text:
Register | Gallery | FAQ | Calendar | Links | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read | Members List | Vendors | Garage | Auto Escrow | Advertise | Store |
Topic Review (Newest First) |
ChrisTX |
Some people call 911 just because they are stupid. I had a highway shut down because I was working an accident. I had one car that hit another, then they both hit a construction truck full of workers (the reason you see construction zone fines so high now). One worker flew out of the truck onto the other side of the highway and was hit and run over by a car on that side. A lady called 911 requesting a police escort through the traffic jam because she was late picking up her mother at the airport. Tons of stories like that. Some people have an inherent right to be upset with the 911 system. One guy called 911 to report that he was following a DWI (not something cops are particularly quick to jump on). The way the highways were set up, and the way the guy happened to go, the guy started in town A. He was then transferred to town B, because he was almost out of town A. Town B didn't have anyone close to the highway, and he was about to be in town C, so they transferred to town C. Town C couldn't get anyone available, so they transferred to town D. Town D had no one available, and the guy eventually headed into town E, so they transferred him to town E. Town E tried to get someone to him, but by the time they were able to get anyone actually entering the highway, the guy was going back into town B. Town B had everyone now tied up, so they kept the guy on line until they went back into town A. So let me give you a synopsis of how the transfer of this call went: Town A Town B Town C Town D Town E Town B Town A The guy was pissed, and I can understand his frustration, but I also understand why he was transferred so much, and it was absolutely necessary, and would happen again in the same situation. |
KicknJeep |
And this falls back to walk a mile in another mans shoes.... I do not expect non LEO to understand where Joe, Myself or any other LEO are coming from on our issues and I will not get bent out of shape over the public's point of view of us. Joe you work with some of the world biggest scum and hats off to ya, Me I work with the wanna Be's which in it's self trying at times. but in the end it's the same, we get the blunt end of the comments because someone with a badge does something the public deems as wrong or immoral without getting the "FULL" story. like I have said I've been in it to long to let these comments, responses get to me. I am personally done with this beaten to death post and am going outside to try to cut the weld from the CJ toys seat brackets to which the PO installed the ugliest seats and prep them for some Baja/offroad seats. |
Joe Dirt | It's a good question and you already know the answer. The problem is do you do what is right, or do what is right. By policy you send paramedics. Here's the issue. Things in the real world aren't always that cut and dry. Spend a night holding a young mother in your arms after a terrible car wreck as her child looks on and she bleeds out while you wait for the paramedics to get there. They take too long because some idiot is using paramedics for a free ride to the hospital because she's drunk, cold and transient. The next time some idiot makes a call like that you would have to be inhuman not to think about what happened to that young mother last time. These types of things happen for real in law enforcement. That is why I'm so defensive. While we disagree on some things, you seem like a good person. I honestly do believe that if you experienced the same things I have, you might start to see things in a way that is not so black and white. If not, I still respect your opinion. | |
evilray | An honest question here. because I really do not know the policy about it. Even if a person is known to make phony calls all the time, what are the rules to deal with it? | |
Joe Dirt | She could be a nut who calls in fake crap every night and wastes valuable resources. That type of stuff happens all the time. I'm not saying it isn't unfortunate, but I've seen too much to blindly condem the officer without hearing his side. I know many think I'm defending the thin blue line, I'm not. My opinion is based on a lot of experience with situations few people have to deal with. I could give you crazy stories of stuff all night that you wouldn't believe. More often the story is... crazy person calls in stuff like this and while emergency services are responding to her crap, someone else in the city who needs real help gets to wait. The point is that police make life and death decissions every day in that same way many of you make dicissions of what to buy at the store. Sometimes your wrong. Sometimes your not and sometimes you're in a catch 22. When cops screw up and get fired, unlike most jobs, you don't get a second chance at the job somewhere else very often. When cops sue to get there jobs back, over 90% are rehired when a jury hears what really happened. There is a reason for that. The whole story is important. Real oversite does not come from the press and an edited sound bite. | |
whitebuffalo | what do you think we might be missing that would make it ok to deny medical assitance to someone who needed it? theres very few excuses i can even think of..... | |
2much |
I really do respect LEO's service, but I have to be honest man, this attitude of "all civilians are ignorant and they don't understand anything like us LEO's do" is not doing anything to help the way the public percieves law enforcement. |
Joe Dirt | Im not saying police shouldn't be accountable. I'm saying the video or audio usually doesn't tell the whole story and civilians who don't understand the way things really work, often feel they do. Just because you watch cops, saw a video or love CSI doesn't make you understand the whole story from a small audio clip. There is always more to it. In the real world nothing is that simple. What do you think of the Rodney King video? Corrupt cops beating a poor innocent black man right? Try Felon with well over 3 strikes, on PCP, feels no pain, super human strength and lasts a hell of a lot longer than the 10 seconds the public saw. That is why when a jury saw the whole thing, no charges were brought against the cops....things are not always as they appear or as the media portrays them. That is the only point I'm trying to make. I'm not defending the cops, I'm saying that you should stop passing judgement based on a narrow slice of the whole picture. You would demand no less for yourself, but want the cops head on a stick without letting him have his day to defend his actions. | |
2much |
I would argue that the public has everyright to second guess the actions of police. Policmen, no matter how honest or noble, must be held accountable for their actions. I think this is simply a case of holding someone accountable for their actions. Personally, I hope the girl hires a good lawyer and takes the guy to the bank in civil court, she certainly has a winnable case, all she must prove is that he violated a duty of care, which he owed to her. I think the tape makes that pretty obvious. |
Joe Dirt | The cop doesn't get to tell his side of the story and your comment proves you don't get it. Cops give up their rights to protect yours. Officers are barred from making comments without the consent of there bosses about anything on duty. That includes off duty too, if the comment is about your employer or you say, I'm employed by.....before you make the comment. We also give up 5th Amendment rights, or risk termination. The courts also have said we have to help people off duty too. That's right...you get to run away....we don't. We know the deal when we sign up, but it's hard to get bad mouthed and not defend yourself. I know Jupiter Boy has been repressed by cops his whole life, while they deal in coruption and plant drugs and guns on poor innocent victims. Maybe he's from Chicago. I admitt places back east and in the south often hire cops with the same qualifications as trash men. In my department all my friends and I are military veterans with BA or Masters degrees and undergo a solid year of Academy and FTO training before they can do anything alone. We are PROFESSIONALS. Did you get that much training before you got hired at your job? I bet not. Being a cop is a lot like being a pro athelete. Everyone demands perfection and can do your job better than you from the comfort of their couch. | |
2much | and skeet, that link, while a tremendous abuse of the public safety system, and a stupid waste of valuable time that could have taken away from a true emergency... was fricken hilarious. | |
2much |
hey, we actually agree on that. |
jupiterboy | People get away with everything all the time, cop or not, public servant, private sector, parent, preacher, whatever. | |
ChrisTX | What you consider a "bad apple" is generally a little ole reprimand at most companies, they just don't air their dirty laundry on the 5 o'clock news so people who aren't "in the know" can demand a public hanging of those involved. | |
jupiterboy | It is past noon. | |
KicknJeep | 4Point, Jupiterboy it's all good no prob we know everybody has had a bad run in of sorts with LEO and may have a gripe or two. But we are here as a Jeep brotherhood (and sisterhood for the ladies) . So how bout that Beer? | |
4point | For all you LEO's here. I really don't think this is a Blanket Bashing of cops. We are just discussing this one incident. With present technologies this type of behavior is easier to spot than just a few short years ago. The press and private citizens have access to it and I think its a good thing. There really are a very few bad law enforcement officers out there and they need to be removed from the system. There is no room for that type of individual in law enforcement. You guys have a tough job and the bad apples are making it harder for you. In the Fresno area in the last couple of months there have been a couple of incidents that have removed several officers from duty. | |
jupiterboy | See, the deer should not be penalized and denied medical attention because the caller is an inbred half-wit. | |
skeeter |
Why? it's a free country. The tapes are a matter of public record. The trial will be a matter of public record. The arrest report may be a matter of public record(not sure on this since she's a minor) If there's a back story, if there's is any possible, reasonable excuse for the officers behavior, it would be in both his and his communities best interest to tell that story, otherwise the community that employs him will lose faith in their police department and he will always be seen as an inconsiderate piece of crap. Quote:
I deal with cops on a disturbingly regular basis in my profession, I've run into enough ego tripping ass wipes behind badges to fill a thread, and certainly enough to leave me with a bad impression of the profession as a whole... if it weren't for the fact that the vast majority of the cops I've had to deal with were courteous and professional in doing their jobs. There are bad cops and it shouldn't offend other cops when one is pointed out, it doesn't mean you are a bad cop and it doesn't mean all cops are bad, only a moron would condemn an entire community based on the actions of one individual and I don't see where anyone in this thread has done so. Now this is how a professional deals with foul language on a 911 call.(NSFW, foul language) Deer and an Ambulance 911 call Audio Clip |
ChrisTX | Don't forget the FBI's 'one free kick' rule. | |
KicknJeep | Oh I post numerous pro-cop post as well as negative ones but in a secured forum. And my post were specifically for the nay Sayers (welcome to go back and read it if ya want). Thing is most people only see LEO under two circumstances (1) when they break the law (2) when they need some sort of help or for reporting. Like I have said I know there are bad apples in the profession no doubt there...But there are far more good ones. Just to let everybody know that probably 99% of police officers know that they are the unloved and most like myself have accepted it. But when you make a traffic stop and arrest a kidnapper who was on their way out of town and return the child, Or when you go on a well fair check of a 80 something y/o man and find him on the floor and have the EMT's respond in time to save the mans life. And the list goes on it's then you realize the hateful things said about you don't matter for $h!t.. I'm cool your cool now lets get beer already. | |
jupiterboy | Read the post. Their are probably more pro-cop comments than con. Even my stories are clear that I'm talking about a minority. How many posts have you made highlighting cops performing feats of wonder? Society is set up so that we defer to anyone in a uniform—doctor, priest, judge, cop, soldier. The fact that stories where the trust is broken make the news should not be a surprise. | |
KicknJeep |
This is one reason street officers should not dispatch at all... the officers actions if it went in any way like the story was way out of line ,And the 17 y/o with no regard for authority should not have been cursing the officer ect.... I say both were at fault and a suspension and retraining was a good call for the chief. And just a quick question for the nay Sayers, Why is it when a story like this comes out all we hear is "OH I knew a cop who Bla, Bla, Bla on the wrong sideof the law"?. Why is everybody so quick to attack LEO's? why not Oh I knew a cop who did something good story?. Not bitching because I've been cursed so many times I don't even hear them anymore. And believe it or not, Here it goes "NOT ALL COPS ARE BIG BAD EGO TOTING AUTHORITY ABUSING CRIME COMMITTING ASSHOLES" some do their jobs because it is what they want to do. So in closing my soap box allotted time I'll say bash away at the Po-PO but we'll see you when you have an emergency and we are once again called to duty..... Peace out. |
jupiterboy |
If you read my previous post in this thread, you would notice I mention throw-down weapons. Each cop I spoke with defended this practice. Their back story was that they knew the bad guys and if they happened to shoot and kill one they thought was armed who wasn't this allowed them to protect the good guys from prosecution. Although I am empathic to their feelings I strongly disagree with their stance, because it is a fundamental breaking of the law to avoid a risk that is part of the job. |
Joe Dirt | I'm not defending being unprofessional. I'm saying there is usually a back story you don't know about. Just because you and I don't know the caller and therefore give her the benifit of the doubt, doesn't mean she deserves it. I know a lady that calls 911 a few times a week saying she's being beaten up. New dispatchers believe her and send help immediately. Veteran dispatchers know she calls in BS all the time, waisting valuable time and making real victims wait longer. If she really was being beaten, she wouldn't get much of a response because she is like the boy who cried wolf. All I'm saying is the public (that's you) doesn't usually get the whole story and the tape doesn't tell the back story. The cop will NEVER get to tell his side. | |
4point | Now to me thats funny! Not very professional, but funny. | |
ChrisTX |
It's all about judgment. I have worked a couple of shifts on the phone before, and I guess considering the number of breaks I've given, the cumulative total would probably add up to a lot of shifts worth of being behind the phone answering 911 calls. Some people cuss, and you have to use your judgment. I always told people that I needed them to speak clearly and concisely, and cussing at me was not going to help me get anyone there any faster (when I was relieving for breaks, it was oftentimes me that was going to respond). If I responded to the call I answered, I would have a chat with said individual about their language. You just don't want to turn anything into an argument over the phone when there is a potential problem going on. In other words, don't create any more problems than there already are. If a dispatcher took flak from someone on the phone, they simply sent a message over the MDC, or made a quick phone call to one of us, and we got our point across to the caller when we arrived. A friend of mine, who is a dispatcher, had a lady call once about her "out of control" daughter. He asked her if she wanted officers to come over and shoot her. The lady didn't think it was funny. It made for good headlines though. |
2much |
Police are payed by tax dollars, their purpose is to serve and protect, while agreed police dont have to be nice to everyone they encounter (although through my experience %95 of the time they are), they must be professional. we probably aren't going to see eye to eye on this, but I would think most people would agree the officers actions were certainly un professional, if not unethical as well. |
whitebuffalo | service industry and public service are two different things. i'll agree everybody you arrest probably hates you, but the nature of police work is to serve/protect the public. if you cant set your ego aside to call someone an ambulance, theres a problem | |
Joe Dirt |
In police work there is always a back story the public doesn't know about. Here's an example. I took a ride-along. I stop a black guy, tell him to put his hands on his head, search him, find dope and arrest him. My ride-along says, you can't do that. It violated his rights and that's racism too. At first appearance it looks like he's right. The difference is that I work those streets everyday and he doesn't. What I knew that he didn't is that it was a high drug area, the guy was a drug dealer on parole and as such has no 4th ammendment rights against search and seizure. I know who the bad guys are...he didn't. It's common for people to think they know the situation when they really don't. 95% of the people are good citizens, but the police only deal with the 5% who are idiots. After a while you get to know the idiots and how they behave. We'll never get the whole story. Just a little more. Law enforcement is NOT a service industry. By the very nature of the job 50% of your "customers" will be dissatisfied 100% of the time because cops have to choose sides. Who is right or wrong, who is the suspect or victim, who is lying, who is attempting skirt the system, who's a false witness. It looks a heck of a lot easier on TV. A good cop will make people angry and catch crooks. A bad cop makes everyone happy and like him, but the crooks get away. Which cop do you want when someone just tried to rape and kill you wife or mom. I'll take the cranky getto cop who curses, yells, fights and catches the bad guys. You can have the one who writes a report about how the bad guy got away, smiles a lot and is friendly to you. |
This thread has more than 30 replies. Click here to review the whole thread. |


