text:
Like Thomas Jefferson, who said "Though an old man, I am but a young gardener", we all fondly imagine energy for our hobby will be age-defying. But situations change: declines in health and wealth and increases in spare time can all alter our ambitions. Whatever the limitations of our plot, though, the life-giving benefits of keeping connected with the seasons, wildlife and weather always outweighs any worries induced by change.
Regular readers will know of my recent downsize from a large garden in Suffolk to a smaller plot beside the sea — I admit it has been a major change to my life, fortunes and ambitions, but all for the best. The organisational contortions, and the fact that the larger of my two removal vans was full of garden paraphernalia, will give some idea of my priorities. Change is frightening, but it is also invigorating, challenging and keeps you on your toes.
I moved to a smaller garden, but my ambitions to garden productively in tandem with nature in a low-key way hasn't changed, and have resulted in an orchard, surrounded by meadows with wildflowers and bulbs, crossed by mown paths and dotted with seating areas. My priorities are food, tranquillity and space for my grandson to play and hens to peck.
My needs are for minimal maintenance: initial help to set up the garden, then reducing to annual boundary hedge trimming and meadow scything in August.
I have a few beds for favourite blooms, but they could be grassed over later, and while I can, I cut the paths myself with a light easy-to-manage mower, like the Brill Razor Cut Premium or the Jonsered Handpush Cylinder mower (from Mower Magic).
I'd have done well to read a new book: The Age-Proof Garden by Patty Cassidy, packed full of ideas for stress-free and low-maintenance gardening. Once I had got used to being called an elder, or worse – a senior (this book has transatlantic roots), I was impressed with the range of projects covered; the special equipment available for those with health problems and the common-sense advice to plan a garden that could take me into the future.
The project gardens designed to stimulate the senses are inspirational: growing memories evoked by scent with sweet pea arches and thyme paving; highlighting the sense of touch with different textures from stachys and bergenia leaves, tree barks and grasses; offering stunning taste sensations with containers of verbena, strawberries and edible flowers, and listening to grasses like Briza maxima popping seedheads like love-in-a-mist and encouraging birdsong.
The step-by-step instructions for planting blueberries, potted fruit trees and strawberries for edible container gardening; fragrant window boxes full of scented pelargoniums, sweet alyssum and nasturtiums; and indoor garden features, adding extra shelves within window frames and forcing bulbs, were attractive and modern — avoiding the usual misconception that as we age, we lose our good taste.
There are different levels of downsizing, from larger to smaller garden, to terrace and window box, and on to shared gardens, and some may be able to adapt their existing plot. Those planning to design a garden for someone in their care should proceed with caution. Few gardeners hand over the spade without a struggle, so suggestions should be tactful and a long period spent listening must precede decisions.
As Patty Cassidy says: tending a garden is a lifelong pleasure, even though energies and abilities may decline, but gardens are evolving places with the potential to keep us fit and young at heart.
So as we rage against the dying of the light, this generation of baby bloomers need look no further.
Be honest – know your strengths and admit your limitations.
Make decisions about which tasks could be carried out by others. Consider sharing part of your garden in return for planned labour.
Understand risks like climbing ladders – or, in my case, clambering into wheelie bins to compress the contents.
Make sure paths and surfaces are level and safe, especially during wet and frosty weather. Invest in solar-powered movement-sensitive garden lighting from glow.co.uk at £18.95 for a pack of three lights.
Change your planting areas to raised beds that also offer a place to sit and rest. Use mulches and membranes to cut down on weeding. And wear gardening gloves.
Improve your watering arrangements with a convenient water butt attached to a lightweight push-along mobile hose cart (from Hozelock at uktoolcentre.co.uk), remembering to wind up the hose to avoid accidents. Concentrate on plants that are drought resistant.
Lawns don't have to be mown regularly: ours are cut once a year but paths are mown weekly. Edge with wood or metal edging to cut down on hand trimming
Invest in lightweight tools to help with any physical problems, like the range from chillingtontoolsonline.co.uk with foam cushion grips and extendable handles, and pace yourself.
Gardening for the Disabled Trust


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'Dear little lamb
prancing in meadows
we think you're a pet
so sweet and so gentle.
Dear little lamb
so white and woven
we want your leg
to roast in our oven.'
The planet looks blue and green and scattered around like a beautiful embroidery are the lovely animals. Against the green fields are the white of sheep, the darker colours of horses [...]
Read UNSEEN BEAUTY...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
STRCHR(3) BSD Programmer's Manual STRCHR(3)
strchr, index - locate first occurrence of a character in a string
#include <string.h> char * strchr(const char *s, int c); char * index(const char *s, int c);
The strchr() function locates the first occurrence of the character c in the string s. The terminating NUL character is considered part of the string. If c is '\0', strchr() locates the terminating '\0'. The index() function is an old synonym for strchr().
The strchr() function returns a pointer to the located character or NULL if the character does not appear in the string.
After the following call to strchr(), p will point to the string "oobar": char *p; char *s = "foobar"; p = strchr(s, 'o');
memchr(3), strcspn(3), strpbrk(3), strrchr(3), strsep(3), strspn(3), strstr(3), strtok(3)
The strchr() function conforms to ANSI X3.159-1989 ("ANSI C"). The index() function is deprecated and shouldn't be used in new code. MirOS BSD #10-current June 29, 1991 1
Generated on 2017-04-03 16:26:17 by $MirOS: src/scripts/roff2htm,v 1.88 2017/01/29 00:51:06 tg Exp $
These manual pages and other documentation are copyrighted by their respective writers;
their source is available at our CVSweb,
AnonCVS, and other mirrors. The rest is Copyright © 2002–2017 The MirOS Project, Germany.
This product includes material provided by mirabilos.
This manual page's HTML representation is supposed to be valid XHTML/1.1; if not, please send a bug report — diffs preferred.


text: V7 19.0" Privacy Filter for desktop and notebook monitors 5:4 PS19.0SA2-2E Key Features V7 Privacy Filters block out the view from either side of your screen without blurring or distortion Filters keep confidential information private For notebooks and monitors V7 Privacy Filters are reversible.The matte side reduces glare (anti-glare) while the shiny side improves clarity and color. Also includes Microfiber Cleaning Cloth and Mounting Tabs. PS19.0SA2-2E Overview V7 Privacy Filters are excellent for open, high-traffic environments or wherever on-screen data needs to be kept private. Screen data is visible only to persons directly in front of the monitor without blurring or distortion. The filter darkens on-screen information when viewed from the side. The high-gloss finish sharpens contrast and helps to protect fragile LCD screens from scratches and damage. V7 Privacy Filters are easy to attach and remove, and can be left in place even when your notebook computer is closed. Sizes are available to fit most laptop computers and desktop displays. Specification V7 Model # PS19.0SA2-2E IM SKU # J151658 EAN 4038489022486 Aspect Ratio 0,211111111111111 Compliance RoHS Country of Origin Korea Image Size (Diagonal) 19.01 in / 48.3 cm Product dim. (L/W/H) 0.25 x 377 x 302 mm Warranty 2 Years The data in this publication is for illustration purposes only and does not necessarily represent standards or specifications which must be met by V7. Design and specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Trademarks belong to their respective owners. No responsibility assumed and all liability for damages resulting from use of this information or for any errors or omissions, are disclaimed. Measurement standards and testing conditions, as per manufacturer definitions, are available on request.


text:
History and Old Stuff...
I saw an old truck (scroll down for photos) on a vacant lot in Hopkinsville today. I hope I have identified it correctly as a 1951 Ford F5. I am certain that it is a Ford F5, because it is engraved in chrome on the truck. The question is the year, and I have looked at a bunch of vintage Ford photos trying to figure it out.
I was a little confused because the grill and front end on this old truck seemed to be like the 1951 Ford F5, but all the photos showed a truck with a much longer front end.
I finally decided that the short profile of this one's front end indicates it was a cab-over-engine model. I found documentation for cab-over-engine Mack trucks as early as 1905, so the concept was old stuff by 1951.
I was born in 1951, so I'm the same age as the truck. I hope I don't look as rough as it does! I do think the rust and the various paint hues make an interesting palette.
If you have an opinion on the make and model, please post it in the comments. Thanks.
Technorati tags:
1951 Ford truck
On February 26, 2006, a year ago today, I posted about Gaskell's Compendium of Forms (a beautiful old book) and about windmills. No writer's block that day!


