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St. Lucia
Bay Gardens Resort
While there are a handful of super-luxe properties on St. Lucia, sometimes it's all about the casual sensibility of a simple island resort with French Caribbean flair. The Georgian Plantation-style St. Lucia's Bay Gardens Beach Resort, on Reduit Beach, delivers that easy vibe in its 75 single-bedroom suites with full kitchens, ceiling fans, and separate living areas. Each brightly colored suite has an old-fashioned timber balcony, with views of the resort's tropical gardens, the bright lagoon-style swimming pool, or postcard-worthy shots of the Caribbean (in beachfront units). Sarong-clad travelers won't go without top-line creature comforts: the onsite La Mer Spa offers Swedish massages and aromatherapy treatments on the beach or in shaded seaside gazebos.
Room to Book:
Beachfront Room 712 offers unobstructed views of the Caribbean and the distinctive silhouette of volcanic Pigeon Island.
Insider Tip:
At Sunday brunch at the Trios Caribbean Fusion restaurant, order up pumpkin soup, a savory island favorite.
Open / Closes- Adjoining Rooms
- Accessible by Public Transportation
- Beach Resort
- Babysitting
- Business Center
- Concierge
- Childcare
- Dry Cleaning
- Family Friendly
- Gym/Fitness Center
- Golf
- Gay Friendly
- Horseback Riding
- Handicapped Accessible
- Island Resort
- Laundry Service
- Maid Service
- Meeting Room
- Parking Available
- Room Service
- Spa
- Tennis
- Turndown
- Valet Parking
- Water Sports
- WiFi
Number of Bars: 4
Year Opened: 2007
Number of Restaurants: 3
Number of Suites: 31
Number of Rooms: 75


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Review: Best White Wine on Earth - the Riesling Story
Posted in book reviews, books, new on July 6th, 2014 No Comments »
When we started working in Hospitality - in the early 80s - we were told that RIESLING was going to be the next big thing. Fast forward to now - and we're still being told that!
Over the years, as lovers of Riesling we've been quite happy for the wine world to flirt with first [...]

subset: commoncrawl


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Dalton, Ga. - October 2, 2009- The American Floorcovering Alliance FloorTek Awards honors Shaw Industries with the Environmental Leadership Award for the company's Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility. Jeremy Stroop, Operations Manager for the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), presented the award. According to Stroop, Shaw is responsible for one-third of all carpet collction in the nation and is the world's largest carpet recycler. The company was also praised for its work in innovation, post-consumer carpet reclamation and commitment to cradle to cradle design. Other nominees in the Environmental Award category included the "GreenWorks Center" by Mohawk Industries and Cycle-Tex for the company's recycling efforts.
"Shaw is honored to have received the FloorTek Environmental Award for Evergreen," said Rick Ramirez, Shaw's vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs. "Since 2007, Evergreen has recycled over 200 million pounds of post-consumer carpet. Our total commitment to sustainability through innovation is reflected in the Shaw Green Edge and is evident throughout the industry, and we appreciate the recognition for our efforts."
The FLOORTEK EXPO 2009, organized by the American Floorcovering Alliance, was hosted September 22nd - 24th at the North West Georgia Trade & Convention Center. On the first evening of the show, AFA presented the FloorTek awards, which recognized companies and individuals for their outstanding contributions to the flooring industry.
About the Shaw Green Edge
Sustainability through Innovation™ That's the Shaw Green Edge®
It's our commitment to create the most beautiful - and sustainable - flooring in the world and to help create a better planet for our customers, our people and our communities in the process.
Rooted in our drive to continually improve every aspect of our business, the Shaw Green Edge guides everything we do, every day - from maintaining the highest ethical standards to safeguarding the health and well-being of our people and communities, from conserving energy and water and recycling raw materials to designing cradle-to-cradle products that can be manufactured over and over again.
Because setting the standard for environmental excellence, social responsibility and product design is more than our responsibility. It's also good business. And it's our legacy.
About Shaw
Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a susbsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is the world's largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floor covering provider with more than $5 billion in annual sales and approximately 26,000 associates. Headquartered in Dalton, Ga., the company manufactures and distributes carpeting, rugs, hardwood, laminate and ceramic tile for residential and commercial applications worldwide. A recognized leader in environmental stewardship, Shaw has implemented hundreds of sustainability initiatives and cradle-to-cradle design solutions, collectively termed the Shaw Green Edge. For more information, visit shawfloors.com.


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Did you know that tree limbs and branches – especially palm fronds – are among the most common causes of power outages and flickers? Last year, FPL trimmed trees and cleared vegetation along more than 15,000 miles of power lines throughout the state to help reduce tree limb interference.
FPL is committed to protecting trees and our environment while providing reliable service. We're working hard to deliver worry-free energy, now and in the future, but we need your help.
By selecting the Right Tree and planting in the Right Place, you can help reduce power outages and flickers for you and your neighbors. Here are five simple steps to smart landscaping:
1. Find the Right Tree – Trees come in all shapes and sizes, and often change dramatically over their lifetimes. Some grow tall, some grow wide and some have extensive root systems. Before selecting your tree, make sure you know how tall, wide and deep it will be at maturity. For lists of recommended trees for your region of Florida, please visit the University of Florida's "Trees and Power Lines" website.
2. Choose the Right Spot – Where you plant your tree is just as important as what type of tree you plant. Blocking an unsightly view or creating some shade may be a priority, but you must also think about how your tree will impact existing utility lines as it grows taller, wider and deeper. At maturity, will its canopy reach the overhead lines? Taking the time to consider location now can prevent avoidable power disturbances for years to come.
3. Call Before You Dig – What you can't see can hurt you, so before you reach for a shovel, reach for the phone. Did you know that a free call to Sunshine 811 will start the process of getting underground utility lines marked? Simply dial 811 at least two full business days before you plan to start digging and a representative will come out to your house or business and clearly mark the location of all underground utilities. This is a free service. You can also submit your request online at www.Sunshine811.com.
4. Plan for Future Growth – By planting the Right Tree in the Right Place, you're doing your part to prevent power outages and flickers in your neighborhood. Tall trees growing under or near power lines will ultimately require pruning or removal by FPL to maintain safe clearance from the lines. FPL's specially trained line-clearing professionals will remove threatening branches using directional pruning to protect the health of your trees while helping them to grow away from power lines. Planting the Right Tree in the Right Place can prevent the need for this pruning. Remember, you should never attempt to trim any vegetation growing on or near power lines. 5. Work Safely and Hire Safely – Whether you're planting a tree, preparing your property for storm season or picking fruit, remember to stay safe and stay far away from power lines at all times. Always look up and note the location of power lines before you begin. Careful avoidance of power lines is extremely important during yard work, especially when using tools, ladders, poles or pruning saws. Be sure that ladders or scaffolds are far enough away so that you – and the ends of the tools you're using – don't come within 10 feet of power lines. (Please note that you must allow even greater distance for safety near higher voltage power lines.)
Never attempt to trim any vegetation growing near power lines. Only specially trained line-clearing professionals should work around power lines. When hiring landscapers or yard workers to trim your trees, remember to ask if they are licensed, insured and qualified to trim vegetation around power lines.


text: To accommodate large family gatherings and dinners, a 2 1/2 story addition was constructed on this home, increasing the fabulous view to the tree filled back yard, and pool. Extensive beams were added to the room, to frame the beautiful wall of windows as well as the dramatic ceiling and fireplace. A comfortable, warm and inviting room with a rustic feel was created.


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found a new home!
Plenty of my friends are looking
for one too. Find a pet to adopt.
Find a pet to adopt |
My name is Prince!
Facts about Prince
- Breed: Himalayan
- Color: Cream Or Ivory
- Age: Young
- Sex: Male
- Hair: Long
Prince's Info...
I am already neutered, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and good with cats.
Prince is a BEAUTIFUL regal 1 1/2 year old lap cat. He is very sweet and affectionate. Great with other cats and dogs.
Foster/Adoption only open to Southern California residents.
Other Pets at Death Row Dogs Rescue
Why Adoption is a Great Option
Prince, a Van Nuys Himalayan cat was adopted! Here's how you can benefit by looking at adoption as an option to buying a Himalayan for sale in Van Nuys, or seeking a Himalayan cat from a breeder in Van Nuys.
- Rescues and shelter volunteers in Van Nuys already know the personality and tendencies of their pets. This means they can match you with the right pet. That will makes it much easier transition to owning a pet for yourself and your new pet.
- On average adoption fees are much less than you'd pay a Van Nuys breeder, or pet store. Plus most often rescue pets have already been to the veterinarian for a check-up, had a round of vaccinations, and are spayed or neutered. That is a lot of savings!
- You will become a hero, and give a needy dog or cat a loving home. In fact, there are even Himalayan breeders who help with Himalayan rescue. One puppy or kitten adopted in Van Nuys paves the way for another one to be saved.


