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If only we had guns!
Image courtesy Oleg Volk - www.olegvolk.net
The dastardly terrorist attack on Mumbai last week (once again) exposed how strict gun control laws directly help criminals target law abiding citizens with impunity. The terrorists came to Mumbai armed not only with AK-47's, grenades and bombs, but also with the knowledge that they could safely expect no armed resistance from the citizens of Mumbai!
Successive Indian governments have put in place legislation and policy measures that have ensured that terrorists have as safe a work environment as possible. Our own elected representatives have been looking out for the interests of the bad guys! The long standing government policy has been one of limiting gun ownership through a tight arms licensing regime combined with industrial & import policies that ensure that (legal) arms & ammunition are stupendously expensive and thus out of reach for most.
A used handgun that retails for under US$ 700 (new) in USA, ends up costing up to US$ 6,000 or even more in India (prices upwards of US$ 20,000 are not unheard of, and these are ordinary handguns not collectors pieces). Mind boggling? It gets worse, even if you manage that elusive arms license and fork out more than 10 or 20 times the original price for a 20 year (or more) old handgun, you have to contend with ammunition purchase limits. The limit most commonly imposed on arms licenses is 25/50 i.e., you can purchase 25 rounds at a time, subject to a maximum of 50 in a calendar year... this is what the government considers more than adequate for you to prepare yourself for a "self-defence" situation. Of course there is also the small matter of where you would practice your skills, shooting ranges being few and far between and where they do exist, membership is required more often than not... many a times a cumbersome process in itself... not that ammunition is exactly cheap in India, but if you can swing an arms license and also afford to pay so much money for an ordinary .32 calibre handgun, I'm assuming you are loaded to begin with!
A death toll of 188 (expected to rise further) and many times more injured. All this mayhem perpetuated by only a handful of terrorists! can we afford to ignore the writing on the wall? Can anyone contest the fact that, if even a small percentage of their victims had been armed & prepared - the terrorists would have been stopped much earlier and the death count would have been substantially lower? It is high time the Indian public demands that it no longer be denied one of the most basic human rights - the right to self-defence.
one comment:
I want to know what's the process of owning a .50 calibre handgun.
'coz i don't want when i'm walking on street and any asshole came over there and shoot anybody.
Salilesh Yadav () - 10/30/2009 20:46:00
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WebMD Health News
Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by
Louise Chang, MD
Oct. 20, 2008 -- A gut bacterium called F. prausnitzii may make a good probiotic treatment for Crohn's disease, French researchers report.
The scientists noticed that patients whose Crohn's disease recurred within six months of Crohn's disease surgery tended to be low on F. prausnitzii, compared to other patients.
Lab tests on cells showed that F. prausnitzii has anti-inflammatory effects, though it didn't kill bad bacteria. So the researchers went one step further, using F. prausnitzii to treat colitis in mice. Those mice lost less weight and had less inflammation than other mice with colitis that didn't get F. prausnitzii treatment.
Using F. prausnitzii as a probiotic "appears to be a promising strategy" for treating Crohn's disease, write the researchers, adding that more work is needed to develop the treatment and to identify which Crohn's patients are most likely to benefit from such treatment.
The findings appear in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
SOURCES:Sokol, H. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Oct. 21,
2008; online early edition.News release, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Comic Katt Williams is being sued over his onstage meltdown and aborted performance in Oakland.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports it's the second Alameda County lawsuit filed over Williams' bizarre 10 minutes on stage earlier this month at Oakland's Oracle Arena.
The suit filed by 35-year-old Brian Herline, of Modesto, says he and hundreds of fans were disappointed when Williams took off his clothes and challenged people to fight.
Herline is seeking class-action certification in an effort to get ticket money back for all audience members.
A representative for Williams has refused to comment.
The Williams meltdown came two days after he was arrested on charges of attacking an aspiring rapper on his tour bus outside a downtown Oakland hotel. He was later released with no charges filed.
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Singapore's divers selected for the Youth Olympic Games 2010
Singapore will be sending three divers to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games 2010 to be held in Singapore on August 14-26, 2010. They are the following:
Chloe CHAN (girls' 3m springboard)
Myra LEE (girls' 10m platform)
Timothy LEE (boys' 3m springboard)
From left to right: Myra Lee, Chloe Chan and Timothy Lee
The divers took part in the YOG Qualifying Meet in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 13-14, 2010, as required by FINA qualification rules in order to take up the host country places for the Games. Unfortunately, Singapore was unable to field a diver for the boys' 10m platform event.
The divers put up a respectable performance against the world's best divers for the age group, and this, despite that they picked up the sport less than eight months ago.
Indeed, from 2007 to 2009, there was no diving programme in Singapore. As a result, the Singapore Swimming Association, with the support of the Singapore Sports Council, worked hard to re-introduce diving and therefore ensure divers would be representing the country at the Youth Olympic Games. The Games will eventually leave a legacy for the further development of the discipline in Singapore.


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Obituaries, April 21, 2014
David St. Pierre (Pete) Dubose
DURHAM — David St. Pierre (Pete) Dubose, Jr. age 82, died Saturday, afternoon April 19, 2014 at UNC Hospitals
A celebration of his life will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Tuesday April 22, 2014 at 11:30 a.m.
A reception will be held at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Caring House Endowment Fund, which he founded, at 2625 Pickett Road, Durham NC 27705 or Church of the Good Shepherd, 3741 Garrett Road Durham NC 27707.
Howerton & Bryan Funeral Home is assisting the DuBose family. Online condolences may be submitted to wwww.howertonbryan.com
The complete obituary will appear in the Tuesday edition of the Herald Sun.
Glossie Mae Phyllis Pratt Johnson
DURHAM — Glossie Mae Phyllis Pratt Johnson, 81, of 512 Finley Street, Durham, NC, passed away peacefully with her family at her side, Friday, April 18, 2014. She is the daughter of the late Thomas Haywood and Elouise Nunn Pratt. A son, Frankie Eugene Johnson, and grandson, Dezzie Denard Johnson, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her best friend and husband, J. C. "Chris" Johnson; two sisters, Pamela Pratt and Etta Mae Hayes of Durham; six (6) loving children, Rev. Calvin Johnson (Monica), Thomas Gregory "Wine" Johnson, Amy Diane Johnson, Wayne Eddie Johnson (Kimberly), Ida Delores Johnson, all of Durham, and John McIntosh, of Sanford; a daughter-in-law, Diann Johnson of Durham; two sisters-in-law, Mattie Pratt and Lee Esther Johnson of Durham; seven (7) nephews; four (4) nieces; 19 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.
She graduated from Hillside High School and earned a degree in Nursing from Durham Technical Community College. Ms. Johnson worked for many years as a private duty Nurse. She also served dutifully for many years as a member of the Nursing staff at Duke University Medical Hospital and Lincoln Memorial Hospital, eventually retiring from the latter medical facility.
She joined New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and remained a faithful member until her homegoing. She was a member of the Senior Citizens Ministry and always provided assistance with other ministries when asked and needed.
To her family she was a wonderful confidant, friend and great mother. She will be forever remembered for her warm smile.
Visitation will be held from 12 noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 2508 Crest Street, Durham, NC. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at 1:00 p.m., at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Private burial will take place at Glennview Memorial Gardens, Apex Highway, Durham, NC.
Arrangements entrusted to Holloway Memorial Funeral Home.
Willie Ruffin
DURHAM — Mr. Willie Ruffin, 66, of Brooklyn, New York and formerly of Durham died Tuesday, April 12, 2014. His service will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at Burthey Funeral Chapel, 1510 Fayetteville St. Interment will follow in Beechwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday in the chapel from 12-1pm one hour prior to the service.
Mr. Ruffin is survived by his wife, Estelle F. Ruffin, two daughters, Erineta Daise and Kendra Ruffin-Free; and two sisters, Beulah L. Ruffin and Barbara R. Ross.
John Thomas Woods
DURHAM — Funeral services for John Thomas Woods, will be held Tuesday, April 22 at 1:00 p.m. at Bell-Yeager FWB Church. The family visitation will be held one hour prior to service.
Survivors include wife, Helen Robinson Woods; one daughter, Rietta Laverne Woods Kenion (Paul); goddaughter, Angie Chandler; 2 sisters, Celia Poteat and Carolyn Woods; 2 brothers, Lennie Woods and James Clemmon Woods; 2 grandchildren, 2 greatgrandchildren, host of nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives.
Public viewing today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the funeral home and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Blackwell Funeral Home located at 1292 Rauhut St.
Burlington, NC.
Arrangements entrusted to Fisher Funeral Parlor.


