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The U.S. House of Representatives will reconvene on Sunday as the end-of-the-year deadline for the fiscal cliff looms, sources told CNN on Sunday.
Senate leaders argued Thursday over how even to debate a possible fiscal agreement, four days before the deadline for a deal to avoid automatic tax hikes and spending cuts set to take effect in the new year.
The back-and-forth occurred as President Barack Obama and the Senate returned to Washington after a Christmas break, and House leaders announced the chamber would reconvene on Sunday for what will be the final days of the 112th Congress, before a new legislature is sworn in next week.
Republicans insisted on more details about a scaled-back proposal first mentioned last Friday by President Barack Obama, with Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell saying his side won't "write a blank check for anything Senate Democrats put forward just because we find ourselves at edge of the cliff."
A Senate Democratic leadership member also said more details would be provided, but two White House officials said Obama will not send a fiscal cliff measure to Congress.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, argued it was Republicans who undermined an agreement by refusing to compromise on their opposition to higher tax rates for the wealthy.
"We are in same situation we've been in for a long time," Reid said of what he described as GOP intransigence that prevented progress on deficit reduction for the past two years. "We can't negotiate with ourselves."
Economists warn the full impact of the fiscal cliff could spark another recession. In signs of the potential effect, the Consumer Confidence Index sank.
Last week, Obama called for a scaled-back plan that would prevent tax increases on middle-class Americans and extend unemployment benefits.
McConnell told Obama in a telephone conversation Wednesday that he must see details of a proposal before he can figure out any process for a Senate vote.
However, a senior Democratic Senate source told CNN on Thursday that it was McConnell who must first work things out with House Speaker John Boehner on how legislation will proceed before Democrats provide more details of their plan.
Hopes for a so-called grand bargain that would address the nation's chronic federal deficits and debt appeared dashed for now, leaving it to the White House and legislators to work out a less ambitious agreement.
The principal dispute continues to be over taxes, specifically the demand by Obama and Democrats to extend most of the tax cuts passed under President George W. Bush while allowing higher rates of the 1990s to return on top income brackets.
Obama campaigned for reelection on keeping the current lower tax rates on family income up to $250,000, which he argues would protect 98% of Americans and 97% of small businesses from rates that increase on income above that level.
Republicans oppose any kind of increase in tax rates, and Boehner suffered the political indignity last week of offering a compromise -- a $1 million threshold for the higher rates to kick in -- that his colleagues refused to support because it raised taxes and had no chance of passing the Senate.
With House Republicans unable to resolve the impasse, the focus shifted to the Democratic majority in the Senate to come up with a way forward that could pass the House and get signed into law by Obama.
Last Friday, the president proposed the scaled-back agreement that included his call for extending tax cuts on households with incomes under $250,000, as well as an extension of unemployment insurance.
Little if any negotation occurred since then, and Reid expressed doubt Thursday that enough time remained to reach an agreement.
"I don't know, time-wise, how it can happen now," he said as he opened the Senate's first session back from the holiday.
Possible scenarios include a short-term deal now, setting up continued negotiations next year when Obama and a new Congress that convenes in January confront a need to raise the federal debt ceiling and approving further spending to keep the government funded.
Another possibility would be a short-term deal reached after January 1 that would change the political calculus by having legislators vote for cutting the higher tax rates from the fiscal cliff -- a much more palatable exercise than the current debate over allowing top rates to increase.
Retiring Republican Rep. Steve LaTourette of Ohio told CNN on Thursday that such an outcome would be entirely due to politics.
"Nobody is willing to pull the trigger" on an agreement because "everybody wants to play the blame game," he said. "This blame game is about to put us over the edge."
In his remarks Thursday, Reid said Boehner wanted to wait until after the new House re-elects him as speaker on January 3 before proceeding with a compromise that will need support from Democrats as well as Republicans in order to pass.
Boehner was "more concerned about his speakership than putting the country on firm financial footing," Reid charged. | <urn:uuid:16c41c03-30dd-4adb-8b07-12714956d6c3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kxly.com/news/politics/House-to-reconvene-Sunday-as-cliff-looms/-/116124/17915462/-/item/0/-/tmhsalz/-/index.html | 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 | 0.973763 | 997 | 1.59375 | 2 |
BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping pledged Tuesday to further cooperation with Tunisia following the North African country's "historical transformation" last year.
"China will work with Tunisia to push forward substantial cooperation in various fields so as to constantly promote friendly and cooperative ties and benefit the two countries and peoples," Xi said while meeting with Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem.
China respected the will and choice of the Tunisian people after the "historical transformation" last year, Xi told Abdessalem, who is in Beijing for his first official visit to China.
Former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was toppled in January 2011. The North African nation, after several months of political turmoil, elected the Constituent Assembly in October which has endorsed a national unified government.
"I believe that Tunisia, with joint efforts from the government and the people, will make new achievements in its national construction," Xi said.
Xi hailed the mutual understanding and sincere cooperation between the two countries since the diplomatic ties were forged in 1964, saying the two states were facing "new opportunities" for development.
Agreeing with Xi, Abdessalem said his country cherished the traditional friendship and relationship with China and appreciated China's support for Tunisians.
Tunisia would work with China to bolster mutually beneficial cooperation in the future, he said.
The two sides also discussed the situations in the West Asian and North African regions. | <urn:uuid:5da1422b-75ec-4f09-8e1c-664c350ccce5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://english.sina.com/china/p/2012/0416/458811.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973264 | 306 | 1.539063 | 2 |
The first dollars from the $787 billion federal economic stimulus package arrive on the Treasure Coast this week.
But the bigger ticket items -- the ones designed to create jobs -- are months away at the earliest.
Florida grew by $25, up to $300 a week, as part of an agreement between the state and the U.S. Department of Labor resulting from the stimulus bill, while President Barack Obama told the nation's governors the administration is releasing $15 billion Wednesday from the stimulus package to help them cover soaring Medicaid costs.
Also, those who are paid less than $75,000 a year might start to see a credit for up to 6.2 percent of their earned income appear on their checks once their employer adjusts the withholding taxes.
As for jobs being created and work undertaken, the Treasure Coast would be lucky to see shovels in the ground in late spring.
When asked when the first of the $12.2 billion designated for Florida could reach the Treasure Coast, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., initially said "immediately." But he added that for actual timetables, the local impact of the $787 billion bill relies upon the state Department of Transportation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which should be the first moving forward with the stimulus cash.
Other federal and state leaders from both parties are less certain as to when people in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties may see the fruits of the stimulus package that two of its three Representatives and one of its Senators opposed.
Officials point to caveats written into the bill signed Feb. 17 by Obama that:
Limit transportation money to federal roads,
Say that about one-fourth of the money could be used by Gov. Charlie Crist to patch revenue shortfalls already projected in the fiscal year 2010 budget that begins July 1,
State that most of the money won't be released until after 2009.
"I guess it goes to the state now," said Rep. Tom Rooney, R- Tequesta. "It's going to the Army Corps, and the state will get the education and the transportation dollars."
States must demonstrate that they will use the money without delay.
For any construction to begin by late spring, both the state Department of Transportation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must stick with their current construction timelines.
The federal government has 21 days from Obama's signing of the bill to officially notify the states of how much money they will receive. The state Department of Transportation will then have up to 120 days to show how at least half the money will be spent, said DOT Planning and Policy Analysis Administrator David Lee.
Much of that time will be spent slimming down the DOT's $7 billion list of proposed stimulus road and bridge work that will be covered by the expected $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion the state will receive. The list currently includes $118 for the Indian Street bridge in Martin County and $110 million to widen State Road 70 from the Okeechobee County line east for 12 miles in St. Lucie County.
"We're hopeful there are states that can't use their money, that we'll be right there ready to go and make use of any money that becomes available that way," Lee said.
Crist, appearing on television's Meet the Press on Sunday, said he is doing what is best for his state rather than following the lead of the Republican party as the unemployed in Florida are facing "serious" challenges that need to be quickly addressed.
"My obligation, as in essence the CEO of the state, is to do everything I can to help us get through this tough economy," Crist said. | <urn:uuid:6de83342-c319-4d59-8d3a-28d2d2241e14> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.dailypress.com/topic/sfl-0224tcpalm-stimulus-money,0,6056035.story | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967661 | 754 | 1.726563 | 2 |
Much of our area remains under a tornado watch until 2 a.m. The wind continues to pick up and is only expected to get stronger as the night goes on.
There are growing concerns about damage and power outages, over the next few hours.
This ferocious system bearing down on central Virginia has already left widespread devastation across the southeast. There are at least two storm-related deaths so far.
Dominion Power crews are on stand by, ready to tackle any outages. They have crews on standby, ready to work extra hours if power lines start snapping and people start losing power.
Dominion is currently reporting 3,342 outages in the Richmond area. That number could rise as the wind picks up even more overnight.
"We're keeping a very very close eye on the forecasts, and if any outages occur, we're going to be out there as soon as possible, making repairs and getting our customers lights back on as soon as safety as possible," said Dominion Power spokesman David Botkins.
It's hard to say which areas around central Virginia will lose its power, but neighborhoods with heavy tree lines have a heightened chance for outages - like it did in the past, those branches can easily take down power lines as the wind picks up.
In Richmond, the banners at the Virginia Science Museum are whipping fiercely in the wind.
Drivers on the road are feeling the winds too. Several said they could feel their vehicles being pushed by the wind.
If you experience a power outage, Dominion wants you to call them immediately: 1-866-dom-help. You can also go to m.dom.com on your smart phone.
To follow the latest information on the storms, download our NBC12 Weather app on All Access.
You can also text "severe" to "80412" to get texts for tornado, thunderstorm, flash flood warnings on your phone, customized for your locality.
Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.
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Video and Pics | <urn:uuid:8b87faee-408d-40f1-9533-9c302279786e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nbc12.com/story/20878092/m.dom.com | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954824 | 429 | 1.773438 | 2 |
40 Years After Roe v. Wade, Abortion Roes Are Winning — And Losing
Four decades after Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, many opponents of the decision are in a celebratory mood while those backing abortion rights are glum, feeling that momentum is turning decisively against them.
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Yet in reality, little has changed in the fiercest and most protracted battle of the nation’s bitter culture war.
Instead, what’s really going on is a case study in the psychology of movement politics, where activists have to rally supporters with cries of alarm without making them despair that all is lost. At the same time, they must offer evidence that their efforts are paying off without leaving them complacent.
It’s a difficult balancing act, and lately the abortion rights camp has been the one to sound the warnings.
“As memories of women dying from illegal pre-Roe abortions become more distant, the pro-choice cause is in crisis,” Kate Pickert wrote in a bleak — for Roe supporters — and eye-catching Time magazine cover essay this month.
Pickert pointed to the growing number of state-level actions to restrict access to abortion services — the Guttmacher Institute’s annual review found that in 2012 there were 43 such provisions in 19 state laws — and the decrease in abortion providers nationwide, from 2,908 in 1982 to 1,793 in 2008.
Pregnancy centers run by conservative Christians as alternatives to abortion clinics have been proliferating as well, and there have been concerted — and often successful — efforts to cut or bar government funding of Planned Parenthood.
Moreover, the abortion rights movement is facing a generational divide, as younger women try to take the reins from aging leaders who they see as tone deaf to the public’s more nuanced views on abortion. Indeed, the “pro-choice” label is losing its luster while a growing number of young people like to identify themselves as “pro-life.”
Not surprisingly, some abortion opponents who have toiled for decades to achieve a breakthrough have been exchanging high fives over the abortion-rights angst.
“Of course Time magazine is right. It is axiomatic, it is the story of our times, it is the thing every pro-lifer knows: We’re winning this battle,” Tom Hoopes, a professor of communications at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, wrote at the blog of CatholicVote.org.
Such confidence is oxygen for any movement, and understandable after such a long standoff. But it may also greatly overstate the current dynamics of the abortion battle.
In fact, surveys show that public opinion on abortion rights has barely budged in years, as a slight majority of Americans consistently want to keep abortion legal in most or all cases while about 40 percent would like to see abortion outlawed in most or all cases. According to the latest research from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, an even larger majority wants to keep the Roe v. Wade decision intact.
Moreover, so-called “personhood amendments” that seek to leapfrog Roe and ban all abortions by declaring that a fetus is a person from the moment of conception have failed every time they have gone to the voters, even in the most anti-abortion states in the nation.
Some abortion opponents also concede that the re-election of President Obama has likely preserved Roe v. Wade for another generation, since Obama may get to appoint one or more Supreme Court justices over the next four years.
And many admit that the 2012 election changed the standard political calculus on abortion. Rhetorical excesses by Republican candidates who spoke about abortion and rape led top GOP leaders — including presidential nominee Mitt Romney — to distance themselves from the remarks and even declare they would not seek to overturn Roe, a position once considered anathema for any GOP hopeful.
At the same time, Democrats found that campaigning on a platform of preserving abortion rights and providing access to birth control was a winner among the growing cohort of single women. That essentially shifted the polarity of the culture war so that Democrats were often running on those moral issues while Republicans ran away from them.
In addition, the backlash over the short-lived decision in early 2012 by the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation to cut funding to Planned Parenthood demonstrated the depth of the public’s support for women’s health issues and signaled that the public may not be as supportive of curbing reproductive rights as some may think.
“Pro-abortion activists are losing? Really? If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Cheap,” said Pia de Solenni, who wrote a column at the National Catholic Register telling abortion foes not to believe the hype.
There is no convincing evidence that public attitudes are changing, she said, and the abortion rights movement is “a really aggressive possum playing dead.”
Indeed, in the days before the Jan. 22 anniversary of Roe, a number of anti-abortion leaders sought to tamp down a sense of overconfidence in the ranks, fearing that it could lead to the same kind of complacency that has recently worried abortion rights activists.
“We are a long way from a national consensus that could be reasonably and honestly described as pro-life,” said R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. “Even reversing Roe v. Wade will not be enough.”
Striking down Roe v. Wade could actually pose a daunting challenge, according to abortion foes who note that the high court’s decision effectively created their movement in one fell swoop while making the abortion rights movement part of the establishment — thereby guaranteeing that its backers would take their victory for granted.
“Many pro-life activists fervently pray for Roe’s reversal,” Jon A. Shields, author of The Democratic Virtues of the Christian Right, writes in the latest edition of First Things, a conservative opinion journal.
“Yet Roe’s reversal would hardly represent a decisive victory for the pro-life movement. In fact, it would almost certainly revitalize a genuine movement for abortion rights. Pro-lifers need not make peace with Roe to recognize it has brought certain benefits.”
David Gibson is an award-winning religion journalist, author and filmmaker. He is a national reporter for RNS and has written two books on Catholic topics, the latest a biography of Pope Benedict XVI. Via RNS.
Photo: Solovyova Lyudmyla / Shutterstock.com | <urn:uuid:915a251d-dc1d-45bf-905a-49eca80269f9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sojo.net/blogs/2013/01/17/40-years-after-roe-v-wade-abortion-roes-are-winning-%e2%80%94-and-losing?quicktabs_blog_homepage_tabbed_block=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958606 | 1,374 | 1.804688 | 2 |
The IDEA Studio is the office in the LTC that provides technology integration support to faculty in the College of Education. We offer a wide range of services, including:
Located in SZB 437, the IDEA Studio serves as a drop-in office for faculty who need a little extra help using their computers. We especially encourage visitors for whom computers are still unfamiliar territory to come by, sit down, and ask questions in a friendly and client-focused atmosphere.
We provide hands-on, in-class training for students who are working on projects that include a technology component. We work with faculty members to customize the training to fit the nature of the project and level of experience of the students. To schedule a just-in-time curriculum-anchored technology training session, email the IDEA Studio at [email protected] or call 232-2189.
Faculty members often hear about a new technology solution for instruction or research, but they are unsure how it works or how they can utilize it most effectively. Highly trained IDEA Studio staffers are available to meet with faculty to determine their needs and goals, research the options, and provide advice on which tools are likely to be most effective for a given context.
We offer periodic training opportunities to faculty who are interested in learning more about the latest technologies and their applications in educational settings. Past workshops have focused on digital video production, desktop video-conferencing and assessing technology projects. Upcoming workshops will be announced on this site, so check back often.
When faculty members construct class syllabi, the IDEA Studio is available to help find ways to utilize technology to extend teaching and learning. In planning student activities and projects, we focus on learning goals and creating assessments that emphasize content rather than appearance. We honor the faculty members' instructional expertise and maintain a collaborative rather than directive approach.
Supporting and Collaborating on Research
As part of our mission to encourage innovation and research in instructional technology, the IDEA Studio supports faculty interested in using technology for research or researching the use of technology in educational settings. Current research efforts examine the uses of desktop videoconferencing in training and supporting teachers, and online tools for supporting student learning of difficult concepts. Future topics will likely include educational gaming and video-based online professional development for teachers. | <urn:uuid:d0bc633a-45fe-472b-8a18-29383b16957c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.edb.utexas.edu/education/centers/ltc/fac_staff/idea/studio/services/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941287 | 474 | 1.546875 | 2 |
MARCH 1, 1951
NEW YORK, Wednesday—I do believe in strategic air power and in the value of the Navy, but I think that even the Air force will agree that it is important to use air power only where and when it is most effective and that there are certain things that air power cannot accomplish without supporting or cooperating ground forces.
Even though I do believe these things, I do not think it is for me or any other civilian to say what is needed for the defense of the United States here or in any part of the world. That is the business of the Department of National Defense in conjunction with the Chiefs of Staff. The President and the Congress have the benefit of being kept completely informed and Congress' reactions should represent the feelings of the people in such matters as civilians are qualified to make judgments. We also have responsibilities today within the North Atlantic pact and in the United Nations and we have the benefit of international consultation.
When members of Congress or private citizens undertake to decide what we shall or shall not do in a military way even before Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower has set up his headquarters and reported to the Atlantic powers on his plans, it seems to me we are working toward creating an extremely difficult situation for him and for the other North Atlantic pact nations. Aside from that we are inadvertently giving the Soviet Union information it must be delighted to have and are playing directly into its hands. If Russia is looking for any weakness in us and our allies we are showing it in a way that must please them.
Senator Wherry, Senator Taft and former President Hoover undoubtedly are sincere in all their proposals and recommendations, but perhaps their plans would lose lives instead of preserving them. These gentlemen will receive praise from many quarters from people who for varying reasons are willing to lend their support. It might just happen, however, that these people would be playing into the hands of the Communists and if the military authorities followed their advice we might find a superior force overrunning Europe, after which it could then concentrate on the United States.
It is convenient to believe that we can save ourselves through the efforts of the Western European countries, but two World Wars have proved to us that this cannot be done. Why shut our eyes to this fact? Why not, for once, be fully prepared and thereby possibly prevent the loss of life for both the Europeans and ourselves?
We also should be driving home to the Soviet Union and her satellites in every way the fact that two World Wars have now proved that even for the victors there is no real gain. The concept of communism, which would fight on until the whole world was communized, is utterly foolish today, since after any new war there would be so few people left that the ostensible objective of communism—the happiness of the masses of the people—would have no meaning any more. There would be no masses of people left after mass destruction had taken place. | <urn:uuid:f08abdb0-84db-46e2-a7f9-8465c9b69b96> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1951&_f=md001844 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979115 | 587 | 1.640625 | 2 |
This Online EMT Course is Approved for NREMT Certification.
This Online EMT training course is a self directed (start today!), interactive, distance learning course that is approved for NREMT Certification. The course curriculum covers all EMT knowledge and skill requirements for the new EMT National Education Standards (NES).
If you are a self motivated, goal oriented student who enjoys being challenged then this is a great educational opportunity. If you are looking for an easy route to NREMT EMT Certification then this course is NOT for you.
Upon successful completion of this course a student will be authorized to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) practical skills and cognitive examinations. After passing the examinations the student will be awarded NREMT EMT Certification. These certification exams are used as basis for state licensure or certification in most states, or are honored with reciprocity during the licensure process.
Download this flow chart:
How to Become an NREMT Certified EMT Using Our Courses.
What you get when you enroll in this EMT Course
• 24 hour online access to EMT & Fire Training Self Paced Learning Management System (LMS).
All of the didactic portion of the course is completed online in the LMS. This includes recorded lectures, videos, quizzes, exams and interactive activities.
• Textbook and Workbook for EMT.
When you complete your enrollment your book/s are shipped from the publisher Jones & Bartlett. We are currently using AAOS Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured 10th Edition for the EMT course. This book and our course includes the new National Education Standards (NES) that follow the new EMT scope of practice.
• 24 hour Instructor Helpdesk.
Students can use email, live chat or the LMS chat system to communicate with instructors 24 hours a day. Typically a live instructor is only available during normal business hours, but leaving a message will ensure a prompt reply. In cases where a student needs to speak to an instructor by phone, we will be happy to arrange a time to call you.
• AHA Health Care Provider CPR Certification.
This EMT course includes a full AHA Health Care Provider CPR Course. You will be issued your AHA Health Care Provider CPR Card upon successfull completion.
• HAZWOPER Training and Certification
This EMT course includes a Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) course. You will be issued a HAZWOPER - First Responder Awareness Level Certification upon successful completion.
• 5 days of Hands on, Professional Instruction at our Training Facilities at Priest Lake, Idaho.
The final portion of the EMT course is the hands on instruction. Once the student has completed and passed the online course work they must attend and pass 5 days of hands on practical training. Dates for these trainings are available on the calendar as well as the enrollment form. You must choose a practical skills week to attend during the enrollment process. See calendar for scheduled practical skills weeks
•Single Occupancy Room for 5 nights.
Standard rooms at the Inn range from queen and king size beds to larger accommodations with hotubs and kitchenettes. All accommodations are included in the price of the course.
• All Meals Provided at EMT Training Center Lodge.
The food at the training center is exceptional. Not something you would expect from an EMS training institution. Each student is provided 3 all you can eat meals a day. Common fare includes fresh deli sandwiches, chicken alfredo, fresh fruit salad, spring greens salad, burritos, brownies....the list goes on.* A vegetarian choice is provided at each meal.
• Snacks and Beverages available all day.
Student's don't just get hungry and thirsty at meal time so we provide granola bars, apples, oranges, bananas, juice, coffee, tea, water and soda all day.
•Outdoor Heated Swimming Pool
Again not something you normally associate with an EMS training institution, but we have not had any complaints so far. The pool is sometimes used for a short water rescue class. The pool is available to students when not in training.
• Wi-Fi Provided at EMT Training Center.
Students are encouraged to bring their laptop computers if they have one. Wi-Fi is available throughout the training center.
• 3 EMS Academy T-shirts.
100% cotton, pre-shrunk, it does not get any better than that.
• Personal Stethoscope & Blood Pressure Cuff.
All students in our EMT courses get their own stethoscope, BP cuff and CPR mask to take home at the completion of the course.
• Liability Insurance.
EMT & Fire Training Inc. provides each student with liability insurance for completing the required 10 patient contacts with an ambulance agency, hospital or fire department. If the agency or institution requests, we will send a certificate of liability directly to them to verify your coverage.
• Clinical Rotation Time if Needed.
If a student is unable to obtain the necessary 10 patient contacts with an ambulance agency, fire department or hospital, we can arrange for those contacts during practical skills week.
• Realistic Moulaged Scenarios.
During skills week, students in teams of two, respond and treat realistic patients with a variety of medical conditions and trauma injuries.
• NREMT Test Preparation from EMT-National-Training.com
EMT National Training is the top of the food chain for NREMT cognitive exam preparation and you get it FREE as long as you need it. Used by over 75,000 EMT's and Paramedics to study for the NREMT exam, there is nothing on the market that even compares.
• Transportation to and from Spokane International Airport (Sunday and Friday).
A shuttle bus or van depending on the class size will be waiting for students at the airport. The training center is about an hour away from the Spokane International Airport.
NREMT EMT Online Course
(Self paced distance learning course + All inclusive skills week)
To Register for the course, please select the skills week below that you would like to attend. The skills week is the culminating event of the course, and all online coursework must be done prior to attending academy for the hands on training. This course is 'Work At Your Own Pace' so select a skills week that reflects the amount of time you want to spend doing the course work. The average student takes between 4-6 months to complete the online work but you can complete it more quickly if you are able.
|Choose Your Skills Week Dates - Click to Enroll
||Start Anytime After
|January 2013 Academy||FULL||FULL||January 20th - 25th, 2013|
|February 2013 Academy||FULL||FULL||February 17th - 22nd, 2013|
|March 2013 Academy||FULL||FULL||March 24th - 29th, 2013|
|May 2013 Academy||FULL||FULL||May 19th - 24th, 2013|
|June 2013 Academy||FULL||FULL||June 23rd - 28th, 2013|
|July 2013 Academy||14/20||Now||July 21st - 26th, 2013|
|August 2013 Academy||10/20||Now||August 18th - 23rd, 2013|
|September 2013 Academy||17/20||Now||September 22nd - 27th, 2013|
|October 2013 Academy||12/20||Now||October 20th - 25th, 2013|
|January 2014 Academy||0/20||Now||January 26th - 31st, 2014|
|February 2014 Academy||0/20||May 26, 2013||February 23rd - 28th, 2014|
|March 2014 Academy||0/20||June 23, 2013||March 23rd - 28th, 2014|
|April 2014 Academy||1/20||July 21, 2013||April 20th - 25th, 2014|
• Agreement to all terms of our Student Application Agreement. Please read this Application Agreement in full now. It is also presented during the enrollment process.
• Good computer skills. This class is not for those just learning how to navigate the internet.
• High speed internet connection for viewing video lectures and activities.
* EMT & Fire Training Inc. is a Proprietary School registered with the Idaho Department of Education. In addition, the school is recognized as a training institution by the Idaho Department of Emergency Medical Services. | <urn:uuid:5dc53dfd-1d20-450d-bf16-3ffa0a4317b3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://emtfiretraining.com/emt-b-course.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930778 | 1,772 | 1.59375 | 2 |
The world's most famous museum, the Musée du Louvre in Paris, has released an official iPad app that lives up to the reputation of the museum itself by providing excellent photos of 150 of the Louvre's most popular masterpieces, chosen by the museum's curators. It also provides a virtual tour of the Louvre itself. A friend of mine recently told me that it literally takes five weeks to see everything in the Louvre, so it's great that this app provides a visual tour and gives you a map to help you find each of the 150 masterpieces. It also provides excellent information on the artwork and the museum itself. This is the kind of app that can enhance your real world experience of a place, or virtually take you to a place you may never visit.
If you'd prefer to view this as a list instead of a photo gallery, then see the companion blog post.
Credit: Jason Hiner | TechRepublic | <urn:uuid:55a55a78-86a4-45ad-896c-10f986e693b6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.techrepublic.com/photos/jason-hiners-22-most-useful-ipad-apps/6328480?seq=22 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946948 | 191 | 1.8125 | 2 |
Después de que su papá recibió amenazas de muerte, Fredy y su familia tuvieron que huir de Guatemalan. Describe cómo se sintió ser desplazado de Guatemala y crecer en los Bronx. Jura que nunca saldrá de Guatemala de nuevo.
Fredy es el director ejecutivo de la Fundación de Anthropología Forense de Guatemala (FAFG) y dirige el equipo del cementerio La Verbena en excavar las fosas comunes de la generación de desaparecidos.
A través de un proceso de comparación de muestras de ADN, cadaveres siguen siendo identificados por la FAFG.
Transcripciones de entrevistas con Fredy Peccerelli durante la filmación de Granito: How to Nail a Dictator:
I grew up in New York. My family left in 1980. My dad left in September of 1980. My mom and my sister left in October of 1980 and my brother and I left on November 24th 1980. It was thanksgiving I think when we got to New York. And it was probably one of the worst days of my life. Everyone was happy there, but I was miserable. Miserable because we didn’t know if we were coming back, miserable because I just felt like I was ripped out, miserable because we lived with my grandparents and I knew I wasn’t gonna see them any more, I wasn’t going to see my friends any more. But my father had gotten some death threat letters and although he didn’t want to go, everyone else that he knew was being killed all around him. All of his friends at the university were being killed. So, he was given an opportunity, somebody gave him an opportunity to leave. So they sent him a letter in red ink and my mother pretty much forced him to go. And after he left, my mother received a letter saying we know Fredy has left and the day he sets foot in Guatemala, we’ll kill him. So then my mother left. And eventually I finished school, my brother and I just finished the school year. My uncle also left. My mother’s brother left to Nicaragua. And after that we left and we went to the Bronx.
It was horrible, at first. I guess initially, the first couple of years, I was too busy being sad and just not understanding the whole situation just made me miserable. I just wanted to come home. And I didn’t really fit in. We lived in a building that was mostly Hispanic and across the street there was a building that was mostly African Americans and they’d fight. They’d like throw rocks and bottles at each other and I just didn’t get it. And I was caught up in the middle of all this racial tension in the Bronx in those years and graffiti and gangs and… I was used to being in the street all day playing marbles and throwing my top on the floor. Although Guatemala was very dangerous in other ways I didn’t have that to deal with.
I grew up with New York problems not with Guatemalan problems. So that marked me later. I sort of felt, you know when I got older I sort of felt like I had the opportunity to not be here during the worst times and that now that I can do something about it, well, now it’s my turn to give back. It’s my turn to contribute, because I had the opportunity to survive it. Not that it didn’t affect me. The conflict affected me directly and changed my life forever. But, it did I mean… How’s it marked me? Well it made me a New Yorker.
There was a time when we had really serious death threats and my mother asked me to leave. I said I’m not leaving. I just said I’m never leaving again. If I ever leave it will be because I want to leave. Not because I have to. I’ve done that. It didn’t work. Or maybe it did work, I don’t know, but I’m not doing it again. I believe that I should be free enough and safe enough to do work that’s so important to so many people. And I won’t be scared or pushed into leaving, it’s not gonna happen. | <urn:uuid:b64c050b-6c7c-4542-90d0-04d56f97a37d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://granitomem.com/memoria/fredy-peccerelli-director-of-fafg/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947405 | 963 | 1.578125 | 2 |
The Dakar Rally is arguably the world's most dangerous motorsport race, but for one newcomer it cannot compare with what he has already been through.
British soldier Tom Neathway will be co-driving in the 16-day event, which traverses the mountainous desert terrain of South America, despite losing both his legs and an arm after standing on a booby trap while serving in Afghanistan in 2008.
He effectively died three times, and had to be resuscitated on each occasion on the operating table back at base.
"I think the Dakar's less dangerous than what I've done, and I think I knew what I was getting myself into when I signed up for it," Neathway told CNN. "Saying that, most of the guys I've spoken to about the Dakar never do it again, so it's clearly not easy."
Founder Thierry Sabine described the grueling endurance event as "a challenge for those who go, a dream for those who stay behind."
A total of 25 competitors have lost their lives since the inaugural race started in Paris in late 1978, and more than 50 people overall including spectators. Only 74 of the 182 entrants for that first staging made it as far as the Senegalese capital Dakar.
Sabine himself died during the 1986 race when the helicopter in which he was traveling was struck by a sudden sandstorm.
Traditionally, the race wound its way from Europe down to the south-west of Africa, but was relocated to South America in 2009 because of terrorist threats. This year's 33rd staging will start on January 5 in Lima, Peru, and finish in the Chilean capital of Santiago.
Neathway is well aware of the rigors of rallying -- he has only just recovered from a broken arm after crashing badly at one of his warmup events -- but it pales into insignificance compared to what he experienced on July 22, 2008.
"We were on a routine patrol when we came under enemy fire," recalls Neathway, who is one of five injured military personnel taking part in the 2013 race. "I was part of the sniper team and moved into position to provide covering fire for my fellow troops. | <urn:uuid:58e5e12d-f05f-4762-8da5-74625a4b8a3f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wlky.com/news/sports/Triple-amputee-takes-on-dangerous-race/-/9366098/17963936/-/item/0/-/ginlek/-/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.986336 | 453 | 1.65625 | 2 |
The major prizes in children’s literature were announced Monday, and San Diegan Kadir Nelson was a winner — again.
Nelson won the 2012 Coretta Scott King Book Award for best author for “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans.” He was also a runner-up for the King illustrator’s award for the same book.
This is his fourth King award. He won in 2009 for “We Are Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball” (author); in 2007 for “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom” (illustrator) and in 2005 for “Ellington Was Not a Street” (illustrator).
The King awards recognize excellence by African American writers and artists. The prizes were launched in the late 1960s out of concern that the industry’s top prizes — the Caldecott and the Newberry — too often ignored the black experience.
Nelson, a graduate of Crawford High, has written or illustrated more than two-dozen children’s books. His work has also been featured on U.S. postage stamps. He was a runner-up for the Caldecott, which honors the year’s top picture book, in 2008 and 2007.
This year’s Caldecott winner is “A Ball for Daisy” by Chris Raschka. The Newberry, for best literature, went to Jack Gantos for “Dead End in Norvelt.”
The awards, given by the American Library Association, were announced at the group’s midwinter conference in Dallas.
JOHN WILKENS • U-T | <urn:uuid:c2decefc-fee3-4d9d-ad1c-e82ae0ef54de> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/24/tp-local-author-wins-4th-prize-for-childrens/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969521 | 355 | 1.757813 | 2 |
What recent discoveries have amateur mathematicians made?
Can anyone give historical examples of people outside of mathematics that have contributed to the literature? I'm particularly interested in academics from distant fields (humanities, social sciences) who have developed their hobby into a noteworthy contribution, but would also be interested in those from nearer fields (sciences), where the math was not part of their area of research, and those not affiliated with academia at all.
I'm a math graduate student with hopes to contribute to philosophy or humanities someday. I'm just curious how impenetrable different disciplines are, and realised I know of no examples like this.
Please forgive me if this is a duplicate, I couldn't find another like it, and think others may find it interesting as well. | <urn:uuid:1f8aa5a4-d078-4891-a5db-6e0b281352ca> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mathoverflow.net/questions/74475/notable-math-from-those-without-math-phds/74492 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967857 | 156 | 1.75 | 2 |
"You build up the community by building up the people," said Angela Walker, director of the Anniston Community Education Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping students in the PCB-impacted areas of west Anniston and in Anniston City Schools. It's funded through Solutia, which grants it hundreds of thousands of dollars for education-based programs.
