text:
Veteran acquisitions helped Hawks cement a title
Wednesday, 06.9.2010 / 10:55 PM CT / Features
By Phil Coffey - NHL.com Editorial Director
PHILADELPHIA -- In a lot of respects, the transformation of the Chicago Blackhawk began on Dec. 5, 2005, when Patrick Sharp, ironically enough was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade.
Since then, Sharp has gone on to become a core member of the Blackhawks, and his place in the lineup has been augmented by quite a few other key acquisitions from the trade and free-agent markets. But it all seems to have started with Sharp as the Blackhawks began to put together the pieces that would form a Stanley Cup championship team in 2010.
Marian Hossa, John Madden, Andrew Ladd, Brian Campbell and Tomas Kopecky also will have their names etched on the Cup after joining the Hawks in the years since Sharp came aboard.
"'Sharpy' has been a big part of our team," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Leadership, consistency in his game. He's been a top scorer for us. He plays in all situations, PP, PK, regular shifts, versatility, playing on the wing. Got him back at center. We felt we needed more depth in that area. He moved back in the middle for us this year. I thought that filled a big need for us and created top scoring line for us as well.
"He's been very successful and consistent in the playoffs. We just like his approach and the options he gives us as a coach as well."
Those assets developed because he was given the chance to play in Chicago.
"When I got traded to Chicago, they were a team that was developing in all areas and they gave me a great opportunity to play in different situations," Sharp said. "And leaving Philadelphia I kind of understood the situation here as well. They were a first-place team. They were pushing for a championship and it was tough to break into that lineup. And I was thankful for the Flyers to trade me to a good place and gave me a chance to play."
Hossa is known as the man who's appeared in three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with three different teams, but the Blackhawks didn't sign him as a free agent on July 1, 2009, for that designation.
"You can ask a lot of guys and they'll all say getting to the Cup Final, whether you win or not, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, for the most part," captain Jonathan Toews said. "But it's not the case with Marian. I think what he can tell us or what he can bring to add an extra kick or desire to go out there and lay it all on the line.
"I think it's tough for him to have lost twice," Toews said prior to Game 6. "I'm sure he has it in his heart and he believes just like the rest of us that this is it. He's been great for us all playoffs and all season. On and off the ice we've been happy to have him. He's again been a big part of our success and the reason we've come this far."
Madden earned his third Stanley Cup in his first season in Chicago, delivering on what the Hawks wanted from him when he was signed as a free agent last July 1.
"Madden has been great," Sharp said. "Right from day one, he's -- I don't know if 'accepted' is the right word, because he stepped into the locker room and guys flock to him right away. He's someone that for a young team, we all kind of look to. He's been through the battle a few times. He's not the type of leader that stands up and barks in the room a whole lot. When he does say something, he's definitely got our attention."
Quenneville said Madden's contributions don't always show up on the scoresheet.
"I think he brings leadership and character," he said of Madden. "At the beginning of the season what we're looking for him to instill, was we wanted some improvement in our penalty killing. And we really enhanced that immediately with his presence. Be it key faceoffs or play in his own end, that leadership, particularly at this time, has really been noticeable."
The Hawks' third signing on July 1, 2009, was Kopecky from the Detroit Red Wings -- and like Hossa and Madden, he has been a contributor.
"I think those are the guys that are making the biggest contributions and the biggest sacrifices," Toews said. "Other guys that are playing low minutes or the guys a like 'Kopey' or Nick Boynton, the guys who all of a sudden have to come into a pressure situation like that.
"They've both played great, the same thing with Tomas, I can't imagine how tough that is. Playing on a line with him and Marian last game, I think we did a lot of good things. Kopey was right in there in a lot of those offensive plays. We're happy for him."
"It's a dream come true to play in the Stanley Cup Final," Kopecky said. "Any other player can tell you it's something you play hockey for when you were growing up, when you were as a kid. That's what you were dreaming of. I had to work hard no matter what and to who much is given, much is expected."
"I liked 'Kopey' all year long," Quenneville said. "I think he was patient to get a better opportunity. I thought his game improved and enhanced the end of the season. Got some more quality ice time in certain rounds of these playoffs. He got quality ice time playing with Sharpy and Hoss.
"And all of a sudden he's -- you got a lot of options with Kopey. I think his patience with the puck, he's got a great shot, he's annoying to play against. He knows where the front of the net is. He's effective in a lot of ways."
Certainly two other players worth mentioning are defenseman Campbell, who signed as a free agent on July 1, 2008, and added the puck-moving defenseman the team needed. Campbell also proved his mettle this spring when he rushed back to the lineup from a broken collarbone to get into the first-round series with the Nashville Predators. That allowed Quenneville to move Dustin Byfuglien back to forward -- and added a valuable offensive component that helped the helped the Hawks to the Cup.
Ladd was picked up from Carolina for Tuomo Ruutu on Feb. 26, 2008. He brought not only a big body, but the experience of winning a Cup with the Hurricanes. Like Campbell, he rushed back to the lineup from injury to assist the Blackhawks in their Stanley Cup triumph.
Author: Phil Coffey | NHL.com Sr. Editorial Director


