text:
Kerrygold butter facing law suit over 'grass-fed' claims
Kerrygold butter facing law suit over 'grass-fed' claims
Kerrygold, Ireland's leading butter brand, is facing a potential law suit over it's 'grass-fed' claims.
Californian Dyami Myers-Taylor has lodged an action claiming that Kerrygold makes false and misleading claims about its butter.
He says, in papers filed, that he is bringing the action on behalf of himself and all similarly situated persons who were misled into purchasing Kerrygold Products due to false and misleading advertising.
A spokesperson for Ornua said: "We (Ornua) believe our products are marketed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and will vigorously defend claims which propose otherwise."
Myers-Taylor states that he would not have purchased or paid a price premium for the Kerrygold Products had he known that the representations, "Milk From Grass-fed Cows", "Made with milk from grass-fed cows not treated with rBST or other growth hormones", "All Natural", and "100% Pure and Natural" were false, deceptive and/or misleading.
He claims that he saw and read the Grass-Fed Claims on product packaging and relied on the representations, statements, and warranties thereon and on the Kerrygold website in believing that the Kerrygold Products were made with milk from grass-fed cows and purchased the Kerrygold Products based on the perception of value derived from those representations.
He says that Kerrygold Products are derived from cows that are fed soy, corn and other grains, among other non-grass feed, including grains that are genetically modified, and are thus not "grass-fed" as advertised.
His claim goes on to state that the false nature of the grass-fed claims on the Kerrygold Products is compounded by the fact that there are other, better alternatives to genetically modified and other grains that Kerrygold could feed its cows to increase the quality of the Kerrygold Products, including 100pc hay, which some of Kerrygold's competitors in fact do.
Also Read
"Likewise, rather than disclose the use of non-grass feed, as other partially grass-fed competitors do, Kerrygold deceptively implies that its products are derived from cows that are fed only grass. On information and belief, Kerrygold chooses to feed its cows genetically modified and other grains instead of non-grain and nongenetically modified alternatives as a cost-savings measure which undermines Kerrygold's ongoing effort to posture the Kerrygold Products as "grass-fed."
Grass-fed butter has become hugely popular in recent years as part of a low carb, high fat diet.
Kerrygold is the number one imported butter and the number three overall butter brand in the US.
But, earlier this year Kerrygold maker Ornua refuted claims by a German consumer magazine that its butter product poses a health risk and last year Kerrygold was removed from supermarket shelves in Wisconsin
A law from 1970 in the state means that all butter which is intended for commercial use must be put before a panel of experts and issued a letter grade for quality.
Kerrygold also faced legal issues in the US last year when it was involved in a legal action against a local company who had commenced selling butter under the Irishgold brand, which Ornua claim has infringed their trademark.
Online Editors
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');


text:
Electro-Harmonix Soul Food
As guitar players, we tend to romanticize vintage gear. From a vintage Stratocaster to an old school Tubescreamer, guitar players are borderline obsessed with tracking down gear with some "mojo".
Among famous pieces of vintage gear, the Klon Centaur is arguably the most sought after. Examples of this classic overdrive pedal can easily fetch prices above $2000. Yes, you read that right. A vintage Klon Centaur will probably run you more than your first car.
Among the pedals that have attempted to imitate the Klon Centaur, the Electro-Harmonix Soul Food has definitely been making the most waves in guitar playing circles. But the question is, how good is it?
So when a piece of gear exists that is unattainable for large portions of the population, whether through being expensive or being a victim of manufactured scarcity, imitators spring up like wild fire. Some of these pedals are great buys, and are simply trying to provide a lower priced alternative to a well known piece of gear. And on the other hand, some are little more than cynical cash grabs attempting to capitalize on those who don't have the means to attain a genuine example of whatever gear they're imitating.
So, which is the Electro-Harmonix Soul Food? I feel very comfortable saying that the Soul Food is definitely the former as opposed to the latter. Like all of Electro-Harmonix's pedals the Soul Food is objectively a high quality piece of gear. The build quality is very solid, and the selectable true byass/buffered bypass mode is an interesting addition.
As far as cost is concerned, the Soul Food generally runs for around $80. While that may be a bit steep compared to other overdrive pedals on the market, in my opinion the quality construction and great tone of the Soul Food more than justify the cost.
Considering that the Soul Food is intended to be used as a clean-ish boost as opposed to a full on distortion pedal, describing its sound is a bit complicated. Generally, boost pedals give you more of what you already have, highlighting every aspect of the sonic profile of your rig. That's not to say that they don't color your tone at all (because they do), but generally the difference is pretty minimal.
However, if you choose to use the Soul Food as more of a distortion pedal you should have a pretty easy time pulling out usable levels of grit. In my own experience with the pedal, as well the general consensus online, the gain on the pedal has enough flexibility to be used for everything from the subtle overdrive of vintage country as well as the more gritty tones of Chicago-era blues.
Because tone is so subjective, I can only describe the Soul Food based on my own personal experiences. So while your experience should be similar, keep in mind that your gear or playing style may interact differently to the pedal than mine did.
I found that the pedal had a very consistent frequency response regardless of what amp and guitar I used in conjunction with it. With the tone control placed in a neutral position, I couldn't really pick out any frequency that was boosted or cut in any noticeable way. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that the tone control had a pretty wide range of use without being overly touchy.
I also found that the pedal was surprisingly dynamic when paired with a decent tube amp. I've found that most overdrive/distortion pedals tend to be a bit compressive, limiting the quieter end of your dynamic range. And while your experiences may vary, I didn't notice this effect while I was using the Soul Food. My signal cleaned up or distorted significantly based on my pick attack, and I was able to get a pretty wide selection of different levels of frequency response based on the pick I used and where I struck the strings.
What I Think:
I think the problem that a lot of pedals that attempt to emulate the Klon Centaur have is that they can't measure up to the idea of the Klon Centaur, regardless of how good they are on their own merit. Considering that most guitar players will never actually own a real Centaur, all we have to go on is conjecture.
As musicians, we (myself included) like to pretend that the only thing standing in our way to the perfect tone is the next piece of gear. So when a pedal, or a guitar, or even an amplifier is unable to magically transform our tone we all feel a bit cheated. Our heroes use this gear, and if they use it to get a great tone we should be able to do it too, right?
Well, no. Our heroes are great guitar players who've spent thousands of hours perfecting their technique and their overall abilities as a musician. They sound the way they do because they're amazing players using great gear, not great players using amazing gear.
So, is the Soul Food as good as the Klon? Who knows? I've never played a Klon. And considering that the general consensus is that there are around 8000-ish legitimate examples of the Klon floating around, odds are most of you haven't either.
But I have used a Soul Food. In fact, it's actually one of the few pedals that has a consistent place on my pedal board. The build quality of the pedal is great, and I think the sound I get out of it is great as well. And at the end of the day, nothing matters to me beyond that.
So how did you feel about our review? If you have any experiences or opinions concerning the Electoro-Harmonix Soul Food, feel free to share them in the comment section below!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Practice Areas
BIS Officials Review Export Enforcement Activity, Recommend Compliance Measures
Bureau of Industry and Security officials speaking at the recent Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy gave an update on the agency's export enforcement actions and offered recommendations on the steps exporters should be taking to ensure compliance.
Enforcement Actions. David Mills, assistant secretary of commerce for export enforcement, highlighted the operation of the Information Triage Unit housed in the Office of Enforcement Analysis and the Export Enforcement Coordination Center (E2C2) housed at the Department of Homeland Security. The ITU went into operation in mid-2012 and has produced more than 2,100 reports on the bona fides of foreign parties to export license applications, which Mills said facilitates the processing of these applications and secures "the integrity of our export control system." The ITU has also provided analysis to support Entity List nominations and to review appeals resulting from such designations.
The E2C2 has helped improve the coordination of export enforcement investigations by de-conflicting over 3,100 cases. De-confliction involves law enforcement agencies exchanging information about new cases to determine if any other U.S. government agency already has an investigation related to the same matter or possesses information that will aid in the investigation. White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said that by coordinating new export enforcement leads through the E2C2, officials have found that in 57 percent of new cases another department or agency is either already working the lead or has information that would be helpful.
In addition, Mills said, Export Enforcement has "significantly increased the consequences" for companies it is not able to verify during its end-use checks by (a) amending the Unverified List in December 2013 to make it a more useful tool for exporters to identify foreign parties whose bona fides cannot be confirmed by the U.S. government and provide instruction on how to deal with those parties and (b) publishing on June 16, 2014, the first set of UVL designations from China, Hong Kong, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
More generally, BIS chief Eric Hirschhorn told attendees, in its enforcement efforts BIS is "trying to focus on truly bad actors, not those who have a decent compliance program, make a mistake, and work with us to remedy the situation."
Compliance Measures. "The best way to ensure you're not violating the regulations," Mills said, "is to have a comprehensive internal compliance program in place." Specific actions exporters should be taking in this regard include the following.
Screening. All transactions should be screened against government lists; a consolidated list is available here.
CCL. All items subject to an export transaction should be classified against the Commerce Control List and sales persons need to understand list-based, end-use and end-user controls.
License Conditions. For items subject to a license, exporters have an obligation to share license conditions with their customers and are highly encouraged to ensure their customers acknowledge their intent to comply, even where such acknowledgement is not otherwise required by BIS. Mills noted that BIS end-use checks over the past year have found significant non-compliance in this area.
STA. For license exception transactions involving Strategic Trade Authorization, exporters should ensure that they obtain before they ship a certification in which the recipient acknowledges that it understands that any subsequent retransfer or reexport requires a similar consignee statement prior to such retransfer or reexport.
Hirschhorn noted that BIS is continuing its layered approach to verifying compliance with license exception STA, that the review of Automated Export System data and exporter and consignee records, as well as some on-site document reviews, has resulted in a high degree of compliance, and that BIS will continue to review STA transactions to guard against misuse.
End-Use or End-User Concerns. For export transactions with end-use or end-user concerns, exporters should obtain end-use certificates and double check potential licensing requirements. "Self-blinding by not inquiring about end-use or not doing due diligence on an end-user is not an acceptable defense," Mills warned.
Transshipments. For items moving through transshipment locations like Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, it is important for exporters to understand the foreign export control requirements of those governments in addition to those of the EAR. BIS has published a new best practice encouraging exporters to obtain a copy of their Hong Kong and UAE customers' import licenses prior to exporting and to ensure that customers in these three transshipment locations are aware of export control requirements for the reexport, transshipment or transit of items exported from the U.S.
Mills said that for Hong Kong the absence of receipt of such an import certificate for any multilaterally-controlled item from the importer should be a red flag, as it should be with regard to certain controlled items in the UAE. BIS has encountered many entities in Hong Kong "that are nothing more than secretarial firms who simply offer a forwarding service for the reexport of your item to another country," he noted. "Because of the likely difference in licensing treatment for your item to Hong Kong as compared to most other countries, such as China, extra due diligence is warranted."
Voluntary Self-Disclosures. Mills anticipates that BIS will handle 600-series VSDs (of which only 18 had been filed as of the end of July) "in a manner very similar to that of DDTC [the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls] and that most will result in a warning letter or no action at all, as is the case with most VSDs previously filed under the EAR."
Serious Violations. Mills said that as BIS becomes more familiar with the nature of VSDs filed under the 600 series it is his intention to issue new BIS administrative enforcement guidelines modeled upon those promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. "OFAC has a robust and comprehensive administrative enforcement program for cases involving more serious violations," Mills said, and "their guidelines - premised upon the statutory criteria set forth in IEEPA [the International Emergency Economic Powers Act], the statutory authority pursuant to which both agencies now administer and enforce their respective regulations - use the transaction value to determine the baseline for assessing a civil penalty. The OFAC guidelines also provide greater transparency and predictability for the exporting community."
As a result, exporters "may expect to see a continuing robust and comprehensive administrative enforcement program at BIS involving cases where aggravating factors are present, apart from cases involving knowledge and willful conduct, whether or not those cases arise in the context of criminal prosecutions. Such factors include inadequate compliance programs, systemic failures in those programs, [and] harm to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests."


