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Competition, Regulation, and Convergence
DOI link for Competition, Regulation, and Convergence
Competition, Regulation, and Convergence book
Competition, Regulation, and Convergence
DOI link for Competition, Regulation, and Convergence
Competition, Regulation, and Convergence book
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The telecommunications industry has experienced dynamic changes over the past several years, and those exciting events and developments are reflected in the chapters of this volume. The Telecommunications Policy Research Conference (TPRC) holds an unrivaled place at the center of national public policy discourse on issues in communications and information. TPRC is one of the few places where multidisciplinary discussions take place as the norm. The papers collected here represent the current state of research in telecommunication policy, and are organized around four topics: competition, regulation, universal service, and convergence.
The contentious competition issues include bundling as a strategy in software competition, combination bidding in spectrum auctions, and anticompetitive behavior in the Internet. Regulation takes up telephone number portability, decentralized regulatory decision making versus central regulatory authority, data protection, restrictions to the flow of information over the Internet, and failed Global Information Infrastructure initiatives. Universal service addresses the persistent gap in telecommunications from a socioeconomic perspective, the availability of competitive Internet access service and cost modeling. The convergence section concentrates on the costs of Internet telephony versus circuit switched telephony, the intertwined evolution of new services, new technologies, and new consumer equipment, and the politically charged question of asymmetric regulation of Internet telephony and conventional telephone service.
part II|2 pages
part III|2 pages
Universal Service
part IV|2 pages


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Picture the typical first date: the man confidently orders a steak to appear masculine while the woman orders a salad to seem feminine. What's wrong with this picture? Women need protein too, and if you're a fit woman you need it even more to support that beautiful muscle! Here you're going to learn the benefits of adequate protein, how different sources affect your health differently, how much you should be eating, and the best ways to add in protein to keep you lean and sexy!
A new study recently published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that the prior recommendation of 0.36 g protein per pound of body weight is grossly inaccurate for women who lift weights. This is because the body needs more protein to build and maintain muscle and also to produce enzymes in the body that are key to metabolism. And it packs a one-two punch for those who are trying to lose or maintain weight. Of all the macronutrients, protein takes the most work to digest and it, therefore, increases energy expenditure when you eat it in greater proportion to other macronutrients or to the amount you are right now. Also, because it is harder to digest, it stays in the stomach longer than carbohydrates helping you feel fuller faster and longer. So how much protein should you be eating? About 0.8 – 1 g per pound of body weight every day is a safe estimate for most women to maintain and build muscle and keep their metabolisms revved up. Get this through 5 – 6 servings/day, 20-30g/meal, so that the body can better metabolize and absorb it and you're not flushing protein and money down the drain (pun intended).
But what kind of protein is best? We all know that chicken, egg whites, and canned tuna are great lean sources of protein, but it turns out that different protein sources offer different health benefits, so your best bet is to get protein from a variety of sources: red meat, pork, poultry, whey/casein/dairy (if it doesn't give you a bad reaction), fish, nuts, beans, and soy. Here we'll talk about the benefits of a few of these. Red meat helps your brain to better remember important phone numbers (remember when you were standing at the ATM the other week and couldn't remember your PIN?). This is probably due to the creatine monohydrate content found in beef, the concentration of which increases in your brain when you consume it. Creatine also has benefits in your training regimen as it has been shown to increase power – can you say new PR? Also, red meat is high in zinc and iron, both of which are critical to proper metabolism function and training capacity as they are key for delivering oxygen to working muscles and immune health. Finally, if you buy grass fed beef you are giving yourself a dose of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a healthy fat that has been linked to decreased body fat by increasing insulin sensitivity (so it helps your body use carbohydrates for fuel instead of storing them as fat). Aim for 1 – 2 servings/week. Pork has comparable benefits for muscle building as beef, with the same lean meat to fat ratio of turkey. It's also high in thiamin, a nutrient that is often lacking in the average woman's diet and key to metabolism because it helps to efficiently convert carbohydrates to energy and it also helps with muscle fiber repair and recovery – so if you're working out hard, this is an important nutrient! Other micronutrients in pork help regulate energy release, strengthen bones, prevent injury, and increase your immune system function.
Eat up, aim for 1 – 2 servings of pork/week as well! Fish is another great source of protein. Most fish is very low in fat and calories (such as cod, tilapia, and albacore tuna). But the ones that are higher in fat are also important too; they contain a healthy fat known as omega-3, which has been linked to better brain function and mental acuity, lower rates of depression and anxiety, and heart health. But on top of that, omega-3s are being linked to greater levels of physical fitness and lower body fat. One recent study published by Washington University has even found a correlation between omega-3 fatty acid consumption and your body's ability to turn protein in the diet into precious muscle. Eat fish often, and eat sources high in omega-3s at least 3 times/week!
Finally, let's talk about a non-animal source of protein. Beans are a great, economical source of protein and are often overlooked as a supplement in the diet. Beans are high in folic acid which helps with cognitive function and helps prevent depression. Also, if you're a female in your reproductive years, the folic acid in beans is important to help prevent certain birth defects that develop in fetal spinal cords in the first 2 weeks of pregnancy – a time when most women do not even know they are pregnant yet. So including beans as a regular part of your diet can help. Beans also have high amounts of magnesium and some have high amounts of iron, both of which are important for nerve function and muscle building. Finally, beans not only have satiating protein but also satisfying fiber – keeping your belly full and flat. Aim to eat beans 3 times per week or more. As you can see each source of protein offers unique health and training benefits. Reap the most from your protein by getting it from a variety of sources.
Okay, so you know how much protein you should be eating and you know why you should be eating it…but how should you add it in? Here are some quick and simple ways to add some extra protein into your day without too much time and effort:
If you plan ahead and batch-cook your protein, it'll be easy to pack for the week or day and have protein on hand for every meal. Next time you're out with friends, your guy, or by yourself, do yourself a favor and eat some protein. Let's change the stereotype and make eating a diet rich in protein a girl thing too. You can do it!
- Written by Anjelica Mucci
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subset: commoncrawl


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FCC Chairman Would Like to Use Gadgets During Takeoff, Landing
Ever wonder why you have to turn off your electronic devices before a plane takes off and lands? So does Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski. And he'd like the Federal Aviation Administration to relax its restrictions on the use of gadgets in-flight.
In a letter to the FAA Thursday, Genachowski urged the agency to "enable greater use of tablets, e-readers, and other portable devices" during flights. The FAA currently prohibits airline passengers from using electronic devices at takeoff and landing, presumably to ensure passengers are alert and paying attention during the most dangerous portions of the flight. The agency is currently reviewing the merits of that restriction and evidently Genachowski feels that doing away with it would be a wise move.
"This review comes at a time of tremendous innovation, as mobile devices are increasingly interwoven in our daily lives," Genachowski wrote. "They empower people to stay informed and connected with friends and family, and they enable both large and small businesses to be more productive and efficient, helping drive economic growth and boost U.S. competitiveness."
Who knows? Maybe that extra 20 minutes of in-flight gadget use will result in a massive boost in productivity.


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Welcome to The Fort Pond Bay Company. Named after one of the most beautiful bays in Montauk, We're dedicated to creating spectacular waterfront restaurants and Inns. Established in 1994, FPBC includes Harvest on Hudson and Half Moon on the Hudson River in Westchester just 12 miles north of Manhattan and the Harvest on Fort Pond on Montauk's Fort Pond. Thank you for visiting our website and we look forward to seeing you on the Hudson or in Montauk.
- Bruce Bernacchia


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Rising grain production costs are attributable to much more than what goes in the tractor's gas tank, says a University of Illinois Extension farm management specialist.
"Of the $50 increase in per acre costs between 2003 and 2005, less than half are directly attributable to rising energy prices," says Gary Schnitkey, who co-authored the study with Extension colleague Dale Lattz.
The complete report, "Cost Increases: It's Not Just Energy," can be read online at U of I Extension's farmdoc website at: http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu
The report examines production costs for grain farms in the northern, central and southern sections of Illinois based on data provided by the Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) Association.
"Per-acre costs are divided into 'energy-sensitive costs' and 'energy non-sensitive costs,'" Schnitkey explains. "Energy-sensitive costs are those whose prices are directly influenced by changes in energy prices. These include fertilizer, fuel and oil, drying, and utilities. The remaining costs are placed in the non-sensitive category."
For northern Illinois grain farms, per-acre financial costs have increased from $349/acre in 2003 to $399 in 2005, an increase of $50/acre.
"Since 1980, no other two-year period has had as large an increase in costs as between 2003 and 2005," he notes. "Of the $50 increase, energy-related items account for $22/acre, or 44%, of the cost increase. Fertilizer is the leading cost increase category, with a $16/acre increase between 2003 and 2005. Fuel and oil costs increased by $6/acre during that time.
"Energy non-sensitive costs have increased by $28/acre in that period. Costs in this category with large per acre increases include cash rent, seed, pesticides, and interest."
Schnitkey points out that northern Illinois is not unique. "Central Illinois grain farms have cost increases of $42/acre, with 47% of the increase coming from energy-sensitive items. Southern Illinois grain farms have costs increases of $69/acre, with 34% coming from energy-sensitive items."
The report has a number of implications, he adds. "Energy-sensitive costs have the possibility of declining in the future if prices for oil and natural gas decrease," Schnitkey says. "At this time, energy price decreases seem unlikely. However, oil and natural gas are commodities, and commodity prices are notoriously sensitive to supply-and-demand changes.
"In the future, energy prices could decline with findings of new supplies or reductions in demand. Declines in energy prices are not unprecedented, as illustrated by energy prices during the 1970s through the 1990s."
Production costs that are not as energy sensitive such as cash rents, seeds, and pesticides have less chance of declining, he notes.
"The increases in the non-sensitive cost categories signal a general, permanent higher level of costs," he says. "This higher level of costs introduces heightened risks, as revenue declines could lead to lower levels of income than in previous years."
To date, Schnitkey says, corn and soybean prices appear like they will be higher in 2006 than in recent years. "Given cost increases, these higher levels of prices do not necessarily signal higher profitability to grain farms," he says. "Overall, higher revenue caused by rising prices may counter cost increases, leaving per-acre returns near recent levels."