text:
Published Opinions are available for viewing with Adobe AcrobatÛ Reader.
Cite Published Opinions Using a Generally Recognized Reporter System. SCR 6.08
Docket Number / Case Name
105623 - In re K.E.
102163 - Kansas City Mall Assocs. v. Unified Gov't of Wyandotte County/KCKS
Docket Number / Case Name / Judge / Disposition / County
The Kansas Supreme Court did not release any unpublished opinions on March 16, 2012


text:
You've now found the staple t-shirt of your wardrobe. It's made of a thicker, heavier cotton, but it's still soft and comfy. And the double stitching on the neckline and sleeves add more durability to what is sure to be a favorite!
• 100% ringspun cotton
• 4.5 oz/y² (153 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
I accept payment via PayPal and if you are local, cash or credit cards are also accepted.
I usually print the item label the second I get the order, and if I have the item in stock I ship it the same day, I leave a 3 day wriggle room period in my shop statement just in case something comes up. Life happens, but chances are you'll get your item quicker than you imagined.
International Buyers: It is your place as a buyer to familiarize yourself with your country's duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees. Import charges can vary widely but are most commonly based on the price and type of item, package weight and dimensions, origin country, and the taxes, duties, and fees of the destination country.
I am unable to predict which of these fees, if any, will be applied, and therefore have no way to calculate or collect these fees or taxes.
If something is damaged print, I will gladly replace it.


text:
I don't get it. You have a Burlington school leader who authors three budgets with built-in deficits, owes the IRS $500,000 in back employee withholding taxes and gets a golden parachute firing package of $225,000, and Rutland County makes her a finalist for a job in their system.
Is this for real? What the heck is going on?
Bob Stetson


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NetHui SouthCommunications and Information Technology
Good afternoon.
It's certainly a pleasure to be invited to speak here at the first NetHui South and I'd like to begin by acknowledging InternetNZ for organising this event, and for their on-going work in ensuring that key issues affecting the development of our digital future continue to be prominently and actively debated.
It's definitely refreshing to see a gathering of this type in the South and focusing on rural and provincial New Zealand.
To me, gatherings like this provide an ideal platform to discuss the economic, social and cultural opportunities the Internet provides New Zealand, to challenge existing thinking about how we utilise the connected world and to question what we need to do better.
Those questions are as real for me as the Minister as they will be for each of you and they are the yardstick I use to assess where we are and where we need to be.
I've been Minister for Communications and IT for almost a year now and it's a role I feel tremendously privileged to have. Not only because I am the first woman to hold the portfolio but more importantly because I see it as one of the key platforms for the future prosperity of New Zealand.
Like most things in life the size of the opportunities in this field correlate almost exactly to the scale of the challenges but I have tremendous confidence in the ability of our IT sector to overcome those challenges in a way that not only benefits New Zealand but that creates significant new export opportunities as we continue to show the world the Kiwi ability to devise ingenious, niche solutions to problems no-one else has successfully tackled.
We all recognise that the Internet has become an essential part of our economic and social lives in an amazingly short time. It is the key to many of the most innovative developments, both in New Zealand and around the world. In fact, it is difficult to think back to a world without the Internet and mobile connectivity.
We now take it for granted that we can communicate with family and friends on the other side of the world, in real time and at next to no cost, though apps like Facebook, Twitter or Skype, and we can do all our banking not just online but by mobile phone, choose when and where we want to watch broadcast content and remotely instruct our household devices while at work or on holiday.
Today for me giving a speech like this means writing it on the go, real time adjustments until I step on stage, delivery via a teleprompt app on my iPad, wireless cloud-based back-ups and almost instantaneous posting of the as delivered version via the web and social media immediately after.
But to allow us to do all these things I have just mentioned, we need high-speed telecommunications infrastructure to support our increasing reliance on high technology and content-related industries and we need a well-functioning market for the provision of retail services over that infrastructure.
The starting point of course must be the infrastructure, and Governments around the world are promoting strategies to improve broadband infrastructure, in recognition of the crucial role it plays in the delivery of economic and social gains.
Here in New Zealand it was our view that there was a significant gap between what the market was providing and what we needed it to provide if we were to remain relevant and competitive into the future.
Little more than a year ago the average internet connection speed in New Zealand was a meagre 3.7Mbps, and for much of rural and provincial New Zealand, access was often little better than dial up, if they were connected at all.
We were not preparing our students for life in a digital world and too many families weren't in a position where the potential offered by the internet was a possibility for them.
So, the development of a fibre to the home ultra-fast broadband network, enhanced rural connectivity and next-generation mobile networks and a way to bring them into reach of all New Zealanders are critically important to New Zealand's growth prospects, especially given our sparsely populated country that sits a long way from our major markets.
While we are still in the early days of this massive work programme, ultra-fast broadband is already starting to show hints of what it will mean when fully rolled out.
We are seeing it put our businesses in meeting rooms and in front of customers around the country and around the globe.
We are seeing early uptake schools using fibre to enhance teaching and learning, and ensure our children, anywhere in New Zealand have access to the same information at the same time as their peers around the world.
And it is changing the way our hospitals and medical facilities work, enabling enhanced in-home care and the provision of highly specialised services outside main centres.
A recent Alcatel-Lucent study has found that UFB will radically improve the speed and capacity of the high-speed broadband networks available to New Zealanders.
The study was commissioned to stimulate discussion about what New Zealand can do to ensure that UFB underpins a new wave of ICT innovation, and contribute strongly to New Zealand's social and economic development.
It is frequently observed that widespread access to broadband drives GDP growth, and the study captures a broad picture of the economic impact of the UFB initiative, projecting GDP growth stemming from the programme of $5.5 billion over 20 years, providing fiscal stimulus far in excess of the Government's $1.35 billion capital contribution.
And the wider economic benefit to New Zealand end-users of utilising high-speed broadband applications is estimated at $32 billion over 20 years.
Our UFB programme is often compared to Australia's National Broadband Network, with the kiwi approach coming out on top with a number of commentators.
At the end of the day though, a fibre network is infrastructure and while infrastructure is a critical component of growth, it isn't infrastructure itself that drives progress but the ways it can be utilised.
For New Zealand to maximise the potential of high-speed connectivity we need a number of things and chief amongst them is a vibrant and well-functioning ICT sector.
The ICT industry in New Zealand is more significant than many realise and of course the technology it creates touches on almost every major market segment.
The sector is already worth $20 billion a year, employs 40,000 people, and provides $5 billion in yearly export earnings.
The recently released TIN100 report shows our companies have increased their combined revenue by 7 per cent over the past 2 years to $7.28 billion, with the 30 ICT companies within that list growing their combined revenue by 9 per cent last year alone.
If we delve a little deeper, we find that the IT industry is thriving in towns and cities all over the country. In Dunedin, for example, there are already more than 160 IT firms in the city, and last year, the average IT employee created $142,000 in GDP for the city.
Like many parts of New Zealand, it is great to see that Dunedin and the Otago region have created their own Digital Strategies to help keep the industry growing and ensure their residents are well positioned to maximise the potential of high speed connectivity.
I understand deputy mayor Chris Staynes is here today and I want to commend him and his council along with their communities for their work in that regard.
I am also encouraged by plans in both Christchurch and Dunedin for investment in high-tech innovation through the creation of ICT hubs.
In Christchurch's case the innovation precinct and the EPIC centre opened yesterday by my colleague Steven Joyce has from the outset been seen as a key plank of the post-earthquake recovery strategy for the central city being led by CERA.
These hubs have the potential to become technology meccas, supporting local ICT start-ups and attracting IT innovation looking to capitalise on the symbiosis of mass location.
While Auckland and Wellington may be seen by some as the heart of our high-tech sectors, the truth is the South Island showcases some of New Zealand's best ICT talent and innovation, and I just want to take a moment to mention just two of the many successes, from global success stories to community-led innovation.
Dunedin-based technology firm Animation Research Limited has of course become renowned worldwide for its work in 3D animation – including real-time 3D sports graphics for the America's Cup, which was the first live 3D animated graphics for sports coverage.
In 2012 they produced a 3D video on the plans for rebuilding Christchurch city for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and a 3D video of the Wynyard Quarter.
I've met with Ian Taylor from Animation Research a number of times and I know first-hand exactly how passionate he is about the industry and supporting others making their way in this field.
In Christchurch, students have developed a mobile app that shows what Christchurch city looked like before the earthquake. This app uses life-sized 3-D models of what the demolished buildings looked like, and this can be useful for those re-building the city, or those trying to remember what it was like there before the earthquake.
We are already starting to see examples of what local communities and industry groups can do to harness the benefits of faster broadband, particularly in the health sector where there are more and more opportunities for local ICT companies and communities to come up with innovative ideas.
For example, a new navigator service is being used on the West Coast that taps into local knowledge and is helping people who live in geographically-isolated regions get fast and effective access to medical care.
Information and high-resolution imaging can now be sent instantly through electronic referrals which would normally take days if sent by post. Once received, the data is assessed and automatically added to a specialised database and becomes part of an electronic care plan.
A computerised aged-care assessment programme is also becoming an invaluable tool in caring for vulnerable older people after the Canterbury earthquakes.
The programme – called interRAI - helps to identify those most in need of help and makes their medical information available to new facilities. The information is also available nationally if the person moves elsewhere in the country.
While the impact and benefits of high-speed broadband are well understood, I want to take a moment to highlight the impact in the rural area.
Faster broadband will make a massive difference for rural communities, especially for farmers who are some of our biggest exporters.
Agriculture is a major building block of the New Zealand economy. The production and processing of agricultural products such as meat, dairy products, wool, fruit, vegetables and wine typically generate about 16 per cent of our annual gross domestic product and employ about 15 per cent of the workforce.
Real-time information is increasingly critical to the on-farm decision-making process, and high-speed broadband is key to that.
Access to farm information at the right time and the right place is imperative for making the right decisions.
GPS technology embedded in farm machinery means absolute precision in cultivation and fertiliser use, lowering costs and minimising the environmental impact.
Systems are being developed that use pond and soil monitors to help farmers manage their effluent and water use, while satellite mapping technology can show pasture growth, allowing for maximised production and animal welfare.
So for me the focus for this year has been on laying the foundations for New Zealand's future in fibre by starting the UFB and RBI build. Our next big event in the Communications and IT portfolio is the release of the digital dividend radio spectrum freed up by the switchover to digital television.
The spectrum will allow the building of fourth-generation mobile LTE networks, enabling mobile data access at peak speeds that are about the equivalent of our UFB network throughout both the UFB and RBI coverage areas.
Plans for re-allocation of the spectrum are well underway and we are on track to have the allocation completed by the time the spectrum is available nationally.
On the back of that we have been continuing our work supporting increased digital access and literacy through working with the education and tertiary sectors and though programmes such as Computers in Homes, Aotearoa People's Network Kaharoa and the Computer Club House. We have also created Nga Pu Waea to ensure Maori are well positioned to take part in our digital future at all levels.
On top of that we have a strong focus on consumer protections within the sector. Building on our work over the last term to regulate mobile termination rates, we are now reaching the conclusion of our programme to bring down Trans-Tasman international roaming charges and I have instructed officials to begin a programme of work focused on ensuring retail broadband packages are easy to understand and readily comparable for all users regardless of their level of computer savvy. So it's a big programme of work we have in front of us.
Looking to the future can I also mention what has been called the Big Data Revolution.
It has been said that the next generation of scientific discovery will be data-driven discovery, as previously unrecognised patterns are discovered by analysing massive data sets.
The world already creates 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every single day, and I fully expect to see New Zealand firms at the forefront of the new industries that capitalise on this big data revolution.
Before I finish, I want to talk briefly about the International Telecommunication Regulations that will be reviewed at the World Conference on International Telecommunications next month.
As you may know, the Regulations are a UN-level treaty which sets the rules for connecting telecommunications networks across the world.
Some of you may not have heard of this conference – a treaty like this doesn't usually capture the public's attention – but it has been dubbed by some as the most important meeting you've never heard of and I think it is worth taking a moment more of your time to set out New Zealand's position going into this conference.
The ITR's has existed since the time of the telegraph, and have largely been superseded by commercial arrangements. They haven't been reviewed for 20 years, and there are naturally some areas where the language needs to be updated to ensure the regulations continue to support an efficient and innovative telecommunications environment.
The key debate though will focus around two sets of proposals for including the Internet in the treaty – proposals that focus on the management of the network through matters such as IP allocation, routing, and address registries; and proposals that focus on control of content, spam, and security.
It is my view that these changes would be unhelpful, are unwarranted and could represent a significant threat to innovation and free and open debate.
The existing regulations are sufficiently high-level that they have managed to be broadly effective in the face of the growth of the Internet and telecommunications industry changes over the past 20 years.
Our domestic regulatory framework needs to support the industry to develop and provide faster broadband services and applications, and it is important the international regulatory framework supports this also.
An open and rapidly evolving Internet is an important driver of economic growth and innovation. The current multi-stakeholder approach to managing the Internet – through agencies such as ICANN, the Internet Society, and the Internet Engineering Taskforce supports this.
It enables stakeholders from government, academia, business, and the wider internet community to have input into how this is managed and it is flexible enough to cope with changes in technology.
For these reasons, New Zealand will be one of a number of countries pushing to keep control of the Internet out of the International Telecommunications Regulations.
So to finish off, I want to again thank InternetNZ for organising this event and ensuring the debate around such important matters isn't the sole domain of our larger centres. Some of the biggest gains from improving our connectivity will be felt in areas outside the main cities and it is vital that the voices of rural and provincial New Zealand be at the heart of ICT development into the future.
Thank you.


