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Banksy-style graffiti hits streets of Kabul
Kabul's Shehr-pu district was once a poor area, but since the Taliban fell and the capital's population of foreigners swelled with security companies, NGOs and media companies, Shehr-pu's slums have been replaced with awkwardly proportioned and garish mansions, squeezed next to each other and surrounded by some of the worst roads in the city.
But even more striking than the architecture in Shehr-pu is the sudden appearance of graffiti which looks like it could be the work of the anonymous British artist Banksy
Reuters photographer and Marine meet again in Helmand
Almost two years ago, Reuters photographer Goran Tomasevic captured a dramatic shot of U.S. Marine Sergeant William Bee, from Wooster, Ohio, the moment a Taliban bullet hit a wall inches from this head.
In the photo Bee is just about holding on to his rifle as he is hit by a spray of rocks and dirt when the bullet hits a compound wall in front of him.
Reintegrating the Taliban: where does it leave Afghan women?
At Thursday's London conference on Afghanistan, some 60 countries will to try flesh out the details for a plan to gradually hand security to Afghans, which involves strengthening and expanding Afghan security forces, improving the way donor aid to Afghanistan is spent and reintegrating Taliban fighters. But where do women fit into these plans, especially if the Taliban are to be involved?
The plan, which has been tried in the past without much success, would involve luring low-level Taliban from the insurgency using jobs and money to re-join Afghan society. There has also been much talk, particularly in the media, about the possibility of dialogue or negotiations with the Taliban.
Where does Taliban engagement leave Afghan women?Women in Afghanistan have long been painted as victims of brutal and oppressive laws and social restrictions. The Taliban's short five year rule over Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001, almost single handedly cultivated this image in the West. But it wasn't until Washington and its Afghan allies advanced towards Kabul in a military operation in response to the Sept. 11 2001 attacks on the United States, that most of the world opened their eyes to the extent to which women's lives had degraded under the Taliban. Since then, the West has used the cause of women's progress and reintegration into public life in Afghanistan as one of the reasons to justify their continued involvement in the country. And things are undoubtedly better for women and girls in Afghanistan, compared not only to the Taliban regime but also when one looks back to the bloody civil war of the early 1990s, during which time sexual violence and brutality against women was rife. But earlier this month, the rejection by Afghanistan's parliament of two women who President Hamid Karzai nominated to be ministers in his new cabinet, provided a stark and rather sobering reminder of just how difficult it still is for Afghan women to succeed independently and how, in some ways little beyond the superifical rules about the burqa has changed. While being allowed to go to school and getting a job are great achievements that have not only been a boon to human rights but also helped Afghanistan's economy, it's women's ability to integrate into the man's world of politics, where major decisions regarding health, education and the law are made. The women in question, Dr Suraya Dalil and Palwasha Hassan, were chosen by Karzai after his first list of candidates was criticised for having too few women and women's rights advocates in Afghanistan lobbied hard on their behalf. Dalil is Harvard-educated and a trained and well-practiced medical doctor who has worked for the United Nations in Nairobi. She had her fair share of backers in parliament too. She has worked for years on issues of child and maternal health — two areas where Afghanistan has huge problems. So what happened? Dalil was politically independent and declared to parliament when she submitted her programme for the Ministry of Public Health her lack of partiality to any one group. Hassan herself was an independent candidate who refrained from aligning herself with any of Afghanistan's competing political factions. But she has a reputation for being fiercely active and outspoken about the importance of women's rights. Something some lawmakers said would have also worked against her. Some campaigners have said Dalil's and Palwasha's transparency and their lack of allegiance to any powerbrokers or political bigwigs in Kabul — many of whom are incidentally under the spotlight in ongoing efforts to tackle widespread corruption — worked against them. Women's rights activists, including Hassan, are in London attending discussions on the sidelines at a major conference on Afghanistan attended by all the major powers involved in the conflict. What they need and deserve is the support of the West to help them become major decision-makers in Afghanistan so that they, not disinterested men, can be involved in the big decisions that affect the welfare and lives of families and children. At Thursday's London conference on Afghanistan, more than 60 countries will to try flesh out the details for a plan to gradually hand security to Afghans, which involves strengthening and expanding Afghan security forces, improving the way donor aid to Afghanistan is spent and reintegrating Taliban fighters. But where do women fit into these plans, especially if the Taliban are to be involved? The plan, which has been tried without much success, would involve luring low-level Taliban from the insurgency using jobs and money to re-join Afghan society. There has also been much talk, particularly in the media, about the possibility of dialogue or negotiations with the Taliban. But many Afghan women, who remember very clearly what life was like under the Taliban from 1996 to 2001, are outraged by the idea. On Wednesday, groups representing Afghan women warned the international community against pursuing a peace deal with the Taliban. "I have great fears, and I am greatly confused … 2001 was a very clear signal that there is no more room for conservative elements to rule in Afghanistan," Homa Sabri of the United Nation's agency for women, UNIFEM, told Reuters in London. The women at the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the conference, also called for greater female representation in any peace process and better access to jobs in the security services and the monitoring of aid which is destined for programmes promoting women's rights. The condition of women has improved in the past eight years, but they are still frustratingly far from being able to succeed in public life, even when they are far better qualified than man.
Born in Afghanistan: the worst possible start in life
The United Nations said last week that Afghanistan is "without doubt" the worst place in the world for a child, especially a girl, to be born.
It has the highest infant mortality rate in the world, 70 percent of Afghans have no access to clean water and hundreds of schools, mostly girls' schools, have been attacked by Taliban or other insurgents.
An effective Afghan police force: still wishful thinking
U.S. President Barack Obama reiterated on Monday his belief that the Afghan police and army had to grow in order to pave the way for a United States and NATO military drawdown in Afghanistan.Strengthening Afghanistan's indigenous security forces has always been one of the main planks of the NATO-led ISAF military strategy. But the Afghan police have a lot of problems. The are often accused of endemic corruption, colluding with Taliban insurgents, being poorly trained and badly organised. In some areas, we have reported before, their criminal behaviour has actually turned the communities they are meant to serve toward the Taliban, unwittingly empowering the insurgency.The United States and its allies have spent billions of dollars on the Afghan police, but as this July report, funded by the European Commission states, "sustainable returns on investment seem very limited". The report is still one of the most forthright and frank accounts of the problems facing the Afghan police.The report points to five major problems facing police: 1) forced to take on military responsibilities sometimes such as engaging militants in gunfights, 2) lack of trust by Afghans 3) lack of training and equipment 4) a very high level of illiteracy and 5) allegations of endemic corruption.In the field they do sometimes look like a bit of a motley crew. It is not unusual to see police on patrol wearing casual shoes or sandals with no socks. They like to customise their uniforms with unusual jewellery and quite a few like to decorate their Kalashnikov rifles with stickers, flowers and colourful tassles.These few anecdotes do not of course accurately reflect the entire 80,000 and more individuals who make up the force. But with a target to recruit another 80,000 Afghans, the Interior Ministry really have their work cut out, considering the rather limited human resources Afghanistan has to offer.There is no shortage of unemployed young people in Afghanistan and as one of the world's poorest countries it is not difficult to recruit people en masse here. Government recruitment can also be a means of deterring the poor from joining the insurgency. But finding healthy and educated young men and women who want to do one of the most dangerous jobs in the world for little more than $100 a month, is another matter entirely.Decades of conflict and the subjugation and exclusion of women from education and the workforce during the Taliban government have severely retarded infrastructure, the economy and literacy levels in Afghanistan.Just under one third of Afghans are educated, that's about 10 million people. And while women are allowed to join the police force they still represent a tiny minority because in many parts of Afghanistan it is still a cultural taboo for them to work. Potential recruits also must have a spotless criminal background and be aged between 17 and 25 with proof that they graduated high school. By and large only Afghans in the country's handful of urban centres would have gone to high school. In remote, dangerous, insurgent-riddled districts where populations are largely uneducated, schools are scant and where the overlap between law enforcement and counter-insurgency is most acute, it is difficult to find enough people to match the police's employment criteria.Other jobs in the myriad NGOs and foreign companies which have mushroomed in Kabul since the war started in 2001offer safer and better paid opportunities to literate Afghans than law enforcement. Those who speak English also have an incentive to work as translators for U.S. and other NATO-contributing military forces by the tempting offer of a visa and eventual U.S. citizenship after at least two years of good service. There is no such carrot dangling before aspiring police trainees.Afghan police are working in a war zone, where they are often the first target of insurgents, something which worries their commanders who say their policemen are forced to act as paramilitaries and adopt the posture of an offensive army. Given the weakness of the rule of law in Afghanistan because of the insurgency and effects of war, perhaps the idea of an effective and law-abiding police force is, for now, just wishful thinking.[Top: An Afghan policeman filming with his camera phone in Tarin Kowrt, southern Uruzgan province/Tim Wimborne (Reuters); Above: An Afghan policeman takes a nap in Zhari district, southern Kandahar province/Stefano Rellandini (Reuters)]
Protecting the "bullet magnet" and improving life in southern Afghanistan