text:
Nikon iPhone App
Nikon has come out with an iPhone app which I think might turn out to be really cool. Right now it's worth picking up especially since it's free. It's part of their Learn & Explore and with more folks tapping it, I think they'll put a lot more into it. With that said, there's already a bunch here for you tap into.
For example you have access to a ton on info right on your iPhone from Nikon World. I'm personally excited about this because my piece in the current issue of Nikon World will appear in the future as well as some other content we're working on. They haven't got McNally's summer 2009 piece up yet, so this new technology does take a little time. But there is still great content here.
There is a page of images that have been uploaded from those participating in Nikon's Flickr group I believe. That's pretty darn cool and provides you with image inspiration.
Now I like the potential here. While you need a WiFi connection for this at the moment, you have access to training videos via your iPhone. Having video content on the iPhone is here is limited amounts, the more we support it the more that will become available. This has great learning and sharing potential for all of us. Check it out.
And finally, the initial release has a complete glossary of photographic and Nikon terms. Why would this excite me? As someone who receives lots of emails asking what these terms mean, having it readily available to folks might help them and me at the same time.
The way iPhone apps work is the more folks to download them and then use them, the greater the encouragement for the app producer to upgrade and update the app making them more and more useful. While more can be added to this app making it better, it won't happen if more and more folks don't support it. Please, grab the app and give it a try, it will help all of us and our photography in the end!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Internationally acclaimed. Award Winning. World Class. For nursing professionals seeking to work at the absolute peak of clinical care, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is the place to be.
We are hiring at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.
Alaska is the Last Frontier. There is no place on earth like it. If you want the perfect work/life balance opportunity with a nationally recognized NW healthcare system, then this is it!
PeaceHealth is seeking a Nurse Practitioner - Urgent Care based in the Springfield, OR community.
Relief Hospitalist position available in rural island community in SW Alaska. Spectacular opportunities to hike, fish or hunt on your days off.
Outpatient Behavioral Health opportunity in scenic Longview, Washington!
For the fifth time in seven years, Modern Healthcare named B.E. Smith the No. 1 healthcare executive search firm in the United States.
Outpatient Primary Care in Southwest, MN!Internal Medicine - 111772
Psychiatry - 111768
Family Medicine - 111684
Psychiatry - Child & Adolescent - 111988
Psychiatry - 109171
Family Medicine - Obstetrics - 109333
Brand new state-of-the-art facility open fall 2016 - join an established and well-respected team of physicians and mid-level providers!Family Medicine - 110283
Family Medicine - Obstetrics - 109265
Psychiatry - 111765
Psychiatry - 110564
Midwest Psychiatry Practice with Great Quality of Life! $25,000 sign-on-bonus! Immediate leadership option!Psychiatry - 110432
Psychiatry - 111412
Family Medicine - 111654
Family Medicine - 111662
Family Medicine - 107906
Family Medicine - Obstetrics - 108492


