text:
(Note: Participants included Secretary Perry, French Minister of State for Defense Francois Leotard and Mr. Kenneth H. Bacon, ATSD (PA))
Mr. Bacon: Secretary Perry will start with a brief statement, followed by Minister Leotard, and then we will take questions.
Secretary Perry: Minister Francois Leotard and myself and some of our staff have had very good discussions this morning focused on ways of the United States and France cooperating in the ongoing operations in Bosnia. Both the United States and France believe that the UNPROFOR--that is, the UN mission in
Bosnia--performs a very valuable function. In the absence of UNPROFOR, there would be a very great difficulty in delivering humanitarian aid. We fear that if UNPROFOR leaves, there would be an increase in the violence associated with the war, and an increased danger of the war spreading to other regions.
For all of those reasons, we believe it is important for UNPROFOR to remain in place.
We discussed ways of making UNPROFOR more effective. And we'll discuss those further and make specific suggestions and proposals, both to the UN and NATO.
We also discussed the contingency of UNPROFOR leaving. We recognized that if UNPROFOR is not able to perform its mission--becomes ineffective--there would be great pressure on the nations involved to leave. We also recognize that if the United States were to unilaterally lift the embargo that the nations that are in the UNPROFOR forces, many of them would leave. That's one of the reasons that the United States is strongly opposing the unilateral lifting of the embargo.
However, if UNPROFOR does leave, the United States has agreed to participate in a NATO operation to assist in that withdrawal. Minister Leotard and myself discussed this morning how that operation would be conducted, and ways in which the United States and France could cooperate in its execution. We both agreed that in any such operation, the military force that goes into Bosnia for that purpose should have overwhelming military strength so that it would not invite an attack and so that it could confidently execute its mission. We also both agreed that the United States and France would be major participants in any such operation.
Let me now invite Minister Leotard to make some opening comments.
Minister Leotard: I beg your pardon for my bad English, and I prefer to speak in French.
[Through a translator]: I would like to begin by underscoring the friendly and open atmosphere that existed throughout this morning's discussions. They are a reflection of the kinds of relationships that we've had for many, many months between myself and Bill Perry. In fact, ever since the Aviano meeting before the Sarajevo ultimatum [and] all the way up to this day, our relations have been characterized by fruitful contact and cooperation on a constant basis. This is not a reflection of the two men you see sitting here, but also a reflection of the general relations between the United States and France.
I'd also like to express my government's respect for the U.S. presence in the former Yugoslavia. Many people often forget that the United States is present in the area. They have troops in Zagreb. The Navy is present in the Adriatic. The Air Force is present in Italy. There are AWACS planes and there are also American troops present in Macedonia. This is very important.
I expressed to Bill Perry this morning my government's position regarding the contingency of a withdrawal of the UNPROFOR forces in Bosnia. My government does not wish to see this withdrawal take place, and this is due to what we see as being four dramatic implications of such a withdrawal. Firstly, this would imply a massive displacement of population. Secondly, it would lead to the mechanical spreading of the conflict--both to the north and south. It would also change the nature of the conflict because it would bring in the Islamic forces into this area. And finally--and this is the most serious implication of all--it would undermine the credibility of international organizations, namely, the United Nations and NATO.
We look at all the different scenarios that are before us, and France welcomes very positively the United States commitment to engage ground troops in case of the contingency of a withdrawal of UNPROFOR forces from Bosnia. We also discussed how France might be involved in such a withdrawal operation. But that was not the only thing that we discussed. We discussed other scenarios as well. All of the scenarios that would enable us to develop further cooperation in the future.
Obviously, there will be future meeting--meetings at NATO level, bilateral meetings with our British counterparts, with our Spanish counterparts and other European counterparts. That being said, I'm now willing to field any questions you have.
Q: I might ask the Minister, if UNPROFOR cannot be made more effective, is it then an obvious result that peacekeepers would be withdrawn? And how could UNPROFOR be made more effective? Would it require more troops? Would it require peacemaking instead of peacekeeping?
Leotard: There are two ways of strengthening the efficacy of UNPROFOR forces. One would be, of course, to send in reinforcements, to increase the number of troops on the ground. However, in the near future this does not seem like a very likely scenario.
The other thing to do would be to strengthen the actions that the UN forces are currently involved in in the field. And that is one of the things we discussed this morning--how we can strengthen those actions and make them more effective.
We've looked at several possibilities. For example, how we could further strengthen the protection of supply convoys, how we can further strengthen the protection of all the humanitarian activities that are taking place in Bosnia. How we can, for example, guarantee and provide for the security of the airport in Sarajevo. These are some of the questions that we looked at this morning.
Q: (In French)
Leotard: That is up to Bill Perry to state the U.S. position on this particular point. It is my understanding that the government's--the Administration's
position--is quite distinct from that of Congress which is something that not only we, but our European partners--the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, other countries that have troops in Bosnia--welcome with great joy. We are very, very pleased to see that the Administration has accepted and taken on board our arguments against lifting the embargo unilaterally.
Q: Have the events on the ground over the past couple of days eased the pressure for withdrawal of UN troops? Or have the recent actions by the Bosnian Serbs to block convoys made a withdrawal more likely?
Leotard: Obviously, the most recent news we've got is very bad news. The Serbs are continuing to pressure the UN forces in the field and it's something that we regret. However, that being said, we will not let down our guard and we will not stand idly by.
We, therefore, have decided to maintain our humanitarian effort at current levels, and also to try to strengthen the mission which has received international support of the UN forces in Bosnia. That is to say, we refuse to grant the Serbs the reward that they are apparently seeking and think that they will get. That is, the withdrawal of UN forces from Bosnia.
Q: Mr. Secretary, with this idea to improve or increase the protection of supply convoys, would that involve American air power?
Perry: That would involve American air power under the same rules that it will now be used. That is, they have to be called for by UNPROFOR. Given that it's called for, that's a perfectly appropriate use of American air power, and one in which American air power could be quite effective.
Q: Regardless of the dual key, can you see a situation in which those NATO planes would begin flying air cover over convoys?
Perry: Yes, I can see the circumstance in which they would be flying air cover for convoys. Whether they're called upon to attack forces on the ground, again, would require--under present rules of engagement--would require the UN to request that strike.
Q: There's been some discussion in Congress about if there is a withdrawal of UNPROFOR, then there could be a heavy air campaign launched against the Serb forces. This has been a proposal made by the incoming speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Gingrich. Do you have an opinion on that question?
Leotard: I've always said that air strikes are an option. However, they cannot be seen as the sole military tool, nor the most adequate military tool for managing this type of conflict. There is the possibility of even closer support--air support--for specific missions. This is something that we have been envisaging, as well as providing air attacks--air strikes--against larger objects.
Bill Perry and myself in Seville actually came out in favor of stronger action on the part of the UN forces along these lines. But one of the things, that for us is totally unthinkable and totally unacceptable, is to carry out air strikes without the prior agreement of the UN forces in the field. They are the sole judges of the situation in the field.
Q: Can either of you run down for us some more examples of ways in which the UNPROFOR mission and forces can be strengthened in this new context, besides air cover for convoys?
Perry: The measures which UNPROFOR should be considering for strengthening involve not only more troops and more arms--the new rules of engagement--they will certainly be considering restructuring the forces and redeploying the forces. In particular, regrouping them in more defensible positions. All of those are decisions for UNPROFOR to take, not for us to take. But as Ministers of Defense concerned with this, we discussed various alternative ways and are prepared to make recommendations to UNPROFOR as to actions they can take along that line. Perhaps Minister Leotard would like to add to that.
Leotard: I would firstly like to pay tribute to all of the general officers of UNPROFOR in the field, for they recognize the difficulties they are up against and they accept them and try to overcome them.
We have already counter-attacked, we have already used firepower to try to retaliate against some of the Serb attacks. There are daily examples of this kind of action that are played out. It's very important that you bear in mind that the weaponry that the UN forces have in the field is not just light weaponry. They do have the means to defend themselves.
Going back to this point of regrouping our troops, this is something that we have been doing gradually. If you recall, at the beginning of 1993, French troops were spread out to seven different sites. We now have brought that down to four different sites, so that is definitely part of our strategy.
Q: You mentioned that the force that should be sent to Bosnia in case we have to pull out UNPROFOR should be of overwhelming military strength. Can you tell us in terms of figures how many troops? And also in terms of command and control--who would be in command of such an enterprise?
Perry: In my judgment, a military operation of that nature should be under the command and control of NATO. NATO is, at this time, in the process of putting together a plan that could conduct this military operation. They haven't completed that plan yet so it's premature to speak in numbers, but the guidelines that they've been given for that preparation are to go in with overwhelming military force.
Minister Leotard and I this morning both agreed that that was the proper guideline for the force. To put this in rough perspective, it is clear that would require more than a number of battalions. It would not require many divisions. So we're talking about a number of brigades. Heavily armed, well armed brigades. The exact number of brigades and the exact plan is still under discussion.
Q: Dr. Perry, can I ask you to clear up one thing, if you would? You've talked about strengthening the UN force, perhaps its mandate, reorganizing it; and you've talked about additional troops. Does this in any way change the United States opposition to putting ground troops into Bosnia to take part in a peacekeeping force?
Perry: Our position on ground forces in Bosnia remains as the President announced the other day, which is we reaffirm our commitment to provide ground forces for peacekeeping operations if a peace agreement has been reached. We
also--I also-- today reaffirm that we have agreed in principle to supply ground forces to make a major participation in any NATO extraction. We have not changed our views, however, that we are not sending in ground forces to participate in UNPROFOR under the present conditions.
Q: Are you talking further UN mandate changes in the Security Council, Mr. Secretary? Is that going to be necessary?
Perry: I do not believe that it is necessary to have changes in the UN mandate in the Security Council to have an effective force. I do think that what will be required is a change in the procedure, the organization, and the rules of engagement compatible with the charter which they already have.
Q: The existing mandate?
Perry: Yes. Compatible with the existing mandate. Yes, I believe that can be done.
Q: Minister Leotard, do you believe a mandate change is necessary?
Leotard: There is a mandate that does exist within the UN resolution. Nearly 60--59--resolutions have been adopted to date. This provides us with ample leeway. One of the things that we did discuss within this framework that does exist was providing heavy protection to a humanitarian corridor that would go from the Adriatic coast to Sarajevo. This is one of the hypotheses that we've been exploring, especially given the fact that doing so would be much easier now than it was in the past, since this area is now fully under the control of Croatian and Muslim forces.
Perry: Thank you very much.
Press: Thank you.