text:
On 25 September, Sajjad Karim, MEP, hosted a high level roundtable, organised by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) in partnership with ecoDa (the European Confederation of Directors' Associations), to discuss the various proposals linked to audit quality and transparency as well as those targeting independence and market structure. It brought together more than 190 participants.
The main conclusions indicate there is a general consensus that any reform needs to improve transparency and audit quality. It must help resolve the gap that exists between what auditors are asked to do and what stakeholders and citizens generally understand under 'audit process'. There are however diverging perspectives on the appropriate tools on how to make auditing more effective and relevant in the 21st Century, especially in the area of auditor independence and market structure.
The first panel on transparency and quality, moderated by Sue Almond, Technical Director, ACCA, was comprised of Liz Murrall, Member of the European Fund and Assets Management Association (EFAMA); Jella Benner-Heinacher, President of Euroshareholders; Dan Montgomery, Task Force Chair of the auditor reporting project, International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board - IAASB; Laurent Degabriel, Head of investment and reporting unit, European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA); and Hilde Blomme, Deputy CEO of the Federation des Experts-comptables Europeens (FEE).
The second panel on independence and market structure, moderated by Brendan Murtagh, IAASB board member, included Sebastian Valentin Bodu, MEP, shadow rapporteur for the EPP on audit; Kristian Koktvedgaard, Businesseurope; Jos van Huut, President of European Group of International Accounting Networks and associations (EGIAN); Robert Peirce, PwC Partner – Belgium; and Per Lekvall, member of the European Confederation of Directors' Associations (ecoDa). The European Commission was represented by Nathalie Berger, head of the audit unit, DG MARKT.
Main highlights
The European Commission believes that promoting independence and healthy competition, and ensuring the enforcement of legislation supervising the audit sector is key to restoring trust in this service, which plays a pivotal role in business by promoting the causes of transparency, accountability and sound financial management. The EU executive believes that confidence of stakeholders in the audits of financial statements is an essential ingredient for growth and competitiveness. With this in mind, and in order to clarify and reinforce the role of audit, the EU executive published its legislative package on 30 November 2011, which comprises a new Regulation containing specific requirements for the audit of Public Interest Entities (PIEs) and a Directive to amend the current statutory audit Directive. The co-legislators - the European Parliament and the Council - are currently preparing their respective positions on the package.
Sajjad Karim, MEP
- Is the rapporteur in the European Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) on two related draft reports on Statutory audits of annual accounts and consolidated accounts and Statutory audit of public-interest entities: specific requirements.
- He welcomed attendees to the standing-room-only event and introduced the debate with some thoughts following on from the presentation of his draft reports in the JURI Committee. He said that the issue of auditing is entering a critically interesting phase, so the timing of these reports and this event is very apt.
- His report follows a clear philosophy: audit quality, transparency and independence should be the foremost considerations when designing an audit regulatory regime. After the 2008 financial crisis the finance sector needs to win back the confidence of investors, who are looking for higher quality auditing, improved value of statutory audits, and more competition in the market.
- By combining greater information and availability of insight into the audit market with a reinforced opportunity to engage, he expects to see a much stronger attitude of involvement from shareholders and investors when it comes to a company's auditor engagement, as they find themselves much better placed to critically assess and comment on what they want to see from their auditors.
- MEP Karim proposes to keep the principle of mandatory rotation to avoid familiarity between the auditor and the audited company, but prefers an engagement limit of 25 years instead of the 6 proposed by the Commission, in order to avoid disruption and high costs. For the rappporteur, mandatory rotation is a backstop, and shareholders should become much more involved in the process through the work of each company's audit committee, namely through an annual review and the appointment by shareholders of the statutory auditor.
- MEP Karim also considers that robust international standards and international convergence make sense as many of the companies classified as PIEs operate beyond the borders of the EU. On the controversial non-audit services area, looking beyond the 'blacklist' of services, the involvement of the audit committee in the approval of all other non-audit services is essential. MEP Karim also shares shadow rapporteur MEP Bodu's willingness to open up competition in the area of non-audit services to allow smaller firms to gain a foothold in the upper tiers of the market.
- He recalled that we must remain conscious of the huge variety of domestic companies throughout the EU and the national markets in which they operate, a 'one-size fits all' solution throughout could thus end up representing a 'bad fit for all'.
Panel 1 on transparency and quality
The moderator, Sue Almond, ACCA Technical Director, reminded the audience that it was critical to consider if the Commission proposals on auditing are hitting the required needs. Although there remain, understandably, areas of difference, it is interesting to see a number of areas of consensus - for example, in the critical role of the audit committee in auditor appointment and independence, and in the need for more informative and transparent auditor reporting.
Liz Murrall, member of the European Fund and Assets Management Association (EFAMA), was providing the investors' perspective on auditing:
- Her main concerns are twofold: the impact on audit quality and independence of the long term office is held, the limited number of players and non-audit services, and also the level of accountability and transparency.
- On the impact on audit quality and independence, investors are still concerned at the potential impact the long term auditors hold office with one client. However, the EU proposal for rotation after 6 years is too frequent and could be disruptive. Investors' preference would be for a transparent 10 year tender or an explanation as to why the tender should be extended. Some consider there should be an outer limit, with a maximum of 15 to 20 years. EFAMA does not believe in joint audit. During the Q&As she reiterated that she was not in favour of mandatory rotation, due to its impact on quality. She was echoed by Euroshareholders, who prefer regular tendering.
- Non-audit services (NAS) can compromise independence and objectivity: NAS should be banned when there is conflict, and where not they should be subject to audit committee approval or limited to 50 per cent of the audit fees.
- On transparency and scope, investors consider there is a lack of transparency of the audit process and findings. Investors feel excluded from the process and want a more enlightened audit report, describing the current audit report as binary, pass/fail, and boilerplate. Some reports are published months later. This is too little, too late. An improved report should describe more about the audit process and real findings. Either the Audit Committee or the auditor must give more info on accounting judgements and valuations. Accounts are the responsibility of the company and the board. Audit committees are required to do a report and should look at the enhanced disclosure guidelines. We need more on the accounting judgements and their debates with the auditors – and then for auditors to report on the AC statement. Auditors should report more on their work.
- She called on the views of the investment community to be considered, to alleviate their fear of reducing rather than improving audit quality in the future.
Jella Benner-Heinacher, President of Euroshareholders, the organisation of European shareholders associations:
- Shareholders have high expectations for the improvement of auditing services namely on a clear statement on company status, reliable book-keeping and an expression of a true and fair value of the company. The reality was somewhat different, the fair value assessment is forward-looking, but rest is backwards-looking, and essentially written for directors not shareholders. On audit quality, shareholders would greatly appreciate an understandable explanation, in order to deal with the key risks, judgements and major topics that might come up.
- More independence is needed, improvements could include clear limits on NAS, with a blacklist of services (based on the German model) that would be based on harmonised rules applicable to all EU Member States. A limit on fees (50 per cent) and regular tenders/beauty contests could be put in place every 5-7 years. Twenty-five years audit tenure is a 'dinosaur', a maximum length of mandate of 15 years would be better.
- Auditors should give a judgement on the underlying financial assumptions used by the company. A written declaration of independence could be signed before an auditor is introduced.
- Shareholders also support giving more power and expertise to the Audit Committee, with the possibility of an own budget for the Audit Committee, the prior approval of NAS and involvement in the selection procedure (on the tender, the number of candidates and explanations of the selection).
- She indicated during the Q&As the joint audit system is not currently available in Germany, but she was not aware of any extra value (except that it is definitely more expensive).
Dan Montgomery, Taskforce Chair of the auditor reporting project, International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB):
- Auditor reporting is of high interest globally, there are many initiatives in the wake of the global financial crisis, including the EC proposed regulation. We can observe common themes in the calls for change, but diverse views on how best to address.
- IAASB endeavours to put together a high quality framework, with extensive discussion and debate among stakeholders. Influences on high quality include values of auditors, training, experience, engagement, exploration of auditors' reports, reporting of management and reports by audit regulators. The contextual factors are to be considered, but the discussion documents are expected to be approved by the end of 2012 or start of 2013.
- For IAASB, the auditor reporting project is the number one priority. It has issued an Invitation to Comment (ITC), unanimously approved, which sets out the IAASB's indicative direction and rationale, and describes the IAASB's perspectives on value and impediments
- There are currently two key areas of change:
o Auditor commentary, which would take the form of a new section aimed at improving informational value of the auditor's report and highlight matters that are, in the auditor's judgment, likely to be most important to users' understanding of the audited financial statements or the audit. It would provide a 'roadmap' to help users better navigate complex financial reports, additional context to the matters highlighted and information about key judgments made by the auditor to provide more transparency regarding how the audit was conducted. This call is coming through louder in the EU than in other parts of the world.
o On the going concern assumption, he said there are mixed views on the values of statements. Consistent with ISA 570, the ITC suggests a requirement for all auditor's reports to include a conclusion about appropriateness of management's use of going concern (GC) assumption and a statement about whether material uncertainties relating to GC have been identified. Clarification of guidance on GC is likely to be necessary, as we need a common understanding of terms such as 'material uncertainty', 'significant doubt', and 'foreseeable future', and also to better comprehend the relationship (or distinction) between 'use of GC assumption' and 'ability to continue as a GC'. Suggested improvements included a new section on inconsistencies, an explicit statement of compliance and a robust description of auditors' responsibilities. These are the building blocks to allow flexibility. More information is also needed on internal controls and fraud
- Coordination with IASB is highly desirable, certain clarifications are to be discussed by IFRIC in November 2012.
Laurent Degabriel, head of investment and reporting unit, European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA):
- Greater transparency from auditors and audit firms themselves is necessary, especially for investors. Auditors need to be able to explain their judgement.
- The independence of the oversight system is key. By issuing guidelines on topics such as best practices, ESMA could play a significant role in promoting a more convergent and integrated supervision of auditors in the EU and in fostering coordination with third countries.
- ESMA stands ready to fulfil the role that European legislative bodies will define for it on audit related matters.
Hilde Blomme, Deputy CEO of the Federation of European Accountants (FEE):
- FEE welcomes MEP Karim's report, as it is more balanced than the initial Commission proposals, which were too prescriptive in areas such as how to achieve increased independence and auditor's reporting.
- Other areas however need to be considered further, such as the question of the PIE definition, which is of utmost importance.
- The role of professional bodies is close to the heart of FEE and has an impact on the whole of the accounting profession. It is essential that professional bodies continue to be involved in the activities of the profession under the supervision and oversight of Member States' competent authorities, which are best placed and sufficiently competent to judge about the level of delegation to professional bodies. There are three main pillars underpinning the continued development of the profession, enhance quality within the profession (with quality control reviews) and instilling values, integrity, independence, balance and discipline. These are especially important for smaller practitioners.
- In practical terms, it is recommended that for delegation to professional bodies under the oversight and supervision of the competent authority:
o Approval and registration of auditors includes the whole process of education, initial qualification and continued professional development as well as the organisation of the public register, to underpin the continued development of the profession.
o Quality assurance reviews for non-public interest entities is reinstated, to enhance quality and instil discipline in members.
- The robust international standard in the areas of auditing, internal quality control, ethics and independence are recommended to be adopted at European level, whereby professional bodies can play a role to provide additional guidance suited for national needs and in the national language. In this respect, the IAASB initiative to enhance the transparency of the auditor's report is applauded.
- If FEE was to make amendments to the Commission proposals, it would come up with something close to the Karim reports, which should be recommended for adoption at EU level, as this was the way forward for auditing, but FEE does not express views on reshaping the structure of the audit market.
Panel 2 on independence and market structure
The session was moderated by Brendan Murtagh, IAASB board member, who reminded the audience Commissioner Barnier has said himself the confidence of stakeholders in the audit market is key for growth and competitiveness. Independence is a key element of building that trust, as well as the quality of audits and financials statements.
Sebastian Valentin Bodu, MEP, Shadow rapporteur for the EPP
- There seems to be a consensus the role of audit committees should be strengthened, namely in making them responsible for approving NAS, performed by the same firm that provides audit services. In the Commission revision, there are related, audit and non-audit services (the latter being divided into conflicts of interest and 'may entail' conflicts of interest). It should be up to the audit committee to decide whether another firm should perform the task.
- External rotation is a sensitive issue, his position is the same as in the previous green paper, i.e. it is not needed, preferring instead strengthened internal rotation. None of these procedures are perfect, but at this moment, internal rotation can ensure the desired level of independence.
- Splitting the firms into purely audit and non-audit would have more negative implications than positive ones. Having discussed the quasi-monopoly problem in Spain, Germany and the UK, he felt that splitting audit firms into two in these countries would not help competition amongst the audit firms as it would lead to big audit and non-audit firms.
- He intends to table an amendment to put a double cap (a percentage figure calculated on the revenues from the previous financial year) on the turnover from non-audit services provided by the Big Four to public interest entities (PIEs), allowing room for smaller firms to grow and allow them to create a brand name and grow naturally into the audit arena. The proposed figures for this cap are yet to be decided. He knows this is an indirect way of enhancing competition and to increase more penetration of smaller audit firms in the market, but he could not find a solution to concentration in a direct way so far. A firm does not need a good team, a large team, or a network, but just a good idea to do this kind of work. He expects smaller firms would grow into auditing services if they develop in these other ways.
- Joint audit is not a solution, it would increase costs, which are not welcome at this time.
Kristian Koktvedgaard, BUSINESSEUROPE, explained that BUSINESSEUROPE's starting point on this issue is ensuring efforts to allow access to high quality audits, thus welcoming institutional efforts but warning that they should not pose a threat to quality.
- Most of the measures related to PIEs should be in line with international standards and codes of ethics on auditing.
- BUSINESSEUROPE agrees the rules on provision of non-audit services need to be harmonised in Europe but we should base the legislation on the Code of Ethics. BUSINESSEUROPE does not believe in the 10 per cent cap, it is in favour of an increased role of the audit committee (but not for the extra requirement of requiring someone with the competence in audit on top of the individual with knowledge in accounting and/or auditing due to the fact that the audit committee should have broad coverage, shouldn't be too large, and in some member states, members of the audit committee have to be members of the supervisory board / those charged with governance), which should be able to choose and set up policies and services. Businesseurope would not support the cap on turnover suggested by MEP Bodu. The key interests for businesses are: access to high quality audits, general knowledge, general access, and sector specific knowledge across the world. Once a firm has invested in these things, it should be able to use them for non-audit services to non-audit clients. There needs to be a market for that knowledge.