text:
The scent of fresh basil is a stimulant to your mind and helps crystallize your thoughts and energize your body. Cinnamon basil, with its sweet fragrance, is an unusual basil and perfect for this simple massage oil recipe. Makes 4 ounces.
• 2 teaspoons dried basil leaves and flower buds
• 1 tablespoon dried orange peel, grated
• 1⁄2 cup light oil (such as almond, sesame or walnut)
1. Place ingredients in a small saucepan and warm gently; do not boil. Allow to cool completely, place in a clean jar and let sit for at least 1 week.
2. Strain out leaves and peels; pour into a clean bottle with tight-fitting lid. Add a few decorative dried leaves or an orange peel to the bottle, if you wish.
3. To use: Pour a small amount onto hands and massage into skin.
Tip: In the garden, cinnamon basil grows about 2 feet tall with purple stems and lavender and white flowers. The leaves and flowers can easily be dried for year-round use. Hang small bunches of leaves upside-down in a cool, arid spot until dry. Then remove the leaves and flower buds from the stems and store in a clean, airtight container.
Janice Cox and her daughter, Lauren Cox, recently co-authored a book, EcoBeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs for You and Your Friends (Ten Speed Press, 2009). Find it at www.herbcompanion.com/shopping or order by phone.
Click here for the main article,
Body & Soul: Exotic Spa Treatments
Subscribe to
Mother Earth Living
Welcome to Mother Earth Living, the authority on green lifestyle and design. Each issue of Mother Earth Living features advice to create naturally healthy and nontoxic homes for yourself and your loved ones. With Mother Earth Living by your side, you'll discover all the best and latest information you want on choosing natural remedies and practicing preventive medicine; cooking with a nutritious and whole-food focus; creating a nontoxic home; and gardening for food, wellness and enjoyment. Subscribe to Mother Earth Living today to get inspired on the art of living wisely and living well.
Save Money & a Few Trees!
Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You'll save an additional $5 and get six issues of Mother Earth Living for just $14.95! (Offer valid only in the U.S.)
Or, choose Bill Me and pay just $19.95.
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved | Ogden Publications, Inc., 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, Kansas 66609-1265
Special Interest Websites : Community Chickens • Good Things to Eat • Keeping Backyard Bees


text:
One of the most well-known and oft-recited laws in the world of fashion is, "Never wear white after Labor Day". Of course, this strict rule of thumb begs the question: Where does one keep all of those white garments during the fall and the winter?
While some fashionistas are blessed with walk-in closets that provide ample amounts of space to store your off-season outfits, the vast majority of us have to make do with what we have and find a way to squeeze those out-of-season duds into what available space we have left.
There are a wide variety of ways to maximize your clothes-storing space around the home; some of them are efficient while others actually can end up wasting space. This post will go in-depth on three ways to keep your clothing neat, organized and secure during the fall and winter months.
First off, the simplest and most pedestrian way of storing and organizing clothing: the plastic clothes hanger. These inexpensive yet ubiquitous items are the "pawns" of the clothes-storing world. Hangers are very important to keep everything organized, but you are certainly not going to shed a tear if one of them snaps in half and is lost forever. In fact, as I was putting away my summer clothes recently, I noticed a great deal of them had broken during the summer under the extreme weight of my coats and jackets. So this year, instead of purchasing the same flimsy hangers from last year, I found giant plastic clothes hangers, which provide much more strength and have the durability to hold both your summer clothes and winter clothes.
Another tough item to find a space for during the fall and winter months is summer footwear. Flip-flops and Keens are perfect for the beach or a warm-weather hike, but when it starts to cool down, they are essential useless. One benefit of this footwear is that it is usually relatively compact, so storing all of it does not usually take up a lot of room in the home. The problem is there never seems to be a good place to keep them when they are out of use – in my house this almost always leads to the closet floor having a nice thick coating of flip flops. Using an under the bed shoe organizer is the perfect way to store these items and not worry about them cluttering your home.
For items such as bathing suits, dresses, skirts, shorts and other easily foldable clothing, a heavy duty 3-drawer storage chest is the best bet for storage. These chests are inexpensive and stack up well, perfect for loading up your closet shelves more efficiently. What I like about these chests over alternative clothing storage options such as under-bed storage is that it is still easy to get into the chest to pull out summer items for those times you do need them.
The best thing about all of these storage accessories is that you can re-use them during the summer to store your winter clothes! Use the heavy-duty hangers for your coats and jackets, the under-bed shoe organizer for boots, and use the 3-drawer chest for storing your mittens, scarves and beanies!
Did you look great this Summer? Make sure your clothes stay looking great until next year. Visit our Summer Clothes Storage Guide.