Anniston High Principal Sherron Jinadu said she plans to apply for grants to offer more programs to freshman in hopes of improving the graduation rate. She said examples could be programs for mentoring or helping kids interact with business leaders.
Jennifer Sims and Denise Parker are parent specialists at Randolph Park Elementary and Anniston Middle, respectively.
They said they attended because they want to collaborate on writing grants to start classes to educate parents about the happenings within the school system or how they can go onto the Internet to access tools, such as a virtual library, to share in their kids' education.
"If the parents know how to use technology, they can, in turn, help children," she said.
Added Parker: "We're always looking for ways to expand our job responsibilities." | <urn:uuid:66f008ed-fc93-4450-91bd-0650ee27921a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.annistonstar.com/view/full_story/2666012/article-Anniston-school-leaders-encouraged-to-apply-for-grants | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962551 | 232 | 1.59375 | 2 |
(April 10, 2009 Stillwater, OK) – Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences opened its doors to approximately 700 visitors on Saturday, April 4, 2009, during its annual Open House.
Students, staff and faculty created displays about veterinary student organizations, the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, toxicology, parasitology, equine healthcare, food animal medicine, small animal healthcare, exotic animals, anatomy, necropsy and more. Guided tours of the OSU Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were provided throughout the day along with several short lectures on key topics.
Open House 2009 Photo Gallery
Guests were also treated to a dog agility demonstration, face painting, a K-9 unit demonstration, goats, miniature horses, draft horses, a cat show and a dog show. Teddy Bear Surgery was a big hit where 37 younger visitors gowned up and assisted in “surgery” to repair their own stuffed animal or one provided by the veterinary students.
The veterinary center’s Open House was organized by a committee of students led by advisor Dr. Katrina Meinkoth, Recruitment Manager: Brad Youngblood (2010), Chairman; with Ashley Sewell (2010), Technical; Leslie Lovett (2010), Tours; and Alicia Davis (2011), Entertainment. Many other students, staff and faculty members were on hand to ensure that the visit to OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences was a memorable one for all.
The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The center’s Boren Veterinary Medial Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals. It also offers 24 hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000. | <urn:uuid:227ca7ba-8f89-4d0a-8c1b-c09b798360f6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cvm.okstate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=342:osu-veterinary-center-hosts-open-house-&catid=24:latest-news&Itemid=287 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944392 | 405 | 1.734375 | 2 |
It's unjust and unfair that Delta taxpayers will continue to subsidize a big business operating in their community.
That's the reaction from Delta MLAs Vicki Huntington and Guy Gentner following a government announcement that a temporary cap imposed on municipal taxation for port facilities will be made permanent.
"There's no indication they spoke to the municipalities on something of such magnitude, which is so typical of this government," said Huntington, the independent MLA for Delta South.
Delta North New Democrat Gentner was equally displeased, saying, "Isn't it strange that we have a government and a premier who talk about how families have to come first and the middle class has to be bolstered and what do we find, when it comes to helping homeowners who are the tax base, it's being taken away from communities that are being heavily impacted by this kind of infra-structure development."
In 2004, the province restricted municipalities' ability to set tax rates for ports. Although Victoria has been compensating local governments to an extent, Delta's own analysis showed it should be getting several hundred thousand dollars more annually.
Originally a temporary measure, the cap on municipal tax rates was imposed following the Ports Competitiveness Review, initiated by a lobby group representing major port and terminal operators. That review concluded property taxation would be a major threat to their competitiveness.
In 2007, the Ports Property Tax Act was extended to 2018, but now it's been made permanent.
On Monday, the government announced that B.C.'s ports "will be even more attractive to Canadian and international investors" with the cap, encouraging infrastructure investment and expansion.
The province says the private sector has announced, initiated or completed port investment projects worth more than $1 billion since the cap, creating hundreds of jobs and significantly improving the competitive position of B.C.'s ports.
The permanent cap will also provide greater long-term cost certainty for investors and an incentive for further investment, according to Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom.
"B.C. benefits greatly from this amendment, as it will keep our port tax system competitive and makes our Pacific Gateway the preferred gateway for AsiaPacific trade. The proposed amendment will encourage investment so our ports can grow to serve our rapidly increasing export trade," he said.
The Deltaport container terminal at Roberts Bank opened a third berth a couple of years ago, while an entirely new three-berth terminal, called Terminal 2, is also proposed.
Huntington, who was on Delta council with Gentner when the controversial cap was imposed, said, "The province and the federal government have invested millions, if not billions of dollars, into that port infrastructure, and to restrict further the ability of the taxpayer to benefit at all from that infrastructure in terms of that tax base is quite simply improper. I don't think it's taking into account municipal needs as these businesses on port lands make large profits at what's basically been the public's expense."
Huntington noted Delta's industrial tax rate was already low compared to other communities when the cap was placed in 2004. Since then, Delta has only received an annual increase matching the rate of inflation, she said, adding that when T2 opens by 2020, the municipality will still only receive the artificially low rate.
Gentner said it's just another example of how the government is raiding the pockets of ordinary citizens through downloading and mismanagement.
Disappointed but not surprised the cap will be permanent, Mayor Lois Jackson said the original purpose of the freeze was to allow ports to put money into upgrading facilities, but years later they continue to get special treatment that other business doesn't receive.
"There's a philosophy out there that everybody should pay taxes and it doesn't matter who you are. What makes the port any different than a cement company or a fish company? Somebody has to pay taxes and why is it that only one area doesn't look like they're not?" she asked.
The compensation provided by government is limited and has not served to replace foregone property tax revenues, according to a report a couple of years ago by Metro Vancouver. | <urn:uuid:0a9c8a35-3f52-4232-8fd2-9f6f7f9386ad> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.delta-optimist.com/news/MLAs+critical+break+ports+becoming+permanent/6227900/story.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971764 | 834 | 1.546875 | 2 |
How To Buy Home Insurance
Donna Werbner looks at how to find a tip-top home insurance policy and how to keep your premiums as low as possible.
Several years ago, my parents almost burnt down their house.
It was a chip pan fire, three days before Christmas, and it set the entire kitchen alight. As the entire family waited outside for the fire engine to arrive, watching the flames lick up the walls, my mother suddenly almost involuntarily made a move to run back into the burning building. "My house! My house is burning down!" she wept as we held her back.
Imagine all your worldly possessions all of them being destroyed before your eyes and you might be able to get a sense of how my mother felt at that moment.
Luckily, the fire engine arrived quickly and no one was hurt. The entire kitchen had been destroyed, however, and smoke had blacked out every single wall.
Until this point, I had never seen the need for or the value of -- home insurance, in action, so to speak. And since then, I have naturally been a big fan!
It seems to me that, if you care about your home and your belongings (and who doesn't?), home insurance will provide you with peace of mind, if nothing else. And that is well worth a few hundred pounds a year.
But how do you distinguish a good home insurance policy from a bad one? And how do you keep the costs of your premiums down? Here are my eight top tips:
How To Spot A Good Home Insurance Policy
1. Unlimited cover. Some insurers will ask you to estimate the value of all your belongings and the cost of rebuilding your property. If you under-estimate this figure (which, after all, is very difficult to calculate), the insurer will then refuse to pay out the full cost of replacing any items/rebuilding the property if you make a claim. So look for a good policy that offers unlimited cover, given as standard by insurers such as Abbey or Halifax. This ensures the cost of replacing your home or possessions is guaranteed to be paid out in full (although, on the contents insurance policy, there is likely to be a £1,500 limit on individual items).
2. Emergency repairs cover. Some insurers provide home emergency repairs cover. This will pay for the cost of fixing your boiler in an emergency, for example (however, it is possible to buy this cover separately from companies such as Homecall+).
3. Christmas cover increase. You won't feel much like celebrating this Christmas if all your gifts were stolen and your insurer refused to replace them. So if you don't choose a policy with unlimited cover, make sure you go with an insurer that will automatically increase your level of cover over the seasonal holidays.
4. No claims discount. If you have a no claims history, look for an insurer that will offer you a no claims discount.
How To Cut Costs
1. Make your property safer. According to Tesco Personal Finance, fitting a burglar alarm will reduce your premium by around 7.5%, linking the alarm up to the police network will shave off a further 5% and fitting your windows and doors with high quality locks will also cut your premiums by approximately 5%.
2. Purchase both buildings and contents insurance from the same provider. Insurers such as Halifax and Esure.com will discount your premium if you take out both cover types from them. Also, look out for discounts for holding several policies with the same insurer (for example, Halifax will give you a discount if you take out travel insurance as well as home insurance).
3. Opt for a higher voluntary excess. This will reduce your yearly premiums, but do bear in mind however that you will have to pay out more should you have to make a claim.
4. Purchase your policy on the internet. Providers often discount their internet quotations as there are less administrative costs through this channel.
As for me, in case you were wondering, my story does have a happy ending. My father -- a great believer in insuring everything -- had taken out both buildings and contents insurance, and the insurer covered the costs of putting everything back the way it was.
So it all worked out fine for them in the end, although, thank goodness, Mum didn't bother to replace the chip pan. She bought a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher instead... | <urn:uuid:25908440-ad54-451d-86c5-e8c74a38882e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lovemoney.com/news/insurance/home-insurance/1076/how-to-buy-home-insurance | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967106 | 903 | 1.5625 | 2 |
In a medical emergency, time is valuable. To ensure that every second counts, University of Mississippi Medical Center provides emergency transport services for potential critical care cases.
AirCare helicopters with specially trained crews and nurses as well as state-of-the-art equipment provide access to those needing immediate transport to UMMC due to disaster, illness or accident. The helicopters are based at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and in Meridian for quick access across the state.
Specially trained nurses also take to the road to transport children and newborns requiring the special services of Batson Children's Hospital. Ambulances are equipped with infant- and child-sized equipment to ensure that young patients receive immediate and constant attention until they reach their destination.
Adult ambulance service also is provided through a contract with an area provider. | <urn:uuid:37e07ba8-85bc-442a-a678-7d00d7a2ae0f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ummchealth.com/Health_Care_Services/Emergency_Medicine/Adult/Emergency_Transport/Emergency_Transport_default.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958941 | 164 | 1.609375 | 2 |
Mandatory liability law changes aheadPublished 11:00pm Thursday, September 20, 2012
Changes are coming Jan. 1, 2013.
That’s when Alabama’s mandatory liability insurance law becomes effective. Beginning that day, a vehicle owner will not be allowed to register his or her vehicle or renew a registration unless the insurance status of the vehicle can be verified by using a statewide online system or by showing proof of insurance to the license plate issuing official.
That’s a significant change for Alabama drivers and an important one.
While our state has long required motorists to carry liability insurance, we have never had in place an effective and efficient way of monitoring that coverage. The new law attempts to do so, prohibiting the issuing of license plates or renewals without proof of insurance.
We suspect many Pike County residents may not fully understand the impact of this law or what it means to them. However, we believe this is an important measure for our state.
If we’re going to require all drivers to carry mandatory liability insurance (which they should) we have to have checks and balances in place to make sure the law is enforced and implemented.
It’s not fair to the drivers who do pay for the coverage for others to skirt the law and avoid coverage.
So drivers get ready and make sure your insurance coverage is up-to-date before January 1, 2013. | <urn:uuid:3d3968bc-d4b1-4683-a355-07f3bae2556a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.troymessenger.com/2012/09/20/mandatory-liability-law-changes-ahead/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00025-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948104 | 286 | 1.53125 | 2 |
NATION: The Jubilee government’s first budget has sparked angry reactions over its provisions on food and education.
Teachers have vowed to sabotage the much-hyped free laptop project for all children entering primary schools until they are paid their arrears for allowances, allocated cash for promotions and 40,000 new tutors employed.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) chairman Wilson Sossion said the over 200,000 members will not receive the laptops in schools until they are paid their dues, which were part of a 1997 pay deal that raised their salaries to more than 100 per cent during the Moi regime.
In his budget statement on Thursday, National Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich allocated Sh53.2 billion for the laptops to be given to Standard One pupils next year.
But speaking in Migori yesterday, Mr Sossion said: “It is a shame that Sh53 billion has been allocated for the laptop project, but nothing for teachers’ promotions and allowances”.
Universities Academic Staff Union chairman Sammy Kubasu said the lecturers will have no option but to withdraw their services if the government fails to pay up.
They are demanding Sh3.9 billion meant to be the last phase of a salary deal agreed on with the government last year after a strike.
Most MPs who spoke to the Saturday Nation said they would oppose any move to increase the cost of basic commodities such as bread and milk, as is likely to happen if Parliament passes the contentious VAT Bill.
Also rejecting the Bill’s provision is the lobby group, Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek).
Speaking of the possibility of basic commodities prices rising, National Assembly Minority Leader Francis Nyenze said the poor must be cushioned from extra burden, adding, any tax measures should be interrogated to ensure the poor are not punished.
“If any measures are brought here through VAT that hurts the poor man we shall reject them,” he said, adding: “We don’t want those who live in poverty to be taxed harshly.”
The cost of basics
The government plans to table the Value Added Tax Bill in Parliament, whose passing would lead to an increase in the cost of basics such as milk, bread, maize and wheat flour, sanitary towels and newspapers.
With maize being Kenyans’ staple food, any increase in the tax charged on maize flour would automatically be criticised for its possible effect on the large number of Kenyans who rarely go to bed without eating ugali.
Suba MP John Mbadi said Parliament will have to eliminate a number of grey areas in the VAT Bill and exempt some items from tax.
He said the Bill has some errors and Parliament must scrutinise it so that it does not end up increasing the price of basic goods.
“We’ll need to isolate basic commodities so that we don’t tax them,” he said.
Speaking at Sori Secondary School in Nyatike, Migori County, during an annual meeting of the local Knut branch, Mr Sossion said teachers never asked for laptops in any policy document formulated within the education sector and wondered whose idea it was.
Instead, he said, the union had asked for Sh15 billion to recruit 40,000 teachers to address staff shortage.
He termed the Sh50 billion allocation for laptops as a misplaced priority.
“We disown the government of President Kenyatta because instead of addressing core issues, it has opted to misbehave with public funds.”
Mr Sossion faulted the Jubilee administration for “taking teachers for a ride “ and warned that the union would not allow the government to mismanage public funds.
Knut’s rival, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers Union, has issued a strike notice over pay arrears and promotions.
The laptop project was a key campaign pledge of the new administration, which was largely received with scepticism.
Prof Kubasu said union leaders had, after sensing the money was not factored in the estimates, met Education Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kaimenyi on Thursday morning, hoping that a last-minute decision could be made.
“But we were saddened that the budget figures announced later (by Mr Rotich) did not include our allocation.”
The lecturers were paid the first phase of the salary deal in November last year. Prof Kubasu said the union leaders plan to meet with Prof Kaimenyi next week to look at ways of tackling the issue “before we ask our members to stage a strike that could hurt a young government.”
Mr Rotich said on Thursday that “there are some areas there that we’ll have to discuss with Parliament in terms of having (the VAT Bill) passed.”
“That Bill, if passed, will help a lot in simplifying the administration of VAT plus also helping in raising revenue.”
“Enacted in 1990, when the government used to control the price of basic goods, the current VAT Act is considered outdated and Finance ministers over the years increased the list of exempt goods to about 400.”
“You can subsidise through expenditure, but using taxation to subsidise is not a best practice so you better collect your revenue but ensure that you target the people that you think need to be targeted (to pay more tax).”
Capital gains tax
This was in reference to the capital gains tax, which would target those who benefit from transactions such as the sale of property, shares at the stock exchange or from annual dividends.
Cofek has opposed any move that could increase the food burden on Kenyans. “We’re opposed to it because that would go against President Kenyatta’s pledge to reduce the cost of living,” said Mr Stephen Mutoro, the lobby’s secretary-general.
Mr Mutoro said the lobby group was also uncomfortable with suggestions that the Bill was the handiwork of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The two institutions were reported to have been backing the Bill on the basis that it would boost the government’s internal sources of revenue.
Drafted in 2012, the Bill’s publication drew a barrage of criticism when it was first tabled and rejected in Parliament last year as it sought to introduce a 16 per cent tax on fertiliser, maize flour, bread, wheat flour, milk and other basic commodities plus books.
According to Saturday Nation calculations, the price of bread would have risen by Sh6, while maize flour would have risen by as much as Sh19. A packet of unga today sells for between Sh116 and Sh130.
Reported by John Ngirachu, Caroline Wafula and Elisha Otieno | <urn:uuid:90cef692-b34f-4840-b82e-8e518cdf6d75> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cofek.co.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967152 | 1,413 | 1.507813 | 2 |
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has removed EM capital asset projects of $750 million or less from its high-risk list because of the nuclear cleanup program’s progress in completing that work.
“This is good news for EM because it marks an important step in our contract and project management improvement strategy,” Senior Advisor for Environmental Management Dave Huizenga said of the GAO’s report released today. “However, we still have work to do.”
GAO updates Congress every two years on its high-risk program, which identifies government operations at high risk due to fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, or in need of reform to address economic and other challenges.
In its report, the GAO says it recognizes progress on EM projects of $750 million or less and is shifting the focus of EM's high-risk designation more to major contracts and projects greater than $750 million.
From 2010 to 2012, EM met its goal to complete 50 capital asset projects that cost $750 million or less within 10 percent of their approved cost baselines. The cost of those projects was 18 percent below the baseline cost of $3,371 million.
EM is working proactively with GAO and the Office of Management and Budget to share its actual and planned improvements. EM continues to improve contract and project management to deliver capital projects on time and within cost, and its efforts at EM sites and headquarters have resulted in better performance.
Key EM reforms include implementing policies requiring more front-end planning; ensuring federal project directors and contracting officers are certified at required levels; improving cost estimating; conducting more frequent project reviews; selecting proper contract types; tying fee strategies to final outcomes; and documenting contractor performance. EM has been steadfast in implementing corrective measures and monitoring progress of performance metrics.
EM has restructured projects into smaller, better-defined capital asset projects and non-capital operations activities to provide more focused management and oversight. Approximately 90 percent of design work of capital asset projects must be completed before the baseline is approved. EM policy now requires budgeted baseline contingency and a minimum 80 percent confidence level for performance baselines for capital asset projects. EM also implemented external technical reviews to ensure timely resolution of engineering and technology issues early in project development.
EM has many challenges ahead, including its two large nuclear construction projects, the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) at the Hanford site and the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) at the Savannah River Site. | <urn:uuid:0dfc1910-a253-4425-b740-3170be0a9429> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/em/articles/em-makes-progress-gao-high-risk-list | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940546 | 516 | 1.523438 | 2 |
On the 22nd December 2007, just as everyone was preparing the Christmas festivities, and gearing up for another election in Kenya, we were faced with yet another elephant tragedy, and one that has caused us all, both human and elephants a great deal of pain – the sudden death of our precious orphan Mweiga.
Mweiga was an elephant from the Mount Kenya population, who had obviously been born with a congenital heart defect. Possibly this was the reason why she was orphaned in the first place, as her mother and elephant family fled in disarray confronted by angry humans as they tried to move from the Mount Kenya forests into the Aberdare National Park, along an ancient traditional elephant migration corridor. She was left behind the herd, and very fortunately escaped death by being rescued by Wildlife officials. It was October l998, and we estimated her age to be approximately 7 months.
She appeared in reasonable shape, and was taken to the Voi Rehabilitation Unit to complete her milk dependent period, and enjoy the company of older elephants - the very best antidote for elephant psychological bereavement. She settled well, and EMILY, who was then just five years old, plus some of the other orphaned youngsters remained with her near the elephant Stockades, and a cooling mudbath, because not only did she feel the heat of Tsavo having come from cooler clines, but it became apparent she was an unusual case. She was very lethargic and slow, and as she grew, this became more pronounced. But, she was happy, never ever left isolated from the others, always in the company of human Keepers that loved and cared for her at all times, and showered in the love of all the other elephants within the Voi Unit, who also understood that Mweiga was handicapped. Whenever she lagged behind the herd, there was always an elephant and human friend alongside her, the elephants taking it in turns to keep her company. During her younger years, two of her best friends were MWEYA, the little Ugandan orphan and SOSIAN, from Sisan Ranch in Laikipia.
Nine years passed, and the Voi Elephants grew up, and all were ultimately sufficiently old enough to begin to live as perfectly normal wild elephants again. They had made wild friends amongst the wild herds, were healthy and independent of milk, and eager to venture further afield, no longer Keeper dependent. But, Mweiga was never fit enough to be able to be numbered amongst our 36 other success stories within the Voi Unit. She was far too fragile to walk long distances, keep up with the herd, or run from a lion. And so, she came back to the Stockades on a daily basis, yet she was never alone, always accompanied by one of the now “wild” orphans, who took turns to remain with her in the Stockades at night, and escort her out during the day, usually meeting up with all the others somewhere out in the bush. At other times, all the others, or sometimes just some of them, came back to escort her and her elephant companion out to forage first thing in the morning, returning with her to the Night Stockades in the evening, and leaving only when she and her elephant escort of the day were safely ensconced for the night. Latterly, her escorts have been two young bulls, who have been taking turn and turn about for “Mweiga-Sitting Duty”.
Throughout her life, well-wishers amongst her many foster-parents have provided generously for her medication and extra supplements to ensure that she is kept as healthy as possible. But, as she grew, so the volume of blood in her body which had to be pumped by her ailing heart, placed an increasing strain on that vital organ.
Then yesterday, the 22nd December, as she and BURRA were walking the incline to return to the Night Stockades in the evening, with an almost full moon rising behind them, suddenly, and for no apparent reason, Mweiga collapsed. At first the Keepers thought she had tripped over some obstacle, but it very soon became apparent that something else was radically wrong. BURRA was immediately extremely distressed, crying and rushing around, as the Keepers tried desperately to heave her back onto her feet, but within just a few minutes, our precious Mweiga had been taken from us. She died in the arms of her human family, because her ailing heart could cope no longer. We had lost her. BURRA was extremely upset, and once he accepted the inevitable, he rushed back to join the other orphans who had remained behind at a waterhole, where all had enjoyed a swim.
This young female elephant who was in her l0th year, had been nurtured with all the care and love in the world, both from her human family, and her elephant friends. At all times, all the elephants, and all the Keepers, looked out for her. They answered her every call for help, and were at her side within minutes, as were the Keepers. At no time was she every left wanting for anything. Many Veterinarians assessed her condition over the years, and all agreed that she had a heart problem, and possibly arthritis and that there was nothing they could do for the heart. We could manage the arthritis, and we did, but an elephant’s ailing heart is another matter! But, Mweiga had l0 quality years of life and she died at a time in Tsavo when there was plenty of food due to recent rain, and where the waterholes were filled, so that she could bathe and wallow at will.
We always knew that Mweiga would never make old bones, but nevertheless when the day came it was a terrible shock for everybody.
Rest in Peace, precious Mweiga, your life taught us so much about elephant behavior, and you will be missed by not only your extended human family, but more so even by those orphan friends who never left your side throughout your short life. | <urn:uuid:f49a8ce4-1fee-462e-8132-8f1385c5e998> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/updates/updates.asp?ID=137 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.990724 | 1,251 | 1.804688 | 2 |
Ankara's muted response to today's attacks provides a window into its domestic dilemmas and growing rivalry with Egypt.
Since Israel's last major foray into Gaza with Operation Cast Lead in 2008, no country has been more vocal about the plight of the Palestinians than Turkey. Prime Minister Erdoğan has made it a priority to keep the world's attention on Gaza and has repeatedly called out Israel for its treatment of the Palestinians while attempting to bolster Hamas. The Palestinian issue has been so important to the Turkish government that it has made ending the Gaza blockade one of its three conditions, along with an apology and compensation, for restoring full ties with Israel following the deaths of nine Turkish citizens aboard the Mavi Marmara. Erdoğan recently announced plans to visit Gaza, which would undoubtedly go a long way in the campaign to legitimize Hamas.
Egypt is likely to step into the void that Turkey has left.
Becoming the champion of the Palestinian cause is one of the primary reasons that Erdoğan has had such high approval ratings in the Arab world. It has not only made Erdoğan personally popular but also enhanced Turkey's international stature, contributing to Turkey's efforts to be seen not only as a regional leader but as a leader of the wider Sunni world as well. In essence, the resulting deterioration in relations with Israel has in some sense been well worth the cost as Turkey's reputation and soft power has been enhanced. In light of all this, the expectation following Israel's new military operations in Gaza today is that Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu are going to be leading the charge to condemn Israeli military actions, which would be consistent with Turkey's position over the past few years.
But Turkey's situation has changed in a very important way since Cast Lead. In 2008 and in the aftermath of the flotilla in 2010 Turkey was dealing with a quieter Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the Kurdish separatist group. Today, that is no longer the case. Since this summer, Ankara has been waging a full-blown war with the Kurdish terrorist group, inflicting hundreds of casualties and suffering many of its own.
Much like Israel's fight against Hamas, Turkey's fight with the PKK has not been without civilian collateral damage. Last December, the Turkish military carried out an airstrike in Uludere that killed 34 civilians who the military thought were PKK fighters attempting to cross the border into Turkey. Earlier this year, the government sealed off the Semdinli district in the Hakkari province for months while it fought the PKK, not letting any information out or any journalists in.
Turkey's problem with PKK terrorism, combined with the inevitable civilian casualties that occur when fighting terrorist groups embedded amongst the general population, makes it harder this time around for Turkey to angrily denounce Israel as it once did. While I expected Turkey to issue a condemnation of Israeli actions, it is not surprising that it did not have the full force as it has in the past given the uncomfortable parallels that exist between Israel's actions against Hamas and Turkey's actions against the PKK.
Instead, Egypt is likely to step into the void that Turkey has left. Egypt under President Mohamed Morsi has adopted a similar strategy of attempting to increase its soft power around the region, with Morsi's trip to Iran -- in which he lectured the regime about its actions in Syria -- as a prime example. Between the demands of a population that is extremely hawkish on Israel and the prestige that comes from a greater involvement in foreign policy and global affairs, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict provides fertile ground for Egypt to assert itself in a more forceful manner and try to be the face of the Sunni Arab world.
Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood have long been vocal about the Palestinians, and this is a perfect opportunity for Morsi to try and wrest away Erdoğan's mantle as the Palestinians' main defender. Unlike Turkey, Egypt does not have to face uncomfortable comparisons between Israel's counter-terrorism actions and its own, and Egypt is better placed to blast Israel over its actions in Gaza given ties between the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas and the fact that it actually shares a border with Gaza.
It should also not escape notice that Egypt was the party attempting to mediate between Israel and Hamas earlier this week, while Turkey -- who used to aspire to the role of mediator and was in fact mediating between Israel and Syria when Cast Lead was launched -- was sitting on the sidelines. Morsi wants to raise Egypt's regional profile just like Erdoğan did for Turkey, and the Israeli strikes in Gaza give him a perfect opening to do just that. Unsurprisingly, the Egyptian foreign ministry and the Freedom and Justice Party (the Muslim Brotherhood's political arm) immediately condemned Israel's actions and the government recalled its ambassador back to Cairo. Notably, Turkey's response was late in coming and seemed driven by the responses from Egypt and the Arab League, which were immediate and more forceful.
Today's responses to Israeli military operations are a harbinger of things to come. The Egyptian condemnation and the lack of an immediate Turkish one demonstrate that the Palestinian issue is no longer the low-lying fruit that it once was for Ankara and that the Turkish response must be tempered due to its own operations against the PKK. Egypt is trying to carry out the same strategy that Turkey was just a few short years ago, and we should expect to see some increased tensions between the two countries as they vie for a greater regional role. When it comes to the Palestinians though, Egypt is finally taking the upper hand. | <urn:uuid:4b045259-b778-45bc-a219-07e892155264> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/11/has-turkey-abandoned-gaza/265238/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974215 | 1,106 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Click the play arrow on the above player to watch and listen to the slideshow.
Around 300 students from Zilwaukee International School attended the "Passport to the World 2008" program at Saginaw Valley State University. Each Zilwaukee student was photographed for their "passport" and had the chance to visit displays and demonstrations by SVSU students from all over the world.
Zilwaukee International School fifth-grader Jordan Caldwell, 11, son of Laurie Caldwell has a German flag painted on his face during "Passport to the World."
Saginaw Valley State University English Language Program held its annual "Passport to the World 2008" in the Student Center Multipurpose Room.
International college students from 16 countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Colombia, Germany, India, Japan/Okinawa, Netherlands, Pakistan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain/Catalonia, United States, Venezuela and Vietnam) demonstrated origami, performed native dance, told stories, played music and painted faces at their country's displays.
Saudi Arabian SVSU student Alqassab Mohammed places an Arab ketemah (a head covering) on the head of Zilwaukee International School fourth-grader Alexis Trevino, 9, daughter of April Perez during "Passport to the World."
Zilwaukee International School students write their names in Japanese during "Passport to the World." | <urn:uuid:46d19a2e-7ee3-48be-bc8d-62261c87c38a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blog.mlive.com/saginaw_news_extra/2008/04/slideshow_facing_the_world.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954255 | 289 | 1.65625 | 2 |
Skip to comments.Encountering Peace: Far-fetched - but not beyond imagination
Posted on 03/31/2009 5:48:37 AM PDT by SJackson
Welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu. Your recent statements indicating your intention to be a true partner to the Palestinians in advancing peace through negotiations is what the international community wants to hear. But more than wanting to hear positive statements on your intentions to make peace, the international community want to see progress on the ground.
With the Palestinian flag painted on her face, a girl attends a day of solidarity with the children of Gaza outside the Palestinian embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday. Photo: AP The international community is quite united on this issue, more than you remember from the last time you sat in the PM's chair, and it's not only those anti-Israeli Europeans. US President Barack Obama also wants to see your commitment to making peace with the Palestinians and beware, Obama is truly interested in a multilateral foreign policy. The Quartet - the invention of the Bush administration to provide the US with a veto vis-à-vis Israel, will now act in a very different way. The US is determined to work in full cooperation with the other Quartet members - the EU, the UN and Russia. The US will even encourage the other partners to take initiatives - in coordination with each other, so that the Israeli-Palestinian peace process can be resumed, and this time, completed.
The international community is not interested in another long, drawn out Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Israel might be in love with peace processes and negotiations, but this time the world wants to see results, not more negotiations. After 18 years of peace processes since the Madrid Conference, there are some issues which, in the eyes of the international community, are no longer under negotiation - they are clear and must be expressed already in peace agreements.
In the eyes of almost every nation, the question of Palestinian statehood, sovereignty and independence is no longer a negotiating issue. Likewise, in the opinion of almost all of the nations of the world, Jerusalem should be the capital of both states - the exact formula of how to do this must be worked out. In Israel's favor, most nations do not expect it to accept and absorb any significant number of Palestinian refugees.
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY has lost its patience with Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. There will be less tolerance than ever before for Israeli policies that counter the prospects for peace. Continued settlement building and expansion will expose this country, for the first time, to the real possibility of sanctions.
The international community, particularly the friends of Israel, have a large number of "tools" in their diplomatic toolbox which could be used to persuade the new government to make progress toward peace. Not all of those tools come down to the huge amount of financial aid that the country gets from the US. That aid is pretty much protected by Congress, but there are other actions that the international community, including the US could take to pressure Israel.
One small example - imagine if the US and Europe did not threaten to boycott the Durban II summit against racism being held in Geneva at the end of April. The initial draft resolutions branded Israel as an occupying state that carries out racist policies. Following the boycott threat, the document contains no reference to Israel, the Middle East or defamation of religion.
Israel enjoys the protection of an international umbrella in many international forums, not only provided by the US. Israel also enjoys access to many international funds, such as the EU Seventh Framework Program which enables it to compete on grants and contracts worth hundreds of millions of euros.
It also has benefited from the US veto in the Security Council, which has been used 11 times to prevent anti-Israeli resolutions from being passed. If a direct confrontation develops between the Netanyahu government and the international community, we should not be surprised if a new Security Council resolution appears looking something like the following:
Expressing its continuing concern with the grave situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war and the need to work for a just and lasting peace in which every state in the area can live in security, emphasizing further that all member states in their acceptance of the Charter of the United Nations have undertaken a commitment to act in accordance with Article 2 of the charter, the Security Council affirms that the fulfillment of charter principles requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include the application of both the following principles: Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in June 1967; the establishment of the State of Palestine on the basis of the June 4, 1967 borders, in the areas of the West Bank and Gaza including east Jerusalem; termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force; the governments of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine will enter into immediate negotiations between them on the exact borders between them. The guiding principle in the determination of the borders is that the State of Palestine will be composed of 22 percent of the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea and the remaining 78% of the territory will be the State of Israel.
This settlement will establish Palestine as the Palestinian homeland, just as Israel is the homeland for the Jewish people. Israel must immediately demonstrate support for the creation of a prosperous and successful Palestinian state by removing unauthorized outposts and ending settlement expansion. The government of Palestine must demonstrate that its state will create opportunity for all its citizens and govern justly and dismantle the infrastructure of terror. It must show that a Palestinian state will accept its responsibility and have the capability to be a source of stability and peace for its own citizens, for the people of Israel and for the whole region.
The Security Council recognizes the city of Jerusalem as the capitals of both states and calls on the governments of the two states to negotiate the modalities for application of such in the city.
The Security Council recognizes the importance of the holy sites in Jerusalem to all three religions and proposes that they be placed under an international guardianship guaranteeing free and open access to all people who respect the sanctity of the sites.
The Security Council empowers the Quartet to work with the governments of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine to conclude negotiations on the permanent borders of the two states within one year, including the modalities for the city of Jerusalem. The Quartet will report back to the Security Council on progress of those negotiations on a quarterly basis.
In accordance with Chapter VI and Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Security Council announces its readiness to deploy peacekeeping troops to the State of Palestine to assist and to facilitate the withdrawal of Israeli security forces from the territories of the State of Palestine.
The Security Council calls on the General Assembly to act in discharge of its functions under Article 4 of the Charter and rule 125 of its rules of procedure, to: 1. Decide that the State of Palestine is a peace-loving state which accepts the obligations contained in the charter and is able and willing to carry out those obligations; 2. Decide to admit the State of Palestine to membership in the United Nations.