text:
Take action: Oppose undermining the Endangered Species Act
Dear Representative,
I urge you to reject HR 717, the Listing Reform Act, and other bills like it that would undermine the Endangered Species Act.
The Endangered Species Act is a cornerstone of environmental protection, and since it was enacted in 1973, 98 percent of species listed as endangered have survived.
HR 717 would undermine that success and allow short-sighted financial interests to stand in the way of protecting endangered and threatened species.
I urge you to vote no on HR 717.


text:
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Toyota Hi Lux 4WD 4Runner Petrol 1979 1997 Gregorys Service Repair Manual
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text:
From entry level to CEO, business professionals benefit from relationships that provide support and act as sounding boards for decisions. Research on mentoring consistently demonstrates that protégés (also called mentees)and their mentors not only have higher salaries and climb the ladder faster, they end up more satisfied overall with their careers. Those involved in mentoring are more productive and effective in their jobs and develop others as managers. Understanding this, many organizations have created formal mentoring programs as part of their leadership development and/or HR strategies.
One of the most important findings from 30 years of academic literature is that informal mentoring relationships are more effective than formal ones. In addition, studies show that if you proactively create a wider, deeper network of mentors each of the benefits – quicker promotions, greater productivity and satisfaction – can be even greater.
This recorded presentation discusses four steps that business professionals can apply in order to use informal mentoring for professional development:
- Reflect: Who has taken an active interest and action to advance your career? Think broadly, in and outside the workplace. List those people and group them according to where you interact.
- Assess: Map your developmental network to uncover patterns. Assess based on size, diversity, relationship density (who knows who), strength, and support types.
- Learn: Determine your goals and create your ideal developmental network map. Take an entrepreneurial approach to relationships and your own development.
- Teach: Educate your workforce to apply a developmental network approach to their careers. Foster a developmental culture that encourages relational learning and rewards developing others.
About the Presenter
Wendy Marcinkus Murphy is an Associate Professor of Management with teaching responsibilities in organizational behavior for both undergraduates and graduate programs. She also serves as the Faculty Advisor for the Mentoring Programs through the Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL). Prior to joining the faculty at Babson College, she taught at Boston College and Northern Illinois University. She earned her A.B., M.S., and Ph.D. from Boston College.
Professor Murphy's research interests are in the area of careers. Her work focuses on mentoring and developmental networks, identity, and the work-life interface. Specifically, she explores the mutual learning that occurs through nontraditional developmental relationships for the benefit of individuals and organizations. In addition, she is interested in how positive relationships across the work-life interface facilitate career success.
Murphy has published her research in several academic journals. Her forthcoming book with Kathy Kram, Strategic Relationships at Work: Creating your circle of mentors, sponsors, and peers for success in business and life, applies the scholarship of mentoring to a help everyone become an entrepreneurial protégé.


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A specialized area of Neuroscience Services is Psychiatry. Through Behavioral Health Services, The Medical Center provides inpatient and outpatient services to care for patients suffering from psychiatric issues.
For adult patients, The Medical Center provides an inpatient unit with a variety of treatment options including medication management, individual therapy and group therapy. Outpatient programs are also available including intensive outpatient and individual outpatient services.
Learn more Behavioral Health Services.