text:
$5.00 | More Product Information
Ships in 2-3 business days.
Blomus stainless steel napkin holder adds distinct design for counter or table. Stylish modern design.
Ships in 2-3 business days.
This item ships to anywhere in the continental US. For shipments outside the continental US, please click here. For large items please contact us for any requests for inside delivery, assembly or packaging removal. Please read our return information.
These 100% linen (single-sided) napkins feature color combinations that have...
Jewelry-like, yet practical, the Stainless Steel Napkin Ring bands feature...
Jewelry-like Stainless Steel Napkin Rings are practical bands for the...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
World of Warcraft's Panda Warriors Now Have the Ability to Get Down
Maybe the Pandaren race coming to World of Warcraft isn't cute enough for you. Or maybe they're too cute already. Wherever you fall on this crucial issue, there's one thing you need to know. »
When Will a Modern Military Shooter Let a Woman Lead the Charge?
Cloud Strife is a Hero, a Lover, a Woman, a Rabbit; He is All This and…
You Picked FemShep's Look, Now Pick Her Hair Color
When fans picked the blonde version of female Commander Shepard to appear in the ads and videos for Mass Effect 3, they weren't voting for a hair color; they were voting for a hair style. Now we're voting for the hair color. »
This One Goes Out to All the Ladies
Reader Bondage_Zombie has spent over a decade in video game drag. He'd like this option in more games, but not just for his sake. He thinks that there aren't enough female gamers out there and it could be the developers' faults. So what can devs do to bring in the elusive audience? »
Dragon Age II Writer Eloquently Defends The Game's Sexuality Balance
When a forum poster decided to criticize the developer for neglecting the core role-playing game market - straight male gamers - when developing romance prospects for Dragon Age II, BioWare writer David Gaider's response was swift and elegant. »
Playing The Dragon Age II Demo Like A Girl
Dragon Age II's Hawke might be a male for official marketing purposes, but on my Xbox 360 he's a saucy female rogue with a fiery temper. Check out some highlights of playing the demo as a lady Hawke. »
Diablo III's Female Barbarian Is Rather Well-Armored
Barbarians are traditionally known for their lack of practical armor, but Diablo III's newly-revealed Barbarian female has managed to protect herself pretty well, while still showing off her amazing toned physique. »


text:
About Adriana
"Every love story is unique and I would love to make this dream come true on your wedding day. It's your day and I am here to help." I am a vibrant, hardworking, professional marriage celebrant from the Redcliffe, Brisbane area who has been in the industry since 1998. I can make your special day by the beach, jetty, park, at one of the award winning restaurants or even in your backyard. My legal and business background will expedite the marriage process to a stress free day, for locals of Brisbane or even couples/persons from overseas. Please contact me for an obligation free discussion and I will simplify all processes. Contact Me
Administration Fees
I offer a reasonable fee charge which includes: Obligation free initial appointment/discussion, Perusal of all supporting documents, Preparation and lodgement of official marriage documents, Information pack, Assistance with choice of vows, Rehearsal of pre-wedding ceremony, Ceremony, Applying for and obtaining legal marriage certificate (certificate given on day cannot be used for legal purposes). For a quote please contact me.
Working Locations
I can travel throughout the Brisbane region, extending to Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Please contact me if you would like to find out more information.
Contact Details
Email Adriana at: email@example.com, Or call 0478 198 194, (07) 3880 1977
Adriana, Raweerat and I would like to thank you from the bottom of hearts for making our Wedding Day day so special. The most important part of the day for us was not just the ceremony but what was said. You made that the part which will always be remembered by us as the pinnacle of our day. Your heartfelt warmth and loving way in which you spoke made the day so special in every way. You were also most helpful in assisting us in organizing the wedding with many great ideas inspiring us to do a number of meaningful things that we would not have thought of on our own. We would like to sincerely recommend you to any couple to share their special moment in time within your loving presence.—
We take this opportunity to thank you for officiating at our wedding ceremony and making it, the best day of our lives. We appreciated your quiet, pleasant friendly nature that helped turn our day into the intimate and personal day we wanted. Your assistance in putting our day together is a credit to your professionalism and your personality. Your personality helped to relieve any nerves we had on the day and we recommend your services to any couple who are contemplating the same step.—
I cannot thank you enough for giving my wife Fon and I such a wonderful Wedding Wedding Day on the 11/06/2012. Adriana, you made us both feel so relaxed and everything was done perfectly for us both, from the very First time we met you we both realised that we had chosen the perfect Celebrant to make our special day, you gave us all the information we needed to put our questions at ease. Thank you so very much Adriana, you are a very special lady.—
My husband and I were married last October. Adriana went out of her way to make the day beautiful for us. It is not just a job to Adriana - she puts her heart and soul into what she is doing. Not only that, Adriana incorporated our special requests into the ceremony which made the day even more special for us. If you are thinking of getting married, I can't speak more highly of Adriana.—
Referral Links
you in your search for the perfect day:
- Notice of Intended Marriage (PDF)
- Marriage Certificate Application (PDF)
- Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
- Moreton Bay Regional Council
- Brisbane City Council
- YogAdo with Adriana, Redcliffe


text:
I found this effect used on YouTube's Google+ page and decided to duplicate it in CSS3: if you're familiar with CSS, and are prepared to use a little CSS3 animation, the technique is not difficult to achieve at all. (Move your mouse over the image above to see the final version).
First, the images you wish to use in the fan need to be all the same size, so that they hide each other neatly when stacked. For this example I'm using Creative Commons licensed photos from Flickr, taken by Riccardo Cuppini.
Once you have all of your images the same size, place them inside a single

 the same
width and
height as the images; I've given this
div an
id of

height on the
div is necessary to create space underneath it, as the photos will be positioned absolutely.) You may wish to use
margin: 0 auto on the
div to get it to the middle of the page.
div#cardfan { width: 300px; height: 201px; margin: 0 auto; }
As all the images have the same dimension and will be given the same appearance, they can all be styled with a single descendant selector, to create a frame and drop shadow:
div#cardfan img { width: 300px; height: 201px; border: 18px solid #ffe; box-shadow: 6px 6px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); }
(Note that I'm only showing final versions of CSS3 properties where applicable, in order to save space – to create full backwards browser compatibility, you should add other vendor prefixes as appropriate).
Together with the
width on the
div, this puts the images in a visual column. We want to stack them, so we'll use
position: absolute to do so:
div#cardfan img { width: 300px; height: 201px; border: 18px solid #ffe; box-shadow: 6px 6px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); position: absolute; }
(A minor point: the only downside to this is that the drop shadows applied to each image add together to create a thick, dense shadow underneath. You could get around this by applying the shadow to just one image, and then adding shadows to the other images when they animate).
Now to get the images to move. We only want to move two of the images: the one on top of the stack, and the one at the bottom. The image in the middle will be the centre of the "fan", and doesn't need to be animated. We can get to the first and last images by using
first-child and
We want to initiate the animation by the user moving their mouse over the
div, so the appropriate selector is:
div#cardfan:hover img:first-child { transform: rotate(12deg); }
There's no animation yet, just a single "jump". Note that the image that is transformed is the one on the bottom, since it appears first in the code, and is thus the "first child" of the
Let's apply the same
rotate transform, but in the opposite direction, to the
div#cardfan:hover img:last-child { transform: rotate(-12deg); }
When you move your mouse over the
div, the first and last images will change, but they will move around their centres:
We want to change that point to be significantly below the images: think of the hands on a clock, or the hinge of a fan. We do this by giving new values to the
transform-origin for our earlier declaration for all the images (again, I'll show you just the final expected CSS spec version: you'll have to repeat this with vendor prefixes to cover other browsers )
div#cardfan img { width: 300px; height: 201px; border: 18px solid #ffe; box-shadow: 6px 6px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); position: absolute; transform-origin: center 600px; }
This keeps the horizontal position of the origin point unchanged, but moves it down 600 pixels. (You may find that you'll have to change the degree values for rotating the first and last images as a result).
Finally, we need to add animation: we don't just want a "jump". We'll do so by adding a
transition property to the declaration above:
transition: all .6s linear;
Because the effect is so quick, we don't need any easing – I'll provide an example of a more appropriate use of ease-in and out in an upcoming article.
That's it: an animated card fan effect in effectively four lines of CSS.
Smoothing Animations In Chrome and Safari
You may see a slight "flash" or "blink" when viewing the animation in Chrome or Safari, or notice that the edges of the pictures seem a little jagged. Both issues are solved by a single trick, applied to the first and last images:
Play with this code on CodePen.
-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden;


text:
|Other Gear Discuss Hardware and all other equipment not covered in the other topics
|Thread Tools
Yamaha DS-550 light throne
I just wanted to report in on this. So far, me and my zep kit are currently embroiled in some long concerts which started yesterday with school concerts running from 8AM to 2:30PM, and then I had to break down and get the drums to my other school for a rehearsal that lasted from 3:30 to 9PM. So the drums were set up all day, with me playing for about 10.5 hours. Tonight I had a concert with the kids that had me playing for a solid 3 hours, and tomorrow we do the same thing, with a matinee at 2PM, and then a night show at 7PM. So another solid 6 hours of playing.
As of now, my Yamaha DS-550 throne is holding up! It's not a spindel-adjustment throne, just a knurled pipe with a memory lock to keep the height set in the right place. And I'm playing pretty hard and flying on and off the throne. It's basically being subjected to what my DW heavy duty throne would be subjected to - but for way more consecutive hours!
I should post of video of actually how hard I play with these kids - that throne is basically being used hard. I'm not surprised it's holding up, and it just may break on me at some inopportune time, but I'm sold on this lightweight throne. Just thought some of you in the market for a new light throne might be interested. I bought mine for $45 on eBay.
Re: Yamaha DS-550 light throne
I too have just acquired the same unit, primarily for the purpose of traveling light. It's three pounds lighter than my other throne, and just as comfortable. Or, I'm numb down there.
Really though, a good investment for those who have to move gear around.
Yamaha Tour Custom Maple Bop kit with MCA Snare
|Thread Tools


text:
Perdomo 20th Anniversary Maduro Robusto
5 x 56 - Maduro - Single
Special Offer
Special Offer
Perdomo 20th Anniversary cigars are a follow up to the 10th Anniversary line to celebrate Perdomo's 10th year in the industry. Just like the 10th Anniversary line, these are made with absolute perfection to reflect exactly how passionate Perdomo is about making every one of their cigars absolute bliss. Help Perdomo celebrate by trying this must have cigar today. You will certainly not regret it.
Purchased with enthusiasm, expecting more than what I got! Cigar does not stay lit, it appears poor workmanship in rolling. Would not buy again.


