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We all need a financial team on our side every now and then. You need help making decisions or even just bouncing ideas off of someone else. But we often don't know where to turn for help.
Corporations have boards of directors to help them make decisions and draft corporate strategy. You should do the same. Develop your own team of professionals to help guide you through life and the financial decisions you make for your family. Think of your certified financial planner, lawyer, certified public accountant and real estate broker as members of your personal board of directors.
Add a Financial Planner to You Team
We all need advice from time to time, especially about our finances. We need someone to reassure us that we are heading in the right direction, saving enough for our financial goals and making the best possible choices.
Whether you need a complete financial plan or simply want to make sure that your idea to invest in a Roth individual retirement account vs. a 401(k) retirement plan is a sound choice, having a financial planner on your team who you can turn to will help.
"I would recommend that, at a minimum, people find a CFP professional when putting together a team of trusted advisers," says Michael H. Baker, a certified financial planner with Vertex Capital Advisors in Charlotte, North Carolina. "A competent CFP can bring valuable insights into all areas of your financial life and potentially act as a coordinator amongst all of the professionals, which simplifies the process for clients."
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Ben Shpigel
Ben Shpigel is a sports reporter for The New York Times, covering the New York Jets since 2011. Previously, Mr. Shpigel had covered the New York Yankees since 2010 and, before that, the Mets since 2005.
Before joining The Times, Mr. Shpigel was a staff writer for The Dallas Morning News from 2003 to 2005. He began his journalism career with an internship with The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., in the summer of 2000 and later interned and worked part-time for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 2001 to 2002.
Born in Philadelphia on Sept. 23, 1980, Mr. Shpigel received a bachelor's degree in English and journalism from Emory University in 2002 and a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University in 2003.
Mr. Shpigel was the recipient of the first Dave Marr Scholarship by the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association. His hobbies include reading, traveling, running and spending time with his family.
He and his wife live in New Jersey with their dog and two children.
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Get your last minute discount for A4UExpo
Tuesday in London it's time for yet another great conference. With SMX East just ending many search marketers now join a big group of affiliates for A4UExpo London. This event has a track record of being one of the best organized events in the business.
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In London you can also meet up with many cowboys. There are several on the speakers list, like Lisa and Jon Myers and Bas van den Beld. And we will of course be extensively covering the events with some of our bloggers. Want to be there? Head over to the A4U website and register yourself. With thanks to Matthew Wood (so he told us in the special webmasterradio show about A4UExpo) you will get a 10% cowboys discount by filling in the code "COWBOYS10".
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Im Julia and im fifteen years old.
I love Justin Bieber and Josh Hutcherson.
I also love reading books and fanics so i decided to make one aswell.
My fanfics would probably be about Justin, Josh, hunger games, vampire diaries or supernatural.
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The Left
Militias and Right-Wingers and Race, Oh My
You know I've watched the Southern Poverty Law Center's rise over the years as the self-proclaimed expert on "extremist hate groups". But what I've also deduced over those years, mostly by observing when and what we hear from them, is it is primarily an organization that sees the "right-wing" as the primary threat to America.
They'd most likely deny that and point to their "Hate Groups Map" and its inclusion of black separatist organizations, but they even put a caveat on their inclusion of them:
Although the Southern Poverty Law Center recognizes that much black racism in America is, at least in part, a response to centuries of white racism, it believes racism must be exposed in all its forms. White groups espousing beliefs similar to Black Separatists would be considered clearly racist. The same criterion should be applied to all groups regardless of their color.
Other than a mention of what the organization is, i.e. Nation of Islam or New Black Panther party, and a short description of their beliefs, you'll not find much on the SPLC's website about what would be considered "leftist extremist" hate groups.
And you'll find nothing in their legal docket where they've ever taken one of these groups on in court. One would think the voter intimidation by two New Black Panthers in Philadelphia that occurred in the last presidential election would be right in their sweet spot, but there is no indication whatsoever that such activity even caught their attention.
So it stands to reason that the SPLC loves it when a Democratic administration comes into being because it naturally plays into their primary focus and that elevates their importance (because gullible media outlets will naturally buy into what they're selling) and we see the "rise of the right-wing militias" nonsense begin again.
Today's featured gullible media outlet is ABC News, which breathlessly repeats, er, reports that, yup, those right-wing militias, they're rising again:
Experts who track hate groups across the U.S. are growing increasingly concerned over violent rhetoric targeted at President Obama, especially as the debate over health care intensifies and a pattern of threats emerges.
Any guess as to what "experts" they're talking about?
And you have to love the examples ABC News uses to transition into tarring the right as a bunch of racists:
The Secret Service is investigating a Maryland man who held a sign reading "Death to Obama" and "Death to Michelle and her two stupid kids" outside a town hall meeting this week. And in New Hampshire, another man stood across the street from a Presidential town hall with his gun on full display.
Los Angeles police officers apprehended a man Thursday after a standoff with him inside a red Volkswagen Bug car in Westwood, CA – the latest disturbing case even though officials said the man had mental problems.
Ya think? Tell me, thinking back, did John Hinckley represented the "extremist left" when he shot Ronald Reagan? I don't believe that question was ever raised by the SPLC at the time.
We have a guy legally carrying a gun (although admittedly doing so at an inappropriate time and at an inappropriate place) and one sign among thousands which is inappropriate all included with one mentally whacked individual in CA and we're ready to conclude that right-wing hate-mongers – violent right-wing hate-mongers (or "evil-mongers" if you're a Harry Reid fan) – are on the rise.
There's another bit of "mongering" going on here – fearmongering.
"I don't think these are simply people who are mentally ill or off their rocker," Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, told ABC News of those behind the threats. "In a very real sense they represent a genuine reaction, a genuine backlash against Obama."
Notice the substance of the SPLC's accusation. He's speaking of townhall protesters in general and essentially saying while the three in question may actually include one real a whack job, they represent the true feelings of the protesters – this is all about Obama.
And the inference of making it "all about Obama"? Say it with me now – he's a black man. And that, dear reader, makes it all about racism.
If you don't believe that's what they're suggesting, you might want to read their website. From the short description of their "special report" on "The Return of the Militias":
After virtually disappearing from public view a decade ago, the antigovernment militia movement is surging across the country – fueled by fears of a black president, the changing demographics of the country and fringe conspiracy theories increasingly spread by mainstream figures.
Anyone remember why the militia movement began back then? Well it had nothing to do with a "black president" and everything to do with what appeared to be a expansion of government to include another health care grab.
From the first article in the "special report", two things to note. One, it's all anonymous "reports":
Authorities around the country are reporting a worrying uptick in Patriot activities and propaganda. "This is the most significant growth we've seen in 10 to 12 years," says one. "All it's lacking is a spark. I think it's only a matter of time before you see threats and violence."
Frankly this is akin to National Enquirer reporting and shades of the recent DHS "intelligence" report.
Two, it is all about Obama being a "black man'.
A key difference this time is that the federal government — the entity that almost the entire radical right views as its primary enemy — is headed by a black man. That, coupled with high levels of non-white immigration and a decline in the percentage of whites overall in America, has helped to racialize the Patriot movement, which in the past was not primarily motivated by race hate.
Nothing to support this at all, simply an assertion that fits the agenda of those writing the "special report". Who is spreading fear now?
The second "report" of the SLPC's "special report" by Larry Keller:
One big difference from the militia movement of the 1990s is that the face of the federal government — the enemy that almost all parts of the extreme right see as the primary threat to freedom — is now black. And the fact that the president is an African American has injected a strong racial element into even those parts of the radical right, like the militias, that in the past were not primarily motivated by race hate. Contributing to the racial animus have been fears on the far right about the consequences of Latino immigration.
Sound familiar? Yup, it doesn't take a literary critic to understand that Larry wrote not only his own screed, but the first unattributed screed as well. So essentially, what we have to this point is Larry Keller's opinion, unsourced and undocumented, as to what is going on.
What's pitiful is in the 4 paragraphs leading up to the paragraph above, he gives not one scintilla of support for the premise he lays out there – it's all about Obama because he's black. The people he's talking about haven't been mentioned in any news reports as being attendees at a single townhall protest that I've seen. But that doesn't stop him from inferring that they're the primary movers in this protest movement
Apparently, about half way through, he had a momentary attack of conscience and takes a swipe at some factual objectivity:
It's not 1996 all over again, or 1997 or 1998. Although there has been a remarkable rash of domestic terrorist incidents since Obama's election in November, it has not reached the level of criminal violence, attempted terrorist attacks and white-hot language that marked the militia movement at its peak.
Again, he makes an unsupported assertion ("… there has been a remarkable rash of domestic terrorist incidents since Obama's election in November" – really? Where?), but admits this is nothing like the supposed golden age of militias in the '90s (which led to what? Not much of anything.).
And you have to love this:
At the Jacksonville, Fla., July tea party, some protesters carried signs that compared President Obama to Adolf Hitler.
Gasp! I'll bet Keller was all over the "Bush/Hitler" comparisons for the last 8 years, wasn't he? Uh, no. But to help him in his research, should he read this, I've googled it for him.
The last of the "special reports" is by David Holthouse. It's all about "Camp Vigilance", a Minute Man community in San Diego. You're left with the impression that this boiling, seething, ready-to-explode community has arisen rather recently and is representative of the growing threat. You're certainly left to assume it has arisen since the recent presidential election. And you're also left to extrapolate this one place as typical of all those now protesting (why is never clear).
It was, however, established in 2006, well within the Bush administration and, apparently, despite Mr. Holthouse's attempt to make this new and fresh, it seems it's the same collection of whack jobs that have been out there pushing conspiracy theories about the Illuminati and global bankers since I've been alive. It should also be noted that up to now, they've apparently done nothing at Camp Vigilance to bring law enforcement down on them.
The point of all this is the left, with the media's obvious help, is bound and determined to turn this political disagreement into something about race and hate.
"I think the president has, in effect, triggered fears amongst fairly large numbers of white people in this country that they are somehow losing their country, that the battle is lost," Potok told ABC News. "The nation that their Christian white forefathers created has somehow been taken from them."
Yup – without "fairly large numbers of white people" available to blame this twisted message on, Potok and SPLC are out of a job, aren't they?
Oh, and thanks, ABC – great job of fearmongering there.
Tiger Woods – Bourgeois Tool
At least in Venezuela. Apparently the game of golf is the latest thing under assault in the socialist paradise Hugo Chavez is fashioning:
After a brief tirade against the sport by the president on national television last month, pro-Chávez officials have moved in recent weeks to shut down two of the country's best-known golf courses, in Maracay, a city of military garrisons near here, and in the coastal city of Caraballeda.
"Let's leave this clear," Mr. Chávez said during a live broadcast of his Sunday television program. "Golf is a bourgeois sport," he said, repeating the word "bourgeois" as if he were swallowing castor oil. Then he went on, mocking the use of golf carts as a practice illustrating the sport's laziness.
Meanwhile, the rubber-stamp National Assembly passed a bill that will broaden the state's control of what is taught in schools:
The bill would order schools to base curricula on what it calls "the Bolivarian Doctrine" — a vague reference to ideals espoused by 19th-century independence hero Simon Bolivar, such as national self-determination and Latin American unity.
Or, more simply said – socialism. Unsurprisingly, it has generated protests a colleges and universities – not that Chavez cares.
Meanwhile, as the economy continues to tank, Chavez is using the dictator's normal first choice to divert attention from economic problems – claiming there is an external threat.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday raised tensions with Colombia over a U.S. troop plan, accusing his neighbor of sending an army patrol over their Orinoco River border and ending a Colombian gasoline subsidy.
Chavez made his remarks on the eve of a regional summit in Ecuador, where the persistent Washington critic will try to fuel opposition to a Colombian plan to allow U.S. troops more access to seven of its military bases.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, a staunch U.S. ally, says the troop plan is necessary to fight drug traffickers. But Chavez claims a greater U.S. presence in the region is a direct threat to him and risks sparking war in South America.
Where have we seen all of his before? And how predictable is this as well?
Poor Venezuela – they've got a tiger by the tail and they're in for an awful ride. They've allowed this goon Chavez to manipulate the democratic process into autocratic rule and he's now developed into not just a threat to the freedom and liberty of his own citizens, but a threat to other nations.
Anyone can see this isn't going to end well. I feel for the people of Venezuela.
Racism: It's All The Rage
We warned people back during the election that anyone who disagreed with Pres. Obama would be labeled a racist. To say that prediction that has come to fruition is like calling Katrina a summer shower.
Since the August recess began, and vociferous protesters crowded local townhall meetings, the chorus of "racism!" has steadily grown amongst the left. Those opposed to ObamaCare and "health insurance reform" are derisively dismissed as having no other issue than "a black man in the White House." These accusations are somehow borne out by the fact that swastikas and comparisons of Obama to Hitler have allegedly been spotted at the townhall protests. Nevermind that similar health
care insurance reform was vigorously opposed when presented by a popular white president in the 90's, or that comparisons of our last president to Hitler were (and still are) quite common, yet no racism was ever alleged there. Further ignore that accusing someone of being a Nazi would seem to indicate that one is opposed to racism, and that the people actually carrying such signs were Democrat-supporting, LaRouche adherents who oppose ObamaCare because it doesn't go far enough. Indeed you must ignore these facts because otherwise the charges of racism make absolutely no sense.
Now, we can prattle on all day about how the left's eagerness to drive the racist route simply exposes the vapidity of their arguments, but while that is true it does not even begin to address the real problem — i.e. just how vacuously stupid the left has become.
When I say "stupid" I don't mean "incapable of intellectual rigor" but instead "uneducated, ill-informed and either unwilling or unable to change that state of being."
Just by way of example, Rep. David Scott, whose arrogance and indifference towards his constituents was highlighted by Bruce, declared that racism is at the source of the anti-ObamaCare demonstrations and questioning:
"There is bubbling up under this debate, unfortunately, the overtones that this presents of hate, of racism, of all of these things," Scott added.
Scott laid blame for the harsh tone of the August debate at the feet of talk radio show Rush Limbaugh and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who he accused of mobilizing the angry base now manifesting itself at town hall meetings.
Scott was responding to questions after a swastika was painted on his office door, which in the confused leftist mind means that the vandal was a racist. Again, cognitive dissonance must be ignored since the protesters were also accused of being racist for comparing Obama to Hitler. To the lefty supporters of ObamaCare, any and all dissent is racist. Period.
One can go to almost any comment section of any article discussing the townhalls and find assured accusations of racism emanating from lefty posters as if we were all maddeningly blind not to be aware of this fact. For example:
Either Sen. McCaskill is naive or pandering to the CRAZIES in her state. She might as well join the crazies or be an independent. 1st she defends people who are bringing Nazi paraphernalia to town halls and now she's blatantly dismissing what the whole country knows and believes to be the reason behind this whole movement: BLACK MAN IN THE WHITEHOUSE. These people will oppose everything Obama brings up or stands for even if he was saving their children from a burning house; this didn't start because of the healthcare debate, it started during the campaign and now it has really picked up pace because the president is doing what he promised he would do. Sen. McCaskill can keep her mouth shut if she doesn't have the guts to tell it like it is.
That comment was in response to article about Sen. McCaskill (D-MO) taking Scott to task for crying racism. Notice how incredibly assured the commenter is that people "bringing Nazi paraphernalia to town halls" is undeniable evidence of "what the whole country knows and believes to be the reason behind this whole movement: BLACK MAN IN THE WHITEHOUSE." This, in a word, is stupid.
However, explaining why this is so stupid to ObamaCare's supporters is rather like trying to explain the physics of a hairball to a cat. You will just get annoyed and the cat will still ignore you while emitting guttural hacking and wheezing noises that may or may not sound vaguely like words — "hhhcccccKKKK! ackkk! hehhhhehhk … RACIST!". And this is the problem.
How do you have a civilized debate with someone who is entirely incapable of hearing and/or understanding anything you have to say? For whatever reason (I've honestly ceased to care), the leftist side of any debate consists of equal parts righteous moralizing, demonization of their opponents, progressive conventional wisdom dressed up as facts, and cries of racism. Of course, this is all held together by a healthy dose "magical thinking" (R: "Centrally planned economies have never worked anywhere, anytime." L:"But it will this time!"), which makes for quite a noxious brew good for little more than poisoning rational thought.
It is in this context that legitimate anger at legislators trying to rush through a massive health care bill, that few if any have read, while spending money faster than it can be printed, can be laid at the feet of racism without suffering a massive aneurysm. Not that the opponents of Obamacare should back down or stop strongly and pointedly questioning their representatives. Despite these exhibitions of sheer stupidity from the left, politicians do understand threats to their retention of power.
Instead, I suggest that the next time someone accuses you of being a racist for not supporting whatever agenda Obama and his acolytes want to achieve, you stop what you're doing, look them square in the eyes, and say "Your mind-numbing stupidity is the source of all the racism here" and then move on.
Perhaps the fog of inane and muddled thinking will be lifted from your denigrator's progressive mind by your mental slap (Lord knows reasonable arguments have not done so), and she will see that racism is not a charge to be thrown around lightly or haphazardly. If so, then a real discussion might be had about why spending gobs and gobs of money we don't have to save money makes no sense. Or that piling more government control onto a system that's already broken because of government control is an exercise in insanity. Just maybe, in some small way, you will have steered an otherwise viable intellect back towards the land of reason.
In all likelihood, however, she will just ignore you and walk away in a huff while emitting guttural hacking and wheezing noises that may or may not sound vaguely like words — "hhhcccccKKKK! ackkk! hehhhhehhk … RACIST!".