text:
Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, ACEONDO admission scam alert to prospective students – Beware of 419.
This is to inform the general public and particularly admission seekers that Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (ACEONDO) does not charge any individual or group with the responsibility of accepting admission processing fee. The University dissociates itself from a current impersonation made by one Ibhagbudu Peace with the following details:
– Name: Ibhagudu Peace
– Bank Account Number: 0047664462
– Bank Branch: Union Bank, Ile – Ife
– Phone: 09038638950
Please note that the identity above does not represent Adeyemi College of Education in any way. It is 419 attempt process.
MSG Team
If you think this post can be helpful to somebody else, please share it on Twitter, Facebook, G+, Whatsapp or Email it to friends. There are buttons below for this (easy to use too)!


text:
Hongry Kong presents a "茶餐廳", better known as a Hong Kong Style Café, the most iconic representation of Hong Kong's dining culture. Our products are a reflection of more than 20 years of successful experience in the bakery and bistro business originating in Hong Kong.
Hongry Kong started with two friends due to their shared love for Hong Kong foods. They brought the passion they felt as children eating all the delicious foods cooked by their aunts, uncles, grandmothers, and grandfathers in the great HK. From the very yummy Egg Tarts and Hong Kong style Milk Tea they had for breakfast to the absolutely scrumptious Curry Chicken Cutlets over a bed of rice for dinner, there was no end to the deliciousness provided by Hong Kong cooking. Years later, after meeting and discovering their common background in high school, they decided to bring that passion and joy they felt back in Hong Kong to the food-centered Bay Area. They decided that the best way to go about this was to create Hongry Kong.


text:
What is a Diamond?
Diamond is the ultimate gemstone, having few weaknesses and many strengths. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth. It was even said by some that they were the tears of the Gods or perhaps crystallized lighting or hardened dew drops. In addition, the fact that white light is composed of all colors convinced the ancients that the diamond, the gem of light akin to the sun, was a combination of all the other precious stones.
The name Diamond comes from the Greek word adamas, meaning unconquerable, is a reference to its hardness. It is well known that Diamonds are the hardest substance found in nature, but few people realize that Diamonds are four times harder than the next hardest natural mineral, corundum (sapphire and ruby). Only another Diamond is capable of polishing a Diamond. Diamonds range in color, the majority having yellowish tinges. Diamonds also form in the rest of the colours of the rainbow, with the rarest being red then green, purple, blue. No two diamonds are the same. A diamond's most distinguishing characteristics are its inclusions or marks that are often invisible to the naked eye. A diamond's clarity is determined by the presence or absence of these inclusions, with fewer being better. The greater a diamond's clarity, the greater its brilliance and value. Diamonds began being 'cut' in the sixteenth century to improve their optical effects. Diamonds are a polymorph of the element carbon found in Africa, India, Brazil, Russia, Australia, and the United States of America.
Diamonds in Love
A diamond, if not forever and a girl's best friend, is still for love. It is the most popular gemstone for engagement rings, and also the gem for both the 10th and 60th marriage anniversaries. It was said that Cupid's arrows were tipped with diamonds which have a magic that nothing else can ever quite equal. For centuries the diamond has had the unique status of being the ultimate gift of love. In 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, beginning the tradition of diamond engagement rings. And the reason a woman wears it on the third finger of her left hand dates back to the early Egyptian belief that the vena amoris, the vein of love, ran directly from the heart to the top of the third finger on the left hand.
An old English ballad tells of the romance of a beautiful princess who gave her suitor a ring set with seven diamonds as a memento on his departure for a sea journey. Some distance from home, he observed that the diamonds had turned pale. He saw this as a sign that the princess had found a new love. He hurried back just in time to prevent her marriage to another. Need we add...they lived happily ever after.
Diamonds in History and Religion
In ancient times only kings wore diamonds as a symbol of strength, courage, and invincibility. In the Talmud, a gem supposed to have been the diamond was worn by the high priest and served to show the guilt or innocence of one accused of any crime. If the accused were guilty, the stone was supposed to turn dim; if innocent, it shone more brilliantly than ever. The Hindus classified diamonds and rubies according to four castes. The Brahman diamond meant power, riches, friends and good luck; the Kshatriya diamond was reputed to prevent the onset of old age; the Vaisya stone was supposed to bring success; and the Sudra was supposed to bring all manner of good fortune.
Diamond Lore
This is the section where I tell all the fun little things about the gemstone that some people believe and some people do not. Wow, there's quite a few for the Diamond! Perhaps because ancient people believed diamonds were the combination of all the other precious stones they added all the other stone lore to that of the diamond? Whatever the reason, the diamond seems to be the ultimate super gem (perhaps even the source of superhero powers ). Here's a few highlights:
A symbol of purity, diamonds unite relationships by bringing love and clarity into a partnership. Like the emerald, the diamond was said to be a reliable test for fidelity. A stone placed on the breast of a sleeping lover was expected to make him tell all. Alternately, to rest a diamond on a wife's head without her knowledge while she slept. If she was faithful, she would turn to her husband in her sleep; if not, she would move away.
The hardness and durability of the diamond protects its wearer from evil. A diamond is believed to represent peace, innocence, fidelity and serenity and purity. It has always been associated with strength and good luck. Diamonds bring power, riches, success, friends, everlasting youth and the promise of serenity and contentment. For the insomniacs among us, a diamond gives calm sleep and takes away nightmares.
Here's my favorite, soldiers believed that a diamond carried into battle would keep them safe from harm and even render them invisible. And perhaps the most useful for today's lifestyle, a large diamond is an ideal tool to block against geopathic or electromagnetic stress which can come from cell phones. But remember, according to ancient lore the magical powers of a diamond only work if the gem has been freely given.


text:
Dansk Design
Allen & Unwin, 2008 - Decorative arts - 570 pages
"This book is about Danish design. It includes sections on product types such as e.g. product design, furniture design, graphic design, public design etc. It highlights specific designers, companies and works and acts as a current inventory of Danish design."--Provided by publisher.
What people are saying - Write a review
Selected pages
Common terms and phrases
aesthetic architectural practice Arne Jacobsen Art Nouveau artistic idiom Arts Bang & Olufsen Bauhaus became bike Bing & Gr�ndahl B�rge Mogensen brand bricks building built Cabinetmakers called cars chair characterised classic clothes coat of arms colours company's construction Copenhagen Crafts Danes Danish design Danish furniture decoration Denmark developed electricity Engelhardt Erik especially example exhibition factory fashion ferry Finn Juhl fixtures flatware forthe functional furniture design Georg Jensen glass graphic designer Hansen ID prize industrial design inspired interior Jacob Jensen Kaare Klint Kj�rholm lamps later LEGO light logo look machine manufactured materials modern Museum Nanna Ditzel one's Panton plastic porcelain poster Poul Henningsen Royal Academy sail School ship steel streetcar style symbol telephone textiles there's things traditional Tr�g�rdh turbine typeface Verner Panton Viking Age Wegner wood


text:
New item! - Sideways Wishbone Necklace in Solid Gold, (not vermeil, not gold filled, or plated).
Wishbones are said to bring the wearer luck when you make a wish! I thought I would make one in a quirky, non- traditional way for all you hip and cool chicks out there!
This cute, lucky wishbone is 10mm x 18mm, (a little over 5/8" long). It is solid, ( not hollow), shiny, and is make of 10K Gold. It has a slight 3-d curve to it, just like a real wishbone.
Once I drilled the holes I attached dainty 14K Gold chain to each side for this modern look. The overall length of the chain is 16 5/8" including the wishbone. The chain has a spring clasp and a 'Theresa Mink' signature tag attached. The clasp is stamped with the 14K gold hallmark. The rectangular end tag makes it so much easier to attach the clasp, as opposed to a small ring on the end. I will make this necklace up to 18 5/8" at no additional charge, just leave a message when you check out.
This wishbone is also available in my shop hung the traditional way, like Jennifer's.
I have seen wishbones worn by themselves as well as with other charms, or even layered with other necklaces. They all look great.
Some celebrities that wear wishbone necklaces are Rachel Zoe, (famous fashionista), Mischa Barton, and Nicole Richie, and of course Jennifer Anniston.
7 other shoppers are interested in this item
|Shipping & Handling:
USPS First-Class Package Service - Retail
|Shipping to:
|Combinable for shipping discounts