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October 30, 2008
SEIU vs. McCain on jobs
A new SEIU ad in Ohio is narrated by a woman who says, "I used to be Meghan the factory worker."
- comments (22)
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A new SEIU ad in Ohio is narrated by a woman who says, "I used to be Meghan the factory worker."
Looks like a New Fox New Opinion Dynamic poll:
Independents are swinging toward McCain. Now BO only leads by 5, down from 9 points last week. (Didn?t he at one point have a double digit lead?)
White Catholics, where BO had an 11 point lead, now is dead even tied, 46-46.
Opinion Dynamics believes this marks a change where independents carry disproportionate weight in battleground states.
It is from yesterday and today.
The number of people identifying themselves as Republicans has upticked as well.
88 percent of republicans back McCain, up from 83 percent last week. And 89 percent of democrats support BO, also up slightly.
Very interesting.
Given that Nevada and Florida have not seen the turn outs that BO needs (as of right now, not necessarily true for election day), this could be a huge nail biter.
As of right now, across the entire state of Florida, the ground swell of youth vote that was touted has not materialized.
In Nevada, neither the youth nor the Hispanic vote have turned out either.
We could be going all the way down to the wire! How exciting!
More Obama lies and fear mongering. I am sure John McCain wants to ship jobs overseas just to upset the people he wants to vote for him. Don't forget McCain wants dirty water and dirty air and doesn't care because he has his own water and air. Same old lies from the left, now there's Change we Can Believe in.
SPAM: Look at the polls internals, unless you believe that republicans are at 39% of likely voters the poll is skewed. Even Rassmussent uses 33%. Registered Dems Outnumber Repubs 39 million to 30 million (not including Mickey Mouse & Joe The Plumber). The best gauge is still RCP average which was right on point in 2004.
Wow- Wingnuts are quick to draw over here. 5 days and I can stop coming to this website!
But now I'm "Meghan who wants the gov't to take care of me."
Absolutely brilliant. I'd love to see Obama get an ad together with about 10 people using that same tagline. No "Patriot", we don't believe that McCain *want* dirty air, water, and unemployment. Its just that his right-wing ideological blinders prevent him from *doing* anything to stop those things.
Another Obama supporter, "gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, I need more, gimme, gimme.
Very effective.
Your job went to china because they will do your job for $1.00 a day. In Mexico they will do it for $12.00 a day. That is total cost, wages, profit sharing, medical, & retirement. If the company did not go to the cheap labor they will be out competed by companies that did. Unless you will work for the same price as the Chinese, Southeast Asians, Indians, Koreans, etc. (the list is very long) that job is gone. Any company that continues to pay your wage will go broke. McCain did not do it. He offers tax breaks to international companies to relieve some of the competitive pressure on them (the reason they move overseas) it will TEMPORARILY keep some of those jobs here. But the reality is those high paying low educational requirement jobs are gone?for good. When you by Daewoo instead of GE then you are the primary culprit in your own demise. When you walk into Wal-Mart instead of your local mom and pop you undermine yourself. Blaming this politician or that is pointless; any politician who says he can fix it is a liar!
I am sure John McCain wants to ship jobs overseas just to upset the people he wants to vote for him.
No, he lets the people who vote for him ship jobs overseas because it is more profitable.
By also supporting unilateral free trade agreements and trying to overturn the Jones Act, he is inviting corporations to ship jobs out of the US. That is what free market ideology does.
I can never figure out why any working class person would vote for a Republican, especially McCain (who is VERY anti-labor). If you eat dirt for a living and vote republican, you're just asking to eat more dirt. Its against ones own self-interest.
I am not sure why organized labor hasn't been more outspoken against McCain--if he had his druthers, he would send labor relations back 100 years.
petition on release the tape go to care2.com sign asap...
Did she tell us what company she worked for and if McCain gave that company a tax break. Jobs are going overseas to get away from heavy taxes. Heavy taxes ship jobs overseas. Lower wages overseas is hard for American business to compete. Just more Obama Fear. Its all Bush and McCains fault americans are jobless. Has anyone talked to the companies press spokesman. My job went overseas. We tried very hard has a plant. If you want to blame someone for loosing jobs. Look at how many items in you house that was made overseas or in the US. Demand=supply. If you want to save american jobs. Look at the label. Dont buy it if its made overseas. Plan and simple. This has been going on since I was a kid. I am now 47. Daaaah. What tax breaks did John give this company. They pay 35% corperate taxes. Folks wake up.
This is a powerful ad. McCain has not effectively answered the point that he wants to give tax breaks to corporations who ship jobs overseas. Jobs going overseas is a key factor in this recession we are in. I don't know anyone who isn't having some financial difficulty whether it's having been laid off, credit card debt, inability to pay the gas and electric, inability to pay the mortgage, etc. Instead of attacking McCain needs to show how he will help to create jobs. The economy isn't going to turn around until we get people back to work making decent salaries. Americans can't make it on $300 a month as they do in China and India nor can they make it on the average walmart or minimum wage, unless we devolve to the standard of living of those countries. We need to put our best minds to the task of getting america back to work in decent paying jobs. Until we get viable ideas working and getting results, we will remain in recession. Which candidate do you think will be most likely to get our economy going again the quickest and keep our suffering and pain to a minimum?
Ignorance must be bliss.
Meghan appears to dress better than a factory worker - no mention of where she works now. Why? Meghan needs to be more peppy.
Raising taxes on businesses will be an economic killer. Poeple who do own or have owned businesses know this to be true. If you raise taxes on businesses making money now you hurt businesses who aren't. How? If you have to borrow money to get by this year, but make money next year you will be taxed at a higher rate in the future. This will only worsen and deepen the time it takes you to recover if you do recover. Why, since business loans aren't tax deductable, only loans on hard assets are basically, the only thing tax deductable is the loss not the loan. So you get a credit for the loss when you don't need it because you lost money. Then when you finally make a profit you are taxed at a higher rate, which limits the amount you can pay down or the number of people you can hire. Since self employed people pay a 15% social security tax, most of us are already taxed at a minimum of 30%. Raising taxes will put the economy back to where it was in the 70's. Be careful what you ask for America you just may get it.
So, Obama is going to tax the company she used to work for, and even more people will lose their jobs. And when Obama punishes the company with more taxes, the company will pick up and move out of the country. Meanwhile, the left over union members making over $42k, will see their wages taxed at an even higher level, in spite of Obama's $250k, uh..$200k, uh..$150k...promises.. Read my lips...Obama is lying about his tax plan.
I am just curious Bennie. Are you or your "centrist journalist friends" checking any of these "common folks" who appear in Obama's commercials... Do they get the same scrutiny as Joe the Plummer... You know... taxes, employment, do they own a car, cellphone, are they on welfare etc. Usuall stuff... Obviously not. I guess this is also "because McCain Campaign sucks", eh?
McCain and Bush stole our American dreams, loose our homes, our jobs, our cars, now our saving from month to month, due to MCCain signing for those two wars, with Bush, now MCCAIN TALKING ABOUT TAKING OUR SOCIAL SECURITY, TELL MCCAIN TO LEAVE OUR MOTHER AND FATHER SECURITY ALONE MCCAIN ALSO WANT TO CUT THE SOCIAL SERVICES SUCH AS FOOD STAMPS, IT TO GENEROUS, MCCAIN IS HATEFUL, NOT TO BE TRUSTED, HAVE UNCERTAIN HANDS, PER BUSH, MCCAIN HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE, NO VISION DENOUNCE MCCAIN AT THE POLL
Well then obviously your answer is to vote for Barack Obama so you can be Meghan the Permanently Unemployed, or Meghan the Sucking-Off-The-Government-Teat. Why don't you just change your name to Meghan the Socialist Supporter and cover all the bases?
Why in the world would anyone think that more of the same tax cuts will after 8 years finally motivate CEOs to give you a job instead of sending it overseas where they can make even more money for themselves?
white trash. typical ignorant, lazy, uneducated fool who thinks that the messiah will save the world. it's sad how the majority of the US population appears to be utterly oblivious to reality.


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Carl R. Leuschel
Carl R. Leuschel, age 61, of Carroll County, passed Nov. 29, 2011, in the Cleveland Clinic.
He was born Sept. 28, 1950, in St. Mary's, PA.
He served as a high school social studies teacher in the Parma City Schools' District, coaching both track and cross county during his tenure. He went on to be an owner/operator and commercial truck driver for 14 years.
In addition, he served as a board member for the Carroll County Board of Elections for 1 1/2 years, and on the Democratic Party Central and Executive Committees for three years. Carl received his bachelor's degree from Ohio University and his master's degree from Cleveland State University. Later he attended Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
He is survived by two daughters, Erin and Kerry; his mother, Doris Leuschel; three brothers, Billy, Allan, and Joseph Leuschel; and three sisters, LuAnn Chabowski, Mary Anelli, and Linda Murphy.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond L. Leuschel.
A celebration of Christian Mass will be Saturday, Dec. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Carrollton. Friends may call one hour before time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Westview Cemetery in Carrollton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Loaves and Fishes" in Carrollton or The American Cancer Society.
Allmon-Dugger-Cotton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
©2011 The Free Press Standard
Contact the webmaster at: email@example.com