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The name appears to be the leading candidate for the current Big East Conference's football schools, according to an ESPN report.
Other names are also being considered.
While America 12 hasn't officially been approved by the league's presidents, conference law firm Covington & Burling bought and registered the domain name America12.org earlier in the week, the report said, citing WhoIs domain-registration data. The law firm also registered different versions of the name, such as America12Conference.com and American12.org.
With the Catholic 7 schools expected to start a new conference and keep the Big East name, the current football schools need a new name by July 1.
The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.


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Photos via Fashion Gone Rouge
The gifts I shared in my Holiday Gift Guide Under $75 are sure hits for the ladies and those in my Men's Gift Guide Under $75 are definite ways to make a guy smile this season. Although they both include some awesome gifts for the tech savvy individuals, here is a great guide for all-things tech-related that will quench anyone's thirst for technology!
With all of the cool and innovative electronics that are available, it can be hard at times to choose one for that special someone. Here are some of my favorites that are modern, functional, and fun to use – all at the same time!
Grab some of these must-haves for those on your holiday shopping list… and maybe even treat yourself while you're at it! My personal favorite is the Sony Smartphone Attachable Lens! After I check everyone off my list I might have to treat myself to that! Which one of these tech items is the perfect gift for someone on your list or yourself?? Comment below and let me know!
| 1. Sony SmartWatch 2 | 2. Phone Telescope Optical Camera Lens | 3. Sony QX10 Smartphone Attachable Lens | 4. Frends 'Taylor' Headphones | 5. iShower Bluetooth Speaker | 6. Sony Cyber-Shot Waterproof Camera | 7. Native Union 'Switch' Portable Bluetooth | 8. Pocket Cinema Projector |