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Defenseman Looks To Continue Team's Success
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Jimmy Craft, a defenseman who helped the Yale men's lacrosse team win an Ivy League Tournament Championship and reach the NCAA Tournament in consecutive years, has been named 2014 captain after a vote by his teammates.
Craft is a two-year starter for a team that went 12-5 and came within a game of its first national semifinal since 1990 this spring. The junior from Darien, Conn., was part of a spirited defense that held No. 1 Syracuse off the scoreboard for 43 straight minutes before eventually falling by a goal last Saturday at College Park, Md.
"Jimmy is a great choice to carry the torch," said Andy Shay, Yale's Ryan & Forst Family Head Coach, who is headed to ESPN this weekend to serve as a studio expert for this weekend's national championships coverage. "Jimmy plays as hard as anyone we have, and that fact was not lost on his teammates. He has played with three great examples (previous captains), and I'm sure he will lead effectively in his own way."
The 6-foot, 190-pound close defenseman helped the Blue rank sixth in Division I with 7.9 goals allowed per game. Craft had 39 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers in 17 games.
"This is a tremendous honor, but I am more excited about leading this team with the eight other seniors," said Craft, who had four ground balls in six different games including the NCAA Quarterfinal against Syracuse last Saturday. "We are such a tight-knit class. Everyone is ready to lead next year. Our goal is to take the next step for this program, which means winning the Ivy regular season and tournament."
Craft, who has also been a long-stick midfielder, has played in all 47 games since coming to New Haven and his numbers have progressed each season.
Craft was a three-year letterman at Brunswick School and captained the team his senior year. He was co-recipient of the team's defensive MVP honors as a junior close defenseman with 80 ground balls. Craft, the lacrosse team's rookie of the year as a sophomore, also played quarterback for the football team and was offensive MVP as a senior with over 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns.
The new captain replaces another defenseman, Michael McCormack, who has already begun his Major League Lacrosse career with the Charlotte Hounds and will face former Yale star Matt Gibson '12 (Long Island Lizards) on Friday. It is very likely that the 2013 Yale captain will cover the Lizards' star attackman.
filed by Steve Conn, Yale Sports Publicity Director
Brian Schneider image


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CREDIT: Eileen Healy The Glen (No. 2 in a series of 3 paintings) 1999
exhibition takes its title from Cork born playwright and novelist, Cónal Creedon's cult radio programme and draws upon the Gallery's collection of artworks which can be found, geographically, under the gaze of the famous golden fish.
Most of the work shown is topographical: landscapes, studies of architectural interest or result from the artist's need to record a familiar view– perhaps pivotal to the artist's own life story. It also tells of changes within the city.
Photo Credit
Eileen Healy
The Glen
(No. 2 in a series of 3 paintings)


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Dimitris Ritsonis
The Euroleague is kicking off its third edition of the Euroleague Fantasy Challenge, and DraftExpress would like to invite you to join our league. The website for the Fantasy league is http://fantasychallenge.euroleague.net/. The league name is DraftExpress and the password is draftexpress
Like in most NBA fantasy leagues, the goal is to build a team and select actual players from the competition under a salary cap. Playing requires a certain knowledge of European basketball, but hope we to provide some tips to help if you arent 100% familiar with all the players in the Euroleague.
Intro: First, you will notice that each user (each email in this case) is allowed to have a maximum of 5 teams. Each team consists of 10 players, 2 PGs, 4 swingmen and 4 big men. After the 1st week and until the end of the 14 weeks of the regular season, the weekly changes per team should not exceed three. Every team with less than 10 players is considered insufficient and cannot compete. Once you register a username and password, you will be asked to create a team. After your team is registered and created, you will be able to join the DraftExpress private league through the private leagues sidebar on the left.
The Player Value and Weekly Score: This is one of the most important things that a person needs to know before they get started. The value of a player is set at the start of the season, and then rises and falls accordingly depending on his weekly score. Therefore, the goal is to not overpay initially for players who will underachieve in the first few weeks, and if possible, find undervalued players whose score will rise as they exceed expectations and then can be sold off to upgrade your other positions.
Copying from the site of Euroleague: The price of players may rise or fall after the season begins, depending on their average index ratings in Euroleague games and the success of their teams. Index rating points will be applied to each player's price in credits at a rate of one to four (1 index rating point = 4 credits). The same rate will be applied to the 10% bonus for players with positive index ratings in weeks when their teams win official Euroleague games. A player's price may not go up or down more than 15% from one week to the next, although his average index rating may keep his price rising or falling. No player's price can fall below 5 credits. There is no maximum price in credits for a player.
But what is the weekly score? Contrary to most NBA fantasy games, the weekly score is an efficiency ranking, made off the total of: (Points+ Rebs+ Asts+Steals+Blocks+Made FGs+Made FTs+ Fouls Drawn -Missed FGs-Missed FTs-Fouls-Blocks received). For every game a player wins, his score will get a 10% boost.
For reference, here are the top 15 fantasy players in the Euroleague in the regular season last year:
1 MILOJEVIC, DEJAN Partizan 23.58
2 PARKER, ANTHONY Maccabi 20.50
4 LAVRINOVIC, DARJUS Zalgiris 18.92
5 GARBAJOSA, JORGE Unicaja 18.78
6 ANDERSEN, DAVID CSKA Moscow 17.91
7 TURKCAN, MIRSAD Ulker 17.50
8 NICHOLAS, DREW Benetton 17.42
9 LAKOVIC, JAKA Panathinaikos 17.00
10 BATISTE, MICHAEL Panathinaikos 16.85
11 VUJCIC, NIKOLA Maccabi 16.53
12 REYES, FELIPE Real Madrid 16.38
13 GREER, RICARDO Strasbourg 16.35
14 DIAMANTIDIS, DIMITRIOS Panathinaikos 16.07
15 BASTON, MACEO Maccabi 15.57
As you will see based off the top 7 players in the league last year (except for swingman ultra-versatile swingman Anthony Parker), big men are usually the best investments, particularly ones that rebound well and draw plenty of fouls. Guys that play for a winning team and will get their 10% boost more often than not arent bad choices either. The bad news here is that these are usually the most expensive guys and we have 500 credits to spend on 10 players, which we have to discover from among around 300 players in the league.
Great scorers arent always necessarily great fantasy scorers, especially if they arent extremely efficient players. The #1 scorer in the regular season last year, Drew Nicholas, was only the 8th best fantasy player. The #2 scorer, Will Solomon, wasnt even among the top 15. Versatile players who do a bit of everything and shoot at a solid percentage without committing too many turnovers are usually the safest bet.
Getting Started/First Traps: Go to the Player Market link and try to check the values of the players. If you are a person familiar with the players you may have already decided on some names, but, knowing that a guy is good doesnt necessarily make him a good fantasy pick. Same goes to the fact that we dont pick only players that we like. Theo Papaloukas at 89 points, for example, might not be the safest bet. Not because he isnt good, but because he needs a weekly average of 20+ and CSKA going undefeated in order for his value to just stay at 89. You can check the history of every player by clicking on his name. Papaloukas is barely a 15-value players, since he usually comes off the bench and has a tendency to not put up great numbers in games that arent of the utmost importance.
The bad news for star players is that they play less in the less significant games, because of rest and playing time reasons, as well as for a chance to give young players a look. But, the good news here is that expensive players like Papaloukas, Bodiroga etc. will have their value dipping and then they can be bought much cheaper in the future later on in the season when it really matters (the big games are when they usually step up) and their price is more reasonable.
Another thing we need to check on are the weekly games. Tiago Splitter is right now at #1 of the most bought players, because Luis Scola is injured and he seems to be an attractive pick at 60
But, wait a minute... The guy has missed the last couple ACB games and doesnt seem to be in the best form now that hes finally back. Plus the first week Tau plays on the road versus Olympiakos, an incredibly tough game. Splitter will likely guard Big Sofo, which makes this pick slightly risky. If you go to the International Blog on the main page of Draftexpress, you will find on your right all the links to the European domestic leagues, in order to follow the players during the weekends and make wiser decisions too.
Steals and Stability: If this isnt obvious, the point here is to pick up some steals early on, but also to discover some guys whom you can trust to produce consistently from the first week. Why? Because after the first week, you can only make 3 changes a week, so there are 7 guys who will be there and they better produce.
If we are looking for cheap guys from good teams who will see guaranteed PT but, for different reasons, are cheaper than expected, like Nikos Zisis, whose value is at 52, because he missed 4 months of action last season, breaking his hand. Bojan Popovic is down at 48, because Mire Chatman was the star at Dynamo, but now hes out of the picture. Davor Kus, who plays 30 minutes per game, is really cheap at 41.
We are also looking for guys from average/thin/newcoming teams, who will again see playing time and have been very good in local games so far, like Eric Campbell of LeMans, Jerimiah Massey of Aris and Charles Gaines of Joventut. All these are Americans leading thin frontcourts, showing nice stability so far. They will likely not receive the 10% so often, but they will be producing more steadily and will be receiving more fouls than overrated guys in strong teams, who will not be playing that much either.
Additionally, we will need to mention guys who are proven good in the past, but are yet to be the leaders of their teams and thus they are a bit underrated, like the always steady youngster Paulius Jankunas of Zalgiris, who had a superb beginning last year, before Tanoka Beard returned from injury, or guys stuck in a thick frontcourt, like newcomer youngster Mirza Teletovic of Tau (Luis Scola is injured and Splitter missed 2 straight games, which helped him shine), or returning to high and stable numbers in Partizans Peja Drobnjak and many more.
A player like Aaron Miles might be someone to look out for, as he will absolutely have to shine for Pau-Orthez to have any chance of success and he most certainly has the talent to do so despite his low price (47) in this competition. Alex Acker is both a Euroleague rookie and is just making his first strides as he adjusts to European basketball, but his outstanding all-around numbers in the Greek league cannot be ignored for his low 41 price
At the end, there are the other steals, the ultra-cheap ones. I dont usually purchase those guys, like Ricky Rubio, or Anton Ponkrashov, because their value can rise by a maximum of 15% per week. What is 15% to 12 or 7, when you have it guaranteed by a guy double or triple that value? As soon as a player is around or over 20-25, then he is a steal, otherwise, he is a long-term project that will grow as time goes by, but not for immediate winners. In my eyes, the only reason to purchase this very limited number of low-price guys is the fact that, in case they get a high score one week, they wont be stopped by the 15%, but they are keeping the extra score for the next week too and will rise regardless what they do. So, if Rubio, who is at 12, rises more than 2, then he keeps the extra rise for the next week and on and on. This was a success trick that young guys like Tiago Splitter, Andrea Bargnani and Sofoklis Schortsanitis gave to users last year, who saw those guys value explode late in regular season, after having dropped significantly (from around 50 to almost 30) in the first 10 games.
Overall, lets conclude by saying that in order to be competitive we need to know that the 1st week of the season is the most important one, due to the limited trade number from then onwards. Note the match-ups, note the injuries, note the transfers and check on the overall stats of each guy in league games (here we care about evaluation and playing time), before making any decisions. Remember that the value of a player has a certain weekly rise/fall limit and try to find at least 7 players/team who will be producing stabaly.
The 1st week is the tough one, thats why you want to be a bit conservative, but also, try to save some cash for the 2nd week, in case of the worst possible outcome. The user who will make a score around 190 should likely be winning the 1st week (last year it was around 180, but every year the competition gets stiffer), but then, you will need a 220+, sometimes even more than 250+ to win the weekly prize. Play focused and always complete your team a few hours before the games, because injuries are a dirty thing.
Please note that while the Euroleague games always take place on Wednesday and Thursday, the first gameday is always beginning with a Tuesday "season opening" match-up, this time between newcomers Joventut and crown contenders Panathinaikos. All the writers of DX who will participate in the game will show here one of their teams and will also give some tips, while, we will try to keep the interest high by adding weekly news and advice.