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68:20 minutes (31.32 MB)
Shout out to connect2Jamie from Texas! She joined us live with her family for the last show of the season. At the end of the show jamie said, wow, there are so many links! Yes, we hope the links keep you busy through the summer break. See you for the next school season! Alice, Bob and Cheryl for Seedlings.


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They're difficult even when they come wrapped in lovely packages. Take yesterday, for example. Yesterday was a delightfully sunny Saturday - a rare treat in April in this part of the world. Bud and I set out early, visiting two libraries and the town dump before noon, as the temperatures climbed and the delightfully sunny day became unseasonably warm, with a jump of about 25 degrees over what we've been experiencing lately. It was a welcome change for me, but, I soon discovered, less welcome for Bud.
We stopped at home for a quick lunch before setting out on our next round of adventures, and I changed into shorts and a t-shirt. I brought clothes down for Bud to change into as well - and that's when the trouble began.
He wasn't changing, and that was that. He was sticking with the heavyweight jeans, t-shirt, and long-sleeve sweatshirt he'd put on that morning, and no amount of coercion from me was going to change his mind. It was all I could do to keep him from putting on his coat as well. I decided to choose my battles and packed a change of clothes for him, hoping that he'd want to change once he got uncomfortably warm.
He didn't.
I let it go until the temperature hit 89 degrees and the threat of heat stroke outweighed my fear of battle. I convinced Bud to change by telling him that if it was warm enough for him to wear shorts and a t-shirt, then it would be warm enough for us to stop by the lake so he could put his feet in the water. He donned his shorts and took off his sweatshirt, but he kept complaining at a low rolling boil until he'd had a successful foot-dipping excursion to the lake. Then the real battle began.
In retrospect, I see that Bud's perseveration about his clothing had taken over and that a portion of his preoccupation was really out of his control. In the moment, though, it felt like one of those wars Bud was waging simply because he wanted to call the shots. There's been a lot of that lately, as Bud has begun to assert himself in all his almost-ten-year-old glory - the "I can't possibly eat peanut butter if you say I'm having peanut butter" moments; the "what do you mean I'm taking a shower when what I really want is a bath" moments; the "we can't go to the pharmacy and then the grocery store - we should go to the grocery store and THEN the pharmacy" moments. And though, in retrospect, I see that perhaps I should have dropped it and let him wear whatever he wanted to wear, in the moment it simply annoyed me, and I ended up going toe-to-toe with him as the minutes became hours of "I need my long pants! I need to cover my arms! I'm going to get cold! My knees will get covered in bug bites! Can I have my pants on now? I need to have my pants on. I need a sweatshirt. Will you get me a sweatshirt? I can wear my coat. Where is my coat? I need to have my coat. I know! I can wear your coat. But I can't wear shorts. My knees are sticking out. Here, I'll just put these bags on my arms."
It was, to say the least, an unpleasant afternoon.
After dinner, in hopes of salvaging the rest of the day, we struck a deal. Though it was still in the 80's outside, I agreed that he could wear his winter-weight jeans if he agreed to wear a short-sleeved t-shirt with them, and then we headed out for a walk around the neighborhood as we made peace and enjoyed each other's company.
Today, we woke to another beautiful day and I resolved to do whatever it took to keep the day from escalating into another fight to the finish. If he wanted to wear winter clothing, I thought, then we'd just stay in the house, since it seems that our house was built on a glacier and it's typically ten to fifteen degrees cooler inside than it is outside. I decided that I wouldn't even bring up his choice of clothing - I'd just follow his lead.
In mid-morning, I told Bud it was time to get dressed, and he wandered off to find his clothes. He reappeared after a few minutes in his underwear, with a pair of lightweight pants in his hand. "Let's see," he said, ostensibly to the air, "What can I wear today? Shorts or pants?"
I didn't reply. Neither did the air.
"Now let me think," he repeated. "Should I wear pants... or should I wear shorts?"
"I'm wearing shorts," I answered. "You can wear anything you want."
"Okay, shorts," he said, and he left the room. He returned a few minutes later, still in his underwear, pants still in hand, and mused "Hmmm... now, what will I wear today...?"
"Wear your pants, Bud," I said.
"Pants?" he asked happily.
"Yes, wear your pants," I said.
"Okay!" he chirped. "I'll wear my shorts later, okay, Mom?"
"Okay, Bud."
He dashed out to dress, then came back in his pants and a t-shirt, with a sweatshirt in his hand. "And I'll wear this too?"
"You'll be too hot in that, Bud."
"I'll get a red face?"
"Yes, you'll get a red face."
"I don't want a red face," he said. "I'll wear it another time."
"Good idea," I said.
And then, though I had earlier resigned myself to staying in the house on this beautiful spring day, Bud asked "What are we doing today?"
"I don't know," I answered. "What would you like to do?"
"Let's go for a hike," he said.
So we did. We spent the whole afternoon on a long hike in the woods, the sun shining through the branches, the breeze blowing through our hair, and not a bug in sight. And though I wore shorts and Bud wore pants, we were both comfortable and we didn't spend another minute discussing wardrobe. Instead, we hiked and climbed, while Bud listened to Dierks Bentley on his iPod and I listened to Bud sing along. Then we played a game that Bud developed that I like to call "Every Style a Memory," in which Bud names a Dierks Bentley track and I have to guess whether Dierks originally sang it with long hair or short hair - which may sound tedious, but was actually a welcome relief given the conflict of the day before. We spent the final half mile or so of our hike playing "What's your favorite?," with me asking and Bud answering - What's your favorite Brad Paisley song? Celebrity; What's your favorite Sugarland song? It Happens; What's your favorite Lady Antebellum song? I Run To You. That one never gets old.
And so, despite the rocky transition, it's a joy to finally welcome spring to this frozen tundra we call home.
Which reminds me of one other somewhat-related update. Those of you who were around here last year at this time may recall the Ice Out 2008 competition, in which readers placed bets on the day when the last traces of snow would disappear from my yard. I couldn't get my blogging act together enough this spring to do a repeat (though there's always 2010), but I thought you might like to know the status anyway.
So, you recall that yesterday it was almost 90 degrees outside, right? This is what my yard looked like at the end of the day:
Yes, that's snow. But these days, I like to think of it as nature's cooler - a place to put your beverages to keep them cold while you're outside, enjoying the sun and wearing shorts.
But, really - is it any wonder that my poor linear thinker is confused by it all?


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Members of the Clinton team have been busy working the Washington party circuit these days.
The other night, White House loyalists like George Stephanopoulos, Ira Magaziner, Mandy Grunwald and Paul Begala turned out at the Washington Press Club Foundation with such media heavies as Ted Koppel, Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters, who came with Sen. John Warner, one of Liz Taylor's exes and Barbara's steady.
Two nights later, the Clintons made an impromptu appearance at David Pryor Jr.'s Blue Jean Bash at the National Buildings Museum. Coming from the elitist Alfalfa Club's annual dinner, the President, in a tuxedo, and Hillary, in a black velvet gown, stuck out in the sea of denim.
"We just went to this sort of stuffy dinner," explained Clinton, who appeared on stage with fellow saxophonist Clarence Clemons, at around midnight. "We had to crack jokes to liven it up."
Although his young fans called out to him to play the sax, Clinton, recovering from laryngitis, just pointed to his mouth. Perhaps he was saving his voice for the White House dinner for the governors on Sunday. After dinner, some of the governors' children got the VIP treatment from David Gergen, who gave them a guided tour of the President's office and the Rose Garden.


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after catching up on so many promised gnome hats and with all of the rest/down time around here because of illness, i'm determined to finish up as many wip's in my knitting basket as i can! first up is this sweet little pair of owl mittens that i'm knitting with malabrigo worsted (which i started back in january). i'm following the adult-sized give a hoot mitten pattern (by jocelyn tunney) but using smaller needles to size down for a child (along with a few other mods; see my ravelry notes for specifics). and just like the owl milo i made back in september, i'm using duplicate contrast stitching for the eyes and nose. one down, one to go!
i hope to finish up more wip's over the weekend and next week. :) as for my yarn update this week, i have eight lovely skeins of madelinetosh merino, in the colorful mansfield garden party colorway:
what are you working on this week? do share!


