text:
Too Many Workers Hate Their Jobs, And That's Hurting the Economy
By Brian O'Connell
NEW YORK ( MainStreet) -- The U.S. economy is losing hundreds of billions of dollars because too many employees flat out hate their jobs.
OK, the official take on that subject doesn't use those terms. Instead, workplace analysts say more and more workers are "disengaged" at work, and that's the term Gallup uses in its study, State of the American Workplace .
Gallup reports that even increased employee perks and flexible schedules aren't making workers feel better about their jobs.
Call it hate or call it disengagement, but that negative sentiment from American workers is, according to Gallup, fueling "significant implications for the economy, and for individual companies" as sour attitudes toward jobs lead to decreased productivity:
- Companies ranked in the top 25% of having "engaged workers" have significantly higher productivity, profitability and customer service than companies in the bottom quartile.
- U.S. companies with an average of 9.3 engaged employees for every one disengaged employee had a 147% higher earnings per share compared with their competition, while companies with 2.6 engaged workers for every one disengaged worker showed a 2% lower EPS average.
- So-called "active disengagement" in the workplace costs the U.S. economy up to $550 billion per year, Gallup says.
- Only about 22% of U.S. workers are "engaged and thriving," Gallup adds.
Why is that last figure so low?
In many cases, employees are unhappy because they lack one or more things at work, such as recognition, advancement opportunity, work-life balance and/or a positive relationship with their manager, says Paul McDonald, senior executive director at the staffing service company Robert Half .
"If you're unhappy at work, I recommend you do three things," McDonald says:
- First, have a conversation with your manager to discuss your workload. Is there too much or too little on your plate? Re-examine priorities together so you can make adjustments and focus on the most important projects.
- Second, find a resource outside your department. Tap your mentor, a family member or someone else as a sounding board to discuss how you're feeling and get some perspective. Outside contacts may have valuable advice to offer based on their own experience.
- Third, set limits on your time at work so you can make time for yourself. "Find something else that is fun for you, helps you recharge your batteries and gives you interaction with people outside of work. This could be as simple as stepping away from your desk every hour or two to take a quick walk," McDonald says.
There are no hard and fast rules to flip the script on disengaged employees. But communicating feelings about your workplace with a trusted counsel is a good place to start getting "engaged" again.


text:
Tidioute Area News In Brief
By LINDA SCOTT
Senior Center Menu
Thursday, Aug. 22 will be breaded fish, dessert and beverages.
Monday, Aug. 26 will be chicken and biscuits, dessert and beverages.
Tuesday, Aug. 27 will be chefs salad, dessert and beverages.
Thursday, Aug.29 will be soup and salad, dessert and beverages.
Call the center at 484-3020 to sign up for lunch. Eat in or take out.
Benefit Dinner
A benefit spaghetti dinner and dance will be held on Friday, Aug. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. and the dance will last until 10 p.m.
This is for the families of Cody Mohrey, Cody Masters and Tom Phelps, who were killed in an auto accident.
This event is being sponsored by Tidioute Community Charter School and SADD committee.
42-inch TV
First-place grand prize drawing winner for the Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament will receive a 42-inch flat screen TV and the second-place winner will receive $250 in cash.
Drawing is set for Sunday, Sept. 29 during the closing ceremonies of the 54th Annual Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament.
Tickets cost $1 each and the winners need not be present to win; they will be notified by the committee.
District 19 Meeting
Due to the conflict in scheduling the District 19 VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary has been changed to Sunday, Aug. 25 at the Bradford VFW Post 212.
The Auxiliary meeting will start at 2 p.m..
Newly-elected State President Julie Dever will be making her official visit at this time.
There will be a meet and greet with Dever from 1 to 2 p.m. before the Auxiliary meeting.
Bulldog Golf Scramble
The 4th Annual Bulldog Golf Scramble will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 9 a.m. Hi Level Golf Course.
Cost is $200 per team, $50 per person, for 18 holes of golf with a cart, all the beverages will be provided along with hot dogs on the turn.
Picnic and prizes following the event.
This event is being presented by Polly's Market.
You must be 21 years of age and you need a proof of id.
Proceeds benefit the Tidioute Community Charter School Boys Basketball Team
For more information, contact Ryan Guerra at Tidioute Community Charter School at 484-3550.
Shoe Drive
The Shoe Drive at the Flea-Tique will continue until Saturday, Sept. 7. Julie has collected over 100 pairs of shoes already.
These shoes do not need to be clean, sorted or prepared in any way. Old , new or somewhat in between will be great. They can be put to good use at the Erie United Methodist Alliance and All God's Children Ministries/Ramps of Hope.
This shoe drive is to raise funds for their ministries serving whose who are homeless or disabled, while also benefiting micro-enterprise ventures in developing nations and keeping old shoes out of local landfills.
Tidioute Flea-tique is open from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Lions Club
Due to the lack of volunteers within the Tidioute Lions Club, there will be no wheel at this year's Fishing Tournament.
Several organizations are experiencing the need for volunteers.
If you would like to become a member of the Tidioute Lions Club, contact Carmen Fedele, Bill Weber, Daisy McDonald or Mike Cassese.
Ham and Turkey Party
Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament Committee members will be hosting a ham and turkey party on Sunday, Sept. 1 at the Tidioute Firehall.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the games will begin at 7:30 p.m.
All ages are invited, those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Salon Service Winners
Deb's Beauty Shop held drawings for free salon services recently and the winners are: Martha Kiffer, Marolyn Shaffer, John Irvine, and Ruth Angermeier.
54th PSCFT
Plans are well underway for the 54th Annual Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament to be held Thursday, Sept.26 through Sunday, Sept. 29.
A parade is planned for Saturday, Sept. 28 with line-up at 10 a.m., Parade begins at 1 p.m. sharp. Theme this year is "Salute to Volunteers". John and Nathan Brown are chairpersons for the parade.
Anyone wishing to have a unit in the parade can contact the Browns at 484-3979. There is no entry fee. All awards will be presented at the tournament grounds following the parade.
Fishing begins at 12:01 Saturday, Sept. 28 scales close at 8 p.m. Saturday. Sunday fishing starts at 5 a.m. with a referee and all fish must be in before 2 p.m. on Sunday when the scales close.
Crowning of the Jr Champion Angler will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 and closing ceremonies begin at 3:30 p.m.
Love Inc Golf Scramble
Love INC. Love in the Name of Christ of the Brokenstraw, which includes Tidioute, will host its Second Annual Golf Scramble on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Cable Hollow Golf Course, in Russell.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and shotgun start at 9 a.m.
Proceeds from this event will benefit Love in the Name of Christ of Brokenstraw Valley.
Team cost is $60 per person or $24 per four-person team.
Your entry includes: 18 holes of golf with a cart, refreshments prior to and during the event, lunch and awards after the event, on course games/contest, and a special gift for all participants.
Call Love INC business office at 563-3349 if you would like to register.
Love INC is a non-profit, donor support organization that networks with churches to help those in need in the Brokenstraw Valley. Volunteers work in the business office, managing the help line, and/or assisting the various ministries that are part of Love INC of Brokenstraw Valley.
Glenn McKown
Memorial Tournament
The Glenn McKown Memorial Bass Tournament was started 17 years ago when the grandsons of Glenn McKown wanted to do something in his memory. Each year on Saint Patrick's Day the grandsons got together and would collect money to get something started. With Glenn being a dedicated fisherman, it was obvious that a fishing tournament would be fitting.
Family members contacted Deb Genter, who had experience with bass tournaments, for some help. Since then, the Glenn McKown Memorial Bass Tournament has been held the first Saturday after Labor Day.
This tournament is a "Catch and Release" event that only allows river fishing and is limited to 50 boats. As a team tournament your team can consist of two-men, couples and adult/youth (under the age of 16).
This year the Bass Tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with weigh-in to be at 4 p.m. at the Tidioute Boat Launch.
Entry fee is $30 per boat and fishing is permitted in the Alleghney River from the tailwaters at Kinzua Dam down as far as the Presidents, PA Boat Launch. River only, no creeks.
Smallmouth Bass caught on artificial bait only are to be brought to the scales in a water-filled container.
Applications forms are available at Deb's Beauty Shop or call Deb at 484-7407.
Adult Prom
Would you like to relive your past with an Adult Prom, or perhaps it would be a do-over for those who did not get to go to their high school prom? Either way there will be an Adult Prom in Tidioute on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 p.m to midnight.
This adult prom is for those age 18 and older and will be held at the Tidioute Firehall.
Cost is $10 per person.
Proceeds will benefit Allyvia Morgan's People to People trip to Harvard University next summer.
This is a BYOB event, complete with music provided by the Brown Boyz, there will be refreshment, prom pictures, a prom court, and a Prom King and Prom Queen (which those attending will be voting on).
For more information, contact Monica Morgan at 484-0244.
George Jones
Walleye Tournament
The 17th Annual George Jones Memorial Walleye Tournament will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12.
This is a two-person team with a six-fish limit per team.
Cost is $30 per boat, which includes a lunker award.
More information will be available later, or you can contact Terry Cotterman at 730-3692 or Wade Adams at 484-7310
Upcoming Events:
23 Benefit Spaghetti Dinner 5 p.m firehall
25 VFW District 19 meeting
31 Bulldog Golf Scramble
1 Ham & Turkey Party Firehall 7:30
7 Shoe Drive Ends

subset: commoncrawl


text: Our Destinations Ethiopia is located in Northeast Africa commonly known as the Horn of Africa with an area of 1,112,000 square kilometers, which is twice the size of Texas or five times the size of Britain. It is situated in northeast Africa, bordered by Eritrea, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti and has a rich, complex and diverse human pattern with about 80 ethnic groups. The official language is Amharic. Oromigina and Tigrigna are also widely spoken. English, Italian and Arabic are also understood among the local population The main feature of the topography is the highland (central plateau) varying from 2000m to 3000m with some mountains over 4000m. The mountains are the source of famous rivers like the Blue Nile (rising from Lake Tana), the Awash, Omo and Wabesheble rivers.There are two seasons. Dry season from October to May and the wet season from June to September. In the Southwest the main rainfall is from March to June with small rains in November. The highlands have an average of 16 degree centigrade during the day. However temperature depends on altitude.