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These are lean times, world-wide, and bagging this huge contract will have a positive impact on the relatively small economies of the European nations involved. Conversely, the loss of business worth $11 billion (running into many times this figure on account of product-support extending over the full 30-35 year life-span of the aircraft) would come as a blow to the aerospace industry of even a major economic power like the USA.
More than anything else, it could be interpreted as a rebuff to the sustained efforts of three successive US Presidents who have gone out of their way to bring about unprecedented warmth and proximity in Indo-US relations. There is a view that awarding the MMRCA contract to one of the two US contenders, the F-16 Super Viper or the F/A-18 Super Hornet, would have been an appropriate quid pro quo; a suitable expression of gratitude, ensuring strategic convergence between the two nations. Such a buy would have brought the respective industries and armed forces into much closer engagement, and possibly gained entry for the IAF into the world-wide US military logistics loop.
However this may merely be a simplistic view, because the affairs of State are guided by diverse weighty considerations, and things are not always as they appear to the man on the street.
On the other hand, let us look at the positives.
The IAF is now guaranteed a versatile, highly-agile and potent – albeit expensive – fourth generation combat aircraft in its inventory which can dominate the regional skies for the foreseeable future. Having flown both the F/A-18 and the Rafale, I can say that while the former would certainly have met all the IAF requirements competently and economically, the breathtaking performance of the latter leaves one in no doubt that it is a "generation-next" machine. The Eurofighter Typhoon, by all accounts, is equally impressive.
The complex and elaborate selection process involving field trials for six competitors in diverse locations in a compressed time-frame seems to have been pursued without a hitch by the IAF. Short-listing of the contenders has been undertaken meticulously, by the rules of the game, framed under the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). Given the dismal track-record of delays in earlier projects, if the MMRCA contract is signed by year-end, the MoD would have broken some Indian records for "quick" decision-making. To crown it all, there has – so far – not been a whiff of scandal that one has come to expect from contracts of such magnitude.
By itself, the MMRCA decision is not a matter of huge significance; and we can safely assume that our thoroughly professional air force has chosen a combat aircraft that will capably discharge the multiple tasks of defending Indian airspace, conducting strikes inside enemy territory and providing aerial cover to ground and maritime forces for the next four decades or so. Furthermore, Indo-US relations will weather this minor turbulence, and soon resume an even-keel.
However, in the midst of breathless speculation and gossip relating to the MMRCA contract, we are likely to miss the forest for the trees. What we really need to worry about is a deeper malaise in India's national security framework which has been starkly highlighted by the unfolding of the decade-long MMRCA saga. This is an opportune moment to reflect on the flawed processes and procedures that India follows in the critical areas of force planning and weapon system acquisition.
There are two deeply disturbing aspects here. Firstly; India's huge defence expenditure, which represents a significant proportion of the central budget, is spent with cavalier abandon and fails to accrue proportionate benefits for national security. And secondly, into its 64th year of independence, and having become a trillion-dollar economy, India remains abjectly dependent on foreign sources for its security needs. And yet nobody seems to be bothered.
India's Blinkered Vision
Most major powers undertake periodic Strategic Defence Reviews or issue defence White Papers which clearly highlight national interests, identify vital goals and objectives, and undertake an evaluation of the security environment. A deliberate exercise of this nature helps visualize the kind of armed forces the country needs, and pinpoints the specific capabilities they must field.
India, for all its fiscal constraints and competing demands on scarce resources, is one of the few countries which neither undertakes such introspection, nor generates security doctrines. In such a vacuum the Services tend to produce equipment wish-lists which focus on numbers (one for one replacement) rather than technologies or capabilities. Such demands take little or no account of force-multiplication, jointness, or duplication.
Moreover, such is the nature of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) system that a determined Service Chief can demand hardware for his Service by invoking the mantra of dire "operational necessity". No provision exists, in the current dispensation, for the three Chiefs, the generalist bureaucracy or the Raksha Mantri (RM) to engage in a doctrinal discussion relating to the operational need of a requisitioned weapon-system, and the priority that must be accorded to it. After many instances of internecine sniping, an unwritten understanding has emerged in the COSC that, no Service will comment on another's plans in the interests of harmony.
The MoD has neither the expertise nor the inclination to call for professional studies regarding national security issues. Therefore no critical examination or cost-benefit analysis has ever been undertaken on (for example) the continuing future relevance of weapon-systems such as battle-tanks, aircraft-carriers or short-range ballistic missiles in the Indian context, or the impact of an anti-ballistic missile defence system on deterrence stability. In such a scenario all wish-lists from the Services (and DRDO) become sacrosanct and, eventually, receive MoD approval.
The IAF Inventory
It is against this background that the IAF force-planning process, in general, and the MMRCA case in particular need to be examined, on the basis of information available in the public domain (IISS "Military Balance" 2010 edition). I must emphasise that the MMRCA case is being used only because it happens to be a current issue. This critique may also hold good for the acquisition programmes of the other two Services.
The mainstay of the IAF inventory, at its lower end, continues to be the vintage force of about 200 MiG-21 interceptors. Of these more than half have been upgraded to the Bison standard, encompassing a ground-attack capability. At the top end of the inventory are 140 Sukhoi-30 MKI air-dominance fighters which also have a significant strike capability. Additional Su-30s have been contracted and their eventual number will reach 272. Dedicated to the ground-attack role are 100 MiG-27 ML and 110 deep-strike Jaguar aircraft. Fifty Mirage-2000 multi-role fighters and 70 MiG-29 air-superiority fighters are available for combat tasks as required. The Jaguar, Mirage-2000 and the MiG-29 are all awaiting upgrades which will give them enhanced capabilities and extended life. This assorted force of about 650-700 combat aircraft is supported by air-air refuelling (AAR) and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) squadrons.
In addition to these combat aircraft of Russian, British and French origin already in service, the IAF has placed an order for 40 indigenous Tejas combat aircraft, with possibly another 80-100 more to follow. In December 2010 India signed a deal worth $ 300 million with Russia for the "joint development" of a 5th generation fighter aircraft. It is understood that about 250 of these aircraft, designated PAK-FA in Russia, will enter IAF service during the next decade. Finally, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is reported to have commenced design work on a fifth generation indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) expected to fly by 2025.
Assuming that the MiG-21s are withdrawn by the end of the decade, to be replaced by the Tejas; the MMRCA, when it joins the fleet, will become the 8th type of combat aircraft in IAF service. The increasing diversity of aircraft types (mostly of foreign origin) being accumulated by the IAF is going to become a nightmare in the spheres of training, maintenance, logistics and inventory-management.
The IAF had decided, in the early years of the last decade that the logical answer to its problems of obsolescence, attrition and declining strength was to induct additional numbers of the Mirage-2000. With a few upgrades, this excellent machine could become the future multi-role aircraft; bridging the gap between the heavy-weight Su-30 and the light-weight Tejas. It was the MoD's rejection of this proposal that gave birth to the MMRCA project. However, a lack of clarity has prevailed about the specific space that the MMRCA is meant to occupy in the IAF order of battle, given the growing fleet of Su-30s, and the planned induction of the PAK-FA and the AMCA.
In this context, it is interesting to note the contrasting approach of two other medium sized air forces; the British and French. Both are equipped with about 300 combat aircraft, with which they meet operational commitments, not just at home but also world-wide. Their inventories are restricted to two or three types of aircraft: Typhoon and Tornado in the Royal Air Force, and Rafale, Mirage-F1 and Mirage-2000 in the Armee de l'Air. Versions of these aircraft undertake all combat tasks, including air-defence, ground-attack and strike & recce.
Foreign Dependence
One of the most deeply disturbing aspects of India's national security policies is the nonchalance with which the country continues to spend colossal sums of money in acquiring weapon systems from foreign sources. There does not seem to be adequate realization of the fact that every such purchase makes India hostage to the seller nation, and seriously undermines our security as well as autonomy. For example, if the aircraft-carrier Vikramaditya arrives in 2012, the Indian Navy (IN) will remain captive to the whims and fancies of Russia's creaky supply chain till at least 2052 for spares, and maintenance support.
In similar fashion every foreign aircraft that the IAF acquires, will place the Service at the mercy of another nation for 30-40 years thereafter. The denial of a tiny aircraft component can ground fleets, and we should be in no doubt that our dependence for spares, product-support and weapons on sources as diverse as Russia, UK, France, Israel and South Africa constitutes a crippling strategic vulnerability. We may soon be adding Italy, Spain and Germany to this list.
It is true that no third-world nation can aspire to be completely autarchic in advanced weapon-systems. And yet China has demonstrated that resolute pursuit of self-reliance can produce wonders. By deploying their scientific resources to "steal" technology and resort to reverse-engineering, the Chinese produce everything they need; from AK-47 assault rifles, cruise-missiles and stealth fighters to carriers and nuclear submarines. They also export $ 2 billion worth of arms annually. While it is sometime appropriate to disparage and berate the DRDO for its many delays, failures and false promises, the armed forces need to undertake some soul-searching themselves. Very often it has been their own their own detached attitude, and penchant for the illusory "fast-track" import option that has caused them to bypass any attempt at indigenization, and perpetuate foreign dependence.
Delving a little into history, it is interesting to note that it was at about the same time in the mid-1950s that two significant initiatives were taken towards self-reliance in defence. The IAF issued an Air Staff Requirement for an indigenous jet fighter, and the IN established a Corps of Naval Constructors (later to become Directorate of Naval Design) with the aim of starting indigenous warship production. HAL delivered the first twin-jet HF-24 Marut, designed by Dr. Kurt Tank, to No. 10 Squadron in 1967. Mazagon Docks Mumbai launched the first, licence-built, Leander class frigate, INS Nilgiri in 1968.