What Does Parental "Education" Have To Do With Health "Insurance" Reform?
Something that must be kept in mind – while the Democrats are attempting to change the focus of their pending legislation from health care reform to health insurance reform, they've not changed the legislation to reflect that.
Of all people, Chuck Norris brings that point home with a vengeance. Unlike our lawmakers, he's apparently actually read the House bill and found another nugget that is not only costly and none of the government's business, but has nothing to do with health insurance reform.
It's outlined in sections 440 and 1904 of the House bill (Page 838), under the heading "home visitation programs for families with young children and families expecting children." The programs (provided via grants to states) would educate parents on child behavior and parenting skills.
The bill says that the government agents, "well-trained and competent staff," would "provide parents with knowledge of age-appropriate child development in cognitive, language, social, emotional, and motor domains … modeling, consulting, and coaching on parenting practices," and "skills to interact with their child to enhance age-appropriate development."
You can read Norris' fisking of the provision for yourself. He, of course, wants to know why a government agency is being legislated into existence to provide parents with "knowledge of age-appropriate child development" tools and wants to know whose principles and values would drive such teaching – the government's or the parents. Uh, well, I don't think you really have to ask, because there's no reason to send out agents if they're just going to teach the parent's values.
The more imporant points are A) this is none of the government's business and B) it has nothing to do with reforming health care insurance.
Or said another way, you're being fed a line when the Democrats claim that all they want to do is reform insurance when, as you read the bill, it becomes absolutely obvious that the bill isn't at all just about insurance reform, but instead about taking more and more control of your life and the lives of your children.
This is the sort of crap that has middle America angry and out protesting. And pretending that this bill is something other than what it is – an attempt to impose more government control over our lives – is only going to feed that anger. This is part of what those protesters are talking about when they say they're tired of being lied too and tired of being lied about.
Protests Are About More Than Health Care
You can always spot an "inside the beltway" mentality – he or she judges the mood of the rest of the country by what he or she sees and hears in DC and by what those there deem to be imporant.
Marc Ambinder is no exception (and I'm not picking on him specifically – he's just typical of the type). He has an article out in which he claims that 'conservatives' are blowing their chance at stopping the pending health care legislation. Why?
Well, because of the "calmness" emanating from the White House as they gear up for a counter-offensive against the health care protesters found at just about every townhall meeting lawmakers have. And, states Ambinder, Democrats are noticing that opponents have begun "to discredit themselves".
Really? Is that why the health care numbers continue to tank in every poll taken by every polling organization out there? Is that the reason lawmakers like Sen. Arlen Specter have stated, "there is more anger in America today than at any time I can remember"?
What is clear to those who are outside the beltway and dealing with reality is that those inside the beltway have no clue about the general feeling in this country that has been turning common everyday people with only a passing interest in politics into attendees at townhall meetings with a message. It seems one can sit in DC and write glib op/eds about why "conservatives" are blowing it and apparently be oblivious to that.
The American people remain anxious and confused about health care reform. That is an underlying reality that Republican activists are so eager to exploit. But doing so required a certain restraint — and a willingness to traffic in at least approximate truths — and an ability to make distinctions within their own ranks about which tactics were valid and which tactics were venomous. It also required a sophistication about the media. The base condition here is an enthusiastic Republican base and a depressed Democratic base. A coherent, organized effort would have recognized that the moment the media began to take sides was the moment that the entire enterprise could be damaged. The media, being a collection of different megaphones, reported on the town hall meetings in one of two ways, both damaging to Republicans. Either they credulously reported the louder, angrier voices (inherently damaging to Republicans in this case) or they reported on the political architecture of the town hall meetings, which plays down the substance of the protests.
He misses the point of the protests completely. Republicans aren't in charge of this effort. And it is hard to exploit, control or "message" what isn't yours.
This isn't an organized effort by "Republicans" or "conservatives". It isn't being done to sway the media or, as he later claims, targeted toward the blue dog Democrats. This isn't about the politics of this issue. Instead, and all you have to do is watch the various hundreds of videos out there, this is an organic and spontaneous grassroots uprising orchestrated by no real overarching organization. These are people who have sought out the townhall meeting in their district and attended to voice their displeasure with their lawmaker with no organized prompting, no organized email campaign and no preprinted fliers, etc.
And this is what those like Ambinder miss. They've quaffed the kool-aid that says it is all astroturf and misjudged the result. To people like him this is all about red and blue, who has the better organization, the best media campaign and timing. As usual, they focus on the wrong things:
As usual, in a pattern that the left patented during the Bush administration, the organized right lost control of its message. Lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats, were being asked to respond to non-sequiturs (would you support a health care reform plan that grows the deficit? Health care grows the deficit right now, so it's a nonsense question, one that is easy for politicians to answer); ; they found their meetings full of engorged spleens. Unrestrained, these town hall meetings are going to turn off the type of voters Republicans most need to pressure Blue Dog Democrats — independents who don't have red genes or blue genes. Both Fox and MSNBC televised Sen. Arlen Specter's raucous town hall meeting live. It was full of confrontation and protest. There were boos when Specter reaffirmed his president's Americanness.
Of course, the latter point is both minor and a sideshow and misses completely what is going on. What Americans who are confronting legislators over in these townhall meetings is the pattern of deception and misrepresentation they see as rampant now. My favorite line from one of the townhall meetings was "I'm tired of being lied too. I'm tired of being lied about. And this administration has done both of those".
Ambinder thinks this is all political theater. He's missed completely the visceral aspect of these protests. He sure that now that the Obama machine is finally paying attention they'll overwhelm the relatively disorganized rabble.
Well he needs to get a clue. The people of this country can recognize real astroturf when they see it. The know what real political theater looks like. They understand that a big crowd showing up somewhere with the same signs and dressed alike most likely means they aren't from around there.
There is a difference between organic anger and manufactured joy and unlike the Ambinders of the world, most Americans know the difference and are not fooled by it. It is one thing to organize political rallies during a campaign that have that manufactured appearance. It's another thing entirely to bring that sort of nonsense to what a lot of people consider a life and death debate about their health care.
Another thing analysts like Ambinder miss is the cumulative effect of the reaction of Democratic lawmakers have given to these protesters. When you show up at a townhall meeting to confront a lawmaker who is ignoring you and you're characterized as a "mob", "political terrorists", "racists", "thugs", "un-American" and finally likened to the KKK, you're not going to forget it.
Many who have, for the first time in their lives, actually take the steps to attend such meetings and end up being labeled in those terms are not going to forget what was said and who said it. And as has been obvious, many of those attending aren't Republicans or conservatives.
One of the reasons these eruptions are happening is because lawmakers have rejected the call by the country to slow down and have a real and substantive debate about this pending legislation. But you have to actually listen to the protesters and understand what they're saying. Instead we get a handwave that dismisses them as rabble and a complete misreading of what is going on in favor of the DC show.
This is the sort of denial that happens constantly in the happy little bubble within the beltway. The seemingly total disconnect from the reality of the situation in the country is incredible. This is real. This isn't going to stop. And it isn't about "influencing the blue dogs" or "Republicans" or "conservatives". My advice to people like Ambinder is to do himself a favor and actually listen to what is being said for a change or, heaven forbid, attend one of these townhalls and see for himself.
This isn't about political shows and who shows up with the best organized protesters. This is about a growing fight for the heart and soul of America, and the inside the beltway types are missing it completely.
Robert Reich's "Democracy"
Robert Reich writes what I can only characterize as a whining rant which is so, oh I don't know, odd, that I have to comment. It has to do with a supposed deal the White House has struck with "big Pharma" which Reich claims keeps the government from negotiating lower drug prices in return for 80 billion in cost savings (if the government has wrung 80 bil in cost savings, isn't that a negotiation for lower cost that has already been accomplished?):
I want universal health insurance. And having had a front-row seat in 1994 when Big Pharma and the rest of the health-industry complex went to battle against it, I can tell you firsthand how big and effective the onslaught can be. So I appreciate Big Pharma's support this time around, and I like it that the industry is doing the reverse of what it did last time, and airing ads to persuade the public of the rightness of the White House's effort.
But I also care about democracy, and the deal between Big Pharma and the White House frankly worries me. It's bad enough when industry lobbyists extract concessions from members of Congress, which happens all the time. But when an industry gets secret concessions out of the White House in return for a promise to lend the industry's support to a key piece of legislation, we're in big trouble. That's called extortion: An industry is using its capacity to threaten or prevent legislation as a means of altering that legislation for its own benefit. And it's doing so at the highest reaches of our government, in the office of the president.
Notice first that the word "market" never appears in his diatribe. In fact, "market" doesn't appear in his piece at all. That's because Reich doesn't care about markets. And, of course, any market that exists in health care has been so distorted by government that it hardly qualifies for the term.
Reich cares about control. And he wants full control by government. Notice that when politicians use threats to prevent legislation's passage if what they want isn't included in (or taken out of) a bill, that's called "compromise", but when an interested constituent (and pharma as a business that is government regulated certainly qualifies as that) promises to work against pending legislation that wouldn't be in their best interest unless they get concessions, that's "extortion".
Reich only wants the government to have the power to extort what it wants and it makes him mad when constituents use their power to push their interests. He claims that thwarts "democracy". Really?
As I see it, it is exactly the brand of democracy the Democrats have practiced for eons – special interest democracy. The only reason Reich is a little irritated in this case is because the special interest in question isn't one which the left favors. Democracy, in Reich's world, is when favored special interests
"extort" petition the government, make deals and get legislation passed which serves their interests.
All that said, I agree with one point – what in the world is the White House doing striking such deals? Since it can't write the legislation, how does it guarantee whatever concessions it's agreed to will show up in the final legislation? And what happens if it doesn't make it into the final legislation after big Pharma spends more money than John McCain did during the presidential election for TV adds supporting Obamacare?
The Left: Trying To Make Legitimate Dissent Racist
That's one of the trends now. If you can't argue the merits of the legislation, make gross and unsubstantiated assumptions and claims and take off from there. For instance, this from Keith Boykin at "The Daily Voice", which claims to be "black America's daily news source":
In the past few months, we've witnessed the unleashing of the radical elements of the Republican Party base. The anti-tax economic conservatives, racist Obama-haters, gun-toting Second Amendment fanatics and birth certificate conspiracy theorists have two things in common: they're mostly white and they despise President Obama.
With the groundwork laid (one has to wonder – if blacks despised George Bush, was that because they were racists or because they were ideologically and substantially opposed to his agenda?), however loosely with everyone lumped into the same category and characterized by race, Boykin finally gets to his point:
And it doesn't matter that the president's domestic policies of providing universal health care, middle class tax cuts, and economic stability will benefit the very people who cry the loudest. This is not about policy. It's about politics. The politics of rage and race.
Of course Boykin again assumes things not in evidence to make his claim that it is all about race. First, he dismisses the legitimate arguments which have been brought forward about health care, secondly he seems to believe that the spending spree the administration has been on won't have to paid off and third, he's apparently blind to the fact that the "economic stability" he touts has been purchased with a future debt which will cripple us economically. Notice I made those points easily and without once even hinting about the race of the president.
They all are legitimate reasons to speak out, all legitimate reasons to be a bit enraged about the direction of the country. But, with his grand generalities and false assumptions in place, Boykin continues to build his case for this all being about race:
The town hall meetings have been branded "town brawls" by the media, but they are really "town mauls" where angry mobsters silence dissent and discourse. And despite the denials from the right, race is a deciding factor here.
So now, Americans acting like Americans are not only un-American for doing so, they're racist.
And Boykin isn't the only one pushing this line. David Boaz at CATO has a couple more examples. Paul Krugman, whose arguments for the health care legislation have been weak at best, also pulls the race card to lump "town hall mobs" in with "birthers":
But they're probably reacting less to what Mr. Obama is doing, or even to what they've heard about what he's doing, than to who he is.
That is, the driving force behind the town hall mobs is probably the same cultural and racial anxiety that's behind the "birther" movement, which denies Mr. Obama's citizenship.
Philip Kennicott throws race around in a Washington Post piece entitled "Obama as the Joker: Racial Fear's Ugly Face"::
[T]he poster is ultimately a racially charged image. By using the "urban" makeup of the Heath Ledger Joker, instead of the urbane makeup of the Jack Nicholson character, the poster connects Obama to something many of his detractors fear but can't openly discuss. He is black and he is identified with the inner city, a source of political instability in the 1960s and '70s, and a lingering bogeyman in political consciousness despite falling crime rates…
Superimpose that idea, through the Joker's makeup, onto Obama's face, and you have subtly coded, highly effective racial and political argument. Forget socialism, this poster is another attempt to accomplish an association between Obama and the unpredictable, seeming danger of urban life.
This is a building theme which is a classic diversion by the left. Using it allows them to play the powerful "politically correct" card they've so lovingly cultivated for decades. And it is something which needs to be nipped in the bud right now.
The assumption that this is all about race attempts to plaster that claim over the obviously horrendous problems evident with government taking control of health care and the history of Americans of all races protesting such attempts at government expansion. It is, in reality, a classic move by the left to use political correctness as it was intended to be used – to stifle debate. And what we see coming out of the likes of Boykin, Krugman and Kennicott are the racialists laying the ground work to make the charge.
Their arguments are weak, but their intent is clear – broad-brush tarring of those who oppose this administration as nothing more than racist whites opposing the administration's plans for no other reason than the president is a black man. That, of course, makes dismissing their arguments much easier to do and that is precisely the intent of playing the race card.
Racialists Cannot Believe Health Care Protesters Aren't Racist
Protesters have been called "angry mobs", "paid agitators" and recently, "brownshirts" and "unAmerican" – all by Democratic Congressmembers.
You knew it was only a matter of time before the racialists got into the act. And right on cue I give you "WhiffleBall" with Chris "thrill up his leg" Matthews:
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Put 100 of these people in a room. Strap them into gurneys. Inject them with sodium pentathol. How many of them would say "I don't like the idea of having a black president"? What percentage?
CYNTHIA TUCKER: Oh, I'm just guessing. This is just off the cuff. I think 45 to 65% of the people who appear at these groups are people who will never be comfortable with the idea of a black president.
Just freakin' amazing – it's all about Obama to these folks. Having looked at video after video after video of interviews with the "mob", the "browshirts" the "unAmerican", I can only wonder where Tucker and Matthews even pretend to come up with this line of dialog.
Pretty sad stuff, but, for the party which invented identity politics and the politics of personal destruction, not at all surprising.
So, Were These Instances Of "Political Terrorism?"
The left has a very short and convenient memory – it apparently begins at January 20th, 2009 and has no memory of , say, 2005. And the left now thinks that what his happening with these townhall meetings is simply unprecedented and a new, low chapter in right-wing extremism.
But as Jon Henke reminds us, this is nothing new:
* NW Progressive Institute, March 2005: "a boisterous crowd which frequently interrupted the discussion with shouts and hard nosed questions. … Democrats in the audience who were interrupting the panel…. the crowd erupted in anger… Democrats in the audience started shouting him down again."
* Savannah Morning News, March 2005: "By now, Jack Kingston is used to shouted questions, interruptions and boos. Republican congressmen expect such responses these days when they meet with constituents about President Bush's proposal to overhaul Social Security."
* USA Today, March 2005: "Shaken by raucous protests at open "town hall"-style meetings last month … Santorum was among dozens of members of Congress who ran gantlets of demonstrators and shouted over hecklers at Social Security events last month. Many who showed up to protest were alerted by e-mails and bused in by anti-Bush organizations such as MoveOn.org and USAction, a liberal advocacy group. They came with prepared questions and instructions on how to confront lawmakers."
You must understand that when Democrats did it in 2005, it was political dissent. Now that the right is engaged in the same sort of behavior, it is "political terrorism".
They really don't like it when their own tactics are used against them, do they?
Send In The Thugs (update)
Irony, as we've all learned, is not something with which the left is well attuned.
For instance, until the Obama administration unleashed the unions, the townhall meetings were a little raucous, but not violent.
But now that the White House has all but explicitly condoned the demonization and thus the marginalization of those who disagree with his attempt to "reform" health care, and further called on the unions to send in paid operatives to "punch back", we have violence.
The irony? This, from Dennis Rivera, health care chairman of the SEIU after six of his goons had assaulted a protester in St. Louis:
"These are the times to clearly speak out in a civilized way, and tell them we won't be prevented by these terrorist tactics from participating in these town hall meetings,"
Always nice to know how the opposition defines "civilized way" isn't it?
Yup, raising your voice in a townhall meeting and not just shutting up and listening to the nonsense the man or woman (does anyone understand what the word "representative" means?) who works for you is spouting is now a "terroist tactic" according to the SEIU.
Solution – assault people in a 'civilized way', bar those who disagree with the administration from a place in the meeting while packing it with handpicked union members and call it a "townhall".
Pure, unadulterated cowardice on parade is what it is. Apparently the Dems are not only unaware of the irony of the situation, but also unfamiliar with the first law of holes. And trust me, they are digging a deep one with their present behavior.
UPDATE: What are union members from Chicago doing at a St. Louis townhall meeting?