text:
OSMF Smoothing Video on MediaElement – MediaFactory
Posted by robert | Filed under ActionScript 3
At first I couldn't think of how to apply smoothing to OSMF's MediaElement when using the MediaFactory. One day later it hit me and I wanted to share. First thing you need to do is the check if the MediaElement is a VideoElement. Once we know it is a VideoElement we can let the compiler know it is a VideoElement and apply smoothing to the video.
var mediaFactory:MediaFactory = new DefaultMediaFactory(); mediaElement = mediaFactory.createMediaElement(new StreamingURLResource(httpStreaming)); if(mediaElement is VideoElement) { (mediaElement as VideoElement).smoothing = true; }
One Response to "OSMF Smoothing Video on MediaElement – MediaFactory"
gaglage Says:
July 1, 2014 at 3:10 am
Does it really work? Not for me :(


text:
On the other hand, as usual, the "dangers" of meth are blown wildly out of proportion and nowhere near as dire as our government would have us believe. Meth use really isn't an "epidemic" running rampant in our society, and making us sign for our cold pills will do absolutely nothing to alter the fact that some small number of people will use methamphetamines for the fun of it.
By now, you should be more than familiar with the litany of government claims about the "threat" that meth poses to our society, but if not, go visit this page on the drug czar's site to refresh your memory. And then continue reading this so you can see how stupid and useless it really is to make believe that any of us are "threatened" by methamphetamines.
Would You Use It?
I don't know what the magic number is that qualifies something as an "epidemic," but if meth use qualifies for that attribute, then the number is incredibly small. You see, the number of people who use methamphetamines is in reality quite low. According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005), there were only 1.4 million past year users, and 600,000 past month users of methamphetamine in 2004. And only 318,000 were said to have used it for the first time within the 12 month period prior to the survey. That's out of a total potential customer base of 240,515,000 people aged 12 or older. Meth use is on par with adult use of ADHD drugs -- an estimated 1.5 million adults use them along with with 2.5 million children aged 4 (FOUR!!????) to 17. I haven't heard about the "ADHD drug epidemic" have you?
And for the record, initiation of meth use peaked in 1979 (at 465,000 new users) and it's certainly not a new "menace" -- merely one of a recurring merry-go-round of several. So let's do the math. Approximately one-tenth of one percent (0.1) of Americans tried meth for the first time, some one-quarter of one percent (0.25) of Americans are past month users, and some sixth-tenths (0.6) of one percent of Americans used it in the past year (verify). Epidemic? That's not even enough people to keep a crappy television show on the air.
Even People Who Like Drugs Don't Like Meth!
While the numbers above may strike some as a reason to continue the madness of drug war, I have to wonder why we don't hear about the "epidemic of hallucinogen use." Afterall, if meth qualifies, then hallucinogen use must be nearing "pandemic" proportion, since nearly three times as many people (934,000) tried them for the first time in 2004, and nearly 4 million used them in the past year. And marijuana use must surely be some kind of super-cosmic mega-pandemic given its popularity among Americans. For the record, in 2004 there were 34.8 million users of illicit drugs, 1.4 million of whom used methamphetamine, and 25.4 million of whom used marijuana. So even among people who like to use "illicit" drugs, only four percent were involved in the meth epidemic. Hmmmm, so 96 percent of the people who use illicit intoxicants did not use meth. So why am I standing in line and signing for the cold pills I could freely buy over the counter just last year? I say we make the meth users stand in line!
What About Addiction and Various Other Forms of Mayhem?
Given the general air of hysteria surrounding meth, it seems prudent to assess the actual measures of the havoc meth is said to wreak. Especially since mere use, in and of itself, is certainly not a measure of anything other than its (lack of) popularity. But the drug czar tells us that "mentions" of meth in hospital emergency rooms tallied up to 14,696 in 2002 (latest complete data available). Is that an "epidemic" measure? To answer the question we need to do some more simple math.
If every "mention" came from a different meth user then that means that just under one percent (0.95 percent) of past year meth users (2002 past year users: 1,541,000) made a "mention" of it in a hospital somewhere. Huh? That means that 99 percent of past year meth users didn't mention it in a hospital. Hmmmmm. Okay, what about drug rehab?
In 2002, there were 104,481 admissions for methamphetamine out of a user base of 1,541,000 past year users. That works out to about 6.8 percent of the past year users. So once again, an extremely large majority of meth users (93.2 percent) seem to be able to use the drug without ending up in rehab. These numbers simply can't qualify meth use, addiction, etc as anything other than a minor public health problem.
So Now Let's Look At A Real Public Health "Epidemic"
While the numbers above are the fuel for the government inspired and media-hyped boogeyman of the "meth-epidemic," another evil spectre goes largely unremarked. This particular disease afflicts nearly 21 million Americans, some 6 million of whom don't even realize they are "infected." This particular epidemic is said to have cost the United States $132 billion (yes Billion) in 2002, $40 billion of which was "indirect" costs (like lost worker productivity, premature death, etc) and a whopping $92 billion in direct medical costs. In addition, this particular epidemic was the underlying cause of death for 73,249 Americans in 2002, and implicated in the deaths of a total of 224,092 Americans that year.
The epidemic in question? Diabetes. If our nation is willing to engage in the war on drugs to address the "meth epidemic" to what extent will it act to curb the diabetes epidemic? Some 95 percent of all new diabetes cases are "Type 2" diabetes -- which is caused primarily by eating too much and exercising too little. If we win the war against meth, will we next fight a war on diabetes? Will we tolerate pre-dawn no-knock raids in which SWAT teams trash your house looking for sugar? Will there be mandatory exercise and dietary laws passed? Why not? On what grounds do we challenge the government's power to dictate our lives and our health?
If we are willing to accept what is done to combat the "meth epidemic" then we certainly ought to accept the same to combat the "diabetes epidemic" -- shouldn't we? One final note: do a couple of google searches -- one for meth epidemic and one for diabetes epidemic. Meth epidemic returns 883,000 hits, while diabetes epidemic returns 5,320,000 hits. Better drop that donut!


text:
Monday, 25 August 2008
Olympic Protests | 6
Now the Court of Arbitration of Sport has published it's full decision.
I've read trough the text and must correct an assumption I made earlier. I was under the impression the CAS only looked at procedure and format. That is not the case!
Each point in the allegation is specifically addressed and comments are written on all decisions the International Jury has made. The panel decisions have been upheld on all counts.
You can read the document: CAS OG/08 008 & 009 CONI & COE v/ISAF
It's worth the read.
I've also collected all the texts of the protest and put them in a word file, so you can download them and put them in your study-folder. Protests must be written in a much shorter timespan so here and there I think there are a few loose ends, but not many.
I've received a question about a couple of them and will give you my opinion in a post later this week. For study purposes it's interesting to try to draw the picture of the incident, based on the facts found and see if that picture fits the conclusion.
You can download the file: Olympic Protests 2008 V5.docx (Word 2007 version) or Olympic Protests 2008 V5 Word2003.doc (Word 2003 version) (new)
3 comments:
- Sen Yamaoka26 August 2008 at 16:55
Dear Jos;ReplyDelete
I always thank you for your great and continuous work in the website.
I am very interesting the picture of the incident.
Now I have down-lorded the Olympic Protests 2008 v5.docx and un-zipped it.
The un-zipped files were divided into 4 holders, docProps, word, -rels and Content-Types.
The main holder will be certainly a word holder and the content of the word is XML document. But it a pity, the word contents can not open in my computer. I think that my computer's softs are Microsoft Windows XP and Word 2003.
Can XML run under only Windows VISTA and Word 2007?
Your advice would be helpful Thanks in advance.
Sorry about that, I didn't realize not everybody has the newest software.
I've uploaded a extra file with the same information, but in word 2003 format.
- sen yamaoka27 August 2008 at 05:42
Dear Jos;ReplyDelete
Dank. The Word 2003 version has gone successfully. I want to buy a newest computer asap, but money is the first consideration.
And also thank you so much for your taking up my question about Olympic Protests on the web.


text:
Drug Rehab:
We do not have statistics for Vinton at this time.
When you realize that you will require help with a drug or alcohol abuse problem you have made the first and most difficult step toward recovery, but the next step of seeking that help will be a daunting task if you don't know where to look. This page provides you with a list of private, public, non-profit, and Christian drug rehab centers and addiction specialists near Vinton, California.
Vinton is located in Plumas County and contains the following zip codes:
Vinton, California Addiction Recovery Programs
Sitemap - Privacy & Terms - Contact Us - Drug Rehab
Copyright © 2007, Sober Pursuit, All Rights Reserved.


text:
Acting more demanding than modeling : Diana Penty
Diana, who made heads turn with her debut act as a girl-next door in 'Cocktail' last year, turned out in a similar avatar for the event, donning pink tights, a simple shirt and cardigan. "I love food so I eat pretty much anything. I can't say that I am the most healthy one when it comes to food. I try to eat healthy but I like indulging," she said. However, moving over to Bollywood from modelling wasn't an easy transition, she admitted. "Modelling and acting are extremely different. Both have different demands. Acting is far more demanding and it requires more commitment- mentally, physically and emotionally," she said.