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"Meet" the Toughest Watch in the World!
HOW tough can a watch be? Well, if it can withstand being subjected to temperature shocks from -57˚ to +70˚Celsius, which corresponds to the standard set by the U.S. Army for the manufacture of missiles, it must be really tough. … Continue reading


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TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Everyone expects the big one to happen at Talladega Superspeedway.
For some reason, it never occurred Sunday.
Oh sure, there was a wreck on the final lap, which allowed Jamie McMurray to coast to the victory under caution.
But by the standards of this place, it was about as clean as can be.
"Once you get toward the end, it usually gets more intense and everybody starts taking bigger risks," McMurray said. "I was listening to my spotter and he would say, 'A line is forming, but it's not very organized and they're not making up any ground.' I'm really surprised they couldn't put something together to make more of a run. I'm shocked by that, actually. I thought guys would take bigger chances at the end."
McMurray won for the first time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series since 2010, snapping a 108-race winless streak, and didn't even have to worry about a planned last-lap charge from Dale Earnhardt Jr. after Dillon spun coming out of the second turn.
The only other driver collected in the crash was Casey Mears, who slammed into Dillon's car and sent it flying into the air before it came back down upright. Everyone was OK.
"I was trying to go for the win there," said Dillon, who was filling in for injured Tony Stewart in the No. 14 car and competing in just his 12th Sprint Cup race. "A wild ride. I just have to thank NASCAR for everything they have done for safety. That hit was fine. I got to drive the car back" to the garage, though he settled for 26th after going to the final lap in third.
A race known for massive crashes was essentially trouble free. There was a minor wreck early on when Marcos Ambrose got loose in front of the main grandstand and took out Juan Pablo Montoya, and 103 consecutive laps under green until the yellow and checkered flags waved together at the end.
Earnhardt settled for second, followed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Paul Menard and Kyle Busch.
"For some reason," Earnhardt said, "it was a lot calmer the last few laps."
Jimmie Johnson steered around trouble and finished 13th, emerging from the race with the lead in the Sprint Cup standings. The five-time Cup champion passed Matt Kenseth for the top spot and has a four-point edge with four races remaining.
Kenseth finished 20th. Busch and Kevin Harvick are tied for third, 26 points behind Johnson, with Jeff Gordon — who had hoped Talladega's unpredictable nature might help him make a big push — made up only two points and is 34 off the lead.
"Thirteenth isn't the best finish," Johnson said, "but with what we are trying to do and win a championship, we beat the competition today. That is good."
After running strong early in the 188-lap race, Kenseth dealt with an ill-handling car and lost several spots when he attempted to make a move late in the race.
"It was really bizarre. Typically handling is a non-issue here," Kenseth said. "We finally got it fixed that last run, but we only had 20 laps to get back up there. I really needed to be up there like we were early and feeling I was controlling the race more."
McMurray, who isn't part of the Chase, won for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and took a phone call in victory lane from car owner Chip Ganassi, still in California celebrating Scott Dixon's championship in the IndyCar series the previous night.
Earnhardt, a huge fan favorite at Talladega, had hoped to make his move going down the back straightaway on the final lap.
He never got the chance.
"I guess if we're in that situation next time," Earnhardt said with a shrug, "we'll try to go a lap sooner."
Johnson wound up leading 47 laps, Earnhardt 38 and Kenseth 32.
McMurray led only one lap until he got to the front with 15 to go. He held that spot the rest of the way, showing again his knack for restrictor-plate racing. He has won twice each at Daytona and Talladega, accounting for more than half of his seven career victories.
Three drivers — Johnson, Earnhardt and Kenseth — dominated the race until McMurray claimed the top spot after the final round of pit stops began with 25 laps to go. The typical Talladega pack — 25 cars running within 3 seconds of each other — formed at the front and began plotting ways to make a move without causing the massive wreck that always seems to occur at the 2.66-mile trioval.
There was a bit of two- and three-wide jockeying before the leaders lined up single file, settling in for what turned out to be a relatively comfortable ride to the finish for McMurray.
Even if the caution had not come out, Earnhardt wasn't sure if he had enough momentum to pass the leader.
"I didn't have the greatest run," he said. "I wish I was in front."
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Everyone expects the big one to happen at Talladega Superspeedway.


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Pupils unable to read is 'a scandal'
The education secretary says some young pupils are unable to speak properly or read simple words.
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Pupil mental health: deepening understanding
Are you looking to deepen your staff's understanding of mental health, including anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation? Safeguarding Training Centre has the resources you need.
Evidence-led training courses that make it easy to upskill staff, anytime, anywhere.
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In the news 21 Oct 2020
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 9 - 16 October 2020 16 Oct 2020 08:00
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 2 - 9 October 2020 9 Oct 2020 08:00
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 25 September - 2 October 2020 2 Oct 2020 08:00
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 18 - 25 September 2020 25 Sep 2020 08:00
- Need-to-know: STPCD 2020 published 23 Sep 2020 17:00


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Earnest, 59, and Sharon, 57, have been married 22 years. This is their story about what getting coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace meant to them.
Earnest: In July 2013, my wife Sharon was diagnosed with both lung and breast cancer. My immediate thought was that I would need to resign from my job as a vice president for sales of an education company in order to become a full-time caregiver.
Both of Sharon's parents and her only sister had cancer. The diagnosis was frightening news.
The complication with Earnest's plan was that he would lose health insurance from his employer. (more…)
I am a proud 38 year old mother to a beautiful 2.5 year old girl who was born at 27 weeks.
Since that time, our family has had a host of unexpected and expensive medical challenges.
ObamaCare has given us a little financial peace-of-mind and with all the hurdles are bound to face in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead… a little peace-of-mind goes a long way.
Our daughter has already exceeded all expectations but it hasn't come easy…or cheap.
Her initial NICU stay came at a cost of over $1.2 million!
When CBHC first talked with Keith Moens, he and his family were emerging from a long period without health insurance. Having signed up for health coverage through the newly-opened Health Insurance Marketplace, they were pleased to finally have coverage again.
Now, a year later, they are happy with their Marketplace plan and have recently renewed it.
Before losing their jobs, Keith and his wife never had to worry much about health insurance. It was provided by their employers.
Suddenly, they were faced with several untenable options: paying exorbitant premiums for COBRA, finding a private plan despite Keith's wife's preexisting condition, or living without health coverage and paying healthcare costs themselves on a limited budget. (more…)
Johnathan spent a year uninsured. Now, thanks to ACA expanded adult Medicaid, he is able to access the care he needs.
About a year ago, Johnathan Hill – then 18 years oldl – found himself uninsured.
Previously covered under his mother's insurance, Hill and his mother had anticipated that Hill would switch to his father's plan. Once he had been dropped from his mother's plan, however, Hill's father realized that he could not afford to add Johnathan to his coverage plan.
Without coverage from either parent, and no coverage offered by his part-time employer, Johnathan was stuck.
"I didn't visit the doctor," says Hill. (more…)
Timothy Royce struggled to manage his COPD before he enrolled in Medicaid. Luckily, he enrolled in time to fill his dwindling prescription supply and to cope with an unexpected emergency.
When Timothy Royce slipped and fell in the shower, he was certain he had broken his ribs. Intense pain accompanied a huge bruise along his side. "It really, really hurt," he says.
Luckily, Royce enrolled in Medicaid just about a week prior to his accident. Royce says that he and his wife got word of a Campaign for Better Health Care navigator, Cheryl Gay, who was enrolling patrons of a local food bank in health care plans. Both decided to enroll during a routine visit to the food bank. (more…)
Inside the North Riverside Armory just west of Chicago on an unseasonably cold and gray April day, Illinois National Guard members in camouflage stand at attention as several of their colleagues are called forward to be promoted. (more…)
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Funding for international students comes from personal and family sources and in some cases, from the University. The International Student Proof of Financial Support Form must be submitted at the time of admission, illustrating and documenting sufficient financial support to meet the projected cost of an Immaculata University undergraduate education.
International students are eligible for grants and scholarships from the University but are not eligible for any type of federal financial aid. Aid is awarded after the admission decision is made. These decisions may be based on the results of the World Education Services (WES) evaluation of secondary school credentials and TOEFL, IELTS, ACT or SAT scores. In the case of transfer students, decisions may be based on previous transcripts.
The application for admission, along with all supporting file information, is the only application you need to be considered for a University scholarship. You will be notified with a letter if an award has been made.
Private educational loans may be available to subsidize any educational costs including additional expenses. Eligibility for private educational loans is contingent upon approval and based on co-signed credit worthiness. Co-signers must be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Proof of Financial Support Form is kept on file for continuing international students, outlining the family's annual responsibility to meet educational expenses as a condition of continued enrollment at Immaculata University and for satisfying the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service's regulations required for maintaining an officially authorized U.S. student visa status.
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By Linda Koco
ORLANDO, FLA. – Financial advisors are not teachers, says Terri L. Sjodin. They are independent business people who must be persuasive with clients.
She plans to deliver that message to the Women in Brokerage event Wednesday at the 31st annual meeting of National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA).
Persuasion is an important piece of the advisory process, said Sjodin in an interview in advance of her talk.
However, all too often, advisors spend too much time informing rather than persuading, she maintains.
The principal and founder of Sjodin Communications, Newport Beach, Calif., Sjodin says she has been taking that message to advisor groups at carriers all over the country. She has also put it in her book — Small Message, Big Impact — which has been distributed to women who signed up for her NAILBA workshop in advance of the session.
It's not that client education is bad or something to avoid, she says. Financial advisors definitely must clearly inform their clients, be compliant, be ethical and provide advice.
Advisors must sell
"But advisors must also sell," Sjodin stresses.
That means they must be both informative and persuasive, she says. "That's their job as financial advisors. You are not paid for disseminating formation. You are not a teacher or a philanthropist. You are a small business person."
That job entails selling something, not just talking and not doing data dumps on clients.
Every solid presentation requires a certain amount of data, she concedes. But many professionals deliver overly informative presentations and spend too much time on talking about the data.
A key reason for that, according to Sjodin, is that it is easier to deliver informative presentations than persuasive ones—because "a prospect typically won't say no when you're only disseminating information."
The problem? "They don't say 'yes' either!"
Her suggestion for advisors is to prepare for client meetings like a debater or an attorney. "Debaters and attorneys win cases based on persuasive arguments and supporting evidence," she explains. "Focus on your most compelling arguments with each client or prospect."
Another suggestion: Evaluate whether the advisor's presentation creates a true need for the product or service, including products and services about which prospects may not even be aware.
And "don't just deliver a standard list of features and benefits," she says, pointing out that a feature is what something is, while a benefit is what something does.
"If you are too informative," she reiterates, "nothing happens. If you are too aggressive, nothing happens. Find a balance, and you'll see results."
You don't have to be pushy
That last point, about finding a balance, is pertinent to advisors who do not want clients to perceive the advisor to be a pushy sales rep. "The pendulum doesn't have to swing all the way back to hard selling," Sjodin says. "You're looking for the lovely place in the middle."
Will that increase the amount of time that advisors need to spend with clients, if they devote time both to informing and persuading? Typically, she answers, it takes less time than presentations that focus on data dumping.
"But it will take as long as it takes," she adds. "And that depends on the people involved, the product or service, the amount and type of data, the timing, the needs, and all the other factors that go into a sale.
"Regardless of the time, our responsibility, when presenting, is to create clean, concise compelling communication, not just a discussion of feature and benefits."
She tells of one woman who, upon hearing Sjodin's message, realized she had spent too much time sharing and consulting with sales prospects without completing transactions. She had been focusing on providing more information than her competitor, in the hopes that prospects would like her more or feel obligated to buy from her because of her thoroughness.
By focusing more on brevity and tailoring her strongest points to her prospects' needs, Sjodin says, "this young professional eventually became a consistent producer in her organization."
, MBA, is a contributing editor to InsuranceNewsNet, specializing in life insurance, annuities and income planning. Linda can be reached at email@example.com.
© Entire contents copyright 2012 by InsuranceNewsNet.com Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted without the expressed written consent from InsuranceNewsNet.com.


