text stringlengths 213 24.6k | id stringlengths 47 47 | dump stringclasses 1 value | url stringlengths 14 499 | file_path stringlengths 138 138 | language stringclasses 1 value | language_score float64 0.9 1 | token_count int64 51 4.1k | score float64 1.5 5.06 | int_score int64 2 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
British parents’ anger over huge phone bills has grown after several free apps for children were found to contain malware, according to PhonepayPlus. Complaints to the regulator quadrupled in a year as unexpected bills ran into hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
Brits could face fewer charges for offensive messages posted on social networks, according to the BBC. The new guidelines will be soon implemented and will clarify which cases should be prosecuted and whether are of public interest.
UK Police are accused by campaign groups and Oxford University representatives of being too “heavy-handed” with Internet trolls, such as people posting insulting Tweets, according to BBC.
The 26-year-old Briton jailed for hacking into Facebook longs for security job after he won the appeal against his sentence, said The Register.
The British broadcaster Sky News, part-owned by Rupert Murdoch, admitted it hacked private e-mails as part of news gathering operations. With the executives’ approval, a journalist broke into e-mails on two occasions.
New encryption software has been released by microblogging giant Twitter to better tackle the hacker threat â─⌠ users will now have improved protection against digital criminals and eavesdroppers with an option to use a fortified connection to access their site.
Internet security company BitDefender recently ran an analysis of Facebook pitfalls and identified the top scams that malware creators use to convince users to click and install their infected apps. | <urn:uuid:7b192d15-e0af-4a8a-bce3-0d95df56a9de> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/security/category/social-media | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95858 | 294 | 1.757813 | 2 |
London is a great tourist destination and the Olympics have always added that extra appeal, for it highlights human skill and efforts. The spotlight is turned on London where the 2012 Olympics are being held. London promises to put on a great show.
It is no stranger to international sports and is the only city to have hosted the Olympics thrice.
It hosted Olympics in 1908, 1948 and now, for the third time, it is hosting in 2012. The earlier two events were path breaking in many aspects and we can expect the same in 2012.
The London Olympics in 1908 was awarded to Italy but in 1906 the eruption of Mount Vesuvius forced the Italian government to abandon the games. Britain was asked at a short notice and within two years in 1908, held a better organized and successful event. London Olympics 1908 was also the first time an opening ceremony was held and medals were awarded instead of diplomas. The White City Stadium built for the games was the first Olympic stadium in UK. The 1908 games were quite controversial and one of them was the refusal of the USA to dip their flag at the royal box and they continue this practice till today. About 2000 athletes represented 22 countries. The 37 women athletes competing for the first time were the torchbearers for women participation in the Olympics.
Despite the great economics depression after World War II, and shortage of food in UK and Europe, the Olympics were held in 1948 in London. It is hard to imagine that participating countries brought their own food. Surprisingly over about 4000 athletes participated from 59 countries with the natural exclusion of the World War II aggressor countries, Germany and Japan. The Olympics of 1948 helped overcome the general lassitude and depression in Britain and Europe and was warmly welcome by the people.
Now, London finds itself hosting the Olympics in times of the European economic crisis and this speaks volumes for the famous British fighting spirit. They have built an exclusive Olympic Park in Stratford in East London. Of course the historic stadiums of Wimbledon, Wembley and Lords will host tennis, football and oddly the hallowed grounds of Lords will host archery. The best facilities will be available for athletes, official and visitors. From 110 events in 21 sports, 2012 will have 302 events in 26 sports and expected competing athletes will be around 10,500.
Modern technology in hand and with over a billion TV viewers, this Olympics promises to be a fantastic event with mind boggling opening ceremonies. It may not match the absolutely magnificent show of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But when you have Oscar award winning Director Danny Boyle as the director of two years in the making, 41.7 million dollars opening ceremony extravaganza, named "Isles of Wonders", expect a wonderfully different show. It will showcase the island culture of UK and promises to be quirky, entertaining and at times oh so British, with guaranteed rain, horses, chicken and sheep celebrating the beautiful English countryside. The ceremony will open with the sound of the largest tuned bell in Europe. Of course you can expect pyrotechnics in plenty, including a rocket man entry. Famous celebrities like Paul McCartney will be part of the opening ceremony. The most famous celebrity will be Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State of the host country. The parade of participating nations also promises to be spectacular.
The Olympic torch symbolic of Olympian ideals of respect, excellence and friendship has been borne by many celebrities and people from all walks of life. The lighting of the cauldron will signal the commencement of the 2012 Olympics.
Cost of 2012 Olympics
The 2008 Olympics held in Beijing cost a stupendous 45 million dollars and it was a magnificent extravaganza. There is no way it can be matched and in the present economic scenario, lower budgets are called for. Figures have been flying like sharp missiles and everyone has been moaning about the high costs and budget overrun. But then this is the Olympics and no less. The bid was 5 million dollars and it is now anticipated to be over 15 million dollars. The British tax payer is not too happy about this. Despite sponsorship, it is the huge infrastructural, transport and security costs which are pushing budgets. How much can tourism contribute to lessening the burden will be known only after the games are over? Media coverage is also expected to be a huge revenue earner. Plaudits, state that if Britain puts up a good show, it proves to the world that Britain is a good economic partner and it will attract investors and business. Can Britain reverse the history of host nations running into debt that took years to pay off? Time will tell.
Keenly awaited at the 2012 Olympics - Human skill and endurance
The ultimate interest at the Olympics will be human skill and how far an athlete can push the boundaries and beat existing records. Events range from archery, running, swimming, gymnastics, football, beach ball etc. and even a non sports person will take an interest in the Olympics which is after all human drama at its most exciting.
Second is the friendly rivalry between countries for top position in the medal tally. The world will be eagerly anticipating whether China, after its outstanding performance at the 2008 games, will pip USA at the highest medal winner post.
The central figure at the Olympics is of course the athlete. Some athletes become international figures and there is a keen interest in their performances at the 2012 Olympics.
One such athlete who needs no introduction is American swimmer Mark Phelps.
He has a medal tally of 16 medals in two Olympics. Can he win three more medals and become the highest medal winner. Watch out for him.
Young 17 year's old American swimmer Missy Franklin is aiming to be the first women American swimmer to win 7 medals.
America has always had it good in the swimming discipline, but China is catching up fast. This should give viewers and sports lovers some great performances to watch.
American Kayla Harrison has overcome her own personal problems and hopes to land the first Judo gold medal for her country.
Olympic gold medal winner, Chinese sprinter and hurdler Liu Xiang will be returning after a gap of eight years and hopes for a repeat winning performance.
In Gymnastics Russia will be keen to redeem itself and take back its crown. Can America prevent that?
Jamaican sprinter Beijing Olympic medalist, Usain Bolt is looking forward to creating Olympic history by winning the 100 and 200 meters sprint events at consecutive games. However, he has strong competition from his compatriot, Yohan Blake who has scored recent victories over him. They are sure to scorch the track.
Tennis set in beautiful Wimbledon will naturally be all about the Williams sisters. Will they carry away the Olympic titles also? Serena is a strong contender and could re write history if she wins the single and doubles titles after her sister won them in Sydney.
The host country Britain is hoping to better its 2008 win of 47 medals. All hopes are on Andy Murray who recently lost the Wimbledon singles title. If he wins he will end the draught from 1924 for Britain in tennis singles.
Another exciting and interesting event to watch will be First Olympic Women's boxing event. Favorites Indian MC Mary Kom and Ireland's Katie Taylor will face fresh American entrants. Will the new blood prevail?
NBC in partnership with Storify offers worldwide coverage with live streaming through its 10 TV station websites and also on Today.com. NBC is also partnering with Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites. Coverage will be 24x7 and live. Times Warner Cable and NBC Universal offers you multiplatform digital coverage (TV, mobile, tablets etc) and for the first time in 3D.
People love pomp and splendor right from times immemorial. Ancient Greece with its games, Rome and its public spectacles of gladiators sport, races etc, are continued in today's Olympics. 2012 London Olympics promises to be one great pageant right from the opening ceremony, the athletic and sporting events, human interest stories and achievements, right up to the closing ceremony. So sit back and enjoy the games and celebrate humanendeavour. It is your story also.
Follow Preetam Kaushik on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@kaushikpreetam | <urn:uuid:10379db3-3ea8-4a18-b408-288c3f36c8eb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/preetam-kaushik/londons-tryst-with-olympi_b_1708455.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95895 | 1,676 | 1.921875 | 2 |
2012 Poster Contest Winners
Congratulations to the nine Pacifica elementary students who won this year's Water Awareness Poster Contest. The winners are listed below:
1st Grade Category:
1st Prize – Glenn Coons, Good Shepherd School
2nd Prize – Trinity Patino, Good Shepherd School
3rd Prize – Melina deSouza, Good Shepherd School.
2nd – 3rd Grade Category:
1st Prize – Alicia Byrne of Vallemar School
2nd Prize – Amanda Montalbano of Good Shepherd School
3rd Prize – Milani Urbina of Vallemar School.
4th – 5th Grade Category:
1st Prize – Kate Ryder of Cabrillo School
2nd Prize – Taylor Pacheco of Alma Heights
3d Prize – Savanna Newton of Ocean Shore. | <urn:uuid:987706ee-cd64-4f23-9dd0-0a281fbedd07> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nccwd.com/Poster%20Contest%20Winners.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948206 | 171 | 1.625 | 2 |
Our stockbroker determined the rate of interest on the equities. The annual report of our investment company is reported to be reliable and the returns on sales are said to be even higher than in the previous year.
- Hello everybody! Could you take a look at the following piece of writing and correct anything you think is wrong please? The piece has a lot to do with Banking English but I don't think that it'll cause any trouble for you because most of the terms referred to are often heard on TV, radio etc. Thanks a lot!
–The President should be informed about the results of studying labor productivity when using an incentive bonus scheme.
- The Board of Directors was being looked at with interest when it appeared before the depositors.
- Has the statement of account been sent for yet?
- The company’s assets and liabilities are often referred to.
- The earnings-and-cost approach is much spoken about.
- The flow-of-product approach can be relied upon.
- Mr. Grant is sure that his annual message to stockholders will be listened to with great attention.
- He was being laughed at when he said that those company’s shares were good investment.
- We hope the decrease in the returns on sales will be put to an end soon.
- The stockholders left because they couldn’t come to an understanding.
- We can’t change the conditions that have been agreed on.
-We haven’t yet received the results because the research is still being conducted.
-This research has been carried out in the “Vest” company by a group of experts of the same consultant agency. When processes of management were studied, everything was recorded with a videotape recorder. It is supposed that Mr. Vest was extremely annoyed by the results of the research.
A: What I’m interested in is if there’s any reason for studying the annual report so closely.
B: The ability to read an annual report involves a lot of factors, some of which cannot be measured by data. An annual report is a message from the chairman to shareholders. An annual report informs shareholders about the financial condition of the company at the end of each financial year and plans of the administration.
A: Can I say something here?
B: Please do.
A: Having this kind of information, you can make wise decisions. Stockholders would avoid many problems if annual reports were studied closely.
B: I’d like to know some details about the structure of the annual report.
A: It’s known that the annual report is divided into two parts. The first part contains a message of the company’s administration to its stockholders and is accompanied by a chart of the main financial highlights and a survey of the organizational framework of the company.
B: Can I interrupt? Are any statistics on the company’s business activity included in this part of the annual report?
A: The second part of an annual report attracts my attention because of a large number of graphs and charts. Nevertheless, it doesn’t give a clear picture of the firm’s business activity. This part consists of a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement which can show how profitable the company is.
B: The balance sheet must certainly be done very carefully.
A: Yes, of course. A balance sheet is a summary of a company’s assets and liabilities. It represents a financial condition of the company at the end of the business year.
B: Can I correct one small detail?
A: Go ahed.
B: An income statement shows a company’s revenues and expenses over a year. This table (=income statement) is used for accounting for the income received by a company from sales, interest rates and other sources.
A: Are operating costs deducted from income?
B: Operating costs generally include wage costs, advertising costs and the use of equipment. Return or loss is the result of the deduction of operating costs from total income.
Also, I have a question. I looked through a lot of definitions (for example, of income statement, annual report, balance sheet etc.) while writing/translating this piece of writing. But I couldn't understand the difference between the use of 'the' and 'a' when giving a definition. It seems like there's no difference at all Can someone explain this to me?
-The annual report is issued yearly by public corporations to its shareholders.
-An annual report is the annual legal statement which a business produces for its shareholders'
Thank you very much!
Re: Banking English
The Board of Directors was being looked at- This seems a bit vague to me- were they being investigated/studied, etc
Re: Banking English
Well...are these all my errors?
Re: Banking English
No- my post got eaten.
He was being laughed at when he said that those company’s shares were good investment.- Unless they had already started laughing, I think 'was laughed' is better
A: What I’m interested in is if there’s any reason for studying the annual report so closely. - I'd use whether
and plans of the administration.- the plans
make wise decisions.- I'd use 'informed'
of a large number- the
financial condition of the company- I'd use state
Go ahed.- spelling
Your final question- not much difference to me
By zhangjin in forum Ask a Teacher
Last Post: 29-Mar-2008, 19:47
By Anonymous in forum Ask a Teacher
Last Post: 15-Sep-2007, 09:08
By Genrikh in forum Ask a Teacher
Last Post: 03-Dec-2005, 15:59
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO | <urn:uuid:7b266440-5f70-49c1-b341-072a49b5a49f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/editing-writing-topics/21051-banking-english.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96715 | 1,217 | 2.15625 | 2 |
When people make decisions based on watching or coordinating with other members of society, what is going on in their brains?
A new center at Caltech will study the neurobiology behind social decision making. A $9-million grant by the National Institute of Mental Health will help set up the Silvio O. Conte Center for Neuroscience Research at the Pasadena campus.
The grant will fund the center’s operation for five years, which includes hiring students.
"A large number of decisions in everyday life occur in a social context, and this breaks down in diseases ranging from autism to schizophrenia to mood disorders,” said Ralph Adolphs, a Caltech professor who will lead the new center, in a statement.
Adolphs has already assembled a team to look at how people make decisions, according to Caltech. The center will use human subjects as part of their research.
-- Tiffany Kelly, Times Community News | <urn:uuid:dd786b36-8d5a-4a54-8d04-23608a09ac1f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.pasadenasun.com/news/caltech/tn-626-0911-caltech-to-study-how-people-make-decisions,0,367906.story | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00056-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.928345 | 190 | 2.796875 | 3 |
Dare ProtoPlay 2007
Well, what a success! Over 2,500 visitors enjoyed playing the 12 new video games designed by our 60 talented student games developers at Our Dynamic Earth from Sunday 12th - Tuesday 14th August.
Dare ProtoPlay was the culmination of a 10 week long competition during which 12 teams from around the UK developed their own video game prototype, all of which were on display for the public to play. Held as part of the Fringe, alongside the Edinburgh Interactive Festival, visitors got to play new video games created by the students, created the largest games storyboard, challenged their musical and creative talent by making part of a game, took part in workshops where they learnt how a video game is put together and how they can be used as a learning tool, found out about the possibilities of a career in games as well as experiencing Realtime World's "Crackdown" corner. Over 1,500 visitors voted for their favourite game (won by Voodoo Boogy for their game Ragnarawk). Visitors received a free souvenir from the event - a Dare comic book chronicling the adventures of a 'daring' group of young game designers. | <urn:uuid:2f4d2335-c05a-483c-bbc1-b60ec7c98e05> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.daretobedigital.co.uk/51_Dare-ProtoPlay-2007.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975225 | 236 | 1.75 | 2 |
The INESPO (International Environment & Scientific Project Olympiad) is an international olympiad that has been organized nationally on 16th May 2009. Since 2010 the olympiad has been organized on an international level. In 2013 the 5th INESPO 2013 will be held at a national level on April 20 and for international participants (and the winners of the national round) from June 2 - 7.
INESPO is intended for students between 13 and 18 years from secondary high schools and vmbo-, havo- and vwo-schools in the Netherlands. By organizing INESPO, the Cosmicus Foundation, IVN, LvDO (Learning for Sustainable Development) and the Globe Program want to bring attention to environmental problems in schools in the Netherlands. In this way they want to involve students in this important matter in order to bring communal consensus on social environmental values and eventually to eliminate the environmental problems through education.
All projects that meet the requirements can participate in the olympiad. The criteria established by the workgroup can be found under Coordination regulations.
To keep the olympiad interesting and not to limit the students and teachers to one specific topic, INESPO has chosen to define the project in broad terms. Each of the five categories can be broadly approached. The selected categories are:
· Environment & Chemistry
· Environment & Physics
· Environment & Biology
· Environment & Geography
· Environment & Social/Civics
A project olympiad means that students work out their ideas on paper which is also followed by a concept e.g. model or design of the solution. The result for the most innovative, creative idea which can ensure for a solution of environmental problems, could be a miniature design or a collage. During the event on the olympiad exposition days on April 20 (national) and June 3 and 4 (international) the project participants must be able to explain, defend and serve their design both in theory and in practice. If necessary, participants may request audiovisual support. The language is in English and the organization does not provide a translator. | <urn:uuid:5b3fce36-8fd4-4ce3-a624-b75364d2479c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://inespo.org/about-inespo/about-inespo | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.934972 | 437 | 2.65625 | 3 |
World leaders might once have felt slighted if they returned from China without at least one panda.
Hsing-Hsing was given to Richard Nixon as a gift from Chairman Mao
During the Cold War the animals were given as goodwill gestures, to such an extent that the term "panda diplomacy" was coined to describe the exchange of these furry ambassadors.
Taiwan is the latest potential recipient, after China offered to send two giant pandas to the island to mark a ground-breaking visit to Beijing by Taiwan's opposition leader Lien Chan.
World leaders usually give gifts to their foreign counterparts to mark an official visit.
Many monarchs and heads of state give birds, dogs or even racehorses to visiting dignitaries.
But for the Chinese, the giant panda is the ultimate gift.
"The panda is China's key cultural icon," said Phil Dean at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
"It's a symbol of friendship and peace. It's cute and cuddly, and sends all the right messages of goodwill," he said.
Pandering to demand
Panda diplomacy began in earnest in the 1960s and 70s.
One of the most famous examples was Chairman Mao's gift of Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling to US President Richard Nixon in 1972.
Two years later, UK Prime Minister Edward Heath returned from China with two additions for London Zoo, Ching-Ching and Chia-Chia.
Some pandas proved less diplomatic than their donors had originally intended.
Ming-Ming, a female panda sent to mate with London Zoo's resident male Bao Bao, was recalled to China in disgrace after the two fought each other and failed to produce any cubs.
But despite their occasional refusal to comply with official demands, Chinese pandas have proved important political tools.
In 1964, British diplomats were so concerned about the diplomatic ramifications of sending a panda named Chi-Chi from London to Moscow that one foreign office mandarin was quoted as saying: "It may have important results in exacerbating the Sino-Soviet dispute. I can see no political objection, but you may wish to warn the Secretary of State."
Eventually, so many pandas were leaving China that conservationists began to complain about the exodus.
China has recently concentrated on conserving pandas
Giant pandas are an endangered species, threatened by continued loss of habitat and a very low birth-rate, especially in captivity.
Only 1,600 are believed to survive in the wild, 1,000 of which are in the Chinese province of Sichuan.
Animal welfare groups argue that transferring pandas between countries is dangerous and a risk to their welfare.
"It's also not good to treat an animal as a commodity, and these 'gifts' set a poor precedent," said Rosa Hill, a spokeswoman for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Nowadays almost all pandas exported abroad are on loan rather than donated - and often their rates are pricey.
When Washington was given Tian Tian and Mei Xiang in 2000, as replacements for its original pandas, they were on a 10 year loan and private donors paid $18m for the privilege, according to the Washington Post.
But the US was lucky - in recent years few pandas have been sent outside China, especially if they are not required for research purposes.
Of course, in China's eyes, donating pandas to Taiwan does not amount to sending them abroad at all.
China sees Taiwan as part of its territory, though Taiwan's government does not agree.
The gift is being offered to mark Lien Chan's visit to China
According to Phil Dean, the panda offer may work in China's favour.
Taiwan does not have any pandas of its own, and Mr Dean predicted that their addition to the island might cause "panda fever" to set in, as excited Taiwanese flock to see the animals.
He drew similarities with the intense American interest in Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling when Richard Nixon brought them back to Washington in 1972.
Pro-independence groups on the island, he warned, would be less keen on the plan.
"It will increase Taiwan's cultural links with China. It's a way for Beijing to say it cares about the people of Taiwan, and at the same time remind them that they are also Chinese," he said.
The pandas themselves are unlikely to be aware of the political fanfare surrounding their visit.
Pawns in a political game, they will be merely swapping one zoo for another. | <urn:uuid:6a12e14c-e94d-497b-9ee0-5686652d1120> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4508873.stm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00061-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969249 | 951 | 3.390625 | 3 |
NY School Deploys HD CCTV Surveillance System
With the mission of preparing at-risk children to live safely within their home communities again, nothing is more important to The Berkshire Farm Center in Canaan, New York, than the round-the-clock security of its residential students. So when it came time to upgrade its aging CCTV video surveillance system, the decision to move to a network-based, high-definition system was easy.
Berkshire Farm has just completed the installation of a high-definition digital video surveillance system from CoVi Technologies. The CoVi Crystal HD system is the first phase of a large deployment of cameras installed throughout the campus that capture and record video in high-definition--up to 12 times greater resolution quality than traditional analog video. While video surveillance systems are common at residential facilities for at-risk youth, this is the first HD system ever deployed in this type of facility. It allows school administrators to easily retrieve and review surveillance video without requiring additional network bandwidth capabilities.
"Working with more than 200 at-risk kids and their families annually, at the Residential Treatment Center, creates a very real security issue that is fundamental to the success of our programs," said Harith Flagg, Berkshire Farm CEO "The CoVi HD system provides a level of video quality that fundamentally changes the nature of video surveillance, allowing us to dramatically increase the detail of student and faculty incidents, dramatically improving our response time, and allowing us to reduce investigation time. This allows us to continue to devote resources to our core function of helping children in need. In addition, the high-quality of recorded video makes this a valuable training tool for our staff. Real video examples of past incidents can be used to help train staff how to handle future situations."
In September 2006, Berkshire deployed a complete CoVi Crystal HD system including the HD cameras, each with a Distributed Media Manager to record and store video at the "edge" of the school's existing IP network. In all, the solution monitors 17 buildings across the campus and is "fail-safe"-- if the school's network were to go down, the CoVi system will continue to operate.
"We are pleased to work with a storied institution like Berkshire Farm to help them enhance the safety of their students and faculty," said Barry Walker, president and CEO of CoVi Technologies. "Berkshire's installation of the Crystal HD system underscores the benefits of integrating traditional video surveillance with IP networks. Because of the system's distributed architecture and intelligent management software, Crystal HD provides the ultimate in video quality and reliability, giving Berkshire's security staff the highest degree of confidence that their students and campus are secure."
:: READ MORE DAILY NEWS ::
Have any additional questions? Want to share your story? Want to pass along a news tip? Contact Dave Nagel, executive editor, at firstname.lastname@example.org. | <urn:uuid:c86938e8-d4cc-4ee7-8492-dd4653b27720> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://thejournal.com/articles/2007/06/12/ny-school-deploys-hd-cctv-surveillance-system.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939295 | 584 | 1.765625 | 2 |
Built in 1862 for Warren Isham, the Marx Home is listed on the State & National Register of Historic Places. Characterized by the low pitch roof, bracketed eaves, elongated-round headed windows with hood moldings and the unique widow’s walk on the roof, the Marx Home is one of the last remaining examples of a brick Italianate home in the City of Wyandotte. Although each succeeding generation of owners left their mark on the house and site, the basic structure and architectural features have been preserved. Research also indicates that the site was much larger in previous years and contained outbuildings, gardens, and an orchard.
The home has seen numerous owners throughout its history. By the time it was sold to John Marx in 1921, it had changed hands six times. Previous owners included: Dr. Theophilus John Langolis, Mayor of Wyandotte in 1874 and 1888; Charles W. Thomas, Wyandotte’s first druggist; and Anna Marie Armstrong whose husband William was the city Treasurer in 1875.
John Marx was the son of George Marx, who started Wyandotte's first brewery, The Marx Brewing Company, in 1862. The company, located at Oak Street and the Detroit River waterfront, carried the slogan, "A QUALITY BREW SINCE '62", and was known for the superb Pilsner beer it produced. After George Marx's death in 1886, his son Frank, continued the management. In 1896, the company was reorganized as the Wyandotte Brewing Company, but by 1904 returned to the Marx name. In 1909, the Eureka Brewing and Ice Company merged with the Marx Brewing Co. During prohibition, 1919-1933, the company produced non-alcoholic products. By 1937, the company had closed its doors.
In 1974, Leo Marx and Mary T. Polley, son and daughter of John Marx, gave this building as a gift to the City of Wyandotte. After years of research and restoration the home was formally opened to the public on September 29, 1996. Many groups, organizations, and individuals took part in the restoration of the Marx Home, and the building serves as an example of the community’s hard work and dedication to historic preservation. | <urn:uuid:e7815136-dc4c-4ad1-8fc5-ce23c9609ff0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wyandottemuseums.org/dotnetnuke/Campus/MarxHome/History/tabid/108/Default.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969796 | 464 | 2.046875 | 2 |
"We're seeing profound disagreements among conservative legal activists over what the Constitution means," explains Reason Magazine Editor Damon Root. "One of the things we are seeing are conservatives and libertarians disagreeing."
In a new video created by the New York based nonprofit 92nd Street Y, Root argues that where traditional conservatives prefer a powerful state built to preserve settled norms, libertarians are more aggressive in striking down laws that infringe on personal freedom. "There is a small island of government power and it's surrounded by a sea of individual rights. That's the libertarian view and I think that is the correct view."
Approx. 2:40 minutes
For more on this topic, read Conservatives v. Libertarians: The Debate Over Judicial Activism Divides Former Allies (Reason, July 2010)
Subscribe to ReasonTV's YouTube Channel to receive automatic updates when new stories go live. | <urn:uuid:33014edd-ed82-45dc-9693-1d8d96882c54> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://reason.com/reasontv/2012/07/10/the-conservative-vs-libertaria | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942412 | 176 | 1.796875 | 2 |
Pew Internet & American Life Project
The Pew Internet Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan “fact tank” that explores the impact of the Internet on children, families, communities, the workplace, schools, health care, and civic and political life. The Project takes no positions on policy questions. Support for the Project is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts and is an initiative of the Pew Research Center. The Project’s Web site is http://www.pewinternet.org.
At The Pew Charitable Trusts, the support of two people in particular has sustained the Project: president and CEO Rebecca Rimel and the managing director for information and civic initiatives, Donald Kimelman. A third person at the Charitable Trusts has come into the picture in recent years and has become a vital enabler of the Project’s work, including the “future” series: Tim Durkin. Inside the Pew Research Center, the Project profits handsomely from the expertise of President Andrew Kohut and Executive Vice President Paul Taylor. | <urn:uuid:2bb945f9-54d2-4073-822a-120f77a9b739> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cambriapress.com/elpreader.cfm?bookid=9781604977325&page=xv&fsize=xsmall | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00043-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.912216 | 214 | 2 | 2 |
The output of a mysterious radio station in Russia, which has been broadcasting the same monotonous signal almost continuously for 20 years, has suddenly changed.
Numbers stations are shortwave radio stations that broadcast computer-generated voices reading numbers, words, letters or Morse code. Their purpose has never been uncovered, but evidence from spy cases suggests that they're used to broadcast coded information to secret agents.
Over the past week or so, the output of one particular station that broadcasts from near Povarovo, Russiaincreased dramatically. The station, which has a callsign of UVB-76 but is known as "The Buzzer" by its listeners because of the short, monotonous buzz tone that it normally plays 21 to 34 times per minute. Continue reading | <urn:uuid:62ac6908-9d97-4fe2-9211-3ea4eca0e7cf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wired.co.uk/news/culture?page=300 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969112 | 157 | 2.25 | 2 |
High: 83°F ~ Low: 63°F
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Soothing Slippery ElmPosted Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at 4:04 PM
For photo prints, go to www.stevenfoster.com/prints.html
Trees aren't really fooled. The vast majority of native tree species in our region bloom before their leaves appear in the spring. Most of us don't notice this floral display except for redbuds and dogwoods later on. The flowers of most native trees are small and inconspicuous, dangling in thread-like tassels near the tree tops. One of the first to bloom is elms, particularly slippery elm whose russet-red buds are now swollen, ready to flower. It always blooms during the cold of winter.
Botanists call slippery elm Ulmus rubra (in older works, Ulmus fulva). Ulmus is the classical Latin name for elms. Rubra, means red, in reference to the dark reddish color of the winter buds. Our common name "elm" is the ancient name shared from Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Gothic, and Teutonic dialects, remaining unchanged in modern English.
Slippery elm occurs from dry upland soils to moist stream banks. Like American elm, slippery elm is also attacked and killed by Dutch elm disease (from the fungus Ceratocystis ulmi).
The inner bark of slippery elm is "slimy," and long used as an herbal remedy. When water is added to the powdered bark, the "slippery" brew is soothing to irritated mucous membranes of the intestinal tract and throat. It is still approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a nonprescription drug for demulcent use (soothing to irritated mucous membranes).
The inner bark tea, once used as a nutritional brew for invalids and convalescing patients, would be my local survival food of choice. During the Revolutionary War, a soldier, separated from his company, survived for ten days in the wilderness on the bark.
Now ready to flower, its blooms will be noticed by few. When that inevitable Arctic cold descends on us again, and colds and sore throat become common, it's soothing to know that you can buy slippery elm lozenges at almost any pharmacy or natural food store to treat that sore throat.
Showing comments in chronological order
[Show most recent comments first]
Steven Foster is a world renowned botanical photographer. He has published many books, including 2 for National Geographic
Hot topicsNature Calls 911
(1 ~ 12:56 AM, Jun 25)
The venerable Black Walnut
Elderberry -- Does research answer or raise questions?
Beautiful butterflyweed -- a forgotten herb | <urn:uuid:4872e0be-24b2-4992-ad4f-42608cf99f94> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lovelycitizen.com/blogs/httpwww.lovelycitizen.com/entry/45989/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93359 | 584 | 3 | 3 |
Meth Users More Likely to Contract HIV
If a drug user smoked some meth in a room, all alone, without any possibility to see or be around anyone else, then meth would be the only problem. But that doesn’t happen, and the effects are harsh on the LGBT community, according to a new study headed by Robert Bolan, M.D.
"My interests have always been driven by what the problems are that threaten our community," said Bolan, who’s been the medical director of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center since 1996. "For the past 5 to 10 years or so, I think that crystal methamphetamine use is a scourge in our community that is helping to fuel the HIV epidemic."
The study looked at more than 9,000 people. Those who admitted using meth in the preceding year were almost four times as likely to contract HIV, more than four times as likely to contract syphilis, more than twice as likely to contract gonorrhea, and almost twice as likely to contract chlamydia. They were compared with those who hadn’t used in the preceding year. Of all the diseases 60 percent of those newly infected had admitted to using meth in the preceding month.
In South Florida, Bolan noted, this is especially pertinent. In a 2010 study by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in South Florida showed an 18 percent increase in use of meth.
"This is a much higher rate than is usually reported in other populations," Bolan said. "The prevalence in our Los Angeles STD clinic is 8 percent."
So how does meth affect the spread of disease? The answer is simple: Sex.