text:
by John Roberts
Barnes & Noble, the world's largest bookseller, in collaboration with TigerDirect and CompUSA, has announced that they will be bringing the company's award-winning line of Nook eReading devices and related accessories to retail stores nationwide including TigerDirect and CompUSA, and online at TigerDirect.com and CompUSA.com, beginning in December. Customers will now have access to a wide array of popular and innovative Nook devices designed for readers of all ages.
Nook devices are the perfect choice for anyone who wants access to their favorite reads anywhere they go. Customers seeking a simple, easy-to-use, dedicated reading experience will love the Nook Simple Touch Reader, an ultra-light, portable 6-inch eReader with the most-advanced E Ink Pearl display and the longest battery life of any eReader. With a simple tap, it's intuitive and easy to navigate, shop and read.
Filed under: Android, Google, Hardware, Amazon Kindle, array, Barnes, Barnes & Noble, Barnes & Noble Nook Color, battery life, bookseller, collaboration, CompUSA, Email, ereader, expansive collection, http://technology-headlines.com, including books, interactive magazines, John Roberts, newspapers, Noble, Nook, Nook Color, Nook tablet, perfect choice, picture books, reading experience, retail stores, tablet features, Tap, technology headlines, Technology Market, tigerdirect, web experience


text:
Possessing an accumulative trophy haul his fellow professionals can only dream of, Sir Alex Ferguson time and gain throughout his coaching career demonstrated a genius like approach to football management.
Seemingly vital to his approach was his penchant for, well, being an utter bastard.
Taking part in recent BBC 1 hr documentary that examines the red faced trophy hogger, with the help of players past and present…and Tony Blair, Ferguson has given his most revealing examination of his leadership methods.
In one particular part we see the Welsh Wizard reminisce about those famous cream coloured 'Spice Boys' suits of the 1996 FA Cup final, more precisely how Ferguson very much used the fashion crime to his advantage.
Giggs recalled: "The Liverpool episode at Wembley, when they were wearing the white suits, he would use stuff like that.
"He said 'Have you seen this lot? Have you seen what they're wearing? They think they've won it already'.
"Stuff like that would get into your heads and get you thinking 'What do you mean they think they've won it already?'"
Ferguson is then shown a picture of the Liverpool side in the baffling attire, he responds; "Christ almighty. Why did they do that?
"I said to Brian Kidd [Ferguson's then assistant] '1-0' – because of that [Liverpool's white suits].
"It's – I don't know what you'd call it – arrogance, over-confidence, I don't know what, but it was ridiculous. I think it was absolutely ridiculous.
"Blue shirt, red and white tie, a white suit and a blue flower. Who designed that? They say it was Armani – I bet his sales went down!
"Jamie Redknapp's got his sunglasses on, but the most telling part of it is that Ron Evans [Liverpool boss] and Ronnie Moran [assistant boss] had black suits on. I think they were embarrassed.
"Liverpool Football Club is a great club with history. They've won the European Cup more times than Manchester United.
"Between United and Liverpool they've won more trophies than any club in Britain. That didn't represent Liverpool."


text:
Nikon D3100 vs T3 – Compare before buying!
October 20th, 2012
When comparing Nikon D3100 vs Canon T3, you will discover that they are entry-level DSLR cameras. Even though Nikon D3100 is selling slightly higher, it is much easier to use with better image quality. So, which one would be a better buy? Continue reading as some key points are given below for D3100 vs T3 so that you can make an informed decision.
Ok… Let's Compare T3 Vs D3100
First off, Nikon D3100 has a body that is thinner and smaller than Canon T3. However, the two cameras are made from plastic with the T3 weighing slightly less than the D3100. But, Nikon offers a size that is more compact and will certainly feel more substantial.
When it comes to resolution, Nikon D3100 has the edge with 14MP in comparison to the T3's 12MP. Plus, the D3100 offers better movie modes with Full HD 1080P recording at 24 fps, compared to Canon T3 with 720P video recording at 30 fps.
The Nikon model delivers higher ISO and slightly lesser noise, plus the overall image quality is somewhat better. With the D3100, it's possible to produce sharper images especially in conditions with low lighting and high ISOs.
Nikon D3100 offers continuous auto-focus while recording videos, unlike the T3. It also comes with a function to clean the sensor and an automated correction feature for chromatic aberration.
Now, let's look at D3100 vs T3 in regards to the features that they offer to help new DSLR users. Canon T3 is offering Basic+ and Creative Auto modes combination that will enable users to control the aperture or choose the type of lighting. While this feature is very useful, it cannot compare to Nikon's Guide Mode.
When Nikon D3100 is in the easy operation mode, users can choose the necessary settings for different conditions like distant objects or sleeping faces. With more experience, users can move on to the advanced functions to use the aperture or shutter priority modes. These two modes are simplified with an interface that utilizes the LCD display screen to show-off the projected results while changing the settings. One thing is for sure, D3100 system is more advanced and well thought out.
In terms of comparing the AF points for D3100 vs T3, Canon has nine and Nikon has eleven. The two cameras are accurate and fast in the normal mode for point and shoot, but are slower in the Movie and Live View mode. It's nearly impossible to use the T3 in the Live Auto-Focus mode, but the D3100 also has a drawback because the AF motor is not built-in. As a result, autofocus only works with the AF-S lenses and this is generally more costly.
All in all, although the T3 model is a strong competitor it's hard to beat the D3100 camera. The comparison of D3100 vs T3 clearly shows that the D3100 is more advanced for an entry-level DSLR camera. Of course, Nikon D3100 is not perfect but it offers beginners user-friendly features and better image quality.
Categories: Uncategorized |


text:
020 7644 1750
020 7644 1750
020 7644 1750
let your dreams guide us...
let your dreams guide us...
let your dreams guide us...
Wedding Hotels
find our preferred wedding hotels
Media Gallery anse chastanet resort info Anse Chastanet Resort Wedding Package weddings and honeymoons at anse chastanet resort
Nestled within a 600 acre hillside estate, the Anse Chastanet Resort boasts two stunning beaches and a dramatic backdrop of St. Lucia's Piton Mountains. Great care has been taken by the architect-owner to create a resort that harmonises with its natural environment and takes full advantage of the amazing scenery. This romantic hideaway offers individually designed rooms built according to a unique philosophy so that guests may find peace and inspiration away from every day life. Active guests can try fun water sports, explore 12 miles of private estate trails or discover some of St Lucia's best coral reefs while snorkelling or scuba diving. For relaxation, guests can unwind at the therapeutic spa, enjoy a yoga class or relax on the secluded beach. At Anse Chastanet Resort you can do as much or as little as you choose on your holiday in paradise.
The 49 individually designed rooms at Anse Chastanet are decorated with original artworks and set in the unique hillside setting. The unique rooms, bathrooms and tropical hardwood furniture are built totally in harmony with nature allowing the flow of air which has made air conditioning units unnecessary. All rooms are equipped with:
Standards & Superior Hillside - Located either hillside or beachside and are octagonal or rectangular in shape with clay or tropical hardwood floors and either glass or wooden jalousie louver windows.
Deluxe Beachside - Very spacious with clay tiles and wooden jalousie louver windows. Tropical garden view just a few steps from the water's edge and housing and some with open roof dormers.
Deluxe Hillside - Extremely spacious and individually designed some in a very open air style with the fourth wall missing. Clay floor tiles or tropical hardwood flooring and wooden jalousie louver windows looking out to either the Pitons and/or ocean view.
Premium Hillside - Offering picture postcard perfect views of the Piton Mountains and surrounding sea, some premium rooms have the fourth wall missing and clay floor tiles or tropical hardwood floor with wooden jalousie louver windows. Large ensuite bathroom.
Bed & Breakfast
Kindly note that the hotel offer pre bookable meal plans as follows kindly ask our consultants for prices.
Modified American Plan (Half Board)
Full American Plan (Full Board)
All Inclusive - Package Includes
(please note that surcharges may apply for certain dishes on all meal plans and for All Inclusive plan there is charges for vintage liqueurs and champagne)


text:
black screen after dropping it, hard reboot didn't work
I dropped my iphone 4s from my pocket onto the tiled floor in the kitchen. It landed on the case's back but not being a very helpful case it didn't do anything to protect it apparently. I tried doing a hard reboot and it didn't work. When I plug it into the charger it still vibrates saying that it's charging. Before I tried to do the hard reboot Siri was also still working, but I think at some point I managed to turn off my phone while trying to do the reboot. I've been trying to turn it back on but I'm unable to tell if it is or not. I know the phone is charged because this just happened and I had it on charge since around eleven last night.
Please help, I cracked my screen not a month ago and my dad kindly got it fixed somewhere cheap. He and I don't feel confident about fixing it ourselves. I haven't brought this to his attention yet, and I haven't told my mom either, I really would like to know if there is a way that if I left it alone it would sort itself out? If not besides fixing it ourselves what would be something we could do? Thank you so much for helping me with this! :)
Esta é uma boa pergunta?


text:
What's Testosterone Propionate?
Testosterone propionate is a slower releasing anabolic steroid with a short half-life. This characteristic allows the user to run short testosterone propionate cycles of 8-10 weeks as optimal peak blood plasma levels are achieved at 2-4 weeks. It is a synthetic androstane steroid derivative of testosterone in the form of 17β propionate ester of testosterone. Testosterone propionate was developed initially by Watson labs, and FDA approved on February 5, 1974. Currently, this drug has been discontinued in humans, but the vet application is still available as an OTC.
Testosterone Propionate Uses
Testosterone Propionate is one of the most popular anabolic steroids even today – 80 years after it's invention. It is widely used by bodybuilders and athletes for the purpose of physique and performance enhancement. Testosterone itself is considered the most natural and safest anabolic steroid a person can use. The Propionate ester is suggested for any first time steroid user.
How to use Testosterone Propionate?
The most common dosage for Testosterone Propionate is:
50 to 100mg every day
50 to 100mg every 2nd day
Every 3rd day should be the absolute minimum because that's near the border of Propionate activity timespan.
Where to inject Testosterone Propionate:
It can be injected into any muscle (if the muscle is big enough). The most popular being buttocks, shoulder or even triceps.