Katrina Manson is a Reuters reporter based in East Africa. She recently accompanied the British government's development agency, DFID, on a visit to Helmand province in south Afghanistan. By Katrina Manson The new head of Helmand's Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT), tasked with helping to develop one of Afghanistan's most dangerous and conservative provinces, says that the 300-strong group's greatest achievement to date is the fact that the governor has managed to visit all 13 districts.It might sound a strangely slight claim to success for a body that will this year spend £190 million on efforts to rebuild the province and help provide basic services such as justice and education, but for PRT head Lindy Cameron, success is about somebody else doing the work. The PRTs are joint foreign military and civilian teams trying to rebuild the war-torn nation."My job is making the government good," said Cameron. "The point of us being here is to get district government and services up and running and to support the government to be effective enough that people will see it as credible. We have a particularly active and energetic governor who sees it as his job to get out to the people rather than to twiddle his thumbs in an office in Lashkar Gah."A favourite of the British military and development officials, Helmand's provincial governor Gulab Mangal, has been credited for championing opium poppy replacement programmes and helping to steer parts of Helmand's population away from the Taliban. Governor Mangal, is known by British helicopter pilots as a "bullet magnet" for just such feistiness (the helicopter he was travelling in was hit by rocket fire last year). Mangal's successes against the insurgency and his close cooperation with British and U.S. forces in Helmand have brought him many Taliban-shaped enemies who would be happy to see the back of him. Since taking up the post in March 2008, he has wasted no time in getting out and visiting the districts – opening schools, recruiting police officers, and attempting to convince farmers to grow wheat instead of poppy – recording a 33 percent drop in poppy cultivation this year and hoping for a further 50 percent drop next year.Nato's new commander General Stanley McChrystal has said of the military strategy in Afghanistan that "the objective is the will of the Afghan people". As Nato soldiers attempt to make safe more areas in the province — in which 86 British troops have been killed this year — the PRT is trying to show life under the government is better than life under the Taliban."We're no longer discussing which comes first, the chicken or the egg – security or development – but recognising that we have to do both," says Cameron. "We are managing an astonishing level of cooperation.""We need to compete for hearts and minds through government structures," says Cameron. "We need to make Taliban fighters feel like they have a constant choice, not that once they join the Taliban they're beyond the pale but instead give them reasons to think life is better elsewhere."Life, however, remains insecure and hard. A report commissioned by the USAID, the U.S. donor agency, makes clear the limited scope for legitimate economy: "There is no manufacturing sector of any significance," it said, finding that narcotics in the province — which this year provided 54 percent of the world's opium — account for half Helmand's economy. It also said infrastructure needs $17 billion in investment, notably into electricity — only 14 percent of Helmand's population have access to the public electricity grid — and roads.Donors are attempting to bring the province back to life, designing a $60m road project to link Lashkar Gah, the political capital, to Gereskh, the commercial capital, which should be finished by 2011, as well as bringing the Gereskh hydro power station back to life in a $40m project. US donor money has already helped to reopen the civilian airport nearby at Bost, and efforts are underway to create agro-processing plants so the province's many crops, which include pomegranate, grapes and nuts, can be transformed and exported.For many, progress is coming too slowly, however. "We have invested in great big new machines this year but none of them is running because we have no electricity from the grid," said Mirkalam Zahidy, director of a marble factory that employs 100 people and was hoping to expand."It's too costly for us to fuel the generators so the machines are just off."Governor Mangal will have to keep on getting into those choppers if he's to convince people throughout the province that progress is on its way.
Has the "Kabul bubble" burst?
Wednesday's attacks on foreign U.N. workers at a guest-house in a normally secure area of Kabul shook the nerves of everyone in the city. Rightly or wrongly, the community of Western journalists, aid workers and security contractors often make the crude comparison between working in Baghdad and working in Kabul. All seem to agree that they prefer living in the latter, where they can travel around with relative ease, visit bars and restaurants and go to parties across town.
Kabul is, despite the concrete barriers and armoured vehicles, a beautiful city, nestled among towering mountains. None of the many restaurants and coffee shops frequented by foreigners have been attacked so far. Only the luxury Serena hotel has been hit by Taliban attackers before, the latest also on Wednesday when it was hit with rockets intended for the presidential palace.Before Wednesday, driving in the Shehrpu or Shahr-e Now districts, which the guest-house straddles, did not require a second thought. It would be laughable actually to think that these areas were high-risk. They are populated by "narco-mansions" a nickname for the gaudy, ostentatious palaces built by powerful Afghans and occupied by governors or foreign companies. Shahr-e Now, or "New town", is home to bustling market parades, popular Afghan restaurants and bright, colourful street lights at night.All the mansions have some form of security, mostly private contractors guarding heavy iron barriers or sitting in guard boxes by the front door. Shahr-e Now is where Kabul comes alive and where Afghans socialise.Most attacks until now have been targetted at military convoys, embassies or government ministries. It's natural for someone living and working in Kabul to steer clear from a block of U.S. humvees or armoured off-road cars and people try to avoid hanging around the diplomatic buildings, which tend to be surrounded by concrete blast walls.Guest-houses, however, have never really been seen as target. Perhaps security experts would argue otherwise, but it is safe to say they are not at the top of an insurgent's list of places to attack. The Bakhtar guest-house is relatively low-key. Many had not heard of it before the attack. It is on a well-known but unremarkable side street, surrounded by other houses. Its green iron door was not distinctive at all.The attack on Bakhtar showed perhaps that the Taliban are turning to relatively low profile targets because they have little hope breaching the vast, heavily fortified military bases of foreign forces or well-protected embassies.
It's a counter-insurgency, stupid
On a recent embed with U.S. Marines in a remote spot of Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, the Taliban, or Taliban-linked insurgents, seemed so elusive and invisible that it was easy to doubt whether they actually existed. Only the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted crudely under dirt tracks indicated insurgents were lurking somewhere in Helmand's vast cornfields and desert plains. Every home or compound that was visited and searched by the Marines I accompanied on foot patrol appeared to be safe or occupied by harmless residents who just wanted to get along with their lives. The Marines, who had been ambushed by a group of insurgents and successfully cleared a path laced with bombs a day or so before, were by and large convinced that someone, somewhere in these villages, knew where the insurgents were or when they were likely to turn up next. Patrolling villages in "Taliban country", is an essential plank of the U.S. military's counter-insurgency, the strategy championed by General David Petreus in Iraq and largely credited for quelling the insurgency there. Most U.S. military officers in Afghanistan swear by Field Manual 3-24 (FM 3-24) — the military's counter-insurgency (COIN) bible. They admit to having "drank the Cool Aid" and most are confident it is the best hope Washington has of gaining the upper hand on the Taliban, securing the support of the population, while trying to keep civilian casualties as low as possible. But with reports that as many as 40,000 more U.S. troops have been requested for Afghanistan by the commander of foreign forces there, Army General Stanley McChrystal, many are beginning to question whether COIN is too costly, whether it's misguided and if more troops actually feeds the insurgency. In his recent assessment of the war in Afghanistan McChrystal said that protecting the population was of paramount importance in efforts to defeat the insurgency. This is one of the core mantras from a French scholar and military officer, David Galula, whose work heavily informs the FM 3-24. Galula, however, was writing in the 1960s, with reference to France's struggle against Algeria's National Liberation Front. As such some scholars such as Thomas Rid at the Woodrow Wilson Institute have said that because counter-insurgency as a military doctrine is the product of a colonial age, rooted in 19th centruy scholarship, it may essentially be outdated or inappropriate for a 21st century war in Afghanistan. In a recent interview with news channel Al Jazeera, former U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski said that COIN principles were outdated and would not work in Afghanistan. Even the idea of conducting a western-style democratic election was laughable to him and had echoes of how the Soviet Union tried to impose communism on Afghans in the 1980s. More soldiers will inevitably foster more discontent within the population, Brzezinski said. A few years down the line, the insurgency would have grown leading to another call for more troops, perpetuating a troops-violence-troops cycle. The supporters of COIN maintain that it's the only way to ensure that a viable state can be built and supported. This blog post on the AfPak Channel says that what appears to be going on in Washington, particularly after President Barack Obama's strategy review of Afghanistan back in April, is an attempt to combine COIN with counter-terrorism, something which "threatens to leave the U.S. with no clarity of strategy, doctrine, tactics and objectives." Another crucial part of Afghanistan's future stability is the power of its own security forces. Right now the Afghan army, which is seen as broadly successful and relatively effective, is far too small. Only 650 Afghan troops pushed into Helmand with 4,000 U.S. Marines this summer. Marine commanders on the ground say the Afghan army needs to significantly expand together with Afghan police. The police are paid between $70 and $100 a month to work one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, as they are often the first target of insurgents. They are also by and large poorly-educated or illiterate and because they are locally deployed, they tend to have loyalties to certain tribes and are known for turning a blind eye on insurgent activities in some areas. Afghan army officers themselves are sometimes at odds with the U.S. approach. Foreign troops respond to insurgent gunfire using sophisticated weaponry and stronger force. It is a tactic some Afghan officers say is unnecessary and provokes local anger, even before foreign troops can advance into villages. "I think language is the strongest weapon of all, not guns, I think we should do a lot more talking" one Afghan sergeant in Helmand recently told me. None of the villagers I interviewed in Helmand last week seemed happy to see Marines turning up at their front door, at best some were indifferent. In one shura I observed, the tone of the Marines, who are often decades younger than the wizened, bearded elders they try to communicate with, seemed frustrated and they appeared convinced the local elders were hiding information from them. The elders are never asked whether they are happy to see their new neighbours, it is taken as a given that they should be grateful for their presence. The line often used to try and turn them into informants is: "you give us information on the Taliban and we will build you a school". (Photos: on a foot patrol with U.S. Marines in Darwishan, Helmand; a U.S. Marine takes a break while on patrol in Mian Poshtay, Helmand; Afghan soldiers search a compound in Mian Poshtay, Helmand. Reuters/Asmaa Waguih)
Whither Afghanistan's election?
The U.N.-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), made up mainly of Westerners, has published its findings into Afghanistan's disputed, fraud-beset presidential poll.Now Afghans must determine their political future using the bureaucratic legacy of lists and numbers the ECC has left behind. It's been exactly two months since Afghans went to the poll to choose their leader. They are none the wiser today about who they can expect to be running their country.Neither are we. Teasing out information about the elections has been a difficult process. We have relied on diplomats who cannot be named, faceless officials close to the proceedings and campaign representatives to try and make sense of an extremely vague, closed process.Right now, officials at Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission — a much criticised office, because its panel was appointed by Karzai and is therefore seen by his main rival Abdullah Abdullah as working in his favour — are pouring over the sheets of figures published by the U.N.-backed Electoral Complaints Commission on Monday.A run-off, we have been told by numerous diplomats in Kabul, looks likely and some resourceful think tanks in Washington have done the math themselves and drawn the same conclusion from the ECC's pages of numbers and percentages.Perhaps there will be light later on Tuesday and Karzai, locked away in his forbidding presidential palace, will step forward to speak to his people.