- BUSINESSEUROPE is against both mandatory rotation (as rotation doesn't create more choice, but increase costs and decrease audit quality), preferring internal partners' rotation and tendering monitored by the audit committee on a comply or explain basis. Higher concentration has been seen in Italy as a result of this practice. Tendering takes a lot of effort and resources, it would be better to have the Audit Committee explaining why it suggests to maintain the auditor without tendering after 10 years.
- On market conditions, BUSINESSEUROPE supports some of the initiatives, such as the prohibition of contractual clauses ('Big 4 clauses'), increased transparency and lifting restrictions on ownership.
- Businesses are not against voluntary joint audits, but by no means mandatory ones. BUSINESSEUROPE warns against increasing costs to areas that are not significant to the audit user, as it draws resources away from the key focus points.
- On sanctions when businesses read that they can get a 10 per cent global turnover administrative sanction for selecting audit committees that are not up to the task, this is confusing, as the mistakes are the shareholders'. The sanctions seems disproportional and should be under the competence of the Member States and aligned with other similar issues in that member state. On costs, facing a bill of €90,000-€170,000 from audit companies does not lend to one feeling they are getting more quality for that money.
Jos van Huut, President of European Group of International Accounting Networks and associations (EGIAN):
- EGIAN has taken the position that fundamental reform of the auditing profession and audit market is necessary, but this cannot be achieved by the profession on its own. Legislative and regulatory intervention is needed, as well as the involvement of a range of stakeholders especially the shareholders to whom we report.
- EGIAN therefore welcomed the Commission initiative. Two elements are of particular importance as we look at how to move forward, namely trust and relevance.
- Perceptions are a part of reality, and so this must be considered, especially as regards independence. EGIAN feels that MEP Karim's amendments do not lead the debate in the right direction. Measures should not be seen individually, but together. For example, the delivery of non-audit services could be less restricted if combined with joint audit. For EGIAN the legislation should include:
o Co-audit, two auditors working together in a balanced fashion, especially at the top end of the listed market. Joint audit, for example, would enhance audit quality with all major issues on an audit subject to review by both auditors, particularly beneficial on complex audits requiring high levels of judgement.
o Regular and fair tendering at intervals not exceeding, say, 8 years, with tenders to involve a range of firms, not just dominant players.
o A cap of 15 years for the audit tenure.
o So-called 'pure audit firm' model needs to stay. Mis-named as Big 4, it just needs to stay within the limits set down in the proposed regulation, i.e. not too high a share of their audit income from large PIEs, in order to remain multi-service firms. It is important that firms do not see audit as a commodity
- EGIAN encourages the adoption of ISAs, and in principle their proportional application to SMEs, which have a critical role to play in growth and job creation in Europe. We need to look at in integrated fashion alongside the discussion on audit exemption for SMEs and accounting standards for them. One size does not fit all.
Robert Peirce, PwC Partner–Belgium.
- Auditors have been blamed for not doing their work in the financial crisis, but the question was not about independence or mandatory rotation at the time. Many people think asking auditors to extend their work to other fields is not realistic because there are no existing standards to go by, but then why not set those up instead of drafting limiting regulations?
- Any kind of joint audit or mandatory rotation will not work (3-4 companies could address different fields on the same audit, but they would not need to work on the same elements), we should instead focus on enhanced communication and cooperation. Quality is a matter of skills and competencies and not of independence per se.
- The financial crises have shifted the way the world views the capital market systems, highlighted significant shortcomings in the corporate reporting and criticised the relevance of today's financial statements.
- PwC carried out a survey among investors which finds that investors would value more engagement and communication with the auditors, that there is an appetite for more timely assurance and that assurance is sought on metrics and narrative that currently fall outside the audit's scope, such as on geographical variations, industry-specific metrics and directors' remuneration reports.
- Investors, with the exception of emerging countries, are nonetheless still showing little appetite for extended assurance unless it is value relevant, while other stakeholders are looking at the auditors to take responsibility over the missing information.
- Auditors should however not be the original source of factual data as there may be liability or confidentiality implications to disclosures and auditors could end up competing with management information. There is an urgent need for a holistic reform of corporate reporting with investment and new standards, the accounting profession has to act in the public interest and provide financial stability. It will have to move from compliance to a more valuable business assurance, build new standards in an open and transparent way, and play a more active education role.
- Some changes can be made in the short term, eg. in Belgium, audit firms are working with regulators to comply with the MiFID directive, but radical reforms need to be framed into a new corporate model and combined with a greater two way dialogue with supervisors on macro-economic issues and a bigger role for audit committees.
Per Lekvall, member of the European Confederation of Directors' Associations (ecoDa):
- ecoDa welcomes the JURI committee's review of the Commission's proposed audit reform, which demonstrates a significantly better insight into and a more realistic understanding of the complex issues of auditing of major business corporations than the Commission's proposal. ecoDa is particularly satisfied to see proposed amendments of several of the most problematic and cost-driving proposals, such as the removal of the proposed cap of 10 per cent, the extension of the timescale for rotation from 6 to 25 years (ecoDa, however, asked whether encouraging the review of auditors would be better than having time defined rotation), the new lists of permitted and prohibited non-audit services.
- However, ecoDa is disappointed about the Committee's draft report on two main accounts:
o The uncritical acceptance of an EU Regulation, which would impose a 'one-size-fits-all' regulatory regime at a very detailed level which will cause considerable difficulties when being forced upon the very diverse corporate governance systems across the 27 member states. Instead many of the issues addressed could be more effectively dealt with through national corporate governance codes, based on the comply-or-explain principle, whereas those where mandatory regulation is deemed necessary should be regulated through an EU Directive.
o The widely expanded role of the audit committee in the Commission proposal, only marginally challenged by the JURI committee. Audit committees play a vital role in many companies, not least to mitigate the integrity problem of mixed boards towards the company management in one-tier governance structures. However, in other jurisdictions, particularly in those with entirely or predominantly non-executive boards, the rationale of the audit committee is of a more practical nature. For example, the Nordic member states where the audit committee is a subcommittee within the board that can only deal with matters within the board's scope of responsibilities and for the actions of whom the board as a whole is accountable. In these jurisdictions, the auditor is appointed by the shareholders at the AGM with the express duty to review the work of not only the CEO but also of the board. The extensive duties assigned the audit committee in the proposed regulation, referring to the audit committee as a more or less separate governance body with duties inter alia to oversee the audit, to appoint and dismiss the auditor and to supervise the audit report, is hence not consistent with current legal and/or code-based regulation in the Nordic area. Similar implementation difficulties might arise in other parts of the EU as well.
o It would be most timely if the ECON committee would include some in-depth considerations of these two issues in its review of the Commission proposal.
Nathalie Berger, Head of the Audit unit at the European Commission indicated that:
- The European Commission very much appreciates MEP Karim's efforts to bring the audit reform forward. He rightly highlighted that the status quo is not an option. From today's debate, we all seem to agree on the objectives of clarifying the role of auditors and strengthening auditors' independence. Auditors play a societal role. Improved audit quality will enhance the single market, it will be key to strengthen auditors' confidence in order to ultimately enhance financial stability.
- There may still be some opposition, especially on independence and market structure. Some critics have remained consistent, but there had been some interesting options suggested in the session.
- Merely using corporate governance codes and the comply and explain system is not appropriate for improving the legislative framework in the EU. The Commission welcomes the wish to strengthen audit committees, considering it essential that they have the necessary competence to fulfil their task appropriately. It is also important to improve the auditors' reporting to the public, to serve its purpose.
- Rotation is seen as a cornerstone of the audit proposals by the EU Executive, an essential ingredient of enhanced audit quality and independence. It is important to have a maximum duration of audit engagement and the Commission welcomes the rapporteur keeping it within the report, but looks with concern at the proposed backstop of 25 years. To reinforce independence and avoid familiarity, it is not sufficient that audit committees assess the threats irregularly, and a much shorter term should be considered. The Commission does not support either the concept of 'voluntary rotation'.
- On the provision of NAS, the Commission understands that services required under national law should be permitted, but the provision of consultancy and tax services pose a threat to independence (inherent self-review or risk of being in a position where the auditor would need to defend the audited entity's view on certain issues).
- The Commission also regrets that the draft EP report does not consider that certain firms above a certain size would only be allowed to provide audit services.
- Joint audit should be incentivised and appear as an option as it raises audit quality. Four eyes see better than two.
- The Commission does not blame the audit sector for having caused the financial crisis, but society as a whole will benefit from the stronger role auditors could play in the prevention of future crises.
The Legal Affairs Committee will now consider the input from other committees and amendments from other MEPs. The deadline for these has been deferred until 7 November.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
About Us
Our Supporters
Contact Us
Subscribe Now!
Firm and Provider News
Sills Cummis Attorney Inducted Into Litigation Counsel Of America
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
On October 25, 2012, Hervé Gouraige, a member of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., was formally inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America at the LCA's 2012 Fall Conference & Induction of Fellows, held in Palm Beach, Florida.
Jones Day Tops BTI Client Service A-Team For 2013
Monday, December 10, 2012
For the eighth time in the 12 years of the survey, Jones Day topped BTI Consulting Group's 2013 "Client Service A-Team" ranking, which identifies the top law firms for client service through a national survey of corporate counsel. For all 12 years of the survey, the firm has won a place among BTI's "Client Service 30," the...
2013 U.S. News And World Report Survey Names King & Spalding One Of Best U.S. Law Firms
Friday, December 7, 2012
Akin Gump Hosts Media Briefing On U.S. And Global Energy Situation
Friday, December 7, 2012
On December 6, members of Akin Gump's global energy industry team hosted a briefing for members of the media that included a forward-looking discussion of energy matters in the United States and globally.
Stradley Ronon Attorney Appointed To Two Boards
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Stradley Ronon attorney Edith Penn has been appointed as counsel to the board of the Milton Hershey School Alumni Association and as a board member of YESPhilly. The Milton Hershey School Alumni Association is committed to the well-being of the Milton Hershey School, its students and alumni. YESPhilly is a nonprofit organization established to...
New Proskauer Blog Helps Employers Guard Against Global Whistleblowing Risks
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Proskauer's Whistleblowing & Retaliation Group has launched a new blog, Whistleblower Defense, aimed at keeping companies ahead of the whistleblowing and compliance curve.
Gibbons Director David Freeman Reelected President Of The New York City Brownfield Partnership
Monday, December 3, 2012
David J. Freeman, a director in the Real Property & Environmental Department of Gibbons P.C., has been unanimously reelected to a second term as president of the New York City Brownfield Partnership, a public/private nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields in New York City.
14 Wiley Rein Practices Recognized In "Best Law Firms" Rankings
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Proskauer Announces New Partners And Senior Counsel
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
November 1, 2012 – Proskauer has announced the promotion of six lawyers, three to partner and three to senior counsel, across the firm's practices and offices.
Stradley Ronon Attorneys Discuss Diversity At Drexel University LGBT Event
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Stradley Ronon attorneys Brian P. Seaman and John Vassalotti spoke to Drexel OUTLaw, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Group at the Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University on October 10. They discussed the unique issues faced by LGBT lawyers in interviews and during summer clerkships.
Danielle Banks Named To 2012 Most Powerful And Influential Women Of Pennsylvania
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Stradley Ronon partner Danielle Banks was recognized by the National Diversity Council as one of the "2012 Most Powerful and Influential Women of Pennsylvania" at the 3rd Annual Philadelphia Diversity and Leadership Conference on October 18. The award honors women in the Philadelphia community who have displayed excellence in...
Thompson & Knight Again Named "Law Firm of the Year" In Oil & Gas Law
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Weil Expands Finance Practice In Paris With Olivier Jauffret And James Clarke
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has announced that top-ranked finance lawyers Olivier Jauffret and James Clarke have agreed to join its Paris office to further strengthen one of the best-leveraged finance practices serving the French marketplace. The addition of these two outstanding lawyers complements Weil's internationally recognized European...
Harvey Kaplan Honored For Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Shook, Hardy & Bacon partner Harvey Kaplan has been honored as one of the nation's top defense attorneys in the 2012 edition of Lawdragon: The 500 Leading Lawyers in America, which recognizes his unique "expertise in bet-the-company litigation."
King & Spalding Welcomes Lateral Hires, Elects New Partners
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
King & Spalding has recruited Merrick White, one of the most well-regarded oil and gas lawyers in Asia, as a partner in its energy practice, resident in the firm's Singapore office. Mr. White has spent the last 16 years in Singapore and Indonesia handling a wide range of legal, commercial, business development and engineering matters in the...
Former FERC Commissioner Among Group Joining Akin Gump's Energy Regulatory Practice
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
November 1, 2012 – Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP has announced that Suedeen G. Kelly, a former commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and George D. "Chip" Cannon Jr. have joined the firm's energy regulatory practice in Washington, DC, as co-chair and partner, respectively. Ms. Kelly...
Jones Day Mourns The Loss Of Judge Robert M. Duncan
Monday, November 12, 2012
November 2012 - Jones Day has reported the passing of retired partner Judge Robert M. Duncan, 85, on November 2. Judge Duncan grew up in segregated 1940s Urbana, Ohio, and became the first person in his family to graduate from college. He attended The Ohio State University, where he was elected class president and went on to graduate from the...
Sheppard Mullin Adds Partners in San Francisco, Chicago
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Laura L. Chapman has joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a partner in the firm's Intellectual Property practice group, based in the firm's San Francisco office. Chapman joins from Foley & Lardner. "Laura has a broad IP litigation practice, which is an excellent fit for us given the breadth and...
Norris McLaughlin & Marcus Wins Preliminary Injunction In Trademark Case For COINTREAU
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
New York Law Journal Readers Rank Marks Paneth & Shron LLP Top Forensic Accounting Service Provider For Third Year
Friday, October 19, 2012
Pro Bono Partnership Raises $1.5 Million To Support Nonprofit Organizations
Friday, October 19, 2012
Thompson & Knight Opens LA Office
Friday, October 19, 2012
On October 1, Thompson & Knight LLP opened a new office in Los Angeles, California. The firm has landed noted litigator Bruce J. Zabarauskas, who joins Thompson & Knight partner Shelly A. Youree to launch operations. The new office is located in Century City at 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 950, Los Angeles, California 90067.
Fruqan Mouzon Installed As 50th President Of The Garden State Bar Association
Thursday, October 18, 2012
October 17, 2012 - Fruqan Mouzon, a director in the Business and Commercial Litigation Department of Gibbons P.C., was installed as the 50th president of the Garden State Bar Association, the African-American Bar Association of New Jersey, on Wednesday, October 10, 2012. The installation and reception took place at the Law Center in New...
Jones Day Launches IP Agency In China
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
October 2012 – Jones Day has announced the establishment of the Jones Day Intellectual Property Agency (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (the "IP Agency"), a fully licensed domestic intellectual property agency in China. The IP Agency has been formed to meet growing demand for intellectual property consulting services, including trademark and...
King & Spalding Welcomes New Attorneys in Washington, Silicon Valley
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
October 15, 2012 – Joseph A. Laroski, Jr., a former associate general counsel in the Office of the United States Trade Representative, has joined King & Spalding as a counsel in the firm's international trade practice in Washington, DC. Mr. Laroski represented the United States in dispute settlement proceedings before the WTO and in...
« first
‹ previous
next ›
last »