"Because crystal meth can increase sexual arousal while reducing inhibition and judgment," the study read, "Its use is associated with high-risk behaviors that increase the likelihood of acquiring a new STD or HIV."
In other words, users tend to have risky sex, both in terms of the who and the how. In rats, Bolan said, amphetamines cause obsessive and prolonged sexual behaviors - it appears like it does the same thing to humans.
"The effects of a given dose of [meth] last for hours and this can result in so-called sex marathons where an individual can engage in continuous or repetitive sexual activities with the same or multiple individuals," Bolan said, adding that the drug also tends to dry out mucous membranes, like the rectum, adding potential to injury. "All of these things - prolonged intercourse, multiple partners, dried mucous membranes - promote transmission of HIV and STIs... One effect of [meth] is that it can inhibit erections, but with erectile dysfunction drugs that side effect is no longer a limiting factor."
The researchers looked at various educational resources and found that all of them are directed at meth users, or at trying to persuade people not to start. This study attacks from a different angle.
"Our message is not that ’if you have sex with someone who uses [meth], you will become infected with something,’" Bolan said, adding that his study in no way suggests that having unprotected sex with a non-user is a definite shield against STIs. "Our message aims at a more real world way that gay men appear to be looking at sexual partner choices. We just want everyone to think about this a bit differently... My intent is to arm gay men with real statistics that can help them make informed sexual choices."
Bolan, who’s been involved with gay men’s health issues and moved had moved to L.A. in the 80s during the height of the HIV epidemic, released and presented this study at the CDC’s 2012 National STD Prevention Conference. The March conference began in 1998, according to a CDC spokesperson, "to provide an avenue... to learn, grow and share about STD prevention."
Visit www.cdc.gov/stdconference for more information. | <urn:uuid:d94e905d-841e-4a52-9901-b76f565e5da6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.edgedallas.com/news/aids/131878/meth_users_more_likely_to_contract_hiv | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966743 | 820 | 2.109375 | 2 |
April 26, 2001
In Louisiana, one acre of land disappears underwater every 24 minutes. Nutria, those large, dimwitted "swamp rats" that have plagued the canals of Jefferson Parish also bear much of the blame for the state's disappearing wetlands. Nutria are voracious eaters of roots of the plants that would otherwise hold the soil together and prevent erosion.
The Mclhenny family of Tabasco sauce fame has long taken the blame for the state's nutria infestation. They imported nutria to Avery Island from Argentina in order to use them in fur farming. Some of the animals escaped in 1940. There is evidence, however, that some nutria had escaped or been purposely released from other fur farms before the McIlhenny nutria made their big break. So the McIlhennys are not solely responsible for the nutria problem.
The family, however, has contributed to the solution. Jack McIlhenny, who died in 1997, left a portion of his estate to be used for conservation and environmental concerns. That money is administered by the Coypu Foundation ("coypu" is the French word for nutria), which grants money to conservation efforts in south Louisiana.
The Tulane-Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research recently received a grant from the Coypu Foundation to develop a comprehensive approach to dealing with introduced species in south Louisiana. Introduced species are non-native plants, animals, even viruses, including nutria, Formosan termites, zebra mussels, water hyacinths and fire ants, that have been released here either accidentally or deliberately.
Many are harmless, but others can be environmentally and economically devastating. There are more than 900 species of non-native plants and animals in Louisiana. As a port, New Orleans is the point of entry for many introduced species, and it's also a crossroads for species moving from different directions.
"We import ideas, music, culture, food," said John McLachlan, director of the CBR. "But we're also a port of entry for species that come in through a variety of different ways."
One of those ways is in the ballast tanks on cargo ships. Ships use big tanks of water to balance their loads. When they arrive in port, they dump the water in the ballast tanks, also releasing organisms from their point of origin. That's how zebra mussels arrived in the Great Lakes, where they have clogged waterways. Now they're making their way down the Mississippi River, to New Orleans.
"Different species are going to be coming in no matter what you do," McLachlan said. "You can't stop it. So we have to come up with a long-term strategy where we can monitor what's coming in, predict where it's going to go, and intervene ahead of time."
The CBR team has begun to develop a map that summarizes how introduced species came into the area, where they are now, and the environmental and economic problems they have created. They plan to expand this research into a mapping system that models how species may spread.
"Based on the ecology that we already know, we should be able to tell whether it's going to be a threat or not, and if it's a threat, where the threat is going to come and how to get ahead of it," McLachlan said.
One of the objectives is to be prepared to handle new species as they arrive. Another is to stop the spread of some of the most pervasive introduced species that are already here, namely, nutria and Formosan termites. The CBR has been working with the United States Department of Agriculture's Southern Regional Research Center here in New Orleans to develop a novel strategy to stop the spread of Formosan termites.
"Based on the molecular biology we've been doing with hormones, we think we can find a way to either block or accelerate the metamorphosis of these insects so that we can bring down their reproduction," McLachlan said.
Eventually, this should lead to a method to treat wood with natural compounds that would interfere with the insects' hormones. CBR researchers also have been talking to their colleagues at the Endangered Species Survival Center about ways to cut down the reproductive ability of nutria.
"They're experts in assisted reproduction for wildlife, in how to fertilize wildlife eggs and carry them to term. We want to see if we can turn that technology around and use it to prevent nutria from reproducing," McLachlan said.
Nutria and Formosan termites are two species that have given Louisiana a painful lesson in how large the economic and ecological impact of introduced species can be. There's no more fitting subject of research for the CBR, according to McLachlan. "We're a natural laboratory here in New Orleans," he said. "We really have the opportunity to get at some significant questions that affect the region and the whole world."
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 504-865-5000 email@example.com | <urn:uuid:d7ed4025-a57e-4255-b0cb-0e7702bd3a3b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://tulane.edu/news/releases/archive/2001/the_invasion_of_nonnative_species.cfm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00074-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964192 | 1,044 | 3 | 3 |
In 2002, as the conventional thinking in Washington lined up with President Bush for war, Obama had the judgment and courage to speak out against going to war, and to warn of an occupation of undetermined length, costs, and consequences. As president he is fully committed to ending the war in Iraq.
Obama believes we must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in so immediately upon taking office, Obama will give his Secretary of Defense and military commanders a new mission in Iraq: ending the war. The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, directed by military commanders on the ground and done in consultation with the Iraqi government. Under the Obama plan, a residual force will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda in Iraq and to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel. Permanent bases will not be built in Iraq, but efforts to train and support the Iraqi security forces will continue as long as Iraqi leaders move toward political reconciliation and away from sectarianism.
Obama believes that there is no military solution to Iraq’s political differences, but the Bush Administration’s blank check approach has failed to press Iraq’s leaders to take responsibility for their future or to spend their oil revenues on their own reconstruction. Obama’s plan offers the best prospect for lasting stability in Iraq.
Obama believes that America has both a moral obligation and responsibility for security that demands we confront Iraq’s humanitarian crisis—more than five million Iraqis are refugees or are displaced inside their own country. Obama will form an international working group to address this crisis. He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find sanctuary. Obama will also work with Iraqi authorities and the international community to hold the perpetrators of potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide accountable. He will reserve the right to intervene militarily, with our international partners, to suppress potential genocidal violence within Iraq. | <urn:uuid:f2250579-e474-4f3a-a309-f90aebd4aa61> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.blanconews.com/news/8071/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965657 | 407 | 2.140625 | 2 |
- Shiloh, TN
- Landmark and namesake of the Battle of Shiloh
- National Park, National Register of Historic Places
The original "Shiloh Meeting House" - a one-room log structure with rude handmade furnishings - was built by the Southern Methodists about 1853, nine years after the church had split over the slavery issue. It is from this unassuming structure, whose name ironically translates to "place of peace," that the battle would derive its name.
When the Union army moved upon the field, General William T. Sherman encamped his division along the ridge on either side of the church. It was along this same ridge that he formed his first line of battle on the morning of April 6, 1862, and where he was first attacked by the Confederates. He succeeded in holding the ridge for about two hours before he was forced to withdraw.
As soon as Sherman withdrew, Confederate General P.G. T. Beauregard established his headquarters at the church. He held the position until the Confederates began their retreat on the second day. After the battle, the church was reportedly torn down by the Union troops and the logs used to build bridges when the movement upon Corinth began.
The modern church, completed in 1949, stands on the site of the original church. The reconstructed log church was built in 2001. | <urn:uuid:0605079f-933a-4ce5-b9a1-dd217d1bfdb3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nps.gov/resources/place.htm?id=76 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.981914 | 278 | 3.6875 | 4 |
The planting of tens of thousands of olive trees in arid areas in Israel have proved highly beneficial, according to a study which said the trees provide shade for animals, purge the air and even produce excellent olive oil.
The study was conducted by the Faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, with the help of the Agricultural Research Organization. Dr. Zohar Kerem, head of the olive oil research lab in the faculty’s biochemistry institute, who participated in the study, explained that they followed tree-plantings in Israel’s desert areas.
- EdenShield Invents Product That Makes Crops ‘Invisible’ To Pests
- Haifa University Wants To Make Roofs Greener – Literally
“Olive trees are not very picky,” Kerem said, adding that they can thrive under extreme weather conditions and require very little care and water. Olive trees, he noted, greatly benefit the environment by reducing the atmospheric levels of CO2.
The trees also provide shade and cover for wildlife. In the area surveyed deer, porcupines, rodents and reptiles were seen; and bird numbers have also grown – an important finding considering Israel is a nexus for millions of migratory birds every year.
Some researchers disagree about the environmental benefits of planting trees in arid areas, claiming it leads to a change in the natural fabric and local wildlife. But Kerem disagreed: “It’s a golden measure. Even though it’s agriculture, the area remains intact.”
His views are supported by Dr. Adi Naali an agronomist with the Plants Production and Marketing Board. Naali said that the trees provide good shelter for animals since they do not require pesticides or other human care.
Keeps the jackals at bay
Another benefit discovered was that the groves were unfriendly to invasive species like jackals, whose numbers have grown to disrupting levels. “Jackals feed off of a range of other species and can harm the food chain, but they prefer an open terrain,” Naali said. “It’s harder for them to hunt in olive groves.”
Naali counted other ecological benefits, among them the finding that olive trees, which are evergreen plants, absorb large quantities of CO2. It was also found that olive groves can function as a good waste disposal sites for compost and sewage.
The excellent produce is another benefit: Kerem told Ynet that an examination of the quality and chemical makeup of olive oil produced from the groves showed that they gave quality oil with great health benefits, due to a high percentage of anti-oxidants.
“We wanted to see whether growing olive trees in these conditions effects the quality of the oil produced,” he explained. “The stronger the olives’ taste in the oil, the higher the quality, because it indicates a higher percentage of anti-oxidants.”
The study may also provide a glimpse at a solution for desertification. “Olive trees reduce wind and soil erosion in the desert,” Naali said. “Thay may be a sustainable solution to desertification from an environmental perspective, and also from an economic and social perspective, by creating sources of income.” | <urn:uuid:afb6cd4d-0e29-4668-b267-79382b67942b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://nocamels.com/2013/01/olive-trees-may-be-the-cure-for-desertification/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952333 | 686 | 3.15625 | 3 |
Q: Did Obama request a $3 million ‘overhead projector,’ as McCain claimed?
A: Obama did seek a $3 million earmark, but it was not for the sort of ‘overhead projector’ commonly found in classrooms or offices. It would have replaced the Adler Planetarium’s projector, last upgraded in 1969.
Did Obama request a $3 million ‘overhead projector,’ as McCain claimed?
McCain, Oct. 7: He voted for nearly a billion dollars in pork-barrel earmark projects, including, by the way, $3 million for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Illinois. My friends, do we need to spend that kind of money?
It’s true that Obama sought $3 million for a projector, and we’ll leave it to readers to judge whether it was frivolous or not. The fact is, however, that the technology Obama requested was not an "overhead projector" such as one might see in a classroom or office. Those typically cost no more than a few hundred dollars. What Obama sought was funding for a large and expensive piece of specialty equipment that projects the night sky in a dome theater, for the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. For example, one model of an upgraded version of the Adler’s current projector has several separate projection units for the stars and for the sun, moon and planets. The projector weighs more than 5,000 pounds.
The Adler Planetarium replaced its projector for the first and last time almost 40 years ago. The planetarium issued a statement after Tuesday’s debate saying that it had approached Obama and other local congresspeople from both parties asking for government assistance in replacing the aging projector, on the grounds that "science literacy is an urgent issue in the United States." All agreed to help, according to the statement, but the money was not awarded.
Adler Planetarium. "Statement About Senator John McCain’s Comments at the Presidential Debate." 8 Oct. 2008.
Office of Sen. Barack Obama. "Obama Announces FY08 Federal Funding Requests." 21 Jun. 2007. | <urn:uuid:f77d86ee-bf18-4816-8b37-9cfc45886112> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://factcheck.org/2008/10/obamas-projector-earmark/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955067 | 446 | 1.773438 | 2 |
According to a New York Times article published in June, the prestigious University of California system could experience another round of painful and draconian budget cuts if Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax increase isn’t approved by California voters in November. While budgetary cuts to public higher education are always worrisome, these couldn’t come at a worse time--public, accessible, and affordable higher education is more important today than it has ever been.
The United States is in the midst of great demographic and economic shifts that will shape the 21st century and present lawmakers with both opportunities and challenges.
The first is purely demographic: The largely white baby-boomer population is aging and shrinking while the Latino and Asian populations are young and growing. The second is the bumpy transition from a manufacturing-based economy into one buoyed by knowledge-based jobs. The third is the educational and socioeconomic gaps between white and many minority populations.
Nowhere will these converging factors play out more clearly than in the already majority-minority state of California--in many ways a microcosm of the diverse future and subsequent educational and economic challenges that the U.S. is already facing.
The baby boomers are starting to retire. Although their jobs will be up for grabs, which could be great for the economy, they also expect to retire comfortably. Together, the baby boomers number about 77 million people, nearly one-fourth of the total U.S. population, and their slow exodus from the labor force is expected to expand economic opportunities for many younger workers.
At the same time, it presents the worrisome economic challenge of funding unsustainable entitlement programs and public-pension funds. The workforce of tomorrow will have to be well educated and well paid.
These labor-market openings seem like great news for Generations X and Y and, fortunately, the United States has the manpower to fill the gap.
Unlike some Asian countries and much of Western Europe, both plagued by aging, shrinking populations and low immigration, the U.S. has a large and growing young population driven largely by population growth in Asian-American and Latino communities. If the necessary investments are made to provide the next generation with the same educational opportunities that many baby boomers enjoyed, the U.S. could be well positioned to transition into the 21st century.
A successful transition to a prosperous knowledge economy, however, hinges on affordable and accessible education. The U.S. economy has radically transformed several times over the past three centuries, each requiring different resources to flourish.
The agricultural economy of the 18th and 19th centuries required large amounts of land to function and grow. The industrial economy that propelled the U.S. to unparalleled wealth and prominence in the 20th century required a large, able, and willing labor force to manufacture goods. In the 21st century, knowledge will play a predominant role in the creation of wealth and as a driver of economic activity.
Unfortunately, the population poised to take advantage of the openings in the economy, suffer persistent socioeconomic and educational disparities, leaving it ill-prepared for success.
In 2009, a Pew Social Trends report showed that the median net worth of white households was 20 times greater than black households and 18 times greater than Latino households.
Educational gaps are similar. California public school test scores collected between 2003 and 2009 show that, while overall scores rose during that time period, the rate of improvement between the Latino and white populations was so minuscule that it would take 105 years to close the gap (189 years for the black-white gap).
The tests also showed that only 37 percent of Latino and African-American students were proficient in English, a full 31 and 36 points behind their white and Asian peers, respectively.
While college enrollment is up, according to a Pew Hispanic study, Latino and African-American completion is not nearly on par with their white and Asian peers. In 2010, only 13 percent of 25- to 29-year-old Hispanics had a bachelor’s degree (compared with 19 percent of African-Americans, 39 percent of whites, and 53 percent of Asians).
California is the perfect case to analyze the next half-decade convergence of a large retiring population and growing minority population with fiscal strain, economic transition, and educational and socioeconomic disparities.
Cuts to California’s university system means that fewer minority students will have opportunities to receive an affordable quality education, and that is exactly what policymakers and voters should be avoiding.
White baby boomers, who currently hold the reins of power in Washington and most state and local governments across the country, would be wise to realize that the future of the U.S. and their own retirements depend on the success, educational attainment, and well-being of the extremely diverse and overlooked generations that succeed them.
Tyler Reny has studied and lived in Barcelona, Spain, and Buenos Aires, Argentina; interned for Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, in Washington, D.C.; researched state welfare policy for the Rockefeller Institute in Albany; and now manages research and evaluation and crafts the social media presence for the New American Leaders Project. He graduated summa cum laude from Skidmore College and plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in political science.
The New American Leaders Project is the only organization in the country specifically focused on preparing first- and second-generation immigrants for civic leadership. NALP recruits individuals with a track record of civic involvement and trains them in the key skills needed for leadership from the community to the Capitol.
Opinions and other statements expressed by Perspectives contributors are theirs alone, not National Journal's. Content created by third-party contributors is their sole responsibility, and its accuracy is not endorsed or guaranteed. | <urn:uuid:e9ed8ba1-8e33-4d83-a31c-67dd7fdcf1bb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nationaljournal.com/thenextamerica/workforce/opinion-educating-tomorrow-s-workforce-is-crucial-for-america-s-prosperity-20120709 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954902 | 1,172 | 2.4375 | 2 |
No condom prevents pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) 100% of the time. But if you and your partner are having sex, nothing protects against STDs better than a properly used condom.
For those having sex, condoms must always be used to protect against STDs even when using another method of birth control. They must be used correctly and must be used every time you have sex. Even when used correctly, condoms do not protect against infections spread from sores on the skin not covered by a condom (such as the base of the penis or scrotum).
Using a condom correctly doesn't only mean putting it on right side out. You should also:
Check the expiration date (condoms can dry and crack if they're old).
Choose condoms made of latex, which is thought to be most effective in preventing STDs. If one of you has an allergy to latex, use polyurethane condoms instead.
Keep condoms away from heat and light, which can make them more likely to break.
Only use water-based lubricants with condoms. Shortening, lotion, petroleum jelly, or baby oil can break down the condom.
Open the condom packet with your hands, not your teeth, and open it carefully so you don't tear the condom.
Choose a condom with a reservoir tip to catch semen after ejaculation. Lightly pinch the top of the condom and place it at the top of your (or your partner's) penis. This gets rid of trapped air, which can cause a condom to burst.
Roll the condom down until it's completely rolled out — if it's inside out, throw it away and start over.
When you're done, you (or your partner) should withdraw while holding the condom at the base of the penis to prevent the condom from slipping off.
If a condom breaks or slips off and you or your partner is concerned about pregnancy, call your health care provider or pharmacist to discuss emergency contraception. And both partners should be tested for STDs.
While condoms aren't perfect, if you're going to have sex, they are the best way to protect yourself. | <urn:uuid:dc27102e-3bb8-4ba6-83f6-e06c64f2e51a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=Nemours&lic=60&cat_id=20762&article_set=58671&tracking=T_RelatedArticle | 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 | 0.929224 | 438 | 2.71875 | 3 |
Vogel was onto something. Othello, as Shakespeare's tragedies go, is an especially predictable one. We see the machinations of the story grinding in a way that Hamlet's waffling and Lear adrift in the storm don't fall prey to. And the plot does hinge on that fatal wisp of fabric. It's a situation tragedy whose climax is predicated on an accident -- a token of affection left lying on the ground.
In many renderings, Othello is about the deep-seeded insecurity inherent in being an outsider -- in this case, a black man hired into a white world. The Moorish general Othello has ascended both military and social ranks in Venice, and his traversing in these circles brought him to Desdemona, the much-sought-after daughter of a senator. Despite entertaining Othello regularly, Desdemona's father essentially disowns her when he finds she has married a black man.
Tony Molina, in the most affecting performance I've seen in my nearly three years in New Orleans, makes Othello so radiantly self-confident that it's hard to believe he could fall prey to the slick, charming salesman of Gavin Mahlie's Iago. Othello's handsome costumes of vaguely North African garb, in contrast to the Western attire worn by everyone else, would seem to indicate a level of comfort, even pride, in his outsider status. It's only in fleeting moments -- after Desdemona's father disavows her -- that he betrays a hint of vulnerability.
Part of the problem is Mahlie's Iago. One of Shakespeare's most nefarious villains, Iago is more protagonist than Othello. Iago acts, while Othello is acted on -- played like a pipe, as Hamlet puts it in the player's speech. Mahlie gives a clear, assured performance. His gestures and line readings seem crafted to perfection. Iago is a show stealer, and the audience at the last preview performance seemed won over. But while fascinating, Mahlie's rendition rarely transcends the self-consciously cunning. He is brilliant in overtly smarmy moments, as when, in a great piece of stage business, he pulls the aforementioned handkerchief from his wife's bosom with his teeth. But he never seems convincingly genuine when he needs to be, making even Othello, inclined to see good in everyone, too trusting to be believed.
This is especially true because some of the strongest scenes are those fleeting moments in which Othello and Desdemona show their love. More than anywhere else, this seems to be the payoff of seeing a real-life married couple in these roles. Their love onstage is palpable -- it seems to emanate from every look, touch and word, making Othello's violence toward her all the more horrifying, if a little a little less magically real. He shines more in later monologues -- "Put out the light, and then put out the light," spoken to a candle right before her murder, is especially chilling. In the murder scene itself and the subsequent bloodshed and unraveling, all the actors go for broke physically and emotionally as they strangle, stab and flee from each other. They don't always pull it off -- a technically difficult feat -- but it's a brave attempt that may improve over the course of the run.
In excellent performances, Frankle's Desdemona and Grice's Emilia percolate with a strength that inspires both empathy and respect. Director Michel and Grice play up Emilia's sexuality, making clear her love and desire for her husband and his obvious neglect of her. The moving scene between Emilia and Desdemona toward the play's denouement, in which Emilia posits that women are every bit men's equals in both good and bad, is the most -- perhaps the only -- uplifting part of the play. Although these women are betrayed in the ultimate way by the men who should love them most, as played beautifully by both actresses, the women's love for each other provides a good deal of solace.
Sean Patterson as Cassio, another pawn in Iago's manipulations, gives a polished performance. Costumes by Joan Long are neutral and elegant. The set, by Hugh Lester, while less of an eyesore than its splatter-painted predecessor for Merchant of Venice, is still a drab, stained, monolithic wall. One would think the Festival's resources could provide better. Overall, performances by the main players make this the strongest production I've seen to date from The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane. Let's hope it's a harbinger of more to come. | <urn:uuid:98ac5e4b-d440-4fbe-a7bc-9b8f2fb5b048> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/situation-tragedy/Content?oid=1244625 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966807 | 965 | 1.578125 | 2 |
Published in The Wall Street Journal, August 8, 2006
By Ronan Farrow
EL FASHER, Sudan -- In a squalid hut in Zam Zam refugee camp, 16-year-old Salim Adam swats flies from the livid scar where a bullet tore through his leg. Two years ago, Mr. Adam was farming with his father when the Janjaweed, a Sudanese government-backed militia who have executed a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing in Darfur, surrounded his village, firing rifles. "They grabbed my father. They demanded money and, when we had none, they shot him here" he says, smacking his palm against his forehead. Mr. Adam fled, gunfire at his back. Somehow, he dragged himself to a donkey. He cannot remember how long he rode across the desert before reaching Zam Zam.
The bullet that shattered Salim Adam's leg and the gun that fired it were almost certainly manufactured in China. The militiaman who pulled the trigger was likely compensated with revenues from Chinese oil purchases, which fund a majority of Khartoum's military actions. And the reason no help has come to Darfur is, in large part, because China has blocked every attempt to deploy a United Nations peacekeeping force. Though estimates vary, most data suggest that the death toll in Darfur has reached around 450,000, and is still rising.
By the time the world awakened to the slaughter here, China was already funneling money into Khartoum. Beijing's investments in Sudan now total around $4 billion. With a 40% stake each in the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Co. and Petrodar, state-owned China National Petroleum Corp. owns the largest shares of both of Sudan's national oil consortia. And in 2005, Beijing purchased more than half of Sudan's oil exports. China now relies on Khartoum for about one-tenth of its massive oil needs, placing Sudan just behind Saudi Arabia and Iran as China's largest energy supplier by volume.
It is an unholy alliance. The U.N. imposed an arms embargo when it became apparent that the Government of Sudan's military actions in Darfur were overwhelmingly directed against helpless civilians. And yet China continues to supply Khartoum with assault helicopters, armored vehicles and small arms. Last August, Beijing sold 212 military trucks to Khartoum. Chinese oil company airstrips in southern Sudan have been used by government forces to conduct bombing raids on villages and hospitals. A U.N. investigation conducted this year determined that the vast majority of weaponry used to attack civilians across Darfur is of Chinese origin.
Thanks to this relationship, Sudan has purchased the best protection in the world: a veto-wielding member on the U.N. Security Council willing to ensure that Khartoum's campaign of human destruction in Darfur can continue.
The U.N. measures that have been passed have been hopelessly enfeebled by Beijing. In July 2004, China watered down a bill that would have demanded that Khartoum prosecute militiamen accused of atrocities, removing language that threatened sanctions. They did so again in September 2004, when -- in a U.S.-sponsored resolution -- a commitment that the U.N. "will take" punitive action was replaced with an impotent "shall consider" wording. In April, when the Security Council considered targeted sanctions on Khartoum's leadership, China withdrew their strenuous veto threats in the face of mounting international pressure, but only after ensuring that the list was stripped of all high-level officials.
On May 16, the Security Council finally voted on a resolution that compelled Sudan to admit a U.N. peacekeeping assessment mission. China withdrew its veto threat only after the resolution had been gutted of key language that would have allowed some U.N. peacekeepers from a force already in southern Sudan to move to Darfur. And they did so with an explicit declaration from China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N., Zhang Yishan, that their vote "should not be construed as a precedent for the Security Council's future discussion or the adoption of new resolutions against Sudan."
That promise has given Khartoum virtual immunity from any repercussions as it proceeds with its genocidal ambitions in Darfur. China is underwriting the first genocide of the 21st Century, and using their political weight to ensure that it is not stopped. How can we accept that?
Last week, the United States' Congressional Commission on U.S.-China Relations convened hearings on China's role in the world. Among the testimony was a damning account from Sudan expert Eric Reeves. He said of China's support for Sudan: "There is in all of Africa no more destructive bilateral relationship." When it makes its annual policy recommendations later this year, the commission needs to urge the U.S. State Department to call China to task for its complicity in the slaughter in Darfur. Beijing, in turn, must use its tremendous leverage with Khartoum to help halt the killing. If China wants to be included in the ranks of powerful, responsible nations, it's time for it to start acting like one.
Mr. Farrow, currently a student at Yale Law School, recently took his second trip to Darfur as a Unicef spokesperson for youth. | <urn:uuid:23284024-f412-4a7c-9b6b-2fbbe23fdb1e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.miafarrow.org/ed_081006.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00061-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96978 | 1,091 | 1.9375 | 2 |
Previous abstract Next abstract
Session 30 - Amateurs & Professionals: Collaborators in the New Age of Electronic Astronomy.
Display session, Tuesday, June 10
South Main Hall,
Back to The Future: Hunting Asteroids From The Backyard
The author will present the results of a search for asteroids using commercial hardware and software that is both readily available and affordable by today's amateur astronomers. Using modest CCD cameras attached to 11- and 16-inch telescopes at a suburban location less than 17 miles (28 kilometers) from the heart of metropolitan Boston, Massachusetts, the author has discovered more than 100 asteroids since beginning a systematic search in October 1995.
Technological advances in CCD cameras, computer software, and astrometric databases for reference stars and asteroids have made it easy to determine precise positions of asteroids as faint as 18th magnitude with modest-aperture amateur telescopes. After accidently discovering a small number of asteroids while doing routine astrometric work, the author began a dedicated search. A typical observing session consists of two to three hours effort and covers about one-third square degree of sky. Such a session usually yields three to five discoveries, and on only two occasions have no new objects been found. Identification of known objects and reporting of astrometric positions are made extremely easy using Internet-accessible sources and e-mail, respectively.
Program listing for Tuesday | <urn:uuid:d387072a-1693-4d54-a73b-8c661e89cccd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://aas.org/archives/BAAS/v29n2/aas190/abs/S030003.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.922944 | 280 | 2.65625 | 3 |
John Doe (born John Nommensen Duchac on February 25, 1954, in Decatur, Illinois) is an American singer, songwriter and bass player who was the founder of the seminal L.A. punk band X.
- If I was a better poet like William Carlos Williams I’d be able to write about anything, but I’m just a minor poet. So I just write about things like moments of crisis that tend to be on the sadder, darker side. You can spend ten minutes in a really dark place and write a song about it that lasts forever.
- Wertheimer, Linda (2007-06-23). John Doe: The 'X' Man Returns (audio). Weekend Edition Saturday. National Public Radio. Retrieved on 2008-06-02.
Song lyrics
The World's A Mess It's In My Kiss
- There are no angels there are devils in many ways
See How We Are
- Crowded fifty to a room, There's too many rats in this cage of the world, And the women know their place, They sit home and write letters, And when they visit once a year, Well they both just sit there and stare, Gotta keep bars in between us, See how we are
The Call of the Wreckin' Ball
- The life I lead is mighty slim pickens, there ain't much call for stompin' on chickens
This Far
- Climbing uphill, one dollar bill, this town is far.
- I think whenever you are trying to establish something new, you have to draw a line and put everything that came before that behind you.
- I think we were among the first positive examples of country music for the punk rock audience.
- I don't know of any other band that has two vocalists that can sing together without competition.
- Restraint can be tough. I've made a point to learn how to make a slow song have as much impact as a fast song. That's a challenge I've given myself, because it's easy to just get out there and blast through a bunch of things and feel as though you're exciting the audience. If you can do that with a slow song, then you really have some variety and some range.
- You can't be a politician with a guitar.
External links | <urn:uuid:44bbfc92-2863-453d-ac64-d882291f2aa0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Doe_(musician) | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966662 | 488 | 1.601563 | 2 |
Limor “Ladyada” Fried, Phillip Torrone
In this session, open source hardware pioneers Limor “Ladyada” Fried of Adafruit Industries and Phillip Torrone of MAKE Magazine show how anyone can start their own open source hardware business. The talk will show how Adafruit runs its open hardware business, top to bottom – from choosing a PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturer to selecting which open source online shopping cart works best for selling electronics online. Limor and Phil will also give a detailed overview of the top ten open source hardware businesses, what they do, and what you can learn from their projects and products. If you’re considering turning your electronics hobby into a full-fledged business, this is a talk not to miss. | <urn:uuid:d403b306-5c07-4c8c-9f95-b216a25f7b6c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://store.2600.com/howtorunopso.html | 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 | 0.91772 | 157 | 1.601563 | 2 |
Geni Wren At the Codex meeting, taking place this week iin Rome, participating member countries expressed their views on the safety of ractopamine. On Thursday, the member countries voted in favor of the adoption of standards for Maximum Residue Levels for ractopamine. According to NCBA Chief Veterinarian Kathy Simmons, this is a victory for U.S. cattlemen and women.
“It is paramount that science is the foundation for all decisions made in the international community," said Simmons, who is in Rome for the Codex meeting. "Today, the Codex Commission proved they are willing to trust science and make decisions based on facts rather than politics. We are very pleased that we can move ahead on adopting international standards for ractopamine. We commend the commission for all their work.”
Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization in 1963, the Codex sets international food standards and codes of practice that contribute to the safety of food trade. The issue of ractopamine has historically caused unnecessary trade disruptions, according to Simmons. Simmons said ractopamine is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a safe feed additive, but the lack of international MRL standards caused confusion.
NCBA said it is hopeful the Codex decision will bring science back to the forefront of policies set by U.S. trading partners.
“Standards not based on science create an unnecessarily volatile trading environment for U.S. exporters who are reluctant to ship products to countries with non-science based testing regimes. Hopefully, the Codex decision to move forward with science based standards will translate into a shift in trade policy for other countries to adopt science based safety standards.” | <urn:uuid:0bd65ab5-afae-43a2-9588-7fd86d8a7a0e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-resources/grow-finish/Codex-Moves-Ahead-with-Ractopamine-Standards-161443595.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95015 | 358 | 1.84375 | 2 |
Zuckerberg had never been convinced he should take his company public, though regulatory changes made it inevitable. He worried about shareholders who wanted Facebook’s first thought to be its bottom line rather than its product. He also feared a loss of control. To this end, he had created two classes of shares which guaranteed that he would have 57 percent voting control of Facebook with only a 28 percent financial stake. His anxieties were realized almost immediately.
Zuckerberg was used to updating users of his site, but not so practiced at reassuring investors. Before the IPO, he affirmed what he repeated at the moment of the sale: that he did not see himself primarily as a man in charge of a multibillion-dollar business, but rather as a man on a mission to teach the world to poke in perfect harmony. Fundholders are not traditionally seduced by missionaries.
Over the summer Zuckerberg was strangely silent, as if adjusting to his new realities: married life and problems at the office. He had perhaps the first premonitions of what all prodigies discover: that he, too, would have to grow up. In his first call with major investors at the end of July, he pursued a line about the Facebook model that “the best type of advertising is a message from a friend.” This had sounded reasonable enough when he had uttered it to interviewers and journalists over the years, and it seemed to chime with popular psychology about tipping points — but was it really true? If so, where did it leave companies like General Motors, which were spending a small fortune on creating consistent messages about their products that were measurable in terms of sales?
Over the few years since its inception, Facebook had been somewhat cavalier about its revenue strategies, making the seductive argument that once it had a critical mass of users, money would surely follow. Google had solved the intractable problem of how to monetize its audience by having advertisers bid for keywords, selling sponsored links and charging for each time a user clicked on them. Facebook’s advertising model was always more intangible, based largely on precisely targeted display adverts and the vaunted “engagement” of the user, who typically spends an hour a day on the site. In a widely quoted figure, Google made US$88 from each of its users, Facebook only US$15. Moreover, Google’s model worked potentially equally well on mobile formats as on desktops. Facebook had been slow to see the shift to mobile and that apparent anxiety over releasing user data which angered the likes of Hyms, Goldberg and Garrison suggested they were still troubled by the problem of how to make effective use of display advertising on a screen no bigger than a playing card.
Zuckerberg’s first public appearance was on a technology platform last month — he talked 10 to the dozen for 20 minutes about the new realities of his business. His message had changed somewhat in the months since the YouTube clip. There was a little less emphasis on the incontrovertible value of pursuing an open and connected world and a little more on the prospect of specific plans for generating increased advertising revenue from “monetizing eyeballs.” Zuckerberg admitted the company’s previous strategy for mobile (he pronounced the word to rhyme with “no bull”) had been wrong. However, without too many specifics, he was confident Facebook could eventually make more money per user on mobile phones than on desktops. | <urn:uuid:d61c4389-5404-4171-9e94-89533bb444a7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2012/10/24/2003545943/4 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00064-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985828 | 707 | 1.578125 | 2 |
AOH :: CHALLNGR.TXT|
Transcript of tapes AFTER the Challenger explosion - They were alive until the wreckage hit the water
++ Excerpted from The World View Magazine: Issue 2, Volume 2 ++
For Those Who Haven't Heard: The Challenger Transcript
DISCLAIMER: This info was submitted by an unknown freelance journalist.
The World View Magazine And It's Editors Claim No Responsibility
For The Creation Of This Document. We Have No Ties To NASA, Or
Any Other Government Organization. The Transcript Follows The
Audio Tape Which Was Released To The Public By NASA. As
Journalists, We Chose To Publish The Document, Because We Feel
The American People Have A Right To Hear All Opinions Regarding
This Issue. The World View Does Not Condone Nor Do We Necessarily
Agree With The "Cover-Up" Theory Related To This Incident. As Far
As We Know, This Information Is Public Domain.
A secret NASA tape reveals that the crew of the shuttle Challenger not only
survived the explosion that ripped the vessel apart; they screamed, cried,
cursed and prayed for three hellish minutes before they slammed into the
Atlantic and perished on January 28, 1986.
The tape is said to begin with a startled crewman screaming,"What happened?
What happened? Oh God - No!" Screams and curses are heard- several crewmen
begin to weep- and then others bid their families farewell.
Two minutes forty-five seconds later the tape ends. That's when the shuttle's
crew compartment, which remained intact after the vessel exploded over the
Atlantic, hit the ocean at over 2,000 miles per hour, instantly killing the
" Cover up? Of course there was a coverup, " declared Robert Hotz, a member
of the Presidential commission that investigated the disaster. " NASA can't
face the fact that they put these astronauts in a situation where they didn't
have adequate equipment to survive. NASA doesn't give a damn about anything
but covering it's ass, " he said.
The official account released by NASA ends with shuttle pilot Michael Smith
saying, " Uh-oh!" Some NASA employees have evidently heard more-much more.
And they provided the rest of the account based on what they've discussed
within NASA in the last five years. The astronauts had time and realized
something was happening after the shuttle broke up.
" All shuttle astronauts carry personal recorders and the tape in
question apparently came from Christa's (McAuliffe), which was recovered
after the shuttle disaster, " said Hotz. Jarvis was sitting beside her, and
when he figured out what was happening he said, " Give me your hand. "
" NASA insists there's nothing like that on tape but they're talking about
the mission tape, not Christa's. So they're not lying, but they're not telling
the truth, either. "
A journalist with close ties to NASA was even more emphatic," There are
persistent rumors, dating back to the disaster, that this tape is absolutely
The following transcript begins two seconds after NASA's official version
ends, with pilot Michael Smith saying, " Uh-oh! " Times from the moment of
takeoff are shown in minutes and seconds and are approximate. The sex of the
speaker is indicated by M or F.
T+1:15 (M) What happened? What happened? Oh God, no - no!
T+1:17 (F) Oh dear God.
T+1:18 (M) Turn on your air pack! Turn on your air...
T+1:20 (M) Can't breathe... choking...
T+1:21 (M) Lift up your visor!
T+1:22 (M/F) (Screams.) It's hot. (Sobs.) I can't. Don't tell me... God!
T+1:24 (M) I told them... I told them... Dammit! Resnik don't...
T+1:27 (M) Take it easy! Move (unintelligible)...
T+1:28 (F) Don't let me die like this. Not now. Not here...
T+1:31 (M) Your arm... no... I (extended garble, static)
T+1:36 (F) I'm... passing... out...
T+1:37 (M) We're not dead yet.
T+1:40 (M) If you ever wanted (unintelligible) me a miracle...
T+1:41 (M) She's... she's... (garble) ... damn!
T+1:50 (M) Can't breathe...
T+1:51 (M/F) (screams) Jesus Christ! No!
T+1:54 (M) She's out.
T+1:55 (M) Lucky... (unintelligible).
T+1:56 (M) God. The water... we're dead! (screams)
T+2:00 (F) Goodbye (sobs)... I love you, I love you...
T+2:03 (M) Loosen up... loosen up...
T+2:07 (M) It'll just be like a ditch landing...
T+2:09 (M) That's right, think positive.
T+2:11 (M) Ditch procedure...
T+2:14 (M) No way!
T+2:17 (M) Give me your hand...
T+2:19 (M) You awake in there? I... I...
T+2:29 (M) Our Father... (unintelligible)...
T+2:42 (M) ...hallowed be Thy name... (unintelligible).
T+2:57 (M) You...over there?
T+2:58 (M) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall...not want. He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures... though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil... I will dwell in the house...
T+3:15 to end. None. Static, silence.
The entire AOH site is optimized to look best in Firefox® 3 on a widescreen monitor (1440x900 or better).
Site design & layout copyright © 1986- AOH
We do not send spam. If you have received spam bearing an artofhacking.com email address, please forward it with full headers to email@example.com. | <urn:uuid:ee5640e1-5127-43ab-aa0c-46b13d389bcd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.artofhacking.com/IET/POLITICS/live/aoh_challngr.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.91472 | 1,419 | 1.789063 | 2 |
You’re limited only by your imagination, in a wonderful place like Knowland Park. But here are a few activities we know are worthwhile, from personal experience.
Dream date: Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine and a loaf of good bread. Hike to the top of Heart Attack hill, and gaze out across the Bay. Be sure to pack out any trash—there is no trash pickup; it is done by neighbors and park users.
Fly a Kite: Knowland has great kite flying opportunities whether the wind is coming off the Bay or from the East. Watch out for the holes of pocket gophers which can trip you up!
Birdwatching: Grab a pair of binoculars and your bird book. Knowland is a great place to see a variety of birds, including migrating species and year-round raptors and songbirds.
Exploring: Knowland is a fabulous space for kids to explore. The rocky outcrops are great for imaginative play and there are so many places to discover. Try seeing who can find the smallest plant. Or how many types of insects you can see. At different seasons there are wildflowers, butterflies, tadpoles, and many other creatures to see.
Stargazing: Knowland is a wonderful place for stargazing and owl watching.
Get hitched: Propose marriage or get married! Experience has shown that Knowland Park is a lovely, inspirational place for romantic celebration.
Watch the sunsets: every night they’re different.
Photograph the Park: From enormous views to tiny wildflowers, Knowland is a photographer’s paradise. The light is especially lovely in early morning and late afternoon.
Dogs: Knowland Park is popular with dog owners and assurance that people would be able to continue walking dogs there under voice control was part of the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding with the Zoo. However, there are no poop bag dispensers or trash receptacles, so if you go, please be a responsible dog owner and observe the rules that help keep Knowland Park beautiful for all:
- Bring plastic bags and pick up after your pet.
- Remember there are rare plants in the park as well as creatures who make it their home – discourage your dog from digging and do not permit dogs to chase wildlife.
- Keep your dog on the trails to avoid encounters with skunks and predators.
- As always, keep your dog under your control at all times.
Note: As stated in Oakland’s city ordinance 6.04.080 Oakland Municipal Code (OMC), it is illegal to walk dogs in any Oakland city park, except for the following:
- Joaquin Miller and Leona Parks east of Mountain Boulevard,
- Dimond Park east of El Centro Avenue,
- Knowland Park east of Golf Links Road,
- Glen Daniel/King Estate Park north of Fontaine Street,
- the Montclair Railroad Trail,
- Mosswood Park,
- on designated hardscape paths at the Broadway entrance nearest to 1-580 overpass,
- the West MacArthur Boulevard entrance at Shafter Avenue,
- the Webster Street entrance at 36th Street.
Also, off-leash dog-walking is illegal anywhere in Oakland, except for these parks:
- Hardy Park,
- Mosswood Park,
- the Joaquin Miller dog play area.
The city ordinance cited above states, in reference to both of the above proscriptions, “Additional areas may be added as authorized in writing or resolution by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and then as amended therein.” | <urn:uuid:e7402787-ed79-4df8-b50f-21ecdfbadf7e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.saveknowland.org/getting-there/what-to-do-in-knowland-park/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924232 | 745 | 1.671875 | 2 |
ESA's fleet rides the storm
The highly unusual activity of the Sun this week has had an amazing effect on our magnetosphere, but what about ESA's spacecraft, orbiting high above the Earth or en route to other worlds?
The magnetosphere is the magnetic shield surrounding our planet which protects the Earth from most of the charged particles that are blasted across interplanetary space by explosions on the Sun.
But spare a moment to think about some of ESA's spacecraft which are now on missions which take them away from Earth, some outside the magnetosphere and receiving the full blast.
ESA mission scientists are aware of how disruptive these energetic particles could be to their spacecraft and have been monitoring the situation closely. They are working closely with experts in space weather from ESA's Electromagnetics and Space Environment Division.
Fortunately, most of these spacecraft also have on-board radiation monitors so, even without the early warnings given by the ESA/NASA SOHO solar observatory, scientists are always alerted in time for them to take precautions.
On its way to the Red Planet, ESA's Mars Express was hit by the cloud of charged particles but was designed with adequate protection for these events. Most of its instruments are currently switched off because they are not needed until the spacecraft reaches Mars, and so they escaped any data loss or damage to delicate components.
The only major effect of the solar activity on SMART-1, spiralling its way to the Moon, has been a disruption to the operation of the 'ion' engine. The engine is being used to boost SMART-1's orbit out towards the Moon. At one point, the ion engine automatically shut down, but restarted itself later with no problems. This is a temporary condition and will disappear when the extreme solar activity subsides.
At the same time, radiation monitors on board other ESA Science spacecraft in highly elliptical orbits had detected radiation, probably coming from the solar flare. These spacecraft, XMM Newton and Integral, are safe and fully operational. Only their most-sensitive instruments have been switched off to prevent damage. In fact, XMM-Newton was already in a safe 'hibernation' mode because it was passing through the Van Allen radiation belts at that time.
In 2001, XMM-Newton survived the largest solar flare ever recorded, and mission scientists had no reason to be concerned about the effects of this week's events. Integral had also stopped its operations and switched itself to a 'safe' mode. | <urn:uuid:fbbec250-10b2-40eb-9430-5727af7c02e1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ESA_s_fleet_rides_the_storm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963617 | 508 | 3.40625 | 3 |
Most important stuff first: Thank you!
A big ‘Thank you!’ to everyone who attended my talk about designing for emotional experiences. You were a great and really supportive audience, and I really enjoyed it. I hope you had fun too!
Find the slides from the presentation below. The recommended readings are listed below the slides.
Hi everyone! My name is Jiri, I work as an UX consultant for POSSIBLE and I also study Human-computer Interaction at UCL. Today, I’m going to talk about how to design emotional experiences based on insights from users.
Let me tell you a short story. About 8 months ago, I was designing an Experience Map for American Express. The brief was to describe journey of their product and how our personas interact with that product at given times. Part of that Experience Map I designed was this diagram showing the emotional state of the main persona – the customer – through all phases of interaction with the product. You can see, according to the map, that the customer is having some ups and downs, but is quite happy in general.
Do you think that this emotional timeline was based on some data collected from users? No. Or you might think that after the map was completed, I tested the experience with the actual users and amended the map accordingly? Again, no. How useful is a deliverable that is not rooted in the evidence from users? How can it inform our designs?
I will tell you about tools for capturing users’ emotions and frameworks for designing emotional experiences today. These tools and techniques are very simple and when you get back to work on Monday, I want you to start using what you’ll learn here today straight away.
We know that insights from users are the core of the user-centred design. Many of us even run various research activities, ranging from think aloud walkthroughs and paper prototyping sessions to a full blown contextual inquiry. I believe that all of us can agree that great design needs to be rooted in users’ goals and needs.
When it comes to designing for emotion though, we are lost.
Instead of insight from users, we tend to use our sense, our expertise, or, in the best case scenario, patterns that others claim as successful. We don’t deliberately design for a specific set of emotions and we don’t iterate our designs based on what our users feel when they interact with our products.
There are a few well known books on this topic, such as Designing for Emotion by Aaron Walter or Seductive Interaction Design by Stephen Anderson. What you learn from those books though are design principles, that might help you to design products with friendly and happy interfaces, that might make your users smile.
I talk about patterns like use of anthropomorfic design, use of friendly language, Easter egg games, surprising users and playing with their expectations, emotional impact of colours, or creating product that has friendly and “personality.”
But not all products should be happy, casual and making jokes as the MailChimp chimpanzee.
Your product’s personality might look more like this.
Or even like this! Think about funeral service website that would talk to their customers in casual friendly language and make occasional jokes. Or about NHS website where patients can search for urgent help – such website has to facilitate very different emotions to MailChimp as well.
We can’t use same emotional patterns to design every website. Most of them might be very straightforward, such us e-commerce or b2b corporate websites, but there is a whole lot of digital services that might be very different to that. Also, think about the future – we are designing websites now, but as the age of ubiquitous computing is approaching, we might find ourselves designing experiences for a whole range of other digitally enhanced objects for smart homes for example, where the emotional aspect of products will be much more important.
Essentially, to stand true to our user-centred approach, I believe that the emotional side of UX should be rooted in the evidence from user research.
So how can you research emotions? There are various ways how to do it, and I bet you heard about measuring emotions with the help of EEG, skin conductivity sensors, pupil dilation sensors, fascial muscle contraction cameras and other hi-tech solutions. These methods are very accurate, but you need the technology to do them. I want to introduce you to rather low-tech techniques that you can start using straight away, just with pen and paper.
I’ll introduce you to a very simple technique of capturing emotions on the fly. Imagine you are doing a think aloud user session. You are observing how the user interacts with the product, making notes of usability problems, and exploring how is the user’s mental model matching with the conceptual model of the product.
But what if you want to record what the user feels at each stage of the interaction? You need the user to self report the feelings, but it usually gets difficult for people to express their emotions. The tool you are going to use should not distract the user too much, or create a massive cognitive load. A tool like that might be the Self-evaluation Manikins.
Provide users with a scale on which they can quickly asses their emotional state. On this scale, they will mark how happy they feel.
On this scale, the users will mark how energetic they feel,
and finally, here they will mark how “big in the world” they feel.
This is a quick and unobtrusive way how to record user’s emotions. There are a few limitations you need to keep in mind. The scale allows to capture only very narrow area of potential emotional states. That is the trade off for the simplicity and effectiveness of capturing emotions on he fly. Also, the technique might not be totally accurate, because some users might have problem matching the manikin and their emotion. That is quite normal though, as we recognise other people’s emotions only in 80% of cases.
If you have more time to evaluate, or you want to evaluate emotions on much more granular level, it is a good idea to do a study that takes slightly longer time.
The ideal format for that is a diary study. Users keep using the product, and make notes about their experience into a diary that is provided. This technique can be easily hacked for capturing emotions.
Provide your users with diaries, and also cards with printed Geneva Emotional Wheel on them. The wheel provides much broader range of emotions for assessment, as well a strength of a particular emotion. Your users interact with the product, and you instruct them to mark their feelings on the wheel throughout their experience. Start with their expectations and their immediate reactions to the product, continue with marking emotions during he actual interaction, and finally let the users to capture their emotions when they tell stories about the product to their friends and feeling they have when they reflect upon their experience.
Your users will use the Geneva Wheel as a scale and will mark their emotions on it accordingly. The scale is much broader and has finer granularity than the manikins, and also allows to record how strong the emotion is, from the centre of the wheel to the border. When you finish your diary study, you collect the diaries, wheels and of course interview your participant.
You collected lots of data about how your users feel when they interact with your product. But how can you utilise that data?
First, use the data to enrich your personas. This is the easiest way how to feed your evidence into next iteration of the product. You might also review your Experience Map if you have one, or build a new one. Such map can be valuable tool to communicate the experience across your project team and with all stakeholders. If you find that results of your research does not match product’s goal and experience you plan to build, it is time for an action!
How can you then start designing the right emotional experience? There are several design frameworks that can help you to stay on the right track. The most simple and straightforward is Don Norman’s “Framework for Emotional Design” that has been published in Emotional Design: Why we love (or hate) everyday things.
The framework will help you to separately focus on three main parts of the experience: Visceral, that is all about immediate feelings, look and first impressions, behavioural, that focuses on the experience during the actual interaction with the product, and finally reflective that is all about how the user feels after using the product, about reflecting upon the usage and what the user tells about the product to his or her friends.
Create a table with three columns, Visceral, Behavioural and Reflective, and put down emotions you want your user experience in each part of the experience in the highest granularity possible.
This document might serve as a source for the new Experience Map, or be a standalone deliverable.
Then develop your minimum viable product and test it with the manikins, or even better with the Geneva Wheel. Compare results with your Visceral – Behavioural and Reflective sheet, and iterate the product. The circle closes and you achieved to design real emotional experience based on user research.
So now when you know about tools that you need to design emotional experiences, I’d like yo to go and start designing. Make your users happy, surprised, scared or disgusted. Just go and design some emotions!
Recommended reading on designing for emotions
1) Essential reading
- Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things – if you haven’t read this book yet go and get it. A must for anyone interested in designing for emotions.
- Affective computing on Interaction Design Encyclopedia – great starting point for those who want to get slightly deeper into the affective design.
- Affective Computing – brilliant book on affective computing by Rosalind Picard from the MIT Media Lab.
2) Capturing emotions
- The sensual evaluation instrument: Developing a trans-cultural self-report measure of affect
- Evaluation of natural emotions using self assessment manikins
- PrEmo – commercial tool that is using self-assessment manikins to capture emotions.
3) Emotional design frameworks
Norman’s Framework for Emotional Design
- Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things – I already mentioned this book above, but I repeat it here because it is the source of the framework I was mentioning in my talk
- More information about the framework on the JND website
- Underlying theory for the Framework for Emotional Design
Jordan’s Four Pleasures framework
- Designing Pleasurable Products – read the chapter Four Pleasures
McCarthy & Wright’s Technology as Experience framework | <urn:uuid:5a67550f-04f3-468b-b095-076f789bf80b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.jirijerabek.net/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00068-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950229 | 2,253 | 1.515625 | 2 |
nes, In aged accents, and untimely words, Paint shadowes in imaginarie lines, Which well the reach of their high wit records;
But I must sing of thee, and those faire eyes Autentique shall my verse in time to come, When yet th' vnborne shall say "Loe, where she lyes, Whose beauty made Him speak that els was dombe."
These are the arkes, the trophies I erect, That fortifie thy name against old age, And these thy sacred vertues must protect Against the Darke, & Times consuming rage. Though th' errour of my youth they shall discouer, Suffise, they shew I liu'd, and was thy louer.
But, to say nothing more, whatever wisdom there may be in allowing that love was the errour of his youth, there was no great gallantry in telling this melancholy truth to the lady.
Daniel is a multifarious writer, and will be mentioned again. I shall add nothing more of him here than the following anecdote. When he was a young student at Magdalen-Hall in Oxford, about the year 1580, notwithstanding the | <urn:uuid:3a0fb7ce-ab92-41fd-bb10-846adaff7b57> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://manybooks.net/titles/wartont3365833658-8.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941979 | 246 | 1.78125 | 2 |
Maryland Natural Resources Police Saves Intoxicated Boater
McHenry, MD - On August 1, 2009 at approximately 1 a.m., Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) Corporal Jeffrey Sweitzer was on routine patrol on Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County when he observed a vessel traveling at an estimated 40 knots and passed within 15 feet of a fishing vessel. The weather conditions at this time were very overcast with poor visibility. While Cpl. Swietzer was attempting to follow the vessel, he passed a person in the water that was screaming for help. This person was identified as Michael Patrick McCarthy, 23 years old of Kensington, Maryland. McCarthy was picked up about 300 yards from shore. McCarthy was highly intoxicated, disoriented, swimming away from shore and not wearing a life jacket at the time he was rescued. McCarthy stated that he just fallen off a boat. The only boat in sight was the vessel that Cpl. Sweitzer was following. This boat was now approximately one half mile away and could only be observed by the stern light. The boat did not show any indications that it was turning around for its occupant. Cpl. Swietzer and McCarthy found the vessel on a boat lift and covered for the night at a lakeside residence. The people that were on the boat were located inside the residence. Cpl. Sweitzer’s investigation revealed that the occupants of the vessel did not realize that McCarthy had fallen off the boat and was missing. The vessel operator at the time of the incident was identified as Daniel Joseph Beggy, 41 years old of Kensington, Maryland. Beggy was charged with negligent operation of a vessel.
|August 4, 2009||
Contact: Sgt. Art Windemuth
The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 249 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov | <urn:uuid:cb5b6e7e-ab3f-4fb3-8fcd-abcf5d77f4a1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2009/080409.asp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971288 | 604 | 1.601563 | 2 |
Walter J. Cummings Jr. was born on September 29, 1916, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Lillian Garvy and Walter J. Sr., ex-chairman of the board of the Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company, as well as the treasurer of the Democratic National Committee from 1934-1936. After attending Chicago area schools, Walter graduated from Yale University in 1937, and then earned his law degree from Harvard University in 1940. That same year he was admitted to the Illinois bar and joined the staff of the U.S. Solicitor General, where he served until 1946. During that time, Cummings also served as a special assistant to the U.S. Attorney General, 1944-1946.
In 1946, Cummings joined the Chicago law firm Sidley, Austin, Burgess & Smith as a partner. He remained at the firm until 1966, taking his only leave of absence to become solicitor general after President Truman’s December 1, 1952 appointment. Cummings’ short SG service (from December 1952-March 1953) was during the transitional period between the presidencies of Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Cummings only appeared several times before the Supreme Court in matters concerning alleged violations of the civil rights of convicts in a Florida prison camp and a question concerning the constitutionality of the emergency strike section of the Taft-Hartley Act.
Cummings was appointed to a judgeship on the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, in 1966, and subsequently served as chief judge on the 7th circuit from 1981-1986. He was a member of the Joint Committees of Judicial Articles and Uniform Commercial Code. Cummings also acted as the grievance commissioner of the Illinois Supreme Court, member of the U.S. Judicial Confederation, chairman of the Chicago U.S. Circuit Court Judges (1985-1986), as well as the subcommittee on judicial improvements, and chairman of the ad hoc committee on disposition of court records. In his spare time, Walter contributed his expertise to various law schools including Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago as a committee visitors member. His interest in art was reflected in his position as a governing life member of the Arts Institute of Chicago.
Cummings held various positions as a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association. His social club memberships included the Yale Club (New York City), Metropolitan (Washington), the Saddle and Cycle (Chicago), and the Union League.
Walter was married to Therese Farrell Murray (deceased November 1968) on May 18, 1946. The couple had three sons Walter J. III, Keith, and Mark. On April 24, 1999, Walter Cummings passed away at his home in Chicago. | <urn:uuid:3a9bf4b8-6157-4e30-a42f-cf5bbacc1a22> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.justice.gov/osg/aboutosg/osghistprint.php?id=28 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978109 | 568 | 1.945313 | 2 |
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of California, Davis
Office: 268E Young Hall
My research examines the role of emotions in three general areas. First, I examine the impact of emotion on cognitive performance. This research explores how specific emotions, such as anger or fear, influence how people process information and, consequently, how they form or change their attitudes. Second, I study how people predict their own and others' emotional reactions to events. I am particularly interested in the sources of error in such forecasts, the consequences of these forecasts for the self and others, and how to improve accuracy in forecasting. Third, I investigate how emotions may functionally regulate cognitive and biological responses to stressors. Using a variety of psychological and biological measures, including cardiovascular reactivity, cortisol response, and immune system markers, this research has implications for both mental and physical health. | <urn:uuid:7114c4a6-b8fe-4d71-954a-3542c95574b2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Moons/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.914354 | 168 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Barack Hussein Obama is 47 years old. He has already penned his autobiography as well as a book on politics which titled: The Audacity of Hope. He is currently running against Hillary Clinton in a race for the Democrat Party’s nomination to be President of the United States.
Here is the complete list of Barack Obama’s accomplishments:
- Elected to the United States Senate on 11/04, he has voted and given speeches on the floor of the US Senate.
- He is a gifted orator and he is likeable.
- He is African-American.
Ladies and gentlemen, with only a few years in the US Senate, well-spoken and charming, Barack Hussein Obama is the candidate most likely to win the Democrat nomination to run the most powerful nation on earth. Oh… did I mention that he is black?
Hope and audacity. Indeed. | <urn:uuid:4b6c10f4-eda2-4417-9f5e-6b34c07d5a59> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.atangledweb.org/?p=3894 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978909 | 183 | 1.539063 | 2 |
The Drop House landed on the prefab scene after winning the Modular Architecture Challenge in 2005 with its gorgeous aesthetic and easily-customizable system. A partial prototype was installed at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris at the time, and now, the stunning structure has been brought to life in full form – all 48 gorgeous square meters. Architects Antoine Cordier, Olivier Charles and Armel Neouze created the Drop House concept to exemplify “private housing, industry and customization.” The design is turning heads for its potential to minimize waste, reduce energy and settle in style with the option to move on a whim.
The design is weighted along a central axis with “pop-out” extensions forming the kitchen, bath, second bedroom and entry. The layout provides maximum space within the constraints of a completely portable container that can “close-up” when the extended living spaces are removed.
When sited properly, the structure presents an opportunity for passive solar with materials that maximize thermal performance. The steel framework is fitted with slat timber cladding at the main living spaces. The external joinery is composed of lacquered aluminum with thermal break and low-emissivity double glazing. The back of the structure is insulated with closed timber cladding on steel sandwich panel with 80mm rock wool.
As the design project evolves, we’ll look forward to bringing more details about its impact in regard to materials and manufacturing. In the meantime, it’s clear that this inviting spatial experience brings yet another dimension to sustainable prefab housing. | <urn:uuid:53581de0-9aaf-4707-a3b8-482545f08560> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://inhabitat.com/drop-house/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.922795 | 324 | 2.078125 | 2 |
Immigration is an increasingly common course of events in the modern world. The reasons behind it are as diverse as pursuing study openings, seeking medical care or even as a career decision. While success stories of these arrangements do exist, there are less colorful tales. They constitute in a lot of covered up accounts of events according to those unfortunate enough to land in one of the difficult countries to migrate to.
Tags: destination tips, Destinations, education, happiness, international, lifestyle, news and society, politics and government, reference and education, society, success, travel, travel & leisure, travel planning, travel-tips | <urn:uuid:49ab51cc-a639-4205-ac54-fd2dfa9b750a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.go60.com/travel/tag/success | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946199 | 124 | 1.914063 | 2 |
Find out what factors you should consider when purchasing a new body.
“Entry-level” DSLR’s are intended for beginner photographers trying to learn the basics and casual shooters who want more features, higher quality, and faster performance than what point and shoot cameras can offer. Entry-level camera bodies are generally priced between $400-and $600, and are often bundled with a “kit” lens (which is generally an inexpensive, standard focal range zoom lens).
These cameras are fairly versatile, offering complete control over the one’s settings and exposures. While higher end functions do not come standard at this price-range, often those using entry-level cameras will have little need for these functions anyway. These cameras all store their images on SD cards.
All entry-level cameras offer automatic and manual exposure adjustments, and a pop-up flash, and many include HD-video recording functionality. However, they don’t usually include as many buttons and switches as “Mid-level,” Prosumer”, or “Pro” bodies, relying on LCD-based menus to control the settings. Most of these cameras feature APS-C-sized sensors, which are generally 75%, the size of the full frame sensors found in “Pro Level” cameras.
These cameras are a good choice for anyone who enjoys shooting their friends and family members, vacations and nature.
“Mid-level” DSLR’s are best for photo-enthusiasts and amateur shooters who have a basic concept of setting their exposure and the functionality of a camera. These bodies are generally priced between $700 and $1000 and are also often sold with a “kit” lens.
Offering higher functions than “Entry-Level” camera bodies, mid-level DSLR’s are generally slightly larger in size than their cheaper counterparts. They also may feature a wider range of ISO’s, a faster burst-rate, better viewfinder accuracy, higher quality video-capture, and a better autofocusing system. Additionally, at the “Mid-Level” range, most DSLR’s can utilize their pop-up flash as a wireless commander to fire other off-camera flashes. These cameras also generally take variations of SD cards.