The stories diverge thereafter. Having delivered 150 Maruts, HAL doggedly persevered with further development of this elegant looking fighter. The designers, however, lost heart as successive versions like the HF-73, HF-24-M.53 and the single-engine HF-25 had to be shelved for lack of IAF interest and government support. Finally, HAL gave up when the IAF opted for the Jaguar and the Mig-23 BN, and the Marut programme was shut down. The LCA project taken up by DRDO, 30 years after the Marut, did not, till recently, evoke much enthusiasm from the IAF; which accounts for its tardy and halting progress.
On the other hand, Mazagon Docks went on to build four more Leanders before Indian naval architects stepped in to re-design the hull and add weapons and sensors to produce three different classes of warships. Today, the navy's perspective plans rely heavily on the regular delivery of frigates, destroyers, amphibious ships and submarines by carefully nurtured Indian shipyards. A nuclear submarine was launched in 2010, and an indigenous aircraft-carrier will follow in 2015.
Backing Self-reliance
It may be somewhat late in the day, but there is still time to ensure that India's aerospace industry does not completely miss the technology bus, and leave the nation forever dependent on foreign sources for combat aircraft. The MMRCA contract provides an invaluable window of opportunity, via the Offset Clause.
For far too long, have Indian defence PSUs claimed "transfer of technology" when they were only assembling components received from abroad using "screwdriver technology". For the MMRCA offsets to be beneficial to India, they must be selectively chosen to fill known gaps in key technologies or provide high-end production-engineering skills lacking in our aerospace industry today. The USA had conveyed a distinct message that selection of either American candidate would open a cornucopia of technology to India – including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Europeans must be reminded of this and prevailed upon to follow a similar paradigm.
As far as the PAK-FA "joint development" contract is concerned, there is need for us to be even more careful because the prototype made its maiden flight early this year at Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The developmental process of this aircraft is, obviously, at least a decade old, and has been guided by the requirements of the Russian Air Force rather than the IAF. Thus, even if the "joint development" is no longer possible India must ensure that key technologies in areas such as stealth, super-cruise and active electronically scanned radar are actually transferred to the DRDO in return for the heavy investment made. The Russians are known to be parsimonious with technology transfer, and the pointless licence-production of 850 MiG-21s and aero-engines, as well as many BrahMos missiles is proof of this.
The IAF, on its part, can reinforce India's aero-space self-reliance endeavours by articulating a 25-30 year capability-cum-force-planning vision, if possible, jointly with DRDO. This vision must use the LCA, AMCA and PAK-FA experiences and technologies as the basic building blocks for futuristic combat aircraft – manned or unmanned. Perhaps the establishment of a small Aero-space Design Cell in Vayu Bhavan may help.
The Advantage of Numbers
The IAF has justly complained, for many years, that its long-standing requirement of 45 fighter squadrons has never been met. Worse still, even the arbitrary "authorised" strength of 39.5 squadrons has been steadily eroded by attrition and obsolescence, so that today it is a force of less than 30 squadrons.
A point repeatedly made by the IAF leadership, in the context of declining force-levels, has been that while technology may have its place, "numbers have their own logic". This is a valid argument for a force required to divide its strength between the western sector facing Pakistan, the north-eastern sector facing China, and the northern sector facing both adversaries. It must also be borne in mind that the Strategic Forces Command does not own any aircraft assets, and relies on dual-tasked IAF machines to be withdrawn for nuclear delivery missions. However the numbers argument has its limitations.
The IAF Hawker Hunter FGA Mk.9 that I flew in the 1970s could deliver a ton's worth of rockets and iron bombs out to a little under 200 miles, and weapon accuracies of 15-20 yards were considered reasonable. The Jaguar, inducted in mid-1980s, was a great improvement and could deliver a 4 ton payload to over 300 miles. Today's combat aircraft carry 6-8 tons of lethal weaponry to ranges of over 400 miles and deliver them with pinpoint precision on the target. Such is the accuracy and lethality of "smart" weapons that a single modern fighter can achieve the same effect in one mission as 15-20 earlier generation aircraft using "dumb" weaponry. This was amply demonstrated by the Mirage-2000 on Kargil heights in 1999. The "multi-role" appellation represents the ability to switch rapidly between interceptor, strike and recce tasks.
It is a moot question that if numbers are indeed so critical for the IAF, then why have the cheaper MMRCA options been discarded? Given that all six aircraft seem to have qualified in the flight-trials and technical evaluation processes, the line-up, in ascending order of price, shown in parenthesis, is as follows: MiG-35 ($ 45 m), F-16 ($60 m), F/A-18 ($60.5 m), Gripen ($82.2 m), Rafale ($ 85.5 m) and Typhoon ($124 m). The IAF could have, for example, added 400 Super Hornets to its inventory for the price of 200 Typhoons, and resolved many of its problems.
From this it becomes obvious that the time has now come for the IAF to undertake an exercise to determine the "capabilities" that it needs to discharge its roles and missions rather than insisting on a fixed number of squadrons. At between Rs. 350-550 crores per aircraft it would be unrealistic to demand the numbers contemplated in the 1960s; especially when technology opens up so many operational vistas.
Integrating the Expertise
There is no doubt that the General, Naval and Air Staffs at the three Service Headquarters embody in themselves the highest levels of field experience, domain knowledge and professional expertise. However, rhetoric apart, future wars are not going to be fought or won by a single Service. Whether we like it or not, concepts like "sea control" as well as "air dominance" are mere preliminaries for "boots on the ground". It was for this reason that the post-Kargil Group of Ministers convened to "Reform the National Security System" recommended, in 2001, the creation of an Integrated Defence Staff to support the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
The CDS was to constitute the "single point of military advice to the Government", and apart from administering the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), his two main functions, as Chairman COSC, were to be:
To enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the force planning process through intra and inter-Service prioritisation.
To ensure the enhancement of capabilities by engendering Jointness, demanded by modern warfare, in the armed forces.
A combination of bureaucratic resistance and political indecision bolstered by scare-mongering from within a section of the armed forces, unfortunately, stalled the institution of a CDS. An IDS HQ was, however, created and has been functioning under a 3-star Chief of Integrated Staff to Chairman COSC (CISC for short) since 2001.
The Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) with a large number of 2 and 3-star officers from the army, navy and air force could have become a most valuable pool of inter-Service expertise. It could play a crucial role in rendering advice to the RM on all issues relating to capability creation, force planning and inter-Service prioritisation of acquisitions. However, in the absence of a CDS, the functioning of the CISC, understandably, remains constrained by the Chiefs, and the IDS HQ remains an under-utilised formation.
Fixing the System
In the current system of India's higher defence management the Chiefs feel that the acute scrutiny of their respective Services will not permit any down-sizing or right-sizing, especially if it means disbanding units or losing high-ranking billets. No significant reform, or move towards Jointmanship is, therefore, likely to take place unless imposed by the political leadership – as has happened in other democracies like the USA and UK.
With China bearing down hard on us, and Pakistan ready to descend into chaos, India's external security scenario is fraught with hazard. Internally, the Indian state, which has been struggling to cope with Naxalism and terrorism, is now confronted with a restless civil society seeking relief from all-pervasive corruption and administrative ineptitude. National security is, therefore, in parlous straits.
The political leadership in India has overwhelming political preoccupations which obviate focused attention on national security issues. The bureaucracy is only too happy to step-in wherever it can, but does not know enough about operational issues to make drastic interventions. Under these circumstances, there is a strong element of tunnel-vision and ad-hocism in our defence planning and expenditure; dictated by the compulsions of individual Service HQs. Consequently, our colossal defence expenditure of $ 35 billion (and growing), does not contribute effectively to national security, and some urgent re-engineering is called for.
At the conclusion of this, somewhat lengthy essay I have, regrettably, no "silver bullet" to offer. However the national security establishment needs to pay urgent heed to four salient recommendations:
Create a source of advice which is not merely "single point" but conveys a non-parochial, inter-Service view of issues for the RM's consideration. This source can be designated the "Permanent Chairman COSC" (or PCC) rather than CDS. The PCC will have no forces to command, but will administer the SFC and Andaman & Nicobar Command. His advice to the RM will be a distillate of the combined wisdom of the COSC, tempered by the counsel of the CISC and IDS HQ staff who represent all three Services.
Progressively integrate the IDS HQ and the MoD, so that the uniformed and civilian staffs work in harmony rather than as adversaries. This will enhance efficiency, cut down processing times for acquisition cases, and ensure that the defence budget is fully utilized.
Give utmost priority to attaining self-reliance in weapon system acquisition. This will require radical reforms in the structure and management of the DRDO and defence PSUs. It will also call for much closer integration of the DRDO with the IDS HQ, so that a meaningful and time-bound programme for attaining self-sufficiency in key defence technologies can be pursued even at this late stage.
Management of the DRDO budget should be placed under a board which has the three Service Chiefs as members. All defence R&D projects should be subjected to periodic user reviews for a decision on their continued relevance and viability.
Returning to the MMRCA issue as a post-script; no matter which aircraft eventually emerges as the winner in the competition, there can be only one litmus test for the decision. Has this choice been made for the right reasons, and does it serve India's vital national interests? As a corollary one might also ask: how much longer must India remain dependent on foreign sources for security?
(A naval fighter pilot, Admiral Arun Prakash PVSM AVSM VrC VSM served as India's Chief of the Naval Staff from 31 July 2004-31 Oct 2006. As Chairman of the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), he currently divides his time between Goa and Delhi. This column is copyright and courtesy VAYU Aerospace & Defence Review (III/2011), at which the Admiral is Editorial Advisor. He contributes columns to journals, magazines, newspapers and, occasionally, to LiveFist)