text:
A compromise proposal from Mexican growers to raise the floor price of tomatoes exported to the U.S. is being heralded by some as the best thing for bilateral trade and a positive outcome for consumers and domestic growers.
Representatives for Mexican growers met with Commerce Department officials Oct. 18 and proposed boosting the floor price of imported Mexican tomatoes 18%-25%, depending on tomato variety. They also propose to include all Mexican growers in the 16-year-old trade agreement, which currently covers about 85% of them.
Martin Ley, vice president of Nogales, Ariz.-based Del Campo Supreme Inc., was among the delegation meeting with U.S. officials. He told the New York Times after the meeting that the proposal would prevent prices from "hitting the floor."
BrownReggie Brown, executive director of the Florida Tomato Exchange, said Oct. 19 that he didn't know anything first-hand about the proposal, although he'd seen media reports. However, he said Florida growers believe the trade agreement was fundamentally flawed from the beginning.
"It's basically a license to dump," Brown said. "It's not about free trade, it's about managed trade and it is managed in favor of the Mexican growers.
"We have no intention of engaging in a negotiative process in the press. We want to restore fair competition in the tomato trade."
Currently the floor price for Mexican tomatoes coming to the U.S. is about 21 cents per pound from Oct. 23 through June 30 each year. Summer tomatoes from Mexico have a floor price of about 17 cents per pound from July 1 through Oct. 22.
The proposal from the Mexican growers would hike the floor price to more than 25 cents per pound for field tomatoes and 27 cents per pound for greenhouse tomatoes.
Jungmeyer"This increase is 6 to 8 times higher than previous increases under the agreement. Previous increases have been around 3%," said Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, Nogales, Ariz.
Jungmeyer said he believes Mexican proposal makes sense from all perspectives.
"This is the best thing for bilateral trade and U.S.-Mexico relations overall," Jungmeyer said Oct. 19.
"Consumers will not be impacted at the supermarket level or in restaurants," he said. "This is because Mexican tomatoes are always sold above the reference, or floor, price. By increasing the floor price, the proposal increases the level of protection for the domestic U.S. industry and helps ensure supplies from a broad range of growing regions."