“Mid-Level” cameras also feature APS-C-sized sensors. These bodies are great for shooting everything “Entry-Level” cameras can shoot as well as sports and action photographs, images in lower light and candids.
Prosumer Level DSLR:
“Prosumer” cameras are for advanced-amateur shooters as well as some professional-level photographers. “Prosumer” literally means a cross between a consumer and a professional camera. These bodies are often priced between $1200 and $2500. They include most of the higher end functions that professional cameras have. Generally speaking, “Prosumer” cameras feature a APS-C-sized sensor, however some have full-frame sensors.
“Prosumer” cameras are great for shooting in virtually any setting including low-light situations and fast-moving subjects . They feature an even faster burst-rate than “Mid-Level” cameras, more advanced autofocusing, generally with more points of focus and more accurate tracking, higher maximum ISO’s, more intuitive manual controls and added creative features.
Unlike “Entry” and “Mid-Level” DSLR’s, many “Prosumer” cameras take compact flash memory cards instead of, or in addition to, SD cards. If you are looking for a “Pro-Level” camera at a bargain price, a “Prosumer” camera may be right for you. | <urn:uuid:72ab1d61-5e98-4144-9c90-462f001d08fb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.popphoto.com/news/2010/11/how-pick-right-camera-body | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954004 | 791 | 1.765625 | 2 |
Friday, June 25, 2010
Mounting Tensions between Washington and the States over Health Reform
“Done right, the implementation of ACA (Affordable Care Act) can achieve the advantages of minimum national standards for coverage and greater equity among Americans without sacrificing the states’ tradition roles, responsibilities, and flexibility. Done wrong, implementation will create excess layers of bureaucracy, and delay will ensure that his historic health reform legislation falls far short of its goals.”
Christopher C. Jennings and Katherine J. Hayes, J.D., “Health Insurance and Tensions of Federalism,” New England Journal of Medicine, June 17, 2010
When the New England Journal of Medicine, which in general staunchly supports Obamacare, carries an article questioning whether the new law can be implemented, you know something is afoot. What’s afoot are mounting tensions between Washington and state capitols over the details, timing, roles, and revenue sharing required for reform.
Reasons for these tensions are straightforward.
• State budgets are severely stressed. The single most burdensome budget item is invariably Medicaid. Obamacare will shift 16 million more Medicaid recipients, and perhaps millions more, to the state, to be covered by state budgets and only partially paid for by the federal government.
• In November 2010, if current polls are predictive, political power in the states and in the House of Representatives nationally, will shift to Republicans. Republicans now stand to control over 30 state governments.
According to the authors of the NEJM piece, the realities facing implementation of Obamacare, now increasingly dubbed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a misnomer of the first order, are:
• Many, if not most states, have little experience or expertise with high-risk pools, or insurance market reforms, which are part and parcel of the new law.
• Many states – for policy, political, and other reasons, “have little or no interest in collaborating with the federal government in implementing the ACA.” Already more than 20, soon to be 30, governors and attorney generals have filed lawsuits to block individual mandates, upon which ACA depends to succeed.
• At least 19 states have declined federal dollars to create high-risk pools, designed to provide coverage for those denied overage of pre-existing illness.
• The federal government has yet to answer questions about hoe $5 billion federal dollars will be spent to support states creating high-risk pools. What happens if the money runs out? How will the feds enforce formation of these pools? How should premiums be set? If a state declines to set up pools, how and when the federal backup be established? How will federal pools be administered?
To overcome state resistance and to answer these questions, the authors say, the administration will have to work “quickly, competently, and decisively,” or the federal government will have to pick up the total cost.
The Obama administration does not have a reputation of moving “quickly, competently, and decisively,” at least in the case of the oil spill in the Gulf.
Yet deadlines loom.
January 1, 2010 deadline
Creation of high-risk pools
Creation of state insurance exchanges or federal fallback exchange
Adoption of insurance-market reforms, with the application of standards to all new health insurance plans and to many grandfathered plans (i.e., those that were in force as of the date of enactment of the reform law)
October 1, 2010 deadline.
Permits parents to keep children on their insurance plans up to age 26.
Prohibits lifetime limits on benefits.
Restricts annual limits on benefits.
Prohibits exclusion of preexisting conditions for children
Establishes medical loss ratios by limiting percent of premiums used for overhead, marketing, and profit.
Prohibits plans from rescinding coverage.
January 1, 2004 deadline
Prohibits plans from denying coverage because of an individual’ heath status
Prohibits plans from varying premiums for any reason except for family size, geographic locations, and age.
Prohibits exclusions for preexisting conditions.
Establishes minimum “essential benefits” that must be offered.
Eliminate lifetime annual limits on essential benefits
Prohibits plans from rescinding policies, except in the cast of nonpayment of premiums.
If I may sum up, federal-state tensions are mounting as the political landscape shifts with concerns over spending, debt, and government intrusion into private lives. Whether leaders; will have a meeting of the minds and wallets is uncertain. The Obama administration may have bitten off more than it can chew, or the states can digest. | <urn:uuid:cc01df70-805e-4881-aa13-9a2ff41d2889> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://medinnovationblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/mounting-tensions-between-washington.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.929197 | 965 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Emily Ravenwood examines in her article, "The Innocence of Children: Effects of Vulgarity in South Park" the way in which the appropriation of low culture into high art can operate to simultaneously raise and lower the cultural capital of the art in question. Usually, in definitions of high and low art vulgarity is understood as a negative representation. This dismissal is rooted in the linguistic and political relationship between vulgarity and perceived "lower class" realities. In the context of artistic representation, however, vulgarity can be a powerful weapon to enforce attention and awareness of foreign realities in a middle class audience. Authors of works deemed high art, such as Rabelais and Swift, freely use it so. A current example, which is in transition, or perhaps in suspension between high and low, is the television cartoon series South Park. The series provides for an excellent opportunity to examine the particular workings of vulgarity and to re-examine definitions of high and low art. The connection between the two categories and forms of artistic expression lies in the desire of those who define popularity to partake of the unpopular. South Park takes advantage of this connection. In the final analysis, however, South Park may have defeated its own aspirations to high art by appealing too much to the source of its vulgar and popular images, namely children.
"The Innocence of Children: Effects of Vulgarity in South Park."
CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture
This text has been blind peer reviewed by 2+1 experts in the field.
The above text, published by Purdue University Press ©Purdue University, has been downloaded 3029 times as of 05/12/13. Note: the download counts of the journal's material are since Issue 9.1 (March 2007), since the journal's format in pdf (instead of in html 1999-2007).
CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture is published by Purdue University Press ©Purdue University in open access. Please support the journal: Click here for more information and to make your donation online. | <urn:uuid:a0da661e-f319-4a3f-bded-045598278e87> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/clcweb/vol1/iss2/5/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94716 | 416 | 2.703125 | 3 |
Last week, against the backdrop of a glorious fall day in New York City, Traditional Home gathered industry elites to toast six inspiring women and celebrate their contributions. The luncheon is truly one of the highlights of the design social calendar because it casts a much needed spotlight on amazing women who are doing good and making a difference quietly and successfully in their communities.
TV personality and journalist Deborah Norville played emcee for the event, welcoming the group and introducing the honorees. Six women and the charities they founded are recognized at this event. Each was introduced by a short video and each told her inspiring story to the crowd as we wiped away the tears.
Said Traditional Home editor in chief Ann Maine (pictured, above right with publisher Beth Brenner) about the honorees, “They represent our readers all over the country who welcome refugees, guide the young, comfort the elderly, advocate for the mentally ill, and reach out around the world to make it a better place. What unites them is this truth: You bring out the best in others when you give the best of yourself.”
Left to right: Linda, Evelyn, Shannon, Pascha, Nancy (not pictured, Carlotta) image via Traditional Home
Linda Davidson founded Our Military Kids in 2004 to provide much needed financial support to families of men and women deployed overseas, and families supporting wounded warriors who have returned home.
Evelyn Castellar founded Projecto Honduras in 2008 to provide free medical care, nutrition, basic necessities, education, recreational facilities and social development to impoverished children in rural Honduras.
Shannon Thompson founded Shakti Rising to give young women a pathway to creative power and personal transformation. The organization offers a home to women recovering from trauma and substance abuse, and a holistic approach to healing.
Pascha Peay founded Imagine Me Ministries, a mentoring program for middle and high school girls that provides after school, out-of-school, and weekend activities to improve academic achievement, school attendance and self confidence.
Nancy Chance founded the Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County, which connects area nonprofits, churches, food pantries and medical clinics so no efforts are duplicated and resources reaches all who need it.
Carlotta Jacobson founded Cancer and Careers in response to the growing number of friends navigating job uncertainty after a cancer diagnosis. This online resource empowers and educates through events, local support groups and an online community.
We encourage you to visit these websites, get inspired, and make a donation if you're able. Congrats to all of the honorees and to Traditional Home for celebrating them! | <urn:uuid:d489b246-49dc-4ff4-a54a-af4034363c2f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://kravet.typepad.com/inspiredtalk/2012/09/traditional-home-2012-classic-woman-awards.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927309 | 536 | 1.664063 | 2 |
NetEx HyperIP Specializes in Storage Apps
Your main data processing facility suffers a catastrophe, but it's not a total disaster because your corporate data is safely backed up in a cloud storage facility on the other side of the continent. But here's the problem: how are you going to restore terabytes of information from the cloud to your local storage systems? Moving vast amounts of data long distances over TCP/IP networks takes time, and every minute that your systems are down costs you money.
Using techniques like caching and application protocol optimization, WAN optimization controllers (WOCs) can improve the performance of applications over WAN s dramatically. But when it comes to sucking huge volumes of data over a WAN from one storage system to another, caching and application protocol optimization can't help significantly. Something more specialized is required.
NetEx, a Minneapolis-based company which was spun out of StorageTek in 1999, believes it has the answer. Its HyperIP solution is derived from code originally developed by IBM and Network Systems Corporation for moving large amounts of data over satellite links. "We've modified this code to run with TCP-based storage apps," explains Robert MacIntyre, a NetEx vice president. "Unlike conventional WOCs we don't look at application protocols, and we don't do caching. We concentrate on mitigating the problems posed by long distance WAN links, which are packet loss and latency."
HyperIP is available as an appliance, or more commonly as a virtual appliance that runs on a server with VMware's ESX hypervisor. One of these servers is needed at each end of a WAN connection, connected to the local area network. "Storage based apps like an EMC array or a NAS head would point traffic at the HyperIP server, and that takes the traffic, sends it across the WAN to another HyperIP server using a HyperIP connection, and then passes it on to the LAN as TCP traffic at the other end," says MacIntyre.
How does it work? Essentially, HyperIP used four key techniques:
- Local TCP acknowledgements
- Efficient bandwidth utilization
- Mitigating the effect of packet loss
- Mitigating the effect of latency
Local TCP Acknowledgements
When a storage application sends data over the WAN, the local HyperIP server (rather than a remote server at the other end of the WAN) generates TCP acknowledgements, to ensure the TCP window stays open and the data keeps flowing. This is similar to the way many WOCs accelerate common protocols, effectively shielding the source server from any packet loss or latency problems that may occur on the WAN
Efficient Bandwidth Utilization
TCP applications sharing limited bandwidth run as fast as they can until packet loss occurs, at which point performance begins to degrade. When some applications stop sending data there is some delay before other applications take up the extra capacity that has become available.
HyperIP overcomes this by managing packet streams over the WAN, aggregating TCP packet streams from the LAN and sending them over the WAN using the HyperIP protocol. When new applications start, the traffic they generate is inserted into the HyperIP connection without causing congestion, and when the traffic stops the newly freed up bandwidth is immediately reclaimed for other applications to use.
HyperIP also used block data compression (as opposed to individual packet compression) to reduce the number of packets being sent. Compression is automatically deactivated for data that is not compressible enough, and for which the compression overhead outweighs the benefits of the compression itself.
Mitigating the Effect of Packet Loss
TCP always interprets packet loss as a sign of congestion and ultimately slows transmission, even though on long WAN connections packet loss may in fact be caused by data corruption. HyperIP is designed to react differently to packet loss to take this into account, resulting in transmission rates being maintained close to the capacity of the WAN link, even when packet loss is common.
Mitigating the Effect of Latency
Latency on a long WAN link can be very high (perhaps 60ms for a 3,000-mile link.) To use the link to its full capacity using TCP it is necessary to have large TCP window sizes to "fill the pipe," which involves TCP stack tuning that affects all application connections. With a HyperIP connection, HyperIP takes control of window size adjustments. By monitoring round-trip times, bandwidth capacity, and transmission rates it can calculate the capacity of the connection and adjust the HyperIP window size accordingly to ensure the connection is utilized as fully as possible.
That's the theory, but how well does it work in practice? Generally using HyperIP results in improvements in data rates by a factor of two, up to a factor of 30, claims MacIntyre. "Typically with TCP you get 20 percent to 30 percent data throughput because a lot of the capacity is used up by protocol traffic. With HyperIP we get up to 90 percent throughput," he says. When packet loss mitigation becomes significant the really big improvements up to 30 times more throughput are achievable, he says.
NetEx sells HyperIP using a pricing system based on the bandwidth of the link that it controls. For example, HyperIP software to govern a T1 link is currently priced at $1700 per copy (and a minimum of two copies are needed.) HyperIP hardware appliances are more expensive. As customers' requirements grow they can pay to unlock the software to govern higher bandwidth links if they wish to do so, up to a maximum of 800Mb/s.
For emergency data recovery situations, when a company needs to restore data from another site or a cloud storage facility in as short a time as possible, the company offers a Recovery on Demand feature. This allows customers to unlock the software so that it can be used with any available bandwidth for a period of ten days at no extra charge. After that period the HyperIP software is once again locked to the bandwidth that has been paid for.
With cloud storage becoming more popular (or at least more talked about) by the day, the need to move large amounts of data over long distances is likely to become increasingly common. And that means that demand for HyperIP, or similar solutions, is likely to see strong growth over the coming months and years. | <urn:uuid:a7ef6e82-8abe-4330-93cb-23fcb237aecd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/print/netsp/article.php/3819786/NetEx-HyperIP-Specializes-in-Storage-Apps.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940422 | 1,284 | 1.890625 | 2 |
At some point in our lives,
we all have to face the reality of losing a friend or family
member to death. The idea of losing someone we love, however,
makes most people feel uncomfortable, confused, and afraid.
Yet only when we face death can we truly understand the value
and meaning of life itself.
Roper & Sons understands no one grieves in the same manner,
and death rituals vary from culture to culture. We are honored
to assist in the celebration of your loved one’s life
and to help you find comfort during the planning of the funeral,
the visitation or wake, the service, and long afterward.
Why have a Funeral?
At some time in our lives, most of us will make or assist
in making funeral arrangements for a family member or friend.
The funeral is an important ritual. As difficult as it may
be to face, most of us accept death as an inevitable part
of life. Today, a dignified funeral ceremony and opportunity
to say "good-bye" to the deceased remains an important
part of life.
Your funeral director will help you
create a meaningful funeral ceremony by discussing your options,
guiding you through
the arrangement process, handling many details and giving
you the information necessary to make decisions.
Unlike most consumer transactions, funeral arrangements
are often made at an emotional time. It is important to understand
exactly what kind of merchandise and type of service you
will receive for the price you pay. Make sure you ask questions
about options that are not presented, as your funeral director
will do whatever possible to help. No two funerals are exactly
the same, nor should they be. Personalize the funeral by
discussing with your funeral director how you would like
your loved one to be remembered.
Although the exact nature of funeral rites and ceremonies
can differ greatly from one culture or religion to another,
in many ways they have remained the same throughout history.
Benefits of Funerals
- Bring together a community of mourners
- Create an opportunity
for participants to offer each other emotional support
and talk about the life and death
of their loved one
- Provide a sense of closure
When Death Occurs
Nothing adequately prepares you for the initial shock of
a loved one's death. Feelings of panic and helplessness may
be overwhelming, but it's important to know you are not alone.
It is important to reach out to close relatives, friends
and professionals for the help, support and comfort you need.
In some states, a doctor must be present to declare a person
dead and state the cause of death. If the doctor isn't sure
of the cause of death, or if the death may have been caused
by suicide, homicide or an accident, the county medical examiner
or coroner may be called.
Call your funeral director and clergyperson right away, regardless
of time of day or location. Immediate assistance and guidance
from your funeral director will be extremely valuable to
you, especially if you are faced with the added difficulty
of making initial arrangements from a distance.
Family and friends should be notified. Call immediate family
members first—parents, grandparents, children and siblings
of the deceased. Again, do not worry about waking others.
Grief researchers say those close to the deceased feel left
out if they aren't told about death immediately.
It's not necessary or practical for you to call every family
member and friend. News of a death travels quickly. Rely
on others to make sure everyone is notified. Although it
may be difficult to do, telling others of a death is therapeutic.
By saying aloud that a loved one has died, the death is confirmed
in your mind—an important step in the grief process.
So Much To Be Done
The emotional impact of death often makes it difficult
to concentrate on the overwhelming number of details
with planning the funeral and taking care of the deceased's
estate. You will find your funeral director's assistance
extremely valuable as you move through all activities
associated with a death.
You and your funeral director will need to plan the funeral
carefully to make sure it expresses your wishes. Include
your clergyperson in the planning from the start. If
you don't belong to a church but want a religious funeral,
your funeral director will suggest a clergyperson to
Experts estimate funeral directors conduct and coordinate
more than 200 separate activities in just two or three
days in preparation for and during a funeral.
Services of Funeral Directors
- Transport the deceased person's body to the funeral
- Secure information for and file the certificate
- Meet with your family to discuss arrangement options
- Help you choose the place, type and time for the visitation,
service and other arrangements
- Help you select a casket, outer burial container, urn,
memorial stone, marker or other items
- Advise you about other decisions to make, such as choosing
pallbearers and arranging for flowers
- Help with necessary paperwork, including obituary notices
and a variety of government benefit claim forms
- Help you notify the deceased person's employer, attorney,
insurance companies and banks
- Arrange for aftercare services to help you through the
A Final Note
During the first few days after a death, you are surrounded
by family and friends. You are busy planning the funeral
and may not have time to think about yourself until later
when you are alone with your grief. After you've planned
the funeral, take care of yourself.
You can expect to experience a wide range of emotions.
Grieving is hard work, and you may feel tired and lethargic
without understanding why. Lighten your schedule if you can,
eat healthy foods and exercise to renew your energy. Take
time to be alone with your thoughts, but also spend time
talking to close friends about your loss. You need to express
Ask your funeral director about aftercare services available
to support your needs during this time. | <urn:uuid:35338c22-4c9a-4fc3-badf-b2e27ad8aa2e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.roperandsons.com/services.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936042 | 1,266 | 1.5 | 2 |
A detailed national inventory of wetlands has been prepared on the basis of satellite imagery by ISRO, highlighting areas of critical ecological significance and those which are facing extreme threat due to developmental activities.
This is for the first time in India that the city-based Space Application Centre (SAC), a part of ISRO, has prepared such an inventory and atlas of all the wetlands that exists in the country.
“Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems which play crucial role in hydrological cycle like helping in storm and flood control, water supply, providing food, fibre and raw materials and in recreational benefits,” said SAC Director Dr. Ranganth R. Navalgund.
They also support lakhs of migratory birds coming from colder regions of the world in summers, apart from diverse local flora and fauna.
“However, the very existence of these unique resources is under threat due to developmental activities and population pressure. This calls for long-term planning for preservation and conservation of these resources,” Mr. Navalgund said.
“Creating an updated and accurate database that supports research and decision making is the first step towards this.
SAC took up this challenging task under the project National Wetland Inventory and Assessment (NWIA) sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forests,” he said.
“Two-date, satellite data acquired during pre and post-monsoon seasons are used for inventory of wet and dry season hydrology of wetlands. They have been categorised in 19 classes and mapped following standard map projection. The map outputs include status of water spread, aquatic vegetation and turbidity,” Mr. Navalgund said.
As per the finding of SAC study, excluding rivers, wetlands cover some 10 million hectares, or a little over three percent of the country’s geographical area. Of this 10 million hectares, reservoirs account for about 2.5 million hectares, inter-tidal mud flats for 2.4 million hectares, tanks for 1.3 million hectares, lakes/ponds for 0.70 million hectares, mangroves for some 0.47 million hectares and corals for about 0.14 million hectares.
The main objective of the project were wetland mapping and inventory at 1:50,000 scale resolution by analysis of digital satellite data of post and pre-monsoon seasons, creation of digital database in GIS environment and preparation of state-wise wetland atlases.
State wise distribution of wetlands showed that Lakshadweep has 96.12 per cent of geographic area under wetlands followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands (18.52 per cent), Damand and Diu (18.46 per cent) and Gujarat (17.56 per cent) have highest extent of wetlands.
Puducherry (12.88 per cent), West Bengal (12.48 per cent), Assam (9.74 per cent) are wetland-rich States. States like Mizoram, Haryana, Delhi Sikkim, Nagaland and Meghalaya the extents of wetland is less than 1.5 per cent.
The inventory said, India has long coast line and large area under coastal wetlands like inter-tidal, mudflat, lagoon and creek.
The inventory has also mapped high altitude lakes lying above 3,000 meter elevation. The Indian Himalayas cover almost 18 per cent of India’s land surface and is spread over six states, which have 4703 lakes above 3,000 meter elevation.
This includes 1996 small lakes. The total area of these lakes is 1.26 lakh hectares. | <urn:uuid:eefe789d-87a9-4538-9755-57073638f01e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://appscmaterial.blogspot.com/2011/06/isro-prepares-first-national-inventory.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.913321 | 749 | 3.3125 | 3 |
In 2006, artist Jason deCaires Taylor founded and created the world’s first underwater sculpture park in the West Indies. His latest project, however, Museo Subaquatico de Arte (MUSA), has taken him to Cancun, Mexico.
Earlier this week, it was announced 60 new sculptures would be added to MUSA, with many of them having been modeled after local residents.
The sculptures are more than just a stunning and unique attraction, they serve an environmental preservation purpose as well.
Taylor’s beautiful cement figures provide a new habitat for coral and various other marine life. Also, by creating these must-see works of art, snorkelers and divers are diverted from fragile coral reefs.
The Cancun Marine Park is one of the most visited stretches of water in the world with over 750,000 visitors each year, placing immense pressure on its resources. The location of the sculptures promotes the recovery of the natural reefs at it relieves pressure on them by drawing visitors away.
MUSO was founded in 2009 by Jaime Gonzalez Cano of The National Marine Park, Roberto Diaz of The Cancun Nautical Association and Taylor.
It currently consists of more than 450 permanent life-size sculptures set in the waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. | <urn:uuid:fe478ead-0ce3-460a-b22e-ed39c4c271b1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/forums/viewthread/10057/ | 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 | 0.951629 | 276 | 2.359375 | 2 |
The comeback story is rare in the dot-com world, but eBay (EBAY) is poised for a resurgence. As part of its reboot strategy, the Silicon Valley company is betting PayPal's international expansion on Brazil.
PayPal, the Web payment company eBay bought a decade ago, burst into Brazil's retail scene two years ago, determined to strike it big. On a call with analysts and reporters last month, eBay CEO John Donahoe said PayPal's popularity in Brazil is soaring.
But its success has been mostly with Web retailers, and what it really needs to succeed is to conquer
Challenges await in Brazil. With limited mobile Web access, a smartphone shortage, challenges from Brazilian mobile carriers and competition from home-grown startups, PayPal faces a thorny environment that threatens to stall its growth there.
"PayPal will find big competitors in Brazil," said Eduardo Henrique, co-founder of Movile, a mobile publishing platform with offices in Brazil and Silicon Valley. "Almost nobody sees PayPal as an option for mobile. Their product is not as good as the others."
Some experts say PayPal hasn't
"The potential of m-commerce is much, much greater than e-commerce," said Brazil native Ron Czerny, a longtime Silicon Valley entrepreneur and founder of mobile gaming network PlayPhone. "Everyone has a phone and purchases through phones. Not everyone purchases through PCs."
In Brazil, it's go mobile or go home. Cellphones -- but not smartphones -- are king and computer and Internet access remains scattered. About 42 percent of people have Internet access and there are about 70 million PCs for a country of 197 million. But most everybody in Brazil -- young and old, poor and rich -- have phones. The country has about 260 million cellphones -- about 130 phones per 100 people -- and mobile users have more than doubled since 2007, according to Teleco, a Brazilian telecommunications research company.
Electric bill, water bill, phone bill -- many Brazilians pay their monthly expenses on their phone through a mobile carrier, Czerny said. Buying clothes, Christmas gifts and baby diapers is a natural next step for the country recently named the fifth-largest mobile phone market in the world by telecommunications research firm BuddeComm.
If PayPal can figure out how to reach people on their phones, it can tap into large and diverse swaths of consumers in a country with limited transportation and infrastructure. But that's not easy for a company that has been tethered to PC and smartphone shopping since its inception. In Brazil, only about 15 percent of mobile customers have smartphones. Analysts say taxes keep smartphones out of reach for many; an iPhone can run $1,100.
Without the luxury of smartphones, PayPal's entry into mobile depends on partnerships with mobile carriers to facilitate cell purchases without web access. The success of these partnerships, said Henrique, will determine whether PayPal is successful in Brazil. However, there is little incentive for Brazilian mobile carriers to help an American company compete in a space where they have long had control.
"Carriers do not like it; they see it as a threat," said Czerny. "So they put up barriers for PayPal."
PayPal knocked down some of those barriers when it announced a partnership with Brazilian mobile company Vivo in August. The companies created a messaging technology that works without Internet and allows customers to use PayPal on their phones to buy minutes.
More than 80 percent of all Brazilian cell phone users have prepaid phones. Before, when Vivo users wanted more minutes, they had to buy them at a grocery store or corner store. PayPal removes that step.
"We are hugely convenient," said Mario Mello, head of Latin America for PayPal.
Mello said PayPal plans to expand the program to allow Vivo users to shop any of the 50,000 PayPal merchants in Brazil from their phone, without Internet. That technology is at least a year out, though.
The partnership -- PayPal's first with a Brazilian telecommunications company -- is widely considered an innovative move for the San Jose company, but some experts don't have high hopes. The payment system requires a credit card, which 1 out of 4 adults does not have.
That's not to say PayPal hasn't done well in Brazil. With the country's e-commerce boom -- an $11 billion industry that is expected to grow an additional 25 percent this year -- retail websites and e-commerce aggregators have flourished in the past few years, and Brazil has given birth to its own versions of Amazon and Etsy. Many now bear the familiar blue and yellow PayPal logo.
"Anything that e-retailers can do to give the perception of security, and safety and trust, they'll do. That's where PayPal has huge opportunity," said Renata Streit Quintini, a Brazil native and partner at Palo Alto firm Felicis Ventures.
PayPal's fraud detection capabilities and customer service far surpass many Latin American companies, easing fears among Brazilians of getting ripped off. Quintini, who is an e-commerce expert with nonprofit BayBrazil, which fosters business relationships between Silicon Valley and Brazil, said that about one-third of Brazilians who don't shop online say they are afraid of disclosing their bank account information. PayPal, she said, is a reassuring alternative.
But PayPal isn't the only game in town. Czerny said the Brazilian Web payment service PagSeguro is popular, and MercadoPago, which started in Argentina and expanded to Brazil, is another preferred option. Walmart uses MercadoPago for online shoppers in Brazil.
Brazil's thriving startup sector will likely generate more challengers. The lively scene caught the attention of PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, who recently invested millions in an e-commerce startup.
"PayPal faces a lot of competition worldwide, not just in Brazil, and there are plenty of startups in the payment space," said Colin Sebastian, an analyst with Baird Research.
Or it could be that PayPal is well situated to take a risk. Despite the company shedding about 400 jobs in what's being called a "restructuring," PayPal continues its upswing, posting a 23 percent revenue increase in the third quarter of this year compared to 2011. The strong gain helped eBay beat Wall Street expectations.
PayPal may hang on long enough to ride out the challenges in Brazil. The tech landscape will look completely different in a few years, and PayPal may find its sweet spot. Android phone sales are expected to skyrocket, and some analysts expect eBay Marketplace will soon expand to Brazil.
Said Mello: "It could take two years, it could take four years, but change will come very fast in Brazil."
Contact Heather Somerville at 925-977-8418. Follow her at Twitter.com/heathersomervil. | <urn:uuid:5275f806-7808-419e-9324-01087b5da2ce> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_21895872/brazils-mobile-sector-threatens-confound-paypal-expansion | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951115 | 1,393 | 1.609375 | 2 |
FLOOD: KNOW THE TERMS
Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.
Anywhere it can rain, it can flood. In 2006, every state in the country experienced a flood, so it’s important to take steps to prepare your family and home for the threat of damaging floodwaters. Visit FloodSmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419 to learn more about how to prepare for floods, how to purchase a flood insurance policy and how to protect your home and property against flooding. | <urn:uuid:604632d0-975f-4c3f-b10c-6459bd438ec5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/aug/21/no-headline---hg26__flood_terms/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.907084 | 194 | 2.140625 | 2 |
63th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sixth Committee
Report of the International Law Commission on the work of its sixtieth session (item 75), Chapter IX "Protection of persons in the event of disasters"
At the sixtieth session, the Commission began reviewing the topic of the protection of persons in the event of disasters, and also reviewed the preliminary report by Mr. Valencia-Ospina. In addition to this highly instructive report, the Commission had before it a memorandum, which is a remarkable substantive study of the topic.
Recent disasters remind us of the extent of human suffering they can cause; they are factual situations in which the normal functioning of human societies or the environment is hampered, and which suggest that the rules and principles of international law in periods considered as peaceful should be relaxed or changed. In my view, this falls within a general and de lege ferenda reflection, which as desirable as it may be, could be regarded as exceeding the mission of codification and the gradual development of international law, which the ILC looks after. The purpose of codifying is indeed to determine the exact status of the law before contemplating what would be desirable to develop within the existing law. In this respect, reasoning based exclusively on the "exceptional" nature of the disaster should not prevent taking into consideration the existing, de lege lata, normative framework in international law, so as to come to the assistance of natural disaster victims; and this framework could be drawn on without necessarily preventing it from being reinforced or supplemented.
In this respect, I have not underestimated the scale of ILC’s challenge, as this topic may involve several branches of international law as well as two or more legal systems - international law and the legal system of one or more States - and in particular, a wide array of texts with an extremely variable legal value.
Despite all these constraints, my delegation is inclined to think that the topic could undergo a draft codification that is reasonably balanced between identifying the principles of customary law governing the matter and determining their consequences of the concrete mechanisms that provide for the protection of persons in the event of disasters. Such an undertaking would in itself represent significant progress by offering States the terms of reference in accordance with which cooperation, assistance and relief can be organized at national and international levels in the event of disasters.
At this preliminary stage, I will merely make a few comments on the main trends that have come to the fore at the first reading of the Commission’s work.
First of all, I believe that the topic should be dealt with without limiting its scope beforehand. In this regard, I do not think that the title chosen should strictly govern the way in which the Commission intends to study it. Thus, the expression "protection", while not to be understood literally, should certainly encompass a wide array of activities which must be undertaken in the event of a disaster, whether it be actual "relief" or, more broadly, "assistance". Conversely, I have a few doubts as to the advisability of including disaster prevention in the topic, as this could move the Commission away from the central theme and could encroach upon areas which are already heavily bi- or multi-laterally regulated, such as the environment or industry.