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Stories from Behind the Berlin WallIn 1989, the Berlin Wall fell; shortly afterward the two Germanys reunited, and East Germany ceased to exist. Anna Funder's bestselling Stasiland brings us extraordinary tales of real lives in the former East Germany. She meets Miriam, who tried to escape to West Berlin as a sixteen-year-old; hears the heartbreaking story of Frau Paul, who was separated from her baby by the Berlin Wall; and gets
$5.99All That I Am is a masterful and exhilarating exploration of bravery and betrayal, of the risks and sacrifices some people make for their beliefs, and of heroism hidden in the most unexpected places.When eighteen-year-old Ruth Becker visits her cousin Dora in Munich in 1923, she meets the love of her life, the dashing young journalist Hans Wesemann, and eagerly joins in the heady activities of the
$0.99A Vintage Shorts "Short Story Month" Original SelectionThey hadn't intended it to be a full house. Dee and Liam had thought that their children would leave home one by one and come to see them on weekends. Wouldn't that be nice? But Helen had never left; Rosie got married but not for long; Anthony writes songs and will be a sensation someday. And Dee wonders what she did wrong. Instead of enjoying
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$11.29'Are you German or are you French? Are you working against Germany or for it? Are you telling me the truth, or are you a very accomplished liar?' Lavender farmer Luc Bonet is raised by a wealthy Jewish family in the foothills of the French Alps. When the Second World War breaks out he joins the French Resistance, leaving behind his family's fortune, their home overrun by soldiers, their lavender
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Kennedy, Khrushchev, and the Most Dangerous Place on EarthIn June 1961, Nikita Khrushchev called Berlin "the most dangerous place on earth." He knew what he was talking about. Much has been written about the Cuban Missile Crisis a year later, but the Berlin Crisis of 1961 was more decisive in shaping the Cold War-and more perilous. It was in that hot summer that the Berlin Wall was constructed, which would divide the world for another twenty-eight years
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By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
10/7/2013 (2 years ago)
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
China has an estimated 500 million people online, nearly double the number of Americans online, yet still less than half of its total population. To keep watch over those people, there are some 2 million employed to spy on them.
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
10/7/2013 (2 years ago)
Published in Technology
Keywords: China, web police, rumors, monitoring, social networking
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to Chinese state media, the government employs 2 million people whose sole purpose is to trawl social networking sites and blogs, seeking controversial commentary that could incite others to oppose the government.
Both the government and private industries employ workers to do the job.
Known collectively as the "web police" they seek out any objectionable content and root out anyone who would challenge the ruling communist party.
In China, Facebook and Twitter are banned and people are permitted to use Chinese clones of both services which can be monitored by the authorities. China banned the more popular American-based social networks following the Arab Spring risings in 2010. Social networks were instrumental in those uprisings.
According to reports gathered from within China, hundreds of people have been detained for the content of their posts, or what authorities call spreading "rumors" online. High-profile bloggers and personalities have been warned to watch what they post online and to only post positive comments about the government online.
Media users currently face a three-year jail sentence if their posts go viral and are seen by more than 5,000 users or are forwarded more than 500 times.
China also has the world's largest online community, nearly double that in the United States.
Other countries, such as Iran, strictly control what people can view online and when. In Iran, Facebook and Twitter are blocked. In North Korea, people do not even have computers, or electricity to run them.
More "liberal" countries like Saudi Arabia allow the use of social networks, but still hold people responsible for what they post. People thought to be organizing protests or other civil disruptions on these sites can be arrested.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. agencies like the NSA simply aggregate information from social networks, building profiles on people of interest. Private sites such as Facebook actually earn profits from profiling users. The more detailed your profile, the more profitable your clicks.
For now, in the United States, most of the data is used to catch terrorists and to market goods to individuals. Most policing of the sites is automatic, provided by peers within the community who flag questionable content and a few site moderators who shut down the worst offenders.
However, nothing compares to the Chinese effort which is by all measures a major industry. With two million workers, China's web police may even be one of the world's largest collective employers. Mass quantities of human labor are one of the things China does best and to watch 500 million people on the internet, about 2 million police should do the trick.
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A major study's results show promise for a gene-activity test that gauges early-stage breast cancer patients' risks. The test can tell who will benefit from chemotherapy treatment and who will not. Those who do not require chemotherapy are not negatively affected by ... continue reading
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The good news? Scientists in California have found water! The bad news? It's on Mars. Scientists from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena California have announced through NASA, the finding of recent water flows on Mars, demonstrating the planet still has liquid ... continue reading