text:
The Global Intelligence Files,
files released so far...
Index pages
by Date of Document
Our Partners
Al Akhbar - Lebanon
Al Masry Al Youm - Egypt
Asia Sentinel - Hong Kong
Bivol - Bulgaria
Carta Capital - Brazil
CIPER - Chile
Dawn Media - Pakistan
L'Espresso - Italy
La Repubblica - Italy
La Jornada - Mexico
La Nacion - Costa Rica
Malaysia Today - Malaysia
McClatchy - United States
Nawaat - Tunisia
NDR/ARD - Germany
Owni - France
Pagina 12 - Argentina
Philip Dorling - Fairfax media contributor - Australia
Plaza Publica - Guatemala
Publica - Brazil
Publico.es - Spain
Rolling Stone - United States
Russian Reporter - Russia
Ta Nea - Greece
Taraf - Turkey
The Hindu - India
The Yes Men - Bhopal Activists
Sunday Star-Times - New Zealand
Community resources
courage is contagious
The Global Intelligence Files
On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered "global intelligence" company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.
DISCUSSION - UK - Birmingham Raids
Released on 2012-10-16 17:00 GMT
Email-ID | 4577253 |
Date | 2011-09-19 20:41:31 |
From | email@example.com |
To | firstname.lastname@example.com |
List-Name | firstname.lastname@example.com |
of success for the UK counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, specifically
the domestic security side of the first pillar of CONTEST, a**Pursue,a**
as the Birmingham operation demonstrated the detection, investigation and
disruption of a suspected terrorist group a** running several unarmed
raids a** before the suspects endangered the UK public.
What happened:
- Between 23:30 BST on September 18 and 01:00 BST September 19, 7
people a** six men, aged between 25 and 32 were detained while one woman,
aged 22, was arrested at 06:30 Sept 19 in Birmingham, UK, in what police
called a a**large, pre-planned, intelligence-led counter terrorism
operationa** a** the late-night raid was spearheaded reportedly by led by
the West Midlands Police force, according to a police statement
- The operation was reportedly based on intelligence first gathered
by MI5 a** the raids in the Moseley, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Ward End,
Saltley and Balsall Heath areas of Birmingham involved MI5, Officers from
Scotland Yard's counter-terrorist command and supporting officers from
West Midlands' counter-terrorism unit
A. The 6 arrested were in early stages of operational planning
A. Police believe the suspects are al-Qaida inspired a** British
press has cited unnamed officials who say that the operation is a**linked
to international cases as much as local.a**
A. The 6 men were detained on the suspicion of "commission,
preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in the U.K.," according
to police
A. The woman was arrested for failing to provide police with
information related to terrorism
A. All of the suspects were apprehended in or near their respective
A. Media reported that specialist police teams were searching their
homes and fourteen other properties in Birmingham a** at least six were
domestic and at least one commercial
A. The identities of the suspects are unknown other than that they
are UK passport holders (either UK-born or naturalized)
A. The raids took place in both ethnically mixed and impoverished
neighborhoods along with well-off suburbs
o British media report that the suspects have been taken to Coventry for
questioning a** according to British laws the terror suspects can be held
for up to 14 days
o British media report that the decision to run the raid sooner than
later was made at an executive liaison group where police and MI5 meet to
discuss major operation
o West Midlands police's assistant chief constable for security, Marcus
Beale, said: "The operation is in its early stages so we are unable to go
into detail at this time about the nature of the suspected offences.a** -
"However, I believe it was necessary to take action at this time in order
to ensure public safetya**
o Reportedly at least 10 of the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit
participants were contractors for G4S a** a private security company.
- British media report that neighbors of the Saltley home that was
raided, home to the 22 year old female, said that one of the two women who
lived there was the only member of the family that was religious and
always wore a full Islamic veil, and was reportedly married to a man who
wanted her to move to Pakistan where he was reportedly planning to attend
a madrassa.
- Britaina**s Press Association news agency said the arrests had
nothing to do with the ongoing annual party conference of the Liberal
Democrats in Birmingham
What is CONTEST?
- CONTEST is the comprehensive United Kingdoma**s Strategy for
Countering Terrorism a** with the most updated version released this past
o CONETEST was created 2003 a** it was classified and unpublished,
overseen by the Cabinet office from a**03-a**06
o In 2006 it was partially declassified and first published a** CONTEST
was under the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism of the Home Office
and has been ever since.
o A revised edition was published in 2009.
- CONTEST is a strategy based on four pillars of combating
o a**Pursue: to stop terrorist attacks;
o Prevent: to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism;
o Protect: to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack; and
o Prepare: to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.a**
- The Birmingham operation was an example of the pillar
a**Pursue,a** which, according to the July 2011 United Kingdoma**s
Strategy for Countering Terrorism, partially is a**detecting and
investigating threats at the earliest possible stage, disrupting terrorist
activity before it can endanger the public and, wherever possible,
prosecuting those responsible.a**
Why it is important
- Police were unarmed throughout the raids -- meaning that they had
concrete intelligence that the 6 men and a woman were unarmed (otherwise
they more than likely would have ran a raid armed) a** this means that UK
security in this investigation was either discovering and or receiving
reliable and verifiable / verified intelligence. This means that either
SIGINT or HUMINT a** or both a** was verified beyond a shadow of a doubt
a** a success of the Pursue pillar of CONTEST in itself