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Baby's Tribute
All about Baby
Pet Tip
Dogs Cats and Anesthesia – Pet tip 239
Most cats and dogs undergo some type of surgery that requires anesthesia during their lifetimes even if it is only the surgery done for spaying and neutering. Other common procedures that require anesthesia include dental cleaning or dental surgery as well as repairing broken bones. Whenever surgery is done on a pet the topic of anesthesia arises. For the purposes of this article we will be talking about general anesthesia where pets are completely unconscious. We've all heard about the potential risks and possible complications regarding anesthesia in our own lives, and so it makes good sense to wonder about anesthetic complications when it comes to our pets as well.
Luckily, veterinary medicine has made huge strides in reducing anesthetic complications. So long as the pet is properly monitored during the actual surgery and the pet has been carefully prescreened for possible problems, anesthesia on pets is quite safe and problems are few.
- Owner:
- Teresa and Family Wong
- City:
- Richmond
- Province, Country:
- Not Provided
- Type/Breed:
- Grey Persian
- Date of Birth:
- Jan 15/1994
- Date of Death
- Dec 26
- Sex:
- Male
- Height:
- Not Provided
- Weight:
- 7
- Coat Colour:
- Not Provided
- Eye Colour:
- Not Provided
Dearest Baby ( BB)
Thanks for being part of our family. you are my first cat and I love you forever. Hopefully you are happy with all other brothers.
Jie Jie


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Percy Bysshe Shelley#42 on top 500 poets
» Click to list general statistics » OR, select a date :
Music, When Soft Voices Die
Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory;
Odours, when sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.
read more >>
- Hits: Number of visitors who read the poem on the given date.
- Posts: Number of visitors who posted the poem to a friend (via e-mail) on the given date.
- Dates that have "0" hits may not be shown on the list.
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My MAGT file is riddled with errors, the most pervasive being similar to this:
- "[40720] (05/26 00:00:10.187):{0x121C} MAPI call failed. Error ''BlackBerry® Enterprise Server' exited without properly closing your Outlook data file 'C:Documents and SettingsAdministratorLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlookBlackBerryServer9.zdb'. 'BlackBerry® Messaging Agent' must be restarted. If this error message recurs, contact support for 'BlackBerry® Enterprise Server' for assistance.', LowLevelError 0, Component 'Personal Folders', Context 268765441"
None of my 5 users are getting messages, etc. from the Zimbra server.
Is there something to try? Is there any way to restore a clean MAPI set up without wiping and re-activating each BlackBerry? Do I need to rebuild my BES?
Thank you,
Chris @ Purohit
(FYI: The version of the ZCB is from September 2010 and matches Zimbra 6.0.8_GA_2661, and the BES is 4.1.4 Running on Win Server 2003.)


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Recipe from Rosa Berry of TX
3pkgs of taco seasoning
5 pds of ground chuck or beef
2 cans of chili
2 cans of refried beans
pkg of burrito tortillas or fajita flour tortillas
pkg of mixed cheddar and jalapeno cheese
black olives, optional
jalepenos, optional
onions, optional.
Boil ground chuck or beef until cooked. Drain and follow directions of taco seasoning and mix with meat. Cook for about 5 minutes on stove top.
Warm beans and chili in separate pots. Warm your torillas in oven or microwave until soft.
In large baking dish - glass is preferrable - spread a little chili on bottom to keep tortillas from sticking when baking. Put one tortilla on bottom of baking dish, spread a little beans on top of tortilla, spread meat, sprinkle a little cheese and roll one time bringing side ends together. Roll again until seam is on the bottom. Repeat with tortillas until baking dish is full (usually 4or 5 burritos).
Spread chili evenly over burritos, sprinkle with cheese and bake for 15 or 20 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted. Take out of the oven, sprinkle with onions, black olives, jalapenos and sourcream. Serve with salad and/or spanish rice and enjoy.
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.


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We know how important it is to get that special gift for that special someone during this special time of the year. That is why we have introduced our special Christmas Delivery Guarantee. All orders placed by or before December 15th that do not qualify for our FREE 3 Day Shipping upgrade and is delivered to a U.S. address are guaranteed to be delivered before Christmas or we will cover the cost of shipping. In the event that an item already includes free shipping, we will issue a refund for 15% of the product's total cost. Orders that qualify for our FREE 3 DAY SHIPPING UPGRADE should be received by December 19th to ensure delivery before Christmas. Upgraded shipping orders are not covered under this guruantee.
We currently ship majority of orders via UPS. Orders placed before 2:00 PM Western Pacific Time are typically shipped out the same day (when placed on a business day) and orders that are placed after 2:00 PM Western Pacific Time are typically shipped out the next business day. Shipping for U.S. orders typically takes 1 to 7 business days depending on the customer's location. All duties, customs fees and taxes are the responsibility of the customer where applicable. Currently, all Wiseman products ship from the manufacture in China, because of this, shipping times may reach or exceed 6 weeks. Feel free to contact us using our contact page if you have any questions or concerns regarding your order or if you would like to check on its status.
We are confident that you will be satisfied with your purchase and that is why we offer a 30 day money back garuntee (Excluding the cost of Shipping). To return an item(s) you recently purchased, simply contact us and let us know that you would like to return the item(s) and we will send you the mailing details neccessary to return the item(s). Please keep in mind that you will be responsible for the return shipping costs when returning your order. There is a 15% restocking fee for all Wiseman, Cecilio and Merano products that are returned or exchanged. In the event your order is returned in any condition other than new as when it was shipped and with all of it's original parts and accessories, we will deduct an additional 35% restocking fee if any of the following occurs (at our sole discretion):
1) The merchandise is not returned in its original packaging and condition.
2) The merchandise has broken parts.
3) The merchandise is otherwise considered non-resalable, or must be sold as "used".
It is also important to note that it is the customer's responsibility to follow the instructions provided for returning any items. If any items are not shipped back to the appropriate address provided in the instructions sent via the return authorization email or if an item(s) are shipped back without previous authorization, we will refuse shipping or send the order back to the customer and the customer will be responsible for any costs associated with the return mailing. Should we need to ship the order back to the customer or the appropriate destination because the customer did not follow the directions given, the customer will be responsible for the shipping costs and will additionally be responsible for a $10 service fee. We cannot be held liable for shipping errors due to inaccurate shipping information supplied by the customer. Should any order be refused or not accepted/received and return to us, if we are required to intercept or change the address of an already active shipment there shall be an additional nonrefundable $15 processing fee. We professionally package all of our products to ensure that they reach you in the best condition. You must notify us of any damaged, defective or missing item within 24 hours of receipt, (please save all packaging). We will not replace any damaged/defective or missing items that a buyer does not report to us within 24 hours of receipt. If your package has visible damage please fully inspect the contents before accepting. Any free shipping promotions or options offered are valid only if you decide to keep the product. Should you decide to return the product that had a free shipping promotion, you will be responsible for the original shipping and handling cost(s) and any shipping option upgrades If applicable. All product(s) must be received within 30 days of the purchase date to qualify for a refund or an exchange. These terms are subject to change without notice.Please Note: Pictures provided on this website are typically provided by the manufacture. The pictures are for reference only and make no guaranteed representation of the product or it's accessories. Please see the product item description for product details.
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Our law firm has a wide range of experience representing companies and shareholders in corporate governance litigation. The firm has handled investigations relating to audit and regulatory compliance, provided counsel to corporate officers and directors, and represented investors in legal actions relating to claims of corporate corruption.
Additionally, the firm has extensive experience with providing counsel on board and committee composition, executive compensation, internal corporate control measures, and specific regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
As an example of its experience, the firm has represented a public company in its claims of fraud and corruption against several of its former officers, and represented a group of investors seeking the return of allegedly ill-gotten financial gains from former corporate officers of one of the world's largest computer software companies.
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors has been involved in corporate governance matters involving many leading companies and financial institutions, including Adelphia Communications, Global Crossing, New Century Financial Corporation, and National Century Financial, just to name a few.


