named the peaks in the area the Glass House Mountains as it reminded him of the Glass factories in his native Yorkshire. The steep, craggy volcanic mounds are up to 300m tall with sheer sides in places. The surrounding area has gradually weathered away leaving these peaks of hard rock sticking up from the otherwise flat plain. There are some superb lookouts as you travel throughout the area and the wooden Queensland style buildings add to the country atmosphere.
An hour or so south of Noosa down a good road is Brisbane. There are several other towns along the Sunshine Coast but I haven't visited them. More for the 'to-do' list!
Brisbane is a cosmopolitan, cultured town set on the banks of the Brisbane River. It has a great street café scene, is a magnet for lovers of theatre and nightlife and a superb shopping centre for those needing some retail therapy. It's now the third largest city in Australia and all its attractions plus fantastic weather pretty much year round make it one of the most desirable places to live in the country. There's loads to do in Brisbane but I prefer the more natural side of Australia and so I'll leave it to you explore the city and investigate its history yourself.
South of Brisbane is the famous Gold Coast with Surfers Paradise and the high rise hotel strip that accompanies it. If I'd visited when I was 21 and unmarried they'd have had to drag me away from the place kicking and screaming. This is definitely one great place to party! For a married, solo traveller it didn't appeal quite so much (even though I still enjoy a good party), so I passed through pretty quickly.
The beach was beautiful, with fine white sand and good surf but the towering hotels, bars, fast food outlets and neon signs of commercialism have spoilt it a bit for me. There must be much more to this part of the coast than I've seen but as I passed through I was struggling for time and had more important things to see.
I could write forever about Queensland and its attractions and there's still so much for me to go back and see. It's a great state and I hope this short explanation offers a brief flavour of the place and peaks your interest. | <urn:uuid:00e04da0-085d-4a34-af79-3d1b1776df4b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bikeroundoz.com/advice_and_information/queensland.asp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967263 | 2,524 | 1.640625 | 2 |
THE SOPHIE CUBBISON STORY
Sophia Huchting was born in San Marcos, CA (San Diego County), one of 10 children.
Sophie graduated from college with a degree in home economics (California Polytechnical University), one of eight women in a class of 25. She paid her way through school with the money she earned feeding the farm workers.
Sophie and Harry got married. Sophie took her husband’s surname. As fate would have it, she would be the one to turn it into a household name.
Mrs. Cubbison expanded her product line to include bran crackers, whole-wheat flax seed and unsweetened graham crackers.
The Cubbisons sold their bread business and launched "Mrs. Cubbison's Melba Toast and Zwieback." Next door to the bakery, they opened "Cubbison's Health Food Store."
The Mayo Brothers Clinic introduced a headline-making, 18-day diet for actress Ethel Barrymore, and it gained popularity across the nation. The diet, which encouraged the regular use of Melba toast, brought the Cubbisons so much business that they had to operate three plants day and night to keep up with the demand.
Cubbison's Soyfee (Coffee Substitute) was introduced.
Mrs. Cubbison took her products to Walter Ralphs and Charles Von der Ahe, and Ralphs and Vons grocery stores became the company's first big clients.
Mrs. Cubbison began selling the Hollywood Cup, a caffeine-free coffee replacement made with California barley, figs and bran.
Mrs. Cubbison had 14 delivery trucks that distributed her products. Her trucks also distributed Rold Gold pretzels, to help keep her delivery costs down.
After years of success selling stuffing mix, the company decided to expand its line of products. Mrs. Cubbison's Croutons were introduced in 7 flavors.
Mrs. Cubbison's Restaurant Style Croutons were launched. These croutons were larger than the original croutons, adding more flavor to every bite.
Sophie grew up on a lima bean farm, and by the age of sixteen, she was cooking for her father, brothers and more than 40 farm laborers. She cooked and baked 5 meals a day out of 2 horse-drawn mobile kitchens. Her father, who had come to the US from Germany, taught Sophie his mother's recipe for 100% whole wheat bread.
Sophie met Harry G. Cubbison.
Sophie and Harry took out a $300 loan to open their first health food bakery with a mill to grind their own 100% whole-wheat flour. Sophie baked bread 3 days a week and spent another 3 days a week giving product demonstrations in local delicatessens and markets.
Mrs. Cubbison was one of the first to make soy products, and by 1924, she was a leading seller.
The company changed its name to the Cubbison's Melba Toast and Cracker Co.
Cubbison's Soyettes (Crackers) were introduced.
Sophie used broken pieces of her popular Melba Toast and added seasonings to make stuffing. This recipe was launched as a commercial turkey stuffing called Toasted Dressing. She also introduced Corn Bread Stuffin’.
November 26, 1948
Mrs. Cubbison's Foods was founded.
November 6, 1952
A print and in-store campaign launched for Cubbison's Prepared Dressing.
Cubbison's began selling 100% Whole Wheat Soya Cookies.
After retiring, Sophie spent many years traveling the world, but remained a consultant to the Mrs. Cubbison's company. She always came back to the US each autumn to check on her stuffing product in stores.
November 23, 1982
This was a sad day. Sophie Cubbison passed away at the age of 92. | <urn:uuid:82a36690-c53a-45c9-b358-dff9845f6f63> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mrscubbisons.com/about-us/history.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975227 | 824 | 1.8125 | 2 |
Do your own inspection. Before getting on any rides take a look around and size up the park. Is it clean and well maintained? Inattention to maintenance in general may indicate inattention to the rides. Do the ride operators seem professional and competent, and are they paying more attention to the ride they're operating or to the people walking by?
Watch the rides in operation. Rides should look and sound like they're in top condition and run smoothly every time. Look out for rust, cracks, and jerry rigged repairs. The more you know about how the ride should operate, the better. A little sway in a wooden roller coaster framework is not only expected, it's built in. The same sway in a steel track could be trouble.
Check your own restraints Buckle any seatbelt, make sure your lap bar or "horsecollar" (over the shoulder restraint) locks down, visually inspect pins and door latches. If you find a problem that the ride operator missed, speak up-- so it can be fixed before you ride.
Keep hands and arms inside the car at all times. We hear the warnings so many times we no longer pay any attention, they become so much background noise along with the rumble of the wheels and screams of delighted riders. Take the time to listen to all warnings and instructions -- and follow them. Stay seated, and keep all body parts you want to keep inside ride vehicles and away from tracks and machinery.
You must be this tall. Don't argue with the ride operator because Junior is too short to ride -- he or she didn't set the height limit and must follow it. Restrictions are based on the size and position of the ride's restraint system, not some sort of anti-child discrimination. It's better for your child to not ride and be disappointed than to slip from the ride and suffer an injury that could last a lifetime -- or end it.
Respect all posted ride restrictions. Some rides restrict pregnant women and persons with back problems, heart conditions, etc.. These are usually rides which involve sharp, sudden movements or a great deal of shaking about and may even be quite a workout for the perfectly healthy. Don't assume that the park is exaggerating the danger; there are a few tragic cases of children with known heart problems collapsing after riding attractions that have served millions of satisfied healthy riders safely. There's no way a ride operator can check for such hidden problems, if you know of a reason why you or your child shouldn't ride, don't ride.
Do not stand up on roller coasters or other rides. Those signs at the top of the lift hill are there for a reason -- standing on a sit-down coaster puts your center of gravity much too high, and the same forces that ordinarily conspire to keep you in your seat now work to throw you from the train. Too many people have died this way already, do not push your luck. (Obviously, coasters which are designed to be ridden standing are an exception.)
Don't rock the boat, or the log or the vehicle or the seat of any ride. Let the ride provide the motion -- attempts to jazz up a ride by rocking or swinging can cause the ride to jam or shut down and you could get hurt in the process. Tramway type cars cars are subject to having their cable slip the guides, in which case you'll be stuck up there, or having the car slip the cable, in which case you'll be hitting the ground very suddenly. Even the ordinarily safe Ferris wheel can turn deadly if the seat is rocked high enough to spill its passengers. If you absolutely have to have an effect on your ride, try a ride that is designed to shake you up.
Report problems to the park or carnival. If you do notice an unsafe condition or see someone doing something foolish, notify a ride operator or guest services. After all, they can't fix what they may not know about. Wouldn't you rather feel embarrassed over a misunderstanding something than feel guilty because an accident was about to happen and you failed to stop it. | <urn:uuid:0b0cd27c-6a9a-4f15-8398-c37f2d663896> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mass.gov/eopss/consumer-prot-and-bus-lic/license-type/amusements/amusement-guidelines-for-parents.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958498 | 832 | 1.632813 | 2 |
Monday, September 24, 2012
Glory Be, by Augusta Scattergood
But it's the summer of 1964, and Glory's age isn't the only thing that's changing. First off Jesslyn, who used to play junk poker and talk with Glory in their shared room, isn't really talking anymore. She's busy dressing up, putting on lipstick and sneaking visits with new boy Robbie at the library. And then there's Glory's best friend Franklin Cletus Smith (Frankie for short). Sure he's always been pushed around by his big brother J.T., but now Frankie is seeming to spew the same kind of stupidity as J.T. and his Daddy. After all, it's Frankie who tells Glory that the pool is closing. He says he overheard his Daddy talking about it. He said it has cracks and needs to be fixed. Glory doesn't see any cracks...
Hanging Moss, Mississippi has to face the fact that just because things have always been one way, doesn't make that way right. Maybe there shouldn't be a white fountain and a colored fountain. Maybe the community pool shouldn't only be for white people. Maybe the library should be open to all.
Augusta Scattergood tells one girl's story about a summer of change in the South. Glory's world view is pitch perfect as she slowly starts to understand the bigger reasons for the pool closing, and her fellow townspeople's treatment of the Yankees who have come to town. Glory is a white girl who has grown-up in the white part of town with a black maid employed by her preacher father. She has all of the spunk and indignation of an 11 year old who can see right and wrong, but has a hard time seeing where she fits into the picture. This is a great tween read that will get readers thinking about the big issues of social justice as well as the universal changes that come with growing up. | <urn:uuid:5da9384d-4fe5-48a3-a5d7-8e2df0d68b69> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://tweendom.blogspot.com/2012/09/glory-be-by-augusta-scattergood.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985348 | 393 | 1.695313 | 2 |
In this “People Behind the Policies” blog, we hear from one of the founders of Maryland-based Astrum Solar and learn how their business relates to our goal to Increase Maryland’s In-State renewable generation 20% by 2022.
You’ve probably driven past them and not even noticed. For the past five years, more and more citizens of Maryland have been putting solar panels on their roof and producing the power that runs their television, microwave and computer themselves. The electricity they are producing is clean solar energy produced by systems installed by Maryland companies and Maryland workers.
Astrum Solar is one of the companies helping to bring solar to Maryland homes. Started in 2008 by Vadim Polikov, Josh Goldberg and Ben Davis (Vadim and Josh are Maryland natives) and headquartered in Howard County, Astrum has installed nearly 1,000 solar electric systems in Maryland alone. Astrum Solar’s mission is to spread solar power to the rooftops of America. More and more people around the country are ready to take control of their unpredictable utility costs and reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprints. When they make that decision, Astrum is there to guide them and make going solar easy and rewarding.
With that mission, in under five years Astrum Solar has expanded to twelve states, created 100 Maryland jobs and been named the 2nd fastest growing company in the nation by Inc. Magazine. As Astrum has grown, Maryland as a state has seen an explosive growth in solar installations. In the past 22 months alone, solar capacity in the state has grown by approximately 700%. This growth was made possible by considered policies put in place by the state years ago. Maryland instituted a broad but responsible grant program that seeded the market by helping home and business owners afford the upfront cost associated with solar. Maryland also affirmed its commitment to clean energy by demanding that a percentage of its power be produced by clean sources, specifically solar. These policies are largely the result of the smart government and vision of Governor Martin O’Malley, a trusted partner of Astrum Solar.
The solar industry has changed a lot since Maryland took those first steps. Declines in the cost of materials have made solar affordable for everyone without state assistance. Accordingly, the grant has decreased dramatically. Advances in financing now allow people to go solar for no money down. The market for solar is taking off nation-wide, and Maryland has positioned itself to benefit from the economic development and local jobs that come with this expansion. And let’s not forget that this growth helps Maryland to preserve its air and water quality while limiting its dependence on foreign fuels.
Despite this initial success, there is much more to do. Renewables and solar are still only emerging as major power sources and Astrum Solar has considerable growth ahead of it. Maryland will need to continue to take appropriate and considered steps toward a clean energy future to preserve and expand the considerable gains it has already made. As it does this, Astrum Solar will continue to grow and give Maryland citizens the ability to choose clean, affordable, self-produced electricity.
This blog is posted on 49 sites throughout Maryland. Join the statewide conversation in comments! Find other Patch sites here. | <urn:uuid:16a72479-1bbb-4290-b50a-3c2c905dcae7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/a-brighter-future-for-maryland | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965302 | 661 | 1.796875 | 2 |
Updated on 27 July 2012
CorPath 200: World's first robotic-assisted system for percutaneous coronary interventions
Singapore: Corindus Vascular Robotics, a leading developer of precision vascular robotics, received FDA 510(k) clearance for the CorPath 200 System to be used in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The technology is now approved in the US to assist interventional cardiologists in performing PCI, a procedure to restore blood flow to blocked arteries in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Mr David M Handler, president and CEO, Corindus Vascular Robotics, said that, "We are pleased to have received clearance from the FDA for the world's first system designed for robotic-assisted PCI procedures. The CorPath System offers hospitals the opportunity to bring robotic-assisted technology benefits to their coronary patients and their physicians."
The CorPath PRECISE Trial, a prospective, single-arm, multi-center, study, which served as the basis for the submission of a pre-market clearance (510(k)) application to the FDA, demonstrated that robotically-assisted PCI is safe and feasible for patients. PCI was successfully completed without having to convert to manual PCI in 98.8 percent of patients and without device-related complications. The overall procedure success rate was 97.6 percent. Additionally, the trial found that robotic-assisted PCI can make the procedure safer for the interventional cardiologist by reducing the radiation exposure by 95 percent when performing the procedure with the CorPath 200 System.
The CorPath 200 System is the first and only robotic-assisted procedure to allow for controlled placement of coronary guidewires and stent/balloon catheters from an optimized interventional cockpit. The lead-lined cockpit protects the interventional cardiologist from harmful radiation exposure and the seated position in front of monitors may provide enhanced view of the angiography screen while reducing fatigue and minimizing head, neck and back strain.
Mr Handler said that, "There has been a tremendous amount of interest in the CorPath 200 System, and we are excited to bring to market a solution that has the potential to transform the standard of care for PCI procedures. Corindus is ready to help our customers successfully implement the complete CorPath-assisted procedure program into their institutions." | <urn:uuid:67954c31-d904-45e4-9fc8-ffd479e2bc08> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.biospectrumasia.com/biospectrum/regulatory/2592/fda-clears-worlds-robotic-assisted-pci | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932116 | 465 | 1.6875 | 2 |
Insure your car, home and valuables with iWYZE
New bank notes featuring former president Nelson Mandela will enter circulation on November 6, the SA Reserve Bank said on Tuesday.
“The Reserve Bank is proud to be able to honour South Africa's struggle icon and first democratically elected president in this way,” SARB governor Gill Marcus said in a statement.
“Our currency is a unique symbol of our nationhood, with many of us handling banknotes every day.”
The new banknotes feature Mandela on the front and pictures of the “Big Five” animals on the back, SARB said in a statement.
The new banknotes will circulate with the existing currency and both will be legal tender.
The launch has been preceded by a public awareness campaign that includes television, radio and print advertisements as well as electronic media and social networking.
There have also been roadshow and events throughout the country and abroad in Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe. - Sapa | <urn:uuid:dd44710c-b5e5-4311-b6d2-b4fe9a8fc922> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/mandela-bank-note-to-begin-circulating-1.1414645 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941348 | 220 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Drill Baby Drill
Drug-free relaxation techniques help patients overcome dental dread.
If you dread going to the dentist, there is a new way to relieve anxiety about going under the drill and it doesn't involve needles or prescription drugs.
Jen Moyer admits she detests the dentist.
"It's the smells. It's the sounds," Jen says.
She says the fear has kept her out of the chair for years and her dentist, Dr. David Stall, says she is not alone.
Along with nitrous oxide or laughing gas and sedation, Dr. Stall now offers an alternative way to relax while he works.
It's a four step process called Nu-Calm.
"It's a very natural way to help someone relax," he says.
First, Jen takes the supplements gapa and l-thanine.
"Basically the same thing your body produces when you are ready for sleep," explains Dr. Stall.
Then she's hooked up to a very mild form of electrical stimulation.
Next, she listens to classical music embedded with a beat that the dentist says puts her into the first stage of sleep, the Alpha Stage, a kind of hypnosis.
It's all topped off with dark glasses to block out all light.
Jen, who said she was very anxious even though she was having very little drilling today did seem to calm down pretty quickly.
Her feet stopped their anxious tapping and her breathing appeared more relaxed.
"I felt pretty relaxed," she said afterwards. "I really can't believe I'm saying that."
Dr. Stall says the cost of Nu-Calm is about $75 dollars, and it's not covered by insurance.
Experts say that taken in small doses, the supplements are likely safe, but they're not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. | <urn:uuid:647f8cb5-8e25-4021-a110-3976fdbcf066> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kveo.com/news/drill-baby-drill | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976905 | 375 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Rank and organization: Commissary Sergeant, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Place and date: At Farmville, Va., 7 April 1865.
Entered service at: ?.
Birth: Philadelphia, Pa.
Date of issue: 30 October 1897.
regiment being surprised and nearly overwhelmed, he dashed forward under
a heavy fire, reached the right of the regiment, where the danger was greatest,
rallied the men and prevented a disaster that was imminent.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973) | <urn:uuid:a488c7f3-9c27-4d2b-b278-f6591b56ee02> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://distantcousin.com/Military/MedalofHonor/CivilWar/05/065.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941267 | 141 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Okay, I confess. I’m a “reality TV” junkie, but hooked on those shows that actually require skill. Which is why I’m addicted to the food channel.
You see, I can’t cook. Whenever I tried making matzah balls, I had emergency services on speed dial. “I’m experimenting!” would send my family careening through the screen door like the Roadrunner. When our son was young, I baked one big cookie with his name on top. Did I know it would run together during the baking and emerge looking like a miniature European dictator?
My favorite show is “Chopped” where four “common” geniuses vie in three rounds (apps, main, and dessert), from mystery baskets that contain weird stuff I mostly never heard of (buffalo ears, Poussin, watermelon radish, earthy sunchokes – and bubble gum) in less time than it takes me to floss my teeth. More, they must mix, “transform” and “repurpose” this panoply of impossibles.
What could they do to transform challah?! And why would they?
However, a few weeks ago, one of the “secret” ingredients in the basket to be “re-purposed” was challah.
What could they do to “transform” challah?! And more, why would they?
I immediately summoned 3,500 years of Jewish history and I was determined to be defensive.
Our challah is not to be fooled with. We Jews are masters at imbuing ordinary acts with symbolism. For thousands of years challah has been our Shabbat and holiday bread, and as for meanings, challah alone needs a thesaurus.
The first appearance of the word “challah” appears in the Bible (Numbers 15:18-21) as follows:
...When you enter the land where I bring you, it shall be that when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall set aside a portion for God. Of the first of your dough you shall set aside a loaf as an offering; as the offering of the threshing-floor, so you shall set it aside. From the first of your dough you shall give to God an offering throughout your generations.
The word “cake” is a translation of the Hebrew word “challah.” The offering or portion of challah that was given to the priests (kohanim) was called the mitzvah of “hafrashat challah” – separating the challah.
(In the days of the Temple in Jerusalem, Jews were told to separate 1/24th of the doughs and give it to the kohanim every Shabbat. I’m the daughter of kohanim, but I’ve yet to receive a morsel.)
On Shabbat, the two challahs placed on our festive tables represent the double-portion of manna that fell on Friday, the heavenly bread that fed Jewish people during their 40 years in the desert.
The strands, arms intertwined, symbolize love, truth, peace, creation, freedom, harmony, family connection, unity and justice – following the simultaneous commandments to remember, observe and guard Shabbat (“Shamor” and “Zachor”).
Twelve humps recall the miracle of the 12 loaves for the 12 tribes of Israel.
Round loaves on Rosh Hashanah symbolize continuity.
Ladder shapes, before the Yom Kippur fast, represents ascending to great heights.
On Purim, small triangular loaves represent Haman’s ears.
On Shavuot, two oblongs side by side resemble the Tablets of the Law.
Next to matzah (and chicken), challah is what makes our world go round.
The word challah (ḥallah plural: challot/ḥalloth/khallos) (Hebrew: חלה) is also called khale (eastern Yiddish, German and western Yiddish), berches (Swabian), barkis (Gothenburg), bergis (Stockholm), birkata in Judeo-Amharic, chałka (Polish), colaci (Romanian),and kitke (South Africa). Yet the origin Etymology of the word “challah” is as mysterious to me as me trying to bake one – from scratch.
The term challah comes from the Biblical commandment of “hafrashat challah,” separating the challah for the cohen or priest. The word cChallah itself may come from the root word “Chalal” which means space. The term comes from the Biblical commandment of “hafrashat challah,” or burning a bit to commemorate the destruction of the Temple.
Challah may come from “Gal” referring to a circle in Hebrew.
Others suggest “challah” may be derived from the amalgamation of: Hilu or hala, the Arabic root for “sweet.” Nah.
The name “challah” was given applied to the bread in South Germany in the Middle Ages when it was adopted by Jews for Shabbat and holidays. John Cooper (Eat and Be Satisfied) notes that the first mention was in the 15th century. The term was coined in Austria. Before, the bread was called “berches,” a name still used by Jews in some places today.
Every Friday evening, it's challah that heralds the Sabbath. Likewise on Jewish holidays.
The prayers and customs that accompany the mitzvah of making challah for the Sabbath are the same the world over, linking the present to the Book of Leviticus, when God instructed Moses to place two rows of six challot. For more than 4,000 years since, Jews have been delighting in challah for Shabbat.
On Friday night and holidays, this special, oh so delicious bread is also a reminder of the purity of the day of rest, as well as a remembrance of the deprivation of Eastern European Jews who lived on black bread during the week.
Wait! There’s more …
Tearing vs. Slicing: On “Chopped” I saw them slicing the challah instead of tearing! (I ran for the Slivovitz.) Oy vey. Abraham is rolling.
Schlissel challah: Whether a key of dough is baked inside or adorns the top, some still engage in this controversial practice. The key is a form of prayer to open up the gates of livelihood. Other interpretations see the key as understanding the basic necessities in life as stored for us in shamayim (heaven) behind locked gates. All we have to do is ask God to unlock the gates and fill our homes with blessings. Just as He unlocked the gates of sustenance to provide for us in those days in Israel, may He provide us with our needs now.
Salvation: A recent custom, 40 women devote their prayers while separating challah to those in need of salvation (illness, a worthy mate, the birth of a child). Separating challah is a segulah (good omen) for an easy, safe birth and some separate challah at least once in the ninth month of pregnancy.
Special enough yet?!
So, with this history in mind I watched what they did to OUR challah on “Chopped.” Oy, what they made! I don’t want to see (or understand) challah béchameled, cassoletted, chiffonaded, moled, rouladed, confited, aiolied, rouxed, coulisdied, ceviched, sabayoned into a pate, or encrouted in something. I don’t want to see white chocolate (which should be an extra Jewish sin) using our challah! (Never mind the recipes for Challah and Apple Stuffed Pork Loin? Mit bacon or ham? QUICK! THE SLIVOVITZ!)
While “transforming” may be a sign of genius in today’s world, let them play with goat’s feet, dragonfruit, and yes, even Halvah with fried pickles. But there are just some things you don’t futz with.
No ratings, and yes, even “geniuses” should be required to “repurpose” that which has had a purpose to We Jews for millennia.
Just as we don’t need to “transform” Judaism, even for ratings, our challah stands alone (except for maybe some raisins, and French toast) – and like Judaism, should be dosed straight, with love, and respect for this ever-lasting mitzvah! | <urn:uuid:6daf641b-1d68-41a6-beec-50ff7262db8b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.aish.com/j/f/A_Brief_History_of_Challah.html?s=rab | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944412 | 1,912 | 1.578125 | 2 |
When to Go to Glacier National Park
The best time of year to visit Glacier National Park during the warm summer months of July, August, and September. June is also a lovely time to go, but the higher elevations of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, including Logan Pass, may still be blocked by snow. Because of this, you'll enjoy smaller crowds in June. If you love snow sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, then winter is also a time you'll want to visit Glacier National Park. Spring can be cold and wet and is not a great time to explore the park.
Where to Stay When Visiting Glacier National Park
If you choose to stay inside of the park, or very near a park entrance, you'll have convenient access to the hikes, the lakes, and other park activities. You will be sacrificing something in the way of modern comforts, however. If you prefer air conditioning, Internet access, and varied dining options, lodgings in Whitefish or Kalispell are your best option. You will, however, spend additional time traveling to and from the park.
- Hotels & Lodging Inside Glacier National Park
- Hotels & Lodging Near Glacier National Park
- Hotels & Lodging in Whitefish
- Hotels & Lodging in Kalispell
What to Do in Glacier National Park
A visit to Glacier National Park is all about the scenery. The park preserves a US portion of the Northern Rocky Mountains. Called "The Crown of the Continent" and "The Backbone of the World," the sharp peaks and steep valleys in this section of Montana combine with clear waters and wild-flower-filled meadows to yield spectacular views. During your time in the park, you can experience this unbelievable scenery on a scenic drive, a day hike, from a horse's back, on a boat tour, on a bike, or while floating the Flathead River.
How to Get to Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is located in the northwest part of the state of Montana.
Glacier Park International Airport is located in Kalispell, Montana. Kalispell is approximately 30 miles to the western park entrance at West Glacier; the charming mountain town of Whitefish is nearby. Rental cars and shuttles are available at the Kalispell airport.
The Amtrak Empire Builder rail route stops right in Glacier National Park at West Glacier, Essex, and East Glacier. Nearby stops are Whitefish, to the west, and Browning, in the east.
The primary freeways to Glacier National Park are Interstate 90 (from the east and west) and Interstate 15 (from the north and south). US Highway 2 runs along the southern border of the park and will take you to the West Glacier, Walton, and East Glacier entrances. US Highway 89 reaches the Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Two Medicine entrances on the east side of the park.
The Shuttle System in Glacier National Park
Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road can be nerve wracking for several reasons. It is a narrow, two-lane road with steep drop offs. Traffic backs up for summer road construction or for wildlife, making progress slow. Parking at turnouts and visitor centers is limited. Glacier National Park offers free shuttle service along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It has proven to be very popular.
Wildlife in Glacier National Park
You will see some wildlife along the roads and on hikes in Glacier National Park. The large animals are dangerous and should be enjoyed from a distance. Smaller animals, such as chipmunks, marmots, and Clark's nutcrackers, can be quite amusing. Be sure to review the bear safety guidelines at the beginning of your visit. Here is a small sample of the many birds, mammals, amphibians, and insects you may see during your Glacier National Park visit.
- Grizzly Bears
- Black Bears
- Bighorn Sheep
- Gray Wolf
- Mountain Goats
- River Otter
- Ladybird Beetles
- Harlequin Ducks
- Clark's Nutcrackers
Cell Phones and WiFi in Glacier National Park
Because of its remote and mountainous nature, there is very limited cell phone and WiFi access in the park, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Dogs in Glacier National Park
Dogs are not permitted on hiking trails or in any of the park lodges and facilities. Dogs on a leash are permitted in your vehicle, the parking lots, and at campgrounds. | <urn:uuid:8875534c-2ffc-42d4-9c8c-3fb6fcb05f4c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://gonw.about.com/od/glaciernationalpark/ss/Glacier-National-Park-What-To-Know-Before-You-Go.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94389 | 937 | 1.640625 | 2 |
[Spoilers are below, but if you were going to see Tangled you've probably seen it already.]
Growing it out
Lauren Berlant has recently been publishing an amazing series of posts on combover subjectivity, and one (inadequate) way to describe the project would be to say that, if we’re approaching the anima in a certain way, then what people do with their hair can be especially helpful in allowing us to think through its incoherences and how we try to smooth them out and cover them up. Hair and heads are hard to animate. They are also hard to draw, color in, and set in motion on film—and so it seems worth noting that the most expensive animated movie ever made is one released at the end of 2010, the last Disney princess movie, whose narrative and affective strategies are woven around strands of impossibly long, impossibly blond, gorgeously rendered flowing hair. It’s always interesting to see what artist-technicians reserve their energy for, what they’re waiting for their machines to be able to give them. For James Cameron, it was aboriginal blue aliens who had breasts even though they weren’t mammals. The less said about what it was for George Lucas, I guess, the better. For Disney’s animation division it was Rapunzel.
I saw Tangled over the holidays at the same multiplex where the rest of my family (who are half English, if that’s relevant) were going to see The King’s Speech, a movie that stood out for me in the extraordinary, almost visceral lack of interest it inspired. I’m sure it’s not out of the question that The King’s Speech has some valuable things to say about non/sovereignty and dis/ability, and that’s not a possibility I want to dismiss. But still. I just couldn’t get psyched, at that moment, about a film asking us to give two hours of full attention and sympathy to the English royal voice, when we can hear the voice and feel its effects whenever we want to, and often it’s more than a voice, it’s (say) a truncheon smashing the brain of Alfie Meadows. So I decided to see Tangled mainly for three interrelated reasons. First, if I was going to see a royalist fairytale, I wanted to see one that had no pretensions of being anything else. (There are, intriguingly, a king and a queen who have a substantial amount of screen time in Tangled—and literally no lines: the silent sovereign might be what The King’s Speech fears most, but Tangled knows what kind of power can reside in that silence.) Second, this royalist fairytale had anthropomorphized animals and opulent animation and the voices of Mandy Moore and Donna Murphy, come on! And, third, I was curious about the way Avatar, released a year earlier, had been immediately seized upon and widely and insightfully written about as an ideological symptom, whereas Tangled—which, in addition to being the avowed final entry in a long and fascinating series, is in fact a more expensive movie than Avatar, costing a total of 260 million dollars (260 million dollars! 260 million dollars) had not to my knowledge received anything like the same kind of attention. A brilliant pre-release post on white femininity by Renée of Womanist Musings (with a follow-up post addressing reader comments, and more on this shortly) was about all I had seen.
I’m sure part of it is that there are just plenty of great critical blogs I’m unaware of, and part of it is that Avatar was a more obviously exigent target in presenting itself as a “leftist” film, and part of it is that people have had a lot of other things on their minds. But I did find myself also wondering if one reason why I’d heard about Tangled only a tiny fraction of what I remembered hearing about Avatar (or even Toy Story 3) was the same reason why the movie itself was retitled by Disney, after years of development as Rapunzel: you know; it’s for girls! In any case, I’m here to report to anyone who cares that Tangled is stunning and complicated and, in its engagement with the Disney tradition and that tradition’s legacy of hegemonic white patriarchy, something like a disturbing national combover fantasy. Like Lauren Berlant herself, I should say, I’m not uncritical of combover subjectivity as a sufficient model for thinking about how persons operate; but I’d like to suggest that part of Tangled‘s interest lies in the way it simultaneously relies on such a model for its characterization and its narrative maneuvers, and exemplifies it in the ideological work it can be seen to perform.
who loves a woman
is forever young…
While the hair in question here is Rapunzel’s, the actual over-comber, and as such the site of most of the film’s anxious projections, is Mother Gothel. My first real post for this blog, which set Coraline and Avatar side by side back in March, was an underdeveloped attempt to suggest that something was going on with the rapid rise of the 3D computer-animated fantasy and the fixation, in the imaginations of the movies themselves, on alternative maternities that wanted to absorb you whole. The role was played benevolently in Avatar by Eywa, the divine supplement for a Mother Earth who had been “killed,” and in Coraline, less benevolently, by the otherwise unnamed Other Mother, a
3D computer animator ghostly dollmaker who wanted Coraline to stay with her forever, at the cost of her eyes. (Stay tuned later this year for Mars Needs Moms, in which aliens kidnap Joan Cusack because they need to “steal her mom-ness.”) Tangled gives us a remarkably queer new entry in this tradition, in the form of a Gothel portrayed by the great Donna Murphy as a sort of Rose Thompson Hovick in reverse. Utterly consumed by narcissism, this Gothel (as distinct from the Grimms’) kidnaps the princess from her crib and raises her as her own, in total isolation, for the sole purpose of exploiting the magical healing and age-reversing properties that have been transferred from a flower into the infant’s hair. 18 years later, Rapunzel has grown into a thoughtful young woman who’s ready to see the world; Gothel, continually renewing herself through Rapunzel’s hair and voice, has blossomed into a campy, superbly passive-aggressive undermining stage mother whose stage is the cramped chamber at the top of a tower no one else ever visits; she fawns over an innocent stolen “daughter” while sucking her life out through the roots.
Mother Gothel’s narcissism is fascinating in its naked lack of any external motivating object, any audience other than Rapunzel and herself: before her princess leaves the tower and the story really kicks into gear, there’s no indication that she has any interest in relationality with anyone else in the world. She wants only to hang onto youth, and she wants it only for Rapunzel and for herself. The pathos of which is hard to ignore, and, at least in the first half of the movie, there isn’t a total absence of imaginative sympathy for Gothel, and so I was surprised and dismayed to see her meet a violent end, and in a familiar Disney manner: she’s wicked for wanting to be beautiful, now her true face is revealed; she sure is ugly, and it sure is a sign of her wickedness! The one character in Tangled who does win the audience’s sympathy after a fully dramatized critical-ethical transformation, a realization that he has been an unquestioning participant in an oppressive normative system and that his behavior can change for the better, is a white horse. More on that whiteness in a moment. What I mean to say about the relationship between Gothel and Rapunzel is just that, first, as an addition to the “Wait, Are They Really Mother and Daughter?” canon, Tangled arguably ranks right up there with Desert Fury (to say nothing of Sexton, whose “Rapunzel” is an ode to stolen mom-ness that resonates with Tangled in some striking ways); and, second, that I suspect this serves to make Gothel a perversely perfect example of the combover subject, as described by Berlant:
The subject of the combover stands in front of the mirror just so, to appear as a person with a full head (of hair/ideas of the world). Harsh lighting, back views, nothing inconvenient is bearable in order for the put-together headshot to appear. No one else can be fully in the room, there can be no active relationality: if someone else, or an audience, is there, everyone huddles under the open secret that protects the combover subject from being exposed socially[,] confronting the knowledge that the world can see the seams, the lacks, and the pathos of desire, effort, and failure.
No active relationality. Compare this with the barely restrained desperation in Gothel’s eyes when she realizes that it’s time for another song and another combover to make her younger … and then her blissful, other-negating relief as, afterward, she stands in front of the mirror with her companion. “Rapunzel, look in that mirror. You know what I see? I see a strong, confident, beautiful young lady. Oh look, you’re here too!” At moments like this I could feel the audience bristling around me in an ecstasy of indignation, and I could feel the same thing in myself: we were upset because Rapunzel wasn’t being given her due, and because we knew that, title aside, this was her movie, and Gothel’s exquisitely captured and all-too-relatable just-so was taking it away from her.
But why is it her movie, exactly? Why Rapunzel and why now? Why are we at the Mandy Moore tour?