text:
Bradley to Mariners: "I need your help"
May 5, 2010, 9:49 PM EDT
UPDATE: MLB.com's Peter Gammons received a text from Bradley on Wednesday night stating: "Any reports I said
I'm packing up and leaving are 100% fabricated." It should come as no surprise. He may be an abrasive man, but he's not going to leave $21 million on the table.
9:49pm: As Craig chronicled earlier, Milton Bradley left the Mariners' clubhouse in the middle of Tuesday night's game after an altercation with the home plate umpire and, eventually, Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu. On Wednesday Bradley took the first step in making up for that childish and immature act, asking the Mariners for "help" with his issues.
It's good to hear that Bradley is beginning to recognize that the problems that have plagued him throughout his career are mostly of his own fault, and that there are people rooting for him to succeed. The Mariners have done nothing but treat him with graciousness and respect, rescuing him from a volatile situation in Chicago and giving him an opportunity to play every day while other teams scoffed at the idea.
Of course, we can't assume that a new leaf has been turned because we've all seen Bradley burn faithful organizations in the past. He needs to commit to playing the game of baseball with a level of calmness and respect — the same kind of respect that Wakamatsu and Co. have shown him this season. He also needs to make a conscious effort to fix whatever causes him to act out, whether through therapy, medication or both. Bradley has undoubtedly gone through required psychotherapy in the past, but it's time for him to take it seriously and accept that changes need to be made. Contrary to what the fans of Wrigley Field might think, the guy is not incapable of righting the wrongs in his own life.
Bradley, who just turned 32, has a .214 batting average, a .313 on-base percentage and seven extra-base hits in 70 at-bats this season. He was not in Wednesday's lineup and may be asked to sit out until the weekend to allow further time for reflection.
- Xpensive Wino - May 5, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Read the entire ESPN story.
The dude is nuts. This is no quick fix.
- davidc45629 - May 5, 2010 at 10:45 PM
And people wonder why blacks make up only 9% of major leaguers? Oh, I'm sorry, 8.9%.
- Craig - May 5, 2010 at 11:28 PM
davidc-what kind of comment is that? Is there some context that I cannot see that does not make you a racist?
- SoakingInSeattle - May 5, 2010 at 11:28 PM
Yes, it's a well known fact there are no white guys or Latinos with emotional issues.
- Jeff - May 6, 2010 at 12:07 AM
David, you are a racist moron.
- Old Gator - May 6, 2010 at 12:24 AM
And people wonder why we send cretins to school, too. A waste of Federal aid if you're indicative of what a slightly educated cretin sounds like.
- Pshrg - May 6, 2010 at 3:52 AM
Hey, davidc45629, don't forget: It's your turn to take the white hoods to the dry cleaners after the cross-burning tonight. The last guy didn't take 'em to the right place and they turned out a little grey. And you KNOW how the Grand Wizard hates that.
- Moses Green - May 6, 2010 at 5:21 AM
I know I'm pulling for him. As to the source of his anger, I don't know that we have to dig too deeply this time.
It's good to hear that he's Sorry for his latest dustup. Sometimes we all need a little help in The Game of Life, and kudos to him for asking. It's not like he has some kind of Monopoly on giving his manager a Headache. Also, Seattle knew what kind of Risk they were taking up front. They signed M.B. warts and all, they knew they weren't looking at Perfection.
- aMiltonBradleyFan - May 6, 2010 at 6:34 AM
David C in Franklin Furnace, Ohio.
You are a racist soul. Why the hate Bro?
Life is too short, don't p1$$ it away.
- Jonny5 - May 6, 2010 at 8:20 AM
"And people wonder why blacks make up only 9% of major leaguers? Oh, I'm sorry, 8.9%."
And I was going to say it's because of the total lack of baseball reference in rap videos…. Anyway, David, Duke I presume?
Well, this Milton Bradley character here, he's finally said something I can respect. I hope this is his turning point. Not that I don't expect to hear more about this guy, possibly doing something else insane, but there's always hope.
- Joey B - May 6, 2010 at 9:21 AM
Amen to that. I have about 4 million obligations to take care of, and about 4 million opportunities to take advantage of. Why would any sane person waste their precious time on Earth trying to belittle other groups. Better that we all rise together than we all sink together.
- Joey B - May 6, 2010 at 9:27 AM
"I know I'm pulling for him. As to the source of his anger, I don't know that we have to dig too deeply this time.
It's good to hear that he's Sorry for his latest dustup. Sometimes we all need a little help in The Game of Life, and kudos to him for asking."
LOL! A 'little' help? I don't want to mention names (me), but some of us have lead fairly irresponsible lives, and only by whatever God you believe in's infinite patience have survived.
I'm glad to see that he realizes that things aren't exactly working out for him. It doesn't matter how many times you fall down. The only thing in life that matters is how many times you get back up. Good luck Milton.
- ed-dough - May 6, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Milton Bradley is nuts, but if he gets better he can apologize to the city of Chicago for calling them racist because he was having a lousy year. Jim Hendry of the Cubs is also nuts because he signed Milton Bradley…unfortunately there is no hope for Jim Hendry.
- pj - May 6, 2010 at 10:59 AM
"It's good to hear that he's Sorry for his latest dustup. Sometimes we all need a little help in The Game of Life, and kudos to him for asking. It's not like he has some kind of Monopoly on giving his manager a Headache. Also, Seattle knew what kind of Risk they were taking up front. They signed M.B. warts and all, they knew they weren't looking at Perfection."
All games by Milton Bradley
Game of Life
- m'sfanforlife - May 6, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Sometimes all it takes is showing that you care about a person and not the way the hit the ball. I am sure he will come around and be back into the swing of things before too long.
- Pony - May 6, 2010 at 12:32 PM
It is a simple fact most American kids today cannot play baseball after they reach high school because of the cost. It is getting to the point that only rich kids are going to afford the game in years to come as to the cost most high schools charge to play. Here in Florida where I live the cost of a kid to play baseball at the high school level is around $ 400.00 to $ 800.00 they must pay the high school team. Now that does not cover other cost they must pay on top of that money. Now how can any family justify that type expense for a child to play a game? A lot of the kids who want to play baseball cannot and turn to other sports with less cost to their families.
- willboy2 - May 6, 2010 at 1:39 PM
David and HIS idiocy aside, last year Milton pissed the whole city of Chicago off (not just Cub fans) with his behavior and mouth. I don't care what he does, he'll get no sympathy from me. I must be a racist, right?
- Nasty Boy - May 6, 2010 at 2:36 PM
"I need your help" This move should be applauded . He is a very troubled soul . Hopefully he is serious and gets on a program . This won't be an overnight fix . I'm pulling for him , and I hope he gets on the road to complete recovery .
Top Posts
- Yordano Ventura calls Jose Bautista a "nobody" and accuses him of stealing signs 71
- And That Happened: Sunday's scores and highlights 84
- The benches cleared in Toronto, too 79
- The Reds' and Pirates' benches cleared after Brandon Phillips was hit with a pitch 64
- Reminder: even though the trade deadline has passed, trades can still happen 13
- Settling the Scores: Saturday's results 36
- Lucas Duda's last eight hits have been home runs 11
- Report: Larry Lucchino stepping down as president and CEO of the Red Sox 32
Most Commented
- The benches cleared in Friday's Giants-Rangers game (205)
- Blue Jays acquire David Price from the Tigers (113)
- Rangers land ace left-hander Cole Hamels from Phillies (106)
- Royals make another big move, get Ben Zobrist from A's (95)
- Report: Rockies trade Troy Tulowitzki to Blue Jays for Jose Reyes and prospects (92)
- C. Gomez (5731)
- C. Hamels (5072)
- T. Tulowitzki (5016)
- Y. Cespedes (4400)
- D. Price (3877)


text:
Provides communications services ranging from voice, data and video, digital radio communication networks and internet services.
Provides for the design, production and distribution of various multi-media and electronics products and solutions.
Provides services ranging from the production of prepaid cellular vouchers, payment solutions, Point-of-Sale and PIN pad solutions.
Provides an environment, within Altech, that allows for the development of new growth businesses and product innovation.
A message from Craig Venter Chief Executive Officer
Watch Craig's interview on CNBC about Altech Node.
There's no place like Node-View Website.
No front page content has been created yet.