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Two brands of whisky made in Dunedin have been named the "world's best" at the Mid-West Whisky Olympics in Michigan.
Despite competing against some of the best known Scottish, Irish and US brands, the 10 year-old Dunedin DoubleWood blended whisky and the 21 year-old South Island Single Malt whisky, both manufactured at the now defunct Willowbank distillery, were named the world's best blended and single malt whisky, respectively.
Production at the Willowbank distillery ceased in 1997, and its collection of whisky has been maturing in the New Zealand Whisky Company's Oamaru maturation store for the past six years, after the company bought the distillery's stockpile in 2000.
Company spokesman Greg Ramsay said the awards were a massive endorsement for New Zealand whisky.
"Getting this international recognition is really important to all of our staff in Oamaru, and supporters around New Zealand, who have always believed that the New Zealand whisky industry could be revived, and once again be a major part of the South Island economy.
"People sometimes don't believe their own produce is world-class until someone from overseas with an accent, tells them it is. In this case, it was a large American judging panel."
Oamaru Maturation Store manager Debbie Preston said the whisky, in addition to being sold in Oamaru, was exported to Australia, the United States and the Netherlands, and had a growing reputation overseas.
"We have really cranked up the exports, and we are just preparing an order for Canada."
Former NZ Whisky Company director John Evans, who helped organised the purchase of the whisky and who now promotes aged Willowbank whisky to cruise ships coming into Dunedin, was not surprised by the award.
The whisky produced at the Dunedin distillery had always been a high-quality product, he said.
"As Dunedin has fine barley, peat and still pure water from local sources and a Scottish heritage it is no surprise that the aged whiskies are first class.
"The opportunity for Dunedin businessmen is to go back to the heritage and distil more to take advantage of these accolades, the supply is running out."


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Foundations of Physics, Life and Cognition: Basic Texts, Reviews, Research Material
The law of entropy, or the second law of thermodynamics, along with the first law of thermodynamics comprise the most fundamental laws of physics. Entropy (the subject of the second law) and energy (the subject of the first law) and their relationship are fundamental to an understanding not just of physics, but to life (biology, evolutionary theory, ecology), cognition (psychology). According to the old view, the second law was viewed as a 'law of disorder'. The major revolution in the last decade is the recognition of the "law of maximum entropy production" or "MEP" and with it an expanded view of thermodynamics showing that the spontaneous production of order from disorder is the expected consequence of basic laws. This site provides basic texts, articles, links, and references that take the reader from the classical views of thermodynamics in simple terms, to today's new and richer understanding.
(c) Copyright 2001 Archives of Science


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Transparency Market Research published new market report "Metrology Services Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2012 - 2018," the global metrology services market is expected to reach USD 720.3 million by 2018, growing at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2012 to 2018. Increased focus on precision and accuracy in manufacturing processes has led to the growth of metrology services market. Considering the complexity of the manufactured parts, it is important to have one or more measurement technologies to ensure accurate measurements in order to improve/maintain quality of the product. Metrology services market is witnessing strong growth from end user industries such as automotive sector, aerospace, and power generation industry.
The global metrology services market is segmented by product type into two major categories as coordinated measuring machines (CMM) and optical digitizers and scanners (ODS). Metrology services market for CMM is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2012 to 2018. Increasing demand for CMM related services such as machine installation, calibration, retrofitting, and repairing among others is supporting the growth of metrology services market. ODS, which is the largest and fastest growing segment, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2012 to 2018 and reach the market size of USD 435.8 million by 2018. Among all the product segments of ODS, the demand for 3D laser scanners is highest as it offers measurement with precision of difficult geometries with the help of touch probe technology. 3D laser scanners accounted for the total share of around 35.1% of the total ODS market in 2012.
Among the end user industries, industrial segment that comprises processing industries, metal fabrication industry, and others is the largest contributor to the global metrology services market. This segment accounted for around 28% share of the total metrology services market in 2012. Automotive industry is expected to be the fastest growing end user segment and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2012 to 2018. Technological advancement in automotives has increased the level of precision of the parts and components, thus creating the demand for metrology products and services.
Europe was the leading regional market in 2012 and accounted for around 31% share of the global metrology services market. Increased demand for metrology services in industrial and aerospace applications in Europe was majorly responsible for its leading share in global market. Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2012 to 2018 and surpass Europe and North America by 2013 to become the leading regional market for metrology services. This growth is mainly fuelled by the demand from booming automotive industry in Asia Pacific along with other end use industries including manufacturing, medical, and others.
Some of the leading players in metrology services market include Hexagon AB, Carl Zeiss, Mitutoyo Corporation, Nikon Corporation, Renishaw, Faro Technologies, and others. Hexagon was the market leader in global metrology services market in 2012 followed by Carl Zeiss.
Various sub segments which are identified and analyzed are:
Market segments by product type
Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)
- Gantry machines
- Bridge machines
- Articulated arm machines
- Horizontal arm machines
Optical Digitizers and Scanners (ODS)
- 3D laser scanners
- White light scanners
- Laser trackers
Market segments by applications
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Industrial
- Power generation
- Others (medical and electronics)
Market segments by geography
- North America
- Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- Rest of the world (Latin America, Middle East and Africa)
About Us:
Transparency Market Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers.
We are privileged with highly experienced team of Analysts, Researchers and Consultants, who use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.
» Read More...


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Check In The Smart Way - Hotel Concorde La Fayette in Paris Breaks New Ground to Become First Group to Offer e-Check-in
07 Nov, 2012, 09:30 GMT
LONDON, November 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
This month, Concorde Hotels & Resorts Group launches Smart Way, an e-check-in /check-out system that aims to help busy travellers save time and hassle upon arrival. Based on the technology that has become an airport staple, the introduction of this new service is a FIRST within the hotel group allowing guests to check-in online anytime, anywhere and receive their room key the moment they arrive.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121107/573550 )
In an increasingly connected and busy world where every minute counts, guests can simply visit the Smart Way terminal in the hotel's reception area, type in the code received via their smart phone during online booking and the room key is delivered!Checking out is just as fast: simply validate your bill using your smart phone and your key can be left in your room.
The concept was developed by Ariane Systems, a company specialising in check-in/check-out solutions. Smart Way provides Concorde Hotels & Resorts Group clients with an additional service, a revolutionary, web-based concept that offers hotel clients a different kind of welcome - convenient, efficient and autonomous. The perfect plus for on-the-go guests, busy travellers and those who simply want a fast service.
Graham Dungey SVP eCommerce, Revenue & Business Development for Concorde Hotels & Resorts Group comments; "E-check-in is now considered commonplace in the airline industry, and the image of lengthy queues comprising of weary holidaymakers and business high flyers is a rather distant memory. However, it's important to note that it wasn't long ago that this type of technology was simply something travellers dreamed of. We wanted to translate this ease into the entire travelling experience - extending this hassle free, time saving notion all the way to the hotel check in and check out. We thoroughly believe that this service will soon become a staple in all hotels and we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement."
Beginning as a pilot within the flagship Hotel Concorde La Fayette, the service is available for guests booking through the http://www.concorde-hotels.com site. If successful, the Concorde Hotels & Resorts Group plans to roll out the system throughout their hotel portfolio.
The introduction of Smart Way comes weeks after the successful launch of the hotel's client loyalty program, "Concorde Privilege", which enables guests to enjoy exclusive advantages during their stay.
Contact: Mischa Joslin - +44(0)20-7388-9988 / email@example.com
SOURCE Hotel Concorde La Fayette


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In March 2012, a game was released that had been one of the most anticipated installments in a popular Blizzard franchise. Diablo 3.
Diablo fans across the world took to Blizzard's forums upon the games release pointing out issues with gameplay, item drops, auction house issues, and the incredible amount of errors on Diablo 3's day one launch. The game simply did not meet the fans expectations of what a Diablo game was. Although one man didn't create the game, the increasingly negative criticism was mostly directed towards one man, Diablo 3 Game Director Jay Wilson.
Yesterday, in a long blue post in the Diablo 3 forums, Jay Wilson stepped down from his Game Director position to move onto a new project within Blizzard and acknowledged the shortcomings in the game.
"I'm proud of Diablo III, and despite our differences at times I will miss the community that has formed around it. I feel I have made many mistakes in managing that relationship, but my intent was always to provide a great gaming experience, and be as open and receptive as possible, while still sticking true to the vision the Diablo team has for the game.
I know some of you feel we fell short of our promise to release the game "when it's ready." While we're not perfect, we try to make the best decisions we can with the information and knowledge we have at the time. That doesn't mean we always make the right decisions, but if we made a mistake then I feel we've made an exceptional effort to correct it."
Towards the end of the passage Wilson promises that his departure will not affect the game and that there are many things "brewing" for Diablo 3 this year.
With social networking bridging the gap between the developer and the consumer, we are seeing more and more feedback from consumers. Bridging the gap can produce amazing fixes to games, but it can also make people feel entitled. We saw the drama unfold around Mass Effect 3, but unlike BioWare, Blizzard didn't fold under the pressure on the fanbase. They simply fixed their glitches (kept the DRM) and called it a day.
Jay Wilson overcame harsh criticism for Diablo 3, hopefully he won't meet similar issues in his new project.
For contests and random 'back and forths' follow me on Twitter @Tatiana__GZ