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Things To Do in Somerset
So many places to visit, so little time!
In a County of wide open spaces, steeped in culture and history, there are just so many things to do in Somerset you will find yourself spoilt for choice.
Whether you have a specific purpose in mind, such as fishing or climbing, or whether you submit to serendipity, there is something for everyone.
Somerset is perhaps best known for its attractions, days out, carnivals and festivals such as the world famous event at Glastonbury or the magnificent illuminated carnival in Bridgwater but it also has a 'whats on' calendar full of smaller local celebrations ranging from the arty to the agricultural.
If it is peace and quiet you are after there are the wild moors and dark skies of our National Park, Exmoor to consider or the mysterious Somerset Levels where you can cycle or stroll and literally see for miles.
The County is rich in wildlife and ranks among the UK's top places for birdwatching, particularly in the winter months when it welcomes visiting wildfowl in vast numbers.
You can let the train take the strain if you prefer and climb aboard the longest standard gauge heritage railway in the country, go pony trekking in the hills or ride a donkey on the beach.
If you like walking you can follow in the footsteps of the poet Coleridge along the route that takes his name or trail along any of the many rivers and waterways that cross the County.
Among the essential things to do in Somerset, when you are in the home of some of the finest food and drink produced anywhere in the country is to search it out at the farmers markets, sample the cider that has been synonymous with Somerset for centuries and taste the UK's most popular cheese, Cheddar in the place that gave it its name.
While you are here you can also explore our celebrated gorge and caves and visit some of the most well-known towns and villages in the UK such as Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea, Glastonbury, Taunton, Yeovil, Minehead, Portishead, Frome, Clevedon, Brean, Bruton and Dulverton.
Full of contrasts, the County is not just about the open air.
There are also many other things to do in Somerset, from shopping till you drop in a leading designer outlet complex to spending hours in a museum or country garden – the choice is yours!
Last but not least, we also recommend you check out our travel and accommodation pages to get more information on our wide variety of hotels, bed and breakfasts, self catering properties and holiday parks.
Spotlight On
Shepton Mallet Prison
Built in 1610 following on Act introduced by King James I, which stated that all...
Ferne Animal Sanctuary
Ferne Animal Sanctuary is set in 51 acres of countryside on the Devon/Somerset...
National Trust -Watermill Tea-room at Dunster Castle
The newly refurbished Watermill Tea-room is opposite the working watermill in...
Activities in Somerset
Somerset with its rural nature & wide open spaces is just waiting to be explored and enjoyed, with activities including walking, mountain biking, wildlife watching or water based pursuits.
Somerset Attractions
Be they natural – like our long sandy beaches – or manmade – like our magnificent country homes, there are attractions aplenty in Somerset to suit all ages and interests.
Free Days Out in Somerset
Free Days Out in Somerset


