text:
Register now for free, or sign in with any of these services:
Want to set your local edition?
Select an edition for more focused local news coverage when you visit mlive.
Don't worry. You can change this setting at any time to another local edition.
Outrageous Yet True,
Thanks for the sarcastic post. I don't determine what is and is not newsworthy -- the readers do. And since many readers (including you and Jaded Eyes, apparently, as well as many others) continue to read my articles related to this incident, that makes it newsworthy. I would be doing a disservice to those readers, like drachenfutter and fuigb3 below, by not continuing to follow up on this case. Hope that makes sense.
Yes, individuals can be sued in civil court for the damages their criminal acts bring upon someone or something. I'd point you to the case of Duane VanLanHam and Bridgetta Hadley, who sued Anthony Hunt and Shamorrow Amos when the pit bulls belonging to Hunt and Amos brutally attacked Hadley and then VanLanHam. As seen in that case, though, the problem is that the defendants typically don't have the resources to pay the damages -- especially if they are in prison. That's why restitution is so important, as you pointed out. There are times, as well, when defendants plead no contest instead of guilty, and the reason for the no contest plea is because of potential civil litigation. A guilty plea could be used in a civil trial, while a no contest plea is not an admission of guilt.
Here's a link to the VanLanHam story: http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/07/2009_pit_bull_victims_awarded.html
Jaded Eyes,
The entire Bronner's vandalism incident was quite newsworthy in Saginaw County, regardless of your opinion why. Is this the first article I've written about somebody not paying a fine? I don't know. If it is, there's a couple reasons for that. First, most individuals we write about are those convicted in capital cases, or other high-profile cases, where the defendants are sentenced to prison time and thus don't have an opportunity to pay restitution until they're out. Second, a vast majority of property crime cases, such as this one, go unreported (except in my "Sentencings" section) because they're mostly run of the mill. Again, you can have your opinion as to why this is newsworthy, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I just ignored it.
Sorry those comments are out of order, by the way. I wish the comment streams were more like message boards.
In felony cases, judges generally enter not guilty pleas for the defendants' during their arraignment. There are several different reasons for this. It's in the best interest of the defendant, and for the courts, for the criminal justice system to run its course. That way, the defendant's rights to remain silent, to have an attorney, and to confront witnesses, among other rights, are preserved, and the courts don't have to deal with subsequent claims of said rights being violated. If the defendant wishes to plead guilty, with or without his or her attorney's approval, after a preliminary hearing or before a trial, that's up to them.
Hope this helps.
To add to that, the victim who did ultimately testify was called to the witness stand just minutes after the incident in the hallway. She was visibly shaken by the whole notion of testifying, even with the courtroom closed to all but the defendant's parents and to the media. She didn't identify Kinnard as her assaulter until she was called to testify a second time, about an hour afterward.
That's not to say Mr. Russell or Mr. Quinn actually threatened her or the other two witnesses. I don't know if they did or not. But it was clear the incident itself left the victim shaken up.
What does everybody make of McGregor's failure to appear?
Unfortunately, my fellow reporters and I have little-to-no say in what goes in the paper these days -- especially where in the paper. Frankly, I was surprised it made it on the front page, but only because the story was two days old by Sunday. Considering how much attention it garnered on our website, though, I think the decision was appropriate.
Furthermore, as to your (essentially) "so what?" opinion of Mr. Rogers' alleged threats, I think the charge, a misdemeanor, reflects your opinion of the severity of the threats. People just can't go around threatening to kill others over the phone, and are charged with a misdemeanor as a result. If they go further, like doing so in person, it can reach the level of extortion, which is a 20-year felony. Just because somebody doesn't act on a threat doesn't make it legally OK.
This comment was posted over the weekend, so I didn't see it. What you can do is, when you see a comment you find inappropriate, feel free to hit the "Alert us" link, and the comment should be removed. I've done so with that comment. Thanks.
Trooper Hunt found and seized marijuana from the vehicle, and the alleged victim admitted that the marijuana was his. The baggie that Hunt testified he saw was never retrieved and/or seized. The alleged victim ultimately was given immunity from drug charges.
Oronde Patterson did a great job in this trial. You can argue whether the Attorney General Office's decision to bring charges against Trooper Hunt was a waste of taxpayer money, but bringing the charges wasn't Patterson's decision. And once the trial commenced, he did the absolute best he could. Judge Jurrens said as much after closing arguments, telling Patterson and Piazza that he was impressed with their work. As Patterson said, it was a tough case.
The only way that criminal sexual conduct could be charged in his case was if force or coercion was used. Obviously, the argument could be made that since the man was handcuffed, he was forced into the situation. But the counter to that, obviously, is that Trooper Hunt legally handcuffed him and was acting in his capacity as a trooper. Proving a misdemeanor charge of conducting an unlawful body cavity search was hard enough; how hard do you think it would be to convince a jury of 12 to convict Trooper Hunt of a felony CSC charge?
The alleged victim wasn't charged with possession because he was granted immunity. I believe that was in a prior article about this trial. Furthermore, Trooper Hunt testified that the man was able to position the baggie further up his rectum, which made it no longer visible and, thus, prevented him from searching further. Said baggie was never retrieved.
Just as it ultimately proved hard for the prosecution to prove the alleged victim's version of the incident, it would be just as hard, if not harder, to prove he was lying about it. That's one reason you don't see many perjury cases, at least in Saginaw County -- it's one thing to know somebody is lying on the witness stand (and I'm not saying the victim here lied or didn't lie), but it's another to prove he lied. Furthermore, just because Trooper Hunt was acquitted doesn't necessarily mean, legally at least, that the alleged victim's claims were false.
bricarst is correct. The crime lab almost always is called to death scenes to investigate -- not just by the sheriff's department, but by the Saginaw PD, Buena Vista PD, and all other agencies in the county. Their resources, expertise, and equipment are far superior to our local agencies, because that's the crime lab's sole purpose -- to assist local agencies with evidence collection and examination.
Thanks for the concern. My intent was not to speculate but only to provide the possible outcomes of the investigation. My apologies if it came across otherwise.
It's tough to get further detail at this point. The state law is quite vague, as is the warrant charging Rogers. Essentially, the charge means that Rogers and/or his uncle made a call to Rogers' mother and used threatening or vulgar or abusive language, any combination of those, or something similar. What the conversation was about, we won't know until the case proceeds a little further.
I understand your desire for more information, but I hope this helps.
Mr. Rogers only attended MSU for three years. While there are many college athletes who get their degree in three years and many who come back after their eligibility expires to get their degree, there are many who leave after three years (and even before that in basketball) and never get their degree. I can't confirm whether he has a degree, but found it important to point out how long he was enrolled while he played football.
In no way am I going to defend or argue against that bond that was set for Mr. Russell, but I think it's important to keep in mind that bonds are not set for punishment purposes. Rather, they're set to assure the defendant's presence in court. $25,000 or 10 percent is about what I would expect for such a charge, actually.
I think your concern is important, though, and I'm sure the police are aware that Mr. Russell is not in jail anymore.
Good question. The complaint filed by Mastromarco didn't delve further into Baker's presence than what I wrote above. I'm sure that information either will come out when Buena Vista's attorneys file a response or further in the court process.


text:
Refine further
Save on exquisite bridal lingerie in the Leia Outlet. We have some stunning collections in a variety of styles to work with your dress.
Part of Wacoal Europe©2015
The cookie settings on this website are currently set to 'allow all cookies' to give you the best experience possible. If you're happy with this simply click OK below. You can change your settings any time at the bottom of the page.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|FHWA > Engineering > Pavements > Publications
Publication Details
Primary Topic: Pavement Construction
Description: This technical brief identifies best practices for curing portland cement concrete pavements. It provides important concepts in pavement curing, discusses the use of curing compounds and evaporation retarders, and describes how to estimate evaporation and bleeding rates and manage temperature.
FHWA Publication Number: FHWA-IF-06-003
Publication Year: 2005
Document Links: HTML PDF (file size: 0.3 mb)
PDF files can be viewed with the Acrobat® Reader®
More Information
John Bukowski
Updated: 02/20/2015


text:
TV Info
Episode PremiereOctober 29, 2010
DistributorCBS, NBC
Show Period2005 - 2011
Production CompanyPicturemaker, Grammnet, Paramount Network
Cast and Crew
DirectorPeter Werner
ScreenwriterJordan Rosenberg
Main Cast
- Patricia Arquette as Allison Dubois
- Jake Weber as Joe Dubois / Dale Cosgrove
- Miguel Sandoval as D.A. Manuel Devalos
- Sofia Vassilieva as Ariel Dubois / Abigail Cosgrove / Ariel DuBois
- Maria Lark as Bridgette Dubois
- Madison Carabello
Additional Cast
- Clancy Brown
- David Burke
- Angela Paton
After disturbing visions, Allison believes a bomb will go off in an office building at 9:18AM, but doesn't know which day. Linking a vision of Scanlon's coffee stained shirt to the explosion, the bomb squad and police evacuate the office building, but it's a false alarm. A severed hand is that of the building inspector, Gavin. Gavin was about to blow the whistle on the building developer, Rob, who cut corners in construction. Gavin determines the building is unsafe so Rob decides to blow it up and make it seem like a terrorist attack as a cover up. Marie and Bridgette have been tagging a neighbor's foreclosed house in their sleep. Joe discovers the owner needs a few days before being able to buy it back, and spray paints graffiti to help them.