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I am currently accessing RPi 3 using Ethernet - SSH / TCP .
I like to switch to wlan.
I have been following this procedure
https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentati ... ess-cli.md ,
but to a point.
The procedure really does not explain some of the steps.
I do not want to wipe out my current Ethernet wire access.
I have "installed " SSH / TCP and it was tough going, but it does the job.
Should I be concerned ?
Like to hear "success story" running wlan on both RPi 3 and Zero


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| 7.9°C Belfast
Former members of defunct rockers Lostprophets said they were shocked and sickened when discovering their singer Ian Watkins was a paedophile.
The disgraced rock singer Watkins is currently serving a 35-year sentence for a string of child sex offences - including the attempted rape of a fan's baby.
His old bandmates - who have now formed a new group called No Devotion - said they had no idea of the vocalist's paedophile ways.
In an interview with Radio 1's newsbeat guitarist Lee Gaze said: " There was two sets of shock because there were the accusations - which was one thing.
"And then there was the actual, 'Yeah I did do it' which was a year later. He dragged that out for a year, so we got hit by it twice."
Bassist Stuart Richardson added: " Even though I was completely done with him (by this stage), I hoped it was all a mistake, he was innocent, he had to be.
"The first time, we knew the band was done. You can't go back from that."
Lostprophets' five remaining members - Lee Gaze, Mike Lewis, Stuart Richardson, Jamie Oliver and Luke Johnson - say they are now trying to move forward with their new band No Devotion - which is fronted by ex Thursday singer Geoff Rickly.
But the band admit they have to confront the past, before they can try and move on.
Lee said Watkins' actions were still difficult to put into words.
Responding to questions about whether Lostprophets knew about Watkins' sex abuse, he added: " How could you know?
"Who would disclose such a thing to five people, who between them have eight children? You just wouldn't because they would be killed on the spot."
Towards the end of Lostprophets, Lee said that Watkins had become increasingly distant from the band.
"He was doing his own thing," he added.
"That just grew worse over the years, the more he was using drugs.
"He could be in the same city as me and I wouldn't hang out with him, even if we weren't playing shows."
In the meantime, No Devotion are in the middle of recording their debut album and say they have been overwhelmed by the support they have been getting.
Rhythm guitarist Mike said: "It was vindication almost that we were there and we are doing this and we do have an incredible support from people.
"It's been incredibly cathartic.
"It's time to move on and we just want to focus on that from here on in."
Dangerous sexual predator Watkins is currently serving a 29-year prison term - with an extended licence of six years - after pleading guilty to 13 sexual offences.
Earlier this month, he was refused application to appeal his sentence.


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Reviewed By Simon A (Luton, Bedfordshire) Reviewed for a 2006 Dodge Caravan —1/30/2008 11:33 PM
The cover is well made, heavy duty. It was very easy to put on (I had Jr. help me) but based on past experiences this cover is easy to put on, has the spaces for the two side mirrors and large enough not to have to pull/stretch in order to put on. The material is heavy duty and seemingly tough enough to meet any rainy conditions. I would say it's a good buy.


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Shattering the myth that only disreputable sites push malware, Amnesty International's UK website was recently compromised and used to install a notorious backdoor trojan that allows hackers to spy on political activists and government employees, security researchers said.
People visiting Amnesty.org.uk on Wednesday and Thursday were exposed to malicious code that exploited a now-patched vulnerability in Oracle's Java software framework, according to a blog post published Friday by Websense. End users who hadn't yet applied the patch were infected with Gh0stRat, a family of malware that siphons sensitive data from victims' machines and can also operate Web cams and microphones in real time. The trojan came to light in 2009 when researchers reported that it infiltrated government and private offices in 103 countries. That included computers belonging to the Dalai Lama.
The Java vulnerability targeted on the Amnesty International site has been used in the past to install malware on computers running both Microsoft Windows and Apple's OS X. Recently, similar espionage attacks have migrated to OS X, and the Flashback malware attack believed to have infected more than 500,000 Macs targeted the same bug. Based on the Websense post, however, it appears this week's attacks infected only Windows users.
The file used to install the backdoor trojan was digitally signed by certificate authority VeriSign on behalf of a company called Tencent Technology, making the attack on Amnesty International visitors more sophisticated. The imprimatur is intended to tamp down visitors' suspicions by giving the software an air of legitimacy. Stolen or forged digital certificates have been used in other malware attacks, most notably in those that spread the Stuxnet worm that disrupted Iran's nuclear program.
The Amnesty International incident is the latest reminder that users can be infected even when they visit websites they trust and frequent often. It challenges the myth that as long as people steer clear of sites offering porn, pirated movies and software, and other unsavory content, they aren't susceptible to attacks that surreptitiously install malware on their systems.
In a world where a single unpatched vulnerability can lead to an infected system, the most important security precaution users of any platform can take is to install security updates within hours of them becoming available. The notable exception to this advice: users should install updates only on networks they control, because public networks, including those provided by hotels, may try to push fake updates that also infect end-user machines, as the FBI warned earlier this week. Users who are on the road or at an Internet cafe down the street are better off waiting until they get home to patch their systems.


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Mayor's Office
As the warmer months approach, Mayor Chris Beutler said watering restrictions will not be necessary because the City's water supply is in excellent shape. And he said the recent completion of a major new water pipeline will mean increased capacity and lower energy use for the Lincoln Water System (LWS). This is the second consecutive year the Mayor is not asking residents to follow the voluntary designated-day watering schedule implemented eight years ago.
"Lincoln is blessed with an adequate supply of high-quality water, but we still need to use good water conservation practices," Mayor Beutler said. "We also want to remind residents that water rates are structured to encourage conservation — the more water you use, the higher the rate. Even small measures can save a lot of water, and that means lower water bills for consumers."
Jerry Obrist, LWS Chief Engineer, said precipitation is near normal levels, the aquifer is full and flows in the Platte River are slightly above normal. Lincoln's water comes from well fields in the Platte near the City's Ashland treatment plant. In January, a new 60-inch water transmission pipeline was completed from the treatment plant to the pump station in northeast Lincoln. Obrist said the project increases capacity from 100 million gallons to 170 million gallons per day, provides additional reliability in the water system and reduces electricity consumption in its early years of operation.
Obrist said the City is currently reviewing its water rate structure and its schedule for the replacement of aging infrastructure. "We must ensure that the system always has the capacity for fire protection and basic health needs," Obrist said. "Many factors must be taken into account, including metering, accounting, maintenance and replacement of our current infrastructure. And we must have resources to build new infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing city."
A complete description of water rates and the City's Water Management Plan are available on the City website, lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: water). The Mayor's Water Conservation Task Force recommends the following:


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Polaris: The North Star
Polaris, also known as the North Star, Alpha Ursae Minoris or Star of Arcady, is the brightest star in Ursa Minor constellation. Polaris is notable for currently being the closest bright star to the North Celestial Pole. The pole marks true north, which makes the North Star important in navigation, as the star's elevation above … [Read more…]


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Dark Eclipse Tights
€ 35,00 € 10,50
A classic look combined with high versatility: Wonderfully soft and featuring an almost opaque finish, the matte-glossy jacquard design has a close fit on the leg for a slim look. The soft, knitted waistband caresses the waist for perfect comfort.
For stylish looks.
Order Today: Estimated Delivery Date 22/10/2020
- main material 95% nylon, 5% elastane


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Cherise "Cheri" Newberry returns to her hometown just as Barbara Jean Smoot's Impala is pulled from Paw Paw Lake. Cheri is back in Bigler, North Carolina after a wildly successful stint as a realtor in Tampa. Her beloved grandfather has asked her to come home to take over the family newspaper, the Bigler Bugle, but Cheri expects to stay in the mountain community only for a month or two. Too much baggage remains in Bigler: her memories of being an ambitious, resourceful woman in a place that stifled her as she was growing up; fears that her parents' death was her fault; and the still painful sting of losing her first true love, J.J. (now the Bugle's dashing editor). She just wants to get the paper running smoothly, and the discovery of the car owned by Smoot, a young woman who went missing in the 1950s, is sure to sell papers and make her return to Florida quicker.
As Cheri begins to sift through the Bugle's financial paperwork, she discovers something far worse than low readership. Thousands of dollars have been taken from the company, and that illegal deed is connected to Smoot's murder. Fortunately for Cheri, she has reconciled with J.J., and their growing relationship gives her strength to confront the truth–and expose some of her own skeletons.
Check this title's availability in the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog.


