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Our History
Somedico was first established as South China Medical Supplies Company in 1951 in Hong Kong by its founders to distribute Schering-Plough (then US Schering) products. In the 1950's and 1960's, the company grew and spread its wings to Singapore and Malaysia. The company changed its name from South China Medical Supplies Company to Somedico in 1969.
Incorporated in 1967, Somedico Malaysia grew rapidly in the 1980's when it started its ethical pharmaceuticals and hospital products marketing and distribution business. The company consolidated in the late 1990's and refocused its strategic presence in Malaysia. Today, Somedico Malaysia continues to excel in its role as a premier healthcare distributor through its high caliber team of sales and marketing professionals and its in-depth knowledge of customers' needs and the products it markets.
Progress through total customer service using effective teamwork


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GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Michigan Democratic Party has launched a new website aimed at using Republican Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra's own words on contentious policy issues against him.
The website, which appears to be modeled on Billboard's Greatest Hits, is part of a new line of attack Democrats intend to promote as policy posturing that is detrimental to middle class voters.
During events today in Lansing and Grand Rapids, state party Chairman Mark Brewer showed off the new HoekstrasGreatestHits.com website, which features multiple ads with footage of Hoekstra speaking at campaign events and rallies.
A mock movie trailer greets visitors to the website, with dramatic music and talking points on the website splashed over footage that includes shots of Washington, D.C. and Hoekstra.
On the site, a list of video clips of varying quality show Hoekstra taking stances on issues ranging from student loans to Medicare to reproductive health services.
The site even takes a swipe at Hoekstra for a controversial Super Bowl TV commercial that gained attention in the national press for what some called negative stereotyping against Asians.
Brewer argued the clips demonstrate Hoekstra is out of touch with issues affecting middle class voters.
"We're unveiling a website that, in Pete Hoekstra's own words, takes positions that are opposed to the middle class," Brewer said after Tuesday's event, "like saying America is to blame for trade problems with China, that women don't deserve equal pay in the workplace, that women don't deserve access to legal birth control."
Brewer would not say whether the ads on the website would begin appearing on TV, but did not rule out the possibility.
Hoekstra handily won the Republican nomination for Senate during last week's primary, and will face off against incumbent Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow in the November election.
At an event Monday at the Kent County GOP's Victory Center in Grand Rapids, Hoekstra ripped Stabenow and President Barack Obama for advocating policies he said were damaging to citizens.
Among Hoesktra's points were Stabenow's voting against the Keystone XL pipeline, a move Hoesktra said cost jobs.
But Brewer said Tuesday that Hoekstra's arguments ring hollow because of positions he has advocated, as evidenced by videos on the new website.
"You want to talk about Keystone? You want to talk about oil pipelines?" Brewer asked hypothetically. "He says you should drill for oil in the Great Lakes. There's nothing that would endanger our waters here in Michigan more than taking that kind of position."
Hoekstra later attempted to clarify his position on that issue after remarks earlier this year at a campaign event. Still, Brewer said the message was clear.
"We'll be drawing a contrast between these two candidates so that the people of Michigan will see who is on their side," Brewer said. "And I think in the end, they will easily conclude that it's Debbie Stabenow."
Here's a sample video from the Democrats' new website:

subset: commoncrawl


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Baseball: Sequim falls at NK
North Kitsap starter Andrew Hecker tossed 6 1/3 innings of one-run baseball and Nash Gowin drove in two runs as the Vikings edged the Wolves in the Olympic League standings with a 4-1 win in Poulsbo on Monday afternoon.
Hecker held Sequim to five hits and struck out seven.
Sequim starter Nick Johnston took the loss, though just two of the four runs he gave up in five innings were earned; Sequim's defense committed five errors.
Sequim's Nigel Christian earned the lone Wolf RBI, driving in Dusty Bates with a sacrifice fly in the first inning.
The Wolves loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning, but Viking reliever Chase Bauer got Brett Wright to pop up to third base.
Tanner Rhodefer struck out all three Vikings in relief of Johnston.
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'Radical' Queer Group Bash Back Behind DNC Office Attack
OBVIOUSLY … Transgender vandal Maurice Schwenkler, who was arrested, and imprisoned and released, for breaking the windows of a DNC office in Colorado belongs to the gay anarchy-y group Bash Back, which was founded on shared hatred of male and female checkboxes on forms. You see, Bash Back has done this sort of thing before. But last time it was to the RNC. And HRC. Any group with a C in it is a target!
Yes, (s)he.
Some of the cutest guys I've seen are f/m transgenders. if they have tjust the right structure, with some m hormones, they're really cute.
Rick, all the transgendered people I know,(including the one employee of mine)- even those that just identify as the opposite sex like to be referred to as the sex they choose.
The (s)he you use is just as tasteless as referring to mtf's as he-shes.
I think that the "she" is being used to assault and insult HIM. People get angry at vandals. Especially when goaded by a dismissive clip that implies that they did this all over check-box anger.
Criminal is as criminal does.
It's not about vandalism. It's about Bash Back being a refuge for hipster shit college age queers who think they are being edgy (and who want to spend their lives drinking crappy beer out of a can and smashing bottles because they're angry at 'the gender norms'. Yawn. What a bunch of spoiled brats. That's why they accomplish nothing except occasionally stirring up some trouble. They'll eventually grow up. …Hopefully.
They'll eventually grow up….
Yeah, ususally to become corporate pigs.
Seriously, WTF? I can understand anger at the RNC, but don't think that vandalism/violence advances any LGBT/Queer/Gender cause effectively…and I don't beleive that most transgender/genderqueer people support vandalism or violence as a primary strategy or means to acheive equality.
But vandalizing the DNC? Even the ass-kissing HRC? If you are unhappy with these organizations' track records on gender rights, then protesting, demonstrations, etc, yes…but vandalism against the only organizations who would consider doing ANYTHING in support of you? Um, pretty short sighted…damaging their offices sounds like a way to have the DNC/HRC dump your tranny-dude ass, as opposed to working harder for your rights.
Sorry if this offends, but methinks some of these former females are having trouble managing the aggressive effects that higher levels of testosterone have on the body/psyche…this sounds like some wierd version of roid-rage to me. Calm down, dudes!
he wasn't unhappy with the dnc or with the denver democratic office. he was CLEARLY trying to make it look like rabid conservatives had vandalized the office; trying to prove that ANYONE who opposes obamacare is a violent terrorist.
and the media and the establishment ALMOST bought it. until he was exposed as a democratic operative. fail.
WTF Dennis? Anger at a DNC led by homohaters like Leah Daughtry, an ordained bigot and same sex marriage opponent Tim Kaine is the only sane way to go. HRC has only gotten it right twice since 1980. Their record is full of dinners, retreats (both political and to resorts) and betrayals. In 2007 they united with quislings like Barney Frank and some undisguised Republicans to gut ENDA. They were silent while Frank was bellowed transphobic filth.
The only GLBT people who aren't angry at the RNC, HRC and the DNC are the addled, simpletons and fools who believe that either party is our 'fierce defender'.
That said, these Bash Back folks are simply middle class muddle headed ultralefts. People like that start out as liberals, get swindled by hustlers like the Clintons or Obama and then proceed to have an extended hissy fit, sometimes for several years.
When they're over that bit of nonsense they'll morph back into Dumocrats following the same failed path as the SDS weathermen faction who clicked their heels, howled furiously and 'attacked' Chicago in 1969. The Chicago PD loved it. If Bash Back follows the same path and gets seriously loony they'll get hurt by the cops. When they get out of the pen they'll revert back to being muddleheaded liberals.
There's nothing wrong with disruption as a tactic provided there's enough sentiment to draw decent crowds. The first lesson of organizing is that if people aren't ready you don't try to do an end run around them: you politicize them until they are ready. Then and only then do you move on the enemy.
@Bill Perdue:
Bill, being insulted by you is basically a badge of honor, as you repeatedly prove yourself to be an extremist who is unable to deal with the real world, a world which is unfortunately full of compromises and half-solutions. If you disagree with me, I must be doing something right, many on the site have basically said the same.
A few of my faves of yours…
"Obama is Nixon redux"
"CVS pharmacy should be FORCED to distribute free condoms" (or something similar, it was about some racial profiling/ condom shoplifting crap)
And your constant assertion that there is absolutely no difference between the democrats and republicans. (um, have you been paying any attention to the health care debacle? Which party actively encourages moron wingnuts, and racists, and is trying to obstruct ANY progress? No, it's not mostly the Democrats, so guess again.)
I'll admit that you do add some (sometimes entertaining/ often insane) variety to the site, but as usual, you are long on complaints and bitching, and short on any real-world, concrete solutions to ANY of the numerous issues which upset you.
@Dennis: I must be doing something right… What you're doing Dennis is what you always do: lying in the street waiting for the Obus. Saying that isn't insulting you it's just describing you. Spineless, endlessly accommodating, you have no problem supporting the enemies or our communities.