text:
Detail Images
Current Color
sale $23.96 $29.9520% Off
Free 2-Day shipping on orders over $50*
Select a Size:Select options
Select a Color:Select options
Be the first to review
A shoe full of pebbles or slushy snow can quickly sour an enthusiastic young hiker's day on the trail. Help avoid the scenario with a pair of Outdoor Research Kids' Trailhead Gaiters. The elastic tops and bottoms seal around boots and ankles to keep debris out while the hook-and-loop front closure makes for easy on and off.
- Durable nylon construction provides water-resistant and breathable performance
- Elastic tops and bottoms fit snugly around shoes and ankles to keep debris out
- Hook-and-loop front closures with zippers are quick and secure
- Boot lace hooks and Hypalon instep straps prevent the gaiters from riding up
- Bright graphics are certain to please young hikers
- Item #ODR1099
Tech Specs
420D nylon packcloth
Front Closure
Top Closure
Bottom Attachment
boot-lace hook, Hypalon strap
Recommended Use
Manufacturer Warranty


text:
Was thinking about joining the reserve ... any thoughts? Pros cons. Anyone in the service on here that can chip in fully appreciated
OR national guard for CA
I was in the Army reserves from '69 to '75. Good memories. I don't know the commitment one make today, but then 6 yrs. wasn't to bad.
Gun Control is using Both Hands
It's the right thing to do.............Geesh!!!
I spent 21 years in the CA Air National Guard and it was a great experience. One of the best things going for it that I didn't realize when I joined when I was 19 was that if you ever get laid off from your civilian job you'll have your military job to fall back on, a great second source of income, especially as an officer. Now when I turn 60 I'll have a part time military retirement and healthcare which is nice because who knows if the airline I fly for will be around in 20 years. PM me with any questions you might have.
My friend is going in the Reserves. He is going to part of the Army Band so it is a good option for him. I rather much be active duty, it is more about what you want and what is best for you.
To get back on this...im still stuck between Nat. Guard and Army Reserves. I like the guard because i get more money for school.....only thing that worries me is CA is in debt thru its !@#. so that leads me to ok what if i dont get that help...
But So far im thinking of enlisting as a 68w(medic). Still have lots more thinking to go through
There are pro's and con's to guard and reserve duty. The pro's are outlined nicely by Rvrrat above. In addition to what he says, it can also be fun doing monthly weekend duty, and summer training camp.
The con's are the disruption of actually being deployed. Since the USA went to an all-volunteer professional force, rather than conscription after Viet Nam, it has been fairly common to have your local unit activated and deployed overseas. That is a huge burden on your employer and on yourself. Extended overseas deployment is also presumed to be the trigger of higher suicide rates overseas as well. There is extreme depression associated with being separated from your family for years at a time, away from your usual stomping grounds and friends as well.
One can never know if another Hussien is going to invade another Kuwait, or if another Bin Laden is going to firebomb another American city from another Afghanistan rat hole, either of which would trigger a full mobilization and deployment of reserves and guard. If you are single and free, you could probably handle deployment. If you are married with kids, then probably not.
Another issue is officer vs enlisted, as Rvrrat also points out. When I was a kid, a colonel once told me, the difference between being an officer vs enlisted is like the difference between wine and dirt. I asked him, don't you mean wine and water? He said, no, wine and dirt.
I respect anyone in the military. Reserve or full time there are a lot of side issues that can make life difficult for most. If you are already in the medical field congrats most of the issues with shift work are the same as the military. My friend is now on his last years with National Guard. He does not like it as it makes any quality long term contracts with his Electrical business impossible. He is up and running fast and the money is good. He is due for Afganistan soon and will be there up to his discharge date or when they can send him home. He also has 2 kids now and has rethought life.
I was USN and enjoyed it until I broke both hips. Once discharged life was unstable and unsure. I enjoyed the military and would still do it again today if I wasn't older than some of the fleet ships. Some people are made for service some are not. Ask the recruiter for a one day base pass to meet other families during drill. You will get a better picture then.
Congrats on the thought and let us know. I will never tell someone the military is bad, but my son is looking at more serious fields and I am not sure I want the enemy looking that close at him. Either way I love and respect him for his choice in the military.
Medical field is good choice if thats what you want in civy life too but check all services for options vs the training you want. Active duty might be a good choice also. In the early 70's I knew a couple of AF active duty med techs that became PAs, then it was a good fast track for advancement. If you're single and looking for some excitement (parachuting/scuba diving) check out USAF Para-Rescue but be advised that could also be a ticket to a war zone. Check it all out the best you can then pray hard for guidance for the right choice. Good luck and God's Blessings.
Thanks for all the advice. So far ive been dieting trying to.get in regs lol. But since my last post ive opened my options to the marine core infantry or officer (Plc). Air force loadmaster. Army medic or infantry. I want to go active duty but idk if i could do that to my fiancée n son. But i do want to join, hardest thing is which branch and job.
Being a family man means a lot more thought. An depending on the base and type of aircraft, an AF loadmaster may see a lot of temp. duty lasting up to a couple of weeks. Some training and real world asignments can last a few months. If your near any type of military base/post you may want to talk to active duty personel about any job your interested in. If you plan to become an officer have you considered being a UAV pilot? You can fly around the world and never leave home. All kidding aside nobody joins or stays in the military for the money; does your fianc'ee plan to work also? I was an E3 when I married, when my wife (also military) became pregnant she didn't have a choice but to get out (now women are allowed to stay in). She wasn't able to get a civy job due to med. problems and taking care of two kids for several years. To make a long story short money was tight and we ate many meals of noodles and butter with few meals of store brand mystery meat patties. Times were very lean with a wife and child for quite a few years. There can be many plusses and minuses to military life depending on your situation so don't take this lightly. I don't want to scare you but you need to know what your family may be in for as well as you.
p304x4, thanks for the advice, and yes my fiance is in school right now along with me, shes almost done, so she plans on working. This has been a topic between the two of us, on and off.
The regular Army is great, but it's not for family men, in my opinion. If a man went through a divorce or his girlfriend married someone else, then that's the time to start thinking about soldiering.
Being shot at is no picnic! I've been there.
Sent from my iPhone/Tapatalk