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Quincy Jones started giving back early — and never quit. The music impresario has worked on countless humanitarian campaigns over the years, supporting Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s and famously orchestrating the 1985 charity sing-along "We Are the World."
More recently he has backed several music education initiatives and another all-star sing-along, this time by Middle Eastern musicians, to raise money for children in that region. He also makes time for medical research nonprofits and fundraisers while remaining a prolific producer.
"Love drips from his finger tips," says Madelyn Bonnot Griffin, exec director of the Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium, who traces his philanthropic drive to his belief that music changed his life. "He absolutely every day thinks where he came from. It resonates through his soul."
Indeed, Jones has spoken frequently about how a chance encounter with a piano ignited his love for music and set him on a path away from juvenile delinquency. Bonnot Griffin, who got to know Jones decades ago while running one of his TV stations in New Orleans, says he taught her then to never underestimate the power of one kind word or hug for those in reduced circumstances.
"Things we take for granted make a difference in people's lives," she says.
Jones is working to get more instruments in children's hands and to broaden music curriculum to include American jazz greats, in addition to European figures such as Beethoven, through the organization.
The past four years, the organization has worked with Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts, VH1 Save the Music, Mr. Holland's Opus and UCLA, launching programs in South L.A., New Orleans and New Jersey. Jones is working with the L.A. Unified School District to develop its music curriculum.
"Q is just the groove that brings it together," Bonnot Griffin says. "He's very available when we need him."
Jones is also involved in Global Gumbo Group, an initiative to raise money and awareness in the Middle East through music. A partnership between Jones and Emirati social entrepreneur Badr Jafar, org released the charity single "Tomorrow/Bokra," showcasing Middle Eastern singers and and recently announced a Dubai Music Week slated for Sept. 25-30.
"Tomorrow/Bokra" was a No. 1 hit in the Middle East, and has racked up more than 7 million views on YouTube. According to G3 exec director Taymoor Marmarchi, the single has raised $450,000, all of which has been disbursed to children's charities.
Jones has also been providing inspiration for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation since its formation five years ago, according to Michelle Sie Whitten, exec director of the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation.
"We couldn't do what we do without Quincy," she says. "He brings a certain amount of magic, a Quincy dust, to everything."


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K'naan is a humble, gifted 21-year-old artist who grew up in war-torn Somalia and learned English by listening to American hip-hop CDs. His family eventually raised enough money to move to the United States, and shortly after his arrival, armed with an innate knack for poetry and a Third World backstory, K'naan released his hip-hop autobiography, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, an album as expansive and astonishing as it is smart and honest. He attracted the attention of Mos Def and Damian Marley and the adulation of a handful of critics, but due to small distribution, it sadly eluded the public at large.
Troubadour, K'naan's major-label follow-up released this week, is challenged from the outset with needing to achieve two goals: one, to keep up the intellect and honesty of Dusty Foot, and two, to appeal to the masses. Though it contains a few transparently contrived attempts at sales appeal (a track featuring Adam Levine from Maroon 5 should be deleted immediately from iTunes playlists), Troubadour succeeds largely because of K'naan's talent, which isn't made the lesser for overproduction.
M.I.A.'s surprise hit "Paper Planes" might have stolen international music from the baby boomers, but K'naan all but locks it up for the young generation. Album opener "T.I.A." rattles with the same vigor and triplets of Kala with the crusade of taking groupie-laden rappers on a field trip through true African ghettos; "Dreamer" interpolates quotes from A Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A. and the Pharcyde while fantasizing of leaving "the only place worse than Kandahar." A Hustle and Flow&–quoting Mos Def and Chali 2na both show up on "America," the best verses of which belong to K'naan rapping in Somali, and closer "People Like Me" soberly links Iraq to the guns and grenades of K'naan's youth spent in the Somali civil war.
All told, the album makes one of the most convincing cases for a new globalized music. There's a wide variety of styles on Troubadour—from chopped funk breaks to dancehall blasts, from goombay choruses to "My Boyfriend's Back" melodies and Procol Harum chord progressions—and on top of it all, pushing the album into greatness, is K'naan's heart. "Is it true when they say all you need is just love?" he asks on the empathetic "Fatima." "What about those who have loved, only to find that it's taken away? And why do they say that the children have rights to be free?"


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Are you ready for the wackiest invasion you've ever seen? Prepare for an assault on your senses in When Vikings Attack on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. This wild action game has a wonderfully solid look, as everything from shopping trolleys to telephone boxes is used in the carnage. Each of the 15 distinct environments is filled with vibrant colours and props that make it seem like a toy world come to life, and even the vicious Vikings are adorably cute.
The cheery music and sound effects complement this distinctive look. Environments are filled with unique sounds that perfectly match their visuals, delivering a fantastic sense of discovery while you're exploring the world. The characters also contribute to the impressive audio, each with their own distinctive grunts and mutterings to accompany their efforts against the attacking Norse hordes.
Clever Beans has carefully crafted this charming approach throughout the game, especially with the in-game videos. Inspired by old propaganda films, the matter of fact announcer explains the dangers of the attacking Viking armies. Offering tongue-in-cheek advice on how to keep the marauders at bay, warnings of the dangers they pose and some stiff upper lip support, these entertaining videos are the true reward for success.
When Vikings Attack is the most hectic game of dodgeball ever played. The goal is simple; grab whatever isn't nailed down and hurl it at the invaders. With reinforcements constantly pouring out to bolster the Vikings' numbers, the action can quickly descend into delightful, reflex-testing chaos.
Supporting Cross-Buy, meaning you only need to buy the PlayStation 3 version to download the PS Vita version at no extra cost and vice versa, When Vikings Attack is easy to pick up and play. Use the right stick to control where your defenders run, or tap the throw button to launch objects at the Viking mob. There is also the all-important dash button, which provides a vital burst of speed to avoid any incoming objects and can even help you snatch thrown items out of the air.
Keeping a good number of defenders together is vital as larger teams can throw larger and more destructive objects. Recruiting panicking civilians is one way to build numbers, and Vikings can also be forced into retreat when using the right weapon, making it the best way to thin the opposition.
Each of the 15 stages adds its own twist to the gameplay, and carefully seeing how these changes can be used to your advantage is the key to victory. Although all-out aggression can often be the solution, clever use of the environment is sometimes more effective, especially during the challenging boss battles. Never fear if you need more opportunities to continue your battle - take advantage of Cross-Save, which lets you pick up your PS3 save game where you left off on your PS Vita and vice versa. So you can make sure those pesky Vikings are never safe from a little payback.
While When Vikings Attack's exciting Quest Mode provides a lasting single player campaign, with leader boards to keep you coming back for more and the multiplayer options delivers even more excitement. Quest Mode can be played with up to three mates, each controlling their own troop of civilian defenders, bringing more madcap mayhem into play.
If head-to-head action is more to your tastes there are also three competitive modes on offer: Last Man Standing, Vikings vs. Vigilantes and Gold Rush. Each game type brings a different twist on the grab and run gameplay and, with over 20 arenas to duke it out in, they offer more than enough fun to keep you battling into the wee hours.
All of the multiplayer modes can be played either offline on PlayStation 3 or online via PlayStation Network. The revolutionary Cross-Play feature also means you can mix it up with a combination of PS3 and PS Vita gamers at the same time and go head to horned helmet whenever you like.
1-4 Players
Network Features
2-4 Network Players
Network Play


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Tucked away in a small French village, this hotel is slowly rotting away. The wallpaper is peeling, the ceiling is falling down, and it looks like you might encounter a ghastly resident around any corner.
Martino Zegwaard took the photo above as well as a few other photos of this dilapidated building. That it looks like it was once a cozy place, filled with rich colors and ornate wallpaper, makes it all the creepier. Even Zegwaard himself says he felt uneasy as he photographed it.
Zegwaard also photographed the gruesome remains of l'école de médecine vétérinaire, which we featured a while back. He certainly has a knack for picking out spooky locations for his urban explorations.
Hotel les R [Martino Zegwaard via reddit]


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A new iOS app from Brainshark lets Apple iPad users accurately view full-blown PowerPoint applications on the tablet.
The new application is called Slideshark. Installed on the iPad, it lets users download, view, and manipulate a presentation that's been converted from PowerPoint into an MP4 video format that accurately mimics the full range of PowerPoint features. According to Brainshark executives, the presentation on the iPad looks and feels exactly like a native PowerPoint presentation. At the same time, the presentation is full optimized to work with the iPad's touch interface.
THE HORROR: World's worst PowerPoint presentations
"You'd expect there would be a Microsoft Office or PowerPoint app in iTunes, but they don't exist," says Jay Wilder, director of product marketing for Brainshark, Burlington, Mass. Users have been coping by turning PowerPoint slides into PDFs or converting them into videos, or using Apple's Keynote or similar, comparable applications, even though those applications can't capture the full range of PowerPoint functions, he says.
"We're interested in the true integrity of the PowerPoint file, and we read it 'as is' and play it [on the iPad] as it was intended to play," says Brainshark Product Director David Klein.
Slideshark uses the same underlying technology developed by the company for its flagship product, Brainshark, which is a Web-based authoring and distribution service that converts content in PowerPoint, Microsoft Word or other applications into on-demand, online, video-like presentations for such purposes as mobile marketing, training and customer education.
In April, the vendor unveiled Brainshark Enhanced Mobile, with a new Adobe Flash-based player for Android and Palm webOS devices, some changes to Brainshark's iOS app (launched in January), and more information about how end users view and work with a Brainshark video.
Slideshark lets an iPad user download and run the Brainshark-created conversions, without an Internet connection, just as if PowerPoint was resident on the tablet.
Slideshark is available now, as a free app via the iTunes App Store. Once downloaded, you set up a secure account at the Slideshark site, where you can upload PowerPoint files, and have them automatically converted. Then, using the Slideshark app, you can download the converted presentation and view it.
Though the app and service are currently free, Brainshark eventually plans to create paid, multi-user versions of the software, aimed at enterprise groups such as sales operations.
John Cox covers wireless networking and mobile computing for Network World.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/johnwcoxnww
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Blog RSS feed: http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/2989/feed
Read more about anti-malware in Network World's Anti-malware section.