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On April 7, 1636, John Benjamin's mansion was destroyed by fire. The location where his mansion stood is on a site now occupied by Harvard University.
John and his family arrived in Boston, MA in 1632. He was a part of John Winthrop's Great Migration of Puritan settlers to America. They soon settled in Newtowne (Cambridge), MA. There, he purchased six acres of land and built a house. Governor Winthrop described it as "unsurpassed in elegance and comfort by any in the vicinity. It was a mansion of intelligence, refinement, religion, and hospitality, visited by the clergy of all denominations, and by the literati at home and abroad." Gov. Winthrop designated him as Mr. Benjamin, the title Mister being rare in those days. There is a tradition that he brought a fine library from England.
John Benjamin is my 9th great grandfather. More about him and his family can be read here.


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Herbal Moon Apothecary
Ritual Steam • face steam // yoni steam // bath tea • 4oz bottle
This organic botanical steam combines two important beauty and health practices into one powerful and easy to use product. This beautiful blend of organic herbs can be used as a daily bath tea to help balance and reconnect, a weekly face steam to help clarify your skin and a monthly yoni steam to help keep your reproductive system balanced and healthy.
Face Steam: Herbal face steams are an easy way to clarify and brighten your complexion and improve circulation. Our special face steam blend combines several healing herbs like rosemary, neem, calendula, witch hazel, and rose petals that help nourish your skin, tighten your pores, eliminate congestion, regulate bacteria and balance sebum production. Each bottle is made in small batches using high quality, organic ingredients that are gentle and healing for your beautiful face.
To use: Bring 1-2 cups of water to a boil or heat in microwave long enough to create steam. Place hot water into clean glass or ceramic bowl and add 1-2 Tablespoons of herbs. Cover head with a towel to create a tent and place face over herbal steam, sitting for 5-10 minutes as tolerated. Use once or twice a week as needed. The remaining ingredients can also be used as a tea, add to a bath, or even used as a medium for a clay mask.
Yoni Steam: Yoni steams have been used in different cultures for centuries to help maintain women's health and to help women reconnect with their female body as well as the divine feminine. The same astringent, nourishing and antibacterial herbs that make this blend an excellent face steam also makes a powerful blend for healing and reconnecting with your female power. Using this botanical steam as a traditional yoni steam can help to regulate menstrual periods, relieve symptoms of PMS, assist with pain and inflammation related to fibroids, cysts, prolapse & endometriosis, maintain healthy balance of vaginal flora and relieve chronic yeast infections, speed postpartum healing, ease menopause symptoms, relieve vaginal dryness, tone the reproductive system, assist with fertility, help reconnect with the women's source of power, and recover from past traumas and emotional blockages.
To use: Stir 4 tablespoons of herbs per 8oz hot water. Using a yoni chair, sit above the steam and completely cover with a towel, blanket or long skirt to trap in steam. Sit for 10-15 minutes as tolerated. Do not use if pregnant, menstruating or have an IUD (which can become dislodged with increased moisture from the steam).
This creation is packaged in a reusable 4oz glass bottle with an eco friendly, recyclable label.
Ingredients: Rubus idaeus (red raspberry leaf)*, Plantago major (plantain)*, Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel leaf)*, Azadirachta indica (neem leaf)*, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)*, Avena sativa (oat tops)*, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)*, Calendula officinalis (calendula)*, Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile)*, Rosa damascena (rose petals)* (*organic ingredients)
Our products are formulated for people who do not have any medical conditions and are not taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications. Please consult with your doctor if you have any medical conditions, food or plant allergies or are taking ANY medications (over-the-counter or prescription).
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
We ship our in-stock products within 5 business days. Custom and made-to-order items will ship within 10 business days after order is placed. We will convo you immediately if any unexpected delays occur.
Please let us know ASAP if you need any changes to your order after payment is made and we'll do our best to work with you. Orders will need to be cancelled or changed within 24 hours after order is placed. If order has already shipped, then a return/exchange will occur only after the items are returned and received by the shop again. All shipping to and from the shop are the responsibility of the customer.
Items weighing under 13oz will be mailed First Class. Orders greater than 13oz will ship Priority Mail. You will be notified by email once your order has shipped, which will include the tracking info for your order.
All free shipping offers are for domestic shipping only and do not include any orders that are shipping outside the US. In addition, all free shipping offers will not include expedited shipping options and will ship either First Class or Priority Mail depending on the package size. If expedited shipping is needed, please contact the shop at firstname.lastname@example.com in order to arrange for the additional shipping charges - we are happy to discount the cost of what the free shipping would have been.
If you are unsatisfied with your order, please contact us within 3 days after receiving your items and we will try working something out with you. Because we are a small business and our items are handmade, we typically do not accept returns.
If your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 24 hour of receiving your package and provide a photo of the damages incurred during shipment so we can replace or exchange your items. The original item will need to be returned and received prior to the replacement being sent (please see below) Replacements or exchanges will be completed within 7 days of notification and reshipment will be paid for by the shop in the event of damaged packages.
All returns, refunds, or exchanges (for any reason, including damage during shipment or shop error in fulfilling order) will need to be returned and received by the shop prior to refund/exchange is processed unless other agreements are made between the shop and the buyer.
All return shipping costs are the requesting party's responsibility unless the error was due to the shop or the items were damage during shipment. Once the products have been received by us, we will issue a return or exchange. Please ensure that your return is completed with tracking to make this process easier and to prevent delays in returning your order.
International shipping is available! Please note that international shipping contains risks, including prolonged delivery times (up to 8 weeks), no tracking information, lost mail, damaged packages and unexpected customs charges and additional fees. Also, our international shipping charge is an ESTIMATE only and your purchase may incur an additional charge if the calculated shipping is inaccurate for whatever reason. Our shop will email you if additional shipping is needed before shipping your order. Your package will not be shipped until communication is returned and agreement is made on the remaining shipping.
We will do our best to work with our customers on international shipping but all additional FEES and CUSTOM CHARGES are the sole responsibility of the customer. No refunds or returns will be accepted based on the customer's failure to pay their country's custom charges and fees. Please review your country's postal policies prior to purchasing.
Shipping insurance is automatically provided for all Priority Mail packages up to the amount of $50. Additional insurance is available for an extra cost. Please notify the shop if expedited shipping/insurance/delivery confirmation is needed.
What is an Elixir? Elixirs are strong herbal extracts that pull the beneficial properties of a plant into an alcohol and honey base. Place a dropper or two straight into your mouth or into 2-4oz of water and take up to three times a day as needed. We have elixirs that can help with allergies, headaches, sleep, stress, colds and flu, stomach upset, etc. They're a great little remedy for your first aid arsenal and are quite effective for minor illnesses!
How to Elixirs differ from Tinctures? Elixirs are the same as tinctures but made with honey as well :)
How do you take the Elixirs/Tinctures? These remedies can both be taken either "neat" under the tongue or dissolved in a small amount of your favorite beverage.
How much alcohol is in each dose? The amount of alcohol in each dose is very small -- each dropper of elixir contains very little alcohol. According to our sources, the amount of each dropper of 40% alcohol (80proof) is "equivalent to 1/65th of a can of beer or 1/85th of an 8-ounce glass of wine. In addition, if you place the dropper-full into 2 ounces of water, that mixture would contain only 0.59% alcohol" (The Herbal Academy).
How long do the elixirs/tinctures last? Our Elixirs and Tinctures are shelf stable and will last several years without refrigeration.
Do you offer alcohol-free remedies? We sure do! If you can't find them under our Apothecary section, please search for "Alcohol-Free ACV" remedies. Our ACV blends are also vegan-friendly and will not come with honey mixed into the blend (you can always add some honey to your blend after purchase if you are not vegan and wish to add something sweet for taste). These alcohol-free remedies will last 12-18 months since ACV is a weaker preservative than alcohol.
Do you have vegan-friendly tinctures? Yes, all of our Alcohol-Free (ACV) blends are still made without honey and are vegan friendly!
How long does your Elderberry Syrup/Cough Syrup last? We make our syrups with 25% alcohol in order to keep them shelf-stable. They should last indefinitely unopened but there are many other factors that can increase risk of spoiling once they are opened, including temperature, mold spores, dust, and bacterial contamination with fingers or mouths. Please keep the cough syrups refrigerated and try to use within 6 weeks after opening. If unable to finish the bottle within 6 weeks, you may freeze the remaining for later use.
Wait, I've heard that essential oils are poisonous and toxic to your health. Why do you use them? While there have been some concerns over the popularity and over-use of essential oils (especially from MLM companies like DoTerra and Young Living) we don't come from the belief that essential oils are inherently toxic in nature. Although essential oils do contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), we believe that the responsible use of essential oils that are in compliance with the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (such as only using a gentle 3-5% essential oil ratio, avoiding internal usage, and conservative use of essential oils in the elderly, children and those with serious medical conditions) is a safe and therapeutic way to use this type of plant medicine.
Although essential oils are simply aromatic distillates of plant matter, we believe in the alchemical model of plant medicine and feel that the plant's essential oils contain the soul of the plant itself. Combining the essential oil of the plant with the infused whole-plant remedy is our way of offering a well-rounded plant remedy to you. We source all of our essential oils from responsible companies (mainly from Mountain Rose Herbs) and hope to buy our own distiller sometime in the near future so we can process our own ethically-made hydrosols and essential oils.
Do you offer wholesale? Yes we do! We love our wholesale stockists and would love to collaborate with you! Please email us at email@example.com for wholesale requests.