text:
Bible Study - Erie, PA
Thursday, February 27, 2014, 6:30 PM
Location: First Alliance Church
Thursday, February 27, 6:30 PM - One Accord Will hold a study of Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. The study will run approximately 12 weeks. This is open to men and women. We will meet in the Fireside Room (E215) at First Alliance Church. Books are $5 each and this is going to be an amazing study that should bless greatly! For more information, call Rita at 814-460-0539 or email


text:
Order Information
Sarah Palin, 42, a hockey mom and former small-town mayor, thought her dream of making a difference in the male-dominated realm of Alaska politics was over when she went head to head with the powerful Republican governor over issues having to do with ethics and openness in government. Yet, the former prep basketball star could not shake a feeling that she was destined for something bigger. This is the story about how the biggest political upset in Alaska history propelled Sarah Palin into the governor's office where shed was the youngest and first women to serve in the state's highest office.
"America needs a vice president who can eat a mooseburger." --GOP strategist Alex Castellanos
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kaylene Johnson is an award-winning writer and author who lives with her family on a small farm near Wasilla, Alaska. In addition to two other books she has written, "Portrait of the Alaska Railroad" and "Trails Across Time," Johnson's work has in numerous magazines and newspapers ranging from Alaska magazine to the LA Times. She received an MFA in Writing from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky.