Maybe far-fetched, but not beyond imagination.
If youd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
“THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY has lost its patience with Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. “
Maybe if the international community did something, oh I don’t know, condemn the killing of innocent people instead of condeming the killing of terrorists maybe there can be peace.
Baskin is just another Israel hating Communist posing as a Jew. I guess he is interviewing for a position at the NY Times.
Baskin is such an ass, not to mention he is a paid Hamas shill.
Frankly, I've never heard of him before and I'm not anxious to hear from him again.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works. | <urn:uuid:9aae3f8c-57f1-43d3-8ea7-196949b3d5ef> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2218833/posts | 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 | 0.943883 | 1,690 | 1.710938 | 2 |
ICIA rejects calls to block phone use in cinemas
Irish mobecos say change of behaviour needed
The mobile phone industry has rejected calls to block the use of mobile phones in cinemas and theatres, describing the idea as inappropriate and impractical.
Irish Cellular Industry Association (ICIA) director Tommy McCabe described the use of mobile phones in places like theatres as a behavioural issue, and one that should be addressed through education.
"While appreciating the concerns of those parties that are affected by the inappropriate use of mobile phones, it is the ICIA's view that the use of jammers or interceptors would be a drastic response, disproportionate to the issues identified," McCabe said.
"The use of interceptors would generate significantly greater concerns for users, venues and operators - particularly where public safety is concerned."
Although the problem of mobile phones being used in inappropriate places is a nuisance, it seems that blocking their use would create even more headaches. The technology is intended to block all calls apart from emergency calls.
McCabe said the use of interceptors would necessitate "significant network re-design" to limit the use of phones in the venues, but that there was no guarantee it would work completely, nor could it guarantee the restrictions would not affect those in the surrounding area.
ComReg recently came under fire by one of Ireland's largest cinema groups for its ruling that cinemas wishing to install mobile phone interceptors would require the consent of the mobile operators.
McCabe also pointed out that mobile phones have the ability to be switched to silent mode, allowing parents to stay in contact with babysitters, for example, without disturbing those around them.
The ICIA is an alliance of the Irish mobile operators and handset manufacturer Nokia.
Copyright © 2006, ENN | <urn:uuid:23aae826-770d-4262-adf3-6a3814c5e86f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/16/cinema_mobile_block_rejected/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954507 | 361 | 1.640625 | 2 |
The wonderful Brion Gysin was a writer, painter, filmmaker and restaurateur. He was a friend and collaborator to William S. Burroughs. Burroughs said of Gysin, “He was the only man I have ever respected.”
If you are a frequent reader of these posts, you are no doubt already familiar with Gysin. However, despite several recent publications and a new tour of his visual art, the man remains elusive.
We were really excited to find this footage of the master at work. This video is from a late ’80′s pirate TV show out of London, England called Network 21. This is a rare chance to see Gysin’s paintings come to life as he rolls out patterns and grids before piling on layers of text and calligraphy.
The man has a way with a line…
This Network 21 episode also features: Kenny Morris talking about dreams and Genet; a Mayakovski film; a photoshoot with the Rolling Stones in drag; footage from a tattoo convention in 1985; an excerpt from Warhol’s “Trash” with Joe Dallessandro and The Sex Pistols’ famous appearance on the Bill Gundy show.
See the whole shebang at Joe Nolan’s Insomnia. | <urn:uuid:b7e45f1e-c242-4fdf-997f-3238a54eb328> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://disinfo.com/2010/10/brion-gysin-80s-tv-star/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952744 | 273 | 1.554688 | 2 |
'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
A Soyuz spacecraft atop a towering rocket was placed into launch position Monday at Russia's manned-space facility in the freezing steppes of Kazakhstan ahead of a five-month mission for three astronauts to the International Space Station.
There are very few weather requirements or restrictions for the launch of the Soyuz vehicle," veteran NASA astronaut Mike Fossum said. "We launch a couple of days from now in similar conditions and we are without any concerns." | <urn:uuid:cb489b13-5e78-4499-a800-69dc7bf25003> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/michael-e-fossum/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937957 | 111 | 1.742188 | 2 |
As we've looked at Older Americans Month, the focus has been on grandparents who are responsible for the care of young grandchildren. Leta Johnson is the great-grandmother and her daughter, Sonia Mattern, the grandmother of three children, ages 5, 4 and 2-1/2 in their multi-generation home. Leta couldn't allow Children's Services to take the children and place them in foster care, or lacking foster families, placing them at risk by returning them to their mother who is unable to give them care they need. Leta sat down for this interview while Sonia was in court regarding the children's custody.
"It takes both Leta and Sonia and several developmental specialists for each of the three special needs children to help the children develop appropriately," said Mary Caye Bixler, director of Family Recovery Center's Kin and Kids program. "The loss of any of these specialists would be critical to the family."
Medicaid takes care of the costs of medications, doctors, dentists and necessary medical treatments for the children. The 5-year-old, Jeremiah, had tubes put in his ears and the 4-year-old, Aniko, had to have her tonsils and adenoids removed. Both of these children have bad teeth. Leta thinks it might be from milk pooling in their mouths when they were given bottles in bed. Poor nutrition may have contributed. The mother just couldn't take care of them, Leta said. But
Right off the top of her expenses, Leta had to trade her small car for a van large enough to transport everyone. "Three car seats just barely fit in the back seat," she said.
Additionally, she had a fence installed around the yard for the children's safety. If that wasn't enough, when the county tested the wells on her property, there were some costly problems that had to be resolved. She remortgaged her house to take care of these things that had to be done to provide a safe and stable home for the little ones.
"There are the expenses for gasoline for all the on-going, multiple trips to doctors visits, school functions, agency meetings, and special needs interventions, the cost of clothing, shoes and other over-the-counter healthcare items needed for the family," Bixler said.
When Leta and her daughter took the children two years ago, the plan was for reunification of the family. But the parents did not get back together and the children still are with Leta and Sonya.
Leta, mother of seven adult children, retired in 2007. She was widowed in September 2008. She tries to maintain relationships with other members of her family, but with the three little ones, there just isn't enough time.
"There is precious little time for either woman to tend to her own needs," Bixler said. "Both women are willing to work to learn and implement strategies that work with furthering the positive development of the children and to find time for Support Group for needed attention to other issues, socialization and peer support."
Leta has a couple of health issues of her own, but she's steadfast and firm about providing for the children. Family living nearby helps look after the children, and the family is eligible for 80 hours of respite care every three months. She hopes that when something happens to her, there will be someone else to pick up the load she carries.
The two oldest children, with their special needs, attend preschool at Crestview. Leta relies heavily on her faith, just goes day-by-day with the Lord, she said.
The Kin and Kids director is a blessing to the family. "Mary Caye knows how fast little ones grow," Leta said. She finds clothing for the children, brings toothpaste, tooth brushes and other things they need. The monthly meetings of Kin and Kids, held at the New Lisbon Presbyterian Church are hit and miss for Leta and Sonia. Because the children are so small, it seems that when one gets sick, they all are sick. But they go to the meetings as often as they can. She says it's good to sit down and talk to others who are going through similar situations.
"I'm shocked at how many are doing this," said Leta. "More help is needed."
"The staff is continually looking for grants to maintain the Kin and Kid program," Bixler said. "Donations and contributions are always welcomed to support our efforts and to sponsor outreach and family activities and supplies for children's projects. Individuals, community and church groups have provided funds to cover the costs of food for group meetings and events as well as emergency items that families may need and not have money for." She added that tax deductible donations can be made out to Family Recovery Center, and note in the memo line "For Kin & Kids."
The Kin and Kids program is funded by Brookdale Foundation and United Way of Northern Columbiana County. For more information about Kin and Kids contact Bixler at Family Recovery Center's Education Department, phone, 330-424-0531. The location of the June 12 meeting will be announced. Usually the group meets at 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with children's activities during the support group meetings and for outings.
"High school students working on community service hours for graduation are welcomed," Bixler said.
Family Recovery Center promotes the well-being of individuals, families and communities with education, prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse. For more information, contact FRC at 964 N. Market St., Lisbon; phone, 330-424-1468; or e-mail, [email protected]. | <urn:uuid:8a2d520a-e2af-4699-aec0-cc5f54483cfc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/542780/Grandparents--The-heart-of-the-family.html?nav=5015 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980316 | 1,169 | 1.625 | 2 |
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In forecasting what the U.S. Congress will look like after the November 6 elections, Princeton University’s Sam Wang is what his fellow analysts call an “outlier.”
Wang, one of a dozen or so leading academics who use statistical data to forecast elections, says there is a 74 percent probability that the Democrats will gain the net 25 seats they need to take control of the 435-seat House of Representatives from the Republicans.
He cites President Barack Obama’s recent rise in the polls, which Wang says could help other Democrats on House ballots. Wang says his estimate “suggests that in coming weeks, we might look for (congressional) district polls to move in the Democrats’ direction.”
Since Obama jumped to a significant lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney during the past two weeks, there has been an increasing chance that the presidential race could create a larger-than-expected ripple across the congressional elections in the Democrats’ favor. That has triggered anxiety among Republicans and raised hopes among Democrats.
It remains a minority view, however.
The conventional wisdom in Washington is that on November 6, a politically divided nation is likely to reinstall a largely familiar cast of characters at each end of Pennsylvania Avenue: a Democratic president, a Republican-led House, and a Democratic-led Senate.
For all the turbulence of the last few years – including the rise of the conservative, compromise-resistant Tea Party movement and the resulting gridlock in Washington that led to historically low approval ratings for Congress, Americans are on course to keep most of the same people in charge, most analysts say.
That may not be good news for those hoping to see an early deal between the parties on how to tackle the nation’s high unemployment and debt and deficit problems. If there is no compromise in Congress soon, big tax increases and mandatory spending cuts early next year could send the economy over the “fiscal cliff” and back into recession.
In the House – where every seat is up for election every two years – there likely will be a backlash against some of the 87 first-term Republicans, many of whom were elected with the Tea Party’s support, who helped give their party control of the chamber. Democrats have targeted two dozen freshman Republicans in the House who are seen as particularly vulnerable.
But district-by-district analyses by the Cook Political Report, the Rothenberg Political Report and others suggest that any gain in House seats for either party probably will be small. The most likely scenario: Democrats will have a net gain of a few seats – perhaps as many as 15 – but will remain in the minority.
A big reason for such estimates: In many cases, the results of the November election for House seats essentially were decided months ago, when states went through the once-a-decade process of redrawing their congressional districts.
In two dozen states with Republican-led legislatures, districts typically were redrawn to help the party’s incumbent members of Congress win re-election by making their districts more conservative – and to make some Democrats more vulnerable.
Democrats did the same thing, protecting their own in eight states where they control the legislatures. In Illinois, Democratic lawmakers carved up five congressional districts now represented by Republicans so that each had more Democrats.
That is partly why Illinois Republican Representative Joe Walsh, an outspoken hero of the Tea Party, is likely to be bounced from the House by Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran. A recent poll in the district had Duckworth up by 14 percentage points.
Other states used bipartisan panels to redraw House districts, in part to spread the political impact.
Overall, however, the politically charged redistricting system is likely to help preserve the status quo in Washington. Analysts say that for this election, the calculus in House races would change only if there were a significant margin of victory in the presidential race.
“If Obama wins by a wide margin – say, 53 percent to 46 percent – it could increase Democratic gains in the House from six seats to maybe 12 or 15,” said Larry Sabato, who tracks congressional races at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.
A ROMNEY ‘COAT TAIL’ EFFECT?
In the Senate – where 33 of the 100 seats are up for election – most analysts see Republicans making a small dent in the Democrats’ 53-47 majority, but not enough for a takeover.
The Senate is where the Tea Party’s rising influence could really be felt – in ways that could help or hurt Republicans. Some analysts say Republicans need Romney to defeat Obama in the presidential race to have any hope of a “coattail” effect that could give them control of the Senate.
The Tea Party is likely to have unprecedented power in the Senate. Three Tea Party-backed challengers – Ted Cruz in Texas, Deb Fischer in Nebraska and Jeff Flake in Arizona – are favored to win. A fourth, Richard Mourdock, is in a close race in Indiana against Democrat Joe Donnelly.
Mourdock’s emergence has become a symbol of the divisions within the Republican Party that could prevent it from taking over the Senate. In the Republican primary this year, Mourdock defeated six-term Senator Richard Lugar, a moderate Republican who would have been a fairly safe bet to win re-election.
Now, with Lugar gone amid criticism from the Tea Party that he was too willing to work with Democrats, his Senate seat – which he had held since 1977 – is in jeopardy for Republicans. The race between Mourdock and Donnelly is widely seen as a toss-up.
Republicans’ hopes of controlling the next Senate also are in doubt because of the retirement of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, a moderate Republican who cited partisan gridlock in announcing her departure. The favorite to replace her is Angus King, a former Maine governor who is running for the Senate as an independent but who both parties assume would caucus with Democrats.
Then there is the case of Todd Akin, the Tea Party-backed Missouri congressman who won a three-way primary fight to oppose Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill.
Both parties considered McCaskill vulnerable heading into this election year, but controversial comments by Akin suggesting that rape victims could naturally prevent pregnancy have shifted the race in McCaskill’s favor. Akin has rejected calls by several Republican leaders to drop out of the race.
More recently, several Republican Senate candidates trying to lure votes from Democrats have faced another headache: the videotape of Romney in which he dismissed the 47 percent of Americans who receive government benefits as “victims” who are looking for handouts.
At least three Republican Senate candidates – Scott Brown in Massachusetts, Linda McMahon in Connecticut and Dean Heller in Nevada – have spoken out against Romney’s remarks.
“I’m Scott Brown. He’s Mitt Romney,” Brown said. “We disagree on a whole host of things.”
The University of Virginia’s Sabato said Romney’s fortunes could be key to Republicans’ chances of winning Senate seats that have been held by Democrats in Virginia, Montana, North Dakota and Florida.
“It’s going to be very difficult for Republicans to take over the Senate if Romney doesn’t capture the White House,” Sabato said. “That’s a different evaluation than a year ago, when the GOP (Republican Party) looked to be a good bet to grab the Senate.”
A ‘STATUS QUO ELECTION’
Several months ago, Ethan Siegal of The Washington Exchange, a private firm that tracks Washington for institutional investors, predicted a Republican sweep of the White House, the House and the Senate because of the weak economy and polls indicating Americans were not satisfied with the direction of the country.
“But now I think we are heading to a status quo election,” with Republicans keeping the House and Democrats retaining the Senate and White House, Siegal said.
He pinned his shifting view on Romney’s struggling campaign for president.
Romney, whose approval ratings have been lower than Obama’s, “is stinking up the place,” Siegal said, reflecting the anxiety among some Republicans over Romney’s campaign.
Republicans hope the former Massachusetts governor can gain some momentum in his three debates with Obama, the first of which is on Wednesday in Denver.
Siegal said it is unclear if a status quo election would lead Republican House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell to be more willing to cut deals with Obama on issues such as the budget, taxes and the nation’s escalating debt.
“They could say it’s time to compromise,” Siegal said. “Or Boehner and McConnell could say, ‘We should have won this year. We just had the wrong guy at the top of the ticket. We need to block Obama again and wait for the next election.’” | <urn:uuid:a8f6d12d-a67e-4523-8530-3e3cf9108fe1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.times-standard.com/politics-national/?third_party=november-elections-will-likely-end-with-status-quo | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96467 | 1,875 | 1.625 | 2 |
What's Was Going On June 2010?
Wonderful Ramirez report links Lugo to Chavarria and lots more. Read about it.
"What's New" page added to Life Before the Ruins
"I have added some new pages, including Benancio Sanchez. He and two sons worked in various capacities for the Study Butte Mining Co, then he and one son worked as tenant farmers for La Harmonia Co. The report contains some specific information on the jobs they did and how they fared economically. New additions also include the Epifanio Salas and Bernardino Gamboa Families, both early settlers in the village of San Vicente, Texas." Bob Wirt
New Web Site!
Life Before the Ruins
Announcing a new Web site for fans of the Big Bend Area. Bob Wirt will be publishing his extensive research in his own site which he has appropriately yet so poetically called "Life Before the Ruins."
The new site will graciously share copyrighted information with Familias de Terlingua. It will focus on thoroughly researched and documented work that will authoritatively enlighten us about the people and places of the "Lower Big Bend area of Brewster County, Texas, 1880-1950."
We will be sister sites. There will be sharing and overlap, but each will have its own focus. FdT will rely on LBtR for Documented Research Reports that are more authoritative than many "official" sites. Bob is always thorough and demands the highest standards in documented research. Life Before the Ruins is just starting, but it is rapidly filling up pages. Hurry and check it out!
We added the Terlingua Education section to feature a recuerdo by Juan-Paz Peña about his mother, Celestina Rodríguez Peña, an early teacher in the border area. This may be of special interest to the PCDL Reunion attendees.
links to each other at the bottom of each page. We hope to add pages during and after the reunion with news and views of the festivities. This newer format may make it easier to go to the specific page you want to see. Go to the Events page and check it out.
What Was New June 2010?
June 29 - Second Historical Novel Outline
- Nine Lopez family pages added
- Second Historical Novel Outline
Manuel Lugo Pena
Today we post a second historical novel outline by Juan-Paz Pena: Two Fort Stockton 1870's Pioneer Families, which is an excellent exposition of the roots of the families of the Pena-Cano-Duran-Lugo Reunion. We will be editing later to add links and photographs to the paper. In coming days we will be creating several family pages from the information in this paper.
- Nine Lopez family pages added
Juan E. Lopez Family
Today we announce the addition of the Lopez family to the Familias page and nine family pages. It all started when Luisa Madrid googled herself and was surprised to discover her name in Familias de Terlingua. But she was not the Louisa Madrid who contributes so much material to FdT. Nonetheless, the new Louisa Madrid's mother, Celestina, was born in Terlingua. So Lou posted on Discuss Any Family Thu, 17 Jun 2010 and told us about her family. One thing led to another and we wound up working hard adding all those pages waiting for you to check them out. For those of you who ar Facebook Fans of Familias de Terlingua Lou is a fan. We put some interesting stories such as where exactly is Terlingua from Bob Wirt in some of the pages. Check them out. Her family has been most helpful and knowledgeable. They have added a lot to this site.
June 27 - The PCDL Reunion ends today. We have added so many pages we lost track. So we have temporarily added some tabs on the left side of the pages of FdT so you can explore on your own and see the additions. We also got additional editing on the Celestina story with more information. We added active links in the story to enhance your experience of Juan-Paz' account of his mother. We added more than was there yesterday. Send photos from the reunion so we can post them.
June 26 - PCDL Reunion Day 1 of 2
The golf tournament ends today at noon PDT.
Today we added a Celestina Pena page. We added a new documented version of the story of Celestina Peña to that page. We also added many of the documents used to research the story. We did not finish loading all the documents in time for the start of the reunion so we will be adding more documents during the day. Keep checking back.
June 25 - PCDL Registration Day is TODAY!
We have added a discussion page for the reunion to use how for anything they want. We kick it off with an informal account of the LeRoche-Pena family roots and an editorial about oral traditions.
June 21 - We added a research document on the Marcos Ramirez family that takes the descendents of Severiano Chavarria and Rita Ramirez back to the US Declaration of Independence and connects this family with a Lugo family.
This raises the question are the Chavarrias related to the Lugos in the reunion this week? Learn all about it.
June 12 - Updated the Briseño family from the Documented Research (DR) Report. We added Francisco Briseño Sr page. On the Francisco Briseño Jr page we added three children to and updated “The Story.” We linked the Briseño DR Report to both pages published here with permission from Life Before the Ruins. Thank you, LBtR.
added Trent Jones to the Terlingua Teachers page.
June 1, 2010 - Two books added to Libros section. Bob Wirt gives us the summary of the two books he is recommending to us. Wings Over the Mexican Border and Chronicles of the Big Bend. Read Bob's synopsis and then click on their book covers in the Libros section to get more information | <urn:uuid:39ff9600-df5b-44f2-a9d2-93c3b356ab0a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.familiasdeterlingua.com/what-was-new-june-2010.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935132 | 1,262 | 1.625 | 2 |
The soon-to-be ex-president is planning to “replenish the ol’ coffers” on the lecture circuit. Will anybody be willing to pay?
The lecture circuit is the fate that awaits all ex-presidents of the United States, and a little over a week from now, it will be President Bush's turn to take the gilded podium. According to one industry source, Bush is already in talks with Washington, D.C., lawyer Robert Barnett, who helped manage Bill Clinton's transition to the private sector and negotiated Laura Bush's recent book deal. (Barnett declined to comment for this article). Bush has wondered aloud about his after-dinner career. In an interview for Robert Draper's 2007 book Dead Certain, Bush said that he planned to “replenish the ol' coffers” on the lecture circuit, where he could make “ridiculous money.”
“My feeling is that for the first year there probably will be minimal interest in him,” said one agent who works in the public speaking business.
“I don’t know what my dad gets. But it’s more than fifty, seventy-five [thousand],” Bush told Draper.
But Bush, of course, is a unique ex-president. He’s far less popular than his dad, or Bill Clinton (who earned more than $50 million in speaking fees from 2001 to 2007) or Ronald Reagan (who once made $2 million for a single set of speeches in Japan). Throw in the toxic economic environment that emerged on his watch, and it’s worth asking just how much Bush can hope to earn with a speech.
“I imagine people will not pay the same dollars that a compelling speaker like Bill Clinton could command,” says speechwriter Mark Katz, a former Clinton speechwriter who heads a consulting company, the Soundbite Institute. “The George W. Bush years are going to be like our collective junior high school years, something we had to endure but engenders little or no nostalgia.”
Another industry veteran said that Bush will find it rough going at first, but that his value might increase over time, perhaps even approaching Clinton's standard domestic fees of $100,000 to $200,000 a speech if the economy bounces back. The assessment echoes similar valuations of Bush’s planned memoirs, which some think would be worth more if written after a few years have passed.
“My feeling is that for the first year there probably will be minimal interest in him,” said one agent who works in the public speaking business. “There have been other former presidents who've been unpopular leaving office, but nobody's ever been this unpopular. After a year, though, people forget and then he'll have a very lucrative career.”
Bush’s ex-presidential career may get off to a quicker start than that. According to David Wheeler, president of Chicago-based public relations firm Embark LLC, there's always a demand for members of the elite ex-presidents club, even the members who were all but run out of office.
“I'm certain there's going to be a lot of interest among different organizations around the country and around the world,” Wheeler said. “I don't necessarily agree with him and a lot of others don't I'm sure, but a lot of people didn't agree with Bill Clinton and he was obviously very popular on the lecture circuit.”
The fact that Bush isn’t a good speaker shouldn’t impact his value. “We'll probably be surprised at what he'll fetch simply because—and this is the dirty little secret of the lecture circuit—people want to be able to say 'I had dinner with President Bush last night,’ said Christopher Buckley, a former chief speechwriter for Vice President Bush and a veteran speaker himself. “It's about the photo-op beforehand, the meet and greet. They're not paying for the pearls of wisdom.”
Whether a world leader can command top dollar also depends on the global economy. Tony Blair (who also left office with dismal approval ratings) was paid $500,000 for a November 2007 trip to China. Yet top Clinton clients like Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Lehman Brothers are worse off than they were during the last three years, when the three companies shelled out a combined $1.5 million for Clinton’s speaking services. The nightmare scenario has Bush settling for small-time gatherings, like the orthodontist convention Richard Nixon listlessly addresses at the beginning of Frost/Nixon.
Which isn’t to say that Bush couldn’t take unilateral action to drum up interest in his services. According to Katz, Bush's best bet to increase his value is to make headlines with a more candid assessment of his record than ever before.
“He's someone who seems to have a fixed perspective and what you want to hear from a former president is the acquired wisdom, the hard-earned wisdom that they acquired in the Oval Office,” Katz said. “We haven't heard many inklings of that so far and that’s what he needs to bring to a speech to really make an impact on the presidential circuit.”
Of course, if that doesn't work, the former president could always go back to the cagey tactics his PR team brought to the White House.
“If I were his booking agent I'd play up the fact he was a living U.S. president,” Katz said, “But I'd try not to be too specific about which one.”
Benjamin Sarlin is a reporter for The Daily Beast. He previously covered New York City politics for The New York Sun and has worked for talkingpointsmemo.com. | <urn:uuid:de56a71f-eafe-449e-ba7f-aa63600c68b7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/01/09/how-much-is-a-bush-speech-worth.print.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97685 | 1,219 | 1.765625 | 2 |
Sleep Does a Beauty Goddess Good
A good night’s sleep gives us the energy to get through the day, but it’s also essential for us to look good in the process. A 2010 study by Sweden's Karolinska Institute found that "…sleep-deprived people appear less healthy, less attractive and more tired compared with when they are well rested," according to the researchers involved in the study. Most of us can back up this scientific evidence with one look in the mirror after a restless night!
To get the best out of your rest, Sleep Doctor Michael J. Breus recommends these actions:
Make sure you are getting your needed rest -- in most cases this is between seven and nine hours.
If you think that you may have a sleep disorder that could be causing poor quality sleep, make a point of speaking to your doctor about seeing a sleep specialist.
Try some sure-fire ways of increasing sleep quality:Go decaf by 2:30pm
Exercise daily-with doctor's permission
Consider creating a tranquil sleep environment.
Could it be time for a new pillow or mattress? | <urn:uuid:b2985525-7659-431c-88da-ea26255719b9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://healinglifestyles.com/index.php/sleep-does-a-beauty-goddess-good | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942696 | 229 | 1.734375 | 2 |
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – You can’t help but feel embarrassed to watch a modern country with a vast wealth of resources in the throes of a debate over whether women should have the right to drive.
You’ve gotta be kidding, right?
I mean how can the House of Saud possibly think it can minimize the rights of 50 percent of its population and still be taken seriously as a country that seeks to influence foreign policy in the region?
I’ve been spending a lot of time with our correspondent Caryle Murphy here on the road, driving around Riyadh and heading to Jeddah for a drive into the rugged Asir Province toward the border of Yemen.
In one meeting after the next, we come across men in starched white kaffiyeh who explain with a perfectly serious face the laughable position that their country is just “not yet ready” for women to drive. The ban is enforced by the government through a distorted interpretation of the Koran and backed up by a tribal culture that straddles a fine line between what some would call paternalism and others label misogyny.
I’ve been watching Caryle, an accomplished, award-winning journalist and author, sit across from these guys and patiently listen and even keep a straight face as they tell her this. Her professionalism is impressive. She works hard at being fair to all sides of an argument and I admire her for that. But the inability of these men to see how absurd this all is makes the whole country feel ultimately untenable, at least to this outsider. I’ve only made about a half-dozen trips to the kingdom over the last 20 years, but I’ve been here often enough to know how it can lull you into complacency and I am trying not to let that happen.
The heat is so sweltering in the Saudi summer that you end up in a sort of dreamy haze, nodding off here and there and zoning out and surprisingly accepting of all the absurdity of the place. This time, I constantly feel like I need another shot of espresso and a wakeup call to remind myself that I am visiting a country that is absolutely delusional if it thinks it can keep this ban in place.
The number of women who’ve answered the call on Twitter to get behind the wheel has been surprisingly small. Fewer than 100 women so far have publicly announced their Rosa Parks moment of driving in defiance of the religious authorities who uphold the ban and the police who seem to be looking the other way for the most part.
Caryle is an incredible reporter who has been tracking down these women and covering the story hard, but she herself refuses to drive out of the good old-fashioned instinct of a journalist to, as she put it, “cover the story, not become the story.” I admire the work ethic and the old-school standards, but I am secretly hoping that she will change her mind and just take the keys and show these men how to drive. | <urn:uuid:5b3518b1-5f94-457e-8753-b4b7a7e7ddaf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth/saudi-arabias-hazy-logic-female-drivers | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960959 | 618 | 1.679688 | 2 |
(1978, USA, TV)
In 1978, the double-whammy of box office hits, Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, had sparked a sci-fi explosion on TV. But while Star Wars directly inspired the galactic dogfights of Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, what could TV do with Close Encounters?
The answers lie in Project Blue Book, the USAF official catalogue of the investigation of UFO sightings in the USA, also the inspiration for many events in Close Encounters. In the first episode of Project U.F.O. ('The Washington DC Incident'), UFOs descend near a woman alone in a remote country house, buzz a guy stranded in his pick-up truck late at night, and get tracked by a roomful of air traffic controllers - all mirroring major scenes from Spielberg's film.
After a jumble of sightings, two officers from the Air Force investigate and question all the witnesses. Sergeant Fisk and Major Gatlin are very limited characters, often sounding like they're spouting official USAF documents. Having said that, fair-haired Caskey Swaim is still easy on the eye. The hook to the series was a weekly dose of UFO sightings and alien visitations. These are imaginatively done, albeit on a TV budget (the models look far too small to be anything else than plastic kits). The parade of different extra-terrestrials, usually a new race every week, are more interestingly realised.
The twist is that some of the sightings can be explained away, others cannot. Though if you rewind to the footage of the reported sightings and compare them with the explanations, they don't always match up. When The X Files began, I thought that, like Project U.F.O., at least a few of the cases Mulder and Scully investigated would turn out to be hoaxes or natural phenomenon, rather than them striking paranormal gold every single week.
For the time, Project U.F.O. was a visual effects-heavy TV show, and still provides plenty of retro eye-candy. Looking past the special effects to the original cases that are described could prove to be a little spooky, if you get into it. Nowadays, it's hard to enjoy because of the lack of engaging characters. The level of logic and science is partly aimed at children, or at least anyone who's never heard of electrical storms and the planet Venus. The show is also remarkably low on interesting or even recognisable guest stars, Leif Erickson (of the original Invaders From Mars) and Pamela Franklin (The Legend of Hell House) being rare exceptions.
It's a stretch to call Project U.F.O. a forerunner to The X Files as it's too light in tone, with such slim storylines, (The Night Stalker was much more of an influence). It was also a steep contrast from the aggressive aliens, imaginative action and tight special effects of Gerry Anderson's UFO of almost ten years earlier.
Both seasons of Project U.F.O. reappeared on UK's Sci-Fi Channel a few years ago, so the series is still out there, but has never appeared on DVD anywhere. 26 episodes in all, has anyone spotted them recently? Keep watching the airwaves!
Here's the opening of the first episode on YouTube... | <urn:uuid:835355a6-9951-4911-95c5-5ad192333562> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blackholereviews.blogspot.co.uk/2009_10_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955419 | 687 | 1.609375 | 2 |
Alfreda Howard has not received any gifts yet
Atheism do not believe in the existence of god, nor devil. It is the evolution of the secular world. With the purpose of exhibiting, good moral and ethics, with rationality ; without imaginer assistance from an unrealistic doctrine . Relying on self-confidence to achieve, instead of an so called god unreliability. We , the Affirmative Atheist analyzes life transgressions as part of evolution, rather then the devil is the source of life insubordination. Then take ever transgression as an learning experience ; and analyzing its occurrences. Our essentials to a way of life; are believing and caring for each other without guilt, rather then being not cared for; left in a lonely room waiting for god to come ; and aide to their loneliness. Other essentials are knowledge of love that dwells in oneself and towards the world in the creations on it , and all around it. We know by being the people of this magnificent world ; that there is Honor without Humility and Facts, not false faith.
Alfreda P. Howard
The Religious Disappointment
The Christian religion have been known to all ; as the most reliable and sensible worship in the world. People have relied on this god of the holy bible for their ups and downs of life turmoil . The Christian religion was brought to the world ; by an man who is thought to be the true son ,of an so called god . Once Herod and Pontius Pilate heard of a man claiming to be the coming of the messiah. They and the temple ; then seek to destroy this man ; because…Continue | <urn:uuid:228bc40c-e3d6-467d-b625-87e182891217> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/AlfredaHoward | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940698 | 333 | 1.765625 | 2 |
Nicknamed “The Mailman” in college because he always delivered, Karl Malone was not only one of the game’s great finishers in the open floor but also a polished offensive weapon in the half-court sets the Utah Jazz ran to perfection. John Stockton ran the point as the rugged Malone filled the lane or rolled to the basket. In fact, “Stockton to Malone” became the feared calling card of a devastating duo that produced nearly 1,000 wins with the same franchise and two trips to the NBA Finals. The 14-time All Star was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player twice in his career and also earned All-NBA First Team honors for an astounding eleven consecutive seasons starting in 1989. Malone scored 36,374 career points, second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the time of his enshrinement and scored 2,000 or more points a record twelve seasons, including eleven in a row. Malone won gold medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, the first coming as a member of the original Dream Team. | <urn:uuid:670d89c0-369f-4031-a8a2-103532e27fd4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/karl-malone | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970195 | 222 | 1.578125 | 2 |
However, many small "charitable" organizations never seek recognition as a nonprofit from their state or the federal government. The disadvantage to not becoming a registered nonprofit is that donors cannot take a tax deduction on their donations, and you cannot receive grants from foundations or corporations.
Becoming a 501(c)(3) organization is not for the faint of heart. It involves a lot of paperwork and some expense. Think carefully before you begin the arduous process of a becoming a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. If your purpose is simple and/or time limited, you may be able to accomplish your mission without tax-exempt status. | <urn:uuid:917245de-97ae-4f25-a479-1cc36ab323c5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://nonprofit.about.com/od/qathebasics/f/donothaveto.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957401 | 126 | 1.53125 | 2 |
World & Latin
VOICES Notes and news on World & Latin releases
11 MAY 10 JOHN C. BRUENING
Clovis People Vol. 3, Otis Taylor's new recording on Telarc, revisits songs from various points along his 10-year catalog and reinvents them with new arrangements. The set also includes a few previously unrecorded pieces. The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter borrowed the album title from the findings of a recent archeological dig near his property -- a cache of implements belonging to an ancient civilization known as the Clovis people, who briefly walked the earth some 13 millennia ago and then vanished.