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- Willamette
- Athletics
- News Archive
- 2007
- November
- Lewis & Clark Defeats Bearcats in NWC Swimming
Swimming | Friday, November 2, 2007
Lewis & Clark Defeats Bearcats in NWC Swimming
SALEM, ORE. -- Lewis & Clark College defeated Willamette University in men's and women's swimming on Friday, Nov. 2 at the Willamette Natatorium. The Pioneers won the men's competition, 100-58, and defeated WU in the women's competition, 133-68. Both of Lewis & Clark's teams improved to 2-0 overall, 1-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette's teams fell to 0-1 on the season.
It was Willamette's first home swim meet since the 2005-06 season. The Bearcats traveled to all of their meets last season, while repairs were made to the Willamette Natatorium.
Greg Henselman (Sr., Oregon City, OR/Kamiah HS) won two distance events for Willamette, as he finished first in both the 1,000-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle. Winning two events each for Lewis & Clark were Justin Lawton (200 Free, 100 Free) and Owen Kenton (50 Free, 100 Fly) for the men's team and Claire Jordan (200 Free, 500 Free), Lindsay Nixon (400 I.M., 100 Back) and Susie Trexler (100 Free, 100 Breast) for the women's team.
Henselman won the 1,000-yard freestyle in a time of 12:52.99 for a 5.42-second margin over Scott Totten of L&C. Henselman clocked in at 6:15.78 for first place in the 500-yard freestyle.
Lawton recorded times of 50.04 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle and 1:59.69 in the 200-yard freestyle. He received strong competition from WU's Pete Kahn (Jr., Billings, MT/Billings Senior HS) in the 200 free, as Kahn finished in second place at 2:00.59, less than one second out of the lead.
Kenton took first place in the 50-yard freestyle at 23.95 seconds. He won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:00.14. Kevin Tangeman (So., Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS) of Willamette placed second in both events, just 0.53 seconds behind Kenton in the 50 free (24.48) and 0.27 seconds off the pace in the 100 fly (1:00.41).
In the women's events, Jordan of L&C won the 200-yard freestyle by completing the race in 2:03.30. She added first place in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:29.62. Nixon won the 400-yard individual medley in 4:47.96 and the 100-yard backstroke in 1:04.64. Trexler outraced five swimmers in the 100-yard freestyle to achieve first place in 58.84 seconds. She won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:14.79.
WU's Hannah Connett (Fr., Pullman, WA/Pullman HS) finished second behind Trexler in both the 100 free and the 100 breast. Connett finished the 100 free in 59.13 seconds, within 0.29 seconds of the lead. She completed the 100 breast in 1:17.80, just over three seconds behind Trexler and 0.03 seconds in front of L&C's Rachel Yarranton, who finished third at 1:17.83
The women's 200-yard medley relay was a close race, with Willamette claiming victory by 0.37 seconds with a time of 2:00.06. WU's team included Shannon Gima (Sr., Alameda, CA/Lick Wilmerding HS), Connett, Gwen Schulze (Fr., Silverdale, WA/Central Kitsap HS) and Brittany Thiemens (Sr., Bellevue, WA/Bellevue Senior HS). Lewis & Clark earned a time of 2:00.43 in the event.
Willamette will travel to Tacoma, Wash., on Saturday, Nov. 3 to take on the University of Puget Sound. Meet time is scheduled for 1 p.m. (PDT).
COMPLETE RESULTSLewis & Clark College vs. Willamette University
Women - Lewis & Clark 133, Willamette 6
Men - Lewis & Clark 100, Willamette 58


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PSY Is Making $60,000 A Show In Vegas
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One hit wonders come and go. The question is, how much money can they make while still in style?
Though most won't ever break the five-figure mark, Psy, the Korean rapper, is paid $60,000 per show to perform his "Gangnam Style" song and trademark dance in Las Vegas.
That's not a misprint- $60,000 PER SHOW. I know- crazy, but it's true. He's not the only performer bringing in the big bucks; LMFAOs Redfoo is paid $75,000 per "Party Rock" performance while Paul "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio, an original cast member of the Jersey Shore, makes a whopping $100,000 per gig! I guess being a one hit wonder can pay off…
Paul Hudson | Elite.
Photo Credit: Rob Kim/Getty Images
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This year: $1.25 billion
2012-13: $1.17 billion (down 6.4%)
2013-14: $1.18 billion (up 0.9%)
What they get:
The two-year budget for postsecondary education cuts spending by 6.4 percent next year, but fully funds student financial aid programs, including the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship, among others. Appropriations would essentially remain constant in the second year of the biennium.
Funding is not allocated for a proposal to bring the University of Pikeville into Kentucky's public university system. But Gov. Steve Beshear said ample funds are available in the multi-county coal fund if the legislature decides to move forward on the proposal.
The budget also authorizes $451 million in bonds for public institutions, including $39 million for the University of Louisville. In addition, it allows the University of Kentucky to begin the first phase of its dormitory rebuilding program.


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By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service
ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Aug. 22, 2012 The "software" of personal relationships is more important than hardware in building military-to-military ties between nations, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today while returning from a visit to Afghanistan and Iraq.
After two days of talks with U.S. and Afghan officials in Kabul, Afghanistan, the chairman met yesterday in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Gen. Zebari Babakir, Iraq's defense chief.
"It's about the software. It's about relationships," he told reporters traveling with him aboard a C-17 en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md. "We almost always talk about the hardware – the F-16s, the radar, the tanks. We went through that [with Iraq]. It's part of the conversation. But we managed to talk about software – the human dimension of this thing."
The various U.S. defense and service war colleges now have 154 Iraqi officers as students. The program, funded via the State Department, provides a world-class professional military education experience for foreign officers. Dempsey said he is passionate about this program, and it has results. Dempsey and his Pakistani counterpart, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, first met when they were Command and General Staff College students, the chairman noted.
"I'm a passionate proponent of that," he said. "I can go around the world where we are having some of our most significant challenges and find someone who has been to one of our schools. It's a great foundation on which to build."
But this takes time, he acknowledged, and Americans have never been particularly noted for being patient.
"I've invested half a decade in my relationships in Afghanistan and Iraq," Dempsey said. "It's time. You can't blow into a room in any culture, but particularly Arab culture and South Asia," and expect to understand what is going on or be even remotely effective, he added.
This will grow even more important as the U.S. strategy emphasizes the Asia-Pacific region, Dempsey said.
"Touch-and-go landings are antithetical to relationships," he said, employing an aviation analogy to make his point that leaders cannot simply land and take off somewhere and expect awareness of a culture or an understanding of problems, conditions and challenges.
"I think you only develop a feel for a relationship and sense when it is genuine over time," he said.
This was why the U.S. military has tried to return service members and units to areas in Afghanistan where they have served before, Dempsey said. "We deliberately started rotating people back to the same battle space so they could fall in to some extent on existing relationships," he explained.
This must be done consciously, he said, adding that rebalancing the U.S. military focus to the Asia-Pacific region never was intended to be a light switch that's off today and on tomorrow. "I've said early and often that this will take us some time – six, seven or eight years," the chairman said. "The reason I said it would take time is exactly because I know what we've still got to do and the issues that confront us."
Dempsey said the military must "start shifting our intellectual bandwidth" to get in tune with Asia-Pacific nations. The military needs to develop the people who have the necessary levels of cultural awareness and linguistic ability now for the force the nation needs in 2020, he said.
"I call it the three mores: we've got to pay more attention, [have] more engagement, and then we'll send more of our better quality people," he added.
Though some people have said the U.S. shift would provoke China, Dempsey said, he disagrees. "I'm of the exact opposite opinion," he said. "I think the chance of miscalculation increases in our absence, not in our presence."
Dempsey also discussed some standards of his leadership. He said he is currently reading "Beautiful Souls" by Eyal Press, a book that examines the nature of dissent.
"I often think about how I provide my advice and on what basis," he said. "I talk about my moral compass, and how I make sure I stay true north – or, to use that phrase out of 'The Marine Corps Hymn,' how I keep my honor clean. So I'm always thinking about how do I balance the competing priorities and make the best recommendations."
And, Dempsey said, he is not afraid of criticism.
"It's how you react to it," he said. "If someone comes in and tell me I stunk at a particular speech or I gave bad advice or I was dismissive of a particular idea, if I react badly to that, the chances of them coming back are pretty slim. On the other hand, I don't have to agree, but I need to listen. It's really how I react to it."
Related Sites:Special Report: Travels With Dempsey


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There are many websites about self build campervans,a lot of which are big buck projects, with this site i want to show how i built my campers for a modest budget but without skimping on the niceties, it's all a case of searching the web for the parts and a bit of imagination.
I started this site to show off my creations and to give ideas to anyone wanting to do the same.if it is of any help then fine, if not, then you can learn from my mistakes.i will also list the websites i scourced many of my parts.
I have two LDV'S, the first being Ruby, a 98 pilot minibus and Rubycon, a 99 lwb high top convoy van.
So now to show how i went ......
from this minibus to;
this campervan