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[Image by Gabriella Sturchio '12]
MECA held a three-day charrette on February 1,2 & 3. Graphic Design students, faculty, and Pentagram's Eddie Opara worked together to rebrand and re-define MECA's institutional identity. The weekend was a great success and we were able to emerge with two solid concepts. While there is still much work to be done before deciding on a specific direction to move forward with, we are hosting an open forum community session on Tuesday, February 26 at 5pm in the Cafe to learn more about the design process and to see variations of both concepts. Here are the details:WHO: The entire MECA communityWHAT: Presentation and dialog about MECA's logo development process and progressWHERE: MECA CafeWHY: To generate awareness and dialog about a very important topic: The future of MECA's visual identityWHEN: Tuesday, February 26 (5-6pm)Dinner will be available as usual ($8 per person) along with a complimentary ice cream sunday bar. All are invited to attend.
About MECA
At a GlanceMission, Vision & Core Values
Strategic Plan
Virtual Tour
Admissions Home
Registration & Academic Advising Office

subset: commoncrawl


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Evite : Evite Home Page It's hardly devoid of advertising, but you can get plenty of ideas for excuses to throw a shindig from Evite's home page.
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Bottom Line
Though it's getting some stiff competition from the newer invitation sites MyPunchbowl and Windows Live Events, Evite remains the most mature and full-featured way to get guests to show up at your doorstep. It offers the most invitation templates and party-planning tools, and its new QuickVite feature extends it to mobile devices.


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Get the latest Flash player
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Showering After Body Painting
I did a body painting video for my Amateur Page that you can view here: http://www.xtube.com/amateur_channels/play.php?v=dnlO6EoibHe&type=preview After I painted my tits and my thighs and my belly I needed to clean up so I kept the camera rolling to give you a voyeur style view of me showering. My tits gets super soapy and then I washy my hair, dripping the shampoo down my back and onto my ass. I've never done a showering vid in the 3 years that I've been on Xtube...so I hope you guys like this one. :)
chubby, belly, fat, big, tits, dirty, shower, toy, bbw, paint, boob, bath, messy, soap, clean, tummy, harlot, rolls
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So, did your tattoos laugh as the paint went down the drain? Bet they did! We Stay! You paint will go away!
lindos vidios
lol it's washable Crayola paint. Non Toxic, though not very delicious I would imagine
if paint wasnt toxic id wash you off with my tongue :p
washin off my booty lol cute
dont ever cut your hair everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
wow lovely tattoo's
what kind paint is that
Love the vid. Wish we could have helped clean each other and...have some fun. I haven't done the shower thing in years, but it's Oh So Fun.


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Size comparisons - just for fun
All Comments
would like to play too
Nice Pics
WOW, very nice cock! Could make a little guy jealous ; )
Looks like we're about the same thickness; I'm about 6.5" in girth
Good phot shoot. Not to mention a nice size cock.
Great photos - I'm honoured. I can't compete on size but I had no idea that toilet rolls are so much smaller there than in the UK. :-)
Nice set, Glen! I have been thinking about doing something similar...


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Hi, I have a knocking on the rear passenger side. I replaced the subframe bushes with powerflex bushes last year so is probably not them. I have just removed the suspension unit and the top plate looks fine. The only thing I could see was that the shock absorber was leaking therefore knackered would this give me the knocking. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Mk3 Mondeo Rear End Knocking
Started by jellyman, Aug 27 2011 01:07 PM
4 replies to this topic
Posted 27 August 2011 - 01:07 PM
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Posted 27 August 2011 - 04:39 PM
have you checked the drop links and anti roll bushes for play?
Posted 29 August 2011 - 02:07 PM
Thanks I have had a look but they don't look that worn to me. I have taken a couple of pics of it do you think they are the culprits
Posted 29 August 2011 - 02:32 PM
its difficult to say from the photo, you need some kind of bar to lever and check for play.
Posted 29 August 2011 - 03:07 PM
OK thanks will try it
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11-07-2006, 20:13
I will be visiting the inlaws in Clarksville TN, near Ft. Cambell for Thanksgiving. Can anyone recommend a store with a good selection of bourbons in that area. I hope to pickup a few bottles that I never see up in here in the frozen north to help me through the winter.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.


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Senior Jam
Senior Jam
Date: Sat. Jan 25, 2014 6:00 pm
Location: Sterling Area
Event Street Address: First Open Bible Church, 2105 E Rock Falls Rd., Rock Falls, IL 61071
Event Info Phone: Church office, 815.625.1957
Join us for our monthly jam! Open to anyone.
Bring your instrument if you would like to join us, or just come and fellowship! Hope to see you here!


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A disappointing 47-39 loss to host Urban in the championship game of the 11th annual Shootout at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco on Saturday denied St. Vincent its first claim at a title in the prestigious three-day basketball tourney for small schools. The win was the fourth in a row for the Blues as they improved to 6-2 for the season.
A 14-5 advantage in the second quarter proved to be the winning margin.
It might have been that the energetic Lady Mustangs (5-3) left it all on the floor the night before when they registered one of the biggest upsets of the young season.
St. Vincent moved into the finals of the tournament Friday evening by knocking off highly rated Covent of the Sacred Heart of San Francisco, 60-51. The Lady Mustangs aggressively attacked the basket from the opening tap and never trailed in the fast-paced and entertaining contest.
The win was a statement by St. Vincent against the second-seeded team in the North Coast Division V playoffs last season and the four-time defending champion in the highly competitive Bay Counties West League.
The Mustangs galloped to a 10-2 advantage in the early minutes of the game by quickly attacking the basket on every possession, and that strategy held up for the rest of the contest. Veteran front court player Ursyla Baumgarten drove repeatedly toward the rim and connected for nine points in the opening stanza.
The favored Cubs were rocked back on their heels by the early offense and the temporary sidelining of shooting guard Jaime Nishikado, who suffered a facial injury in a first-round game. Nishikado started the game on the bench while adjusting a face mask that she went on to use in limited minutes. She had to adjust from a face plant fall suffered in a win against the Bay School.
"Stopping their two back court players will be our first priority," said Mustang coach James Fagundes before the game. "They are both quick and very good scorers. Come to think of it, that will also be our second priority."
Led by Baumgarten and some outside help by fellow junior Jacalyn Murphy, the Mustangs maintained a 29-20 advantage at half against the fast-closing Cubs.
With the part-time service of Nishikado and an off shooting night by back court mate Izzy Borges, the Cubs turned to forward Bianka Quintilla for some offensive help, and she delivered. Quintilla reeled off 17 consecutive points in the first half to keep her club in the hunt.