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16 Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London, to Mr R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister
Letter LONDON, 2 January 1940
I am afraid I must inflict upon you a somewhat lengthy letter with regard to the question of war aims or what might perhaps more appropriately be described as 'peace aims'.
This matter was raised by the French communication of the 23rd October which was transmitted to you in Dominions Office cable D.52. [1] You will recollect that in that communication the French Government suggested that an early exchange of views with His Majesty's Government would be desirable on the problem of Allied war aims.
On the 26th October I sent you a long cablegram on the matter and suggested that you might take steps to initiate Dominion consultation by direct communications to the other Dominion Prime Ministers. [2] This you did in your cablegram of the 29th October addressed to the Prime Minister here, and which you repeated to the other Dominion Prime Ministers. [3]
Following upon your cablegram the Prime Minister of New Zealand sent a long telegram on the 5th November setting out the views of his Government. [4] On the 14th November you sent a further cablegram amplifying your previous one [5] and on the 26th November the Prime Minister of Canada [6] sent a very full telegram analysing the position in very considerable detail.
On the 31st October, the Prime Minister of South Africa cabled stressing the importance of this matter both in peace and war, urging that fullest consultation should take place, and indicating that he proposed to send the views of his Government later. [7]
These views he has not yet sent but on the 11th November he sent you a cablegram which showed that he was in complete sympathy with your cable and finished with the words 'Every care should also be taken to prevent us going to another Versailles peace.' [8]
The opinions of the Prime Ministers of the Dominions contained in the communications referred to above showed a remarkable unanimity. In your cablegram you expressed the view that- 'The immediate object is to win the war and to win it in no uncertain way since a patched up and premature peace would inevitably expose us to a future of serious events similar to those of the past few years.' [9]
This statement of yours broadly coincides with the views expressed by all your fellow Prime Ministers. You go on, however, to ask the pertinent question What comes after victory? and make it clear that you do not believe future peace can be secured by suppressing and dismembering Germany or imposing upon her an insupportable burden. Here again you broadly express the views of the other Dominions as disclosed by their respective cables.
As a result of the various communications from the Dominion Prime Ministers, it was decided that before serious discussions were opened with the French there should be full Empire consultation.
It was accordingly determined that an interim reply should be sent to the French and one, which I personally consider might well have been substantially shortened, was eventually agreed after consultation with the Dominions, and has, I understand, been despatched in the last few days.
This reply, as I have indicated above, is of an interim character and contemplates oral and private discussions taking place at a suitable opportunity.
Before these discussions can be undertaken Empire consultations will have to take place and in such consultations the question of the method of handling the French in the oral and private discussions will have to be determined. In considering this point it is necessary to have very clearly in mind the different views which are held upon this all important matter. In my long telegram to you of the 26th October, I set them out in some detail and it might perhaps be useful if I summarised very briefly what I then said.
There are two opposing schools of thought upon the question of what form of peace settlement we should endeavour to achieve.
These two schools of thought might be described as:-
(a) Those who visualise a world after the war very similar to that which existed before it, but with Germany disarmed and Europe freed from the fear of future further German aggression, and (b) Those who visualise a new world in which Germany would play an appropriate part as a great nation resulting from a peace settlement which had faced the vital problem of disarmament, territorial adjustments, Colonies and the economic needs of all nations.
It is felt in many quarters here that these two points of view are so diametrically opposed that it would be most dangerous to encourage discussion of the question because such discussion would tend to create division in the united front that exists at present. The United Kingdom Government is consequently very fearful of tackling the question and they are particularly fearful of doing so with the French who are regarded as super-exponents of the defeat, disarm, and divide idea.
I feel, however, that this attitude is an extremely dangerous one, as by avoiding any discussions in order to ensure unity for the purpose of winning the war we may very well leave ourselves in a position where when the question of peace comes to be discussed divisions will appear that will result in our losing the peace. I feel, also, that the idea that this question is an extremely dangerous one is open to considerable doubt. There is agreement between all schools of thought upon the two fundamental questions that the war must be won and that the peace must ensure that the fear of future aggression is removed from the world.
I am by no means unconscious of the difficulties that will confront us when we come to the consideration of the question of how we are to achieve the second of these objectives. I feel, however, very strongly that if this difficult problem is approached in an atmosphere that suggests that there are fundamental and almost unbridgeable differences to be overcome there would be every danger of serious friction arising and division resulting. If, on the other hand, discussions are undertaken in an atmosphere that no differences of opinion of a fundamental character exist, and that our task is to consider the most practical and effective means whereby our common objective can be achieved, I have considerable confidence that agreement could be arrived at.
If this view is correct it is obviously desirable that the discussions with the French should take place at the earliest practicable date. Before such discussions can be opened it is necessary, however, that there should be agreement between the Governments of the different parts of the Empire. In order to bring this about further consultation will be necessary and as at the present moment there is no indication that the United Kingdom Government is intending to take the initiative in bringing such consultation about, I suggest that it is desirable that you should raise the question.
In the Empire discussions the practical problems which have to be faced will emerge but as they will be identical with the problems which will have to be discussed with the French, it would probably be more useful if I dealt with them in visualising the line I suggest we should take with the French.
In these conversations we should commence by making quite clear that we regard the essential war aims as being to win the war and after it is won to ensure that German aggression will be rendered impossible in the future. This opening should go a long way to calm the fears the French unquestionably entertain and to create the right atmosphere. In the discussions the French should be encouraged to develop their thesis as to how the second of these two major objectives can be achieved. As the French develop their views it seems to me inevitable that the impracticability of permanently maintaining peace and preventing aggression by the armed strength of the United Kingdom and France will emerge. As the impracticability of this method is demonstrated, I think it will be possible progressively to wean the French from what is clearly their present attitude. My reasons for holding this view are based on the points set out below, all of which would emerge in the discussion.
One point upon which there will be complete agreement is that Germany having been defeated she must be disarmed and having been disarmed effective means must be provided of ensuring that she does not rearm in defiance of her Peace Treaty undertakings.
Experience has shown the difficulty, in face of resolute and unscrupulous leadership, of ensuring the continuance of a great nation in a state of disarmament in an armed world.
It would, however, unquestionably be argued that this danger could be met by the United Kingdom and France maintaining the forces necessary to prevent German rearmament.
It would also possibly be suggested that as an additional safeguard Germany should be broken up into several independent areas, thus removing the danger inherent in the vast population of a united Germany.
It is necessary to consider these two points separately. The obligation involved in ensuring that Germany remained disarmed would probably on first examination not be regarded as serious as it would be suggested that once Germany has been defeated the Forces necessary to ensure Allied predominance would not be large and that the United Kingdom and France could easily undertake the responsibility. Such an argument takes little account of Russia or of Italy and Japan, nor does it make allowances for the probable frictions in south-eastern Europe.
RUSSIA. The emergence of Russia from an absorption on [sic] internal affairs into a markedly militaristic and even Imperialistic country may prove to be a factor of the utmost moment.
In the event of a German defeat or even of a prolonged military stalemate there is considerable probability of a rapid spread of Bolshevism in Germany. In addition, countries such as Hungary and Rumania, with their numerical preponderance of poverty stricken peasants, must be regarded as ripe for communism.
After an Allied victory, followed by a dictated peace, the frontiers of Bolshevism might be greatly extended and might include a great part of Central and south-eastern Europe. If this vast area were under the control of an aggressive Russia, the military responsibilities of the Allies, after the war, if peace was to be maintained and aggression prevented, would be enormous.
ITALY AND JAPAN. Both these countries have great armed strength and both have known ambitions which constitute them as potential aggressors. In considering the Forces that France and the United Kingdom would have to maintain, the dangers to world peace which might come from these countries would have to be borne in mind.
DANUBE AND THE BALKANS. There are many difficult problems to be solved in this part of the world. With Germany defeated, disarmed, and possibly dismembered, it can be argued that the Anglo-French Military combination would be strong enough to dictate peaceful settlements of these problems. While with Russia indifferent or quiescent this might be practicable, with Russia strong and actively concerning herself in the problems of the Danube and Balkans, it would be impossible.
The foregoing considerations indicate that if responsibility for the maintenance of peace and the removal of the fear of aggression from the world is to be undertaken by the Allies after they have defeated and disarmed Germany, they would have to maintain Forces at least substantially larger than those which existed at the outbreak of the war. It is therefore necessary to consider the probable reactions of the Allied countries to the maintenance of Forces of such a magnitude.
FRANCE. While there is a large volume of opinion in France to-day in favour of the idea of a repressive policy against Germany, it is doubtful whether after the war is over the country as a whole will be prepared to shoulder the burden involved in giving effect to such a policy. The present unity of France is due to the pressing danger with which she is confronted. Once this danger is removed the Left Wing parties will reassert their demands for greater social justice, for enlarged social services, and for the curtailment of the powers of finance, industry and the high command, with the probable result of the recreation in France of a position similar to that which existed during the regime of the Front Populaire.
UNITED KINGDOM. In the United Kingdom it will be quite impossible to maintain a repressive policy towards Germany for more than the shortest period, if at all. There is certain to be a strong body of opinion demanding magnanimous treatment for the defeated enemy.
There will be an invincible reluctance to tolerate large scale military expenditure and national memories being notoriously short, any Government which attempted to do so would inevitably be defeated.
DOMINIONS. In the Dominions the idea of the acceptance of permanent military responsibility for policing Europe would encounter overwhelming opposition. It is no exaggeration to say that if the United Kingdom after the war adopted a policy of repression against Germany and the maintenance of great armed Forces, the Dominions would refuse to accept such a policy and the first step would be taken towards the disintegration of the Empire.
The other argument which has to be considered is that Germany should be divided into several independent areas.
This suggestion, apart from its political significance, raises economic considerations of the most important character.
The economic position after the war, with which I deal later, is of vital concern to victors, vanquished and neutrals.
The experience of the past 20 years has demonstrated how interdependent the world economic system has become and that poverty and instability in one country undermines the economic position of others.
The destruction of the German economic unit would have particularly disastrous repercussions. Germany both as a market and as a source of supplies is the third most important country in the world.
Moreover she constitutes the principal market for the Agricultural exports of south-eastern Europe and of a considerable portion of those from the Baltic and Scandinavia.
The dislocation that would be caused by throwing the products of south-eastern Europe on to the world's markets has been very clearly shown during the present war, when the necessity of replacing the German market has proved an almost insoluble problem and has involved the Allies, and particularly the United Kingdom, in the assumption of an intolerable financial burden.
In considering the possibility of dividing Germany into several independent States it has to be borne in mind that the serious economic depression which would result would inevitably drive the Germans towards communism.
Apart from the menace of a communistic Germany to the rest of Europe, the reinforcement of communism by German efficiency and skill would have the effect of greatly strengthening its menace.
It therefore seems clear that if Germany were divided it would be necessary to allow the new States so created to enter into an economic and commercial union. With this close economic and commercial link the possibility of co-operative action for rearmament and revenge would still exist.
The result of the above examination shows the impracticability of peace being maintained and aggression prevented by the armed strength of the United Kingdom and France, even with Germany disarmed, and possibly dismembered.
Summarised the reasons why a policy of repression is impracticable are:-
1. It involves heavy and continuing military commitments for the United Kingdom and France which neither nation will permanently accept.
2. It makes no provision for dealing with the Russian, Italian or Japanese problems. Neither does it provide any solution for the Danube countries and the Balkans.
3. It would inevitably lead to a resurgence of extreme German nationalism with the almost inevitable consequence of another war within the next 25 years.
4. It provides no solution for the economic difficulties which confronted the world prior to the present war and which will be intensified after its termination. In fact it would create an economic position which would foster such a spread of communism as would render all the efforts of the Allies in the war nugatory.
5. It would inevitably lead to friction with the Dominions, if not the disruption of the Empire, and to estrangement from the United States of America.
6. In addition to the considerations in (5) it would from a Dominion standpoint lead to a further diminution of world's markets with a consequent limitation of their economic development.
When this picture emerges in the course of the discussion I think it is certain that there would be agreement that a policy of repression is impracticable and consideration would be given to an alternative method of achieving the great objectives of maintaining peace and freeing the world from the fear of aggression after the war.
In the discussion as to an alternative method, the first point that would emerge would be that some form of limitation or reduction of armaments is essential. This point would be reinforced by the fact that there would be general agreement that the progressive race in armaments has unquestionably led to the present war and that it has become increasingly clear that the burden of armaments is destroying nations financially and economically.
The consideration of the question of armaments would be on the assumption that Germany having been conquered was disarmed. It would then be necessary to consider how far a limitation or reduction of armaments can be brought about between the other nations. On first examination it would appear that Germany being disarmed, Britain and France could reduce the burden of their armaments. This, however, would immediately raise the question of how far Russia, Japan, Italy and the Danube and Balkan countries would be prepared to co-operate. An examination of the probabilities in respect of these countries is not very promising.
The consideration of the position of Russia suggests that it is extremely unlikely that the Soviet would be prepared to agree. The case of Japan is more doubtful as considerable pressure could be put upon her, possibly in association with the United States of America, once Britain and France were freed from the obligations which at present fetter their actions in the Far East. Japan's agreement, however, could only be obtained if she were relieved from the menace of Russia and the position in the Far East had been sorted out in such a way as to afford to Japan a reasonable opportunity to live and provide for her growing population.
With the overwhelming strength that France and the United Kingdom would possess at the end of a victorious war, Italy could probably be forced to agree but the measure of pressure that could with decency be imposed on Italy would be dependent upon what it had been possible to do with Russia. The Danube and Balkan countries would present a considerable problem which it would obviously be impossible to solve with a strong and aggressive Russia intervening in these areas. In any event a disarmament agreement in these countries could only follow upon the sorting out of many difficult territorial and racial questions.
Assuming, however, that the many difficult political problems I have indicated above could be resolved and agreement obtained among the nations to another disarmament conference, it is necessary to consider the problems that would have to be faced when such a conference was held.
The experience of the Disarmament Conference forces the realisation of how great are the difficulties in attempting to find bases upon which a reduction or limitation of national Armies, Navies and Air Forces can be brought about.
Even if a temporary basis for adjustment could be found how far could we rely upon nations observing their undertakings and in the event of their not doing so how would it be contemplated they should be forced to honour their obligations. The idea of sanctions, either economic or military, must be discarded in the light of the experience with regard to the provisions of the Covenant of the League of Nations.
In considering this question internal politics cannot be ignored.
Is it not inevitable that in individual countries political parties would spring up maintaining that the rights of the country had been sacrificed by the Government and demanding a reconsideration of the Disarmament Agreement.
An even greater danger is that unless present indications are wholly misleading, we shall encounter, after the war, in the more advanced countries, as in 1922-1930, a strong pacifist movement.
Democratic Governments will probably be affected and will reduce armaments below the safety level. In less advanced countries pacifist pressure will be resisted and once again we shall find the advanced Democracies in a position of relative weakness.
The discussion of the points I have indicated above would, I think, inevitably lead to the conclusion that so many problems and difficulties would have to be overcome in order to bring about agreement for either the limitation or reduction of national armaments that such a policy is impracticable. When faced with this impasse, the discussion would inevitably tend towards the consideration of the possibilities of the substitution of an International Force for national armaments. This suggestion should be sympathetically received by the French as both in 1919 and at the Disarmament Conference they put forward proposals of this character. The obvious starting point of any such discussion would be the consideration of the possibility of the abolition of national Air armaments and their replacement by an International Air Force.
Such a proposal does not create insuperable practical difficulties. It has been ventilated from time to time and has received a considerable measure of support even from quarters which in respect to Land and Sea Forces will not listen to the suggestion of their internationalisation. It therefore appears to me possible that acceptance of the idea of an International Air Force is not out of the question.
Even if nothing more could be achieved this would be a tremendous step forward. It seems to me, however, that it would be a pity to rest content with this achievement only. With Land and Sea Forces continuing on a national basis all the difficulties I have indicated above would still bar the way to agreement for the limitation or reduction of these forms of armaments. If no reduction or limitation of them can be brought about the nations will still have to bear financial and economic burdens involved in competing armaments. This burden would prevent the financial and economic reconstruction to which I refer later and which is so vital to the well-being of the whole of mankind.
It therefore seems to me essential that having obtained agreement to the principle of an International Air Force an effort should be made to break down the opposition of those who are opposed to the extension of the principle to Land and Sea Forces. The argument of those who are so opposed is that it is essential that Britain should have a great Navy, and France a great Army, in order to strengthen the voice of the two great Democracies in the councils of the nations.
An examination of this argument, however, I suggest shows that there is not a great deal in it. If Air Armaments have disappeared on a national basis and an International Police Force has been created, the effectiveness of the strongest Navy and the strongest Army would be relatively small, particularly if developments in the Air are to be of a character such as the experience of the last few years would lead us to expect. It can therefore be very well argued that for Britain to maintain a great Navy and France a great Army is merely saddling those two nations with a great unnecessary financial burden which would place them at a serious economic disadvantage with the other nations of the world.
Even, however, if this is true the burden would have to be borne unless in giving effect to the ambitious project of the internationalisation of armaments the insuperable difficulties in bringing about a limitation or reduction of national armaments already referred to can be overcome. In order to determine this it would probably be convenient to examine the principal countries and areas in the same way as was done with regard to the limitation or reduction of armaments, but to take them in a somewhat different order.
ITALY. The acquiescence of Italy, save under the pressure of force majeure, would be dependent upon whether or not her national ambitions could be reasonably satisfied.
In a world from which national armaments had been banished there would appear to be no insuperable difficulty in doing this.
Strategic considerations would no longer play a paramount part and Italy's demands would probably not be so extensive or so unreasonable as to be impossible of acceptance.
JAPAN. As in the case of Italy, Japan's national aspirations could probably be met. By this I do not mean the realisation of her dream of a predominance of an all powerful Japan in the Far East.
What I do mean is the satisfaction of her requirements for adequate commercial outlets so as to enable her to maintain her rapidly growing population. These requirements could be met by the rehabilitation of an independent China with the financial assistance of the nations of the world, particularly of the United Kingdom and the United States of America, in which Japan would be afforded specific rights in connection with the supply of consumption goods and by granting to her equality of opportunity for her commerce in the non-self-governing portions of the world.
DANUBE AND BALKANS. In these areas the main problems that have to be resolved are territorial and racial. While national armaments continue to exist and strategic frontiers are of paramount importance these problems are well-nigh insuperable. With the disappearance of national armaments these problems would be tremendously simplified and the way would be opened for their settlement on economic and ethnological grounds. If a basis could be found for a fair settlement of these territorial and racial problems it should be possible to obtain the acquiescence of the Danubian and Balkan States although a certain amount of pressure and compulsion might be required in the first instance.
RUSSIA. The Soviet presents much more formidable difficulties and yet is of vital importance because of its repercussions upon Italy, Japan and the Balkan and Danubian States.
It seems improbable that, if there were virtual world agreement for the internationalisation of armaments and the creation of an International Police Force to maintain security and prevent aggression, Russia would stand aloof. If, however, she did so it is unthinkable that the world should be debarred by her intransigence from following a course which the nations were agreed was essential for their security and well-being.
Such an attitude by Russia would have to be countered by the organisation of the International Police Force upon such a basis as to prevent aggression or interference by Russia either in Europe or in the Far East.
GERMANY. Having been disarmed after having been conquered in the war, Germany would presumably welcome the internationalisation of armaments because it would immediately place her on an equality with all the other nations of the world.
From the point of view of the other nations the creation of an International Police Force would free them from the necessity of ensuring, by their individual efforts, that she observed the terms of the Peace Treaty.
While I do not minimise the difficulties of giving effect to so daring and revolutionary a proposal as the abolition of national armaments and the substitution for them of an International Police Force, I believe those difficulties are not so far reaching and insuperable as those which would be encountered in attempting to bring about a limitation or reduction of national armaments.
However great they may be they have got to be faced and overcome if the world is to be saved from chaos.
Unless some method can be found of affording security to the world and at the same time of relieving the nations of the financial and economic burden of competitive armaments, civilisation as we have known it is doomed.
In the 25 years since the termination of the 1914-1918 war, the world has several times been on the brink of financial and economic disaster and looking back over those years it seems little short of a miracle that it has survived. No thinking person cm believe that with the innumerable additional complications and difficulties which the present war will have added it will be possible to avert the disaster which we have so narrowly escaped in the past, save by bold constructive action.
In face of such a situation we cannot be fearful of even the most revolutionary thinking.
Assuming the acceptance of the principle of the abolition of national armaments and the creation of an International Police Force, we have to consider how this Police Force would be controlled and what form of International machinery for dealing effectively with political problems between nations would have to be created.
The first question to be considered is whether the necessary organisation should be upon a world or a regional basis. The League of Nations was conceived upon a world basis and has failed.
This failure, however, was not necessarily due to the fact that the League was a world wide organisation, but was due to other causes which there is little advantage in dealing with now. It is possible that with the new conception of a limitation of the sovereignty of individual States a world Political organisation could be set up. Such a proposal would, however, encounter opposition in the United States of America and it is doubtful whether a world wide organisation would deal as effectively with the problems of Europe, of the Pacific, or of Central America, as a more limited organisation under which the nations most directly concerned undertook responsibility for the maintenance of regional security and the settlement of regional difficulties. Were the regional idea adopted there might at the outset be four regions:-
1. Europe, including the Mediterranean, 2. The Americas, 3. The Pacific, including the Far East, and 4. The U.S.S.R.
This division would leave out Africa, apart from the territories bordering on the Mediterranean, and India and the Middle East.
Consideration would be required as to how these areas should be dealt with. The basis of regional co-operation would be complete national disarmament save for clearly defined and lightly armed Police Forces and the assumption by the whole region of responsibility for security against external attack and the maintenance of peace within the region. In each region a regional council would be set up consisting of representatives of each national State within the region. This Council would be responsible for supervising national disarmament, the suppression of national production of armaments and for the control of a regional force consisting mainly of an Air Force and probably a Navy and particularly in regard to Europe a highly mobilised mechanised Land Force.
This Council would either itself or through the machinery it created deal with all disputes arising within the region. The International Force to be maintained by the individual regions would probably not be very great, although in Europe substantial armed forces would probably have to be maintained in order to afford a sense of security to the nations which had accepted national disarmament and possibly owing to the necessity of being in a position to safeguard the European States against any action by Russia. Certain countries would need to become members of, and to accept the obligations of membership in, more than one region.
For example, the United Kingdom would obviously have to be a member of both the European and Pacific Regions and the United States of America of the American and Pacific Regions. It would also be necessary that arrangements should exist between the different regions for co-operation in the event of one region being externally menaced.
The suggested organisation on a regional basis is based upon the idea that questions such as security, disarmament, the organisation of the International Police Force and the settlement of territorial and political problems can best be dealt with in this way. If, however, a satisfactory peace settlement is to be achieved it is necessary also to deal with economic and social questions as well as the difficult problem of Colonies. The settlement of the Colonial issue is a matter of vital concern to nations in all quarters of the globe. Trade is essentially international, and the repercussions of finance even more markedly so. Social questions such as health and standards of living are of concern to all nations and know no national boundaries. Moreover the solution of world economic and social problems requires the collaboration of all persons of good will in every country and in particular the co-operation of the United States of America.
For these reasons it seems essential that economic and social questions and the Colonial issue should be dealt with on a world and not a regional basis. The necessary organisation might well be provided by the Economic and Social Organisations of the League of Nations and the International Labour Office. If under the peace settlement political questions are dealt with on a regional basis, the United States of America would almost certainly be prepared to give its adherence and there would appear to be no insuperable difficulty in Germany, Italy and Japan returning to such a reconstituted League.
The Secretariat of the Health and Economic Organisations of the League of Nations and of the International Labour Office possess considerable accumulated experience and it would be a serious form of international waste not to utilise this existing machinery.
The responsibilities for the World economic and social organisations would include- Non-self-governing territories.
The supervision of a progressive internationalisation of the position of Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories.
The process of internationalisation might take the following form:-
The existing Colonial Powers to agree in the Peace settlement, in the case of Colonies already far advanced towards self-government, either to grant complete fiscal autonomy and thereafter to expedite the progress towards self-government, or to agree- 1. Immediately to institute an 'open door' regime in their Colonies for trade and for economic opportunities including contracts.
2. That a Commission established by the World Organisation should supervise the 'open-ness of the door'.
3. To treat their Colonies and Protectorates as Mandates and to submit reports to the proposed Commission.
4. Progressively to internationalise the Administration and other public services.
5. To accept the principle that the World Organisation should through its Commission undertake a progressively increasing degree of the responsibilities for the Government.
Under such a policy the possession of Colonies would cease to have any importance from the standpoint of strategy, prestige, or economics. It would also assure to all nations that the responsibilities to be borne on behalf of, and benefits to be derived from, the non-self-governing territories should become within a reasonable period international.
A settlement of the Colonial question on this basis would go far to remove the grievances of the so called 'have not' countries, which have contributed to the rise of Totalitarian regimes and explain, in part at least, the aggressions of Japan and Italy.
It is necessary, however, to deal with the grievances of individuals as well as with those of nations. Before the series of European political crises deflected men's minds from internal affairs there was growing an insistent, and even menacing, demand from the poorer classes for a more equitable share in national wealth. For example, the Front Populaire in France and the 'New Deal' in the United States of America. This demand will arise again after the war in an even more insistent form.
The peace settlement should be made the starting point of an internationally concerted attack upon the problems of poverty and the methods whereby there can be a greater utilisation of the discoveries of science. Problems of health will also have to be faced. In addition the paramount questions of the readjustment from war time to peace economic structures and the restoration of the economic and social life of countries severely damaged as a result of the war will have to be faced. All these matters are of transcending importance and it is no exaggeration to say upon how they are dealt with depends the future of the world and the well- being of mankind.
As you know, ever since the World Monetary and Economic Conference of 1933, these matters have progressively been my main preoccupation. I have, however, inflicted so long a letter upon you that I do not propose to add to it by dealing with them now in the way that their importance demands.
I will, however, by a subsequent mail send you some thoughts of a detailed character on the economic and social problems that I feel have to be faced.
In any event the object of this letter is to raise with you the desirability of early Empire consultation with a view to the oral and personal discussions contemplated with the French which obviously at the commencement will be concerned with political problems rather than economic and social ones.
With kind regards and many apologies for the wearisome length of this letter. [10]