Your revel in it. The rest of us say no thanks.
Now about health care, Dennis, try to get a grip.
Try to figure out what's actually going on instead of blindly accepting DNC soundbites. Obama, brave, brave Obama ran into a few bullies sent his way by Faux News owner Rupert Murdoch and now he's running with his tail between his legs away from real reform and making deals with the owners of HMOs, insurance giants like AIG and Big Pharma, the gangster triad of health care (add that to your list). He's had more than two dozen White House meetings with them but refuses to talk about what he's betraying or what they're paying him for it. We do know they gave him a down payment for his betrayal of $18.5 million in 'campaign contributions' and later we'll find out about the rest.
Obama's latest is his racist decision to deny health care to immigrant and imported workers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qm4uLCFrP0&eurl%2F%2F
Nixon redux, comparing your fearless leader to Nixon because of their common escalations of inherited wars is a regular theme among columnists and reporters, not so much among right wingers like yourself, but liberals and leftists. Google it and see for yourself. They did teach you how to Google at the DNC School for Shills didn't they?
And yes I'm all for passing laws to seize, without compensation, the profits of the health care Triad and their shareholders and using the monies they'd waste on extravagant lifestyles to finance socialized medicine and a crash program to deal with HIV/AIDS. Sorry if that troubles you.
And finally, since you're a pain enjoying Obot, heres a real insult: you're just another pathetic sellout.
@Bill Perdue:
Seriously Bill, your posts make this pathetic sellout, pain enjoying Obot laugh endlessly…and btw, it's amazing that I have time to be both an Obot AND a 'right winger' as well, clearly I'm busier than I thought.
Again, it's a badge of honor to be insulted by you. I do beleive that in your own way, you desire to improve fairness and equality on the planet (as YOU judge 'fairness and equality' to exist, not as those qualities actually exist in reality, where business owners have some 'rights' as well, and where the profit incentive and the public good have to find some uneasy 'middle ground').
Yes, I'm sure in your mind there's a very good chance that laws will be passed to seize all healthcare industry profits. Sorry, but if almost anything you suggest actually comes to pass, I'll know that the 'end of days' has occured, and Jeebus hisself is headed back to Earth to commence with the rapture, or some such shit, and by then, nothing will really matter anyway.
Bill, you've been called out as a nut on this site and others, more times than I can count. Good luck with your plans, and I'm done. I'm watching the tribute to Sen. Kennedy, a man who spent DECADES of his life striving to improve the lives of people by engaging in practical, tactical actions and seeking common ground among different factions…not proposing some whacked-out bullshit which stands a 'snowball's chance in Hell' of actually happening.
@Dennis: Thanks for explaining. I'm beginning to understand the roots of your ignorance. You actually think that Democrats are some kind of leftists or that they're more progressive than their Republican junior (for now) partners in crime. And you're pro-business and pro-profit.
Those truly stupid beliefs are what make you a total rightwing chucklehead. Democrats and Republicans are both right centrists, not leftists. McCain is a right centrist empire-building thug, Obama is a hustling right centrist and you're just a pathetic right centrist. Who lies about the role of Ted Kennedy.
Have fun watching the Kennedy drama. Trade unionists don't have quite the same opinion of him as you but we're not pro boss either. Here are a couple of items that may interest people, both from Counterpunch and both being circulated among railroaders and other trade unionists.
The first, Teddy Kennedy the Hollow Champion is by Alexander Cockburn. Here's an excerpt:
Teddy Kennedy's disasters were vivid. His legislative triumphs, draped in this week's obituaries with respectful homage, were far less colorful but they were actually devastating for the very constituencies – working people, organized labor – whose champion he claimed to be.
The second, Growls From the Wake in Massachusetts: Kennedy's Sins Against Labor is by Steve Early, a trade unionist who spent DECADES defending working people from fakes like Ted Kennedy. It's well worth reading. Early says "
In several key industries—trucking, the airlines, and telecom–nothing has undermined union membership and bargaining power more than de-regulation. Kennedy embraced de-regulation with gusto and, despite his other differences with Jimmy Carter thirty years ago, helped ram through industry restructuring harmful to hundreds of thousands of workers and their union contracts. By 1985, as Kim Moody describes in U.S. Labor in Trouble and Transition, the number of workers covered by the Teamsters' biggest trucking contract had been halved."
You can link to both articles at http://www.counterpunch.org/
I know! Maybe they could through vim onto a male ward at the jail, and sell seats to all you folks who are so angry! You could watch the rapes and beatings, and bring popcorn. Wouldn't that be fun for you?


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Students in the Camp Hill Recreation Department's youth summer stage program recently performed "Thoroughly Modern Millie Junior" for friends and family. It's one of several plays they will put on this summer as the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center expands beyond purely school-related events.
In January 2006, Pollock pledged $15 million to the Camp Hill School District through the Lion Foundation to build a performing arts center at Eisenhower Elementary School. The center opened this spring.
School events will always take precedence, according to the policy. But organizations can request the performing arts center's use in writing once the district has scheduled its own needs.
The school district and the Lion Foundation can use the facility for free.
Organizations which benefit the district, such as the PTO, booster clubs and school fundraising groups, would be the next in line to use the center, followed by Camp Hill's recreation department and borough-related community groups.
Those organizations can rent the 500-seat theater for a daily rate of $320 or $40 an hour, with a four-hour minimum. Rates for leasing other rooms in the center, such as training rooms, the dance studio or music rooms, range from $20 to $35 an hour.
District staff can be hired at the rate of $20 an hour for a custodian or fire police or $25 an hour for a technician.
Rates go up for nonprofit groups not affiliated with the borough or the district, including a daily rate of $800 for the theater.
Fees are negotiable for private, special-interest, religious or outside educational groups.
For a list of fees and information on leasing the performing arts center, go to www.camphillsd.k12.pa.us.
- Camp Hill Recreation Department's youth summer stage program will feature two more performances at Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center, 340 N. 21st St.
- Disney's "The Jungle Book Kids" will be performed at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. July 27-28.
- Disney's "Aladdin Jr." will be performed at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 10-11.
- Tickets for both productions are $5. For more information, go to www.chyss.com.


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The Supplex is constructed using super-thin transparent skin-like material, polyurethane, which clings to all the contours on the head. The base can be adjusted to fit and is designed to offer an extremely secure fit for those with total hair loss.
The Supplex is available in regular and petite cap sizes to ensure the smoothest fit possible and is constructed using the finest quality Remy hair. The standard length of the Supplex is 10inches and are completely hand-tied, offering versatile styling options. The regular Supplex base size is 54cm and the petite Supplex base size is 52cm.
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Symphony picks out garden spots
By BARBARA REID
Special to the Mirror
Planning for the third annual Federal Way Symphony Garden Tour started long before the autumn leaves fell from the citys trees.
According to Monte Powell, co-chairman of the event since its inception, the search for unique or outstanding gardens is a year-long quest.
We have such a variety of gardens in our area, Powell said. Some are the creations of real master gardeners, and others are the work of some very talented amateurs.
This years garden tour is scheduled for next Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The $15 tickets, along with directions to the garden sites, are available from the symphony office or at outlets in the community, including Westfair Home Decor and Gifts at Gateway Center, Oriental Gardens at Pacific Highway South and South 308th Street, and Coffee Europa at Pacific Highway South and South 304th Street.
A front entrance surrounded by rhododendrons, colorful hanging baskets peeking out from under the eaves of a North Tacoma house, a spectacular Puget Sound view, a shade garden of ferns and hostas and a deck loaded with container plants add up to one of the gardens, by Marian and James Oberg, thats included in this years tour.
The tour features six Federal Way and Northeast Tacoma gardens, each one finding artistic solutions to location problems.
Paul and Jan Reisings garden is such an example. The terrain was difficult but raised planting beds solved some of the problems of accessibility. A pergola harbors an enormous vine-covered arch.
Dirk and Mary Lou VanWoerden have made the most of doing without a lawn. Their seaside garden has ornamental grasses that sway with the breeze and a deck overlooking their formal rose garden. Perennial beds, shrubbery and mature rhododendrons complete the layout.
The garden of Jim and Angie Eichholz is the result of years of dedication invested in its broad terraces, a densely planted slope to take advantage of the suns rays, and a greenhouse. Tropical plants are wintered over and brought out in the spring.
An added plus at the Eicholz garden: Symphony volunteers will be serving refreshments, and a restroom will be available.
The drive to the garden created by Carolyn Acosta and Dave McEniry at the south end of Federal Way will reveal one spacious acre of land given over to everything from a rock garden to a woodland shade garden. Included are vegetables and fruit trees, a circular garden and water feature, and a serene greenbelt adding to the sense of quiet and privacy.
Markie Ann Brown and Patrick Paylow have a garden edged with a sparkling white picket fence and containing roses roses spread across the front of the house and scrambling up arbors, trellises and fences. This former Seattle Times award-winner is wheelchair-accessible.