text:
In Love with Love (and the TRPs)
Top Stories
- India to grow at 7.5 per cent in 2016, faster than China: IMF
- Lalu Yadav, Amit Shah booked for 'Narbhakshi', 'Chara chor' comments
- Nehru's niece returns Sahitya Akademi Award, questions PM's silence on 'reign of terror'
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- American Airlines plane makes emergency landing after pilot dies mid-flight
"The idea is to make a shift in the audience habits. India is changing socio-economically people across India are exposed to international content, which in turn changes their expectations from local channels. The time is right to pitch original content like this for a young demographic," says Nachiket Pantvaidya, general manager, Star Plus.
A tele-series such as this isn't the first attempt in Hindi general entertainment Zee attempted a similar series a decade ago. But Star Plus' decision perhaps stems from the changing trend in Indian programming across channels with a focus on tapping young Indian audiences. Recently, Channel V, which originally focussed on music, became a general entertainment channel for the youth. MTV too, has been airing a fiction series, titled Rush. The setting for most shows on Sony Entertainment Television, too, is urban and aspirational. A channel that has mostly relied on kitchen politics as the theme for its several endless sagas until now, Star Plus perhaps attempts to change that perception. And a show set in the urban mould with a limited life span might do the trick. "The idea is to push boundaries in all possible ways, especially since the definition of prime time is evolving we recently saw Satyamev Jayate revive the Sunday morning slot. With Teri Meri Love Stories, we are consciously entering the weekend prime time slot, which conventionally belongs to Bollywood films," adds Pantvaidya.
Producer Rajan Shahi of Director's Kut who has produced the first episode of Teri Meri Love Stories, adds that the characters may be urban but will be identifiable across demographics. "For example, the first episode boasts of grandeur and fun, but it never goes over the top and remains organic throughout," he says, adding that none of the stories require a suspension of belief. "The problems that the female protagonist faces in the show are similar to those of any youngster," he says.
The fresh format has also offered a boost to the creative team that otherwise has to operate within the norms of daily soaps. "In dailies, the story progresses gradually and the focus sometimes shifts to subplots, which can be creatively bothersome. The telefilm format allows the story and characters' graph a straight flow, which is satisfying," says director Arvind Babbal, who has directed one of the episodes. Actor Dolly Ahluwalia, who played Ayushmann Khurrana's mother in Vicky Donor, seconds Babbal. "I play a charming, friendly gen-next grandmother in one of the episodes a character far removed from the offers I have received in the past from television producers," says Ahluwalia.
The fact that different production houses have been brought on board for each episode also ensures that the quality does not suffer. "The scale made me feel like I was shooting for a movie," says actor Gautam Rhode, the protagonist in the first telefilm. Babbal adds that the films have predominantly been shot with digital camera to achieve the "different" look.