text:
Very little is known about where and under what conditions Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) people work, about their education attainments, income or service delivery needs. Counted Out (2003) provided the first evidence based assessment of life for LGB people in Wales. It looked at who, within diverse LGB communities, experiences poverty, social isolation, discrimination or harassment.
The findings for some parameters were quite shocking leading to the immediate adoption of the key recommendations by the National Assembly, which continues to work towards their implementation reporting annually on progress.
Stonewall Cymru is now undertaking and updating this vital evidence base for our work in Wales. This research will guide the necessary service provision changes across health, education, and housing, as well as in employment.
Either visit www.cf.ac.uk/socsi/stonewallcymrusurvey to fill out the survey in English or Welsh, or:
Click on the link below to download the PDF:
(Print and fill out by hand)
All Wales Survey 2006(English)
All Wales Survey 2006 (Welsh)
Click on the link to download the Word file:
(Survey can be filled out in Word)
Word - All Wales LGB Survey (English)
Word - All Wales LGB Survey 2006 (Welsh)
Instructions for completing the Survey in Word:
Surveys should be returned to:
Dr Matthew Williams
School of Social Sciences
Cardiff University
Glamorgan Building
King Edward VII Avenue
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Tel: +44 (0)29 20 874853
If you would like us to send you a printed copy, please contact:
Stonewall Cymru
C/o EOC
Windsor House
Windsor Lane
Tel: 029 20 237744
Email: email@example.com
The survey is also available in alternative formats such as large print; Braille, Moon, audio format or an alternative language. Please contact Katherine Hatch on 029 2082 8761 or firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
By Linda D. KozarynAmerican Forces Press Service
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 18, 1998 They schlep their gear -- tripods, lights and videocams; cameras and lenses, film and flash; notebooks, tapes, recorders and, their ubiquitous laptops.
Casually dressed, often disorderly, sometimes downright pushy, they're a gaggle of reporters, photographers and videographers. Herded from helicopter to van, they're relegated to the "back of the bus," the last vehicle in every motorcade. From site to site, and back again, they struggle to keep up, seeking the best angle, the toughest question.
Rising at dawn and working till the wee hours, they cover events around the world 24 hours a day. Their dispatches run in newspapers and magazines, on radio, television and cable. Their names and faces are familiar via the nightly news or bylined headlines. Some, like CNN's Christiane Amanpour, become worldwide celebrities.
A dozen national news reporters traveled with Defense Secretary William S. Cohen during an early-February trip to Europe, the Middle East and Russia. While he parleyed with local officials and U.S. military leaders, they covered every word.
At one stop, U.S. service members surrounded CNN's Jamie McIntyre while he filmed his news spot in front of an F-117 stealth fighter at Al Jabr Air Base, Kuwait.
Ending his filmed report, McIntyre had a momentary lapse. "Jamie McIntyre, CNN, -- uh -- uh --- uh -- where are we again?" The troops laughed. McIntyre then recalled the base name, and reshot the ending: "Jamie McIntyre, CNN, 'Al JAB-ber' Air Base, Kuwait." The troops whooped, cheered and applauded, for McIntyre had used their nickname for the base, not the official pronunciation "Al Jah-BAR."
With transportation delayed at Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates, Susanne Schafer of Associated Press simply sat on the tarmac and tapped away at her laptop computer while Arabs dressed in flowing white robes and headdresses lingered nearby.
Aboard a C-17 Globemaster III transport plane, press circled Marine Corps Gen. Anthony C. Zinni, commander, U.S. Central Command. Stuffing hand-held tape recorders and microphones a few inches from his mouth, they asked: "When will you be ready to strike? How long will it last? Will you take out Hussein?"
And at each stop, everyone on the plane knows, "Get out of the way, the press have to file." Scurrying for phones, nothing intrudes, not food, lack of sleep, friend or foe. Their editors are standing by and the world is waiting.


text:
To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog:
Having a 9:00 a.m. start time is typical in California. Los Angeles attorneys say they don't want to start before 10:00 because of traffic, but because of the Federal and now California seven-hour rule, unless everyone wants to be working past 6:00 p.m., the deposition has to start so the clock can start ticking.
Los Angeles and Bay Area traffic is legendary, and San Diego's is not far behind when traveling south in the morning. Witnesses show up at depositions late with the excuse of traffic and not knowing where to park. Attorneys are oftentimes "stuck" in a hearing and are "running late." Does the court reporter or videographer have the "luxury" of being late because of traffic or parking issues? I would postulate that a service provider can never be late. It might not seem fair, but that is the way it is.
And the responsibility of a court reporter/legal videographer is not only to be on time, but to be 30 minutes/one hour early. The legal videographers I work with consistently arrive an hour early and start their setup. Unless there is a mistake in scheduling, I rarely have come across a late-arriving videographer.
Court reporters have less gear and need less time to set up and, I believe, push the time envelope. Secretaries, paralegals, and attorneys start checking for the court reporter's arrival, and if there is no one there at 8:45 for a 9:00 a.m. start, they begin panicking, calling the court reporting firm they hired. There are few calls the staff of a court reporting office hates more than, "Didn't we book a reporter? Is someone coming? Should we call another firm to make sure we have someone here on time?" The clients panic, and then the court reporting firm panics. It is a terrible way to start the day.
I know when I do get to a job early, 45 minutes or so, I love the feeling of getting set up, having my title pages done, and time for a cup of coffee. I am relaxed. Everyone is relaxed. Sometimes if I am working at a doctor's office, and I am not allowed to set up, I will sit in the reception area, turn on my computer, and work on the title pages. I walk into the conference room with my computer on and at least the title pages done.
I am sorry to say attorneys don't ever want to hear excuses about being late. If there is a catastrophic accident or a person gets sick, fine. Being late should happen maybe once every 12 years. My advice: If you are going to be late, call your firm and let them know. They can call the client and give them the assurance the court reporter will be there.
Let's all be incredibly great in 2013. Relaxed court reporters are happy court reporters.
See more »
DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
© Kramm Court Reporting
Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
Sign up to create your digest using LinkedIn*
Back to Top
Copyright ©


text:
EducationFor Providers
By Ramiro Solórzano
Having a Provider Checklist is a way to ensure that everyone involved in your organization has a good basis for instruction. This checklist of 10 things will guide you as a Provider.
- Provider delegates a Primary Point of Contact and a Secondary Point of Contact. The POCs are current. The POCs signed a Quality Assurance statement. POC submits Provider's annual invoice.
- Primary or Secondary Point of Contact register courses online at least 5 days prior to offering and advertising.
- Primary or Secondary Point of Contact is responsible for collecting and submitting AIA member credits via the CES Discovery System within 10 business days of course completion.
- Provider maintains active files and records including participant attendance for a minimum of six years.
- Provider's Primary or Secondary Point of Contact ensures that Presenters sign the Speaker Agreement and that the agreement is kept as part of the records.
- Providers ensure that courses meet a minimum of at least one hour with four learning objectives.
- Providers observe the rules of their provider subscription and the conditions under which they became providers.
- Providers use the AIA CES logo on their website and in advertising their courses.
- Providers ensure that Presenters within their organization distribute course evaluations either in print or online CES Feedback for all attendees.
- Providers ensure that Presenters provide Certificates of Completion once requested.
Take these ten basic guidelines and implement them into your organization. Following these strategies will help you in your success in maintaining the quality of Continuing Education. For further questions please check out our link for a Constructive Review of your courses. Here you can ask me anything about your course and I would be more than happy to review your courses and materials and work together with any questions you may have. Please be advised that if your best practices are worth sharing I would also like Providers to be Recognized of those best practices so that the AIA CES can embody your good work.


text:
I love AMC's gritty TV-adaptation of
The self-published comic is not due out for a few months yet, but Kevil's website features a synopsis, some background information, and some concept art. According to the website, the story is about a sleepy Illinois suburb thrown into chaos when zombie dinosaurs escape from a local research facility. Of course, large theropod dinosaurs like Acrocanthosaurus, Spinosaurus, Carnotaurus and Tyrannosaurus will be the most immediate threats to the local people, but the roster of undead dinosaurs includes Styracosaurus, Iguanodon and other normally-herbivorous dinosaurs, too. No word yet on whether the dinosaurs will shamble around groaning "BRRRrraaaIINnNS...," as per tradition, or whether that will have to be translated from their roars and grunts.


text:
As part of our coverage for the 2013/14 football season, we have introduced the Sporting Life Accumulator and brought back our Going for Goals selection.
It features the selections of our top tipping team from across the various leagues and you can back the picks every week with Sky Bet.
Here's our latest offering:
Sporting Life Accumulator:
Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Chesterfield, Kidderminster and St Johnstone all to win at 14/1 with Sky Bet.
Aston Villa to beat Newcastle (Barclays Premier League)
Villa have clearly shown signs of potential despite being one point behind the Magpies.
Nottingham Forest to beat Barnsley (Sky Bet Championship)
Forest lost their unbeaten record last time out at Wigan but haven't conceded yet at home and have too much quality for the Tykes.
Chesterfield to beat AFC Wimbledon (Sky Bet League 2)
The Spireites sit on top of the table and are rightly title favourites in the fourth tier of English football.
Kidderminster to beat Hyde (Skrill Premier)
We regularly oppose Hyde in this feature and are happy to do so again with Kidderminster a more than decent side at this level.
St Johnstone to beat Hibernian (Scottish Premiership)
Saints have won both home games to nil and look in good shape for another three points.
Both teams to score in Fulham v West Brom, Bolton v Leeds and Blackburn v Burnley at 4.6/1 with Sky Bet.
Games involving Fulham haven't seen many goals but David Stockdale has made more saves than any other goalkeeper so far this season while West Brom, who have yet to score, have signed a couple of new strikers since losing 2-0 at home to Swansea last time out.
Rock-bottom Bolton will be desperate to get their season up and running as they search for a first win of the season but Leeds have already proved there are no pushovers away from home.
An exciting Lancashire derby is on the cards as Blackburn, who have been full of goals, travel to a third-placed Burnley side look to maintain their superb start to the campaign.
Sky Bet Free Bet Club: £10 free bet - £5 free every week