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Volcom Carpel 2013 Black Full Zip Tech Fleece Jacket
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Take An Additional 50% Off
Stash Points: 0
What is this?This is the number of points you get in The Zumiez Stash for purchasing this item. Stash points are redeemable for exclusive rewards only available to Zumiez Stash members. To redeem your points check out the rewards catalog on thestash.zumiez.com.
Check the mountain cams, and grab your Carpel tech fleece when you see signs of wind and rain.
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Stop the Presses: Axl Rose Seen Without a Hat!
In what is sure to be the music news event of the year, Axl Rose has been photographed without his signature fedora! Yes, the Guns N' Roses singer has been spotted with his long red locks on full display (see the photo above).


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Photos of the Carbon River near flood level in Orting, WA.
Carbon River flooding
By: sassyjess01Subscribe Channel: Weather & Scenery Location: Orting, WA.
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says ... on Thursday, Jan 8 at 7:34 AM
There is no school on the thursday the 8th but we don't know about the 13th being that it is next week.
says ... on Wednesday, Nov 12 at 8:16 PM
Will the Orting School District have school Thursday the 13? do to flooding issues.


text: The week's best photos Share this story email Share this story «Previous 4 of 43 Photos Next » « » Mississippi Daily Life Anne Rowan Slater, 3, dances in the spray of a fire hose at the Hernando Fire Station during the Fireman Splash in Hernando, Miss. Thursday, July 18, 2013. After a short talk about fire safety, over 50 kids were treated to a special cool-off session behind City Hall. (AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Jim Weber)


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Brook Lopez is one of the most underrated players in the NBA right now. Offensively, he has not lost a step from his Stanford days. Defensively, Lopez has improved tremendously. His shotblocking, something that wasn't really there in College, is extremely impressive.
The New Jersey Nets aren't exactly the best team in the East, but they have the players to compete.
Devin Harris, of course, has been a star this year. He is scoring in bunches, and playing alongside a star named Vince Carter can't hurt...
Speaking of, Carter has been tremendous this year. Unlike last year, it looks like VC is playing with some emotion. Also, he's playing a bit better defensively. Explosiveness is still there.
Obviously the Nets are inconsistent, but so are the rest of the playoff teams in the East. Truth be told, every team in the East is inconsistent.
If this team gets hot at the right time, they could make some noise. It will be tough, but I truly believe the Nets can start winning consistently- and make the postseason.
It will take 110% effort from all of the players, though. Unfortunately, that will be the hardest part to execute.


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Many Computer
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All Contents Copyright © 2001-2015 OutletPC.com Computer Parts - Henderson / Las Vegas. All rights reserved.


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- Age / Gender:
- 25, Male
- Location:
- Location not disclosed
- Joined:
- 3/13/08
- All Stats >
im just around for now, id like to maybe do some amateur voice acting for anyone that needs it...i think im decent but i have no proof, if you want ask me and ill record what you want said in a way you want it
User Statshot
- Community Stats
Level 5 Blank Slate
Normal Whistle
Ranked as Civilian
Contact Info / Websites
- XxAhrimanesxX
Latest News
like voices, not many recordings of me currently but if you needed one id be sure to record you something....just figure id put a little bit of my insanity to good use and some fun for everyone
Favorite Audio
|Uu Dd Lr Lr B A Start
|Video Game Song
|ParagonX9 - Chaoz Fantasy
|Drum N Bass Song
|Defcon Zero
|Video Game Song
|Zelda Memories
|Video Game Song
Favorite Movies
Bowja From His Cashle Rated 1.8860 Stars BOWWWWWWJA FROM HIS CAAAAAAAAAAAASHLE Comedy - Parody NiN10Doh! Rated 4.3892 Stars The biggest Nintendo-themed collab movie ever to hit Newgrounds! Comedy - Parody Still Alive - Portal Rated 4.4020 Stars Music video to the song "Still Alive" from portal. Music Video Dad's Home Rated 4.3160 Stars Dad's Home! Yes, he sure is. Comedy - Original
Favorite Games
Drunken Masters Rated 4.3966 Stars Epic bartending action Simulation - Job The Last Stand 2 Rated 4.4310 Stars It was meant to be over. Turns out it was far from it. Action - Shooter - Fixed The Portal Soundboard Rated 4.4015 Stars a cute little soundboard for the game portal, featuring many of it high points. Gadgets - Soundboards Madness Regent Rated 4.3907 Stars You know the drill: Shoot anything and everything. Action - Shooter - Run 'n Gun


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Pickering Cancer volunteers celebrate four years
Champagne corks popped at the Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre when the volunteers celebrated its fourth anniversary.
The Drop-in Centre, which has been given a great deal of support by Town & Country, was established by a group of cancer patients who recognised the need for somewhere to go, to relax and talk with others in a similar situation.
They also realised that families, friends and carers needed a place to find information and talk freely, without burdening the patient or each other.
Initially it was based at the Homeopathic Hospital but is now located at 27 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells (next to the CAB).
It is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm.
Call 01892 511880 or 07804 785724 to find out more.


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Skype intros iPhone app, may get video chat
updated 08:15 am EDT, Mon March 30, 2009
Skype for iPhone Official
Skype today formally launched both iPhone and future BlackBerry versions of its VoIP calling app. The two editions will both support free calls and chat between fellow Skype users as well as calls to or from real-world numbers at Skype's normal paid rates. The service requires Wi-Fi for its voice functions but will consequently let second-generation or later iPod touch owners make calls using an in-line microphone.
The software developer promises both an interface specific to Apple's touchscreen devices as well as specific features. Owners will have access to their own iPhone contact list in addition to their Skype friends; they can also assign photos to contacts and have support for muting calls as well as placing them on speakers. Early versions will require that users launch the web to add more SkypeOut time and will only allow joining conference calls rather than creating them.
Skype hopes its software will be live on the App Store as of Tuesday; the BlackBerry app has received fewer details, but should be available in May.
In addition to restoring some of Skype's features with future updates, company COO Scott Durchslag also hints that the firm is may bring video chat to the iPhone as well as other devices. The implementation would depend on visual quality. "If we do it we will have to do it incredibly well," Durchslag says.
For the iPhone, a video conferencing feature would require a new device with a forward-facing camera as well as either a self-developed or new Apple-supplied video engine. While devices from many European and Taiwan-area manufacturers already have the hardware, Apple so far has limited the iPhone to a rear camera with support only for still photos.
(images via CNET)


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Villagers look at Merapi volcano Cangkringan, Indonesia, on July 22. / Slamet Riyadi, AP
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Searchers in Indonesia have rescued a Russian hiker missing for six days after climbing up the country's most volatile volcano.
Ehbrehnin Yeveny, 26, went missing Saturday while climbing on the southern side of Mount Merapi, a popular site for visitors on the main island of Java.
He sent a text message to his Indonesian girlfriend saying he had lost his way and asking to be rescued.
A spokesman for the local search and rescue agency, Teguh Supriyadi, said Yeveny was found safe Thursday in weak condition with some bruises.
His position, about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) altitude, had been located in the morning, but rescuers needed four hours to reach him due a deep ravine separating them.
The 2,968-meter (9,737-foot) mountain is the most active among Indonesia's volcanoes.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Read the original story: Russian hiker found alive on Indonesian volcano