text:
First Look: Enter the Lavish, Privileged World of Former Debutantes
Also known as the "belles of the ball."By Julie Ma
Also known as the "belles of the ball."By Julie Ma
Don't rain on my parade.By Yana Paskova and Julie Ma
Hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and smoldering men.
He got away from all the controversy with his wife and son.By Kat Stoeffel
The only proper outfit to wear to a 50th-anniversary celebration is a bedazzled gown.By Sarah Wilson and Julie Ma
Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele styled the photo shoot.By Julie Ma
Alec Baldwin has never been a fan of paparazzi, but they sure love hanging out around him.By Jesse David Fox
Salvador Dalí nail art included.By Julie Ma
From Katy Perry's grill to Richard Simmons's sneakers.By Katie Zavadski
Eric Holder and other leaders spoke about the continued need to fight for civil rights.By Delia Paunescu
"It was this giant pink wasteland in the middle of East Berlin."By Amy Lombard and Julie Ma
You probably have at least one pair under there.By Leah Carroll
While holding a bow and arrow, no less.By Jesse David Fox
Are Mary and Branson going to get together?By Margaret Lyons
How excited are you for Wolverine, Hugh Jackman?By Amanda Dobbins
No one wants to look sweaty.By Julie Ma
Get them tailored! We're begging you.By Margaret Lyons
Meet Ebony, Luxx, Mimi, and Raquel.By Julie Ma
Some of them are decorated with feathers.By Kyle Buchanan
Go with it.By Amanda Dobbins