With regard to the other terms which make up the title of the topic, there is no need to keep to a strict nominalism, especially when they do not seem to cover a specific legal category, as seems to be the case for the concept of "disaster". It may, however, be necessary to make choices, and I agree entirely with the Special Rapporteur’s decision to focus his initial efforts on natural disasters, just as the Secretariat did in its first study in 2006. Nevertheless, the term "disaster" should be defined for the purposes of the final draft, perhaps in a way that would cover a greater variety of disasters. In this regard, I think that a definition centred around the common effects that different disasters have on people, the environment or property would avoid needless controversy about the cause of such disasters and the distinction between so-called natural and man-made disasters.
The third term in the topic - persons - seems to have played a significant role in the general approach to the topic, which should be followed. I believe that the Special Rapporteur’s suggestion of a "rights-based approach" for persons is an interesting starting point, it being understood, however, that this does not exclude international law from humanitarian assistance and States from their rights and obligations. From the viewpoint of a possible framework convention on the protection of persons in the event of disasters, the Commission should certainly try to identify and specify the principles of customary law regarding offers of relief or assistance from relevant States and international organizations and the conditions under which an affected State could accept such conditions, as well as the general conditions under which relief or assistance should be provided.
Thus, by remaining as close as possible to States’ general practice and to their convictions as regards the rights and obligations which they are subject to, the Commission could, in my delegation’s view, significantly contribute to consolidating rules to achieve better international cooperation, in the interest of victims of disasters, and in compliance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and sovereignty.
Thank you very much./. | <urn:uuid:5a9f7807-65c6-44af-aa45-444795ce551c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.franceonu.org/france-at-the-united-nations/press-room/statements-at-open-meetings/general-assembly/archives-1034/july-december-2008-french-850/sixth-committee/article/4-november-2008-report-of-the | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960205 | 1,087 | 2.046875 | 2 |
Source: The Communist International, 1924, No. 1 (New Series), pp. 188-190
Transcription/HTML Markup: Brian Reid
Public Domain: Marxists Internet Archive (2008). You may freely copy, distribute, display and perform this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit “Marxists Internet Archive” as your source.
When the Communist International was founded in 1919, there was no Communist Party yet formed in Great Britain. Even at the Second Congress in 1920, the Party was only in process of formation, in fact it came into being during the session of the Second Congress in August, 1920, and immediately declared its adherence to the Communist International. Nevertheless, the influence of the Communist International right from its formation in March, 1919, was felt in Britain, not only amongst the class conscious fighters scattered through the weak Socialist sects and parties, and the shop stewards movement, but throughout large strata of the workers in Britain. The ghastly failure of the Second International and the participation in the British War Cabinet of its leaders like Henderson and the vacillating social pacifism of MacDonald and Snowden, prepared the minds of thousands of workers for a break with the fatal yellow policy of these leaders and their International.
The manifestoes and slogans of the Communist International were warmly welcomed, although at times misunderstood. The peculiar structure of the British Labour Party, the treachery of its leaders and the corruption of considerable sections of the skilled workers into a placid acceptance of bourgeois rule at home and oppressive exploitation of the colonies made, and still makes a difficult milieu for Communists to operate in.
One result of these circumstances was the division of what revolutionary and Communist elements there were into a variety of parties and sects, such as the B.S.P., with a revolutionary phraseology, and a lack of direct organisational contact with the masses of workers in factories and shops, which led it to lay too great stress on electoral and parliamentary activity, and even that not of a real revolutionary character.
The S.L.P., not so large in membership went to the opposite extreme and shut, bolted and barred the door against all who were not according to their lights, pure, unadulterated Marxians. Their members were prohibited from accepting office, even in the trade unions, lest they should be contaminated. Nevertheless, objective conditions had made them strongest in the big industrial centres like the Clyde, Sheffield and Tyne-side, and they actually were a leading force in the strikes and disputes in these areas. They were not specifically anti-parliamentarian, but in elections were much more concerned about the purity of their doctrine than about the issues that were really capable of rallying the workers.
Then there were the definite anarchist and anti-parliamentary groups and the most promising and effective shop stewards’ movement, which did very good work in conducting strikes and mass movements during the war period, and until the trade depression, which overtook British capitalism, gave the bosses the opportunity to sack the lot. Within the Independent Labour Party also, there were considerable numbers of proletarians who worked side by side with S.L.P’ers and shop stewards in the war period. These also were considerably influenced by the Communist International. So much so that their leaders were compelled to face the issue of Second or Third International. In fact, these leaders were compelled to break with the Second International, but craftily seeking to gain time, they addressed a series of 12 questions to the E.C. of Comintern as to the conditions of entry, the programme and tactics of the Third. To these questions specific and explicit answers were given, and not the slightest loophole was left for these opportunist leaders of the centre to gain entry unless they were prepared to shed their opportunism, which, of course, they had no intention of doing. These questions and answers when published were of the greatest service in the education of the British workers to the concrete differences between the Second and Third Internationals. At the second congress of Comintern, Britain was represented by delegates from B.S.P. from shop stewards and from anti-parliamentary groups and the differences which had prevented a real Communist Party from being formed earlier were thrashed out.
The principal differences were on the question of affiliation to the Labour Party and the role of the trade unions, and there can, be no doubt that had it not been for the weight in influence of the Communist International, these questions would still be disrupting the revolutionaries in Britain.
As it was that influence succeeded in welding into one Communist Party, these variegated elements; it further succeeded in splitting off the adherents of the Third International from the reformist I.L.P. Now, with the advent of a Labour Government, both the tactics and the criticism of the Communist International are fully justified. In a period of unprecedented depression and apathy on the part of the working class, it is not to be wondered at that the enthusiastic estimates given by the delegates to Comintern have had to be seriously revised, but there is no doubt that the Communist Party of Great Britain is now on the way to becoming a real mass party capable of leading the workers of Britain in the struggles that lie ahead of them. | <urn:uuid:41de866c-b010-4804-91ad-aa089a26a920> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://marxists.anu.edu.au/history/international/comintern/ci/new_series/01/ciblm.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977963 | 1,068 | 2.71875 | 3 |
The zones used in this map are based on the system that the United States Department
of Agriculture uses.
In this zone hardiness map, the British Isles have been colour coded with seven
split zones, from 7a to 10a, in order to reflect the average annual minimum temperature experienced.
There is nowhere else in the world, at this northerly latitude, that experiences
such mild winter temperatures - Quebec, for example, at latitude 46° can experience winter temperatures
down to -30° C (-22° F). Our mild winter temperatures are due to the warming effects of the
Something that is worth a mention here is the fact that: even though some areas
in the UK might expect to receive similar winter temperatures to some parts of Florida, this needs
to be weighed up against the reality that winters are longer here.
The fact remains that the UK is situated on a much more northerly
so experiences a longer winter - in other words those winter temperatures, favourable though they might be, are more prolonged and the
day light hours are less. So, in actual fact, although the temperatures might seem similar, the
winter is more demanding on the cold hardiness of a plant.
More about UK climate and weather statistics from the Met Office | <urn:uuid:e2dc4309-31b0-4f6a-9d04-ad11755ebd63> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.palmantics.com/hardiness_map/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930618 | 259 | 3.53125 | 4 |
My wife and I, and every other registered voter in Denver, should have recently received a mail in paper ballot for Denver's special election. If you haven't you should in the next couple of days. Thankfully, it is short. The only question posed on the ballot I received is whether Denver's Election Commission should be replaced by an Elected Clerk and Recorder. The returned ballot must be received by Denver officials by the end of January.
I urge you to vote no. Why?
1. The problem in Denver's most recent election were caused because the people in the positions did a bad job, not because having two elected and one appointed person, is worse than having one elected person. The Blue Ribbon panels that have looked into the matter have specifically found that the election commission structure wasn't the problem, and the proposal on the ballot ignores that advice. We have election commission elections to replace bad people, that doesn't require a change in the city charter.
2. Why should an election that went bad encourage us to put ministerial responsibilities that weren't screwed up by an elected official, like recording deeds and keeping track of city council business and issuing marriage licenses, under the authority of an elected official? This proposal exempts the DMV from the new clerk and recorder position, but not other similar duties of a clerk and recorder. If we are to have one elected official run elections, that official should be limited in authority to elections only.
3. Elected clerks and recorders screw up (as Douglas County proves) just as badly as an Election Commission does, but can do so without holding public meetings that warn us and give us a chance to try to head off disaster. An Election Commission, in contrast, operates publicly. This still can't head off bull headed commissioners who won't listen to advice from the public, but it can prevent accidental screw ups.
4. The political norms that discourage Democrats from challenging incumbent Democrats, in a jurisdiction dominanted by Democrats will make it harder to oust a bad clerk and recorder, because people have a very strong tendency to vote on party lines in general elections. Look at the voters of Arapahoe County who voted in Republican Tracy Baker to be their clerk and recorder, even when he was known to be a sexually harassing screw up who later had to be recalled. I understand that the election in Denver, unlike that elsewhere in the state, will be non-partisan. But, that will likely be only a sham.
This is a bad idea. Fortunately, even if Denver voters screw up and vote for it, the consequences may not be terribly serious. Either way, elections will go on being conducted in Denver, and when good people are elected to run them, they will go well. But, going from a less than ideal system, to one that is worse, won't help the matter at all. | <urn:uuid:7c271112-fc8e-4a90-be5e-90a07ff00f84> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://washparkprophet.blogspot.com/2007/01/denver-special-election.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.981183 | 578 | 1.625 | 2 |
Strange - May 30
Click on the headline (link) for the full text.
Many more articles are available through the Energy Bulletin homepage
Eating Radiation: A New Form of Energy?
David Ewing Duncan, Technology Review (MIT)
In a bizarre alternative to photosynthesis, some fungi "eat" radiation--with the role of chlorophyll taken by melanin, a chemical also found in human skin.
Here's a possible solution to both the energy crisis and what to do with highly radioactive waste from nuclear reactors: use the radiation as food.
It sounds like something out of a comic book, although scientists already know that fungi will eat asbestos, jet fuel, and plastic. It has also been shown to decompose hot graphite in the ruins of the Chernobyl power plant, which melted down in 1986. The plant's release of large amounts of radiation appears to have attracted black hordes of fungi. But how does it work?
According to Ekaterina Dadachova and her colleagues at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in New York City, the fungi Cryptococcus neoformans and two other species use melanin, also a pigment found in human skin, to transform radiation into energy to use as food for growth. Researchers believe that melanin is present to protect fungi from stress, such as radiation, and that certain species use this molecule for metabolic reactions. Dadachova's lab discovered that exposure to radiation caused the melanin in these species to change shape, increasing its ability to impact metabolism and growth. The results appear in Public Library of Science (PLoS).
(29 May 2007)
Fla. Man Invents Machine To Turn Water Into Fire
A Florida man may have accidentally invented a machine that could solve the gasoline and energy crisis plaguing the U.S.
Sanibel Island resident John Kanzius is a former broadcast executive from Pennsylvania who wondered if his background in physics and radio could come in handy in treating the disease from which he suffers: cancer.
Kanzius, 63, invented a machine that emits radio waves in an attempt to kill cancerous cells while leaving normal cells intact. While testing his machine, he noticed that his invention had other unexpected abilities.
Filling a test tube with salt water from a canal in his back yard, Kanzius placed the tube and a paper towel in the machine and turned it on. Suddenly, the paper towel ignited, lighting up the tube like it was a wax candle.
"Pretty neat, huh?" Kanzius asked WPBF's Jon Shainman.
Kanzius performed the experiment without the paper towel and got the same result -- the saltwater was actually burning.
(29 May 2007)
Contributor Randy White writes:
I just saw the most amazing video ever... if it is real it has my jaw open... fuel from saltwater?
UPDATE (May 31)
Reader Christopher Purcell writes:
It is well known that microwaves can disassociate water into hydrogen and oxygen, and that when ignited these gases will burn and change back to water. Patents already exist for this idea. Adding salt tunes the resonant absorption and makes the otherwise invisible flame bright yellow. This is an odd combination in the one report of both desperation and smugness - that good old Yankee ingenuity, unhampered by scientific literacy, will solve the energy crisis. Advise doing an EROEI study on this before you buy the company.
A radio wave at the right frequency will induce excitation in eg water molecules. This is how a microwave oven works. The frequency chosen for a microwave is just off one of the resonant frequencies of the water molecule. This induces heat - while allowing deeper penetration into the food.
It is not clear on the video what exactly is happening. Either there is enough heat to split water which then recombines OR maybe more likely, it is just superheated water with the yellow colour contributed by some sodium being ionised in the plasma. In either case I suspect the main source of heat is the large radio emitting device and not the seawater. Note that the engine they used was a model stirling engine ie something that can run with a low temperature differential or heat input.
If it were as simple as shining a beam of radio waves at water... | <urn:uuid:0db8338c-321c-47c4-b3a2-479e3d3679a6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.resilience.org/stories/2007-05-30/strange-may-30 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946097 | 878 | 3.03125 | 3 |
Click the Study Aids tab at the bottom of the book to access your Study Aids (usually practice quizzes and flash cards).
Study Pass is our latest digital product that lets you take notes, highlight important sections of the text using different colors, create "tags" or labels to filter your notes and highlights, and print so you can study offline. Study Pass also includes interactive study aids, such as flash cards and quizzes.
Highlighting and Taking Notes:
If you've purchased the All Access Pass or Study Pass, in the online reader, click and drag your mouse to highlight text. When you do a small button appears – simply click on it! From there, you can select a highlight color, add notes, add tags, or any combination.
If you've purchased the All Access Pass, you can print each chapter by clicking on the Downloads tab. If you have Study Pass, click on the print icon within Study View to print out your notes and highlighted sections.
To search, use the text box at the bottom of the book. Click a search result to be taken to that chapter or section of the book (note you may need to scroll down to get to the result).
View Full Student FAQs
8.4 Chapter Summary
Memory and cognition are the two major interests of cognitive psychologists. The cognitive school was influenced in large part by the development of the electronic computer. Psychologists conceptualize memory in terms of types, stages, and processes.
Explicit memory is assessed using measures in which the individual being tested must consciously attempt to remember the information. Explicit memory includes semantic and episodic memory. Explicit memory tests include recall memory tests, recognition memory tests, and measures of relearning (also known as savings).
Implicit memory refers to the influence of experience on behavior, even if the individual is not aware of those influences. Implicit memory is made up of procedural memory, classical conditioning effects, and priming. Priming refers both to the activation of knowledge and to the influence of that activation on behavior. An important characteristic of implicit memories is that they are frequently formed and used automatically, without much effort or awareness on our part.
Sensory memory, including iconic and echoic memory, is a memory buffer that lasts only very briefly and then, unless it is attended to and passed on for more processing, is forgotten.
Information that we turn our attention to may move into short-term memory (STM). STM is limited in both the length and the amount of information it can hold. Working memory is a set of memory procedures or operations that operates on the information in STM. Working memory’s central executive directs the strategies used to keep information in STM, such as maintenance rehearsal, visualization, and chunking.
Long-term memory (LTM) is memory storage that can hold information for days, months, and years. The information that we want to remember in LTM must be encoded and stored, and then retrieved. Some strategies for improving LTM include elaborative encoding, relating information to the self, making use of the forgetting curve and the spacing effect, overlearning, and being aware of context- and state-dependent retrieval effects.
Memories that are stored in LTM are not isolated but rather are linked together into categories and schemas. Schemas are important in part because they help us encode and retrieve information by providing an organizational structure for it.
The ability to maintain information in LTM involves a gradual strengthening of the connections among the neurons in the brain, known as long-term potentiation (LTP). The hippocampus is important in explicit memory, the cerebellum is important in implicit memory, and the amygdala is important in emotional memory. A number of neurotransmitters are important in consolidation and memory. Evidence for the role of different brain structures in different types of memories comes in part from case studies of patients who suffer from amnesia.
Cognitive biases are errors in memory or judgment that are caused by the inappropriate use of cognitive processes. These biases are caused by the overuse of schemas, the reliance on salient and cognitive accessible information, and the use of rule-of-thumb strategies known as heuristics. These biases include errors in source monitoring, the confirmation bias, functional fixedness, the misinformation effect, overconfidence, and counterfactual thinking. Understanding the potential cognitive errors we frequently make can help us make better decisions and engage in more appropriate behaviors. | <urn:uuid:7fc5152f-c5df-45a6-bf49-38e7f80b8205> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://catalog.flatworldknowledge.com/bookhub/reader/127?e=stangor-ch08_s04 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.920155 | 908 | 3.703125 | 4 |
is the horse?" asked Beechnut.
"There he is," said Jemmy, "somewhere out there. He has gone along the road. And the bags have fallen off too. Oh dear me!"
Phonny ran out into the road, and looked forward. He could see the horse standing by the side of the road at some distance, quietly eating the grass. A little this side of the place where the horse stood, the bags were lying upon the ground, not very far from each other.
The story which Jemmy told was not strictly true. He was one of the boys of the village, and was of a wild and reckless character. This was, however, partly his father's fault, who never gave him any kind and friendly instruction, and always treated him with a great degree of sternness and severity.
A circus company had visited Franconia a few weeks before the time of this accident, and Jemmy had peeped through the cracks of the fence that formed their enclosure, and had seen the performers ride around the ring, standing upon the backs of the horses. He was immed | <urn:uuid:b06d11b4-0cbd-432b-89a7-7f7b55c64eb1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://manybooks.net/titles/abbottjac1447514475.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00057-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.992992 | 232 | 2.015625 | 2 |
The West Virginia State Farm Museum, located on State Route 62 four miles north of Point Pleasant, is a replica of an early rural community. Begun in 1976 by Walden Roush, a retired educator, with only one building and a few farm implements, today the 50-acre site showcases 31 reconstructed buildings, including four original log structures that were moved and rebuilt. Visitors see the furnished Mission Ridge one-room schoolhouse from the 1870s and a doctor’s office with period drugs and equipment. A log church recognized as the first Lutheran church west of the Allegheny Mountains is used for services. There are a blacksmith shop, country store, veterinary office, barbershop, a post office, carpenter shop, and a newspaper building with printing presses from 1895.
The State Farm Museum has large farm equipment, both horse-drawn and tractor-drawn, such as tractors, thrashers, and plows. There is a Corliss steam engine. There are numerous household items, including appliances and other furnishings. The Morgan Museum, a curiosities collection begun in Putnam County in 1905 by Sidney Morgan of Winfield and later moved to the State Farm Museum, includes a collection of stuffed birds and animals, including a two-headed calf, a golden eagle, and a Belgian draft horse. The farm includes a two-acre pond and acres of crops which are planted and harvested using 19th-century equipment and methods. A stage and picnic shelter accommodate public events.
Schools from West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky visit the museum for their study of Appalachian culture. Funded by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and a small annual grant from the Mason County Commission, the West Virginia State Farm Museum is a nonprofit organization.
This Article was written by Olivia Miller
Last Revised on November 05, 2010 | <urn:uuid:8f507363-7c09-48cb-9be0-30fe724e1669> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/565 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969949 | 372 | 2.390625 | 2 |
Soil Survey & Digital Soil Data: County Soil Surveys
County Soil Surveys
The Soil Survey status of Iowa Counties shows which counties have published surveys, when they were published, and which counties have surveys in process or in revision.
- Soil Survey status of Iowa Counties
- Soil Survey publication dates
- Correlation dates
- Estimated publication date for updated Soil Surveys
Order County Soil Survey Interactive CD/DVD
County Soil Survey Interactive CD/DVD's are available in the Extension Online Store
Web Soil Survey
Agriculture Secretary announced in August 2005 a USDA Web Soil Survey site that will provide secure public access to the national soils information system. This site was designed with three easy to use features: Define, View, and Explore, and operates much like internet sites that provide locator and directional information.
Currently, NRCS has soils maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation’s counties and anticipates having 100 percent in the near future. The site will be updated and maintained online as the single authoritative source of soil survey information. | <urn:uuid:e402bee4-cbdc-45dd-aeda-343f1010ee23> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.extension.iastate.edu/soils/county-soil-surveys | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.916979 | 236 | 2.28125 | 2 |
In May 2007, the Commission adopted the first proposals for Joint Technology Initiatives. It was the first time that public-private partnerships, involving industry, the research community and public authorities, were proposed at European level to pursue ambitious common research objectives.
Joint Technology Initiatives are an entirely new mechanism for performing research at EU level. They are long-term Public-Private Partnerships and are managed within dedicated structures based on Article 187 TFEU (ex Article 171 TEC). JTIs support large-scale multinational research activities in areas of major interest to European industrial competitiveness and issues of high societal relevance. | <urn:uuid:b1a29d15-6168-43af-8fc0-18ba117d0090> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ec.europa.eu/research/jti/index_en.cfm?pg=home | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942793 | 123 | 1.710938 | 2 |
- About Us
- Student Services
- Student Life
A current valid United States teaching certificate is required for admission to this program.
Completion of the degree includes successful completion of core courses, clinical courses, and a research course. Fifteen (15) semester credits of core courses in language, literacy, content area reading, literature and non-fiction materials for children and adolescents, and measurement, accountability and student learning are required. The required clinical sequence includes twenty (20) semester credits with a minimum of 250 clock hours of practice. All of the core courses require some collaboration and practice in schools. The research seminar is three (3) semester hours and includes analyses of research and conducting research. All MRD courses require interaction with children and/or teachers and paraprofessionals at multiple grade levels.
The clinical component requires students to arrange for time to be spent in elementary and secondary schools, so that they can become familiar with classrooms and the learning environment K-12. In addition, time must be arranged to work with other teachers at the elementary and secondary levels, specialists, parents, and community organizations. Experience serving as a resource person to other professionals in middle and secondary schools is required. Case studies of individuals and groups, analyses of classrooms of students, instructional planning and delivery for individuals, groups, and classrooms are all requirements. Participation in the reading clinic is required as part of the diagnosis and assessment course (MRD 7903). A course grade no lower than "B" must be achieved in this course. A final component requires candidates to attend school board meetings and be affiliated with either a local, state or national professional reading organization.
A research project is required. This research project may be qualitative or quantitative and designed for a classroom, school, or a district level. The research project may be completed through the site-based reading clinics, as well and this venue may be required during summer semesters. An electronic portfolio is required for all students beginning the program in fall 2009. Verification forms are collected throughout the program for various learning experiences.
To qualify for a Master of Education in Reading, a student must complete all courses: core and clinical, for a total of 35 semester credits. The Knowledge of Reading Test (KRT), which assesses knowledge of basic reading skills, strategies and materials, must be taken online at the beginning of the program and during MRD 7920 , Practicum In Reading, or MRD 7950 , Seminar in Reading Research. The PRAXIS II Reading Specialist test (20300) must also be taken and passed using State of Delaware passing criteria (560) prior to receiving a grade in MRD 7950 . A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. The program must be completed within five years.
Master of Education in Reading leading to State Certification as a Reading Specialist K-12 (35 credits)
MED 6102 E-Folio (0 credits)
MRD 7801 Language Development
MRD 7802 Process and Acquisition of Literacy
MRD 7803 Strategies and Materials for Teaching
Reading and Writing
MRD 7804 Literature and Non-Fiction Books/Materials
for Children and Adolescents
MED 7705 Measurement, Accountability,
and Student Learning
MRD 7815 Application of Strategies for Teaching
Content Area Reading (5 credits) (This course is not offered during summer semesters)
MRD 7903 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading
Difficulties (6 credits) (This course requires onsite tutoring)
MRD 7920 Practicum in Reading (6 credits)
MRD 7950 Seminar in Reading Research
A dual degree in MRD/ESOL may be obtained with the following changes:
(See subsequent degree program description)
This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2012-2013 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2012 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program. | <urn:uuid:06ed8e37-b4ca-4217-b6f1-7b3a930dc008> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wilmu.edu/education/medrd_requirements.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.92274 | 822 | 1.578125 | 2 |
Learn how to light up your life responsibly at Glendale Solar Day on Saturday.
If you're thinking about choosing to go solar at your home, the event will have industry experts to answer questions about your options.
Kids can learn how solar energy works with Arizona Solar Cookers and activities from Glendale's Watt Watchers youth education program.
Glendale residents who attend the event will be given free energy-saving devices, funded buy an Energy Conservation Block Grant from the US Department of Energy.
In addition, APS will provide a presentation, "Energy Efficiency and Solar," at 10:30a.m. and a second presentation, "The Pros and Cons of Going Solar," at 11 a.m.
Glendale Solar Day
March 9, 10 a.m. to noon
Glendale Main Library
5959 W. Brown St. | <urn:uuid:68f3d2a2-1e16-48fb-b2e5-9200311a13a5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/21542476/2013/03/07/learn-how-to-save-energy-at-glendale-solar-day | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943601 | 174 | 2.09375 | 2 |
Antiques Shops – One Stop for Buying and Selling Antiques
Buying, owning, and collecting antiques can be an exciting hobby for an antique enthusiast. Buying antiques is an art, as all the antiques have their own intrinsic value and the shops help in exhibiting them.
PHOTO BY FLICKR.COM/SERGER/
Antiques Shops - Shopping Guide
Before getting in to an antiques shop
, get a fair idea about antiques and know the difference between an authentic antique which is hundred years old, a near antique which is seventy five, to ninety nine years old and vintage items that belong to a certain time. Explore your home for antiques and try not to get the same sort again. Decide upon the antique you want to purchase. It can be a sculpture, work of an artist, or an art deco item. Also, decide upon the budget and deviation limit of your budget. Browsing at garage sales or auction houses can help you fetch a terrific deal. It is wise to look in your local antiques shop first before venturing to distant places. Internet has made the whole process easy by conducting online auctions and online sales.
Antique Paintings Techniques
To make your new, unfinished furniture an aged look, there are many antique paintings
techniques. Crackling finish creates an old dye impression that is split and produces a paint crackled appearance. Patina antique paintings technique produces a shine that is unique to aging, painted woods or metal. While shabby chic finish creates, a soft, worn in look. Usually shades of pink, blue or yellow are used for this technique. A distressing effect creates the illusion of wear and tears over time. Antique rocking chair, hope chest, and other aging wood furniture have dings that give them a distinctive look. Faux gold leaf technique works well with graceful curves.
Antique Plates - Watch Out Details
Before buying any antique plates, examine the piece thoroughly for any fragments, crevices, blemishes or other spots. You can scan these defects with the help of a magnifying glass. Then you have to examine the time of its manufacture and the style used to create the plate, with the help of identification guide book. Finally, check for manufacturer’s mark like a brand mark, signature or even year of manufacture, which is printed at the base of the plate. Many of these rare antique plates are also available in online markets like eBay etc. where you can transform your dream passion in to reality. | <urn:uuid:fb86518a-aca3-4ec8-a205-174f246c44ed> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.amillionlives.net/antiques-shops-one-stop-for-buying-and-selling-antiques.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00040-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.91975 | 519 | 1.585938 | 2 |
This is a pretty amazing video. Granular Synthesis I can wrap my head around (imagine a more complex version of additive synthesis, but on a micro-scale), but what really amazes me is Curtis Roads was doing it in 1975 on a mainframe with punchcards. You heard me. How much more nerdcred does this guy need? Ok, lemme back up for a minute. I am, actually, old enough to know what punchcards are (but, keep in mind I was like 5 years old and hanging out at my mom’s company to learn about them). Back in the day (and my intro to computer science teacher in college was amazing because he explained this to us and made us basically write out our algorythms before we came to class to program them), a programmer would have to write out a program in its entirety and then wait for days sometimes, to get the program to execute. This is totally the opposite of people can work today, where they can see the results of a coding change realtime, or, on the web, with a simple page refresh. Pretty leet, I gotta say.
Check out this video–even an Autechre song makes a cameo (but, I would add to the video’s description that what made Autechre and similar IDM artists’ work so mindblowing wasn’t simply due to complex rhythms, it was that plus the unheard-of-before combination of electronically-generated revolutionary sounds while still maintaining a “more accessible” composition in terms of melody and so forth. At some point Roads says he considers his music “point, line, cloud” because a grain, or sound particle is a point, a series of points on either or both the x or y axis, and a cloud,–IMHO–is actually “a left-to-right series of chords”) BECAUSE CURTIS ROADS OPENED FOR THEM in the early 00s. Uh-huh.
He also recommends a book for sound-design inspiration. It’s called Education of a Gardener. Really. Just go watch this thing, ok? | <urn:uuid:880a59aa-7c43-448f-820b-1d5c8b6933a6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lizrevision.com/tag/electronic-arts/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956017 | 454 | 2.28125 | 2 |
By Branee Taylor
Luther Burbank Student
Due to recent budget cuts, the custodial staff at Luther Burbank High School has been cut by more than half. Normally, our school would have eight janitors but this year there are only two; a day janitor and a night janitor. This causes bathrooms and classrooms to not be cleaned not as often as they need to be. Trash can are emptied but the same trash liners are kept in the same can for days. There is trash on campus and the bathrooms have soiled feminine products, toilet paper and paper towels everywhere.
“I think it’s a disgrace to our district to continue to cut funds from our schools that are necessary to succeed. Says English teacher Nichole Scrivner. “I think that we expect our students to meet our expectations but we don’t have the facilities to do so.”
Scrivner also went on to describe some of the other disgusting details of how dirty the school is. “There are cockroaches and dust bunnies in the school cafeteria. There are dead and living bugs in the cafeteria.” As a Luther Burbank student, I feel that something must be done about this.
We cannot have schools that are dirty and have pests crawling around in areas where we are supposed to eat. This may present a health risk to students and staff and is just plain gross. At this rate, the school may be looking worse by the end of the school year if nothing is done about this.
“I think it will go on all year until someone does something. It must come from the school, community and parents.” Says Scrivner went on to say. I hope that we do something to stop this from continuing at Luther Burbank High School and prevent it from happening in other schools. | <urn:uuid:a1956fb2-9126-4a83-be0f-6590f02ff477> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://accesslocal.tv/2012/10/31/luther-burbanks-trash-problem/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976483 | 379 | 1.53125 | 2 |
|More from Lisa M. Collins|
Ode to Kilpatrick (11/12/2008)
A grand visionary (5/21/2008)
Fashion that walks the line (4/25/2007)
Shrinking Cities presents Detroit as a classic example of suburbanization, in which much of the population moved outside of the city during a 50-year process. Here are some stats on Detroit and the other focus cities, as presented by Shrinking Cities:
Detroit developed from 1900 as the center of the global auto industry. In 1930, it was the fourth-largest city in the United States and grew to a population of 1.8 million by 1950. From then on, suburbanization followed a decentralization of the auto industry. By 2000, the city had shrunk to 950,000 residents, while the surrounding suburban population grew to nearly 4 million.
The suburbanization is characterized by racial segregation: In 1998, 78 percent of suburbanites were white, while 79 percent of city residents were black. The average income in metropolitan Detroit is almost twice as high as in the city. Many buildings erected during the construction boom of the 1920s have been torn down, leaving large empty spaces. Many of the remaining, isolated buildings are vacant.
Ivanovo, Russia, population 450,000 residents, is about 250 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of Moscow and serves as an example of post-socialist transformation. Beginning in the mid-19th century, the region developed from a village pattern of life to the center of the Russian textile industry and the Russian workers’ movement. Its population grew rapidly between 1920 and 1960. The population fell rapidly in the 1990s along with the decline in the textile industry, and today there is a high unemployment rate; there are also many abandoned factories. Most residents live in prefabricated concrete-slab homes, and there is a housing shortage.