I hope it’s clear I don’t mean any disparagement to Moore herself, asking that. She really does act and sing beautifully in Tangled, and I’m glad she keeps getting better roles than Sadie Jones in License to Wed. Moreover, for whatever it’s worth, I wouldn’t by any means say that her part in Tangled amounts to faux-girl-power posturing; Rapunzel really does wield her hair like a badass (and not just her hair, but also a frying pan, throughout virtually the whole film—a nice touch, and the source of lots of satisfying kongggs). She really does get her friend and partner, the thief Flynn Rider (née Eugene Fitzherbert), out of as many scrapes as he gets her out of. And she’s smart … or, as Bruce Diones of the New Yorker puts it, she’s “given a sharp wit and intelligent concerns: she doesn’t sound like a nattering teen-ager.” (I’m sorry, but give me a fuck-ing break. The social war on teen girls and the descent of much of the New Yorker into willfully archaic gendered awfulness continue hand in hand. One of the things about I liked best about Tangled, actually, was its capacity to give Rapunzel both a sharp wit and a tendency to, you know, “natter,” or whatever, like a teenager who has thoughts that are hard to articulate and needs that aren’t being met. Not mutually exclusive, Bruce! I’m also thinking here of Isabel’s guardedly sympathetic reading of The Little Mermaid at Feministe, one of my favorite blog posts of 2010.) It could even be argued that Tangled adapts the story of “Rapunzel” specifically in order to give eloquent voice to a certain strain of girlie feminism: maybe you see my hair and think it’s only an imprisonment, but I’m attached to it, and you’re not, and it’s also a weapon, a ladder, an escape, a thick rope to tie up the stranger who breaks into my house…
Yet it’s at just this juncture that I think some points about how a particular kind of corporatized girlie attitude can get tangled up in whiteness most urgently need to be remembered. Annalee Newitz kicked off the online discussion of Avatar at the end of 2009 by asking when white people would stop making movies like it; you could also ask when white people will stop making movies like Tangled, and the answer is probably that we just did. Within the last two years, in fact, Disney has triumphantly released its first film with a black princess, and triumphantly said goodbye to its fairy-tale sequence altogether with a crowning 50th animated feature, widely heralded as a return to form, celebrating a young woman who faces all kinds of external pressures managing her hair. These two gestures were not consolidated. Which is why I think Renée is spot-on when she says the return to form really has to be understood as a return to color, or rather to the normative “non-color” of whiteness.
Nonhuman creatures become essential here, lateralizing characters’ attributes and defining a space where hair is something between dead and animated. Among the problematic aspects of The Princess and the Frog itself, as Renée also observes, was that Tiana the black princess not only had hair that was decidedly less than kinky, she spent a good part of her own movie as a frog, and it doesn’t get much more hairless than that. In contrast, Tangled‘s adorable chameleon, Pascal, is fully an extension of Rapunzel’s hair, the daemon to the golden compass that’s on her head: he’s constantly stepping in to finish what the hair has started, he changes color as swiftly and as completely as we might wish our hair did when we dyed it … and he bears additionally the reptilian trace of an archetypal, murderous, unmanageable female rage-in-hair that is, in this film, predictably, invoked only to be projected elsewhere, onto the one character who can safely be killed off. As a hair extension, the chameleon is also, like the king and queen (and the whiter-than-white mime who plays a key role), voiceless. It’s a marked change both from the frogs and fireflies of The Princess and the Frog, and from Sebastian of The Little Mermaid, and that’s arguably the kind of Pascalian wager on which this movie’s aesthetics depend. “We have nothing to lose by making the companion creature a silent creature this time; maybe in twenty years our movie will look less racist!”
Even without Pascal’s help, though, the blondness of Rapunzel’s hair is so formidable as to be unsettling. People get mixed up in hair here, but hair qua hair never, ever gets tangled. We see Rapunzel brushing it more than once but it always looks perfect anyway. At no point is it anything less than a supernaturally potent substance, somewhere between sturdy rope, honey, and lava, with the ability to untangle any problem that presents itself. The mournful incantation Rapunzel repeatedly sings to activate the hair’s charms—first to restore Mothel Gothel to youth, but also, crucially, as a blonder-than-blond way of getting herself and Flynn out of a tight spot by lighting the way underwater—turns around the line “Make the clock reverse; bring back what once was mine“; and it becomes hard to avoid the thought that with these lines Disney unconsciously ventriloquizes the segment of white America that was raised on Snow White and Cinderella, would never see The Princess and the Frog, and wants its country back. The open secret: the seams, the lacks. If this sounds like an overreading, I would say it really is remarkable that Tangled should take place in an ambiguously medieval European fairyland that is (of course) anachronistic in every way, except (of course?) not quite enough to include a single character of color.
The height of its playful anachronism, in fact, comes with a group of sweet and sympathetic ruffians whose participation in the plot further illustrates how the superficially attractive gender politics of a work like Tangled might be inextricable from a much more vexed relation to questions of race and racialized queerness. Halfway through the movie, Rapunzel and Flynn, on the run from the law, make their way into a tavern whose occupants at first seem to be terrifying thugs, willing to turn Flynn in and do worse to Rapunzel. At the last moment, though, when she shouts, “Have some humanity! Hasn’t any of you had a dream?” they melt, and launch into an elaborate dance number that is honestly pretty delightful, each thug detailing a dream or a pursuit that departs nice and widely from heteronormative expectations. (One of them is the mime artist, one of them aspires to be an interior decorator, one of them makes tiny unicorn sculptures, and so on. Memo to a few Womanist Musings commenters: talk all you want about how “Rapunzel is a GERMAN fairytale,” that’s why everyone’s white, etc.; you think there were fabulous interior decorators who spoke English in medieval Germany?) They go on to help Rapunzel and Flynn escape from the tavern, return at the climax to offer their services again, and, at the end, realize their big gay dreams in a kingdom restored to proper royal order. My first reaction to all this was to appreciate how ostensibly hypermasculine supporting characters had been queered; reflecting more on it later, I realized how queer they’d been from the beginning. Their menacing costumes were really always just so much S&M gear, and the all-male space of the tavern (which is named The Snuggly Duckling) reminded me of something a friend had once said to me about a Christopher Marlowe play that was “very, very homosocial—no, wait, never mind. Just gay.” What we watch, then, over the course of Tangled, is the full recuperation of these white queers into a comic story that resolves itself with the necessary murder of a woman who has darker hair, darker skin, features that are vaguely more non-Caucasian, a shawl that sometimes looks something like a veil, and (in her monstrously narcissistic devotion to the girl-who-is-not-her-daughter) the wrong kind of queerness. The gay ruffians “have some humanity” even before Rapunzel urges it on them, and then they’re happily absorbed into the royal state; the only figure who is finally denied humanity and thrown from the tower of the film’s sympathy is Gothel. In this sense, Tangled demands to be considered in light of Jasbir Puar’s work on the rise of “properly homo” subjects in Terrorist Assemblages, and it starts to look more and more like the perfect major film release to cap off a year that saw the celebrated repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the resultant guarantee that, as Giovanni Tiso put it on Twitter, “[b]rown people worldwide can now look forward to being butchered by more people who are comfortable with their sexuality.”
To ask who gets to be counted as fully human, in this context, is to ask for whom the combover works; or, as Berlant says, “[f]or whom is there give in the system of norms?” These are questions that haunt Tangled in an odd intertextual way at its dramatic climax, when Flynn Rider—separated from Rapunzel, trapped in the royal castle, and about to be executed—sees a miniature unicorn sculpture in the corner of his chamber, and takes it as his cue to realize that his friends from the Snuggly Duckling will rescue him after all, allowing Rapunzel to be saved by a traumatic, liberating haircut and Gothel to age a thousand years in a minute before plummeting to her death. A tiny unicorn left as a calling card, as a sign that your life will have the fairytale ending you didn’t dare expect: if only for an instant, the voice that seems to echo silently across Tangled‘s landscape is Edward James Olmos’s, asking, “It’s too bad she won’t live, but then again who does?” and reminding us of the difference between the original release of Blade Runner and the director’s cut that excised the fairytale ending, and of all the differences that cuts can make, not least to our sense of whose story is being told, for what reasons, what’s excluded, for whom there’s give. It’s too bad Gothel won’t survive the Rapunzel story…
These are also related to questions that I’ll try to take up in another post soon, on some of my favorite filmed things from the last year, and in particular a couple of short films that pose questions of their own about “humanity” and even what it might have to do with the humanities. In the meantime, I’ll wrap this up by suggesting that in many ways, after all, maybe the more satisfying “Rapunzel” update of 2010 is “Whip My Hair”—the work of another young person whose power derives from some obscure alchemical combination of hair and music, who’s trapped in a classroom instead of a tower but who’s keen to transform it, and whose song, instead of looking back toward (or seeking to recreate) a kind of dubious fantasized coherence that’s felt to have been lost, is deliriously happy to go back and forth, in full acceptance and celebration of what is “fugitive and unraveled in ordinary affectivity and self-performance”—incoherence and hair’s part in it, a riot of blurred vision and color everywhere. Whether it’s long or short. | <urn:uuid:b3437ef8-d8cd-4e6e-a85f-58a6ed89123e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://amapofthecountry.wordpress.com/2011/01/14/tangled/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964751 | 4,816 | 1.507813 | 2 |
John Buntin is a GOVERNING staff writer. He covers health care, public safety and urban affairs.E-mail: email@example.com
It’s Saturday night, and Washington, D.C., Police Chief Cathy Lanier is in her cruiser, rolling through Barry Farm at 20 miles per hour. Barry Farm is a public housing development east of the Anacostia River that’s known for its high crime rate. But Lanier has the windows of her car down and she is waving cheerfully to a group of residents who’ve gathered for a roadside cookout.
Most big city police chiefs ride in unmarked cars or SUVs. Not Lanier. Her vehicle of choice is an ordinary police cruiser distinguished only by four stars stenciled below the front windows and a set of custom rims, a gift from a fellow officer. Still, residents seem to have no trouble recognizing her.
“What y’all cooking?” Lanier calls out to a group of people gathered just off Sumner Road.
“Hey, it’s the chief,” one of the men replies. “Would you like some fish?” a woman asks. “We got fish, baby.”
Chief Lanier waves a friendly no thanks from the front seat and rolls on.
For years, Washington had a reputation as the murder capital of the nation. In 1990, the year Cathy Lanier joined the department, D.C. experienced 474 murders -- a stunning figure for a city with a population of 578,000 residents. Only 40 percent of the killings were ever solved, a clearance rate far below the national average of 60 percent. As in most cities, a small number of neighborhoods accounted for most of the crime. In D.C., 60 percent of the city’s violence took place in Anacostia. Barry Farm was the epicenter.
“This used to be murder central,” Lanier says.
This particular Saturday evening marks the kickoff of “All Hands on Deck,” Lanier’s annual early summer effort to deploy her 4,500-member police force in high-crime areas across the city. But the goal isn’t to make arrests; it’s to make connections. As Lanier waves from her cruiser, she isn’t just being friendly -- though she is unfailingly that. She’s modeling how she wants her force to interact with the citizenry. It’s an approach that has made her the most popular public official in Washington and endeared her to residents across the city.
When Lanier steps out of the squad car a few blocks over, a family gathered in its backyard immediately recognizes her.
“That’s Chief Lanier!” someone shouts. Spotting Lanier isn’t hard. She’s the nearly 6-foot-tall, white, blond woman in uniform in the middle of a housing project that is almost 100 percent African-American. A woman hustles over, pushing a shy teenage boy in front of her.
“My nephew is visiting from Florida,” the woman says. “Can we get your photo?” Lanier poses for a photo and some chitchat before strolling back to her car. It happens everywhere, all evening long.
It wasn’t always this way. Five years ago, when then-Mayor Adrian Fenty unexpectedly selected her to lead the department, police in D.C. patrolled areas such as Barry Farm in a very different fashion. Instead of engaging community members, the force emphasized “zero tolerance” and “hot spot” policing. The inspiration came from New York City’s approach to fighting crime. The ideas were based on the “broken windows” theory of policing developed by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in the 1980s, which held that minor disorder left unattended can give rise to more serious crimes.
“We had always done the same thing” as New York, says Lanier. “Flood the neighborhood with a lot of cops, zero tolerance. If you’re outside drinking a beer on your front stoop, you got an open container, you’re going to jail.”
Beginning in the early 1990s, New York had reduced its violent crime rate by more than 80 percent. As a copycat, D.C.’s violent crime rate fell too, by more than 50 percent. But absolute levels of crime were still high, and an unfortunate fallout was building. Police tactics seemed to be turning high-crime neighborhoods against the cops. The way Lanier saw it, zero tolerance-hot spot policing wasn’t driving crime down; it was making it harder to solve crimes.
“When you’re doing zero-tolerance policing,” she says, “who are you picking up and who are you alienating? Your residents, your victims and your witnesses. Now they have no respect for the police. They have no reason to speak to the police.”
Lanier changed course. Instead of cracking down on minor disorder in high-crime neighborhoods, she encouraged patrol officers to develop sources. At the same time, the department embraced social media and encouraged a savvy population to engage with police in new ways.
Five years later, Lanier says the results vindicate her change of strategies. At the January meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors earlier this year, she presented her stats to an attentive audience of mayors: homicide, down 42 percent over the past three years; this year’s homicide clearance rate, above 90 percent; anonymous tips to the police, up sixfold.
Lanier dislikes the way police departments chase trends; she thinks specific problems demand customized solutions. Nevertheless, Lanier’s claims raise a provocative question: Is everything we know about effective policing wrong? At a time when crime reductions have stalled in most cities and resistance to tactics such as “stop-and-frisk” is rising, the idea that police departments can reduce crime by increasing cooperation with high-crime communities is an appealing proposition. Has Washington, D.C., developed a new, more effective form of community policing, or are Lanier’s achievements -- in the words of D.C. police union head Kris Baumann, an outspoken critic of the chief -- “all smoke and mirrors?” The future of American policing may well turn on the answer.
It’s fitting that Cathy Lanier should emerge as a critic of policing orthodoxy: No big city police chief has had a more unorthodox path to the top.
Lanier joined the D.C. police force in 1990. Her path to policing was a difficult one. Lanier grew up across the D.C.-Maryland border in Tuxedo, Md. When she was 14, she got pregnant. She married the child’s father and dropped out of high school. The marriage didn’t last, and a year later she was back at home -- a welfare mom with a baby boy. She earned a GED, worked as a waitress, sold awnings, sold make-up and hair products, and worked as a secretary. Then a boyfriend told her about a job opening at the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that would provide tuition reimbursement for college.
“I knew that if I was going to be able to take care of my son, I needed some college education,” says Lanier. So she signed up to take the test, scored well and entered the academy. She was 21.
After six months in the academy, Lanier was assigned to walk the beat in Mount Pleasant, a mixed neighborhood of Central American immigrants and gentrifiers in Northwest Washington, D.C. The night before her first day on the job, a rookie patrolman shot and killed a Latino immigrant. Rumors spread that the killing had been an execution. The following day, her first on the job, a riot broke out. It took the police five days to restore order.
“I went to work for my first day, and I was at work for a week,” she says wryly.
Lanier took courses at the University of the District of Columbia during the day and walked the beat at night. Walking a beat is usually a feature of community policing, but in this case, Lanier says, the beat walking was “not because we believed in community policing. It was because we didn’t have [money] for cars.”
The district did have 16 community policing officers, paid for with federal money, but they were roundly disliked by the rank and file, including Lanier. “They got day work with weekends off, and they walked foot beats along the business corridors, right, so we hated those guys,” Lanier says. “We’re like, ‘This is the grin-and-wave squad. They don’t do no police work.’” By separating the 16 community policing officers from the 4,500 rank-and-file police, what the department was essentially saying to the rest of the police department was, Lanier says, “We don’t expect any of the rest of you to talk to the community. These 16 guys will do it for the city.”
Instead, the department was imbibing the lessons of New York: instituting CompStat, the computerized crime-mapping and tracking system developed by the New York Police Department in the early 1990s, and beginning to experiment with zero-tolerance policing. Although community policing was an annoying sideshow for beat officers like Lanier, even then she recognized that police-community relations in D.C. were bad. She remembers an incident that occurred in 1994 just a few days after she made sergeant. Lanier had stopped at a rush-hour traffic accident off Benning Road near the Maryland-D.C. border. Across the way, she spotted an older African-American woman, perhaps 80 years old, sitting by herself on her porch and gesturing toward the police officers at the scene. At first, Lanier thought she was waving. Then she realized the woman was doing something else: giving them the finger.
“They just hated us,” says Lanier of the residents in many of the neighborhoods she patrolled. “We would go places and people would throw stuff at us, and they’d curse at us -- it was awful.”
There was plenty to dislike. The culture of the MPD was, in Lanier’s words, “just bad from the top on down.” Drinking, misconduct and sexual harassment were common. After making sergeant, a superior officer harassed Lanier to such an extent that she decided to sue the department. She won and continued her rise through the ranks, making lieutenant in 1996. While working with the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton on a reorganization of the police department, she met Chicago Deputy Police Superintendent Charles Ramsey, who’d been called in as a consultant. The two hit it off, and when Ramsey became chief of the D.C. police in 1996, he tapped Lanier to lead the narcotics division, which was on the front lines of the city’s battle against crack cocaine. Ramsey moved her into command positions throughout the organization, pushing her to finish her bachelor’s degree and earn a master’s degree in the process. (She would eventually get two.)
As a commander, Lanier began to grapple with an issue that had troubled her since her earliest days on the force -- a significant portion of the population really disliked the police. She realized that the problem that had sparked the riots in Mount Pleasant on her first day on the job was not so much the shooting; it was the lack of information and connection with the community. That void was what allowed rumors to spread, ultimately sparking a riot. She created an advisory council to help build bridges. She also began to experiment with different types of deployments, drawing on her academic studies.
Her interest in innovating and her success with reaching out to residents soon caught the attention of an ambitious young councilman, Adrian Fenty. When Fenty became mayor in 2006, he surprised everyone by choosing Lanier to be chief.
At first, Lanier was worried about the prospect of an inexperienced, young, white woman leading the police force of a high-crime, majority-black city. But during her confirmation hearings, she was pleasantly surprised by the community support she commanded -- support that was strongest in the areas of the city that she had once worked as a beat officer. The experience confirmed a goal she and the mayor-elect had already formulated for the police department -- expanding beat patrols.
Lanier wasn’t afraid of tough tactics. In 2008, she cracked down on a gun-blazing gang war in the Trinidad neighborhood (a beef that occasioned 11 shootings and seven homicides in a single weekend) by essentially blockading the neighborhood and forcing everyone entering it to submit to police checkpoints. But she was also developing a style for interacting with the city’s residents in a very different way, one at odds with what she understood to be broken windows policing.
It is, without doubt, the most influential idea in the history of policing.
In 1982, James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling published Broken Windows: The Police and Neighborhood Safety in The Atlantic Monthly. The article’s central metaphor came from a famous experiment conducted in the late 1960s by Stanford psychologist Philip Zimbardo. Zimbardo had arranged to have two automobiles without license plates parked with their hoods up. One was on a street in the Bronx; the other on a street in Palo Alto, Calif. The car in the Bronx was attacked by “vandals” within 10 minutes of its “abandonment.” The car in Palo Alto sat untouched for a week -- until Zimbardo smashed part of it with a sledgehammer. Within a few hours, it too had been turned upside down and utterly destroyed. In both instances, the vandals were primarily well-dressed whites.
From such experiments and from fieldwork conducted by Kelling on the role of the beat patrol in Newark, the authors drew several striking conclusions. One was that police didn’t just make arrests; they engaged in order maintenance. The other was that untended problems such as broken windows send a signal that no one is in control and lead to the breakdown of community controls, increasing fear and inviting other more serious crimes.
Wilson and Kelling weren’t the first researchers to posit a link between disorder and crime. Two years earlier, Harvard sociologist Nathan Glazer had written about how rampant graffiti sent the message that the New York subway was a world “of uncontrollable predators.” Meanwhile, New York City Deputy Mayor Herb Sturz had begun to urge police to restore order in Midtown Manhattan. Wilson and Kelling provided a philosophical underpinning for such thinking. In the mid-1980s, New York City Transit Authority President David Gunn announced a “zero tolerance” policy toward graffiti on subway cars. Cars that were “tagged” were immediately pulled and cleaned. As taggers began to realize that their artistic endeavors would be immediately effaced, the practice ebbed.
Kelling never saw broken windows as something synonymous with zero tolerance. “There are circumstances in which we would want to think about zero tolerance,” he says, “that is where we don’t allow certain behavior and take very strong actions against that behavior.” Graffiti on subway cars was one.
For him, zero tolerance was a tactic, suitable under certain limited circumstances for a very particular problem. Broken windows was a broader theory of disorder. “Broken windows has always been a negotiated sense of order in a community, in which you negotiate with residents about what is appropriate behavior in an area,” he says. “But if you tell your cops we are going to go in and practice zero tolerance for all minor crimes, you are inviting a mess of trouble.”
Much of the public, however, failed to make the distinction. When in 1989 the New York City transit police, led by a brash young chief named Bill Bratton, cracked down on farebeaters (many of whom turned out to be carrying handguns or were wanted on outstanding warrants) and embraced broken windows as the linchpin of his philosophy, the two concepts were further intermingled. Bratton’s crackdown as police commissioner on the so-called “squeegee men” who harassed motorists further strengthened the connection between broken windows and zero tolerance in the mind of the public. However, Bratton himself avoided the latter term.
“The only place we used the term ‘zero tolerance’ was in regard to police corruption,” says Bratton. For both Bratton and Kelling, the idea that police should not exercise discretion was absurd. Bratton wanted the most aggressive policing to be conducted not by regular patrol cops but by well trained, specialized units. In short, even the people credited with creating zero-tolerance policing rejected it as a panacea.
With 23 years of experience backing her up, Lanier knew she couldn’t instruct her officers to go out and do community policing. “I know what that is going to be: negative, negative, negative.” So instead, Lanier went to her patrol officers with a different directive: develop sources.
“And how do you develop sources?” she asks. “You get to know people. You treat people with respect. You establish relationships. You know who knows what, and you have to know everybody to get information.”
It was a big change. Previously, cultivating sources had been something detectives did. Designating someone as a “confidential informant” involved paperwork and payments. However, patrol officers walking the beat responded enthusiastically to the challenge. At the end of last year, 85 percent of all active informants originated with beat officers.
Lanier also embraced technology. She worked to get in-car computers and BlackBerrys to her officers. She made it clear that she expected them to “give their cellphone number to the old lady sitting on her porch drinking her beer at 9 o’clock in the morning instead of making her dump her beer.” She also looked for new ways to connect the community to the police. One initiative was the creation of an anonymous text tip line, cleverly named “50 411” (“50” being slang for the police). In 2008, it received 292 tips. By the end of 2011, that number had jumped to 1,200.
“The type of tips we get in is just simply unbelievable,” Lanier says. “As soon as a shooting happens, or if there’s a beef that wells up in the schools and my school resource officers don’t already have it, we’re getting names, addresses, descriptions on cars, everything before the violence even starts.”
Jim Bunn, a retired African-American businessman who chairs the seventh district neighborhood advisory panel in Anacostia, agrees that the department has changed for the better. “I have seen the time when the lieutenant and the captain didn’t talk to you, much less the police chief,” Bunn says. In contrast, Lanier “is prepared to sit down anytime, anywhere and talk.”
That has spread into the department as a whole: “It doesn’t matter who you are now,” Bunn says. “If you are [a member of] the Metropolitan Police Department, it is drilled into your head every day that you are here to serve the community.” Out on the streets, Bunn sees fewer young African-American men “proned out” by police, more officers patrolling neighborhoods and more information sharing.
Departmental statistics seem to bear out the change. Rewards paid for information leading to arrests have jumped sharply, from roughly $200,000 a year when Lanier took office to more than $400,000 today. As the city’s homicide rate fell -- down 40 per-cent over the past three years -- the homicide clearance rate soared. In the process, Cathy Lanier’s approval ratings started hovering around 80 percent. When Councilman Vincent Gray defeated incumbent Mayor Adrian Fenty in November 2010, he quickly announced that he was retaining Lanier as chief. Last month, she inked a new five-year contract that could pay her up to $250,000 a year, which would make her the fourth-highest paid police chief in the country.
Not everyone shares an enthusi- asm for Lanier. Kris Baumann, who heads D.C.’s police union, has clashed repeatedly with the chief. Asked about Lanier’s achievements, he notes that while homicides have fallen significantly over the past five years, between 2006 and 2010, other types of crime such as rape, robbery burglary and theft actually increased slightly. The claim that MPD ended zero-tolerance policing? He simply doesn’t see it.
“I work in the seventh district,” says Baumann. “We didn’t do zero tolerance. We didn’t have enough police officers to do zero tolerance. I don’t know where this is coming from.”
To Baumann, initiatives like All Hands on Deck capture the essence of Lanierism: public relations masquerading as policing strategy.
There’s at least some truth to Baumann’s charges. Washington, D.C., under Chief Lanier hasn’t experienced the broad crime declines of New York City or Los Angeles. The fact that the D.C. police department previously deployed zero tolerance in an indiscriminating form (if, indeed it deployed zero tolerance) speaks poorly of the department’s understanding of police strategy. But in writing off operations such as All Hands on Deck as mere P.R., Baumann is dismissing something important, something that Washingtonians, particularly in the highest-crime sections of the city, seem to crave. It’s a police department that cares for the communities it serves -- that cares and consoles them.
“She gives and she gets in return what she gives to others,” says Tijwanna Phillips, a community activist in Ward 8.
That’s what’s made Cathy Lanier a beloved public official in Washington, D.C., and community policing’s most compelling proponent.
*This article was updated on July 9, 2012. An earlier version stated that Barry Farm, a Washington, D.C., public housing development, had just one homicide in the past four years. Because of an editing error, that statistic was not updated as requested by the Metropolitan Police Department. In actuality, 10 homicides have been reported in Barry Farm since July 2008.
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Is it permissible to play chess or not?
brother u must be very well knowing that playing chess takes a lot of time..and sometimes we even dont offer salah because of it..we are so engulfed and concentrated in it that we dont listen to the person who is sending salaam on us and forget to reply him which is not at all accepted..this life of ours is very short and we have to manage our time properly for each and everything we do as all these things are going to be accountable for us on the day of judgement..and remember bro chess is worse than backgammon(a game of dice which is completely haram / jua(in urdu))(al-Mughni, 14/155),
I would like to share certain hadith and verses of the HOLY QURAN in accordance to your question-
Sahih Muslim Hadith 5612Narrated by Buraydah ibn al-Hasib Allah's Messenger MUHAMMAD(PBUH) said: 'He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine.
Holy Quran Chapter 70 Surah Mairaj verses 42-44: Therefore,leave them engrossed in their vain talk and play,until they encounter that Day of theirs which they are being promised;when they shall be rushing out of their graves as though they are racing towards the shrines of their deities.Their eyes shall be downcast and abasement shall be covering them.That is the Day they are being promised.
Holy Quran Chapter 6Surah Anam verse 32: This worldly life is but a sport and an amusement.In fact, the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who desire to be safe from harm.Will you not, then, use your common sense?
Holy Quran Chapter 7Surah Aaraaf verses 50-51: (On the Day of Judgement) The inmates of Hell will cry out to the people of Paradise: "Pour upon us a little water or throw down a bit of the provisions Allah has bestowed upon you."The people of Paradise will reply, "Allah has forbidden both these things to the disbelievers,who had made their religion a sport and a pastime,and who had been deluded by the worldly life."Then Allah will say, "Today We will forget them just as they forgot the meeting of this Day,and rejected Our Revelations."
Al-Muwatta Hadith 52.7 Yahya said that he heard Malik say, "There is no good in chess, and he (the Messenger of Allah (saws)) disapproved of it."Yahya said, "I heard him disapprove of playing it and other worthless games. He recited this ayat, 'What is there after the truth except going the wrong way.' " (Sura l0 verse 32).
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4920Narrated by AbuMusa al-Ash'ari The Messenger of Allah MUHAMMAD(pbuh) said: "He who plays backgammon disobeys Allah and His Messenger MUHAMMAD(pbuh)."
Al-Muwatta Hadith 52.6 Yahya related from Malik from Musa ibn Maysara from Said ibn Abi Hind from Abu Musa al-Ashari that the Messenger of Allah MUHAMMAD(pbuh) said, "Whoever plays games of dice has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger MUHAMMAD(pbuh)."
AND ALLAH KNOWS THE BEST..!! | <urn:uuid:3264ddfb-cced-4cc6-a964-34c9a57ee9db> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.islam.com/questions/9288/is-chess-haram?page=1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952875 | 733 | 1.742188 | 2 |
Dave Jacobsson is a missionary pilot with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) working in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
By Caroline Pare
With limited infrastructure and a deteriorating security situation, Dave's plane was a God-send to people in the area.
The Jacobson family. Picture: Human Rights Watch
"Everything has to happen by the plane," Dave says.
"We carry everything from mail to livestock. Literally. MAF is a very vital part in keeping east DRC going at this time."
On 5 September last year, Dave started work as usual, flying off at 0803 in the morning.
All seemed normal, but had he looked to the south he would have seen thousands of rebel soldiers coming over the hills.
His wife, Donna, and their two children - Matthew, nine, and a two-year-old Andrew - were doing the normal morning routine.
Nightmare in Naykunde
Donna says she was doing some Bible reading with Matthew when everything changed.
Nyakunde was devastated in last year's massacre. Picture: Human Rights Watch
"There was shooting everywhere and all at once. A large number of militia had converged on the village and it became very intense very quickly," Donna says.
Donna and the children along with some Congolese friends who were of the opposite tribe hid in the bedroom.
At 1115 Dave's colleagues heard Donna on the radio saying: "They're at the door."
"They started kicking in the door to the kitchen and our baby sitter who understood their language started shouting at me 'Madam you've got to go, you've got to go or they'll kill us all,'" Donna says.
"She started screaming at me. So I went to the kitchen as they were coming in the door."
The militiamen demanded all the communications equipment and money and forced Donna through the house making her unplug and hand over all she had.
The worst moment came when they entered the bedroom where her children and friends were hiding. But they were left untouched.
Hacked to death
In all, five groups went through the house as the shooting and explosions carried on through the day, into the night and beyond.
The pilots offer a lifeline to isolated communities
"Some groups who'd come through were young soldiers, children, really, 13-, 14-year-olds who were really only demanding food with a gun," Donna says.
In the evening one of Donna's friends had to go home to get her baby.
She found her alive, but she was lying beside the body of the babysitter who had been hacked to death.
The last soldiers to enter the Jacobssons' house were the meanest and most frightening.
They wouldn't accept that there was no money left and kept saying they would shoot them all, being especially threatening to Donna's Congolese friends.
Eventually, she miraculously found $60. Matthew had raised the money for Nyakunde school when he was on home leave in the USA and she had put it away.
Thankfully the soldiers left with that and no-one was hurt.
All this time Dave had been sitting in Bunia using his radio to try to get permission from the militia commanders to fly in and rescue his family.
Terrified villagers fled their homes. Picture: Marcus Perkins/Tearfund
Thirty hours into the nightmare, word came. Within minutes he was in his plane and was taxiing for take off.
Having said that this was the worst day of his life Dave, said that when he saw his family alive at the airstrip it was the best moment of his life.
Dave managed to negotiate for three planeloads of people to leave.
Donna found that one of the worst moments.
"It was horribly anguishing, we could only take three planeloads out and so of course many, many people were left behind and it got worse and worse and worse for them. They had the real nightmare," she said.
"We've heard horrible stories of torture, taking prisoners and starving people. It's beyond our comprehension the evil that went on.
"We have heard reports of 1,200 all the way up to 2,000 people who were killed."
'Killing goes on'
Dave explains that the Hema and Lendu tribes who are enemies in this ongoing tribal war have for years played, worked and laughed together.
"Through the manipulation of a few, this has been turned into a full scale conflict between these two tribes with killing on a scale that's just unbelievable," he says.
And the killing goes on.
Since Nyakunde, the attacks in the provincial capital of Bunia have drawn the world's attention to this horrific conflict.
The UN Security Council has sent a larger UN force to the area with a beefed up mandate so there is at last hope that the fighting can be halted.
The five part series, On A Wing And A Prayer, is being broadcast on Radio 4 on Thursdays at 0830 GMT (0930 BST). | <urn:uuid:ddfdb55d-587a-4cad-a524-b6603a59245b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3110744.stm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.987927 | 1,054 | 1.65625 | 2 |
The Calvary Child Development Center began in 1977 as a nonprofit Christian preschool and has grown to an enrollment of over 800 children in preschool and daycare programs, ages six months through five years. We are a ministry of Calvary Church, and we share the church's campus and facilities as well as its Christian focus and loving atmosphere.
Our primarily hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities target all aspects of early childhood development, while emphasizing the love of Jesus Christ. We strive to maintain a balance of child-initiated play with activities that are teacher-directed, to provide a well-rounded experience.
Specialty classes and curriculum
Our program offers a unique, customized curriculum for each age level, from infants through kindergarten, as well as labs and specialized classrooms and teachers in science, art, music, computers, multicultural studies, and more. Our well-trained staff follows a planned, formal schedule of instruction each day. The lesson plans incorporate a variety of fun-filled activities. Our staff is actively involved with the childrenÂ’s daily activities, enjoying the experiences and wonder of learning alongside the children.
Small class size
We offer small class sizes to ensure that your child has the individualized attention he or she needs on a daily basis. Our ratios are:
| ||6-9 Months||1:4|
| ||9-12 Months||1:5|
| ||12-23 Months||1:6|
| ||2 Years||1:7 or 1:8|
| ||3 Years||1:8|
| ||4 Years||1:9|
| ||5 Years||1:10|
These numbers reflect the maximum number of students we will place in a class. Many of our classrooms have lower ratios than those stated above.
We are annually inspected by the North Carolina Division of Child Development under religious exemption status.
To learn more about our curriculum please see the Programs Offered section of the website. | <urn:uuid:e12df247-bdfc-40ce-9629-01aac3bb2633> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.calvarycdc.com/cdc/nav.cfm?cat=2&subcat=64 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936918 | 404 | 1.554688 | 2 |
Most Active Stories
Wed October 26, 2011
Was Libya A 'Recipe For Success,' As Obama Says?
Originally published on Wed October 26, 2011 7:20 am
The U.S.-NATO mission in Libya was a "recipe for success in the future," President Obama said Tuesday on NBC-TV's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
During a sober discussion that lasted several minutes, the president told Leno that he doesn't agree with critics who say the U.S. led from behind.
"We led from the front," Obama said, by "introducing the resolution in the United Nations that allowed us to protect civilians in Libya" and then by deploying U.S. pilots to destroy Moammar Gadhafi's air defenses and U.S. personnel to coordinate the air campaign.
In the end, said the president, the effort "only cost us $1 billion as opposed to $1 trillion" — a not-too-veiled comparison to the war in Iraq started by his predecessor. And, "not a single U.S. troop [was] on the ground ... not a single U.S. troop was killed."
"That, I think, is a recipe for success in the future."
As for Gadhafi, the president said that "obviously, you never like to see anybody come to the kind of end that he did, but I think it obviously sends a strong message around the world to dictators that people long to be free, and they need to respect the human rights and the universal aspirations of people."
You can hear and see the president's comments in this video clip.