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You are a fan of benefits collie ? Come to discover the best forums benefits collie on the internet and share your experience with a community fan of benefits collie . You can also build a forum benefits collie and create your online discussion.
A place for the unemployed to gather for moral support.
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Advocacy and Support forum for the unemployed.
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Gearbox has gotten a lot of flak over Aliens: Colonial Marines, but I have to say the multiplayer does give the aliens a nice place to chill out while everyone else is running about shooting things. It's nice to have a little time to reflect. Maybe bone up on a hobby.
Hit up Twitch.TV for an archive of the whole session in several parts. I'd love to setup more streaming play dates with your folks, and I promise next time I'll try Train Simulator.
To contact the author of this post, write to email@example.com or find him on Twitter @bunnyspatial.


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Yeah, I use this program. It's easily better than tversity...
Yeah, I use this program. It's easily better than tversity...
Wow tnx!! This is a great tut!
both methods work perfect everytime for me.. thanks !
I tried "Super" (freeware) to create excellent M2TS files from mkv. Just select the PS3 blueray from the Super container option.
how do i convert a mkv video which has FLAC in it? those programs you guys use don't work
Awesome guide, thank you!
Converting mkv always annoyed me
Thank you for your information ^^
But when I add the file there is a Notice "Unsupported Format, Some track not recognize. This track was ignored. File name..."
Why is that happening?
Because tsMuxeR does not recognise all the subtitle formats that you can put into an MKV.
That said, the PS3 does not support subtitles in an M2TS stream anyway, so it shouldn't bother you...
Thank you very much for your answer ^^
It's time to convert those .mkv [>=D]
Vey nice guide, i've been looking for something like this and here it's so thanks
• PlayStation 4 & PS4 News
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Laura Hutchinson
Laura Hutchinson is the anchor of your first news in the morning and part of the 22News I-Team.
Barry Kriger
Barry Kriger anchors 22News weeknight newscasts at 5:30, 6 and 11PM.
Brian Lapis
Brian joined the 22News Storm Team in September of 1996
Juli McDonald
Juli is thrilled to be 'Working for You' as part of the 22News team.
David McKay
David arrived at 22News in April of 2013 as a multimedia journalist assigned to the Franklin County Bureau.
Adam Strzempko
Adam has been working at 22News now for more than 10 years.
Rich Tettemer
Rich Tettemer currently anchors the weekday morning and noon editions of 22News.
Kait Walsh
Kait is excited to be reporting in her home state, about her home state.
Ryan Walsh
Ryan Walsh is an investigative reporter for the 22News I-Team.


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Reviewed By Reginald T (Cheyenne, WY) Reviewed for a 1984 GMC Caballero —4/25/2015 4:46 PM
Fit well and the cost was outstanding.
Reviewed By Jeffrey L (Chino Hills, CA) Reviewed for a 2004 Honda S2000 —10/2/2015 9:15 AM
Bought these mats and they work great! They fit perfectly and are easy to install. However, not being able to put them over my existing floor mats is a bit annoying. Also, they seem a bit thin. ExactMats feel sturdier but are also $20 more expensive.


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Holstein and Company Mornings
Thursday, October 2, 201410/02/2014
Nitwit News – October 2
In Nitwit News
Thursday, October 2, 201410/02/2014
Showbiz Smackdown – October 2
Hollywood Headlines. Nick from Mahomet got 2 out of three, but so did Melissa. • George Clooney finally married. In…
Wednesday, October 1, 201410/01/2014
Showbiz Smackdown – October 1
Joe from Champaign got 2 out of 3! But Melissa got all 3 so the money is safe. Mustache Men…
Wednesday, October 1, 201410/01/2014
Nitwit News – October 1
In Nitwit News
Tuesday, September 30, 201409/30/2014
Showbiz Smackdown – September 30
Stephanie from St. Joseph got part of question #3 correct. Melissa got #1 and #2 right. Versus • Scott Pilgrim…
Monday, September 29, 201409/29/2014
Showbiz Smackdown – September 29
Kelsey from Monticello got #3 correct. Melissa got 'em all right. Name the Tim • Fashion consultant and reality TV personality.…
Monday, September 29, 201409/29/2014
Nitwit News – September 29
In Nitwit News
We're not sure this story's real, but it's still fun enough to share. Over the course of 15 years a…
Friday, September 26, 201409/26/2014
Most Country Sounding Stars
Which country stars "sound" the most country when they talk?
Friday, September 26, 201409/26/2014
The Aldean/Kerr engagement photo
They look happy. One heck of a rock! Brittany says "We've been on cloud nine the past few days!!☁ My…
Friday, September 26, 201409/26/2014
Nitwit News – September 26
In Nitwit News
A Canadian man was caught at the Detroit border trying to smuggle back into Canada 51 live turtles hiding in…


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Under-fire Liverpool had to battle tooth and nail to win a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw against Sunderland at Anfield. More
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Another brace for the England striker means he has now scored eight times against Big Four opposition since the start of last season - the definition of a big-game player.
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- Get Support for Problems
- Purchase Add-on Modules
- Attend Training
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The FreePBX Portal is your one stop spot to purchase all add ons for your FreePBX system from Appliances, Paid Support and Commercial Modules. Sign up for a Free Portal Account. For instructions on how to sign up for a Portal Account, Click Here.
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Contact Us
ICOI Hours of Operation
Normal office hours will resume on Tue, July 21st, in shaa Allah.
Office Hours
Mon – Thu: 11am to 8:30pm
Fri: 11am to 7pm
Sat.: 10am to 2pm
Sun.: Closed
Operations Mgr: Bro. Amin Rafiq, Office Asst: Sis. Ambreen Baig
Religious Director's Hours (Sh. Atef Mahgoub)
Mon – Thu: 3:30pm to 9:30pm
Fri – 10:30am – 3pm & 6:30pm -9:30pm
Jumu'ah Khutbah Times
1st Khutbah: 12pm
2nd Khutbah: 1pm
3rd Khutbah: 2pm
Attention: An area has been set aside in the MPR for sisters and brothers. Please feel free to make use of it. Also, the East Classroom upstairs has been set aside for brothers only. The West Classroom has been set aside for sisters only.
Contact Information
Phone: (949) 786-ICOI (4264)
Fax: (949) 786-4265
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
* The masjid is open every day for all five daily prayers. *
If you have any questions or concerns, please email firstname.lastname@example.com
If you would like to make a suggestion, we urge you to fill out our suggestion box .