text:
Activist Post
Re: SPLC list of "Active Patriot Groups" and DOJ's "Criminal Extremist List"
I am wondering if you will start a Patriot Persons list to go along with your Patriot Groups list? If so, I'd like to apply. If your criteria* is the same for People as for Groups, I might be a pretty good fit!
I am definitely against any "New World Order" or "One World Government" scheme. The U.S. must remain a sovereign nation as outlined in our Constitution. (Besides, and I don't mean to be catty here, but the idea doesn't seem to be working out so bloody well for the EU.) Do you know if there is an active attempt by the U.S. government to join into a world government? If so, please let me know! I'd like to sign and circulate a petition against that.
I don't engage in groundless conspiracy theorizing; all the conspiracies about which I theorize have grounds. Do you think you could make an exception? And which conspiracies are the groundless ones? A list somewhere on your site would be helpful.
Also, how do you define "extreme anti-government doctrines", please? Can you give any examples? I am personally extremely pro-Constitutional governance, something which has been in short supply during the last few administrations, including the current one. I would only be anti-government about a government that was extremely anti-U.S. Constitution. Will this count for or against me?
I am glad to see Oath-Keepers made the list of Patriot Groups! I am a member of Oath-Keepers. They are educating military and law-enforcement personnel about the Constitution and Bill of Rights, encouraging them to keep their oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Thank goodness! Since the Constitution is no longer adequately taught in our schools (having just educated two teenagers, I can attest to that fact), I am thrilled to see that someone has taken on this monumental task!
Could you let me know if I make the list? You can find me at Campaign for Liberty or at Liberty-Candidates.org.
I hope I'm not asking too much, but maybe you could give a plaque or something? Or how about a pin that we could wear all the time identifying us as Patriots who made your list? Then we could easily spot each other. That would be way cool. Thanks!
God bless,
Sally O'Boyle
P.S. Thanks for printing that list of Patriot Groups broken out by state. Now I can find friends no matter where I am. Kind of like an A.A. meeting list! Now, I'm thinking I should join a militia. Don't mean to be greedy, but would I get extra points for that?
*Criteria: "Generally, Patriot groups define themselves as opposed to the "New World Order," engage in groundless conspiracy theorizing, or advocate or adhere to extreme antigovernment doctrines." (http://tinyurl.com/patriotgroups)
This article may be re-posted in full with attribution.
If you enjoy our work, please donate to keep our website going.


text:
Junior Member
Last Activity: 21-Jan-2012 11:19 AM
About Me
- About XxCandyxX
- Location
- london, England
- About Me
- hey guys! The names candice also known as Candy. I Love IT or/and ICT but i still got a long way to go before becoming a pro sadly lol. i love being creative such as drawing/graphic design, music, cooking and much more. but i also like to party and have fun. i was born and raised in the UK but carribean decent (3 islands :D) love my PS3, XBOX ( yes the old 1 lol) Wii, PS2 and Gamecube (still have it lol) but my next ghola is getting a Xbox 360 >=). i LOVE watchin anime, especially Naruto and Bleach #TEAMNAURTO&BLEACH lol. im a crazy, outgoing, bubbly person who loves to be humorous at most times o.o. sometimes i can be unpredictable >.> which i like lol. but despite all of what i said, im very caring and always there to listen to peoples events in life.. even if its just walking down the street going to the store to buy some milk T.T lol theres so much more to me than meets the eye, sadly for you guys i aint posting any pictures lol but this is as much info i can give you guys on myself *even though theres much much more) but lets just stop here shall we >.> :)
- Interests
- dancing, singing, composing music, party, looking good lol
- Experience
- Intermediate
- Computer Specs
- Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 18.104.22.168
OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate, 32 bit
Processor: Genuine Intel(R) CPU 2140 @ 1.60GHz, x64 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 2
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 1015 Mb
Graphics Card: Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family, 256 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 144796 MB, Free - 23080 MB; D: Total - 7828 MB, Free - 977 MB;
Motherboard: Foxconn, Lucknow
Antivirus: Norton Internet Security, Disabled
Showing Friends 1 to 1 of 1
- Phantom010
- Trusted Advisor


text:
Paying attention to the gluten in your food can not only help you lose weight but fix a host of problems like stomach pains, rashes, depression, and much more!
Dr. Arthur Agatston, known for his popular "South Beach Diet", teaches us how to be "Gluten Aware" in his new book.
- http://www.southbeachdiet.com/diet/dr-agatston
- https://www.facebook.com/SouthBeachDiet
- https://twitter.com/southbeachdiet


text:
Jude and Sienna: Sometimes love just isn't enough
Jude and Sienna: Sometimes love just isn't enough
Not since Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's legendary affair has a Hollywood love story so transfixed the public.
When Jude Law, one of the silver screen's most charismatic leading men, was partnered with virtual unknown Sienna Miller for a remake of Alfie – Michael Caine's 1966 film – the electricity was instant.
But while the script called for his character to romance several ladies, there was only one that interested the British actor – his vivacious co-star.
By the time cameras stopped rolling they were a couple in real life


text:
Please, somebody, file a lawsuit. We need to stop this madness and it is quite clear that the Winnebago County Board dosen't have the backbone to do so. All they see is Dollar Signs…the poorest excuse ever for a decision that impacts the quality of life in our county.
Thank you to Wendy Owano for at least voting NO. It is too bad you didn't break out of the Winnebago Republican Cult sooner. You might have been re-elected. But then again, you had some big shoes to fill. In spite of the hatred of others, Pete McKay would still be my choice to represent our district if he were here.


text:
Posted at: 06/25/2013 3:40 PM
Updated at: 06/25/2013 5:57 PM
By: Brett Davidsen
She was promised high returns, but instead caused high anxiety for hundreds of investors who were scammed out of millions of dollars. The proceeds of the sham investment scheme went directly into the pocket of the con artist.
Imagine, spending your entire life saving up your money so you can live comfortably in retirement. And then just like that, it's gone. That's what happened to many investors, including a couple in their 90's, who invested with a woman who turned out to be a complete fraud.
Kalin Dao is the mastermind behind a scheme that cost more than 500 investors at least $7 million.
Robert Strande, U.S. Postal Inspector, said, "She offered a number of programs either penny stock type investments, or investments in commodities, precious metals, things like that."
Postal inspectors invested in Dao's company to learn more about her business.
Strande said, "She gladly took my money, sent me regular updates, investment statements categorizing how my investment was doing."
Those documents were all fake. Inspector Strande traveled to Las Vegas to attend an investor's meeting with Dao and brought a hidden camera. He spoke with her about the transparency of her records.
Strande says there's an important takeaway for every potential investor.
Strande said, "Don't accept answers like, 'this is a private company, you're not entitled to look at the financials, I don't have to show you the financial records'. Don't accept answers like that."
Strande also said another potential red flag was the presentation Dao gave, for example, a simple chart.
Strande said, "She provided a PowerPoint presentation to the entire investment group and it looked as though a second grader had done the art work."
Postal inspectors say the victims were devastated.
Strande said, "It completely wiped them out financially. Most of them did not have disposable income."
Postal inspectors say Dao used the money to finance her lavish gambling trips to Vegas. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Experts warn you to be wary of investment companies who make outlandish promises. Dao's company claimed investment returns could be as high at 2200% over a year and a half.


text:
Dennis R. Perkins, 74, of Mill Street, Ridgway, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at the Elk Regional Health Center following a short illness.
He was born Aug. 6, 1937 in Millpoint, W.V., son of the late Carnie (Perkins) Poage.
He was a graduate of Johnsonburg High Class of 1956. He was a retired maintenance man last employed at Dickinson Mental Health. He enjoyed cards, darts, reading and being in the woods.
Freda B. Gearhart, 90, of Greenville, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at Nugent Convalescent Home in Hermitage.
She was born June 22, 1921 in Richardsville, daughter of the late Fred and Lillian Pierce VanNorman. She married Orlan K. Gearhart, he preceded her in death on Dec. 31, 2010.
She was a member of the Central Community Church in Transfer. She was a member of the West Salem Fireman Women's Auxiliary where she had served as past president; the Jolly Hill Top Club; Grandmas Club; Sunshine Club; Ladies Aid Club; and the Seniors for Christ group at her church.
Ridgway wrestling won 70-0 over Johnsonburg Thursday night at Ridgway Area High School in a dual meet.
The Elkers had Senior Night and honored a dozen seniors. The seniors honored were Chad Quail, Chris Woods, Corey Bush, Dakota Dahler, Jake Himes, Kyle Caggiano, Seth Stahl, Slade Horner, Steve Mitchell, Tad Pierce, Trevor Delhunty and Tyler Himes.
JOHNSONBURG –The Ramettes (9-5) found their groove Thursday night as underclassmen Chelsea Benson and Brittany Watts accounted for 39 of the team's 56 points as Johnsonburg stretched their winning streak to seven games with a 56-40 win over DuBois Central Catholic (5-10).
Sophomore Chelsea Benson paced all scorers with 21 points while junior Brittany Watts followed with 18 on the night. Watts scored all of her points in the first half on nine 2-point field goals before succumbing to foul trouble in the second half.
Ridgway senior Kyle Caggiano recently passed the 100-win milestone for his career.
Caggiano won his 100th match at the Clearfield Duals last Saturday in the dual against Clearfield. He wrestled at 170 pounds and won a 19-1 technical fall in 5:58 over Kody Hepfer.
"It was great, I liked it," Caggiano said. "It was exciting to get it. It ended up being a tech fall in our last match against Clearfield. It was pretty exciting."
A nominating committee on Wednesday morning appointed Potter County Commissioner Douglas Morley as chairman of the executive committee of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission [NCPRPDC].
Morley has served as chairman of Potter County's Board of Commissioners since he was seated in January 2008 and was successfully elected in November 2011 for a second term.
He has been an Allegany Township resident for the past 34 years, was a graduate of Northern Potter High School and attended Williamsport Area Community College.
The Elk County Monitoring Project website is now up and running and available to the public.
The website, powered by NexSens Technology, relays data from the satellite telemetry systems installed in the streams and watersheds.
The monitoring project is designed to keep an eye on stream conditions in the wake of the Marcellus Shale drilling by measuring the temperature, flow and conductivity in each stream. The total project cost for the program is estimated at $329,330.
Two of the 11 systems are online and running.
Elk County Conservation District Watershed Specialist Kim Bonfardine recently reported applying for an $88,000 grant through the Elk County Community Foundation to continue the Elk County Monitoring Project.
If accepted, the grant will extend the duration of the monitoring project for a couple years.
The Elk County Community Foundation provides scholarships and grants to other non-profit organizations in Elk County and the surrounding communities.
ST. MARYS – Filling out financial aid forms for college can be nerve-wracking, but the Community Education Council is offering some help for college-bound students and parents who want to get it right the first time.
Students from Elk County who will be attending college for the first time this year and their parents are invited to attend one of two free sessions held in the computer lab at the Community Education Council of Elk and Cameron Counties (CEC) in downtown St. Marys on Monday, Jan. 30. The first session will run from 2 to 4 p.m. and the second from 5 to 7 p.m.
With the possibility of funding cuts in the future at the federal and state levels, officials at the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission [NCPRPDC] pushed ahead with a 3-percent cost-of-living adjustment for its employees.
The measure, however, was not without opposition.
William H. Bogart, Small Business Consultant for Cameron County, had concerns with the raise, which will take effect retroactive Jan. 1, 2012.