Now, here's a question: | <urn:uuid:6e1bab69-e0d5-4812-b4bb-ed02c47fb27a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wuky.org/post/was-libya-recipe-success-obama-says | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97085 | 348 | 1.6875 | 2 |
British media said that China was built in the Gulf of Aden is a reasonable supply base
Chinese naval fleet escort the fourth installment of the air carrier helicopters downhill emergency drill
Recently, the Chinese navy, director of information technology advisory committee of experts Cheuk Yin said that China needs to set up the waters off Somalia in Africa supply base for the escort of warships in the area with ease. Western mainstream media, which have expressed concern about the reports and analysis in the quoted comment, but also basically a “China threat” argument. Chinese military experts have pointed out, from the actual needs into consideration and the establishment of shore-based supply base should be the long-term goal.
British media said the “understandable”
the BBC website on December 30 last year, the report affirmed the efforts of the Chinese Navy, and that in more than a year, the Chinese Navy has been cruising in the Gulf of Aden to protect merchant ships from the threat of rampant piracy. United States and France have bases in the region, while China’s naval base faces no problems, and that the Chinese navy expert Yin Cho recently suggested in an interview that China can build a base in the Gulf of Aden, then China’s national defense Yin Cho website of the Ministry published the statement.
Yin Cho said: “I think to have a relatively stable and reliable base for the provision of supplies and maintenance, is very reasonable.” Yin Cho explained that such a base can be used to maintain the vessel and communications equipment, can also provide fresh food, and let the soldiers get a rest. Yinzhuo Jiang stressed that “the people gradually realized that we were there (the Gulf of Aden mission) is to fulfill our international obligations, we also help foreign merchant.”
British “Daily Telegraph” 12 30 reported on the statement also quoted Yin Cho said, “If China can establish a long-term supply base, I believe that the countries of the region and other countries involved in anti-pirate escort is able to understand.”
supply base for the benefits of building more
The Chinese Navy has been sent to the Gulf of Aden four batches convoy, one of the “Chinese Aegis” destroyers, stealth frigates and new large supply ships Chinese naval forces are the elite. A Defense Department official recently said: “At present, countries not the way to supply some countries with overseas supply base, the Chinese naval fleet is now regularly taken to the sea shore supply and a combination of supply.” Typically Chinese Navy using two ships plus a combination of a supply ship, two merchant ships is responsible for escorting the supply ships for the ships with fuel and materials supply. Although the supply ship to meet the basic needs, but has a base of comparison with, there is a great limitation.
generally higher than the speed of merchant ships in convoy with the merchant, it must reduce the speed, so although you can save fuel, but will increase the power system wear. Perform escort missions from the actual situation of China’s weapons systems on ships to play a little space, with the most power systems, a great loss. But the accompanying supply ship can not provide repair and maintenance, and has a fixed port or base can be provided in time for the ship maintenance.
In addition, although the Chinese sailors have a high morale, but in the long sea cruise, the officers and men a great strain, but also conducive to rest regularly dock escort soldiers to recuperate. Although the Chinese navy in the Gulf of Aden is not the intention of setting up base, but it does help set up supply bases perform long-term China’s naval escort mission.
Japanese law has been to build a base in Africa
Chinese military experts to establish supply bases in the Gulf of Aden, is entirely focused on getting better implementation of the Chinese Navy escort mission, the to blame.
Institute of International Relations, Renmin University of China Professor Jin Canrong, said: “From the statements made by the Department of Defense, (the establishment of overseas bases) not very realistic about China’s consideration.” But also said that in the future can not be ruled out this possibility. The Chinese navy military academic researcher Li Jie colonel more directly that the establishment of overseas bases is an international way of supplies, it should be China’s long-term goal.
In addition, proposed to establish a base in the Gulf of Aden is not a Chinese, and Chinese military experts to make recommendations only compared to other countries “to go further.” Government of Japan, “Pirates Countermeasures Law” has been established in Djibouti, Somalia’s neighbors to combat Somali pirates military bases. May 2009, the Japanese government first deployed to Djibouti, P3-C patrol aircraft units, including two P3-C patrol aircraft and about 150 troops. Last October, sending the second batch of P3-C patrol aircraft force, to replace the first unit. In addition, France also has troops stationed in Djibouti base.
Some analysts have pointed out that if Japan can be set up in the Gulf of Aden to combat piracy of the military base, then has been dedicated to the Chinese navy to combat piracy should be “more clout” to find a naval supply base.
to extend the Chinese navy to escort line
Although the Chinese navy has not yet fixed supply base, but does not affect the Chinese navy to take up greater responsibilities. According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense website news, from at 0:00 on January 1, 2010, the Chinese Navy fleet escort convoy routes extended again: the Gulf of Aden, off the Somali coast to escort the former confluence of the east line extending 50 sea miles east.
Chinese Navy fleet commander Qiuyan Peng said the escort, escort re-adjust the route extension is for the convoy formation of rampant piracy, escorting to make situation even more severe positive coping strategies, and further demonstrates the Chinese navy to maintain was determined to protect the safety of ships, reflecting China’s image of a responsible big country.
“News of the World” | <urn:uuid:0b985667-b0d9-491e-85f3-2a2651b0038c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.9abc.net/index.php/archives/27774 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948116 | 1,271 | 1.75 | 2 |
The sculptural model is a shape of three triangles cut from a single sheet of steel, folded and welded together at the two end points. The result is a modular unit that can be used alone or combined with other like units.
---Thinking in terms of sustainability, there are approximately 90% of metal loss which means the table is not sustainable at all. But for the moment the table is a concept and it might be further improved until the product comes alive.
---X-Plus table looks similar with modular but also multifunctional furniture Tricubo designed in solid wood by Enrico Fumia a few years ago. It can be used as coffee table, as a bookshelf or as an occasional chair.
Photo: Francesco Neri | <urn:uuid:4e460317-5f21-4fba-a14f-61b8c2b4ce55> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://dailydesignjoint.com/X-PLUS_table/21544 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955283 | 157 | 1.664063 | 2 |
One late night in 2008, Lisa Dowda was waiting on an empty Brooklyn street for a bus home to Sunset Park. The bus never came, but a sanitation worker — one of the 7,899 “San Men” who keep New York City’s streets clean — stopped emptying baskets to check in on her and make sure she was O.K. and knew her way.
“I had never even noticed sanitation workers before,” said Ms. Dowda, a writer who had recently moved from Los Angeles. While uncollected piles of snow or garbage do get noticed, the people who clear the streets day in and day out remain largely invisible, she said. “The work they do is not getting seen, and nobody ever stops to think about the person behind it, what he may be thinking.”
And so Ms. Dowda set out to tell the story of the San People. She recruited a photographer, Liz Ligon, and spent the next two-and-a-half years tagging along sanitation men and women on the job. The product of countless early morning rides, steamy summer days collecting garbage and several snow-outs led first to a Web site, chasingsanitation.com, and now to a photo and narrative exhibition, “This Is New York’s Strongest,” opening Saturday, Feb. 12, in an exhibition space at 411 Lafayette Street in Noho.
“When you mention sanitation workers people immediately see only the garbage,” Ms. Ligon said. “I didn’t see the garbage at all, I was really looking at the people and the heaviness of what they carry. And they are beautiful.”
The two are not the first artists to fall in love with the city’s Sanitation Department. Mierle Laderman Ukeles has been the department’s artist-in-residence since the 1970s, and she once took 11 months to shake the hand of each sanitation worker in the city, for an installation called “Touch Sanitation.”
Ms. Dowda and Ms. Ligon discarded proposals to turn their project into a calendar or a reality show. “If you start objectifying them you take away from the gravity of what they are doing, the beauty of their work,” said Ms. Dowda, whose interviews with sanitation workers about their lives make up the text portion of the show. “I just want to celebrate the dignity of waking up every morning and going to work.”
At a Sanitation garage near the Gowanus Canal where Ms. Dowda stopped by late last month to publicize the exhibition, workers greeted her as the “Chasing Sanitation girl.” Earlier on, both women said, they had been more suspicious.
“As soon as I showed up with a camera, they asked, ‘What did we do wrong this time?’ ” Ms. Ligon said. “They couldn’t believe I was not there to complain.”
Sanitation workers at the garage, who declined to give their names because they were not allowed to speak to the press, said they were accustomed to harassment and abuse from New Yorkers.
“It’s always like this — ‘Why are you blocking the street?’ or ‘Why did you not come down my block?’ — over and over,” said one. “People don’t realize that we live here too. I had three children stuck at home for days because nobody plowed my block.”
Another worker pointed out that Sanitation workers were at work at ground zero immediately after the 9/11 attacks, but that while firefighters and the police have been celebrated for their contributions, their own work went unnoticed.
“Who do you think cleaned those streets? I spent three days working there nonstop, and nobody even knows that we were there at that ugly time,” he said. “After 9/11, cops and firefighters got masks. You think we did?” | <urn:uuid:71477e22-8728-4761-b8c2-88a85921f9bc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/10/rare-portrait-of-the-people-who-keep-the-city-clean/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.981161 | 854 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Calif. bills could raise costs for businesses
SACRAMENTO (AP) As Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger crusades to make California more business friendly, Democrat lawmakers passed an array of bills last week that would impose a variety of fees and higher costs on businesses operating in the Golden State.
In a weeklong blur of activity, the houses of the Democrat-controlled Legislature passed bills that would raise the minimum wage to one of the nation's highest levels; hit chemical companies with a fee to pay for new programs; keep it easy for employees to sue their bosses for workplace violations; and require the recycling of cell phones and fluorescent lamps.
All would make it harder to do business in a state that's already one of the nation's most expensive, according to business interests. Democratic Party leaders called that just "the same old misinformation."
While many of the bills could die in the other chamber or be amended to the liking of business, their passage shows the Democrats in Legislature are still at odds with the governor on a variety of economic issues. Unless Schwarzenegger and lawmakers compromise on the bills before the end of the legislative session Aug. 31, there could be a collision of interests resulting in a string of vetoes from the governor.
Often with slim one-vote margins, legislators voted for rules to ban state contracts with companies that move jobs overseas, bar teens from tanning salons and make companies tell their workers if they monitor their e-mail. Rental car agencies, Wal-Mart, fishermen, and car dealers also came under the lawmaking microscope.
Business groups, still analyzing the outcome of Friday's legislative deadline to pass hundreds of bills from their house of origin, said the Legislature hasn't changed despite an October recall that dumped Democratic Gov. Gray Davis for Republican actor and businessman Schwarzenegger.
"It seems like they don't get the message," said Alan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce, which represents most of the state's small businesses. Zaremberg described many business bills passed in recent days as "barriers to our economic recovery" and "clearly out of step with the public's attitude." (Related site: California C of C)
That's also been Schwarzenegger's theme since he announced a bid last Aug. 6 to sweep Davis from office and change the Capitol's political culture. Since taking office Nov. 17, Schwarzenegger has appeared at groundbreaking ceremonies for hotels and biotech manufacturing facilities, rallied travel agents and tour operators, and journeyed to Israel to make deals with business leaders. He worked with the Legislature to lower employers' costs for workers' compensation and has resisted new taxes and closing corporate tax loopholes for fear of running off businesses and scaring away new ones.
With new trade trips planned to China, Japan, Mexico and elsewhere, the governor frequently calls himself a salesman for "jobs, jobs, jobs" and a "business-friendly" state.
Schwarzenegger spokesman Vince Sollitto wouldn't comment on specific bills passed last week, but implied that those counter to the governor's pro-business agenda won't survive.
"Should those bills complete the legislative process and come to the governor's desk, he'll have an opportunity to speak at that time," Sollitto said. "But no one should doubt the governor's commitment to improving the state's business climate and increasing employment for Californians."
Assemblywoman Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, discounted many of those arguments as she debated one of the bills last week. Last year, she said, Republicans made the same claims about one of her bills, which offered tax cheats a chance to pay up without penalties. So far, it's brought $1.3 billion to the state treasury this year.
"The California Chamber of Commerce called it a job killer bill," Chu said.
For Democrats who have largely ruled the Legislature for more than 40 years, 2004 is the first since 1998 to see bills judged by a Republican governor.
That's heartening to business leaders in California, and those nationally who often see California's pioneering laws take root in other states.
"The Legislature in the past week has not helped us much, but we're hoping Gov. Schwarzenegger will take care of that," said Gino DeCaro, spokesman for the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, a political arm for 700 companies in the state.
But many Democrats said California businesses are exaggerating.
"Here in San Francisco, they increased the minimum wage and the restaurateurs are doing just fine because they pass the cost onto the consumer," said Art Torres, chairman of California's Democratic Party.
Torres said California's "business community" still enjoys numerous tax breaks and tax credits, with many paying 1978-era property taxes on their commercial property. In the meantime, taxable sales have risen six straight quarters in California, residential construction is setting a record pace and exports of California-made computers and electronics were up 10% late last year over the same time in 2002, according to the state Department of Finance.
"I'm talking about multibillion dollar corporations crying all the time they're going to the bank," Torres said. "Those corporate citizens continuing to cry foul should examine their checkbooks," he said, "and see how much they're saving at the expense of the average man and woman out there."
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | <urn:uuid:0442cf79-ef25-4641-a4e7-e47d42c93bf2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/california/2004-06-01-calif-bill_x.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961879 | 1,103 | 1.78125 | 2 |
Credit Card Clarity: CARD Act Reform Works
NEW! Updated CARD Act Research (June 2011): Clearer Pricing Not Raising Rates
Read the full, original report or executive summary from February 2011.
Watch our 4.5 minute video of Senior Researcher Josh Frank discussing the findings.
New credit card rules help consumers by making credit card pricing significantly clearer, new CRL research finds. New rules lower costs by spurring competition, making it harder for issuers to manipulate or arbitrarily raise prices.
CRL's research shows that the Credit CARD Act of 2009 has reversed much of the unclear pricing on credit cards, without leading to higher rates or more difficulty in getting credit.
These findings refute claims made by opponents of the credit card reforms. “People mistake higher rates on mail solicitations and other offers in the last year as a price hike,” said CRL senior researcher Josh Frank, author of the report. “But the facts show that offers now just more closely match actual costs. Prices have been level, but borrowers have a much better picture of what those prices are.”
The increased transparency documented in the report reverses a trend of increasingly unclear pricing that for years misled consumers into believing they would pay less for credit card debt than was true.
The difference between the stated rate on credit card solicitations and the rate consumers actually paid widened to unprecedented levels by 2004 and stayed at those levels through 2008. This difference narrowed markedly in the wake of CARD Act reform: Stated prices on solicitations have moved much closer to actual prices, which have remained steady.
Figure 1: Stated Rates and Actual Rates Paid on Consumer Credit Cards
The study also finds that, in the year since the CARD Act’s implementation, actual prices have remained stable and available credit has not tightened beyond what would be expected from the economic downturn.
Earlier CRL research has shown that, in the absence of basic rules, credit card issuers relied on confusing, complex pricing to charge more than consumers expected or understood.
Published: June 1, 2011 | <urn:uuid:06eb1e3b-7dc2-4f7d-9740-685f0ab5dba7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.responsiblelending.org/credit-cards/research-analysis/credit-card-clarity.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958809 | 420 | 1.8125 | 2 |
(MENAFN) A recent report released by Frost & Sullivan predicted GCC's total healthcare expenditure to triple by 2018, Arabian Business reported.
The report estimated GCC healthcare expenditure last year at USD46.12 billion, and is expected to hit USD133.19 billion in 2018.
Healthcare spending in the region is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3 percent from 2010 to 2018, driven by the increase in population, higher incidence of lifestyle diseases, and deeper insurance penetration, the report noted.
However, GCC's healthcare industry is being hindered by the lack of educated manpower in the region, the report noted.
It added that the industry, which is mostly regulated by the government, needs to be opened up to private healthcare organizations by easing the entry rules and reducing the complexities of procedures.
Frost & Sullivan found that healthcare public-private partnerships (PPPs) have already proven to save governments as much as 25 percent of healthcare costs.
UAE and Saudi Arabia were the leaders in healthcare PPP deals in GCC region, the report added. | <urn:uuid:532c343f-4ab6-4d9e-bdd1-4b667ba81bc7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.menafn.com/menafn/qn_news_story_s.aspx?storyid=1093531489 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970143 | 224 | 1.625 | 2 |
Explore Hungary's diverse countryside from the mountainous north to the southern plains. Or discover relics of the country's history from Roman ruins to communist-era architecture in its villages, cities and fortified castles. Relax in curative spa baths and sample traditional goulash - beef stew with paprika.
Hungary was originally inhabited by nomadic Magyar tribes and you can still experience their equestrian traditions in the southern plains around Kecskemet. Located near the northern border with Slovakia, the capital Budapest was once three separate cities. Today they are areas within the city: the castle district of Buda, commercial Pest and Roman Obuda. To the south-west of the capital you'll find Lake Balaton, popular for thermal springs and summer holidays. The mountainous north-east of the country is renowned for skiing, regional Tokaj wines and the UNESCO-listed Aggtelek National Park and its stalactite caves.
Start your trip in Budapest, where the ground slopes dramatically down from Buda's Castle Hill, on one side of the River Danube, across to bustling Pest. Take time out to relax at one of the city's many luxurious spa baths before journeying south. Here you'll discover the UNESCO-listed, attractive town of Pecs, full of Roman, Early Christian and Turkish remains. Eger in Hungary's north is one of the country's oldest towns and boasts Baroque architecture, a Turkish minaret and Bull's Blood wine, said to make you strong and fierce.
Gasp at traditional csikosok cowboys' prowess and their bareback riding skills in the southern Puszta plains around Kecskemet city. Discover old Hungary in the eastern, UNESCO-listed Hortobgy National Park, where village crafts are preserved in its wetlands, also home to incredible bird life. You can hike and ski in the northern Matra and Bukk Mountains, and join holidaying Hungarians at Lake Balaton for swimming, partying and spa life. Even the capital, Budapest, has rural pockets, from the caves in the Buda Hills to Esztergom along the Danube Bend, where King Stephen was born. | <urn:uuid:aea49a72-4d81-4efc-8d5e-a7f26d73f29b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.britishairways.com/travel/hungary/public/en_gb | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9538 | 445 | 1.828125 | 2 |
Book Description: "Ideas are easy. Implementation is hard. This book helps you with the hard part."-Guy Kawasaki, author of Enchantment According to productivity expert Scott Belsky, no one is born with the ability to drive creative projects to completion. Execution is a skill that must be developed by building your organizational habits and harnessing the support of your colleagues.As the founder and CEO of Behance, a company on a mission to empower and organize the creative world, Belsky has studied the habits of especially productive individuals and teams across industries. Now he has compiled the principles and techniques they share, and presents a systematic approach to creative organization and productivity.While many of us focus on generating and searching for great ideas, Belsky shows why it's better to develop the capacity to make ideas happen-a capacity that endures over time. | <urn:uuid:66fa1603-b9bc-4ce5-ab45-bf6804a60d16> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.campusbooks.com/books/business-investing/business-life/motivation-self-improvement/9781591844112_Scott-Belsky-Scott-Belsky_Making-Ideas-Happen-.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954286 | 174 | 1.65625 | 2 |
Updated 07/29/2012 11:00 PM
National Pastimes: Immigrants Bring Kabaddi To Queens Fields
Many immigrants spend their pastime playing cultural sports most Americans no nothing or very little about. They're popular in Queens, the borough known for its diversity. One little-known Indian sport spans thousands of years. NY1's Ruschell Boone filed the following report.
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It looks like a good old-fashioned game of tag. But this is no traditional American game. It's Kabaddi, a mix of rugby, tag and wrestling. It's a favorite among Punjabi immigrants who play at Victory Field.
"We have a lot of fun playing this," said player Sembeep Singh. "That's our cultural game."
The 4,000-year-old game is wildly popular in Asia and it has a huge following in the Queens Indian community. Every summer, you see players from the New York Sports Kabaddi Club practicing in Ozone Park.
"It's kind of good to see all guys playing, like, friends and everything, like they're part of a family," said one person in attendance.
"It looks easy but when you play, it's really physical," said player Preet Singh.
The game requires speed and strength. Kabaddi is made up of raiders and stoppers. Each raider has 30 seconds to tag one of the four opposing stoppers and return to his side without being tackled and pinned.
The practice matches always draw the attention of curious onlookers.
"I like it because each country has different sports," said one onlooker, an Albanian. "So if they come to my country or here, they are sharing sports."
"I was trying to find out how it works," said another onlooker who was also Albanian. "Once they break it, he was chasing the guy who broke the chain."
Unlike many other sports, Kabaddi can be played in a small area and it doesn't require equipment or sporting gear.
Some say the game has caught on in other parts of the world because it is cheap to play. But in America, people still aren't familiar with it. The New York players are hoping to help change that by participating in a growing number of state tournaments.
"Maybe a couple more years it's going to be all over the country," said Baljinder Singh."
For now, it remains popular in Queens. | <urn:uuid:7561cbf2-c61a-4d05-8d8d-7e5d19822987> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/165670/national-pastimes--immigrants-bring-kabaddi-to-queens-fields | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972402 | 533 | 1.71875 | 2 |
@Blackberry released a new version of BBM today with “enhanced location sending” .. Go figure.
The Department of Homeland Security will fund an effort by San Francisco to install real-time video cameras on 358 city buses, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The existing system, installed a decade ago, stores footage on tape located on each vehicle.DHS’s Imaging System for Immersive Surveillance introduced this year.
The new surveillance system will use a wireless network “that will enable SFMTA personnel to view, download and store the captured video images wirelessly and view them in real-time or through the Internet.”
According to city documents, “the new system will provide real-time viewing of images, inside and outside the bus, by law enforcement officers, emergency responders and other authorized personnel on a real-time basis from a distance of about 500 yards in case the bus is hijacked and used for terrorism activities.”
In March, it was reported the DHS planned to introduce new mobile surveillance technology at train stations, stadiums and streets.
The new technology allows the government to “track your eye movements, capture and record your facial dimensions for face-recognition processing, bathe you in X-rays to look under your clothes, and even image your naked body using whole-body infrared images that were banned from consumer video cameras because they allowed the camera owners to take ‘nude’ videos of people at the beach,” Mike Adams writes for Natural News.
Documents discussing the technology were obtained by the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
“EPIC calls these vans ‘mobile strip search devices’ because they give the federal government technology to look under your clothes without your permission or consent,” Adams notes. “It’s also being done without probable cause, so it’s a violation of the Fourth Amendment protections that are guaranteed to Americans under the Bill of Rights.”
California and San Francisco have received increased money from the federal government over the last few years. In 2010, the state received $268 million dollars from the DHS, approximately 16 percent of the $1.7 billion that DHS awarded nationally. San Francisco alone has received $200 million, according to the Homeland Security Newswire.
In 2007, it was reported that the DHS was spending hundred of millions of dollars on video surveillance systems around the country. Homeland Security Department spokesman Russ Knocke said surveillance systems are a valuable tool and “we will encourage their use in the future,” Newsmax reported.
The government claims the cameras will prevent terrorism, but as the Boston Globe reported in 2007 that the “proliferation of cameras could mean that Americans will feel less free because legal public behavior – attending a political rally, entering a doctor’s office, or even joking with friends in a park – will leave a permanent record, retrievable by authorities at any time.” | <urn:uuid:4e242422-4478-4743-b629-76e9e9bf8ca4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://h4x0r3d.tumblr.com/tagged/Big-Brother | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944306 | 606 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Tips to Travel Safe During the Holidays
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is urging residents to drive safety and use public transportation.
During the holidays, we're all in a rush to get to our respective celebrations and enjoy the holidays. Unfortunately, also during this time of the year, the weather doesn't always cooperate.
Information for Drivers
With some wintry weather in the forecast, drivers should be prepared to encounter varying roadway conditions as they head to their holiday destinations, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT.)
MassDOT encourages residents and visitors to drive safely and use public transportation where possible during the upcoming holidays.
Although holiday traffic is the worst around Thanksgiving, road conditions can still get pretty congested during peak travel times.
“Historically the days surrounding Christmas and New Year’s do not bring the traffic crunch seen around Thanksgiving, on Fridays in the summer or ahead of long weekends in the fall,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DePaola. “Travelers, however, should anticipate congestion and be alert when approaching popular shopping malls and plazas.”
Drivers should expect holiday heavy volume on the Massachusetts Turnpike, I-90, at Exit 9 connecting I-84 to Connecticut and New York. Drivers are encouraged to consider travel during the early morning or after 8 p.m. Traffic congestion is also typical at the I-95 and I-495 Turnpike interchanges along with I-495 and I-93 northbound leading into New Hampshire.
To speed through the tolls, ‘E-ZPass On the Go’ transponders are available at all 11 Massachusetts Turnpike Service Plazas and make good last minute stocking stuffers. MassDOT has sold approximately 7,000 On the Go transponders since they debuted this summer.
For those commuters working Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, MassDOT will not deploy the HOV lane on the Southeast Expressway in anticipation of a lighter than normal rush. The HOV lane will remain closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
In case of wintry travel weather, motorists should drive with headlights on, observe posted speed limits, make sure everyone is using a seatbelt and be on the lookout for changing weather conditions. And never drink and drive.
MBTA Holiday Schedule
The MBTA will be running on a different schedule during the holidays, so plan ahead before your trip. Christmas Day through New Year’s Day holiday service schedule includes a Sunday service schedule for Tuesday, December 25 and Tuesday, January 1, 2013. The T will be providing additional trains and free service after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, December 31. Check out the full T schedule here.
Additional Perks for Travelers
Free coffee will be served at all 18 MassDOT service plazas courtesy of McDonalds, Burger King, and Gulf between 10 p.m. on Christmas night, Tuesday, December 25, until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, December 26, and between 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31, until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, January 1, 2013.
To check road conditions, visit MassDOT’s online traffic camera webpage with more than 90 live traffic cameras throughout the highway system. The cameras refresh every 10 seconds to provide real time traffic views. The 511 traffic alert system alerts customers to traffic conditions throughout the holiday weekend.
More information on safe winter driving is available at the MassDOT website. | <urn:uuid:c1fd3f00-d6bd-47c5-9f95-18f583c53082> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://southend.patch.com/articles/tips-to-travel-safe-during-the-holidays-2ca8aabb?logout=true | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93954 | 744 | 1.664063 | 2 |
But when said to the nation's veterans, they convey not only appreciation, but sacrifice, honor and freedom.
Thank you for your service, Veterans. Those simple words were said several times at last week's Veterans Day observance at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Visitors Center. And another word was also used to describe veterans — heroes.
Brent K. Park, with the Global Security Directorate at ORNL, said this year's observation was "a serious event." When he recognized the veterans in attendance, about 75 percent of the room stood up.
And then they stood again when the Oak Ridge High School band played the musical salute of each branch of U.S. Service — the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
"Freedom's not automatic," assured guest speaker retired Major Gen. Richard E. Webber. "They fight and die … many times paid for by blood."
Webber was the first commander, 24th Air Force, and commander Air Force Network Operations at Lackland Air Force base in Texas. He was responsible for the Air Force's newest numbered air force providing combatant commanders with trained and ready "cyber forces," which plan and conduct cyberspace operations.
Later he was a command cyber, space and missile operator with qualifications in the Minuteman II, Minuteman III, Global Positioning Satellite and Counter Communications System weapon system.
He also served as assistant deputy chief for Air, Space and Information Operations at Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Webber retired after 36 years and joined ORNL as the director of Cyber Programs Integration in the Global Security Directorate.
"The current generation is every bit as courageous as those who went before them," he said.
Webber quoted the U.S. Constitution's oath administered to uniformed officers: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
Webber also talked about the Henri-Cappelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium, which is the resting place of nearly 8,000 Americans who died in World War II, including about 500 "unknowns." The cemetery is located near the Battle of the Bulge.
The retired general also talked about a veterans parade in Colorado during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "The people on the sides of the streets came into our formation," Webb said. "They walked along with us. They looked at our name tags, called us by name and said, 'Thank you.'"
He said the Vietnam vets weren't received like that when they came home, but in that Colorado parade "they were leading the charge."
He said he appreciates all the projects to help veterans, but stated the most important thing to do is "just make a phone call to someone who has served and say thank you for your service."
Beverly Majors can be contacted at (865) 220-5514. | <urn:uuid:869c5b61-4efb-48d8-a7a5-6c1ad5ff0a65> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.oakridger.com/article/20121114/NEWS/121119956/0/State%20News | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971253 | 660 | 1.679688 | 2 |
"These honorees years ago first recognized the great promise of energy efficiency and began working to ensure that efficiency plays a prominent role in meeting our environmental and economic goals," said Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D - N.M.), Chairman of the Alliance. "Because of their efforts, people all over the world are taking advantage of energy efficiency as the key to greater prosperity and an improved environment."
"Owens Coming is a world leader in advancing energy conservation," said Alliance President David Nemtzow. Glen Hiner, Owens Coming Chairman and CEO, stated that, "Owens Coming promotes the value of energy conservation and the benefits of using fiber glass insulation throughout the world." Nemtzow added, "Owens Corning is at the forefront of advancing energy efficient technologies to benefit consumers."
The U.S. Department of Defense has reduced its buildings and facility energy use by 14 percent since 1985 by investing in energy efficient products and services. DOD's efforts saved tax payers $430 million in 1995. Nemtzow said that "the Defense Department has been a role model for federal agencies by initiating energy saving performance contracts and by using private sector investment to reduce energy costs." Nemtzow added, "The Alliance hopes the federal government chooses to make energy efficiency a priority in this county by providing the private sector with more national examples like the Defense Department."
Charles R. Imbrecht, Chairman of the California Energy Commission, is the second ever recipient of the Charles H. Percy Award for distinguished public service promoting energy efficiency. Honored by the Alliance's choice for the award, Chairman Imbrecht said, "Senator Charles Percy was an innovative public servant who inspired me in my own career in elected office. I am honored to receive an award named for this esteemed statesman." Nemtzow explained that "Since Chuck Imbrecht became Chairman, California's efficiency programs have reduced utility bills for home, businesses and the public sector more than $11 billion." On behalf of Californians, Chairman Imbrecht stated, "We are proud to be the energy laboratory of the world."
The annual Stars of Energy Efficiency dinner is by invitation only. Any reporters who are interested in attending should contact Kara Saul, Media Assistant for the Alliance to Save Energy, at 202-857-0666.
The Alliance to Save Energy is a bi-partisan coalition of government, business, consumer and environmental leaders dedicated to enhancing the efficiency with which our nation uses energy.
The Stars of Energy Efficiency Banquet: Thursday, June 6th at 6:15 p.m. | <urn:uuid:25a3dd7d-5ae5-4291-85b0-20543868b248> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.energy.ca.gov/releases/1996_releases/96-06-04_alliance_release.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952299 | 522 | 1.828125 | 2 |
| 'Beauty of Livermere' bears large, crimson flowers, to 8 inches across, each petal with a black mark at the base.
A hardy perennial in cooler areas, this plant is usually short-lived or even treated as an annual in climates where winters are warm. Early spring
flowers sit atop stiff, hairy stems and coarse divided leaves. By mid-summer, plant has dwindled and gone dormant, only to reappear with new foliage in the fall. | <urn:uuid:8072e54f-5015-4825-ac32-10253145152a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_3838.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943455 | 100 | 1.640625 | 2 |
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Sitting in Seattle right now, its 30F and big aggregate snow flakes are slowly drifting down outside of my window. That plus a nice cup of tea and a successful forecast--life doesn't get much better than that.
But it won't last unfortunately.
Right now a warm frontal zone is moving in overhead...that is producing the precipitation, but it is also producing warming aloft over the region. Here is the latest infrared satellite picture. You can see the main front offshore (band extending SW-NE) and the warm front is the stubby appendage extending NW-SE over us. It will only give us 3-6 hr of precipitation.
Here is the latest (6:42 AM) radar--in clear air mode, because the precipitation is light. You can see the precipitation (snow) and also an area just east of the Olympics is not getting anything. The reason--there is rainshadowing (really snowshadowing!) because the flow aloft is out of the northwest. So the folks on Kitsap with all the power outages are not getting much snow....there are balances to life evidently.
Temperatures are warming aloft. Here are the hourly temperatures soundings (temp plot in the vertical) here in Seattle from the profiler. These temperatures are really virtual temperatures (don't ask...just subtract about 1C for regular temperature, and yes they are in C). Height in meters. You are looking at plots starting at midnight (2508) to 6 AM (2514). The clear message is that temperatures are warming and we now have a layer near freezing in the lowest several hundred meters--this is a layer of precipitation melting. These are wet snowflakes.Here is a different view of the temperatures and winds above us from the profiler...called a time height cross section:You can see the warming southerly and southwesterly flow (look at the wind barbs) above us and warming is evident..yesterday above us the virtual temperature was -8C at 500 meters, now it is -1C (really -2C actual temperature). This snow is not going to last long..a few hours at most. Clearly, the warming is happening a few hours faster than expected by the models last night. So I would not give the snow much more time now...hour perhaps over Puget Sound. But it could hold in longer over NW Washington, where cooler flow exiting the gaps will maintain the snow for a few hours more.
This is good for DOTs and holiday travel around the west....temperatures are now climbing above freezing and wet snow will end in a few hours. Good for holiday travel. And the end to an early major cold snaps around here--one that will go into the record books like 1955 and 1985.
Posted by Cliff Mass at 7:04 AM | <urn:uuid:2d547743-a6ce-4d42-9d32-8af9dc575e1b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2010/11/its-snowing.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944136 | 590 | 1.671875 | 2 |
Drinking cranberry juice has been a traditional method used to prevent urinary tract infections. Cranberries contain antibacterial compounds that act against the coliform bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. The primary mechanism of action may be the decrease in the adhesion of bacteria (most notably E. Coli) to urinary tract cells. However, the disadvantages to this include the ingestion of unwanted calories, artificial preservatives, colours, flavours, sodium and refined sugar.
Cranberry Complex 500 mg helps prevent bacteria that initiate urinary tract infections from adhering to urinary tract lining. It contains naturally occurring proanthocyandins that possess antibacterial activity. Each capsule is derived from 500 mg of fresh, pure cranberry juice concentrate. A daily dose of one capsule is equivalent to an 8oz glass of cranberry juice.
All the natural benefits of cranberry juice without the calories or added sugar.
Each capsule contains:
Cran-Max™ Cranberry………………450 mg (Vaccinium macrocarpon, fruit)
Excipients: Dicalcium Phosphate, D-Mannose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Calcium Silicate, Gelatin.
Dosage: 500 mg
stocked up when it was on sale. I find these cranberry supplements really helpful in preventing recurring UTIs!
I've been using this for years to prevent bladder infections and it works beautifully. I recently discovered that it can work to reduce ear-infections too, so I've been giving them to my son who gets them every year during the fall/winter seasons.
I used to suffer from at least 3 urinary tract infections per year and antibiotics were my only remedy. Now I consume these capsules regularly and haven't had a bout of UTI in over a year! Interestingly, it was my family doctor who recommended I consume cranberry juice to prevent them but these are more affordable and convenient.
At the first sign of a urinary tract infection, I take four of these with two Jamieson Vitamin C capsules, and the urinary tract infection doesn't stand a chance. These pills really work!!!
Just started using this product to maintain good urinary health and it is amazing. I highly recommend this. | <urn:uuid:d1c43875-5278-4d15-b4f3-f88718b2f121> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://well.ca/products/jamieson-maximum-concentrate_2934.html?ref=relprod&related_product=6795 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936428 | 457 | 1.820313 | 2 |
George Bernard Shaw once accused the 35mm photographer, with his high capacity cassette of film, of being a salmon which lays thousands of eggs in the hope one will hatch.