I never cease to be amazed by our beautiful gardens. They are Federal Ways hidden treasure, said tour co-chairwoman Nancy Ise, a longtime member of the orchestra and its board of directors.
We are really proud of the gardens we are presenting this year, said Powell. They represent hours of loving labor by local green thumbs, and opening them up to the public is a true gift to our community.
Proceeds from the tour are also a gift to the community in the form of continuing support for the 70-member symphony. The professional orchestra offers six concerts a year at St. Lukes Church. Music conductor A. Brian Davenport notes that with one exception, each concert is a double performance, scheduled for 8 p.m. the first Saturday of the month, followed by a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. One of the scheduled performances is a Sunday evening-only chamber concert.
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This deal has ended.
Exclusively for our readers, this Ring with Blue Swarovski Crystal in Sterling Silver drops from $129 to $39 to $19 with the code BRADS at Jewelry.com, plus shipping is free. This is the best price we could find on something similar and is the lowest price they have ever offered on this ring by $10. Plus, buy 2 or more items and save an additional 10% on your total order, which would drop the price on this ring to $17.10. Other best bets can be found here. There is no sales tax (except AR, CA, CT, FL, and NY).No longer available


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A federal jury yesterday found a North Bergen man guilty of sexually assault a sleeping woman on a Newark-bound flight last year.
Bawer Aksal, 49, sat down and placed his head on the table in front of him, occasionally wiping away tears after the 12-member jury announced it had found him guilty of criminal sexual contact and sexual abuse.
Aksal faces life in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Jose Linares on Oct. 23.
The victim in the case, sitting in the front row of Linares' courtroom in Newark, shed tears and nodded in approval of the jury's verdict.
Aksal was handcuffed and detained by U.S. marshals after Linares granted the government's request to hold him. Linares said he believes Aksal represents "substantial risk offlight."
Aksal was found guilty of slipping his hands in the shirt and shorts of the 50-year-old woman who was sleeping next to him on United Airlines Flight 306 from Phoenix to Newark last Aug. 20.
During the trial, the victim testified that Aksal had digitally "penetrated" her while on the flight and that Aksal whispered "Kiss me" when she was awakened. Aksal did not testify.
The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for roughly eight hours before returning the verdict.
Aksal's attorney, Robert DeGroot, gave a short statement.
"We're all profoundly disappointed, but we accept what the jurors have said," DeGroot said outside the courtroom.


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- Subjects:Reading, Science, Classroom Management, Research Skills, Parent and Teacher Communication, Teacher Tips and Strategies, Working with Families and the Community, Communication and the Internet
Educating Teens About Drugs — The National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Grades: 6–8, 9–12
Drug and alcohol abuse continues to plague teenagers, and parents and teachers are often at a loss about how to handle this important issue. I grew up in the '70s, when there was a great deal of glorification of drug use in the media and very little information about the dark, dangerous side of drug use and addiction. With the advent of the information age, however, there are plenty of resources to help educate and inform students about the dangers of drug use.
My parents never really talked about drugs except to warn us sternly NOT TO DO THEM. I remember once when I was 13, my sister was 15, and my brother was 10, my mother found little blue capsules in the bathroom. She was hysterical, convinced that one of us was using drugs. She sat us all down and said she would call the police on us if we didn't confess. We looked at each other dumbfounded as to whom the drug addict was. Later, my mother found out that my father, who was a plumber, had left the capsules in the bathroom — they were used to discover leaks in toilets.
Books on Addiction
Much of what I learned about the true risk of drug use came from the contemporary novels of the time; the most compelling, of course, was Go Ask Alice. I will tell you that this book scared me straight. It was the diary of a teenage drug user whose descent from popular teenager yearning to fit in to drug addict spiraling out of control was portrayed in painful detail. Alice's diary entries trail off towards the end of the book, and her eventual death is reported on its last pages. I know today there is a great deal of argument about the authenticity of the book, but I still believe that it is a powerful and important book for teens. Jay's Journal often has the same impact on boys.
Online Resources
Today we are lucky that there are so many informative and intelligent resources about drug use available for parents, teachers, and students. Scholastic's Heads Up site, a collaboration between Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has excellent information for students and young adults, including facts about drugs, videos, real stories, activities, and downloads. Most importantly, the site specifically looks at the science of drug use, including the effects of drug abuse on the brain and body. The Web site can clear up the myths and misinformation that often surround drugs and addiction. There are plenty of links for students who need more information or help. The Teen Science Investigation (TSI) portion of the site includes award-winning research projects such as: Do human corpses found intact in the desert hold clues about the dangers of methamphetamine abuse? Can the residue from burning tobacco cause genetic mutations in flies? NIDA's mission to bring the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction creates a powerful resource for information and dialogue.
On the site, teachers can find plenty of lesson plans and worksheets aligned with National Standards to use in the classroom, which can help educate students about drugs and their effects. Parents will also find resources to help them answer questions and talk frankly with their children about everything from prescription drug abuse to methamphetamines.
In the "Real Stories" section of the NIDA for Teens site, real teens tell their stories about drug abuse and addiction. For instance, "Beyond the Bulk: Craig's Story" is an insightful, informative, and brutally honest look at steroid use. "E is for Empty: Daniel's Story" tells the true story of a teen whose abuse of the drug commonly called Ecstasy began because he thought no one liked him. The truth was that drugs alienated him from everyone.
Finally, it is important for teens to know that there is help for them out there if a friend or family member suffers from addiction. Al-Anon/Alateen charges no dues, and teens can attend meetings to get comfort, advice, and support in dealing with the difficult issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse. Resources are available in English, Spanish, and French.
With all the information readily available for teens, parents, and teachers, we can all be well equipped to fight drug abuse and deal with issues of addiction. Armed with these tools, students will be better able to make healthy decisions.
~ Nancy
Bob is my friend and i agree with him comepletly. I did drugs before so i would love to find out how to talk to these kids. Somtimes i still do drugs but it is good to talk about it.
Thank you, JT, that's one reason I like the NIDA site so much - it CLEARS up the myths and misinformation about drugs. And McClendon, you are so right - we must help kids realize that their actions can have dire consequences, that one mistake can change their whole lives. Finally, Michelle, I agree - we have to continue to truthfully and honestly communicate with our kids so that they get the TRUE message about drugs and addiction.
I think the thing I remember most about the whole "drug" thing was how while I was in K-12, everyone told me not to do drugs or I'd turn into a loser. Then when I got to college and saw so many students doing drugs, I was floored. I mean, in my vocabulary, no "loser" would ever be found matriculating in college, right? I think it's really important that we tell kids the whole truth about drugs and not just approach it with a "drugs are bad" philosophy because (sadly) some kids have parents who are doing drugs. We have to approach it with facts, honesty, and a real understanding that people make bad choices. Sometimes it takes years, decades, before smoking pot catches up to a person. I look back - 20 years later - and see the effects on those who didn't stop or who went on to harder drugs, and it's a sad view. But again, it's not a good-people, bad-people conversation with kids, especially when they think 20 years is actually a hundred years away.
My brother had a friend who "barely" survived those years of his life. He will never be the same. Kids need to understand that their decisions have consequences. Some consequences are so horrible that they will never recover from that one night of making a poor decision. You are doing a great job getting this information out to teachers. Thanks, Nancy!
And thank you, Kathy, for doing this most-needed work!
I have worked in shelters for teenagers who had substance abuse problems and I find that it's critical for young teens to be educated on this important issue. At times I've encountered that their knowledge of what drugs do to their bodies and minds is limited or false. Thanks for recommending books that deal with drug abuse in order for teachers to implement it in their classrooms!
As someone who has dedicated my whole adult life to people suffering with the disease of addiction, I appreciate this blog and how it highlights the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs amongst teens. There is hope and much help out there for people suffering with this life-threatening disease. Thank you for posting.
Charles, I agree with you 100%. Survivor stories are VERY powerful for kids, and that's one think I like about the "real stories" section of the site. I also like how you said the parent said to you "they're good kids" and "that's what my parents thought." That is a mistake WAY too many parents make! Thanks for your input!
Nancy, I do believe we all have friends that survived the drug years of our youth (and many that didn't). I think that having a survivor speaking to young folks, speaking to and not at, is a valuable tool. When you can talk about what was lost in exchange for a few hours of being high it really doesn't balance out. Much more was lost than gained. I for one have talked with my friends who have teens and don't have a clue. When I offered to talk with a friend's kids and she replied that my kids are good, to which I replied that's what my parents thought. The look on her face changed so intensely that I was invited to her house that evening. The few times I have spoken with teens about drug use I have asked that their parents no be present so the kids could express themselves freely. What I do know is that in retrospect I would have chosen a different route. I also think that if a teacher is going to bring someone in to talk about drug abuse from experience that teacher and speaker need to spend time together mapping out what is to be said and how it is going to be said, so the past isn't accidently glorified. Hope this makes some sense.
nancy, I think your absolutly right. Because having the ability of speaking with a survivor is amazing. I think you are inspirational.