text:
Golf & Safari
The Kilimanjaro Golf & Wildlife Estate has partnered with Gilroy & Camm to offer golf and safari - the very best way to enjoy all that East Africa has to offer. With a variety of fantastic golf and safari packages on offer as well as a bespoke option tailored to your needs, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The Crazy Golfer
Mad about golf? Then this is the package for you. Enjoy 5 full days at Kiligolf, with an additional 3 days at Vipingo Ridge in Kenya. In between, experience the wonders of Tanzania's most spectacular National Parks, and finish your trip with a visit to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Manor!
The Outdoor
Interested in a golf, safari and beach holiday? Then you're an Outdoor Enthusiast and this is the package for you! Enjoy 5 full days at Kiligolf, a fantastic safari, and to finish it all off; 4 days on the idyllic Pemba island - including 1 night in the Underwater Room!
Short Play, Stay,
Only have a week of holiday? No problem! Our Short Play, Stay, Safari combines 3 full days at Kiligolf followed by a 5 day safari - the perfect way to enjoy all the best that Tanzania has to offer, in record time.
Bespoke Safaris & Optional Supplements
A bespoke option is available for those who wish to create their own golf and safari holiday. A variety of optional supplements are also available, all of which can be added on to any of the golfing packages above, or included as part of a tailor-made holiday. These include:
- Helicopter flights
- Horse riding
- Polo lessons
- Golf lessons
- Cultural tours
- Community tours
- Private conservancy tours (to the Maasai Steppe Conservancy)
- Spa treatments
- A visit to the Shanga workshop
Gilroy & Camm will do their best to include any of the above supplements (in addition to any other supplements requested by you) into your itinerary, to ensure you have an unforgettable holiday in East Africa.
Contact us
For inquiries or bookings, please click here or send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com. A member of the Gilroy & Camm team will be in touch shortly.
Tried one of our golf and safari packages? Love Kiligolf?
Then perhaps it's time to own a Kiligolf property of your own! With four fantastic designs to choose from, all with high rental potential and the possibility of fractional ownership - a property in the midst of African bushland is not to be missed. Kiligolf is more than an estate; it offers a home, a community and the chance to enjoy and active yet peaceful lifestyle in a wonderfully unique location.
Click here to find out more about the properties available for purchase on Kiligolf.


text:
A Worry-Free Life
Rebecca Garrett
By Dr. Josephine Gross
Before getting into business, Rebecca Garrett was an educator for 12 years. She initially joined network marketing to help offset the expenses of being a single mom with a noble but low-paying career. Once she experienced the life-changing products and residual income, she saw a way that she could provide more for her family while still being of service.-J.G.
A Life-Changing Presentation
Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Rebecca moved to Atlanta right after graduating college in 2004. She became an elementary school teacher in the inner city, mostly teaching fourth grade math and science to students who were behind.
Get million-dollar tips from our experts and success secrets from top earners.
Join below and receive our FREE "Network Marketing Is..." prospecting tool validating our business and profession in 28 powerful quotes!


text:
Custom-Cut IT Solutions
Custom-Cut has been specializing in IT solutions for 13 years. We've built a company where every employee benefits from the company and has our customer's interest at heart as all supporting staff works on a very high commission ratio. We offer a personal contact point and a dedicated commitment to service excellence. We embrace our values in ethical business practice.
Custom-Cut is a IT infrastructure implementer, integrator and maintainer. Consulting in the following services email, document management, information security, internet access reporting and logging, accounting services, cloud services, backups, disaster recovery, scalability and stability.
Custom-Cut is knowledgeable in the following products Google APPS, Office 365, Windows OS, VMware, VEEAM, Cyberoam, Xero, PaySpace, Pastel, Symantec, MAC, Microsoft Office, Cisco, Netgear, HP, IBM, Dell, Lenovo, APC, Intel and Samsung.


text:
Casper Mattress vs Eve Mattress
Hey guys! Kylie here! Today I have a post for those of you still in search of the perfect mattress. Read on to get the details on how the Casper mattress compares to the Eve mattress! By the end of this article, hopefully you will be one step closer to finding the mattress that is "just right" like our friend Goldilocks. 😉
Short on time? Glance over the chart below for a quick comparison.
Both mattresses were tightly packed and delivered right to our door! I did, however, help the UPS man carry the Eve mattress up to the 3rd floor. The nice guy was by himself. Carrying a 100 plus pound mattress in an awkward shaped box up 2 flights of stairs solo just wasn't going to happen. After conquering one flight of stairs, this girl needed a break to reposition and gear up for flight number 2. Lucky for me, my sister was in town and graciously took over to get the mattress to the top floor!
Unboxing both the Casper and the Eve was simple and actually quite fun! It is so neat to watch a mattress take shape after unwrapping the mass found inside the shipping box.
Let's dive right into the details!
Mattress Cover
The Casper's inner cover is like a fitted bottom sheet as it covers the top and sides of the mattress, cupping around the bottom edges without covering the entire thing. See the bottom of the mattress in the photo below.
The Eve does not have an inner cover. The following photo also shows the bottom of the mattress.
Air Flow
The Casper has holes drilled into the top layer to aide with air flow. Although the Eve does not have holes in the top layer, we have not found it to sleep hotter than the Casper.
Foam Layers
Check out the foam layers of each mattress:
The Casper is made up of 7″ of dense base foam, 1.5″ of 4 pound high density memory foam, and 1.5″ of dunlop latex foam. The photo shows that the total foam height 1 hour after unboxing is roughly 9.25″.
18cm(7″) of high density base foam, 3cm(1.2″) of highly breathable responsive foam, and 4cm(1.6″) of new generation memory foam (combining properties of latex and memory foam) are layered together to create the Eve. The Eve mattress was also approximately 9.25″ 1 hour after unboxing.
Let's get technical to compare the feel of the Casper and the Eve. Justin used both of our bodyweights and a level to determine the level of sinkage on both mattresses.
Check out the results below:
- Kylie's bodyweight- the Casper sank 1/2″ further
- Justin's bodyweight- the Casper sank 1/8″ further
I, Kylie, find both mattress to be comfortable. I like how the top layers of the Casper and the Eve rise up to support my lower back and make me feel like I am sleeping on a cloud while still providing the firmness I desire. Although Justin sleeps well on the Casper, he prefers the feel of the Eve. He appreciates that the Eve mattress provides support while also creating the feeling that he is sleeping on a cloud like surface. When sleeping on the Casper mattress, Justin feels like he sinks right through the top cloud like layer, giving the Casper a very firm and less supportive feel.
It is common knowledge that foam mattresses often come with an odor. The odor that was apparent after unboxing the Casper mattress quickly dissipated within the first week of sleeping on the mattress. The Eve mattress had a stronger initial odor than the Casper mattress and is barely noticeable after 2 weeks out of the box.
Motion Transfer
The amount of motion transfer in a bed can be a very important selling point. Especially when sleeping with a partner or a furry friend. 🙂 Both the Casper and the Eve are good choices for little motion transfer when rolling over or readjusting. That being said, Justin and I took things to the next level with a fall test. Although many of us don't forcefully catapult ourselves down on our beds while sleeping, the results from the fall test give us a good idea of just how much motion transfer we can expect to feel under extreme circumstances. 😉 The Casper has a bit more motion transfer than the Eve when a 185 pound man throws himself onto the bed.
While the Casper and the Eve have many similarities, they also have quite a few differences. Hopefully our article answered some of your questions. If not, please feel free to reach out to us and we will do our best to help! Do you have experience with the Casper mattress or the Eve mattress? If so, we would love to hear your opinion below! 🙂
Promo Codes
If you have made up your mind and are ready to buy, feel free to use one of our discount codes below. You get $50-$100 off your mattress purchase and we also get $50. Two wins!
$50 OFF Casper Promo Code: http://refer.casper.com/s/kylieai
Note: Please do not feel obligated to use one of our discount codes but for those of you that do, we are appreciative. 🙂
*We vow to only post honest product reviews, expressing our unbiased thoughts and feelings about a product. All opinions are our own.
*We include affiliate links from time to time. Please don't feel obligated to click on them but if you do, we are appreciative! 🙂
For those of you interested in the nitty gritty. Check out the mattress tags below.
You might also be interested in:


text:
SEARCH-Nepal (SN), carries out routine advocacy efforts and campaigns in order to meet its VMVG and Objectives. The Advocacy efforts are aimed and geared towards operational and policy level. The operational level advocacy efforts are carried out at individual, household and community level. The operational level advocacy efforts are also focused at local governments, i.e. VDCs and DDC level. Likewise, the policy advocacy efforts are aimed at central government, international development partners, regional institutions and inter-governmental organisations.
These advocacy efforts are carried out through daily interactions, development communication through mass media, street campaigns, rallies, public hearings, public audits, international UN days and special occasions. Annual self-help group (SHG) days, publications of books, reports, journal papers and research reports also contribute to policy advocacy efforts. Routine workshops, seminars, interaction programs and TV chat shows including documentary programmes also add to these efforts.
Currently, a documentary on self-help development called " The Smiles from the Himalayas: Living, Learning and Celebrating with the People", is "aired" through major national satellite channels and is also accessed through social media sites such as You Tube and Face book.
The Advocacy related issues are as follows:
These issues are advocated through various means including popular songs, dramas, skits, publications and various multi-media approaches effectively.


text:
Last night, was something special. But I'm no spring chicken. I don't know how many times I can order Seamless without having a heart attack. How many hours of Netflix can I watch in a row? How many pints of ice cream is too much ice cream?!?!?!
Thank God I got to go into work today. I got to see human beings. I was becoming a creature. But, what happens when I go back into that hotel room tonight? Will I fall back into the same habits? Will I be able to say no to the Chinese food temptations? Should I do yoga on my king size bed?
I can't make these decisions. I'm no good at it. In fact, if it wasn't for my co-worker who lives in the same town as me, I would probably wouldn't have gotten clean clothes. That would have been something. At least I had the foresight to tell my brother John to pack 2 days of clothes for me. He even got me snacks, and bottles of water, and a note with a joke on it! It was hysterical. Probably will be in my stand-up one day. Man that kid is the best.
So when I walk out of work today, it's gonna get real. Another night in a hotel room. Should I call one my friends? Should I write a blog about sports? Is this the definition of Cabin Fever?
Time will tell. Stay tuned.
2 Comments
lit dont forget to listen to hotel by r kelly↓


text:
Guides for Employers
NDA: Retaining employees who acquire a disability: A guide for employers
The National Disability Authority's guide provides employers with information about how to help employees who have acquired a disability to stay in work or return to work after a period of recovery.
This guidance is based on strategies that research found to be helpful.
HSA: Employees with Disabilities: An employers' guide to implementing inclusive health and safety practices for employees with disabilities:
The Health and Safety Authority's guide to implementing health and safety practices for staff with disabilities.