The 9-eyes project is modern proof of the truth of that statement. The name refers to the nine lensed camera used by Google’s StreetView project to photograph everything on earth and slot the images into its mapping software. Regardless of what you may think of the invasiveness of this project – and I think it is both invasive and probably illegal – photographer Jon Rathman has taken it upon himself to curate the best images which accidentally result and you can see more on his blog by clicking the picture below. Many images are quite startling and true ‘accidental’ art. The multiplicity of one-fingered salutes and ‘moonings’ offered by subjects to Google’s prying camera suggests I am not alone in my view of the acceptability of what this thieving corporation is doing here.
Click the image for the 9-eyes site.
Many of the lansdcape images, some quite outstanding, confirm the futility of most landscape photography. All it takes is to be there and push the button. The photographer, as often as not, adds nothing. Stated differently, if I see another bloody picture of white birches I am going to scream. StreetView does it as well as Saint Ansel. And some of the surreal street candids are nothing short of superb suggesting candid street snaps are just as random and easy as those wretched landscapes.
Rathman’s site raises a lot of questions. Had one snapper caught as many great moments in his lifetime he would be regraded as the next HC-B. | <urn:uuid:29bead0a-2b94-4cc7-b2ee-2446f92305bf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://pindelski.org/Photography/2012/09/02/9-eyes/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971259 | 361 | 1.789063 | 2 |
Funding the EU Budget with a Genuine Own Resource: The case for a European Tax
Amounting to approximately bn. 120 ‚¬ in 2007, i.e. a little more than 1% of European GDP, the EU budget is almost exclusively funded by national contributions based on GNI. In preparation for the mid-term review called for by both the EU Council of December 2005 and the EU Parliament, this paper offers a broad reflection on possible instruments for funding the EU budget with genuine own resources, specifically on the possible EU tax instruments. It first briefly recalls the history of the EU budget and a number of important flaws and drawbacks in the decision-making procedures over the medium term financial framework that currently defines the path of expenditures for seven years. In the second section, we review the major criteria to be considered when choosing amongst various financing instruments; some such criteria are of general application in any democratic public finance context, others are more specific to decentralized or federal contexts. Major candidates for an EU tax are then analyzed in more detail, and assessed according these various criteria: first, the most frequently quoted ones, a European VAT or an excise duty or eco-tax; then the corporate income tax, also an obvious candidate in a single market; finally a number of other tax instruments sometimes mentioned here or there. A very rough estimation of the potential yield of each of these instruments is then attempted, based on existing aggregate data, in order to provide orders of magnitude. Section 5 is dedicated to discussing some practical difficulties related to the implementation of a European tax. We then conclude that an eco-tax or a corporate income tax would seem to fare quite well with regard to the majority of criteria discussed, but that none appears to dominate on all grounds, so that the choice would have to weigh pros and cons. | <urn:uuid:aca4938f-0317-4c30-896e-b690dbdb0770> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.eng.notre-europe.eu/011-775-Funding-the-EU-Budget-with-a-Genuine-Own-Resource-The-case-for-a-European-Tax.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944827 | 365 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Transition for all people
(Re: “Planet of insects,” cover story, Oct. 22.) Thank you for the article about relocalization, community, skill-building and energy independence. I am grateful to see the philosophies and practices of Transition Colorado featured in the Boulder Weekly. I was even more excitedto see the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center included in this piece.
One of the reasons I so appreciate the “Transition Movement” is because of its potential agency for social justice. At the same time I also question how the means and ends of this “movement” assemble barriers and etch creases of marginalization, structurally — even if unintentionally — supporting injustice by focusing on the needs of privileged peoples and neglecting those needs, and skills, of more underprivileged peoples. These needs and skills are not nonexistent — they are silenced and made invisible.
What role does Transition play in this silencing, what role would it like to play, and what role does it need to play? I read a lot of words such as “community” and “basic human connections,” but nothing of power, privilege, domination and oppression. Does Transition think “sharing pie” dissolves such deeply rooted and harmful realities? Is avoidance an option? For whom?
I would love to see Transition Colorado host anti-racism trainings and bystander intervention trainings. That seems like the kind of re-skilling we need here in Boulder! Are Transition Communities safe or hostile for people of color, LGBTQI folk? And what about the rights and needs of undocumented peoples? (Note to the writers and editors: careful of your usage of the word “citizens.” Do you mean to exclude residents and the 12 million undocumented people in the U.S.?) I cannot see how a “Transition Movement” can function within this country’s broken immigration system.
I am sure many of the readers and hopefully all of the Transition supporters can see the links between agriculture, the food industry — and thus Transition’s focus of local food and economic self-sufficiency — and immigrant rights. We are all connected to these faulty and harmful policies by what we put in our mouths, but changing what and how we eat will not by itself change the lives of those invisibilized and dehumanized. Is “Transition” (the verb) feasible without these changes? What conditions prevent participation? And again, what is Transition’s role in these conditions?
I would like to see orientations towards freedom, justice, liberty and equality — such as active movement for and actualization of changes in federal immigration policy and public opinion — directly included in the rhetoric and activities of Transition. What about partnering with an organization such as Reform Immigration for America? Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition? Intercambio de Comunidades? ¿Hablan español? Ever consider collaborating with Moving to End Sexual Assault or Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence?
I am critical because I am supportive — it would be quite easy for me to suffocate word limits crying within the dysfunctions and crises Transition passionately toils to heal, exalting praises for the already vibrant efforts of the principles and people of the “movement,” reiterating what is already made known. At this point, however, I must respect my internal erk that whizzes when I hear, read or talk about anything “Transition,” voicing this shared and potentially ignorant aversion as a petition for organizational and collective questioning. I also understand that this organization is probably, like most, understaffed and underfunded, which poses challenges for outreach and integration but is no excuse for such a limited pulse. While you may hold the values of social and environmental justice, we have yet to overtly see these values demonstrated or given priority. In the article, cofounder of Transition Colorado Michael Brownlee mentions freedom — I ask, freedom for whom? Freedom cannot only be an outcome, but must also be fundamental method of the “movement,” do you agree? Of course, one organization can’t address every issue, and at the same time, how and when can we see represented the interconnectedness that you are advocating (in theory)? From the article Brownlee states: “It’s [Transition Colorado] a catalytic force in the community to inspire and motivate people to do exactly the kind of things that we’re talking about. You can’t do it for them, but you can provide them some access.” Can you? And can we?
True, as individuals and a community we must take initiative in preference to relying on others — officials, organizations, etc. — to “do things for us” (I hope to be encouraging myself and the public in these statements, not just leaders in the “movement”). My expectation is that Transition as an organization can be, as Brownlee avows, an accessible and conceivably constructive and proactive resource for more holistic and realistic reconnectings, for and with all people. This, as I see it, enables the movement.
Boulder Weekly welcomes your e-mail correspondence. Letters must not exceed 400 words and should include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Addresses will not be published. We do not publish anonymous letters or those signed with pseudonyms. Letters become the property of Boulder Weekly and will be published on our website. | <urn:uuid:c38b5991-5d3a-4fbb-8c6d-5986f77ef270> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.boulderweekly.com/article-375-borlaug-didnrst-do-gmos.html?current_page=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948769 | 1,137 | 1.65625 | 2 |
If it seems that I’ve been blogging a lot about cruise ships lately – especially for someone whose first (travel) love is roadtripping – I am. This is the season when ships that have spent the summer in Europe return to South Florida and when new ships that were built in Europe’s shipyards arrive in Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
Which explains why I’ve attended two ship-naming ceremonies in the last eight days: Celebrity Reflection last weekend and Carnival Breeze on Saturday. Those two, along with Oceania’s Riviera – which had its ship-naming in Europe – are the new ships of 2012, all of which have arrived in Miami in the last few weeks.
Ship-naming ceremonies have several traditions associated with them, including the selection of a godmother and the breaking of a bottle of champagne on the hull of the ship. Other traditions, such as the sacrifice of sheep or even humans, thankfully have been discontinued. The original purpose of the ceremony was to introduce the new ship to the god of the sea – Neptune, Poseidon, whoever. The ancient Greeks drank wine to honor the gods and poured water on the new vessel as a symbol of blessing, but those two rituals eventually merged into one, and the liquid of choice in recent times has been champagne.
It’s considered bad luck if the godmother smashes the bottle against the hull and it doesn’t break -- Judi Dench swung a bottle of champagne against the Carnival Legend three times before it broke – so now, the bottles often are scored with a glasscutter first. It’s probably also considered bad luck if guests are cut by flying shards of glass, so the ceremony isn’t necessarily held near the hull. Both the Carnival and Celebrity ceremonies were held in the respective ship’s theater. The godmothers stood on the stage and cut or pulled a ribbon, and by some remote mechanism, the bottle was swung against the hull and smashed, which we saw on a huge video screen. Seems like a waste of good champagne to me, but who am I to say no to Poseidon?
Tracy Wilson Mourning is the godmother of the Carnival Breeze, and the ceremony was both touching as she talked about the Honey Shine mentoring program for young girls, a program she founded, and funny, as master of ceremonies John Heald pranced like a hefty supermodel on the catwalk and threatened to sing Barry Manilow songs. (Carnival’s frequent cruisers all know Heald – he is senior cruise director for Carnival and writes a funny, slightly risqué and usually helpful blog here.)
Watch next Sunday’s Travel section, when I’ll tell you about the new ships.
My photos of the ceremony, by the way, were pretty awful, so I pestered Andy Newman, who has photographed many of Carnival's ships, on Sunday morning for these. Top, Carnival Breeze's godmother, Tracy Mourning, and Capt. Vincenzo Alcaras with a stand-in bottle of champagne (the real one was swung against the hull). Below,Tracy with husband Alonzo (yeah, I know who he is but this is HER show) and the captain on the bridge. | <urn:uuid:c5214158-7b97-4481-9fe4-064aca500590> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://miamiherald.typepad.com/roadtripping/2012/12/09/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964662 | 681 | 1.6875 | 2 |
BAGHDAD -- A gruesome video posted on a website purportedly showed militants beheading a Nepalese worker and shooting 11 others in the first mass slaying of foreign hostages during the Iraqi insurgency.
The executions would raise the number of foreign workers known to have been slain by extremists to at least 22 in a terror campaign aimed at forcing foreign troops and contract workers out of the country.
Iraq's interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, promised retribution. "The only solution with this unjust group is to make them face justice," he told the Arab-language Al-Arabiya television station.
In Nepal, relatives grieved after hearing the news. "What sins have I committed to deserve this?" said Jit Bahadur Khadka, the father of one of those reportedly killed, 19-year-old Ramesh Khadka.
In another hostage crisis, French officials held talks in Paris and around the Arab world in hopes of saving the lives of two journalists held by other insurgents in Iraq. The kidnappers set a deadline of today for France to rescind its ban on Muslim head scarves in public schools, a demand France has said it won't meet.
Guerrillas in Iraq have taken more than 100 foreigners hostage in recent months, often demanding that the captives' home countries withdraw troops from the US-led coalition or pull out their citizens doing civilian work. Some have demanded that a hostage's employer promise to halt all business here.
Nepal, which has no troops in Iraq, has banned its citizens from working there because of security concerns. However, many people from the poor Asian nation take jobs abroad, and 17,000 Nepalese are believed to have slipped into Iraq, with many working as armed security guards for foreign contractors.
"We strongly condemn the terrorist act and urge the international community to speak against this terrorist act," Nepal's foreign minister, Prakash Sharan Mahat, said after an emergency Cabinet meeting held in Katmandu amid criticism the government did not do enough to save the men.
Meanwhile, there were conflicting indications over whether ongoing efforts to broker a truce between militants loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and the government bore fruit yesterday. Iraqi police yesterday fanned out without incident through the Baghdad slum of Sadr City, which had been the scene of fierce clashes between Sadr loyalists and US troops in recent weeks. And Allawi told tribal leaders from Sadr City that the government had allocated $115 million to improve public services in the district, including water, electricity, and sewage.
"The resumption and the stability of life in your city and in the whole of Iraq is a very important issue," Allawi said.
The New York Times reported, however, that talks to disarm the insurgents in Sadr City collapsed after Allawi abruptly canceled a tentative peace pact. In a report today, the Times cited Mahdi Army commanders and unnamed Iraqi sources as saying that yesterday morning, Allawi backed out of the deal reached late Monday night.
Also yesterday, the second-ranking US diplomat in Iraq, James Jeffrey, met with Governor Adnan al-Zurufi in the holy city of Najaf, the center of a three-week uprising by Sadr followers that ended Friday. Jeffrey went to assess the "immediate needs of the city" and examine ways to rebuild it.
The 12 Nepalese hostages, who had been sent by a Jordanian firm to do construction work in Iraq, disappeared Aug. 19, soon after crossing into the country from Jordan in two cars.
The next day, an online statement from the little known Ansar al-Sunna Army claimed to be holding them and demanded Nepal stop sending workers.
The video yesterday showed a masked man in desert camouflage apparently slitting the throat of a blindfolded man lying on the ground. The victim moaned and a shrill wheeze was heard.
The masked man showed the severed head to the camera before throwing it in the dirt and later resting it on the victim's chest.
Other footage showed a militant with an assault rifle killing the other 11 men, who were lying face down on the ground, with a series of shots into their heads and backs. Blood seeped from their bodies onto the sand.
The apparent mass killing of hostages was a first. Previously, insurgents killed hostages in ones, and perhaps twos, in their campaign to force foreign troops and contract workers out of Iraq.
"America today has used all its force, as well as the help of others, to fight Islam under the so-called war on terror, which is nothing but a vicious crusade against Muslims," a statement on the website said.
The group also threatened anyone else working with US forces in Iraq, saying executions would befall "every agent, traitor, and spy."
Mahat, the Nepalese foreign minister, said his government would help the families "and take action against the people who sent them illegally to this dangerous area for work."
Iyad Mansoor, director general of the Morning Star Co., a Jordan-based services firm that employed the Nepalese, said he hired them through the Nepal-based Moonlight Co. to work in Jordan.
The Muslim Scholars Association, an influential Sunni Muslim group believed to have links to insurgents, condemned the claimed mass killing.
"We believe most of them were simple-minded and tempted to come to Iraq," Mohammed Bashar al-Faidi, a spokesman for the group, said of the Nepalese. "We wished they could have been released by the kidnappers so that they could have become messengers for their brothers to warn them not to come to Iraq."
In violence yesterday:
Unidentified gunmen killed Ibrahim Ismael, head of the education department in Kirkuk, police Colonel Sarhat Qadir said. Three of Ismael's bodyguards were wounded.
In south Baghdad, assailants attacked a police patrol with grenades, killing one officer and wounding two, said Naji Bahr Naji al-Khalidi, an official with Iraq's FPS security force.
Insurgents attacked a US patrol in Mosul, sparking a gun battle in which US troops wounded one of the assailants, the Army said. One civilian was killed and a second was wounded in crossfire, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hastings said. | <urn:uuid:af48b444-66a0-4d0e-b833-8cb15c2496be> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2004/09/01/video_said_to_show_slaying_of_12_hostages/?camp=pm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972523 | 1,300 | 1.554688 | 2 |
When the iPad first arrived on the scene, our Belgian business newspapers, De Tijd and L’Echo, embraced it. We knew tablets, with their lightness and convenience, would become important for our communities, and so we dove into building apps and offering our readers special deals on iPads.
Quickly though, we learned that despite the opportunities the iPad offered, there were strings attached.
It wasn’t surprising that Apple wanted a piece of the revenue. But I’m not sure everybody anticipated the possibility that the company would also claim ownership of users’ data — a sensitive issue in the digital media world.
HTML5 to the Rescue
We all started to wonder if the iPad would be just a shiny prison for unfortunate media outfits, all of us forced to offer our precious content through that new channel while having to pay a hefty price. But HTML5 seems to have come to the rescue.
The Financial Times made headlines last week when it launched a web-based application for smartphones and tablet computers written in HTML5 — allowing it to bypass Apple’s App Store and Google’s Android Market, as well as other distributors.
In doing so, the British newspaper is aiming to secure a direct relationship with readers.
For the user, it makes no difference. The FT icon on my iPad looks the same as the native app icons, and the whole experience is very app-like.
The Benefits of Bypassing Apple
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of using HTML5 and bypassing the App Store? I asked my colleague, multimedia manager Tom Peeters of Mediafin, the Belgian publisher of De Tijd and L’Echo, and he explained that as targeted advertising grows, the user data part is a crucial one.
“I think it’s very important for us as a publisher to have full access to the user information … in the App Store it’s totally impossible to have this data,” he said.
In addition, having an HTML5 app would allow Mediafin to keep the 30 percent revenue that goes to Apple every time a sale is made. In fact, taking into account the VAT (value added tax), it’s more like 40 percent.
HTML5 will also enable Mediafin to shorten the app’s release time.
“Updating the app will be easier and faster, and what’s also important — at times that we decide,” Peeters said.
An App Store app has to be approved by Apple, a procedure that takes time and is fully controlled by Cupertino.
Peeters also expects that it will be easier to tweak the HTML5 apps to optimize them for other platforms such as Android or BlackBerry. However, he admitted the project has its challenges. Here’s an extended interview I conducted with Peeters recently:
So our strategy for now seems to be a hybrid one: maintaining the native app in iTunes while also launching HTML5 apps for the iPad and other tablet devices.
What will your media organization do? Go for the native app or take the HTML5 route?
Roland Legrand is in charge of new media at Mediafin, the publisher of leading Belgian business newspapers De Tijd and L’Echo. He studied applied economics and philosophy. After a brief teaching experience, he became a financial journalist working for the Belgian wire service Belga and subsequently for Mediafin. He works in Brussels, and lives in Antwerp with his wife, Elisabeth. | <urn:uuid:57b06dc9-0cb2-4f43-b7dc-bb0d3c4d58bf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2011/06/how-publishers-can-bypass-apple-with-html5-web-apps165 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96083 | 729 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Laguna Seca Ranch is a 700-acre photography ranch, located north of Edinburg, Texas in the
Rio Grande Valley. The ranch has been preserved with all-native plants and animals. Here you can find a unique set of birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, dragonflies, and plants that can only be found in Texas' Rio Grande Valley. We have equipped the ranch with one very large pond that has several photography blinds and three smaller, private ponds. Each location has been hand-crafted, and they all provide outstanding birding and photographing opportunities. A local lodge is nearby for those interested (see the "Lodging & Dining" page). Laguna Seca Ranch offers a unique South Texas birding and photography adventure!
Be sure to "like" us on our page, and we'll keep you updated with everything that's happening at Laguna Seca Ranch. You can access our page at www.facebook.com/LagunaSecaRanch, or click on the Facebook icon below.
Laguna Seca Ranch is located just 20 minutes north of Edinburg, Texas and 45 minutes from the McAllen-Miller International Airport. Click on the map below to open an interactive Google map in a new window.
Laguna Seca Ranch and the surrounding land has been handed down within the Vela family since 1867. One of the first families to settle in the Rio Grande Valley, the Velas planted the first orange trees of the Rio Grande Valley. Sincere efforts have been and are continuing to be made throughout to maintain the pristine nature of the Vela land. Since the present landowner acquired the 700-acre plot in 2003, preservation of the native wildlife and plantlife takes top priority. Maintenance and improvement projects are constantly in progress. More information is available on the "Ranch History" page.
Tour leaders from around the world visit South Texas to conduct photography tours and workshops. Laguna Seca Ranch can set up a personalized photo tour or workshop for an individual or group that will meet the needs of all levels of birders and photographers at a lower price due to little to no overhead. Our knowledge of the local area and habits of native and migratory wildlife will enable you to get shots that might otherwise be impossible. Your itinerary will be based on your photography desires. You have the option to shoot alone, with a friend, or a guide can shoot alongside you. Whatever your choice, the ranch is extremely safe and has good cell phone coverage, so a guide will never be far away. We can also take you to other South Texas photo hot-spots that only the local photographers know. What is so great about designing your own trip is the fact that information is available from other visitors on where the birds are and what was seen yesterday. You have the flexibility to do what is enjoyable without being part of a predetermined agenda. Contact us and allow us to plan a once-in-a-lifetime visit to South Texas to photograph in one of the most rewarding birding areas in the world!
The Rio Grande Valley experiences a fair range of temperatures throughout the year. In summer, it can get quite hot, with temperatures up to 110 degrees on rare occasions. Because of the ranch's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf breeze usually makes the heat tolerable. During the winter, a light snow is even possible. Check the ranch's weather forecast by clicking on the weather link below.
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You can increase the size of any picture on the website by clicking the magnifying glass in the lower right corner of the picture. | <urn:uuid:3aa55972-15dd-48f3-a22f-70809ca16397> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.photographysouthtexas.com/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939914 | 757 | 1.609375 | 2 |
Beer and philanthropy
Charity | Noelle Garnier
In a historic Portland residential district, a large green sign pinned to a red-brick store front announces the Oregon Public House: “Have a Pint: Change the World.”
Beer and philanthropy don’t usually go together, but the Oregon Public House, due to open in February, is the latest in a new kind of charitable enterprise some are calling “philanthropubs.”
Founder Ryan Saari calls the Oregon Public House “the nation’s first non-profit pub.” All of its profits will go to local charities such as The Mentoring Project, Compassion First, and Habitat for Humanity.
“Our guiding value is community, which is a kingdom principle, but it’s also about simply being together, getting to know our neighbors, and serving together,” said Saari, who also pastors a local Foursquare-affiliated church.
Saari began the project more than two years ago when looking for a way to help the local community. He and some friends realized Portland already had lots of non-profits, many of them suffering in the lagging economy. They also discovered in their research that, "when an economy goes down or there's a recession, the first thing that people cut away from their budgets is their giving. At the same time, alcohol sales go up."
A pub seemed like a natural fit. They found a commercial building that dated to 1909 and have been renovating, typically with volunteer labor and donated materials. The main floor will house the pub and a “parent-child community space.” The entire second floor is a “Village Ballroom.”
A seven-member volunteer board chooses the charities Oregon Public House will support.
“We choose charities doing local work, charities that are doing great things with their money, and charities to whom our contribution means something,” Saari said.
The pub will open completely debt-free, supported by donations and by a “Founders” program that offers free beers each day or week to significant contributors.
After making purchases at Oregon Public House, customers select which charity they want to support from a short list posted behind the bar. Each $5 locally-brewed beer generates a donation of about $1.
Representatives from each charity will volunteer at the pub, waiting tables and talking with customers. “Our goal and hope is that customers will go serve on their own time and help fulfill the missions of these charities,” Saari said.
Similarly, the Okra Charity Saloon in Houston, Texas, gives customers one vote per drink on which local charity they want to support. In Washington, D.C., Nick Vilelle is founder of Cause: The Philanthropub.
“We want people to learn more about causes they may have never come across before,” Vilelle said. “One of our founding principles was to make it easier for people to get involved in charity, even those with crazy work schedules. Cause makes it easy—most everyone makes time to go out for a drink or dinner.”
In addition to direct fundraising, the charity pub model helps charities by highlighting the work of private organizations that otherwise receive little publicity.
“Most of these are smaller organizations that don’t have marketing budgets or big communications teams,” Vilelle said. “It doesn’t change the fact that they’re doing great work. We can be their megaphone.”
Copyright © 2013 God’s World Publications | <urn:uuid:04fa0595-8371-42f2-adfb-4bb35356885f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.worldmag.com/mobile/article.php?id=25109 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959723 | 759 | 1.523438 | 2 |
When we moved here in 1965, crows were officially named the “common crow.” But, they were definitely not common in Evergreen, except in winter. Summer crows in the mountains were few and far between.
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Mayor Rybak Endorses New Report Calling for Major Public Investment in Water Systems
Federal commitment to water systems has risen under President Obama; more investment will create good jobs and spur economic growth
March 1, 2012 (MINNEAPOLIS) — Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak today endorsed a new report, “Public Water Works!”. that finds broad support across party lines for the critical need to invest in the nation’s public water systems. Public water directors, faith and advocacy organizations and more than 30 mayors including Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, called on the Obama Administration and Congressional leadership to act on the report’s findings and recommendations. U.S. public water systems currently face a $23 billion per year investment gap.
“It’s time Congress placed the same value on the tap that the American people do,” said Mayor Rybak. “Just as communities and businesses reap the benefits of public investments in a strong public education system, everyone benefits from investments in public water systems. We can’t do business or guarantee the health of our workforce without clean drinking water and sanitation. Rebuilding our public water systems will create good, much-needed jobs and will put in place the long-term infrastructure that families and businesses both need to thrive.”
“Public Water Works!,” released on World Water Day, highlights that closing the investment gap would generate $265.6 billion in economic activity and create close to 1.9 million jobs over the next five years. Reinvestment could also spare businesses $734 billion in costs and sales lost due to unreliable water infrastructure.
The report also documents how, over the last 35 years, the federal commitment to public water systems has gone from covering 78 percent of clean water spending to a paltry three percent today. While under the Obama administration, federal water appropriations in fiscal year 2010 reached a 16-year high of $1.4 billion, this amount represents less than one-tenth of what is needed to close the annual water-infrastructure investment gap.
“I applaud the Obama administration’s demonstrated commitment to greater investment in public water systems,” Mayor Rybak continued. “It only makes sense for jobs and our economy to invest even more.”
City of Minneapolis tap water is consistently ranked among the highest-quality and best-tasting water in the United States. Under Mayor Rybak’s leadership, the City began Tap Minneapolis to make people and businesses aware of the benefits of Minneapolis tap water so that they can make better decisions when choosing between bottled and tap water. In 2011, the City provided portable Tap Minneapolis drinking fountains to a dozen large public events, two of which brought more than 100,000 participants. Tap Minneapolis also partners with restaurants that proudly serve Minneapolis tap water.
Published Mar. 22, 2012 | <urn:uuid:e7030ee5-d4b1-4676-bd68-d9fe6c627adb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.minneapolismn.gov/mayor/news/WCMS1P-089667 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938079 | 598 | 1.515625 | 2 |
VIENNA (AP) - Attempts to find Arab-Israeli common ground on banning weapons of mass destruction from the Mideast have failed, and high-profile talks on the issue have been called off, diplomats said Saturday.
The two diplomats said the United States, one of the organizers, would likely make a formal announcement soon saying that with tensions in the region remaining high, "time is not opportune" for such a gathering. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge the cancellation ahead of the formal announcement.
The meeting - to be held in Helsinki, Finland, by year's end - was on shaky ground since it was agreed to in 2010 by the 189 member nations of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Its key sponsors were the U.S., Russia and Britain, but they said such as meeting was only possible if all countries - especially Israel -agreed to attend.
The decision to postpone, if not to scrap it, will cast doubt on the significance of the NPT and its attempts every five years to advance nonproliferation. Any new attempt is unlikely until the NPT conference meets again in 2015.
Hopes for such a meeting were alive as recently as Tuesday, when Iran joined Arab nations in saying that it planned to attend, leaving Israel as the only undecided country. Tehran's announcement came at a Brussels seminar on a Mideast nuclear-free zone also attended by Israel and the Arab countries, and described as largely free of regional tensions. But the two diplomats said the decision to call off the Helsinki meeting had already been made by the time Iran declared Tuesday that it would attend.
But a decision to give up on staging such a gathering after it was approved by the NPT is more than a reflection of Mideast realities. It also is bound to weaken efforts at future NPT conferences to reconcile clashing visions of disarmament and nonproliferation efforts.
Daryl Kimball, head of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, warned that "an indefinite cancellation of the long-awaited conference on a Middle Eastern WMD-free zone will only worsen the proliferation risks in the future and undermine the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty."
Iran, the Arab nations and most other developing countries say the emphasis should on the U.S. and other nuclear-armed states that are NPT members to disarm. Such nations also castigate the West for supporting Israel and its widely suspected nuclear weapons program. Washington and its allies say Iran, North Korea and Syria are the greatest proliferation threats, even though Tehran and Damascus deny allegations of secret nuclear activities linked to weapons.
The Arab proposal to create a weapons-of-mass-destruction-free zone in the Mideast and to pressure Israel to give up its undeclared arsenal of perhaps 80 nuclear warheads, was endorsed by the 1995 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty conference but never acted on. The conference meets every five years.
The two diplomats who spoke Saturday are from nations that were invited to the Helsinki meeting, which was to be open to all NPT-member nations. The diplomats also are from member nations of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency.
While Syria's civil war, nuclear tensions with Iran and other Mideast frictions will be cited as the official reason for the cancellation, one of the diplomats acknowledged that the decision is mainly being taken because Israel has decided not to attend. The diplomat - from a Western nation sympathetic to Israel- said Arabs countries have refused to budge from positions that made it impossible for the Jewish state to participate.
Israel has long said that a full Arab-Israeli peace plan must precede any creation of a Mideast zone free of weapons of mass destruction. The region's Muslim neighbors in turn have asserted that Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal presents the greatest threat to peace in the region. They insist that Israel declare its arsenal and join the NPT as part of any peace talks.
The diplomat said that while the announcement that the Helsinki meeting has been canceled might be made in the name of all three co-sponsors - the U.S, Russia and Britain - it would likely be delivered only by the United States, reflecting tensions between Moscow and Washington on the issue. He said the Russians have opposed declaring the meeting dead at this point.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Read the original story: Diplomats: Mideast nuke talks called off | <urn:uuid:2d695554-48c5-4614-bac1-6df00442e0e3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sheboyganpress.com/usatoday/article/1697215?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969534 | 922 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Mexicana – Americana's south o' the border kissing cousin – is my hot pick for drink trends this coming summer.
Sprucing your drink up with a little Central American flavour is sure to blow off those winter cobwebs and bring on the BBQ season. The only trouble is that not all of us are coverts to that quintessential Mexican spirit – tequila. And who can blame those agave spirit naysayers? Tequila is still a much maligned, much abused and widely misunderstood beverage.
If you, like many people out there, have had a negative tequila experience I urge you to give it another go. Tequila is a wonderfully unique and flavoursome spirit, with a rich and varied history. The amount of effort that goes into producing a single bottle of the stuff is astounding – it takes at least eight years to make a single batch!
Tequila is made solely from the blue agave grown in geographically defined regions of Mexico. A plant more closely related to asparagus than a cactus, the agave has been a valuable resource for Mesoamerican peoples for over 9000 years. A blue agave plant takes about eight years to reach maturity before it is harvested, roasted, milled, fermented, distilled and in many cases aged in American oak barrels.
If you're buying a bottle of tequila there are a few things you should look for. The first and obvious steps are whether or not 'tequila' is clearly printed on the label and that it's a product from Mexico. Then there are different grades of tequila – those labelled "100% puro de agave" are generally of higher quality as you can be assured that the agave sugars have not been cut with cheaper cane sugar before fermentation. In Mexico up to 49 per cent of the product may be cut in this way.
Once you've located a 100 per cent agave tequila you can then look for the age statement. Blanco, silver or platino is for un-aged expressions, reposado for 'rested' tequilas being aged two to 12 months, añejo for tequilas from 12 to 36 months, and extra añejo for those aged over three years.
With tequila, however, age does not necessarily denote quality. Many aficionados will opt for the lively, pure and fruity agave flavours of a blanco over aged expressions. Certainly un-aged tequila tells you more about the characteristics of the area in which it is grown than those sipping tequilas that have had their spice rounded by the sweet, toasty notes of American oak.
As a general rule of thumb tequilas from the valley of tequila or lowlands offer more earthy and spicy notes whereas tequilas from los altos - the highlands – offer sweeter and fruitier agave flavours.
What is Mezcal?
Mezcal is a Mexican spirit that shares some similarities to tequila but is not restricted to the use of one type of agave from a geographically defined area. If fact tequila itself is a mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequila.
Mezcal is generally made by roasting the harvested agaves in earthen ovens which impart a smoky flavour to the finished product. It's a spirit that's often village produced – made in small batches in tiny stills. Distilled to proof and, for the most part, bottled un-aged mezcal is a rustic spirit of real character displaying aromas of bitumen, burnt rubber and smoke. It sounds scary, but if you are an Islay whisky drinker (flavoured with the smoke of rotten vegetation) you'll probably find this appealing.
So is mezcal cheaper? Not on your nelly. In fact, quality bottlings fetch a fair price and are still few and far between in Australia. Good bars will stock a bottle or two of premium quality mezcal whilst most bottle shops will only sell cheaper varieties that have an agave worm in the bottom of them. And no the worm won't make you hallucinate or any other such nonsense – it's simply a gimmick.
How to drink agave spirits
For starters put down that lemon and salt. If you're paying over $10 for a shot of tequila – which is not hard to do these days – the likelihood is that you've been given a decent 100 per cent agave variety that doesn't need to be slammed. Whilst I'm not naïve enough to believe that I'll put a stop to shot culture, sipping a quality tequila is a good way to start an appreciation for the spirit – especially considering how long it took for the stuff to get from the field to your glass.
Sangrita – a spiced, often tomato juice based chaser – is a great accompaniment to your tequila should you need a crutch to get you off the lemon and salt – just ask your bartender. If you're going for a really top shelf añejo or extra añejo au natural is the way forward – treat it with a similar respect to a cognac or a single malt and you will be rewarded.
Tequila, as you know is fantastic in mixed drinks too – here's an easy mix to get you started.
The Batanga was created in the town of Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico by Don Javier Delgado Corona in 1961. The things is Don Javier can still be found behind the bar at 'La Capilla' whipping this up this simple but delicious drink today - he's 89 years old.
45ml blanco tequila
Juice of half a lime
Flaky sea salt
Method: Cut a lime in half and use it to moisten the rim of a tumbler glass. Dip it in salt. Squeeze the lime into the glass, add tequila, fill with ice then top with cola. Stir and enjoy.
What's your favourite way to enjoy tequila? | <urn:uuid:7566ab6c-8cd5-47ef-945b-e70ad12ca93b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.standard.net.au/story/309442/tapping-the-mexican-spirit/?cs=24 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946781 | 1,249 | 1.679688 | 2 |
eLearningK12 Graduation Requirements
Can your student graduate from eLearningK12? As this smiling graduate proves, absolutely! eLearningK12 provides transcripts and diplomas for Level 2 and Level 3 students who meet our graduation requirements. Students are required to earn at least six of their 24 credits with us. We accept transfer credits with official documentation..
At eLearningK12, we honor every student's achievements, whether great or small. We offer three tracks toward graduation.
College Preparatory Track
Students who plan to attend college (and some technical schools) should complete the college preparatory graduation requirements.
Career Preparatory Track
Students who plan to begin their careers immediately after graduation, as well as those planning to attend most technical schools, should complete the career preparatory graduation requirements.
Certificate of Achievement Track
We recognize that some students' gifts lie outside academics. For students with an IEP, we offer a Certificate of Achievement to honor their accomplishments. These students should complete the certificate of achievement graduation requirements. To qualify for this track, parents must provide a current IEP or a written recommendation from the student's counselor or health care provider.
Level 1 parents provide transcripts and diplomas for their own students. You are free to use our requirements as a guideline, but check your state's requirements for homeschooling first. Please check with the student's college or technical school of choice, if they plan to attend, to determine their entrance requirements. Here are a number of diploma templates and transcript templates to assist you in creating your own homeschool diploma. You can do an Internet search for your state's graduation requirements to use as a guide also. | <urn:uuid:7d1b249b-771a-4a27-b158-2548d60bf8ac> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.elearningk12.com/graduation_requirements | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936696 | 338 | 1.601563 | 2 |
Drupal start-up Acquia competes on community [March 15, 2012]
Dries Buytaert, founder of open source web content management system Drupal, says his company helps enterprises tap innovation from the Drupal community
Dries Buytaert wrote the first version of Drupal, the open source, PHP-based web content management system, in his university dorm room back in 2001.