text:
The Fort Worth school district will pay a former school district employee $135,000 to settle a whistleblower lawsuit, and the district will reinstate her to her job.
In the lawsuit, Aracely Chavez alleged that she was fired because she alerted administrators about problems with a new payroll system in 2008. The January 2009 launch of the system was marred by a series of errors, including at least $1.5 million on overpayments to employees and former staffers.
School trustees on Tuesday agreed to the lawsuit settlement terms. The settlement must be approved by a judge, said Bertha Whatley, Fort Worth schools chief legal counsel.


text:
Automated motor vehicle battery voltage protection is provided by setting voltage trip points for increasing engine speed and for shedding selected electrical loads. The system is effected by programming a vehicle body computer which communicates with, and exerts control over, various vehicle system controllers over one or more controller area networks. The body computer is programmed to monitor battery voltage and initiates an increase in engine speed first, and if that fails to restore a minimum battery voltage level, begins shedding loads in a predetermined order.
1. A motor vehicle comprising:
an engine installed on the motor vehicle as its prime mover;
a power take off application installed on the vehicle drawing mechanical energization directly or indirectly from the engine;
first and second a controller area networks including a power train controller area network and body controller area network;
a plurality of vocational controllers including an engine controller connected to first controller area network for the exchange of data and an electrical system controller connected to the first and to the second controller area networks, the vocational controllers each having at least one vehicle subsystem associated therewith and the plurality of vocational controllers providing messages over the first or second controller area networks relating to motor vehicle conditions;
a vocational controller for the power takeoff application, the vocational controller for the power takeoff a application being connected to the second controller area network and the Dower takeoff application being powered from the engine;
a vehicle battery connected to be charged by operation of the engine;
means for providing vehicle battery voltage measurements to at least a first of the plurality of vocational controllers;
a battery monitor program stored on the first vocational controller for execution, the battery monitor program being responsive upon execution to at least two battery voltage trip points, including a first voltage trip point to which the programmed vocational controller is responsive for directing the engine controller to increase engine speed to at least a first preselected level, and a second voltage trip point to which the programmed vocational controller is responsive for releasing the engine controller to return the engine to engine idle speed; and
a plurality of programmed interlocks initiated in response to one or more motor vehicle conditions reported by the vocational controllers for preventing changes in engine speed under the direction of the battery monitoring program including an interlock for preventing changes in engine speed responsive to battery charge state when operation of the power take off application is engaged.
2. A motor vehicle as claimed in
3. A motor vehicle as set forth in
a load shed trip point to which the programmed vocational controller is responsive for causing a vehicle subsystem to be turned off;
a power takeoff application installed on the motor vehicle; and
one of the programmed interlocks being responsive to the state of the power takeoff application.
4. A motor vehicle as set forth in
one of the programmed interlocks being responsive to combinations of motor vehicle conditions.
5. A motor vehicle as set forth in
means for comparing the measured battery voltage against a first voltage trip level and initiating a delay if the magnitude of the measured battery voltage is less than the first voltage trip level; and
means responsive to occurrence of the delay for comparing an updated measured battery voltage against the first voltage trip level and triggering an increase in engine speed if the updated measured battery voltage remains at a lesser magnitude than the first voltage trip level.
6. A motor vehicle as set forth in
means for executing a delay after a triggered increase in engine speed;
means responsive to execution of the delay after a triggered increase in engine speed for comparing yet another updated measurement of battery voltage against a idle return trigger level and, responsive to a measured battery voltage being of greater magnitude than the trigger level, for further causing the engine to return to an idle level.
7. A motor vehicle as set forth in
means responsive to the measured battery voltage being of a smaller magnitude than the idle return trigger level for comparing the measured battery voltage against a load shedding trigger level and if the measured battery voltage is of greater magnitude than the load shedding trigger level, causing the program to loop through cycles of measurements of battery voltage and comparison of the battery voltage measurements with the idle return trigger level and the load shedding trigger level; and
means responsive to a battery voltage measurement less than the load shedding trigger level for cutting power to a vehicle subsystem by issuance of a instruction on one of the vehicle controller area networks for operation on by a vocational controller connected to the vehicle controller area network.
8. A motor vehicle as set forth in
means responsive to cutting power to a vehicle subsystem for executing a program delay; and
means responsive to execution of a program delay after a power cut to a vehicle subsystem for comparing a new measurement of vehicle battery voltage to a load restore trigger and responsive to the new measurement being larger in magnitude than the load restore trigger returning power to a vehicle subsystem previously cut, responsive to the new measurement being smaller in magnitude than the load shedding trigger cutting power to another vehicle subsystem, and responsive to the new measurement being of a magnitude between the load shedding trigger and the load restore trigger cycling delays, vehicle battery voltage remeasurements and comparisons of each new measurement of battery voltage to the trigger levels.
1. Technical Field
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for maintaining a minimum state of charge on a motor vehicle battery.
2. Description of the Problem
Several classes of vehicles, particularly heavy-duty vehicles, spend substantial periods of times with their engines idling while supporting electrical loads. These loads can easily exceed the capacity of the vehicle's alternator to support the loads at diesel engine idle with the result that the loads become a direct drain on the vehicle's battery. Under these conditions battery voltage may drop low enough to kill the engine. Drivers have had to monitor battery voltage on the vehicle's instrument cluster and increase engine speed in response to declining battery voltage. Some vehicles have come equipped with preset or variable engine speed controls that can be enabled through vehicle cruise control switches or remote body mounted engine speed control switches for use if the vehicle is parked. Other vehicles, equipped for power takeoff (PTO) applications, provide for automatic increases in engine speed to supply increased engine power when the PTO is engaged. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,124 which is assigned to the assignee of the present application.
According to the invention there is provided a motor vehicle battery monitoring and protection system. The system includes an engine and an engine controller for controlling the speed of the engine. The vehicle battery voltage level is monitored by a vehicle body computer which executes a stored program for the control of vehicle engine speed responsive to the detected voltage levels. The vehicle body computer may be further programmed to initiate and control load shedding if engine run up is ineffective in restoring battery voltage levels. The body computer is connected to vocational controllers, including the engine controller, over one or more controller area networks. The various vehicle systems which constitute the electrical loads on the vehicle battery are under the control of vocational controllers, or the body computer, and may be shut off to reduce the electrical load on the battery. Where loads are under the direct control of a vocational controller the body computer directs operation of the vocational controller over a controller area network. Increased engine speed and load shedding are generally initiated at voltage level trip points, with the trip point for initiating engine run up being higher than the voltage level for load shedding. Interlocks inhibit operation of the battery protection system under certain conditions, including, for example, when the vehicle is being driven or when the vehicle is engaged in power take off operation (PTO). It is undesirable to provide unexpected change in engine speed while PTO is active.
Additional effects, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description that follows.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the figures and particularly to
A truck 12 is illustrated which has been adapted for service as a wrecker. Wreckers are a classic example of PTO capable vehicles. A driver usually controls the vehicle from a cab 16 positioned in the forward portion of the vehicle. An auxiliary system is controlled from a panel 18 installed on one side of the vehicle off of cab 16. A winch 20 is positioned over the vehicle siderails 22 and the rear wheels 14. Winch 20 may be used to tow a vehicle onto a pivotable extendable bed 24 for transport of the vehicle. The winch 20 is part of the auxiliary system controlled from panel 18. Panel 18 includes switches for controlling operation of the auxiliary system and gauges indicating values for a hydraulic PTO system operation or for an electrical motor PTO application. The auxiliary systems installed on the vehicle may take any one of a number of forms, with PTO applications being but one example.
Powertrain CAN 210 interconnects an anti-lock brake system (ABS) controller 62, a transmission controller 61, an engine controller 60, and instrument and switch bank controller 63 and a gauge cluster 64. Engine controller 60 controls engine 160 output and is connected to various sensors for monitoring engine operation. The engine sensors connected to the engine controller 60 may include a variable reluctance sensor for generation of a tachometer signal. Alternatively, and as shown in the figure, the source of vehicle road speed may be an variable reluctance sensor 67 coupled to the transmission controller 61. Park brake 462 status may be reported by ABS controller 62 or be provided as a direct input to ESC 30. Two additional vocational controllers are shown, an instrument and switch bank 63 and a gauge cluster 64. Each of these controllers may have electrical loads 121, 122 attached thereto. For example, instrument lighting may be under the control of a gauge cluster 64.
The vocational controllers connected to powertrain CAN 210 represent systems common to virtually all vehicles. The vocational controllers communicate with one another and with an electrical system controller 30 by broadcasting messages over a data bus. Any controller can be programmed to respond to the messages, which do not include specific address information. Specialized functionality is added to a vehicle by adding a body CAN 204 and attaching to the body CAN, one or more specialized or programmable vocational controllers. Here three such controllers are shown including a remote power unit 202 which can supply switched power to a load 123, an input monitoring package 40 connected to an onboard control unit 118 and a specialized controller 340, such as a hydraulic power take off controller, connected to an auxiliary system 219, such as an hydraulic circuit. Each vocational controller of the group has a CAN interface transceiver 50, 51, 52. Remote power unit 202 is illustrated in greater detail showing a CAN controller 150 connected to the CAN interface transceiver 50, a microcontroller 151 programmed for response to selected signals broadcast over body CAN 204, and a power switching MOSFET 152 by which power is selectively provided an electrical load 123.
Both powertrain CAN 210 and body CAN 204 are connected to ESC 30, the vehicle's body computer. ESC 30 can be programmed to broadcast signals on either bus in response to signals received on the other bus, or on the SAE J1708 bus 222. ESC 30 includes CAN interface transceivers 73, 76, a microprocessor 72, programmable memory 74 and a J1708 interface 75. ESC 30 is generally connected to perform certain vocational controller functions, such as control of an electrical load 120. Examples of electrical loads which may be under the direct control of ESC 30 include vehicle interior and exterior lights, including driving and marker lights. Programming 174, 274, 374 is stored in ESC memory 74. Programming includes the engine ramp and load shedding program 174, a table 274 of loads ordered for priority in shedding, and a list 374 of interlocks relating to conditions under which program 174 may be executed. ESC 30 includes input ports which are connected to a battery voltage sensor 90 for the receipt of battery voltage signals developed from a vehicle battery 45. In possible alternative embodiments the battery voltage signal may be applied to the engine controller 60 and broadcast over powertrain CAN 210 by the engine controller. Key switch 261 position is also monitored on an input port.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for increasing engine speed when battery 45 voltage drops below a programmable trip point level for a minimum, programmable period of time. The feature engages only when various interlock conditions are met. For example, it would be inappropriate for engine speed to increase when the vehicle is stopped at a stop light. It may also be inappropriate for engine speed to vary during power take off operations. Where increased engine speed proves insufficient to maintain battery 45 voltage, the present invention can further provide for shedding electrical loads on the vehicle battery. The trip point or points for shedding loads is also programmable, as is the order or priority for dropping loads.
The preferred embodiment is realized primarily in a software program 174 which in the preferred embodiment resides in memory 74 in the ESC 30. The software program 174 provides for ESC 30 to read and respond to various inputs, including signals received over either the powertrain CAN 210 or the body CAN 204, or discrete input signals, before issuing instructions for ramping up engine speed or for shedding a load. In brief, ESC 30 reads the switch status from a selected switch in rocker switch pack 221 over J1708 bus 222. The target engine speed is selected beforehand by a vehicle operator. The engine speed selected should be high enough to support the likely mix of loads carried by the vehicle electrical system during periods of engine idling.
Referring to