Manchester/Liverpool in northern England is an example of deindustrialization, and is characterized by a decades-long process of depopulation. Liverpool and Manchester have half as many inhabitants as they did in the 1930s. Liverpool, with 439,000 residents, is declining. The area’s overdependence on its harbor economy is exacerbated by a low level of education among residents. Huge empty areas in the inner city have resulted from constant building demolition. Manchester, with 393,000 residents, resurged in the 1990s into a regional center of service industries and an important cultural city. Nevertheless, large parts of the city outside of its center are plagued by poverty, segregation and depopulation. Empty lots and empty buildings are common.
Halle and Leipzig, Germany, are examples of post-socialist transformation, deindustrialization and suburbanization. The region once thrived on mining and the chemical industry, but unemployment now hovers at 20 percent. An initial wave of migration to other parts of Germany in the 1990s was followed by a flight of residents and businesses to the suburbs. The city struggles with empty buildings in medieval and baroque city centers. Leipzig has lost a sixth of its population since 1990.
Read more about Shrinking Cities:
For more on Shrinking Cities, see www.a-matter.com/eng/positions/shrinking-cities-po023-01-p.asp and www.bauhaus-dessau.de/en/projects.asp?p=bks.
Lisa M. Collins is the arts editor of Metro Times. E-mail firstname.lastname@example.org. | <urn:uuid:41ca6d57-fda2-4bef-a31b-01328b7e1a8d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www2.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=5726 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00073-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959027 | 738 | 2.90625 | 3 |
New Survey Shows Shifts in Hospital Construction Projects
March 2, 2011 – America’s hospitals and health systems are focusing more on renovation or expansion than new construction, according to a survey from Health Facilities Management magazine and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE). In fact, renovation or expansion accounted for 73 percent of construction projects at hospitals responding to the survey.
The findings show that hospitals have been working to update or replace their infrastructure to better serve patients and help transition to greater use of information technology (IT). In addition, hospitals are focusing on being environmental stewards through greater use of “green” construction.
Overall, slightly more than one in four respondents (26.1 percent) reported that their organizations have building projects currently under construction. About 15 percent of this total involved new construction, 11.6 percent involved replacement facilities and the remainder covered expansion and renovation. In this latter category, many of the additions or modernization projects were for emergency departments, imaging, surgery areas or cancer centers.
“There’s a lot of ambiguity out there,” said George A. Smith, CHFM, SASHE, 2011 ASHE president and interim vice president of supply chain/clinical engineering at Catholic Health Initiatives in Hilliard, Ohio. “As we look towards the future, everybody’s trying to figure it out, but nobody knows how it will all play out.”
While the construction increases aren’t dramatic, experts say there’s a clear shift in priorities to more emphasis on IT and other infrastructure improvements. More than one out of four hospitals were building service systems to accommodate the needs of electronic health records. A third of the 598 responding hospitals reported that they were replacing or upgrading their air handlers or ventilation systems, and one in five was upgrading a data center or planning to.
Survey data confirmed this trend and illustrated the continuing move by hospitals to add features that satisfy patients and families, while providing high quality care. Wireless technologies, in particular, are getting attention. Individual room temperature controls and educational systems each are being incorporated into about a third or more of new rooms.
Elsewhere, hospitals and health systems are focusing on making their building projects more environmentally friendly. More than two out of three respondents said they are specifying so-called “green” materials in most or all of their construction projects. About 60 percent of respondents also said their organization evaluates the cost/benefit of green construction methods for building projects.
The gradual improvement in the hospital construction market comes after a steep downturn that accompanied the nation’s deep recession in 2009, which was only a year removed from health care’s high-water mark in construction in 2008. Hospitals able to pursue construction and renovation projects are cautious in light of a changing economic and healthcare landscape.
For more information: www.hfmmagazine.com
More like this
- Survey Shows 74 Percent of Hospitals Are Taking Measures To Avoid Fiscal Crisis
- Hospitals Seeing Capital Expenditure Thaw
- Partnership to Build First Proton Therapy Center in Illinois
- HIMSS Offers Insights Into Healthcare IT Spending, Priorities
- ECRI Institute Offers Hospitals Guidance on Operating Room Integration | <urn:uuid:9bc3361b-3573-4e82-8a3c-eccdef425275> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.dicardiology.com/article/new-survey-shows-shifts-hospital-construction-projects | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94519 | 658 | 1.882813 | 2 |
WASHINGTON (AP) — They’ve long been known as devil dogs, leathernecks and “the first to fight.” But U.S. Marines, with their self-described expertise in “killing people and breaking things,” now want to promote their kinder side as well.
A new Marine Corps advertising campaign starting this weekend takes its cue from research showing today’s recruit-age generation is interested in helping people. So the campaign is crafted to show Marines not only as warriors but as humanitarians and peacekeepers; not only as courageous but also as compassionate.
Photos and videos to be distributed on television, in American movie theaters, on YouTube and elsewhere show Marines talking with children; bringing food, water and medical supplies to Haitian earthquake victims, and clearing rubble from a tsunami-devastated Japanese village. These missions aren’t a new thing for the Marines, but they are ones the force expects to do more of as it’s freed from a decade of fighting land wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and returns to its seafaring, expeditionary roots.
Entitled “Toward the Sounds of Chaos,” the campaign seeks to explain that in an uncertain world, Marines “need to be ready to engage in whatever activity our country needs us to engage in,” Brig. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, head of the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, said in a recent interview.
“That may go all the way from a combat-type environment, as we’ve been doing for the last 10 years, to what we did before … emergent chaotic situations … catastrophes … natural disasters or failed-state-type situations where people need help,” he said.
The smallest of the service branches, at 202,000, the Marine Corps trains and equips itself with the aim of being light and agile enough to get to any crisis on a moment’s notice. They sometimes call themselves “The 911 Force,” at the ready to restore order, come to the rescue or evacuate those in danger. A Marine in one of the new advertising videos runs toward an unidentified city under a smoke-filled sky amid sounds of people screaming.
“There are a few who move toward the sounds of chaos … toward the sounds of tyranny, injustice and despair,” a voice says. “Which way would you run?”
The question is a subtle appeal to the generation known as millennials, who said in a survey that they believe in giving back to society, voting in national elections and “helping people in need, wherever they may live,” said Marshall Lauck, director of the Marine Corps’ advertising account at JWT ad agency.
JWT does year-round research and periodic larger efforts with the Corps to keep an eye on what the pool of potential American recruits is thinking. It found in the late 2010 survey of 17- to 24-year-olds that roughly 70 percent believed helping others was essential to being a good citizen today.
Only 31 percent of the same 5,000 surveyed thought serving in the military was important to being a good citizen.
“We have a large number of young people who are very interested in doing good … yet they don’t necessarily realize that the military in general and the Marine Corps in particular is a great way to do that,” said Lauck, a former Marine.
The survey included another 5,000 people the military calls “influencers,” parents, coaches, teachers and similar role models. Many said they had a very favorable view of the military but did not respond in the same high numbers on whether they would recommend the services to the young people in their lives.
The new campaign will launch during the March Madness college basketball tournament.
“They may not have realized it when they expressed that desire to help people, but the roles and mission of the Marine Corps today and in the near future were really converging very specifically with those youth interests” in the survey, Lauck said. “We saw it immediately … the convergence.”
How many others will see it and embrace the idea is the question.
The Marine Corps has brought in between 30,000 and 40,000 new recruits annually for most of the last 30 years, recruiting command spokesman Maj. John O. Caldwell said. The Corps bulked up to 202,000 Marines largely because of the war in Afghanistan. It’s expected to draw back down to 182,100 over the next five years — several thousand more than it had planned — in line with federal budget cutting efforts.
Though they’ll be drawing down, keeping the Corps supplied with new men and women is a tough business for the 3,100 Marine recruiters. Recruiters make roughly 10,000 contacts through phone calls and canvassing to bring in 104 prospects, Caldwell says. That’s winnowed down along the way — some change their minds, others fail to make it through basic training or infantry school — and ultimately 57 Marines emerge from the process out of the original 10,000 contacts.
Though spending can fluctuate over the years, the Marine Corps likes to budget about $100 million annually for ads and some other recruiting costs
It cost about $3.2 million to produce the new ads for TV, print and the online effort, Caldwell said.
Of course, many need no prompting to join the Corps, and part of the recruiting dynamic is managing expectations. There are a lot of young men and women out there who want to join specifically for “that adventure and action” that they see in combat operations, Osterman said. “So we want to make sure that they understand that it’s still going to be a very busy world in front of us, but more on responding to chaos … than to a traditional combat role.”
The new campaign has plenty for the gung-ho to like. There are familiar warrior scenes of troops on the go, landing on beaches, firing weapons, dropping bombs. Some of the video was borrowed from Marines who shot it themselves in overseas missions, Caldwell said.
The campaign expands on old ones that focused more on the themes of what it takes to become a Marine, the fact that they come from communities across the nation and that they protect at home and abroad. It maintains the motto “Marines. The Few. The Proud.”
Lauck said he thinks the new campaign will show people things they may not have realized the Corps has been doing on a daily basis.
Some may interpret it at first as a sign the Corps is going soft, he said. “And we would say to that: ‘Absolutely not.’”
On the Web:
The ads www.Facebook.com/MarineCorps
Marine recruiting www.Marines.com
More Related Stories
- Portland's senseless war on fluoride
- Graphic video reportedly shows possible London machete attack suspect
- What economists get wrong about the jobs crisis
- Ted Cruz: "I don't trust the Republicans"
- Pa. governor "can't find" any Latinos to work in his administration
- Glenn Beck: "The American people have just been raped"
- "Original Coca-Cola had a very small amount of cocaine"
- Corporations accused of wrongdoing win battle to keep identities secret
- Weak, incompetent Democrats blow another one
- Lois Lerner, IRS disaster
- Cyber attacks could cause the next world war
- Donald Rumsfeld worried that marriage equality will lead to polygamy
- Experts: Fox News spying scandal a game-changer
- Biden cracks Obama teleprompter joke
- IRS official takes the Fifth: "I have not done anything wrong"
- Lessons from Lincoln leave gay immigrants behind
- Los Angeles elects first Jewish mayor
- Peter King: There's "hypocrisy" over aid by Oklahoma senators
- Anthony Weiner announces run for NYC mayor
- How policy nihilists in the Senate doomed LGBT immigrants
- On freedom of speech, Obama-Nixon comparisons are apt
Featured Slide Shows
The week in 10 picsclose X
- 1 of 11
Lisa Montgomery embraces her nephew Thursday after a tornado tore apart her home in Cleburne, Texas. The twister killed six people and destroyed entire swaths of the North Texas town.
Credit: AP/LM Otero
Jack McMahon, the defense attorney for abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell, speaks outside the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia Tuesday. His client was convicted of killing three babies in his clinic, and will serve multiple life sentences.
Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
A photo taken Monday captures Vice President Joe Biden's response to a Milwaukee second-grader's innovative proposal to end America's epidemic of gun violence. This guy!
Credit: AP/Jenny Aicher
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., flanked by a grouper-eyed Michele Bachmann, addresses the IRS' admission that it targeted Tea Party groups in advance of the 2012 election. In an op-ed for CNN Thursday, the Kentucky senator slammed the president for his faux outrage.
Credit: AP/Molly Riley
Ousted IRS chief Steven Miller is sworn in on Capitol Hill Friday. Miller testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on the extra scrutiny the agency gave conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.
Credit: AP/J. Scott Applewhite
Attorney General Eric Holder pauses as he testifies on Capitol Hill before the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday. Holder is under fire, among other things, for the Justice Department's gathering of phone records at the Associated Press.
Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster
O.J. Simpson sits during an evidentiary hearing at Clark County District Court in Las Vegas, Nev., Thursday. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison for armed robbery and kidnapping, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial.
Credit: AP/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Jeff Scheid
Major Tom to ground control: On Sunday astronaut Chris Hadfield recorded the first music video from space, a cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity."
Credit: AP/NASA/Chris Hadfield
When it rains it pours. President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference Thursday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, inexplicably inspiring an #umbrellagate Twitter meme.
Credit: AP/Jacquelyn Martin
A smoke plume rises high above a road block at the intersection of County A and Ross Road east of Solon Springs, Wis., Tuesday. No injuries were reported, but the the wildfire caused evacuations across northwestern Wisconsin.
Credit: AP/The Duluth News-Tribune/Clint Austin
Recent Slide Shows
- 1 of 11 | <urn:uuid:68ebba4f-beae-4116-b870-6043e0b91227> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.salon.com/2012/03/08/new_ads_pitch_marine_corps_kinder_gentler_side_3/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95294 | 2,249 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Distance between Hawalli Governorate and Dar Kulaib is 434.92 km.
This distance is equal to 270.25 miles, and 234.68 nautical miles.
The distance line on map shows distance from Hawalli Governorate to Dar Kulaib between two cities.
If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles) between Hawalli Governorate to Dar Kulaib,
It takes 0.48 hours to arrive. | <urn:uuid:bf7b5d62-4bb9-4b24-9d66-e6f104055df6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.distancefromto.net/between/Hawalli+Governorate/Dar+Kulaib | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.917397 | 96 | 1.5 | 2 |
This project was made possible thanks to the financial contribution of the Community Initiatives Program - Alberta Lottery Fund and Human Resources and Social Development Canada's New Horizons Program.
The Alberta Estonian Heritage Website was developed by the Heritage Community Foundation, Alberta's heritage charity. The website is a part of www.Albertasource.ca - the Alberta Online Encyclopedia. This Heritage Community Foundation initiative is giving a World Wide Web presence to the historical, natural, cultural, scientific, and technological heritage of Alberta. It is also a vehicle for ensuring that our heritage is valued by everyone.
This community cultural memory and living tradition project application was accomplished by a partnership with the Alberta Estonian Heritage Society. | <urn:uuid:40bb43ff-0d05-41da-bea0-c366be9ba7f7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wayback.archive-it.org/2217/20101208160810/http:/www.albertasource.ca/abestonians/partners.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.916729 | 138 | 1.5 | 2 |
by Scott Wittet
CHINA REPORTS FIRST TRANS TWINS
The People's Daily of Beijing reports that China's first Transgender twin sisters are expected to complete their surgeries and have their registered gender changed to male soon.
'We will go back to our hometown in Yunnan Province for the gender-swap registry after both of us complete the surgeries,' said one of the 25-year-old sisters.
In China, a person can apply to change the gender on their identity card at a police station after surgery by showing a doctor's note.
'I am so happy about the surgeries allowing me to live as a man, which is what I have dreamed since my childhood,' said Xiaoqing, one of the twins. 'Only my parents and a few close friends know about our surgeries. It is unacceptable in a village like my hometown.'
'After finishing all the surgeries, my brother and I will move to a new city, look for a new job and start a new life. We may have girlfriends and get married.'
The twins began to realize they were different from other girls in kindergarten. They kept their shared secret from the family until they learned last year that Transgender surgeries are available in Shanghai.
The cost for surgery to change from male to female is 40,000 to 50,000 yuan, while changing from female to male, which is much more complicated, costs 60,000 yuan, or about $9,500 - the equivalent of ten months of the twins' combined salaries.
NEW ZEALAND MARRIAGE BILL ADVANCES
New Zealand lawmakers last week overwhelmingly voted in favor of a Gay marriage bill that was given impetus by President Barack Obama's public support of the issue, according to the Washington Post.
The 80-to-40 vote in front of a packed and cheering public gallery was the first of three votes Parliament must hold before the bill can become law, a process that typically takes several months and allows the public to weigh in. Only a simple majority was needed to ensure a second vote, and the two-thirds margin is a strong indication that the bill will be passed.
Should New Zealand pass the measure into law, it would become the 12th country since 2001 to recognize same-sex marriage.
Polls indicate that about two-thirds of New Zealanders support Gay marriage. It also has the support of most of the country's political leaders.
New Zealand already has in place same-sex civil union laws that confer many legal rights to Gay couples, although activists argue those laws don't give them equal social status. One important change under the proposed legislation, however, is that same-sex married couples could jointly adopt a child, something they can't do under current laws.
The proposed changes can be directly traced to Obama's May declaration in support of Gay marriage. That prompted center-right Prime Minister John Key to break his long silence on the issue by saying he was 'not personally opposed' to the idea. Then lawmaker Louisa Wall, of the opposition Labour Party, put forward a bill she previously had drafted.
Wall, 40, is openly Gay. Before turning to politics, she represented the country in netball and rugby - a background she says helps give her focus. She reports getting thousands of e-mails both supporting and opposing her stance on Gay marriage, including some hate mail.
This week, opponents of the bill presented a petition to lawmakers signed by 50,000 people. Bob McCoskrie, founder of the conservative lobby group Family First, which helped organize the petition, said civil unions go far enough in providing legal rights to same-sex couples and there's no need to, as he put it, 'redefine marriage.'
'Equality doesn't mean sameness,' he said. 'Marriage has always been about the relationship of a man and a woman because of their natural potential to have children.'
Same-sex marriage is currently recognized in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, and Denmark, and in six U.S. states. Several other countries, including France, are considering making it legal.
'HACKTIVISTS' ATTACK ANTI-GAY GOVERNMENT WEB SITES
Hacker groups Anonymous and TheEliteSociety have launched a joint attack against government and national websites of African countries that kill or imprison LGBT people. The operation is dubbed #OpFuckAfrica.
So far, websites in Botswana, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda have been taken down, and their databases have been leaked.
The groups promise more websites will be hacked in African states that oppress LGBT rights.
Anonymous is a loosely associated group of 'hacktivists' that originated in 2003. It strongly opposes oppression and censorship in all its forms, and has recently started to target governments which have anti-LGBT polices.
Uganda was particularly singled out for the cyber-attacks. Entities whose websites have been taken down or had their databases leaked include the Parliament of Uganda, the Prime Minister of Uganda, the Uganda Stock Exchange, the Uganda Law Society, a Ugandan national TV station, Redpepper (a daily newspaper that ran homophobic articles and outed alleged Gays in 2009), and American evangelist Scott Lively, who is linked to Uganda's proposed 'Kill the Gays' bill.
The websites of Botswana's Export Development and Investment Authority, the Sudanese stock exchange in Khartoum, and Somalia's TV Network and Gurmad company websites also were hacked.
Some LGBT rights advocates have expressed concern over these operations.
Melanie Nathan, a South African activist now based in the U.S., blogged: 'While I support all protests against the anti-Gay Ugandan government, I fear this may cause a backlash for the LGBTI community of activists who so bravely showed their faces at Uganda Pride.'
Gay Star News contacted activists from Sexual Minorities Uganda on August 14, but so far they have chosen not to comment.
IS JAMAICA BECOMING LESS ANTI-GAY?
A recent study reveals increased support for LGBT rights in Jamaica, particularly among the younger generation, though homophobia and negative perceptions of Gays and Lesbians still present social and health challenges.
The research, by Professor Ian Boxill of the University of the West Indies, shows that almost two in every five Jamaicans believe the government is not doing enough to protect and promote the rights of LGBT persons to freedom from discrimination, violence, and other forms of harassment.
Study findings showed that people 35 and under are more likely to be 'tolerant, accepting, supportive, admiring, and appreciative of LGBT persons.'
However, the study also found that the vast majority of Jamaicans continue to have strong negative attitudes towards homosexuality.
Respondents felt that male (88%) and female (83.7%) homosexuality and Bisexuality (83.5%) were immoral.
Most respondents (76.7%) disagreed with amending the nation's 'anti-sodomy' law, which criminalizes homosexual acts in the country, and opposed a bill of rights that would offer protection for LGBT people.
The study also showed that Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Miller's statement in January that she would work to repeal anti-Gay laws had no positive effect on public opinion toward Gays, and in fact hurt her politically. Miller has since backed away from that promise.
'THAT'S SO GAY' NOT OK AT AUSSIE SCHOOL
Gay Star News reports that a South Australian high school's entire student body has signed a pledge to no longer use the word 'Gay' in a derogatory manner.
More than 800 students at Wirreanda High School in the Adelaide suburb of Morphett Vale signed the pledge on Wear It Purple Day, last Friday, becoming the second school to do so in the state.
The students all signed a banner with the slogan, 'Pledge - It's not okay to say 'It's Gay.'
Openly Gay Australian politicians have praised the pledge.
South Australia's Communities and Social Inclusion Minister Ian Hunter said he was 'immensely proud' of the Wirreanda students for taking a stand.
'When I was growing up it never would have happened but it would have made my life so much easier,' Hunter told Adelaide Now.
'Having people come out and say they're not going to tolerate & the derogatory use of the word Gay is a really powerful thing,' he added.
Hunter said he hoped students at other schools would make similar pledges but that students should be the drivers of those efforts.
Another Adelaide high school became the first to institute a similar measure earlier this year following the establishment of a Gay-straight alliance.
Wear it Purple Day is an annual observance that was started two years ago, after the death by suicide of U.S. Gay teen Tyler Clementi.
NEW MEMOIR SPOTLIGHTS GAY AFGHAN CULTURE
Columnist Nushin Arbabzadah, writing for the U.K. Guardian newspaper, reports on the new memoir of a Gay Afghani:
The first time he slept with a man, Hamid Zaher was a young Afghan with little experience of life outside the city of Kabul. His lover, an older Pakistani man, happened to be just the right type - educated, mature, and well-mannered.
The young man met the older one by accident. Hamid, like most Afghans, had family in Pakistan and while visiting his sister there, he went for a stroll in a nearby public park where the other man happened to be walking.
In his brutally honest memoir, Living in a Nightmare, Hamid writes that the older man stopped and struck up a conversation. Soon after, the two retired to a hidden bench.
The older man complimented Hamid on his beautiful eyes and asked for permission to touch and kiss them. He cautiously stroked Hamid's face and watched the young man's reaction. Far from being appalled, Hamid was flattered and already melting.
One thing led to another and for Hamid, this first experience of Gay love felt just right. It was, after all, the realization of what he had dreamed about since puberty.
Gay men exist in Afghanistan but they usually must marry and have children, leading a 'respectable' life on the surface.
Officially, Afghanistan is a strictly heterosexual, family-based society where sex outside the legal bounds of marriage is a crime punishable by imprisonment. But beneath the surface there's a murky underworld of chaotic sexuality with no clear rules or boundaries to protect the vulnerable, including Gay men.
'We fall in love easily and give our heart and soul but only to be betrayed and ridiculed,' writes one Gay blogger from Kabul.
The blogger's ex-boyfriend, who turned out to be an intelligence officer, finished their relationship by giving his ex's name and telephone number to all his male acquaintances, encouraging these random men to approach his former boyfriend for sex.
Hamid writes that if an Afghan man is outed as Gay, he is considered a disgrace to his family and runs the risk of becoming a victim of 'honor killing.'
'To get married and have children is not enough to live up to the Afghan ideal. A man has to be tough and masculine, rich and powerful. More importantly, he has to father many sons and raise them as obedient foot-soldiers under his command. That's the kind of man who is envied in Afghan society.'
Needless to say, far from aspiring to this ideal, Gay Afghans dread the prospect of marriage, postponing it as long as possible.
For Hamid, leading the dishonest life of a married heterosexual man was out of the question. He fled his country and endured years of hardship in Iran and Turkey to escape the tyranny of Afghan conformism.
Hamid finally settled in Canada, where he wrote his book. It was there that he met online the man he would have become had he not fled Afghanistan. This other man, also Gay, had married and fathered four children.
'What bitter life it is to have just one longing and to never, not even for a day, have this longing fulfilled,' wrote the other man from an office in Kabul. For Hamid, these words were enough to clarify which one of the two had made the right decision.
UGANDA QUASHES PRO-GAY PLAY
A play that highlights the difficulties of being Gay in Uganda was forced to abandon its run at the National Theatre of Uganda, in Kampala, before it had started. Then its British producer, David Cecil, was charged with disobeying 'lawful orders' when the show was performed in two smaller venues.
The River and the Mountain, which tells the story of a young businessman coming to terms with being Gay in a climate of homophobia, was due to be performed two weeks ago, but then regulators intervened.
The play provoked controversy not only for its sympathetic portrayal of Gay people, but also because it suggests that much of the public anger and hatred of Gay people in the country has been whipped up by politicians and religious leaders for their own purposes.
Its British playwright, Beau Hopkins, said he had hoped the play would promote discussion about homosexuality. 'The aim of the play was for it to be discussed by those who saw it and in the local media,' Hopkins said.
The production was halted by the national Media Council, which told producers a day before it was to open that the script needed to be cleared by authorities - not normally a requirement for theatrical productions. But the council's Pius Mwinganisa told the Guardian this was standard practice and was not politically motivated.
Christopher Senyonjo, a bishop who was thrown out of the Church of Uganda in March 2006 in part because of his vocal support for the Gay community, criticized the decision. 'This play helps people understand that Gay people should be understood rather than rejected out of hand,' he said.
The Ugandan Ethics Minister said that play was not granted clearance because it 'justified the promotion of homosexuality.'
Cecil's lawyer, John Francis Onyango, explained, 'The offense of disobedience of lawful orders carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. There is no option for a fine, so if convicted it would be a jail term. However I am confident we can win the case. They must conclusively establish that this was disobedience, rather than the chance that the letter was misunderstood.'
IRAN BLAMES JEWS FOR HOMOSEXUALITY
A state-sponsored newspaper in Iran has published a document claiming to have uncovered a secret plot by Jews, particularly in the U.S. and U.K., to spread homosexuality worldwide, reports Pink News.
The Huffington Post reported that the document, published by Mashregh news agency and titled 'Introduction to the Overt and Covert Aspects of Spreading Homosexuality in the World,' details the uncovering of a secret plan by 'Jewish financial and human capital, along with the West, particularly America and Britain.'
It also said blamed the U.S. film industry and 'Jewish universities' for 'teaching homosexuality,' claiming that such teaching is 'mandatory for all students in California schools.'
Healthcare systems in the West also were blamed, as, according to the article, if they cared about LGBT people, they should provide medical 'cures' for homosexuality.
In an article for the Jerusalem Post, Dr. Wahied Wahdat-Hagh said the document 'legitimizes the execution of Gays in Iran - they made a text not only to ridicule the West but to provide a reason why Iran executes Gays.'
Iranian authorities announced in June that they had shut down a prominent publishing house in Tehran because of its 'promotion of homosexuality, incest, and sexual relations between men and women outside marriage.'
AMBASSADOR REVIVES GAY DEBATE IN GHANA
The outgoing U.S. ambassador to Ghana, Donald Teitelbaum, says the country needs an open, respectful dialogue on the issue of Gay rights.
According to Ghanaweb, earlier this year the subject attracted controversy when some Western governments suggested African countries might have to review their stance on homosexuality if they want continued economic support.
Mr. Teitelbaum was addressing journalists during his final official media interaction this week when he stated, 'It is not for me to tell Ghanaians how to think or how to act, but what I would say is that I really do believe that Ghanaians, first and foremost & accept the idea of respecting people's fundamental rights.'
He added, 'You have these incidents of Gay bashing and this talk about corrective rape, where people rape women because they are Lesbians. I think it is not OK. It is not OK to oppress people because of the life they choose to live.'
Share on Facebook
Share on Delicious
Share on StumbleUpon! | <urn:uuid:7e69141b-ee24-4b92-b7bf-146e6aa23d1b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews40_37/page9.cfm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00072-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972998 | 3,513 | 1.84375 | 2 |
March 17, 2008
Recognize Internet and Text messaging addiction as mental illnesses
Compulsive e-mailing and text messaging could soon become classified as an official brain illness, reports The Ottawa Citizen.
"An editorial in this month's issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry says Internet addiction -- including "excessive gaming, sexual pre-occupations and e-mail/text messaging" -- is a common compulsive-impulsive disorder that should be added to psychiatry's official guidebook of mental disorders."
Dr. Jerald Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. Dr. Block says people can lose all track of time or neglect "basic drives," like eating or sleeping. Relapse rates are high, he writes, and some people may need psychoactive medications or hospitalization.
Dr. Block says about 86 per cent of Internet addicts have some other form of mental illness, but that unless a therapist is looking for it, Internet addiction is likely to be missed.
He argues that the phenomenon warrants being included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, psychiatry's official dictionary of mental illnesses. The next edition is due out in 2012. A draft is expected to to be available for public comment next year.
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2008/03/019425.htm | <urn:uuid:68b87b46-4d64-466e-9cd1-fb133063257f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2008/03/019425.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00067-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.922079 | 286 | 2.53125 | 3 |
Date: August 1952
Creator: Orjuela, Héctor H.
Description: In this work, superficial to the extreme, it is my purpose to offer a review of the development of lyric poetry ("poesía lírica") in Colombia throughout its history. It is logical that because of the extent of the subject it is not possible to give a complete treatment of our political history, though I have tried not to leave out points of significance. The classification of authors and of poems, as well as the division of periods I have made arbitrarily, guided by my own criteria. Thus, I have the Romantic period divided into romanticism and post-romanticism, according to the dates generally regarded as the beginning and end of these two literary movements. In reality, romanticism only ended with the beginning of modernism, and one cannot therefore distinguish romantic poets from post-romantic poets. Due to the nature of this thesis, many poets--some of them well known--will not be mentioned. However, my intention is not to write a lyric anthology, but to reveal the spirit of Columbia through her poets and her poetry.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries | <urn:uuid:b599e10a-2966-4b54-a6b6-dd0bedf4a43c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://digital.library.unt.edu/explore/collections/UNTETD/browse/?fq=untl_institution%3AUNT&sort=added_a&fq=dc_language%3Aspa | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957383 | 240 | 2.734375 | 3 |
Safe kids in southeastern Utah
Spring is here and summer is quickly approaching. Youth sports are going, and our children are anxious to be outside. There are some precautionary measures that all parents, grandparents, coaches need to be aware of, for their own children and for the other children on the team.
Children ages 5 to 14 account for nearly 40 percent of all sports-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments. Brain injury is the leading cause of sports-related death to children. The most common types of sport-related injuries in children are sprains (mostly ankle), muscle strains, bone or growth plate injuries, repetitive motion injuries and heat-related illness.
Safe Kids Southeast Utah, as part of Safe Kids, USA, would like to share five important sports safety tips that all coaches, parents and league organizers can use to prevent sports related injuries.
*Pre-season medical screening. Every child should receive an annual pre-participation physical evaluation. These exams may prevent or treat any underlying conditions the young athlete may have.
*Safety gear. To prevent acute injuries, children playing sports should have access to and consistently use well-maintained safety equipment during both practices and games.
*Qualified coaching. Athletic coaches should be trained in both first aid and CPR, have a plan for responding to emergencies and have current knowledge of both safety rules and proper equipment use. Sports programs with certified Athletic Trainers on staff are ideal because they are trained to prevent or provide immediate care for athletic injuries.
*Proper conditioning. To prevent acute and overuse injuries, coaches should teach young athletes proper routines for both warm-up and cool-downs before and after practice and play. Sixty-two percent of sports-related injuries occur during practice rather than in a game.
*Hydration. Athletes should be encouraged to drink water before, during and after practice and competition.
*Rest. If young athletes are very tired or in pain, coaches and parents should encourage them to rest, not to play, as the valuable recovery time can help prevent acute and overuse injuries. | <urn:uuid:b4ee00b0-de31-4970-9fb2-e59070e3acd5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sunadvocate.com/index.php?tier=1&article_id=18420&poll=269&vote=results | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963722 | 424 | 3.21875 | 3 |
These ideas for summer fun for kids with special needs are from Abby Brayton-Chung, who blogs at Notes from a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. An OT in Southern California, she's worked in schools and Early Intervention. Her ideas are so genius, kids won't have a clue they're actually doing occupational therapy!
Summer is in full swing and boy, has it been a hot one! Today I’ll share some fun activities for kids that take advantage of all that summer has to offer, including making the most of hot days. Oh, and as an added benefit, these activities are great for promoting sensory and motor development too.