text:
July 13, 1999
Analysts overseas kept a wary watch on developments in Kashmir over the past few days following the de facto cease-fire agreed to by India and Pakistan on Sunday. Observers generally credited President Clinton's personal intervention--via his talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Washington July 4th--with having eased the two rivals away from the brink of a third Indo-Pakistani war over the disputed territory of Kashmir. Most writers, however, cautioned that it was "still too soon to speak of peace, much less a permanent one" for Kashmir. Among the "obstacles" ahead, some analysts emphasized, was the difficulty the Pakistani premier would have in "selling" the withdrawal of the mujahideen forces from Kashmir--one of the elements of the agreement between Islamabad and New Delhi--to "extremists and fundamentalists" in his country. Others put the onus on India to alter its stance toward Kashmir, arguing that "as long as India does not give up plans to rule Kashmir like an occupied country, and as long as human rights violations in Kashmir do not stop, this trouble spot will continue to exist." A writer for Munich's centrist Sueddeutsche Zeitung held that "the Kashmir question" might well be "unresolvable, because it touches on the self-understanding of Muslim Pakistan and secular India." If so, that paper concluded, "all sides involved should try to live with it." Following are highlights in the commentary:
INDIAN VIEWS ON 'LESSONS' FROM KARGIL--Although a number of Indian pundits could not refrain from expressing the view that the "Kargil conflict once again underscores the fact that Pakistan's is one army which has never won a war," most warned their government not to crow about a "victory" over Pakistan. Many fretted about Pakistan's perceived efforts to "internationalize" the Kashmir issue and urged a revival of the "Lahore process" in order to ensure that Kashmir "remains a bilateral issue." New Delhi's pro-economic reforms Business Standard stressed that the "hardest" lesson for India to learn from the Kargil episode was that "politics" in Pakistan were "no longer driven" only by "anti-India sentiment" but by religious considerations, and saw "theology and nuclear weapons" as a dangerous mix.
PAKISTAN: 'U.S. COMES TO INDIA'S RESCUE'--Most available commentary from Pakistan charged that the U.S. had taken India's side in the Kargil dispute and that Pakistan "had lost more than it had gained" following the Clinton-Sharif meeting in Washington. Islamic-oriented and independent papers questioned "why Pakistan alone should bear the responsibility of implementing the Washington agreement" by ensuring that the mujahideen withdraw from the Kargil region, and decried their country's "morbid dependency on Washington." Karachi's Urdu-language, pro-Jamaat i-Islami Ummat and the center-right Nation couched their complaints in religious terms, calling for a "holy war" to "repay the blood" of the "hundreds of civilians, soldiers and...army officers [who] have embraced martyrdom for the cause of Kashmir and of Pakistan."
This survey is based on 34 reports from 10 countries, July 10 -13.
EDITOR: Kathleen J. Brahney
INDIA: "Cease-Fire Signs"
An editorial in the right-of-center Indian Express argued (7/13): "The withdrawal or disengagement, as it is euphemistically called, marks the triumph of the military and diplomatic offensive launched by India since mid-May against Pakistani intruders.... The Kargil conflict once again underscores the fact that Pakistan's is one army which has never won a war. The cease-fire does not mean that the Kargil crisis is over. The diplomatic initiative India took in convincing the world about the genuineness of its case played a great role in turning the tables against Pakistan. And the diplomatic offensive should go on.... There is now greater appreciation of India's stand on Kashmir--that it should be settled according to the provisions of the Simla agreement. Thus, it is in India's interests to pursue peace by putting the bitterness caused by the Kargil developments behind it."
"The Final Stage"
According to an editorial in the centrist Hindu (7/13): "By effecting a phased withdrawal which began on Sunday, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has demonstrated his hold on his government, the military establishment and the mujahideen.... Even if this misadventure causes a lot of domestic, political problems for Sharif, he will no doubt earn the appreciation of the international community, particularly the United States, for summoning up the courage to stand by the Washington statement. It is obvious that Pakistan acted under international and U.S. pressure.... Without international pressure, Sharif may not have relented.... Even after the drubbing on the ground, Islamabad is convinced that it has succeeded in 'internationalizing' the Kashmir issue through the Kargil conflict.... If India wants to ensure that Kashmir remains a bilateral issue and is resolved peacefully, it must now seize on the opportunity presented by the withdrawal to revive the Lahore process."
"Beyond Kargil"
An editorial in the nationalist Hindustan Times asserted (7/13): "Now that Pakistan, at the prodding of the United States, has seen the folly of its ways and begun to withdraw to its side of the Line of Control, India has to weigh the various consequences of the Kargil conflict. That New Delhi has scored a major diplomatic triumph goes without saying.... But even as the world has largely recognized the justice of India's case, it will also expect New Delhi and Islamabad to initiate steps to resolve their differences now that the war has ended. India, of course, is quite prepared for a resumption of the dialogue.... But the point that is still to be ascertained is whether Pakistan is ready for a negotiated settlement. It cannot be allowed to play a double game any more--talks with India while instigating the so-called mujahideen in their acts of terrorism.... Indeed, its spokesmen threatened that there would be more Kargils if their demands were not met. If so, what will be the point of holding talks? A settlement is possible either through peaceful means or through war. Pakistan has to make up its mind as to which option it would exercise. Otherwise, an agreement will turn into a scrap of paper like the much-heralded Lahore Declaration did."
"Lessons From Kargil"
The pro-economic reform Business Standard held (7/13): "When countries fight even a limited war such as the one that is now concluding in Kargil, they tend to draw three types of lessons from it--political, diplomatic and military. The political lesson for India may well turn out to be the hardest to learn, namely, that politics in Pakistan is no longer driven by just one driver, the anti-India sentiment, but that another, more potent driver--God--has taken over.... The diplomatic lesson is closely linked to this. It is that theology and nuclear weapons don't mix well--and the BJP, too, would do well to bear this in mind.
"The Western countries, especially the United States, stood by India during the crisis.... The third lesson...is the military one. When someone sets about finding out how the Kargil incursion happened, they will doubtless come across the uncomfortable fact that the sentry was asleep at the gate.... In the most immediate context, it would be futile to hope for early talks. There has to be a cooling off period.... During that period, India must insist that Pakistan dismantle the training camps for the mujahideen and that unless it does so, India is not willing to resume talks. If, somewhere along the way, the Lahore process gets relaunched, well and good. Because, as the human cost of this engagement should remind all of us, peace is better than war."
"Turnaround By Pakistan"
An analysis in the centrist Hindu contended (7/12): "The 'Appeal' issued by the powerful Cabinet Defense Committee of Pakistan to the mujahideen, in effect to withdraw from the Indian side of the Line of Control, has the potential to defuse a potentially explosive crisis. Combined with the Chief of the Army Staff's support for the Washington statement that followed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's meeting with President Bill Clinton, the 'Appeal' signals a turnaround in Islamabad.... The signals from Islamabad must be welcome.... [But] India must be alert to the larger agenda. Defeated on the ground and exposed around the world as the aggressor, Pakistan has stepped up its efforts to try and internationalize the Kashmir dispute.... The threat of third-party intervention...will remain as long as the bilateral track is not sincerely utilized."
"Saving Face"
According to an editorial in the right-of-center Indian Express (7/12): "The impression that the Pakistani government has tried to foist upon the media is that the mujahideen arrived in Kashmir without touching Pakistan soil anywhere. Were this to be true, it should constitute a very great miracle, such as the teleportation device often seen in Star Trek. The government will have its work cut out for it if it is to move towards the Lahore process again, as it piously declared in Washington. The national mood in Pakistan is distrustful and confrontationist at present. It will have to change substantially if a return to diplomacy is to be backed by the national will. It is the government which will have to work this change. For starters, it should stop deluding its own people."
"Reaping The Kargil Harvest"
Executive Editor Malini Parthasarathy penned this analysis in the centrist Hindu (7/12): "New Delhi's diplomatic strategy not to allow the world to scrutinize the Kashmir dispute has been severely dented. Apart from the fact of President Bill Clinton's assurance to Sharif that he would 'take a personal interest' in encouraging an expeditious resumption and intensification of bilateral efforts to resolve the Kashmir dispute, the daily coverage of the Kargil crisis by the mainstream international media has brought Kashmir back into the spotlight, globally speaking. If not for Washington's loudly expressed disapproval, Islamabad might well have persisted with its adventurist military strategy.... Strengthened by the attention that the international community has given the Kargil affair, Islamabad will watch intently for proof of New Delhi's laggardness in addressing the substantive issues underlying the divide.... The Vajpayee government would be ill-advised to turn the Kargil episode into a 'victory' and to paint Pakistan as 'the defeated aggressor.' While it might make effective and winning election rhetoric for the BJP and its allies, it would damage India's image in the international arena as a trustworthy and credible interlocutor. The country cannot afford to pay this price."