In another variation engine ramping is provided by a direct signal on an input port to the engine controller 60. Here an output from the remote power unit 202 may be directly connected an input of the engine controller 60.
In a preferred arrangement no new hardwired linkage is added as illustrated in
In summary the preferred embodiment of the invention requires minimal to no hardware modification of a network equipped vehicle. A programmable control module, typically the ESC 30, has access to multiple sources of information through discrete signal inputs as well as network communication links to initiate and inform the logical functionality. Enablement is readily provided through an in cab mounted switch which requires only programming of the ESC 30 to define.
The software implementation meets several criteria. The software 174 and associated programmable table 274, provide a ramp up voltage trip point to force ramp up of the engine speed. A programmable idle voltage trip point operates to release the engine to idle. A delay is built in following detection of a low voltage condition requiring a minimum duration of the low voltage condition before ramp up of the engine is executed. This is done to avoid continual cycling of engine speed. The engine will not ramp up for a momentary downward spike in voltage, as may occur when an electrical load is turned on. The case of a motor switching on and Off, or undergoing periodic loading, provides a good example of a system which might briefly depress battery voltage. Similarly, once a ramp up is executed, another programmable delay prevents an immediate return to idle. Interlocks may be added to prevent ramp up under certain conditions. For example, the battery monitoring program may be disabled when the transmission is in any forward or reverse gear (for automatic transmissions), the park brake is released, road speed is indicated to be greater than 5 KPH, or PTO is engaged, or some combination of these conditions. A rocker switch is provided on the instrument panel to allow the operator to disable the battery saver feature at any time. It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that a vehicle operator can program any set of logical combinations (and/or) or add other conditions as interlocks. The load shed trip point may be made programmable as well as a delay before load shedding occurs. A load restore trip point may be programmed, as well as a delay introduced before any load can be turned back on.
Following the YES branch from step 602, or if no battery saver switch is installed on the vehicle, the program determines if a set of predetermined conditions for engine speed ramping and load shedding are in place. The steps include determining if the park brake is set (step 606), the transmission is in neutral (step 610) and if power takeoff operation is engaged (step 614). If the results are positive for either of steps 606 and 610, or negative for step 614, the engine is released to idle (steps 608, 612, 616) as engine ramping is not permitted. Following steps 608, 612 and 616 the program loops back to step 602 for cycling through the steps until the status of the three steps all meet the required combination.
When the park brake is set, the transmission is in neutral and PTO is not engaged, execution will advance from step 614 along the NO branch to step 618 for measurement of battery voltage. The voltage measured at step 618 is compared to a engine ramp voltage trip point in step 620. If it is determined at step 620 that battery voltage is less than a trip point for ramping engine speed the YES branch is taken for implementing steps for boosting electrical generating system output. Otherwise, where system voltage is acceptable, the NO branch is taken back to step 602.
It is possible that a battery voltage below the trip point was momentary, possibly the result of a load having been turned on. Thus, before engine speed ramping is implemented a delay is executed (step 622) following the YES branch from comparison step 620. Following the delay, battery voltage is measured a second time (step 624). This new measurement is compared to the same trip point. If battery voltage has recovered the NO branch is taken to loop program execution back to step 602. However, if measured battery voltage is still less than the engine ramp trip point the YES branch is followed to step 628 where engine speed is ramped up. Following ramping up of engine speed, the last voltage measurement is compared to the trip point once again. If voltage is greater than the trip point to release the engine to idle (which may or may not be the same trip point used at steps 620 and 626) the YES branch is taken to step 632 for assuring that all conditions required for release have been met. Release of the engine to idle is not allowed to occur unless a minimum time period has elapsed since engine speed was ramped up. Providing for a minimum delay is done by executing a programmable delay at step 632. Next, at step 634 battery voltage is again measured. The newly measured voltage is compared to the release voltage trip point at step 636. If the release voltage trip point is still being exceeded the YES branch is followed to step 638 for releasing the engine to idle and return to step 602. Otherwise execution returns directly to step 602.
If at step 630 measured battery voltage has not recovered to a voltage exceeding the release trip point, execution advances (by way of A) to step 640. At this point the process of determining whether conditions indicate that load shedding should begin. At step 640 the voltage measured at step 628 is compared to a load shedding trip point. If the measured voltage is less than the load shedding trip point, which is less than the engine speed ramping trip point, program execution follows the YES branch to step 656.
A programmable number of loads are available for shedding indicated by a load manager counter K which initially is set to the number of loads available and which has a minimum value of 0. Each shedable load is associated with a particular non-zero whole number. At step 656 it is determined whether the counter K is non-zero or not. If K has the value 0 no loads are available for shedding and the YES branch is taken to loop the program back to step 602. If however K is non-zero, loads are available to be shed. The NO branch is followed from step 656 to step 658, where a delay is executed before determining if a load is to be shed. This is done to prevent load shedding from occurring due to a momentary depression of voltage, possibly due to a change in total load on the vehicle electrical system. Next, at step 660, battery voltage is measured. Next, at step 662, the newly measured voltage is again compared to the load shedding trip point. If the voltage is less than the load shedding trip point steps 664 and steps 666 are executed following the YES branch from the comparison at step. These steps provide for the turning off of the next output N to a load where N equals the current value for K. Following shut off of an output, the load manager count K is decremented at step 666. Following the NO branch from step 662 or following step 666 execution returns to step 602.
Returning to step 640 the situation where the measured voltage does not fall below the load shedding trip level is considered. Under these circumstances the possibility that loads may be restored is taken up. Following the NO branch from step 640 the most recent voltage measurement is compared with a load restoration trip point at step 642. If the voltage fails to exceed the load restoration trip point the NO branch is taken to loop program restoration back to step 602. If the voltage exceeds the load restoration trip point at step 642 the YES branch is taken to step 644, where, in effect, it is determined whether there are any loads to be restored. If counter K equals its maximum allowed value no loads remain to be restored and program execution can be returned via the YES branch to step 602.
Where, at step 644, it is determined that loads remain cutoff, the NO branch is taken to step 646 for execution of a program delay. Again the program delay is done to avoid taking a step involving an operational change (here restoring a load) if there is a possibility that the voltage measurement reflected a transient value. Another voltage measurement is taken at step 648 after the delay is completed. This new measurement is compared at step 650 with the load restoration trip value. If the voltage fails to exceed the trip point the NO branch is taken to loop execution back to step 602. If the measured voltage level has exceeded the load restoration trip point for two consecutive, time spaced tests though, the YES branch is taken to step 652 and the next output N where N=K is turned on and the counter K is incremented (step 654). Program execution thereupon returns to step 602.
An alternative embodiment of the invention offers graduated increases/decreases of engine speed in fine increments to achieve apparently continuous varying of engine speed. Engine speed can be so varied between idle up to a preprogrammed maximum speed. In the second embodiment of the present invention engine speed is increased progressively, and just enough to satisfy the vehicle's electrical loads, and not all the way to a preselected increased idle speed. As described above, such an idle speed is typically chosen to satisfy any reasonable combination of electrical loads. Providing for a varying idle can result in smaller increases in engine speed, saving on fuel consumption and reducing wear on the engine. The maximum allowed engine speed can conveniently be set higher than the predetermined increased idle used in the first embodiment, since higher engine speeds will only be demanded to meet whatever electrical load is carried by the vehicle.
The second embodiment of the invention provides, as does the first embodiment, for filtering out system voltage spikes. The time delay built into the response is configured somewhat differently however in that it requires the voltage remain continuously below a threshold, rather than checking the voltage at the beginning and end of a time delay period. A different set of interlocks is also used. In the second embodiment interlocks are usually based on the status of the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal and cruise/throttle control operation. Of course, the selection of interlocks can be made operator dependent and can extend to things such as the heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) control. The second embodiment does not require any remote power modules/generic accessory controllers or a second CAN. Of course, if either is present, they may be used for accommodating additional or alternative interlocks. Load shedding, if used, is implemented in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Accordingly, the description of load shedding is not duplicated here.
Referring to
Only one transition out of the normal operating state 702 is provided, that occurring along transition B. Transition B occurs when the conditions for transition C (described below) are not met AND battery voltage is less than its minimum allowed value AND hand/throttle cruise are disabled. Along transition B the system state changes to hand throttle enabled (and under the control of the program) 704. From the Hand Throttle enabled state 704 engine speed may be increased (transition D to state 706) or decreased (transition F to state 708). In addition, conditions may change such that the program loses control of engine throttle (transition C).
The case where the state reverts from (program control of) hand throttle enabled (state 704) to (program control of) hand throttle disabled (state 702) along transition C is considered first. Transition C occurs when any number of events occurs including: (a) the key switch is no longer set to RUN; OR (b) the park brake is no longer set; OR (c) the park brake is no longer providing a good status signal; OR (d) the transmission is no longer in neutral or park; OR (e) the transmission controller is no longer providing a good status signal for the transmission; OR (f) the engine is no longer running; OR (g) the engine controller is no longer providing a good engine status signal; OR (h) the brake switch is/has been depressed; OR (i) lack of a good status signal for the brake switch; OR (j) vehicle speed is not less than driveline jitter; OR (k) lack of a good status for the vehicle speed signal; OR (l) the accelerator pedal position is not less than 5% depressed; OR (m) absence of a good accelerator pedal position signal; OR (n) the hand throttle transitions to disabled (e.g. manually by a driver through operation of an enable switch-mounted on the steering wheel or in a switch pack); OR (o) the hand throttle status equals disabled; OR (p) the hand throttle switches do not have a good status; OR (q) any interlock is activated which requires engine speed control to be disabled and engine speed returned to idle; OR battery voltage exceeds the desired high battery value for at least the duration of a programmable high battery debounce time. The foregoing list is by no means exhaustive. Other interlocks may be stipulated. These may or may not be communicated over an optional second CAN, by generic CAN controllers, etc.
Another transition from state 704 is along transition path D to the hand throttle enabled and increasing engine speed state 706. In state 706 engine speed is gradually increased until the conditions triggering transition H or transition E occur. The transition H conditions are identical to the transition C conditions and relate to loss of the conditions precedent for operation of the program at all. Along transition path H the state returns to the hand throttle disabled state 702. The conditions for transition E relate to meeting load demands or reaching the maximum allowed engine speed. More particularly, transition E occurs when the conditions for transition H are not met; AND EITHER battery voltage is not LESS than the programmed value for low battery voltage, OR engine is speed has reached the maximum allowed value.
Engine speed can also decrease from hand throttle enabled state 704. The conditions required for initiating transition F from state 704 to the decrease engine rpm state 708 are that the conditions for transition C are not met and that and that measured battery voltage exceeds the high battery value parameter. In state 704 the engine controller will ramp engine rpms downwardly until the conditions for transitions G (returning the state to hand throttle enabled state 704) or J are met (hand throttle disabled state 702). The conditions required for transition G are that the conditions for J are not met and that battery voltage does not exceed the maximum allowed value (High_Batt_Value). Transition J conditions are identical to those for transition C.
The invention provides for automated engine speed control and can be extended to provide load shedding. Interlocks defining conditions under which the program runs are software implemented. The program is readily tailored to conditions of vehicle use, allowing adjustment of program parameters such as delays, voltage trip points and the order in which loads are shed and added. The program is automatically disabled under fault conditions.
While the invention is shown in only a few of its possible forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Citations
Referenced by
Legal Events
Original Image