text:
After the rain
Category: Places
Photo and caption by Nicholas Wilson
I was walking after the rain and passed some alleyways which beautifully captured the light. I have always been interested in what lies behind the scenes. This also displays how popular 2 wheeled transport is in Vietnam.
Location: Hoi An
More Places Entries »
By Phil Bouchet
By Aidas Banaitis
By Arie Hoeflak


text:
So now, "Augusta" is part of the name, but not officially? Be honest – this is no different than throwing a bone to your dog in the hope it'll make him stop barking.
So the name "Augusta" will be included on all merchandising, as part of the logo, etc. "I think we got a great compromise," said Save The A member Nick Evans. I wasn't aware this was about "compromise." Augusta should be part of the official name of the school, period. It's either going to be part of the name of the school or it isn't. Where's the compromise in that?
Ten years from now, John Doe will be cleaning out his closet, and look at that old ball cap he got in college that reads "Georgia Regents University Augusta," then he'll stare at the diploma on the wall, which reads "Georgia Regents University." And for the life of him, he won't remember why there's a difference. Yes, that old short attention span that people have – exactly what Azziz is counting on.


text:
Remember: You're a unique individual...just like everybody else.
I've got it and am in the middle of my tryout -- am I right that I'm the last stop in North America? Any last takers before I make arrangements to send it down under?
Where is this at the moment?
Make simplicity seem like abundance - Tetsuya Wakuda
Any updates?
Another casualty of the passaround black hole?
Make simplicity seem like abundance - Tetsuya Wakuda
Is this one still going? I'd like to get in if possible
Moments like Rader campaign for Chris restores my faith in humanity but reading knives being lost at passarounds gives me reality check , hope it will make it back to you Huw
Sent from my iPhone using Kitchen Knife Forum
we really need to tighten security on these passarounds.....
That horrible if it's truly lost. Hope it turns up