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Tips for grouting tiles, painting walls
Tips for grouting tiles, painting walls
Bill and Kevin Burnett
Inman News™
Q: I'm looking to add a little pizzazz to my bathroom. Since I was recently laid off, I've got more time than money. Depending on how the job hunting goes, I may have to sell my home. That's not in the foreseeable future, but you never know.
My house is about 20 years old. The bath is original -- a light-colored Corian countertop with textured white tile on the tub and shower walls. The floor is off-white vinyl with a yellow cast and is in good shape. I'm looking for an inexpensive way to add a little life to my otherwise pedestrian bath.
A: Two really inexpensive things you can do is paint and regrout. You can do the job for around $100 and some elbow grease.
First, tackle the grout. Give the walls a good washing to remove any soap scum or hard-water stains. Use products such as CLR and Lime-A-Way with a "scrubby" to remove stubborn patches.
Next, check out the caulking at the joint where the wall meets the tub. If it's bad, scrape it out. Use the pointed edge of a five-in-one painter's tool for this work. Now inspect the grout.
Check the color of the grout for yellowing. Also check for voids. If either is present, use a grout saw to remove the top 1/8 inch of grout from between the tiles. Wipe the shower down again and regrout with unsanded, bright-white grout.
Use a rubber grout trowel to force the new grout into the joints. Tool the joint with a wet fingertip. Wipe the excess grout from the wall with clean water. Let the grout dry and buff the tile with a clean dry cloth. An old washcloth does a good job. Finally, recaulk the wall-tub joint.
After the grout and caulk are completely dry, apply a grout sealer to retard moisture and inhibit staining.
Now, on to the paint.
The fun part of painting is selecting a color scheme. The rest is work. Since your bath is mostly white, it's a blank canvas. Because the floor tends toward yellow, think about complementing it with pale yellow paint, which tends to warm up a room and provide a calming effect. A lighter shade can create the optical illusion of a larger room.
The Paint Quality Institute is a subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Co. that provides educational information on paint quality and techniques. The institute recommends spending the extra $5 or $10 a gallon to go with the best quality. We concur.
Purchase only top-quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint. It's more durable, resists moisture and mildew better, and it is more washable than its cheaper cousins. Use a glossy finish to enhance these qualities.
These days, top-quality 100 percent acrylic latex interior paint functions as a primer and finish coat in one. Because of increased "hiding" capability you may well get by with one coat instead of the two or three coats you should expect with lesser-quality paints.
As we've always said, an excellent paint job begins with excellent surface preparation. First, fill and sand smooth any nail holes or dings in the walls. Then clean the walls, ceiling and woodwork by scrubbing them with a sponge and mild detergent solution.
If mildew is present, use a solution of 2 parts water to 1 part bleach to kill it. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and safety glasses, especially when working overhead.
An important safety note: Never mix household products together. Combining bleach with ammonia or a product containing ammonia can result in toxic gases.
After washing, rinse with clean water and allow surfaces to dry before painting.
Andrea Romero on guiding people through transactions
Dig into the #C21EatSlow campaign
What's Your Home Worth?
How many turkey dinners does it take to pay rent?
2 real estate groups to be thankful for
Do you know who plows this street?
ZIP code profile: 94110
3-D home of the day: Where luxury and sophistication meet


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TCU Horned Frogs
Photos: A look at the TCU all-time football team as chosen by SportsDay readers
TCU'S ALL-TIME FOOTBALL TEAM AS CHOSEN BY SPORTSDAY READERS: We asked our readers to vote for the greatest TCU players at each position, and we tallied the results to create an all-time TCU football team. Check out which legendary Horned Frogs made the cut
To post a comment, log into your chosen social network and then add your comment below. Your comments are subject to our Terms of Service and the privacy policy and terms of service of your social network. If you do not want to comment with a social network, please consider writing a letter to the editor.


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PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Pasadena police are investigating after a Caltrans crew clearing brush discovered human bones on a hillside near the 134 Freeway.
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports the discovery was made Thursday afternoon in a residential area just south of the Rose Bowl.
Homicide detectives and coroner's officials remained on the scene early Friday.
The newspaper says no further description of the bones was available, and it was not clear if foul play was involved in the death.
The remains were expected to be turned over to a forensic anthropologist for examination.
©2014 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Here are the most recent story comments.View All


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Naomi Hooley & Rob Stroup's Winter Wonderland Tour
- Old St. Francis School - Father Luke's Room |
- Wednesday, December 18, 2013
- 7 p.m. til 10 p.m. |
- Free |
- All ages welcome
About Naomi Hooley & Rob Stroup's Winter Wonderland Tour
Marinated in the 1970's and cooked to piano pop perfection.
With the vocal clarity of Neko Case, Hooley's vocals will command your attention almost as much as her driving piano that mirrors the audacity of a young Elton John or a velvet-flocked, furious Carole King... Not just another girl on a piano.
- Website:
- http://www.naomihooley.com/
- YouTube Channel:
- http://www.youtube.com/user/NaomiHooley
- Facebook:
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naomi-Hooley/118999638172103


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Former Poughkeepsie High School player Edwin Ubiles has signed a 10-day contract with the NBA's Washington Wizards
- Filed Under
Poughkeepsie High School product Edwin Ubiles has been called up to the National Basketball Association, according to Poughkeepsie boys basketball coach Brian Laffin.
Ubiles, as was reported by multiple sources on Friday, signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards. Washington, 10-32 overall and in fourth place in the NBA's Southeast Division, will visit Memphis at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Ubiles, a 6-foot-6 swingman, played for Poughkeepsie in his junior year of high school after he moved here from Brooklyn and averaged 19 points, seven ...


text:
|Found 347 Recipes
|Revise this Search New Search
Gotta-Have-It Browniesby sulkygirl Pure decadence. Source: Katie Barker of Layton, UT via Reader's Dig..
Raspberry Fudgeby katemarie This version makes a nice soft fudge, rich in raspberry flavor.
Berry No-Bake Cheesecakeby katemarie A summer favorite!!!
Bing Cherry and Raspberry Sauceby nanalee This is an alternative sauce for Couer a la Creme. Believe it or not, ..
Couer a la Creme (Heart of Cream) w/Red Berry Sauceby nanalee I put Red Berry Sauce in the recipe title b/c you can make any kind of..
Beef Tenderloin w/ Bordelaise Sauce, Caramelized Carrots and..by nanalee Tender beef filets served with a rich, velvety sauce are what you migh..
Kir Royale (Champagne Cocktail)by nanalee Wonderful way to start a Valentine's Day dinner for two! Adapted from ..
Sugar Cookiesby marianberry He likes butter cookies. I like sugar cookies. Here's a very simple re..
Jon's Super Sugar Cookiesby foodie Here's a recipe I begged my friend/coworker for. He always kept it a s..
Four Egg Yellow Cakeby marybeth This cake has the consistency of a dense yellow cake, almost like a po..
Turnip/Carrot Mashby nanalee This is a dish I used to make only at Thanksgiving. I loved it so much..


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Keith Ho
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Who's coming and who's going. Tell us about your job move! Receive the Revolving Door Newsletter with expert analysis by email twice a week.No Revolving Door results were found.
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And Finally, Your ADC Advertising/Integrated Juries - Posted January 23, 2012
We promise to keep this short, but since you were all clamoring for it, we might as well give you the rundown of the Advertising and Integrated juries for the 91st Annual ADC Awards. You have already... [GalleyCat]