The tracks uncover a range of incidents, emotional shades and profound moments for all to see. "Little Willy" is a fictional tale of a school shooting -- a song that Taylor wrote in the '90s, but shelved in the aftermath of Columbine. The deep groove of "Harry Turn The Music Up" plumbs his fond memories of the Denver Folklore Center, a favorite childhood hangout. "Think I Won't" captures a confrontation between a defiant African-American mother and a drug dealer in a schoolyard. Taylor explained, "There are some moms who'll kick your ass in a half-second if you threaten their children."
Clovis People Vol. 3 (there is no Vol. 1 or 2) is an archeological dig of a different kind. "I went back to musical past with these songs, all the way back to my first album," said Taylor. "I like finding different ways to retell old stories. They continue to mean something -- to me, to the people who hear them, to the musicians who pay with me -- many years after I first told them."
Otis Taylor, from Clovis People, Vol. 3
Hey Liza Jane
Otis Taylor, from Recapturing the Banjo
Country Girl Boy
Otis Taylor, from Pentatonic Wars and ...
in this playlist. | <urn:uuid:5b4f6acd-3fcc-4477-ac23-dbc157a39bf3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www2.concordmusicgroup.com/genres/world-latin/1170/otis-taylor-clovis-people-vol-3/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947073 | 412 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Joined: May 2002
Here is a fantastic recent example from your friend and mine, Jonathan Wells.
There You Go Again:
A Response to Kenneth R. Miller
April 9, 2002
The believers in Darwinian evolution who currently dominate our educational establishment think that all students--even those headed for careers in auto mechanics or real estate--should believe, as they do, that all of us are descended from ape-like creatures through genetic accidents and survival of the fittest.
Promoters of this doctrine have recently been urging the Ohio State School Board to adopt science standards that would require all high school graduates to memorize Darwinian theory without questioning it, and without being exposed to any of the mounting evidence against it. To help in this campaign, the promoters enlisted the support of Brown University biology professor Kenneth R. Miller, who represented them before the Board on March 11.
Miller is not a disinterested scientific expert. As the co-author of an introductory biology textbook that has been purchased for use in the Ohio public school system, he has a substantial personal stake in the controversy. In 2000, I published a book, Icons of Evolution, criticizing the way biology textbooks--including Miller’s--systematically distort the scientific evidence to provide support for Darwin’s theory. In his appearance before the Ohio State School Board, Miller attempted to respond to some of my criticisms.
In his eagerness to defend Darwinian orthodoxy, however, Miller bungled the attempt.
It takes a rather amazing amount of gall for Wells to accuse Ken Miller of not being a "disinterested scientific expert" because of Miller's interest in his textbook, when Wells obviously has (at the very least) a similar level of interest in his own book Icons.
Also interesting in the above quote is how Wells appears to (now) be denying the common descent of humans and apes, whereas if you read Icons of Evolution carefully one finds quotes like (paraphrase) "it is clear that the human species has a history". AFAICT Wells actually does believe in some kind of guided evolution (i.e. he disagrees only with the "genetic accidents and survival of the fittest" bit), that's probably what he would say about the first sentence if pressed, but it is interesting how he managed not to distinguish his view from the special creationist view.
Returning to the fold under pressure, perhaps... | <urn:uuid:06b58751-e4a8-4f9e-89df-37bda8ffa9f1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.antievolution.org/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?s=50a3a5d3b76c50c4;act=ST;f=9;t=713;st=0 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954867 | 491 | 1.828125 | 2 |
Professional Liability Insurance (PLI), also called Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) or Errors and Omissions (E&O), is a form of liability insurance that helps protect professional advice- and service-providing individuals and companies from bearing the full cost of defending against a negligence claim made by a client, and damages awarded in such a civil lawsuit. The coverage focuses on alleged failure to perform on the part of, financial loss caused by, and error or omission in the service or product sold by the policyholder. These are potential causes for legal action that would not be covered by a more general liability insurance policy, which addresses more direct forms of harm.
Professional Liability coverage sometimes also provides for the defense costs, including when legal action turns out to be groundless. Coverage does not include criminal prosecution, nor a wide range of potential liabilities under civil law that are not enumerated in the policy, but which may be subject to other forms of insurance. Professional liability insurance is required by law in some areas for certain kinds of professional practice (especially medical and legal), and is also sometimes required under contract by other businesses that are the beneficiaries of the advice or service.
Locate a Pearl Sales Representative
Risk Management Material
Why Become a Customer?
Become a Real Estate Professional Liability Pearl Agent | <urn:uuid:4429577f-9be7-40fa-ab7d-7d36732ea1b8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://pearlinsurance.com/Business-Insurance/Professional-Liability-Insurance | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960002 | 267 | 1.773438 | 2 |
July 17, 2012 3:00 AM | Staff
After nearly five years of development and plenty of major changes along the way, it's safe to say that Polytron's Fez has quite a storied history. It all began with a very small team -- just one designer and one programmer -- but eventually became one of the most anticipated indie games of all time.
Just ahead of the game's debut in April, programmer Renaud Bedard offered a behind the scenes look at Fez's creation in a technical postmortem at GDC 2012, where he showcased the techniques he used and the lessons he learned while creating the mind-bending platformer.
Now, that session is available (above) as a free video, courtesy of the GDC Vault. It's a detailed, comprehensive talk that examines not only the programming techniques that powered Fez, but also the dynamic between Bedard and designer Phil Fish.
During development, Fish dictated the game's design, while Bedard implemented his ideas. Of course, that's not to say Bedard was just taking orders. As the game's programmer, he had to decide what was worth implementing and what didn't make sense. Fez might have been borne of Fish's imagination, but Bedard had to call some of the shots to make sure the game actually came together.
"As a programmer you know what's possible," he said. "At one point, Phil said, 'I think it'd be really cool if [the character] was built in animated trixels,' and I had to be the one to say, 'I just don't think that's worth the time.'
"You can always say no [to a designer], but you can't just say, 'No, I don't feel like doing this.' It's a discussion, and in this case, Fez is Phil's game... But at the same time he had to recognize my limits so we could make the game together."
For Bedard's full breakdown of how Fez actually came to be, simply click the Play button above to start the video.
About the GDC Vault
In addition to all of this free content, the GDC Vault also offers more than 300 additional lecture videos and hundreds of slide collections from GDC 2012 for GDC Vault subscribers. GDC 2012 All Access pass holders already have full access to GDC Vault, and interested parties can apply for the individual subscription Beta via a GDC Vault inquiry form.
Group subscriptions are also available: game-related schools and development studios who sign up for GDC Vault Studio Subscriptions can receive access for their entire office or company. More information on this option is available via an online demonstration, and interested parties can send an email to Gillian Crowley. In addition, current subscribers with access issues can contact GDC Vault admins.
Be sure to keep an eye on GDC Vault for even more free content, as GDC organizers will also archive videos, audio, and slides from upcoming 2012 events like GDC Europe, GDC Online, and GDC China. To stay abreast of all the latest updates to GDC Vault, be sure to check out the news feed on the official GDC website, or subscribe to updates via Twitter, Facebook, or RSS. GDC and the GDC Vault are owned and operated by Gamasutra parent company UBM Technology.
[This article originally appeared on Gamasutra.] | <urn:uuid:4115c356-d149-4c00-8d83-2652709c82b5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://indiegames.com/2012/07/video_cubes_all_the_way_down_f.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959522 | 701 | 1.75 | 2 |
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There are several Bald Eagles that are regular visitors at Oaks Bottom. While they follow migrating fish and therefore they may not be in the area all the time, it does pay to keep your eyes open and check the area regularly.
The trees along the steep slope on the east side of the wetlands are a favorite location. Try looking in the trees along SE Sellwood Blvd. along the hill, and the more dense the vegetation the more likely you are to find them.
They also really like the trees on Ross Island, on the other side of the channel from the bike path along the river.
They also like the trees near the bike path itself, but finding them means really looking hard in the tops of the trees.
Photo 1 Shows a Bald Eagle in a Tree along Sellwood Blvd.
Photo 2 shows the same eagle, only zoomed out. This is what you would see from street level, and it is easy to see why people walk by these eagles all the time and not actually "see" them.
Written Sep 1, 2010
Several years ago, students at Llewellyn Elementary School in Sellwood created various works of art to decorate the fence at their school. This resulted in the eccentric fence along SE 14th seen in the photos here.
The fence is located on the west side of 14th Avenue and runs from about halfway between Tolman Street and Henry Street to the intersection with Duke Street.
It is a creative way of creating some color in an otherwise rather drab school grounds.
Written Aug 11, 2009
Having been constructed in 1851, this little church is one of the last remaining buldings in Portland from the early days of the region. It began life in Milwaukie, was moved several times, and finally ended up in Sellwood to begin a new life, and it is now one of the most popular places in Portland to have a wedding.
The structure is not large, and a number of the historic features inside were actually donated by the community after a large number of people donated money to save it from demolition in 1961. A more extensive history is located on the church web site, below.
The church sits on city park land, but is operated by the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League.
This photo shows the church at sunset on February 13, 2009.
Address: 8210 S.E. 13th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202
Updated Jul 10, 2009
Phone: (503) 233-1497
Oaks Bottom is a city owned park that has been set aside as a wildlife refuge, and the wetlands here attracts a number of birds, including great blue heron, an assortment of ducks (which change with the season and migration patterns) and the occasional bald eagle.
Many years ago, the Portland Memorial Funeral Home and Mausoleum that overlooks this refuge decided to add to the spirit of their location and painted a large mural of a great blue heron on the side of their building.
In late 2008 and early 2009, much of the rest of the building has now been painted with various other wildlife, eventually covering much of the utilitarian building.
Last of all, in June of 2009, the faded Great Blue Heron mural has now been repainted, and now stands as proud as it once did, next to its companion murals.
Updated Jul 9, 2009
Located on land that was once the city of Portland's first municipal airport, the park contains a number of popular attractions. It is a common place for a number of birds to winter (Canada geese and a few widgeons or other water birds like the pond here). There is also a playground, and several sports fields that are very popular with local sports clubs (mostly soccer and baseball, but the Portland lawn bowling association is here as well).
One large feature of the park is the casting pond. This is supposed to be a place for fishermen to practice their aim and throw with their fishing line and lures. However, the pond seems to be reguarly emptied. The casting pond has also been the home of the Rose Festival Milk Carton Boat Races, during those years that they were held.
The park is located south of Bybee, north of Tacoma, west of highway 99E and east of 21st Avenue.
Written Mar 5, 2009
Several Portland neighborhoods now feature artfully decorated street intersections.
Share-It Square was the first, and it didn't come without a fight.
This intersection is in a hidden, low traffic area of the Sellwood neighborhood on SE 9th and Sherrett (pronounced "Share-It"). Facilities were constructed near the sidewalk: a public children's play house, a public "T Station", a book sharing cabinet, a writing board for sharing thoughts with the neighborhood, and some public benches.
Rounding out the intersection are colorful street decorations and ribbons tied to various objects.
This was too eccentric for the city government, who felt that this interfered with the public right of way and wanted all of the city blocks to look the same. After a fight with the city, and passive resistance on the part of those told to demolish it, the square survives.
Indeed, it led to a special permit system in place for those who want to add similar spaces to their neighborhood intersections anywhere in the city of Portland.
If you want to give things away free of charge, why should you have to go all the way to the store to give them away?
Written Sep 17, 2007
The nearby Willamette River section of the Springwater Trail is a very popular place for bicycle riding. However, many of them go blasting right past this little park without ever stopping to enjoy it. For commuters that are in a big rush that isn't a problem, but for those unfamiliar with the area, it is good to know this park is here: this is the only public bathroom and drinking fountain facility along the trail between the Hawthorne Bridge and the Johnson Creek Blvd. trailhead.
It is also a useful parking area for those who wish to drive this far and then ride their bikes into downtown or otherwise use the Springwater Trail. Most of the other parking areas along this bike trail are quite small compared to what is available here.
The park also features several picnic tables overlooking the river, a public dock for those wishing to stop their boats here and come ashore for whatever reason, a large grass area that is a designated off-leash pet area, and a small wilderness wetlands area.
Written Sep 16, 2007 | <urn:uuid:a027a60e-508e-478e-a671-b98924288f71> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Oregon/Sellwood-853232/Off_the_Beaten_Path-Sellwood-TG-C-1.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00028-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975604 | 1,351 | 1.65625 | 2 |
I am floating in the underbelly of the city, the same way the summer my son was an infant, walking along the lake with him strapped to my body at dawn, I’d feel as if I were moving through the underbelly of the day. On this boat I take to work, floating under bridges and taking in new angles and facades of buildings, this city feels unfamiliar. It’s like looking into a face you’ve known for a long time and seeing an entirely new quality of beauty.
I used to envy friends who were able to walk only steps from the train to their buildings but now I realize that I am the lucky one. After a thirty-minute train ride on which I review for the writing class I’ll teach later in the morning, I arrive in the city, walk a few steps, and my boat is usually waiting for me. I step off the pier at Wacker and down a few steps into the yellow boat. I usually sit uncovered on a bench in the back. Some mornings I’ll commune with the red steel bridges that we pass between Madison (1922), and the Michigan Avenue Bridge (1920). Other times it will be the glass facades of the newer buildings next to the old stone and turrets of the Crain Communications Building and the Wrigley Building. If the boat didn’t hit the cement at Michigan Avenue to disembark, I’d probably drift away with my thoughts all morning.
I have always lived within walking (or running) distance from Lake Michigan, have come to know her moods and vicissitudes, to acknowledge the seasons through her shades of blue, green or gray. But the river and I have been casual acquaintances—until I started teaching at the Gleacher Center, along the main bank between Michigan and Columbus. I’ve admired the way the sun glistens on the ripples of waves, but I haven’t seen or thought much about what lives beneath the river’s surface—until today.
Beyond the surface there are fish, and an undercurrent that moves water back towards the lake. Once the Chicago River flowed into Lake Michigan. But as “the stinky river” got more and more polluted, the water was redirected toward the Mississippi. In 1900 the Sanitary District reversed the flow into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to avoid polluting the lake with river waste.
The river is by no means pristine, but especially on the North Branch people continue to catch fish and crew teams continue to row. There are smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish and carp. There is not much fishing on the South Branch, once the sewer for the stockyards, and where barges still travel. The jury is still out on just how toxic the river continues to be. Scientists at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago just completed a large study and found that canoeing, kayaking or catching a random splash of water on the river is no more risky than doing the same activities on “cleaner” area rivers or lakes. The Federal EPA would like the water to be clean enough to swim in but the Water Reclamation District, which maintains the water’s standards, says it would cost a billion dollars to do so. And that has never been the purpose of the river. The river moves people and barges and was built to keep waste out of Lake Michigan where we can still swim.
Still the river has come a long way from those days, from “the sluggish brown stream” the poet Edward Hirsch describes in his poem “Family Stories” where the river is a central character in his saga of Chicago history, the river that still flowed into the lake.
Water service was born in 1962 when the Wendella Sightseeing Co. started a rush-hour commuter service between Michigan Avenue and the Northwestern Railroad Station. Since then, the RiverBus, as it was known for a while, now Chicago Water Taxi, has safely carried an estimated four-million rail commuters. In 2006, the water taxi documented more than 19,000 departures.
The Chicago Water Taxi operates on a closed-loop route shuttling passengers between Madison Street and Chinatown on the South Branch and LaSalle Street and Michigan Avenue on the Main Stem for a $2 fare. During the summer and early fall, the boats depart and arrive from seven in the morning until seven at night. Historically, the boats stop in October with the first chill of autumn; now they’ll run into December.
Monday early October
The river can be just as moody as the lake. The temperature outside plunged to the middle forties, hats covering the heads of children off of school, the water seems darker and full of movement from the first winds of autumn. As I wait on the riverbank bench between Michigan and Wabash, I absorb, as if for the first time, modern office buildings with tinted glass windows, the old stone of Chicago’s golden domes, the filigree of iron on the Chicago Avenue bridge.
I sit inside on the way to class and notice the loafers of a gentleman who’s been on the same taxi as me the last two trips. I remember when one of his buddies, who’d been complaining about the discomfort of his own new shoes, had commented to his friend about how much more comfortable his shoes looked. These are the Monday morning boat buddies—nine o’clock shift.
On the way back I brave the elements and sit outside, although the wind stings my fingers. Kids climb all over, expressing the enthusiasm that I still feel about this ride but that I think my fellow passengers either lack or conceal.
Sailing to and from class makes me feel like a traveler in a foreign country. My brown backpack filled with books at my side, my eye alert to the passing terrain, I am on the outside, watching the city I once thought I knew, as it becomes unexplored territory.
When I’ve spoken to married women who find they have crushes on other men, the most common explanation is the desire to return to the thrill of discovering someone for the first time, to open a new book and begin with the first sentence—and to be looked at that closely as well. Is the river discovering me as I newly discover it?
I can’t help but notice the fumes, the sludge, the smell of sewer. My father, a biochemical engineer for the Sanitary District, spent part of his career in water reclamation, trying to clean this up. It is still a glorious day, the river glistening with autumn light, green waters, blue skies. Especially on the water, there is still a chill in the air, mostly under bridges, shielded from the sun. Other times we are between buildings protected from everything but wind and water.
The woman who opens and closes the gate to the water taxi has a nametag that says Michelle. I want to know what she sees as she looks out at the water all day from the bridge at Madison to the bridge over Michigan—but to speak would make me conspicuous when all I want to do is blend into the water and observe.
Today I am struck by the façade of the Civic Opera House, and how one sees a city differently from the angle of water. I sat inside that building, listening to opera with my husband when I was pregnant with our daughter, and I admired the grandeur of the chandeliers, red carpets, nineteenth-century opulence. But the Latin letters engraved on the outside speak of a more profound history. As I study the opera house from the vantage point of river, I remember how this summer, floating along the Seine, I understood Paris better by seeing her contained by water. Inside the Louvre I felt lost, looking first for Mona Lisa’s smile, but from the outside I saw it all, the sprawling expanse, and I understood, in a more concrete way, how central it is to the city and the world. But by seeing Chicago from the river, it is neither more or less. It is simply different, older, unpeopled.
Thus far the water taxi has shown its devotion by always being there when I step off the 8:18 train from Evanston. Today I thought I’d test the waters by taking the 8:40 Metra from Main Street, arriving in Chicago twenty minutes later than usual. I wonder if on this shift I’ll discover any familiar faces on the train ride down, someone to complain to about the damp day, my virus, my husband away at a conference and me having to drive the 7am carpool shift.
I find no friend but gaze idly out the window, having planned my class in advance. I am greeted not by sludge at the river, but by debris I’d never noticed before, just below the Madison Street Bridge: beer cans, paper, cups left over from the weekend’s festivities. When the water taxi arrives after a short wait, I realize it is the friend I had craved. Dressed in orange lights, a carved pumpkin is on the inside door seat where I sit today to avoid the wet from an early morning drizzle.
This little crush I have on the water taxi has the potential to sail into a full-blown love affair. But of course he is married to the river and I to my dear husband.
But I miss him on days that I drive and I’m already trying to figure out how to extend our relationship beyond the term’s end or the river’s end. My mandatory morning commutes will end by late November, but the taxi keeps running through December. Suddenly I want to know everything about it, to see him through all seasons, with Christmas trimmings and even what happens when the water begins to freeze.
In writing class, when we try to find a nice way to describe what isn’t working in someone’s essay, I say I feel like I am floating from graph to graph but not getting anywhere. The boat and river remain with me while I teach. The longing I feel on the train or when walking alone through the city fades. I am swept up in the words of my students, the workshop process and the larger contexts we need to tap into to make our writing better. Their essays are small windows into their lives. I begin to see them more and more as individuals. Yet the way they suffer is universal. We are buoyed by the way words connect us to each other’s lives.
Things are getting serious. Instead of stopping for my usual salad bar after class at the Riverwalk Café, I go straight out to the water. Of course I’m not as hungry because of my virus, but part of me just wants to keep floating. Not to stay put.
On the way back to Madison Avenue I return to the inside cabin, next to the pumpkin. They turned the heat on so it is cozy and warm. I can’t see the water, only the tops of bridges, the upper halves of buildings: Chicago Sun-Times, glass, steel and stone.
I’m part of the early morning rush hour, waiting for the Metra. It is normal commuting time for most, including two acquaintances who are distressed by an apparent delay. We are waiting for the 7:50 train that the announcer says will be fifteen minutes late. One gentleman says now we’ll have to ride with the eight o’clock riffraff. When I confess I’m usually an 8:22 commuter he says, only half joking, that I am really riffraff. One woman is concerned she’ll be late for her 8:30 meeting. I, on the other hand, am calm, knowing the taxi will be there whenever I arrive.
This throng of people is both unpleasant and unfamiliar to me. It makes me feel lonelier. The delay they keep referring to is because of the weather but the weather is light rain. This same light rain caused me to get on the early train instead of walking to the local café to prepare for class. I thought that maybe the thing I’m really looking for could be found on an earlier train that leaves at the right hour.
What I find when I get downtown is the rush-hour water taxi. It is a larger boat with a long bench in the center covered with clear plastic.
The rain is just petering off and yet the water is still choppy. At first I sit uncovered, hoping to commune with the river, but the bench is wet so I move inside and gaze into the bridge at Lake Street realizing there is a track on top of it, as a train passes by: the double-decker bridge.
There is no one to talk to in the morning. This makes me lonelier than when I am by myself in a large house. In the world, the thing I’m looking for may be there but isn’t.
At home I already know that all I have, sometimes, is myself. The thing I’m looking for is something to remind me that I’m alive. The thing I’ve dressed for, that can look back at me with admiring eyes, notice the turquoise of my new blouse, the way it brings out my eyes, the color my family looks past as they rush out the door—uncharacteristically without me. (My husband does Monday morning carpool—both shifts.)
As we float toward Michigan Avenue, the sky begins to clear but the boat driver points out the darker clouds on the horizon. I realize today, traveling among the rush-hour crowd of commuters, that the water taxi is not just for those with the luxury to drift to work unhurried or for shoppers or tourists, but is for everyone.
The boat driver who I thought understood something more about the sky than I do, was wrong. The dark clouds of morning have passed and during my much-less-populated trip back, a taxi is waiting and three of us head back toward Madison under sunny skies. I sit outside, notice the autumn leaves in the water and the sign that says Do Not Anchor Under Bridge.
When I get off the boat, too early for the train, yet not enough time to really get anywhere, I realize that I am unhinged.
Among this healthy amount of floaters on this warm Monday morning 8:50 shift, is the guy with the loafers, still shiny, the blonde woman who likes to sit outside on the deck and other now-familiar faces. I’ve become intimate enough with the taxi to notice the not-so-subtle changes: it is not even Thanksgiving and he is all lit up for Christmas. This trip is familiar enough now that I almost consider reading, until the Wells Street Bridge that I somehow never noticed before stops me when I see that it, too, is double-decked and bascule, a drawbridge. When I get to Rush Street, the stop for Michigan Avenue, there is a sign confirming what I’ve feared most. Our ride is over. Due to construction, this will be the last week that this stop is available.
Sometimes a clean break is necessary. I thought we’d sail through December but in some ways that just draws out the agony of our inevitable departure from one another.
The truth is, the taxi lulling me to class these mornings has reminded me how to live again, in the underbelly of the day. The infant who I carried along the lake during the wee hours of his life, who reminded me to rise with the sun, is in third grade, carrying his own pack on his back. Since then I’ve gotten lost in the rhythms of what distracts from rather than what gives life to the day. This floating before the day officially begins reminded me how the long pause, the looking out into water, taking time to see from a new angle whether it be lake or river, land or bridge, whether the water is flowing east or west, is what I need to keep; to take a deep breath before the day begins.
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You must be logged in to post a comment. | <urn:uuid:64d9fa79-1e98-45cc-8ea7-9674f602bd5e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://newcity.com/2010/12/15/romancing-the-river-falling-in-love-with-the-underbelly-of-the-city-from-the-water-taxi/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962155 | 3,386 | 1.554688 | 2 |
Rebuilding Together Seattle Programs
Spring Rebuilding Day (National Rebuilding Day)
Rebuilding Together Seattle's largest program event is Spring Rebuilding Day, also know as National Rebuilding Day. Every year, on the last Saturday in April, Rebuilding Together Seattle partners with corporate sponsors and over 1,500 volunteers to repair 25 homes in one day. Approximately 4,000 homes are restored across the nation.
Team Build Program
The RTS Team Build program refers to group rebuilding day events that take place throughout the year, outside of Spring Rebuilding Day. Team Builds are carried out by community sponsors and volunteers and require funding to cover the costs associated with the rebuilding day.
Safe at Home Program
In the Fall of 2010, Rebuilding Together Seattle launched a new program to address homeowners' repair needs year-round. The Safe at Home program (formerly Year-Round Program) is volunteer-driven and achieved by individuals or small groups of volunteers. Typically, Safe at Home projects consist of safety-related repairs that often require skilled volunteers (carpentry, electric, plumbing, etc).
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
We partnered with Lowe’s and Carter’s Kids on August 28th and 29th to revitalize the South Beacon Hill neighborhood. This was one of seven community revitalization projects of the year that Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s and Carter’s Kids are hosting across the country in an effort to promote and sustain affordable, safe housing and healthier communities for youth.
More than 100 volunteers from around the region volunteered their time and skills during the two day event. The critical repair work benefited five local families and included replacing plumbing, roof work, repairing exterior and interior walls and updating utilities. All of the renovations completed provided the families with a higher quality of life and will allow them to remain in their homes longer. Volunteers delivered 100 weatherization kits to local area residents as well and provided their expertise on how to make simple updates at home that save money and energy.
In addition, through the support of Seattle Public Schools, we partnered with Carter’s Kids, a non-profit started by Carter Oosterhouse of HGTV to build a brand new playground to benefit the pre-school children at Tiny Tots Development Center and the entire South Beacon Hill community.
Alma, one of the program recipients, said, "Thank you so much for the time, energy, and care you shared with me and my children. The projects you all did increased both the beauty and safety of our home. All of the improvements were such a blessing and they were things that I would not be able to afford to do any time soon. Also, the time my children and I were able to spend as a family working on our home together with the volunteers was priceless. THANK YOU!"
Tiny Tots Development Center shared this story with us after the playground was built: "One of our students came running in last week, very excited about the new playground. He told his mother, "Mom, I had so much fun on the new playground at Tiny Tots, can I come every day and play?" | <urn:uuid:f673d127-d197-401d-bb01-1bdaf4c63a30> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.seattlefoundation.org/npos/Pages/RebuildingTogetherSeattle.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96815 | 637 | 1.546875 | 2 |
You can complete the enrol online form to enrol or to get back on the electoral roll, then print, sign and return the form to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
By completing the one form, you will be enrolled to vote in federal, state/territory and local government elections.
Choose the Click to access button below to get started.
Not sure if you're enrolled to vote? Check your enrolment online.
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It is compulsory for all eligible Australian citizens to enrol to vote. You are eligible to enrol and vote if you are:
- an Australian citizen, or a British subject who was enrolled on 25 January 1984
- 18 years or older, and
- have lived at your address for at least one month.
You can enrol at 16 years but cannot vote until you are 18.
What is needed to use this service?
To enrol, you need to show evidence of your identity by:
- providing your driver's licence number, or
- providing your Australian passport number, or
- having your identity confirmed by a person who is on the electoral roll. | <urn:uuid:640ed8a4-a1e7-4ffb-82ea-62c3e54ac638> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://australia.gov.au/service/electoral-enrolment | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941391 | 246 | 1.78125 | 2 |
As the UK's principle specialist wine retailer, we take responsible retailing of alcohol very seriously. We are committed to maximising alcohol awareness for the benefit of our customers and our employees.
How much is too much?
The government advises that people should not regularly drink more than their daily unit guidelines:
Men: 3-4 units of alcohol
Women: 2-3 units of alcohol
This advice applies regardless of how often you drink alcohol; you shouldn't interpret the guidance as allowing you to "save up" your units so you can drink them all on a Friday night.
What is a unit?
The size and strength of your drink will determine the number of units it contains. It's not quite as simple as one drink, one unit - a glass of wine can range between just over one unit and more than three units depending on the size of the glass and type of wine.
Remember, when you're drinking at home, you tend to pour measures that are larger than you get in your local.
Alcohol and the law
The law on alcohol covers such areas as underage drinking, drink driving and drinking in public places. The full facts can be found on the DrinkAware website.
Find out more
Effects of Alcohol
On the DrinkAware website you'll find useful clinically approved facts and information about the effects of alcohol on your life and lifestyle designed to help you make positive decisions about your drinking.
- We do not sell alcohol to anyone that we believe to be intoxicated.
- We operate a Challenge 25 policy in our stores and on delivered sales, always asking for a recognised form of ID when we have reason to believe that the customer or person receiving goods may be under the age of 25.
- We do not sell alcohol to customers whom we suspect of passing alcohol to under 18s.
- We do not offer any incentives to our customers to drink irresponsibly.
- We support the Portman Group's Code of Practice regarding the responsible naming, packaging and promotion of alcoholic drinks.
- Our staff have easy access to information about alcohol by volume (ABV) and alcohol units, for customers' benefit as well as their own.
- The ABV of every alcoholic product we sell can be found in our seasonal magazine, Grape to Glass, as well as on our website and in store.
- Water or soft drinks are always available free of charge at any of our tastings.
- We encourage our customers to use spitoons during store tastings, both through clear signage at our 'Tasting Counters' and through staff example.
Leading Industry Standards
- We believe that our industry can and should work together to promote the responsible enjoyment of alcohol and that collectively, we can positively change the nation's relationship with alcohol.
- We are an active member of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. Our Chief Executive, Steve Lewis, is an active member of the WSTA board.
- We are a Gold Corporate Sponsor of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the educating body for the wine and spirits trade.
- Every year, we sponsor the large majority of new staff through the WSET Advanced Certificate. The examination for this always covers course content on the principles of alcohol and social responsibility.
- We are a major supporter and funder of the Drinkaware trust, an independent, public-facing body with the objective of changing the UK's drinking habits for the better.
- We offer our retail customers a free in-store introduction to wine (The Wine Course), which teaches responsible tasting and enjoyment of wine, plus the correct use of spitoons. | <urn:uuid:bc77ebd2-d88b-4a02-9882-c0b4276d5218> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.majestic.co.uk/About/Responsibility | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947379 | 741 | 1.71875 | 2 |
They aren’t exactly fleeing like lemmings, but it’s safe to say many business users are less than thrilled with Microsoft’s latest operating system, Vista. While nine out of 10 computers in the world are PC’s running on Windows, the latest numbers show a steady trickle of users abandoning Microsoft-based PCs in favor of either Apple’s Macintosh or a Linux-based PC.
“Last week, I got the blue screen of death again and I swear that it’s the last time I’m reinstalling Windows. I expect it will take about three years, but I’m converting my office over to Macs,” says Reuben Swartz, founder and president of Mimiran, a software company that specializes in pricing analytics based in Austin, Texas.
In a Net Applications survey released in June, Macs hit a record 7.8 percent of the total operating system market share, up 5.69 percent in just one month. At the same time Microsoft has hit an all time low dropping a half of a percent to 91.17 percent. This may not seem like a big deal given Microsoft’s continued overwhelming dominance. But consider this: just five years ago Microsoft held just under 98 percent of the operating system market share, while Apple’s Macintosh bumped along at a measly 1.43 percent according to OneStat.com.
How feasible to make the transition
The question is, for small business owners like Swartz, just how feasible is it to make such a huge transition in technology and what steps would a company take in implementing such a commitment?
“Apple’s backend systems aren’t anywhere near Microsoft, so large businesses won’t be going to Macs anytime soon. But smaller businesses don’t have that problem. I haven’t had a lot of customers converting over, but I’ve had some. All of them were businesses with ten computers or less,” says Josh Kaplan, president of Rescuecom, a nationwide IT consulting firm based in Syracuse, N.Y.
Kaplan offers the following tips to get the ball rolling:
- Take an inventory of all the applications currently in use. Make a list of which ones are compatible with both Windows and Macs. In all likelihood, businesses will need to pay for an additional operating system license to run Windows on top of the Mac O/S. “It’s more expensive. But, you can have the best of both worlds. Companies that do a lot of file sharing are most likely to have conflicts,” says Kaplan.
- Plan on an incremental roll-out. Most companies don’t have the luxury, or the capital, to convert their entire system over at once. More likely a switch over to Macs will come incrementally, as Swartz is planning to do replacing the twelve PCs in his office with Macs one at a time as they need to be retired. “In terms of the network, there’s no problem with a mixed environment,” says Kaplan.
- Computers first, servers last. Integrating Macs on a Windows-based backend isn’t difficult. The same is not true the other way around. Kaplan warns his clients to change over to Mac servers last, switching over PC’s and laptops first.
- Budget heavy duty IT support in the beginning. There will be glitches. That’s the one thing you can always count on when dealing with any kind of technology. Businesses planning on making a commitment to such a transition need to also make a commitment to not only additional IT support, but IT support that’s harder to find. It’s going to require support that is trained in both the Microsoft and Mac environment.
- Plan on a learning curve. Given that nine out of 10 computers in the world currently run on Windows, it stands to reason nine out of 10 employees are trained accordingly. “To switch over because you hear Macs are easier may be true. But if your staff is used to a Windows world, they still have to relearn everything,” Kaplan says. “The Mac will be counter intuitive for awhile. It’s something you’re likely going to deal with every time you make a new hire, as well.”
- Factor in maintenance and replacement parts. In addition to the added expense of more specialized IT help, hardware is going to cost more as well. “Warranty wise, parts are easier and faster to replace on a PC. With Apple products, only Apple can fix its own products,” Kaplan says.
Weighing the pros and cons
Capital costs, retraining, a lengthy rollout process, possible compatibility issues — it’s easy to see why nine out of 10 users are still sticking with Microsoft. Making the switch is clearly a big commitment and, perhaps, just too intimidating for most companies.
However, the computing landscape is undergoing dramatic changes these days that some would say is setting up a perfect storm of factors to ease those anxieties over switching platforms.
- The move towards Web-based computing. Less work is happening on the desktop and more of it’s happening online. “Most of our core business applications run on the cloud,” says Swartz. Cloud computing is a euphemism for running applications off of a patchwork network of up to thousands of computers and servers on the Internet.