text:
Diabetes and desert storm is also an issue!
Check on linking diabetes to list of medical illnesess from Desert Shield and Storm, a lot of vets have it ,munitions, oil, fires, PB etc etc.
29 comments
steve commented
I am a gulf war veteran and my son was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 9 like someone else had posted. There's no family history of type 1 diabetes. I wonder if there is any correlation to my gulf war syndrome and the type 1 diabetes diagnosis of my son. Could the effects that caused my immune symptom to change be passed to my son thereby causing type 1 diabetes?
Anonymous commented
My son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age nine. Has anyone else had a child develop diabetes? His dad came home sick and is no longer in our lives, don't know what issues he may have.
Anonymous commented
my husband is a gulf war 1 Veteran. He has severe skin problems and has been diagnosed with fibtomyalsia. But this doesn't cover it all his skin sometimes feels like it is on fire, On top of this just three weeks ago he was diagnosed with Diabetes. He has no family history with diabetes and his glucose levels were off the charts! How has this been linked to the Gulf War Syndrome? We are looking for ways to link it and want to refile his claim. I would appreciate any help we can get on this. He also suffers from terrible migraine headaches on top of all this and Neuropothy.
J03L commented
I have type 1 diabetes, gulf war veteran. I noticed it when I came back I lost a lot of weight, now I am 80% service connected disable vet.
Anonymous commented
I wish I had Type II Diabetes, I was diagnosed Type I and hate every injection, I'm told its not service related.. I guess the pancreas just stops...
sarah commented
My dad served in the war also and I don't remember exactly when but has the diabetes that needs insulin. He was skinny, never eats or has eaten sweets. Never even eaten a bowl of cereal. This diabetes has ruined his life, I can tell. No family history either. If it wasn't for medicine given during the war, how else would a person who doesn't even eat sweets develop this diabetes? Of course its the war and anyone who has this should be compensated.
Anonymous commented
Hello all, just call me ( Cool Breeze ),and wanted to post here as well to say that I was not aware of everything you have all been saying. I am also a ( Gulf War ) ( Desert Shield / Desert Storm ) Veteran, and had heard about being able to claim Diabetes type II, however was not completely sure until reading this ? I just wanted to thank everyone for posting your comments & concerns here, and that now since reading them will feel much more confident about being able to submit a claim. I have always wondered about this being that no other member of my family has this. I have been affected by Diabetes for a long time now, and thanks to everyone here hopefully can start to get some relief if you know what I mean, however it will probably also take some time too. At least I now have a stating place or place, but this is as long as I can get my doctor to support me on this effort ?
Roberto Peralta commented
I am service connected for Diabetes type II (20%) and being compensated by the VA now, it was diagnose 3 years prior to my retirement. I ask my doctor if could have it been during my Gulf War service. I retired 7 years after the war in 1998, however I was developing the systems in 1995 only four years after the war. I applied for CRSC based on my Diabetes and all my secondary conditions such as Bladder Dysfunctions (40%), Peripheral Neuropathy of Left and Right on lower and upper extremity (30% and three others 20%) secondary to diabetes, and Diabetic Retinopathy (10%). My unit did travel through the burning oil field of Kuwait and we inhaled a lot of that smoke, and also those mandatory PB tablets we were force to take and shots in case of a chemical attack.
I did read the entire case of Nehmer v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and I believe that our government has not reach a conclusion on this yet, just like it took them many years to reach it over Agent Orange. I so hope I can prevail, so let's see. Thanks for you input. Retired First Sergeant.
John Wood commented
To all my comrades, please see a VSO and do not give up the fight, file a NOD and then an appeal if you do not like the statement on the case from VA!!!! Diabetes and hypertension can be won!!! Once again, took me almost 8 years!!!! Make sure you see a good Doc and include all your Med records!
John Wood
John commented
Diagnosed Type II diabetic in 2010 blood sugar in the 600's I have had a partial amputation on my left foot. I have severe Peripheral nueropathy in hands and feet and Charcot in my left foot.
Also have had weird muscle twitches in my arms and legs for years but ignored them until I came down with the other problems. I went last year and got a Gulf Registry exam but I have not filed a claim. Served with 1st ID 1-4 Cav during Desert Storm. -
Jim Bunker commented
H Lee Graley, you may need to see what type it is " GERD and now they found stomach Cancer" some cancer can be caused by GERD. Get the opinion of a GI doctor.
H Lee Graley commented
I was in Desert Shield and Storm and I have been a diabetic for about 7 years now....the VA says it ain't related ......I have a 60% service connection on my stomach for GERD and now they found stomach Cancer.......they again say it's not related......the VA ain't helping anyone they are just blowin smoke and over ooking us that was there.....I claimed chronic shoulder pain in 2003 the first tiem and again in 06 07 and 2010....all been denied.......and none of it mentions the fact that I was an infantry medic in Desert Shield and Storm........they ain't putting the conection together
Carlton Smith commented
I am desert storm veteran and I almost died from a diabetic coma in 2005, no in my immediate family has diabetes but me.
John Wood commented
I hope all of you fellow Desert Storm , Shield vets do not give up with diabetes, etc, once again see a VSO, file a claim, get enrolled with VA health care and appeall or file a NOD if you do not agree with C&P or VA dissicions! I was in the trenches with 3 ACR and saw it all, Scuds,etc,to include the blow up at you know where, helped down load the chem munitions, then saw the EOD blow it up from 2 Klicks away. Help take care of our own and the coverup on the front lines! What a bunch of crap! They were not there! Get involved with your local vets orgs and Politicains!
John Wood commented
Hi Carlton,
Was just awarded a BVA claim for diabetes type 2 with high trigs. Please appeal to VA!!!!!!!!!!!
This took 8 years, get a VSO!!!!!!!!! VFW, Amer Leg, DVA. Look for help!!! You will get it right takes years ! Still waiting on award might take another 6 months. haha An Old 1SG, Tanker,Cav Guy. Go to VA and get admitted to VHA and see a Doc ! -
Carlton Smith commented
I am a Desert Shield and Storm vet. I almost went into a diabetic coma in 2005, blood sugar was over 600. Think it should be added to the list of illnesses because of the other illness associated with GW it is impossible to stay in shape, regardless of diet if you cannot exercise you will gain weight. I have gained 60 pounds since I was discharged in 1991. I use to run 3 miles three times a week now I can't walk a 1/4 of a mile..
Jim Bunker commented
They type II can be claimed if you fit this like what is going on with me. You do need your doctor to agree to. Yes most of the medicines given to a veteran has the side effects of weight gain. You also have to have other things like not able to work out like you once did, (running 4 miles a day) or riding a bike. Have a SC illness that stops this. or other SC illness to like a thyroid problem like I do too. I am one of the very few that was EVACed with all signs of nerve gas exposure but death. The first gulf report has it in the as I was the Operation office under John R. Gingrich that he was talking about in that gulf war task force report.
James A. Bunker
NGWRC.org -
Jim Bunker commented
Dear Med-PA Desert Storm vet, Many vets are given medications for their illness due to their service that causes the weight gain. You insult it us in that it is a willful part on a vet only that is causing it is as short sighted as those on the nerve gas was not a factor to any veterans.
Look a a veteran with fibromyalgia, Migraines, bad legs, feet hips & back due to in-service injuries, then puts on 50 pounds.
The vet does not eat the "fatty diet" you talk about. He eats Veggies, fish and some chicken.Well why is he now at the door??
He worked out hard to not put on the weight in the VA pool, drop a lot but it comes back.
Not until the medicine changes did it go off. 80 pounds. the weight of when in the EVAC during the war.So you are wrong.
jf commented
There are many causes for diabetes. Age, diet, weight gain, lack of exercise. Claiming you got it during the war is absurd. more than likely it's the 20 lbs you gained and the fatty diet you've been eating since you left the military..
Med-PA Desert Storm vet -
Anonymous commented
I served in Saudi and Kuwait from 1990 to 1991. I was exposed to shots, pills, munitions, scuds and fires. I was diagnosed as a type one diabetic in 1999 after a significant weight loss. My daughter who was conceived after that time is also a type one diabetic. We have no family history of diabetes