Originally a message board system, Buytaert and his fellow volunteer developers used the software itself as a platform to collaborate on the project.
“We built our community on top of our own software,” he says. “We had to be open and transparent in order to build the software together, which meant that we needed it to have features that allowed us to be open and transparent. Those features are now part of the reason that people use Drupal.”
And use it they do. According to Buytaert, 2% of the world’s websites are built on Drupal. These are not just hobbyist developers – Drupal users include US telco Verizon, whose 90,000-user intranet is built on the platform, and the White House.
Until 2007, when Drupal already had many thousands of users, Buytaert did not receive any money for his invention, instead working as an embedded software engineer and later on his computer science PhD. He would stay up all night on conference calls with US end-user organisations “because it was just so much fun”, he recalls.
That year, however, he decided that it was time for a commercial venture based on Drupal. “For Drupal to be successful as a project, I felt that it needed to be successful in the enterprise,” he explains. “And for Drupal to be successful in the enterprise, there needed to be a company that could offer service-level agreements and contractual guarantees.
“Plus, I wanted to have a job,” he adds.
The result is Acquia, a venture-backed start-up that describes itself as “your enterprise guide to Drupal". One of Acquia’s business lines is based on the support networks offered by commercial open source suppliers Red Hat and MySQL (now part of Oracle).
Subscribers to the Acquia Network receive technical support, provided by engineers that Acquia has hired from the Drupal community.
“The beauty of having the Drupal community is that I don’t have to interview these people: you can see the quality of their work, and how they work with others,” explains Buytaert, who is Acquia’s chief technology officer.
Where Acquia differs from Red Hat and MySQL is that it does not sell an ‘enterprise’ version of the software. “There is only one Drupal,” Buytaert asserts.
Another business line is Acquia Cloud, a hosting service based on Amazon Web Services that is optimised for Drupal websites. “Organisations building websites will usually have a workflow that includes a development environment, a staging environment and a production environment,” says Buytaert. “Acquia Cloud provides them additional development tools.”
The third is Drupal Gardens. This is a hosted service that allows organisations to design, stage and host Drupal websites using a browser-based graphical interface.
Buytaert describes Drupal Gardens as ‘open SaaS’ (software as a service).
“Most SaaS companies won’t let you export your data, but Drupal Gardens allows you to export a .zip file with the MySQL database dump plus all the source code,” he explains. “This allows you to switch hosting provider if you wish, so there’s no lock-in.”
One of Acquia’s core principles, says Buytaert, is to act in the interests of the Drupal community. “The central investment thesis behind Acquia is that we will not be successful unless Drupal is successful. We’re tied at the hip.
“That means that we always put the community first, because the community is what makes Drupal innovative,” he adds. “The community means that if a popular new social web service is launched tomorrow, some developer somewhere will build a Drupal extension for it. At a conventional software company, it would take months before it would even get on the roadmap.”
There have been cases when putting the community first has cost Acquia time and money. “When we developed Drupal Gardens, we made several usability improvements that we could have kept to ourselves, but instead we submitted them to the latest version of Drupal,” explains Buytaert. “That meant going through the community approval process, which made it three times as expensive.”
Acquia is designed to make money, like any business, but Buytaert plans to do so by respecting the open source ethos, he says. “Open source leads to collaboration, which leads to community, which leads to innovation.” | <urn:uuid:27a2cb4b-eb7a-4c47-bfcc-0417075ffb2a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.acquia.com/about-us/newsroom/coverage/drupal-start-acquia-competes-community-march-15-2012-0 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959274 | 1,044 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Please note: Patients should consult a health professional to decide on the appropriate treatment option to be prescribed.
CLONIDINE/DIXARIT This is a prescription drug which can be used for migraine or high blood pressure and can also help a small proportion of women who suffer from hot flushes. The dose ranges from 2 to 3 25mcg tabs two times per day according to response. It is usually well tolerated but possible side effects include difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation and sedation.
SSRI DRUGS (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). This is a class of anti-depressant drugs which seem to work on the "thermostat" receptor as well as neurotransmitters. Examples are Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine, and Paroxetine. They have been studied and widely used effectively for reducing flushes in women who have had breast cancer [Ref 11 and Ref 28] . Care should be taken however, if Tamoxifen is being taken as part of the treatment for breast cancer since studies have shown that some SSRIs may interfere with the action of Tamoxifen. Venlafaxine seems to be less likely to have this effect and so is the preferred option in this situation. The dose of SSRIs can be started low and increased gradually to minimize side effects. A greater reduction in hot flushes is seen at higher doses but the side effects such as nausea, dizziness, problems with sleeping, agitation and confusion may be worse.
GABAPENTIN Gabapentin, a drug which is used to treat epilepsy, migraine and nerve-related pain, has been shown to reduce flushes [Ref 12], [Ref 54] and [Ref 65]. It may be particularly beneficial for the symptoms of aches, pains and paraesthesia which many menopausal women suffer. Possible side effects include dizziness, fatigue, tremor and weight gain but side effects can be reduced by starting at a low dose and increasing the dose gradually.
HIGH DOSE PROGESTOGENS (MPA) Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and Megestrol Acetate (Megace) are synthetic forms of progesterone which sometimes can successfully reduce hot flushes and sweats. They also offer a degree of bone protection. They have been prescribed to women who cannot take estrogen after breast cancer treatment but concern currently exists about the possible effect of progestogen on the breast and so are now used less often. The side effects of these drugs can sometimes outweigh the benefits. In particular there is known to be an increased risk of clotting with higher doses of progestogens.
NATURAL PROGESTERONE CREAM This is only available on a private prescription and is used in varying strengths. Some individuals believe that the replacement of progesterone rather than estrogen is needed at the menopause but many experts still believe that the symptoms of menopause are due to estrogen lack and therefore the main hormone to replace should be estrogen, with forms of progesterone only being added to protect the womb lining from stimulation by estrogen. However, progesterone cream has been shown to be of some help in the relief of flushes and sweats at the menopause but natural progesterone cream is not suitable for providing protection to the womb lining.
There are claims that it can offer bone protection but the National Osteoporosis Society funded a study into these claims and they have not been confirmed. Therefore any individual at risk of osteoporosis should NOT consider this as effective for offering bone protection.
Page last updated: 6 December 2011 | <urn:uuid:6deb978b-c5bf-44d3-ab65-1be03376accf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/prescribed.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950574 | 745 | 1.742188 | 2 |
Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C., author of the just-released The Mind of Jihad
“Most counterterrorism policies fail, not because of tactical problems, but because of a fundamental misunderstanding of what motivates terrorists in the first place,” begins a WIRED piece by Bruce Schneier entitled The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Terrorists. In his article, Schneier rejects the “strategic model” interpretation of terrorism, an economic model of rational behavior used by some social scientists and experts in matters of terror; he bases his analysis on a paper by Max Abrahms, a predoctoral fellow at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation: What Terrorists Really Want: Terrorist Motives and Counterterrorism Strategies.
Abrahms tries to show that this model, often applied to the study of terrorism, is unworkable by outlining seven “puzzles,” seven purportedly flawed assumptions about terrorism. He then proceeds to provide his own recipes to grasp and combat terrorism.
Both the author and his commentator unfortunately proceed and outline yet another radical misunderstanding of the matter at hand.
Their unstated axioms vitiate the entire argument: they tacitly posit, though never state (or reflect upon), that
- terrorism is the operative concept and practice that needs to be analyzed
- that all terrorisms are equivalent and can be homogenously understood, inasmuch as they share fundamental and defining traits. Further, and even more damaging to analysis,
- the “terrorism” they analyze has nothing to do with the historical and theological breeding ground from which it sprang.
Thus, the word “jihad” does not appear even once in Abrahms’ treatment.
Past the single-country, or single-object terrorist organizations, such as the Tamul Tigers’ LTTE’s claim on parts of Sri Lanka, ETA’s demands regarding an independent Basque land of Euskadi, or the IRA’s irredentist fight for the Six Countries of Ulster, it does not seem to have dawned upon either writer that the lion’s share of modern terrorism is Muslim, inspired by and committed in the name of jihad.
Moreover, neither tries to look beyond the mere word of “terrorism” or “terror.” Their not uncommon reduction of terror to the terrorist act, or a string of such acts, at the expense of the etiology and substance of modern terror, is particularly damaging: what if terror, the Terreur first undertaken in the modern world by Robespierre and the French Montagnards in 1793, is a system of rule rather than a number of bombings and killings? What about the consciously-claimed filiation posited by Vladimir Lenin regarding the Cheka’s terror, from January 1918 onward? What of the Gestapo’s reign of terror, just as the others a principal and fundamental means of terrorizing and cowing an entire society?
Can we apply this concept to contemporary, Islamic terror? Can we furthermore go past a study of the means to a study of the ends? Jihad then comes into play.
Abrahms’ “puzzle #1” enunciates as a given that “scholars have questioned the rationality and motives” or terrorism because terrorist violence against civilians purportedly has failed to reach political goals. But the analysis blithely ignores two foundational cases where terror actually won the aims it had assigned itself: the Algerian FLN, which was a miserably ineffective military force, and one that was mopped up by the French military, won the Algerian War largely by dint of systematic slaughter of civilians, French and Muslim alike. The PLO gained control of the Gaza strip and the West Bank from Israel mostly by dint of a sustained campaign of terror. Bother were symbols of and models for innumerable terror groups – including the radical Islamist mujahideen gathered in Pakistan and Afhanistan.
Omission or blindness, the analysis breaks down. The “strategic model” may be flawed, Abrahms’ no less. In both cases, the problem lies with the casual and slapdash application of various academic theories (rational choice, decision theory, Weberian categories, etc.) to the subject regardless of the substance of matter – the history, theology, law and sociology of the world of Islam.
Abrahms has found that “[p]eople turn to terrorism for social solidarity. He theorizes that people join terrorist organizations worldwide in order to be part of a community, much like the reason inner-city youths join gangs in the United States” (in Schneier’s summary). There again, a little bit of history might have helped: people join organizations in general, from North to South Pole, for reasons of “social solidarity.” The desire to be “part of a community” applies to people who join the bird-watchers’ association, members of the local football team and union members: what does the striving for social solidarity teach us about terrorists that we did not know? More so, is it, as Abrahms suggests, the crucial contributing factor – and to what? The reason(s) individual join a group does not exhaust the nature and purpose of that group; it only sheds some light of the joiners’ motivations.
What first attracted my own interest in researching modern and contemporary terror – it is now published as The Mind of Jihad – was an unusual characteristic of all jihadi groups: the love of death, the lust for blood, the desire to kill and maim, the joy in inflicting both. In the doctrine, in the practice and in the propaganda of jihadi groups the world over, it is a dominant and ubiquitous feature. Most other terror groups seem to look upon death, blood, killing and maiming, as instrumentalities. With very few exceptions, they did not make a cult of it. Only an Islamic terror master could have said, as Osama bin Laden did, and before him many jihadi theorists, “we love death more than you love life.”
Bafflement led to exploring a number of different avenues to understand the dynamics of this bloodlust. It came as a surprise that the belief-structure (as distinct from the belief-content) of contemporary jihadis much resembled that of Europe’s medieval Millenarians, whose insurgencies mobilized tens of thousands at a time the whole length and breadth of the continent: they were Gnostic believers, seeks of the Apocalypse, their doctrines were messianic. They believed themselves to be invested by God by a stupendous, cosmic mission that they alone knew, and rebuild society, and earth as a whole, along the lines of their Utopian venture of Kingdom come. They were above the common norms of mankind, they were The Law unto themselves, and God wanted these Elect to shed torrents of blood to realize His Plan. Whoever has studied the writings of the leaders and doctrinaires of modern jihad – Hasan al-Banna, Abu Ala Maududi, Sayyid Qutb, Ruhollah Khomeiny, Ali Shariati – will easily recognized the kinship, beyond the difference in religious and cultural terms of reference. In huge numbers, rural and urban masses, their lives dislocated, their alienation extreme, their confidence in any institution shattered by social chaos, rose up behind messianic leaders.
The form taken by the millenarian utopia in Islam historically is Mahdism. Time and again, in both Sunni and Shia Islam, self-proclaimed Mahdis (the expected Deliverer, the Guided One) led insurgencies against established authorities, as harbingers of the Day of Judgment. Mahdism, always a banner for social upsurge and revolt, was politicized in the 19th century by Jamal al | <urn:uuid:adbad5f6-cbc6-4105-bd47-a63e4e2dabaa> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cambridgeblog.org/2008/10/can-terror-be-understood/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949916 | 1,642 | 1.671875 | 2 |
Clyde W. Summers, the Jefferson B. Fordham Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, died October 30, 2010, at the age of 91.
Born in Montana and raised throughout the Midwest, Professor Summers earned a bachelorís degree (1939) and a law degree (1942) from the University of Illinois. He received a doctorate in judicial science from Columbia University in 1952. Professor Summers joined the faculty at Penn Law in 1975. Although he formally retired in 1989, he continued to teach full-time until 2005, when he suffered a stroke.
Before coming to Penn, he taught at the University of Toledo, University of Buffalo and Yale University. He had been a visiting professor at Cornell University, University of Minnesota, University of Mississippi, University of Puerto Rico, the University of Utah as well as Sendai University in Japan and Witwatersand University in South Africa.
Considered to be one of the greatest labor law scholars of his generation, he was the author of more than 125 articles in law journals and five labor-law and employment-law casebooks. He was an expert witness in labor-law litigation and was a consultant to state legislatures, including Pennsylvaniaís, and to the U.S. Department of Labor and other government agencies. He served on the New York Governorís Commission on Improper Union and Management Practices and the Connecticut State Labor Relations Board and was president of the International Society for Labor and Social Security Law.
Professor Summers was the recipient of Guggenheim, Ford, Marshall, Fulbright, and National Endowment of Humanities Fellowships and studied in Belgium, Sweden, Germany and England. He was awarded honorary degrees from the University of Leuven (Belgium), University of Stockholm (Sweden) and the University of Illinois.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; sons, Mark and Craig; daughters, Erica and Lisa; a sister, Majel Drake; and eight grandchildren.
Donations in memory of Professor Summers may be made to the Peggy Browning Fund, which provides fellowships for law students dedicated to improving the lives of workers, at 1525 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 or to the Association for Union Democracy, 104 Montgomery St., Brooklyn, NY 11225. | <urn:uuid:4cb5d3cc-8bc2-482d-84a4-771ba9b95c89> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.upenn.edu/emeritus/memoriam/Summers.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960093 | 467 | 1.585938 | 2 |
If you own a newer slide scanner, you’ve probably heard of Applied Science Fiction, developers of Digital ICE, the fantastic scratch- and dust-removing software.
Now, ASF has released two more of its software wunderkind as Photoshop plug-ins: Digital ROC and Digital SHO.
Many photographers find their older transparencies suffering from fading or chemical color shift. Digital ROC is designed to restore that original color and in my testing, it works like a champ. This amazing software doesn’t just shift a color cast, it analyzes the three channels of color and calculates what the original should look like.
This 40-year-old Ektachrome of a dock at Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, had lost its vibrancy and reverted to a blue cast, as old Ektachromes are wont to do. Digital ROC was able to restore its original color in less than 15 seconds. A series of slider bars is available to tweak images.
I should have used Digital ICE to scan the Agfachrome of Diamond Head, made in 1961 and since gone totally to hell. Dust and scratches blemish the slide. Mold from organisms in Honolulu’s water supply make it look more like a medical specimen than a Hawaiian sunrise.
Still, I was thrilled to see this disaster of a slide transformed into the scene I saw New Year’s morning, 1961. Digital ROC proves to be a perfect color correction plug-in, eliminating green casts from fluorescent-lighted shots and the orange of tungsten situations.
Digital SHO has a rougher row to hoe. It’s designed to reveal shadow detail and it does a good job on images where detail is present. This side-lighted shot of a young waitress could have been lightened with Photoshop Curves or Levels, but at the sake of the detail on her shoulder.
Digital SHO did an excellent job of bringing up detail in the shadow areas without sacrificing highlights.
A bigger challenge for Digital SHO was this image of a Venetian glassblower. The original on the left was underexposed considerably. Still, the plug-in did a decent job of revealing detail in the man’s face and shirt.
Each filter sells for $49.95 and is available for Mac and Windows. You can find out more by visiting Applied Science Fiction on the Web at http://www.asf.com. | <urn:uuid:7238ad75-00a6-4acc-af98-5067ebd45f77> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://planetphotoshop.com/these-photoshop-plug-ins-roc-and-sho.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.934656 | 510 | 1.71875 | 2 |
College tuition costs skyrocket just as yields nose-dive; combine the two and you may have something.
SoFi, a startup based in San Francisco, is shaking up the student loan market at the time when it’s sorely needed. With four-year tuition approaching the price of a comfortable suburban home, four alumni from the Stanford Graduate School of Business have stuck upon an idea to offer loans at lower costs that are then bundled to investors.
According to Dan Macklin, students like the savings and investors like the yield.
“The origins of the idea came from four students in the Stanford School of Business,” explains Macklin, the firm’s cofounder and vice president of alumni relationships. “We were struck, as were many of our classmates, by the high borrowing costs of student loans, especially at the graduate level.”
He notes that 93% of all student loans are made by the federal government. Stafford loans at the graduate level have an interest rate currently of 6.8% for a direct loan and 7.9% for a Grad PLUS loan. It’s considered quite high in today’s low-interest-rate environment, where mortgages are being refinanced at historically low rates.
Because Stanford is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the partners noticed the “new and creative ideas going on in the form of crowdfunding and crowdsourcing,” Macklin says, before adding it isn’t quite right for the student loan market.
“The finance industry is a two-way relationship; people deposit money with a bank with really no idea what the bank will do with it, and the bank makes loans and customers really have no idea what will happen to the note after that or if it will be sold off,” he argues.
SoFi process, he counters is very transparent. It’s an idea that relies heavily on social networking—media and otherwise. The key is to involve school alumni and other interested investors—someone with a child enrolled at a particular school, perhaps.
“In the summer of 2011, we began with $2 million from 40 investors and made loans to 100 Stanford Business School students. We have since expanded to 79 schools and $100 million. This year, we expect to $800 [million] and we’re broadly on track to reach that now that we’re one month in.”
Macklin notes that although they reach out to schools to explain the concept, they don’t need the institution’s blessing, as students can borrow from wherever they like. The company is currently seeing $10 million of demand, on average, each week.
“The students see that we are a proper company sending proper statements and from there the idea is spread through word-of-mouth,” he adds.
SoFi initially concentrated on borrowers, preferring to establish a solid track record before approaching investors. As a result, it prefunded many of the early loans.
With the aforementioned track record in place, the firm has begun approaching investors “for three or four months now.”
“In this ongoing search for yield, assuming there is no leverage, the investor receives all of what the borrower pays minus our fees, which works out to 4% or 5%,” Macklin claims. “With leverage, assuming some sort of securitization down the road, the return can reach double digits.”
For those with an aversion to the word securitization in the wake of the AAA-rated subprime loan debacle, Macklin notes the high quality of the loans being made.
“The students we work with are from schools with historically low default rates—Harvard, Stanford, MIT—which are less than 1%,” he says. “The government publishes its student loans default rates, which are obviously much higher. The government doesn’t do any credit underwriting, but we do. Also, 85% of the loans we make are refinanced loans to people who have already graduated. We feel all of these factors will reduce the default rate at the schools we work with even lower.”
But the key, he argues, is the social component.
“Schools are communities, and many students might have already reached out to alumni—who are often also investors—for job or career advice. If someone does lose their job, there is a network of people that have a vested interest in making sure that person gets another job and can continue to pay off the loan.
The firm has 50 staffers, of which about 20 are dedicated to raising capital and “getting the word out.” As it is a private placement, they’re limited in their marketing efforts under Regulation 144, so getting to the word out means relying on their own networks. Social media has also been a resource, in particular LinkedIn, which lists the school on a person’s profile page.
People are searching for alternatives to find yield,” Macklin concludes. “Many of these same people have a natural affinity for a school, so combining the two makes for something very interesting.” | <urn:uuid:7bd94465-bd3a-4ea6-a133-63b07dfc7385> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.advisorone.com/2013/02/05/new-frontier-for-the-yield-hungry-student-loans?t=risk-managementteconomy-markets | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971436 | 1,071 | 1.640625 | 2 |
Posted 2 months ago
This is an old horse collar. It is marked "U.S. Hames Co No. 5". The U.S. Hame Co. was in business starting in 1902. They made horse collars, saddles, hames, & other carriage hardware. The business ended in 1917 when the name was changed to USHCO Mfg. Co. & they began making chassis for vehicles. It measures approximately 30" (76.2 cm) from front to back & 18" (45.7 cm) wide at its widest point. The opening measures about 21 1/2" (54.6 cm) long & 9" (22.9 cm) wide at it's widest point. It weighs 14lbs 6.8oz (6.55 kg). | <urn:uuid:79de753b-e771-4b24-aba2-0df692202a7a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/84386-us-hame-co-no-5-horse-collar?in=all | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960346 | 163 | 1.71875 | 2 |
It's Spring, and today's a beautiful day out here in my corner of the world. The sun's shining, the birds are singing, the squirrels are frolicking...you get the picture?
Of course, not all's right with the world. Here we are, neck-deep and in some cases over our heads in a recession that's bordering on a depression. The news makes you want to scream-- unemployment, poverty, growing numbers of homeless people...how did this happen in the world's most prosperous country?
Of course, all of this is accompanied by well-coiffured, well-dressed and -- not to forget-- well-off television news show hosts advising you relentlessly on penny-pinching tactics. Give up that morning latte, clip coupons, shop the sales... Duh!
Well, I have one for you, and this one's actually good: go vegan!
Cutting out meat from your diet is a great way to cut down on grocery bills. All that animal cruelty and suffering comes at a price-- not just to the poor animals, but to you too. Staples of vegetarian diets like rice, beans and vegetables are far cheaper than meat. Plus, you can grow at least some of your own veggies if you have even a tiny piece of land or even a sunny window. On the other hand, try growing a cow at home!
And you just can't beat the tradeoff: you get to be much healthier while saving your money. Some of you might have read about this study in the papers this week that said red meat increases your chances of dying early. So why not just eat your veggies and let everyone-- animals included-- live longer?
Unless you are still in the dark ages, you have to know that vegan diets are not just about soy and tofu. In fact, vegans tend to naturally veer toward interesting and unusual foods because their world is not limited to hamburgers and steaks.
And now here's a perfect recipe to illustrate that. Mexican Rice with Stir-Fried Potatoes. Serve this up, and you'll really want to go vegan. This one is great on its own, with a salad, with a spicy curry, or even rolled up in a burrito with some refried beans.
Mexican Rice (Arroz a la Mexicana)
1 cup long-grain rice like Basmati
1 large tomato, sliced into quarters, drizzled with some salt, pepper and olive oil and roasted in a 400-degree oven for about 25-30 minutes. After the tomato cools, puree it in a blender or food processor, juices and all.
1 tbsp canola or other vegetable oil
1 onion, sliced thinly
1 bunch scallions/spring onions, both green and white parts chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups boiling water
1 medium carrot, cut in a small dice
2 large jalapeno chilies or any other fairly mild green chili pepper
Salt to taste
Fresh cilantro (coriander) for garnish
Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the onions and garlic and cook over medium-low heat until translucent.
Stir in the carrots, chilies and spring onions and stir together.
Add the rice and the tomato puree. Mix well, then add the boiling water.
Add salt to taste.
Bring the water to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
Turn off and let it sit, without removing the lid, for another 10 minutes.
Potatoes with Jalapeno Chilies and Garlic
4 large yellow potatoes, boiled in their jackets until just tender, then cut into a 3/4-inch dice (don't overcook them or they will break up on you).
2 large jalapeno chilies, cut into rings (substitute with any other fairly mild chili pepper
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp vegan "butter" + 1 tsp olive oil (this is really important to get that lovely golden-brown crust)
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt to taste
Heat the oil and "butter" in a skillet, preferably a cast-iron one.
Add the chilies and potatoes and saute about 5 minutes until the potatoes have a lovely golden-brown color.
Add the garlic and saute another 2 minutes.
Stir in the salt and balsamic vinegar.
Garnish with fresh cilantro (coriander) if desired, and serve hot.
This one's for -- you guessed it! -- It's A Vegan World: Mexican.
My brother-in-law Naru sent out this email the other day, and usually when I see the words "inspiring" and "motivational," I hit the delete button faster than I can read the subject line. But this was my brother-in-law, so I gave it a minute, and I rather liked one part of it, because it's sometimes good to remind ourselves how lucky we are. I don't vouch for the accuracy of those statistics, but they can't be far from true. So here it goes:
If you have never experienced the danger of war or the solitude of imprisonment, the agony of torture and hunger, you are much ahead of 500 million people who live through it every day.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes to wear, a roof on your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the people who live on this Earth.
If you can go to your place of worship without being threatened, arrested, tortured or killed, you are luckier than 3000,000,000 people in this world.
If you have money in your bank account and your wallet and some loose change in some little box, you are one of the world’s 8% well-to-do population.
Have a great weekend, everyone! | <urn:uuid:fe783ecf-d23e-4029-b207-b4f1fa3cf62f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.holycowvegan.net/2009/03/mexican-rice-and-chili-garlic-potatoes.html?showComment=1238226180000 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938405 | 1,234 | 1.601563 | 2 |
|New International Version (© 2011)|
And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
King James Bible
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
American Standard Version
And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
Young's Literal Translation
And those also, if they may not remain in unbelief, shall be graffed in, for God is able again to graff them in;
Romans 11:23 Additional TranslationsClarke's Commentary on the Bible
If they abide not in unbelief - So, we find that their rejection took place in consequence of their wilful obstinacy: and, that they may return into the fold, the door of which still stands open.
For God is able to graft them in again - Fallen as they are and degraded, God can, in the course of his providence and mercy, restore them to all their forfeited privileges; and this will take place if they abide not in unbelief: which intimates that God has furnished them with all the power and means necessary for faith, and that they may believe on the Lord Jesus whenever they will. The veil now continues on their heart; but it is not a veil which God has spread there, but a veil occasioned by their own voluntary and obstinate unbelief: and, when they shall turn to the Lord, (Jesus), the veil shall be taken away. See what the apostle has said, 2 Corinthians 3:6-18.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications...
Matthew 23:39 For I say to you, You shall not see me from now on, till you shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
Romans 11:23 Parallel CommentariesAbide Able Continue Enough Faith Graffed Grafted Ingrafted Moreover Others Persist Powerful Tree Turn Unbelief UnitedAbide Able Continue Enough Faith Graffed Grafted Ingrafted Moreover Others Persist Powerful Tree Turn Unbelief UnitedTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.
Romans 11:23 Mobile Bible
Romans 11:23 Bible Suite
Romans 11:23 Biblia Paralela
Romans 11:23 Chinese Bible
Romans 11:17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,
Romans 11:24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
2 Corinthians 3:16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. | <urn:uuid:f1c66b00-c5bd-4525-bed1-53fbfc5c04d7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://biblehub.com/niv/romans/11-23.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94049 | 731 | 1.585938 | 2 |
Mike Page wrote:
Here's a "group portrait" of the mudmen my wife inherited from her grandmother. We were lucky that no one else in the family had any interest in Chinese artifacts. We got these plus several pieces of old Chinese furniture and other odds and ends.
These pieces have no "made in", or country of origin on the bottom. There is some minor damage to some of them. I guess thats to be expected after all these years. The tallest is about 10 1/2 inches.[/i]Mike
That's a very nice collection of old mud figures you have, the tallest one with the gourd and staff is a representation of old Lieh Tieh Kuai or iron crutch li, according to Chinese mythology he was a magic healer , who later in his life became an immortal who magically reduced himself to just inches tall to sleep inside the gourd at night for protection, he is a favored house god of the infirmed.
For lack of a better descriptive term, mud figures being the modern vernacular were originally called san xai in the ages past, some folks at the turn of the last century created a myth that these figures were made exclusively from the clay found on the banks of Yantze and Pearl rivers of Southern China, hence mud man or mud figure.... in actuality they were made from clays mined from most every Province in China by local village co-ops, it was a local family trade for thousands of years prior to the factory reproductions after 1953. I am glad you enjoyed the article. | <urn:uuid:0f3ac406-d32b-4308-9caf-2374fdc8acb6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://artofbonsai.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4905 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980699 | 319 | 1.640625 | 2 |
Councils call for jobs ‘task force’
Last updated at 12:09, Thursday, 09 August 2012
THE leaders of Copeland and Allerdale councils have called for a “task force” to solve some of West Cumbria’s nuclear-related issues in the hope of bringing business and jobs boosts to the area.
They made the call at Tuesday’s meeting in Cleator Moor of the independent West Cumbria Stakeholders (nuclear sites) watchdog.
Criticisms were voiced that not enough benefit was being gained.
Copeland Council leader Elaine Woodburn, supported by her Allerdale counterpart Alan Smith, called for a special task force to find ways of creating better benefit.
The group would involve local authorities, the nuclear industry, and unions.
Stakeholders felt that more could be gained from decommissioning. There were also concerns over the amount of contaminated metal going overseas for treatment before being sent back for treatment.
Recent movement of massive steel boilers from the decommissioned Berkeley power station in Gloucestershire was highlighted.
Coun Woodburn said: “These Berkeley boilers are going to Sweden, and we get the waste when it comes back. If the problem is government then it’s up to us collectively to change that. We need a driver – and that can be a task group.”
Nuclear industry representatives spoke about their on-going social-economic commitments and strategies under which millions of pounds are invested in the area every year through Britain’s Energy Coast, and also to identify future opportunities.
Gary McKeating, Nuclear Management Partners’ head of socio-economics, stressed: “There is a 3,000 jobs target over the next 15 years in the West Cumbria Economic Blueprint – this is something we need to hang our hat on, have it in our minds at all times.”
But Allerdale leader Alan Smith said: “Socio-economics is also about poverty – jobs alleviate poverty. We do need a task group. The stronger we are, the better it will be. Jobs are needed, nuclear or not.”
After the meeting, Coun Woodburn told The Whitehaven News: “There is a lot of potential, new innovation, new skills learned at Sellafield through the decommissioning.
“We need to look at what other markets are out there to use those skills and bring new industries and businesses here to the local area, things like decommissioning oil rigs. These need to be done but must be from the skills we have gained through decommissioning the most hazardous Sellafield facilities.”
She called for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to start “thinking outside the box”.
“In fairness,” she said, “the NDA are given the job by government to clean up the nuclear sites, that’s fine. But government has to give them the flexibility to look at what else is coming up outside of decommissioning.
“With the metal from the nuclear facilities combined with the metal from the oil rigs, you’ve got a very strong business case. Berkeley boilers has highlighted to use what can be done – it seems lunacy that something we could get jobs from should be exported over to Sweden because that county is the only one with a recycling facility, yet we have to take the waste back.
“I think the NDA has got a clear message that they have a significant role to play and I expect them to be contacting us shortly about how to do that. The unions also have a role to play – they’re the people at the front of the work and much better qualified to know what the potential is.”
On the nuclear industry creating more business for local firms through the Supply Chain, Coun Woodburn pointed out: “There has been an increase in spending but we’ve got to make sure we keep more of the work in the area. In these difficult economic times if you want small companies to invest then you’ve got to give them a plan that says it’s worth investing.”
Stakeholders chairman David Moore said the group would fully support setting up the task force. “Clearly coming from the local authorities, and from the local community there has been a frustration that no-one is doing the work to bring forward the information that allows the private sector to see if there is a business case to invest – in, say, a smelter or whatever to process the metal here.”
West Cumbria currently benefits from an annual £10 million West Cumbria socio-economic package.
Sellafield Ltd and NMP say that the funding they provide, along with the NDA demonstrates commitment to Britain’s Energy Coast.
A spokesman said: “There will always be a call to do more, and we welcome the opportunity to talk to community leaders about how we can help them realise their aspirations. We would certainly be prepared to talk to them about the scope for a task force and see how they envisage its role in realtion to the Energy Coast.”
Millions of pounds had been spent on project such as the Dalton Institute supporting new and existing businesses, along with investment in the Port of Workington while work was about to start on the Construction Skills Centre, Lillyhall.
First published at 11:11, Thursday, 09 August 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk
Have your say
The Sellafield Ltd and NMP comment that the £5m funding they give to the Energy Coast represents a commitment is simply preposterous and backward. All over the world development agencies have recognised the development value to be extracted from delivery of decommissioning programmes. There comes a point when we can no longer tolerate the lip service shown by the industry through direct action. Ms Woodburn and Alan Smith need to assert themselves to save all that we value here in West Cumbria. Time is fast running out!!!!!
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- New warning over your bins (8 comments) | <urn:uuid:ae584f28-2052-412b-9e11-84ae1b567fa3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/councils-call-for-jobs-task-force-1.983834?referrerPath=news/stadiummpsfuriousattackonhumiliatingshambles1947767 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952817 | 1,376 | 1.632813 | 2 |
The voluntary act of a player of association football or soccer in the U.S where he or she falls unexpectedly as to gain the free kick or penalty for their own team. Divers are looked down upon in the community of football and will usually be given a card for their actions. If a very obvious dive is noticed, the player might even be fined by FIFA.
"Diving is ruining football"
"Did you see last night's game? The guy dived in the box and recieved a penalty kick for his team. The ref didn't even notice!"
Prices shown in USD. | <urn:uuid:d516eb8c-cb62-43a1-881c-78f1286a1c33> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.urbandictionary.com/products.php?term=Diving&defid=3142111 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979413 | 123 | 1.585938 | 2 |
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod by their kindreds, of all the princes of the tribes, twelve rods, and write the name of every man upon his rod.
And the name of Aaron shall be for the tribe of Levi, and one rod shall contain all their families:
And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the covenant before the testimony, where I will speak to thee.
Whomsoever of these I shall choose, his rod shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, wherewith they murmur against you.
And Moses spoke to the children of Israel: and all the princes gave him rods one for every tribe: and there were twelve rods besides the rod of Aaron.
And when Moses had Laid them up before the Lord in the tabernacle of the testimony:
He returned on the following day, and found that the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi, was budded: and that the buds swelling it hid bloomed blossoms, which spreading the leaves, were formed into almonds.
Moses therefore brought out all the rods from before the Lord to all the children of Israel: and they saw, and every one received their rods.
And the Lord said to Moses: Carry back the rod of Aaron into the tabernacle of the testimony, that it may be kept there for a token of the rebellious children of Israel, and that their complaints may cease from me lest they die.
And Moses did as the Lord had commanded.
And the children of Israel said to Moses: Behold we are consumed, we all perish.
Whosoever approacheth to the tabernacle of the Lord, he dieth. Are we all to a man to be utterly destroyed?
And the Lord said to Aaron: Thou, and thy sons, and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the sins of your priesthood.
And take with thee thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, and the sceptre of thy father, and let them be ready in hand, and minister to thee: but thou and thy sons shall minister in the tabernacle of the testimony.
And the Levites shall watch to do thy commands, and about all the works of the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary nor the altar, lest both they die, and you also perish with them.
But let them be with thee, and watch in the charge of the tabernacle, and in all the ceremonies thereof. A stranger shall not join himself with you.
Watch ye in the charge of the sanctuary, and in the ministry of the altar: lest indignation rise upon the children of Israel.