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Alternative sects, faiths often emerge to fill spiritual void
Polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs, whose church has a large complex south of San Angelo, is expected to be in Arizona later this month or in early March to face charges in the marriages of two teenage girls and older men, the Associated Press reports.
Jeffs was indicted in 2005 on statutory rape and conspiracy charges in Arizona, according to Associated Press reports.
He is head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, whose members practice polygamy in arranged marriages that often involve placing young girls with older men. The church is based in the border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz. The church also has a complex near Eldorado, about 45 miles south of San Angelo.
The church is not affiliated with the mainstream Mormon church based in Salt Lake City, which abolished plural marriage in 1890, according to news reports. -- Staff and wire reports
Non-mainstream religious groups serve a real-world purpose for their members, filling a void often left gaping by mainstream religion, a pair of university professors said Wednesday.
Academically, religious movements fall into categories that include cults, sects, denominations and "ecclesia," said Dr. Russ Meier, visiting professor of sociology at McMurry University.
The differences between the first two categories, especially, are marked by subtle shadings depending on point of view.
Most mainstream faiths began as cults or sects, said Dr. Ron Smith, senior professor of theology emeritus with Hardin-Simmons University.
Cults tend to be the most "dynamic" and unstable of the aforementioned categories, moving toward the mainstream and toward the institutionalized as one travels up the line, Meier said.
A sect is generally a group that comes out of an established church or denomination that believes the group it is splintering from has been ignoring important things about the faith, especially from its origins, Smith said.
"In order to be the true church, they must preserve these things," he said. "So there is an effort to get the church to change in the way that they want. If it comes to a certain point, they may choose to pull out and start their own group."
A denomination is a more familiar, accepted faith grouping such as Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc.
An "ecclesia" is a state-endorsed faith. An example is the Church of Denmark, which is Evangelical Lutheran and officially supported by that nation's government. Membership is voluntary.
Many non-mainstream groups are a blend of types, drawing from both cult-like and sect-like behaviors, Smith said.
Meier said a cult is "always centered around a leader or leaders," and "those leaders are convinced themselves that they are speaking a unique message."
A cult often starts because of a claimed personal vision on the part of its leader, Smith said.
"This person believes they have the key to great mysteries as a result of this vision," he said.
The leader offers a new social system, often touted as perfect. Organizations with a communal aspect, characterized by a set of pooled resources -- such as a compound -- represent an attempt to create a sort of "heaven on earth," Meier said.
"There's always a counter-cultural message, and there's also a desire to establish a Utopia," he said.
All religious groups are, to some extent, critical of larger society, which often "fails to meet an ideal," Smith said.
But although non-mainstream groups may continue to emphasize tradition in certain respects, such as a belief in the teachings of the Bible, everything is suddenly "read" though the lens of the new revelation for consistency.
People most likely to join alternative faith groups often feel disconnected from a religious group or from society at large, Meier said.
Often, they are people who tend to be "in-between commitments," Smith said.
"Their job isn't working well, their relationship isn't working well," he said. "They're kind of at loose ends, and they need a connection."
Cults, in particular, with their emphasis on tight community, communication and "new secrets" are often attractive to such individuals.
"People cast about for ties to something that will make their lives meaningful," he said. "If society has not been affirming of you, then sometimes the only way to get that affirmation is from a group separate from larger society."
Communal groups of various kinds are tailor-made to fill that need, he said, and in such cases, there is always a resocialization process, he said.
Where things can get dangerous is when manipulation takes place, under the pretext of God's blessing, which could prompt some to make commitments and decisions they might not otherwise make.
This can especially happen over time, as the original impetus of the group gets lost or distorted.
In general, cults tend to focus more on success in the overt world, Smith said.
"You're going to be healthy, wealthy and wise, and you can measure the effectiveness of the religion by your stature in the community and your superior, special knowledge," he said.
A sect would likely disparage such behavior, he said.
"They are more concerned with being a disconnected, loyal community of faith," he said.
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Earlier today, I joined a diverse coalition of energy leaders to unveil a set of recommendations designed to double U.S. energy productivity by 2030.
Chaired by U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) and National Grid U.S. President Tom King, the Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy calls for growing the U.S. economy through investments, modernization and education. These efforts will focus on improving the entire energy system, including buildings, transportation, manufacturing, power generation, and natural gas infrastructure.
If the Commission's energy productivity plan is adopted, by 2030 the U.S. could:
- Add 1.3 million jobs
- Cut average household energy costs by more than $1,000 a year
- Save American businesses $169 billion a year
- Increase GDP by up to 2%
- Decrease energy imports by more than $100 billion a year
- Reduce CO2 emissions by one-third
Energy efficiency has a long and consistent history of bipartisan support and consensus – from vehicle, equipment and appliance standards, to building energy codes and tax incentives for homeowners and businesses.
I'm excited and honored to be part of a group that is committed to finding smart, common sense policies that benefit families and businesses, and prioritize our cleanest and most affordable domestic resource, energy efficiency.
Other commissioners, seen in the photo below, include: Former New York Governor George E. Pataki; Dr. Dan Arvizu, Director of Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory; and Michael Eckhart, Managing Director & Global Head of Environmental Finance & Sustainability, Citigroup.
Alex Laskey is the President and Co-Founder of Opower.