text:
A fight between two Little League coaches resulted in at least one of them resigning his position over the weekend.
The other coach was also apparently going to be relieved of his duties, a Huron police report stated.
Brian Gorby, who coaches a team of 9- and 10-year-old children, called the Huron Police Department on Friday to report the fight.
Gorby said he didn't want to pursue charges against fellow coach Richard Harrold, but wanted to document the incident.
Gorby and Harrold were coaching two separate teams when they began to fight after the game ended, he told police.
Harrold was "laughing and being arrogant" after the game, Gorby told police. When Gorby asked Harrold what he was laughing at, Harrold told him "at your kids," Gorby said.
Harrold and Gorby exchanged words, and Harrold then made a comment about Gorby's wife, Gorby told police.
Police contacted Harrold, who told a different story.
"Mr. Harrold advised that when the game ended, he was smiling as he was walking off the field," the report stated.
Harrold told police Gorby asked him not to smile at his wife, the report stated. Harrold told Gorby, "I can smile at you, too," the report stated.
Gorby allegedly came out of the dugout, "got face-to-face with him, and chest- and head-butted him, knocking him off his balance," Harrold told police.
Harrold admitted to punching Gorby, striking him "below the chin," the report also stated.
A short time later Gorby apologized to Harrold, asking for a truce, Harrold told police.
The police told Gorby to contact Michael Everman, president of the Huron Baseball and Softball Program.
Gorby called police to tell them he had voluntarily resigned his coaching position "for the good of the league and his family," the report stated.
When police told Harrold that Gorby quit the coaching job, Harrold said he wouldn't resign his position.
"Mr. Harrold continually asked me if smiling was illegal and (said), 'All I did was smile,'" the report stated.
Everman told police he intended to contact Harrold and ask him to voluntarily resign his post, the report stated. If Harrold wouldn't agree to resigning, Everman said he intended to tell him his services were no longer needed, the report continued.
Everman and Gorby didn't return phone calls seeking comment Wednesday. A telephone number for Harrold couldn't be obtained. Another coach, David Lenyo, Harrold's son-in-law, referred all questions to Everman.