text: This is truly amazing! If you've ever wasted hours of time sending out emails, only to have them bounce-- or go nowhere. . . if you've ever wished it was easier to manage unsubscribe requests, subscribe requests, keeping track of sales letters, managing multiple products-- if you're convinced that email marketing works, you just don't like doing it, then this is for you. It does everything the old manual version followup script does, but AUTOMATICALLY!Here's the basic idea: a user comes to your site, wants to sign up for something, or buy something, and they place their email address and name in a form. When they submit this form, the amazing marketing tool goes to work. They could recieve a personalised email message immediately, or after a set number of days pass. . . then after a different amount of days pass, the next email is sent to them. This can continue indefinitely as long as you've written out emails for them to receive. This form of mass mailing is convincing, because you can place fields like FIRSTNAME and FULLNAME anywhere in the subject or body of your messages. What makes this whole program so great is that it's easy to manage. When you install the script, it reads the environment variables and figures out itself how it should be installed. It displays a form for you to change any variables you would like to, then when you press submit, your script is ready to run. Even if you have an old version of Auto FollowUp or FollowUp running, it figures this out, and incorporates all your sales letters immediately!The administration part of the script is really intuitive and easy to use. Click the [try] link below to mess around with it yourself. Of course, it's feature limited and sending is disabled, but you'll get an idea of how this thing works. I was selling this script for $100, but (ain't competition wonderful) I've lowered the price to harras the competition.


text:
How to Have 'The Talk'
No, this isn't that awkward one from adolescence. It's that much more important situation where someone you know and love is teetering on the brink with their alcoholism or drug addiction and you know the only way to keep them from inflicting the ultimate self-harm – death – is to intervene. It's a terrible scenario for all involved, and if you have summoned the courage to have the talk with your loved one, it pays to go into the discussion armed with understanding, compassion and fortitude. With plenty of rehab facilities in California, all of which offer something for everyone, there is no reason why you or your loved one should continue to suffer the terrible consequences of substance abuse and in a lot of cases, it all starts with one person speaking up and showing their loving concern.
Gather Research
One of the best ways to gain understanding of your loved one's addiction is to learn as much about it as possible. This will involve a time and research commitment, but it is well worth the effort, especially when it comes time to talk to the addict; if you can show them that you are aware of how they feel and that you aren't blaming, shaming or guilting them, it can go a long way toward making an impact.
For resources, the internet is a powerful tool with tons of information, but you could also get in contact with a doctor, therapist or counselor to learn about the nature of addiction and the psychology of an addict. If you think your loved one is ready, research rehab facilities as well, so that when the time comes to talk, you can tell them that they have both options and support.
Write it Down
Sometimes committing things to paper is an eye opener for addicts. Write down the behaviors you've seen that concern you, as well as the negative effects of their addiction, like physical deterioration, loss of money and loss of friends or family. It would also be helpful to organize your thoughts and write down exactly what you want to say, that way if the discussion veers off course, you won't become overly distracted. Be prepared, as well, for the addict's denial tactics and the possibility that they will try to manipulate you. Read more…


text:
2014 is coming to a close, and each year I put together a CD of music I've worked on throughout the year, to give to family and friends over the holidays. This year is no exception, and I'm releasing it to the public. It contains 18 tracks, 14 of which have come out of the new Facebook Challenge group I formed. The other 4 tracks are pulled from various back-tracks I'd done earlier in the year. There's even one from back in 2012 or so. All available on a single tangible CD product. All the songs were reworked and mastered so that they create a continual creative flow of ideas.
Dec 192014
Oct 052010
Mar 122010
Nov 202009
Nov 122009
In this project I'm going to demonstrate a few ways you can use Thor's filters, FX (Delay and Chorus), and LFOs creatively by routing any of your audio sources through Thor. This can be a great way to punch up some drums or create new innovative sounds from any of the synths. So let's start our exploration.