"Sharif Stoops To Survive"
N.C. Menon observed in the nationalist Hindustan Times (7/12): "The moment Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sent an SOS to President Clinton...it was a foregone conclusion that Islamabad had surrendered all its options and was desperately willing to be rescued out of the mess of its own making, on any terms that Washington chose to set down.... Despite all the friendly and cooperative diplomatic rhetoric that followed, President Clinton knew he had Sharif where he wanted and there was not much wriggling that the Pakistani prime minister could do.... The unkindest cut of all, as far as Sharif was concerned, was the attitude adopted by Beijing. The Pakistani prime minister fully expected China to demonstrate an element of support for its old ally. Unfortunately for him, the Clinton administration had called in all its chips in Beijing and made it clear that as a major power, it expected Beijing to help defuse the looming South Asian crisis.... [For] its part, Beijing, having forced the United States to wear sack cloth and ashes over the accidental bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, was looking for ways to resume a more normal relationship with Washington.... Caught in that power play, poor Nawaz Sharif did not know what had hit him."
"The Clinton Doctrine"
Kapil Sibal, Congress member of the Indian Parliament, judged in the centrist Times of India (7/12): "American foreign policy is fast adjusting itself to grasp the advantages of a unipolar world. Though the Clinton doctrine may provide justification for intervention in Kosovo, the joint statement issued by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and U.S. President Bill Clinton in Washington on July 5, is a manifestation of the increasingly significant role that the United States thinks itself destined to play in what it considers to be potential areas of conflict.... The so-called Clinton doctrine...[which] allows intervention when intervention bears no relation to the national interest of the United States...has the potential of being interventionist in the long term.... President Clinton [also] wishes to take a 'personal interest' in bilateral efforts between India and Pakistan as reflected in the joint statement. Yet these have to be done in the context of the Simla Accord by the two countries themselves."
"Kargil And The Future"
N. Krishnan commented in the centrist Hindu (7/11): "We cry ourselves hoarse that we do not want any internationalization [of Kashmir].... But...there is little sense in shouting from the housetops that we do not want the Americans meddling in Indo-Pakistan affairs, at the same time applauding the strong pressure they are exerting on Pakistan to take concrete measures for the vacation of the intrusions beyond the Line of Control."
PAKISTAN: "U.S. Did It!"
According to an editorial in Karachi's rightist, pro-Jamaat-i-Islami, Urdu-language Ummat (7/13): "The United States has never taken as much interest in getting occupied Kashmir vacated from Indian troops as it has shown in getting Kargil freed from the freedom fighters. The Kashmir issue can never be resolved through negotiations, so the only solution left is a holy war."
"After The Withdrawal"
An editorial in pro-Islamic unity, Urdu-language Jasarat held (7/13): "It has become apparent that during his meeting with President Clinton, Nawaz Sharif entered into an agreement for the withdrawal of guerrillas from Kargil, and Pakistan achieved nothing out of it."
"War At Home"
This op-ed column by Ghazi Salahuddin ran in the centrist News (7/13): "It is encouraging that President Clinton has promised to personally push forward the process launched by the Lahore Declaration.... Considering what has happened during the recent weeks, it would not be easy for the two countries to return to Lahore, by bus or by any other means of transport. But there was, and [is], no other option. It is now Nawaz Sharif's task to de-escalate the political situation in [Pakistan] and promote an environment in which national issues can be raised and discussed without recourse to rowdiness and shrill rhetoric. He must also demonstrate that in this endeavor, he is willing to reform his own views and his ways of dealing with his critics."
"U.S. Comes To India's Rescue"
General Mirza Aslam Beg penned this op-ed piece in the center-right Nation (7/13): "History has witnessed an ironic reversal: India humiliated Pakistan, mustering the full support of the United States and the former Soviet Union in 1971 in dismembering Pakistan. Now in 1999, it is the United States which has come to India's rescue again by freeing the strategic locations of Kargil from the mujahideen's grip and letting India regain them, which would not have been possible militarily.... During the past two months, along the Line of Control hundreds of civilians, soldiers, and about forty young army officers have embraced martyrdom for the cause of Kashmir and for the cause of Pakistan. Who will repay their blood, which is a sacred trust with almighty Allah, but seems to have been traded by someone, who will not go unpunished by Him?"
"Pulling Back From The Brink"
Peshawar's independent Frontier Post judged (7/13): "The United States has every reason to feel satisfied with the results of its South Asia policy. Pakistan has again proved to be extremely vulnerable to American pressure. Conversely, it indicates a morbid dependency on Washington. Whatever be the case, war now has been averted, and it is a moment of joy for all of us."
"Kashmir: The Global Context"
Tanvir Ahmad Khan argued in Karachi's independent Dawn (7/13): "The retreat of the mujahideen from the bunkers of Kargil, carries the risk that it may go too far. This is a metaphorical danger.... Of all the possible solutions of Kashmir, partition along the Line of Control is easily the worst as it sunders and fragments people beyond help and redress.... It is time to return to the drawing board for a comprehensive strategic rethink. There must be someone around the prime minister who can tell him that the task needs appropriate tools. The task is to formulate a viable and sustainable foreign and security policy."
"Washington Communique And Indian Designs"
An editorial in the leading, mass-circulation, Urdu-language Jang declared (7/12): "Pakistan has started implementing the Washington Communique and has appealed for the freedom fighters to withdraw. On the other hand, the Indian army is continuing its disregard of the international borders and targeting the civilian population [inside Pakistani-controlled Kashmir]. In these circumstances, political quarters in Pakistan are questioning why Pakistan alone should bear the responsibility of implementing the Washington agreement, as India has been left free to commit all types of aggressions. In these circumstances it is the responsibility of the United States to take stern note of the violation of Line of Control from the Indian side."
"A Moral Tragedy"
Syed Talat Hussain told readers of the center-right Nation (7/12): "The perception runs deep in the public mind that in the Washington deal, Pakistan lost more than it gained.... The Kashmiri lobby is not just a handful of Kashmiri hard-line groups, but an extensive network of businessmen, army men, bureaucrats and Mr. Sharif's voters.... This entire lobby has been affected by the Washington deal and the manner in which it was done. It needs to be put at ease."
"Controversial Diplomacy"
Nadeem Shahid observed in the center-right Nation (7/12): "The opposition has bitterly accused the prime minister of a sellout to the United States on the Kashmir issue. Some of his opponents have directly or indirectly labeled him a traitor. In fact, Nawaz Sharif took a high-risk gamble by giving his word to Bill Clinton about the withdrawal of the militants from Kargil.... Now, the crucial question is whether Nawaz Sharif will be able to persuade the mujahideen to vacate the hills near Kargil. The latter, and their supporters in Pakistan, have flatly refused to respect the former's pledge to America.... It is difficult to decide whether the prime minister's diplomatic adventure is an act of brilliant statesmanship or the result of arm-twisting by the world's sole superpower.... Mian Sahib, however, does deserve credit for his efforts to ward off a potential nuclear war in South Asia."
NEPAL: "India's Advance Sympathy To Pakistan; America's Success"
Independent Aajako Samacharpatra featured this commentary (7/11): "On the Kargil issue, America has unexpectedly achieved a diplomatic victory after a long effort.... Clinton's role is praiseworthy.... America has the opportunity to win the hearts of billions of people without any material investment...and this has increased the possibility of averting the threat of a devastating cloud of war that was hovering over South Asia.... The enhancement of the South Asian people's respect for the United States is a great achievement.... With America's role in the Kargil issue, relations between the United States and India have improved to such an extent that both India and the United States have been seeing each other as allies.... Tension in Kargil and Kashmir may persist for years because of the attitude of the Islamic fundamentalists.... India needs to adopt a long-term strategy with additional preparedness.... The United States, which has constantly been under the threat of terrorists like [Osama] bin Laden, will, and must, help India.... If the United States will be able to make the two warring nations agree to sign the CTBT, it will be another American triumph."
SRI LANKA: "Pakistan Likely To Defy Clinton On Kargil"
Adrian D'Melo filed this special report for the pro-business Sunday Times (7/11): "With increasing pressure to live down the charge that he has sold out Pakistan's interest to Washington, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is unlikely to be in a hurry to honor his pledge to President Clinton.... The clout of the United States in Pakistan is also in question now.... Pakistan will...try to play the China card to neutralize U.S. influence. But the economic leash in the hands of the United States is short, and Pakistan could feel the pinch if the United States applies economic sanctions."
"Pakistan's Dilemma"
Vernon L.B. Mendis told readers of the government-owned/controlled, English-language Sunday Observer (7/11): "There is...a widespread fundamentalist type movement [in Pakistan] opposed to the settlement, which is also a political threat to the government, as it is calling for the removal of Nawaz Sharif.