text:
photo by John Kernick
Makes 6 servings
active time
50 min
total time
3 1/4 hr
- 12 thin slices prosciutto di Parma
- 12 grissini
Wrap a slice of prosciutto around upper portion of each breadstick at an angle, slightly overlapping.
Cooks' note: Grissini can be wrapped 30 minutes ahead and kept, loosely covered, at room temperature.
my notes
recipe featured in
recipe at a glance
type: Entertaining,
main ingredients: Prosciutto, Meat, Bread, Pork
holiday/celebration: Cocktail Party, Fall, Winter


text:
Carnegie Mellon University Libraries is hosting several events during Open Access Week.
Open Scholarship for Graduate Students and Early Career Researchers - October 22, Connan Rm UC, 4:30-6
Come hear CMU researchers talk about why and how they make their work available open access. Hear the new Dean of Libraries Keith Webster explain why open access is strategic and describe next steps to increase open access to CMU research. Other speakers at the event include: Norman Bier, J. David Creswell, Michael Tarr, Veronica Hinman, Jelena Kovacevic, Mary Shaw, Reinhard Schumacher, and Russell Schwartz.
Can't make it? Watch the live webcast: Desktop | Mobile
October 21, October 24, Hunt Library, Mellon Institute Library, Sorrells Library, 12:30-2:00
Bring your questions about open access! What is it? Why is it? How do I do it? One-gig jump drive to the first 25 participants at each location. Snacks provided courtesy of CulinArt.