text:
- Okechukwu Peter Nwobu
- April 11, 2010
- 0 Comments
The President of Nigeria Umaru Musa Yar 'Adua is very sick. No one except his wife and doctors know how sick he is. But however bad his illness is, Nigeria is in a worse state. Every day his illness exposes the fault lines along ethnic and religious lines with more than significant input from the ailing president. A nation is like glass. They shatter under sufficient pressure. In Nigeria's case the pressure is building up. Has anyone told Yar'Adua that if his health has been politicised he caused it by not handing over power before he left in November 2009 for Saudi Arabia? In 2008, at the height of another medical crisis I wrote and published as follows: 'the daunting issues of governance, namely provision of infrastructure, security, the crushing burden of wide spread poverty, Vision 2020 and a legion others are enough to task a normally healthy person. If President Yar'Adua needs three or even six months to seek proper medical attention in any hospital, anywhere in the world, he should tell the nation, hand over to the Vice President, supported by a team of core professionals and get the treatment he needs, then come back to continue in office. He owes this much to his wife and children and also the nation. That is the only way he would live his nine lives to the fullest, not through what is presently a clandestine, hide and seek medical care during which every day of absence seems to confirm the worst.' This was ignored to his peril.
Given the lies, deception and stubborn hold on power since he took ill in November last year, it would have been naive to think that the effort of Yar'Adua and the cabal to heat up the nation would end with the rumour that he was expected at the Mosque penultimate Friday. I was therefore not surprised when news broke that some imams amongst other 'associates' visited Yar'Adua in Aso Rock. The Imams subsequently announced their visit in the National Mosque and have given interviews in a herculean attempt to flesh out what they saw or thought they saw. It was all scripted, actors carefully chosen to reach different constituencies. In their positions, Muslims will believe the account of the imams of what they saw. So addressing worshippers and granting interviews is a call to fellow Muslims to take note and defend Yar'Adua. The second message of the visit delivered by one of the august visitors, Datti Ahmed augmented by an advert by a group known as Friends of Yar'Adua is to the acting president and the new executive council of the federation not to invoke section 144 of the constitution and declare Yar'Adua incapacitated. The pointed references by unnamed sources indicating that Yar'Adua will resume soon, possibly next month is to further unsettle the acting president and the new ministers into inaction. Thirdly, one of those who visited Yar'Adua is Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state who is also his son-in-law. His colleagues will inundate him with calls to learn more about his condition. Predictably, the answers they will get will be designed to line up the governors against any move to end Yar'Adua's presidency. If Yar'Adua could not speak and was immobile, how come the cabal expect him to return as president even by year end? Will he return to repeat the no action mode of the last three years? Who is going to profit from this? Does Yar'Adua truly love and believe in Nigeria? Calling pastors to come and pray for him is medicine after death. Even the indication that he would meet next with PDP chieftains and leadership of the PDP is to create the impression that the meeting with the imams was the first of a scheduled series of meetings. So far no mention is made of meeting with the acting president. The battle for the soul of Nigeria has just entered a new phase.
The real target of this ongoing show of shame is Goodluck Jonathan. Everything possible will be done to unsettle him in a rolling attack fashion with crisis engineered from every direction with the tacit approval of the phantom of Aso Rock. The widening gulf of enmity between ex Niger Delta militants, accentuated by their taking sides in the brewing crisis in Bayelsa state will work to Yar'Adua's advantage. The long standing accusation has been that successive Nigerian governments mostly led by Northerners ignored and neglected the just demands of the Niger Delta. The ongoing divide and rule tactics is to ultimately show that even an Acting President of Ijaw extraction could not do anything for his people. This will be used by agent provocateurs of the North to explain the reason no past government was able to help the Niger Delta because they have always fought each other. To buttress this point they will dredge up the Ogoni Four and Ogoni Nine incidences. Before your brows flicker upwards in disbelief, the North will make any claim including as they did not long ago that the crude oil in the Niger Delta flowed there from the North! One of them Senator Kanti Bello is on record to have said Professor Akunyili goes to Aso Rock to cook for Turai Yar'Adua!
The crisis in Bayelsa state provides a target rich environment for the cabal. What happens if some group like the Presidential Strike Force, with allegiance to the cabal kills any one of the ex militant commanders who threatened to return to the creeks and resume their attacks if the perceived harassment of Governor Timipre Sylva administration does not stop? It will create an irresistible opportunity for the enemies of the Niger Delta to target and eliminate more ex militant commanders which will be blamed on other Niger Delta combatants, further stoking the fire. The only ones to benefit is the cabal because any conflagration will considerably weaken Dr Jonathan as ineffective, hardly appealing to the party and electorate. This will pave the way for a Northern candidate who could be anyone of Yar'Adua's sons-in-law who are presently serving state governors. It will keep power in the Yar'Adua family dynasty and satisfy the yearnings of the Governors' Forum for one of them to emerge president in 2011.
Very few knew the Presidential Strike Force existed until Obasanjo's government exposed them as killers for General Sani Abacha of many of his 'enemies' including Khudirat Abiola. In this climate of confusion, who will they be taking orders from? Is there any other ultra secret squad that is unknown to the Acting President, but sworn to the cabal, ready to execute their orders?
The North has this very apparent sense of entitlement that is difficult to explain and harder still to understand. It is now malignant arrogance and has succeeded in consigning Nigeria to a wheel chair, unable to help itself do things that small less endowed nations take for granted. I have come to the conclusion that while they disdain Prof Akunyili for daring to be seen and heard in a man's world on account of their religion, their satisfaction with their lot, with influence peddling and mind boggling mediocrity is mostly a product of their culture. If you add, as is becoming increasingly evident but to a lesser extent their religion to the mix, you will not be wrong. It is now actually a highly combustible mixture. Some see it as the curse of the amalgamation of 1914, an exercise they believe even the British who did it for convenient administrative purposes now regret. The curse is alive and very well fed. It is abundantly clear that the South and the North are as different as white is from black, a fact that made the plotters of Gideon Okar's coup to announce the unbundling of some Northern states from the rest of Nigeria. That sentiment against the Caliphate has not in any way diminished. They have in fact multiplied since then, emphasized by a world view that is primitive, narrow minded, manipulative and divisive.
In 1957 when the rest of Nigeria was ready for independence, the North declared they were not ready. We waited for them because we believed it would be worth it. As Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu said in an interview with TELL magazine of September 18, 2000, 'Southern Nigeria should have gone for independence, leaving the door open for the North to join when it was ready. But rather the option was to wait for the North... From then, the North began to pull the strings of Nigeria's independence.' According to Ojukwu, 'We made sacrifices. All the time we were making sacrifices. Anybody who is anybody today from the North will always look back and tell you that one Igbo man gave him the push up. And so permanent secretaries were constantly roaming around looking for a Northerner to promote. And so everywhere, no sacrifice was too much for the glory of the new country Nigeria.' Fifty three years later, the rest of the nation is still making sacrifices. Fifty three years later the North is still pulling strings to mould this nation in their own image.
What is the difference between Josef Fritzl, the Austrian man who locked up his daughter for 24 years and raped her more than 3,000 times and the North who have repeatedly raped Nigeria for fifty years? If in doubt take a look at the number of local governments in each state and how they shamelessly skewed them in favour of the North. Take a further look at the basis for sharing the monthly federal allocation which is based on population and number of local governments and not productivity. And guess which region has 'more' people and local governments - the North. Take a look at the number of states, again deliberately lopsided to give the North a majority and ensure that under the federal character scheme they get more people employed in federal institutions and have more representatives in the National Assembly. Yet when you travel by road or air to or through the North you wonder where the acclaimed population is. Even if the cows, sheep and goats are added to their figure, there is no way we have more people in the North than in the South. To perpetuate this lie, they made sure that ethnic group, religion and state of origin are not captured during census. The list of Northern malfeasance is endless. They have raped Nigeria for so long and have gotten used to it.
There is therefore no doubt that the North has a huge credibility deficit that will take at least a generation to change. Lee Iaccoca said that credibility is something you can earn only over time. And if you have not earned it, you cannot use it. Donald Trump postulated that you do not reward failure by promoting those responsible for it, because if you do, all you will get is more failure. Is it possible that another president from the North can change Nigeria beyond their extremely narrow world view which is further impaired by foggy ethnic and religious lenses that have given us only subprime leaders? Will he not think it is wrong to declare a state of emergency in the power sector when there are generators, lanterns and candles? Yar'Adua and the cabal have further done so much to expose and highlight in bold relief the stultifying Northern way of thinking. Here are the facts.
When he proceeded on his medical vacation without handing over the reins of power, Yar'Adua set the stage for a show of shame that has not yet run its course. While the whole world laughed at our backwardness, the President held on to power until the child of necessity was conceived by the National Assembly to declare the hapless Vice President, a Southerner, the Acting President.
In the face of glaring evidence that the president could not continue in office, he was brought home like contraband in the middle of the night, in a manner that further rubbished the president, the presidency and Nigeria before a global audience. Soldiers were deployed without the knowledge of the Acting President. Much has been said about this but it is important to state that the day the Vice President became acting president the buck stops on his table. He became the symbol of power and authority. Every organ of government especially the security apparatus responsible for his own personal security were bound to take orders from him or his appointed representatives. The Brigade of Guards exists solely to protect the president. Deploying them to safe guard the returning president was not wrong. What was wrong was that the Acting President was not aware of the return of Yar'Adua because some persons felt in their wisdom it was better not to tell him, even though the then Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Adamu Aliero, a Northerner knew and was at the airport. How did he know?
Soon after the vice president became acting president, the North rose as one to declare that he should not run in 2011 because they have not exhausted their 'sacred' mandate. It became obvious they would do anything to achieve their aim including frustrating him at every turn, in the political, social and economic spheres to make him a lame duck president cast in the mould vacated by Ernest Shonekan in 1993.
Some of the actions the Acting President has taken including dissolving the Executive Council of the Federation are to prove he has what it takes to lead. But Yar'Adua, though still invisible to the Nigerian people continues to haunt him and Nigeria like a ghost. The recent rumour that he was expected at the Mosque and the visit to Aso Rock of imams prove this point. It is only in Nigeria that this kind of absurdity can happen. They do not trust Jonathan and will not let him do better than Yar'Adua or let him succeed where he failed spectacularly. Now that Jonathan is directly in charge of the Ministry of Power, they will sabotage his efforts to deliver the elusive 6,000 megawatts of electricity, stall the rebuilding of crumbled infrastructure and the fight against corruption. The only reason they will not kill him or chase him out as they did to Ernest Shonekan is the fear of the very visible and deadly stick welded by Niger Delta militants whose weapons, knowledge and skills acquired in combat are ready to be redeployed if they dare to humiliate or kill Jonathan.
Fear is a potent weapon against the North. The fear of the credible threat of NADECO gave the Yorubas the presidency for eight years. The growing strength, sophistication and determination of Niger Delta militants fight against 'historic grievances,' gave them the vice president and now acting president. That fear is Jonathan's insurance policy. After what is happening in Jos with obvious bias displayed by the army, Jonathan cannot be complacent. He should learn from General Aguiyi-Ironsi's naive mistake and put his personal security in the hands of those he trusts. It does not matter if they are all Niger Deltans and all Christians. But if the crisis in Bayelsa degenerates and militants return to the creeks as they threatened in their paid newspaper advert, Jonathan becomes fair game. The excited talk up North will be that a Northerner got the 'amnesty' in place and the major beneficiary Goodluck Jonathan and his fellow Ijaws destroyed it. In which case, a coup looks like the solution much to the liking of the Caliphate. I cannot overemphasize that the ultimate losers will be Niger Delta. Let cooler heads prevail. It is the only way to prove whether or not the original amnesty was designed to succeed or to buy time. But the fear factor will only lead to more violence for threats to be credible and ethnic groups taken seriously.