"Thus the Pakistani government is facing a dilemma over the implementation of the accord, which is damaging its reputation in the eyes of the international community. Indeed, it would appear that, as a result, India has become a hero in the eyes of the Western world. It is up to Pakistan to restore its image, which means in effect control of the armed forces and the assertion of civilian rule in the face of the opposition from the military and militant religious factions."
HONG KONG: "Respite, Not A Resolution"
The independent South China Morning Post stressed (7/11): "After two months of fresh brutality on the Kashmir front, something inexcusably rare is being added to its cruel politics: a dash of common sense. This brings hope that a restored armistice between India and Pakistan can lead to serious talks about finally resolving 52 years of wasteful war.... What comes next is unclear. Pakistan has cause to feel aggrieved by history, but both sides have been so committed to righteous violence that broader interests suffer. Mr. Clinton can merely get talks resumed; he can't settle things. Resolution will require more courage and foresight than either side has managed since it all began back in 1947. And asking for that may still be asking too much."
JAPAN: "Seeds Of Kashmir Tension Must Be Eradicated"
An editorial in top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri observed (7/13): "Indian and Pakistani military officials agreed on the gradual withdrawal of Islamic militants from Kashmir in a bid to defuse tension which arose from more than two months of armed skirmishes that could have brought the rival neighbors to the brink of a fourth Indo-Pakistani war. We hope a cease-fire will take hold. Unlike their previous military clashes, the recent shelling and air operations between India and Pakistan, both already de facto nuclear powers, have had more different and serious impacts on the global community."
SOUTH KOREA: "Dispute Resolved"
Kwon Hyuk-bum declared in moderate Hankook Ilbo (7/13): "This round of resolving a conflict--over Kashmir this time--demonstrates once again the power of U.S. influence. President Clinton's involvement--supporting India and urging Pakistan to have the guerrillas withdrawn--provided critical momentum.... Although Pakistan's guerrillas will soon be withdrawn from the area of conflict, Pakistan appears to be the one that scored points, by having 'internationalized' the Kashmir issue."
THAILAND: "Fighting Won't Define The Borderline"
The independent, English-language Nation's lead editorial argued (7/11): "SInce returning to Pakistan, Sharif has been quiet on his pledge to U.S. President Bill Clinton 'to take concrete steps' to end the fighting. Despite the political heat, Sharif must carry through on his promise. He must make it clear to the army and the militants that more fighting serves nobody's interest and could cause great economic and social hardship to the country. The guerrillas are not going to make more military gains, and besides, they have achieved their objective--Kashmir is on the international agenda again. India can help the process by offering to halt its shelling to allow the militants to withdraw. It was right to refuse to discuss Kashmir until the guerrillas are gone from its territory, but [India] must also be sincere in looking for a negotiated settlement to the Kashmir dispute.... The dispute in Kashmir, a region with a volatile mix of ethnicity, religions and cultures, needs to be resolved. Fighting will not do it."
GERMANY: "Retreat"
Werner Adam had this to say in right-of-center Frankfurter Allgemeine (7/13): "It seems that the danger of a third war over Kashmir has been stemmed. India and Pakistan...agreed on a withdrawal plan. The Delhi government can consider it a diplomatic success that this plan includes Islamabad's concession that, despite statements to the contrary, it had the control of the Muslim intruders who invaded the Indian part of Kashmir. However, India should not enjoy this success to the full, since this would create enormous domestic difficulties for Pakistan's Premier Sharif. Instead it would be much better for India to finally accepted Pakistan's wish for international mediation. This conflict showed again and again that both countries are unable to find a way out of this permanent Kashmir crisis. This way out can be found only if the Kashmiri themselves have a chance to say what they think of their future."
"Only Winners In Kashmir"
Andreas Baenziger emphasized in centrist Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich (7/13):
"Both sides are selling the end of the Kashmir conflict as a success.... It is true that the Kashmir conflict attracted the attention of the global public again and made it aware of how dangerous the conflict between the two nuclear powers and the world is. But despite the crisis, which was provoked by Pakistan, the problems have not been resolved. The Kashmir question continues to be unresolvable, because it touches the self-understanding of Muslim Pakistan and secular India. But if a problem is unresolvable, all sides involved should try to live with it. There are enough concrete possibilities to live with it, for instance, the end of the regular artillery duels at the Siachen glacier, the most foolish battlefield in the world.... But steps in this direction require mutual confidence which did not increase in the roaring of guns in the Indus valley."
"Peace Still Distant In Kashmir"
From Berlin, centrist Der Tagesspiegel's Gabriele Vensky opined (7/13): "The government in New Delhi is well aware of the fact that the Islamists will not accept defeat and that they will not accept orders from politicians to withdraw from Kashmir. This means that the Indian offensive will continue. But the Delhi government will also adjust to the fact that quiet and order will not return to the region for a long time to come. India's wise reaction in the latest conflict resulted in international praise and brought the country closer to its goal of turning the provisional cease-fire line into an internationally recognized border. But as long as India does not give up plans to rule Kashmir like an occupied country, and as long as human rights violations in Kashmir do not stop, this trouble spot will continue to exist. Kashmir is still far from peace. It is now up to India, which calls itself the biggest democracy on earth, to make a serious, democratic, and fair new beginning in Kashmir."
RUSSIA: "Pakistanis Back Down"
Vladimir Skosyrev noted in reformist Izvestiya (7/13): "The extremists and the generals behind them have to leave, which is a bitter pill to swallow. Their attempt to change the status quo in Kashmir by force has virtually put Islamabad in isolation."
"Biggest Nuclear Threat Is in South Asia"
Ivan Safranchuk mused in reformist weekly Moskovskiye Novosti (7/13): "South Asia is where the world faces its biggest nuclear threat. Aware of that, great powers have had to give up their dogmatic approach whereby their client-countries need to be supported under any circumstances.
"The Kosovo conflict has helped India and Pakistan become nuclear club members. After Kosovo, countries that have sought to solve their problems by violent methods have had their hands untied, and others feel free to renege on their commitments."
"U.S., Russia Coordinate In South Asia"
Vladimir Skosyrev noted in reformist Izvestiya (7/10): "The Sharif government cannot but honor the accords with the United States--it is expecting another loan from the IMF. Besides, it is under pressure from other Western industrialized countries and Russia. Moscow and Washington have exchanged opinions on Kashmir. Differences over Yugoslavia have not stopped them from coordinating in South Asia. This has been especially important since India and Pakistan became nuclear powers."
SPAIN: "Toward Peace In Kashmir"
Conservative ABC commented (7/13): "Undoubtedly, it is still too soon to speak of peace, much less a permanent one.... The suspension of hostilities [between India and Pakistan] is partly the result of a commitment made by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to President Bill Clinton.... The opportunity presented by the current diminution of tensions should not be wasted in the search for a definitive solution--via UN mediation--to the historic problem of...Kashmir."
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: "A Stitch In Time"
The mass-circulation, independent Express contended (7/12): "Intervention by the United States appears to have averted a major war, or even worse, between India and Pakistan although Indian troops continue to fight tough battles with islamic militants in the mountains of disputed Kashmir. Pakistan has apparently allowed itself to be persuaded by the United States that it should seek to back off from more confrontation with India by encouraging the Islamic militants at battle with the Indian army to withdraw from territory in Kashmir, which India regards as its own. The plan, described as controversial, has not gone down well with some political and military officials in Pakistan who see any concession to India over Kashmir as a serious slap in the face.... [In Pakistan,] Islamic militants have described the plan as a 'sellout' and are angry that the Pakistani government has allowed the Americans to use their considerable influence in Islamabad to tone down the conflict in Kashmir.... Hopefully, the U.S. intervention will lead to a cooling off of tensions between the two countries which have already gone to war twice over the disputed Kashmir territry.... Both countries might be said to have drawn back from the brink this time around. But unless serious steps are taken to cool down the situation in Kashmir, it may only be a matter of time before we find ourselves sitting on the brink once more."
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Jersey Shore season 3: Gross-out moments
Monday, March 21, 2011 12:02 PM
Right up there with Ronnie and Sammi is the epic battle between the housemates and the toilet. A plumber finally shows up and discovers that someone has flushed an article of clothing down the toilet, pulling up a revolting piece of brown-smeared fabric.
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Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
What: Shares of discount travel website priceline.com (Nasdaq: PCLN ) plunged 15% today after its quarterly results and outlook came in below Wall Street expectations.
So what: Priceline's second-quarter profit managed to beat estimates on strong bookings, but a small miss on the top line -- revenue of $1.33 billion versus the consensus of $1.35 billion -- coupled with downbeat guidance for the current quarter, reinforces concerns over its exposure to weakening conditions in Europe. In fact, close rival Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW ) also issued a gloomy outlook today as the European turmoil weighed on travel plans, giving investors little hope for a near-term turnaround in the space.