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All about air permits
On This Page
In Minnesota, air quality (AQ) permits are required to operate certain existing air emission facilities and to begin construction on either new facilities or modifications to existing facilities. Air quality permits contain a wide range of state and federal requirements to minimize the impact of the air emissions from these facilities on the environment. Some Federal programs involve performance standards for specific types of units or processes within a facility. Others have a wider scope and involve addressing the impact of newly constructed facilities, or modifications to existing facilities, on ambient air quality.
The 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act involved many significant changes to the federal air quality programs which, in turn, caused a major overhaul of Minnesota's existing air permitting program. Two of the larger changes included the way hazardous air pollutants are addressed, and the addition of the Title V (or Part 70) operating permit program. Title V refers to the section of the Clean Air Act, and Part 70 refers to the part of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, where you will find the requirements for this program. Minnesota's air rules were revised in October 1993, in response to these changes. Companies who were required to apply for Title V operating permits had to submit their Title V permit applications to the MPCA between 1995 and 1996 (depending on the industry category).
NOTE: The following information is not meant to be a tool to determine applicable Federal and State regulations for a specific situation. The method of choice should always be a thorough review of the State and Federal rules and regulations.
Who needs a permit?
In general, facilities who have the potential to emit (also known as PTE) any regulated pollutant, in greater than specific threshold amounts, must obtain a total facility permit.
What does PTE mean?
PTE is defined as the maximum capacity of an emission unit or source to emit a pollutant under its physical and operational design while operating at the maximum number of hours (usually 8760 hours per year). In just about all cases, PTE calculations are based on the assumption that the facility operates at its maximum design capacity, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (this equals 8,760 hours per year). Many times, a facility will take a limit on a unit (such as on the number of hours of operation or amount of material processed) to reduce its potential to emit so that it can avoid certain requirements that would otherwise have been applicable. These limits are then put into the facility's permit.
What is a regulated pollutant?
In general there are two types of regulated pollutants:
- New Source Review (NSR) pollutants - the regulated NSR pollutants include the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) pollutants and some other pollutants including greenhouse gases, sulfuric acid mist, hydrogen sulfide, etc. Pollutants for which there are NAAQS are referred to as Criteria Pollutants. Criteria pollutants all have human health-based or welfare-based standards that set the maximum concentrations that are allowed in the ambient air (i.e., the air that the general public is exposed to). They include:
Nitrogen oxides (NO)
Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, is the generic term for a group of highly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts. Many of the nitrogen oxides are colorless and odorless. However, one common pollutant, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) along with particles in the air can often be seen as a reddish-brown layer over many urban areas. Nitrogen oxides form when fuel is burned at high temperatures, as in a combustion process. The primary sources of NOx are motor vehicles, electric utilities, and other industrial, commercial, and residential sources that burn fuels.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Sulfur dioxide is a heavy, pungent, colorless gas formed primarily by the combustion of coal, oil, and diesel fuels. Elevated levels can impair breathing, lead to other respiratory symptoms, and at very high levels aggravate heart disease. People with asthma are most at risk. Sulfur dioxide also contributes to acid rain, which can damage plants, lakes and buildings.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are a principal component in atmospheric reactions that form ozone and other photochemical oxidants. VOCs are emitted from diverse sources, including automobiles, chemical manufacturing facilities, drycleaners, paint shops and other commercial and residential sources that use solvent and paint. The term, volatile organic compound is defined in federal rules as a chemical that participates in forming ozone. Methane, a nonreactive compound is not a VOC, nor are other oganic chemicals with negligible photochemical reactivity. VOCs are emitted from transportation and industrial sources, such as automobile exhaust, gasoline/oil storage and transfer, chemical manufacturing, dry cleaners, paint shops and other facilities using solvents.
Particulate Matter (PM)
Particulate matter, or PM, is the term for particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Particles can be suspended in the air for long periods of time. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small that individually they can only be detected with an electron microscope. Some particles are directly emitted into the air. They come from a variety of sources such as cars, trucks, buses, factories, construction sites, tilled fields, unpaved roads, stone crushing, and burning of wood.
Particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM)
In July 1987, EPA began using a new indicator, PM-10, which includes only those particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 um. Ten microns is approximately one seventh the diameter of a human hair. This fraction of TSP is responsible for most of the adverse human health effects of particulate matter because of the particles' ability to reach the lower regions of the respiratory tract.
Particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM)
Fine particulate matter is a complex mixture of very small liquid droplets or solid particles in the air. Major sources are cars, trucks, construction equipment, coal-fired power plants, wood burning, vegetation and livestock. These particles can be directly released when coal, gasoline, diesel fuels and wood are burned. Many fine particles are also formed in the atmosphere from chemical reactions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, organic compounds and ammonia. Fine particulates are associated with increased hospitalizations and deaths due to respiratory and heart disease and can worsen the symptoms of asthma. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are the groups most at risk. Fine particles are also major contributors to reduced visibility (haze).
Carbon monoxide (CO)
A colorless, toxic gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including: gasoline, oil and wood. Carbon monoxide is also produced from incomplete combustion of many natural and synthetic products. For instance, cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide. When carbon monoxide gets into the body, the carbon monoxide combines with chemicals in the blood and prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues and organs. The human body needs oxygen for energy, so high-level exposures to carbon monoxide can cause serious health effects, with death possible from massive exposures. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include vision problems, reduced alertness, and general reduction in mental and physical functions. Carbon monoxide exposures are especially harmful to people with heart, lung and circulatory system diseases.
Lead (Pb)
Lead is a metal found naturally in the environment as well as in manufactured products. The major sources of lead emissions have historically been motor vehicles (such as cars and trucks) and industrial sources. Due to the phase out of leaded gasoline, metals processing is the major source of lead emissions to the air today. The highest levels of lead in air are generally found near lead smelters. Other stationary sources are waste incinerators, utilities, and lead-acid battery manufacturers. In the ambient air, lead exists primarily as inhalable-size particulate matter. Lead occurs naturally in small quantities in soil, water and air.
- Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) - are defined by a list of chemicals that are known or suspected of causing cancer or other serious health effects, such as developmental effects or birth defects. There were originally 189 HAPs, but various rulemaking activities have removed and/or redefined some of the HAPs. More information is available from:
What are the thresholds?
There are both federal and state total facility thresholds. First, a facility calculates the PTE for each regulated pollutant, from each of its emission units. Then the total potential emissions for the whole facility, for each regulated pollutant are aggregated and compared to each of the federal thresholds. If the total facility PTE for any of the regulated pollutants is over any federal threshold, it will need a Title V permit unless it can accept limits on its PTE to bring it below the federal thresholds. If the facility's total potential emissions are less than the federal thresholds (or it accepts limits so that this is true) but are still greater than the state thresholds, the facility will need a state permit. If the facility's total emissions are less than the state thresholds (without any limits on its PTE) the facility does not need a permit, but should keep records of its calculations.
|Total facility PTE thresholds
(tons per year)
|All other NSR pollutants
An important point to keep in mind is that even if a facility doesn't need a permit based on its PTE, it may still need one for other reasons. For example, two federal regulatory programs require some facilities to apply for permits regardless of how much air pollution they could potentially cause.
Besides total facility operating permits, another general class of permits that the MPCA issues are construction permits. Construction permits are issued for the construction of a new facility whose PTE is over the federal or state thresholds, or the modification of an existing facility. In general, a facility that doesn't already require a total facility permit will not need a construction permit for a modification at its facility unless the additional PTE of the construction activity increases the PTE of the total facility to the point that the PTE of the total facility crosses a permitting threshold. A facility can also take limits to qualify for certain types of permit amendments.
What types of total facility permits exist?
In general, the kind of permit a facility is required to apply for will depend on how much air pollution the facility could potentially cause based on the kinds of equipment or processes the facility operates. A table comparing features of various types of total facility permits is available below:
- Comparison of 5 Flexible Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Permit Options With Individual Permits (2-29) (01/11)
In general, "federal" is the term used to name those permits required specifically by federal regulations. These permits are required for the larger emitters of air pollutants. These permits programs are implemented nationwide under the same general principles and guidance. The EPA evaluates and approves state programs that serve to implement these federal requirements.
- Individual Total Facility - Typically a facility requiring a federal-level permit must apply for an individual permit, which is written specifically for the activities (emission units, controls, etc.) at the facility and includes only those requirements applicable to the facility.
- General - Two general permit options are currently available at the federal level. One is for general manufacturing facilities and the other is for fiberglass manufacturing facilities. Usually, because general permits are pre-written to cover a range of operating scenarios and applicable requirements, they require less processing by the MPCA. Because of this, a general permit may be quicker to obtain than an individual total facility permit, provided the specific qualifications are met.
In general, "state" is the term used to name those permits required by state rules and statutes. In Minnesota, these permits are the result of state specific strategies approved by the federal government to regulate minor sources of air emissions and to attain compliance with broader air quality federal laws and regulations.
- Individual Total Facility – The individual total facility permit at the state level is very similar to the federal-level individual permit. However, at the state level, there are more alternatives to the individual permit available.
- Registration- Registration permits are for facilities with low actual emissions (i.e., what actually comes out the stack) versus their potential emissions. In general, the facility's actual emissions must be less than 50 percent of the federal thresholds. There are other requirements. These permits are similar to general permits in that they are easier to obtain and the requirements are less rigorous when making modifications.
- Registration Permit Fact Sheet (currently being updated)
- Registration Permit Handbook (currently being updated)
- Capped- The "capped emission permit" option is designed for noncomplex facilities that do not qualify for a registration permit and do require site-specific permit conditions. In general, the facility's actual emissions must be less than 75 to 90% of the federal thresholds. These permits are quicker to obtain than an individual state permit and require less agency involvement when making modifications.
- Environmental Management System (EMS)- This individually issued state permit option allows small and medium-sized air emission facilities that employ a qualifying (ISO 14001) EMS to operate under emission caps set typically set below 90 percent of federal thresholds. To provide a regulatory incentive to establish a qualifying EMS , the permit offers relief from minor and moderate permit amendment application requirements, and from some some recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
- General- Similar to the federal general permits except that the PTE for these facilities are below the federal thresholds. One general permit option (non-metallic mineral processing) is currently available at the state level.
State permits generally do not expire. The US EPA requires that Title V permits be renewed every five years. All individual total facility permits must be put on public notice for 30 days. Federal individual total facility permits are also subject to a 45-day EPA review period before they can be issued, which in most cases will run concurrently with the 30-day public notice period. It can take anywhere from six months to a year or longer to issue individual total facility permits depending on the number of complicated issues involved.
What about modifications?
If a facility wants to make changes at its facility after receiving a total facility permit, it should first determine if it will need an amendment to its permit. Registration Permit and Capped Permits preauthorize modifications, provided the modified facility still qualifies for the same permit. To determine if its individual permit must be amended, the facility must: calculate the PTE of the modification, review the applicable state and federal rules and regulations, and determine the applicable amendment type (if one is necessary). These items should all be done before starting construction on the modification because some amendment types require that the permit amendment be issued before construction commences on the modification. The permit amendment types are differentiated based on threshold levels of emissions and/or the applicability of certain Federal programs. The types of amendments are: administrative, contravening permit terms, minor, moderate, major. Major amendments must be placed on public notice, can take as many as six months or more to issue, and generally involve the consideration of Federal programs and other changes that have the potential to significantly affect air quality.
How are permits processed?
The degree of involvement by the MPCA with a permit action depends on the type of permit. In general, the more significant the potential impact to air quality a permit or permit amendment has, the more detailed the involvement by MPCA staff. Individual total facility permits, and all amendments except administrative amendments go to permit teams made up of a permit writer/engineer and compliance and enforcement staff who work together with the facility to draft the permit.
How does the MPCA prioritize its permitting effort?
In general, the MPCA gives priority to facilities that need their permits to begin construction or operation of either a modification or a totally new facility.
- Construction permits: Applications for permit amendments are put in a queue, to be worked on as staff become available. There is also an expedited permit program where facilities pay to have staff work overtime to draft their permit. This is only useful when the queue is large. Total facility operating permits for new (not yet constructed) facilities are also put in this queue.
- Total Facility Operating permits: This includes reissuance of federal permits issued five or more years ago. These applications are worked on based on the priorities set by the AQ permit management. At this point in time, most facilities in Minnesota who require one have received their total facility operating permit. Those facilities with federal permits, which have a five-year expiration schedule, have begun applying for reissuance of those permits. While still keeping up with permits and amendments required for construction projects, the goal is to manage the reissuance of federal permits to minimize the backlog.
For assistance with air permits in Minnesota, contact the MPCA at 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864 and ask for Business Assistance.