I have given you your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel, and have delivered them for a gift to the Lord, to serve in the ministries of the tabernacle.
But thou and thy sons look ye to the priesthood: and all things that pertain to the service of the altar, and that are within the veil, shall be executed by the priests. If any stranger shall approach, he shall be slain.
And the Lord said to Aaron: Behold I have given thee the charge of my firstfruits. All things that are sanctified by the children of Israel, I have delivered to thee and to thy sons for the priestly office, by everlasting ordinances.
These therefore shalt thou take of the things that are sanctified, and are offered to the Lord. Every offering, and sacrifice, and whatsoever is rendered to me for sin and for trespass, and becometh holy of holies, shall be for thee and thy sons.
Thou shalt eat it in the sanctuary: the males only shall eat thereof, because it is a consecrated thing to thee.
But the firstfruits, which the children of Israel shall vow and offer, I have given to thee, and to thy sons, and to thy daughters, by a perpetual law. He that is clean in thy house, shall eat them.
All the best of the oil, and of the wine, and of the corn, whatsoever firstfruits they offer to the Lord, I have given them to thee.
All the firstripe of the fruits, that the ground bringeth forth, and which are brought to the Lord, shall be for thy use: he that is clean in thy house, shall eat them.
Every thing that the children of Israel shall give by vow, shall be thine.
Whatsoever is firstborn of all flesh, which they offer to the Lord, whether it be of men, or of beasts, shall belong to thee: only for the firstborn of man thou shalt take a price, and every beast that is unclean thou shalt cause to be redeemed,
And the redemption of it shall be after one month, for five sicles of silver, by the weight of the sanctuary. A sicle hath twenty obols.
But the firstling of a cow, and of a sheep and of a goat thou shalt not cause to be redeemed, because they are sanctified to the Lord. Their blood only thou shalt pour upon the altar, and their fat thou shalt burn for a most sweet odour to the Lord.
But the flesh shall fall to thy use, as the consecrated breast, and the right shoulder shall be thine.
All the firstfruits of the sanctuary which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to thee and to thy sons and daughters, by a perpetual ordinance. It is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord, to thee and to thy sons.
And the Lord said to Aaron: You shall possess nothing in their land, neither shall you have a portion among them: I am thy portion and inheritance in the midst of the children of Israel.
And I have given to the sons of Levi all the tithes of Israel for a possession, for the ministry wherewith they serve me in the tabernacle of the covenant:
That the children of Israel may not approach any more to the tabernacle, nor commit deadly sin,
But only the sons of Levi may serve me in the tabernacle, and bear the sins of the people. It shall be an everlasting ordinance in your generations. They shall not possess any other thing,
But be content with the oblation or tithes, which I have separated for their uses and necessities.
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Command the Levites, and declare unto them: When you shall receive of the children of Israel the tithes, which I have given you, offer the firstfruits of them to the Lord, that is to say, the tenth part of the tenth:
That it may be reckoned to you as an oblation of firstfruits, as well of the barnfloors as of the winepresses:
And of all the things of which you receive tithes, offer the firstfruits to the Lord, and give them to Aaron the priest.
All the things that you shall offer of the tithes, and shall separate for the gifts of the Lord, shall be the best and choicest things.
And thou shalt say to them: If you offer all the goodly and the better things of the tithes, it shall be reckoned to you as if you had given the firstfruits of the barnfloor and the winepress:
And you shall eat them in all your places, both you and your families: because it is your reward for the ministry, wherewith you serve in the tabernacle of the testimony.
And you shall not sin in this point, by reserving the choicest and fat things to yourselves, lest you profane the oblations of the children of Israel, and die.
And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
This is the observance of the victim, which the Lord hath ordained. Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee a red cow of full age, in which there is no blemish, and which hath not carried the yoke:
And you shall deliver her to Eleazar the priest, who shall bring her forth without the camp, and shall immolate her in the sight of all:
And dipping his finger in her blood, shall sprinkle it over against the door of the tabernacle seven times,
And shall burn her in the sight of all delivering up to the fire her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, and her dung.
The priest shall also take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet twice dyed, and cast it into the flame, with which the cow is consumed.
And then after washing his garments, and body, he shall enter into the camp, and shall be unclean until the evening.
He also that hath burned her, shall wash his garments, and his body, and shall be unclean until the evening.
And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the cow, and shall pour them forth without the camp in a most clean place, that they may be reserved for the multitude of the children of Israel, and for a water of aspersion: because the cow was burnt for sin.
And when he that carried the ashes of the cow, hath washed his garments, he shall be unclean until the evening. The children of Israel, and the strangers that dwell among them, shall observe this for a holy thing by a perpetual ordinance.
He that toucheth the corpse of a man, and is therefore unclean seven days,
Shall be sprinkled with this water on the third day, and on the seventh, and so shall be cleansed. If he were not sprinkled on the third day, he cannot be cleansed on the seventh.
Every one that toucheth the corpse of a man, and is not sprinkled with this mixture, shall profane the tabernacle of the Lord, and shall perish out of Israel: because he was not sprinkled with the water of expiation, he shall be unclean, and his uncleanness shall remain upon him.
This is the law of a man that dieth in a tent: All that go into his tent and all the vessels that are there, shall be unclean seven days.
The vessel that hath no cover, nor binding over it, shall be unclean.
If any man in the field touch the corpse of a man that was slain, or that died of himself, or his bone, or his grave, he shall be unclean seven days.
And they shall take of the ashes of the burning and of the sin offering, and shall pour living waters upon them into a vessel.
And a man that is clean shall dip hyssop in them, and shall sprinkle therewith all the tent, and all the furniture, and the men that are defiled with touching any such thing:
And in this manner he that is clean shall purify the unclean on the third and on the seventh day. And being expiated the seventh day, he shall wash both himself and his garments, and be unclean until the evening.
If any man be not expiated after this rite, his soul shall perish out of the midst of the church: because he hath profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, and was not sprinkled with the water of purification.
This precept shall be an ordinance for ever. He also that sprinkled the water, shall wash his garments. Every one that shall touch the waters of expiation, shall be unclean until the evening.
Whatsoever a person toucheth who is unclean, he shall make it unclean: and the person that toucheth any of these things, shall be unclean until the evening.
And the apostles coming together unto Jesus, related to him all things that they had done and taught.
And he said to them: Come apart into a desert place, and rest a little. For there were many coming and going: and they had not so much as time to eat.
And going up into a ship, they went into a desert place apart.
And they saw them going away, and many knew: and they ran flocking thither foot from all the cities, and were there before them.
And Jesus going out saw a great multitude: and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came to him, saying: This is a desert place, and the hour is now past:
Send them away, that going into the next villages and towns, they may buy themselves meat to eat.
And he answering said to them: Give you them to eat. And they said to him: Let us go and buy bread for two hundred pence, and we will give them to eat.
And he saith to them: How many loaves have you? go and see. And when they knew, they say: Five, and two fishes.
And he commanded them that they should make them all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.
And when he had taken the five loaves, and the two fishes: looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave to his disciples to set before them: and the two fishes he divided among them all.
And they all did eat, and had their fill.
And they took up the leavings, twelve full baskets of fragments, and of the fishes.
And they that did eat, were five thousand men.
And immediately he obliged his disciples to go up into the ship, that they might go before him over the water to Bethsaida, whilst he dismissed the people.
And when he had dismissed them, he went up to the mountain to pray,
And when it was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and himself alone on the land.
And seeing them labouring in rowing, (for the wind was against them,) and about the fourth watch of the night, he cometh to them walking upon the sea, and he would have passed by them.
But they seeing him walking upon the sea, thought it was an apparition, and they cried out.
For they all saw him, and were troubled bled. And immediately he spoke with them, and said to them: Have a good heart, it is I, fear ye not.
And he went up to them into the ship, and the wind ceased: and they were far more astonished within themselves:
For they understood not concerning the loaves; for their heart was blinded.
And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Genezareth, and set to the shore.
And when they were gone out of the ship, immediately they knew him:
And running through that whole country, they began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
And whithersoever he entered, into towns or into villages or cities, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. | <urn:uuid:1ed8be34-ba8d-4beb-a97d-4dc2e7d9d3d8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.biblestudytools.com/rhe/passage.aspx?q=numbers+17;numbers+18;numbers+19;mark+6:30-56 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972144 | 3,207 | 1.65625 | 2 |
National Transitional Council (NTC) forces have reached the coast near the city of Sirte, cutting off the last remaining land escape route for forces loyal to deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and isolating them in two remaining pockets inside the city.
Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown, has become the key battleground in the NTC's final push to control the country.
Though the town of Bani Walid, south of the capital Tripoli, remains in loyalist hands, NTC leaders have said they will declare Libya liberated once Sirte falls.
Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley, reporting from close to the frontline, said that fighters had "punched through the last line of defence", a wall surrounding the heart of the city, and were within 200 metres of the centre.
The fighters had so far encountered light resistance and suffered no casualties but the fighting ahead was much more intense, our correspondent said.
The remaining Gaddafi loyalists were staging a fierce rearguard action and had "a lot of ammunition and a lot of resolve", Birtley said.
The advancing fighters had found a lot of discarded weapons and uniforms and had captured a number of black Libyans who said they were civilians.
But NTC fighters believed they were Gaddafi soldiers, Birtley said.
"This is a heartland of Gaddafi's support but that now is crumbling. The hold they have on Sirte is crumbling by the minute."
Earlier, Abdul Salam Javallah, commander of NTC units from eastern Libya, told the Reuters news agency that Gaddafi forces inside the Mediterranean city were cornered in two neighbourhoods near the sea.
"We are dealing with them now with light weapons because there are still families inside," he said.
There are fears the fighting could breed long-term hostility, making it hard for the NTC to unite the vast North African state once the conflict is over.
Key locations fall
NTC forces in Sirte have already captured several of the city's strategic locations including the main hospital, the university and the Ouagadougou conference centre, and on Tuesday said they had also taken the city's police headquarters.
But the protracted battle for Sirte has raised concerns about many civilian casualties.
Desperate civilians were still trying to flee the fierce street clashes as fighting continued but that made it hard for advancing fighters to positively identify civilians from opposition fighters, Birtley said.
With Tripoli, the capital, and most of the country already under their control, NTC leaders have said that they will declare Libya "liberated" when Sirte falls.
Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the NTC chairman, visited fighters in Sirte on Tuesday, standing on the back of a truck as they shouted "Libya, Libya!" and fired their weapons into the air in celebration.
Earlier, Jalil met Canada's top diplomat in Tripoli to reopen its embassy and announce funding to help the council secure weapons stockpiles.
John Baird, the foreign affairs minister, travelled in an armoured convoy to meetings in Libya's capital, accompanied by fellow officials and business leaders seeking to restore trade ties with the oil-rich nation.
"Our government remains committed to protecting the Libyan people and supporting their efforts to build a brighter future for themselves," Baird said in a statement.
NATO said the fall of Gaddafi’s hometown would mark an "iconic" moment in Libya but would not spell the end of its air campaign, according to the alliance's top military officer.
Giampaolo Di Paola, the chairman of the NATO military committee, told AFP that Gaddafi loyalists were like a "cornered beast".
"When the ferocious beast is cornered, she will fight until the end," Di Paola said in an interview at NATO headquarters. "On the one hand, yes, I am surprised by their capacity to resist but, on the other hand, they have no other choice."
Sirte has become one of the final bastions, along with the desert city of Bani Walid, for Gadddfi forces, two months after the NTC took control of Tripoli.
Gaddafi has not been seen since the fall of the capital, and the location of many of his inner circle including several of his sons remains unknown. | <urn:uuid:920e95f9-69c5-450c-b302-0cb514c385d0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/10/2011101013186280505.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976237 | 874 | 1.742188 | 2 |
College of Saint Mary’s Center for Transcultural Learning (CTL) responds to the needs of the growing multicultural community in Omaha by offering course that promote professional development, facilitates global awareness, builds cultural capacity and encourages community collaboration.
The Center was founded in 2005, thanks to a grant from Alegent Health Community Benefit Trust. Since its foundation, more than 350 students have been enrolled in different courses offered by CTL. Since 2008, CTL has offered trainings in the Spanish language to American students; English as a Second Language to Saudi Arabian, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Thai and Indonesian students; and interpreting training to American, Sudanese, Thai, Togolese, Somali and Latin American students.
CTL Interpreting courses are geared towards non-degree seeking students. Most of our students work and/or study while taking part in our programs; therefore; most classes are offered in evenings, once a week for three hours. Even though College of Saint Mary is women’s college, male students are admitted to CTL programs as non-degree seeking students and receive academic credit and certificates upon the completion of required courses.
English Language Acquisition
Certificate Program in Interpreting | <urn:uuid:137e8edd-b19c-4af8-bc3c-914ee29fa3f9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://csm.edu/academics/center_for_transcultural_learning/index.asp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95348 | 246 | 1.664063 | 2 |
PEEKSKILL, N.Y. – Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan for 2013 includes business and education reform, casinos and new gun and marijuana laws.
The Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce hosted Joan McDonald, commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, Thursday morning for a presentation on Cuomo's State of the State address. Here are some of the highlights:
• While New York is second only to California in research dollars spent, the state attracts only 4 percent of venture capital while California gets 47 percent.
The state plans to create 10 high-tech "hot spots" that are tax-free incubators for job growth. The state also plans to implement the Innovation NY Network, which teams venture capitalists with educational institutions to foster commercial growth in the state.
"We are setting up a competition for these hot spots," McDonald said. "Five will be awarded in 2013 and five in 2014."
• The state will also spend $150 million each year for 10 years to create jobs in the solar energy industry and create a bank to help create loans for clean energy programs such as solar power.
• Workers compensation and unemployment insurance programs will also be revamped at the request of business owners.
"The governor is proposing initiatives that will provide predictability and reform the system and result in savings of $1.3 billion to businesses that will give a strong message that New York is open for business," McDonald said.
• The governor plans to increase New York's minimum wage of 7.25 to $8.75.
• The state will also also spend a billion dollars to preserve 14,000 units of affordable housing over the next five years.
• The state will begin a new tourism campaign and also begin aggressively marketing state-grown and -produced products at duty-free stores to be created across the state.
• Casino creation will increased be in the upstate regions, with 90 percent of revenues going to education and the remaining 10 percent going towards local tax relief.
• In education, the state is looking to increase the number of school days per year and increase the amount of full-day pre-kindergarten education to help close the achievement gap with other industrialized countries. Teacher training and evaluation will also be revamped, and the state is currently planning a 4 percent funding increase to state schools for the 2013-14 school year.
The state will begin creating community schools in economically distressed communities that would not only provide education but health, after-school and employment services as well.
• Women's equality will also be a priority, with the governor planning to write a 10-point women's equality act that would make unequal pay illegal and create tighter rules against sexual harassment.
• The governor is also looking to beef up gun laws by passing the toughest assault weapons ban in the nation, as well as close loopholes in the regulation of private gun sales.
Highlights of Thursday's slideshow presentation can be viewed in the photo gallery above. | <urn:uuid:73299a75-7291-4af6-bbd2-4efba8116383> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://peekskill.dailyvoice.com/politics/peekskill-hears-cuomos-plan-state-2013 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953468 | 597 | 1.523438 | 2 |
Brazil Ethanol Price Falls With Harvest Imminent
Author: Roberto Samora
SAO PAULO - Ethanol biofuel prices at cane mills in Brazil's Sao Paulo state have been falling in the last few weeks after a steady ascent, with buyers mindful of a large harvest to begin next month and swell supplies.
The Center South, where about 90 percent of Brazil's cane is grown in the world's top ethanol exporter, is in between harvests and the next crop is anxiously awaited to allieve a global shortage that caused sugar and ethanol prices to soar.
Ethanol pumps now stand side by side with gasoline in Brazilian filling stations to power its millions of flex-fuel cars that can run on either fuel or any mix of both.
With supplies of the biofuel restricted by a rain-blighted harvest that ended late last year, the ethanol trade has been a seller's market but a dip of 10 percent in the last month shows the balance is shifting in the run up to the new crop.
"This is to do with the start of the harvest in March," said Miriam Bacchi, analyst at Cepea, a center of applied economics linked to the University of Sao Paulo.
Hydrous ethanol, which has a higher water content and is used in Brazilian flex-fuel cars, was quoted at the factory gate (before tax) at 1.07 reais ($0.59), down nearly 5 percent from 1.12 reais a week earlier.
Filling station prices remain largely unchanged however.
The price of anhydrous ethanol, the kind mixed into gasoline in Brazil and abroad, held firmer, shedding only 3 percent so far in the month of February.
The Center South's cane harvest doesn't usually get into full swing until April but it is likely to gather pace sooner this year with about 50 million tonnes of last year's cane still waiting to be cut. Heavy rain meant it was left in the fields. | <urn:uuid:cc2b2279-d3e2-4243-b60f-890e5cd359fa> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://bio-fuel-watch.blogspot.com/2010/02/brazil-ethanol-price-falls-with-harvest.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955684 | 402 | 1.578125 | 2 |
- (Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarques)
More than two dozen lawmakers in Kansas announced their support for a bill on Friday that would effectively ban abortion in the state, starting a debate among pro-life groups about the wisdom and timing of the proposition.
The bill cites the rights of all citizens to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, while amending the Kansas constitution to declare that life – and, thus, those inalienable rights – begins at fertilization.
The bill has strong support in the House, with 25 republicans and one democrat supporting the measure. Sources close to the statehouse say the 125-seat House is likely to pass the amendment.
Pro-life groups are split on the bill – some saying the amendment is a long time coming, while others fear it may prematurely thrust the issue toward defeat.
Bruce Garren, Committee Chairman of pro-life group Personhood Kansas, issued support for the measure.
“The Kansas Personhood Amendment is an opportunity to guarantee the basic human rights of every person, young or old, and end this battle, once and for all,” Garren said in a statement. “We have been dealing with this issue for too many years. We’ve lost too many children. The people of Kansas deserve an opportunity to make our voices heard.”
Garren said Kansans have been clamoring to vote on abortion for years, and the bill, if passed, will reflect a long-held moral position on the issue.
“We come back, year after year, and fight about which children will enjoy the full protection of the law, and which will not, just so we can gear up every twelve months and do it all over again. The Kansas Personhood Amendment will put us all out of business,” Garren said.
Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, said in a statement that the bill might push the issue to the Supreme Court, which might then permanently outlaw provisions that define life at conception.
“[We] do not and cannot recommend a Kansas Personhood Initiative, nor a similar provision known as the Heartbeat Bill, nor do we consider support or opposition of these initiatives as an indication that an individual or a candidate is pro-life,” Culp said.
The bill needs two-thirds support of the House and Senate before it is included on the ballot in November. Mississippi and Colorado voters rejected similar amendments defining personhood between 2008 and 2011. | <urn:uuid:d08098d4-45a3-4ada-a0c5-ee79e7a31f8c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.christianpost.com/news/pro-life-groups-split-on-proposed-kan-personhood-amendment-67237/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948893 | 515 | 1.703125 | 2 |
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it has resolved a lawsuit against the University of Michigan under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Justice Department and the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans Association brought suit to challenge the lack of accessible seating in the university’s football stadium. Today, the federal district court in Detroit entered a consent decree resolving the lawsuit.
Under the settlement agreement, the university – which is currently in the midst of a $226 million expansion of the stadium – will add over 200 wheelchair and companion seats to the stadium during the next two years. The majority of these seats will be along the sidelines. Currently, the stadium has 81 pairs of wheelchair and companion seats, all located in the end zones. The university is planning to add luxury boxes and suites as part of its expansion project, and those seating areas also will include additional wheelchair seating. By the 2010 football season, the university will have over 300 pairs of wheelchair and companion seats dispersed throughout the stadium as a result of this consent decree.
The university also agreed to significantly modify its ticketing policies for wheelchair and companion seats for a two-year period following the time that each seating area becomes available. This will help to ensure that individuals who use wheelchairs will be afforded a meaningful opportunity to purchase these seats. The university will also add accessible parking, improve inaccessible toilet rooms, and provide accessible routes to and throughout the stadium.
“The Justice Department is committed to continued vigorous enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This agreement will ensure that the university’s football stadium, which is the largest college football stadium in the United States, has the accessible seating and amenities that federal law requires,” said Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “I commend the University of Michigan and the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans Association for working cooperatively with the United States to ensure that the rights of individuals with disabilities are protected.”
“This is a great day for all University of Michigan fans. Thanks to the cooperation of U of M, and the hard work and dedication of those Department of Justice attorneys who work diligently every day on civil rights matters, fans with disabilities - as well as their families and friends - will be able to enjoy the excitement of all home games together,” said Stephen J. Murphy, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The Justice Department intervened in this lawsuit against the university on Nov. 26, 2007, after receiving a referral from the U.S. Department of Education following its lengthy investigation of complaints filed by persons who use wheelchairs. The University had previously entered voluntary agreements with the Department of Education.
People interested in finding out more about the ADA or the agreement can call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY), or access its ADA Web site at http://www.ada.gov. | <urn:uuid:08d7d8ed-b5be-4b4e-88b2-1df14009314a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/March/08_crt_186.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956975 | 602 | 1.515625 | 2 |
In most cases this will involve working with one or more software or hardware engineers as part of a multidisciplinary project team. You may also participate in meetings with clients from time to time. We define embedded software as software working at the electronics/software boundary and/or in a constrained environment (e.g. tight memory, low power).
The Wireless Software Group develops software for wireless applications. We have particular strengths in low power, low cost radio implementations, with application areas such as telecommunications, healthcare, industrial and consumer goods. We have a significant pre-developed IP library to reduce development time and risk, including mature and proven Bluetooth and DECT protocol stacks.
Recent examples of our work include the complete development of both a wireless medical telemetry system and a family of satellite communication units. Both of these examples involved the design and development of new hardware alongside the software development. Further examples include ZigBee and Bluetooth developments and an Air Traffic Control radio system.
The group carries out software design and architecture, as well as coding, usually in C. Other languages are occasionally used, such as assembly and Java, as required.
Team sizes tend to be small and are made up of highly skilled engineers. High quality work is therefore essential from every team member.
In this role you will be responsible for:
Due to the nature of the work and role, there may be a small amount of travel involved from time to time.
With an appropriate background in embedded software, you will have a good degree in a relevant subject, such as electronic engineering or computer science.
Experience of the following would be advantageous;
Cambridge Consultants is committed to developing its employees’careers and has a flexible policy for individual capabilities and preferences. Promotion is linked to merit.
Above all, real responsibility for real business problems, with good career prospects based on merit
To apply, send your CV to: UKrecruitment@CambridgeConsultants.com
Web Reference: JD 605 | <urn:uuid:950d1e86-99c6-4756-9d84-cd36a97e1941> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/jobs/article/default.aspx?objid=39529 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94626 | 404 | 1.585938 | 2 |
Office of Citizen
Rest in Peace,
Greek wealth disparity - could be the shot heard 'round the globe
Submitted by Jeff Buster on Sun, 10/28/2012 - 19:25.
The distribution of wealth is not just an issue here in the US, with Occupy pointing out that there is a "1%" who operate in another atmosphere here in the USA>
Because Corporations are Global, the 1% (actually much less than 1%) will soon/do now reign financially in every country.
Let's take Greece: Nice country with a long history on the Med. Very spectacular. Great food. But owes a wheelbarrow of money to Germany, et al.
How about it?
Are there Greeks which have been working the system?
Just like wealthy folks here in the USA.
Swiss amnesty (people think this is why Romney would not release more than a few tax returns - if he released more it would show he obtained IRS amnesty for his Swiss bank account).
But the revolution will soon be global, because money is capable to transit.
Hat tip to Mr. Vaxevanis for doing his job in releasing the names of those Greeks who were banking their money out of sight.
MR. Vaxevanis you are welcome to set up a Realneo account....you'll fit right in!
( categories: ) | <urn:uuid:e804b80b-402a-4278-98fe-22f0acdaf89a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://realneo.us/content/greek-wealth-disparity-could-be-shot-heard-round-globe | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941906 | 283 | 1.585938 | 2 |
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Excerpts from Yoel Hoffmann's new book, translated from the Hebrew.
This book is a book of states of mind. You can call it moods.
Sometimes we love and sometimes we hate. And there are times when we hate the things we used to love or love the things we used to hate and there is no end to such things.
We used to hate spiders but now we love them. Especially those with skinny legs and round bodies. And since we don’t scare them away (as others do) they spin their webs in all sorts of places and roam the floor and walls and sometimes they stand all night long above the bed, almost touching the nose.
And as we sit at the table and prepare to write, a spider approaches the paper and stands on the words.
This is the solution to the Zen riddle about the sound of the one hand, as well as the solution to the agonies of man about which Sigmund Freud spoke. Namely, that someone will touch someone else and so forth.
We think that the readers should use this book to look for another human being. For example, they should drop it in a bar or a pub and lift it up and ask a woman, Is this yours? Or they should place on it two glasses of red wine (we will make sure that it will be big enough). Or they should stab it with a dagger and say, If the dagger will touch the word love you come with me (we will make sure to spread the word everywhere). Or they should say, If your back hurts you better put under your head something stiff (for this reason we will publish a special hard-cover edition).
Once (we remember) we used to put books on chairs to reach high places.
The readers always need to see the paper behind the words. Not the one that was there before the words were written, but the one that arises after they have been read.
Don’t believe those physicists who speak about specific gravity. The things that you see, even if they seem to be heavy, are the materials of dreams. And don’t even believe that. A dream is in itself a dream.
Nevertheless, when you see large things like a hippopotamus or a sumo wrestler you are tempted to ascribe to them exaggerated actuality. It was very difficult, for instance, to doubt my stepmother Franciska. But once we knew a very fragile woman, who appeared and disappeared like a hologram. It was very easy to doubt her existence but the longings for her were extremely painful.
Because of these longings that are very hard to bear novels with three hundred and even six hundred pages are being written for all of you, full with countless human beings that come and go, like a medicine cabinet filled with Tylenol pills.
You need to place one of those novels in front of a raven. Or, if you wish, a turtle.
Once a raven entered through the main door and stood on the kitchen table. It first pecked at some breadcrumbs and then froze in its place and stared at us.
This is why we write all these things. If we knew what the raven saw when it looked at us, we would reveal it to the readers instead of this book. But because we don’t know we write and write. | <urn:uuid:04b9bb73-818f-4cb7-91e9-d02b45dd4318> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://notesforthecomingcommunity.blogspot.com/2010/03/moods.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967621 | 701 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Cameron speech heats up debate in European press
The speech by British Prime Minister David Cameron on his country's relationship with the EU continues to be a major talking point for the European press for a second day running.
Newspapers in Italy say that Mr Cameron has "married the Eurosceptics", calling his plans to renegotiate the terms of British EU membership and hold an in/out referendum a "credible threat of divorce".
The Spanish press also sees the speech as anti-European and adds that the UK just wants to use the EU as a "mere free trade area".
French commentators accuse the UK of "pointing a gun" at the continent's common future.
German analysts, however, point out that although "irritating", Mr Cameron's ideas should not be dismissed, as the EU can no longer avoid a difficult debate on its future.
David Cameron's speech is reported prominently in a number of major Italian newspapers.
End Quote Leonardo Maisano Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy
An island lost between those two continents, America and Europe that at one time it thought to unite”
Franco Venturini, in a front-page commentary in Corriere Della Sera entitled "The Impatient Englishman", says Mr Cameron's speech contained a "credible threat of divorce" from the EU. The real matter of contention in Europe is that "the eurozone steered by Germany wants more integration, while Great Britain wants less," Venturini explains.
For Fabio Cavalera, also writing in Corriere Della Sera, Mr Cameron has "abandoned ambiguities" and "married the Eurosceptic cause" in a high-stakes gamble that has drawn immediate criticism from his main European partners. "Whether [Cameron's speech] is a suicide note or a winning bet, is something that remains to be seen in the coming months and years," he writes.
Writing in leading financial daily Il Sole 24 Ore, Leonardo Maisano says that Cameron's intention of seeking to renegotiate Britain's membership of the EU is a strategy of "huge risks". "The psychodrama of a 'Brixit' based more on chance than conviction… is taking place under the eyes of the world, which is surprised at the prospect of a [British] island adrift. An island lost between those two continents, America and Europe that at one time it thought to unite."
Some Spanish analysts were perplexed by David Cameron's EU speech.
Writing in La Razon, Yves Bertoncini found it strange that the British prime minister would claim it was in his country's interest to remain within the EU, but at the same time would want to hold a referendum about a possible exit. "Above all this paradoxical speech reflects the weakness of the prime minister, caught between the Eurosceptic and pro-independence MPs on one hand and his European partners, whose patience could be at an end, on the other."
"At last the Eurosceptics will have the referendum," says Lluis Bassets in El Pais, adding that the "British Europe" proposed by Mr Cameron was "closest to a simple free trade area". "The Conservative dream is to link without intermediaries to the global market and to use the EU as a mere free trade area which is as deregulated as possible," the article explains.
Andres Ortega in El Pais thinks that "David Cameron presented himself as a heretic and as a blackmailer, but with clarity." Ortega was more worried however not about the EU's future without Britain, but that "if the UK moves away", this would push Spain "even more into the strapping arms of Germany".
Commentaries in the French press on Mr Cameron's speech are peppered with dramatic phrases.
Laurent Marchand writes in the country's best-selling daily Ouest France that the British prime minister has placed his country "in the middle of a perilous crossroads". "He presents himself as a pioneer of a necessary debate while being the member who makes the smallest number of proposals to carry the European project forward. It is as if he were putting a pistol charged with a single bullet on the table of the Twenty-Seven".
"Like Margaret Thatcher in her time, David Cameron is not concerned about the common interest in building a European economic - and necessarily political - power," says Jacques Hubert-Rodier in business daily Les Echos. He points out that if Mr Cameron does not manage to reform Europe "in accordance with his wishes", the risk of Britain leaving the EU will be "higher than ever". "But a 'Brixit' - Britain's 'exit' - would have more consequences for the United Kingdom itself than for the EU," the commentator warns.
"David, which way are you inclined?" asks Jean-Jacques Mevel in the daily Le Figaro. He thinks that Mr Cameron's speech "has not resolved anything", and that "European leaders continue to scratch their heads to understand what the United Kingdom really expects". "Unless London returns to reality, or the continent makes unlikely concessions, there is a danger of real standstill, with the resulting risk of a split or, worse, of Britain veering off the road uncontrollably, whatever David Cameron may hope for," predicts the article in Le Figaro. For Jean-Jacques Mevel, "the problem is that, apart from the United Kingdom, nobody is prepared to open Pandora's Box..."
German papers were also critical of the speech, with Carsten Volkery writing on the website of the weekly Spiegel that David Cameron was not able to get rid of "the old curse of the Tories", who were constantly preoccupied with Europe.
Nevertheless, many felt that the British prime minister had a point.
Martin Winter, in Sueddeutsche Zeitung, warns that as much as Mr Cameron's ideas may irritate pro-EU politicians, it would be a mistake just to dismiss them. "The formula that states that more Europe is always good for Europeans no longer hits home since the crisis. People would actually quite like to know exactly what 'more Europe' means in detail, and who bears the political and financial costs," he writes. "Europe cannot avoid this difficult debate by treating Great Britain like a pariah."
The tabloid Bild urges Britons not to turn their backs on the EU: "Dear Brits, please stay - after all, you're so beautifully crazy," it pleads (using the English for "crazy") before launching into a paean to an eclectic list of "crazy" Britons that includes Prince Philip, Sacha Baron Cohen, Boris Johnson and the Loch Ness Monster.
On a more serious note, it speaks approvingly of the fact that Mr Cameron has gone against the grain when most EU countries "have tacitly agreed to build Europe without input from the citizens, as if the European project is too important for democracy to have a say".
Ralf Sotschek, the UK correspondent of the centre-left Tageszeitung, sees Mr Cameron's initiative as a "domestic manoeuvre" aimed at ending Tory divisions. "Consequently, the alarm in other EU countries is rather overdone," he says. "There is nothing to stop some powers from being transferred from Brussels back to London. This will not break the EU." But Mr Sotschek sees a "residual risk" for Mr Cameron in the five years of economic uncertainty his plans entail, which could deny him victory at the 2015 election. | <urn:uuid:6add9179-2aa8-46a3-8170-6616b5f0ed2f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21184573 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961216 | 1,551 | 1.804688 | 2 |
OTTAWA – Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence says she won’t attend Friday’s meetings between First Nations leaders and the federal government because Gov. Gen. David Johnston has said he won’t be there.
Spence — engaged in a protest since Dec. 11, subsisting solely on fish broth and tea in an effort to secure Friday’s meeting with Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper — is insisting on the Queen’s representative in Canada being present.
“We have sent a letter to Buckingham Palace, requesting that Queen Elizabeth II send forth her representative, which is the Governor General of Canada,” Spence said in a statement.
“I will not be attending Friday’s meeting with the prime minister, as the Governor General’s attendance is integral when discussing Inherent and treaty rights.”
A spokesperson for Johnston has said he would not attend the sessions on Friday because they are working meetings with government on policy issues.
Spence said Johnston needs to attend the meetings because the talks are supposed to focus on the treaty rights that were established by the Royal Proclamation of 1793.
Spence says Canada is “not acting in good faith,” as evidenced by the federal government’s release of an audit that shows a lack of documentation for tens of millions of dollars in spending by Spence’s northern Ontario reserve.
“This is a time of crisis and this government of the day is not taking indigenous peoples concerns seriously,” Spence’s spokesman, Danny Metatawabin, said in the release.
“Canada should take notice and act honourably as their courts have directed the government on many occasions.”
First Nations frustration has been manifesting across Canada for weeks in the form of the Idle No More protest movement, which seeks to push back against the Conservatives for threatening aboriginal treaty rights as set out in the Constitution.
The protests, ranging from temporary rail blockades and border closures to shopping-mall flash mobs, have drawn inspiration from Spence and her protest, which is playing out on a small island in the Ottawa River, not far from Parliament Hill.
When Harper agreed last week to hold a meeting, Spence said she would attend, but insisted she wouldn’t decide whether to end her protest until after the meetings were concluded.
At a news conference Tuesday, Harper acknowledged the challenges facing many First Nations communities, but he said they also represent great opportunities.
“I know that in many aboriginal communities … the challenges are very great, but the potential is very great as well,” he said.
“We do have, for the first time in our history, economic development on a large scale occurring near where many aboriginal people live. We have a shortage of labour and lots of opportunity, and we want to make sure that those opportunities are available for aboriginal people and prosperity is available for them as we move forward.”
The government will continue to push forward with “legislation and other means,” he added. | <urn:uuid:f7c185d1-e68d-4294-ab33-02e2b2c2c128> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/01/09/attwapiskat-chief-theresa-spence-wont-attend-first-nations-meeting/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971259 | 637 | 1.609375 | 2 |
The VC industry is a competitive business. So are most disciplines within the investing world, but the fundamental framework and manner in which we compete in VC is pretty different.
In the modern age public market investors, whether they be focused on equities (stocks), fixed income (bonds), currencies, commodities, or derivatives of these, all have access to essentially the same investment choices and the same body of information. Even new innovations, like advanced trading systems and low-latency infrastructure deployed by high frequency traders, get diffused and democratized pretty quickly eliminating the arbitrage in the long run. So ultimately whatever alpha exists must be generated by analysis, foresight, and clear thinking.