Now what: For the third quarter, Priceline now sees adjusted EPS of $11.10-$12.10 on revenue of $1.58 billion-$1.67 billion, well below Wall Street's view of $12.82 and $1.8 billion, respectively. "Given the uncertainties surrounding worldwide economic conditions, particularly in Europe where much of our business is concentrated, the variability around our guidance is greater than as usually the case," CFO Daniel Finnegan said in a conference call with analysts. Of course, with the stock now off more than 25% from its 52-week highs and currently trading at a reasonable forward P/E, much of that macro uncertainty might already be baked into the price.
Interested in more info on priceline? Add it to your watchlist.


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Benefit dinner Oct. 24 for Gary and Margo Posenjak
There will be a benefit spaghetti dinner on Oct. 24, 4-7 p.m. at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church for Gary and Margo Posenjak, who are missionaries in northwest Alaska.
This event is sponsored by the Presbyterian Church and Islands Community Church. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 4-12, and free for children 3 and younger. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the church or at the door.
The menu will include spaghetti, salad, homemade bread and desserts. Coffee, tea and a cool beverage will be available. Carry-out will be provided for those who wish to take a meal home.
The Posenjaks were long-time residents of Friday Harbor who left two years ago to work at KAKO, a Christian retreat center in a remote part of Alaska. The center provides Christian Bible camps for children, marriage counseling for residents of nearby villages, retreats for public school educators in remote villages, and drug and alcohol counseling.
In addition, the Posenjaks conduct a Kids' Club in Russian Mission, a 35-mile snowmobile ride away, weekly during the school year.
KAKO is an airplane-based ministry, flying children and adults from many small villages in the area. Thus, the increased cost of airplane fuel has hurt their budget immensely. The proceeds from this dinner will go to help offset increased costs.
Ruth Frazee
San Juan Island
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WINSLOW TOWNSHIP -- A Pennsylvania man who operated several temporary labor firms has admitted bribing a New Jersey Labor Department investigator to overlook his companies' failure to pay employment taxes.
Thuan Nguyen, 38, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Camden to bribery and failure to remit employment taxes.
Nguyen admitted he paid investigator Joseph Rivera of Winslow more than $145,000 in bribes. Rivera pleaded guilty a year ago and is awaiting sentencing.
As part of his plea, Nguyen has agreed to pay the taxes owed, plus interest and penalties, which total more than $400,000.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 12.
• March 31, 2009: State investigator admits bribes by temp agencies


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TRENTON — The media had been peppering Thunder manager Tony Franklin with many of the same, unanswered questions all season.
Who are your leaders, and why do your players appear almost devoid of emotion much of the time?
Well, Franklin can go to work Tuesday night (7:05 p.m.) at Arm & Hammer Park for the start of the 2013 Eastern League Championship Series against Western Division champion Harrisburg without worrying about either of those queries any more.
"Like many of you, I did not see a whole lot of emotion from them this year," said Franklin, managing Double-A Trenton in the ELCS for the fifth time since 2007, and the third time since 2010. "I think they were still looking to find their way, finding their niche and playing the game. Once they did that, they just let their talent take over, but at this stage of the season, let's face it — it takes more than just talent to get the job done."
Right fielder Tyler Austin stepped up as the unquestionable leader both on the field and in the clubhouse prior to Game 1 of the Division Series, when he promised "a long night" for top Mets pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard, then backed it up with a monster game, which included three hits, two doubles and two RBIs.
Austin also scored the game's deciding run in the 10th inning of a thrilling, 6-5 victory following Ben Gamel's single to right field.
In Game 2, recently promoted shortstop Ali Castillo nearly jumped out of his skin celebrating his game-deciding, run-scoring double, and earlier in the night, a normally even-tempered Ramon Flores pumped his fists after a key triple.
Playing for a ring also has cranked up the intensity meter.
"We have to give these players more credit than I think we have in the past," Franklin said of the Thunder, who swept Binghamton, the EL's top team during the regular season, 3-0 in the ELDS to advance.
"They know full well what they are up against right now, what this means, and what is at stake. I think they want this very badly, for no other reason than to prove something to themselves because they feel they did not play the regular season as well as they would have liked."
The quartet of Gamel (.400), Flores (.385) Austin (.333) and Jose Pirela (.308) all are hitting over .300 in the postseason, while the bullpen, almost to a man, has been very clutch.
Since missing 47 games in July and August with a wrist injury, Austin is hitting .375.
Hosting the first two games of each series obviously benefits the Thunder, who had an EL-best .625 winning percentage and were 18 games over .500 at Arm & Hammer Park in 2013.
Trenton will go with ace left-hander Nik Turley in the first game of the best-of-five playoff series against Harrisburg, which defeated Erie to advance to its first ELCS since 2002. The Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals is seeking its 10th EL championship, and the first since a string of four straight titles ended in 1999.
"We are very evenly matched and, just like Binghamton, Harrisburg has the ability to throw some pitching at you," Franklin said.
"They have guys that can go deep into the ballgame, keep runs at a minimum, and they don't make many mistakes. We are very similar teams, and it is going to come down to the team that gets the breaks in the series.
"We got the vast majority of those breaks against Binghamton, but to our credit we capitalized on them. Hopefully we will be able to do the same in this series."
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MOBILE, Alabama – The 17th annual BayBears Classic opens today at selected sites around Mobile and Baldwin Counties, marking the official kickoff to the 2014 high school baseball season.
Twenty-four area teams will participate in the event, which begins with pool play at six different sites.
The pool games last through Wednesday.
After the schools are finished competing at their respective host sites, the overall records and statistics will be compiled and the schools will be seeded 1-24. The top two seeds will compete for the tournament championship on Feb. 24. The other 22 seeds will each play a game at Hank Aaron Stadium on Thursday-Saturday
Plenty of standout players will participate. Here are just a few, compiled from preseason information submitted from coaches and opinions from writers who cover games throughout the season for AL.com
Jesse McCord, P/INF, Spanish Fort
The reigning Press-Register Coastal Alabama Player of the Year returns for his senior season in hopes of leading the Toros back to the Class 5A championship series. The right-hander went 9-1 a year ago with a 0.91 ERA. McCord was named preseason Mr. Baseball for the state of Alabama by MaxPreps last month. He has signed with Mississippi State.
Malik Rosier, CF, Faith Academy
The versatile Miami football signee, who played catcher for the Rams a year ago, will move to centerfield this year. A Press-Register Coastal Alabama first-team selection and honorable mention All-State pick, Rosier hit .424 a year ago with 29 RBIs. He plans to play baseball as well as football at Miami.
Brax Garrett, P, Foley
The sophomore was a MaxPreps underclassman All-American last year as a freshman and a Class 6A All-State honorable mention selection as a utility player. He went 7-3 with a 1.81 ERA and struck out 108 in leading the Lions to the second round of the playoffs.
Hunter Slater, SS, Bayside Academy
The Southern Mississippi signee will play mostly shortstop this season though he can also pitch and play any of the infield positions. He likely will be a corner infielder at USM. Slater hit .498 a year ago with five homers and 44 RBIs. He is a four-year starter for the Admirals.
Troy Dixon, SS, UMS-Wright
The junior hit .354 a year ago in leading the Bulldogs to the state semifinals. He is a combination of power, speed and clutch hitting. He hit three homers a year ago and drove in 31. He also stole 20 bases. He'll have to take on more of the offensive load this year with his brother, T.J., now at Samford and veteran Gunner Roach opting to concentrate on preparing for college football.
Corey Childress, P, Fairhope
The Troy signee will be one of the top pitchers in Coastal Alabama once again. A year ago, Childress went 9-2 as a junior with a 0.95 ERA in 73.1 innings pitched. He had eight complete games, three shutouts and a save. Childress helped the Pirates to the Class 6A quarterfinals and a 31-10 overall record.
Leighton Lary, P, St. Luke's
As a freshman a year ago, Lary went 8-1 with a save and posted a 1.49 ERA. He struck out 54 batters in 56 innings of work, led the Wildcats to the state championship and was selected to the Class 1A All-State team.
Dylan Szymanski, 1B, Satsuma
Szymanski batted .370 with 26 RBIs a year ago and should help keep the Gators in contention for the postseason again this season.
Fairhope High School Host Site
Monday, February 17
Bayside vs Foley - 4 p.m.
Fairhope vs Saraland - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 18
Saraland vs Bayside - 4 p.m.
Fairhope vs Foley - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19
Foley vs Saraland - 4 p.m.
Fairhope vs Bayside - 6:30 p.m.
Baldwin County High School Host Site
Monday, February 17
St. Luke's vs Mary G. Montgomery - 4 p.m.
Baldwin County vs Gulf Shores - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 18
Gulf Shores vs MGM - 4 p.m.
Baldwin County vs St. Luke's - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19
Gulf Shores vs St. Luke's - 4 p.m.
Baldwin County vs MGM - 6:30 p.m.
Murphy High School Host Site
Monday, February 17
Theodore vs Spanish Fort - 4 p.m.
Murphy vs Jackson - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 18
Spanish Fort vs Jackson - 4 p.m.