text:
New ideas might help
To the Editor:
I am a former resident of Fairmont and would like to comment on the proposal for drag racing at the airport. If the feds say no that is one thing, but because it would inconvenience some people who have planes at the airport that's another.
Millions of taxpayer dollars have gone into that airport, and that is from all taxpayers, not just the ones who have planes there.
Fairmont's growth has been stagnant for years and as a key airport I would have to ask, key to what? New ideas are needed.
Alan Schultze
Eagle Lake


text:
These programs reflect the university's direct impact in the community and provide links to the many activities where faculty, staff and students extend into the community across the state and nation to share their research and expertise.
University of Maryland
Please use the links provided below to navigate the outreach listings by school/department, category or program. You can search for a specific outreach program using the search field above.Schools/Departments | Categories | Programs
Looking Ahead to Maryland 2050: Living in Our Environment Outreach Information:Please click on the links below to go to outreach websites (where available).
Schools/Department(s) associated with Looking Ahead to Maryland 2050: Living in Our Environment:
Please click on the links below to view all programs associated with the school or department.


text:
August 31 marks a critical milestone in Iraq, as the U.S. combat mission comes to an end. The end of combat operations in Iraq and the transition to civilian-led efforts fulfills President Obama's commitment to responsibly end the war.
Earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Chris Hill said, "I think the U.S. relationship with Iraq is in a position...to grow and to be self-sustaining and to be long-term."How best can the U.S. support democracy in Iraq during this time of transition?
David Y. in North Carolina writes:
By encouraging foreign investment by American companies (harder than it sounds.)
O.C. in the U.S.A. writes:
I agree. Flood the markets with American products. Build a Home Depot and encourage DIY projects. Wow them with a Whole Foods quality and style Middle East hummus bar. They can serve Jalapeno hummus, black bean hummus, etc. and a multitude of various examples of fresh Middle Eastern breads .......Yummy!
People love to eat. Food brings people together. A gigantic food convention.
Joseph A. M. in Oregon writes:
By accepting the fundamental principle, that Iraq is an "Islamic Nation State", a tribal society with over five-thousand years of culture, history and tribal laws, which impact the way that Iraqi society is governed. Allow the Iraqi Parliament to "reinstate the Iraqi Ba'ath Party" and allow the Iraqi Sunni, a greater presence within the Iraqi government and Parliament -- accelerate the tempo in having the Iraqi Parliament form a new government. Scale down the U.S. military presence to twenty-five thousand troops up until 2011. By changing the U.S. strategy and policy, from trying to "shape Iraq into a Western Style Democracy", to having the Iraqi Parliament and ruling class (by acknowledging a greater Sunni presence within the Iraqi Parliamentary representatives) formulate this Parliamentary process. Finally, by allowing the Iraqi's to decide for themselves how they would like to structure their own government and society. By acknowledging that their newly formed government, will adhere to Islamic jurisprudence, tribal laws and give the Iraqi Parliamentary representatives the flexibility in proceeding with moving forward and with organizing the "restructuring of Iraqi political leadership". With this type of well thought out, intellectual analysis, the U.S. Department of State may want to consider placing me on it's payroll?
Palgye in South Korea writes:
My thinking is absorb their`s fury and needing spewing out lava.
religion leader and soccer.
woman`s right is next. maybe, after economy situation is fixed. involving is can but, leading is so dangerous. I think certain groups are likely to be exploited.
-I think the economy is the base of democracy. Iraq is a good possibility, but the expected public opinion to becoming the most divisive thing to do first is the unification of public opinion here, while ensuring the participation of women in the media (via the Internet to communicate with the outside world) through the participation of the people think we should Must. Unified public opinion is the most important consideration.
Nostalgia for the dictator and the absence of security as an excuse, is expected to be a tug of war. Internal battle because the police or Blackwater organizations such as the need, religion and race, past and present, rich and poor, Muslims and the West would like to complicate eolhyeoseo - the most important oil and the Middle East peace on the Israeli perspective should be included To think a thing is inevitable .- considerable confusion, so that everyone knows, One way to resolve the religious leaders and people, providing hope and stability to provide a lot of giveaways and two national football game (basketball) to hold the interest of national terrorism, but there is not open to outside organizations I think we should lift from. In particular, the expansion of police corruption, does not think the issue is urgent. Many have relied on anti-humanity and traditional criminal suspect is likely to occur.
The possibility of a war that I think is almost unlikely. What is even talk of using nuclear weapons as a means to think. (This is absolutely necessary, but the involvement of Israel, nuclear deterrence and, if promised a stake in oil ..?) War economic recovery occurs, a scramble for the mineral resources addicts will be expected. Rather than guns and knives ......... it `s out of my topic. Iraqi political leaders and the spiritual interests of the people would be needed to destroy is a specific event. Especially, with the rich and poor is an event. (Because men have little economic interest of their place in the early to focus on the sport, soccer (basketball) is considered adequate.)
Compelled by force if a new idea or system, most of the people of Iraq, with many of their victims in the sense of a strong opposition is expected. Naturally through the media to accept the new system also believe the approach. You get the benefits of the system to include the development and the damage he caused a reaction very similar to the suspect is likely to be..
Thank You.
P.S Pass laws for becoming self-employed
Directly to the November election and would like you to exert a positive influence. My holiday is over as far as business owners want to hire back staff, felt a little uneasy to think. It is my prediction. Period of time and need help, I think.
Volunteers were requested to the G20 Summit. Want to get the opportunity to meet us, but,,,,
Korea is known to people in any reasonable settlement for local politicians to move with the moderation which, as opposed nodongjajiphoena liberals go to the meeting, becoming fully considered them, as you can not do anything, think the situation is. Still, ignoring the area of political action that is thought to be impossible. I still feel twinges of conscience, but in my mind, this is not easy .....-I want to go there(US), at least in economic activity, it is difficult to prevent. Motbonaeran die many times I've tried many times a song is I believe (I think is a coincidence). Rather, the Outcast think it's more quickly.
O.C. in the U.S.A. writes:
Amazing how you express yourself on Dipnote. You're almost an American speaker.
You are so right. The economy is the basis of democracy. America needs to get busy producing otherwise we can't influence others. So well expressed.
T.J. in the United Kingdom writes:
@-Joseph A. M. in Oregon, who writes: reinstate the Iraqi Ba'ath Party" and allow the Iraqi Sunni, a greater presence within the Iraqi government and Parliament.
The Ba'ath Party which carried out genocide against the Kurds and Shiites?
Saber in Sudan writes:
Now is the time for Iraqs to work hard toward building Iraq, and I am sure that the commitment of the USG to is standing by Iraq buidling the civil relation, traning police and the Militray forces. That the USG and Iraq will move to a deomcaract state because no one would be able to bear the old regime experience. The USG is supporting many nations widely. It is time to move for the better for Iraq people.
Debra in the U.S.A. writes:
It is recognizable their are innocent children and families, as there are here. Do you gentleman that offer support of affirmative action during supporting the war just service above the lack of personal efforts to resolve issue's and just applaud another ruined statement of History.
Our families offer back a hundred percent commitment to help their issue's, but that is not why America's responded... we just don't trust your under the wire behaviors in the corruption that governs a lot of our lives.
Peace to the children and their families of Iraq, and good people do exist.
Joseph A.M. in Oregon writes:
I agree with a "self sustaining Iraq", but, self sustaining within the framework of a "Islamic Nation State", not trying to structure or attempt to construct a Western "style" Democracy modeled by a free-market enterprise or a consumerist economic approach. Besides, the Iraqi Parliament should collectively decide on the political dynamics leading to their future and formulate a new type of government which will inevitably lead and hold the future for all Iraqis, obviously having several parties and political ideals to choose from would be the more likely approach.
@ T.J. in the U.K.; You've missed my point, Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party were our allies during the 1980's and "during" the twelve-plus year war with Iran. Reinstating the Ba'ath Party, by the Iraqis, does not necessarily mean that a authoritarian, dictatorship will emerge, they have a right to have several political parties within Parliament to choose and vote for, this is not uncommon for the Middle-Eastern Nation States, including Europe to have many parties, the majority normally gets the lead role in forming a government.
Besides, in reference to the mass killings of the Kurds and Shiites which occurred under the Saddam regime, the proper course of action would be for the U.N. and the international community to bring the evidence forth to the I.C.C. in the Hague, Netherlands for indictments and judicial prosecution, similar to the process taken on Sudan's Bashir, for the genocide occurring in Darfur. Not a military intervention, leading to hundreds of thousands of more deaths, in an effort to "restructure a Nation State", I respectfully disagree with this concept. Moreover, the USG and other development programs for woman, the poor and underprivileged should continue. It would be interesting in knowing, if the U.S. Ambassador in Baghdad, is reading this Dip.Note blog entry, I think I have raised some well thought out ideas and concepts, worth passing along within the diplomatic community.
Patrick W. in Maryland writes:
Just checking-in too, see what's Up at the Department Of States.
The Best way to support Iraq During this Transition?
First: We need more people to people civil meets,between the poor an uneducated citizens.
Some Citizens there have no idea what's going on with their government. And need some kind of government programs that will help them intergrate with their new society.
Two: have large events so that people can educate themselves on subjects, like program's that will help their communitys.
This could happen at a festivity or sports event that would take place afterwards.
Three: Broadcast over the Radio or Tv about coming events that the government is holding, and where they are being held.
Also set up transportation to the events for the citizens that can't get there by themselves. Maybe large buses or car pooling. LOL :)
Four: These are the voyages of the Star Ship States Department.To search out new and exciting ideas .To Go, where no States Department has gone before. HEHE :)
Anyways,just a few thoughts on this Subject.
....I hope Everyone at DipNote & Hillary is having a good week so far.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@Joseph AM,
Iraq has moved beyond the politics of the past, yet you seem to long for a return.
De Bathification as a process of ridding the systemn of a political mindset was as nessesary to Iraq as it was in post-Nazi Germany , as was the reintegration back into society of those who by the nature of the system were "Bathist" simply to not be hassled by the state or had to become a part of that party just to have a job.
But to suggest Iraq go back to "the good 'ol days" is about as stupid as leaving Saddam in power after the 91 gulf war was, being we had to go back a decadse later and get that job done right.
TJ didn't miss your point, you've stated petty clearly you would prefer we hadn't removed him and that you'd like to see that Bathist government return to power.
P.S. Saddam was never considered an "Allied" goverenment w/ the USA, by anyone in this government and took a nuetral stance in the Iran/Iraq war and sought to end it working with the UN, and we acted as we had to do to protect the vital interests of America and the rest of the region and the world to prevent interruption of shipping and eventually we did help put an end to their war.
You ought to do some reading into the diplomatic history of the era, so you have a better grasp of who we are and what we do as a nation, instead of engaging in revisionist history.
Today, the Iraq people have the chance to prove to themselves why they live in the "cradle of civilization".
They have a certain tradition to uphold as far as this goes, and when they finally get themselves sorted out, they may end up doing democracy better than we do.
Some have said Arab nations are not capable of standing up a democracy, and that America tries to force it down the vanquished's throats.
Well, as the eldest , my two younger, much more successful brothers became such because I made every possible mistake there was growing up and they learned from my mistakes.
If America is "big Brother" , then it's on that kind of level, not a hegemonic one on an ideological level.
Democracy is a choice a people make for lack of better alternative.
And you would have Iraqi's go back to what doesn't work?
I think you missed the point of this question of the week, as to "how we support democracy in Iraq."
It's not clear to TJ or myself whether you do, and that's the point in having this conversation with you.
In one sense tyrany and democracy have a symbiotic relationship, in the sense that there is cause and effect, one begets the other... the solution to tyrany is democracy, and the end result of a poorly managed democracy is a dictatorship.
So, the institution must be capable of maintaing a "separation of powers" and a government that is responsive to the will of its people.
Iraqi's are not going back to "Bathist" Joeseph, so forgettaboutit, it's a "non starter", "non issue", and has no basis in reality or as a topic of further discussion on this thread.