text:
November 28, 2015
Here are the states each candidate won Tuesday.
Clinton: California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts,
Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, American Samoa.
Obama: Illinois, Georgia, Delaware, Alabama, Utah, Connecticut,
Kansas, Minnesota, Colorado, North Dakota, Idaho. Missouri, Alaska.
McCain: New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arizona.
Huckabee: Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, West Virginia, Tennessee.
Romney: Massachusetts, Utah, North Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Alaska.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
LAKE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL SALUTATORIAN: Engineering next in line for teen
Chemical, petroleum studies await
SAN ANGELO, Texas - Jacob Randel Whitaker
Recognized UIL scholar for band, journalism and science
Advanced Placement calculus award winner
Member of the National Honor Society
It takes Jacob Whitaker a second to describe a good piece of music.
"I'm a little biased," the Lake View High School salutatorian said. "But a great brass line really makes a piece stand out. If you have the mellow tones coming from the baritones and the horns, and some nice tuba boom from the back, you've got some good stuff there.
"Some trumpet heroics never hurt. Then of course a few trombone lines where it just blasts out and creates power.
That's something I like about pieces, the power brass lines can create."
Jacob is heavily invested in music.
His proudest high school moment came when the Lake View band scored straight ones, the highest score in UIL concert band competition, in concert and sight-reading contests.
A six-year French horn veteran, Jacob is learning how to play the mellophone for the Goin' Band from Raiderland at Texas Tech University this fall. He also was accepted to Texas A&M, the University of Texas and Angelo State University, but elected to study chemical and petroleum engineering in Lubbock.
"I like to analyze my options," Jacob said.
"Tech had the community I was looking for. There are not as many students, so I would actually have access to resources I wouldn't be able to at other schools."
Jacob is intrigued by the potential of hydrogen fueling and hopes to play a role in the development of alternative fuel sources.
"He's going to do it, too," math teacher Kelly Norman said.
"He is that gifted in mathematics."
Norman taught Jacob as a sophomore pre-AP algebra student.
In Norman's classroom, students with the highest average chose one of three large wall decals of sports figures. Day 1, Jacob proclaimed he would leave with the cutout of Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
"He wasn't being arrogant; he's almost kind of shy," Norman said. "But by God, he got him."
Jacob pulled a 99 in the class. He said Witten is still in the box, and he plans to post the decal on the wall of his new dorm room.
A scheduling conflict kept Jacob out of AP calculus for a year.
Instead of sitting out, he tutored pre-cal students during his free periods, Norman said.
"A lot of kids that gifted in math keep it to themselves and don't want to help, but he did," Norman said.
At age 4, Jacob taught himself how to read, said Susan Whitaker, his mother and a math teacher at Lake View. He probably could have handled his own education, she said.
"If his teacher gave him the book, he could have gone into the teachers' lounge and learned everything in it," she said,
"When he wants to know something, he will find the information."
Jacob enjoys writing and contemplated a career in fiction. His writing success would hinge too much on the luck of someone enjoying his work, so he opted for a steadier paycheck, Susan said.
"There's not a stable income in that, really," Jacob said.
"No guarantees, nothing at all, and I don't want to live like that."
Stephen King is one of his favorite authors. In his writing, Jacob said he likes to play with the future and events that could influence the world.
He plans to put writing on the back burner as he studies at Tech, but is open to being published in the future.
Jacob has written about 20 pages of a book centered on a high school student who takes on the pressures of greatness and gets overtaken. He has a plot twist in mind, but declined to give away any secrets.
"It might ruin it if it comes out someday," Jacob said. "You never know."
Allison Gardella is valediction of Lake View High School. She declined an interview with the Standard-Times.
Subscribe to the San Angelo Standard-Times
Need Help? Call us at 1-877-304-7763.
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I received a bulletin from League of American Cyclists, that a famous Race Across American cyclist Edund Burke died of heart problems, while crossing a mountain chain in Colorado.. Anyone get more details of his death..? He was only 53.
My question- when out doing any kind of endurance sports, cycling or whatever; do you think you should consider your limits. Think we all have limits and might keel over of an aneurysm? None of us think our sport makes us infallible do we..? Do you know your limits? I like to think I am up to crossing the continent. No biggie... Some of us, must just take the easier way .


text:
Find multiple listings of Strabane car dealers at the Autobytel.com website. See your potential new or used car by make, cost, or classification. Autobytel has a huge directory of Strabane car dealerships with their inventories of new and used car, truck, and SUV listings online. We can be your resource as you go through the transaction of purchasing a car. Sort through various costs on new and used vehicles, see pics of cars, read informative articles, review vehicle information, and find the actual value of autos at the Strabane car dealership.
There is no reason to bounce around to multiple Strabane car dealerships anymore. With the advent of the internet; Strabane car dealers can now list their entire inventory online at numerous locations like Autobytel.com. There is an increasingly greater number of shoppers that use the web to explore all the vehicle choices available on the market today. After a consumer has narrowed down their choices of new or used cars; they will begin to search the local listings of Strabane car dealers. Odds are they will find themselves located at a viable online automotive resource like Autobytel.com. Visit our site to see free vehicle pricing information from a couple of Strabane car dealers.
Putting faith in one Strabane car dealership can represent a huge step. Its commonly believed that the only time you'll step foot on a Strabane car dealer lot is to purchase your vehicle. There is a good chance that since Strabane car dealers offer much more than new or used car sales; you will do business there again. Proper Strabane car dealerships will have more than a car sales division; they will also have on the premises: a parts and accessories department, a service and repair center, a collision shop, and a finance and lease department. Since there is a very good likelihood that in the coming years you will revisit the Strabane car dealer for repair or a replacement part. This is why growing a relationship with the Strabane car dealership can have a lasting effect.
Find a reputable dealer by searching the Strabane car dealerships database online at Autobytel.com Read actual clientele reports on a number of Strabane car dealers. Having these critiques from past patrons are a great resource when searching through the many Strabane car dealerships.


text:
Sausage Wild Rice Quiche Recipe
When you're short on time, this long-on-flavor quiche is just right! It's perfect for hectic morning meals because the sausage and rice can be cooked ahead of time.
- 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked and drained
- 1 cup wild rice, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1-3/4 cups milk
- 1 cup biscuit/baking mix
- 4 eggs
- 1. In a greased 10-in. pie plate, layer the sausage, rice and cheese. In a bowl, combine the milk, baking mix and eggs; beat until smooth. Pour evenly over cheese.
- 2. Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Yield: 6-8 servings.
Nutritional Facts
1 serving (1 piece) equals 259 calories, 16 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 139 mg cholesterol, 449 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 12 g protein.
Wine Pairings
Sparkling Wine
Enjoy this recipe with a sparkling wine.
© 2015 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC


text:
Monday - Interview with a Wiki Ninja
Tuesday - TNWiki Article Spotlight
Wednesday - Wiki Life
Thursday - Council Spotlight
Friday - International Update
Saturday - Top Contributors of the Week
Sunday - Surprise
Hello Community, Luciano Lima here today to update you on the latest news in the TechNet Wiki international community from Brazil.
The highlight of this week goes to Rafael Mantovani who wrote several of articles about Troubleshooting.
Site: http://rafaelmantovani.net/Twitter: https://twitter.com/raf_mantovani
Listed below you can see the latest articles about Troubleshooting written by him:
Great work!
Big hugs go to the TechNet Wiki community, keep up the contribution, have a great Friday and don't forget to tweet #TNWIKI and follow us:


text:
I was surprised when I looked at my goal page. In a short time I had forgotten all about it and the goals I had set. This time I printed it out so I would know what I had chosen to do for myself and have it constantly accessible
Set short term goalsBy having small goals along the way you keep yourself motivated and inspired and that final goal doesn't seem that far away after all
205 Don't just reward yourself for the big goal, reward yourself for the small goals that lead up to the big goal.
Making goals that are too far out of reach can be debilitating. It is fine to have a long term goal, but create intermediate goals along the path to reaching that long term goal. If your goal is to walk/run a 5K, pick a time to accomplish 1K, and a time to accomplish 2K, and 3K, and 4K. Then it is just a step to reach the 5K goal. I am approaching my 4K goal ahead of schedule.