text:
Today I feel like I should be doing more than just hanging out here but I am enjoying it! And the kids are quiet...why rock the boat?
Sad because I came home from the world on Thursday night and miss it terribly...I didn't get my Disney Fix =(
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney
"Adults are just grown up kids, anyway." -Walt Disney
(((Por favor mantangense alejado de las puertas )))
*My Visits*1988 - Polynesian Resort*1991- Port Orleans*1992- Port Orleans*1994- Wilderness Lodge*1995- Caribbean Beach*1997- Boardwalk*1998- Old Key West*1999- All- Star Movies*2000- Wilderness Lodge*2000- Caribbean Beach*2001- Wilderness Lodge*2001- Port Orleans Riverside*2001- Coronado Springs*2002 - Boardwalk*2003 - Contemporary*2003 - Caribbean Beach*2003 - All Star Sports & Music*2004- Grand Californian (DL)*2004 - Boardwalk*2005 - Boardwalk*2006 - Wilderness Lodge*2007- Boardwalk*2007 - Wilderness Lodge*2008 - Saratoga Springs*2009 - Off Site*2011 - Bay Lake Tower/Boardwalk Villas*February, 2012 - POFQ
Today I feel like I should be doing more than just hanging out here but I am enjoying it! And the kids are quiet...why rock the boat?
I feel, kinda cranky with a side of irritated. Holidays go too quickly then the real world intrudes, bah!!!!!! But DD loves boogie boarding so it is all good.
P.U.S.H.-A mantra MOST will not understand.
Disney rocks, Walt was a genius.
Today, I am really tired. It was a long weekend, full of fun, but it left me worn out.
On the plus side, I spent yesterday with the 10 people I'm going to WDW with in November. We played Disney Bingo, debated over the shirt we're going to design and wear one day when we're down there (we've got it down to two designs), and talked about whether we'd like to try to Tusker House Breakfast or the Supercali... breakfast. Fun!
Happy and sad at the same time. Why can't I never get what (who) I want!
a little irritated because I should be napping, and instead I am wide awake.
My Blog
My Photo's
"Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
annoyed, because the hospital was supposed to call me last night to tell me when i could start my job ( i wanted it to be today ) but they still haven't called!
July 1994- off site
February 1999- Port Orleans Riverside
March 2000- Caribbean Beach
January 2004- off site
February 2006- Pop Century
April 2006- off site
January 2007- Pop Century
December 2007- Coronado Springs
December 2008- Pop Century
December 2009- Coronado Springs/All Star Sports
Next trip: December 2010- All Star Music
exhausted because I still haven't gone to sleep and am working again tonight
My Blog
My Photo's
"Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
Over the moon.
Dreams Really Do Come True
Good , hopeful and I feel bad a little about something . But one should not string one along and give false hopes so it is all for the best.
Like shouting from the rooftops! Heeee!
In other words, good. I feel good.
Dreams Really Do Come True
Happy and a little flirty... Do we have a smiley for that?
WHAFTFCOL now who wants a cookie!?!Copy Right of S&B LLC.SITTM... We have an App for that!
Yeah, I like Ninja Rubber Duckies FCOL!
It's got to be the weather, Stac! I'd say that is quite the appropriate smiley!
Dreams Really Do Come True
Nah, you'll be just like me! Floating around like you are wearing fabulous shoes on a fluffy pink cloud. Kind of sick in a sweet frosting sort of way.
Dreams Really Do Come True


text:
Chewy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Slightly adapted from this recipe
yay! my own picture!
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- ½ cup greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten lightly
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped pecans
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line cookie sheets with parchment
3. Mix dry ingredients and oats together. Set aside
4. Mix the yogurt, coconut oil, and both sugars together.
5. Add eggs to sugar mixture; stir well.
6. Add honey and vanilla to wet ingredients; mix well.
7. Mix together the wet ingredients and dry ingredients.
8. Stir in cranberries and pecans
9. Drop tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets.
10. Bake until the centers of cookies are soft and no longer wet; about 9-11 minutes.
11. Place pan on cooling rack to cool.
12. Enjoy!!
To freeze:
After step 8, scrape the dough onto plastic wrap, roll into a log, wrap tightly and freeze until ready to bake. When you are ready to bake them remove from freezer, let sit 15 minutes, slice, and bake as directed.
Let me know if you make these, I'd love to know how they turn out!
**Only 2 days left until My First Giveaway ends! Be sure to enter while you still can!**