Palgye in South Korea writes:
so dangerous,
wanna Exile
Michael K. in New York writes:
Even this respondent's modest involvement in post-conflict international reviving activities allows a sharp conclusion: "democracy" to remain an abstract definition for locals living continuingly worse after regime change.
Not academic "economics†but daily earning through job might sustain a grassroots support and peace in Iraq in this case while securing the eventually created works is still a big problem both for a national government and appropriately deployed foreign forces, in military khakis or in whatsoever.
T.J. in the United Kingdom writes:
Joseph A.M. in Oregon writes;-
@ T.J. in the U.K.; You've missed my point, Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party were our allies during the 1980's and "during" the twelve-plus year war with Iran.
" OUR ALLIES " ? I am sorry for saying it so bluntly. You are totally wrong. US has never declared War on Iran. The Iraq - Iran War lasted 8 years and Iraq started the War.
Saddam's regime was secular and was being threatened by the Islamists in Iran.
The evidence that, you are on about HAS been submitted and the culprits hanged. You should watch MORE TV.
The Ba'ath party's track record reminds a lot of good people of the legacy of Hitler. I am personally not against forgiving, but then again I am not an Arab from Iraq.
From where I see the situation in Iraq, I see it this way; The Mullahs regime is petrified of having a Democracy on its door step.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
TJ, it occurs to me that the region has another little Hitler to contend with who's now got his own version of a V1 "buzz bomb".
The Russians are rewarding bad behavior, and Iran can hold the region hostage by threatening to let the nuclear plant go critical at a time of their choosing.
Someone didn't properly assess the potential for Iranian sponsored terrorism apparently.
Well, it seems folks are willing to take a calculated risk with 300 million lives in the region by starting the plant up, and introducing yet another element of instability and potential disaster for the region.
If we get lucky, mother nature might just let the earth slip and the expected "big one" will hit before its fully online, and folks will finaly understand why I say it's insane to put a nuclear reactor on a platectonic fault line.
Built for a 7 when the area can produce a 9.0 quake at any time.
Do nations actually have the soverign right to be so stupid?
Well, there's only one solution to stupid sponsors of terrorism, and that's regime replacement therapy.
If we had history to do over, would we have gone to war with Hitler when he was arming himself to the teeth in order to prevent a world war?
It seems as if we haven't leaned these lessons from history properly to stop this present day car bomb in time.
And Iraq? Their long-term stability (and Afghanistan's) won't be secured until the Iranian people have a government they can be proud of, that isn't threatening its neighbors and doing everything it can to try and start a war with the USA, Israel, and the UK.
Unveiling their "ambassador of death" amid chants of "death to..." these nations, including my own are actionable as an incitement to violence.
The Iranian regime seems hell bent on destabilizing this entire region, and folks just don't seem to know how, or lack the common sense to deal with it properly before it gets totally out of hand and their is no other choice left but to deal with a problemn that has grown exponentially more problematic as years have gone by, till folks have no good option left.
If we are committed to a stable democratic Iraq and Afghanistan, folks sure seem to have failed to see the forest for all the trees blocking their vision.
Gotta love the new UK PM, new guy on the international scene, he can tell it like it is, and then say he "mispoke" on Iran having a nuclear weapon when folks get all wiggy about him telling the truth.
I've watched this guy in the House of Commons debate Blair, and his sucessor for years during "PM's question time, and Cameron has never "mispoke", and is always very concious of the words he strings together...he knew what he was saying to the Turkish reporter, of that I have no doubt.
But I don't think governments are yet willing to tell their people they failed to prevent this from happening.
Basicly because I don't think anyone has a clue how to contain a nuclear armed Iran.
And because such a revelation would most likely push nations to the brink of war and over it.
I could be wrong, and I hope I am...but since folks are simply guessing at this point as to when they are expected to produce weapons, might as well be safe about it and asume that they do right now.
Joseph A.M. in Oregon writes:
@U.S. Department of State; Eric in New Mexico and TJ in the U.K.
I know what the Dip.Note Blog question of the week is, seeking ideas on promoting and bringing Democracy to Iraq; that is why I addressed the question, directly in my first blog posting, here it is again:
By accepting the fundamental principle, that Iraq is an "Islamic Nation State", a tribal society with over five-thousand years of culture, history and tribal laws, which impact the way that Iraqi society is governed. Allow the Iraqi Parliament to "reinstate the Iraqi Ba'ath Party" and allow the Iraqi Sunni, a greater presence within the Iraqi government and Parliament -- accelerate the tempo in having the Iraqi Parliament form a new government. Scale down the U.S. military presence to twenty-five thousand troops up until 2011. By changing the U.S. strategy and policy, from trying to "shape Iraq into a Western Style Democracy", to having the Iraqi Parliament and ruling class (by acknowledging a greater Sunni presence within the Iraqi Parliamentary representatives) formulate this Parliamentary process. Finally, by allowing the Iraqi's to decide for themselves how they would like to structure their own government and society. By acknowledging that their newly formed government, will adhere to Islamic jurisprudence, tribal laws and give the Iraqi Parliamentary representatives the flexibility in proceeding with moving forward and with organizing the "restructuring of Iraqi political leadership". With this type of well thought out, intellectual analysis, the U.S. Department of State may want to consider placing me on it's payroll?
Historically, the Ba'ath Party in Iraq has represented the Iraqi "ruling class, the intellectuals and the educated class within Iraqi society", moreover, during modern times and since Post World War II, Iraqi "Sunnah" Muslims, have traditionally been the "elite class of Iraqi society". Since the U.S. military intervention, the U.S. administration has sought to "restructure and reverse" this dynamic within the Iraqi political framework.
Every time, I mention a well thought out analysis, on the internal dynamics of how the Iraqi government is fundamentally structured, and bring forth possible ways with improving "stability in Iraq" -- "I receive feedback and comments, attempting in drawing a parallel with "Post U.S. intervention Iraq, to the former NAZI Party in Germany during the 1930's?" This is a bias point of view, that misrepresents, what the ideological components of the "Ba'ath Party" are, as a Political entity in several Middle-Eastern countries. Militarily, the U.S. did support the Iraqi government, during it's eight year war with Iran -- O.k., I stand corrected, the war lasted approximately eight years.
I'm an academic, finishing my Master's in Conflict Resolution and I specialize in; analyzing culure and International Conflict --I know what has worked, and what has been a "colossal failure" with regards to "re-structuring Iraq", the fundamental principle that the U.S. Department of State should be mindful of, while pursuing ways with supporting "Democracy" during this period of transition, is to acknowledge and be "mindful of" that Iraq, is a "Islamic Nation State".
O.C. in the U.S.A. writes:
Diplomacy the OysterCracker way. Food, Humor and Fun!
T.J. in the United Kingdom writes:
I am not against your input by any means. One major factor that, you have totaly left out is the fact that, most people in the M.E, Geneticaly and Culturaly are emotional types. To these types 2+2= 5 most of the times.
Now add to this an evil force which for it's own survival stops at nothing.
You need a Chrytal Ball my friend to see into the future. But right this moment , the Iraqis need a strong leader who has no ties to Iran or Syria or any one else. They need a period of soft dictatorship to get into shape. If this does not happen soon, I am afraid the vacuum will be filled by the evil forces very quickly. US will have to go back and sort things out.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Joeseph A M
Geeze, now I understand how Robert Gibbs felt taking on "the professional left".
Now if someone would only patent some eyedrops that would cure political myopia.
What is it about the notion that the good 'ol USA can't do a bloody thing right, therefore anything we do must be "a collosal failure" without fail?
Or that somehow Iraqis arn't smart enough to figure out how democracy works therefore the good ol USA has to tell them how to "restructure" themselves to be like us?..yeah that's only a belief held in the minds of those who think everyone else should think like them, eh Joeseph?
Get a grip pal, it's real easy to do...just don't believe everything you think.
I mean , if that's the way we are, why would the Iraqi government thank us, let alone get into long term security arrangements with us as a soverign nation, which I don't suppose you bothered to think maybe flies in the face of your political angst.
Whatever floats your boat dude...it makes no nevermind...I'm sure Iraqis don't consider themselves to be building a "collosal failure" for themselves despite your insistance to the contrary.
Iran on the other hand actively wants Iraq to fail, and malign influences of destabilization and their support for al-quaida's terrorism in Iraq is the one thing that cannot be allowed to take place, now, or in the future.
O.C. in U.S.A. writes:
T.J. is probably right. You need a strong leader in Afghanistan now. Also work projects.
All men must be doing something like shifting rock piles if that's all there is to do. Confiscate the drug money and start huge building projects that require back breaking work. After two years, or when the country is well stabilized, after building schools, playgrounds, give the laborers free education to study whatever they want. That's the carrot. Iraqi's need to get busier but also happier. They need some beauty to lift them out of their negative, unhappy state. They need to dream about a great future.
Joseph A.M. in Oregon writes:
@T.J. in the U.K.
Iraq and Iraqi's will always have ties with Syria and Iran, due to the nature of cultural and religious dynamics, they share commonalities that should not be ignored by the U.S. Administration. Syria and Iran are both regional players who will always have, even if indirectly a political and strategic influence on Iraq. The Iraqi Parliament and transformational government should get their act together and form a stable, influential government that would genuinely seek the interests of the Iraqi people, this process will take time. Again, acknowledging that Iraqi society, is a tribal society and a Islamic Nation State -- not a Western European Post-World War II democracy (Da). The frame of reference for Iraqi society is within the context of Islam. Due to the nature of Iraqi society and it's history, the new government which has yet to be construed, needs to have a greater "representation of the Sunnah Muslim political representatives", this is what the Iraqi people are accustomed too and would prove to enhance the stability and security process. It's a political matter and really when it's all said and done, the Iraqi government and Parliament should play a more active role with engaging with ordinary Iraqi citizens and by adequately representing the interests of the people, once this occurs, Iraqi citizens will start to feel more comfortable with their government and this will lead to a relationship of trust and long term stability.
I agree a soft dictator until things get reasonably better. How would you gauge this process? Well, a good outcome for the near future would be, a clear shift and dramatic decrease in the violence and bombings which have been occurring regularly. The new Iraqi government, should engage with their neighbors and have an active diplomatic and economic relationship with both Iran and Syria, not isolate those countries. General Odierno, the outgoing commander knows what is needed to improve the situation in Iraq, it is all about a "political solution", but I would add, greater "representation of the Sunnah parliamentary officials" to this equation.
In conclusion, T.J., why not take a bold move and run by my blog posting to the U.S. Ambassador in Baghdad and General Odierno (who is due to leave within 2 weeks)? I think that they would agree with my analysis and suggestions.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
(from the DoS briefing of 8/26/10 Re: "transition in Iraq")
QUESTION: As that takes place, how – can you comment on how America's relationship will be changing with Iraq? And specifically, do you feel you may be losing some political leverage as less U.S. forces are on the ground so will American influence to perhaps get together with different Iraqi religious groups or political groups?
MR. CROWLEY: We are in the midst of a transition in our relationship with Iraq. Over the past seven years, our relationship has been dominated by our significant military presence in the country. We now have reduced that presence below 50,000 military forces who will be there for another 16 months helping to train Iraqi security forces and to back up Iraqi security forces as they continue to deal with the security challenge across Iraq. In the meantime, we are stepping up activity on the civilian side. We're going to be constructing a relationship that more closely resembles our relationship with many other countries in the region.
There's still a lot of work to do with Iraq: helping Iraq build its economy, helping Iraq build its institutions of government, extending civil society and the rule of law. And we'll be continuing to encourage Iraq to form a new government and maintain or sustain an inclusive political process. I think our relationship is broadening and deepening with this transition. I don't – but the key to – we will continue to work with Iraq as a partner. It's not about leverage, but it's about helping Iraq make – chart its own future and that's something that we're committed to help Iraq do.
QUESTION: You previously expressed your concern about Iran meddling with Iraq's sovereignty. Is there a potential for Iran to gain greater influence in – with let's say Iraqi politicians or politics as combat troops have withdrawn?