Out of fear that the report of a delegation of the then Federal Executive Council about to head to Saudi Arabia would end Yar'Adua presidency, a group of Northerners whose spokesman was former minister of steel, Bashir Dalhatu, quickly issued statements to the effect that the Acting President is not empowered to change service chiefs or reconstitute the Executive Council of the Federation. It was designed to set boundaries, lines in the sand Jonathan should not cross. That actually marked the revving up of the consolidated strategy of the North. The decision not to gamble was made and executed and Yar'Adua was smuggled back. To achieve their goal, Turai was convinced to bring back her still seriously ill husband. The looming power outage may have been painted by the cabal as unthinkable for her, creating in the process the ultimate tool in their hands.
The return of Yar'Adua achieved its desired effect but only temporarily. It emboldened his supporters. Dogs are said to be able to smell fear in their quarry. Their political equivalent – some governors, the 'wise men' amongst the sacked ministers, some members of the National Assembly mostly from the North thought they smelt Jonathan's fear. They closed ranks swiftly, fanned out and viciously fought back. They thought Jonathan blinked, that he was sufficiently brow beaten. It was therefore not surprising that the Northern Parliamentary caucus called for the resignation of Prof Dora Akunyili who they accused of insufficient patriotism and loyalty, for daring to demand answers to begging questions. Being blunt is a major fault of the honest, a significant liability in the political environment, as Professor Akunyili found out. The North will never forgive or forget that it was her memo to the Executive Council of the Federation that preceded and provoked the child of necessity resolutions of the National Assembly. During the senate screening of 'new' ministers Senator Kanti Bello's infantile ambush against Prof. Akunyili proved to be true to type. It showed the Senator as the one with questionable loyalty to Nigeria. He ended up ridiculing himself, awakening and nourishing the more than fifty years of ethnic suspicion.
Our rulers have often asked us to be patriotic. But when we demanded from Yar'Adua to justify his patriotic credentials and quit as president in order to spare Nigeria needless tension and division, he failed miserably. Patriotism demands of us to reach beyond ourselves and narrow interests and do what is right for the good of our nation. Instead, what we witnessed was and still is a tragic and consistent default of political will, a consistent denial of reality by the cabal around Yar'Adua who held Nigeria by the jugular and still do not want to let go. The same kind of ass kissing people who suggested Yar'Adua should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the Niger Delta amnesty. The same fawning people who upon his return to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia claimed to have heard him refer to acting president Jonathan as Vice president. The same people who said Jonathan as Vice President was not empowered to send troops to Jos when it was burning in January. The same people who said it was illegal for Jonathan to hold the weekly Federal Executive Council meetings. The same people, who said Jonathan could not tinker with the Federal Executive Council, replace service chiefs or submit documents to the National Assembly. If Jonathan could not do these things, would Nigeria not have completely ground to a halt as was becoming so evident? Is this drifting what Yar'Adua, Turai, Tanko Yakasai, Dalhatu and the cabal prefer? And how come Mike Andoakaa, the first face and voice of the cabal told the whole world the vice president had effectively stepped into the shoes of the president when he was so powerless? Never before has doing nothing been such a powerful weapon in policy and in the service of mediocrity and the North. If these men and women who wanted to dictate to Jonathan are not members of the cabal, then who is? Yar'Adua, Turai and the former Attorney General Mike Andoakaa, the man who overdosed on loyalty and 'patriotism' had the opportunity to choose between right and wrong. They chose wrong and got shame.
The North does not want Goodluck Jonathan with full presidential powers because he will be too powerful to handle, making his imprint and influence on the 2011 election a lot easier. This, more importantly include their fear of him eventually running in the election. Once again, they will do anything to checkmate him. If Jonathan accepts to run as the vice president to someone else in 2011 with the hope of running for president in 2015, he will be shocked there will be no 'vacancy' in 2015 and when the vacancy will exist in 2019, he will be humiliated as pay back for 'humiliating' Yar'Adua. This will be done with the active connivance of South South governors who are positioning themselves to become president after the end of their second gubernatorial terms. The same South South governors have 'dutifully' played their roles in denying Jonathan substantive presidency by effectively dividing the then Federal ministers to completely foreclose easing out Yar'Adua. The governors' forum went as far as hinging their continuing support to Jonathan on strict adherence to their conditions.
No matter how much the world has hailed the political solution that brought the child of necessity about, it is unconstitutional, a booby trap that will be sprung midstride when the nation has settled down. It is clear that the National Assembly exercised powers they did not have when they voted to make Goodluck Jonathan Acting President. The likes of Tanko Yakasai will pursue this matter up to the Supreme Court which will rightly declare the doctrine of necessity unconstitutional. When that happens, all the decisions of the Acting President become null and void, creating for Nigeria a scenario where all those sacked including ministers will stage a raucous return. Unless the new set of ministers swiftly declare Yar'Adua incapacitated, the crisis that will erupt when the Supreme Court nullifies the child of necessity proclamation will rock Nigeria to its foundation.
The North knows that Yar'Adua is not coming back but they are scared that somehow Jonathan will overcome all their traps and obstacles, succeed and possibly run in the 2011 election. Tanko Yakasai is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Arewa Consultative Forum. I believe that through his statements, Yakasai was trouble shooting on their behalf. Their plan B will be to instigate a coup that will see a Northerner emerge as military head of state. The expected Supreme Court judgement aborting the child of necessity, a fresh crisis in the Niger Delta linked to Jonathan's 'meddling' in Bayelsa state, orchestrated widespread ethno religious killings in the North and reprisal attacks in the South, all coming at the same time will be tailor made excuses for military intervention. If they succeed, they will as they did in 1967, appoint a Northern Christian to head the military government while real power resides elsewhere. Democracy will be shot dead because Yar'Adua refused and was encouraged not to send a simple letter to the National Assembly handing over power, a process that would have preserved his government and legacy.
Those who plotted Yar'Adua's strategy first killed him off politically and by rushing him back from Saudi Arabia may also kill him physically. With his physical condition as described by Datti Ahmed and other imams, it is obvious he is still very sick. What does the cabal hope to gain by disgracefully propping him up like a dummy to receive 'visitors' and making a fool of him when he should be recuperating?
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a cripple before he won the presidential election in the United States during the great depression. He was elected to four consecutive terms. He died in office during his fourth term. His disability was not a hindrance. But Yar'Adua's ailment effectively disabled his capacity to run even a local government. Whatever was left of his reputation pre November 23, 2009, has been completely shredded by the inexplicable and disingenuous way his ill health has been handled. With the bare faced lies that he was getting better, exercising by climbing stairs, the cabal publicly added moral bankruptcy to a political one, bringing heavy fog across the land. It will take time to unclog our severely damaged political arteries. The initial flip flopping of his administration was actually an advanced warning of what to expect. He became a blend of incompetence and inaction personified. We will never know what kind of president he would have been if he is not so chronically ill.
During the peak of the better forgotten fuel scarcity in January, I overheard some commercial motor cyclists talking about an accident involving one of their own and a car driven by a woman on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. Seeing that the damage was significant the commercial motor cyclist begged for forgiveness without success. The commercial motorcyclist, obviously a huge man suddenly lifted the unforgiving woman and plunged with her into the waters of the lagoon to end it there. The story teller swore that the woman drowned while the cyclist, a good swimmer survived and is hiding out in his village. Because Yar'Adua refused to hand over power, he lost all sympathy rightly due to him and the public plunged with him into the very deep and fast flowing river of public opinion. It was the public outcry that exposed the Federal Executive Council as spineless and forced the Governors' Forum and National Assembly to come up with the doctrine of necessity. Yar'Adua and Turai to all intents and purposes are politically dead in the water, victims of their own unreasonableness goaded by members of a self serving cabal.
The truth is Yar'Adua's life is not in our hands but his political life and how he conducts it, is. His health is not the issue, it is the problem. Lee Iaccoca said he found out the speed of the boss is the speed of the team. Where was Yar'Adua in 2008 when only about 23 per cent of capital vote was spent? By mid 2009, only 43 per cent had been spent, even when infrastructure had moved from inadequate to nonexistent. Under his watch Nigeria recorded 98% failure in the November/December 2009 NECO examination, surely a new world record. We are losing the future before we get there. How much worse should it have gotten before Yar'Adua and the cabal recognise that Nigeria is a political, economic and social black hole that needs urgent and concentrated attention, the type he cannot provide. According to Professor Akunyili: '...everybody knows he (Yar'Adua) is a fine gentleman and with a beautiful spirit'. However, it is a case of the spirit is willing but the body is weak, refusing to cooperative with its owner and the cabal.
Albert Speer, the German Armament Minister under Adolf Hitler, at end of the Second World War declared that 'History always emphasizes terminal events.' This is also Yar'Adua's lot. History will largely remember how shamefully his presidency ended. Those who helped to destroy him are all those who convinced him not to write that simple letter of medical vacation and those still urging him to fight on and heat up the nation when all we have heard he said since he returned to Nigeria is a grunted 'amen'. With every attempt to impose himself on the national stage, he loses sympathy and understanding. But something tells me his efforts to undermine Jonathan will not stop here. It is now malignant foolishness.
The PDP has hinged its call on Jonathan not to run to make way for the North to complete its tenure on their constitution. It is generally believed that should the PDP present a Northerner and he wins through fair or foul means that man will do two terms. And as that man's first term enters the third year, all manner of men and women would come out to 'beg' him to do a second term. Like it happened during the Obasanjo era third term debate, the PDP will be silent. By the time we know what is happening, there will be a second term through fair or foul means. The fallacy of this will be truly exposed if a Northerner on the platform of the opposition party wins the presidential election. Will he do one term and step aside or do his constitutionally allowed two terms? To hold Nigeria to ransom on the basis of a political party constitution is wrong and will cause more grief.
As the 2011 election draws close, everything will be done to bring Yar'Adua back as president before the election to 'empower' the PDP and INEC to deliver the election through any means to their candidates. The National Assembly controlled by the PDP will issue the necessary clearance through the fraudulent voice vote with a false medical certificate to bring him back as president to ensure their own survival and re election at the polls. Their fear will be that if Jonathan chooses to write his name in gold by conducting a credible election as is most likely, most of them will not return to the National Assembly, so why take that risk? The return of the child of necessity or whatever it will be christened will be anchored on the personal interest of the legislators to bring back the one man who takes no prisoners and who will do anything to get them re elected. Because this arrangement will help the governors get re elected as well, they will also support the National Assembly but Nigeria will be worse off for it.
If in spite of the best medical effort, Yar'Adua is unable to return to influence the election in favour of the PDP, I still expect a soft landing of some sort. One week or two before the end of the first term, the National Assembly will return Yar'Adua to his position without any medical certification. The argument will be, 'it's only for one week or two.' 'Let the man finish his term as president honourably.' Anyone who faults that argument will be seen as mean spirited. Yar'Adua will finish his term as president and Jonathan as vice president. This will be considered a victory by die hard Yar'Adua loyalists.