text:
Jay Cross helps people work and live smarter. Jay is the Johnny Appleseed of informal learning. He wrote the book on it. He was the first person to use the term eLearning on the web. He has challenged conventional wisdom about how adults learn since designing the first business degree program offered by the University of Phoenix.
Informal Learning takes place in the context of work and life. Learnscaping — taking a systems view of learning in an organization — necessarily addresses a broad array of topics and disciplines. Hence, the articles and posts from Informal Learning Flow aren't confined to what you'll find in training magazines and learning conferences.
August 1, 2009 to August 30, 2009
Featured Sources
The following are the top items from featured sources based on social signals.
Other Sources
The following are the top items based on social signals.
Hot Topics
Company (1215)
network (949)
Tips (261)
Google (549)
Blog (712)
Work Smarter | September 2009 Edition
196 pages, $19.99
September edition includes the graphics from the Informal Learning poster:
Buy it here. (Amazon is two editions behind.)
I'm reading Jonah Lehrer's How We Decide and enjoying it immensely.
Deciding is not what you thought. It's not a rational process.
Scientists equipped with fMRI gear are discovering that emotion and social relations are bedrock.
This article by Marilyn Bunting in the Guardian draws these conclusions from recent books that peer into our brains:
First, we have much underestimated the social nature of the brain: how primed it is to recognise, interpret and respond all the time to the input of others and how that lays down patterns which govern our behaviour. We are herd-like animals who show a strong tendency to conform with group norms; what makes our brains so much bigger than other primates is this remarkable capacity for social skills such as empathy, co-operation and fairness. Instead of the old metaphor of individuals as discrete entities like billiard balls, we need to think instead of them as nodes in a relationship network.
The second area of astonishing discoveries is in the plasticity of the brain. We talk of "hardwiring" (computers have generated many misleading metaphors for the brain) but in fact, the brain can be changed. Parts of the brain can learn entirely new tricks. Neural pathways are not fixed, and even much of the damage done by deprivation in childhood can be repaired with the right circumstances of example, support and determination. We can shape our own brains to create new habits that we might have thought we were not capable of.
Instead of pointing out that "Learning is social," perhaps we should simply say that "People are social."
I just finished reading The Engelbart Hypothesis by Valerie Landau and Eileen Clegg. ($20 on Amazon.)
While Doug Engelbart is best known as the inventor of the mouse, the man is responsible for so much more. Doug conceptualized social networking more than 50 years ago! He described using connections to boost collective intelligence before computer networks existed. One of the first two nodes of the internet ended in his office at SRI.
You've probably heard the tale about Steve Jobs lifting the Mac's windows, icons, and mouse from Xerox PARC; PARC got them from Doug Engelbart. For Doug, the hardware and software were merely a means to an end: harnessing the power of collaboration to augment the intelligence of humankind.
Every problem facing humanity on a global scale is complex, and so, the solutions to those problems are also complex. Solutions themselves often bring on new unforeseen problems. Models for prolem-solving do not address the needed complexity. The solutions are too big for any one individual or any one discipline.
This is the heart of what I've called Learnscapes.
The culture, training, organizations, tools, artifacts and physical infrastructure all determine the capability of any individual or group to perform.
Valerie and Eileen talked with Doug for several years to tease out his amazing story. They've succeeded in capturing Doug's thoughts in 140 pages of simple, accessible language and graphics. If you want to know where Web 2.0 came from, you owe it to yourself to read this book.
Just as you can put a lot of information into a 140-character Tweet, you can convey many thoughts in a five-minute Ignite talk. Micro-content is on the way.
If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds? Around the world geeks have been putting together Ignite nights to show their answers.
Ignite was started in Seattle in 2006 by Brady Forrest and Bre Pettis. Since then 100s of 5 minute talks have been given across the world. There are thriving Ignite communities in Seattle, Portland, Paris, and NYC.
On Friday, I gave my first Ignite presentation on stage to an audience of 300 at Gnomedex in Seattle. We're thinking of using the format in the corporate learning track at Online Educa in Berlin later this year, and I needed to see how it felt.
The five-minute limitation makes you choose your words carefully. It turns out that less is more. People lose attention after listening to a speaker for nine to ten minutes. Might as well pack the message right up front rather than drone on.
My topic was the nature of time. Afterward, a fellow came who had judged presentations by a group of physicists on the same topic told me I presented more information in five minutes than the scientists covered in a hour.
This YouTube recording is slightly out of sync. (Sorry.)
Ten five-minute talks are better than one fifty-minute talk.
Viva Micro-content!
The latest entry in the Did You Know? sweepstakes presents 30 amazing stats about social media in four minutes.
A few of stats are overstated, e.g.
# By 2010 Gen Y will outnumber Baby Boomers….96% of them have joined a social network. [It's 96% of those online…]
# Social Media has overtaken porn as the #1
activitysearch topic on the Web
Nonetheless, this compilations from Socialnomics makes a compelling case that social media is a total game-changer.
Thanks to Mashable for the pointer.
Published in Chief Learning Officer, August 2009
Jay Cross
In the world of business, the era of networks is crowding out the Industrial Age. Network connections are replacing rigidity with flexibility, penetrating internal boundaries and silos and obliterating the walls that have separated businesses from their customers.
Networks reduce transfer costs to zero, enabling companies to focus on what they do best while outsourcing what others can do better. Networks also speed things up, often at a terrifying rate, making the corporate world unpredictable. In sum, networks are ushering in new ways of doing business. Corporate approaches to learning have to change, as well.
Until the shift from industrial to network dominance, corporations could compensate for crummy learning by hiring experienced people and managing ingenious command-and-control structures. Like the U.S. Navy, many old-style organizations were "built by geniuses so they could be run by idiots." [Correction: this should say Like the ship in The Caine Mutiny rather than Like the U.S. Navy.] Such an approach fails in the face of rampant change. Organizations that don't learn can't keep up. It's learn or die.
Some cutting-edge corporations are adopting a new bundle of practices — let's call them informal learning 2.0 — in order to improve operating efficiency by:
• Slashing time to performance.
• Increasing customer loyalty though learning.
• Replacing bureaucracy through self-service.
• Developing more informed marketing partners.
• Improving learning along the supply chain.
At the same time, the informal learning 2.0 approach sets the stage for broad cultural changes that strengthen the organization for the long term by enabling it to:
• Maintain flexibility in the face of incessant change.
• Respond rapidly to competitive threats.
• Put innovation on everyone's to-do list.
• Enable workers to be all that they can be.
• Establish frameworks for continuous improvement.
In a networked corporation, there is scant difference between knowledge work and learning. Workers become problem solvers and innovators instead of cogs in the machine. Their objective is ingenuity, not conformity. Business success depends on them working together rather than as individuals. Collaboration rules. They work and learn in what I call a "learnscape."
Learnscapes are the factory floor of knowledge organizations. The "scape" part underscores the need to deal at the level of the learning environment or ecology. The old focus on events such as workshops won't cut it in the ever-changing swirl produced by networks. The "learn" part highlights the importance of baking the principles of sound learning into that environment rather than leaving it to chance.
A modern learning ecology embraces departments and disciplines that were once considered separate functions: training, independent study, collaboration, knowledge management, corporate communications, organizational development, communities of practice, leadership development, expertise location and social media. The corporation's values, standards and investments define the structure of the ecology within which people are granted the freedom to act.
Corporations can create superior learnscapes by injecting practices that foster optimal learning: drip-feeding, interaction, ease of access, timely reinforcement, peer coaching, respect for reflection, setting standards, cognitive apprenticeship and so on.
Learning is formal when someone other than the learner sets curriculum. Typically, it's an event, on a schedule and completion is generally recognized with a symbol, such as a grade, gold star, certificate or check mark in a learning management system. Formal learning is pushed on learners.
By contrast, informal learners usually set their own learning objectives. They learn when they feel a need to know. The proof of their learning is their ability to do something they could not do before. Informal learning often is a pastiche of small chunks of observing how others do things, asking questions, trial and error, sharing stories with others and casual conversation. Learners are pulled to informal learning.
Industrial-age training required flocks of instructional designers to develop training programs and instructors to deliver them. In a networked learning environment, self-service learning replaces many programs, so fewer instructors are required. The pull approach provides more bang for the buck, enabling corporations to get more results while simultaneously cutting costs.
Developing and nurturing learnscapes is not just something to keep a chief learning officer occupied. It's a top executive responsibility. It's the ultimate key performance indicator.
Isn't it time to get everyone in the corporation involved in learning?
Business Week tells you "what went on at the clandestine affair."
This year's motley bunch included an assorted portfolio of designers; businesspeople, investors and MBA graduates; a tech systems architect who was also a former Navy Seal; and a tai chi master. The mean age was in the high 30s, with several people over 60 and a few in their mid-20s. "Despite coming from different backgrounds, we're all risk takers We don't fit in normal places so we make positions for ourselves," says Dila, 45, who also has a PhD in philosophy.
You must know someone in the so-called club to get invited—conference organizers change annually and the event is not promoted. Planners capped attendance at 50 people and there is no intent to let in more. The fee: $850.
Hey now! I was there and I have video to prove it:
I asked a bunch of people "How can we improve learning in organizations?" This is a boiled-down version.
The first cut was an hour long. I made a gaffe in chopping things back to ten minutes: no women appear in the final version although plenty were in attendance. I've asked myself if this were some latent sexism or simply the luck of the draw, and frankly, I can't explain how that happened.
The event was invitation-only but hardly secretive, as more than 500 photos on Flickr will attest.
The world of business is shifting from push to pull.
In a delightful post on his Edge Perspectives, John Hagel unpacks what this means.
From knowledge stocks to knowledge flows.
From knowledge transfer to knowledge creation.
From explicit knowledge to tacit knowledge.
From transactions to relationships.
From zero sum to positive sum mindsets.
From push programs to pull platforms.
From stable environments to dynamic environments.
What can I say? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
togetherLearn's thinking is remarkably congruent with John's.
As the author of Learnscaping, I particularly applaud this sentiment.
If institutions viewed their primary rationale as fostering scalable peer learning, they could create learningscapes* that would help individuals develop their talent much more rapidly than these individuals ever could on their own.
*FYI, I recently discovered that John Seely Brown was talking about learningscapes years before I started writing about Learnscapes in 2004. Great minds… and all that.
The world of business is shifting from push to pull. In a delightful post on Edge Perspectives, John Hagel unpacks what this means.
From knowledge stocks to knowledge flows.
From knowledge transfer to knowledge creation.
From explicit knowledge to tacit knowledge.
From transactions to relationships.
From zero sum to positive sum mindsets.
From push programs to pull platforms.
From stable environments to dynamic environments.
If institutions viewed their primary rationale as fostering scalable peer learning, they could create learningscapes that would help individuals develop their talent much more rapidly than these individuals ever could on their own.