MR. CROWLEY: Well, we are worried about the influence of other countries inside Iraq. That said, Iraq is going to chart its own future. I think people that worry about the influence of Iran in Iraq, I think miscalculate it in terms of the determination of Iraq, its leaders, and its people to chart its own course. We're there, committed to help Iraq, but we also want to have Iraq build constructive relations with its neighbors and play a more constructive role in the region than it has in the past.
QUESTION: How alarmed are you that the recent spike in violence could derail the U.S. mission as stated? Because I know you --
MR. CROWLEY: I think what's important is that the current spike of violence is not directed at the United States. It's directed at the Iraqi Government. It's – yesterday's brutal attacks were directed at the very institutions of government that are there to help secure the Iraqi people. We are concerned about the spike in violence. It's something that we actually anticipated, that these extremist elements would, as we removed forces, try to step up their activity. They're doing that.
By the same token, we have confidence that Iraqi security forces are up to the task. They've been in the lead now for more than a year. We're going to – there are going to be good days and bad days in Iraq for the foreseeable future. Yesterday was a bad day. But we have complete confidence in Iraq's ability to ultimately defeat these extremist elements."
@ PJ Crowley,
I have good reason to be comcerned about Iranian involvement in Iraq PJ, but I'm one of those who think Iraqis are up to the task and while rooted in tribal society have an equally strong national identity as Iraqis to limit outside malign interference in their nation's development. And that we have their back on security issues for some time to come.
Good relations with their Iranian neighbors don't involve Quods force "special groups" killing Iraqi citizens and supporting al quaida.
For Iran's government, the Iran/Iraq war never truly ended apparently(logical deduction based on their activities over time).
I'm curios PJ, do you think we could have done what we've done so far in Iraq and Afghanistan if we didn't have the Marshall Plan to draw example from, that it could be done in the first place?
I think folks in the world sometimes tend to ignore or forget American long-standing tradition when it comes to nation building.
P.S. I think it's cool Nasa is helping the Chilean miners, and if I might add a suggestion...their Health dept might want to talk to a few Rinsai Buddhist monks to deal with long-term headspace issues as the basic practice of meditation will greatly assist them in their communal dicipline in such a cramped space.
Best regards, Go Red Sox!
Srinivasanrajanarayan in Tennessee writes:
Let Iraqu people decide who they actually need. As a last step, a fresh clean elecion with 100% securitymay ensure that.
U.S.Gov. watch, and guide them onlyif they need. However, to ensure that U.S. goals and ambitions for peaceaful Iraqu is in line
Joseph A.M. in Oregon writes:
@ T.J. in the U.K.
Thank-you for clarifying that you are not against my input....I'll take that as a compliment. I tend to overlook and not mention the personality types associated with Middle-Eastern cultures, due to the fact that religion plays such a dominant role in Islamic societies -- I would rather address the cultural sensitivities associated with the Muslim world. Hoping that this would bring greater awareness to the problems they face with restructuring their countries, while charting a stable future for either the Iraqi or Afghan people.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@Joeseph AM,
Why would anyone be against "your imput"? You are as free to blog here as the rest of us, that doesn't mean folks agree with you or that it's a compliment to say folks arn't against your posting your thoughts here.
I whole heartedly disagree with the comclusions you've drawn on this thread and addressed them as I found them , and you have a briefing transcript that gives you a clue that it will be awile before you and the Dept of State are on the same page, and only then when you discover an essential truth.
Saddam killed off all the "Nelson Mandellas" in Iraq over 30 years, and a "soft dictator" will not be substitute for the enduring institutions of Democracy that must weather the storms of the birth of a nation and endure to preserve it.
Well a lot of Iraqis are having doubts whether they are ready to do this on their own, and I think that's as natural as a bird learning to fly from its nest with a cat in the yard waiting.
Our own birth as a nation wasn't a whole lot different in this respect, nor was Germany's future when the Marshall plan was done, divided and subject to Soviet influence and pressure, and while circumstance were different in each, the thought "can we make this work for ourselves?"
is only human to wonder during transition from dictatorship to democracy.
While some look to define the differences, I see the comonality in the human condition.
It isn't called "the great experiment" without reason.
Don't take things so personal Joeseph, TJ and I agree on many things and have for many years, but we don't always see things the same way either and have remained friends.
He knows something about dictators...though if he could cite example in history of a "soft dictator" that would be a good thing because if there ever was such an odd creature walking this Earth, it's apparently extinct today. Maybe he has someone in mind?
Eric in New Mexico writes:
I wander off on a brouse of the news after posting my last post to Joeseph and what do I find without looking for it?
Nothing less than "parallel thinking in reference" with specificity added in the details:
"We Americans, in particular, might moderate our criticism of the lengthy efforts to establish representative government. Remember: it took us seven years to win our independence, 12 years to write our constitution and 20 years before we even had political parties."
"Of course, the constitution is only a document and must be respected in practice. Still, the bottom line: today for the first time in the country's history, Iraqis are citizens, not subjects, of their government."
"With a population of only 30 million, Iraq will never be able to generate conventional forces alone able to balance Iran with twice the population base. And a nuclear-armed Iran, which the American government rightly declares "unacceptable", would threaten Iraq, the entire region and broader American interests.
So America has ongoing interests in Iraq's success and stability.
Our security agreement calls for the withdrawal of all American forces by the end of next year. But that agreement also provides that the two countries can undertake "strategic deliberations" about defending Iraq against internal and external threats."
- Paul Bremer (excerpts from his essay in the BBC today)
T.J. in the United Kingdom writes:
greater "representation of the Sunnah Muslim political representatives", this is what the Iraqi people are accustomed too and would prove to enhance the stability and security process.
I am sorry to express myself so bluntly. You are totally wrong. Your ideas if ever implemented, would be disaterous for Iraq. Iraq will break into 3 parts. Kurdish in the North, Sunni in the Middle and Shiite in the South. This will also entail civil war, and who knows, maybe due to vast oil reserves, the old colonials may take sides in this too.
The Non Kurdish Sunnis are a minority group. Yes they should be - and ARE - represented in the government of Iraq but the Ba'ath party is a BIG no no unless you are an ex Bathi who has fallen from throne after the fall of Saddam. Many Iraqi people have bitter memories of the Saddam 30 year era in Iraq. You can not employ people with bloody hands.
Do you remember the guy who threw his shoe at GWB? Well, had I been the Iraqi PM or somebody, I would have ordered his execution. GWB was a guest in the Arab house. He got a few months jail instead and after release, some Iraqi media made a hero of him!! Maybe this was due to the US pressure. I can not say. But this is a lesson for all iraqis to uphold human rights and forget their " Stone Age" culture.
With regards to your post that, you kindly invited me to comment on; I am sorry I am not interested. You have no grasp of the real mentality of Arab people. Remember, if an Arab feeds you, then you must BURP to express the fact that it was delicious. It is very bad manners in my country - Iran. Yet, we have Arab loving rulers in Iran who order hangings of minors, stoning to death, gauging eyes, dismembering limbs and so on most of the time following fabricating evidence against their political opponents.
Please, PLEASE! Before wraping up a prescription for the patient, find out EXACTLY what his ailment is. Jimmy Carter had bad advisors too. They created most of the problems of the M.E. And it is not sorted out yet. In my opinion he was a good farmer and a bad President.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
Well TJ, I guess we are known as a compassionate nation for a reason, and maybe things would have been differentr had the shoe actually struck the intended target, but he ducked it and no harm done, and enough people have lost their lives for being too stupid to live it correctly as it is, so I think Mr. Bush probably suggested the Iraqi government cut the fellow some slack, and didn't press the issue or take great offense being that it is pretty normal when one brings profound change to a people, they are going to make a few people angry, despite one's best efforts otherwise.
Culinary customs are a funny thing, in my x's family (from the Phillipines) if you get up from the table before you've had at least three servings and offered a contented belch before arising, one is most definately being rude to the cook.
If you don't burp after three huge helpings, there's probably something wrong with the person anyway...(chuckle)...chef's "logic" I suppose).
Not being from either Arab or Persian cultural background, I have a hard time identifying with a rivalry that has existed for thousands of years, though I understand when there is no separation between mosque and state why some Iranians consider themselves to be "occupied" by an "Arab mindset" that rules by the gun.
In my observations of the system of government in Iran, as opposed to a democratic form, what I see is something completely unnatural to any one tradition or indigious cultural heritage, religious or otherwise.
And here's why...maybe you'll agree with the following, maybe not...my analysis is still evolving as circumstance does.
What you have today in Iran is a systenm of repressive government that has combined all the techniques used by every genocidal dictator in modern history, from Hitler to Stalin, and you have an economy largly run by the state as poorly as the Soviets did, an ethnic cleaning mindset on the lines of Hitler, and to top this off, it's dicator considers his "WORD" to be on par with Mohammed's in athority.
Now while I believe it is mostly up to Muslims to take his ego down a few notches, it is mostly up to the international community to prevent a meglomaniacal genocidal whackjob like the Grand Poobah (ayatollah) of Iran, from creating hell on Earth, just so he can further the coming of the 12th Iman, or some such phrophesy.
They have in the process , refined repression of their own people down to an art, using ever method ever invented to do so, and then some.
The consider blowing one's self up in a "martyrdom opperation" to be the highest attainable "art form" a human can aspire to.
On the record, publicly.
Why the nations of the world don't remove that government from power upon realizing there isn't possibility of "behavior change" is something that continues to puzzle me, as if folks are going to wait to get nuked before taking action or something...?
You are completely right on this;
"Before wraping up a prescription for the patient, find out EXACTLY what his ailment is."
In Iraq, they have the cure,...thing is, the patient's recovery is fully dependant on his attitude.
As my x put it to me, (an ICU nurse), the patients that "made it" out of the unit had a strong will to live, or they didn't.
In Iran's case, it's going to require nothing short of regime replacement therapy and folks better get a grip on that now.
Folks should stop thinking about bombing nuclear sites because they arn't the problem, the regime in power is.
I worry a great deal that US policy isn't ready to make a fundemental realization and address this situation with some logic, because reaching out a hand at this point (after having tried a few times) will just get it cut off and handed back to the fellow that does, so to speak of Presidential diplomatic initiatives in negotiation with reasonable intent.
He's already proved he was willing to try, and "once bitten, twice shy".
I suppose folks will do "the pressure track" for another year perhaps until they flat run out the clock and don't have another option left but the one I can see coming like the sun rising tommorow for certain, but folks gots to see these things for themselves to make those decisions.
It one thing to be reasonable, it's another to get the problem solved, and it's often hard to be one and do the other.
T.J. in the United Kingdom writes:
Yes I totally agree with you. Iran is a major player in the ME. However, it's role under the Shah - a soft Dictator compared to the Mullah - was a positive one and not only because it was a " Western friendly and secular regime ".
I think during the Jimmy Carter era many mistakes were made with regards to the US Foreign Policy. Yes, the Russian had their own mini Vietnam in Afghanistan as a consequence, but the Pandora's Box was opened at the same time. The one sad result of this was the sad event of 9/11 plus many more.
The World has to wake up fast. The removal of Mullahs regime will become compulsary at some point. At the moment, the Western Allies are accepting the casualties of this non-declared War. The later the remedy comes, the higher the number of body bags.
There will be NO progress in Iraq untill the Mullah regime remains in power in Iran. I believe the price paid so far is $ one Trillion, 4500 Allied Forces and maybe 500,000 Iraqis.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
Yeah TJ, you know the current regime in Iran is losing credibility with its own base when they draw comparison with the Shah's "repression" and comparisons with Basiji and SAVIK.
That's regime members saying this...now nostalgia for "the good old days" crops up in some odd places I think, but it only illustrates the nature of the regime.
Comparitively, I would agree that the Shah was a little "softer" on dissent in general.
I thought maybe you were refering to Cyrus the Great.
As far as removing dictators is concerned, we haven't done all that badly...remember it cost us over 6000 lives in one day liberating France and that war cost us half a million casualties KIA total.
Yeah, it would be a good thing to nip these little Hitlers in the bud before they make a bigger mess of things in the world.
As messy a job as that will be to get done, someone has got to do it.
Iraq will be at risk until then.