Paint with ice cubes. Now here’s a way to cool off! Mix watercolor paint with water, fill an ice-cube tray, freeze overnight, and voila, ice-cube paints! Create a masterpiece on paper or fabric with your ice cube paints, while developing grasping skills and engaging in sensory exploration.
Play with wet sponges. Set up a bucket of water, have sponges handy and let kids go at it. Squeezing water out of wet sponges helps develop hand strength. Get some big sponges to encourage squeezing with both hands. Want to add a visual motor component to the activity? Try throwing the sponges at a target. Want an even more tactile experience? Place a trail of sponges on the sidewalk and walk barefoot on them. This is a great way to work on balance too!
Toss around pool toys. Water is great for children with special needs, especially those with muscle stiffness, as the buoyancy makes it so much easier for them to move their arms and legs. Use your child’s favorite flotation device (pool noodle, floaties, vest, etc) as you hold or closely watch them, and encourage your child to reach and kick. Throw floating pool toys or balls around the pool to encourage your child to reach out and move even more. If your child is not ready for a big pool, backyard kiddie pools are just are good! Even sitting and splashing in shallow water helps promote movement.
Build a sandcastle. Great for sensory exploration and for developing strength and coordination. And you don’t need anything fancy! Grab some pails or containers, measuring cups and spoons from your kitchen and head to the beach! Let the kids dig in and have fun. Search for seashells and rocks to use to decorate your child’s creation, while promoting fine-motor and grasping skills at the same time. Live too far from the beach? Use a sandbox or (any container that will hold sand) to create castles in your backyard.
Squeeze anything that sprays water. Most kids love to get wet, and pretty much all kids love to get other people wet! Squeeze spray bottles, condiment containers from the dollar store, water droppers, and anything else you have laying around the house that can be used to spray water. This activity helps develop hand strength and coordination, as well as visual motor skills if you aim for a target (or a person!). Get these spray bottles out when you're creating your sandcastles too. | <urn:uuid:f7bf822c-3fe2-46f0-9911-0d7a06d583eb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lovethatmax.com/2012/07/summer-fun-for-kids-with-special-needs.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940789 | 664 | 2.625 | 3 |
More than a third of young North Korean defectors here feel discriminated against and want to live in another country, a survey showed Thursday.
The poll was conducted by Kim Shin-hee, a researcher at the Korean Educational Development Institute, on 287 middle school students from August through September last year.
The study showed that 36.9 percent, or 106, of the respondents wanted to live in another country due mainly to the discrimination and difficulties they experience here.
Of those defectors, only 16.3 percent said they felt pride in residing here and 15.7 percent said they thought South Korea was a “better place to live” than other countries.
Kim said the relatively high number of respondents who expressed dissatisfaction living in the country showed that many defectors struggled with their identity and felt “isolated” from society.
A lack of social tolerance or understanding toward defectors and a general attitude of not being accepted as “real” citizens fueled the disillusionment, particularly among young people, the researcher, who works for KEDI’s education support center for North Korean refugees, added.
Over 21,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. They receive citizenship after three months of debriefing and societal adjustment programs.
The number of teen defectors exceeded 1,600 last year, up from 421 in 2005. But their school dropout rate stood at nearly 5 percent, more than twice the general rate, according to a report from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
The study was submitted to Kyungnam University as part of Kim’s doctoral thesis.
By Oh Kyu-wook (firstname.lastname@example.org | <urn:uuid:9cabb530-73f9-4cbd-9a3f-2e8facd53b0a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130207000854 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962124 | 358 | 2.46875 | 2 |
The iPhone is a great companion for many tasks, but one area that has not previously been up to par is using it for reminders. Luckily the Reminders app helps keep users up to date with to do lists, and other miscellaneous reminders.
There are a lot of apps in the app store that offer a solution for to do lists but none work as well as the list function in the reminders app. Within the Reminders app multiple lists can be setup to keep track of personal tasks, business to do lists and any other form of list.
The post below will demonstrate how to both use the Reminders app on the iPhone and also create multiple lists.
How to use Reminders and Setup Lists.
The reminders app has been a part of iOS ever since the update to iOS 5, so as long as the iPhone is updated to iOS 5 or above you can take advantage of it.
Tap the Upper Left Corner to show all of the current reminders lists.
Tap Create New List. If the user has an email account added to the device that supports reminders, it may appear like below in addition to the default iCloud account.
Name the list and select Done.
Once the list is created select it.
In the new list tap Add in the upper right corner to add tasks to the list.
After a few to do items have been added to the list tap the the Right of the item to Add details.
The most common reminder method is on a date and time. Select Remind Me On a Day and turn the slider to ON.
A box will then pop up so the user can then set the date and time for the reminder to occur. There is also the option for the reminder to occur more than once by tapping Repeat. When the time and repeat are both set, tap Done.
There are also additional details that can be assigned to a reminder. To add these, tap Show More.
Under the show more area, the priority of the reminder and the list in which it appears both can be modified and notes can be added.
By default the Priority is set to None, but the user can choose Low, Medium or High, and when finished select Done.
Another way that the app reminds the user is by location. By using the GPS in the iPhone the reminders app can send an alert to a user when they leave or arrive at a location.
To enable this, tap Remind Me At a Location and turn the slider to ON.
The user then should tap whether they want the location reminder to go off when they leave or arrive at the location.
Next select the Location box that is above When I Leave.
By default the current location will be selected and a home address may appear as a choice. Under both of these options the user can type in a custom address. Once the location is entered or selected tap Details to go back to the previous screen.
One last cool trick that the reminders app can do is add items to the list from Siri.
To add items to the list that you created from Siri, Say “Add (insert reminder) to (the list name)”
This will create the reminder in the correct list, if you do not specify which list to put the reminder in it will be placed in the default iCloud reminders list. | <urn:uuid:5585e9be-ce60-4ecb-9aff-0d512b2c53a7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/02/05/how-to-set-up-multiple-reminders-lists-on-iphone/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.921637 | 675 | 1.65625 | 2 |
Victim Impact Statement
by: Anne Heck
Victim is not a word I use to describe myself. Even then, I viewed myself as athletic, strong, perhaps even invincible. My rape came as a surprise; I was aware of rape, but it was one of those experiences I had never imagined being part of my own life.
That was the summer of 1990 and my case, until recently, remained unsolved. In January of this year, through an unusual series of events, the National DNA database identified the man who raped me. In preparation for a trial and sentencing, I was asked by the prosecuting attorney to put into words my statement about the impact of this incident. Victim I was not. Impacted I was.
Impact aptly describes much of my experience. There was the initial impact of his fist hitting my face, the impact of him throwing my bike into the bushes, the impact of his body forcing itself into mine. Then there were the blazing sirens that delivered me to the hospital, my body becoming the source of evidence, my swollen face in the mirror, and the pain in friends’ faces.
But there was something much deeper. Now, 14 years later, I was faced with the task of communicating this impact; it was not easily put into words.
Statement – my statement – a declaration to the court of how this incident has affected my life. I played with the idea for three months. How could I share the impact of this heinous crime without participating in the role of victim? How could I focus on the positive outcomes without minimizing the act?
Once I became clear on my questions, I was gifted with answers. One afternoon in April as I spoke with the District Attorney, he shared with me the story of the other women, raped just one day prior by the same man who had escaped from a “road gang” of prisoners working in West Virginia. She was relaxing on her porch swing. She, too, was hit in the face, raped, and her car was stolen. Her young daughter witnessed the act and managed to climb on a stool to reach the kitchen phone and dial 911; she then hid in the closet.
The words struck deeper than replaying my own drama. It hit some emotional treasure chest that released some long-held gifts. This story gave me the opportunity to view myself with true compassion. It also enabled me to open my heart to receive just the words I needed to express.
I was raped in July 1990. It was a beautiful summer day and I was enjoying a road trip on my bicycle exploring back roads. I loved the freedom I felt on two wheels with the sun on my back. What a stark contrast this incident was to my intention for that day.
As one can expect, this crime has had a huge impact on my life. Without this experience, I feel I would have missed out on much of the richness available in life. While I don’t believe this richness need come only when faced with adversity, I do believe this horrific event provided a background of contrast that created a more vivid palette for my life. At age 40 and 14 years beyond this event, I can honestly say that I’m grateful for the growth that this path has provided me.
While I do not condone Mr. McDonald’s act and feel he should receive his just sentence, I have come to accept this as a chapter of my life that has provided me with the potential for my personal healing and development.
There are many facets of this growth that I believe serve witness to the impact this rape has had on my life and I’d like to share a few of those:
The day I was raped, I learned about friendship and kindness when a stranger picked me up along that dusty road and took me crumpled and terror-stricken to the closest paramedic unit. A rather new acquaintance made calls to dentists for me. I had two teeth that were knocked out of place and a kind doctor agreed to stay late to help me. Unfortunately, the teeth were irreparable, the roots damaged. I would eventually have to have root canals and other reparative work done to them.
I learned about letting go as I had my favorite blue biking shorts and shirt, stained with blood, bagged by police and taken away for evidence.
I grew into new ways of viewing my freedom as I had my trusty touring bike covered in black fingerprint dust returned to my apartment. It sat untouched for weeks.
I remember with disgust the volunteer at the hospital who came into my room to read scripture and tell me I could be forgiven for my sins. I experienced what it felt like to be shunned at the health center when I went in for a pregnancy test and shared that I had been raped. I quickly learned to trust my own knowing that I had done nothing wrong.
A dear friend of mine drove to see me the day after the rape; he loaded me in his car and drove me to my parents’ home. My parents were mostly silent, unable themselves to process the emotion of what had happened. I learned that those who love you often have the hardest time expressing their hurt to you.
At the beginning, I remember with some fuzziness passing many days in deep fear, jumping at the smallest sounds, panicking at daybreak, dizzy from my lack of breath, unable to face crowds or put myself in the presence of strangers. I learned to give credence to my intuition and listen to my body.
Months passed and I had the opportunity to participate in group and personal counseling, both of which I abhorred as it was extremely challenging to get to the emotion of my experience when that emotion was mostly trapped in my body. I learned patience with process and had the opportunity to look closer at my own character.
I woke many nights with a vivid picture of the perpetrator in my head and often drew pictures of him hoping that putting it on paper would somehow purge my body of my relentless fearful thoughts and feelings. This taught me to let my emotions flow through me.
I learned about patience and trust as I waited 10 days to receive the results of my HIV test.
I experienced my lack of readiness for learning self-defense when I broke into uncontrolled tears at my first class; I learned how to be kind to myself.
After several more months, I did complete a self-defense class that allowed me to release lots of the emotion I had packed in my body. My women colleagues where I taught high school all came to support me at my graduation. I learned how deeply all women are affected by acts of rape and abuse and I learned wherever women come together, there is intense power that can be created.
A year after my rape, I left Manassas, hoping to leave my intense emotions behind and find a more peaceful environment in which to heal. Initially panic set in and I gradually learned how to build a support system for myself. I had the good opportunity to find a wonderful group of supporters at a local Rape Crisis Center whom I called on periodically when my body was remembering the trauma and my mind didn’t know how to process it.
After much more counseling and lots of tears, I undertook training as an Advocate at the Rape Crisis Center and also served on their Speaker’s Bureau. There I learned how very many women shared my horror and I learned how to respond appropriately to those who were healing as well as those who had never experienced rape.
Within a couple of years, I had received training in women’s self defense from a number of programs and began teaching assertiveness training to young women. I had great passion for the topic and quit my teaching position at a local high school to devote my time fully to this endeavor. Through this I gained confidence and strength and a deep admiration for women.
As time has passed, I have thought about that horrid day less and less. What has remained has been a fairly constant and often severe pain in my pelvis and hips. This pain began in the year following the rape and has most certainly been my most constant reminder that there is emotion that has still not been released – it’s my body’s reminder that I still have some growing to do.
I have met with all types of medical, psychological and alternative health professionals over the years, always hoping to find the path that would relieve my pain. I’ve gone through too many months of feeling tired and frustrated from this drain in energy and weeks of being unable to walk.
I have two young children now who are vibrant with life’s energy and I long to experience my own peak health and fully enjoy my time with them. Indeed, I’m ready for that piece of growth that provides me my freedom.
The time for that growth is now and my intent for participating in this sentencing is to close this chapter of my life, to release whatever negative emotion I’m still holding in my body and to feel the freedom and joy that I so clearly had that morning 14 years ago when I left home to enjoy a day of biking.
Some people tell me I’m courageous for appearing in court. I believe I’m blessed to have the opportunity to experience this part of my healing process. This event is for me a symbolic statement of hope, justice and my own personal freedom.
On August 23, 2004 Terry L. McDonald, who is serving a 48-year sentence for sexual assault in West Virginia, pleaded guilty in Prince William County, Virginia Circuit Court to rape and abduction with intent to defile.
Anne returned to Prince William County on the sentencing date to read her statement to the court. She took her bike to declare her freedom on those dusty backroads in Virginia. She shares more of her story and welcomes your comments at www.anneheck.com | <urn:uuid:8daa5886-02ab-42c0-941c-12ed3d771380> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.endthesilencecampaign.org/2010/04/12/our-12th-feature-anne/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.984628 | 2,009 | 1.554688 | 2 |
Problems of Power Industry in India
The problems faced by the electricity companies in India are quite well known and those who did not, the biggest power blackout in human history would have brought it home (quite literally). The root cause of the problem is the Indian Government which has been stuck in paralysis for the last 2-3 years. The only time it shows some life is to defent itself from attacks by the opposition or to play political games to break an opposition group during some event like the Presidential elections. Rest of the time it is happy to let the country go under. India’s economic growth has been going downhill quite fast and the power industry has been one of the worst hit. The main problems are:
a) Lack of fuel as Coal India the monopoly producer is a den of waste and corruption. There is no coal to feed the new thermal power plants despite India sitting on hundreds and billions of coal reserves
b) The distribution and transmission sector owned by the government is a total mess
c) The coal industry has come under fire from the Auditor General for indulging in widespread corruption
d) Foreign governments have imposed duties and taxes on coal exports to India making the big power plants unviable. The Reliance power plant being built in AP is now stuck as it is no longer feasible to supply power at the contracted prices at the current fuel cost
e) Gas power plants are stranded as well as domestic gas production has dived (as usual due to government incompetence and corruption).
I had referred to the Indian Power Industry being a Bubble a year ago itself flagging the problems.
India’s Power Sector is seeing massive investments with innumerable business groups setting up thermal power plants in the country spurred by the electricity deficit of more than 15% and the GDP growth of more than 8% expected in the next decade. India’s private power companies are competing with each other in setting up massive ultra mega thermal power plants of 4 GW capacity. However India’s pathetic state of electricity distribution may lead to huge losses for the investors in the power sector. The reason is that the electricity distribution is controlled by the state utilities which have cumulative losses of $13 billion which is expected to double to $26 billion in another 5 years. These “discoms” don’t have money to pay the private producers of power even with an electricity deficit. With India’s electricity market a tangle of red tape, losses and government control the situation looks bleak for all the business groups deciding to enter the power sector.
Already private utilities like Adani Power and Monnet Ispat are having trouble in selling the power to discoms as these utilities don’t have cash. Monnet Ispat has been forced to sell power for as low as 1c/KwH as demand has plummeted. This has happened despite Indian customers facing power blackouts even after paying more than 10c/KwH for power. The distorted nature of the electricity market with government entities in the middle is responsible for this situation. Even India’s largest utility NTPC has seen its profit growth dip as state discom are not buying power despite electricity shortage. These discoms buy power at inflated rate during elections and once they are over stop buying power. India’s pathetic transmission and distribution infrastructure is a major hurdle in installing more renewable energy in India as was seen in the case where solar power plants are not being debt financed by banks due to bankrupt discoms. India’s Solar Program JNNSM launched with much fanfare is already facing problems on multiple fronts, this will only add to them.
The Minister of Power instead of solving the critical problems is considering to change the accounting treatments so as not to make these non-running electricity generators as Non Performing Assets. Note the Indian banks have made massive amounts of loans and they would show huge losses if they were to follow prudential accounting norms. The government wants to take a shortcut as usual and not do anything substantial.
Nearly 8,770 MW of power projects ready for commissioning but stranded due to lack of fuel supplies may get some relief.
The Government is looking to bring in changes in accounting standards that would prevent these units from being categorised as non-performing assets.
“It is on serious consideration of both the Ministries (Power and Corporate Affairs). The Power Ministry is reviewing the issue and would soon send the recommendations to the Corporate Affairs Ministry. No sooner this exercise is done, we will take the decision. It will not take more than 10-15 days,” said Veerappa Moily, who holds charge of both the ministries – Power and Corporate Affairs.
To prevent the projects from turning into NPAs, private power producers have approached the Corporate Affairs Ministry for change in Accounting Standards 10 and 16, to allow provisioning of capitalisation of borrowing cost for the stranded gas-fired power units.
Moily on Friday met private power producers to discuss issues related fuel linkage, finalisation of standard bidding documents, commissioning of hydro power projects and distribution sector reforms, among others. | <urn:uuid:f257f84e-489c-4735-b75c-a5c89b3e5999> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.greenworldinvestor.com/2012/09/03/india-to-use-accounting-shenanigans-to-prevent-bad-loans-from-the-struggling-power-industry-from-showing-in-bank-books/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964021 | 1,037 | 1.875 | 2 |
2-1-1 Staffed for Post-Sandy Clean-Up, Health Questions
Gov. Chris Christie's office announces public health experts are available to answer questions about food and water safety and mold.
To help New Jersey's residents clean up their homes and businesses after Hurricane Sandy, the Department of Health is making public health experts available through the state's 2-1-1 system to answer questions about food and water safety and mold removal, Gov. Chris Christie's office announced Thursday.
To reach health experts, call 2-1-1 or 1-866-234-0964. Public health officials will be available to take calls 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The 2-1-1 human services hotline is open 24/7.
"The devastation across our state is unprecedented and the process of clean-up has just begun. During this difficult time, many New Jersey residents will have questions about food and water safety as well as mold cleanup efforts and we want to help,” said Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd.
Health experts can answer questions about personal health and safety concerns, cleaning and mold removal, carbon monoxide concerns, and food and drinking water safety.
Additional information on shelters, the application process for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and social service is available here.
Additional information about hurricane and flood recovery is available here. | <urn:uuid:ce3778e1-b5a9-48e6-b48c-0429a9d536fd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://summit.patch.com/articles/2-1-1-staffed-for-post-sandy-clean-up-health-questions-bd59cd7e | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946353 | 303 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Happy New Year!
Herewith, a highly subjective list of the most notable events of 1910
May 20th – Funeral for Britain's King Edward VII— technically ending what was later termed the Edwardian Era, however years up to 1914 or even 1919 are often included
June 9th – A passenger on SS Arawatta throws bottle with note overboard. Bottle is found June 6, 1983.
June 19th – Father's Day celebrated for 1st time (Spokane, Wash)
June 20th – Krazy Kat debuts in the New York Journal comic strip "The Dingbat Family" by George Herriman
July 4th – African-American boxer Jack Johnson defeats James J. Jeffries, "the Great White Hope," in a heavyweight boxing match, sparking race riots across the United States.
August 9th – Alva Fisher patents the electric washing machine
September 1st – The Vatican introduces a compulsory oath against modernism, to be taken by all priests upon ordination. [note: I realize "modernism" here means something specifically relating to the Catholic Church but I have to say it doesnt seem far-fetched to me at all that the Vatican would be requiring an oath against Les Demoiselles d'Avignon or the Prairie Style.]
November 27th – Pennsylvania Station, designed by McKim, Mead & White, opens as world's largest railway terminal. [It is demolished 53 years later, in one of the most infamous and benighted planning decisions, ever.]
December 3rd – Neon lights displayed publicly for the first time at the Paris Auto Show in the Grand Palais | <urn:uuid:7bc10a6e-f402-42ab-a503-86d8f71743fe> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://parenthetically.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946833 | 332 | 1.8125 | 2 |
Author: Ed Yong
Source: BBC Future
January 10, 2013
It’s not just the Caribbean. A third of reef-building corals are in danger of extinction, and reefs the world over are in serious decline. Even Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, long held as a shining testament to careful management, has lost the majority of its coral. “Ten years ago, we thought, ‘At least we have the [Great Barrier Reef]’, but even that’s starting to look pretty grim,” says Bruno. The question now is not whether things will get worse – they assuredly will – but whether we will lose our reefs entirely.
This is a chilling prospect. To lose the reefs would be to lose the planet’s most diverse ecosystems – habitats that make even tropical jungles seem impoverished. “I’m not dissing rainforests, but you could walk for kilometres and see a thousand beetles and a hundred birds, all variations on a theme,” says Rick MacPherson from the Coral Reef Alliance. “But in one square metre of a reef, you could get every animal phylum known.”
People would also suffer. More than 450 million people live close to coral reefs and rely on them as sources of tourism revenue and protein, and as buffers that dampen the energy of incoming storms. “There are humans that depend on them for a daily basis not just as a nice place to visit for a holiday,” says MacPherson.
To read the full text of this article, click here . | <urn:uuid:dbcd4600-fffe-4ec7-a39e-9cb2192d3a62> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://coral.org/print/6136 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950563 | 333 | 3.34375 | 3 |
| || |
M-disc, Write Once and Read Forever
You might feel like you’re making a “permanent” backup of your files when you copy them onto a DVD or backup to a computer hard-drive, but the truth is these devices suffer from natural decay and degradation. Current DVD technology uses organic dyes and low laser power to make marks on the data layer of a standard recordable DVD. Over time, these marks become unreadable because organic dyes degrade when exposed to minimal levels of light, heat, and humidity. This means all the data you thought was safely stored could be lost because the discs you used have an average lifespan of only about 3 to 5 years! Why would you risk your data based on an average; hundreds of discs taken into account in that average were corrupt and unreadable after only a few months. With Millenniata, we don’t subject you to the possibility of losing your data. When we say write once and read forever, we mean it.
How does the M-DISC compare to other DVD sand optical discs?
Millenniata utilizes chemically stable and heat-resistant materials that are not used in any other DVD or optical disc! These materials cannot be overwritten, erased, or corrupted by natural processes. The normal laser energy employed to write DVDs or CDs cannot successfully write to the patented inorganic and synthetic materials used in the M-DISC
Data is stored on the M-DISC by physically altering the recording layer and creating permanent voids or holes. DVDs and other optical discs use organic dyes that break down over time, resulting in corrupt and unreadable data. These organic dyes are highly susceptible to temperature, humidity and even sunlight, starting to fade and decay the moment you record data.
Millenniata’s recording process utilizes higher temperatures and as much as 5 times more energy than any ordinary optical disc. This allows for permanent engraving on the M-DISC, what we refer to as pits. These pits are not affected by temperature, humidity and sunlight the same way dyes are, because the pits are permanent. This means when you burn data onto the M-DISC, it will last as long as you need it to.
Click image to Enlarge
How do we know?
The Naval Air Warfare Center at China Lake tested the M-DISC against the best conventional archival discs on the market produced by Mitsubishi, Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, Delkin and MAM-A. The conditions were based on the 85°C/85% relative humidity industry test standard, supplemented with full-spectrum sunlight. The Navy’s goal was to simulate conditions at sea or in combat, which experience has shown to be a disc killer. The conclusion? The M-DISC suffered no data degradation at all while discs from Mitsubishi, Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, Delkin and MAM-A failed after the stress period.
The Naval Air Warfare Center at China Lake has published these conclusions in the study, “Accelerated Life Cycle Comparison of Millenniata Archival DVD.” Conventional optical discs subjected to the same level of testing failed within 2 days while the M-DISC was not affected.
How can I access my data on an M-DISC?
Once written, the M-DISC can be read or played on any quality DVD drive that supports the common DVD+R/RW format. Most DVD drives that were manufactured after 2005 and almost all Blu-ray or BD drives support this format.
You May Also Be Interested In:
Recently Viewed Items:
M- DISC Support CD DVD Duplicators
SySTOR Disc Printing and Publishing System
LightScribe CD DVD Duplicators
Produplicator 22X 5 Burner M-Disc Support CD DVD Duplicator + Built-In 320GB HDD + Smart USB 2.0 Connection ($85 Value)
Find us on Google+ | <urn:uuid:03b7f13c-5b34-475b-903b-de864ad6d6de> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.produplicator.com/dvd-cd-duplicator-standalone-tower-5-target-sata-22x-hard-drive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.907381 | 824 | 2.546875 | 3 |
Positive Winter Numbers For Pine Beetle Kill In Region
Pine beetle survey results show the combination of control work and weather is having a positive impact in reducing the bug populations in the Peace region.
The recent data from the province shows a drop in beetle numbers in the region from Grande Cache north east to Grande Prairie and further east to Slave Lake -- an area that's seen major beetle infestation of the past several years.
Areas in central Alberta and north of Peace River saw either no change or slight increases in beetle numbers.
The over-winter survey was done between May and June this year at 179 sites.
The province recently beefed up funding for survey and control work with an additional 40-million dollar cash infusion.
Most Viewed Stories
Questionable Content? Click here to report it to the webmaster.
Popular Blog Articles | <urn:uuid:e0de53f8-1f57-4d35-a95f-24fffe0db8f7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://hqgrandeprairie.com/news/local/news/v/Local/120708/Positive-Winter-Numbers-For-Pine-Beetle-Kill-In-Region | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00044-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.923841 | 173 | 2.171875 | 2 |
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Quake measuring 7.7 strikes in Pacific off Alaska
(Reuters) - An earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck in the Pacific Ocean about 60 miles (100 km) southwest of Port Alexander in Alaska on Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake struck at a depth of about 6 miles (10 km) at 0858 GMT, the survey said.
(Reporting By Pravin Char; Editing by Angus MacSwan) | <urn:uuid:45cfecc4-7cd8-426c-baca-3d79f2dbf875> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/1/5/worldupdates/2013-01-05T092612Z_1_BRE904042_RTROPTT_0_UK-QUAKE-ALASKA | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.903335 | 101 | 1.640625 | 2 |
$32.00 donated in past month
This Week in Palestine, July 8th, 2011
Welcome to this Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, http://www.imemc.org, for the week of July 2nd through 8th, 2011.
At the time the Palestinians reaffirm their position to ask for recognition of independent Palestine in September, Israel denies hundreds of Internationals entry to visit Palestine, these stories and more are coming up, stay tuned
Israeli troops attacked on Friday the weekly nonviolent protests in a number of West Bank villages. This week protesters marched in solidarity with Freedom Flotilla 2 detained in Greece and the Welcome To Palestine participants. The details with IMEMC's George Rishmawi
Protests were reported in the villages of al-Nabi Salleh, Bil’in, and Nil’in in the central West Bank, as well as al-Ma’ssara in the south.
In Bil’in village on Friday, international and Israeli supporters joined villagers and replanted trees on land given back to local farmers after the army adhered to the court order and rerouted the wall around Bil’in giving the villages half of their lands back.
Also on Friday, one boy and a youth were slightly injured when troops fired tear gas at the marchers in the village of al-Nabi Saleh near Ramallah. Villagers and their Israeli and International supporters dragged a mock-ship they named “Popular Resistance Flotilla.” As soon as they moved outside of the village troops showered them with tear gas. In addition to the two injured many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Protests were held in Greece after the Greek government prevented the Gaza flotilla boats from sailing of its shores to Gaza and detained the captain of the ship. Passengers, mostly Americans, gathered in front of the U.S embassy in Athens to demand the release of the captain and the ships as well. The flotilla passengers stated their goal is to reach Gaza and bring to its population essential material, Israel forbids its entry to the besieged coastal region.
In the nearby village of Nil’in, where the residents and their Israeli and international supporters held the Friday midday prayers near the Israeli wall, protestors then marched up to the wall. Troops fired tear gas at protesters causing many to suffer from tear gas inhalation.
In southern west Bank on Friday, villagers protested against the wall and settlements in al-Ma’sara village near Bethlehem. Israeli troops stopped villagers from reaching the construction side of the wall, and fired tear gas at them to force them back into the village..
The Welcome to Palestine campaign was launched by 40 Palestinian organizations, popular committees and the political parties who invited hundreds of Internationals from different parts of the world, to come to Palestine and meet local families and visit Palestine and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their peaceful struggle.
While campaign organizers insisted that all their participants are committed to nonviolence, Israel attempted to prevent them all to arrive to the country.
The Israeli ministry of Interior addressed all the airlines and provided them with a list of around 400 people who Israel said they are not allowed to enter Israel, and threatened the airlines in case any of those people boarded on their planes, Israeli airport security will delay the flights and force them to go back to their countries on the same plane.
Many of the airlines contacted the passengers and cancelled their reservation based on this request from Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assigned the Minister of Internal Security to act with determination against any of those participating in the Welcome to Palestine campaign.
When some participants of the campaign arrived at the airport, where some managed to go through, dozens were detained and sent back. Israeli peace activists welcoming participants at the airport were also arrested and attacked by both security forces and some other Israeli civilians.
The campaign organizers held a press conference Friday morning at the peace center in Bethlehem where they addressed the international community and explained the purpose of the campaign.
Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh a spokesperson of the campaign said, the campaign is designed to start on July 9, the day when the International Court of Justice ruled the wall illegal in 2004 and demanded the world to act to remove it. One year later, the Palestinian Civil Society Organizations launched their call to the International community to act in order to implement the World Court's ruling.
For IMEMC.org this is George Rishmawi
Palestinian Authority reaffirms it is going to ask for UN recognition of a Palestinian State on 1967 border lines. Meanwhile, Israel says it is barring access of international solidarity activists into the occupied Palestinian territories. IMEMC's Rami Al Meghari has more
In response to the U.S congress's warning to the Palestinian Authority that Washington would withhold annual financial aid if the PA goes ahead with it's state declaration move at the UN, secretary general of the Palestinian People's Party and MP, Bassam Alsalhi , said that the PA should go ahead with the move. Alsalhi considered such a position as an utter and rude siding with the Israeli occupation that continues to disregard UN resolutions pertaining to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The MP also added that Palestinians and Arabs should have a unified stance by moving ahead to the UN. Meanwhile, Israeli government has been relentlessly involved in meetings that are aimed at blocking arrival of Freedom FlotillaII aid convoy ships for Gaza.
This week, Israeli aviation authorities have taken some measures at Israel's airports to prevent hundreds of international pro-Palestinians activist from landing on those airports in support of the Palestinian people. Earlier this week, two French and Swiss ships managed to set sail to Gaza shores from Greece sea ports, despite a Greek decision to stop 10-ship Flotilla from setting sail to Gaza , in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the territory, in place for five years now. On the internal Palestinian level, Hamas's senior leader in Gaza, Dr. Mahmoud Alzahar, blamed Palestinian President of Fatah, Mahmoud Abbas, for the delay in implementing a reconciliation deal signed in Cairo a couple of months ago.
Alzahar asserted that any would-be prime minister of a temporary Palestinian unity cabinet , should be agreed upon by means of consensus. Abbas insists that his current western-backed PM , Salam Fayyad, should assume the same post for any unity cabinet. International community including the European Union and the U.S have welcomed the reconciliation deal cautiously, calling on any upcoming Palestinian government to comply with three demands; recognizing Israel's right to exist, renouncing violence and accepting signed peace deals between Israel and the Abbas-led Palestine Liberation Organization. Rami Almeghari. IMEMC.org. Gaza
The Israeli Attacks Report Two Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip and other wounded, meanwhile Israeli government approves 900 new settlement units in the West Bank, the details and more with IMEMC's Kevin Murphy
On Saturday July 2, 2011 Palestinian police and the Palestinian National Security Service injured over 20 peaceful Palestinian demonstrators in Hebron, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. Many of the demonstrators suffered injuries from beatings as well as tear gas inhalation. The demonstration began after the afternoon prayer. The demonstrators were commemorating “the 90th anniversary of the collapse of the Muslim Caliphate.” The demonstration was organized by the Hizbut Tahrir, the Islamic Liberation Party.