- Apple is going after business users. Historically, Apple has settled for its niche customer base of consumers and mostly creative types in the business world; like graphic designers, for example. However now emboldened with a Windows version that runs on Mac and this summer’s release of the latest version of the iPhone that touts compatibility with Microsoft Exchange and Office and tools for IT departments to use their own custom applications, Apple has made it clear that it means to do a better job of accommodating business users.
- Windows Vista is a flop. Microsoft would argue this point. But as of June 2008 and 18 months after its release, two separate surveys of IT decision-makers, one put out by Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. and the other by Computer Economics, both show that most companies ranging from small companies to the enterprise level have still not adopted Vista and have no plans to do so in 2008. “I loaded it on one of my desktops and just wasn’t impressed. Still, I offered it to my other employees who might want to upgrade. No one wanted it. I don’t know why I keep having to buy these faster and faster computers that just run slower and slower,” says Swartz.
Of course, there is a third option out there: Linux-based operating systems. But that’s a story for another day and one sending a chill down the spines of both Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Apple CEO Steve Jobs. | <urn:uuid:d7a73c5e-2b62-4b16-add6-100ba22651c9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://technology.inc.com/2008/07/01/how-to-make-the-switch-to-mac/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944797 | 1,441 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Most people have had some exposure to the principles behind the law of attraction, but many people still struggle with it. What I have found as a common problem is that people just don’t believe that what they desire will come to them. Instead of looking at why that is so, let’s look at what can be done about it!
1. See it: If you can imagine it to be true, it can be! The first step to creating anything (or aligning to anything) is deciding what your desire is, being specific. If you are unclear as to what you want, your focus to connecting to the desire will be unclear as well. The next step is to imagine your desire because all creations first come from an idea of it…if you can’t imagine something that you desire, you will have difficulty connecting to it! But sometimes our beliefs and past experiences work against our optimism, don’t they? Certainly. So seeing the desire, or imagining it can be a challenge. This is one reason why people find meditation very helpful with capturing their desires…because meditation puts you into a space where your thoughts are clearer and seeing yourself in the experience of your desire is easier. Hypnotherapy works in a similar fashion. (It is also a good idea, when imagining your desires to keep them realistic, at least at first. If you imagine becoming a millionaire, there’s a good chance that most of your consciousness is not connected to the potential of that just “happening”, so go a little farther than your comfort level, but not too far.)
But what if you find that you are unable to meditate or do hypnosis? You can start to clear your thoughts by writing down what is in your head! Start a journal to empty out the clutter and write it in daily. Do a “dream board” where you post pictures of your desires and place it where you see it often. This will remind your brain of your desires and help you remember where to put your focus. Write out affirmative statements and post them around your house (or even in your car). And take 5 minutes a few times a day to sit and just imagine being in the experience of your desire. If you desire a promotion at work, see yourself going to work, doing your duties and having your boss approach you about the promotion. Include what you would like to hear your boss say to you and imagine how you would feel as you listen. Connect to it!
2. Be it: If you are allowing yourself to imagine your desire, you will begin to act more in accordance to it! Bringing your focus to your desire and the potential of experiencing it instead of the doubt or problems around it will help you pay attention to opportunities that come that support your desire as well as help you take whatever action that might be required. Let’s face it, the law of attraction says that you align to specific experiences based on your thoughts, etc. What it does NOT say is that you can sit at home on your couch and have what you want magically appear on your doorstep. You might actually have to get out and participate in things that support your desires to put yourself in the “right place, right time” for them! The “be it” step puts more energy behind your desires, which helps create them!
3. Believe it: If your thoughts are focused on the opportunities, and you are acting in accordance with your desires, the rest of you will start to resonate with the desires as well! You do not have to “believe it” when you first have the idea, decide on the desire or even act in accordance to it, because those steps will help you believe it! Sure, it is easier to do steps 1 & 2 if you already believe your desires to be in reach, but you probably wouldn’t really need those steps then, would you? If you truly believed it now, you probably would already have what you want!
So, go ahead and map out your desires, and take note of how much resistance you feel when you are deciding what you want…if you have a lot of resistance, you might want to knock it down a notch to start, until you open up to being able to accept that what you want is really possible, that you deserve it, and it will happen! Happy mapping!
Ethereal Clearing is a program that teaches you how to clear out the unconscious resistance so that your consciousness is able to flow with more joy… go to: www.etherealclearing.com for more information! | <urn:uuid:b0cb6267-7822-4ef5-b1e5-ea7a344977a9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.jennifertavana.com/256/see-it-be-it-believe-it/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967273 | 944 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Britain has its political tossers, too, and not surprisingly they are to be found in the Labour Party.
Their ranks include one Paul Flynn, who has outraged Alf on two fronts – on the matter of the monarchy and on the matter of gay marriage.
Alf is thoroughly in favour of the former and hostile towards the latter.
But that’s just to state where he stands before he proceeds to examine the wildly woolly-woofter thinking of the aforementioned Paul Flynn.
This Pommy MP (as you can see here) wants to change the law of royal succession so the monarch could have a gay partner.
Just imagine a pair of poofs standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, waving to the throng below as our – well, as our Queen and his Queen.
Or their female equivalents.
Newport West’s Paul Flynn says the change is needed in case Prince William’s son or daughter falls in love with someone of the same sex.
So he has tabled an amendment to Deputy PM Nick Clegg’s Succession to the Crown Bill now going through Parliament.
Alf found it hard going to agree with Clegg’s bill, which will allow William and Kate’s first child to inherit the throne if she is a girl, even if younger brothers follow her.
It will also mean the heir to the throne can marry a Catholic.
Mr Flynn said: “I propose to future-proof the monarchy from charges of discrimination by giving same-sex and heterosexual partnerships the same validity in succession rights.”
That would mean a gay or lesbian sovereign could reign with their partner.
And a child conceived by artificial insemination or surrogacy could rule us.
If that were to happen – if we had a pair of sodomites in the top job at Buckingham Palace – Alf is bound to say he would take a stiff whisky, then maybe a few more, before signing up with the republicans.
Alf does not dispute the historians who reckon England has had four gay monarchs: William Rufus (1087-1100), Richard the Lionheart, (1189-1199), Edward II, (1307-1327) and James I (1603-1625).
But he can cite historians who reckon Richard the Lionheart was as red-blooded as any other king worthy of the name, and that
Edward fathered at least five children by two women (although maybe he was bisexual).
James married Anne of Denmark and the royal couple begat (among others) Charles, his successor.
None of the four kings listed tried to get married to people of the same gender, even though – presumably – they could have done what they bloody well liked as king.
And they certainly did not produce sprogs via artificial insemination, which is a very modern abomination. | <urn:uuid:ccd2dcd9-fb78-4816-ab50-916168d99e24> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://alfgrumblemp.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/having-one-queen-wave-to-us-from-the-balcony-is-great-but-two-no-that-would-be-an-outrage/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970019 | 596 | 1.757813 | 2 |
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Before trying these exercises, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure they are safe for you. Ask your healthcare provider how many times to do each exercise.
This exercise stretches muscles in the buttocks and lower back. It also strengthens your abdomen and helps “set up” good posture.
Get on your hands and knees with your back straight. A mat can help cushion your knees.
Try to pull your abdominal muscles in. Tuck in your buttocks. This will tilt your pelvis up. As your pelvis tilts, your back will rise toward the ceiling.
Hold and count to 5, then relax.
This strengthens the muscles of your back, buttocks, and abdomen.
Get down on your hands and knees. Put your arms directly under your shoulders. Keep your knees shoulder-width apart.
Round your back. Then lift your left knee and gently bring it toward your elbow. Look at your knee as you raise it. (Stop moving your knee if you feel pressure in your abdomen.)
Keeping your knee slightly bent, extend your leg. Lift your leg until you feel a stretch in your low back. Don’t lift your leg higher than your hip.
Hold for 5 counts, then lower your left leg. Repeat the exercise with your right leg. | <urn:uuid:616759b6-38fa-48ea-8002-cdcc644220a5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.einstein.edu/einsteinhealthtopic/?languagecode=es&healthTopicId=21800&healthTopicName=Physical+Therapy%2FRehab+Exercises&articleId=85676&articleTypeId=3 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935393 | 286 | 1.554688 | 2 |
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Negotiating with Iran?
A few minutes ago I talked with Ambassador Mark Ginsberg about the path the US should take with Iran. He said that we should try all possible means to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, including negotiation.
I prefer a peaceful solution, but my question is: would negotiation with that regime accomplish anything, or would it just allow them additional time to produce their nuclear bombs?
Two and half years ago I wrote you about the danger of the Iranian nuclear weapon program and suggested that there is negligible likelihood of a peaceful solution. The only way Iran will stop this program is under a powerful international economic pressure with the participation of all major players. This, I said, was not likely since China and Russia have different agendas.
Relying on negotiation with Iran would be a mistake, I believe, because Iran is not willing to negotiate with any degree of sincerity.
Let’s review some facts about negotiation:
Despite all the attempts for the last few years to negotiate with Iran internationally and via the UN Security Council, Iran played the negotiation game to gain time for speeding up its nuclear weapons development. Again and again we were left holding the bag. When will we learn?
In addition, and that is critical: Iran has proven - beyond a shadow of a doubt- its determination to destabilize the Middle East by its support of terrorism in Iraq, in Lebanon and in Gaza.
Several Arab countries, including Egypt and Saudia are afraid of Iran’s attempt to control the Middle East. Even without actually using their nuclear weapons, Iran could extend its power over many nations.
Iran is using its unexpected windfall from the substantial escalation of oil prices to finances much of the terrorism in Lebanon (via Syria, a very poor country): the Hizbullah war against Israel two years ago, and against the Lebanese government recently. Israeli forces determined that Hamas has been supplied and trained by Iranian forces and many of the rockets used by Hamas are also supplied by Iran.
These facts and more should alert us that Iran is a proven enemy not only of Israel, but of the civilized world. They have said so themselves. Any attempt to negotiate with them is futile. They have been advancing Muslim extremism inside and outside their borders for years. What could we give them to stop their core national goal?
Negotiation is a word that represents an interaction among people with generally similar expectation of life. We can not negotiate with people who have radically different visions of life and the world, and will use any means to achieve their goals. So how could we have negotiated successfully with the USSR, after all they also were our enemies?
The people and government of the USSR, as militant as they were, wanted to live, to prosper, and to have a successful, peaceful future. True, they wanted the world to be communist, but not at all costs, only when it was relatively easy for them to do so. Muslim terrorists are not only willing to die for their cause, they are eager to die to destroy their enemies. Much of the leadership of Iran are willing to sacrifice millions of their own people in order to destroy their enemies. They have said so repeatedly. You can not compare the USSR attack on Hungary with 9/11, Hamas, or Iran.
The major error in the theory of negotiation with terrorists is that proponents of negotiation all assume, unconsciously, that there is a similar person on the other side to negotiate with. In business negotiations there is the premise of the honesty of both sides, and that they are not going to use the negotiations as a deception but to really try to get to some agreement.
Often extreme leaders in the Muslim world have no morality, no constraints of any type that we can conceive off. They are so much more cunning than we are. They can run circles around any Western that has even just a little morality.
We never faced an enemy of this extreme nature before. We do not want to see it, it is not nice to say…but their Muslim religion and culture encourages them to lie to gain advantage for their overall cause: Jihad: Islam’s conquest of the world. It also tells them to negotiate when they are weak, and when they gain strength to discard the agreements. That is what Mohammad did during his life and what he advocated. It is not only written, it is normally practiced. Negotiation in Arab culture means that you are weak, therefore, after Arafat signed the Oslo Peace Accord with Rabin, he had to explain this concept of temporary agreement to his supporters in Arabic: this is a temporary agreement to give us strength, then we will take over all of Israel. And he proceeded with terrorism.
Rabin and Peres understood leaders like Sadat and King Hussein, people with morality. Mistakenly Rabin and Peres assumed that Arafat and his PLO were of similar nature. Their wishful thinking brought the bloodiest wave of terror in Israel existence.
Do not assume that because President Bush was so unreasonable we could not have negotiated with Iran. There is no issue that we can really be agreed upon, and no party that wants or can get to any solution. We are facing extreme fanaticism, combined with death wish, and aims to murder as many people as they can. Iran’s current president is not the only one aiming “to wipe Israel off the map,” the same view is expressed by many in Iran’s leadership, including their previously “moderate” president.
Ambassador Ginsberg also believes that the US has been toothless in that region and we can not influence events there without projecting a viable military power.
We do not have any other leverage. We need their oil, they do not need our money. There are plenty of buyers. Nuclear Iran would dominate the vast Middle East oil resources by threat alone.
Let’s look at several famous attempts at negotiation with the enemy:
Chamberlin’s negotiation with Hitler prior to WWII was a sham. While Chamberlin beamed of peace in our time Hitler advanced and increased his military power and preparation. Brittan meanwhile was not gearing up for a possible war.
I just watched a documentary on President FDR. Japan and the US were negotiating prior to Perl Harbor, the only problem was that while the US was negotiating, the Japanese navy was already on its way to the attack- their secret preparation took months. FDR was shocked by the depth of damage to our fleet, he was fooled. He did not realize the unpreparedness of our navy and the cunnings of the Japanese.
In contrast, Libya’s Kaddafi first decided to reject his nuclear program then we negotiated with him.
Both parties in a negotiation aim for a compromise that will give each of them some of their desires but not all of them. Many international negotiations were very successful between antagonists. But you had to have a willing opponent with the aim of a peaceful compromise. During WWII we did not negotiate with Germany and Japan, they would not have stopped their wars until they were utterly destroyed and defeated.
Why logical people can not already grasp the above points after so much history, after so much evidence of Muslim terrorism, direct Iran participation, and their extreme statements?
It may be a combination of effects: We are exhausted of all the wars, strifes, natural disasters, global warming, and financial agonies. It is understandable, we wish for a miracle solution, “if we just did that…
Or, we hate Bush so much, it is his fault. Now, a new liberal president will wave a magic wand…
Or, common to many Israelis in the past: the fault is our own, we did not do enough, we did not try hard enough. Because of their kind hearts, because it is so much beyond their own experience some liberal Americans can not fathom that some people are evil. That some people have such a twisted mentality that you should not negotiate with them. Could we have talked with Hitler and convince him to peaceful coexistence?
Finally, most Israelis learned from their troubled existence: Palestinian terrorists are murderers and their goal is the full destruction of Israel. According to all the people I talked with a few weeks ago in Israel, representing a wide political spectrum, most Israelis do not wants more talks, they want military solutions. It is time to destroy Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorists, they emphasized.
I hope we become wiser and less dreamers in this country since if we misunderstand the extreme nature of Muslim terrorism, and Iran, we and the world would be facing much more than 9/11 atrocities in the future.
p.s. Former Ambassador Ginsberg spent many years in his youth in Israel, and lost family members in Israeli wars. He was US Ambassador to Morocco, and he is Fox News Channel's principal global affairs commentator. I talked with him tonight in Sacramento after his interesting AIPAC presentation. He urges any supporter of Israel to join AIPAC to enhance Israel’s security. | <urn:uuid:d9e6abc5-25a5-46ef-8e19-a8cdaba64809> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.zionismontheweb.org/blogs/index.php/negotiating_with_iran?blog=12 | 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 | 0.980453 | 1,855 | 1.734375 | 2 |
For this edition of the Quotes and Notes Corner, I will not be reaching too far back in history.
On Saturday, Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu of IsraelNN.com reported: "An Arab terrorist stabbed a nine-year-old boy at the Shalhevet neighborhood in Yitzhar in Samaria on the Sabbath, torched an empty house and tried to set fire to a second building."
The usual suspects from the Arab parties, Meretz and Peace Now squawked about "violent settlers" after residents of Yitzhar had a little organized riot in the Arab village the assailant supposedly came from or ran to, Asira al-Kabaliya. Cars overturned, shots fired, stuff set on fire. That sort of thing.
One day earlier, as reported by Hana Levi Julian, "Violent riots again broke out in the Palestinian Authority-controlled village of Na’alin on Friday, leaving two Border Guard police officers lightly wounded in the melee. Left-wing Israeli activists, foreign nationals and Palestinian Authority Arabs have been rioting at the site almost daily...."
Now let's go back a few more days last week, all the way to Wednesday. IsraelNN.com reported: "About 100 Arabs from the village of Asira al-Kabaliya near Yitzhar in Samaria rioted violently near Yitzhar's Shalhevet neighborhood Wednesday. They threw rocks, cursed and set fields on fire. The fire spread into the community and was put out when it came near a home with a mother and three children inside it."
What did the Meretz and Peace Now types have to say on Wednesday about THAT riot in the Yitzhar area? And on Friday, about THAT riot in Na'alin?
Researched, compiled and presented by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz | <urn:uuid:be5060b1-01f7-48e9-ac39-47ce7d7d1272> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Blogs/Message.aspx/3019 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957599 | 379 | 1.59375 | 2 |
HOME FORUMS NEWS FAQ SEARCH
A MICHAEL STONES ARTICLE
Introduction to OPF
Ricoh’s GR Digital II Review
by John Nevill
Nicolas Claris featured
Sinar Photographer for 2008
by Asher Kelman
The Hard Side of Beauty
by Asher Kelman
Canon EOS 1D Mark III Report
by Arthur Morris
Seeing Like a Master
by Alain Briot
Photography As Art Series
by Asher Kelman
The other migrant mother
by Michael Stone
Fast Yachts at Sea, The Journey
of a Captain & his Wife
by Asher Kelman
Rainer Viertböck’s Travel
Photography: Exposing for the
soul! by Asher Kelman
Tips for getting a human figure in
a location shot by Edmund Ronald
Stephen Eastwood an interview
by Edmund Ronald
Read TOS & Register
To offer services
Early in 1936, photographer Dorothea Lange was driving home from a month’s assignment when she passed a sign for a peapicker camp near Nipomo in California. On impulse, she made a hurried detour to the camp, where she took a series of photos. That series includes Lange’s masterpiece: a portrait of a mother and her family, known thereafter as the Migrant Mother. Lange’s boss at the time, Roy Emerson Stryker, who headed up the New Deal’s photography project, described the Migrant Mother as the ultimate photo of the Depression Era, the picture of its time, and one that Lange and her cohort never surpassed. The acclaim still endures, as Stryker foresaw, eclipsing that of other great Depression era photos.
Lange’s titles her pictures locate them only with respect to demographics and geography (“Migrant agricultural worker’s family”, “Destitute peapickers in California; a 32 year old mother of seven children.”). She added a background to these terse descriptions in the February 1960 issue of Popular Photography.
“I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions. I made five [actually six] exposures, working closer and closer from the same direction. I did not ask her name or her history. She told me her age, that she was thirty-two. She said that they had been living on frozen vegetables from the surrounding fields, and birds that the children killed. She had just sold the tires of the car to buy food. There she sat in that lean-to tent with her children huddled around her, and seemed to know that my pictures might help her, and so she helped me.”
That help came quickly. Lange sent the photos to her employer, the Resettlement Administration in Washington, prompting a quick response by federal bureaucrats who rushed food supplies to peapicker camp. She also gave them to the San Francisco News, which featured two wide-angle shots in a March 10, 1936, article on the hardship endured by harvest workers. On the following day, it placed the iconic Migrant Mother picture above an editorial on the New Deal agenda. The ensuring uproar was a catalyst that inspired John Steinbeck to write his most influential novel, the Grapes of Wrath.
All this hullabaloo came a little too late to help the family depicted in the photographs, which had already moved on from Nipomo. Forty years were to pass before the public even knew the mother’s name. A few years before her death in 1983, Florence Owen Thompson revealed her identity in a letter to a local newspaper, the Modesto Bee, stating her dismay about the iconic photograph. She felt exploited by it, never received a penny, and seemed hurt that the photographer never asked her name. Author and photographer Bill Ganzel did ask her name, resulting in his book Dust Bowl Descent that that the University of Nebraska Press published the year after she died. Another twenty years went by before Florence’s children gave journalist Geoffrey Dunn their version of the photo shoot in Nipomo for a 2002 issue of New Times Magazine.
According to her children, Florence was not a new migrant to California, but a returning former resident. The family was on route to Watsonville hoping to find work in the nearby lettuce fields. Their Hudson car broke down by Nipomo, forcing them to stop and fix it at the peapicker camp. The photo session occurred while two older boys took the radiator into the town for mending. One of them, Troy, scoffed to Geoffrey Dunn that his mother never sold car tires to buy food: “There’s no way we sold our tires, because we didn’t have any to sell. The only ones we had,” he said “were on the Hudson and we drove off in them…. Mama told us there had been this lady who had been taking pictures, but that’s all she told us, you know. It wasn’t a big deal to her at the time.” They left that same day for Watsonville. “We were already long gone from Nipomo by the time any food was sent there,” said Troy. “That photo may well have saved some peoples’ lives, but I can tell you for certain, it didn’t save ours.”
The five photos now archived in the Library of Congress are the creations of an artist while at the top of her talent. Dorothea Lange took them on 4*5” film with a Graflex camera. They show the mother, a baby, and up to three older children. The mother sits with a common posture throughout. She leans forward and to her right, toward the photographer but sideways into the tent, with her lower legs pulled slightly back. Her children’s postures are slumped, as if to convey defeat and resignation. Their faces (where visible) show no expression. The iconic image is a close-up. Two of Florence’s children are behind her and back-on, leaving little doubt about who is the central figure. She looks away from the camera, her face thoughtful, worried, her body inclined toward the flimsy dwelling, a baby on her lap. Her right hand, placed prominently against the face, pulling down the corner of a lip, shows a delicacy of manner that contrasts with the dirt under its nails.
The mission given to Dorothea Lange by her boss Roy Emerson Stryker was to take pictures that would support the New Deal agenda of the Resettlement Administration’s (later known as the Farm Security Administration’s) documentary project. This agenda aimed to improve conditions for poor farmers and sharecroppers brought to poverty by the economic Depression. Stryker believed in scripting his photographers to capture in pictures the human side of pressing social and economic concerns of the day. With one exception, the Migrant Mother series seems to accord with this mandate. The clothing, faces, and postures depict the mother and children as ragged, broke, uneasy, resigned. Nobody departs from this profile. Nobody smiles. Only one photograph, #4 in the Library of Congress archive, depicts Florence Owen Thompson in a manner that looks unplanned rather than arranged.
The older children are absent from Photograph #4, which is of Florence feeding her baby. She has a straighter posture than in the other photos, with her head bowed slightly downward and toward the tent. Her gaze seems inward, a private moment, as she glances down from the camera. Her expression shows no sorrow as the baby she cradles nuzzles her breast. The background shows the tent’s interior to her right, and to her left an out-of-focus landscape except for a box protruding beyond the tent’s outer pole. A flaw in the composition is that Lange angled the camera too low, cropping the top few wisps of Florence’s hair out of the frame.
There are many reasons why Photograph #4 failed to become famous. Most compelling is that the Migrant Mother overwhelmed others in the series because of the power of its depiction of Florence’s plight. Also, newspapers of the time were unlikely to print a picture of a woman breast-feeding; the out-of-focus landscape adds nothing to the meaning; the overly cropped top of the photo was near to unfixable at the time.
Unlike others in the series, Photography #4 seems like a snapshot Dorothea Lange took on impulse: a decisive moment she glimpsed and tried to catch but was unable to capture properly. This interpretation makes sense because none of the other photographs shows such errors in composition. Photograph #4 also conveys a different message from the rest of the series. Lange herself and those who published her pictures could hardly be unaware that Photograph #4 is less about Florence’s plight than her fitness to nurture despite that plight. A message that life goes on despite penury was not at the top of an agenda that Stryker’s agency sought to publicize.
The humanistic documentary genre that Stryker’s photographers began has not been without reappraisal during the past seventy years. With the Migrant Mother, Dorothea Lange created an image that became iconic not only of the Depression years but of the genre itself. That photograph furthered the mandate that led to its creation beyond the dreams of any photographer of the time. But because that mandate was to show the human side of the Depression, should not the truths portrayed in the picture include those about Florence herself? The answer, according to Geoffrey Dunn, quoting from statements by her daughter (Norma) and son (Troy), is maybe not.
Norma, the baby in the pictures, said of her mother that she “… was a woman who loved to enjoy life, who loved her children. She loved music and she loved to dance. When I look at that photo of mother [the Migrant Mother], it saddens me. That’s not how I like to remember her.” Troy recalled about his childhood years, “They were tough, tough times, but they were the best times we ever had.” Norma agreed: “We also had our fun.” We also had our fun: that is what is so notably missing from every face in Lange’s Nipomo series - a single smile that signals fun.
Although Florence is not smiling in Photography #4, when unmindful of the camera she seemed content. What Dorothea Lange probably saw in that unguarded instant was a truth that transcended the situation. There was a woman engrossed in doing what she must and accommodated to her role in life. The photograph captures those facts about her. With its flaws repaired, it might provide a near-iconic image of motherhood but without the trappings of conventional sentimentality.
Because the Library of Congress makes accessible 50+ megabyte digital files of scans of film negatives from the iconic image and Photograph #4, with no known restrictions on their use, insertion of upper parts of the former can help repair the latter. With Florence’s position similar in the photos, there should be little distortion resulting from this insertion. Consequently, I proceeded to repair Photograph #4 as follows.
First, I stretched the canvas for Photograph #4 upward to make space for the top wisps of hair cropped from the film negative. Positioning, sizing, and matching of the luminance between the pasted insert and image were tricky but accomplished mainly with match color adjustment and the cloning tool in Photoshop CS2. I used the same tools to extend the tent pole upwards to match the new height of the image. With the new image not looking too ragged, the next step was to crop the blurred landscape from its right side and to darken the little that remained.
The second stage of repair was to clean the image. The main task with the canvas was to ensure that the merger between the image and insert look seamless. So on a masked duplicate layer, I used shape blur, added Gaussian noise, then applied the texture filter to restore a canvas look. This process also got rid of dust and scratches present on the film negative. On the rest of the image, getting rid of dust and scratches (Oh, what a lot there were!) was tedious but routine with the cloning tool and healing brush. The result was a picture that was free from obvious flaws but in need of enrichment.
Enrichment requires a Photoshopper to interpret the image. Interpretation in photography depends on what draws the eye. Good photos draw the eye to what is most important. Most important in this picture is the cradled baby nuzzling the breast. I used the diffuse glow filter to brighten the baby, the mother’s hands cradling it, and her breast, thereby drawing the eye to those parts of the image. Next most important is the mother’s face. I added a new layer and painted it white (but with low opacity and flow) near her right eye to reduce facial flatness and add verve. For the final corrections, I used curves to enhance midtone contrast and a Photolift plug-in to bring out detail in the darker areas and sharpen the image.
The newly repaired image conveys a message and a philosophy about photography that is distinct among the Nipomo series. If it is true that photography creates rather than mirrors a persona, then Dorothea Lange made Florence Owen Thompson the Migrant Mother based on a fixed agenda. Photograph #4 may be a truer likeness of Florence as she was then and in her future: a woman facing up to hardship, doing it by herself for her family, immersed in the moment. Florence showed that presence for a decisive moment that the hurried Resettlement Administration’s photographer was able to capture only imperfectly. Her gravestone, in Empire California, carries the inscription “Migrant Mother – A Legend of the Strength of American Motherhood.” The iconic photograph made the legend but the repaired version of Photograph #4 strikingly depicts a truth about motherhood as old as humanity.
Michael Stones is an academic and active photographer, He's a Professor in the Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Canada
|HOME FORUMS NEWS FAQ SEARCH| | <urn:uuid:c9039ff2-de83-4e12-84ce-aed8168bdd77> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.openphotographyforums.com/art_MICHAEL_STONES_001.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965235 | 2,995 | 1.75 | 2 |
Berkshires a top destination
By Benning W. De La Mater, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Updated: 11/14/2009 07:53:14 AM EST
Saturday, Nov. 14
Think of all the destinations treasured by the globe-trotting elite.
Tuscany. The French Riviera. The Great Barrier Reef.
The Berkshires beat them all.
In this month's edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine, the region tied for 7th out of 133 vacation destinations ranked by a panel of 437 experts in fields such as historic preservation, sustainable tourism, travel writing, food, photography and archaeology.
In the article, one unnamed expert writes that the area "seems to have the right balance of picturesque towns, arts offerings, and well-protected natural beauty."
Lauri Klefos, president of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, said businesses and cultural venues have been ecstatic about the recognition, which she views as the best free advertising possible.
"This is one of the premiere travel magazines in the world," Klefos said. "People pick up this magazine when they're looking to find a destination that they never considered before."
Michael Supranowicz, president of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, predicted that the acknowledgment will be used as a "selling point" for the local tourism industry.
"This is a feather in our cap, and we deserve it," he said. "We have a beautiful place here, and a lot of people know it. But what was interesting about this survey is that it wasn't based in stats and numbers. Their experts had personal knowledge of the places.
had their feet on the ground."
While representatives from the magazine did not return phone calls Friday, the article's author, Jonathan B. Tourtellot, explained that editors came up with a unique way of ranking the destinations.
They asked the experts to submit anonymous points of view on each place. They reviewed each others' remarks and then filled in their final scores based on six criteria, which ranged from environmental quality to cultural integrity, condition of historic buildings and quality of tourism management.
It's a variation of a research tool called the Delphi method that helps groups reach a consensus.
Points were docked for reckless development and commercialization.
The Berkshires earned a score of 76.
Norway's Fjords topped the list with an 85. Vermont scored a 78, Germany's Bavarian Alps a 77, and Tuscany a 72.
Cape Cod? 58.
Tourtellot wrote that the annual survey, the magazine's sixth, "isn't a popularity contest. It is an assessment of authenticity and stewardship, evaluating the qualities that make a destination unique and measuring its integrity of place."
"When people care about the condition of a place, its score tends to go up ... The condition of any destination is a mix of what local governments, residents, and businesses can control -- pollution, cultural quality, authenticity."
One expert wrote that the area was "still undiscovered enough, and with a tradition of slow-growth tourism to add cultural pizzazz to the lush scenery."
Another said that "some complain it is becoming too ‘gentrified,' with boutiques pushing out the mom-and-pop establishments."
One commented that "a balance must be maintained to preserve the area."
Klefos said she valued one of the expert's compliments above all the others.
"Authenticity," she said. "That's one of the characteristics that we care about most. We're not fake. We're not manmade. This is a unique area with a wide variety of venues across the county. Everyone who lives here should feel proud." | <urn:uuid:3b4a7aba-8654-43d7-a664-e69ab0473172> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hamptonterrace.com/berkshires-a-top-destination.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95166 | 767 | 1.539063 | 2 |
From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia
Born in the village of Statevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina to a Serbo-Croatian father and a Croat-Serbian mother, the young Anzsić was a troubled child, and exhibited a strange predilection to statistics and classification. Anzsić attended the University of Belgrade where completed a Bachelor's degree in Statistics, and then completed a Doctorate in Classification.
At the age of 30, Anzsić became obsessed with New Zealand, and began a classification system to be used in the classification of sheep. The system gradually was extended to include humans. The system was adopted by Statistics New Zealand in 1965.
In 1993 the Anzsić-developed system -- which by then was the New Zealand standard -- was adopted in Australia to allow comparability of statistics across the two countries. The statistical codes currently used in the two countries are known as ANZSIC Codes, in his honour.
Anzsić died in February 2000 of suicide by spontaneous combustion, after realising that he was both Serbian and Croatian. He is buried in Invercargill, New Zealand, a city he never visited, yet detested intensely.
edit Literary works
His legacy includes several books, including:
- "Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About ANZSIC Codes" (1965)
- "A la recherche du ANZSIC codes perdu" (1968)
- "ANZSIC Codes" (last revised 2003)
- "8 New Fun Things to do with ANZSIC Codes (Adult Version)" (published posthumously in 2003)
It is often claimed that Anzsic is an acronym for "Australian New Zealand Standard Industry Classification". This is demonstrably false. | <urn:uuid:284185b2-a439-48b1-a3a4-cff9d104a48b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/ANZSIC | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96596 | 372 | 1.835938 | 2 |
Treat swimmers like adults and they might just grow up
When it came out that some of the swimmers had been acting up at the Olympics, playing pranks on each other and allegedly experimenting with Stilnox at the most inappropriate of times, and that there was a hostile rift between some members of the swim team, it became obvious that things need to change.
The report that some swimmers may have been acting like children was no shock. Especially for the young members of the team, swimming is a sport that does not give you much of a chance to grow up like most people do.
It starts with the wake up calls from Mum or Dad. It’s too early in the morning to respond to an alarm, a gentle nudge and some softly spoken words are uttered to get you out of bed for your morning swimming session.
They’ll pack your bags. Make your lunch. Drive you around. Wrap you up in a towel. Anything for the kids who focus every aspect of their lives on trying to reach their dreams. But alas, they are not kids. They may have fantasised about that moment of standing on the medal dais at the Olympics as a child, but they are young adults, fully capable of looking after themselves.
As a swimmer, you are wrapped in cotton wool throughout the years that you compete. I’ve seen first hand the kind of royal treatment that is given to elite swimmers as if they cannot do anything but train and race.
It’s the ultimate excuse not to grow up. A sport that is so demanding and time consuming as swimming gives you reason not to do just about anything. From study, to going out with friends to doing the washing up, being a swimmer excuses you from all.
There is no off-season for swimmers. If you train throughout your teenage years, you are never really given a proper slice of life to mature, to make the mistakes that your non-swimmer friends are making. Your lives are, ultimately, not that different from when you were children. Having been a swimmer myself, I remember my life being turned upside down when I quit the sport, faced with new experiences and responsibilities that I previously hadn’t had to take.
Too many swimmers are so often treated like princes and princesses by their parents, who are both so proud and so afraid of destroying their kids’ dreams that they’ll do just about anything to keep them happy.
Then there are the coaches who convince you that there is nothing else in life. That your success in the sport is of utmost importance and that commitment comes first, even if it means missing out on study or a normal social life.