Even other forms of private investing (growth equity, buyouts, real estate, distressed, etc) have a pretty different competitive framework. There are more similarities with early-stage VC than public investing, but in these asset classes you still see somewhat more uniform access to investment opportunities and less information asymmetry. That’s because intermediaries like bankers/brokers, and even internal cold-call sourcing operations, create more standardized access to and information about potential deals. Also these are typically more mature assets that can be analyzed and understood in broader ways than a de novo startup.
Success in early-stage VC ultimately comes down to investors’ ability to source, select, and win the best investment opportunities.
Sourcing is critical because each VC firm’s investment opportunity set is inherently unique. Every mutual fund in the world can buy stock in any publicly traded company, but even the most respected VCs don’t see all of the “best” opportunities. A lot of times you hear VCs talk about their sourcing in raw numbers… “we saw X opportunities in 2011 and invested in [small fraction of X]“. But ultimately “good” dealflow is about signals – large amplitude, high signal to noise ratio, and enough strong signals on an absolute basis to build a portfolio. You’d rather have a lot of high quality dealflow that’s relevant to your strategy (stage, sector, geography, etc) than simply winning the “we got the most business plans” award.
To illustrate what great sourcing means, let me give an analogy from the academic world. Harvard gets more applications than pretty much any undergraduate program in the US, and they accept a small fraction (7.2%) of those folks. Harvey Mudd on the other hand gets far fewer applicants (Harvard gets >10x more) and is less “selective” in the sense that they admit about 25% of the students that apply. Yet Harvey Mudd’s students are incredible, and the school produces the best paid graduates of any undergrad program in the country. College is obviously about more than just landing a well-paid job, and I’m not saying Harvey Mudd is inherently better than Harvard… they’re both great. But sourcing the best VC deals or college applicants isn’t merely a numbers exercise.
It turns out selecting is arguably the least important of the three. Returns in venture are driven primarily by outlier outcomes, so being a great stock-picker or paying the lowest valuations does you little good if you’re selecting from a pool of mediocre opportunities or if you’re consistently unable to win great opportunities. As Peter Thiel used to say, there is no subprime model for VC. I’m not saying selecting doesn’t matter… Facebook’s investors and MySpace’s investors each did well, but we all know one group did a little “more” well. So being good at selecting is as much about having an effective process as a firm for making decisions and a well-functioning partnership to do it.
Finally, even if you source and select great opportunities you usually have to win the right to invest against other good investors. At the end of the day, all VCs are selling expensive equity capital and despite the ongoing contraction in the industry there’s still a lot of capital out there. How do you win? It obviously depends who you’re competing against… at the seed stage where NextView plays, there’s a range of different types of investors (large lifecycle VC funds, seed/micro VC funds, angels, etc) so sometimes it’s an apples vs oranges choice by the entrepreneur. Brand, both firm brand and individual partner brand, clearly matters. Ultimately though like any selling process, enthusiastic and respected reference customers (e.g. other entrepreneurs you’ve backed) are usually the best tool for the job.
You’ll notice I didn’t include “add value post investment” in the source, select, win factors of success. This is clearly important and something I think the best venture investors do well. Also because the VC business is a multi-turn game, in the long run being a helpful investor in the eyes of entrepreneurs directly increases a VCs ability to source and win opportunities. But ultimately I don’t believe it’s the key determinant of success in the same way as the others.
Source, select, win. We think about it every day at NextView, and are continuously refining how we can get better at each of them. | <urn:uuid:e5bbf703-ec90-4d8c-839b-0c83cec76000> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.agilevc.com/blog/2012/02/09/source-select-win.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940113 | 1,105 | 1.507813 | 2 |
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A key Republican leader demanded Sunday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi produce evidence to back up her assertion that she was misled by the CIA on the use of so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques."
Republican leader John Boehner demanded that House Speaker prove her claim that the CIA misled Congress.
Last week, Pelosi reiterated an earlier claim that she was briefed by the CIA on such techniques only once -- in September 2002 -- and that she was told at the time that the techniques were not being used.
A recently released Justice Department memo, however, says the CIA used waterboarding at least 83 times in August 2002 in the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, a suspected al Qaeda leader imprisoned at U.S. facilities in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, has been described by critics as torture.
"Lying to the Congress of the United States is a crime," House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said on CNN's "State of the Union."
"If the speaker is accusing the CIA and other intelligence officials of lying or misleading the Congress, then she should come forward with evidence and turn that over to the Justice Department so they be prosecuted. And if that's not the case, I think she ought to apologize to our intelligence professionals around the world."
Boehner said he has received intelligence briefings from the CIA for three and a half years and has "never felt" misled. He also claimed that Pelosi "has, at times, objected to activities that were approved by the president. Those activities were changed as a result of her objection."
On Thursday, Pelosi said the briefing she received from the CIA was incomplete and inaccurate, and she called on the agency to release a full transcript of the briefing. She also accused Republicans of jumping on reports of the briefings to cause a distraction.
The speaker's comments prompted CIA Director Leon Panetta to stand up for the agency on Friday and challenge Pelosi on her assertion that the CIA had misled her.
"There is a long tradition in Washington of making political hay out of our business. It predates my service with this great institution, and it will be around long after I'm gone. But the political debates about interrogation reached a new decibel level yesterday when the CIA was accused of misleading Congress." Panetta said in a letter to agency employees.
"Let me be clear: It is not our policy or practice to mislead Congress. That is against our laws and our values. As the agency indicated previously in response to congressional inquiries, our contemporaneous records from September 2002 indicate that CIA officers briefed truthfully on the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, describing 'the enhanced techniques that had been employed.' Ultimately, it is up to Congress to evaluate all the evidence and reach its own conclusions about what happened."
Pelosi later Friday issued a response to Panetta in which she shifted her criticism from the CIA to the Bush administration.
"My criticism of the manner in which the Bush administration did not appropriately inform Congress is separate from my respect for those in the intelligence community who work to keep our country safe," she wrote.
"What is important now is to be united in our commitment to ensuring the security of our country; that, and how Congress exercises its oversight responsibilities, will continue to be my focus as we move forward."
Pelosi wants the classified notes of her 2002 briefing on waterboarding declassified because, she has said, they will show that she wasn't told that harsh techniques such as waterboarding were being used.
The top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee said he has read the notes from Pelosi's disputed 2002 briefing and insists to CNN that she's wrong.
"The record shows Speaker Pelosi was briefed that the techniques were used on Abu Zubaydah," Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, said in a written statement.
That appears to back up CIA records declassified last week, which say that on September 4, 2002, Pelosi and Republican Rep. Porter Goss of Florida were briefed on enhanced interrogation techniques.
In the Senate, Republican Richard Shelby of Alabama and Democrat Bob Graham of Florida were briefed together in September 2002 but have very different accounts of the briefing.
Through a spokesman, Shelby said CIA officials gave them a full account of harsh techniques.
"To his recollection, not only did the CIA briefers provide what was purported to be a full account of the techniques, they also described the need for these techniques and the value of the information being obtained from terrorists during questioning," Jonathan Graffeo said in a written statement.
"The Senate briefing also included an explanation of how these techniques were consistent with the law and with the national security interests of the U.S. ... While there was a great deal of discussion, there were no objections raised during the Senate briefing."
Graffeo added, "To Senator Shelby's recollection of the Senate briefing, waterboarding was one of the (enhanced interrogation techniques) the CIA said it had used."
But Graham insists they were told nothing about waterboarding or other harsh tactics.
"The briefing was done at a relatively low level of classification and did not get into these more sensitive areas of torture or the application of techniques to specific detainees," Graham said. "... The briefing, according to the statement in my notebook, was on detainee interrogation, but it did not include waterboarding or any particular person to whom that had been applied."
|Most Viewed||Most Emailed||Top Searches| | <urn:uuid:87207c25-0205-4888-8876-8ea83214864e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/17/pelosi.torture/?iref=nextin | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978288 | 1,120 | 1.609375 | 2 |
SOMETIME last week, driven by the strong love for my country, I embarked on a venture to write an opinion article on the expected 2013 Zimbabwe elections. I found myself zooming in on Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of MDC-T and Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF.
Several aborted attempts were to follow. I would write one page and find myself scribbling and tearing the papers and throwing the pieces of paper in the little bucket bin under my table. This happened three times. It turned out that my inclination towards MDC-T was clouding the smooth flow of my thinking.
Several attempts to present the MDC-T as a better option for the Zimbabwean electorate, as I had done in my previous writings, were to follow. In the end, I tore my draft points and digressed; I found myself writing about why Mugabe is a hero. One is not a hero because they were blown by the wind whichever direction the wind listed but because they defied the odds in fighting for justice.
There is no doubt that Mugabe is at the sunset of his life, but the least we can do for the remaining days of his life is to acknowledge and celebrate a man who lived out his purpose in driving the national and African agenda. That is not an attempt to say that he has not made mistakes like every one of us. But that he is one person whose works will speak well after he is gone is undeniable.
My diaspora stint, although it took long for me to admit it, opened my eyes to the realities of the factors at play in global politics. My sober conclusion is that Africa needs more Mugabes. The political leadership of Africa has been very timid and visionless in dealing with the issues bedevilling our continent. With the continent that provides the world with the bulk of raw materials and mineral wealth, why should the dark cloud of poverty and despair still hover above us?
God blessed Africa with vast arable land and good climatic conditions ideal for agriculture and tourism. But, we don’t have anything to show for it. Why? Africa has become a sorry example of the saying that poverty is not the shortage of food or money but the inability to use the resources one has to make money or food. We can only blame it on our leadership.
So, when one leader stands out to challenge the status quo and boldly takes drastic measures, and in many respects, dangerous to their own personal affairs, to cause a serious and permanent re-configuration in the ownership dynamics, that leader must be applauded. He deserves a standing ovation. I believe the coming elections is where Zimbabweans should acknowledge this man.
Africa needs leaders who are prepared to forego their prestige and privileges as they pursue to bring meaningful and sustainable change for their people.
Mugabe was a darling of the world. He compared favourably to Nelson Mandela and other world venerated leaders as long as he continued to play within the box prescribed by the West, who continue to arrogate themselves the big-brother role when it comes to Africa’s affairs.
The wanton vilification that President Mugabe and his Zanu PF received when they decided to champion the real African revolution through the agrarian reforms just betrays desperation by the world leaders who are ready to crush anyone who challenges their hegemony. But, for Mugabe, even the rescinding of the knighthood and university degrees, the economic sabotage, travel bans and freezing of personal assets abroad never managed to break his spirit. The primary thing on his mind was to fight for Zimbabweans to regain their honour and sovereignty. Talk of a principled man!
That Zimbabwe suffered with him also goes without saying. Many of us, because of the suffering that we experienced when Mugabe took the principled stand, forgot that there is no meaningful change that just comes without sacrifice. So we abandoned the liberation movement and clung to the next available party.
In that way, we played into the hands of those who were at the forefront in the regime-change agenda. It is incumbent upon me also to admit that Zanu PF made many mistakes along the way, especially when some within the movement sought to enrich themselves. That, to an extent discredited the noble intentions of the policies. But, that cannot take away the good that was in the fight.
The last 50 years saw many African countries attaining their independence but it is sad to say that there was too little, if any change at all, in the change of the standards of living of the generality of our people. Yes, some of the lack of development was a result of some of our corrupt politicians who made sure that their bellies and necks were fat at the expense of prosperity of the people. But, the greater reason has been the lack of resources that indirectly remained in the hands of our erstwhile colonial masters.
Our leaders institutionalized and perpetuated the centuries of exploitation by agreeing to retention of the status quo in terms of the ownership of the resources and means of production. Africa needs a fundamental reappraisal of its objectives and strategies if African renaissance is not to remain a pipe dream. Africa, and posterity cries out for the emergence of champions of the order of Mugabe first to deal with resource ownership and then to drive the unity of Africa and the optimisation of the benefits of those resources by way of processing and value addition.
This will not be a type of leader who is shy in demolishing the structural barriers that has kept Africa a disgrace but innovative strategic thinkers who are prepared to boldly engage the systems to bring change so that the scripture will be fulfilled that “Ethiopia (or Africa) shall lift her hands to God”.
The resources, land and minerals in particular, were so central to the fight for independence in Zimbabwe. Both, for the freedom fighters and equally so for those who fought to maintain the exploits their forefathers had gotten by unjust means. The resources were so important that they became a major hindrance in the compromises that the Ian Smith regime would have made earlier during the struggle. The 5, 000 or so farmers in the then Rhodesia had huge influence in the decisions of the Rhodesia Front. They feared for “their” land and so strengthened the Smith regime by providing the resources for the war.
We saw a similar drive around year 1999. The farmers, who had continued to enjoy benefits even after independence, panicked when Zanu PF resolved to address the imbalance. They were then staring in their faces some of their previous fears. The farmers, together with their friends in the West, then started scouting for ways and means of countering the threatening move to redistribute land and other resources.
Unfortunately, this is how the MDC was formed. I say, unfortunately, because they took advantage of the people’s anger and disenchantment with Zanu PF owing to the deterioration in the economic conditions caused by a myriad of reasons which included the failure of the IMF-sponsored ESAP, the drought of 1987 and general endemic corruption. Many of the people who formed the core of the MDC leadership and membership were, and are still, genuine people who had, and still have, the interest of the country at heart, but just fell prey to the underhand maneuvers which were at play.
They needed the financial resources and the adage became true: he who pays the piper calls the tune. Thus, the MDC, who had gone to bed with the farmers, made a rigorous campaign for the “No Vote” at the referendum in 2000. The MDC, I think, should have moved to redefine themselves as a real people’s party, led by leaders who are their own not shadows of the farmers and other agendas.
I believe that this can still be done, but it appears the lack of political will to pursue it is just abundant under the leadership of Morgan Tsvangirai.
In South Africa, we have witnessed a similar drive to remove the ruling ANC from power. This drive got into serious over-drive when talk about economic liberation got to a peak just like it had done in Zimbabwe in 1998. We have seen the Democratic Alliance party resort to all forms of sabotage and vilification of the ANC using their arms which include the media and some within the judiciary. The aim is to stop the ANC before it lays its hands on the resources just like they attempted to stop Zanu PF after 1999 in Zimbabwe.
The scramble for Africa’s resources continues to this day. Dr. S. Zondi, a respected commentator and writer, in one of his writings highlights current trends in “land grabs” taking place in Africa by the West and emerging east through shady deals with some shortsighted African governments. This underlines the importance of African farmland in global food production. Africa remains the future in terms of global food security.
The indigenization of the economy is one issue that causes me a lot of pain when I analyse the policies of the parties in Zimbabwe. I find it difficult that any sane educated Zimbabwean should be against the principle of the indigenisation drive. Yes, they can criticize the method and implementation but definitely not the policy itself. It is a noble policy. The critics of Zanu PF fail to make a distinction between the party itself and its policies.
For political expediency, many of the previous opposition sympathizers often seek to portray Zanu PF as attempting to present indigenisation as a substitute of employment creation. That is clearly not the case. But, the indigenization drive should go on while at the same time we seek to address the unemployment issues. Any genuine foreign investor should find it logical to partner with locals. This, to me, is a better approach than the wholesale nationalisation which is being lobbied for in South Africa.
The unemployment issue should then be addressed by the government prioritising infrastructure development and favourable regulatory and incentives for business to thrive.
The myth that the current indigenisation scares away investors, and thus worsens unemployment levels, needs to be debunked. We just have to show that the indigenous partner knows what he/she is doing and that there is a peaceful political environment and potential for profit.
This is one area where Mugabe needs to be applauded because we can only influence the direction of Africa if we own the resources. That is what the world powers have understood and have always sought a say in our Africa’s resources giving rise to the numerous conflicts that we have witnessed since our countries attained independence. The battle for resources is not a make-believe war. It is real, that is why Mugabe and Gaddaffi were being ostracized while the likes of Mandela have been hero-worshipped because they dared not touch the resources issue. The potential spiral effect of Mugabe’s ownership policies in Africa needed to be contained.
Having been a Christian for the greater part of my life, I know that when God decides to bring a change to the affairs of his people, he usually finds a man whom he anoints for that purpose. To that effect, I am inclined to believe that President Mugabe may have had his heart and mind hardened by God so that he refuses to compromise, even under immense pressure, until his purpose of the redistribution of the resources has been carried out.
We may not see it now, but, in years to come, when Zimbabwe returns to her prospering ways and has been restored to the prestigious bread basket of Africa status, our children shall be grateful of the travail that we had to go through to change the structure and ownership our resources.
Mbango Sithole is a Zimbabwean consultant in South Africa who writes in his personal capacity. You can e-mail the writer on firstname.lastname@example.org | <urn:uuid:e748fdf2-cb62-4224-8622-938a0d0730db> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.newzimbabwe.com/opinion-9852-Why+Mugabe+is+our+hero/opinion.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973443 | 2,415 | 1.523438 | 2 |
Six days from now, Romania will stage a referendum on whether to impeach the country's centre-right president, Traian Băsescu. This is the culmination of what many in the European press see as the left-wing government's attempts to entrench and expand its authority by extra-constitutional means. There have even been some dark murmurings about the possibility of a "soft dictatorship" re-emerging in one of the European family of nations. However, the EU's success in persuading the government to reverse its previous decision to set aside the rule requiring a 50% turnout for the referendum result to be valid is being hailed as a small triumph for democracy and the rule of law.
Now, obviously we must be careful not to judge the Romanian government by laxer standards simply because it's left-of-centre, and many of its actions do seem pretty outrageous. (For example, they tried to replace democracy with "good old British first-past-the-post", and it doesn't get much grimmer than that.) Nevertheless, the EU's enthusiasm for enforcing the minimum turnout rule is a classic example of a fixation with a single important principle (the rule of law) rendering people incapable of seeing the wood for the trees. Scrupulously legal it may be, but the 50% rule is in fact profoundly anti-democratic. Indeed, it's even worse than the notorious 40% rule from the 1979 devolution referendum, which merely put an unequal onus on Yes supporters to turn out and vote. The Romanian rule actually gives supporters of the president a clear and perverse incentive to abstain rather than actively vote against impeachment - because they know that if they do so in sufficient numbers they can thwart the will of the majority, however overwhelming. Not so much "if you stay at home you are voting No" as "if you don't want to vote Yes, don't vote".
Just goes to show that, while adherence to the rule of law may be an essential prerequisite for democracy, it isn't the same thing as democracy.
* * *
Although in principle I agree with Peter Curran that the SNP's potential policy reversal on NATO is regrettable, I have to say that I think he's getting the whole thing several light-years out of proportion. One thing is for sure - Scotland will not be leaving NATO for as long as it is part of the United Kingdom. So the first priority for any opponent of NATO membership is to get Scotland out of the UK, and the SNP is far and away the best vehicle to achieve that. A pro-NATO stance on the part of the SNP does not preclude the possibility of an independent Scotland leaving NATO, any more than a continuing anti-NATO stance would have precluded the possibility of us staying inside the alliance.
This is an issue that will be settled democratically after independence - either by a parliamentary vote, or more ideally by referendum. Whatever our individual feelings about NATO, knowledge of that fact ought to be more than enough to ensure that we don't lose sight of the bigger picture now. | <urn:uuid:82483c66-c8d0-4b8b-ac90-5d55e13eb7a7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://scotgoespop.blogspot.com/2012/07/democracy-and-rule-of-law-difference.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964117 | 628 | 1.53125 | 2 |
Dr. Regina Benjamin, a member of the board of trustees of the Catholic Health Association, is being nominated as surgeon general this morning.
We had this story on Benjamin last fall, when she received a MacArthur fellowship for her work with medical clinics in poverty-stricken areas of Alabama.
Benjamin did her undergraduate studies at Xavier University in New Orleans and in a 2005 speech she talked about the Catholic parish she grew up in, and how her grandmother’s land donation made it possible to create a parish for blacks who experienced segregation in the primarily white church.
CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta last winter was reportedly a leading candidate for the position but withdrew his name, citing demands of time and pressure on his family.
Filed under: CNS | <urn:uuid:a3e1a415-03c2-479c-8719-feab7d711868> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/new-surgeon-general-nominee-is-a-cha-board-member/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=18b5244a97 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977903 | 155 | 1.515625 | 2 |
According to the NPD $3.4 billion were spent on video games for the first quarter 2012 in the United States. $1.5 billion of that was spent on new physical video game software and $525 million was spent on used game sales, as well as rentals. The other $1.38 billion is from digital sales, which includes new games, downloadable content, subscriptions, mobile games, and social network games.
Software sales declined five percent year on year, while digital sales grew by 10 percent. However despite the growth in the digital market the total amount spent on video game in the US have dropped.
Research done in the UK, France and Germany shows that consumers $1.3 billion during the same quarter in those three countries. $300 million were spent on new physical video games software, while $959 million were spent on the digital market. | <urn:uuid:3d0dfa6f-4aea-45d6-b56c-3055b49b64e7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gamekicker.com/gaming-news/3-4-billion-spent-on-games-in-the-us-for-the-first-quarter-2012 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.984235 | 176 | 1.679688 | 2 |
One out of every 10 households in the Bay Area will turn to a food bank this holiday season for sustenance, officials say.
Not just the elderly or people too disabled to work, but residents who until a year or two ago held lucrative jobs, owned nice homes and could afford to fill their carts at the supermarket.
"Use is up 40 to 45 percent from three years ago," said Larry Sly, executive director of Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, adding that he's now serving 132,000 people a month. "It's a real tough time. Many of the people, especially in Contra Costa County, made their livings in the construction industry. And now, because of the economy, that's dead."
It's also a real tough time for food banks. With more users and less federal funding and fewer corporate sponsors, food banks are scrambling to keep up with demand.
That's why they rely on organizations such as The San Francisco Chronicle's Season of Sharing Fund, which gives 15 percent of the money it raises - the rest goes to families in need - to the Bay Area's eight food banks. In the past 25 years those food banks have received $12 million from the program.
Last year Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, which lost $100,000 in FEMA funds because of federal cutbacks, got $171,000 from the campaign. The money was earmarked solely for food.
"This campaign is an incredible contribution to our work," Sly said.
For Kathy Jackson, the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, every dollar donated buys two healthy meals. Her food bank is now serving 250,000 people a month.
"Most of these people have just hit a pothole in life - something occurred like a health problem or divorce that they hadn't planned for," she said. "We've seen a tremendous increase in first-time callers. Sometimes they don't even know what to say."
Last year Second Harvest distributed 45 million pounds of food, Jackson said. Seven million pounds of that were USDA commodities. But Jackson said she is expecting a 40 percent reduction in those commodities this year, which means she'll have to ramp up fundraising and try to get more corporate food donations.
The money Second Harvest receives from Season of Sharing is a huge help, she said. In 2010 the food bank received $244,920 from the fund, which paid for nearly 500,000 meals.
David Goodman, executive director of Redwood Empire Food Bank, which serves Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, said he lost $80,000 in federal funding this year, while in the last two years he's started serving 8,000 new faces a month.
"But we're not a woe-is-me organization," he said, adding that spending the bulk of his energy on crying about lost money "doesn't actually feed people."
So he, his staff and volunteers are working extra hard to put food on the tables of those in need. The $26,820 that Redwood Empire received last year from Season of Sharing will buy 12,000 meals.
"When you can't breathe, you call 911," he said. "When you need food, you call us."
It's a big hurdle for some people to make that call, he said.
"No one ever imagines being in a food line, not even people of meager means," Goodman said. "It's bewildering, it's devastating and it takes a world of courage. That's why I find it a privilege to serve these people." | <urn:uuid:078dc638-b04f-46ce-8c8d-a55787a7b462> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Food-banks-turn-to-Season-of-Sharing-Fund-for-help-2394715.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978716 | 750 | 1.59375 | 2 |
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average earnings in St. Mary Parish are $913 per week.
According to March employment figures, the parish employed 26,294 during the first quarter.
The parish joins Plaquemines, Orleans, St. John the Baptist, St. James, St. Charles, Iberville, West Feliciana, Cameron and De Soto parishes as those whose wages are at least $900 per week.
St. Mary Parish Economic Development Director Frank Fink attributed the higher wages to a heavy emphasis on the oil and gas and service industries and shipbuilding industries as well as chemical industries in western St. Mary.
“Basically, we’re heavily into oil and gas and services industry, which tend to pay higher,” Fink said.
He cited InterMoor, Oceaneering and Cameron among examples of employers in the parish who help the parish remain among the state’s highest in weekly wage earning.
“These are core businesses,” Fink said.
He said the parish’s weekly salaries are boosted by the fact that it does not have a lot of retail, a large medical complex or a big university, which he said pay less than oil and gas service, shipbuilding and chemical industries and would lower the weekly earnings.
Fink said it is possible that the sugarcane industry could have hurt St. Mary in its first quarter earnings, too, because production already had been complete by then.
St. James had the highest weekly wages in the state at $1,179, while Madison reported the lowest weekly wage at $484.
Statewide, the average weekly salary was $798, while the national was $935.
Residents in St. Martin ($634), Iberia ($820), Assumption ($828) and Terrebonne ($848) parishes all made less average weekly wages that those in St. Mary Parish, according to the statistics released Friday.
March employment figures in St. Martin were 11,704. Other parish employment figures during the same period were: Iberia (30,982), Assumption (4,417) and Terrebonne (52,695).
From the first quarter of 2010 to the first quarter of 2011, the statewide wage gain was 4.5 percent, while the national gain was 5.2 percent.
All but six of Louisiana’s parishes had wages below the national average. The six above-average parishes were Iberville ($1,155), Orleans ($983), Plaquemines ($1,153), St. Charles ($1,174), St. James ($1,179) and West Feliciana $1,002).
These figures and more information is available at www.bls.gov/ro6/fax/qcew_la.htm. | <urn:uuid:4be03ea8-ef4b-494c-a436-741c1970a674> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://stmarynow.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Parish+wages+among+state-s+best+in+first+quarter%20&id=16086094&instance=secondary_stories_left_column | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959404 | 602 | 1.648438 | 2 |
Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Johnny Paul Koroma came to power in May 1997 as the result of a military coup. A month his Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) invited the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) to share power. No country recognised the AFRC regime, and its legitimacy was challenged by the elected government-in-exile in Conakry, Guinea. The AFRC was overthrown by the Nigerian-led ECOMOG force in February 1998, and "Johnny Paul" fled to eastern Sierra Leone, where he was imprisoned by his former RUF allies.
Armed Forces Revolutionary Council
As of 11 September 1997
AFRC and RUF Documents and Speeches
Including press releases, transcripts and timeline | <urn:uuid:d6f214fc-45ff-44fd-992f-4dbdbaee13cd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sierra-leone.org/Johnny_Paul_Koroma.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973059 | 151 | 1.796875 | 2 |
CHURCH STREET- CENTRAL NATIONAL SCHOOL
Photographs of this old school, the second oldest in Brighton, only Middle Street (1805) being older.
Central was built in 1829 and opened in the following year. Built in Regency Gothic style it remained in continuous use for 137 years until 1967. For a short while afterwards it was used as an overflow for other schools. Finally it was demolished for street widening early in 1971.
Date of photograph: 9 February 1964
Image Reference: JG_25_079.tif
Image Details: Original monochrome print
Size of Original: 116x155
Additional Information: Carluccios restaurant has now taken its place
The digitisation of this Volume was sponsored by Gavin Henderson in memory of his father, Magnus Reginald 'Jock' Henderson
This image is copyright and is made available for personal study only. Commercial reproduction in any media is prohibited without written authorisation.
High resolution images for commercial use are available. Please contact The Regency Society | <urn:uuid:7e410421-1bdd-4add-9c24-4a976f295f50> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://regencysociety-jamesgray.com/volume25/source/jg_25_079.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948092 | 214 | 1.765625 | 2 |
updated 05:05 pm EDT, Mon April 16, 2012
Google Drive tip narrows launch
The often-rumored Google Drive might have at last settled on a more definitive launch plan that would include true cross-platform access. A draft press release sliped to The Next Web had the service more closely following the Dropbox formula, where files were stored in a syncing folder or folders on a Mac or Windows PC. Although widely suspected, it's now believed to have an iOS app to match the Android and desktop components.
In accordance with the nature of the source, Google would be partnering up with one or more companies for the launch of the service, which will start off with a free 5GB of space. No details were given, but it would presumably see apps integrate programming interfaces to use Google Drive as remote storage. Earlier tips had hinted that at least Google's own apps might offer live editing of remote documents.
The launch would come in the middle of next week, they said, with Tuesday deemed possible given how many companies often reserve Tuesday for their major announcements.
Google Drive has been rumored for years and would now no longer be unique, with Dropbox, Box.net, and others now offering at least some equivalent. The company's main advantage now would be tighter integration with services like Google Docs as well as inside Android, Chrome, and Chrome OS. | <urn:uuid:5c694280-59cb-410f-b4f5-ae5914e4200a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/04/16/google.drive.tip.narrows.launch/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968485 | 277 | 1.554688 | 2 |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Manufacturing in the Philadelphia region shrank for a fifth straight month in September, suggesting demand for American-made goods has weakened.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia says its index of regional manufacturing activity had a reading of -1.9 in September. That was slightly better than the August reading of -7.1 and a July reading of -12.9. Still, any reading below zero indicates contraction.
Nearly 23 percent of firms in the region reported declines in activity in September. That's down from 30 percent in August. The region includes firms in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
Manufacturing, which helped lift the country out of the Great Recession, has slowed since spring. A weak job market and meager pay raises have hurt U.S. consumer spending. Businesses are investing less in machinery. And slower global growth has cut demand for U.S. exports.
U.S. manufacturing activity shrank in August for the third straight month, according to the closely watched national survey from the Institute for Supply Management. The contraction in the Philadelphia region suggests the broader picture hasn't improved.
Paul Dales, senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics, said that the string of declines in the Philadelphia manufacturing survey was consistent with his forecast for continued manufacturing troubles.
"Our forecast that the euro-zone recession will only deepen from here and that growth in China will slow further suggests that the outlook for U.S. manufacturers isn't very rosy," Dales said.
Last week, the Federal Reserve reported that manufacturing output fell 0.7 percent in August, led by a 4 percent drop in output at auto plants. | <urn:uuid:b60100e2-6153-4580-9a80-d03e4101fdae> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.impomag.com/news/2012/09/manufacturing-philly-area-shrinks-fifth-month?qt-recent_content=0&qt-most_popular=0&qt-digital_editions=0 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966518 | 338 | 1.625 | 2 |
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Current and former U.S. officials tell The Associated Press that reclusive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar wrote to President Barack Obama last year indicating an interest in talks key to ending the war in Afghanistan.
The previously undisclosed communication was considered authentic by people who saw it, but skeptical administration officials say they cannot determine if it actually came from Omar. The unsigned letter was passed through a Taliban intermediary in July. An administration official says it represented views consistent with what Taliban emissaries had been telling U.S. officials.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the letter and its contents are part of sensitive diplomacy.
A direct message from Omar could be a strong signal that the Taliban movement is interested in negotiation at the highest levels. | <urn:uuid:43067d53-8317-4401-84a2-a745b2a50d20> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.the-daily-record.com/ap%20washington/2012/02/03/ap-sources-taliban-leader-sent-letter-to-obama | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967545 | 154 | 1.53125 | 2 |
I have an overdue library book that I checked out as a high school student in 1991
I accidentally took it to college with me in the Fall of 1993
It's made every single move with me since then...
every time I see it again I think (Oh, I've got to get that book returned to the library the next time I get home)
I always forget about it...
until the next move.
Sometime as a newlywed I was determined to MAIL it home with a long note of contrition. That never happened.
So now I'm determined to throw the book away and just mail a check to the library with a note asking to pay a fine and clear up my account. Can I throw it away now? Or do I need the library's permission?
Oh title of the book I picked up at age 15 "When All You Ever Wanted Isn't Enough" by the same Jewish rabbi who wrote "Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People."
I think (mostly because I have this funny book problem) Jon and I joke about the title "Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?" all the time. A little inside humor from two Carmelites in love.
We'll say the title in our most serious NPR voice: "Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
I'll make a funny grimace and say "Who is saying that their Good?"
Jon will make a funny face and say "Who is saying that things are Bad?"
(Get it? Why are you calling yourself good, because God alone is Holy. Only the Virgin Mary was made with a special pure and sinless heart. Also, St. John of the Cross explains that so called "bad things" like having a baby in the NICU or having a father die 12 weeks after his first cancer diagnosis are mostly great, great blessings in disguise). | <urn:uuid:eeb99a1e-7661-4852-9d50-03ba1a271554> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://abigails-alcove.blogspot.com/2011/06/time-to-pitch-it.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971595 | 387 | 1.609375 | 2 |
Plan your work and work your plan. The goals we set are the goals we get. What you focus on expands. It’s an automatic ‘no’ if you don’t ask.
There are a million expressions that say essentially the same thing: we are much more likely to get where we want to go if we create some sort of map for ourselves. That’s not to say we have to figure out how we’re going to get there (by bus or plane or train), we just need to figure out where we want to go and begin moving in that direction. That’s one reason to create a vision board. That, and they’re just plain fun to make.
Yesterday my whole family–kids included–sat around the dining room, listened to music, flipped through magazines, cut out images and words, and purposely placed them mat boards to create a vision of what we want in our lives. It’s becoming a new year’s tradition with us.
This process is a wonderful mix of dreaming, wishing, planning, deciding and playing. It’s creating a vision of tomorrow and enjoying the journey while laying a foundation for our goals–a touchstone to remind us of the life we want to live.
And that’s the main purpose of life, isn’t it? To be lived.
December 21, 2009 No Comments
In a time when fear and depression seem to be in a more plentiful supply than they have in years, a survey of visitors to ISpyJoy.com reveals the recession-proof sources of joy. Topping the list for what brings people joy are family, friends and pets. The best ways to spread joy to others? Offering a smile, being kind and listening.
These results remind us—and now is a good time to be reminded—that the greatest sources of joy come from being in the moment with our loved ones. And it’s also timely to note that, while ideally we should enjoy what we do for a living, our core happiness is much less dependant on our jobs than it is on things like being in nature, a walk through your city or reading a good book.
See the complete results of the survey here.
March 14, 2009 No Comments | <urn:uuid:3cb1fb3e-325c-41aa-ba7a-34c0b04c9dec> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ispyjoy.com/tag/family/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936274 | 475 | 1.726563 | 2 |
Back... | Go to BroadwayWorld.com Calendar
Theatre Communications Group (TCG), is the the national organization for theatre in the United States. Its member theatres produce outstanding professional productions in communities across the nation. Founded in 1961 with a grant from the Ford Foundation, TCG has always fostered communication and knowledge sharing among theatre leaders and staffs.
Today, TCG's constituency has grown from a handful of groundbreaking theatres to nearly 700 member theatres and affiliate organizations and more than 12,000 individuals nationwide. TCG is also the nation's largest independent publisher of dramatic literature, with 10 Pulitzer Prizes for Best Play; the publisher of the award-winning AMERICAN THEATRE magazine and ARTSEARCH��, the essential source for a career in the arts. TCG also advocates at the federal level for strong arts policies and is the US Center for the International Theatre Institute.
In 2005, TCG received the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, recognizing its impact on the national field. For more information about membership in TCG, visit TCG.org. | <urn:uuid:37336216-33f8-49bf-892c-f5e39d150154> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://hawaii.broadwayworld.com/alltcgshows.cfm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946171 | 223 | 1.640625 | 2 |
Buying a ukulele can be a very tricky task - particularly if you're buying one for the first time. The Ukulele Review section of this site aims to help you make a decision by giving you reviews, information and videos of on a wide range of ukuleles.