Murphy vs Theodore - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19
Jackson vs Theodore - 4 p.m.
Murphy vs Spanish Fort - 6:30 p.m.
Cottage Hill Christian Host Site
Monday, February 17
Davidson vs Baker - 4 p.m.
Cottage Hill vs Daphne - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 18
Daphne vs Davidson - 4 p.m.
Cottage Hill vs Baker - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19
Baker vs Daphne - 4 p.m.
Cottage Hill vs Davidson - 6:30 p.m.
Faith Academy Host Site
Monday, February 17
Bryant vs Robertsdale - 4 p.m.
Faith vs UMS-Wright - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 18
UMS vs Robertsdale - 4 p.m.
Faith vs Bryant - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19
Bryant vs UMS - 4 p.m.
Faith vs Robertsdale - 6:30 p.m.
Citronelle High School Host Site
Monday, February 17
McGill vs Satsuma - 4 p.m.
Citronelle vs Vigor - 6:30pm
Tuesday, February 18
Vigor vs McGill - 4 p.m.
Citronelle vs Satsuma - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19
Vigor vs Satsuma - 4 p.m.
Citronelle vs McGill - 6:30 p.m.
Hank Aaron Stadium Host Site
Thursday, February 20
24 vs 23 - 3 p.m.
22 vs 21 - 5:30 p.m.
20 vs 19 - 8 p.m.
Friday, February 21
18 vs 17 - 3 p.m.
16 vs 15 - 5:30 p.m.
14 vs 13 - 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 22
12 vs 11 - 9 a.m.
10 vs 9 - 11:30 a.m.
8 vs 7 - 2 p.m.
6 vs 5 - 4:30 p.m.
4 vs 3 - 7 p.m.
Monday, February 24
2 vs 1 - 5:30 p.m.
*If Necessary Game - 7 p.m.


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But she feared the ongoing NBA lockout would make that impossible in 2011. Then Nicolas heard LaMarcus Aldridge was hosting an exhibition game at the Chiles Center, featuring several Blazers and other NBA players, and the 14 year-old nudged his mom into action.
"There's no season, so this is the best I could do," Suzanne DeStephano said Tuesday morning outside the Chiles Center box office, moments after purchasing a pair of sixth-row seats to Aldridge's game. "He heard about the game and told me to get out there and get out there early. Get it done."
And she was hardly alone. Fans started lining up before 10:15 a.m., braving sub-40-degree weather for the chance to buy tickets, priced from $25 to $100, to Aldridge's Rip City Basketball Classic.
By 11:15 -- 15 minutes after the box office was supposed to open -- more than 3,000 tickets had been sold as a steady stream of University of Portland students and Blazers fans trickled through the line at the Chiles Center and hundreds gobbled up tickets online. At the end of the day, fewer than 1,800 tickets remained.
For those who visited the University of Portland Tuesday, the game offers a diversion from the NBA labor dispute and an opportunity to see NBA players in an intimate setting like the Chiles Center, which seats just under 4,900. If not for the lockout, the Blazers would have opened the regular season Thursday at the Rose Garden against the Denver Nuggets.
"I'm missing basketball something fierce," Eli Haworth of Portland said. "I haven't been to a game since the playoffs and I'm jonesing."
Aldridge said he decided to host the game for fans like Haworth. After playing in Kevin Durant's popular exhibition game in Oklahoma City and hearing about similar exhibition games being organized across the country, Aldridge figured Rip City was primed for its own event.
"I've been hearing about all these (exhibition) games in all these popular cities and I just had the idea to hold one in Portland," Aldridge said. " I know how they love basketball up there, how great all the fans are. So I definitely wanted to give Portland some basketball."
Aldridge said he is still putting the finishing touches on the rosters for Sunday's game, which will start at 7:30 p.m., but he expects to have between 14 and 16 players participate. Three of Aldridge's teammates (Brandon Roy, Wesley Matthews and Raymond Felton) have agreed to play, in addition to Kevin Durant, Josh Howard, Jamal Crawford, T.J. Ford, Steve Blake and Jeff Pendergraph.
One team will be coached by former Blazers guard Darnell Valentine and Aldridge said he is working on getting another ex-Blazer to coach the other team.
Aldridge has solicited outside help to coordinate the behind-the-scenes ins-and-outs, but he says he is involved in every detail of organizing Sunday's game. He's footing the bill for everything that requires funding -- with the exception of uniforms and shoes, which Nike is providing -- and the proceeds of the game will go to three charities Aldridge is close to: Breast Cancer Awareness, Providence/St. Vincent's Cardio Vascular Institute and New Avenues for Youth.
University of Portland coach Eric Reveno offered the Chiles Center to Aldridge via Twitter, but the Blazers forward said he was unaware of the gesture. He settled on having the event at UP after exploring multiple venues around Portland.
The Rose Garden was not an option because NBA arenas are contractually tied to their teams.
"I shopped all the arenas around town and thought it would be the best," Aldridge said. "It's a nice little college arena. I didn't want to do nothing too crazy. Hopefully it will sell out and be a great experience for the fans."
If the scene outside the Chiles Center is any indication, Aldridge may just get his wish. Fans were eager to express their displeasure about the lockout -- with most taking sides in the dispute -- but they also revealed excitement that the NBA was returning to town.
They longed to scrutinize the health of Roy's knees. They pined to watch Felton, the Blazers' newly acquired point guard. And they even expressed a hankering to watch Durant, the star of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland's Northwest Division rivals.
"I think the lockout is stupid," UP sophomore Alex Kenefick said. "I don't know what else to say about that. But I'm super stoked about this game. There's no NBA, so this is the best we can do."
Added UP math professor Chris Hallstrom: "I'm a basketball junkie and I've got a fix. I've got to feed my fix."
-- Joe Freeman;
follow him on Twitter


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Posts Tagged 'public art'
Mapping Central Park
June 17, 2015 | by Anna Heyward
Desire Lines turns a walk in the park into an emotional map.
In 1654, Madeleine de Scudéry produced a ten-volume philosophical novel called Clélie, about the coaction between temperament and free will. Clélie was a popular salon novel at the time, but it's now best remembered for the Carte de tendre, often translated as "the map of love" or "the map of the country of tenderness": a long description of a country that represents the landscape of human emotion, illustrated by a map in the first volume of the book. The country is divided by the "river of inclination," and there are little hamlets, deserts, and mountains like "sincerity," "assiduity," and "respect." "Passion" is a dangerous-looking rocky outcrop, beyond which is unknown territory. To get from one end to another, one must avoid the "Lake of Indifference," and "Affection" has to be surmounted to arrive at deep spiritual love. The map is one of the premier examples of sentimental cartography, which has a niche spot in French literary history.
In March, the Public Art Fund of New York City installed Desire Lines, a new commissioned work by the French Italian artist Tatiana Trouvé, which mixes sentiment and cartography. Desire Lines is at the southeast end of Central Park, in the Doris C. Freedman Plaza, where it will sit for the summer. The structure comprises three steel racks, nearly twelve feet tall, that hold spools of rope in different colors; there are 212 spools in all, each with a length that corresponds to a specific path in the park. Trouvé mapped, named, and indexed every one of them, from the thoroughfares to the secluded, unnamed paths. From a distance, the installation resembles a giant's sewing kit, or an electrician's stock. Engravings on each spool suggest various acts of walking in the culture: "Woman Suffrage Parade, March 3, 1913" or " 'Walk on By,' " Dionne Warwick, 1964." Visitors "can choose a path by name and then undertake the walk as it describes, tracing the march of history in collective memory while discovering Central Park anew." Read More »
Local Business
July 18, 2014 | by Amitava Kumar
I first noticed Harry Roseman's art while dropping off my shirts at the dry cleaner near my home. It is a photograph of the wall in the dry cleaner on which the photograph hangs. Roseman had taken the picture because the sun had thrown on the wall the shadow of the shop's neon sign. The name is spelled in outline on the drab wallpaper: Gladmore Cleaners. The picture hangs in the same spot where the shadow had fallen.
Then I noticed another one. Shirts under plastic covers and suspended from white, metal hangers form a line behind the register. Each shirt has a yellow slip attached to it. My own shirts hang there, ready for pickup. When the owner moves a section of shirts aside, a large photograph comes into view: a tight composition of the scene that has just been disturbed—all the shirts in their neat row.
Gladmore Cleaners in Poughkeepsie, in upstate New York, is owned by a Korean couple, Jongwon and Insoon Chung. In the recent past, Roseman has added their portraits to the collection in the store. High up above the counter is a photograph of the Chungs. They are standing at the counter, Insoon in more formal attire and without her glasses, Jongwon beside her wearing his customary white cotton vest.
This picture appears in another photograph of the Chungs taken by Roseman. The second picture hangs on the wooden wall beneath the counter where Insoon has her register. The scene is repeated here—the photographer and his subjects both keep their places from the first photograph—except that in the later picture, the Chungs are smiling and wearing brighter colors. Read More »