And finally, there is Swimming Australia, who drill a sense of elitism into swimmers from as young as 12 years old when they first attend the Australian Age Championships. To compete, you must qualify as an individual. And if you don’t, you hope to be chosen to compete with a relay team. But they’ll never let you forget it. If you only qualify for a relay, you are given a competitor’s pass that is a different colour to those of the individual swimmers. That rift has already been established.
So it was no surprise when it was announced that Ian Thorpe was being given $100k to make his comeback to the pool. And that others such as Melanie Schlanger are unhappy about their vastly lower income for the same amount of work, because there is a hierarchy in swimming that is instilled from when you first start to compete.
And these Olympics presented an issue from the outset. When people such as Ian Thorpe, Libby Trickett and Geoff Huegill announced they would be making a comeback, young swimmers around Australia, who thought that it was finally their time, were faced with the threat of ghosts of past Olympics.
The elitism within the team is very clear and needs to change. Although it is an individual sport, they should be treated like a football team, where they are equal and where they understand that each of their actions affects every individual.
The Australian Swim Team has managers and organisers looking after swimmers’ every need. Treating them like royalty just as their parents would have throughout their younger years. But instead of being given the royal treatment, swimmers should be held accountable for their own actions, and given a sense of responsibility.
It shouldn’t just happen at the Olympics either. It should be given to them from the early days of their careers. It should start with young swimmers packing their own bags, making their own food and getting themselves out of bed in the mornings, just as everyone else has to.
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Six days after the Boston bombings, crowdfunding websites that raise money for medical tragedies from car crashes to cancer say they’ve received more than 23,000 pledges promising more than $2 million for the victims and families of the marathon attack.
Some mornings, beneath the streets of Boston, David France plays his violin for the passers-by who fill the subway corridor. He uses this money to fund Revolution of Hope, an after-school orchestra he started a few months ago in the disenfranchised community of Roxbury.
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A kayaker in California is being called a hero for rescuing a family after their SUV veered off the road and landed in the middle of a river on Saturday. | <urn:uuid:5b007d1b-f015-4cbb-81cb-0710acebafca> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46994936/vp/49106815/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964647 | 174 | 1.585938 | 2 |
Concerned Father Hires Virtual Assassins To ‘Kill’ His Son’s Avatar
In the weeks following the brutal massacre of 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary, the controversial debate over the relationship between video games and violence has once again been thrust into the limelight. One group in Connecticut is offering kids gifts cards for turning in their violent video games, and Germany has attempted to legally ban violent video games on several occasions.
One father decided to take matters into his own hands after he became worried about his son’s excessive video game playing. So, he hired virtual assassins to hunt down his son’s avatar on online video games — and kill him. The Chinese father, named only as Mr. Feng by the Kotako East blog, was apparently miffed by his son’s video game addiction. According to the blog, Feng’s son Xiao Feng, 23, had terrible grades in school and couldn’t hold down a job, all of which Feng attributed to Xiao’s online gaming. Finally, annoyed that Xiao couldn’t hold down a job at a software development company, Feng took things into his own hands.
Allegedly, Xiao finally asked one of the online gamers why they “kept targeting him.”
While he hoped his actions would deter his son from playing online games, experts aren’t on his side. “It’s not going to do much for family relations,” Professor Mark Griffiths, a gambling and addictions expert at Nottingham Trent University told the BBC.
“I’ve never heard of that kind of intervention before, but I don’t think these top-down approaches work. Most excessive game playing is usually a symptom of an underlying problem.”
Griffiths said he heard from many parents who were worried about their children’s gaming habits, but often it was “not an addiction.”
“I’ve spent 25 years studying excessive video game playing,” he said. Griffiths goes on to say, “I’ve come across very excessive players – playing for 10 to 14 hours a day – but for a lot of these people it causes no detrimental problems if they are not employed, aren’t in relationships and don’t have children.” He adds, “It’s not the time you spend doing something, it’s the impact it has on your life.”
World of Warcraft expert Olivia Grace reports that she doesn’t think Feng’s actions would be a deterrent for Xiao.
“Being killed by someone happens all the time,” she said. “People are just like that online.”
What do you think of this father’s actions? What would you do if your child was spending too much time playing online games? | <urn:uuid:d990c478-a0a4-49c0-81a8-3800c8f87d87> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.inquisitr.com/472872/concerned-father-hires-virtual-assassins-to-kill-his-sons-avatar/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.98169 | 599 | 1.710938 | 2 |
I’ve always thought that institutions that are set up at arms length from government to offer independent advice to governments would be an excellent venue for online discussions to start taking place. An easy opportunity, pretty comprehensively passed up was the Public Service Commissions’s various deliberations on what the codes of public service conduct should be. I would have thought it would have been an ideal matter on with those in the APS might have discussed the issues openly on a blog. After all it’s APS’ professional business, not ostensibly political or policy business.
Some time ago the PC tried a bit of online engagement, but it had all the usual ‘run by the IT department’ problems and didn’t go anywhere. I discovered with some excitement the unit in the Victorian Bureaucracy which was built in the mould of the PC and which I think is doing a pretty good job was getting into the same game.
Alas VCEConnect is the usual disaster.
VCEC’s original discussion starter on state reform – consists of a single unsigned question asking whether people agree on the three priorities in the draft report. There’s one comment.
Then there’s a thread on another inquiry into education reform. It asks “In your view, what are the key areas the Victorian Government should focus on? And, more specifically, what actions should the Government take in these areas?” There are two comments.
That’s it. Both posts were put up in November.
If I were asked what I think of VCEConnect I would borrow from Mahatma Ghandi when he was asked what he thought of Western civilisation.
I think it would be a good idea. | <urn:uuid:63c8a0bb-2d85-44a7-ba5b-9bb44f378ba8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://clubtroppo.com.au/2012/02/01/economic-reform-2-0-not/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97854 | 358 | 1.757813 | 2 |
By Lee Wei Lian
KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — The world is grappling with an economic slowdown for the second time in three years and risks entering a sustained period of economic volatility, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak today.
The prime minister said that the world economy has remained sluggish since the 2009 financial crisis and the uncertainty is deterring investment and holding back demand.
“More recent developments also remind us that we are not yet out of the woods,” he said in a speech at the World Gas Conference here.
“A disorderly European debt default cannot be ruled out, and this uncertainty compounds the risks that stem from an uneven US recovery and slower economic growth in China.”
Najib added that the economic risks made it tempting to try and maintain the status quo, but said reforms were required to restart sustainable growth.
“Indeed unless more urgent steps are taken to address the systemic weaknesses that act as a barrier to self-sustaining global growth, we could find ourselves mired in a protracted period of economic volatility — the proverbial ‘stop-go’ economy,” he said.
MORE TO COME | <urn:uuid:8a2dde55-4259-44ae-a185-66b1f66bbada> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://my.news.yahoo.com/pm-world-economy-not-out-of-woods-yet-085954595.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956134 | 243 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Asia and Middle East
The Middle East and Asia are perfect for those students who want to experience a completely new culture. Though many students shy away from such unique locations, those who venture east will not be disappointed. These countries (Turkey, Malaysia, China, Japan, India, Thailand) offer students a vivid look into times of both ancient civilizations and the future of our world. Students who travel to these locations will be surprised at hospitality and welcoming by the people of their host countries.
Universiti Sains Malaysia http://www.usm.my/
USM is a new exchange program in which students pay West Texas A&M tuition and then study at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Universiti Sains Malaysia was established in 1969 in Penang, Malaysia. USM offers a large number of courses taught in English. The total enrollment to date is more than 30,000 students. USM is one of four Higher Institutions of Learning recognized by the Ministry of High Education as a Research Intensive University. This institution is well known for their Science & Technology degrees.
International Studies Abroad (ISA) http://www.studiesabroad.com/
ISA was established in 1987 to provide academically challenging and culturally rich study abroad programs. ISA offers programs in China, India, Jordan, and South Korea. There are a wide range of course offerings in each location and volunteer opportunities in Seoul, South Korea.
The School of Field Studies http://www.fieldstudies.org/
The School for Field Studies is an amazing opportunity for students seeking out hands-on experience with the people, animals, and plants in unique ecosystems around the world. In Asia, the SFS offers a program focused on Himalayan forests, watersheds, and rural livelihoods. This program is in Bhutan, a country wedged in between China and India.
The programs listed here are simply a starting place. The possibilities are endless when choosing a location. Our office suggests the listed providers for this specific region. If you do not feel these providers suit the experience you had in mind, check out our Programs Page or come into our office so we can help find the perfect experience for you! | <urn:uuid:53f3f023-636a-44a1-be27-d64a447b6a96> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wtamu.edu/academics/study-abroad-asia-and-middle-east.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944825 | 446 | 1.679688 | 2 |
- Posted May 16, 2012 by
Newark, New Jersey
This iReport is part of an assignment:
Living without Facebook?
Perfectly fine without Facebook
Then you have people who make having "friends" a competition. NOBODY (I don't care who you are) has a thousand + friends.....let alone a hundred. A friend is someone you can count on, someone who is there for you through thick and thin, and someone you can share you life with. Most of the "friends" on peoples FB pages are not "TRUE" friends, but merely acquaintances IF THAT.
I also don't need to know what your child eats for breakfast each morning, see a new picture of them everyday, or know whether or not the new shoes you bought 10 minutes ago are comfortable.
I think far too many people blindly post everything about their lives online, without understanding the true consequences. Too many people have sold their souls (and their privacy) to Facebook and social media in general, and in the process have made some college dropout a billionare, and that's just wrong. I'm fine with technology and making life easier to stay in touch with family and friends, that's not the issue here. The issue is the complete and utter lack of privacy on FB and the way FB uses the information you provide them. And yes, I know their not the only ones who do this. But they ARE one of the biggest violators.
After two weeks of realizing my mistake, I attempted to delete my Facebook account. To my surprise and utter shock, Facebook doesn't allow you to totally delete your account, but will only "deactivate" it. I've written FB numerous times in the attempt to remove myself completely from this site, but all of my emails have gone unanswered.
As I mentioned, I'm doing just fine without FB and will continue to "survive" in a world of social media overload. I have contact with my "true" friends and if and when I want to talk to them and see how they're doing, I send an email, give them a call, or *gasp*....go visit them in person! (what a concept huh?)
I suggest more people do the same and stop posting so much of their lives online. We have so little real privacy left in our lives, why voluntarilly give up more? | <urn:uuid:1927fda2-ef2f-4724-ab5b-68339e1072b8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-790586 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966795 | 487 | 1.640625 | 2 |
In recent weeks city residents have been the targets of a media war waged by both supporters and opponents of a proposed natural gas pipeline that is currently planned to be routed through Bayonne and Jersey City and near the southern border of Hoboken.
In one corner is Spectra Energy, the Houston-based company that wants to build the pipeline, and more than a dozen union groups. Spectra and the unions claim the pipeline will create thousands of much-needed jobs in the region.
In the other corner are activists and public officials who oppose the pipeline, arguing that it will create a safety hazard in the region that will negatively affect economic development.
“We will continue to work with our state and federal legislators to build additional opposition.” – Mayor Jerremiah T.Healy
If approved by the federal government, the 15.5-mile pipeline will carry 800 million cubic feet of natural gas per day through Hudson County to New York City customers of Con Edison.
Spectra began its resident-focused PR campaign in January after pipeline opponents launched the grassroots “No Gas Pipeline” website last year. Since the beginning of the year, Spectra has sent at least three mailers to Jersey City and Bayonne residents, and has partnered with union groups to create a pro-pipeline video that has been posted to the internet.
Among the unions that have endorsed the pipeline are the New York State AFL-CIO, the Building and Construction Trades Council of New York, the Chemistry Council of New Jersey, Laborers Local 731, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, the Hudson County Board of Business Representatives, and the International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 825 and 15.
“We wanted to make sure the public was informed about the project and its substantial benefits to the community,” said company spokesman Tim White last week. “We have focused some aspects of our outreach in Jersey City, but we are very involved in other communities along the proposed pipeline route as well.”
One flier mailed recently touts job creation among the pipeline’s benefits. On the flier Spectra states the project “will create more than 5,000 regional jobs...including more than 2,300 in Jersey City alone.”
The remaining 2,700 regional jobs could be created in Bayonne, Linden, or Manhattan.
While pipeline critics have scoffed at the numerical estimate and at the claims of the pipeline benefiting residents, White said the benefits should not be brushed aside.
Pointing to a study done by Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy, White said, “Hudson County residents will benefit from additional jobs, additional tax relief, lower energy bills, and cleaner air. The pipeline will increase the capability to deliver natural gas to New Jersey leading to reduced energy bills, potential for conversions from coal and oil to cleaner burning natural gas and substantial property tax benefits to the region on an annual basis once the pipeline is placed in-service.”
One of the criticisms of the pipeline is that, as currently planned, it will provide natural gas to customers in New York, not New Jersey. But White said the company has reached out to “power generators and other end users along the pipeline route to explore…interconnection possibilities” for Garden State residents.
In an earlier mailer the company responded to residents’ safety concerns about the project, noting the pipeline “will be made of thick, modern steel [and will be] monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure safety.”
The company, which is obviously geared up for a big public relations battle to win support for the pipeline, includes on the mailer a toll-free number so interested residents can learn about “additional…ways to support the project.”
Critics not to be outdone
Spectra’s stepped-up outreach to local residents has not gone unnoticed by pipeline critics, who have also increased their grassroots efforts.
Opponents successfully used such social media tools as Facebook, Twitter, and old fashioned e-mail to encourage residents to file for “intervenor status” with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the agency that must approve Spectra’s plans before the pipeline can be built.
Being an “intervenor” gives anyone who files for the status the right to sue the federal government if the pipeline is approved.
And the opposition continues to circulate its “No Gas Pipeline” fliers in downtown businesses and at places like the Loews Theater in Journal Square.
Downtown resident Devin Card said he has signed up to help others in the community oppose the pipeline and plans to volunteer some time to the No Gas Pipeline effort.
“You see what happened in California. Who would want a gas pipeline running underneath their house or wherever they live?” he asked.
Last September eight people were killed and dozens were injured in San Bruno, Calif. after a natural gas pipeline exploded there, destroying an entire residential neighborhood.
Card said he plans to build opposition by handing out anti-pipeline fliers later this month outside the Loews and by hosting a showing in his home of the film “Gasland,” a 2010 documentary about natural gas extraction.
“While we don’t have the millions of dollars that Spectra does to hire lobbyists and public relations firms, or to spend on television ads and glossy mailers, we do have the ability to talk directly to the people of Jersey City on a daily basis about why we are opposed to this natural gas pipeline coming to our city,” said Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy last week.
Healy is among several Hudson County and New Jersey public officials who oppose Spectra’s plans.
“We can also take official action, which we feel has an even stronger impact, such as filing for intervenor status and having the City Council adopt a resolution opposing this pipeline,” Healy said.
“We will continue to work with our state and federal legislators to build additional opposition,” he added. “Currently, we are airing a piece on local television with our experts discussing the impact this pipeline would have on homeland security, our aging infrastructure, and future economic development. Our research shows that if this pipeline is built in Jersey City, future residential and commercial development would not be built, sacrificing thousands of construction and permanent jobs for Jersey City residents. We will continue our media outreach on these issues and through our partnership with organizations such as NoGasPipeline.org.”
White said he “cannot determine” how much money Spectra has committed to the pro-pipeline PR campaign since the effort is ongoing.
FERC could render a decision on the pipeline by the end of this year.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at [email protected]. | <urn:uuid:21d08702-4f85-4dc0-8abf-6a22cb3bfde1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_stories_home/12718417/article-War-of-words-Gas-pipeline-company--opponents-flood-residents-with-information- | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00028-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954291 | 1,437 | 1.710938 | 2 |
I do almost all of my gaming these days on PC – much better graphics, faster loading time and free online play.
But there is one aspect of console gaming that is better than PC and that’s analog control of your character in the X Y plane using the left thumbstick.
In the latest episode of our show I tackle this problem by building a PC gaming keyboard with Analog WASD keys. How hard – or rather far – you press the keys, the faster your character moves in that direction.
To those who might ask “Why not just use a Teensy HID as joystick?” the answer is I tried but it wouldn’t map to the same axis as an Xbox 360 controller. Xbox 360 controller “just works” on most games since they’re just console ports anyway (next generation please get here already!)
Season 3 of our show begins with a 2 part episode in which we build an Anti-Teen-Texting Device that parents can install in their kid’s car. Of course in my day this problem would have been solved by 1) cell phones barely existing 2) my parents would never have bought me one if they had 3) they also didn’t buy me a car …but I digress.
“It’s the most expensive 3 legged machine ever built!”
If you’re going to the Chicago Pinball Expo later this week, be sure to check out our panel at 4:00 PM Friday, October 19th!
It’s “The Mystery and Science of Pinball Theater”! See our amazing video riff of classic Bally-Williams promo videos, using Spooky Pinball’s perfect replicas of some famous hot-glue robots. This is followed by a live “game show” where the audience can win a bunch of great prizes from Spooky Pinball sponsors.
Also at the show, look for Ben Heck Zombie Adventureland T-shirts that can be signed by myself, John Popadiuk, or both!
I just can’t stop building portable 3D printers! Check out my new printrbotGO – an all new design in collaboration with printrbot.com
The goal here was to create an interesting, functional, sturdy design and then have it be available pre-built or as a kit. This is the first prototype and will be demonstrated at World Maker Faire New York weekend of September 28th – 30th.
Printrboard electronics, steppers, pulleys, extruders and hot ends (all existing commodity parts from one source)
Print size 200mm x 185mm x 150mm. Not sure why I lost that 15mm on the Y axis, will probably have that at 200 as well in the future.
Runs off a wall wart power brick or internal Li-Polymer batteries. We estimate 2 hours print time in PLA.
Folds up to a size of 19″ x 14.5″ x 5.5″ – can fit in a plane’s overhead bin.
Much smaller “deployed” footprint than my previous models.
For lots of build photos and more details, click below! | <urn:uuid:635e45f5-e13b-4eab-b75f-539a68e65386> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://benheck.com/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930469 | 663 | 1.523438 | 2 |
Vince Cable launches the government’s Red Tape Challenge campaign today. Here's how you can get involved.
Vince Cable's Red Tape Challenge is part of the government’s growth agenda and will tackle more than 21,000 "statutory instruments" (please can someone come up with a better phrase?) that are stifling businesses, volunteers and the public.
Every few weeks, a new set of regulations, organised around themes, will open on the website for anyone to comment on – this is your big chance to have your say on all those rules and regulations that are "grounded in pointless" (to steal an expression from Lara Morgan, founder of Pacific Direct). Where businesses highlight concerns, Whitehall officials will have to make the case to retain the rules or they will be abolished.
“Where regulation is well-designed and proportionate, it should stay. But it is hard to believe that we need government regulations on issues such as ice cream van musical jingles. That’s why I want us to be the first government in modern history to leave office having reduced the overall burden of regulation, rather than increasing it," says the PM David Cameron.
The campaign launches today (at Spitalfields Market, London). The first five themes of the Red Tape challenge campaign will be:
* Retail (pilot phase open for four weeks beginning April 7)
* Hospitality, food and drink (open for two weeks beginning May 5)
* Road transportation (open for two weeks beginning May 19)
* Fisheries, marine enterprises and inland waterways (open for two weeks beginning June 2)
* Manufacturing (open for two weeks beginning June 16)
“Some of these regulations are there for good reasons, protecting employees, businesses or the public. But some, like the Indication of Prices (Beds) Order serve no purpose at all," comments Cable.
“That’s why this campaign is different to the de-regulation drives that have gone before. The onus is now on my fellow ministers and I to justify a regulation, rather than on you telling us to do something about it.
“I urge you to visit the website and take a few minutes to tell us the regulations you deal with on a daily basis. This is your chance to make sure that consumers are properly protected from unscrupulous traders or give us the evidence we need to remove the unnecessary bureaucracy that stops your business from growing.”
Make sure you vote on which regulations get the chop by visiting the Red Tape challenge website.
“It will be interesting to see the response that the new website generates. Small businesses have to dedicate a significant chunk of their resource to meeting regulations, and the reality is that many will not be aware that some ever existed in the first place," says Simon Streat, Experian’s managing director for SME, UK & Ireland. "Whether core financial regulations change significantly on the back of today’s announcement is uncertain, but what is certain is that small business owners will still need to equip themselves with a basic knowledge of regulations relating to their financials. Any breaches – however inadvertent – could ultimately impact negatively on their business credit score.” | <urn:uuid:3dbd8fcf-c9f1-4f61-bdf8-9440470f0382> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://realbusiness.co.uk/article/5766-vince-cable-launches-red-tape-challenge | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959355 | 658 | 1.578125 | 2 |
UGI Energy Services plans spring West Wyoming pipeline extenstion
Although it's related to the stalled compressor station project in West Wyoming, a new natural gas facility planned for the borough is a separate entity, UGI officials say.
Starting this spring, UGI Energy Services will begin constructing its Auburn Line extension, which involves running about 28 miles of 24-inch diameter pipeline from an existing natural gas facility in Washington Township, Wyoming County, to connect to the Transco interstate pipeline in West Wyoming.
A related utility, UGI Penn Natural Gas, contracted to purchase the gas transported by the pipeline, which will go from the Transco connection into an existing distribution system and onward to customers in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton market, UGI spokesman Joe Swope said.
The facility UGI Penn Natural Gas wants to construct would measure the gas going into the line, filter out impurities and control its quality, he said. The company petitioned the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to determine whether the facility is considered a necessary addition to the public utility system and therefore exempt from local zoning rules.
UGI Energy Services, which does not have utility status, had to apply to the Luzerne County Zoning Hearing Board for a special exception to build a natural gas compressor station with a utility building and 150-foot radio tower on 14 acres in an industrial zone off North Ridge Lane in West Wyoming, near the Kingston Township border.
The board denied UGI Energy Services' request, the company appealed, and the case is awaiting a hearing in Luzerne County Court.
Even though the UGI Penn Natural Gas project doesn't involve a compressor station - which drew dozens of residents concerned about issues including air pollution and quality of life to the zoning hearings - West Wyoming Council President Eileen Cipriani said borough officials will keep an eye on the situation.
"We just want to do our due diligence and check on everything that's coming into the municipality, for the sake of our residents," she said.
Swope said the UGI Penn Natural Gas project won't be at the same site as the one proposed by UGI Energy Services.
"It's not even the same project," he said. "The two projects are related, but this is really the utility side of what we need to do to get the gas from that project."
Swope said the new facility would be constructed on leased property in a heavily wooded area adjacent to a point where PPL and Transco rights-of-way intersect, Swope said. There's no street address and no other nearby landmarks, he said.
The proposed facility would be similar to an existing UGI Penn Natural Gas gate station on Wyoming Avenue near the Wyoming Monument, Swope said.
The new facility would include equipment such as quality control meters, filter separators and lots of piping, housed in a small building or pole barn which will be enclosed by a fence. It won't make a lot of noise, he said.
"It's typical equipment you would see in this type of interconnect," Swope said.
UGI Penn Natural Gas has about 100 such interconnections between third-party vendors and the company's distribution system, including similar facilities in Plains Township, Hunlock Township and Shickshinny, Swope said. He said they're typically under the jurisdiction of the PUC and don't go through the local zoning process.
"The approval process that you have to go through with the PUC is not any less rigorous than the process you have to go through with the (county)," Swope said.
PUC spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher said she couldn't comment specifically on the case because it's pending, but said the process UGI will have to go through.
She said if there are no objections, the project will go before the PUC's technical bureau for review. As long as it is within PUC regulations, the bureau would issue a recommendation, and it could go before the commissioners for a vote, Kocher said.
But if anyone files an objection to UGI's petition, it will be automatically forwarded to the office of administrative law judge for a hearing, during which each side will have an opportunity to make their case, she said.
After the judge makes a decision, the parties have a chance to respond before the case goes to the PUC's board of commissioners, who can accept, reject or modify the judge's position.
"It's a lengthy process," Kocher said. | <urn:uuid:97b2a7b7-6185-4bda-b5bc-01ed928ee347> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://citizensvoice.com/news/ugi-energy-services-plans-spring-west-wyoming-pipeline-extenstion-1.1444336?localLinksEnabled=false | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959632 | 924 | 1.523438 | 2 |
Dad fighting for daughter's life Portsmouth teen has rare, deadly form of epilepsy
PORTSMOUTH — Still unable to tell his baby girl that she may not live to see her 25th birthday, Al Merrill plans to take his daughter, Chelsea, to Washington, D.C., to advocate for rare diseases.
During the last weekend in February, Chelsea and Al will attend the Rare Disease Conference at the National Institutes of Health, which brings awareness to diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 people, such as the one Chelsea has been battling for the past six months. Al said he is currently working with Sen. Kelley Ayotte's office to schedule meetings with Washington delegates while in the nation's capital.
“They are going to hear me coming,” he said. “I don't have time to wait around.”
Chelsea, 16, was diagnosed with rare, degenerative Lafora disease, a severe and deadly form of epilepsy. Doctors say, at best, she will live for 10 more years.
“Even if I don't speak specifically on what I'm going through, I want to speak for any kid in the state that needs help,” Al said. “I'll try to be a voice for all of them. If I don't advocate for these children, who is going to?”
After a number of tests, Chelsea was diagnosed with Lafora disease and has spent months in and out of hospitals. She is beginning to lose her ability to speak and walk. Getting dressed and going to the bathroom on her own is becoming increasingly difficult as the seizures continue.
“It is getting to the point where she can't do the stairs,” Al said, explaining her disease is rapidly worsening.
Chelsea had been staying at Crotched Mountain Specialty Hospital in Greenfield and was released earlier this month, but has been back to the hospital on three different occasions because of seizures that continue to affect her.
“We can't stop them all,” Al said. “I wish we could make it all go away.”
As Al tries to settle his daughter back into their home in Portsmouth and schedule visiting nurses, he continues to struggle with bills and the harsh reality his home is not handicap accessible.
“We are trying to look into moving. Our home is not big enough. I need a bedroom and a bathroom on the first floor for her,” Al said, adding that it has been difficult finding a landlord to work with his daughter's needs and their Section 8 certificate.
“Doctors said she needs to move as soon as possible,” he said, while worrying about his other children enrolled in Portsmouth schools that will have to move to new districts, possibly in Rochester or in Maine.
“It's rough,” Al said. “When do you get to go to work? When do you get through all the red tape? How am I going to pay this bill and that bill? I never expected it to be this way. It's crazy.”
Although Al and his wife, Melissa, have yet to tell Chelsea exactly what she is facing right now, and the fight she has ahead of her, Al plans to bring Chelsea to D.C. to represent the state of New Hampshire and gain support.
“If I have that little girl in front of them, they have to wake up and realize that there are kids suffering,” Al said. “If I can get their attention, I might get the audience that I'm looking for.”
Al hopes to “make some noise”and generate some positive reinforcement regarding rare diseases.
“The ideal scenario coming from D.C. is me being able to talk to Congress and talk to the Senate, or even the president or the first lady and say, 'We need help,'” Al said. “We are all worried about all of this stuff, but what about this? Let's have something positive come out of this.”
Al would like to eventually start a nonprofit in New Hampshire that provides resources for families such as his who are searching to find answers to questions that have been suddenly sprung upon them. Once the nonprofit is up and running, Al would also like to see a facility built in New England specifically geared toward rare diseases.
On Feb. 2, the American Legion Post #6 at 96 Islington Street in Portsmouth is hosting a fundraiser for Chelsea and her family. For $10 at the door, the public can support the family, enjoy food from Mojo's BBQ and Subway, dance along to a DJ, enter raffles for prizes, including a digital camera, horseback riding lessons, makeup lessons and gift cards to local area restaurants and hair salons, and sip on beverages from the cash bar from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
If you are unable to attend but would like to support the Merrill family, you can donate at http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/Chelsea-s-Hope/36942#. UMkLgbofpiJ. Facebook.
To provide funding toward Lafora disease research, visit chelseashope.org. | <urn:uuid:e1f65839-9851-4217-8254-31bc974ad463> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130123/GJNEWS_01/130129709/0/ROCNEWS01&template=RochesterRegion&CSProduct=fosters&CSProduct=fosters | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980879 | 1,083 | 1.695313 | 2 |
In the past, hackers were viewed as mostly harmless. In the 80s and 90s, they primarily targeted sites for pride, and they would brag to each other about the sites that they had hacked. Today, however, hackers are often interested in creating havoc or stealing information that they can sell. As a result, any business that is hacked stands to lose a great deal, including their customers' trust if their particular information is stolen. Fortunately, by being proactive and employing some common sense security practices, the likelihood of company data being stolen can be greatly reduced. Here are a few ways to protect your small business from online thieves and hackers.
If you are planning to sell products on your website, there is one basic decision that you must make regarding shopping cart functionality before launching your e-commerce site: Will the shopping cart process reside and be managed locally on the website itself? or will it reside and be managed as an off-site hosted solution by a remote service company for which you will pay a monthly fee? There are pros and cons to both approaches.
About owning your own code
BYOD, or “bring your own device”, has gained in popularity over the last few years. This is where employees, who have grown weary of using their old, slow, inefficient office computers, bring in their own modern laptops, tablets, and smartphones to use at work. But allowing your staff to do this is a tricky practice and should be undertaken with great caution. To protect yourself and your business, you absolutely must be a little paranoid and very, very cautious.
Here are 5 key issues to consider:
Not that long ago, the idea of speaking face to face with a client or coworker that was hundreds of miles away seemed impossibly futuristic. The concept was regularly trotted out in popular movies and TV shows, but it didn't become a reality until relatively recently. Many major advancements in video conferencing services have been made over the last decade or so, and the skyrocketing popularity of the Internet and mobile devices is largely responsible. The technology has become so affordable and versatile, that it's being used in many exciting ways. From Fortune 500 companies to small family owned businesses in rural areas, web conferencing services are changing the world.
When it comes to running your own business, the likelihood is it’s not going to be a 9-5 job. A business is like having a baby; you’re either going to be with it all the time or at least have a baby monitor to keep you updated. A smartphone is the baby monitor of your business - whenever you’re out of the office, that phone will be your assistant, updating you on everything that’s going on. | <urn:uuid:273c2517-56e8-4e89-bcaf-20ef1b300f29> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://jackrabbit.com/blog/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976324 | 559 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Aleksandr made a silent promise to the Lord. God would deliver him, would deliver Russia, and he would make Russia into the country that the Almighty wanted it to be. He would be delivered from the destruction that wasteth at noonday, and from the pestilence that walketh in darkness, the terror by night... 1825, and Russia has been at peace.
Aleksandr made a silent promise to the Lord. God would deliver him - would deliver Russia - and he would make Russia into the country that the Almighty wanted it to be. He would be delivered from the destruction that wasteth at noonday, and from the pestilence that walketh in darkness - the terror by night...1825, and Russia has been at peace for a decade. Bonaparte is long dead and the threat of invasion is no more. For Colonel Aleksei Ivanovich Danilov, life is calm. The French have been defeated, as have the twelve monstrous creatures he once fought alongside - and then against - all those years before. His duty is still to his tsar, Aleksandr the First, but today the enemy is merely human. But Aleksandr knows he can never be at peace. He is well aware of the uprising fomenting within his own army, but his true fear is of something far more terrible - something that threatens to bring damnation down upon him, his family and his country. Aleksandr cannot forget a promise: a promise sealed in blood ...and broken a hundred years before. Now the victim of the Romanovs' betrayal has returned to demand what is his. The knowledge chills Aleksandr's very soul.
And for Aleksei, it seems the vile pestilence that once threatened all he held dear has returned, thirteen years later...
Born in Worcestershire in 1968, Jasper Kent
read Natural Sciences at Cambridge before embarking on a career as a software consultant. He also pursues alternative vocations as a composer, musician and now novelist. The inspiration for his bestselling debut, Twelve (and the subsequent novels in The Danilov Quintet) came from a love of 19th-century Russian literature and darkly fantastical, groundbreaking novels such as Frankenstein and Dracula. His researches have taken him across Europe and to Saint Petersburg, Moscow and the Crimea. He lives in Brighton. To find out more, | <urn:uuid:e8b69203-ec29-4eb2-8d8a-f21fbd41bffb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thenile.com.au/books/Jasper-Kent/Thirteen-Years-Later/9780553819595/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972005 | 489 | 1.671875 | 2 |
Losing weight can seem difficult and overpowering. With all the ideas here, you are able to recognize which tactics would be best on your scenario, to help you start to your main goal.
In case you always keep lively you may shed weight quicker. Remain on your feet for as much of the day as possible. Physical exercise the whole day will burn more calories and enhance your metabolic processes, that will provide for your weight burning while continue to consuming a normal calorie matter.
Never ever get diet plan drugs with out initially talking to a medical care specialist. Several conditions ensure it is dangerous to use weight loss pills. Talk to your doctor and inquire them when it is ok to take such a nutritional supplement.
Utilizing overall wheat noodles when you have pasta will keep you from attaining the excess pounds. They may be healthier and you also get whole easier together. Try out to never consume pasta frequently and prevent consuming abundant sauces with it.
Make an effort to refrain from temptation. This isnt always effortless. Nonetheless, try out commitment as an alternative to caving to the craving. It may be very useful to clean your the teeth. You may even take into account engaging in an activity which will have your mind off of meals. Take into consideration weeding the back garden or cleaning up the toilet.
Individuals typically attempt to cover their losing weight desired goals from other folks. Supportive friends and relations can offer encouragement and help you with motivation in the event you let them in on the strategies. They may also be much more watchful of the items they offer you to definitely consume or enjoy.
Getting a “before” snapshot at the outset of your weightloss routine is a superb strategy. Once you arrive at an objective, you can look at the aged snapshot to see just how far youve come. This provides you with determination to continue with your nutritious possibilities. Furthermore, they might even motivate other folks in becoming far healthier.
An obese youngster are at major risk of getting an obese mature. This is simply not a thing any mother or father would like to encourage. The best time to educate folks about excellent nutrition is when they are young. Explain to the young children how to look at the facts about a nutritious label. Consider letting your kids get involved in figuring out precisely what is for meal. When your young children grow older and can prepare their own healthful meals, they will take pleasure in your time and energy.