Nigeria's descent into the ranks of failed states is gathering pace. General Buhari, a Northerner and veteran presidential candidate has warned of Nigeria taking the route Somali took to become a failed state in what he called 'Somalisation of Nigeria', stating that 'we are more vulnerable than Somalia.' It is possible this is the outcome extremist Northerners want so that bands of religious bigots can establish Sharia law in the areas under their control with their 'Janjaweed' militia seeking Christians for massacre as in Darfur. The signs are all there already. What kind of people will hack to death hundreds of women and children in Jos just because they are Christians who refused to be dominated in their own land? If Nigeria becomes a certified failed state, Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists will move in as they did in Afghanistan to operate from and spread their brand of terror all over West Africa and beyond. What General Buhari did not say is that the last ruler of Somalia, General Mohammed Said Barre died in Nigeria where he spent most of his years in exile. This is not a good omen.
Was that Sunday morning massacre in Jos part of facilitating the 'Northernisation' of Jos on the one hand and creating the excuse for a coup on the other or both? Again, let us look at the facts on ground. The Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Domkat Bali had accused the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3rd Armoured Division, Major General Saleh Maina of taking sides with the murdering Hausa/Fulanis. The GOC had refused to take General Bali's calls and that of the state governor, Jonah Jang. Jonah Jang wanted to pass intelligence information to the GOC about the impending Sunday morning massacre. General Bali wanted to draw his attention to what he saw. In his own words in an interview with Thisday General Bali said, 'The reason I called (the GOC) was that there were fake soldiers from Niger, Chad and so on. They were flashed on the television screen and I saw some of them wearing canvas, slippers and so on... With what I saw on the screen, they (the fake soldiers) and the army were virtually operating together, and the army did not arrest or stop them as far as I know anyway.'
Why is Jos North which has significant Igbo, Yoruba and other tribes the target of the North Hausas? Again, according to General Bali, 'The Hausas were instrumental to creating the Jos-North. That was done during the Babangida era. Fortunately or unfortunately, I had just left the Babangida regime then. But it was done with bias to favour the Hausas... and I think the aim was to allow the Hausas to dominate.' He went on to say, 'You see, the Chief of Army Staff is an Hausa man, the GOC is an Hausa man. They dictate who should come here and who is to serve in what position. My position is that they should remove Maina, because he has shown bias for Islam and it is a dangerous thing not just for Plateau but the whole country. The moment this country is broken along religious lines, there may be no Nigeria any more. Especially as it regards the military, because the ultimate force bringing Nigeria together is the military.' During the Jos crisis in January, there were several sighting of men in army uniform gunning people down. The question then was who were these men? The answer is now obvious.
It should be recalled that one of the financiers of the murderous Boko Haram sect, Buji Foi was a former commissioner in Borno state. We now have a GOC and his men acting as armourers and protectors of religious fanatics. How high up is this quest to dominate not just Jos North but all of Nigeria by the North? Yar'Adua was one of twelve governors who hoisted the flag of sharia in the North, an act that told the common man in the North that anything done in Allah's name is right. During the 2008 Jos crisis, Yar'Adua's altercations with Governor Jonah Jang exposed his bias for the Hausa Fulani just like Ibrahim Babangida two decades earlier.
The Ajibola Commission set up after the 2008 Jos crisis was not satisfied with Babangida's explanation that he did not create Jos North to favour the Hausa/Fulani. The commission found out that Babangida created Jos North local government in 1991 to favour the Hausa/Fulani of Jos North as it was the Hausa /Fulani that demanded for the local government in the form it was created. This confirms General Bali's view. The blood of all those who have died in Jos are on Babangida's head, the original creator of the mess.
There are reports that the same General Ibrahim Babangida is mulling running for president. This time he is at the head of his reconnaissance battalion testing the waters, infiltrating the 'enemy', locating weaknesses and strengths. After 8 years of dribbling Nigeria and himself, what does he want? This pronounced North/South, Christian /Muslim divide would have been dead and buried if Babangida had not annulled the 1993 election. In that election Christians showed so much maturity such that they did not care that M K O Abiola and his running mate were both Muslims. It was a turning point that Babangida aborted. Some of his foot soldiers have bravely said that Babangida has the best interest of Nigeria at heart. What Babangida wants is the best interest of Nigeria in the bank, his bank. Think for a moment how much fun we will have if an opposition party will summon the courage to bring back the former chairman of the EFCC Nuhu Ribadu to run against General Babangida for president. How about being trigger happy for once? It will give us the unique satisfaction of pulling the biggest electoral trigger in Africa and finally politically executing General Ibrahim Babangida.
Before this GOC Major General Saleh Maina, another Northern Muslim who was Deputy Commissioner of Police Alhaji Hamisu Isa during the 1994 Jos ethno religious crisis was also roundly condemned for bias. After him came Alhaji M D Abubakar, Commissioner of Police during the 2001 Jos crisis. The Justice Niki Tobi Commission of Inquiry which was set up after the crisis was of the view that the role of M D Abubakar led to the death of thousands of lives and recommended that he should be eased out through retirement or dismissed if he failed to retire. The man M D Abubakar was neither retired nor dismissed. He is now an Assistant Inspector General of Police.
The quintessential Quisling, former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu and a former Minister of State for Information and Communication amongst others who are all Muslims were recommended for investigation by the Ajibola Commission after the 2008 killings but nothing happened. Thisday in its balanced editorial on the latest Jos mayhem observed as follows: 'Each flare up had been followed by a panel of enquiry that winds up nowhere. Whereas it is obvious that the killings are politically, ethnically and religiously motivated we do think that the state can trace the perpetrators of the crimes if there was the sincerity and political will to do so. Although enquiries were commissioned into these killings, little or nothing was heard of their outcome. Neither the culprits nor their sponsors were revealed or punished thereafter. Consequently, each massacre becomes an incentive for others more heinous to follow... In the meantime, the government must go after the sponsors of the latest mayhem. Some of the arrested suspects have admitted that they were sponsored. This is the time to go for the sponsors too! ... Also the idea of moving suspects to Abuja is not a transparent course of justice. They should be tried in the state if only to allay the fear of many that in Abuja suspects are freed at the instance of their political sponsors. We also find unacceptable unofficial government excuse that punishing those involved in the massacre would cause further attacks.'
How many other prominent Northerners are burrowed deep everywhere, at every level waiting to protect and finance the next set of vicious, planned and programmed killing? Is this not a replay of the Pakistani situation where state security and intelligence agencies were sympathetic to terrorists and religious extremists?
The scenario in Plateau is pathetic. Where will they stand if Nigeria breaks up? Even if they become a nation, they will not survive Northern invasion as they quickly become another Darfur, hunted down and driven from their land.
Amongst the Islamic extremists, there is no agreement on which version of Islam is the correct one. But they agree when the targets are Christians. The step taken by women and children of Plateau state to ask for adequate protection from the nation or seek it from the United Nations is telling but it is the right thing to do. The Northern Caucus in the House of Representatives typically blamed the constant crisis in Jos and other parts of their region on poverty and frustration. They did not own up that their kind, past and present institutionalised poverty and frustration when they allowed the begging bowl to be the most prized asset for millions of their people up North. Typically, they want the yet to be implemented Niger Delta master plan replicated in their region as well!
Why should we be shocked that America exercised its right to judge us as a potential terrorist breeding nation? The real surprise for me is that it has taken this long for suicide bombers to emerge from the North. Does America not know of the consistent slaughter of Christians in the North whose number far exceed those killed on September 11, 2001 in the United States? Surely, we know that the whole world knows that not a single person has been prosecuted for the slaughters. Nigeria should have made this list of nations of interest sooner because the evidence on ground supports no other outcome.
The reports that the former governor of Zamfara state, Sani Yerima, the man who first installed sharia law in a state, in his early sixties to a 13 year old Egyptian girl as his fourth wife is not an isolated case. It is the product of both culture and religion. The North has for long condemned many of their young girls to the deadly Vesico-vaginal Fistula –VVF, which leaves victims who are mostly kids forced into marriage with uncontrolled leakage of urine. Thisday threw more light on this as follows, 'According to a recent study published in the Annals of African Medicine Journal, almost 73% of VVF victims in Northern Nigeria are between ages 10 and 20. Most of the patients had their first marriage between the ages of 10 and 15.' Dr Clara Ejembi, a consultant community physician with Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital also disclosed to Thisday that out of 2 million VVF victims worldwide, Nigeria accounts for 800,000, about 70% of them in the North, another world record on the index of misery. According to her, the major cause of VVF is early marriage. It is also not surprising that studies have established that Northern Nigeria has one of the highest rates of maternal deaths in the world.
Certainly Sani Yerima's new child wife will not come up with VVF because after paying $100,000 as bride price, there is more where that came from to get her the best medical care. But his example will be copied across the North. It is beyond amazing that these children who still need their mothers to lean on become mothers themselves! To make way for his new 13 year old wife, Yerima had to divorce another wife, a child mother in order not to offend the decreed four wives rule for Muslim men.
Sani Yerima is presently a senator, a member of the National Assembly that in 2003 (while was still governor) passed the Child Rights Act which makes it illegal for any man to marry any girl below the age of 18. As governor, he must have come face to face with VVF sufferers, made outcasts by a condition inflicted upon them by men like him old enough to be their grand fathers, even great grand fathers. If the calibre of Northern men who should be protectors of their immature young girls become their predators who will then protect them? Will the federal government remain missing in action while the lives of these tender young girls are destroyed? How long will it take to take action to stop acts that cause leaking bladders of these girls from watering the tree of ignorance? Thanks to Sani Yerima for inadvertently and unintentionally 'helping' to highlight the scourge of early marriage and its twin, VVF. Meanwhile the shame of a region multiplies and lives on.
Our standards cannot be different from those of the civilised world. We do not live in caves anymore but our actions including that of Yar'Adua, Turai, Tanko Yakasai, Kanti Bello, Sani Yerima and others like them suggest they still live in the primitive caves of their minds and should be isolated. Nigeria is dying because people like them have sucked out all the oxygen. If we are satisfied with the status quo, let us play along, if not, let us take the quest for a second independence into our own hands.
Okechukwu Peter Nwobu
Join the conversation through disqus comments or via our forum. Click on any of the tabs below to select your desired option. Please engage decently.
- Disqus Comments
- Forum Discussion
Re: Who Owns Nigera?
Chanchaga posted on 04-12-2010, 09:08:34 AM
I read this article with so much interest because it explains a lot of things and the reasons of their actions. We are 50 years old and Nigeria is preparing itself to be grounded permanently with IBB coming in as president in 2011. Let's not deceive ourselves, there will be no election but selection as usual. IBB is a powerful monster, he is a Goliath and unfortunately, there is no David. If he runs, he will win even if he runs against Ribadu or Duke. The people's choice will never come up. It is rumoured that the US are holding talks with IBB. Since he left power, he still has power. Who dares hold this man back in Nigeria. His sycophants are numberless. Everybody fears him, even governors form his entourage on social visits.
On the other hand, we see ex presidents in the United states who become statesmen and they dedicate their lives for humanitarian purposes such as charities and emergency relief efforts. The only person in African who is like that is Nelson Mandela.
Welcome to the Kingdom of Nigeria. It is not the Republic of Nigeria.
Re: Who Owns Nigera?
NWANZA posted on 04-12-2010, 20:08:36 PM
Some say IBB, Yar'Adua, OBJ, and the Northern Oligarchy.
An oligarchy is a system of government in which a small group of people, somtimes a family, is in charge (literally, it means "rule by a few")
Re: Who Owns Nigera?
Igboamaeze posted on 04-13-2010, 00:06:48 AM
Those are your own heavy-weights, abi?. Ok, you may deny that Ribadu is an IBB boy. But I'm sure you can't say same about Duke.
I'll never stop saying this: Nigeria has thousands, if not millions, of capable, educated, polished, hip, modern, detribalised, nationalistic, patriotic, exposed, incorruptible, uncorrupted, effective, efficient, result-minded, able and selfless citizens who can transform this country.
NEITHER Ribadu nor Duke comes close...
Re: Who Owns Nigera?
Agidimolaja posted on 04-13-2010, 04:57:13 AM
Igboamaze sir,
Can you give us a shortlist of those in your political arsenal, who, according to you are much better than Ribadu?
Re: Who Owns Nigera?
Igboamaeze posted on 04-13-2010, 06:59:06 AM
Agidimoloja, for one...