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Telemetry Companies in Tajikistan
Category: Monitoring & Testing ×
Subcategory: Telemetry ×
Location: Asia & Middle East ×
Location: Tajikistan ×
Sentry Telemetry
based in East Sussex, UNITED KINGDOM
Founded in 1997 as an LPG tank monitoring company, Sentry Telemetry has progressed to be a world-leading supplier of wireless telemetry systems with some 25,000 units installed globally. We never cease to be amazed at the diverse telemetry applications our clients request - and we pride ourselves on being able to respond quickly and effectively with bespoke and customised ...
Vacker LLC
based in Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Vacker Group is head quartered in Dubai, UAE and presently operates in UAE,Kuwait,Oman,Saudi, India & USA. Vacker Group is specialised in Temperature Monitoring Solutions and Automation. Temperature Monitoring Solutions is provided for Hospitals, Cold rooms, Food Industry, Furnaces etc. Details can be seen at http://www.temperaturemonitoringuae.com & ...
CRN Wireless
based in Centereach, NEW YORK (USA)
CRN Wireless is an international provider of wireless products and services that facilitate the communication and monitoring of data and alarm signals. From monitoring devices to turnkey wireless networks and fully customized products, we offer a broad range of wireless monitoring solutions.
Energy Management System Co., Ltd.
based in Tainan City, TAIWAN
Energy Management System Co., Ltd. (EMS) founded in 1991, over 20 years of professional experiences in developing/manufacturing intelligence electronic water meter (Bulk / Domestic Smart Meters), also provide comprehensive water metering & data transmission solution, EMS became one of the leading developer and manufacturer from Taiwan. We dedicate ourselves in fields of ...
Mirion Technologies
based in Smyrna, GEORGIA (US) (USA)
Our organization is comprised of over 1000 talented professionals, passionate about delivering world class products, services, and solutions in the world of radiation detection and protection. From our 13 operating facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia. In partnership with our customers in nuclear power plants, military and civil defense agencies, hospitals, ...
Baltic Car Equipment
based in Kaunas, LITHUANIA
Since 2006 Lithuanian company Baltic Car Equipment has become one of the largest manufacturers of telemetry equipment in the Baltic states. Constant investments into R&D have allowed the company to present international markets with advanced equipment in telemetry and automotive security field. Employing over 50 professionals, Baltic Car Equipment controls every stage of ...
Global Water Instrumentation, Inc. - a Xylem brand
based in Gold River, CALIFORNIA (USA)
Global Water Instrumentation, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of water monitoring equipment. Since our establishment in 1990, Global Water has developed a reputation worldwide for providing high quality products and exceptional customer support. Global Water, the Leader in Water Instrumentation, offers accurate, rugged and reliable environmental ...
Oceantech Co.
based in Seoul, SOUTH KOREA
Oceantech as a supplier of special equipment for the oceanographic, meteorogical and maritime field. Oceantech has grown continuously since then by adding to, and supporting, an extensive number of agencies for sales and services of equipment.
Industrial Telemetry, Inc.
based in Collinsville, OKLAHOMA (USA)
The primary goal of ITI is to bring a patented MESH radio telemetry technology into the worlds of Industry, Water and WasteWater, and Compost. We call our radios REALMESH™ to distinguish them from vendors who use a pseudo MESH topology, but whose radios do NOT have integral repeating function. Since MESH radios are transceivers and repeaters in the same device, the ...
TEI Controls (TT)
based in Cedar Park, TEXAS (USA)
TEI Controls engineers quality control panels for industrial automation. We have 50+ years experience in the field, and specialize in the water and wastewater industry. Let us put our expertise and real world experience to work for you.


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Jews face increasing danger in Germany. In March 1933, when Anne is four years old, her parents decide to emigrate to the Netherlands.
After getting married, Otto and Edith Frank settle in Frankfurt. They soon have children: Margot in 1926, and Anne in 1929. Those first few years are happy ones, but the economic crisis empowers Hitler's NSDAP. In 1933, Hitler takes over as leader of the German government. Otto and Edith Frank are deeply worried. The persecution of the Jews and the economic crisis cause huge problems. They look for a means of escape.
Otto Frank and Edith Holländer are married in Aachen on May 12, 1925...
In the 1920s, Adolf Hitler's National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) is a small political splinter group...
Otto and Edith Frank look for ways of leaving Germany...
Explore this subject on the visual timeline.
"My father, the most adorable father I've ever seen, didn't marry my mother until he was thirty-six and she was twenty-five. My sister Margot was born in Frankfurt am Main in Germany in 1926. I was born on June 12, 1929."
Otto sets up a business in the Netherlands. After that, his family can come over too.
Edith has trouble settling down in the Netherlands.
Otto and Edith's daughter, Anne's sister Margot is a quiet, serious girl who enjoys studying.
I imagine that... I've gone to Switzerland. Daddy and I sleep in one room, while the boys' study is turned into a sitting room, where I can receive visitors
I imagine that... I've gone to Switzerland. Daddy and I sleep in one room, while the boys' study is turned into a sitting room, where I can receive visitors
Teachers share their experiences.
Newsletter archive
With exceptional photographs and audio and video fragments.


text:
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flock. (1.) A city in the south of Judah, on the border of Idumea (Josh. 15:21).
(2.) The second of the three sons of Mushi, of the family of Merari, appointed to the Levitical office (1 Chr. 23:23; 24:30).


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Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) July 14, 2013
Retired NFL kicking legend Morten Andersen, the NFL's all-time leading scorer, has joined Kicking For The Dream's effort to fight ovarian cancer according to NFL Kicker, and Kicking For The Dream founder, Billy Cundiff.
"Morten is one of the most respected kickers of all time. He had a career that most kickers can only dream of," says Cundiff. "During his playing days and now in his post-football life, Morten continues to give back. We are excited he is showing young specialists that the platform of football can be used to make a difference in the world. More importantly, he is a great man, and we are honored that he has chosen to support Kicking For The Dream."
Andersen says he is happy to support the efforts of his friend Billy Cundiff.
"The Morten Andersen Family Foundation is happy to support Kicking for the Dream," says Andersen. "As a friend of Billy Cundiff, I am thrilled to be a part of such an important effort. Together, we will make a difference!"
Go here for Morten Andersen's Kicking For The Dream page.
According to Andersen, the purpose of the Morten Andersen Family Foundation is to affect positive change among children and youth locally, regionally, nationally and globally. He says the ideology behind the foundation is:
1) To those much is given, much is expected.
2) Pay it forward to the next generation.
3) Affect positive change among people regardless of race, sex, religion or nationality.
Andersen says the areas of emphasis and focus of the Founda
|Source: PRWeb
Copyright©2012 Vocus, Inc.
All rights reserved


text:
Daily Bucket
Parole chiave
U.S. President Barack Obama gives a thumbs up to a reporter's... Foto di attualitàBarack Obama,Basket,Chiedere,Composizione orizzontale,Contratto collettivo di lavoro,Dare,Emozione,Fort McNair,Giornalista,La Casa Bianca - Washington DC,Luogo d'interesse internazionale,NBA,Politica,Pollice,Presidente degli Stati Uniti,Serrata,Stati Uniti d'America,Struttura edile,Termine sportivo,Washington DCPhotographer PoolCollection: Getty Images News 2011 Getty ImagesWASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 26: U.S. President Barack Obama gives a thumbs up to a reporter's question about his feelings on the end of the NBA lockout after playing basketball at the Fort McNair athletic facility on November 26, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama and family will attend a basketball game at Towson University later in the day, with Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, coaching the visiting Oregon State Beavers. (Photo by Martin H. Simon-Pool/Getty Images)