text:
Sound and Vision Reviews T 785 AV Receiver
March 11, 2010
The A/V electronics maker NAD may be more easily defined by what it is not than by what it is. NAD is not a brand of a huge Asian multinational firm, whether Japanese, Korean, or Chinese. It is not a small, high-end American company. And it is not a private label for some huge big-box chain.
What NAD indisputably is, is unique on today's A/V scene. The firm is small and international, with design offices in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong, a corporate center in Ontario, Canada, and distributors around the world, with manufacturing contracted to select Asian factories, usually on a product-by-product basis. And the products themselves eschew features and flash for solid performance basics, frequently with a proprietary technological twist or two. This approach necessarily means that NAD is not often first to market with a new standard or processing mode, but it also means that it can enjoy a period of contemplation and refinement before jumping on (or off) this or that bandwagon.
Such would appear to be the case with the firm's new top A/V receiver, the T785. NAD is a good 12 to 18 months behind the big Asian brands when it comes to HDMI 1.3 connectivity, Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio processing, and high-def video upconversion — all features found in its new receivers. But the firm has used that time wisely, designing entirely new modular underpinnings for the T785 and its sibling T775 and T765 receivers (and T175 surround preamplifier). In essence, these receivers devote half of the component's chassis to a seven-channel amplifier with a unique, twin-toroidal power supply and the other half to a computer-like "card cage" with five slots to accept modules.
As it stands, the T785 comes with three standard modules that deliver the input/output basics. In addition to these, it features the AM200 audio module, which incorporates Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio processing (and all the rest of the Dolby and DTS broods, of course) via high-speed Texas Instruments audio DSPs, and the VM200 video card, which delivers top-tier video processing and onscreen graphics via Sigma Designs VXP silicon. Future options will offer at least some protection against the obsolescence so dreaded in the A/V world. An HDMI v1.4 module is currently in the works, and third-party options — including a Control4 home-automation integrator — are also pipelined.
The T785 looks handsome in the classic NAD way, with its dark-charcoal-gray chassis, simple Euro-styled controls, and uncluttered front panel. Hookup was facilitated by nicely staggered, heavy multiway binders for all seven speaker connections, a generous complement of HDMI inputs, and Audyssey's automated setup routine for speaker calibration and MultEQ room/speaker correction. The NAD receiver's crisp onscreen displays are simple and text-based, but they pop up and down ultra-fast — a very welcome attribute.
So is NAD's new flagship T785 the perfect A/V receiver? Pretty damned close
Audyssey's routines worked their familiar magic, determining my speaker layout and setting appropriate crossover points in all cases, as well as dialing in relative channel levels that correlated nicely with my subsequent checks using a handheld meter.
The first job of any high-end A/V receiver is to deliver audio amplification that rivals that of serious separate components, and in this the T785 succeeds admirably. Its 7 x 120 watts output effortlessly drove my everyday speaker suite, which is slightly lower in sensitivity than typical systems, with both authority and finesse during both stereo and multichannel listening.
With the T785 cracking the whip, that old warhorse the Saint-Saëns C Minor "Organ" Symphony on a Telarc CD delivered its full complement of aural power and glory. The final movement blends the breadth and depth of the late-classical orchestra with that of a large pipe organ, with results that can easily overwhelm an audio system. But the NAD never displayed anything but controlled, musical, tonally refined playback. It also displayed impressive brute force. When I cued up the multichannel DVD-Audio disc of Donald Fagen's Kamakiriad, I was rewarded by truly studio-control-room levels of dynamic smack and clean, full-range SPL.
An equally important task of any flagship A/V receiver is to provide convenient, competent switching and integration of standard- and high-def video sources, and the NAD shone here as well. The T785's HDMI switching was quick (well, as quick as HDMI switching gets...) and glitch-free, and its video processor delivered clean 1080p upconversion from analog and digital sources. What's more, the T785's extensive noise-reduction and other video-processing options delivered one of the better presentations of standard-def video I've seen when suitably tweaked, working particularly well with lesser-quality signals. (No, the T785 doesn't make crappy broadcasts look just like hi-def, but when you're watching a poor-quality SD college hockey game, it helps a lot.)
A final item worth mentioning is NAD's Audyssey implementation. Rather than just contenting itself with Audyssey's own notion of "corrected" room and speaker response, NAD worked to implement an additional "NAD EQ" curve, available from the DSP Options menu. Compared with the Audyssey standard "target curve" (also userselectable), this yielded a subtly but distinctly warmer, less "analytical" timbre, most noticeable on music passages rich in mid-treble such as massed strings. On my system, which is quite flat and extended at high frequencies, I indeed preferred it.
As expected, the receiver passed my favorite Blu-ray Disc movie-scene obstacle courses without breaking much of a sweat. Thanks to NAD, I watched the Bollywood-inspired Across the Universe with more pleasure than expected. The T785 presented its just-okay Dolby TrueHD soundtrack with great transparency and precision, although it also had the effect of making the continual Auto-Tuning of the two leads' singing voices painfully evident.
The T785's audio and video performance was immensely satisfying, but it was its sheer everyday usability that stole my heart. The supplied HTRC1 remote controller is a heavy, handsome object that eschews touchscreens or modal operations for well-spaced keys, sensible graphics and key shapes, full backlighting, and almost perfectly intuitive operation. It also carries two of my favorite features: always-available, dedicated volume-trim keys for surround, center, and subwoofer channels, and a DISP key that pops up a translucent bottom-of-screen panel showing information like current surround mode and A/V signal details.
Now, the T785 is short on features per se — to its credit, in my book. One that it does have is an unusually intelligent multizone scheme, which includes a supplied, secondary cardtype remote controller for one of the three possible remote rooms/zones, and an assignable stereo-mix digital output for another. A second that deserves special mention is NAD's Preset scheme, a simple set of five memory locations. Each of these can store a combination of surround-mode and DSP options (which include the all important Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic EQ, and Dynamic Volume settings), tone controls, picture controls (aspect ratio, edge enhancement, noise reduction, and brightness/contrast), plus speaker- setup selections including all the size, crossover, and level calibrations or adjustments. A moment's reflection should convince you of how powerful this simple arrangement is: You might design one preset for full-bore, fulldynamics home theater playback and another with moderate Dynamic EQ/Volume processing plus brighter pictures dialed in for casual, daytime viewing.
So is NAD's new flagship T785 the perfect A/V receiver? Pretty damned close if your interest, like mine, lies more in pure performance and less in features or flash. It's not cheap, but the top end of a maker's lineup rarely is, and the unit's excellent performance, peerless livability, and unique antiobsolescence engineering justify the cost.
See the full Sound and Vision Review and mesurments here.
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Comments (1)
Great Product. great review