text:
Recently, Kroger and Safeway both announced that they will not sell genetically engineered salmon in their stores. The fish in question have had their DNA altered so that they grow twice as fast. These announcements were preemptive, as the Food and Drug Administration has not even approved these salmon for market. Yet this action sends a strong message: consumers are more thoughtful than ever about the food we are putting in our bodies, and retailers are starting to respond.
As retailers, scientists, and even ethicists consider the ramifications of GE animals and crops, there is a very simple step that retailers can take right now to appeal to conscious consumers: by labeling foods already on store shelves that contain these ingredients. By labeling their store-brand products that contain genetically modified ingredients, Kroger and Safeway and our local chains like Smith's and Albertsons could take a great step towards empowering consumers to make fully informed choices in the grocery aisle.


text: My name is Pepi Noble and I've spent decades exploring the principles of service satisfaction, the motivation that spurs volunteering, and why people do what they do. Working at both the global and local levels through Rotary International and my training company, Noble Resource Group, I've connected and worked with hundreds of people and organizations giving me opportunity to tell the stories of the people, the projects and humanitarian efforts which are changing the world…….those with what I consider to have the highest standards, ethics and A Noble Purpose. These stories are designed to increase awareness, boost volunteering, validate sustainable endeavors and inspire you to make a difference. Enjoy.


text:
Touchscreen devices are great, and if for some reason you don't want to keep touching the screen on your iOS device in order to control it, you might want to have a look at this device.
Gaming on touchscreen devices doesn't feel like gaming on a console, so it's no wonder that we're seeing all sorts of Bluetooth controllers for our touchscreen devices, and speaking of which, today we have a special controller designed to work with iOS devices.
Having a few drinks in a local bar can be dangerous especially if you don't walk home and decide to drive back while intoxicated, and in order to protect yourself and others, today we have a device that will allow you to keep an eye on your blood alcohol content.
Few months ago we covered i-Flashdrive, a special flash drive that allows you to transfer files between your iOS device and your computer. Today, we have something similar, so let's have a look at it.
After smartphones, smartwatches might be the next big thing, and many big companies are working on their own smartwatches, and speaking of which, today we have some rumors regarding Apple's smartwatch.
We already have all sorts of smart devices such as smart TVs, smartphones, smartwatches, and today we're happy to show you the smart toothbrush.
Smartwatches are interesting devices, but let's face it, they are not smartphones and they have their limitations, so today we have a device that will allow you to turn your smartphone into a smartwatch.


text:
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Why 2 interfaces Comparable and Comparator?
Karthik Guru
Ranch Hand
Joined: Mar 06, 2001
Posts: 1209
Oct 07, 2001 00:48:00
java.lang.Comparable and
can anyone explain the difference between the 2 interfaces.
Comparable has a method
compareTo(Object o)
So any class which supports sorting of it's objects w'd probably implement this as well.
Now comparator has a compare(Object o1, Object o2)
Since this is taking 2 objects i don't expect it to be a part of the class which wants to support sorting (itself).
John Dale
Ranch Hand
Joined: Feb 22, 2001
Posts: 399
Oct 07, 2001 08:44:00
Your question seems to answer itself. But if it would help to have an example, consider that
impements Comparable, and has a compareTo(Object) method that is case-sensitive, as is its equals() method. However, sometime you need to do case-insensitive comparison of strings. So String provides String.CASE_INSENSITIVE_ORDER, an implementation of Comparitor that provides a case-insensitive compare(Object, Object) method. (Since the case-insensitive comparitor is not consistent String's equals method, you have to be careful about where you use it.)
Dave Van Even
Ranch Hand
Joined: Jul 19, 2001
Posts: 101
Oct 14, 2001 15:52:00
I was just (5 minutes ago) studying this
It goes like this: If you are designing your OWN classes and there is a need for comparing, you might prefer to use the
natural comparison method
by implementing Comparable
here is code I just had to copy from my editor
import java.util.Arrays; class Getal implements java.lang.Comparable { private int i; public Getal(int g) { i = g; } public void setGetal(int g) { i = g; } public int getGetal() { return i; } public int compareTo(Object g) { int t = ((Getal)g).getGetal(); return t<i ? -1 : (t==i ? 0 : 1); } public String toString() { return Integer.toString(i); } } public class Comparing { public static void print(Object[] o) { for (int i=0;i<o.length;i++)> { System.out.print(o[I]); if (i<o.length-1)> System.out.print(", "); } System.out.println(); } public static void main(String[] args) { Getal[]g = { new Getal(5), new Getal(2), new Getal(0), new Getal(-55), new Getal(123) }; //agregate array initialisation print(g); Arrays.sort(g); print(g); } }
Getal = dutch for Number (I couldn't use Number as classname could I
But what if you get a class that you don't have the source code of and you need to sort the items ? Or what if the class has allready implemented Comparable, but you want to sort the class on another value ?
then you might choose for the Comparator method! You just create a new Class and implement the compare() method; Usually the equals method inherited from Object or whatever is just fine
here is an example
import java.util.Arrays; import java.util.Comparator; class AlphabeticComparator implements Comparator { public int compare(Object o1, Object o2) { String s1 = (String)o1; String s2 = (String)o2; return s1.toLowerCase().compareTo(s2.toLowerCase()); } } public class Comparing2 { private static void print(Object[] o) { for(int i=0;i<o.length;i++)> { System.out.print(o[i]); if (i<o.length-1)> System.out.print(", "); } System.out.println(); } public static void main(String[] args) { String[] s = { "Albert", "bb", "albert", "an", "zorro", "ikke", "den", "dikke", "ZORRO" }; Arrays.sort(s); print(s); Arrays.sort(s, new AlphabeticComparator()); print(s); } }
class does actually the same as the
public static final Comparator CASE_INSENSITIVE_ORDER
from String
Thanks for pointing that out John!! I didn't knew it had that field
anyway, karthik hope I could help you
[This message has been edited by Dave Van Even (edited October 14, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Dave Van Even (edited October 14, 2001).]
Dave Van Even
Ranch Hand
Joined: Jul 19, 2001
Posts: 101
Oct 14, 2001 16:01:00
damn.. half my code gets transformed into garbage be because the UBB code tag doesn't translate to HTML codes
hope you get the idea
I agree. Here's the link:
subject: Why 2 interfaces Comparable and Comparator?
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By David Zion, Credit Suisse
Over the years Corporate America's exposure to multiemployer pension plans has been a bit of a mystery. The problem for investors and analysts was a lack of information. The disclosures were typically limited to the amount that the company contributed to multiemployer pension plans and not much else. In most cases nothing was recognized on the balance sheet. As a result there's an off-balance-sheet liability of unknown size lurking in the shadows for companies that participate in multiemployer pension plans. (For some background information on multiemployer pension plans, see page 11.)
In a push to try and improve transparency (especially as the plans' health continued to deteriorate) the FASB is requiring companies to provide more information about their involvement with multiemployer pension plans. The new disclosures (which started showing up for the first time this 10-K season), though far from perfect, can be used to start pulling multiemployer pension plans out of the shadows.
Since companies are not required to provide information about the health of the multiemployer plans that they participate in (other than by color, red is bad, green is good) or their share of a plans underfunding we took a shot at it ourselves. For this report we pulled together data from more than 1,350 multiemployer pension plans (stored it in our multiemployer plan database) and estimated the funded status of each plan through March 16, 2012. In the aggregate we estimate that U.S. multiemployer pension plans are now $369 billion underfunded (using a corporate bond based discount rate) or 52% funded (even after the recent run up in the stock market and rise in yields). Using the plan ID numbers from the new disclosure we were able to allocate $43 billion of the underfunding to the 44 calendar year S&P 500 companies that participate in multiemployer pension plans and are among the first companies to provide the new disclosures.