text:
The online furniture company Wayfair is now one of the most shorted stocks. Our Planet Money team talks to its CEO about what it's like to be running a company when some investors are betting on your fall.
Our Planet Money team has been looking into the world of short selling. Shorting a stock is the opposite of buying a stock. It's a bet that the stock will drop in value. In previous stories, we heard from some well-known short-sellers who were betting against companies. Today, we hear what it's like on the other side. David Kestenbaum talked with the CEO of one of the most shorted companies in America.
DAVID KESTENBAUM, BYLINE: Last month, we did a story listing the top 10 most shorted companies. We reached out to a few on the list to see if their CEOs wanted to talk. We either did not hear back or got a polite no, thank you. But after the story aired, we heard from a listener who worked at one of the companies. Would your CEO be willing to talk, we asked. The answer was yes.
Just say name and title.
NIRAJ SHAH: I'm Niraj Shah, the CEO co-founder of Wayfair.
KESTENBAUM: Wayfair sells something online that a lot of people are used to buying in stores - furniture. You may have seen the ads.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: (As character) Welcome to wayfair.com. We sell home stuff, your home stuff, anything, everything online.
KESTENBAUM: What is the heaviest thing you sell?
SHAH: We have some beds, for example, that can weigh 1,500 pounds, like big, ornate, carved wood, you know, huge pillars. And so the delivery on some of these items is tricky to say the least.
KESTENBAUM: The company went public just last year. Lots of people bought the stock, presumably thinking, great idea, a huge online furniture store. But there were also skeptics, people apparently so convinced this dream would fail that they bet against the company. They shorted the stock. If Wayfair fails, the short sellers make money.
SHAH: You know, it doesn't really bother me that folks short the stock. I was just surprised, to be honest.
KESTENBAUM: Doesn't it bug you a little bit?
SHAH: You know, it's - I guess, maybe annoying would be a better term.
KESTENBAUM: When a company ends up on the most shorted list, it's often because there are two groups of people with totally opposite views on something critical to the company's future. In this case, Shah thinks, the controversial thing is those ads.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) (Singing) Wayfair, you got just what I need. Everything from my home, you got it for me.
KESTENBAUM: The debate is not over the ads themselves, but the amount of money Wayfair is spending on advertising. The ads are helping sell lots of barstools and four-poster beds, but the company is not making a profit yet. Shah says the company will be able to scale back on ads once the Wayfair name is out there. He's made his case with data and numbers on repeat customers, but that has not seemed to sway the short sellers. They're still out there. He's not sure why.
SHAH: The degree of the short interest means that folks are super convinced that they're right. And I guess that is the piece I'm missing.
KESTENBAUM: Would you like to meet someone who has short your company? If we could find someone, would you talk to him?
SHAH: Oh, yeah. I'd be happy to.
KESTENBAUM: This is the part of the radio story where we would cut to the tape of us calling up someone who has short Wayfair. And we looked, tried to find some big investor who had shorted the company and would talk. We searched the popular blogs, reached out on Twitter, talked to well-known short sellers, but no luck. Sometimes, when you just fundamentally disagree, there's nothing to talk about. You place your bets, and you wait to see what happens. David Kestenbaum, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
Seth MacFarlane preps Comedy Central grill for Charlie Sheen roast
Third time's the harm.
"Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, who has been the roast master for the past two Comedy Central celebrity roasts, will take on those duties again for the "Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen."
The event, which will tape Sept. 10, will air Sept. 19. The special will air on the same night as the season premiere of "Two And a Half Men," the CBS comedy that ousted Sheen as a series of public flareups with producers and drug-related incidents.
"I'm very excited to be working with Comedy Central again on the roast," said MacFarlane, who will be the only three-time returning roast master for the network. "Charlie is a true icon with a talent that is strong and pure and concentrated into small crystals that can be smoked or eaten."
MacFarlane was the roast master for the roasts of David Hasselhoff and Donald Trump.
CBS opens up on Ashton Kutcher's 'Two and a Half Men'
Will 'Two and a Half Men' kill off Charlie Sheen's character?
Charlie Sheen gets his own Comedy Central Roast: 'It's Going to Be Epic'
— Greg Braxton
Photo: Seth MacFarlane. Credit: Ann Johansson / For The Times.


text:
Gadget Review: Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator
"Most wines…are known to enjoy mingling with oxygen after having been corked up! But newly freed vino thus unfurls its charms by being poured from one container to the next for an invigorating rendezvous with aeration." ~ Andrea Immer Robinson
Many thirsty vino-sapiens out there on the purple paved highways and byways ask the age-old question do you really need to 'decant'? For many it's an easy answer and still for others if they must, then they would prefer a short-cut, after all we live in an "App" oriented culture today, which is just the fancy way to say it's a shortcut. Face it we live in a culture today that wants fast cars and fast foods, one that wants everything in a microwaved minute. So it should not be any surprise that alternatives to traditional 'decanting' have come on the scene.
First let's examine the basic well known purpose or reason behind the supposed need to decant wines. The simple reasoning behind pouring wine from the bottle into a larger vessel is done for the purpose of allowing the wine to "breathe".
But what does that mean; it's a way to bring out the wines rich aromas and hopefully mellowing tannins, to hopefully create a smoother finish and a better experience. This is said to be accomplished, by allowing the wine to have more room to interact with oxygen, far more than just by uncorking the bottle.
Now the claim by Vinturi the [short-cut] wine aerator, is that it supposedly achieves the ideal mix of wine and oxygen with each pour, no fuss and no muss. Just pour the red wine of your choice through the device from the bottle into your hopefully clean and lint free stem and you're ready to go.
Vinturi does offer separate models for red and one for white wine and now even one for spirits oh-my. Claiming it's for the purposes of optimal aeration for every sip, slurp and maybe even the eventual gulp. While testing this product over the last 60 days on many different bottles of red-wine I really didn't see a measured result that would make me think 'wow' this is the product I've been waiting for, my days of decanting are over, woo-hoo.
But on the other hand I did see a small, but appreciable difference between the wine that had been through the Vinturi and wine that had not gone through it at all, so there is something to it. Even Mrs. Cuvee gave it her "good" rating. Speaking of good, it's well to remember, when holding the Vinturi, try not to put your fingers over the holes, otherwise it just defeats the purpose. Second, don't let it fall into your stem or you'll be picking up a lot of glass later.
While I won't be tossing my decanter aside anytime soon, I will still be using the Vinturi for some of the simpler reds which I think could still benefit from a bit of "instant aeration". But that said, I think big red wines like grand, aged Barolo for example, may need to be opened the night before and poured into a traditional decanter. The reason being; so that the wine can be decanted several hours before it's even close to being ready or risk a wine that's just too tight to want to come out and meet you.
Other places and or moments where I think this product [I'm sure there are more] would come-in very handy would be on picnics, backpacking and even those impromptu entertaining moments which many of us call tailgating.
What comes in each package, the Vinturi Aerator I received as a sample comes with a convenient stand to store in between uses [but don't forget to clean the well out often]. It also comes with a screen to grab any sediment which may attempt to make its way to your glass, a good thing unless you like crunchy wines.
This product cleans up easy and is easily transported. They also offer it in a smaller size for the savvy vino-sapiens [ladies] who'd like to keep one in their purse. The prices for this product can be widely different; I've seen it for as much as $60 all the way down to $30. If you can find one in the lower price range, I'd recommend grabbing one for the arsenal of other wine gadgets you may already have. Until next time folks remember to sip long and prosper cheers!


text:
Playing time: 51'40"
Performer: The Consort of Musicke - Anthony Rooley, dir.
[Emma Kirkby (soprano), Margaret Philpot (contralto), Joseph Cornwell (tenor), Trevor Jones (bass viol). Alison Crum (tenor & bass viols), Oliver Hirsh (great bass viol), Anthony Rooley (lute)]
Recording site and date: Unknown [1981 or prior]
Comments: Information from owned LP.
To FAQ references to this recording.
To FAQ CD index page.Jon Stringer


text:
I initially engaged Jerson to develop a custom IT Security course for the organization. He delivered beyond our expectations, there isn't any other way to put that. He developed a custom character that led learners through the course. He took the general requirements and concepts we requested and expanded them. Everyone loved the course. His talent with graphics, animation and interactions is excellent. He is quite adept at storyboarding (comes up with great ideas to show the customer what can really be done), hitting project milestones and providing iterations for review. His communication is great.
Based on that project I worked very hard to convince him to come to work full time. He has completed numerous projects for us on staff, always making the internal customers very satisfied with the deliverables. NONE of his work is the hum-drum PowerPoint conversion stuff like other developers might try to pawn off. Each and every project seemed to have a solid footing on originality and engagement for the learner.


text:
Irrational Pride: Neptune's Pride Beta
I haven't played this yet – though I've just signed up – but this beta interests me in a couple of ways. Firstly, it's by a new developer founded by ex-Irrationalite (i.e. Freedom Force, Swat, Bioshock, etc) Jay Kyburz with fellow Irrationalites. It seems I like writing "Irrationalites". Secondly, it may be the closest thing I've seen to what I wished for at the end of my Travian piece back in the day – diplomacy-heavy, low-maintenance, smaller-player-numbers strategy game you can slide into your day. Neptune's Pride is a online-only space-empire game. It's been in development for 4 months, but is already is functional and in open Beta. There's a video below which shows the basics, but you'd be better going to look around the site.
So yeah. Very much my kind of thing and could be very interesting. It strikes me if I was doing the Unknown Pleasures again this year, this may have been on it. More news on when my game fills up and I actually start.


text:
We love hearing from you!
Feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback or information requests you may have. We are often in the barns caring for our livestock which means it may take us a couple of days to get back to you, but we will do our very best to respond in a timely fashion. It can sometimes take 24-48 hours to respond to your communications.
Thank you for your interest in Belanger Organic Farms.