text:
Sign up to receive the latest news on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Keep up to date with activities, volunteer opportunities, trail work, and much much more!
Select the mailing list below you would like to join. Feel free to sign up for more than one!
© Appalachian Trail Conservancy. All rights reserved.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a 501c3 organization.


text:
|Comfort Inns Groveland hotels are listed below. Search for cheap and discount Comfort Inns hotel rates in Groveland, FL for your upcoming individual or group travel. We list the best Comfort Inns Groveland hotels/properties so you can review the Groveland Comfort Inns hotel list below to find the perfect place.
Our service will also provide discounted Groveland, FL hotels & motels that have similar quality of Comfort Inns.
Booking a group or meeting? Set up a group hotel block in Groveland FL
All Comfort Inns in or near Groveland
Similar hotels to Comfort Inns
Next: Show All Available Comparable Hotels with Pricing >


text:
The world renowned Mar-a-Lago Club pairs the sophistication of the Trump name and the lavish Palm Beach lifestyle. The extraordinary 1927 Moorish style building was formerly the estate of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. After Donald J. Trumps restoration, it is now an exclusive private club and spa with members and guests of the Palm Beach social elite and celebrities from all over the world. Our superb location on Ocean Boulevard offers gentle breezes, towering palm trees and endless sunshine, while an address between Lake Worth and the Atlantic Ocean allows for private yet convenient access. The main house and adjacent buildings have been meticulously restored, showcasing the original Spanish style and carved coral architectural details that complement the perfectly manicured lawns and expansive grounds. It is singularly unique, exquisite, and only for the most discerning visitors. The world famous Mar-a-Lago is the very best of Palm Beach.
Donald J. Trump
Apparel & Accessories
Trump Home
The Next Generation
Donald Trump Jr.
Ivanka Trump
Eric Trump
Real Estate Portfolio
Charlottesville, VA
Trump Vineyard Estates
Chicago, IL
Trump Intl. Hotel & Tower® Chicago
Mar-A-Lago Club
Trump Grande, Sunny Isles
Trump Hollywood
Trump Towers, Sunny Isles
Jersey City, NJ
Trump Plaza
Las Vegas, NV
Trump Intl. Hotel™ Las Vegas
Los Angeles, CA
The Estates at Trump National
New York, NY
40 Wall Street
610 Park Avenue
Trump Intl. Hotel & Tower® New York
Trump Palace
Trump Parc
Trump Parc East
Trump Park Avenue
Trump Park Residences, Yorktown
Trump Place
Trump Plaza, New Rochelle
Trump SoHo® New York
Trump Tower
Trump Tower at City Center, Westchester
Trump World Tower
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Trump Intl. Golf Club & Residences Puerto Rico
Stamford, CT
Trump Parc Stamford
Waikiki, HI
Trump Intl. Hotel™ Waikiki Beach Walk®
Istanbul, Turkey
Trump Towers, Istanbul, Sisli
Makati, Philippines
Trump Towers, Century City
Panama City, Panama
Trump Ocean Club
Pune, India
Trump Towers Pune
Punta Del Este, Uruguay
Trump Tower Punta Del Este
Seoul, South Korea
Trump World
Toronto, Canada
Trump Intl. Hotel & Tower Toronto®
Coming soon
Batumi, Georgia
Trump Tower,Batumi Georgia
Makati, Philippines
Trump Tower, Century City
Pune, India
Trump Towers Pune
Punta Del Este, Uruguay
Trump Tower, Punta Del Este
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Trump Towers Rio de Janeiro
Vancouver, BC
Trump International Hotel & Tower™ Vancouver
Past Properties
New York, NY
Empire State Building
The Plaza Hotel
GM Building
The Grand Hyatt Hotel
Hotel St. Moritz
Hotel Collection
Reserve Now
Hotel Collection Website
Now Open
Chicago, IL
Trump Intl. Hotel & Tower® Chicago
Doonbeg, Ireland
Trump Intl. Hotel & Golf Links⢠Doonbeg, Ireland
Las Vegas, NV
Trump Intl. Hotel™ Las Vegas
Miami, Florida
Trump National Doral
New York, NY
Trump Intl. Hotel & Tower® New York
Panama City, Panama
Trump Ocean Club
SoHo, NY
Trump SoHo® New York
Toronto, Canada
Trump Intl. Hotel & Tower Toronto®
Waikiki, HI
Trump Intl. Hotel™ Waikiki Beach Walk®
Coming Soon
Washington D.C.
Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C.
Golf Clubs
Trump Golf Website
Aberdeen, Scotland
Charlotte, NC
Doonbeg, Ireland
Bedminster, NJ
Bronx, NY
Colts Neck, NJ
Dubai, UAE
Hudson Valley, NY
Jupiter, FL
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Palm Beach County, FL
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Trump International Golf Club Dubai
Trump World Golf Club Dubai, UAE
Turnberry, Scotland
Washington, D.C.
Westchester, NY
Real Estate Brokerage
Daniel - New York
Jean Georges - New York
Megu - New York
Sixteen - Chicago
Trump on the Ocean - New York
Trump Tower Atrium - New York
Skating Rinks
Television Programs
The Apprentice
Trump Model Management
Trump Pageants
Trump Productions
Trump Books
Ivanka Trump Collections
Donald J. Trump Collections
Trump Books
Trump Home
Trump Natural Spring Water
News & Announcements
Press Releases
Connect with Us
Hotel Inquires
Press Room
Press Downloads
Property Portfolio
Privacy Policy
New York


text:
Janis And Elvis - Original 10
Most rare Elvis record.
This 10" record you will only see a few times in life, but here is the opportunity.
The record was available in South africa in 1957 and when it came on the market it was revoked the next day by Colonel Tom Parker, for which he said .. "My boy don't share no record with a woman!". The record is divided in a way that on the one side is Janis Martin and the other Elvis Presley. It has later been reprinted a few times including in France and Spain.
This is the original which is really rare and very unique.
Availability: This product is no longer in stock
Availability date:


text:
Posted at: 11/23/2012 11:17 AM
By: Cadence Acquaviva
A Vermont woman faces drug charges in Queensbury, Saturday morning.
Warren County Sheriffs say on Thursday afternoon they located evidence of an accident at exit 20 on I-87N. The suspected vehicle, a Chevy Tahoe, was later located on Rt. 9 near Rt. 149. The driver, 24 year old Corinne Vintinner, of Vermont, was found to be in possession of heroin and cocaine.
She is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and is being held on bail in Warren County Correctional Facility.