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Average Customer Review
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4.0 out of 5 stars great read
I agree with most of the earlier reviews - good and bad. Is it a rip off of Michael Crichton's Congo as well as Robin Cook? Heck yeah. But does that make it bad? Nope. It's a well-written rip-off and certainly entertaining.
I bought this at a lame used book store just for something to read. I had zero expectations and would not have been surprised in the least...
Published on May 8 2004 by M. Robbins
1.0 out of 5 stars pure trash
To summarize, the book tells the story of an English drug company's project to create genetically enhanced bonobos so that the species will have a better chance of survival and escape extinction.
To review, there's nothing to like in this book. More than half the characters are either totally disgusting, or stupid beyond belief. We have a spoiled, obsessed with sex...
Published on March 15 2004 by Nathan Kinzel
Most Helpful First | Newest First
4.0 out of 5 stars great read,
M. Robbins "your hometown hairdresser" (Bedford, IN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dark Inheritance (Mass Market Paperback)
I agree with most of the earlier reviews - good and bad. Is it a rip off of Michael Crichton's Congo as well as Robin Cook? Heck yeah. But does that make it bad? Nope. It's a well-written rip-off and certainly entertaining.
I bought this at a lame used book store just for something to read. I had zero expectations and would not have been surprised in the least had it turned out to be sucky. The characters were very real to the point that I was able to read a situation and know each character well enough to know how he or she would react.
A *big* failing of this book was grammar. There are several points within the book that the tense of the story changes - without meaning or explaination. The sentences go from "He walked... and he saw..." to "He walks... and he sees..." I cannot stress how annoying this was. It was like a giant neon sign saying "HEY! We've got two authors here! And yes, they write alone sometimes!" I could understand this short-coming if it were, say, a dream sequence or a flash back or a separate story within the story. But no. Just bad form. It's things like that that tend to rip me right out of my excapist fanasy and right into proof-reading mode. I'm not sure if all of their works have this horrifying flaw since this is the first one I've had the pleasure of reading, but the authors *really* need to work on this.
All in all? Run to it.
1.0 out of 5 stars pure trash,
Nathan Kinzel (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dark Inheritance (Mass Market Paperback)
To summarize, the book tells the story of an English drug company's project to create genetically enhanced bonobos so that the species will have a better chance of survival and escape extinction.
To review, there's nothing to like in this book. More than half the characters are either totally disgusting, or stupid beyond belief. We have a spoiled, obsessed with sex thirteen year-old girl, a mother who abandoned her daughter to pursue her career, profit driven "hunters"/ poachers, and a colossal group of idiots pouring money, a good deal of which is obtained illegally, into an impractical, doomed-from-the-start endeavor. Even the scientific ideas become boring.
In regards to the emotional relationship between Brett (the spoiled girl) and her "sister"(Umber-one of the genetically enhanced bonobos), that feature disintegrates almost instantly due to continual overdone emotional yakking by almost every main character in the story.
If you do want to read about ape genetic engineering then look at Robin Cook's "Chromosome 6." D.I. is a complete rip-off of the latter and Cook's work is infinitely better in every detail.
5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Inheritance: A Suspenseful Tale of Intrigue,
NR_Smith (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dark Inheritance (Mass Market Paperback)
Even though the technological terminology makes this book challenging, I found Dark Inheritance by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear to be an excellent read. Never before have I found myself so completely engrossed in a book. Reading Dark Inheritance was a heart-pounding thrill ride with suspense and surprise at every twist and turn of the author's journey.
Jim Dutton and his two daughters embark on a harrowing flight from the powerful SAC Corporation Determined to keep it's lucrative animal testing program hidden from the public. Jim's problems begin when he becomes attached to a bonobo chimp named Umber that he is given by the SAC Corporation for research. After twelve years of working with her, Jim not only feels that Umber is his own child, he also realizes there is something extraordinary about her. She is to smart.
When Jim begins to investigate, the SAC Corp. steps in and orders him to come to Africa. When strange and murderous things begin to happen at the SAC Corp. compound, Jim must enlist the help of a reporter to get his family home alive.
Dark Inheritance has a hauntingly plausible story line. The book explores capitalism's reign in the face of cutting edge medical achievements and the ethical choices that follow. The reader should expect interesting facts accompanied by graphic violence. Only the most daring readers will enjoy such a combination of exotic and grotesque novel. Parts of this book had me shaking with fear and others had me crying.
Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the author's portrayal of Africa. The informative description of the jungle really made me feel as if I were there with the moist hot air all around. Being taken away to an unknown world where danger lurks in the shadows proved to be a refreshing escape.
Most enjoyable to me however were the characters. Umber, the bonobo is so much like a human that several times, I found I had to remind myself that she was a Chimpanzee. The characters in this book display so much courage and such a strong family bond that I couldn't help but feel an emotional attachment to them. The last page of this book was extremely sad because I felt that I was losing friends.
For all of these reasons, Dark Inheritance is the best book I have ever read. Never have I been so engrossed and felt so many emotions while reading a book. This is definitely one that I had a hard time letting go and was upset to see the end of. I highly recommend Dark Inheritance and look forward to starting the next novel that Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear publish.
2.0 out of 5 stars Good prose is not enough. I Didn't finish it.,
JEFF F. HAINES "Jeff F. Haines" (Arcata, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dark Inheritance (Mass Market Paperback)
I'm not sure what it is about this book. I've been picking it up and putting it down for a year now.
The concept is interesting: a selection of apes genetically engineered to be, as far as I can tell, on par with human intelligence. The writing itself, in my opinion, is pretty good. I like the prose.
And yet I am not compelled to finish the darn thing. I'm writing this review without having made it more than half-way through. That, in itself, is saying something. It's the best review I can give. I mean, if you can't finish a book. . .!
Oddly, I like the main characters. Jim is interesting, and his precocious daughter, Brett, is neat. Her sisterly relationship with the ape is well-done. So, yes, I love the bonobo, Umber, too, and I like how all of the "monkey" point of view scenes are written in present tense.
Maybe the central conflict isn't clear enough for me. From the start, I found myself a little bored. The novel begins with a prologue that absolutely did not intrigue me. "God, let's just get through this," I thought. The various points of view kept startling me out of the fictional setting. I found myself skim-reading, waiting to get back to Umber and her human family. I wanted to know only about them.
Maybe I'll finish it, I don't know. But despite the book's strengths, I can only give it two stars.
Again, I haven't finished Dark Inheritance. I hope that fact doesn't weaken this review too much. There are plenty of other reviews to help guide you, most of them positive. This has simply been my experience.
5.0 out of 5 stars Go Ape!,
Bruce Rux (Aurora, CO) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dark Inheritance (Mass Market Paperback)
Dark Inheritance is a wonderfully written and developed novel, with credible and likeable characters. The Gears only write melodramas, and this is no exception - it's a given in their novels that the good guys will come out on top, and the bad guys will be hoist on one or another of their own petards. Dark Inheritance reads better than their Native Americans series, though, probably because it plays with far more interesting topics.
The plot is a credible prequel to Planet of the Apes: Smyth-Archer Chemists corporation in England has been tinkering with hybridizing ape and human DNA, resulting in twenty bonobo chimps with all but human brains. These animals are cared for and monitored in differing human family environments, each caretaker of one of the bonobos kept largely unaware of the others.
Anthropology teacher Jim Dutton is one of the caretakers. He has raised his female bonobo, Umber, since birth, alongside his own daughter, Brett. Both "girls" now, at age thirteen, are virtually sisters, and Umber is an intelligent and communicative member of the family - which causes considerable distress when Smyth-Archer wants Umber back.
Dutton and his daughter compromise with the corporation by accompanying Umber to one of their research facilities in Africa, where they soon learn that Smyth-Archer's experiments have not all turned out as well as Umber. A number of escaped chimpanzees from Compound D have been at large for some weeks. Not only are they developing civilized building and toolmaking skills, but they even show evidence of spiritual awareness. They're frighteningly organized. And they're not exactly peaceful...
This is a terrifically involving and satisfying read, which examines fairly well the moral and ethical questions of DNA tinkering, evolution, the psycho-social similarities and differences between humans and simians, and compatibility of species, among other things. It's intelligent, and engaging.
Highly recommended.
3.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing idea, disappointing follow-through.,
Brooks Onley (Pocomoke City, MD USA) - See all my reviews
Though I went into the book with the thought 'Jurassic Park re-vamp', I decided to give it a chance any way. Besides, I'm a sucker for a good techno-thriller, and most take some time to get all of the relevant details in order for the plot to work (as does this story--probably the first third of the book!).
I can't say that "Dark Inheritance" ever took off the way I was hoping it would.
Admittedly, it was a good try; there's definitely something here worth working with. But the characters seemed cliche, more like simple foils than real people; there was no *life* there! And there were no surprises--once the main characters had been stirred in, seasoned to taste with the proper bit of background info and plot-centered jargon, the mix was poured straight into the mold, with no doubts as to outcome.
Overall, an OK read as a distraction, but not really for those looking for deep characters or enthralling storyline.
As an aside, I must mention something that, in light of this review, may seem a tad minor, but nonetheless rankled my sensibilities as a student of biology. Page 119:
"Jim, we don't know for sure that she's a human-bonobo cross."
"She can't be," he protested. "Humans and apes can't interbreed. Apes have twenty-four pairs of chromosomes. Humans have twenty-three. Somwhere in our past, two ape chromosomes merged into a single human chromosome. That number two chromosome makes interbreeding impossible. Assuming a human sperm met an ape ovum, that chromosomal difference would create nonviability at the first mitosis."
Which is not necessarily the case, as Mr. Gear, being a physical anthropologist, should be well aware. Gibbons (lesser apes) of distinct evolutionary lineages (and widely varying chromosome counts) have been know to produce viable (though infertile) offspring. The same is true in the case of the mule (whose parents, the ass and the horse, also differ in number of chromosomes). Hybrids of differing chromosomal counts mix and match all the time. They just can't reproduce (which might have been what the Gears were grasping for here.)
3.0 out of 5 stars SLOW PACED,
Jim Dutton, his teenage daughter Brett, and Umber, a bonobo ape, are a family. Jim has spent his life's work researching bonobo apes, for SAC, a mysterious research company.
When someone from his past brings to light that certain bonobo's being researched DO NOT carry the normal characteristic's of their species, an investigation is opened.
Jim, intrigued by this information, will end up at an african research facility where he, along with his daughter, and Umber, will find strange things, such as rooms filled with bones, mutilated bodies, and a genetically-manipulated race of enemies driven by blood...to kill.
Sounds good? I thought so too, but the book took too long before anything really happened. The first couple of chapters are interesting; setting up the plot, character development, and several murders, but after those chapters, the novel becomes tiresome, with page after page of technical jargin, and the introduction of too many characters. This novel clocks in at (around) 500 pages, if it was shortened to about 350, it would have been excellent.
Genetic altering is always interesting in a thriller, but it takes the careful hand of an author to construct it to be easy-to-understand, fast-paced, and fun to read, "Dark Inheritance" fails on all counts. What could have been an entertaining read, becomes tedious, and much too long. Newcomers to this genre may find it interesting, but fans of this type of fiction will be disappointed.........
4.0 out of 5 stars A good stand alone book,
Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
After thirteen years of living with Umber the bonobo ape, Jim Dutton feels the primate is part of his family, a sister to his human daughter Brett. Umber communicates with his family through computers and sign language. Over the years, Umber has developed a distinct personality with a sense of humor and a bit of flamboyance.
Two events shatter Jim's complacent world. He learns that Umber's owners Smyth-Archer Chemists somehow changed and enhanced his "child" and other bonobo apes into something more human than ape. Worse than accepting that revelation, SAC demands he return Umber to them. Rather than meekly handing Umber over, Jim, accompanied by his two children, travels to Africa where SAC has a facility allegedly helping endangered species. Once Jim realizes the true objective of this remote site, he knows he places himself and his charges in danger from a corporate group that will do anything for silence to prevail.
DARK INHERITANCE is an exciting genetic engineering tale that never eases up on the throttle. The story line is fast-paced and refreshing, especially the scientific and investigative aspects of the plot that is not just anther Moreau rehash. The Duttons are a warm, heroic family who readers will hope that SAC fails in their efforts to break them up. Though SAC's vision seems myopic, W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear provide a smart, spry splicing of the gene pool story.
Harriet Klausner
3.0 out of 5 stars It was ok but....,
Sue Scott (Atlanta, Ga. USa) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dark Inheritance (Mass Market Paperback)
Granted this book piqued my interest. I found myself sucked into it, lock, stock & barrel. It reminded me of a cross between Jurassic Park and Congo. Like in Congo you found yourself liking Amy (primate) and in Dark Inheritance you really do like Umber (primate). Her character had a childlike quality that endeared her to the reader.
Normally I love duo writing teams. They each bring something new to the mix. But this wasn't the case. I had hard time adjusting to the different style of writing each author brought. In the best writing teams (Preston/Childs)you can't decipher that two authors are writing the same book. In this particular book it was obvious. It just didn't flow. But overall I enjoyed it for what it was, a cheesy adventure tale to brighten up an afternoon.
3.0 out of 5 stars Passable, but left alot to be desired.,
"kikaii" (RI, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dark Inheritance (Mass Market Paperback)
Being a fan of Bonobos, I was sorely disappointed with the Gear's book. The writing was two-dimensional starting with a head to toe description of all the characters as they appeared, and ending with a decided LACK of scientific information, which surprised me. Nothing was mentioned of matriarchal, sexually open Bonobo society being far more peaceful than Pan Troglodytes', or even of the differences between the two types of chimps at a basic level. No explanation was given as to "how" they genetically altered the chimps, other than vague references of blue eyed mother chimps nursing babies and conversing in AMESLAN. All in all, it was flat. Passable as brain candy if there's nothing else to do.
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Dark Inheritance by Kathleen O'Neal Gear (Mass Market Paperback - June 1 2002)
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Full detailed profile on Kim Sullivan Reynolds Dixon Stewart Andropoulos Hughes Played by Kathryn Hays on As the World Turns Daytime Soap Opera.
Kathryn Hays
Birthday: 1933-07-26
Katie is at WOAK watching old recordings of her show with Chris. Kim shows up and asks why she isn't at the hospital. Katie admits that she's known for a few days but was scared to say or do anything. Kim says her son really needs her by his side. However, she's not sure that she's really ready to move on from Brad. If she really wants to help her son, she should consider staying away from him. Kim is terrified by her lack of control over this situation. She knows that Chris will never ask Katie to stay away and will let her suck all the strength out of him. Katie doesn't think she's being fair. Kim knows that and rails about how she wants to shake everyone to get things done. She asks Katie to stop refusing to make a choice and decide if she can take the pain ahead.
In the hall, Kim accuses Reid of being happy that her son is dying so he can get the chief of staff job. Reid insists that's not the case. Bob comes over and asks her to stop. She cries and Bob stands up for Reid, explaining that the doctor was looking after their son. She apologizes but Reid says it isn't necessary. Bob asks her to stay strong for their son's sake. Kim and Bob worry about each other. Tom calls and says that they have a lead on a donor.
Back at the hospital, Kim and Bob stand by their son's bed. Reid looks in at them. Luke approaches him and the doctor admits that he gave Katie the wrong advice before and told her not to run away. Luke's impressed. "Sometimes I surprise myself," Reid says. Chris suddenly goes into cardiac arrest so all the doctors run in.
At the hospital, Kim and Bob talk about Nancy's service. He remembers that he has a golf game with one of the trustees. She suggests he send Chris instead. Chris wanders in, nearly collapsing after John has dragged him there. He starts making excuses about why he's there and they suggest he go golfing. When they explain that it would be good for his bid at the chief if staff job, he agrees to do it.
John searches for Chris and a nurse tells him he's gone. Reid walks by and John fills him in. They start looking around. Bob and Kim walk by and Reid pays his condolences to them. Bob tells him that his son is off playing golf.
Bob and Kim are at Java. He sadly talks about his mom and what it was like to find her. He wishes she hadn't been alone. Kim tells him his mother was surrounded by love all of the time and he was a wonderful son. A nurse wanders over and mentions that Dr. Oliver is golfing with Chris.
Tom, Margo and John arrive at the hospital and see Bob and Kim, who tell him that their son is playing golf. He blows up and Tom wonders what's going on. Reid brings Chris in. John sends Chris off to get oxygen. Bob demands some answers but John tells him they'll have to wait. John sends Reid to keep the family occupied. Katie arrives and sees Kim hugging Bob. "It's really happening," she mumbles. She doesn't think she can handle this so Reid advises her to go home. This leads to Luke bickering with Reid. The family file in to see Chris. Katie circles around and watches through the window.
Bob and Kim are with Margo in Tom's office. They go over the will. Nancy left all of her money to charity and her possessions to various people. Kim feels like they should do more. "There just should be more," she says, weeping and walking out. Tom agrees that they haven't done enough. He feels angry. Margo understands: they all wish they'd had a chance to say goodbye. Bob walks Kim back in and Margo suggests they name something after Nancy. Bob doesn't think she'd want that.
Margo, Kim, Bob and Tom all arrive at the Hughes house. Bob smiles and remembers the holidays with his mom. Katie and Chris arrive and Kim urges them to make the announcement they were planning on making before Nancy died. Before that can happen, Casey and Alison return with Lisa and declare that they should do something Nancy would have liked. John arrives to pay his respects to Bob and Kim. They get their wires crossed and Bob thinks he's talking about Nancy's passing rather than Chris' disease. Chris hurries over and tips John off. John's embarrassed and apologizes to everyone. Chris takes John aside, who tells him to get to a hospital right away. Lucinda wanders over and they catch up. Casey sends everyone off to do volunteer work.
Bob, Kim, Chris and Katie go to Nancy's apartment to pack things up. Chris is obviously in a lot of pain. His parents assume it's just grief and leave the couple there. Katie's eager to take him to the hospital but he insists they pack some boxes first. They kiss and then sort through paperwork and look at old photos. He says that one day they will be just like his grandparents.
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Center for Student Involvement
Associated Students (student government)
Information for Students who are Parents
Campus Traditions – There's a major event every quarter. Look for Welcome Week, Family Weekend, Junkyard Derby, Sun God Festival, Triton 5K, and other activities throughout the year. There are also many standing college traditions to share (most are open to students from all colleges).
Student Health Services Clinic & Pharmacy
On Library Walk, west of the Price Center, south of Geisel Library (map)
Mailing address: 9500 Gilman Drive, 0039, La Jolla, CA 92093
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC)
Office for Students with Disabilities
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(858) 534-7273