text:
Kindly SHUT UP
about the grunge
under my fingernails
That's one way I express myself
tell the world who I am
Self-same my grimy teeth
face with no make-up
except for the red lipstick I smear wildly
around my mouth
These are my ways of being me
avenues the psycho-pharmaceuticals cannot travel
domestic violence
on the Rez
Finally decided I'm no whipping post
no ultimate scapegoat for
European genocide
The only out I could see
was the Army
Then I could be on the violent side
giving not taking
punishing Al Quaida for what they did
What my enemy's capable of
I know
No Iraqi will ever
come in my barracks in the
middle of the night
and try to rape me and choke me
to death
1 comment:
- Peter Greene said...
- February 20, 2015 at 2:08 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
- Black-Listed Magazine
- Black-Listed Magazine is an online literary magazine. We publish on a rolling basis: weekly, daily, sometimes hourly. Send submissions here: firstname.lastname@example.com
Blog Archive
- ▼ 2015 (13)
- ► 2012 (76)
- ► 2011 (74)
- ► 2010 (125)
- ► 2009 (87)


text:
McDonald's Marketing Team Tries Facebook Live Video
June 1, 2016
McDonald's, in celebration of National Hamburger Day this Saturday, tested the marketing potential of live video on Facebook. McDonald's first promoted it's Facebook Live video to its nearly 65 million Facebook followers with 2 separate posts starting Wednesday afternoon. Clearly, McDonald's was going for humor, but the artist featured in the promo and live video is absolutely creepy in his attempt at channelling his inner Bob Ross. It is funny and worth watching!
McDonald's idea was to have it look like a Bob Ross style artist painted 3 hamburger related pictures in real-time on Facebook Live in celebration of National Hamburger Day. The person playing the Bob Ross character was actor/comedian "Bevin".
Here is how McDonald's promoted it's
Facebook Live
Here are the video's
that ran live on McDonald's Facebook page. For some reason the live video was recorded as
2 separate clips
The opening 8 minute clip had close to 8,000 views, 683 likes, 281 shares and 408 comments as of this writing. This was followed by a 42 minute clip which had nearly 20,000 views, 1,500 likes, 160 shares and 2,118 comments. This is only mildly successful considering that McDonald's has 65 million followers.
A couple funny reactions to the Facebook Live video in the comments:
I give credit for McDonald's going out of box in testing Facebook Live for marketing its product and using humor was a good idea.
However, Facebook needs to let brands reach more of their followers with their posts! People "like" brands because they want their posts to appear in their news feeds. Why Facebook, in the interest of decluttering people's news feeds takes it upon themselves to only show a fraction of the posts from people and brands that people themselves chose to follow is beyond reason. With 65 million followers of McDonald's on Facebook the Live videos should have been seen by millions.
A better approach for Facebook, in my opinion, would be to give people options themselves to prioritizing people and brands as they see their posts. Let people choose and allow brands that have worked so hard and spent so much money on promoting their Facebook pages and growing their followers benefit from this.
Continue Reading
--This email is a service of ITProNews--
iEntry, Inc. 851 Corporate Drive, Lexington, KY 40503
©2016 All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy
To Be Taken Off This Mailing,
Visit This Page
For other support inquiries go


text:
Page 2: Casino, Star Wars, Sundance, Fight Club, Mr. T, Alien, Taxi Driver, Stargate, Lost, Home Alone, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Muppets
Posted on Wednesday, December 28th, 2011 by Peter Sciretta
What is Page 2? Page 2 is a compilation of stories and news tidbits, which for whatever reason, didn't make the front page of /Film. After the jump we've included 46 different items, fun images, videos, casting tidbits, articles of interest and more. It's like a mystery grab bag of movie web related goodness. If you have any interesting items that we might've missed that you think should go in /Film's Page 2 – email us!
Header Photo: Casino animated GIF
FirstShowing lists five things from Holiday movies they actually want for Christmas.
The 2011 LucasFilm Holiday Card
Rejects lists 40 things they learned from the Elf commentary
Mos Eisley Spaceport t-shirt.
Movieline lists 5 Scenes Worth Remembering From Otherwise Forgettable 2011 Films
A rare look at The Sundance Slotting Wall
Pajiba lists The 10 Best Episodes of NBC's Community
Watch the Star Wars fan movie winner "Unlimited Power"
Guyism lists 9 of the Worst TV Series Finales of All-Time
Continue Reading Page 2 >>
Due to the amount of graphics and images included in Page 2, we have to split this post over a BUNCH of pages. Click the link above to continue the second page of Page 2.


text:
Massive congratulation to Mark and his team mate James! They completed the 320 mile race in 12 days 23 hours and 35 minutes. They reached the magnetic north pole on Thursday and ploughed straight on the additional 14 miles to the finish.
Mark and James have only known each other since they met in Resolute Bay following the unfortunate collapse of the Polar Expedition which Mark had originally undertaken. When Mark's Team-leader was struck down with suspected pneumonia, Mark was determined to find a way to go on. So he linked up with James to join the 2010 race to the top of the world. From all reports they have formed a great bond, which has seen them through to the finish line.
Five of the eight teams are now reported to have completed the course as the race enters its final stages. The remaining teams are all in good health and good spirits. They are expected to reach the finish later today.
Congratulations to all the competitors and huge thanks to everyone who has sponsored Mark on his epic challenge in support of COINS Foundation.
All the funds Mark raises will support COINS Foundation projects.


text:
I wouldn't trade places with Demi Moore right now for anything. Heartbreak, health crisis, humiliation (whip-its?!) ... Moore is going through what would be considered an undeniably rough patch in any woman's life.
But Demi Moore isn't just a woman, she's also a mom. With three daughters who are just becoming young women themselves: Tallulah, 18, Scout, 20, and Rumer, 23. I'm sure Moore would be horrified to see any one of her girls respond to a breakup with the kind of breakdown she's having. (I would be horrified to see any girl over the age of 15 respond to a breakup with the kind of breakdown she's having.) As their mother, isn't it her duty to set an example she'd want them to follow?
Of course the answer to that question is yes, but for some reason, Moore still can't hold it together. I'm not criticizing the star, by the way -- her life has been filled with turmoil from the start. Is it really fair to expect normal, healthy behavior from a human being who has never truly experienced normalcy?
More from The Stir: Demi Moore's Breakdown Should Make All Women Nervous
The fact remains: Normal, healthy behavior is exactly what Tallulah, Scout, and Rumer deserve from their mother. Simply because, you know, she's their mother.
Sadly, something tells me this kind of drama IS normal for those girls. But that doesn't make the latest chapter of the Demi Moore saga any less painful or traumatic for her daughters to endure. Even if they're used to seeing their mom's face all over the tabloids and worrying about whether or not she's starving herself to death or about to overdose on prescription drugs, that doesn't mean they've completely given up hope.
Demi Moore could still turn this one around, setting a pretty phenomenal example for her daughters in the process. Can you imagine? If Moore made a real, genuine, lasting recovery, what an incredibly powerful lesson would that teach her kids about the strength of the human spirit.
More from The Stir: Ashton Kutcher's Partying Makes Demi Moore's Breakdown Look Even More Sad
Here's hoping Moore gets well soon, for the sake of her daughters.
Do you think Demi Moore owes it to her girls to pull herself together?
Image via David Shankbone/Flickr


text:
Grassroots California Socks
We Love Grassroots California socks!
Hi guys! This is our review of Grassroots California socks. These cannabis-themed socks are super comfortable and durable. They look great with anything and are sort of like a way to wink at your fellow 420 peeps, without looking like Cheech & Chong. 😉
Grassroots used high quality-materials in these socks, including heavy-duty stitching, reinforced heels, toes, and top. They're great with boots, sneakers, or, if you're on the beach in France, sandals. 😀
Grassroots California also makes hats and other clothing, but so far we like the socks best. Leggings of a similar style would be amazing!
Grassroots marijuana-themed socks are fairly thick, so if you're not wearing loose-fitting shoes or it's really hot outside, these might not be the best choice. Unless you really need to look cool, like CannaCutey Kelsey below:
Grassroots socks have competitors in the form of Robin Ruth weed-themed socks, and HUF socks – one of our favorites. But like everything they do, Grassroots California has put together a "highly" unique product that perfectly balances form and function.
Do you own a pair or three of Grassroots California weed-themed socks? Send us a pic on Facebook, or tell us what you think in the comments below.


text:
Enables bespoke catalogue creation,
automatic product alerts and
easier online purchasing.
An innovative new Online Product Guide has been introduced by Antalis UK designed to offer its customers a range of interactive tools to personalise and simplify their product selection and purchasing experience. The new site covers the entire Antalis product portfolio including papers, envelopes, consumables, packaging solutions as well as visual communications offerings. All of its 13,000 plus products are categorised into specific sectors and applications to simplify searches and product selection.
A key feature of the new site is a series of interactive tools that have been introduced to give customers additional direct engagement with the Antalis product range and which are specifically designed to help add value to their everyday decision making. The company said customers can now customise and generate their own bespoke product catalogue, which can be stored digitally in PDF format, or downloaded and printed out as an invaluable and quick reference guide.
Additionally, customers can also sign up to receive regular product alerts which automatically notify them of any product enhancements, launches or new range extensions or additions as soon as they happen. Every product featured in the Online Guide is linked directly to the antalis.co.uk website as well, enabling a more streamlined purchasing procedure for customers to buy products directly.
Commenting on the new interactive Online Product Guide, Rebecca Chandler, Digital Marketing Executive at Antalis UK said, "As our product portfolio continues to expand, we want to provide customers with a tool that gives them easy access to all our products and provides additional features to tailor searches, provide quick references and generally make the selection and purchasing process easier. By accessing our new Online Guide, customers can choose to browse our entire product portfolio by using our simple navigation tabs or focus their search into particular areas or applications."
The new Online Antalis Product Guide can be accessed at: www.antalisproductguide.co.uk/
Follow us on Twitter - @DigiPrintNews
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/DPNLive - (click the 'LIKED' button/top of page as well)
Copyright © 2014, DPNLIVE – All Rights Reserved.