text:
2 Top Democrats Will Not Contest Iowas Caucuses
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: October 20, 2003
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 — Two prominent Democratic presidential candidates, Gen. Wesley K. Clark and Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut, have decided to bypass Iowa's presidential caucuses, angering some party leaders there and signaling what could be a very different nomination battle next year.
Mr. Lieberman's advisers said on Sunday that they would pull out all but one of his 17 staff members in Iowa and send them to states considered more receptive to his appeal, like Arizona. General Clark's aides said he would maintain a minimal presence in the state, which has the nation's earliest presidential selection contest. Last week, the general hired the former Iowa coordinator for Senator Bob Graham of Florida, who quit the race two weeks ago, and dispatched her to other states.
General Clark's advisers said they concluded last week that his late-starting candidacy had left him unable to assemble the intricate organization needed to win the Iowa race, which puts a premium on drawing voters to some 2,000 precinct caucuses. Most of the state's experienced organizers have signed with other candidates.
"What we'll do is what I call the General MacArthur strategy," a senior Clark adviser said. "General MacArthur was very successful in World War II because he skipped over the Japanese strongholds, where they were more organized, and instead picked islands that were favorable or neutral terrain. Which means we would choose not to focus resources on Iowa and instead focus them on New Hampshire and on Feb. 3," when there are Democratic contests in seven states.
Mr. Lieberman's advisers said his moderate stances on issues that are big in Iowa now, including his strong support for the war in Iraq and support of treaties lowering trade barriers, were problematic in a contest that attracts many liberal and blue-collar voters. His decision marks something of a retreat by the man who was his party's vice-presidential candidate in 2000; Mr. Lieberman has spent 15 days campaigning in Iowa this year.
"I think it's pretty safe to say that there's recognition inside the campaign that Iowa is not now, and will never be, Lieberman country," one adviser said.
Another adviser said on Sunday, "There's no victory in being fourth in Iowa."
The candidates' decisions will hardly erase Iowa from the Democratic political map in 2004. With less than three months until the caucuses, the first real test of a candidate's strength in the voters' eyes, four other Democratic contenders are in an unusually frenzied competition.
Still, the absence of General Clark and Mr. Lieberman could plant an asterisk alongside the results of the caucuses on Jan. 19. Even Iowa Democratic leaders, eager to maximize their quadrennial exercise of influence, say it could diminish the state's role in choosing the a nominee.
That could prove to be a complication for Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri and Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor, who are hoping for an unencumbered victory in Iowa as an anchor for their nomination strategies.
Mr. Lieberman and General Clark's decisions followed speculation in Iowa about whether they would seriously compete in the caucuses. Several Democrats took note of their absence from a debate sponsored by the AARP in Des Moines on Wednesday, and Mr. Lieberman skipped the state during a high-profile campaign tour last week.
The decisions drew a sharp reaction from state party leaders and from other Democratic candidates. Several predicted that that General Clark and Mr. Lieberman would come to regret their decisions, noting that no one who skipped the caucuses has ever won the Democratic nomination.
"That would be very unwise," said Gordon Fischer, the Democratic state chairman. "That strategy has not worked before: Al Gore tried it in 1988 and John McCain tried in 2000. It didn't work for either of them, and I predict it will not work again."
Thomas Henderson, the Democratic leader in Polk County, shook his head vigorously when asked if he thought General Clark and Mr. Lieberman were making a wise decision.
"No, no, no, no," Mr. Henderson said. "The day after Iowa will be huge news. And those guys will be out of the picture."
Mr. Gephardt said in an interview that he did not see how someone could win the nomination without competing in Iowa. "It's very hard to start bypassing states," Mr. Gephardt said. "We have a very competitive race going on as you know in Iowa."
Dr. Dean's campaign manager, Joe Trippi, said: "I think it's a very dangerous strategy to skip the place. And if you guess wrong by not competing in Iowa, there will never be a way to put that back in the bottle. There really isn't any room to recover this year."
There is another risk for Mr. Lieberman and General Clark. Iowa is certain to be one of the most contested states in the general election, given Mr. Gore's 4,100-vote victory in 2000. Democrats said Mr. Clark and Mr. Lieberman could appear to be snubbing Iowa, a perception that President Bush's advisers might use to try to hold down Democratic turnout, should either of the truants be the party's nominee.


text:
NEW DELHI: Indian markets turned negative in FY12 for the first time in the last three financial years. According to most analysts, FY13 will be more of stock specific year where banking stocks are expected to take the center stage.
Global factors like the euro zone debt crisis and economic concerns in the US made investors risk-averse in FY12. On the domestic front, rising inflation, high interest rate, and delay in government policy-making and corruption scandals kept investors on the sidelines.