Study meals labeling closely to be able to boost your weight reduction. The first thing you should examine is definitely the calorie consumption per servicing. Several food items deals have more than an one serving, make sure you count the energy for the total number of servings you might have consumed. Nutritious food ought to be lower in sugar and carbohydrates.
Keep a good mindset, and you may ultimately shed your weight. Continue to be on the top of your objectives, and you can continue to be on the top of shedding pounds.
There is more content available on http://www.low-caloriediet.com/lose-10-pounds-2-weeks look at Lakeisha W. Maseys site theres loads of points not covered in this article, take a look at Authors website to uncover more. | <urn:uuid:270b9e76-aa30-4ee9-8100-57cf420b42f0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cre8tivemv.com/uncategorized/valuable-ideas-to-help-make-your-weight-damage-a-success/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95082 | 664 | 1.789063 | 2 |
Stephen C. Webster
Ever go to the beach and not think of slapping together a sand castle? And who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of wet, warm sand between her toes?
According to federal authorities who recently intercepted an oil-hunting reporter on a Florida beach, those activities have been deemed “illegal.”
The officers’ legal revelation (which is not actually true) came as something of a surprise to Dan Thomas, reporter for WEAR ABC 3 in Pensacola, Florida, who was visiting the Gulf Islands National Seashore for a special report. Shovel men at the ready, it did not take Thomas long to uncover splotches of oily crude less than a foot below the surface. Within seconds, his report had shown that BP’s cleanup efforts, which have been limited to just the top six inches of sand in most cases, are not entirely effective. | <urn:uuid:a2cd6135-b35f-482f-b492-5b3e8b0298ed> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://beyondthecurtain.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/building-sand-castles-on-florida%E2%80%99s-beaches-is-illegal-feds-tell-oil-hunting-reporter/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00040-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96224 | 185 | 1.648438 | 2 |
Next week, a lawsuit challenging 2008′s Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in the state of California, goes to trial in San Francisco court, and yesterday, a key preliminary issue of the case was resolved in an unprecedented and very Silicon Valley fashion. After being presented with requests from the prosecution that cameras be allowed to broadcast the trial live, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker of San Francisco ruled that the trial would be filmed for public consumption — not, however, for television broadcast, but for distribution on YouTube.
The delayed online broadcast of Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al will be the first of a recently-approved pilot program for airing footage from non-jury civil trials, and true to the nature of compromise, neither side of the dispute is happy about the decision. Anti-Prop 8 activists campaigning for the trial to be broadcast on television are asking supporters to weigh in with their thoughts before Friday morning, when Judge Walker will close public submission of comments. Meanwhile, anti-gay marriage opponents are seeking to ban cameras entirely from the courtroom, stating as a primary concern potential harassment of witnesses for the defense.
The video will be distributed via the official YouTube channel for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Because this is the first implementation of the program, the channel so far only has one video up, a test of the split-screen format that will in theory be the model used for broadcasting the case (in fact, the test video already sports text branding it as from Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al).
While television broadcast would in fact increase awareness of the trial on a larger level, the move to use YouTube to distribute video could potentially reach a larger audience. Given how this theoretically local debate is truly one of national interest, that could prove to be an advantage — or, alternately, simply continue the echo chamber of debate. | <urn:uuid:37708eb8-3fd3-49ab-8e48-fa6ba75ca213> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://gigaom.com/2010/01/07/prop-8s-latest-court-battle-to-get-youtube-broadcast/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942561 | 380 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Much has been said about efforts to have more beaches awarded the blue flag status and the quality of bathing water in the Maltese Islands, which according to a recent report is second best in the EU after Cyprus. According to the European Environment Agency and the European Commission, the safest places for swimming are Cyprus, Malta, Croatia and Greece, all of which achieved excellent results for more than 90% of bathing water. With a result of 97.7%, Malta placed second after Cyprus, which achieved 99.1%. This excellent result marks an improvement over last year’s results, in which Malta placed third, with 95.4% of its bathing sites having been classified as ‘excellent’. In recent years, the government invested heavily in waste water treatment plants and now the country prides itself as being one of the few in the Mediterranean to treat all its sewage. Huge strides have also been made to ensure safety at sea, with swimmer zones which are being clearly demarcated during the summer months to keep all kinds of sea craft at a safe distance. The scenario when it comes to public beach facilities is a completely different story. Back in the 1960s, when the tourism industry was in its infancy, 16 beach concessions were granted in an attempt to provide basic facilities to bathers.(independent.com.mt) The beaches are a hub for the Maltese economy.
Government must shoulder its responsibility
Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat declared that the government must shoulder its responsibilities after Bank of Valletta (BOV) was fined by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) €203,150 over the La Vallette Multi Manager Property Fund. Speaking during a Labour Party activity in Saqqajja, Rabat, Dr Muscat justified his call on the grounds that the government is the largest shareholder in this bank, citing also the fact that its chairman is appointed by the government. He questioned the government’s credentials on accountability referring to former Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici who refused to resign, until he was ousted by a no-confidence vote. He added that in such a circumstance the BOV chairman must do the honourable thing and resign, or else politicians have to assume responsibility. Touching on the political crisis, he remarked that the Prime Minister is now hostage to his leadership-style, backing his argument with the fact that he kept home affairs under his direct responsibility as “he was afraid to rock the boat” if he had appointed somebody else in charge. He stated that the Prime Minister has too much to shoulder by himself and should have appointed at least a parliamentary secretary for home affairs. “Otherwise, the Police Corps, prison, immigration and other sectors will become a victim of this decision,” stated Dr Muscat.(independent.com.mt) A government that does not assume responsibility is not a government.
Malta condemns ongoing violence in Syria
The ongoing violence in Syria was this evening condemned by Foreign Minister Tonio Borg. He said in a statement: "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the ongoing violence in Syria. The massacre of innocent civilians in the villages of Qubair and Maarzaf in Hama is a shocking testament to the unwillingness being exhibited by the Syrian government of al-Assad to halt the cycle of violence in Syria. "Malta also condemns the shooting on UN monitors investigating the massacre, and urges the Syrian government to allow unimpeded access to establish responsibility for the violence. "It has become crucial for the international community to speak with one voice and to press for the full implementation of special envoy Kofi Annan’s six point plan in order to end the bloodshed.(timesofmalta.com) All this kind of violence are wrong. | <urn:uuid:7dc6262c-6eaf-47ad-a21f-460391538541> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wmaker.net/editoweb/Malta-news-Proper-beach_a26966.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974802 | 766 | 1.820313 | 2 |
Photo Credits: Rick Mobbs
To be free. What does it mean to you? How do you look at it? What is true freedom? I know I am asking the same question in different ways. And I am not here to preach either. Many a times, I simply talk to myself and this is one of those times. You can safely skip this.
For me, to be free means to think about the world. To think and do beyond oneself. To reflect and ponder over things and approach or tackle anything in the best way possible. It is about being unselfish. In today's context, it seems impossible. Majority of us are indeed wrapped up in our own world to look beyond it. True freedom for me means to break that shackle and come out of it. For me, God is not important, religion is not important. However, spirituality is. Humanity is. I do not even believe that you must love your neighbours. I truly believe that first you must love yourself. That too, unselfishly. Only then you are truly be free of everything. Self-love does not mean self-obssessed. It means to respect our own mind, body and soul. Many feel that it is our body, it is our life, we can do what we want. Is it? Should we? If we think this way, are we loving ourselves? I suppose, we all need to answer that question. We, only we, can truly answer that. We can hide away from the world but can we escape ourselves? At the end of the day, we have to face ourselves in the mirror.
Do I have to follow a faith or believe in God to perceive it this way? Answering for myself, I say no. As I see it, religion does more harm than good. Nothing can get worse than blind faith. Follow the goodness in your heart. Let your soul show you the path. You won't be needing anyone other than yourself to guide you. That is true freedom, ultimate liberation. | <urn:uuid:4b5839d4-9ee8-45b5-bfb0-027e5839b799> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com/2008/08/liberate-yourself.html?showComment=1217778780000 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963094 | 416 | 1.765625 | 2 |
Roger Daltrey And Pete Townsend Launch Teen Cancer America Charity
Who members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have announced the launch of a new charity called Teen Cancer America, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for teens and young adults with cancer. The organization will partner with hospitals to create facilities, develop support programs, and raise awareness during and after treatment. The new fund is a direct outgrowth of the work that the duo has been doing for 22 years with the U.K.-based Teenage Cancer Trust.
Daltrey said in a statement, "I am incredibly proud to be launching the Teen Cancer America initiative. I have seen firsthand how Teenage Cancer Trust has set the gold standard for care in the U.K. and I am excited to help start a movement that demands the same level of care for teens and young adults in America. Over the years I have met many young people with cancer and have been inspired by their unfaltering spirit, optimism and lust for life. I believe that we should do all we can to ensure that they can still be young people first and cancer patients second."
Daltrey added, "These facilities for teenagers should be a right, not a privilege."
The Who is donating $1 from each ticket sold on its current Quadrophenia And More tour to the fund. while British Airways is supporting a "Text To Donate" sweepstakes at every stop on the trek.
The Who's tour, which features the band playing the entire Quadrophenia album from front to back along with other fan favorites, hits Brooklyn's Barclays Center on Wednesday (November 14th). | <urn:uuid:2c478c7b-3b5f-4f76-8da4-e11858b53700> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wxhc.com/music-news.php?id=3091&cat_id=4&p=15 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942985 | 335 | 1.570313 | 2 |
It takes most couples a year (on average) to get pregnant - but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for why it takes different women different amounts of time!
My most popular article on Couples Coping With Infertility is Why Can't I Get Pregnant? It lists four different "fertility checklists", to help couples identify the source of the problem (low sperm, irregular periods, etc).
I write so many articles on infertility and fertility treatments; I'd love to write one on how long it takes the "average" woman to get pregnant! Is it really a year of trying, or is that just a medical myth that keeps getting passed around?
So...how long did it take you to get pregnant - and do you have any tips for getting pregnant?
If you're trying to conceive a little peanut, you may find 5 Baby Making Tips helpful.
And if you think it's taking way too long, read How to Know When You Need to Find a Fertility Doctor.
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen a full-time writer and blogger; she created the "Quips and Tips" blogs: | <urn:uuid:aaded9a2-1a48-40d2-8cfc-7b82bdcedce6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/did-you-get-pregnant-the-first-time-you-had-sex-2559593.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935529 | 239 | 1.679688 | 2 |
rory wrote: I don't understand their worldview at all. They love being poor, have big issues about sex, and have this sense of 'sin'. I have absolutely no idea what that is.
The ideal in Buddhism is to be penniless, celibate and mindful of your three karmas of body, speech and mind so as to avoid all misdeeds.
The later developments of justifying your wealth as a necessity for a modest standard of living, being on the fence with the brahma-caryā
(celibacy) thing and thinking you can wipe away your negative karma with a few prayers does not seem to have been the Buddha's original intent.
The original idea was that even as a layperson you should be generous with your possessions, maintain continence and actively work to avoid all transgressions of your precepts while regularly confessing your misdeeds to a pure monk.
I see things differently.
I don't think it is correct to say "The ideal in Buddhism is to be penniless, celibate and mindful of your three karmas of body, speech and mind so as to avoid all misdeeds." This is not to say that some opposite value is more correct, because that is obviously not the case.
If money were to come into your hand, would your Buddhist practice compel you to part with the money? Celibacy is an ideal only because sex tends to enhance sensual craving - not because sex is bad per se. Mindfulness can be carried out in any environment, although there are certain conditions that make it easier to carry out - like when you are parted from stimuli that distract you. My point is, poverty, celibacy, even mindfulness, are not goals in themselves.
The Ideal in Buddhism is to attain enlightenment and end suffering. Going into homelessness is A means to that goal, although from the perspective of the Lotus, it is an expedient that does not actually lead to annuttara samyak sambodhi. Bear in mind, we are in a Nichiren forum and Nichiren Lotus Buddhism frames this discussion. But I think the general gist of this statement holds for all Buddhism.
As for the Buddha's original intent - the Buddha never went out of his way to alienate lay persons. He in fact went out of his way to praise them in their support of the sangha. And they could support the Sangha even more effectively if they possessed wealth - like Sudatta. It is the wealth and generosity of lay persons that has enabled the continuation of the sangha and propagation of dharma. The Buddha's assembly was composed of four groups of people - nuns, monks, laywomen and laymen. All four are necessary for the Buddhadharma to flow. You should be careful in your statements lest you find yourself impugning your fellow Buddhists.
Also, the benefits of laypersons for supporting the Sangha was not some later corruption of Buddhadharma as you are suggesting - this was the cultural value of the Buddha's time. It was widely believed in the Buddha's time that you supported ascetics who had taken to the homeless life to overcome the sufferings of life and death one could expect karmic rewards spiritual as well as material nature. Remember that the Buddha's order was only one of many. How much more the benefit if the support was directed to the Sangha. This was not just some later compromise to make supporters feel good but a long standing cultural value in India at that time.
As far as I am concerned, if Buddhism ever did disparage lay persons and the endeavors of their lives, it was wrong, and that tendency was rightfully excised in the Mahayana.
I could go on about how the distinctions between lay and sangha are artificial, how early Buddhism is marked by cultural idiosyncrasies of BCE India and rightfully went through a process of distillation, imho, that released the Buddha wisdom from the constraints of a particular culture.
In the Perfect Teaching, all of our activities are opened to reveal the function of Buddha. This does not give license to do anything you want - but it does present a very different view of human activity than the interpretations of Buddhadharma you voice.
For the Mahayana ideal of lay life, see the Vimalakirti Sutra. | <urn:uuid:1733fd45-9bae-4477-9d4a-43fccc043ae6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?p=134965 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974523 | 890 | 1.570313 | 2 |
Khaisman lives and works in Philadelphia. I had the opportunity to see his work at a gallery here a couple of years ago and I was immediately captivated by his ability to create luminous, thought-provoking pieces of art with such a commonplace medium (if I could, I would have taken one of them home with me).
Born in Kiev, Khaisman studied Art and Architecture at the Moscow Architectural Institute. While he ultimately found architecture to be too rigid a discipline, his work reflects an affinity for structure - constructing even as it deconstructs, each image reduced to its most essential, pixelated elements.
Khaisman is drawn to creating universal, archetypal images. His work is by turns graphic, compelling and mundane. His subjects run a wide gamut, from classical statuettes to elegant Louis XIV armchairs, and from film noir, to the Three Stooges. Sometimes there's a sense of action interrupted: something has just happened, or is just about to happen. Other times, there's a frame missing from the story, and we're left to fill in the blanks for ourselves.
1. Chair: $40,700 in 1991, 2007, packaging tape on Plexiglas, 48X36 (Gallery 5, image 6).
2. Portraits in Red: Duke Gallery, Wallingford Art Center, Philadelphia, 2009. (Gallery 1).
3. Frame_20: "I have you right where I wanted you," 2008, packing tape on backlit acrylic panel, 36x48. (Gallery 3, image 4).
4. Series Heads: Introduction Show, Moore College, Philadelphia, 2006. (Gallery 5).
5.The Stooge Study_3: 2010, packing tape on backlit acrylic panel, 36x48 in. (Gallery 7, image 6).
If the light box originals are priced beyond your reach, check out the limited edition 24"x30" prints available through the artist's website. (I think I may have to treat myself to one!)
Images: Mark Khaisman | <urn:uuid:5f463fdf-3a74-4ebd-a747-c96c9f81e4b0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/art-illustrated-128734 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945864 | 428 | 1.5 | 2 |
An enhanced edition of Imagination First, the book I wrote with Eric Liu in 2009, was published in paperback on April 26th. Watching it go out into the world a second time has prompted me to revisit the question: what kind of impact would I like the book to have?
A brief, breezy personal anecdote will illustrate the more serious point I want to reach. I used to play racquetball on a regular basis with two friends, a Ph.D. in psychology and an attorney. The psychologist’s strategy—which may or may not have had to do with his profession—was invariably to try to psyche his opponents out and make us play below our usual level. But when I competed against Joe, the attorney, he played with a healthy intensity that drove me to play better—which then led him to play even better. We pushed each other to improve our games, and no matter who won, that always felt pretty good.
On a similar note, I’ve heard businesspeople use the term “win to win” to refer to a mindset that focuses not on trouncing the competition, but on creating a larger situation of widespread innovation and prosperity. This is akin to Joe’s making me work hard on the racquetball court and raising his own performance in the process. I believe such a spirit of solidarity is essential if we as a nation are to overcome the 21st-century economic challenges posed by factors like globalization and technological change.
Imagination First argues that what matters more than isolated innovative acts (outdoing your competitor’s product, for instance) is “whether the ecosystem as a whole is richer in possibility, and whether the society we feed with our imagination enables all participants in the market … to participate to their fullest potential” (p. 21). I hope readers pay attention to this passage, because it articulates the attitude that informs the book. Eric and I are interested in a new behavioral model, one in which people—even those in competitive situations—inspire one another, and groundbreaking action begets groundbreaking action.
The potential results of all this? Higher standards in professional fields and deeper engagement on the part of potential innovators, which together lead to sustainable outcomes. Everybody wins.
*There is a Creative Commons license attached to this image.
- Imagination First Comes Out in Paperback (imaginationnow.wordpress.com) | <urn:uuid:be4fa30a-6f5c-40c3-8091-59aca7b68fc0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://lcinstituteblog.com/2011/05/13/good-sportsmanship%E2%80%94win-to-win/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958939 | 494 | 1.515625 | 2 |
Age of Wushu: Jianghu System and Relationship Building
In the past, we have talked about the the combat and quests in Age of Wushu, but there is deep and enriching system for building personal relationships between players and their circles. This interactive relationship adds a deeper element to an already immersive game. The Jianghu System attaches great importance to relationships by placing values on actions performed in game. These actions create a unique dynamic in the world.
Basics of the Relationship Interface
There are Seven Relationship Types in Age of Wushu:
- - Close Friend
- - Friend
- - Follower
- - Acquaintance
- - Enemy
- - Blood Enemy
- - Blacklist
These relationships have their own functions, some even have their own metrics. Friends and Close Friends are measured by Intimacy, while Enemy and Blood Enemy use Hatred. Sending gifts and teaming up for instances increases intimacy, just as Kidnapping and Killing players increases hatred and reduces intimacy. Making an Enemy is a one-sided affair. After a player is killed, they can add someone to their Enemy list. Players on an Enemy List cannot join in teams or receive gifts from the person that added them to the list. However, drinking Friendship Wine together can help resolved differences, and allow players to bond once more. Any further killing only deepens the animosity between players until they become Blood Enemies.
Character Personality Tags
Age of Wushu incorporates the branding of player’s personalities as well. Based on players’ actions in game, this tag is reviews and sorts them into one of four different tags: Heroic, Maniacal, Evil, & Sinister.
Characters with a higher Chivalry than Guilt rating merit the “Heroic” Tag. Acts have different weight: chivalrous actions such as completing the Faction Challenge, killing a boss, helping the needy, killing kidnappers, or rescuing a dying person are ways in which to gain Chivalry.
Players with a higher Guilt than Chivalry rating have the “Evil” Tag. Players increase their Guilt rating by kidnapping, raiding escort caravans, human trafficking or killing a chivalrous player. When a player’s name becomes red, the Constable will attempt to send them to prison.
Judging both good and bad is often complex, as there are characters who are Chivalrous yet also steal. In Age of Wushu this sort of character falls under the title of “Evilness,” measured by an Evilness value, or “Arrogance,” measured by a Madness value. Different titles are awarded based upon the difference between Evilness and Madness values.
Character labels affect how teams are labeled. The tag associated with the strongest player on a team determines if the team is labeled as having Heroic, Sinister, Evil, or Maniacal. The tag or reputation of a character changes others perceptions. They can unlock new titles and costumes, raise school reputation, and unlock unique Random Encounters.
Games mentioned in this article
- Age of Wushu - MMOHut offers an early look at Age of Wushu, a unique martial arts MMO from Snail Games. | <urn:uuid:feffcc84-7204-4511-acd9-a9ff811046cd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mmohuts.com/news/age-of-wushu-jianghu-system-and-relationship-building | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946288 | 665 | 1.523438 | 2 |
(jiří macek) Actually, the colon in the headline is extra. Cappellini Love is a new project from the Italian manufacturer of select furniture that reacts to topical world problems such as the quality of environment and fragile stability of third world economies. Cappellini tries to improve the situation by means of its managerial visions and design. No matter how affected this may sound, the project is really beautiful.
Even though ecology, renewable resources, and the search for new energy sources are extremely popular topics for any government, the results are usually too abstract for the public. Compared to this, the attitude of this iconic Italian brand seems more significant. Every collection is closely linked to the quest for traditional third-world crafts and to help with their modernization.
The collaboration with designer Stephen Burks gave birth to a collection of small objects that are made in African manufactories under commercially fair conditions, using renewable resources, and refusing cheap labour and child labour. Two multi-coloured tables made from recycled paper (a glass bowl and a vase) are seemingly ordinary objects that can, however, have a great significance for the development of design.
“This is a very complex project with which we would like to focus on the development of traditional crafts, design, and top-quality workmanship in collaboration with people worldwide. Thus, Cappellini wants to contribute to the solution of current problems. It is a challenge for us. If we are able to analyze them and manage their improvement, we will be able to live better in future,” state the members of the project.
Cappellini has always been a visionary in the development of design. The Love project is certainly not the first project on the afore-mentioned theme. Many designers and companies focus on ecology and traditional crafts over the long run. Systematically, their ranks have grown to include: Droog Design, Fernando and Humberto Campana, Piet Hein Eak, Tom Dixon, Julia Lochman, Stuart Haygarth, and Ineke Hans. Yet, when such a brand as Cappellini addresses this topic, it immediately becomes more urgent. Indeed, we may live better one day. | <urn:uuid:6d742659-422e-4cdd-af8b-d72fbfe68ed4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.designguide.cz/index.php?page=detail&lang=1&f_more=1&item=307 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961349 | 447 | 1.601563 | 2 |
This transcript is automatically generated
Now we have a young entrepreneur or who says if you weren't looking to start a business do not try to be the next FaceBook -- something else but -- What she was named the best connected 21 year old in the world by ink magazine last year joining us now.
Is -- -- -- -- is the founder and chairman of the carrots society an encore.
Wow you're young -- -- already are doing so much but what what do you mean by don't try to be the next FaceBook and we're assuming you meant before the whole IPO but -- FaceBook is extremely successful as -- not.
A faith based because actually a great example of an entrepreneur trying to solve the problem.
I think one of the things that we really need to emphasize and try to kick start global economic growth.
How can we re create -- environment where entrepreneurship is about solving problems.
Right because the greatest companies the greatest opportunities.
Really our world's greatest problems.
So that's kind of the culture that we've been building at the Kyra society college partners around the world OK so let's say I've just graduated and I -- -- start something up what is the number one quality that I need to happen that the business.
That I want to watch needs to -- Yes yes well so again the first thing you want to look at.
It's what -- what does it global problem that you can create an innovative new solutions for right -- -- -- with the economy down today.
He's got this incredible opportunity for young people to not going to banking -- just Batiste I think -- To start -- -- that solves a grand challenge whether it is social connectivity or whether it's clean water.
And so and the best examples they can give you Liz if you look at some of these -- but we're working with a around the world than 192021.
And they're solving problems as -- as cancer whenever companies -- -- Dartmouth the developing new ways to take.
Cancerous cells and identify them for treatment.
And -- he's -- -- -- this wow and so you.
It's telling you look at starting -- company you really shouldn't look at the margins say what are other people doing that I can copy and I think that's the biggest message need to get -- -- Here I was gonna say Opentable -- -- idea yet solved a lot of people's problems about getting reservations -- -- it -- -- would really really important stuff is happening.
And -- just -- something interesting you said other starting in college are you telling people now gonna wait till you graduate.
Start it now have to the old Sergey and -- Larry brand -- you know where they started Google in the door.
Actually look at some of the greatest companies right but he said -- even frankly FaceBook these companies are starting college -- -- thrive because as a student.
The world rejoiced you've got this incredible.
Support system with some of the world's top professors -- to -- -- The community of peers you can work out from all sorts of disciplines as a to way to Europe to college is frankly an injustice and again you're seeing that -- -- every year.
With Cairo's we're bringing 350.
College students with a 150 world leaders to say how can we start companies together.
And in the past four years we helped launch over a hundred companies -- college students currently launching companies that are creating jobs and solving problems while.
That's the that's the beauty -- -- we wanna see jobs created with really solid good ideas but you know not to.
Not to really talk about something negative but you know what it teach it look what we do it this way actually now that I think of it.
Tell people what to tune out and what I mean are negative voices up bad economy a lot of people look at the negative and say why should I start a company right now.
They should tune out once.
The -- first -- fall but people say this is a bad economy.
They should look at that as the greatest opportunity -- what do you look at apple or Microsoft or FedEx.
Do you think great companies today were started during a rough economy in particular that sets up an environment where it where the economy is -- for disruption.
People aren't happy with the status -- looking for innovative new ways to solve problems.
And the opportunity cost for an entrepreneur of going to a big jumpers -- starting something has disappeared.
On grilling people tell you to go ahead and that it's about economy it's a great opportunity for us to do this so I ever courage every young entrepreneur to take this opportunity.
You know what I hope there was some hope they listen -- that sort of entrepreneurial American spirit is still there are alive and kicking on court Jane good luck to you thank you for being here.
Thank you thank you so much less founder and chairman of the Cairo society David just last year he graduated Wharton -- he's not really successful or bright already wild ride up up up.
If he was a -- we all be investing you have to -- | <urn:uuid:e7018f8b-1f0a-496e-bb26-07140f36af6a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1656929961001/entrepreneurs-dont-try-to-be-the-next-facebook/?playlist_id=937116533001 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95661 | 1,036 | 1.78125 | 2 |
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, celebrated his 100th birthday at Naval Air Station North Island, July 25.
Retired Navy Lt. John Finn received his medal from Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz for heroism and distinguished service during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Finn is now the sole survivor of 15 Sailors who received the Medal of Honor for their actions Dec. 7, 1941.
During Finn's 100th birthday barbecue, astronauts from the space shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station (ISS) called Finn to wish him a happy birthday. The multinational crew from the ISS includes people from the United States, Europe, Russia, Canada and Japan.
Each crew member of the ISS individually wished Finn a happy birthday and praised him for his accomplishment. Birthday party attendees gathered around Finn during the phone call. They whispered, cheered and laughed but the guests all remained silent during the conversation with Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata. He noted the United States and Japan's progress since World War II and pointed out their "strong friendship up at the International Space Station."
Nearly 300 family members and friends came to pay homage to Finn on his birthday, from close relatives to distinguished guest Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
"There are very few people like him. Obviously, there are few Medal of Honor recipients, especially living, but people like that [Finn] really make you appreciate what we have and it's worth celebrating," said Elijah Finn, great nephew of John Finn.
Finn received recognition from many government officials including senators, Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, and letters from the governor's of all 50 states. In addition, the city of Chula Vista proclaimed July 25 John Finn Day. Many other gifts, cards and plaques were given to Finn, a former aviation ordnanceman, but the final gift was provided by the ordnance community. A shadow box was presented to Finn containing an ensign which was flow aboard every aircraft carrier in the fleet.
Finn currently resides in San Diego where he is still remains active in the World War II and veteran community. | <urn:uuid:363d8011-548e-40c0-8e9e-55ea0b6d2c05> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.maritimequest.com/in_the_news_pages/2009_07_30_oldert_medal_of_honor_survivor.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979972 | 433 | 1.78125 | 2 |
Jeb Bush Steps Up on Immigration Reform
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, whose name is also being touted as a 2016 presidential contender, has addressed the need for "comprehensive" immigration reform in an op-ed that appeared in Friday's Wall Street Journal.
Bush co-authored the piece with Goldwater Institute attorney Clint Bolick as part of a preview for their upcoming book, Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution. The duo's approach to immigration reform will most certainly run afoul to some conservative leaders who for years have fought any approach to immigration reform short of deporting the estimated 12 million illegal men, women and children in the U.S., and building 30-foot, electrified walls to prohibit border crossings.
First on their list is getting Congress to admit that immigration is not as much a law enforcement issue as it is a result of antiquated and outdated laws. "The nation has changed dramatically since the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, and that legislation has not held up well," write Bush and Bolick. "It has been patched over so many times that it is hopelessly complex and incoherent. We need to start from scratch."
Another point they highlighted was the argument used by critics of immigration reform in suggesting the way to solve the crux of the problem is simply for those wanting to immigrate to get in line for legal visas. "There is no line," they say.
Current laws pertaining to immigration is based on an annual "diversity lottery," that rewards about 55,000 lucky winners of a random lottery the chance to come and legally work in the U.S. There are approximately 250 applicants for each spot.
However, the issue that appears to be a thorn in the side for both Democrats and Republicans is the subject of amnesty. At what point do Congress and the White House agree that those who are in the U.S. illegally can be granted citizenship?
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"The U.S. must find a fair way to deal with its 11 million illegal immigrants without sending the message that America's laws can be broken with impunity," the pair wrote. "Crossing the border illegally must have consequence. At the same time, we must recognize that children who were brought here illegally have committed no crime and in most instances know no other country."
Others topics and questions raised include addressing the ever-changing nature of border security, the reality that the U.S. needs workers of all types, especially those with high-skills in science and technology.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R), another Floridian whose name is mentioned as a future presidential contender, will also be at the forefront of the immigration debate, as will Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
Bush's and Bolick's book is expected to be released in March and is being published by Threshold Editions/Simon & Schuster. | <urn:uuid:25cdddbe-6d65-4ca6-9e90-8962d8b00d14> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://m.christianpost.com/news/jeb-bush-steps-up-on-immigration-reform-88895/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973503 | 609 | 1.53125 | 2 |
Report: Security Breach Behind Twitter Outage Did Not Originate with New Hampshire DNS Provider
A hacker attack on the domain name system (DNS) servers that enable access to Twitter’s website disrupted service for many users late Thursday, directing them instead to a web page declaring “This site has been hacked by Iranian Cyber Army.” In the wake of the attack, which was fended off within hours, many fingers are being pointed at Twitter’s DNS provider, Manchester, NH-based Dyn Inc. But according to information obtained by Xconomy, the breach that apparently gave hackers access to the site did not occur at Dyn, and may in fact be traceable to a security hole at Twitter or at some other point of access.
The DNS is a global, distributed system that translates websites’ familiar alphanumeric names, such as www.twitter.com, into Internet Protocol addresses that can be used by Web servers and Internet routers to deliver Web pages to people who request them. Many companies, including Twitter, outsource DNS services to specialized providers such as Dyn, whose computers are especially fast at resolving URLs into IP addresses. “The DNS is critical for the Internet infrastructure,” says Phil Jacob, founder and CEO of Cambridge, MA-based product recommendation site Stylefeeder, which is also a Dyn client.
Jacob says Dyn executives filled him in today about the crisis at Twitter after he requested a briefing. From what he learned, he says, he is satisfied that the episode is not a sign of any weakness in Dyn’s security procedures.
Kyle York, vice president of sales and marketing at Dyn, said he was limited in what he could say about the incident on the record. “This was an isolated incident,” York says. “No unauthenticated user account accessed Twitter’s Dynect Platform account. Dyn Inc is working with Twitter and the authories in an investigation on the issue.”
Reading between the lines, York’s statement would seem to suggest that Twitter’s account at Dyn was accessed by hackers who appeared to have proper authorization—perhaps meaning a pilfered password. This apparently gave the hackers the ability to implement a “redirect” that caused Twitter’s domain name to resolve, temporarily, to an incorrect Internet address (the address of the Iranian Cyber Army page).
The hackers did not have access to any … Next Page » | <urn:uuid:00ee95ae-0590-4de1-87eb-5f27b4cffe76> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/12/18/report-security-breach-behind-twitter-outage-did-not-originate-with-new-hampshire-dns-provider/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965106 | 501 | 1.804688 | 2 |
The Dayton Rubber Company
List of Deals
- 1957 5 1/4% convertible subordinated debentures
- 1960 $7,500,000 5 1/2% convertible subordinated debentures due August 1, 1980
The Dayton Rubber Company was incorporated in Ohio in May 1905 as the Dayton Rubber Manufacturing Company. The name was changed to Dayton Rubber Company in 1947 and in 1960 it changed again to become Dayco Corporation, which was a trade name for the company.
Dayton manufactured and sold rubber goods, the variety of which expanded as the company acquired and created new subsidiaries over the years. In late 1935 Dayton Rubber purchased the name, goodwill, and molds of the McLaren Rubber Company, a manufacturer of tires in North Carolina. In 1942 Dayton and several other corporations formed Copolymer Rubber & Chemical Corporation, which took over the operation of a newly built government rubber plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1943 Dayton acquired a controlling interest in Jem Rubber Company, a small mechanical rubber goods plant in Toronto, Canada. In 1945 Dayton organized the Dayton Rubber Export Company of Ohio to handle export trade and other foreign operations.
Sales grew steadily as Dayton added new subsidiaries and product lines, to $7.4 million in 1938, $11.7 million in 1941, and $25.8 million in 1945.
In 1950 Dayton organized Ranger Realty Company. It expanded into the production of foam rubber products as well as adhesives, plastics, chemical, and polyurethane products by acquiring American Latex Products Corporation in August 1952 in exchange for 27,026 shares. Dayton added Market Tire Company of Michigan in December 1956. It also organized the Metalastik Corporation of America as a wholly owned subsidiary. Metalastik manufactured various products that involved rubber bonded to metal.
In 1957 Dayton bought Cadillac Plastic & Chemical Company. It acquired Hardman Tool & Engineering Company of Los Angeles and Aircraft Standards, Inc., of Santa Monica, California, in 1959. It also organized Springday Company. In 1960 it bought Metal Hose & Tubing of Dover, New Jersey, and created Davue Storage Company.