text:
Links to Ojai Valley Schools
Ojai Valley Unified School District
Learn more about the different Ojai Valley Unified School district by visiting their web site at http://www.ojaiusd.org/
Locate the school your child will be attending by viewing their interactive map at https://www.locatemyschool.com/map/ojai
Ojai Valley Private Schools
There are 12 private schools in Ojai, CA, serving 1,476 students.
Ojai / Ojai Valley prides itself in its private and public school systems. Villanova School, Besant Hill School, Monica Ros School, Montessori School, Oak Grove School, Ojai Valley School and the Thacher school are some of the well known private schools in the Ojai Valley.
1. Oak Grove School, 220 West Lomita Ave., Ojai, CA 93023, 805-646-8326, Grades PK-12
2. Besant Hill School, 8585 Ojai Santa Paula Rd, Ojai CA 93023, 805-646-4343, Grades 9-12
3. Global Village School, Ojai CA, 805-646-9792, Grades K-12
4. Laurel Springs School, 302 El Paseo Road, Ojai CA 93023, 800-377-5890, Grades K-12
5. The Lighthouse Schoo, 530 W Ojai Ave.,#107,Ojai CA 93023, 805-633-1171
6. Live Oak School, Ojai CA 805-640-3592, Grades PK-KG
7. Monica Ros School, 783 McNell Road, Ojai CA 93023, 805-646-8184, Grades NS-3
8. Montessori School of Ojai, 806 Baldwin Rd, Ojai CA 93023, 805-646-2525, Grades NS-8
9. Ojai Valley School, 723 El Paseo Rd, Ojai CA 93023, 805-646-1423, Grades PK-12
10. The Thacher School, 5025 Thacher Rd, Ojai CA 93023, 805-640-3210, Grades 9-12
11. Villanova Preparatory School, 12096 N. Ventura Ave, Ojai CA Grades 9-12
12. Weil Tennis Academy, 428 Bryant Cir., Ojai CA 93023, 805-640-3413, Grades 7-12
A good web site to visit to learn more about the Ojai Valley Schools is https://www.privateschoolreview.com/california/ojai


text:
Sex and the City is definitely one of the most fashionable shows of our time. Of course, shows like Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars give it a run for it's money, but Sex and the City gives us more than just a teenage fashion dreamland. Sex and the City features women of different ages with different professions and keeps them all looking classy and chic. The four female leads offer something for everyone from glam gowns to boots and blazers. Lets see if the leading ladies take their style cues from the show.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate Spade Kea
Carrie Bradshaw was the cutting edge fashionista of the bunch – she was always on top of the hottest trends and willing to take risks with fashion. She has a quirky, playful fashion sense that's always fresh and new. Here, at the ENK Fashion Coterie, Sarah Jessica channels Carrie with a fun, unexpected look. We love her shiny silver blouse paired with her beautiful blue skirt. She finishes the look with minimal accessories (a single, sparkly belt) and some Mary Janes, similar to the Kate Spade Kea. These Kate Spade pumps can be dressed up or down and would even work at work!
Kim Cattrall and Diane Von Furstenberg April
Oh, Samantha - she was the sexpot of the bunch. She could pick up guys left and right, even at 50. She knew how to flatter her figure and dress provocatively but always classy. Here, Kim Cattrall wears a wowing white dress we are sure Samantha would wear as well. She looks stunning in the fitted single shoulder ruffled dress with pale clay colored accessories. Absolute perfection, we say. If you're looking for a sexy new color to add to your wardrobe, try the Diane Von Furstenburg April. A bit darker than Kims, these Diane Von Furstenburg pumps are a great brown/grey hybrid that look great with a whole host of colors.
Kristin Davis and Kate Spade Gwen
Kristin Davis played the peppy, preppy, Park Avenue Princess, Charlotte. Charlotte had a feminine wardrobe that oozed girly glamour. Here, Kristin looks sweet and sexy in a fitted white dress with sheer detailing and fantastic snake skin peep toe pumps, similar to the Kate Spade Gwen. The funky Kate Spade pumps are a great way to top off a basic black or monochromatic look.


text:
Dear 1Ls:
In 1967, at the 150th anniversary of Harvard Law School, Dean Erwin Griswold reflected:
"For some years now I have been concerned about the effect of our legal education on the idealism of our students. I have great faith in our students… they bring to the school a large measure of idealism. Do they leave with less? And if they do, is that something we can view with indifference?"
In the half century since then, Griswold's concern has, with the exception of a few tireless reformers, been "viewed with indifference" by our community. The result is disturbing: for every Harvard Law graduate who enters into employment with organizations designed to advance the legal interests of the poor or public at large, four Harvard Law graduates enter into employment with organizations designed to advance the legal interests of the most wealthy and powerful corporations and individuals. If a significant change is not made in the coming years, this means that you can expect 64 of your 79 sectionmates to pursue corporate interest employment following their graduation and judicial clerkships.
This does not mean that new students do not arrive at Harvard Law with, as Griswold observed, a large measure of idealism. But the late Dean's hunch was correct: students' civic mindedness fades with each passing year of school. A 1992 study by Robert Granfield found that, among newly admitted students, 70% expressed a commitment to public interest careers and 55% wanted to work in something other than corporate interest law firms. However, by graduation, 71% of men and 65% of women in the Class of 1995 went on to work in corporate interest firms or business, meaning that 20-40% of students had shifted their preferences during their years in law school.
A mid-2000's survey by Jenée Desmond-Harris found that 80% of newly admitted students stated that "the opportunity to be of service to society" was among the reasons they came to law school. By 3L spring, however, only 38% of students reported prioritizing this value in their upcoming job.
Our own Center on the Legal Profession's recent career study shows a similar drift. 35% of newly admitted students that CLP surveyed planned to work for law firms or businesses after law school. By graduation, 63% planned to, indicating a more than 25 percentage point shift.
Many factors account for this transformation of public interest 1Ls into corporate interest graduates: a competitive culture that fails to spark public-spiritedness; a curricular system that pushes contextualized and experiential education — the types of courses that teach students about the real-world crises in the justice system — into second- and third-year electives; a career-building system that sets corporate interest law as the default career option for students; and a tuition debt structure that dissuades students from public interest work.
Today, however, I would like to focus in on one factor fully within your control as first-year students: participation in our school's "cult of smart." See, from the very beginning of your time here, there will be a push to hold those with the sharpest and narrowest analytical skills in acclaim, regardless of their moral or civic orientation.
The introductory rites of this "cult of smart" occur in the first-year classroom, with student acclaim for smart professors. The first-year classroom, as Professor Lani Guinier points out, centers all attention on the professor, with "professors fishing for the 'right' answers, and students trying to catch the hook." Professors frame the whole 'game': the questions that should be considered important, the eventual 'correct' answers to those questions, and the affirmative and negative reactions to students' guesses. Since bringing in outside morality or ideology (or even facts from the real world) into the environment is discouraged, students evaluate the entire exercise on the cleverness of their professors' analytical gymnastics. That is how, Guinier argues, being smart becomes "a value itself, detached from what people want to accomplish with their mastery."
This cult of smart eventually expands out from students' views of professors to students' views of the judges they are reading. It is not uncommon to hear classroom comments like "I might disagree, but this argument is so clever and well-written," or "Say what you want about what he advocated for, he was a genius." This is reinforced by the physical school environment, which hangs pictures of academic faculty and 'genius' jurists — as opposed to clinicians and courageous reformers — most prominently on the walls.
And finally, this cult of smart eventually trickles down into student culture. The students who are best at the game of law school — those who might be the research assistants for the smartest professors or clerks on the Supreme Court — are often the object of peer fascination, with little regard given in the hallway chatter to their moral courage or to which legal interests they plan to serve after graduation.
This cult of smart is dangerous because it obsesses over means — one's ability to complete legal tasks efficiently and cleverly — at the expense of discussing ends — reflecting together on which legal tasks are worth our time. When we give too much acclaim to clever means and not enough to moral ends, we misallocate legal resources on a grand scale, leaving some of the most important legal projects of our era — building an economy and democracy that works for everybody, shrinking our monstrous prison system, mitigating climate disaster — underserved, while at the same time leaving perhaps the least important legal projects of our era — advancing the legal interests of the already wealthy and powerful — overserved.
Many in our profession — including some of the smartest alumni of our school — fail to see the crises in the legal system: 86% of civil legal needs of low-income Americans going unmet, an overstuffed public defense system transforming "the right to a trial" into "the right to a plea deal", corporate interest lobbyists on Capitol Hill outnumbering public interest lobbyists 34 to one, and the law of torts and contracts being perverted by mandatory arbitration and boilerplate forms. Upton Sinclair was right: it is difficult to get someone to understand something when his or her salary depends upon not understanding it. Indeed, if being intellectually free matters to you, beware of a salary that dulls your civic smarts, restricting your ability to assess which ends truly matter.
The best way to resist this temptation is to seek out role models who shunned the cult of smart and embraced the call of citizenship. Take Professor Carol Steiker for example. When Thurgood Marshall's clerks voted on superlatives for each other, she won "least likely to be rich." They were right: she traded a potential signing bonus at a corporate interest firm for time as a public defender. She went on to spend her career indefatigably devoted to abolishing the death penalty.
Or take Professor Lawrence Lessig. He could have used his star power, as some professors do, to make a killing advancing industry interests in court. Instead, he uses it to build and support civic institutions — such as Creative Commons and Rootstrikers — to fight back against industry takeovers of our culture and democracy.
Or take recent graduate Gina Clayton. After graduating from Harvard Law in 2010, she founded the Essie Justice Group to harnesses the collective power of women with incarcerated loved ones to fight mass incarceration.
There is an old Chinese proverb: to know and not to act is not to know. Steiker, Lessig and Clayton are all very smart, but that is not what makes them worthy of acclaim. What makes them inspiring is that they deeply know what matters … and they act on it. That fire in the belly — that civic intelligence — is the source of all advancements in justice in our nation's history.
Today, there are too many challenges in need of our generation's attention to waste our time on frivolous cleverness. Our nation does not need more geniuses — it needs more citizens. May your time here help prepare you to do your part to serve that need.
Pete Davis
Pete Davis
Latest posts by Pete Davis (see all)
- 12 Ways Dean Manning Can Respond to The Crisis of Legal Inequality - October 22, 2018
- A Q&A with William T. Oree, law clerk and incarcerated person at Attica Correctional Facility - April 23, 2018
- Jeff Flake's shameful record on civil legal aid for the poor - April 12, 2018