- There's a huge range of makes of ukulele out there. This section gives you a quick history of each of the major brands, a discussion of the type of ukuleles they make, reviews from Ukulele Hunt readers and a video showcasing the uke (where available). Hopefully giving you a much better idea of which ukulele to buy and which to avoid.
- There are four main sizes: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. Most people start on the soprano ukulele since it is the traditional ukulele and, since it is the smallest, it requires less stretching. But more and more people are buying tenor ukuleles - inspired by the likes of Jake Shimabukuro - which is more suited to solo, instrumental ukulele playing.
- Your budget is going to play a big part in your decision. Most first time buyers get a very cheap ukulele - that's certainly what I did. But it is spending a little more to get a ukulele the sounds and feels good and is well set up. There are many good quality ukuleles in the $50 -$100 range. Buying one of these ukuleles will give you a nice uke which will encourage you to play more.
- When you buy a ukulele, it will come with strings fitted - but often these are cheap, poor quality strings. There are two types of ukulele strings that stand out above the others: Aquila and Worth. Spending a little extra money on these will make your ukulele sound much better than it does with cheap strings.
With the different sizes and tunings, buying ukulele strings is a bit of a minefield. This section will give you some guidance.
- Buying a ukulele isn't the end of the spending. There are plenty of other bits and pieces you just begging you to buy them. The most important being a tuner. Other less essential items include capos, pick-ups, straps and a whole lot of other stuff to keep your ukulele company. This section looks at which accessories are a must buy and which are less essential. | <urn:uuid:3592bc57-8bd3-4c22-8a02-47df122bf1da> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/tips/which-ukulele/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961625 | 528 | 1.742188 | 2 |
Auctions and Collections: Year In Review 1994Article Free Pass
The biggest news in collectibles, however, was in sports. The baseball card market was returned to the collector as investment-oriented buyers turned to other items. Rarities still sold well, but common cards lost value. Golf clubs, baseball jerseys, baseball mitts, and player-endorsed advertisements sold for higher-than-expected prices. Babe Ruth’s 1921 bat set a record at $63,000. Carved wooden duck calls dating from the early 1900s set several record prices; the highest was $16,500 for a Victor Glodo checkered call.
Buyers paid sizable amounts for the rarest pieces of 18th-century American and English furniture but found many bargains for middle-market examples. The sale of an important Pennsylvania German collection fetched strong prices, including $43,700 for a painted poplar trinket chest. At the auction of the Nina Fletcher and Bertram K. Little collection of folk art, a curly maple dressing table and box brought $31,050. Though sales of ordinary "country" furniture lagged, Anglo-Indian furniture was rediscovered, Arts and Crafts furniture held steady, and Eclectic Revival Victorian pieces rose in price. The biggest surge of interest was in ’50s furniture, notably styles lumped under the term Modernism. Renewed interest in the period also spurred prices for ’50s pottery, glass, jewelry, silver, paintings, and bicycles.
Most 19th-century glass sold at average to lower prices, yet a Mt. Washington acid peachblow tankard pitcher decorated with flowers and a verse was auctioned at a record $26,950. Several important bottle collections were sold, and a dark amber Jenny Lind calabash flask sold for a record $12,430. Italian glass by name designers of the 1930s-’50s also increased in price. Depression glass prices remained steady, while the more formal glassware of the period, such as Heisey and Fostoria, went up slightly. Common Carnival glass patterns dropped in value, but rarities remained high.
The 19th-century English dinnerware and spatterware made for the American market found new competition from newer pieces, which brought high prices. Collectors also paid handsomely for Art Deco pieces by Clarice Cliff of England. A 20th-century Beswick figure made in England showing the Beatrix Potter character of the Duchess sold for a record $2,590, and a set of four Disney-character-head vases made in the ’60s brought $2,000.
Entertainment memorabilia brought exceptional prices. The Academy Award won by Vivien Leigh for her role in Gone with the Wind (1939) sold for $563,500. The corset worn in a 1990 concert by singer Madonna auctioned for $18,150, a record for both Madonna clothing and for any corset. Elvis Presley’s signed 1973 American Express card was auctioned for $41,400. Credit cards and telephone cards joined the ranks of collectibles, while animation cels and original comic art continued to set records. A Walt Disney storyboard for When the Cat’s Away (1929) sold for $55,200. The original art from the March 1944 Amazing Stories brought $25,300.
Toys continued to sell well; a 1932 cast-iron Arcade Checker cab sold for $68,200. Dolls continued to rise in price. The Kammer & Reinhardt blue-eyed, strawberry-blond schoolgirl doll set a record at $282,750. A one-of-a-kind G.I. Joe fighter-pilot action figure sold for a record $5,750, and a Madame Alexander doll in the image of film star Kathryn Grayson brought $10,400. The 1908 stuffed blue Steiff teddy bear "Elliot" sold for $74,000. Glass marbles of the ’20s went for up to $6,000 each.
Advertising collectibles, popular for over 25 years, continued to sell. Rare tobacco tins, labeled perfume bottles, talcum powder tins, and automobile related pieces found new collectors. An Aerio Gas Globe used in the ’40s by the Gregory (N.D.) Independent Oil Co. sold for $9,350, a record price for the glass top of a gas pump. Labels for cigar boxes, fruit crates, or beer bottles rose in price. Lithographed tin signs commanded high prices, while paper signs made price strides. An Aunt Jemima die-cut hanging six-part paper sign showing pancakes and boxes sold for $5,170.
What made you want to look up "Auctions and Collections: Year In Review 1994"? Please share what surprised you most... | <urn:uuid:10e16e31-8bc0-45c3-818e-ad8b4a50ab15> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/42491/Auctions-and-Collections-Year-In-Review-1994/233302/ANTIQUES-AND-COLLECTIBLES | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946024 | 1,004 | 1.84375 | 2 |
Norway’s financial regulator and central bank have received e-mails since 2010 from bankers outside the country alleging that interbank lending rates were being rigged.
The complaints came from “foreign banks,” raising concerns about the manipulation of the Norwegian interbank offered rate, or Nibor, the central bank said in an August letter to the Financial Supervisory Authority obtained by Bloomberg today.
“As a market participant and as one of the largest issuers of Norwegian denominated debt I am writing to complain about the Norwegian fixings,” a banker, whose name was blacked out, wrote in a June 2010 e-mail that was released by the central bank. “They seem to bear no resemblance to market realities and we suspect fixings that resemble market abuse.”
The central bank in December announced it was investigating the setting of the rate, which is used as benchmark for mortgage rates, corporate bond yields and derivative contracts. Nibor is calculated as an average of rates published by a panel of banks for various maturities, excluding low and high quotes, according to the Finance Norway, which represents banks in the country.
The panel is made up of DNB ASA, Danske Bank A/S, Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Nordea Bank Norge ASA, SEB AB and Swedbank AB. Since there are very few loans given between banks that extend beyond a few days, longer maturity Nibor rates are based on U.S. dollar rates and on the term premium for the dollar and krone, according to the central bank.
The currency aspect has made Nibor more volatile, the central bank said.
“We don’t recognize ourselves in the accusations directed at determining Nibor,” Oslo-based Danske Bank spokesman Stian Arnesen said in an e-mailed reply to questions. “We have good internal procedures for determining our contribution and we do trust the routines for Nibor fixing determined by Finance Norway.”
Nordea spokesman Thomas Sevang said the bank “welcomes that this is being investigated,” by phone today. “We have no reason” to believe “that anything is wrong and we follow that procedure,” he said.
Handelsbanken has “no information that suggests any wrong-doing,” spokesman Lars N. Saethre said by phone. “We regard this as unlikely.”
In a June 2010 e-mail, a banker said Nibor moves have “failed to reflect the prevailing market conditions” and since they have trades that are affected by the rate, they “wouldn’t wish to feel that we are at the whim of the local panel banks.”
An e-mail from a “big market player” in March last year said moves in Nibor showed it was clear the panel kept rates up until a “position” rolled off. “If this isn’t market manipulation I don’t know what is,” the author of the e-mail wrote.
An e-mail from “a large international bank” to Finance Norway, which was forwarded to the central bank, recommended authorities look into “what off balance sheet deals they had fixing.”
Dagens Naeringsliv reported today that one of the complaints was sent by a banker at Royal Bank of Canada. The central bank declined to say who sent the e-mails. RBC spokeswoman Louisa Fairman also declined to comment.
Jan Digranes, head of the banking and capital markets department at Finance Norway said “We have no reason to believe that there has been any manipulation of the interest rate,” by phone today. The group represents about 200 financial institutions operating in Norway.
The Finance Ministry in December asked the FSA and Norges Bank, as the central bank is called, to assess whether Nibor accurately reflects the rates on unsecured loans between banks and whether fixing is sufficiently robust. The ministry also backed calls from the financial regulator for improved supervision of the rate. The FSA will monitor individual banks in cases where there is reason to suspect manipulation, it said.
Interbank rates have come under international scrutiny after Barclays Plc was fined a record 290 million pounds ($468 million) in June for attempting to rig the London interbank offered rate and the European Interbank rate. At least 12 banks including Deutsche Bank AG are being investigated for manipulating Libor.
In Scandinavia, Denmark has conducted a probe of the Copenhagen interbank offered rate amid speculation it was manipulated during the financial crisis, while Sweden has also reviewed its equivalent rate, called Stibor.
Norway’s central bank has repeatedly pointed to weaknesses in Nibor. Former central bank Governor Svein Gjedrem in 2010 exposed shortcomings in the way Nibor is set, saying the bank will take steps to improve the structure. Gjedrem became secretary general at the Norwegian Finance Ministry in 2011 after completing two terms as central bank governor. | <urn:uuid:48778212-7cfd-4a3d-902f-6a0ed75547c0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.futuresmag.com/2013/01/18/bank-e-mails-reveal-allegations-of-manipulation-of?t=etfsteducation&page=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973565 | 1,048 | 1.546875 | 2 |
By ASHBY JONES
Fans of the New York Yankees might bristle when they hear their team referred to as the "Evil Empire." But the team itself doesn't seem to mind, at least judging from a recent legal dust-up over the phrase.
A panel of trademark judges in Washington, D.C., earlier this month denied a request from a private entrepreneur, known as Evil Enterprises, Inc., to register the trademark for the phrase "Baseballs Evil Empire."
Evil Enterprises wanted the exclusive right to market merchandise using that phrase, which was coined in regard to the Yankees by Larry Lucchino, the president and chief executive of the Boston Red Sox, back in 2002. Upon learning that the Yankees had signed sought-after Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras, Lucchino was widely reported as saying: "The evil empire extends its tentacles even into Latin America."
Evil Enterprises initially applied for a trademark back in July of 2008.
But the Yankees objected, arguing that they had the rights to the phrase—at least when used in connection with baseball.
Part of the Yankees' argument: a concession that in the baseball world, they are, in fact, the "Evil Empire." In its legal papers, the team referenced a number of articles from the past decade using the term in connection with the Yankees, and conceded that the team has "implicitly embraced" the "Evil Empire" theme by playing music from Star Wars during their home games.
The panel of judges sided with the Yankees, ruling that the Yankees are strongly associated with the phrase. Allowing anyone else to use the phrase exclusively would likely cause confusion, ruled the judges.
"In short, the record shows that there is only one Evil Empire in baseball and it is the New York Yankees," wrote the judges. "Accordingly, we find that [the Yankees] have a protectable trademark right in the term . . . as used in connection with baseball."
Gerard Dunne, a lawyer for Evil Enterprises, said he and his client had yet to figure out whether to appeal. "But we disagree with the opinion, because we don't think "Evil Empire" exclusively refers to the Yankees anymore," he said. "You've seen it used with the Phillies, the Rangers, and other teams."
Representatives for the Yankees didn't respond to request seeking comment.
When reached Friday, Lucchino said, "I give them credit. Their embracing it is clever indeed."—Daniel Barbarisi contributed to this article.
Write to Ashby Jones at firstname.lastname@example.org
A version of this article appeared February 23, 2013, on page A14 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: Yankees: Yes, We're 'Evil'. | <urn:uuid:76473737-c468-4b57-b2dc-18b93ad2cf77> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323549204578320531185286140.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968902 | 571 | 1.65625 | 2 |
The Book of Enoch, by R.H. Charles, , at sacred-texts.com
1 And I looked and turned to another part of the earth, and saw there a deep valley with burning fire. 2. And they brought the kings and the mighty, and began to cast them into this deep valley. 3. And there mine eyes saw how they made these their instruments, iron chains of immeasurable weight. 4. And I asked the angel of peace who went with me, saying: 'For whom are these chains being prepared?'
[paragraph continues] 5. And he said unto me: 'These are being prepared for the hosts of Azâzêl, so that they may take them and cast them into the abyss of complete condemnation, and they shall cover their jaws with rough stones as the Lord of Spirits commanded.
6. And Michael, and Gabriel, and Raphael, and Phanuel shall take hold of them on that great day, and cast them on that day into the burning furnace, that the Lord of Spirits may take vengeance on them for their unrighteousness in becoming subject to Satan and leading astray those who dwell on the earth.'
LIV. 7.-LV 2. Noachic Fragment on the first World Judgement.
7. 'And in those days shall punishment come from the Lord of Spirits, and he will open all the chambers of waters which are above the heavens, and of the fountains which are beneath the earth. 8. And all the waters shall be joined with the waters: that which is above the heavens is the masculine, and the water which is beneath the earth is the feminine. 9. And they shall destroy all who dwell on the earth and those who dwell under the ends of the heaven. 10. And when they have recognized their unrighteousness which they have wrought on the earth, then by these shall they perish. | <urn:uuid:63ef5072-9e2e-47af-8edb-d7f46c83a05c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sacred-texts.com/bib/boe/boe057.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967595 | 391 | 1.5 | 2 |
Cross your eyes to see this guy in 3D. Once the image merges on top of itself, you’ll see this guy in the middle of the flowers.
Posts Tagged ‘Stereo Art’
I’ve always loved looking at Jellyfish. The see through bodies, vibrant colors and wondering how those dangley bits never got tangled up. All the wonders as I pressed my nose up against the glass at the aquarium.
Now, to see this Jellyfish in 3D, just cross your eyes until the two jellyfish merge or cross on top of each other. If you can get the center of it to merge, everything else will fall into place.
A friend of mine just got his eyes checked the other day and his eyesight improved by .25 in each eye on his prescription since he’s been looking at my stereo art Awesome!
So here’s an eye exercise to help you improve your eyesight too.
Cross your eyes until the images merge on top of each other. When you start to see the 3D, try looking from one flower to another.
They are all at different places in space.
After that, anything goes. There’s different areas of space in the background, and even in the girl. By mixing up any combination of where to look, your eyes will get a great work out. As with any muscle, a little work out will make it stronger.
It’s a Space Ball.
Can you see it going through the blue area?
Cross your eyes until the images fall on top of each other and you’ll see it. The longer you look at it, the more you will see.
What’s in the picture?
Cross your eyes until the question marks merge on top of one another, and the answer will be looking right at you.
The longer you look at this, the more you will get out of it……and if you sit back a little from the screen, you’ll see more depth.
This image is lost in itself. See if you can see what’s in the leaves.
Cross your eyes until the two groups of leaves fall on top of one another and see what pops out.
Can you follow the trail of the rocket ship through space? Can you see it travel in and out of the stars?
Cross you eyes until the images merge on top of each other and you’ll see it in 3D.
Click the image below to make it really big. | <urn:uuid:c6b0fca4-de01-4db4-94ad-933e08857629> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://kangobango.com/tag/stereo-art/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940598 | 526 | 1.78125 | 2 |
Swedish National Police Move to Open Source
MySQL AB, the developer of the world's most popular open source database, today announced that the Swedish National Police are implementing an enterprise-wide project for building all future IT systems on an open source software (OSS) infrastructure based upon Linux, MySQL and JBoss. Several existing systems are currently being migrated and all future projects will be developed on this OSS foundation.
"Our primary aims are to cut costs and reduce the risk of vendor lock-in while maintaining the high reliability and security inherent in police work," said Per-Ola Sjöswärd, Executive IT-strategist for the Swedish National Police. "Estimated savings are 50 percent compared to the proprietary solutions that we also investigated. Over time, it represents the cost of 400 fully-equipped police cars."
The national police's decision followed extensive calculation and internal testing to find sustainable alternatives. Supporting 25,000 employees, the organization was facing serious cost increases for its legacy proprietary applications.
"We have a commitment to our country's tax payers to find tools that yield the best performance-to-cost ratio for the long run," added Sjöswärd. "Open source software is mainstream today -- used by many of the world’s leading companies and organizations for critical systems due to its increased safety and flexibility. Implementing a standard OSS infrastructure running on lower-cost commodity hardware is simply the best option, according to our tests. We also like the concept of MySQL Enterprise's proactive advisory tools, as opposed to the traditional routines to call support when something breaks – the new approach actually reflects the proactive nature of police work quite well."
"The selection of MySQL Enterprise Unlimited by the Swedish National Police is a testament that IT decision makers in the most demanding organizations can leverage open source software to better accomplish their missions," said Richard Mason, MySQL AB's vice president of EMEA. "Our MySQL Enterprise Unlimited Offering is designed to make it simpler and more cost-effective for modern organizations to develop, deploy and manage their critical MySQL database applications." | <urn:uuid:24404431-3dbd-4eb2-ac9e-70f4c05fc551> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.linuxlookup.com/2007/oct/03/swedish_national_police_move_to_open_source | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942803 | 425 | 1.632813 | 2 |
Center holes on 7" records were once a way to decifer what speed a record was cut at. 45 RPM records had large center holes and 33 1/3 RPM records had small center holes. These days people mix and match and even get creative with them.
Small center holes:
Small center holes are available for all sizes of records and all speeds and are no additional charge. They measure 1/4" in diameter.
Large Center Holes:
Large center holes are available for 7" records and measure 1.5" in diameter. Large Center holes are no additional charge.
UK Center Holes:
UK center holes were originally offered to give the ability to easilly convert a record to large hole for jukeboxes. The section around the small center hole is perforated and can be broken out to make the record large hole. Once the center is removed it can not be replaced but a regular 45 adapter can be used. UK centers for 7" records are $.05 each. | <urn:uuid:35ab9fa1-9bfd-41ff-8f39-d556126395cd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.urpressing.com/centerholes.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951308 | 205 | 1.835938 | 2 |
Earlier Tuesday, I posted the first part of my interview with Madeline Levine, the author of the breakthrough best seller “The Price of Privilege” in 2006 and a follow-up “Teach Your Children Well: Parenting for Authentic Success,” (Harper Collins) out Tuesday.
She talked about how parental anxiety and pressure on kids has only intensified since she first rang the alarm on the issue.
“If a parent of child feels that the competition is so intense, then every other parent and every other child becomes a competitor, and a sense of community ceases to exist. Of course when resources are scarce, we close down and make sure our immediate kin are well and protected,” she said.
Levine said this type of “every-man-for-himself ethos” (or in this case, every-parent-for-his-own-kid ethos) has intensified since the recent economic meltdown. But, she said, it can lead a child in precisely the wrong direction.
“Here’s the problem,” she said, “every CEO that I’ve spoken to emphasizes the need for a particular skill set, one that places the ability to collaborate high on the list.
“Since our problems are world problems and incredibly complex ones at that, it’s unlikely that a single person sitting somewhere and being struck by lightening will solve them. It’s far more likely that solutions will be the outgrowth of many people collaborating across countries and time zones. So the ‘every man for himself’ ethos is not likely to be productive ...”
Here are some excerpts of our edited conversation:
JD: Is this phenomenon, a version of what’s been called over-parenting, only an affliction of affluent families?
ML: Clearly affluent parents are, in general, better positioned to provide more opportunities, more oversight and more financial investment in their children. However, the issue of over-parenting, of actually depriving children of the very opportunities that are likely to make them more successful is not limited to the affluent.
It certainly extends to the upper middle class and the middle class and often to children of immigrant parents. I would not say that it is a particularly charged issue for the poor who have other issues to contend with. And the working class feels it is just getting by and has no time for the indulgences of those with higher incomes. So, I’d say it applies to a large swath of families, with a decided tilt towards those of greater means.
And, here’s an unpopular but still valid point. Affluent parents often get to be in that position by self-interest, singular focus and great motivation. It’s hardly a surprise that their kids can get a healthy dose of the same ethic. Because highly successful people can be very driven, demanding and perfectionist, they can mistake their business skills for parenting skills.
One of the greatest problems with over-parenting is that it blurs the psychological boundaries between parents and kids. This is known to have a particularly toxic effect on children. If you’ve invested disproportionately in your children than it is easier to slip into poor differentiation between your needs and your child’s.
Kids benefit from finding their own way, making mistakes and not being constantly pushed. This can be difficult for the hard-driving affluent parent who tends to set goals and expects them to be met. Child development is quite uneven, with moves both forward and backward. To the extent to which parents in general, and affluent parents in particular, allow their children to come into their own, to support their developing autonomy, to tolerate and even encourage mistakes and failures, kids are far better positioned to have the coping skills that they will need when they walk out into the world and into their own lives.
JD: If a parent takes away just a few lessens from “Teach Your Children Well,” what do you hope they will be?
ML: Now that my children are newly-minted adults, I look back and am amazed, and regretful, about some of the things that seemed so critical at the moment, and in retrospect, were so incidental to their development. Unfair grades, choosing the “right” school, missed trophies — those things were really the detritus of their young lives.
What matters is that they grow up to be good people, capable of close relationships, involved in work that they enjoy and to feel that they are living meaningful lives.
My biggest take-away? Subscribe to the “25-year parenting plan.” Worry less about the incidentals of the day and more about what your child’s character and coping skills will look like when they become parents in their turn.
Oh, and make sure that you’re in reasonable emotional shape yourself. Life, at least some of the time, is a party. Everyone, including you, gets to play. | <urn:uuid:3ae2d124-9f25-4b73-9470-27fc303623d2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-parenting/post/parent-less-play-more/2012/07/24/gJQAg4Sx6W_blog.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96593 | 1,037 | 1.820313 | 2 |
Like many political interest groups, the Higher Education Partnership (HEP) was founded in response to an acknowledged failing or oversight in the governmental process. In the mid-1990s, the state of Alabama greatly reduced the portion of the state budget devoted to higher education. Governor Fob James's stance on education funding was that K-12 education in the state was underfunded relative to higher education. His administration joined forces with the political muscle of the Alabama Education Association (AEA) to support the stance to reduce budget recommendations for higher education. This resulted in a pattern of budgeting that cut the overall percentage of the Education Trust Fund that was available for university operations. The universities could not allow this to occur without objecting. Realizing that the only effective method for challenging this behavior was to form a grassroots advocacy organization, the universities created the Higher Education Partnership.
After several unsatisfactory attempts to restore funding during James's second administration, leaders of higher educational institutions, including Auburn University president William Muse, University of Montevallo president Robert McChesney, and Chancellor Jack Hawkins of Troy University, in addition to several university lobbyists, played key roles in the establishment of the Higher Education Partnership in 1997. The HEP was formed as a non-profit 501-c-6 trade association for members and member organizations. In an effort to boost effectiveness, HEP leaders hired an executive director and staff. They began recruiting faculty, staff, and other constituent groups in the higher education community. Recently, they have also established a foundation that receives a number of earmarked donations from corporate and individual contributors, such as Alabama Power Company, to fund activities that include student service, leadership training, and communication exercises.
The HEP is headed by a board of directors representing a variety of constituencies, including university presidents and chancellors, lobbyists, faculty, students, and alumni groups. The day-to-day activities and major efforts are carried out, however, by a much smaller 11-person executive committee. Since its formation, HEP has been headed by Gordon Stone, a long-time Montgomery governmental affairs professional who has been a high-profile representative of public universities in the state. During his tenure as HEP executive director, he has frequently served as a spokesperson for higher education. He works closely with the broadcast and print media and has authored numerous editorials, media releases, and research reports in support of higher education. Other staff members oversee a wide range of organizational and policy responsibilities for the HEP.
HEP's most notable program to promote the interests of Alabama higher education is its sponsorship of Higher Education Day in Montgomery during each session of the Alabama State Legislature. The annual event takes the form of a traditional political rally, complete with marching bands, at which 1,500 to 2,000 faculty, students, and administrators listen to state leaders on the steps of the state capitol. Presenters have included governors, legislative leaders, and representatives of higher education. In addition, attendees are strongly encouraged to visit individually with their legislators in their offices. In addition to Higher Education Day, HEP has worked to build relationships with other organizations, such as the Business Council of Alabama; the two organizations have co-sponsored job fairs and cooperated in other activities. Also, HEP has organized a leadership training program for student and adult leaders that has resulted in increased involvement in advocating for higher education.
In sum, through its efforts with the media and inside the system contacts its staff has developed, the Higher Education Partnership has raised the profile of Alabama's universities with the public at large and, importantly, with public officials. HEP has effectively achieved its mission to communicate the importance of higher education in bettering the lives of the people of Alabama. It has built a statewide advocacy network that is prepared to respond and that is actively engaged in the political process. The association has trained leaders for future service and has developed a highly regarded reputation as a difference-maker in Alabama.
Auburn University at Montgomery
Published February 23, 2009
Last updated February 2, 2010 | <urn:uuid:2225e438-b2ec-470a-80d7-184242e1ba45> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2038 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978396 | 817 | 1.65625 | 2 |
Compare Machinery Tools Price Quotes and Save!
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Are you looking for a reliable provider of high quality machinery tools? Tools of this kind are typically used in the manufacturing of machine parts and other components. Such tools may be powered electrically, hydraulically or with a line shaft.
Quality machinery tools are widely available from dependable providers across the country. These providers can furnish you with a variety of different machine tools that are suitable for various applications. Machine tools are typically utilized to perform conventional machining or grinding on metal pieces in order to fashion the metal into usable parts. Prices and capabilities of such tools tend to vary.
Having the right equipment on hand to get the job done is important in any industry. This is particularly so when it comes to machining parts. Good machine tools can make it easier for your workshop to efficiently produce high quality parts on a consistent basis. Machines of this kind may be available new, used or refurbished. The Internet can be a useful ally in finding out what's available to you. Business.com is a trusted resource that helps businesses everywhere find products, services and solutions. Visit the links to reliable providers on the left to find out more.
Whether you are the owner of a business start-up or an established company, you likely understand the importance of investing in the machines that send your products out the door. The decision is not whether you need machinery tools, but whether investing in manufacturing capital today will give you a competitive advantage in the marketplace tomorrow. The key is finding the right tools you need for the best price you can afford.
This guide details both the benefits and pitfalls of purchasing machinery tools. It also provides information regarding the pricing you can expect once that investment decision is made.
Machinery tools are power-driven devices used to make manufactured parts. In manufacturing, almost nothing can be made without the involvement of these machineries.
In the late 2000s, 2,654 firms were engaged in the manufacture of automatic or hand screw machine products, including bars, rods, tubes, plastics, fibers, and so much more. As a result, shipments reached over $8.9 billion, and 71,662 skilled workers were employed across North America.
High Degree of Automation
With improved automation, direct human intervention is significantly reduced and, at times, precluded. Some machines can run unattended during their whole operation, giving the operator more time to complete other work. Thus workers are able to work with less fatigue and stress. In addition, because the machines are controlled by a program, you do not need to employ workers who are highly skilled at operating specific machines.
Accuracy and Speed
With machinery tools, the factor for human error is lowered. In addition, you can estimate with greater certainty the completion time of each workpiece. All you need is a program that runs and controls the machines. If this is secured, you can readily produce hundreds or even thousands of identical workpieces precisely and consistently.
The demand for greater flexibility is called for by the ever-changing tastes of consumers and the need for products with shorter life cycles. Because machinery tools are program-controlled, tooling up for a different workpiece only requires loading a different program, like using a different template.
When it becomes necessary for your company to manufacture products in small quantities, you can simply change your program easily by refining other programs already being used. Thus setup times for new workpieces will be shorter. In effect, the cost and time associated with iterative prototyping are obviated. You can also assure your customers by designing to their specifications.
A person intending to start a machining business or machine shop should be aware of the following pitfalls related to machinery tools.
Given the heavy-duty work that can be accomplished using machine tools, it’s no wonder they are quite hefty. An individual intending to purchase machine tools should be aware that they are exceedingly heavy, which affects shipping costs, shipping methods, and transportability once at the job site. Machine tools are typically put in place and then bolted to the floor because of the difficulty of moving them around and the need for them to remain level. For example, a hydraulic press break, one of the most common machine tools, can weigh between three and 24 tons.
Need for Multiple Tools
Despite their cost and weight, machine tools are very specialized. Few shops can get by with only a couple tools. Machine tools are used for cutting, grinding, bending, polishing, heating, and otherwise reshaping metal into whatever product has been specified. Each of these applications can require multiple tools, depending on the needed working area and portability requirements. Because you will need several machine tools for any type of job, your space requirements and required startup capital will be rather large.
Need for Highly Qualified Machinists
Because of the diverse nature of the work, machinists must be both educated and experienced. The machinists you’ll need to run the machine tools will usually have a technical or vocational school degree or have completed an extensive apprentice program. Machinists average about $18.00 an hour. Hiring competent and qualified machinists is the best way to protect your investment in machine tools, but it comes with a price.
You will need insurance not only to protect your machine tools against theft or damage, but also to limit your liability in the case of customer or employee injury, to protect your finished and raw products, and to protect your facilities. Because of the expense of machine tools and the sometimes dangerous nature of machining, your insurance needs will be greater than many other businesses or industries.
Discussing how much it will cost to equip your shop or your business is difficult. The answer is completely wrapped up in what kind of work you are going to be doing and how much of it will need to be done. The right equipment will assist you in producing a superior product, and reduce the amount of time required to get that result.
Equipment Costs of a Woodworking Shop
Equipping a simple woodworking shop can range from a few hundred to over $5,000 depending on what type of woodworking you plan to do. A jointer will run around $500, and a planer about $320. A good table saw ranges from a couple hundred to over six hundred. If you are going to be building houses, you will not require the same equipment as you would if you were going to make furniture or cabinetry. Even the hand tools needed for the job will be different. These prices are representative of a home shop. Therefore, if you have an industrial shop, you will need bigger equipment that can hold up to longer hours and harder work. That means a much larger investment.
Industrial Equipment Costs
Machinery tools for industrial applications do cost money, and often a lot of money. Going back to the example of the home woodworking shop where a jointer would cost around $500, an industrial model can cost $4,000 or $8,000 or more. A lot of industrial machinery is custom built for the needed applications to reduce waste and time, but machinery saves companies money every day. “Industrial companies averaged sales of $3.2 million, and the average growth rate of the machining industry was projected to be around 4 percent into the late 2000s,” as stated by the Precision Machine Products Association in 2005. Equipment costs money, but the savings of time, money and precision far outweigh the cost.
As you can see, any business wanting to invest in machinery tools must weigh the advantages and disadvantages to come to an informed decision. Having the proper tools means that a company can automate operations, increase speed and accuracy, and initiate a higher level of flexibility. At the same time, machinery tools typically require specialized machinists, higher insurance premiums, and more space dedicated to specific work areas.
If the benefits outweigh the pitfalls, then now is the time to make an investment in the company. Purchasing the right kind of machinery tools can not only streamline current operations, but also open opportunities for growth in the future. | <urn:uuid:0444bff4-0f12-45b0-af44-47580ef41419> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.business.com/industrial/machinery-tools/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951352 | 1,656 | 1.664063 | 2 |
The Way of the Christian Samurai
As Christians, we are called to be both servants and warriors for Jesus Christ.
The samurai, whose very title means “one who serves,” were skillful warriors of feudal Japan who devoted themselves fully to the service of their masters, willing even to sacrifice their lives in service to their lord. Christians are also called by their Lord, Jesus, to take up their cross and follow Him, and to seek to lose their life for His sake (Matthew 16:24-25).
While fantastic legends and stories of the samurai are plentiful, The Way of the Christian Samuraidraws from primary sources – notes, essays, and books written by real samurai from Japan’s feudal era. Their advice on everything from overcoming fear, giving counsel to others, serving one’s Lord, and self-sacrifice are remarkably applicable to the life of the modern Christian.
Author Paul Nowak ties the advice of these servant-warriors of old, pointing out how the selections from samurai texts relate to Christian teachings found in the Scriptures.
The book is a matchless resource for Christians intrigued by the mythos of the samurai or Japanese culture, or for pastors and other spiritual leaders who are looking for anecdotes that illustrate Biblical ideals. Christian parents whose children enjoy Anime or Manga will find it a useful tool in understanding their children’s interests and in ministering to them.
“The value of this book is in its ability to show us what true servant hood is by examples of the writings of the samurai of old.
After reading it, I have a much better sense of what service and self-denial is. More importantly, it has helped me see more clearly the example that Jesus set, and has encouraged me that I can do much more in imitating it.”
“Anyone looking for a good devotional will benefit from reading this book. Christian martial artists, on the other hand, need this book. As we navigate our various martial arts, we take inspiration from accurate depictions of these ancestral warriors. Nowak empowers us to be inspired by their selfless dedication to their master that serves as an excellent model for the dedication we should show to Christ.”
- Steven King, Armchair Interviews
“I think it is very interesting to look at the Asian culture and use it to apply to Christianity. Certainly kids are being exposed to it more and more as that’s where essentially all of their cartoons are coming from now. I pray that God will bless you and your book.”
– Michael L Stine, Glorified Publishers
“The excerpts on serving one’s lord are eye-openers for any Christian with a “soft” view of service that rarely goes beyond activities at their local church. The willingness of a warrior to give himself completely to his lord underscores what it means to make oneself part of the “body of Christ”….The Way of the Christian Samurai is truly an unusual book among the many published that seek to link Christianity to various Eastern religions or philosophies. It’s uniqueness lies not in any success in doing so, but in its insistence that any such linkage must be judged by the known truths of the Christian faith.Given the limited focus of the book, its acknowledgment of the superiority Biblical teaching, and its usefulness in shedding light on often ignored facets of the Christian way, it is an important book that can be read with profit by those in the Church.” | <urn:uuid:bb2d1716-cb58-463c-8520-50ff37736693> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.eternalrevolution.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-way-of-the-christian-samurai | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966619 | 718 | 1.726563 | 2 |
I question whether the problematic practices discussed in your article should be attributed to Islam as a religion.
They are unique to the particular culture of the immigrants in question.
In almost all cases you refer to Turkish immigrants (except the one about the Persian) and more particularly to those from South Turkey.
Instead of maintaining the scope of your treatment to the appropriate domain, which in this case is Turkish immigrants from the more traditional and poor southern part of Turkey, you confuse the reader by focusing on the subjects’ religion, even though it is quite clear to an educated reader that the behavior illustrated by the immigrants has little to do with religion but rather with their own cultural traditions (many of which are pre-Islamic or extra-Islamic).
Those who take the time to study Islam itself know that it strictly forbids forced marriages, drinking alcohol, beating of spouses, lying, etc. Your article discusses all of these behaviors and then labels their practitioners as Muslim and/or Islamic. They may very well be Muslim, but your article misleads the reader into believing that the religion is the root cause of this behavior and not their specific cultural Turkish or Persian traditions.
These are two very separate and distinct things. As a journalist at MSNBC you have a great responsibility in presenting accurate information to a large and impressionable audience. Please be more astute in averting sweeping generalizations. | <urn:uuid:db656467-2b89-46ad-a53b-617699ac5783> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cairchicago.org/mediamonitor.php?file=mm_msnbc05242006_r | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963121 | 277 | 1.679688 | 2 |
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