Dayton's operations had evolved into four different divisions manufacturing rubber goods by 1969: mechanical rubber goods, tires for autos and trucks, foam rubber products, and chemical and plastics products. In 1960 Dayco lost $5.9 million on sales of $99.3 million, down from 1959 when the company earned $5.0 million with sales of $101.8 million. | <urn:uuid:8a200ae0-a573-4170-8662-31aa5b0a5489> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/lehman/company.html?company=the_dayton_rubber_company | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948323 | 505 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Decoherence Control in Open Quantum Systems via Internal Model of the Environment
Professor Narayan Ganesan, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 – 11:00 am
Location: Babbio Center, Room 122, Stevens Institute of Technology
Quantum Information and Quantum Computation hold the key to faster information processing and reliable communication. Quantum information processing devices are also the promising alternative to digital systems due to the reduction in feature size of silicon based technology. However, decoherence caused by environmental interaction and which leads to the collapse of quantum superposition is currently the biggest roadblock towards exploitation of quantum speedup in computation. Although the problem has received much attention over the past several years and some techniques are effective for small group of qubits, problems such as scability of error correction techniques and decoherence under arbitrary useful control pulses prevail. Here we investigate decoherence control for quantum systems with the help of a scalable ancillary qubit. The ancillary system is entangled with the system and the model of environmental interaction is used to counter the decohering interaction. The example of decoherence elimination in single qubit, and 2-qubit system is presented in order to demonstrate the efficacy of the technique, which preserves the action of useful control while eliminating only the effects of decohering interaction. This technique also leads us to the idea of Internal Model Principle analogue for quantum control systems which is first of its kind.
Narayan Ganesan joined Stevens as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Fall 2011. Narayan received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Systems Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in December 2006. From 2006-2007, he was a research associate at the Washington University School of Medicine, where he worked on mathematical modeling of neuronal systems and their response to visual and vestibular stimuli. From 2007-2009, he worked at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Washington University as a post-doctoral researcher and Adjunct faculty where his work focused on Hybrid Computing on heterogeneous platforms, such as FPGAs, Graphics Processing Units(GPUs) and multi-core processors. From 2010 to 2011 as a senior research scientist, he was the lead behind the development of an optimized Molecular Dynamics simulation package implemented on GPUs, at the University of Delaware. The study benefits several highimpact applications such as drug-design, protein-ligand interaction and multi-scale modeling. | <urn:uuid:fc04751f-3fad-4407-994b-8fe99576b22f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.stevens.edu/news/content/decoherence-control-open-quantum-systems-internal-model-environment | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939039 | 507 | 1.84375 | 2 |
Thu January 19, 2012
Pakistan's Prime Minister Makes Rare Court Appearance
Originally published on Thu January 19, 2012 9:36 am
RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
And I'm Steve Inskeep. Good morning.
Pakistan's civilian government is in the midst of one of the many dramas that seem to occupy all its time. The prime minister appeared before the country's Supreme Court. He was ordered to explain why he should not be held in contempt. The prime minister has been refusing to prosecute a corruption case against his own boss, President Asif Ali Zardari.
On top of an insurgency, terrorism, an economic crisis, a rupture in relations with the U.S., and a civilian confrontation with the military, the civilians are contending among themselves over the rule of law. NPR's Julie McCarthy was at the court today.
JULIE MCCARTHY, BYLINE: Hi, Steve.
INSKEEP: How did the appearance of the prime minister go?
MCCARTHY: Well, I think what you really saw happening was the executive here - the prime minister and his lawyer - getting a full blast of the judiciary. Really a lesson in the separation of powers. And that's really the larger frame of this story, Steve. And that's why the nation was glued to the court today. It's a momentous occasion for the Pakistanis to see the chief executive of the country in the dock answering to an independent newly restored Judiciary.
One of the justices called is a great day. But you do have critics here accusing this government of being utterly cynical about carrying out the court's orders, using lame excuses and endless delays, in the words of one of the senior lawyers who was there today.
And to the surprise of a lot of people, the court granted more time to the prime minister and his lawyer. They adjourned the contempt case against him until February 1. The prime minister was told he didn't have to come to that one.
INSKEEP: OK. This case has already dragged on for a few years. What did the prime minister say to explain all those delays?
MCCARTHY: Well, you know, he's a soft-spoken man. He was very differential. He sounded very humbled. Basically he said he felt he had a handicap in carrying out the orders to revive a graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari. The Swiss authorities originally brought suit - a money laundering suit against Zardari and his late wife, Benazir Bhutto.
And Gilani told the court he didn't attempt to re-open the case with the Swiss authorities because he was advised that the president has complete immunity from prosecution. Therefore he couldn't comply with the court. How could I send the president to the wolves, he asked.
INSKEEP: OK. So how did the court respond to Yousaf Raza Gilani's argument then that they could not comply with the court order because it didn't match the constitution?
MCCARTHY: Well, they gave his lawyer quite a rough going over, which is interesting because his lawyer is a hallowed figure in the judiciary movement that helped restore the Supreme Court to its new independence. But those credentials didn't really help him too much today.
The patience clearly is running out of the Supreme Court, of the justices. One said, look, we have great respect for the prime minister and he says he's only obeying the constitution, but somebody should've come to us in two years - that's how old the court order is - and kindly explained what the impediment was. And one justice subtly urged the lawyer to go ahead and contact the Swiss authorities and get on with it.
INSKEEP: And yet they gave the government more time to comply here.
MCCARTHY: That's right. Listen, they did adjourn until February 1. And I think the reason behind that, Steve, is that the court is full of cautious, serious men who, yes, they want to exercise this new independence and act aggressively as one branch of government, but they also see the political landscape in front of them. And they don't want to be blamed for inviting more instability in Pakistan - as you pointed out, it's got plenty to deal with - and invite martial law. The court actually said that there's no need for that now. They are wary. They're watching. And they're careful. And they have been accused of colluding with the army to get Zardari. But you know, those allegations are undercut by the fact the court has really signaled loudly and clearly to the military that any precipitous move by it would be considered unconstitutional. So they are moving slowly, and have, until now.
INSKEEP: Julie, thanks very much.
MCCARTHY: Thank you.
INSKEEP: That's NPR's Julie McCarthy in Islamabad today. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | <urn:uuid:bcb6415a-5463-4562-8866-5062689f539d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://kcur.org/post/pakistans-prime-minister-makes-rare-court-appearance | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985287 | 1,055 | 1.632813 | 2 |
KANO, Nigeria — One hundred couples tied the knot at a mass wedding at the main mosque in Nigeria's second-largest city on Tuesday, part of an Islamic police programme aimed at promoting stable families.
Hundreds of residents in the city of Kano, the largest in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north, thronged outside the central mosque for the wedding of divorcees and widows attended by the city's traditional chief and government officials.
The brides were the first set of 1,000 divorcees and widows the sharia police, known as the Hisbah, screened for marriage to available suitors.
Grooms were dressed in flowing robes as a Hisbah official read off the names of the couples at the cavernous mosque.
According to local custom, brides usually do not attend the ceremony, but some were there on Tuesday, dressed in veils and wax-cloth dresses.
"I'm very happy today. May God reward all those involved in this project," 40-year-old bride Magajiya Ya'u told AFP.
One of the grooms married his second wife, as Islamic beliefs allow for up to four.
"I'm in high spirits today because I have married the woman of my choice virtually at no cost because the government has shouldered the cost," said 55-year-old Sule Alaramma, surrounded by well-wishers outside the mosque.
The wedding was a product of a Hisbah programme seeking to match divorced and widowed women looking to re-marry with available men.
It aims to address what officials say is a high divorce rate as well as to provide a stable home environment for children.
Part of the goal is to reduce unrest in Kano, which has been hit by deadly violence blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram. Analysts say frustrated youths have helped fill the ranks of the Islamists.
Women who volunteered for the programme included those left in difficult circumstances after the death of their husbands or a divorce in a region where arranged marriages are common.
The programme was run in conjunction with the Voice of Divorcees and Widows Association of Nigeria (VOWAN), and officials say all women participated on a strictly voluntary basis.
Women and men who qualified were allowed to meet each other at the Hisbah offices and decide on their own who they wished to marry.
"We are grateful to God that we have begun to realise our dream of marrying 1,000 women as part of the government's commitment to mitigate the social malaise we are facing in our society," the head of the Hisbah, Aminu Daurawa, said after the wedding conducted by the city's chief imam.
"We will continue to conduct the weddings in batches and soon we will have the wedding of the second set of 100 women already screened."
Outside the mosque, a large crowd waited at the gates while the sharia police screened grooms before allowing them to enter the mosque.
Armed policemen kept watch in the scorching heat amid drumming, singing and dancing.
The Hisbah paid the 10,000 naira ($63) dowry for grooms and provided the brides with furniture and kitchen wares, as well as 15,000 naira ($95) to enable them to start small businesses such as tailoring or food preparation, Daurawa said.
The brides were represented by the emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, and the grooms by a senior government official on behalf of state governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. | <urn:uuid:725eca8a-ffcd-4dc4-ad42-d023867b2e96> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.africanquarters.com/index.php/nigeria-news/1215-100-couples-wed-in-kano-mass-marriage-ceremony.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970754 | 728 | 1.632813 | 2 |
Herald-Palladium: Korean students help Japan
BERRIEN SPRINGS - Imperial Japan's occupation of Korea is far from a fond memory for Koreans who lived through it. And the legacy lingers for those born decades after Japanese soldiers left in 1945 after 36 years of often brutal occupation. But the death and devastation from Japan's March 11 earthquake is touching Korean hearts at Andrews University in Oronoko Township. The leader of a campus Korean club said the need to help Japan proved an extra incentive for boosting club sales at Sunday's 47th Annual International Food Fair in the university's Johnson Gym. Read full story. | <urn:uuid:c29e80ac-f592-454c-9826-197ec371c125> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/2011/03/29/iherald-palladiumi-korean | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.933503 | 125 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Jamie Lee Curtis was once engaged to a grandson of Marlene Dietrich.
In both the 1994 film True Lies and the 2001 film The Tailor Of Panama, Jamie Lee Curtis plays a character married to a man named Harry who she doesn't know is a spy.
SCOTLANDSt Columba is not only credited with being the man who brought Christianity to Scotland,... MORE
LUTONAccording to a survey in 2010 by the Invertebrate Conservation Trust, Selbourne Road, Luton, is... MORE
KISSINGMore germs are transferred shaking hands than kissing.
During World War I, it was reported... MORE
WRISTThe scaphoid is one of eight bones in the wrist. The others are called trapezium,... MORE
CARTOONThe first public performance of an animated cartoon on October 28, 1892, in Paris.
The cartoon... MORE
WASHINGTONWashington had a horse called Nelson and was said to have been the first American... MORE
CRASHWork began in Sweden in 2006 on developing the first female dummy for use in... MORE
WATERMELONThe first recorded watermelon harvest took place around 5,000 years ago in Egypt.
Pictures of the... MORE
JAMAICAThe name 'Jamaica' comes from an Arawak Indian word meaning 'land of wood and water'.
PORKIn 2007, a French court ruled that it is not discriminatory to offer pork soup... MORE
OLIVE'Light that shines on olive leaves is like a diamond and makes the painter lose... MORE
CHOCOLATEMontezuma started the myth about chocolate being an aphrodisiac. His cup of cocoa at bedtime... MORE
AUGUSTUSThe Roman Emperor Augustus was 5ft 7in tall and wore thick-soled shoes so that he... MORE
DEAFNESS2According to a German scientist, Tyrannosaurus Rex was practically deaf and certainly could not pick... MORE
PETER PANJ.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, was only 5ft 2in tall (he stopped growing... MORE
peter the great | <urn:uuid:fce82839-b09d-420d-add9-a795093fe0ef> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wakkipedia.com/WEIRD-FACTS-ABOUT-CURTIS | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938137 | 437 | 1.8125 | 2 |
States hoping to capitalize on their energy booms are running into resistance from local officials who want to be able to police the noise and industrialization that accompany oil-and-gas drilling. Continue reading
Dave Montgomery The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Austin: A University of Texas study says there’s no direct link between groundwater contamination and a controversial process to extract oil and gas known as fracking. Continue reading
China will get the oil from Canada that could have come to the U.S.
The past year may have been one for political gridlock and economic stagnation, but the energy world saw some of the most important achievements of the past few decades. Continue reading
Since the Obama administration seems to do everything in its power to stonewall the domestic energy industry, including weak non-decisions like the Keystone pipeline, keeping up a virtual drilling moratorium, and creating-then-promptly-losing “green” jobs, it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that the President is starting to lose some traction among blue collar workers. From a new CNN/ORC poll: Continue reading
The Environmental Protection Agency is likely to play an unusually prominent role in the 2012 presidential election, reflecting ongoing partisan debate in Congress over the ties between environmental regulations and jobs.
“What we’re going to see in this cycle is a lot of bitterness. … It’s going to be more partisan than it’s ever been,” said GOP environmental strategist Chelsea Maxwell. “So the energy and environment issues will definitely creep into that.” Continue reading
Perry has made energy exploration and drilling for oil a central tenant of his policy for fixing the economy as a Republican presidential candidate.
Not long ago, Bill Kerrigan toured Eagle Ford Shale, a string of oil and natural gas fields south of San Antonio, Texas, that stretches across 24 counties and has yielded just shy of five million barrels of oil between January and July of this year. In that time, Eagle Ford has brought tens of thousands of workers to south Texas and turned tiny desert communities into boomtowns.
“That’s one thing about oil,” say Kerrigan, who heads Arkose Energy, an oil exploration firm based in Nashville, It’s good at creating jobs, and it does it quickly. And I don’t know of a minimum-paying job in the oil industry.”
Looking at the activity at Eagle Ford Shale, Kerrigan remembers thinking, “I wish someone from Washington would come see this.” Continue reading
It provides low-cost power to keep our state’s electric bills affordable and our industries competitive. In this time of economic uncertainty and strained middle-class family budgets, it would be unwise to institute regulations that cost jobs and raise household expenses. Unfortunately, some have not thoroughly examined the broader impact on our economy new federal regulations could have.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Utility Maximum Achievable Control Technology Rule will put tens of thousands of jobs in our state directly at risk by affecting Hoosiers‘ utilities that rely on coal-fired power to keep our lights on and manufacturing facilities working. Even though the electric utility industry has invested billions of dollars over the past two decades to reduce emissions, the Utility MACT Rule orders coal-fired utilities to spend additional billions on retrofitting technologies to decrease the amount of emissions released as a production byproduct. Power plants that cannot reasonably afford these compliance costs will have to shut down and be replaced in a short timeframe by new generation and transmission at substantial cost to consumers. Continue reading
By CHRIS TOMLINSON
Perry has cut funding for clean air programs and sued the Environmental Protection Agency to avoid enforcing laws to make the air cleaner. As part of his Republican presidential campaign, he routinely blasts the White House for tightening environmental standards.
“As president, I would roll back the radical agenda of President Obama’s job-killing Environmental Protection Agency,” Perry wrote recently in an op-ed for the New Hampshire Union-Leader. “Our nation does not need costly new federal restrictions, especially during our present economic crisis.”
By Jamie Klatell
“We will have an energy independence strategy because America has the resources to become energy independent. We have enough oil, coal, natural gas, shale oil,” Cain said at the Iowa Faith and Freedom dinner in Des Moines. “We have the resources to become energy independent, and my team is already working on putting that strategy together.”
He said that the U.S. needs to produce its own energy and stop relying on sources “in countries that don’t like us very much.” Continue reading | <urn:uuid:192f120a-044c-470f-9f2b-2fd3dbd5cdee> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://energyindependenceforstates.com/tag/rick-perry/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951709 | 976 | 1.703125 | 2 |
|Guests:||Dr. Roy Spencer, Open Lines|
During the first half of Friday's program, Art Bell talked with Dr. Roy Spencer (ecoenquirer.com - environmental satire/fake news) about climate change and Jim Hansen, the climate scientist who claims to have been censored by NASA because of his views on global warming. Spencer, who has worked with NASA for the last 20 years, disagreed with Hansen's hypothesis that mankind is mostly responsible for global climate change, though he suggested that man's activity could account for as much as half. The rest can be explained by natural cycles, Spencer said.
He pointed out that natural circulation shifts are probably to blame for the melting of the North Polar ice caps. Spencer also commented on last year's record-breaking hurricane season, which was likely the result of "rapid deepening cycles" rather than anything man has done to the climate, he remarked. Spencer expressed skepticism about what we could know about past climates by studying ice core samples, and said 'feedbacks' have been overstated in climate models.
According to Spencer, we can do little to affect global warming with policy changes. Even alternative forms of energy, like solar and hydrogen, would do little to combat climate change, he said, because they cannot provide for the large-scale power needs of the planet, as petroleum and coal can. Spencer predicts a modest warming trend for the planet in the coming decades, but said that mankind will be able to adapt to it. In the end, the climate will find a way to restore the balance, he concluded.
The final two hours of the show featured Open Lines. Several callers offered their opinions about tonight's guest, Dr. Roy Spencer, as well as their thoughts on global warming. Art also invited any visiting aliens to phone in, and received a call from the self-proclaimed Son of Satan, Oscar. | <urn:uuid:560d5dfb-fc2b-494b-a5cc-04f103f1f809> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2006/03/03 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970987 | 383 | 1.554688 | 2 |
Around the Nation
Wed February 29, 2012
Severe Storms Leave Nine Dead In Midwest
Originally published on Wed February 29, 2012 7:34 pm
ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:
It's ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Robert Siegel.
AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:
And I'm Audie Cornish. Deadly tornadoes swept through the Midwest overnight and this morning, killing at least eight people. The storm system hammered parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky, where it still poses a threat.
As NPR's David Schaper reports, hardest hit is the small city of Harrisburg in southern Illinois.
DAVID SCHAPER, BYLINE: Many of the people of Harrisburg went to bed last night knowing there was a threat of severe weather, but what they woke up to in the darkness at about 4:30 this morning few could imagine.
Harrisburg Mayor Eric Gregg describes the frightening scene.
MAYOR ERIC GREGG: When the sirens were going off this morning, I walked out of my home with my family and I looked and it was eerily quiet. And the sirens were blaring. And I had a heart – just a gut feeling that something dreadfully was wrong.
SCHAPER: The National Weather Service says it was an EF-4 tornado that hit Harrisburg. That's the second highest rating it gives to twisters. A forecaster estimates top wind speeds of at least 170 miles an hour. The twister cut a wide path of destruction through this city of about 9,000 in southern Illinois. An entire strip mall was leveled and reduced to a pile of debris. At least 200 to 300 homes were destroyed or damaged. Even the Harrisburg Hospital was not spared, as video shows a wall stripped away and hospital rooms and beds exposed to the elements.
Mayor Eric Gregg says in addition to those killed, the injured in Harrisburg close to 100.
GREGG: This morning, the city of Harrisburg had a horrific event. The loss of our lives breaks my heart today.
SCHAPER: The mayor says search rescue and recovery efforts will continue in Harrisburg until everyone is accounted for, though there are no reports of anyone still missing. And the city is imposing a curfew in the damaged areas at six o'clock tonight until 6:00 tomorrow morning.
Harrisburg isn't the only city dealing with the aftermath of devastating tornadoes. This rare, late February but spring-like storm raced across the center of the country overnight. At least two people died in Missouri and the popular resort town of Branson suffered severe damage to hotels, concert halls, homes and businesses.
After touring the damage, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon told reporters he believes many people may have been spared because after the devastating tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, last year, they'd paid particular attention to this storm's warnings.
GOVERNOR JAY NIXON: I think people understand that the early warning systems we have in place now are serious. We've seen lives saved across our state, whether it's Joplin or other areas around the country. I think people understand that when those sirens go off, when people say, go to the basement, that the best thing to do is to follow those plans and do it.
MIKE HUDSON: Tornado outbreaks this time of the year are rare, but they're not unprecedented.
SCHAPER: Mike Hudson is chief operations officer for the central region of the country for the National Weather Service.
HUDSON: This storm system is actually part of a very large winter storm system affecting parts of the Dakotas. While areas around Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Indiana are dealing with tornadoes, up across the Great Lakes and through the Dakotas, they're dealing with near blizzard conditions and upwards of a foot of snow.
SCHAPER: And Hudson says this dangerous storm system continues moving east with watches and warnings still in effect for parts of eastern Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia and parts of the Carolinas.
David Schaper, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio. | <urn:uuid:331cb246-b068-4044-8e26-306ac9e2d627> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://kwgs.org/post/severe-storms-leave-nine-dead-midwest | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952636 | 876 | 1.507813 | 2 |
Drink The Milk!
It is really frightening to realize how quickly a reputation can be destroyed. It can take years to build credibility and earn respect, yet it can all go away in a matter of seconds. That is exactly what happened to Emerson Fittipaldi in 1993. Fittipaldi had just won the Indianapolis 500 for the second time. It was a very entertaining race to watch and Emmo seemed to be a deserving two-time champion. He pulled his Penske chassis into Victory Lane and was greeted by a huge ovation. He climbed out of the cockpit, accepted the Borg-Warner trophy and the accompanying wreath along with all of the accolades that comes with being an Indy 500 champion. And then it happened…when offered the traditional bottle of milk, he declined. Thud.
Not only had he thumbed his large, pitted nose at one of the most honored traditions in sports; he explained it away by saying that he grew oranges in Brazil and he chose to drink orange juice, instead. The crowd wasn’t pleased. The National Dairy Council that sponsors this tradition would not take this snub quietly. Television replays show repeated attempts to “request” that Fittipaldi drink the milk. Each time he would look the other way and skillfully ignore them or else politely nod his head sideways and calmly shove the still full bottle aside; all the while sipping on his orange juice bottle.
There it was. Done. In the course of an instant, one of the fan favorites at the Speedway had suddenly become Darth Vader. He was instantly vilified. I am not sure I have ever seen a reputation go down the tubes so quickly. We don’t mind when a driver mentions his or her sponsor’s name twelve times in a single interview. That is part of the sport. But for a driver to use the hallowed ground of Victory Lane at Indianapolis as a platform to prostitute his own products – while avoiding tradition; well…that was too much to swallow.
We are now sixteen years removed from that incident and Fittipaldi’s reputation hasn’t recovered. He drove the pace car to start the race in 2008. When introduced, it was hard to hear the smattering of polite applause over the chorus of boos. There are two things about Indy fans…we like tradition and we don’t forget.
The drinking of milk by the winner of the Indianapolis 500 actually started in 1936, when Louis Meyer won his third 500. It was unusually hot that day. Meyer’s drink of choice on a hot day was actually a cold glass of buttermilk, which was what he was actually drinking from a bottle after the race in Victory Lane. The Milk Foundation saw the pictures and decided to capitalize on it. They began a promotion the following year where they provided milk to the winner each year. The practice was stopped in 1947, for some unknown reason, and did not return until 1956. Since 1956, the Indy 500 winner has consumed milk every year…except for 1993, when orange juice was the surprise choice.
Another sacrilege involving milk began in 2001 when Helio Castroneves won the race. After a few sips of the milk, Helio chose to pour the rest of the bottle over his head. This doesn’t come close to the Fittipaldi faux pas, but it tends to rub traditionalists like me the wrong way…not to mention what his hair and clothes must have smelled like afterwards. He doubled the insult the following year by dumping two bottles over his head in honor of his second win.
The next few winners were a bit more civil with their milk. Gil de Ferran calmly sipped it while simply saying, “I love milk”. Dan Wheldon didn’t sip – he gulped. He actually downed half of the bottle in about three swallows. Wheldon was even generous enough to share some with his car owner, Michael Andretti, since he had never had the honor as a driver. But he never dumped it.
The milk wasn’t dumped again until 2006, when Sam Hornish poured milk all over his head and then, doing his best Dan Gurney champagne-spraying imitation, proceeded to douse the unwilling crowd with milk. That’s certainly a nice way to pay back your well-wishers. Scott Dixon was the most recent milk dumper in this unruly trend. That’s four times in the last eight years that the traditional milk has been desecrated.
At least they all drank the milk before dumping it out, unlike Fittipaldi. Still, this is one of those traditions that you don’t turn your back on. Steven Tyler set tradition back one hundred years by his rendition of the National Anthem in 2000. You wouldn’t want Michael Jackson singing “Back Home Again In Indiana”. We shouldn’t have our race winners throwing milk everywhere. Some things you just don’t mess with. There is a lot of responsibility heaped upon the shoulders of an Indianapolis 500 champion. That responsibility should start with the sacred traditions in Victory Lane. | <urn:uuid:51c35a26-c68b-4f30-8217-e2202667a257> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://oilpressure.wordpress.com/2009/05/21/drink-the-milk/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=9514d1f115 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977031 | 1,066 | 1.632813 | 2 |
Kids get unplugged at Cross Orchards
No iPod, TV — not even a toaster.
The kids attending the annual Kid’s Camp at Cross Orchards are learning that some of our modern electronics are making life harder, not easier.
“Step back 100 years ago and they’re finding that some things were simpler while other things were harder,” said Kay Fiegel, assistant director for the Museum of Western Colorado.
Each year, museum staff and a host of volunteers come together to teach campers all kinds of basic pioneer skills from blacksmithing to laundry washing.
It’s all about unplugging from 2012 and learning about how children used to entertain themselves, Fiegel said.
Camp started Monday with an old-fashioned bug hunting expedition led by a volunteer from the Palisade Insectary. The kids, ranging age from 6 to 11-years-old, caught and examined as many specimens as possible. “I learned that there is a difference between a bug and an insect,” said August Promenke, 9, as he examined a number of critters he was keeping in plastic cups next to his sandwich in his lunchbox.
The week-long camp is jam packed with hands-on activities for the kids including gold panning, yo-yo demonstrations, weaving, quilting and baking, all of which use pioneer techniques from the early 1900s.
“We’re giving them a touch and feel experience which really makes for constructive learning, but fun, for the kids,” Fiegel said.
The popular camp has been taking place for over a decade. Fiegel said it is a good fit that continues the mission of education for the museum. It also serves as a way to connect with the children and capture their interest in history and their community at an early age, she said.
Many of the children return year after year, Fiegel said.
“This camp is awesome — it’s leaving such a good impression on me that I’m already looking forward to it next year,” said Kyle Hall, 12, one of the camp helpers.
The camp ends Friday with a special social for the children’s parents. “We’re making ice cream,” said Chance McAllister with excitement, “I hope it’s chocolate!”
Several spots are open for the next sessions of Kid’s Camp this summer. Cost is $99 per child which includes all supplies and two daily snacks. Session II will take place from July 9 - 13 and Session III takes place July 30 through Aug. 3. To register, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3842. | <urn:uuid:07d484dd-ae72-4622-a842-702f08423b83> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/kids-get-unplugged-at-cross-orchards | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966288 | 569 | 1.804688 | 2 |
PyroManiac devotes Monday space to highlights from The Spurgeon Archive. The following excerpt is from a sermon titled "Intimate Knowledge of the Holy Spirit," preached March 10th, 1889, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. the main point he makes is one both cessationists and non-cessationists alike should be able to agree on.
"He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (John 14:17).
Mark well the increase. Is it not a blessed step from with to in? "He dwelleth with you"that is, a friend in the same house; "and shall be in you," that is, a Spirit within yourself; this is nearer, dearer, more mysterious, and more effective by far.
The bread yonder is "with" me. I eat it, and now it is "in" me. It could not nourish me until it advanced from "with" to "in."
What a distinct advance it is for the child of God when he rises from the Spirit of God being with him to the Spirit of God being in him! When the Spirit of God helped the apostles to work miracles, he was with them; but when they came to feel his spiritual work in their own souls, and to rejoice in the comfort which he brought to them, then he was in them. Even if you could obtain miraculous gifts, you ought not to be satisfied to speak with tongues, nor to work miracles; but you should press on to know the Spirit with yourselfindwelling, communing, quickening you. | <urn:uuid:2b599f63-3400-4583-a0db-027fb9906bb9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2006/01/with-you-and-in-you.html?showComment=1137449100000 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979686 | 327 | 1.679688 | 2 |
There is a horrible sense of meaninglessness and chaos that comes from the extreme loneliness of being cut off. Trauma, whether sustained in the family, or in the military during combat, renders millions feeling unsafe, insecure, mistrustful, and in the end isolated, lonely and desperate. Judith Lewis Herman, who wrote the definitive book on trauma and recovery, stated that all so-called mental illness and suffering could be seen as a person's misguided attempt to survive trauma. Fear separates, love unites. We all wish to grow to freedom, to belong, to participate. Hatred is like gangrene, shame is deadly. Forgiveness is but a faint hope.
Sandoz began to market LSD in 1947 as a psychiatric panacea, the cure for everything from schizophrenia to criminal behaviour, sexual perversions, alcoholism, and other addictions. During a 15-year period beginning in 1950, research on LSD and other hallucinogens generated over 1,000 scientific papers, several dozen books and six international conferences, and LSD was prescribed as an adjunct of psychotherapy to over 40,000 patients. The current research using psychedelics heralds a reawakening to the magnificent healing possibilities of these now prohibited substances. After over 40 years of repression or oppression, Rick Doblin of Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (Maps), and others are spearheading a more enlightened, less hysterical and terrified approach to the use of these substances. I am participating in what hopefully will be Canada's first government approved clinical trials in 40 years, sponsored and organised by Maps, evaluating MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for subjects with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder.
There are many other applications of psychedelic psychotherapy, such as ibogaine, or ayahuasca for the treatment of substance abuse. Large numbers of people could benefit from the use of psychedelics as entheogens, introducing people to spiritual experiences, reducing pain and suffering due to isolation, by the irresistible realisation that each of us is a small part of something much greater than any of us, that separateness is an illusion, there is nothing to fear, and love is accessible, shame can be left permanently behind. Rites of passage, responsibly organised, could benefit everyone.
Despite prohibition, people have often asked me to attend their own psychedelic experiments, to keep them safe, to guide them towards liberation, the end of automatic habit patterns, kneejerk reactions, towards heartfelt responses, love, acceptance and forgiveness. After one session with MDMA, people were able to sustain insights gained, without further assistance from the drug. Psychotherapy proceeded faster and deeper than before: the debilitating effects of shame have been annulled, heavily defended hearts opened, and stayed open, and people acquired the ability to enjoy the sacrament of every living moment without distraction by past regrets or future worries. No small gains!
After three LSD sessions, a patient emerged from what was labelled chronic psychotic depression (she had attempted suicide three times, had been hospitalised, and given several courses of ECT, major antipsychotics and antidepressants), and was able to hold a job, derive pleasure from her days, and look forward to cultivating a varied garden of delights. She moved from cursing me for not letting her die to blessing me for the surprising freedom that opened up for her as a result of her LSD experiences. Psychotherapy, without LSD, would not have been enough, I'm afraid.
I can only hope that if new research with psychedelics proceeds in a responsible, careful and creative manner, the powers that be can begin to support and foster further research into this fascinating realm. I was 27 when I first tasted this incredible substance called LSD. Now I am 68 and for the last two years have been persona non grata in the US, because a border guard Googled my name, and found an article I wrote many years ago on entheogen-assisted psychotherapy. I hope I will be invited into the US before I die to teach professionals how to use psychedelics for the benefit of all. | <urn:uuid:160a76d1-2852-45a5-b1d6-e92d9a5976b8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/19/psychology.drugs | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951667 | 819 | 1.8125 | 2 |
Earlier this year we reported on the opening of the stunning Salvador Dalí Museum located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Dalí works, and since its debut this past April, the dazzling venue has already welcomed over 300,000 visitors. With its clean minimalist lines juxtaposed against a sparkling geodesic glass atrium, the spectacular structure designed by HOK stands as a work of art in its own right, while still paying homage to the spirit of Salvador Dalí. The building also brings more to the table than just its looks. Housing over 2,000 pieces of Dalí’s most important works, the museum is sited within a corner of the country that often finds itself battered by severe storms with catastrophic results. To prepare for the worst, HOK designed the shell of the structure to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. The design also features numerous green systems, including a solar hot water powered dehumidification system, high efficiency HVAC and ventilation systems, and strategic daylighting to illuminate the interiors. We recently sat down with principal architect and Senior Vice President of HOK Yann Weymouth who enlightened us on the intricacies of the design, and what it took to get the museum built. Jump ahead for our exclusive interview with Yann as he explains the design, and how his team of architects and engineers used Building Information Modeling to build a space that’s not only beautiful and sustainable, but disaster-proof.
This interview is brought to you by Autodesk – Removing the barriers to better business.
INHABITAT: How did you get started with HOK?
YANN: I joined HOK ten years ago, because of the firm’s commitment to sustainable design. HOK was about to publish the first edition of the Guide to Sustainable Design, and I had a bootleg copy. Since my days as a student, and reading and meeting Buckminster Fuller, I had been convinced this was a crucial aspect of making buildings. HOK was helping break new ground, and I wanted to be part of that effort.
INHABITAT: How did your/HOK’s involvement in the Salvador Dali Museum come about?
YANN: We were invited to submit a concept design in a competition. The museum’s brief called for an addition to the existing building. We won because we broke the brief with a design for an entirely new structure. Our research showed convincingly that it would be as expensive to add to the original old and frail structure as it would be to create an entirely new one, with a far better results.
INHABITAT: The museum houses the world’s largest collection of works by Dali, how did this influence your design of the building?
YANN: Dali is the best known of the surrealist artists, and as an explorer of the subconscious, but he was also fascinated by the forms and the mathematics of nature. His art plays consistently with the difference between Euclidean reality and surprising organic forms. We wanted to avoid the kitsch of melting clocks and “themed” surrealism, but sought, in a frank and abstract way, to make a reference to that contrast between Cartesian geometry and organic shape. Dali and Buckminster Fuller were longtime friends, both fascinated by the intrinsic geometries of nature; it seemed natural to make a strong contrast between the stark raw concrete box that protects and shelters the collection and the almost liquid, transparent and facetted form of the glass “enigma”. | <urn:uuid:44016a39-3fc8-4819-8a57-4d3acb3249c8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://inhabitat.com/interview-hoks-yann-weymouth-discusses-designing-the-hurricane-resistant-salvador-dali-museum/dali-museum_moris-moreno-1-2/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967924 | 739 | 1.828125 | 2 |
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