text:
VW scandal is raising questions
And how to overcome those barriers
Join the NASDAQ Community today and get free, instant access to portfolios, stock ratings, real-time alerts, and more!
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $150.0 million
from the sale of 16,666,667 shares of our common stock in this offering, after
deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering
expenses payable by us.
We intend to use $114.2 million of the net proceeds from this offering to
purchase 16,666,667 newly-issued limited partnerships units from Graham
Packaging Holdings Company. These proceeds will be contributed to the
Operating Company which intends to use the proceeds for repayment of a portion
of our term loans. Our term loan B expires on October 7, 2011 and bears
interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% (2.55% at September 30, 2009). Our term loan C
expires on April 5, 2014 and carries an interest rate of LIBOR (subject to
a floor of 2.5%) plus 4.25% (6.75% at September 30, 2009). On a pro forma
basis, after giving effect to the use of the net proceeds of this offering for
the repayment of a portion of our term loans, the outstanding amounts of term
loans B and C would be $592.3 million and $1,079.7 million, respectively.
The remaining proceeds will be used to make a one-time monitoring fee payment
of $26.3 million to Blackstone and $8.8 million to the Graham Family in
connection with the termination of our Monitoring Agreement and to reimburse
Blackstone for paying on our behalf historical administrative expenses
incurred by us in the amount of $0.8 million.
In the event the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional
shares in full, we will issue 2,500,000 new shares and we will use any such
additional net proceeds to repay additional outstanding indebtedness.
We face substantial regional and international competition across our product
lines from a number of well-established businesses. In our North American
segment, our primary competitors are Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH ("Alpla"),
Amcor Limited ("Amcor"), Ball Corporation ("Ball"), Consolidated Container
Company LLC, Constar International Inc, Liquid Container L.P., Plastipak, Inc.
("Plastipak") and Silgan Holdings Inc. In our European segment, our primary
competitors are Alpla and Logoplaste Mealhada Lda. ("Logoplaste"). In our
South American segment, our primary competitors are Alpla, Amcor, Plastipak
and Logoplaste. We face competition from most of these companies across our
product categories. Competition is based on several factors including price,
product design, technology (such as barrier protection and lightweighting)
and customer service. Several of these competitors are larger and have greater
financial and other resources than us. In addition, several of these
competitors sell other products used by our customers such as cans or flexible
packaging which can be bundled with plastic containers in sales proposals.
We believe that we compete effectively because of our superior levels of
service, speed to market and product design and development capabilities.
We are a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of value-added,
custom blow molded plastic containers for branded consumer products. We
operate in product categories where customers and end users value the
technology and innovation that our custom plastic containers offer as an
alternative to traditional packaging materials such as glass, metal and
paperboard. We selectively pursue opportunities where we can leverage our
technology portfolio to continue to drive the trend of conversion to plastic
containers from other packaging materials. Our customers include leading
multi-national and regional blue-chip consumer product companies that seek
customized, sustainable plastic container solutions in diverse and stable
end markets, such as the food and beverage and the household consumer
products markets. We believe we are well-positioned to meet the evolving
needs of our customers who often use our technology to differentiate their
products with value-added design and performance characteristics such as
smooth-wall panel-less bottles, unique pouring and dispensing features,
multilayer bottles incorporating barrier technologies to extend shelf life,
and ultra lightweight bottles with "hot-fill" capabilities that allow
containers to be filled at high temperatures.
We believe we have number one market share positions in North America for
hot-fill juices, sports drinks/isotonics, yogurt drinks, liquid fabric care,
dish detergents, hair care, skin care and certain other products. For the
year ended December 31, 2008, approximately 90% of our net sales from
continuing operations were realized in these product categories. We do not
participate in markets where technology is not a differentiating factor,
such as the carbonated soft drink or bottled water markets.
Our value-added products are supported by more than 1,000 issued or pending
patents. We strive to provide the highest quality products and services to
our customers, while remaining focused on operational excellence and
continuous improvement. These priorities help to reduce our customers' costs,
while also maximizing our financial performance and cash flow. We supply our
customers through a network of 84 manufacturing facilities, approximately
one-third of which are located on-site at our customers' plants. The vast
majority of our sales are made pursuant to long-term customer contracts that
include the pass-through of the cost of plastic resin, as well as mechanisms
for the pass-through of certain other manufacturing costs.
Collectively, our product portfolio, technologies, end markets and operations
all contribute to our industry-leading margins and strong cash flow.
We were incorporated in Delaware under the name "BMP/Graham Holdings
Corporation" on November 5, 1997 in connection with the recapitalization
transaction in which Blackstone, management and other investors became the
indirect holders of 85.0% of the partnership interests of Graham Packaging
Holdings Company, which was completed on February 2, 1998. We are a holding
company whose only material assets are the direct ownership of an 80.9%
limited partnership interest in Graham Packaging Holdings Company and 100% of
the limited liability company interests of BCP/Graham Holdings L.L.C. ("BCP"),
which holds a 4.0% general partnership interest in Graham Packaging Holdings
Company. We changed our name to "Graham Packaging Company Inc." on December
10, 2009.
The predecessor to Graham Packaging Holdings Company, controlled by the
predecessors of the Graham Family (as defined under "Organizational
Structure—Reorganization"), was formed in the mid-1970s as a regional domestic
custom plastic container supplier. Graham Packaging Holdings Company was formed
under the name "Sonoco Graham Company" on April 3, 1989, as a Pennsylvania
limited partnership. It changed its name to "Graham Packaging Company" on
March 28, 1991, and to "Graham Packaging Holdings Company" on February 2,
1998. The primary business activity of Graham Packaging Holdings Company is
its direct and indirect ownership of 100% of the partnership interests in the
Operating Company. The Operating Company was formed under the name "Graham
Packaging Holdings I, L.P." on September 21, 1994, as a Delaware limited
partnership and changed its name to "Graham Packaging Company, L.P." on
February 2, 1998, in connection with the 1998 recapitalization. On October 7,
2004, we acquired the blow molded plastic container business of
Owens-Illinois, Inc. ("O-I Plastic"), which essentially doubled our size.
Our operations have included the operations of O-I Plastic since the
acquisition date.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2401 Pleasant Valley Road,
York, Pennsylvania 17402, telephone (717) 849-8500.
Our corporate website is at www.grahampackaging.com.
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text:
Yenifer Car...
Funding via Prisma Honduras, S.A.
Thanks to her business, she has helped her children get ahead by providing them with an education and supporting them on her own without any help. Out of dedication and hard work, she has managed each day to increase the amount of milk she buys for making cheese. Her wish is to continue increasing her production so that she can create more jobs in her community.
Success!! The loan was 100% repaid


text:
Atrium Charlottenburg Hotel
No prices found through our partners. Please contact the business directly or check some of our recommended alternatives.
How has this hotel rated in the past?
- TV Channel One Russia
Travelers also recommend:
TripAdvisor Reviews Atrium Charlottenburg Hotel Berlin
Travel Blogs from Berlin
Bike Hunting in a Soggy City
... the d�core was spot on. We ended up going back to East & Eden several times over our 3-day stay!
During our trip we have been thinking about the possibility of doing some kind of long-distance bike ride somewhere in Europe. A week or so ago we decided that a ride up the Rhine river from Frankfurt back to the Netherlands seemed like a good idea. At first we thought we'd try to get bikes and other supplies in Frankfurt and ride straight from there, ...
Another brick in the wall
... the war. This one being so close to Berlin was used for research for all sorts of bizarre things, including testing out boots for the SS by getting prisoners to run over different surfaces continuously for days on end to see which ones lasted the longest and determining how much gas is required to kill a person in order to save costs at the bigger camps. Although exact numbers are not known there is over 20T of ash from human remains buried on the ...
I'm feeling much better...maybe it was just a lack of greens...last night I made broccoli, now that we are in an AirBnB apt.
Yesterday we went on a hop-on, hop-off bus, but with no camera.
At night we went to a nightclub where someone we met on the train was the DJ. He played contemporary African music...some of it sounded like James Brown. Of course, we got there when it started, 10pm and ...
... New York. Berlin has always had the philosophy of getting international artists to come do art here that has no direct meaning but requires effort from the person looking at it for interpretation. We stood where the door to Hitlers bunker would have been. There is no memorial or plaques or anything there. Every year Nazi worshippers come to Berlin to lay flowers and they want to make it the least desirable for these people to come here. There are only ...
Berlin, Germany
... try to give you an idea of the enormity of this collection. But take a look at http://www.aviewoncities.com/berlin/per gamonmuseum.htm to save me the copying. Also the traditional Wikipedia site at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pergamon_A ltar#Altar_construction_and_design. It's worth the look. In the meantime, here are some of our pictures.