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The Arendal Seminar on Multilateral Environmental Agreements and their relevance to the Arctic was held in Arendal, Norway on September 21st and 22nd 2006. The seminar, held in the Arendal Culture House, was attended by 70 participants from International organizations, countries, indigenous peoples, convention secretariats and non-governmental organizations.
Organisers were the UNEP Key Polar Centre at GRID-Arendal and the Standing Committee for Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (SCPAR), and co-sponsored by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
After thorough discussions, the participants agreed on a set of recommendations, for the national and international community, on improving the legal regime for the Arctic and strengthening the existing frameworks.
Read more on the recommendations and results from the Arendal Seminar, see some of the stakeholder presentations and read the overview report summarising the status of MEAs in the Arctic.
For more information on other related activities at the UNEP Key Polar Centre, see the main MEAs and the Arctic page.


text:
Hello All,
New to the site but haven't posted anything so I figured it was about time. Have been drinking oolong tea and green tea all my life but haven't ventured out into anything new. Guess its about due to try other things. Just wanted to say hi to everyone


text:
Obama and Syria
For those who are not paying attention: The President of the United States is trying to get support to bomb Syria. This is the same President who did not send help when the embassy in Benghazi Libya was under attack.
In Libya, four Americans were killed. Help was within striking distance and they were told not to go help. Now he, the anointed one, wants to commit the U.S. to a bombing campaign that will be "unbelievably small," according to the Secretary of State. One of the cruise missiles, the tomahawk, cost $569,000 and that was three years ago.
This country is about 17 trillion in debt. We don't have enough money to have school kids tour the White House anymore, and The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds have been grounded, because there isn't enough money. But somehow there is enough to bomb Syria with missiles that cost over a half million dollars?
And why now? 1,400 are killed by chemical weapons. What about the over 100,000 that have been killed with "conventional" weapons? Are they any less dead?
Tom Grant


text:
Prosecutor: Conn. man's arrest linked to HernandezAP , Associated Press
Jun. 27, 2013 10:44 AM ET
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — A prosecutor says the arrest of a Connecticut man is linked to the murder investigation involving former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez.
New Britain State's Attorney Brian Preleski says 27-year-old Carlos Ortiz was charged as a fugitive from justice and has waived extradition to Massachusetts. Prison records show Ortiz is being held on $1.5 million bail at a Hartford jail.
Preleski and other officials declined to release the allegations against Ortiz, who is scheduled to return to court on July 23.
Ortiz was arrested Wednesday in Hernandez's hometown of Bristol, Conn. Preleski says the arrest came as prosecutors and Bristol police were helping Massachusetts authorities in the investigation of the shooting death of Odin Lloyd.
Hernandez is charged with murder in Lloyd's death. His attorney calls the case circumstantial.
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text:
Monday, March 31, 2008
My top 5 beauty crimes...
1)Don't sleep with makeup on…I need to stop being lazy too when I wipe off my makeup with a mac wipe and call it a day. I really should follow up with proper cleansing with my cleansing brush and soap…then moisturizer and eye cream. What's even worse is sometimes I'll do a half-a&$ job at taking off my mascara with the wipe and i'll try to "be good" by putting on my ardell lash and brow accelerator. But we all know that putting this accelerator over a lash with mascara still on it is pretty much defeating the purpose.
2)I need to slow down on my makeup purchases…especially for my "makeup kit" when I haven't had my first real client yet! Right now i've been filling up my online shopping carts for an extra set of brushes so I can have my own...i've been majorly lemming the pink coastal scents brushes!
3)I have the kind of contacts where you can sleep in them and last a month…but you're supposed to take them out once a week to clean them and sometimes I forget…or usually just clean them when I feel like they're irritating me…this is really bad…I know I know...at night my boyfriend goes to take off his contacts and put them in the little solution and i just look at him with a guilty face...
4)I need to keep up with my manis and pedis...before last year I was really good about pedicures and I grimaced at girls who would let their toe nail polish crack and be all chippy-do…but then I went on this whole strict budget thing and I considered it a luxury. The last time I've had a pedicure was two days before new years…a special occasion. I still have on the same polish, except there's only the top half remaining since the rest chipped off…ewwww….
5) I need to get in the habit of proper sanitation with my makeup…a lot of my personal products are going to be going in my makeup kit…for example, all my MAC eyeshadow palettes…I have to make a concentrated effort to get into the groove of using spatulas, wiping off eyeshadows, spraying things down on alcohol when I do my friend's makeup. That way I'm more prepared for when I do actual paying clients…
So these are my crimes…I'm working on them! Sorry if everyone and there mama has been taggeda already-but in case you haven't here's who I'm tagging:
1)Sheila – Starlet Kisses
3)Miss Jacklyn Rose
10 comments:
- Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net said...
i can totally relate sis on slowing down on the purchases. i use the excuse that i am a freelancer to justify my purchases. but freelancing doesn't necessarily mean i have clients lined out the door either :X lol!
- March 31, 2008 at 5:40 PM
- ilurvemakeup said...
#3 - Wait you sleep with them on for an entire week????
- March 31, 2008 at 7:40 PM
- Bliss said...
I did not know contacts lens like no 3 exists, that does save alot of time, but you are a naughty girl to sleep with them on without cleaning it, yr eyes are so strong heheh.
- March 31, 2008 at 8:52 PM
- suzie wuzie said...
these apply to me too! except for my contact lens and the last one. lucky for me, my contacts are quite dry and you really do want them off! i bought the pink coastal scents brushes and can't wait till they arrive :D
please let us know how you go with these resolutions and good luck!
- April 1, 2008 at 8:13 AM
- Emilee @ GMM said...
I can't relate to #3 because I don't wear contacts, but everything else is so true! I need to stop buying makeup before I'm bankrupt and drowning in eyeshadows, lol.
- April 1, 2008 at 9:19 AM
- mayaari said...
wow, a whole month of continuous wear (minus 1/2 a day to clean/soak)? Mine can technically last 6 days without removing them, but then I'd have to toss them. My bf and I constantly get after each other for not taking out contacts at night. The only time I wear them to sleep is near the end, when I know I'm going to throw them out anyway, haha. don't your eyes get dry after wearing lenses for such a long time?
- April 1, 2008 at 3:15 PM
- (g)ezebel said...
very bad with the contacts!!! if you get a bad infection, you could damage your eyeballs and lose your eyesight!!! *frowns her mommy frown*
- April 1, 2008 at 3:48 PM
- mrslanielovesmac said...
Is your contact lenses prescripted? I have astigmatism and my doc wants me to wear something that is bifocal. He requested me to wear Acuvue but I do not like Acuvue. What brand did you get? Do you want if your kind of contact lenses good for my type? Thanks!
- April 1, 2008 at 3:58 PM
- mrslanielovesmac said...
I meant to say 'do you know' not 'want'.
- April 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM
- spankedelic said...
have you ever tried the cooling eyedrops from rohto? you can get them at any store, i believe. i love them cause they make your eyes feel minty! i always have to be extra careful about my contacts, cause i get red eye at least once a year! i hate that!
- April 1, 2008 at 9:41 PM