text:
WASHINGTON — Intelligence analysts predicted, in secret papers circulated within the government before the Iraq invasion, that al-Qaida would see U.S. military action as an opportunity to increase its operations and that Iran would try to shape a post-Saddam Iraq.The top analysts in government also said that establishing a stable democracy in Iraq would be a "long, difficult and probably turbulent process."... The investigation reviewed assessments from a number of agencies but focused on two January 2003 papers from the National Intelligence Council: "Regional Consequences of Regime Change in Iraq" and "Principal Challenges in Post-Saddam Iraq."Those papers drew from expertise within a number spy agencies and were distributed to scores of White House, national security, diplomatic and congressional officials _ most of whom were listed in 81 pages of the Senate report.Among other conclusions, the analysts found:_ Establishing a stable democracy in Iraq would be a long, steep and probably turbulent challenge. They said that contributions could be made by 4 million Iraqi exiles and Iraq's impoverished, underemployed middle class. But they noted that opposition parties would need sustained economic, political and military support._ Al-Qaida would see the invasion as a chance to accelerate its attacks, and the lines between al-Qaida and other terrorist groups "could become blurred." In a weak spot in the analysis, one paper said that the risk of terror attacks would spike after the invasion and slow over the next three to five years. However, the State Department recently found that attacks last year alone rose sharply._ Groups in Iraq's deeply divided society would become violent, unless stopped by the occupying force. "Score settling would occur throughout Iraq between those associated with Saddam's regime and those who have suffered most under it," one report stated._ Iraq's neighbors would jockey for influence and Iranian leaders would try to shape the post-Saddam era to demonstrate Tehran's importance in the region. The less Tehran felt threatened by U.S. actions, the analysts said, "the better the chance that they could cooperate in the postwar period."_ Postwar Iraq would face significant economic challenges, having few resources beyond oil. Analysts predicted that Iraq's large petroleum resources would make economic reconstruction easier, but they didn't anticipate that continued fighting and sabotage would drag down oil production._ Military action to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction would not cause other governments in the region to give up such programs.
Some Republicans rejected the committee's work as flawed. The panel's top Republican, Sen. Kit Bond of Missouri, said the report's conclusions selectively highlight the intelligence agencies' findings that seem to be important now, distorting the picture of what was presented to policy-makers.He said the committee's work on the Iraq intelligence "has become too embroiled in politics and partisanship to produce an accurate and meaningful report."
"The most chilling and prescient warning from the intelligence community prior to the war was that the American invasion would bring about instability in Iraq that would be exploited by Iran and al-Qaida," wrote four Democratic senators _ Rockefeller, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Evan Bayh of Indiana and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.Meanwhile, four Republican senators _ Bond, John Warner of Virginia, Orrin Hatch of Utah and Richard Burr of North Carolina _ wrote that the report exaggerates the importance of the pre-invasion assessments. They said the reports weren't based on intelligence information, but instead were speculation from experts in and out of government."They were no more authoritative than the many other educated opinions that were available in the same time frame," the Republicans wrote.
The Democrat-led Congress has pushed Bush, unsuccessfully thus far, to begin winding down the war, which has claimed more than 3,430 U.S. lives since it began in 2003. Bush has refused. He has said an early exit would be disastrous for U.S. interests and that no timetable should be set for reducing U.S. ground forces.On Thursday, however, the president and some of his chief military advisers spoke more directly of a possible change in course.Pace and Gates responded to a reporter who noted that earlier Thursday, Bush said at the White House he liked a proposal from the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.The group in December recommended many changes in Iraq policy, including a shift from fighting the insurgency to a training and counterterrorism role. At the time, Bush rejected that advice. Instead, he chose to boost American troop levels in Baghdad, believing the war would be lost unless the Iraqi capital could be secured.Gates, who was a member of the study group before he was nominated to replace Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, did not say whether he thought it likely that a shift from a combat role would be adopted in September."That kind of a role clearly would involve fewer forces than we have now and forces with a different mission," Gates said.Pace said he agreed. "That's part of the dialogue right now and exactly what we'll be looking at between now and September," when Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, is expected to tell the administration and Congress whether the Iraq strategy is working and whether course corrections are due.Barry McCaffrey, a retired Army general who spent a week in Iraq in March assessing the situation, said in a telephone interview Thursday that it appears to him that the administration is looking for a way out of Iraq."I think they're headed toward the door," McCaffrey said. For now they hold out hope that by the end of this year the troop buildup in Baghdad will change the momentum of the war, he added. "But failing that, they're going to start withdrawing."
WASHINGTON, May 25 — The Bush administration is developing what are described as concepts for reducing American combat forces in Iraq by as much as half next year, according to senior administration officials in the midst of the internal debate.It is the first indication that growing political pressure is forcing the White House to turn its attention to what happens after the current troop increase runs its course.The concepts call for a reduction in forces that could lower troop levels by the midst of the 2008 presidential election to roughly 100,000, from about 146,000, the latest available figure, which the military reported on May 1. They would also greatly scale back the mission that President Bush set for the American military when he ordered it in January to win back control of Baghdad and Anbar Province.The mission would instead focus on the training of Iraqi troops and fighting Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, while removing Americans from many of the counterinsurgency efforts inside Baghdad.Still, there is no indication that Mr. Bush is preparing to call an early end to the current troop increase, and one reason officials are talking about their long-range strategy may be to blunt pressure from members of Congress, including some Republicans, who are pushing for a more rapid troop reduction.The officials declined to be quoted for attribution because they were discussing internal deliberations that they expected to evolve over several months.Officials say proponents of reducing the troops and scaling back their mission next year appear to include Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. They have been joined by generals at the Pentagon and elsewhere who have long been skeptical that the Iraqi government would use the opportunity created by the troop increase to reach genuine political accommodations.So far, the concepts are entirely a creation of Washington and have been developed without the involvement of the top commanders in Iraq, Gen. David H. Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, both of whom have been enthusiastic supporters of the troop increase.Those generals and other commanders have made it clear that they are operating on a significantly slower clock than officials in Washington, who are eager for significant withdrawals before the president leaves office in January 2009.
Labels: Iraq, Iraq war, President Bush
Stand with the people of IranSign the petition:
Site Feed
Email Me
**NEW** Follow me on Twitter!
My Open Salon Blog
My TPM Blog
My FaceBook Page
My MySpace
Think Tanks/Other:


text:
Average Customer Review
Share your thoughts with other customersCreate your own review
5.0 out of 5 stars Moliere's paradigmatic neoclassical comedy, "Tartuffe"
I often taught Moliere's "Tartuffe" as an example of the neoclassical form of comedy in contrast to the romantic comedy represented by Shakespeare. We would read "Twelfth Night," a play set in a faraway exotic land where the point was simply romance, and then turn to "Tartuffe," where the contemporary society becomes one of the primary...
Published on Nov. 11 2003 by Lawrance Bernabo
1.0 out of 5 stars Warning: Do NOT read!
"Tartuffe" by Moliere is a feeble attempt at extrodinary literature. The writing itself is lacking in drama and power, and the development of the play through rhyme patterns fails to alleviate the torment of reading it. The reader must realize that at the time Moliere was penning this work, he was in debtor's prison. His clever incorporation of monarchial...
Published on July 19 1999
Most Helpful First | Newest First
5.0 out of 5 stars Moliere's paradigmatic neoclassical comedy, "Tartuffe",
Lawrance Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
I often taught Moliere's "Tartuffe" as an example of the neoclassical form of comedy in contrast to the romantic comedy represented by Shakespeare. We would read "Twelfth Night," a play set in a faraway exotic land where the point was simply romance, and then turn to "Tartuffe," where the contemporary society becomes one of the primary concerns of the comic dramatist. During the neoclassical period society was concerned with norms of behavior, and in a Moliere play you usually find a eccentric individual, out of step with the rest of society, who is laughed back to the right position. Moliere was concerned with social problems, which was while this particular play, dealing with the issue of hypocrisy, was banned for years. Keep in mind that originally hypocrisy was specific to religion, although today it can be used with regards to politics, sex, or even uncontroversial subjects.
The central character in "Tartuffe" is not the title character, but Orgon, a reasonably well to do man of Paris who is married to his second wife, Elmire, and has a song, Damis, and a daughter, Mariane, from his first marriage. He also has the misfortune of living with his mother, Madame Pernelle. Tartuffe is a religious hypocrite who worms his way into Orgon's confidence in order to take him for everything he is worth. Orgon is completely duped, and disinherits his son when Damis tries to prove Tartuffe is fraud. The other key character in the play is Dorine, who is Mariane's maid and the smartest person in the house, which allows her to both manipulate the action and comment on the play.
There are three crucial scenes in the play that readers should appreciate, even if it will not be covered on a future exam. The first is the opening scene (in Moliere's comedies the scene changes every time a character enters or exits) where we are introduced to Madame Pernelle, who promptly proceeds to criticize everybody in Orgon's household while praising Tartuffe. The result is that because she is so obnoxious, we have a low opinion of Tartuffe before he ever appears on stage. So, in addition to being a funny scene, it serves an important function in terms of the play. The second key scene comes when Orgon realizes he has been duped, and instead of continuing to ridicule his central character, Moliere turns him into a sympathetic figure. We laugh at Orgon while he does not have a clue as to his culpability in his coming demise, but once he starts to lose everything we stop laughing.
The final scene of interest, for mostly reasons external to the story, is the conclusion, where Moliere pulls what could only be called a "roi ex machina." This is because instead of dropping a god out of the sky in the manner of Euripides, Moliere has a representatative of the King arrive to set everything to rights. Tartuffe might pull the wool over the eyes of ordinary folk, but the King--in this case, King Louis XIV--is not fooled. The play "Tartuffe" was banned by the clergy after its first performance because it was seen as a thinly veiled attack against the Jansenists (a rather puritanical Catholic sect), and Moliere literally spent years rewriting it before the King gave his approval. It is not surprising that the playwright makes his patron the hero at the end of the play.
If you are only going to read (or teach) one Moliere play, then my choice would be "Tartuffe," even over "The Misanthrope," "The Imaginary Invalid," or "The Bourgeois Gentleman." I would argue that "Tartuffe" is the paradigmatic Moliere play, which best represents his comic techniques while also having a historical context that speaks to the tenor of the times in which he wrote. I also think it is the funniest of his plays.
5.0 out of 5 stars Tartuffe-what a spoof!,
Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker (New York City, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
Fast-paced and oft hilarious; Moliere's "Tartuffe" was one of the most controversial plays of its day. However, I myself do not believe it to be so much a satire on religion (contrary to what was believed at the time) as a satire on religious hypocrisy. Not once in the play is a specific religion or religious belief eluded to, and Cleante (who serves as the play's voice of reason) praises piety (so long as it is honest) in the beginning of the fifth act. What the play is satirizing is how easily people follow and accept what they are told by their leaders, whether religious, political, or otherwise.
In the play Orgon places so much faith in the mischevious Tartuffe that he nearly gives away everything (including his own daughter) to him. Both the strong-willed, weak-minded Orgon and the devious Tartuffe (of whom one could say "thinks with the wrong head") as well as the quick-tempered Damis, the clear-minded Cleante, and the wise-cracking maid Dorine are memorable characters all of whom are wonderfully developed despite the brevity of the play. The rhyme scheme makes for a quick and enjoyable read as well. A classic!
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly well-written!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
The most amazing thing about this play is the skill of its author. The story is original and interesting. The actual writing is what captivated me. So witty is the dialogue, so humorous it is at times, that I laughed out loud. It is quite amazing that such ancient text sounds like something you would hear on a sitcom. This is not boring or confusing speech, like in Shakespeare; this is very down-to-earth. Aside from the alluring rhyme, Moliere has an incredible ability to take a page-long theme and express it perfectly and succinctly in one sentence, and with poignancy. If I were given the task of writing dialogue about the theme of hypocrisy, I would write page after page of ineffective, watered-down, wordy dialogue that repeatedly misses the mark of expressing the point well. Moliere's lines, however, are so well-crafted that the ideas are ingeniously short and accurate. He fits so many good points into one entertaining, rhythmic, memorable sentence. Tartuffe is my favorite play of all!
5.0 out of 5 stars In defense of Richard Wilbur,
Kit (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
I'm writing because the negative reviews unduly attack, and positive reviews fail to credit, the strongest selling point of this particular edition--Richard Wilbur's skillful and supple translation. A U.S. Poet Laureate and great literary intellect in his own right, Wilbur's clear language and, for the most part, effortlessly natural couplets make Moliere immediately accessible to the modern reader. His language does make the link between Moliere and Restoration comedy quite explicit, as one critic of the edition has noted here. But since Restoration was in fact inspired by the spirit of French farce, all this proves is that Wilbur's translation is not only readable, but historically adept (the whole idea of the Restoration was that Charles II brought French culture back to England with him on returning from France--the link isn't imaginary). Of course read the French if you can--but read Wilbur's translation as well, because it's also a valuable literary work in its own right.
5.0 out of 5 stars A peerless translation,
J. Ott "John Ott" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
Pulizter-winning poet Richard Wilbur has chosen to dedicate years of his life to making worthy English translations of the plays of Moliere with the idea no one will have to again for a hundred years. His confidence in his own translations is enormous, and correct. This is Moliere in the language of today -- direct, witty, insightful, hilarious. Tartuffe sends up hypocrisy, religious and otherwise, in a bourgeois farce of escalating absurdity.
This particular translation won the prestigious Bollingen Prize. The only thing going against it is that you can essentially get two-for-the-price-of-one by getting Wilbur's Tartuffe and The Misanthrope together in another book. That book even contains the same introduction. But why stop there? I can't praise Wilbur's Molieres highly enough. If you like The Misanthrope and Tartuffe, check out the other ones, like The School for Wives and Amphitryon, two personal favorites.
1.0 out of 5 stars Warning: Do NOT read!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
"Tartuffe" by Moliere is a feeble attempt at extrodinary literature. The writing itself is lacking in drama and power, and the development of the play through rhyme patterns fails to alleviate the torment of reading it. The reader must realize that at the time Moliere was penning this work, he was in debtor's prison. His clever incorporation of monarchial laud was his means of finding favor in the prince to possibly mitigate his sentence, as well as for him [Moliere] to raise enough to set bail. "Tartuffe" is a boring play satirizing Catholic religion and ignorant people who are duped by a wily man using God to deceive and rob a family who cannot see the true nature of Tartuffe. In fact, "tartuffe" is French for "thief". I seriously would not recommend reading this play, and know 11 other people who would agree.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Masterpieces of humanity,
firstname.lastname@example.com (Brasilia, Brasil) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
Tartuffe is, without doubt, one of the works responsible for placing Molière alongside to the geniuses of Aeschilus and Shakespeare. Here, the human imposture and hipocrasy is not just seen as a way for corrupting others lives, but of also corrupting the own love for all which really matters in life. Tartuffe surpasses the means of a simple comedy of ways to become itself a drama of human being; every time someone laughs of Tartuffe, he/she must do it recognizing that something has to be changed so that he/she does not become laughable.
5.0 out of 5 stars Insane, Edgy, Delicious,
By A Customer
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
I dropped in here to see how Monsieur Moliere was doing with the online reviewers, and was glad to see that most people are still delighted by this masterpiece -- particularly in Richard Wilbur's supernaturally brilliant translation. I've been using this translation in a dramatic lit course for several years, and all of the best and brightest students LOVE the thing. The plot is insane, the satire is edgy, and the couplets are delicious. Buy it today; read it as soon as it arrives.
5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for the Entire Human Race,
"the_kenosha_kid" (Kenosha, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
Moliere is one of the most unique and individualistic writers ever to grace the pages of literary anthologies. His characters are as memorable as any ever created, and perhaps no play better demonstrates his humorous capabilities that "Tartuffe," which is as light-hearted in the face of somber themes as anything ever written. An All-Time Classic!
5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable literature assignment,
This review is from: Tartuffe, by Moličre (Paperback)
Tartuffe was one of many plays assigned to me in a college literature class, but I found Tartuffe to be more enjoyable than others. The characters were well developed and the dialouge was somewhat comical. The play read fairly quickly but was not boring. I think this was a good literature assignment and I would recommend it as a great comic play.
Most Helpful First | Newest First
Tartuffe, by Molière by Moličre (Paperback - Jan. 10 1968)
Usually ships in 2 to 5 weeks


text:
Word or phrase
When you learn a foreign language, or translate from or into it, some words and expressions are very difficult to use correctly. Our French monolingual dictionary will help you master French words and idiomatic phrases by providing complete explanations of their meaning.
Use it for learning French or as an additional tool for French translation. In addition to the definition of commonly used French words and expressions, it includes specialized terms and the definition of many French words and expressions added by users to the Collaborative Dictionary.
How to participate:
When you browse the French Dictionary, you will also see thousands of French definitions added by our users: slang terms, technical terms, colloquial expressions and regionalisms. By simply clicking on a word you can instantly access its synonyms and its pronunciation, or add a new definition to the French dictionary.
When you look up a word in the French dictionary, you'll get results from the general dictionary as well as French definitions from the Collaborative Dictionary. Many definitions of French words and expressions have extra information about their origins or examples of use.
For any of the words from our French dictionary you can display synonyms, pronunciation, and conjugation by simply clicking on the word. What's more, you can contribute to improving the French definitions by adding new meanings to our French dictionary.


text:
Giuliani: Report good for Christie
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani says the internal report vindicating Gov. Chris Christie of wrongdoing in the Bridgegate scandal isn't conclusive. But he called it a "good step in the right direction" for the besieged governor, who has seen his political fortunes plummet amid questions about his involvement in the decision to shut down lanes on the George Washington Bridge last year.
"No, no, I would not accept it as a complete investigation, but I would accept it for what it's worth," Giuliani, a Republican and Christie defender, said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "In other words, I would go through it in great detail because it can give you a tremendous amount of information.
(WATCH: Sunday shows in 90 seconds)
"So far, no one has gotten to interview those people, including the joint committee," Giuliani said. "So this report has gone as far as anybody can go. And it can give you some very valuable information."
The former mayor says the report vindicating Christie is a "good step in the right direction."
Read more about: New Jersey, Rudy Giuliani, Chris Christie, Scandals, Bridgegate
Short URL:http://politi.co/1fCssgO
Please see the Comments FAQ if you have any additional questions or email your thoughts to email@example.com powered by Disqus


text:
Football: Dresden United hold their nerve in tense penalty shoot-out
Posted: February 26, 2013|
DRESDEN United manager Darren Allen hailed his young guns after they fired his side into the final of the Staffs FA -Sunday Challenge Cup.
A penalty shoot-out victory over New Finney Gardens set up a showdown with Uttoxeter Town A next month.
And with four other trophies in their sights, Allen says the future is looking bright for the team he set up just four years ago.
"At the moment we are still unbeaten this season, which is not bad when you consider we are coming into March," he said.
"But the message I keep drumming into the players is, 'We've won nothing yet'."
Allen, aged 37, set the team up after regular knockabouts on the Astroturf at Florence Club.
"It all started with just a bunch of mates having a game among themselves, but the numbers grew and there were some useful lads turning up so I decided to form a Sunday league team."
Under the name of the Angel Inn, based in Fenton, they joined the City Traders League Division Two, which they won. In their second year were promoted to the Premier Division.
That's when the name changed to Dresden United, and after finishing third last season Allen's team are in a good position to win it this time.
They have only played seven league games, but have won them all, scoring 48 times and conceding just eight.
The reason they have played so few games is because of their cup commitments.
As well as reaching the Sunday Cup final, they are in the semi-finals of the Premier Division Cup, the Project Management Cup and the quarter-final of the Sentinel Sunday Cup.
"It's a lot to go for, but I have a great set of lads who are enjoying their football," added Allen.
"The average age of the squad is 22, so this team can be together for a long time."
Dresden took a 2-0 lead against New Finney thanks to goals from Josh Myatt and Ben Lees.
"I thought we were on our way," admitted Allen.
But New Finney Gardens pulled one back before the interval through John Barrass and then the same player scored an equaliser four minutes from the end of normal time.
"It was a good, close game. We shaded the first half, but they had the better of the second," said Allen.
With neither side able to find a winner in extra-time, the game went to penalties where Phil Hughes, Josh Thorpe, Richard Shankland, and Dominic Thorley kept their cool to see Dresden home.
In league action, Premier Division leaders Locomotive drew 2-2 at Oak Tree.
Chris Morgan and Jordan White had handed Locomotive a 2-1 interval lead. Edwin Anderson and Mark Harris replied for Oak Tree.
That allowed second-placed Black Lion to close the gap to four points at the top after a 2-1 success at Congress with goals from Scott Griffiths and Matty Barlow.
Unbeaten Division One Leaders Holditch are through to the final of the Division One Cup after a 5-4 home win over Bentilee.
Simon Fowler (2), Simon Freeman (3) and Alex Brown were their scorers.
In the league, The Barrel remain second after a 6-1 win at Stella Bucharest, while third-placed Wheatsheaf overwhelmed Gardeners Retreat 6-1.