text:
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Long Beach, Calif., Tiffany is the first of three children adopted by her aunt Judy Thompson, whom she calls mother. As a teenager she attended Paramount High School in the city of Paramount, a school that has been named one of America's Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report. But Tiffany admits she was not one of America's best high school students in her youth, and her grades suffered.
"During the last week of my sophomore year I stopped attending Paramount High to become a trainee at the Long Beach Job Corps," Tiffany said. "At that time I was 16, and the trade I worked in was culinary arts. No matter how thorough I trained I could never get the hang of it. It never really grabbed my interest. The main reason for me going to Job Corps was to be guaranteed of my high school diploma since my grades dropped significantly when I was in public school. I showed rapid progress in all the curriculum required of me. On Aug. 13, 2007, Tiffany said she graduated from the School of Integrated Academics and Technologies at the Job Corps a year earlier than her original class, at the age of 17. But Tiffany found that her lack of enthusiasm for a "normal life" was as challenging as her latest academy achievements.
"On the following Monday I attended Cerritos Community College for a year. Life back home was boring," she admits. "I worked at the Norwalk 20 Theatre for only three days and nothing seemed to move me. After I stopped working at the movie theatre I felt dormant and idle. Plus the house we lived in at the time was becoming too expensive for my family. My mom suggested I join the military because she believed it would give me a great head start and could be used as a steppingstone to further my knowledge and experience in life."
Going nowhere fast, Tiffany said she called the local U.S. Army recruiting station on a Sunday to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. "A recruiter came knocking at my door to drive me to the station to speak on the options available to enlist," she said. "I decided to enlist in November of 2008. I joined the Army as my preferred branch because two of my uncles served there before me. I felt like it was right for me."
At last, Tiffany found something challenging, educational, exciting and structured that fit her preferred lifestyle, stating, "I enjoy being in the service! What other way can an American show their pride to their country than to serve the people? My life will never be the same because of it. The things I enjoy the most about being in the Army are meeting great people, the personal growth and the traveling. I have no kids and have never been married, so I am free to do what feels right for me. One day I do plan on starting a family. But until that time comes, I will continue to work toward the goals I've set out for myself."
Her tour of duty in Afghanistan from July 2010 to July 2011 proved to be the turning point for the venturesome youth. In her own words, Tiffany describes her personal experience in Afghanistan:
"When we arrived in Afghanistan in late July of 2010 we slept in large tents that could fit at least 200 to 300 people. It was hot and humid during the day and warm at night. In the tent where my unit slept, the only thing that divided the males from the females was the mattresses of vacant bunk beds that stood vertically to block the males and females from each other's view.
"All during the flight into Afghanistan, not once did I get nervous or anxious. My reason for deploying was personal. I felt that in order for me to progress as a person there was something I must master and the only way to do so was to experience what was ahead. Whatever the unknown had in store for me, 'I could not be beaten!' was my mindset.
"To my surprise, what I was to witness was not the usual grueling aspects of war. I was fortunate enough not to witness comrades getting killed or vehicles blown up. But there was tremendous tension at times.
"I was always a conscientious person, very sensitive to my surroundings. As I dealt with a growing fear and anxiety in foreign territory I learned to cope with the personal battles of my inner conflicts. There became two wars I was fighting all for the price of one.
"The first night in Afghanistan I laid asleep with my weapon tucked underneath my body and loaded magazines inside my assault pack at the foot of my cot. I hadn't adapted to the loud noise of airplanes hovering above. The noise frequently woke me from my sleep many nights. I was confusing the loud wind as rockets being targeted directly at me.
"As I recall, I was asleep and all of a sudden I woke in a cold sweat — panicking and believing that the Forward Operations Base had just gotten ambushed and mistakenly believing that we had to prepare to attack the enemy! I sat up on my cot and looked around, noticing there was no movement from any soldiers inside the tent. I prayed and fell back to sleep.
"It wasn't until March of 2012 that I realized exactly what I had experienced during my yearlong stay in Afghanistan. There are all types of warfare which we all fight on a daily basis. We fight against ourselves — trying to overcome unhealthy habits, digital and spiritual warfare. Many people — soldiers and civilians — witness tragedies or go through traumatic events and suffer with post traumatic stress syndrome. Perhaps everything is rooted in our spirituality and if we are not conscious enough to realize it, numerous problems will spill over into our daily lives, causing added stress, anxiety, pain, and bad thoughts."
Tiffany's eye-opening revelation inspired her to write graphic poetry, which captures the feel of combat and the realization that her safety is ultimately in the hands of Someone higher. In her poem, "Screaming, 'Grace!'" she wrote:
"The rockets have landed and found comfort in the crumbled gravel that lay adjacent to my shack. I am asleep. I see the soldiers running for safety as the sirens alarm, "Shelter in place!" I am asleep. My soul has decided to rise above my flesh. That moment I'd breathe my last breath? Am I alive? 'There's more to life, I have to conquer defeat!' is what I tell my God. Can I live? Will I live? War has trapped me in the dusty winds of resilience. My only lifeline is my salvation. I've grown, matured. The real test is when faith is tested. The real testimony is triumph. 'All clear!' is yelled from the amplifiers. I AM still alive. I fear sleep now. I'll weep myself to rest. I am STILL alive. There's a fifty percent chance that the rocket or the rocket's effect will kill me. Ill willed human beings. Nonetheless, I am here but this was never my fight. Who's to blame? Maybe this war will mean nothing or something to the next man fighting. This war is mine, and the real war is from within. GRACE! GRACE! GRACE! I'll scream to the God who breathes life and spares mercy. PEACE! PEACE! PEACE!
"I'll scream to the God who hides me in His bosom. From afar, there's a man whose vehicle exploded, when driving down a hidden trap. From afar there's a woman who has killed herself, From afar there's a man who's lost all sanity. From afar there's a woman who's been captured, tortured, and raped. From afar there am I, protected from all harm though I am in harm's way. By only looking at the surface you will not notice and know this but protection surfaces, by the way of soul searching. My two guardian angels will forever hear my soul screaming, "Grace!"
Tiffany said the things she struggled with the most was "trying to keep sane and gain composure. All I had was my faith to lean on. I learned how the mind is a powerful thing and how to create my reality through the thoughts I meditated on." The aspiring writer is putting her life's experiences and poetry on paper in the hopes of being published some day. "I plan to write about my experience in the war zone," she said. "All I can do is speak from the heart and what holds true for me. I'm not worried about who finds it entertaining or not. I feel because I am aware of truth, I am also charged to spread it. My career plan, after the Army, is to continue working on getting published, attending college and reintegrating back into the civilian world. I am eager to begin the life I want to live."
The communication specialist said her mother was right. The Army gave her what she needed to get her life on track. Now she says her life has greater depth, enthusiasm and meaning, as well as a mature outlook on life and death.
"Every day is filled with routines and spontaneity because like civilian life, any task may come up at any moment," she said. "We are Soldiers 24/7. Am I ever afraid for my life? No. Although I haven't gotten to the point that I no longer fear death, I believe it's all a mental thing. But as far as me being in the Army and the possibility of me dying in war, no. Because of my experiences and what I've witnessed in life as a whole, I understand there's a time and place for everything, including death."
For now, Tiffany said it is a time of spiritual awakening about truth, understanding and discovering what truly matters in life. "I want everyone to become enlightened and open their eyes to what the world is — the meaning for our existence and to no longer be blind sighted to false promises," she said. "If that happens the world will be a much better place. I want people to have the discernment to differentiate truth from lies. Ever since I've become more aware of my purpose I feel charged to ignite and spark people to becoming aware of themselves. And I'm comfortable being an open book because I am passionate about helping others. When I tell people where I come from they seem to be in awe of the fact that I am only 22 and have already been through so much. But I know I am not a product of my past. Like my story, there are many people from the ghettos and suburbs who can relate. Ultimately being a humanitarian and speaking to people from all walks of life while growing individually is what I dream of. A year ago, I finally decided to no longer go after what interested me but what interested God. Since then I have been learning, reading, studying and inquiring about what truth is. I think I'm on the right track."
Having survived the social and psychological challenges of growing up in lower middle class surroundings without her birth parents, without a normal high school education or the motivation to excel, Jordan decided not to be defined by her past and took decisive action to control her future. Today, she is a proud U.S. Army specialist stationed in North Carolina with new hopes and bright aspirations, not only for herself, but for others. "I know that the present time is shaping the future to what it will be," she said. "The only thing I want to see is for people from every status, class, race, religion, tribe and country to know their worth — to know what is truth, to have integrity and be happy within themselves. Although I am only 22 years old I know that once someone has found that kind of security — nothing will be able to stop them. Mental liberation and breaking the chains of spiritual bondage is what I'm for. There's so many things in life I want to do and contribute to the world."


text:
Free Entry - Entry Information
Australian and South African natives plus varieties of Stattis grow on this two and half acre site, the Alpha Native Flower Garden, located beside Alpha Creek. Feel free to stroll amongst the endemic plant species keeping a look out for the many native birds and wildlife that also utilize the flower garden. Remember to take your camera for the perfect photo opportunity.
* Please note: These rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available costs of listed products and services. To obtain a firm price from the provider, please use the contact the operator . All prices are quoted in Australian dollars.


text:
Add Promo or Package Code: If you have Promo or Package code, click to enter it here to receive your discount.
Looking For a Game?
Play For Fun
Want to play the best bingo online?
Easy and fun to play, the 1,200-plus Las Vegas slot machines at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino include all your favorites, ranging from penny video slots to high-limit reels and everything in between. Planet Hollywood slots include single- and multi-line video poker as well as popular progressive Las Vegas slot games like Wheel of Fortune, Megabucks, Monopoly and more.


text:
April 16, 1918 Dear Brother Theron: Received a letter from you yesterday mailed March 22nd will answer it now. So far have not heard a word from Jack, but for the last few weeks have been on the move. We left our sector where we have been practically all winter for repoe. Troops marched and we picked up those who were sick or unable to keep up. On arriving at our destination was notified that I and four other lads could go to Aux la Bains on leave. Went through Paris and took in the cafes and show. Then on to Bains. Arrived in morning and that eve received a telegram to return to section at once. Found our section on the 25th directly in the center of the big push. Went on duty that evening and that night we had four different posts. We would leave when Fritz came in one end of the town. Had nine posts in less than four days. You see we were in an entirely new sector, no maps, no lights, roads crowded with trucks, refugees, ambulances, staff cars and animals. The artillery fire was deafening, never ceasing from morning to night. Then when you took a load of wounded to a hospital it was a toss up as to who would greet you at the post (Fritz or French). Also you might start for one hospital- find it full or evacuated and hunt for another which might be the same (This at night as well as day) in a strange sector. Well to make it short we were finally relieved after a week of this and taken a little ways back for rest. Pretty welcome to us and I don't believe the infantry which we were attached to kicked any. It is rather difficult to express ones feelings in the different places, so just imagine the about with shells shrieking, machine gun tattoo (mostly going out, but not all of them for a minute) and you can get a little of the feeling. Finally took up back some more and then a little more to where we are now. We have a few bombs when the nights are favorable but are not shelled. Sleep in our cars in the street. Well a few days ago w were invited into the Bureau to have some punch and to my surprise, Lieut. Richmond suggested a toast to myself and three others who had been given the Croix de Guerre, Divisional which bears a silver star. It is the highest of those bearing the star. The only one higher is the palm. (Ours is pinned on by the commanding general, who I am waiting for at this writing) I wired the folks so you may know before this arrives. The citation reads that we made very rapid evacuations under machine gun fire, etc even to the most forward lines and showed great courage and endurance. It was a fine surprise I can tell you. Have on my service stripe now and hope I will be able to see the folks at home before another one shows up. Well just be sure and let me know when you get here and I'll try to get leave to see you. Ted (O.K. Lt. D. R. Salisbury)
Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.