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DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire men's ice hockey team shut out Boston University 3-0 on Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd of 6,501 at the Whittemore Center Arena. Seniors Colin Hemingway (Surrey, B.C.) and Jim Abbott (Mars, Pa.) each had two points to help the 'Cats effort. The win places New Hampshire (17-5-3, 11-3-1 HE) in a three-way tie for the top spot in Hockey East along with Maine and Boston College. BU leaves town with a record of 14-10-2 overall and 8-8-0 in Hockey East play.
After a scoreless first period, Hemingway broke the tie at 5:34 of the second period while the Wildcats had a two man-advantage. Abbott and senior defenseman Garrett Stafford (Los Angeles, Calif.) assisted on the play. Just over ten minutes later at 16:29, sophomore Sean Collins (Reading, Mass.) recorded his thirteenth goal of year to give UNH a two goal lead. Sophomore Steve Saviano (Reading, Mass.) and junior Mike Lubesnick (Chicago, Ill.) were credited with the assists.
In the third period, New Hampshire took advantage of a bench penalty assessed to BU for delay of game as Hemingway scored his second goal of the evening at 11:01. Sophomore Preston Callander and Abbott had the helpers.
Junior goaltender Mike Ayers (Hingham, Mass.) earned his fifth shutout of the season and sixth of his career with the win over BU, tying Ty Conklin's single season record set in the 2000-01 season. Ayers had 37 saves for the win, while Boston's Sean Fields had 25 in the loss.
The Wildcats face off against interstate rivals, the Maine Black Bears on Saturday, February 1 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H. The puck drops at 7 p.m.


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WNCC baseball splits with Odessa on SundayFebruary 18, 2013
ODESSA, Texas – The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team split a doubleheader on Sunday against Odessa College in Odessa, Texas.
The Cougars pounded out 11 hits and John Timmins went five strong innings in powering WNCC to the 12-2 win.
WNCC, however, couldn't rid the offensive spark of the first game, tallying just one hit while falling 3-1 in game two. The Cougars finished the four-game, weekend series with Odessa going 1-3.
Sunday's first game was a huge lift for the Cougars, who were defeated 15-0 and 9-2 to the Wranglers. A big reason for the offensive punch was the team's hitting as they pounded out 11 hits, including five extra base hits.
Ozzie Gonzalez was the big hitter for the Cougars, going 2-for-3 with a double and a home run. He also scored two runs and had two RBIs. JT Core, Keeton Krause, and Nick Vanthillo each contributed two hits each.
The big inning for the Cougars was the second, where they plated six runs on five hits. The Cougars loaded the bases before Anthony Delgado ripped a two run-scoring single. WNCC kept finding the sweet spot on the bat as Core had a run-scoring single before Gonzalez doubled to centerfield to score another run for a 6-1 lead.
WNCC pushed the lead to 10-2 with four runs in the fourth on three extra base hits. Core got things started with a solo home run to rightfield that was followed by a solo shot by Gonzalez to centerfield. Krause followed with a double that scored two runs.
The Cougars added two more runs in the sixth. Vanthillo had a run-scoring single followed by Zach Ostergard with a run-scoring double.
Timmins and Krause combined on a four-hitter. Timmins gave up four runs on two hits. The freshman from Bellevue also walked four and struck out four. Krause threw one inning, walking two but striking out three.
The second game saw the Cougars nearly get no-hit. In fact, Odessa pitcher Jacob DelaCruz had a perfect game going through 4 2/3 innings before Pablo Garcia reached on an error with two outs in the fifth inning. DelaCruz then plunked David Martinez with a pitch. Garcia later came around to score on an error.
DelaCruz took the no hitter into the seventh before WNCC's Cameron Snyder singled to centerfield to break up the no-hit gem.
Wright picked up the loss despite throwing well. Wright went five innings in scattering four hits and allowing three runs. The right-hander also struck out six and did not allow a walk.
WNCC, 2-6, will be back in action this weekend for a five-game series against Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kan.


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- http://www.donationcoder....ScreenshotCaptorSetup.exe
- http://www.donationcoder....eenshotCaptorPortable.zip
And you'll also need to grab and install the new version of my new Easy Screencast Recorder tool which is not yet official:
- http://www.donationcoder....reencastRecorderSetup.exe
- http://www.donationcoder....ncastRecorderPortable.zip
Once you install both, you will see the Easy Screencast Recorder entry in the Tools menu; recording videos with it will put them in your screenshot folder where you can select them, etc.
And you will see in the View Menu an option to show the Quick Capture Toolbar, which can be docked out of the way at the top or bottom of your monitor.
Full change list:
v3.13.01 - Nov 28, 2012
- [MajorFeature] Preliminary support for playing video files and extracting frames from them; and integration with Easy Screencast Recorder.
- [MajorFeature] First draft of new (optional) onscreen quick capture bar. The look+feel of this will change dramatically in future versions.
- [MinorFeature] Will now autodetect and work with SharexMod in addition to ShareX (they are based on same codebase and the differences are not super clear).
- [InterfaceChange] New hierarchical organization of options dialog.
- [BugFix] When capturing the active window and main form was visible, SC sometimes failed to properly grab it; SC now does a better job of grabbing last active window, with less delay in reactivating it.
- [BugFix] Scrolling capture dialog could hide behind main window.
- [MinorImprovement] Scrolling capture dialog now has help button that links to online scrolling capture tutorial video.
- [Improvement] Small performance improvement in dragging selection (can still be slow to update tweaking selection size when zoomed out and resize filter is enabled).
- [BugFix] Scrolling the clipart (or frame) thumbnail panel very quickly could result in error about "List Index Out of Bounds".
- [Feature] Added new %numinc% field with a resetable persistent counter in options (see File Naming Template tab).
- [BugFix] Zoom and Navigation panel could be inadvertently scaled by mouse wheel.
- [BugFix] Minor spelling errors on tooltip hints corrected.
- [MinorChange] Ctrl+A now should work in comment memo to select all text.
The two main features are that SC can now load video files and easily let you extract frames and mark up from them, and the new optional Quick Capture toolbar.
The Quick Capture Toolbar is going to be completely revised and changed so this is just a preview of the idea.
I have a few more big major changes that are coming soon too, so this is just an early teaser.