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Nicole Barille of mr. Gnome: "Between two people, it can fall apart at any second, and that's kind of the fun about it"
mr. Gnome (due tonight at the Hi-Dive) tours more than most bands. The act's music is often thrown under the umbrella term "psychedelic." But clearly this Cleveland-based duo isn't really trying to sound like another psychedelic band. From the way Nicole Barille and Sam Meister present themselves in their press photos to the cover art of their albums to the songwriting and videos, one thing is clear: Barille and Meister have cultivated and run with a richness and depth of imagination that escapes many bands.
Because the two came to their music through via the visual arts, a medium that provided an immediacy of experience, their whole presentation has an uncommon artistic totality and coherence. The recent trailer for the song "House of Circles" looks like it could be the next great fantasy movie, and it came out of the songwriting on the band's noteworthy 2011 release, Madness in Miniature. We spoke with the charming and gracious Barille about the outfit's search for thrift-store musical rarities, its videos, its enduring interest in Art Nouveau and Folk Art, and an unexpected gig in Fruita, Colorado.
Westword: In an interview with Indie Rock Reviews a couple of years ago, you mentioned that you like to go to thrift stores to find old music gear for cheap. Do you still do this, and is there anything you've scored lately that comes readily to mind?
Nicole Barille: We've been still going. The one time we found something was in Madison, Wisconsin. We found this huge, old organ for twenty bucks. It has some really awesome, crazy sounds. That was the last thing we found. We still go to them all the time, but we haven't really been as successful, and we'll find stuff, but it's not as rare. We're still looking, though.
What got you interested in looking for stuff like that?
I don't know -- it's so random. I think we had just stopped in, and I don't even know why we first went in there, and we kind of turned a corner and there was this huge, massive organ. It was insane. So we plugged it in to see what it sounded like, and the sounds were amazing. And it had a $20 [tag], so I think that began our obsession with trying to find really cheap things that just sound really cool. Especially for the recording process, where they don't have to be perfect, but if you mike them up, they get the right tones.
With Madness in Miniature, it seemed like you had created a kind a cohesive work with its own internal mythology, if you will, and aesthetic. What inspired the imagery on the cover and in the songs themselves?
We were definitely trying to go for a really cohesive album. I think we've been trying to do that since we wrote our first record. On this one, we had a little more time to make some interludes and really kind of bring the whole thing together. I think we got lucky in the way the songs really just worked together, because they were written throughout the winter, spring and summer time, and in Cleveland, that's quite a climate shift. It's pretty drastic. I think that all blended into the sounds and the dynamics and mood that you're feeling when you're going through all those seasonal changes.
The artwork, Sam actually does all the covers for us. We do this kind of photo collage type of thing. So the background's from...we have a ton of pictures from driving through this beautiful country of ours -- so we have all these crazy pictures that we kind of slap on and just do some effects on them and just throw in some characters. We like dress up and be silly and see what kind of surreal imagery we can create from that. So that's just kind of where that came from. We ended up writing a whole video off of that, too, that's not done yet, but we just released the trailer for that.
Speaking of that, tell me about "House of Circles" and the video you've made for it.
We kind of sat on this record at the beginning of last year because we were trying to figure out how we were going to release it. As with every record we release, we just want things to be a step up. We had been touring so much, and when we recorded that, it was a really crazy time of like constant go, go, go.
So we took some time to chill out, and that's when I wrote those interludes, that segue in the beginning that leads each track into the next. So we listened to the record and started writing a really surreal story based on the lyrical content. It was nothing literal or anything. It kind of turned into this beast that we based on the character from the cover.
Sam's mom does all the costumes from all our covers. It's this weird thing that always fall into place. So, yeah, we based it off these characters from the story, and our main idea was to do a graphic novel. But we were getting really crazy, and we wanted to make a whole movie that kind of went with the whole album, like Dark Side of the Moon with The Wizard of Oz type of thing.
We were thinking kind of grandiose. But we ran out of time to do that, just because we ended up releasing the record and going on tour, and that turns into touring for, like, a hundred years. But we did want to kind of condense the whole idea and make "House of Circles" the longest song we've ever written. It seems to be a favorite off that album so wanted to apply the whole story to that song.
There's so much more to come. We shot it all over this past winter in this barn we have in our back yard. It was fun, it was a ton of work, and now Sam has, like, 500 hours of editing to do. He was trying to get it done before we left, but that didn't really happen, so we wanted to release that trailer and then we'll finish it as soon as we can. But I'm definitely excited for everyone to see it, because it's pretty tripped out.
Yeah, it's reminiscent of The Dark Crystal, but more, as you suggested, tripped out.
Cool. I'm really glad you got that vibe, because we definitely had that as an inspiration that went into it.
You touched on this earlier, but you were also working on a graphic novel for that?
That was another idea, and hopefully we can still make that happen. We didn't intend to go on tour as soon as we did. But we got into SXSW, and we got invited to do a bunch of festivals that were routed around that. I think this summer we'll really just have fun, artistically, and do that and probably start writing our fourth record. Just getting back to work that doesn't involve being in a stinky van and dirty bars every day, you know?
In producing that graphic novel, will one of you do more of the writing and the other more of the artwork?
All the stories that we come up with are definitely collaborative. We have crazy imaginations, and we start talking and brainstorming and coming up with ideas. Sam mainly does the artwork. We'll [both] come up with the concept for everything and then he's kind of turned into a little Photoshop wizard. So it's a lot of photo-collage and stuff like that. He's been growing with his art with the ability to make all of our album covers, and it's been cool seeing where he's taken everything.
How has your interest in graphic novels and science fiction informed your music and vice versa?
Sam is a big sci-fi dork, a little more than me. But he's gotten me into that stuff, too. I was never really into that. I don't know if it influences the music, specifically. We're definitely into psychedelic, spacey stuff. Maybe that's kind of sci-fi? The music is totally separate, but I think it's still that we incorporate surrealism. Our attraction to a certain art style probably seeps into the music a little bit, too.
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Course requirements for degrees granted by Butler University are designed to provide a comprehensive education in both general liberal arts and in the student's major field of study. In awarding a degree, Butler University is recognizing the satisfactory completion of a set of courses it deems representative of the academic standards it upholds. In addition, all admitted students are regarded as "otherwise qualified" to participate in any program of academic study with or without reasonable accommodations. Therefore, students with disabilities are not excused from degree requirements.
However, in some limited circumstances, substitution of a course requirement may be determined to be a reasonable and appropriate accommodation for a student with a properly documented disability. An accommodation of this nature is considered only when it has been confirmed that the student's disability makes completion of the requirement impossible. Consideration of a course substitution is done on a case-by-case basis. Course waivers are not typically granted.
Gaining approval for a course substitution is often a lengthy process. Therefore, it is recommended that the student initiate the request early in the academic career. In most cases, it will be necessary for the student to have declared a major before the request can be considered. This will allow a determination to be made as to whether or not the requested course substitution represents a fundamental alteration in the chosen field of study. The University retains the right to revoke a substitution in the event that the student changes majors and the substituted course is found to be essential to the newly declared major field of study. In addition, it is difficult to guarantee a course substitution to a student who is not yet enrolled in the University.
The final decision regarding a course substitution will rest with the dean of the student's college except when the request involves a core requirement. In the case of a core requirement, the final decision will be made by the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In the event that the student has declared a double major, the final authority regarding the course substitution rests with the dean of the college whose course requirement is in question.
A student with a disability who would like to request a course substitution as a reasonable accommodation should:
A committee consisting of no less than three but not more than five members of the university community will then review the student's request. Committee members will include but are not limited to: representatives of the dean's office, of the department of the course in question, of the students college and the director of Student Disability Services. Other individuals relevant to the requirement may also be included. The committee will be convened by the director of Student Disability Services.
A statement outlining the findings of the committee and suggesting course substitution alternatives, if applicable, will be directed to relevant faculty/staff. This generally includes the student's academic advisor, the director of Student Disability Services, the dean of the college of the student's major(s), and if applicable, the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The student will be notified in writing by the dean's office of the final decision. Written notification will be issued within thirty days of the committee meeting. If the petition is not felt to be a reasonable accommodation and as a result, is denied, the student has the right to appeal the decision by following the grievance procedures that are available through the Office of Student Disability Services.
A student must follow the general procedure required to request a course substitution. If the substitution is approved, the suggested foreign language substitution is: four 3-credit courses (6 credits of which must be on the 200 level or higher) focusing on the culture of countries other than the United States. Culture is defined broadly, so the courses can deal with history, literature, politics, religion, music, etc. as long as the subject matter deals with non-English speaking countries.
The choice of the courses is suggested by the student. However, core courses which are being used to fulfill the core requirement CANNOT also count as foreign language substitution courses. Similarly, courses taken for the major or minor CANNOT also be used as foreign language substitution courses.
Each individual course taken as a substitution must be approved by the department chair of Modern Foreign Languages. Therefore, each semester the student should make an appointment with the department head to discuss the appropriateness of each course before enrolling in it.
If you have any questions please contact: Michele Atterson Director of Student Disability Services 136 Jordan Hall 4600 Sunset Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46208-3485 Voice/TTY:(317) 940-9308 Fax: (317)940-9036


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I don't know if I will trout fish the weekend or not. Might continue to give the little guys a break with this heat and all for yet another weekend. If I do go, I want to try a new fly I tied the other evening. It's basically a parachute style tied upside down on a curved caddis pupae hook.
I suppose the premise was to create a slightly different silhouette on the water and hide the shiny hook a little more than you would find on a standard dry. Not only that, but possibly create an appearance similar to that of an extended body fly without the extended body.
Its essentially a variation of my foam body flies using the #16 curved pupae/emerger hook, tan foam cut into about a 1mm x 1mm strip, with brown hackle, and z-lon for the post. I've been thinking about possibly trying this a 3x nymph hook instead. The caddis hook is a little difficult to hackle in the upside down position, and the longer shank of the 3x nymph hook may be easier to hackle and produce a longer more mayfly like body. Its still pretty buggy though.


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The clever food blogger Tori Avey from the delicious blog The Shiska in the Kitchen whipped up this innovative Cupcake Menorah in honor of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is not far away and people everywhere are dusting off their menorah and setting them in their usual place of honor. This year why not switch things up a bit and make the traditional holiday a touch more delicious with this edible version of the classic menorah.
Cupcake lovers everywhere will get a kick out of this delicious festive offering. Eye-catching and easy to assemble, there is really no reason you can't pull off this Cupcake Menorah this year. Get your tots in on the action and have a blast crafting the blazing confectionery centerpiece.
Sure to have your guests begging to know how you did it, this Cupcake Menorah is the tastiest way to celebrate Hanukkah.