The Israeli municipality of Jerusalem announced on Monday that it had approved the expansion of the Jewish only settlement of Gilo in East Jerusalem. The municipality approved the construction of the 900 Jewish only residential units on what was previously Palestinian private property despite opposition to the plan by the Middle East Quartet. Gilo is home to 40,000 Jewsih only residents in East Jerusalem.
Israeli soldiers invaded Khirbit Zakariyya area, surrounded by the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and demolish one Palestinian home on Tuesday morning. Local sources reported that the home belonged to Mohammad Khalil Sa'ad, from Ertas town, near Bethlehem. The army claimed that the one-story home, inhibited by eleven family members, was built without a construction permit. Human rights organisations such as B'tselem claim Palestinians are rarely granted permission to build homes to house growing families.
On Tuesday 05 July 2011 The Palestinian Center for Human Rights has claimed that Israeli warplanes killed two Palestinian activists in Gaza when they fired a missile resulting in fatal shrapnel wounds.The activists were at an olive field in the east of al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip, nearly 600 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel when the incident happened, according to PCHR. Israeli media reported the attack occurred as the individuals were attempting to launch a missile into Israel. Israeli forces fired at a number of Palestinian resistance activists in Gaza City wounding the activists and damaging the shop they were in.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Tuesday at dawn a Hamas political leader in Jaba' town, near the northern Western Bank city of Jenin, along with two other residents, and took them to unknown destinations. Three more Palestinians were kidnapped in different West Bank areas. Local sources reported that, approximately at 1 after midnight, the army surrounded the house of Nazeeh Abu 'Oun, 50, and used loud speakers ordering him to step out before detaining the Hamas leader.
An Israeli Army soldier was slightly injured Thursday after an explosion occurred near the tank he was in, in the Southern Gaza Strip. The injuries he sustained were minor, from the shrapnel caused by the explosion. The armoured tank was not damaged. A Fatah linked organisation has taken responsibility for the attack.
The Israeli Civil Administration has approved the state confiscation of private Palestinian land in the Palestinian village of Karyut in the Occupied West Bank for Israeli settlement activity. The 189 Dunams will go to the Israeli settlement of Eli. The move, which undermines Israeli agreements with the US not to confiscate Palestinian land for settlement expansion, was justified under 1958 Ottoman land law that states those who cultivate land for 10 years gain ownership of that land irrespective of how it was obtained.
Israeli police have violently arrested pro Palestinian activists at Ben Gurian airport who were due to greet members of the “Welcome to Palestine” campaign and protest Israel’s blocking their movement into Palestinian territory. Protesters have stated that they were attacked by members of the Israeli public who spat and punched the group of six as they were being lead away by police. Two members of the “Welcome to Palestine” campaign have been deported and 30 are currently being detained, also due for deportation.
And that was just some of the news from this week in Palestine, for more updates; please visit our website at http://www.imemc.org. Thank you for joining us from occupied Bethlehem, This report has been brought to you by Husam Qassis and me Danny Johnes. | <urn:uuid:48b60a37-e656-4a4d-939e-dd73dbd986a2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/07/08/18684183.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00048-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96347 | 2,247 | 1.828125 | 2 |
Planning and Implementation Farm to School Grants Available
USDA has released a Request for Applications (RFA) for a new farm to school grant program. The RFA is now posted on grants.gov and the USDA Farm to School website.
There will be two types of grants available:
1. Planning grants are intended primarily for K-12 school food authorities who participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program that are in the beginning phases of their farm to school efforts.
2. Implementation grants are geared towards advancing existing farm to school initiatives. K-12 school food authorities who participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program, along with state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, and non-profit entities working in partnership with school districts, may apply for implementation grants.
The grants require at least a 25% funding match. Applications are due June 15, 2012 and awards are expected to be made in October 2012. Planning grants are expected to range from $20,000 - $45,000 and represent approximately 25% of the total awards. Implementation grants are expected to range from $65,000 - $100,000 and represent approximately 75% of the total awards. Given the HHFKA mandate that priority consideration be given to schools serving a high proportion of children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals, projects that serve school districts and schools that have high free and reduced price meal enrollment will receive extra points in evaluation scoring.
Two webinars will be offered in order for applicants to learn more about this grant opportunity. More information regarding registration for these webinars will be sent via this listserv.
- Tuesday, May 15, 1:00 p.m. EST Implementation grants
- Thursday, May 17, 1:00 p.m. EST Planning grants
For more information, please visit the USDA Farm to School website
and the Farm to School grant program RFA.
School Grants for Healthy Kids
Through partners such as Kellogg's and the Walmart Foundation, Action for Healthy Kids
is pleased to release its School Grants for Healthy Kids
opportunities for the 2012-2013 school years. Over 500 schools nationwide will be awarded funds that will range from $1,000 to $5,000 with significant in-kind contributions from Action for Healthy Kids in the form of people, programs, and school nutrition expertise. Schools will be provided with management expertise and support to develop strong nutrition programs around school breakfast, competitive foods, summer meals, access to healthy food and nutrition education.
Award amounts will be based on building enrollment, project type, potential impact, and a school's ability to mobilize parents and students around school wellness initiatives. Schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program; and must have free/reduced priced meal eligibility greater than 50% to be eligible.
Visit Action for Healthy Kids
website for more information: actionforhealthykids.org
Gor more details regarding School Grants for Healthy Kids,
Apply for “Million Hearts” Social Marketing Programs Awards
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for its Wellness Initiatives “Million Hearts” social marketing programs for peer run/recovery community organizations awards. This program will enable consumer-run and peer recovery community organizations to conduct community-based social marketing activities increasing awareness about the importance of heart health. These efforts include information and activities to prevent heart disease and stroke among adults with behavioral health challenges, as well as promote the long-term goal of helping them to achieve an overall state of wellness. For more information, please contact Carol Bloomberg, Carol_Bloomberg@abtassoc.com | <urn:uuid:287c2bd2-33f2-4fca-82da-c458dbb4c618> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://doe.sd.gov/schoolhealth/newsinfused/12/may/funding.asp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947128 | 760 | 1.859375 | 2 |
The UN Security Council is split over whether to refer reports of war crimes in Syria to the International Criminal Court, with some members arguing that such a move would encourage President Bashar Assad’s regime to dig in and resist to the end in a conflict that has claimed at least 60,000 lives.
Five council members France, Britain, Luxembourg, Australia and South Korea — made a joint statement today urging that the world body ask the International Criminal Court to prosecute war criminals.
They were endorsing a Swiss petition to the Security Council, co-signed by at least 56 other nations, that the Court should take up the problem and that “no lasting peace is possible in Syria without taking consistent action against impunity” for war crimes, as the Swiss letter to the council said.
But British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant conceded that “such a resolution would not be adopted today.”
Russia and China have cast vetoes in the past to keep the Security Council from getting more deeply involved in the Syrian conflict.
Council President Masood Khan, the ambassador of Pakistan, says the council is divided over what to do.
He said some members contend that having the International Criminal Court pursue prosecutions would encourage Assad’s regime to dig in and undermine efforts to find a peaceful solution.
They spoke after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay told the Council on Friday that the death toll in Syria has reached 60,000.
She said the pace of killing has accelerated, from about 1,000 a month early in the conflict, when it was a crackdown on a civil protest movement, to some 5,000 a month now that a full-scale armed resistance has emerged to fight to topple the Assad regime, which is fighting back with air strikes.
Pillay has been urging the council to get the International Criminal Court involved since July 2012.
Keywords: Syria war crimes, United Nations divided over referring Syria war crimes to International Criminal Court, Council fears al-Assad will dig in, fight to the end, casualties in Syria battle on the rise | <urn:uuid:b880a051-21f4-4bd5-be09-6fe6ef7b9749> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/international/un-security-council-split-on-syria-war-crimes/article4322623.ece | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958217 | 420 | 2.046875 | 2 |
Announcing the King of Digital Wallets
Steven is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
The death of credit cards is a bunch of hoopla. There is no need to shred your cards now that they have the capacity to be stored digitally. People may be able to eliminate the need to carry around a wallet. But in replace of the wallet comes a power charger. Otherwise, “my wallet is out of batteries” will become the catchphrase of the future. The tides are suggesting a potential shift in the way consumers behave and which pocket they access their wallet from. Today we will examine the facts to see if there is an established leader in the digital wallet war.
First Things First
With a digital wallet, all your currency based articles can be stored in one place, either a smartphone or online. You’ll still have to find a place to keep your ID and health insurance card. If you use your credit card, you still get a bill at the end of the month. Not much will change, except that you may be “tapping” instead of swiping two pieces of plastic together. How exciting!
Many digital wallets utilize Near Field Communication – NFC for short. The technology allows for data to be transmitted over a distance of less than a few centimeters. Whatever information that is being broadcasted will essentially be in direct contact with your smartphone, making it inherently secure. In theory, that should keep things safer. But the skeptics will be skeptics. Eavesdropping, data corruption, and transmitting viruses are all cited as major threats. It’s just like the analog-old-days when there was a threat of getting your wallet lost, stolen, or corrupted. But now it’s digital. And for some reason, that’s scarier.
What’s the Point?
The hype-cloud around the digital wallet killing credit cards is misleading. What’s really at stake is the amount of cost savings it will pass on to large-footprint retailers. Consider this: for every 5 seconds Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) saves in the average checkout time, it directly saves $60 million in wages that year. That’s $12 million per second! If digital wallets can make lines shorter and reduce average checkout times, this is going to be a huge business. It’s why McDonalds (NYSE: MCD) is trialing PayPal’s (NASDAQ: EBAY) self-checkout service in France. Should this 30-store test bear fruit by reducing cashier wait times, imagine the cost savings across 30,000 plus stores.
What’s the Play?
This is still an emerging industry with many big name players fighting over budding market share. Aside from PayPal, you also have Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Square all fighting for a place in speedier checkout lines.
PayPal has the lead for a number of reasons.
- They offer the most versatile solution because their platform doesn’t require a smartphone to initiate transactions. At checkout, all you need is a mobile phone number and a customized pin number, making it effortless to pay. Home Depot brought this experience into nearly 2,000 locations after testing this concept in just 5 stores over a two month period. They must have seen an improvement in checkout times or an increased usage of self-checkout for them to expand so quickly. Home Depot didn’t have to invest and install new hardware, making PayPal a lower barrier of entry than competitors.
- If/when smartphones replace our wallet; PayPal’s app is available for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry. You can already pay with your smartphone at 15 big-name retailers including Abercrombie & Fitch, Barnes & Noble, Jamba Juice, JC Penny, Foot Locker, and Office Depot.
- PayPal has over 110 million active users to leverage, putting them way ahead of the curve. Google for instance, has to get users to sign up, where PayPal, has to get existing users to activate. And Google Wallet only works for a select group of NFC Android smartphones. At last check, the count remained at 5 phones and a tablet – not really a dominating position. On top of that, retailers must have the correct NFC infrastructure in place for Google Wallet to work.
- Recent partnership with Discover Financial (NYSE: DFS) opens the floodgates to 7 million more offline locations. Under the agreement, PayPal can be used where Discover is accepted and Discover will receive a cut from the transaction. In theory, this should increase Discover’s volume, but it may be at the expense of existing cardholders who now opt for PayPal instead. In this light, Discover can be viewed as the crazy guy in the room who embraces the future of higher-speed checkouts. Management has seen where the future is headed, giving them an early arrival to the party. For this reason, I think the risk may be worth the reward, given how attractive Discover shares are currently valued.
- PayPal is more secure because no financial information is shared when a transaction occurs. Everything goes through their wallet, acting as an added buffer for security enthusiasts. Google mitigates NFC security issues by offering the same sort of solution. The difference is that PayPal doesn’t currently utilize NFC, giving them the edge.
- It’s efficient. If retailers accept PayPal, they’ve effectively accepted all forms of electronic payment.
Retailers are going to drive the process because it saves them money. Who is the most versatile for this calling? It’s PayPal. They are making key partnerships, already have a large active user base, and their approach doesn’t require new hardware. Unless someone makes an even speedier solution that relies on fewer employees, PayPal is the name to beat. Should NFC become a trusted part of our everyday lives, you can bet PayPal will update their existing apps to support the technology. In the end, credit cards will not die, they’ll evolve. The payment networks who fail to keep up can expect a future that doesn’t shine as bright.
TopDownTrends has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of Google and McDonald's. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend eBay, Google, and McDonald's. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.If you have questions about this post or the Fool’s blog network, click here for information. | <urn:uuid:1a05d71a-9ecd-45f0-9a0b-892372177c5a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://beta.fool.com/topdowntrends/2012/09/07/announcing-king-digital-wallets/11054/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927206 | 1,400 | 2.046875 | 2 |
The Mogensen sizer concept was developed in 1947 by Fredrik Mogensen, Ph.D., Engineering. The machine concept is based on the principle that different sized particles have different probabilities through a screen. With sloped screen decks, the capacity of a specific area is achieved and particles have freedom of movement. Mogensen has recently improved several features of its sizer.
Recently optimized product features of the sizer include the output ports, the vibration absorption system, the screen tensioning system, and redesigned dust covers. The output ports have been redesigned for material flow optimization. The output ports also feature larger inspection ports and fixed fastenings. The vibration system provides increased capacity through prevention of plugged mesh openings. The vibration system is designed to prevent vibration from being transmitted to the plant structure.
The Mogensen screen tensioning system relies on a simplified concept to ensure correct tension to the screens. In addition to improved screen tension accuracy, the simplified concept results in reduced maintenance time and an improved ability to withstand dust. The newly redesigned dust covers are ergonomic and easy to handle. Quick-acting locks eliminate assembly time. The robust cover design is scratch resistant and withstands heat of 185°F. The redesigned dustcovers are approved for food processing applications. The new features are state of the industry and allow for an optimized process solution.
ALMO Process Technology, Cincinnati, OH 513-404-5155 www.almoprocess.com | <urn:uuid:42d22b43-c7b1-415d-aae5-28332f0ea8b3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.powderbulksolids.com/article/mogensen-sizer-redesigned-increased-efficiency-capacity | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941806 | 292 | 1.65625 | 2 |
People with chemical and/or electromagnetic sensitivities can experience debilitating reactions from exposure to extremely low levels of common chemicals such as pesticides, cleaning products, fragrances, and remodeling activities, and from electromagnetic fields emitted by computers, cell phones, and other electrical equipment.
The severity of sensitivities varies among people with chemical and/or electromagnetic sensitivities. Some people can enter certain buildings with minor accommodations while others may be so severely impacted that they are unable to enter these same spaces without debilitating reactions. Furthermore individual tolerances to specific exposures can vary greatly from one individual to the next. Meanwhile some exposures, such as the application of certain pesticides or extensive remodeling, for example, may be devastating to all chemically sensitive people and make a building or facility inaccessible for a substantial period of time.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability laws, public and commercial buildings are required to provide reasonable accommodations for those disabled by chemical and/or electromagnetic sensitivities. These accommodations are best achieved on a case-by-case basis.
Reasonable accommodations for a chemically sensitive and/or electromagnetically sensitive individual can include providing a space or meeting area that addresses one or more of the Cleaner Air criteria, upon request, such as
For individuals who are unable to use or meet in a building or facility, or who are too severely impacted by chemical and/or electromagnetic exposures to use a designated Cleaner Air Room, accommodations may include: | <urn:uuid:bfcc5859-db00-49d3-9c52-77c4b3077184> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.access-board.gov/research/ieq/rooms/accommodations.cfm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.925225 | 296 | 2.828125 | 3 |
This chart shows the Moon controlling the S&P on May 13 & 14, 1998.
The Moon's electric field flux lines are very powerful. They can be used effectively in trading. These lines often cause sharp reversals in price.
The field flux lines are shown in yellow, at A,B, C and D. A and C are the positive flux lines. B and D are the negative flux lines. Note how they cross near 13:30 on the 14th.
If prices hit these lines fast, the lines can cause a sharp reversal. Note how this happened at E and at F. This caused sharp rallies. One can trade the possibility of this type of Moon bounce, by placing a buy at the line "price or better" order, with a stop just below the line - say 1.5 points below. Then, if the bounce occurs, one trails an exit stop below the rally high. In these two cases, a 2 point training stop would have captured 3.2 points at E and 10.0 points at F.
One might make more with a wider stop, if one used knowledge of the Chaos Clamshell, Hannula Market Fractal, or Fractal of Pi. There are a lot of 3 to 4 hour fractals in the S&P. Three hours is 1/8 of a day, and four hours is 1/6th of a day. Between those two lies the magic 7th harmonic of the day, which is 3 hours 25 minutes. Note that the rally of the 13th was about this length, and the one of the 14th was almost exactly 4 hours long.
Finally, the high on the 14th came where the flux lines crossed. This is no accident. It is all electric fields in action. It's real physical cause and effect. | <urn:uuid:e4b6a8af-9a55-4414-9800-e98aaa49f956> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://moneytide.com/hans/damoon11.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955088 | 370 | 2.1875 | 2 |
Mentmore, or Mentmore Towers, is a Neo-Renaissance house in the village of Mentmore in Buckinghamshire. It takes its name from the village in which it stands, and from its numerous towers and pinnacles. It was built 1852-4 by Sir Joseph Paxton and G.H. Stokes for Baron Mayer de Rothschild.
I was commissioned to produce a set of proposals for an analysis of the painted surfaces. Unfortunately it appears that the future of the house is uncertain.
My company Papers and Paints has subsequently supplied specially matched paint for a number of the interiors.
Mentmore has appeared in a number of films, most recently the facade can be seen in the opening moments of Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut (the interior however was filmed at Elveden).
A 1930s film clip showing a fox hunt gathering in front of Mentmore:
View Larger Map | <urn:uuid:5f3bf8a8-2f96-469a-8f90-5f0b06046778> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://patrickbaty.co.uk/2010/12/09/mentmore/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966322 | 190 | 1.820313 | 2 |
When news happens, text AND and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Some Findus meals '100% horse meat'
The Food Standards Agency said tests had been ordered on Findus beef lasagne for veterinary drug phynlbutazone
Testing on Findus beef lasagne has revealed that some of the ready meals may have contained up to 100% horse meat, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said.
Shoppers who bought the lasagne products, which are made by French food supplier Comigel on behalf of Findus, have been warned not to eat them.
Findus tested 18 of its beef lasagne products which found 11 meals containing 60% to 100% horse meat, the FSA said. Retail giant Tesco and discount chain Aldi withdrew a range of ready meals produced by Comigel over fears they contained contaminated meat.
The FSA said there is no evidence to suggest the horse meat found is a food safety risk. But the agency confirmed tests have been ordered on the lasagne for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone. Animals treated with "bute" are not allowed to enter the food chain.
An FSA statement said: "As part of its ongoing investigation into mislabelled meat, the Food Standards Agency has confirmed that the meat content of beef lasagne products recalled by Findus has tested positive for more than 60% horse meat.
"Findus withdrew the beef lasagne products after its French supplier, Comigel, raised concerns about the type of meat used in the lasagne. We have no evidence to suggest that this is a food safety risk. However, the FSA has ordered Findus to test the lasagne for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone, or 'bute'. Animals treated with phenylbutazone are not allowed to enter the food chain as it may pose a risk to human health."
Anyone who bought the lasagne products should return them to the shop they were bought from, the FSA said.
Findus UK withdrew its 320g, 360g and 500g lasagne meals from supermarket shelves as a precautionary measure earlier this week. It came after Comigel alerted Findus and Aldi that their products "do not conform to specification".
It advised them to remove Findus beef lasagne and Aldi's Today's Special frozen beef lasagne and Today's Special frozen spaghetti bolognese. Tesco also decided to withdraw its Everyday Value spaghetti bolognese, which is produced at the same Comigel site. The FSA added: "People who have bought any Findus beef lasagne products are advised not to eat them and return them to the shop they bought them from."
Findus UK apologised to customers and said anyone who bought the affected lasagne products could get a full refund. A spokesman said: "We understand this it is a very sensitive subject for consumers and we would like to reassure you we have reacted immediately. We do not believe this to be a food safety issue." He added: "Consumers who have purchased the product should call our Findus UK Customer Care Line on UK 0800 132584, ROI 1800 800500 or email email@example.com for a full refund. | <urn:uuid:f0913b95-ab11-4cbd-9bc5-63541167c96d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/uk_national_news/10214861.Some_Findus_meals__100__horse_meat_/?ref=rss | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968531 | 666 | 1.5 | 2 |
Teaching Secrets: How to Use Leftover Class Time Wisely
One of the first lessons I learned when I began teaching was to “overplan.” Assume that your lesson is going to be done early and have a related activity ready to go.
However, like many important lessonsexercise daily, don’t eat sweets in abundance, practice patienceit’s not something I always manage to make a priority.
But I do have the next best thinga list of constructive learning activities that I can use anytime I finish my lesson early and have a few minutes in need of wise investment. To beef up my list, I also asked readers of my blog to share...
This article is available to registered guests only.
Register free, or login below, to continue reading.
To Access Teacher and Education Week Articles, FREE E-Newsletters, and More!
|FREE! (limited access)|
Access selected articles, e-newsletters and more! | <urn:uuid:fb54628e-01ef-4d99-ba2f-881195f84a17> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2009/07/22/tln23_ferlazzo.h21.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.933943 | 203 | 2.609375 | 3 |
Boeotian (bee-ow-shan or bay-oh-shan) is a word with a literal and a figurative meaning. The literal meaning is anything relating to the ancient Greek region of Boeotia or its citizens. The figurative meaning is something dull; boorish or a person who is ignorant or lacking in culture.
This figurative view comes from the stererotypical views of Boeotia, which was just northwest of Attica, the region that contained Athens. Though Boeotia contained Thebes as well as smaller cities, and produced some well-known figures, it was never as united as the areas around Athens and Sparta were, and the struggle between the towns kept people from developing much that the other regions recognized as culture (despite such Boeotian figures as Hesiod, Pindar, and Plutarch). They also had a history of fighting their Athenian neighbors: they sided with the Persians during the Persian invasion, for which Athens invaded Boeotia and controlled most of it for 10 years, and later against Athens during the Peloponnesian War, so there was no reason for Athenians to regard Boeotians in a positive light. In Aristophanes' "The Acharnians" there is a long conversation between Dicaeopolis and a Boeotian that depicts the latter as pretty much a country bumpkin. Indeed, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable says the name of the region comes from the Greek word for ox because there were so many cattle there (though it also gives a more myth-based story that Cadmus was led by an ox to the site where he was to found Thebes). Thus Boeotians were said to love agricultural and pastoral pursuits. The whole region was also supposed to have moist, thick air, so the Athenians used to say the people were dull and thick as their own atmosphere.
Since Athens produced the bulk of the material studied by medieval scholars, and the word "Boeotian" in English dates to the 15th century, the English word probably reflects the Athenian view of their neighbors. Sometimes the characterization was even expanded to the phrase "Boeotian ears, " meaning those unable to appreciate music or rhetoric. | <urn:uuid:1b4a0405-ac3d-43cf-b836-c51712b900a8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://everything2.com/title/Boeotian?author_id=2654 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973772 | 462 | 3.703125 | 4 |
At 09:05 PM 21/03/02 +0000, Jim Eisele wrote:
>Don Perrett writes
> >I have said that science should not contradict the Bible.
>Very deep, Don. The YECs realize this. The OECs realize
>this. The PNs realize this. Atheists take this position.
>Alas, only the liberals ;-) remain.
Pardon my ignorance what does PN mean? I think I figured out what YEC
and OEC means, though I know of more than one way of being YEC and OEC.
What bothers me most in this continuing discussion is that it does not get
anyone anywhere, it takes up place, and pretty soon I delete right away
when I see particular names.
And, also, the way the Bible is treated by most sides I personally find
less than respectful.
Does anyone who studied biology, physics, and even anthropology really
believe, that the Lord wrote Genesis chapters 1 through 11 in a way which
confuses people then and now.? Now by contradicting it with putting clues
in nature which would contradict Genesis, and in the old time by using 21st
In order not to be misunderstood, I believe, that Genesis 1 - 11 was
written to people living 4000 to 6000 yeras ago in words they would
understand. They did nor now anything about "evolution", nor about dating
things found around them, etc. Believers only knew, that God was in
charge, and that God wanted to be served. Many did not want to and
followed their own ways, just like many do now. God punished, and the
people living after a punishment wrote down under God's guidance a "piece
of literature" (just like the Psalms for example) to glorify God. Since
before that time nothing was written down, they could not write more than
they did under God's guidance to make sure that a new generation knew that
God was and is in charge.
To assume, that God told people of that time about evolution, about floods
etc. makes from the Bible a book that is not written to bring us to God,
but a book to satisfy our modern curiosity. It is not. God gave us His
book to study it, and to see how all was coming from Him, and He told that
to people 6000 years ago in a language they understood, with examples they
understood. I am reminded of the stories Jesus told. We call them
parables. Nobody in his right mind will say that Jesus was not telling the
truth. Why did He do it that way? To be understood by the people of His
time. Similarly, God wrote a poem in Gen.1, followed by another story in
Gen.2 and following, to show who made everything, followed by a story who
made a mess out of it.
It seems that every few months ago I state my way of reading Gen.1
-11. Many others on this forum did the same and read the Bible in Genesis
more or less like I do, but talking about it like it is being done the last
few weeks does not get anyone anywhere. If one wants to get somewhere one
must study old Hebrew, old History, read many commentaries, sometimes
study other old languages etc. Thoroughly read the articles and papers of
people you dis agree with and study (maybe) Theology etc.
All of the readers on this forum are scientists, I assume, so they can
study, and do not have to talk in one sentence postings to each
other. It reminds me of a friend I had some 55 years ago, who said:
"Jan, you and I have brains, and know how to study. We should read the
Bible in the original Greek and Hebrew." We did . He was much better in
it than I. He became a medical doctor, and we had wonderful discussions,
both of us listening to God's Word in the Bible and in the world around us.
Both of us believe still, that the Bible is the Word of God, but both of us
have trouble with listening to the type of discussion that is going on
about Gen.1 now. Gen.1 is part of a much bigger book.
Jan de Koning
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Mar 21 2002 - 22:16:29 EST | <urn:uuid:5582789a-55bf-4596-9269-94f62c8ee2b9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www2.asa3.org/archive/asa/200203/0439.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976765 | 932 | 1.523438 | 2 |
The CA5515 and CA5525 medium temperature CVD coated carbide grades are useful for high speed machining of a range of steels.
According to the company, the smooth outer TiN coating reduces cutting forces, resists adhesion and prevents sudden fracture. An Al2O3 layer is said to resist crater wear and dissipates heat, leading to longer tool life. The company says the columnar TiCN layer also assists in increasing toughness and resistance to wear. As a result, these products offer stable processing of steel in which continuous cutting and interrupted cutting processes are involved.
Also offered is the PS chipbreaker, which complements the CA55-series grades to enhance reliability in light to medium roughing. The chipbreaker and the coated carbide grades are offered in an array of geometries. | <urn:uuid:881a4962-e0e1-4051-9fc1-9a0279c3627e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mmsonline.com/products/coated-carbide-grades-for-steels | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936334 | 165 | 1.703125 | 2 |
I’ve been reading a ton of letters and diaries, and it is proving to be every bit as engaging, upsetting, and difficult as I had imagined. In Lionel Sotheby’s Great War, we catch a very interesting and different perspective. By this point, early in the text, he has expressed tremendous admiration for the German nation, culture, and people. This is from the February 2, 1915 entry:
I should just like to mention the fact that I visited the very old church. It is most beautiful and must be most aged, perhaps the 13th century. Its tower is massive and very thick standing close on 200 feet off the ground I should judge. I wonder that the Germans have not shelled it. It is a great landmark on this flat country and a great observation post. I think it proves that the Germans do not make a habit of bombarding churches, and that perhaps the papers exaggerate too much when they talk of the Germans’ so-called “atrocities.” After all it is very easy for a shell to strike a church by mistake and to cause so much damage as to lead one to expect many shells had fallen.
A healthy suspicion of information received through the filter of the state and affiliated media interests seems like a sensible choice at all times, though it may lead one to conclusions rooted more in a desired structure of things than in their actual unfolding in time. Here is a picture of the church, in 1918. | <urn:uuid:7d43be2b-5d6d-42f2-9861-93367c732b87> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.justincapps.com/blog/2011/10/25/church-tower-in-bethune-france/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00062-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.98465 | 303 | 2.109375 | 2 |
As the world watched Holocaust survivors gathered at Auschwitz last month in memory of the 60th anniversary of its liberation, thousands of kilometers away in Taiwan, members of Taipei's small Jewish community still felt the sting of horror that has haunted their families for more than half a century.
The existence of a Jewish community in Taiwan may be little known to locals. However, it has been here since the 1950s, when US troops were stationed in Taiwan.
The current community dates as far back as the mid-1970s, when foreign corporate executives began bringing their families with them to Taiwan while on international assignments.
Dr Ephraim Einhorn, Taiwan's one and only rabbi, has dedicated himself to serving the Jewish community for decades.
Even in Taiwan, it almost seems difficult to come across a Jewish person who cannot tell of a family tragedy that is linked to the Holocaust.
The massacre ended the lives of 6 million Jews, almost one-third of the Jewish population prior to World War II.
The rabbi's granddaughter every year pays homage in Auschwitz to a great-grandparent -- Einhorn's mother -- that she never managed to meet in person.
In addition to his mother, Einhorn's father was killed in Sachsenhausen, a concentration camp outside of Berlin.
Einhorn condemned governments for turning their backs on desperate Jews.
"The world stood by and did nothing. All countries, by and large, shut their doors, [while] people were desperate to get visas to go to other countries," Einhorn said in a low tone, a marked contrast to his normally cheerful demeanor.
But the Austrian-born rabbi also tells the story of Dr Fengshan Ho (
Ho's unwavering sense of righteousness helped rescue thousands of Jews, many of who managed to flee to Shanghai.
"Dr Ho was `the Chinese Schindler.' He was honored by Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial with the title `Righteous Among the Nations,'" Einhorn said.
Another congregation member, Don Shapiro, who is editor in chief of Topics, a magazine published by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, said members of his family who had survived the Holocaust usually kept mum about the pain and sorrow of their past.
But as the number of living survivors able to recount the tragedy is decreasing as years go by, he said, passing on these memories in other ways is crucial.
"In another 10 years, maybe no one [will be] there to directly tell the stories. However, that incident is something that every generation should know," Shapiro said.
synagogue at the Ritz
When Einhorn started his work in Taipei it was at the US Military Chapel. Later, he moved to the President Hotel, which no longer exists.
"And then they built the Landis. Some of the people who used to stay at the President started to move into the Ritz [Landis] Hotel," Einhorn said.
So the rabbi made a proposal to the chairman of the Ritz Hotel Chain, asking if he could move the service over there.
That was some 25 years ago.
Every Friday and Saturday Einhorn performs Sabbath services at this one and only synagogue in Taiwan.
The present-day synagogue, which is complete with a Torah and a Holy Ark, is located in a small room in the Ritz Landis Hotel on Minchuan East Road. | <urn:uuid:08080b0e-8784-49e8-a685-87cc8406e83a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/02/14/2003223007 | 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 | 0.97775 | 703 | 2.4375 | 2 |