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Sale of Golden Guernsey Dairy could be imminent
WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — The Golden Guernsey Dairy plant in Waukesha could soon have a new owner less than two months after it closed and filed for bankruptcy.
A creditor in the Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Accord Financial, says a bankruptcy trustee is apparently negotiating a sale of the plant and all of its equipment.
A private equity firm from Los Angeles, Calif., bought the plant in 2011 and shut down the company Jan. 5, resulting in the loss of more than 100 jobs. The dairy processor has been in the Milwaukee area for more than 80 years.
The Journal Sentinel says the plant is being run on a limited basis by a handful of employees to prepare for a sale.


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economic recovery,
automotive market,
AMM Comment,
John Ambrosia,
In modern America at least, economic recovery requires bipartisanship; better yet would be nonpartisanship. Paradoxically, this becomes truer in clearly divided political times such as today.
Yet nearly since the darkest days of the 2008-09 recessionthe worst since the Great Depression, and a downturn were still reeling fromwhat America mostly has gotten from its federal government is partisan bickering rather than consensus and a joint resolve to create jobs, rebuild infrastructure and spur manufacturing.
In the December 2010 issue, just after the mid-term elections, I wrote about how the potential gridlock of the 112th Congress might make the alleged uncertainty created by the actions and standstills of the 111th Congress look like a golden age. Well, one near-catastrophe (the April threat of a government shutdown) and one nearer-catastrophe (the debt ceiling debate and subsequent downgrading of the U.S. credit rating) later, and that prediction already has come true.
The year is nearly over, and we havent seen a single jobs bill or other major economic program make it through Congress and reach the Presidents desk. Its been like fighting a raging fire without a drop of water, a fire engine or even a ladder.
What is apparent is that the past 10 months have seen a fight not just over what government policies should become law, but whether the government has any business adopting policies at all. As the daily news is telling us, that debate has not been good for the economy or business. That is because beneath the sound bites and political posturing there is a greater truth, like it or not: No individual, no single business, no particular industry and no general economy works and succeeds in a vacuum. The market requires a structured society, a common culture in which to grow and thrive. It requires roads and investment and workers and resources and clients and credit and a court system and trade policy and, yes, even safeguards. In other words, government action and reaction to national challenges are designed to provide general and overall certainty, not prohibit it, even when you disagree with the details of how to get there.
This raises the question that has defined the past three years and especially 2011: Is doing something better than doing nothing?
We do have some evidence to examine. It comes from the automotive sector, where steel and other metal industries are affected significantly. Carbon and stainless steel, aluminum, copper and a host of other products all have a dog in the fight when it comes to auto manufacturinga sector in which the government has adopted some direct action. How effective has the government been at helping revive the auto industry? Even this is a matter of contention, but we have one general case and two specific ones to review.
In the general case, after seven straight years of annual sales of 16.6 million or more vehicles from 1999 to 2005, the numbers began to sag slightly in 2006 and 2007 before falling dramatically to 13.2 million vehicles in 2008 and 10.4 million in 2009. But last year auto sales rose for the first time since 2005 to nearly 11.6 million and have risen again this year, and forecasts call for even higher sales in 2012. These recent sales numbers have been good for many steelmakers, who have raised their finished and semi-finished prices over the past two years and also have been one part of a resurgence in ferrous scrap prices and demand. This lends some credence to arguments that the heart of the current downturn is more in housing than some other sectors of the economy, and it is one of the few rays of hope that perhaps some policies are working.
The first specific example was 2009s so-called Cash for Clunkers program. The $3-billion program sought to take inefficient vehicles off the streets and spur sales of new ones. Looking at sales results, the program was successful. About 700,000 new cars were sold under the program in 2009, saving or creating about 60,000 jobs. This not only put money back into the general economy, but it created demand for steel and replenished the scrap stream. Critics at the time said that the bump in late-2009 sales would result in a downward trend of vehicle sales in 2010, but time has proven them wrong.
The second concrete example is this: If its even remotely still true that whats good for General Motors is good for America, then score some points for those who orchestrated and supported the bailout of GM. This action actually pre-dated Cash for Clunkers, although the results did not start becoming apparent until last year. The bailout saved a significant number of jobs, preserved an American business icon and most likely prevented the severe psychological shock that the closure of GM would have caused. Rather than threaten the market, the move bolstered and salvaged an important part of it. Furthermore, GM is profitable again, and in the first three quarters of this year sales rose 16.4 percent over 2010. Admittedly, this is a more nuanced picture than Cash for Clunkers. While sales are up, GMs market share is down from its pre-bailout daysalthough the current 19-percent share would have been zero if the company had failed. And the governments involvement was too much for some to take, even if on balance it has been successful.
So whats the lesson here? It brings us back to the question of what comes next. If what was done with the automotive sector can be even partially repeated with infrastructuresomething the metals industry has called for time and againthen the answer is pretty simple.
Otherwise, there is this: With just one year to go before the next presidential and congressional elections, by some measures the two worst presidents on job creation since Herbert Hoover have been George W. Bush and Barack Obama. But no president bears responsibility for the economy alone. Both political parties have had control of Congress, which is constitutionally responsible for budgetary and tax policy, at one point or another during the terms of both men.
That is a bipartisan result we surely can live without.
All comments are subject to editorial review.
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Every month American Metal Market takes a statistical look inside the marketplace.
We actually don't know who his investors are. At the point when we are ready, we will investigate further. There are just so many things to handle and there are a lot of items to be considered with the project."
-- Charles C. Mitchell, Barstow city manager


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Thief tries to steal wallet from Worcester County District Attorney
Joseph Early fights off attacker
Police say a would-be robber picked the wrong potential victim - Worcester County's top prosecutor.
The Telegram & Gazette of Worcester reports that District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. was taking out his wallet at the Ciao Bella restaurant in Worcester on Sunday evening when a man snatched it out of his hand.
Early was struggling with the man when an off-duty court officer who recognized the DA came in and went to his aid. The two officials then pulled the man outside to the parking lot, where the officer subdued him and held him for police.
Twenty-seven-year-old Jason Beaudreau of Worcester pleaded not guilty to assault and battery and unarmed robbery at his arraignment on Monday.
Court records indicate that Early got his wallet back.


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Directors Guild Boss Insists That Everyone Against SOPA/PIPA Was Duped
from the wanna-run-that-one-by-people-again? deptWe're still waiting for the supposed "new tone" of the conversation from Hollywood following its failed attempt to expand copyright/anti-piracy laws for the 16th time in the last 3 decades. There were some early claims that the widespread protests had made Hollywood realize that rather than passing bad legislation by working out deals with "friendly" Congress people in backrooms, it wanted to have a "conversation" with those who opposed SOPA/PIPA.
Well, Taylor Hackford, the head of the Directors Guild of America, apparently has a different opinion on all that. He went on the Pat Morrison radio show to go off on a wild rant about how everyone against SOPA/PIPA were duped via lies from companies like Google who want to protect all their profits. What was amazing was the number of blatantly false statements Hackford made in making his argument. Beyond the fact that he ignored tons of very legitimate concerns from engineers, online security experts and First Amendment scholars who clearly were not "duped," he also makes a bunch of statements that don't pass the laugh test.
For example, he repeatedly claimed that the movie industry employs two million people -- and he mocked the tech industry for not employing many people at all (and implying that they mostly employ people outside the country). According to the Congressional Research Service, the movie industry actually employs 374,000 people. Further research showed that jobs in actual film and movie production have been growing. Meanwhile, a recent study showed that just the Facebook apps economy alone created nearly 500,000 jobs. That second number may be exaggerated somewhat, but comparing how many jobs the movie industry has created with how many the internet industry has created isn't going to make Hackford look very good.
Then there was the specific attack on Wikipedia, where he first said that Wikipedia was a "stalking horse" (and he suggests an unidentified "they" convinced Wikipedia to shut down). Then he says that by shutting down:
"They robbed the public of important information in order to make their point"The "they" is still not identified, but a good way to demonize opponents is to take away any identifying marks, so it's this mysterious "they." But, seriously? Robbed the public? This from an industry which has repeatedly pushed for extensions to copyright term -- something that actually does take away content that the public was supposed to have a legal right to? I recognize that Hollywood has trouble understanding what "robbed" actually means, but Wikipedia blocking access didn't rob anyone of anything. But, if we're going to go with Hackford's claim that withholding content from the public is theft, then, as Derek Kerton suggests, doesn't that mean that the movie release windows that Hackford and his buddies in Hollywood rely on are "robbing the public"? After all, it's withholding information -- and it happens for a lot longer than the one day that Wikipedia went dark (and for which there were easy workarounds).
Of course, even more ironic was that while Morrison's show is nominally a "call-in" show... people who called in were told that Mr. Hackford was not allowing any calls during his segment. Instead, people were left to comment on the radio show's website... where the vast, vast majority of folks were quick to pick apart Hackford's ridiculous claims and ask the station why it didn't have anyone expressing a counterpoint.
Filed Under: duped, lies, pipa, sopa, taylor hackford
Companies: dga