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The information contained in the broadcast of Adobe Systems Incorporated's conference call held on June 16, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time speaks of that date. Investors should not assume that these comments remain operative at a later time.
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Bristow Academy Taps Aero Dynamix for NVG Training
Euless, Texas-based Aero Dynamix (Booth C2025) is expanding its agreement to supply Bristow Academy (Booth C4328) with night vision imaging systems (NVIS) and night vision goggle (NVG) training. Bristow Academy currently has a dozen NVG flight instructors, five NVG-compatible Schweizer/Sikorsky S-300 CBi trainers and nine NVG-equipped Bell 206B3s. All of the aircraft include Aero Dynamix NVIS lighting systems. NVG flight training is available at the Bristow Academy's facilities in Titusville, Fla. and Carson City, Nev.
Related: Training News


text:
For the last few years, I've taken my own holiday budgeting advice to extremes. I haven't even sent holiday cards.
Not all of my efforts were driven by frugality. I had come to dread the material spiral I'd get sucked into with every other crazed American, it seemed.
So imagine my surprise when the holiday spirit returned, full force, as I was sitting on the floor of a cooperative run by artists in my area, while my son played with a small wooden train set.
Around me were handmade pillows, jewelry, sweaters, paperweights... Many of them under $20, some under $10.
A surge of affection washed away the holiday pressure. I wanted to give the people I loved a treat to celebrate the end of a hard and wonderful year together. It didn't have to cost a mint.
I borrowed a pen and a piece of paper. I made a new, longer list. I tried to squeeze my shopping list into the $167 in my gifts account. I failed.
"Use your credit card," my inner spender whispered. "We'll pay it back in January, I swear!"
I gave her a dope slap: CASH ONLY! I growled. And went home to log onto ING. Voila! I was able to skim a little from "House improvements" and a little from "Vacation."
Then I had an idea. I put my expanded list into a folder and labeled it Christmas Spending. I'll stash receipts as I go—and seed a more realistic holiday budget for next year.
*ING Direct is a DailyWorth sponsor, and I do in fact bank with them.


text:
Gerber®'s Suspension™ Multi-Tool features open-frame design on a butterfly-opening handle. The Suspension Multi-Tool is equipped with spring-loaded needlenose pliers, fine edge knife, serrated edge knife, Saf. T. Plus™ component locking system, and includes a durable ballistic nylon sheath. Overall length: 6''. Length closed: 3-1/2''. Imported.
- Handle material: stainless steel
- Sheath material: ballistic nylon
Components: needle nose pliers, wire cutter, fine edge knife, serrated edge knife, saw, scissors, crosspoint screwdriver, small and medium flatblade screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener, and lanyard hole.
Outdoor Answers
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text:
Bradshaw also wasn't thrilled that Brees asked the NFL if suspended coach Sean Payton could attend the game, and that the NFL allowed it.
"I was a little upset that he went to the NFL to get Payton back to watch him break a record," Bradshaw said. "I'm like, 'Are you kidding me?' I never would have gone and asked. I thought it was disrespectful to the San Diego Chargers.
Also, Terry Bradshaw took steroids to win games. Drew Brees takes zero steroids...and won a championship...and has records. SHUT THE f*** UP Bradshaw.


text: Have you always wanted to experience the thrill of being on the Titanic but have been afraid of drowning in an icy sea? Well, then it's too bad you didn't book a ticket aboard the ship that's retracing the Titanic's route beginning today. They're skipping the shipwreck part—or so the tour organizers have promised anyway.


text:
Craft Camp: For kids aged 9+
Connecting the physical world of textile crafts to the programmable world of electronics is becoming a popular past time for fashion designers, industrial designers and curiosity seekers alike. Come find out yourself how you can dive into this limitless world of sof circuitry. You'll learn electronics basics and how to program a mico controller. Projects include parallel circuit wrist bands, embroidery scene, and plush doll using electronic components and lillypad arduino. Ability to sew is recommended.
Register for Craft Camp
Time: July 1st – July 3rd, 9:30am-12pm
Price: $225
Please see main kidscamp page here for the max count of students needed to run this class.
Kids Summer Camp: Crafts
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Craft Camp: For kids aged 9+
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The OECD/Korea Policy Centre Competition Programme is a joint venture between the Korean government and the OECD. Opened in May 2004, the Centre works with competition authorities in the Asia-Pacific region to develop and implement effective competition law and policy. The Centre provides a hub for competition officials from Asia-Pacific countries to meet regularly to exchange experiences and deepen their capacities in competition law and policy through workshops, seminars and other events. A workshop where judges may share experiences in the competition law field and benefit from discussions with world class experts from several jurisdictions is organised once a year. The Centre also works to strengthen competition law and policy in Korea and the KFTC itself.
Participating economies
The following economies are frequent participants in the Centre's activities: Cambodia, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, People's Republic of China, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam. Fiji, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka have also participated in past activities.
Published regularly, this newsletter includes brief reports on the Centre's work as well as on meetings held by the OECD in Paris. It is also an opportunity for participating economies from the Asia-Pacific region to exchange their latest experiences on competition law and policy issues.
Summary of activities
A detailed summary of the discussions and other activities held during the various events organised by the centre can be found in the centre's annual reports:
» Download the 2015 Annual Report (pdf)
» View the list of all past events and annual reports
|» Calendar of activities
|» Korea Policy Centre website
|» Newsletters
|» Previous meetings & reports
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact Mr Ruben Maximiano, our competition expert in charge of the centre's activities
Ruben Maximiano
Permanent URL: www.oecd.org/competition/seoulrcc
|Key materials, Tools & Guidance
|Global Relations
|Abuse of dominance & monopolisation
|International co-operation
Competition assessment toolkit
Country reports & peer reviews
Fighting bid rigging in public procurement
Reports by the Competition Committee
Reports by competition agencies
|Cartels & anti-competitive agreements
|Liberalisation & intervention in regulated sectors
|Enforcement practices
|Evaluation of competition interventions
|Pro-competitive policy reforms
Documents connexes


text:
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Ostriches were often killed for the use of their hides, which makes a fine leather, and their feathers. Their eggs, which are equivalent to 24 fowl eggs, are eaten by animals as well as humans. African tribes use ostrich shells as a means of holding water for bathing and drinking.


text:
When you choose a female dog, you face the dilemma of whether or not to have her spayed. For many owners, dog spaying is a no-brainer because they are not interested in raising puppies or dealing with dogs in heat. If you are on the fence about whether to spay your dog, you might want to take certain health benefits and costs factors into consideration.
If you are considering breeding dogs, you might want to think again, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Dog pregnancy requires extremely special care and attention, and spaying is less expensive than raising a litter of puppies. Plus, there is already a serious problem of pet overpopulation in America.
Spaying also has a number of health benefits for your dog. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, spaying can reduce your dog's risk of developing breast, uterine and ovarian cancer if it is done before her first heat cycle. It can also prevent a uterine infection known as pyometra and can reduce the urge female dogs have to wander or escape to find a mate when they are in heat.