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Tre' Cool
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 288
Re: Tre' Cool?
Tre Cool is an awsome drummer. I use to be a huge fan of Green Day but no such much any more because american idiot is just not that punk more like pop/punk which I'm not a fan of but. Tre had some good drumming on that album also on Dookie and Nimrod. Tre plays easy stuff but can be a challenge at times it uses alot of energy to hit the toms really fast and stuff.
Alot of you think Tre Can't play stuff outside of Green Day but he can It's possible to find some videos of him playing alone but also very hard just because he plays punk (not hard stuff to play) deosn't mean he can't play drums at all hes been playing since he was a little kid I'm sure he can almost every catagory of music he likes to play metal music like Iron maiden, Metallica etc.... He loves drums and he owns over a dozen of them he sometimes just leaves his drums lying around at a friends house. Hes on tour now with his band Green Day and he does Drum Solo's almost every show. He has a really nice kit I've noticed he got more cymbals for the American Idiot album. Anyways Tre is an awsome drummer
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A portable alarm device for monitoring areas against burglary includes an alarm and a power supply connected to the alarm by an alarm circuit. A reception sensor is connected to a variable preamplifier for varying volumes of the alarm signal in accordance with the size of the area being monitored. The preamplifier is connected to at least one rejector circuit frequency filter for controlling the susceptible frequency range of the alarm trigger signals with a microprocessor connected to the rejector frequency filter to receive and transmit the signal. A signal converter is used to activate the power supply. A push button time switch is connected to the signal converter in order to delay time or readiness of the alarm for operation and the power supply is connected to the alarm through the signal converter by a closed circuit for delivering a constant low-intensity current with intermittent interruption by the signal converter.
1. A portable alarm device for monitoring areas against burglary, comprising a housing having an input (3) for the reception and an output (10) for the delivery of alarm-triggering signals which are processed between the input and output, a power supply (17) disposed in the housing, and an alarm (11) disposed on the housing, the alarm circuit including a reception sensor (3) on the input side of the housing (2) to receive the incoming signals: a variable preamplifier (4) connected to the reception sensor (3) for varying the volume of the alarm according to the size of the area being monitored; the preamplifier being connected to:
a) at least one rejector circuit frequency filter (5) for controlling the accessible frequency range of the alarm-triggering signals;
b) a microprocessor (6) connected to the rejector frequency filter (5) to receive and transmit the said signals; a signal converter (8) consisting of a flip-flop circuit connected to the power supply (17) for activating the power supply (17);
c) a relay (9) connected to the alarm (11) by the output (10) for transmitting the signals to the output (10) in order to sound the alarm (11);
d) a time switch in the form of a pushbutton switch (12) connected to the signal converter (8) in order to delay the time or readiness of the alarm device for operation;
e) a closed circuit connecting the power supply (17) to the alarm (11) through the signal converter (8) for delivering a constant low-intensity current with intermittent interruption by the signal converter (8).
2. An alarm device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of additional connection sockets (15 and 16) are provided on the housing (2) for the connection of loose cables adapted to be connected to the alarm device, such cables being designed for the connection of a water detector, a gas detector, a fire detector, and an infra-red movement detector.
3. An alarm device according to claim 2, wherein a transmitter (24) is provided which is adapted to be connected via the connecting socket (20) to circuitry in the housing, the transmitter being connected to a receiver (25) and another alarm device (28).
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/372 450, filed 6-28-89, now abandoned.
The invention relates to the area of theft and burglar alarm systems which are portable and can be readily taken from place to place.
Portable alarm devices are known as indicated, for example, in the following discussion of the prior art. The known portable alarm systems, however, do not operate completely satisfactorily, because they are not suitable for monitoring all areas requiring protection. Others require additional wiring and can be adapted to all conditions only with difficulty.
The object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an independent portable alarm device which can readily be moved from place to place and put into use.
This object includes the possibility of enabling the device simply to be put down and switched on without any wiring or tedious installation, whether in motor vehicles, caravans, summer houses or multi-storey dwellings.
Other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.
The applicant is well aware of U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,336 (Hall), which shows a portable alarm device requiring a set of wiring over which the alarm-triggering signal reach the actual alarm device.
The same applies to the alarm device according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,228 (Daniels). Here, complex installation using sensors is required for the objects being monitored. An independent alarm system is impossible, since complex wiring is required.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the alarm device according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electronic circuit used in this alarm device.
FIG. 3 is a block schematic for additional detectors which can be connected by means of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows the alarm system according to the invention. The alarm device 1 consists essentially of a housing 2 containing all the electronics for the input and output of the alarm signals so that the alarm device is completely independent and cable connections are fundamentally unnecessary.
FIG. 2 shows the electronic circuit disposed inside the housing 2.
The reception sensor 3 is disposed at the entry side of the housing 2 and from this sensor the normal noise level from outside and any sudden variations in the normal noise level or in the normal air pressure are fed via a pre-amplifier 4 to one or more rejector circuit frequency sensors 5. In the latter the incoming frequencies are filtered into the associated required range so that only the frequencies due to the sudden variations and intended for the alarm are passed to a connected microprocessor 6. Since any material when broken generates a different frequency it is possible in this way controllably to transmit the alarm signals, e.g. for the breakage of glass in the event of windows being broken or for the breakage of wood if doors are broken open, irrespective of the normal environmental, noise.
In this way it is possible, using just one of these alarm devices, to monitor not only motor vehicles and caravans, but also summer houses and larger dwelling units, because the sudden air pressure variations occurring on the breakage of a door or window reach the frequency filter 5, which passes only frequencies in the specific lower range, more particularly below 30 Hz, to the microprocessor 6.
A control 7 integrated in the pre-amplifier 4 and operable from the outside of the housing 2 controls the amplification factor of the alarm signals controllably and individually for each area size.
A chargeable power supply 17, e.g. an accumulator, is also accommodated in the housing 2 and supplies the electronic circuits with a low-intensity closed-circuit current which, in the event of an alarm, is interrupted to give the alarm. An indicator (not shown) conventionally displays the charging state of the accumulator 17, which can be duly charged via one of the known connecting sockets, the same also serving for the connection of an external power supply via a suitable transformer. The alarm device 1 of course also has a switch for switching the alarm facility on and off.
The frequencies at the microprocessor 6 have a harmonic a.c. character. These frequencies are usually not passed. In the event of an alarm, the frequencies fed to the microprocessor have steep flanks which are passed in the form of rectangular signals to a signal converter 8 consisting of two transistors with a flip-flop circuit, so that a relay 9 is pulled up and feeds the alarm signal to the output 10, where it triggers an acoustic signal in a signal horn 11 disposed on the housing 2. The duration of this condition depends on the holding voltage built up in the R-C network in the transistor circuit 8. Instead of an acoustic alarm it is possible to trigger an optical alarm or both.
By means of an electronic time switch 12 it is possible to input a time whereby the device can be switched off for a few minutes in response to actuation of a push button in order to allow unobstructed departure from or entry to a house, apartment, motor vehicle, caravan or the like, where the alarm device 1, which is readily transportable because of its compactness and independence of any wiring, can readily be accommodated and even concealed on a shelf or in a drawer. A pilot light 13 indicates whether the alarm device is switched on and a pilot light 14 indicates whether the ready state of the alarm has been temporarily interrupted by the time switch 12.
FIG. 3 illustrates proposals for additional versatile alarm facilities by means of the invention. This purpose is served by another output 15 on the relay 9, which can co-operate with additional optical and acoustic signals or radio transmitters, and another output 18 on the signal converter 8 which serves to monitor the gas and water supply and shut off any damage to pipes. An infra-red movement detector can also be connected in this way to detect any unnoticed approach to a house or car park. The same applies to closure contacts for protecting drawers, cash boxes or gaming machines.
The monitoring of swimming pools can also be coupled to the alarm device 1. The arrangement described in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,691 for acoustic alarms in the event of a person falling into a swimming pool is suitable for this purpose.
In the block schematic diagram shown in FIG. 3, additional connecting sockets are indicated on the housing 2 and serve as outputs 18, 19 and 20 for the connection of additional acoustic or optical alarm means, without departing from the principle of the invention. Thus switching relays 21 could be disposed between the outputs 18 and 19 to co-operate with a radio 22 or a motor vehicle horn or a revolving light 23.
A sensor 24 could be connected to the output 20 and transmit alarm signals via an air gap 30 to a remote receiver 25, a pre-amplifier 26 providing the necessary amplification. Another alarm device 28 with an acoustic alarm 29 is connected to the receiver 25 via a signal converter 27.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that the alarm device according to the invention which, because of its compactness, can be readily used anywhere without any special installation, is suitable for use for any problems in the area of giving an alarm without it being necessary to alter the alarm device itself.
While I have shown and described an embodiment of this invention in some detail, it will be understood that this description and illustrations are offered merely by way of example, and that the invention is to be limited in scope only by the appended claims.
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Home > Degree Programs > Teaching & Courses > 2015-2016 Course Listing > The Future of Globalization: Issues, Actors, and Decisions
Semester: Fall
Credit: 1.0
Faculty: Lawrence Summers
|First Day
|Meet Day
What is the right balance between national sovereignty and international integration? Is the U.S. equipped to sustain its role as a global leader? Should we regulate multi-national companies who move their factories to countries with lower labor standards? How should the IMF respond to financial crises in Europe and the developing world? How will the rise of China affect global inequality? These are all questions posed by globalization. This course uses basic economic logic to illuminate the choices faced by businesses, governments, international institutions and citizens as the global economy evolves. Policy issues are debated in class by the professors and students play the role of public and private actors in simulation exercises in order to experience the importance of the decisions made by individual actors for the evolution of the global system.
Also offered by the Economics Department as Ec 1400.