text:
With Instructables you can share what you make with the world and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.
share what you made with text, photos, video, and files
Create »
gather your favorite instructables together
By connecting some fruit or vegetables together then either by using resistors or wires.
First construct a drawdio circuit board
Pic fruits or vegies that have a high amout of liquid in side
Start inserting wires or resistor depending how variant you want the sounds
Next Pick the fluid that is going to be the base and use a alligator clamp (or a soldered wire on the drawdio) in one of the fruits
Lastly use another allegator clamp (or wire) accross the fruit of you choice
We have a be nice comment policy. Please be positive and constructive.
1,669 views
3 favorites
Drawdio Conductive Ink Keyboardby jrutter
Drawdiolinby gmjhowe
Drawdio!by adafruit
Drawdio on stripboard - animation part 2by threedforme
Drawdio by khader sk
3d Printing Musical Instrumentsby ArvidJense
How to Transpose Musicby lizmarie
How to be a Rock Bander and Guitar Hero: THE SEQUEL!by Brother_D
Electric Eel - Introductionby shifty
Musical Instrument Ballby doghk
See More
Download our new apps for iOS, Android and Windows 8!
© 2015 Autodesk, Inc.
By clicking "Create Account" you are indicating that you have read and agree to the Terms of service.
Already a member? Login »
Enter the email associated with your account and we will send you your username and a temporary password.
Not a member? Sign Up »


text:
Ashling Punnett, Lilly & Lolly's designer, creates furniture which is not only practical but also aesthetically beautiful. Leave the kids bedroom doors open to show off with the rest of your finished spaces such as the kitchen and lounge room. Ashling loves to design classically simple furniture that not only appeals to kids but to parents. As a parent herself, finding beautiful pieces of furniture for kids is the inspiration for her creativity.
Lilly & Lolly's furniture is handcrafted in Sydney and as such is built to last. The ranges include beds, bedside tables, chest of drawers, desks, wall shelves and bookcases. Lilly & Lolly also customise for those specific furniture items that need to be made.
Lilly & Lolly initially made their way as a children's linen label and release new and exciting ranges year after year. The simple prints and vibrant colours make kids rooms go pop! Choosing quality 100% cotton, Lilly & Lolly's linen stands the test of time wash after wash. The ranges include doona covers, pillowcases, sheet sets, cushions, throw rugs, blankets and lamps.
Lilly & Lolly is making a fresh and modern change to children's bedrooms. The designs are fun, functional and timeless, allowing small children to grow with their bedrooms.
Lilly & Lolly believes that they are revolutionising how they do kids rooms and hopes to encourage parents to 'keep kids bedroom doors open!'
Check out Lilly & Lolly's range at www.lillyandlolly.com.au and for sales enquiries phone (02) 9699 7474.
Our store is buzzing with the latest new toys and christmas gifts.
We are adding more and more each week, so it is well worth checking out our Waterloo store or online for all the latest additions. Christmas Shopping For Kids!
Our latest offering is the coolest tepee...
A home show like no other, Grand Designs Live is launching for the first time in Melbourne on 21 - 23 September and returning to Sydney for its second year on 5-7 October!
We love the idea of starting a new family tradition and to get you started Lilly & Lolly have created an in-store workshop that will let your kids paint a wooden egg keepsake. This is a great alternative to dying real eggs and they are unbreakable. So please, join the girls at Sydney's Waterloo store this weekend to create your own beautiful Wooden Easter Egg to take home (bookings essential).
Hope you can join us!
SCRATCHING your heads for kid's gifts this Christmas?
Lilly & Lolly is brimming with ideas to delight the kids on Christmas morning. Everything from big ticket items like the Christmas Trees and toys to stocking stuffers. Here are some ideas….
Half the year is over and those resolutions to get the kids' bedrooms in order may still to be done…
NEW STOCK: Lilly & Lolly is filling up with some fantastic new products and everybody is loving the NEW STORE. If you haven't been in yet we would love to see you and show off Lilly & Lolly's funky space and our latest products for kids. With Easter on its way we have some beautiful ideas for kids including Birds of Light, the gorgeous Bholu range and the uber cool children's furniture designed by Architect Brian Steendyk, all NEW in-store.
Providing an alternate for the discerning mum who wants to make her kid's rooms as switched on as the rest of the home is the driving force behind this dynamic and fabulous design company. Many of you will already be familiar with this exceptional design source, and lets face it with so many clients in the Eastern and Northern Suburbs it just made sense to move to Waterloo and join the pyd team.
home | pyd
showrooms | functions
& events | exhibitions |
contact us |
newsletter |
floor plan |
provide services in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth,
Adelaide, Canberra, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Cairns, Toowoomba,
Darwin, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Warrnambool and
many other cities in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland,
Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, The Australian
Capital Territory and throughout the whole Australia.
©PYD Building Pty Ltd. All
rights reserved - site by tiptopweb


text:
Sign Up for Daily Updates
What does your mani say about you?
The style maven spills her travel secrets.
The chic blogger shares her snaps and packing tips from the City of Light.
The glam designer duo sounds off on loving your craft, collaboration and their shared love affair with Los Angeles.
Hit the summer party circuit in these chic patterned pieces.
A genius styling idea courtesy of The Editorialist's Kate Davidson Hudson.
Pack like a pro with these 12 essentials for a tropical getaway.
Stylish outfit ideas from one blogger's week at the shows.
Blogger and TZR guest contributor Natacha Steven shares a few snaps from her stylish week in Miami.
Talk about winning the genetic lottery.
Spoiler alert: It does NOT involve latte art.
Spoiler Alert: The answer is "quite possibly."


text:
By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2004 Millions of dollars dispensed through a U.S. civil affairs fund have fueled myriad reconstruction projects across Iraq, improving the lives of Iraqis in the post-Saddam Hussein era, according to a senior U.S. military civil affairs officer.
Army Brig. Gen. David Blackledge, commander of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command, noted today in a Baghdad briefing that U.S. civil affairs troops in Iraq are playing a vital role in operations "to improve the lives of Iraqis across the country."
The Commander's Emergency Response Fund was established in May, the general explained, "to allow commanders to make an immediate impact and address local (Iraqi) issues."
To date, commanders have allocated more than $126 million in CERF money, Blackledge pointed out, to improve schools, buy new textbooks, clean up water, provide electricity, and improve medical care and security across Iraq.
Each major U.S. military command in Iraq, the general noted, is assigned CERF funds according "to the geography, population and needs of their respective region."
Blackledge said civil projects funded by CERF "are the grassroots effort by local commanders to quickly deal with short-term needs" of the Iraqi populace. The projects, he added, are coordinated between U.S. commanders, local Iraqi leaders and officials, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The CERF fund "has been tremendously successful, because it is administered by the local commander who is actually living and interacting with the (Iraqi) citizens in his area of responsibility," Blackledge pointed out.
Almost 1,000 CERF projects totaling more than $6.8 million, Blackledge said, have been established to support newly established Iraqi local governments, as well as Iraq's new legal system.
An independent judiciary system is operating across Iraq for the first time in nearly 30 years, he pointed out, noting that nearly all of Iraq's 400 courtrooms now are open.
After years of censorship and oppression by the deposed regime, Iraqis today can read about developments across their nation through more than 200 independent newspapers, Blackledge pointed out.
And, he continued, 35 percent of Iraqi households now get news through satellite TV dishes, which were illegal under Saddam Hussein.
Public health across Iraq continues to improve, Blackledge pointed out, noting $6.4 million in CERF funds have assisted in the reopening of Iraq's 240 hospitals and 95 percent of the country's 1,200 health clinics.
And, Iraqi health care facilities in need of repair "are undergoing rehabilitation and reconstruction," he added.
More than $29 million in CERF funds have been spent for education, Blackledge pointed out, noting that 5.9 million Iraqi students have been registered and are now attending school, a figure, he said, that exceeds pre-war numbers.
Outdated schoolbooks filled with Baathist Party propaganda have been jettisoned, Blackledge said, noting 51 million propaganda-free textbooks have been printed and distributed.
All 22 universities and 43 technical institutions across Iraq are now open, Blackledge reported, noting college applications "are running at a record pace."
More than $22 million in CERF funding has been spent on increasing security for the Iraqi people, Blackledge reported. More than 230,000 Iraqis, he said, are now employed in security work. Iraqis, he added, now account for half of all security forces in Iraq.
And, more than $9 million in CERF funds have been used in more than 1,200 Iraqi water and sewer projects, Blackledge said. This including the clearing of more than 18,500 kilometers of irrigation canals, which, Blackledge said, which resulted in the delivery of "water to tens of thousands of farmers, creating jobs, and revitalizing the Iraqi economy."
Iraqis, Blackledge noted, "see the improvements and are optimistic." For example, the general noted that seven out of 10 Iraqis polled expect their country and their personal lives to be better five years from now.