text:
Ducks Unlimited Member Forums
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Waterfowl Hunting Do's & Don'ts
Don't get too frustrated!
Don't get too frustrated!
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Posted 9/17/2012 9:48:58 PM
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I am sure everyone has had a hunt that yielded zero birds and zero shots to boot. These are the days that should push us back out to work harder and find the birds. I have had a few days with no birds and or missed shots that has gotten me down. Any new hunter out there I want to tell you that those days and those shots are going to happen. This isn't fishing, the birds aren't contained to one body of water and the one you are on may not be where they are that day. As for missed shots, well that is going to happen no matter how good you are. Be persistent and keep improving your craft. If it were easy it would be boring and I am sure everyone on here can say that it never gets boring!
Post #770051
Alex Hilburn
Posted 9/18/2012 7:11:41 PM
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I've never missed. Ever.
Kidding. Except I am 100% so far this year.
Good point though. I used to get angry when we missed opportunities or went home empty handed. Now, I'm just glad there's no birds to clean between getting home and taking a nap.
Post #770077
Posted 9/18/2012 8:59:21 PM
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Slow hunts with just one or two opportunities and an empty bag on the way home is always a tough pill to swallow...but we have all been there, and will all be there again...at least I like to tell myself I'm not the only one!
-God Bless
Post #770080
drake 2011
Posted 9/22/2012 9:23:16 PM
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very good comment and if you keep working youll have that day where you cant miss and there are ducks everywhere coming into your blocks!
Post #770146
3 Black Dogs
Posted 10/23/2012 10:30:50 PM
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That's why they call it hunting. Those days are going to happen to everyone and nobody hits every duck they shoot at. That's part of hunting and it makes you work harder the next time and to never give up
Shoot straight and often
Post #770712
Posted 10/26/2012 11:11:59 AM
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Actually has been happening to me more often than not this year, last year early season we could not load fast enough this season we don't even need to load our guns LOL. Funny how it works that way
Post #770738
Posted 1/4/2013 7:04:33 PM
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Excellent post! One of the guys I hunt with drives me nuts with this. Two years ago our lake we hunt was the hot spot. Couldn't load fast enough between flocks dive bombing the decoys. Well, this year and last year was super slow with many days of not even seeing birds in the air. I realize that it's called hunting rather than killing and that some days, you're on the X, some days the birds change their habits. But he's also the kind of guy that if he doesn't shoot a limit, he's not satisfied. Needless to say, halfway through the season I dropped him as a hunting partner.
Post #771450
Posted 1/4/2013 9:38:23 PM
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This is a great Topic. Just yesterday a friend and I went hunting and loaded up with 4 Mallards, 1 Lesser-Scaup, 1 Bufflehead, and 1 Goose. All in 4 hours at the blind. Group after group were flying by checking out the spread. Today, had two groups fly by with a few prayer shots, resulting in nothing. 4 hours again. You never know when that one day is going to happen where it's raining ducks they say. But you'll never experience it on the couch. That's for sure. (When I say groups of ducks, I'm talking 3-7) haha Jersey doesn't get those massive groups like I've seen flying in other states.
Post #771454
Posted 2/7/2013 9:35:11 PM
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hey try yrs one duck in the past 4 yrs.got out only once this yr and the ducks left befor the opening time.i keep at it thow i love it to much.everyone thinks i just waste my time.except my dad.
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text: The faculty of the Department of Emergency Medicine welcome and appreciate your interest in our specialty. We invite you to become involved whatever your current level of training. As a first or second year student, you can join the Emergency Medicine Interest Group and also spend some time "shadowing" in the department. We offer electives for both 3rd year and 4th year students. Several research opportunities are usually available to become involved with at any given time. We also offer group sessions for students on topics such as applying for residency. We believe that Emergency Medicine is the most exciting and challenging field in medicine. We invite you to spend some time with us and find out for yourself!


text:
SC Rider John Noris Travel Update: 5 Days of Santa Cruz with Photographer Michael Barrus
Words: John Noris
Photos: Michael Barrus www.michaelbarrus.com
With bad weather forecasted in Southern California for a couple of days, Michael Barrus and I decided to make our way up to Santa Cruz for a couple of days to try and score some waves and visit some friends.
Day One: We decided that with a little bit of south in the water we'd try and score The Wedge in Newport Beach but with unfavorable winds, Ended up surfing 54th street. I struggled to even catch a wave, but Daniel Shea here found some big ramps and took advantage. I had to stop at the Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles to try and get my visa for an upcoming trip and from there we drove up to Michael's parents house in San Mateo County for the night.
Day Two: We met up with our good friends Matt Myers and Noah Wegrich at a wedgy wave in the Santa Cruz area for some punt ramps and sharky vibes! Although none of us said anything in the water, when we got out we all mentioned that we had seen shadows in the waves but didn't want to scare each other by saying so. I guess it's just part of surfing up here. We ended the day with a quick session at pleasure point followed by Matt Myers' hot tub just blocks away.
And finally getting to surf it for the first time since October!
I was able to boost a couple but my homie Matt Myers showed me how to really surf the wave… here are some pictures of him BOOSTING some sick airs!
Day Three: Noah and Matt had obligations for the day so it was just Michael and I on a mission to score a couple of waves. The swell had dropped a lot but we were still able to get a couple of fun waves in Mid-town, Santa Cruz.
The Rivermouth.Day Four: With Michael having to get to LAX tomorrow evening, we decided to start making our way back down to SoCal, but not before hitting up one of San Mateo County's fine skate parks. We had a fun skate session with some of the locals and made our way down to San Luis Obispo to visit some friends for the evening.
Day Five: Hung out at the house in SLO on Kentucky street with the homies, dropped off Michael at LAX for his flight over to Bali, and just got home a couple of minutes ago. It was definitely a fun weekend with some fun waves and good times with friends!


text:
- Home
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FIG Restaurant
232 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401 |
Get Directions
Phone: (843) 805-5900
Specialty Dishes: Hanger Steak w/Agrodolce Sauce
Alex loves the sweet and sour flavors of the hanger steak with agrodolce sauce at Chef Mike Lata's elegant bistro. The sauce is flavored with herbs, saba, beef trimmings, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste and caramelized vegetables. Order one of the seasonal wines to make your meal memorable.
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text:
Does anyone remember that movie? It's about a computer that becomes sentient, or something, and totally cock blocks some guy named Miles, only the computer kept calling him "Moles" because of a typo. It had a great 80s theme song. I haven't seen it in decades but I used to love that movie.
I drank 4 GLBC Double IPAs in the last few hours.


text:
PTS Home |
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Features |
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Class Notes
| inSpire
Volume 7 No. 1
Summer/Fall 2002
Volume 7 Number 1
& Off Campus
Class Notes
Preaching That
Fosters "Ecclesial" Identity
| Giving Voice
to the Gospel
| When Your Calling
Is Pastor
| Ex Nihilo
| Where Have All the Pastors Gone?
called the pastoral ministry "the first office of the church," and
preparation of women and men for the pastoral ministry is still at the
center of the mission of Princeton Seminary.
This issue of
inSpire looks at the pastoral ministry in several ways. The
preaching task is considered in the reflections of two of PTS's newest
professors, Dr. Sally Brown, who teaches preaching, and
Dr. Nancy Lammers
Gross, who teaches speech communication in ministry. Kent Annan explores
the unique ministry of pastors who are called to start new churches in his
article on new church development, and gives attention to the
shortage of pastors in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Barbara Chaapel writes about what PTS alums and faculty who attended a
preaching conference in Montreat believe it means to be a pastor today.
And look for
Student Life stories about how two current students deepened
their commitment to the pastoral ministry: one through a challenge to
minister in Uganda, the other through conversations with her college
pastor and in a field education internship.
Outstanding in the Field shares the story of David Norwood and the small
congregation he pastors in Washington State that is made up of Native
American locals, Hispanics and Filipino immigrant families, and Anglo
And PTS professor of ministry and evangelism
Jack Stewart asks in
Things what he believes to be the key question for the church today: what
is pastoral leadership?
Copyright 2002 Princeton Theological Seminary
The URL for this page is http://www.ptsem.edu/read/inspire/7.1/feature_1/index.htm
Questions? Contact
last updated 06/25/02


text:
Topic: Vertical x-axis labels in Gruff
I am trying to display vertical x-axis labels in Gruff-generated graphs, I googled and found some code snippet (http://www.ruby-forum.com/topic/72462#831745) to add (code snippet pasted below).
This is my first time to modify an existing ruby-class, so I am not sure where to put it. I tried this way:
I saved the code in a file under the 'lib' directory: lib/gruff_fix_patch.rb
Then, tried to call 'require' in environment.rb (below my other requires):
require 'gruff'
require 'gruff_fix_patch'
But no luck. The added code does not seem to have any effect on my rails project (e.g. on the generated graphs).
It would be great if anyone could answer this:
Exactly where am I supposed to add/put the code? How do I tell my controllers/views to include that change?
Thanks in advance..!
Note: there was these two lines in the webpage where I found the code:
# init.rb
require 'gruff_fix_patch'
Issue.send(:include, GruffFixPatch)
But I don't know either where the init.rb file lives...
# Saved in lib/gruff_fix_patch.rb
class Gruff::Base
def setup_graph_measurements
# TODO Separate horizontal lines from line number labels so they can be shown or hidden independently
# TODO Get width of longest left-hand vertical text label and space left margin accordingly
unless @hide_line_markers
@graph_left = 130.0 # TODO Calculate based on string width of labels
@graph_right_margin = 80.0 # TODO see previous line
@graph_bottom_margin = 400.0
@graph_left = @graph_right_margin = @graph_bottom_margin = 40
@graph_right = @raw_columns - @graph_right_margin
@graph_width = @raw_columns - @graph_left - @graph_right_margin
@graph_top = 150.0
@graph_bottom = @raw_rows - @graph_bottom_margin
@graph_height = @graph_bottom - @graph_top
def draw_label(x_offset, index)
return if @hide_line_markers
if !@labels[index].nil? && @labels_seen[index].nil?
#@d.fill = @marker_color
@d.font = @font if @font
@d.stroke = 'transparent'
@d.rotation = 90
@d.text_align( LeftAlign)
@d.font_weight = NormalWeight
@d.pointsize = scale_fontsize(@marker_font_size)
@d.gravity = NorthWestGravity #CenterGravity
@d = @d.annotate_scaled(@base_image,
1, 1000,
x_offset, @raw_rows -
(@graph_bottom_margin - 30),
@labels[index], @scale)
@d.rotation = -90
@labels_seen[index] = 1