text:
Allison Beckstrom's talent for tracking spells has put her up against some of the darkest elements in the world of magic. But she's never faced anything like this.
Magic itself has been poisoned, and Allie's undead father may have left the only cure in the hands of a madman. Hunted by the Authority—the secret council who enforces the laws–wanted by the police, and unable to use magic, she's got to find the cure before the sickness spreads beyond any power to stop it.
But when a death magic user seeks to destroy the only thing that can heal magic, Allie and her fellow renegades must stand and fight to defend the innocent and save all magic…
"Fiendishly original and a stay-up-all-night read."
"Allie's adventures are gripping and engrossing, with an even, clever mix of humor, love, and brutality."
"This is an absolutely awesome series."
Allie Beckstrom


text:
Just how young is this A's team? Well, as we checked into the Landmark private terminal at Oakland Airport today, our latest rookie pitching phenom Dan Straily proudly pulled a wallet out of his trousers as we headed to the security screening station. With a wry grin, the pride of Marshall University opened it to his Oregon driver's license. I literally made a double-take. The young teenager pictured looked about as old as an Athletics' batboy—14 years old tops. "They shot this on my 16th birthday," he said with a chuckle. We both shook our heads, realizing the absurdity of what has transpired in this young man's life almost overnight.
Of course, the same can be said about numerous A's players this season. Maybe what has been the most gratifying about this upstart team is they know they have truly earned what they have accomplished up to this point. Even with shortstop Cliff Pennington activated off the disabled list Tuesday, the 2012 Oaklanders feature only four players on their current 25-man roster who were with us for Opening Night last season. That's right, four—Coco Crisp, Grant Balfour, Jerry Blevins and Pennington. So, this group inherited nothing. Billy Beane, David Forst, Farhan Zaidi and Dan Feinstein were the architects of a total rebuild job. And Bob Melvin and his staff have taken this new assemblage of personnel and molded it into a tight-nit unit that is equal parts exceptional young talent, veteran leadership, and slow-developing castoffs who never lost belief in themselves. And as outfielder-turned-Spiderman Josh Reddick told reporters following yesterday's stirring 9-8 win over the Angels, when you sweep the Beasts of the East (Yankees and Red Sox) during an unworldly July, you start to believe you can beat anyone. Press clippings and team payrolls, be damned!
Yet, this is a team that doesn't rely only on chemistry and spirit. Over the past several weeks, it's becoming more and more evident that the A's arsenal of quality arms may actually give them an edge over the competition. At times running out four rookies in their five-man rotation—including two (Straily and A.J. Griffin) who were roommates at Single-A Stockton last season—and featuring two other rookies (Ryan Cook and Sean Doolittle) in the back end of their suffocating bullpen, this group of fresh arms has been the key ingredient in propelling the A's staff to the best ERA in the American League. Yes, statistically better than the Angels and their four aces, better than the Rangers and their World Series-tested group, better than the David Price-led, pitching-rich Rays, and yes, better than the presiding Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and the veteran Tigers. Not only do numbers not lie, the A's young guns are also passing the sight test. Whether it's outdueling CC Sabathia and the Yankees, or C.J. Wilson and the Angels, the Athletics' pitchers have just run through a two-month gauntlet of elite opposing starters, and more often than not, the Green and Gold have prevailed.
And while several contenders swung deals to acquire front-line pitchers at the Trading Deadline, the A's baseball brass were fully aware in-house reinforcements were already on the way in the August. Brandon McCarthy, the team's Opening Night starter, has been cleared to start tomorrow night in Chicago after a lengthy rehab assignment. Brett Anderson, another potential top-of-the-rotation star, should be showcasing that filthy slider with the big league club within days as he rounds into shape at Sacramento after 2011 Tommy John surgery. Griffin, who says his rapid ascent this year is because "I only see nameless, faceless batters on the mound when I pitch," should also be returning from a short DL stint caused by a stiff shoulder recently. And, of course, we always hold out hope that the effervescent Dallas Braden will return before season's end as he heals from last season's shoulder surgery and last month's groin strain.
As the young Straily learned yesterday at the Coliseum, there will be up and downs as the playoff race heats up. In the first inning, he masterfully struck out the Angels' talented trio of Mike Trout, Torii Hunter and Albert Pujols in succession. Then the pendulum swung the other way, as he was tagged for four solo home runs, forcing him to exit the game after surrendering a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning. But in what has been a recurring story of this improbable A's season, other team members picked up Straily with a five-run rally and clutch relief pitching to steer yet another tense game to the win column. The overall result has the Athletics perched in second place in the AL West with a 60-51 record, the fifth-best mark in the American League and sharing the current Wild Card lead. As I survey our lofty position, I can't help but wonder: isn't it about time for Dan Straily to renew his driver's license so he can take a more age-appropriate photo?
2 Comments
This team has just been A-mazing. Enjoying watching them play every day.
This team is a joy to watch, what I like about this team is that is a rebuilding, playoff contending, and winning team. The star of this team is Billy Beane.


text:
Latest update : 2012-11-21
Moody's bruise with Triple A hit
France loses its Triple A for a second time. After Standard & Poor's cut France's credit rating back in January, Moody's has now done the same. It's a major concern for the French press, featuring on just about every front page. It's not the only story though - Libération looks at Hollande's latest statements on same-sex marriage. That's the focus for this look at the French press this Wednesday 21st November, 2012.
Le Monde headlines on the Moody's downgrade. France has lost its Triple A for a second time. Standard and Poor's already knocked it down a notch in January.
Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui-en-France says France needs to reassure the credit ratings agencies by applying measures that will boost French competitiveness and make the labour market more flexible.
The Catholic daily La Croix agrees with those two approaches.
The business daily Les Echos warns that without economic reforms, France faces being downgraded further.
Le Figaro says the task now for the Socialist President François Hollande is to act fast.
And Libération looks at proposed legislation that could allow same-sex marriage after Hollande said French mayors could decide - as a matter of conscience - whether or not to perform civil ceremonies for gay couples.


text:
(01-19-2012 06:09 PM)kfeldman Wrote: Can you check me for the Stockton rc, the Terry auto and the Hawes auto? Thanks
(01-19-2012 08:17 AM)camco2 Wrote: like the sam cassell auto,cmb
(01-19-2012 07:34 PM)robd5811 Wrote: Please check me for the ud3 kobe and finest jordan..thanks bud
(01-19-2012 07:57 PM)scooner Wrote: Interested in the Blake Griffin, and the Durant Jerseys
(01-20-2012 01:29 AM)nickm1123 Wrote: I am interested in your Kobe Bryant Jersey card. Not sure the value or if there is anything else you would need besides the Cassell auto as I am assuming the Kobe books for more. PLMK
(01-20-2012 08:12 PM)buckunteer Wrote: what do you mean "bump" you have like 8 offers!
(01-20-2012 10:00 PM)nickm1123 Wrote: Haha I have already taken care of all of those Looking for more!
(01-21-2012 08:41 AM)tperks76 Wrote: I have several Jordan inserts in my org. I'd be interested in the Kobe and Griffin RC's and maybe the Tyreke's as well


text:
They hit. A lot. On occasion. Occasions like last night. That is something we all wish we didn't know about the Twins. Fear not! I'm going to make you feel a lot better. Therapy Emily is here.
But first, wipe that horrified look off your face.
Yes, Madison Bumgarner made history as the first pitcher since 1900 to let in eight runs, while only recording one out. Yes, the Giants, while they got nine hits, only managed two runs. Yes, it was a basically horrifying night.
But at the same time, it's an easier loss to take for me as a fan. Because it was a no-doubter, you know? Madison was absolutely, utterly terribly. That's it. That's what went wrong.
Likelihood is? He'll be just fine in the future. And even if this were to be a signal of things to come for him in the future, I don't know why people are calling for him to be traded right now. This is the worst possible moment to trade him. His stock is at its lowest. Wait for him to squeeze out some quality starts and then trade him, if you must. Additionally, I disagree with people saying he should be sent down or skip a start. His morale is probably also at its lowest. Unless there's an underlying, bigger physical or mechanical issue that they know of, I think they should let him take the mound in five days. And see how it plays out. Show a little confidence in him.
Zito, of course, took last night to throw a two hit, complete game shutout for Fresno, making a nice little bid for a spot in the wacky rotation. But Bochy denies anything happening with Bumgarner and says he's meeting with Barry today, which sounds foreboding, but maybe I'm just paranoid. We'll see.
A little brightsideness? Today is Ryan Vogelsong and I actually think he could be a stopper. Never thought I'd write those words. But baseball is a strange game.
Try saying that to Madison Bumgarner.
Diamond Girl
p.s. Dodger Stadium today? Oh. My. God. That is so empty it's not even funny. And believe me, I find just about everything about the Dodgers funny.
Photo via @dylanohernandez


text:
sign up to receive exclusive offers and men's wardrobe tips.
new subscribers join and receive $10 off your purchase of $50 or more.
You are now subscribed to receive exclusive offers and new collection & product updates from Paul Fredrick.
Click to update your preferences or continue shopping.
new subscribers join and receive $10off your purchase of$50 or more.
Show your natural side with floral ties from Paul Fredrick. Our flower ties and abstract floral patterned ties make a casually elegant statement.


text:
Built to keep you moving fast in any terrain and weather, this GORE-TEX® lined hiker maximizes ground connection, dry comfort and momentum on the trail. Higher for higher water and breathable for hot weather, its aggressive lugs grip for confident connection, with UniFly™ impact performance to stabilize each step.
• Waterproof oily leather and mesh upper
• Merrell Stratafuse™ upper provides a glove-like fit for lightweight durability and natural movement
• GORE-TEX® Extended comfort footwear lining keeps feet dry and comfortable
• Moulded TPU external heel counter for added stability
• Dye cut rubber
• Bellows tongue keeps debris out
• Breathable mesh lining treated with M Select Fresh odour control
• Merrell Omni-Fit lacing system provides a precise, glove-like fit
• 6mm Drop
• Uni-Fly™ responsive cushioning system lets you go further, faster, longer
• Soft E-Foam Midsole, I-Tech harder top sheet
• 6mm lug depth
• Vibram® outsole
Men's Sizes: 6.5-14
Men's Weight: 347g


text:
Guess real names of celebrities
POSTED: 11:08 PM PST Nov 08, 2011
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PDT Sep 07, 2014
There are several stars are well known by their stage names, but who were they born as? Find out their real names in our slideshow.
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.
blog comments powered by Disqus