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Most people do not take into account one of the points mentioned in the article -
"If we want our police to live where they work, we're going to have to pay them well."
Many police departments require that their officers reside in the town that they work. This is a benefit to the community since the officers are then an integral part of the community that they are serving and protecting. People are more likely to be understood by a police officer when that officer resides in the same community as them.
Additionally, to everyone who believes that officers issuing speeding summonses are wasting their time, consider people driving in your neighborhoods above the posted speed limit. It wouldn't be long before residents began crying out about people driving 50mph on 25mph posted speed limits.


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Is SOPA bad?
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Florida's Left Coast
Posts: 16,542
Re: Is SOPA bad?
From MY Congressman
January 20, 2012
Because of your strong concerns with online piracy bills currently under consideration in Congress like H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), I thought you might be interested to learn of recent events in this regard.
On January 17th, after thoroughly reviewing the draft version of SOPA, you will be pleased to know that I formally expressed my opposition to this legislation with my colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee, which has since suspended deliberations on this controversial measure. As you are fully aware, H.R. 3261, a bill that I never sponsored in the first place, was introduced earlier this Congress in an attempt to prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property.
While it is important that we protect copyrighted material, like you, I feel we can address this issue without restricting the Internet. Our democracy is founded on certain unalienable rights including the freedom of speech and expression. Unfortunately, the current version of SOPA would violate this basic right and is nothing more than modern day censorship. The Internet belongs to the people and instead we must support policies in Congress that promote a free and boundless world wide web.
As always, I greatly appreciate knowing of your support for my efforts on this important matter of mutual concern. With best wishes and personal regards, I am
Retirement...August 21, 2015
Feel. Control the Bounce.
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I have two words for you: reasonable aspiration.
It's a phrase we use to describe for our clients the sweet spot of visioning: envisioning a future that's a stretch…but a doable stretch, given where you're starting from and what you have to work with along the way. When organizations or individuals establish a vision that's a reasonable aspiration, they're much more likely to accomplish it – which sets up a 'virtuous cycle' of positive outcome/confidence in one's ability to create positive outcomes/potential for more positive outcome.
Why am I telling you this? A study from the University of Scranton School of Clinical Psychology states that while almost two-thirds of Americans make New Year's resolutions, less than one in ten say they succeed in keeping them. A peek at the top five most-often-made resolutions gives some clues as to why people have a hard time following through. We say we want to lose weight; get organized; spend less, save more; enjoy life to the fullest; stay fit and healthy.
All very worthwhile and commendable – and tough to do. So, how can you beat the odds, and make 2013 the year you achieve the goals you set for yourself by assuring that your aspirations are reasonable?
Start by asking yourself these 5 questions:
Do I really want this, or is it a 'should'? Part of what makes an aspiration reasonable is your own level of commitment. "Losing weight" is – no surprise – the single most popular New Year's resolution. I suspect, though, that most of us put it on our lists because we think we ought to lose weight, rather than because we really want to do it. Before you make a resolution, check in with yourself to see how strongly you feel about it. If you have a strong personal desire to lose weight, or get organized, or quit smoking (vs. feeling like you really ought to want to, or doing it because someone else wants you to), you're far more likely to do it.
What would success look like? It's difficult to tell whether an aspiration is reasonable if you don't actually know what it is. "Staying fit and healthy" is pretty vague – it could mean anything from taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work to becoming a triathlete. Being as clear and specific as possible in framing your resolutions makes it much more likely that you'll achieve them. For instance, rather than saying "I resolve to stay fit and healthy this year," you might say "I intend to do activities 3 times a week, for at least 45 minutes, that elevate my heart rate and get me sweating."
Does this seem doable? This is a reality check question. Once you've quantified your resolution, step back and ask yourself if it's realistic, given what you know about yourself and your current circumstances. For instance, if you started out thinking you want to "spend less and save more," and your newly quantified version of that resolution is to "save 10% of each paycheck" – but your current job only pays enough to cover your bills, maybe a more doable resolution would be to "find a new job that either pays 10% more or includes an employer-funded retirement vehicle of at least 10%."
How will I accomplish this? I'm convinced this is where most resolutions fall apart. We make proclamations — "I'm going to lose weight," "I'm going to get organized" — but then we don't build a path to achieving our goal. And then we feel disappointed in ourselves for not getting there. So once you've made your resolution clear and specific (e.g., "I intend to find a way to stay on top of all my bills and financial paperwork") spend some time figuring out how you'll accomplish that goal in a way that will be most likely to work for you. Do you like structure and support? – maybe you could sign up for a class on managing your finances and resolve to find a "buddy" for mutual reinforcement. Commit to yourself to find a class and a buddy by the end of January. You get the idea: if you decide what you'll do, by when, and with whom in order to fulfill your resolution, it brings it out of the realm of wishful thinking and into reality.
Am I supporting myself? I put this last because I think it's the most important. Over the past 30 years I've observed that the biggest impediment to people (myself included) creating the lives they want for themselves is self-sabotage in the form of negative self-talk. I've written often about this topic over the years (there's even a 'bonus section' on it in my new book, because I've found it's so essential to being a followable leader). Once you've made your specific, doable resolution, and a plan for achieving it, notice how you're talking to yourself about it. If the voice in your head is saying things like, "I'll never be able to do this – I make resolutions every year and then don't keep them," or "Old habits are too hard to break – this won't work" — remember you can change the tape. You can, in effect, talk back to yourself, with counter-messages that are accurate and positive. For instance, you might think to yourself instead, "Well, I've never put this much effort into framing my resolutions so that they're practical and clear. I'm giving this my best shot."
And you could even say to yourself, "I'd love to have 2013 be my best year yet – and I'm going to do everything in my power to make it so."
Let's all raise a glass to that.
Erika Andersen's latest book, Leading So People Will Follow, is now an international business bestseller. Booklist called it "a book to read more than once and to consult many times."
Are you a followable leader? Take the Accepted Leader Assessment and find out.
What does leader readiness mean?


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plant A produced 500 MT of corn-soy blend (CSB) with high vitamin C and 500 MT of CSB with conventional levels of vitamin C; and plant B made 240 MT of conventionally fortified wheat-soy blend (WSB) followed by 240 MT of WSB with high vitamin C. Special markings were printed on the bags of these pilot production runs to facilitate finding the bags for sampling when they reached their distribution locations.
Countries chosen by the USAID's Office of Food for Peace and SUSTAIN for the pilot program were Haiti for WSB, a regular development type of food aid program and Tanzania for CSB, an emergency feeding situation. The primary criteria for site selection were that at least one country food aid program had to be chosen where scurvy had been reported in past camp feeding situations and one program where significant iron deficiency has been reported. Although there have been no reports of scurvy emanating from Tanzania to date, its location in the greater Horn of Africa where numerous cases of scurvy have been reported and the emergency feeding situation in the camps there indicated a very high risk situation.
Based on recommendations from the statistical subgroup of SUSTAIN's advisory panel, 48 samples of each run were collected. Sample collection was spread evenly over a two-to three-day run time. Ten of these samples were duplicated for use as blind analytical checks. A SUSTAIN representative, with the assistance of the USDA Feed Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) inspector and plant Quality Control (QC) staff, collected samples from each production run. Determination of whether a pilot production run was worthy of continued study was based on the following criteria: (1) the production was within control limits by normal standards of statistical quality control as applied by the U.S. food industry and (2) the variance in production was small enough to detect a 20 percent drop in ascorbic acid content at a 95 percent confidence level.
After initial results indicated uniformity problems in the fortification of CSB, USAID and the SUSTAIN Vitamin C Advisory Panel agreed that each of the seven plants that had been awarded CSB and WSB production contracts should be sampled to assess the extent of the problem. Five of the seven plants were sampled; 4 of the 5 CSB manufacturing plants and one of the two WSB manufacturing plants. The remaining two plants were not in production during the sampling period. Because the vitamin C content of the special CSB produced in plant A did not meet its criteria of acceptability for further study, SUSTAIN planned to postpone field testing of CSB in Tanzania indefinitely. However, in its preliminary report on the pilot program (IOM, 1996), the Institute of Medicine Committee on International Nutrition recommended to SUSTAIN that retrieval and analysis of samples of CSB delivered to Tanzania would be of value for two reasons: (1) to determine if vitamin C remained in the