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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Delta cribs
Units: About 747,000 drop-side cribs; and all fixed and drop-side cribs using wooden stabilizer bars.
Manufacturer: Delta Enterprise, of New York, N.Y.
Drop-Side Hazard: The cribs' drop sides can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped, which can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib. Drop-side incidents can also occur due to incorrect assembly and with age-related wear and tear.
Mattress Support Hazard: In addition, the wooden stabilizer bars on some Delta drop-side and fixed-side cribs can be installed upside down, which puts extra stress on the crib and can cause the mattress platform to collapse, creating a gap in which an infant or toddler can become entrapped and posing a risk of strangulation or suffocation.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Delta have received 57 reports involving drop sides that have malfunctioned or detached, resulting in three entrapments, including two reports of bruises and one child who fell out of the crib. Additionally, CPSC is aware of 19 reports in which stabilizer bars were installed upside-down, resulting in 10 mattress platform collapses. Two children were entrapped but freed without injury and one child sustained scratches.
Description: This recall involves Delta drop-side cribs with three different types of drop-side hardware and Delta cribs with wooden stabilizer bars that support the mattress platform. Consumers should visit www.cribrecallcenter.com for photographs and models of the affected hardware types and instructions on correct assembly of the stabilizer bars.
Sold at: Children's product retail stores nationwide and on-line from January 2000 through May 2009 for between $100 and $300.
Manufactured in: China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Croatia.
Drop-Side Crib Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled drop-side cribs and contact Delta to receive a free repair kit that will immobilize the drop side. In the meantime, find an alternate, safe sleep environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child's age.
Mattress Support Remedy: Consumers who have cribs with wooden stabilizer bars supporting the mattress should inspect the stabilizer bars to ensure they are correctly installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and inspect the joints of their crib for any damage. If the stabilizer bars are installed upside down, stop using the crib immediately and contact Delta for information on how to correctly install the stabilizer bars or visit the firm's website at www.cribrecallcenter.com
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Delta Enterprise toll-free at (877) 342-3418 between 9 a.m. and 5p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.cribrecallcenter.com
Note: More information about the special industry program to provide free immobilization kits
Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Disengagements can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Age is factor in the safety of any crib. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years. Many older cribs may not meet current voluntary standards and can have numerous safety problems.
Visit CPSC's Crib Information Center for more information on Crib Safety and Recalls.
Three types of Delta drop-side hardware
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of
thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the
nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or
mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household
chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at
301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing
to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.
Times: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
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Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
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Greetings! I'm relatively new here, but have been enjoying tea for years. I've tried searching through some old posts, but wasn't coming up with much. I wasn't sure where to post this, so I hope this is the proper place. I am looking for a vendor who sells organic & fair trade loose tea. I've purchased from Arbor Teas in the past. I haven't found much mentioned here about them and was wondering what other people think of them. They seem to offer a nice selection of teas, not to mention a lot of it being organic and fair trade.
Any thoughts and/or suggestions are much appreciated!

subset: commoncrawl


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Exotic Car Rental in Miami, Orlando and Atlanta. We deliver to surrounding cities!From the beginning, the driving force behind our company has been to establish a culture of customer service and to go above and beyond our clients expectations. We understand that just owning a fleet of the most prestigious luxury and exotic car rental isn't enough to build a world-class company, creating and maintaining great relationships with our clients is. That is the heart of our success and we've never looked back. Established in 2004, Prestige Luxury Rentals has served thousands of clients and hundreds of luxury lifestyle hotels, travel agencies and concierge service companies. Service is paramount at Prestige. Our quality first approach ensures that we provide the highest level of customer service by providing our staff with unparalleled customer service training and the tools necessary to give our clients the personal attention they've come to expect from a world class luxury rental company. We believe this is the main reason we have one of the top customer retention rates in our industry, with over 50% of our rentals being repeat customers and 25% referrals. This fuels our desire to continue being a leader in our industry. Rent or Hire an exotic car rental Miami Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta or New jersey. Our driving force behind our daily operations is simply customer satisfaction and knowing that our clients are loyal to our brand and enjoy the experience that we provide through our entire booking, rental and return process. We take pride in our reputation and are constantly finding new ways to provide our clients with more services like door to door delivery, cell phone availability with unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot, personal/luggage transfer service and agents available 24 hours a day, everyday. With 4 main locations exotic car rentals in Miami, Orlando, Atlanta and New Jersey we have become a premier luxury car rental and exotic car rental company in South Florida, Georgia and New Jersey. We have partners in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Dallas and our fleet of suv's, sport cars, convertibles, luxury and exotic cars available for rent in Miami, Orlando, Atlanta and New Jersey/New York.
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For more information contact us by email at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 1-888-513-9711.


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Trudeau discoveries add to knowledge of aging immunity, platelet disorders
SARANAC LAKE – Trudeau Institute has announced two new research findings from its scientists that could have implications for the elderly and for people suffering from platelet disorders.
The news was issued Tuesday in a pair of press releases from the nonprofit, Saranac Lake-based biomedical research center.
Immunity and aging
Researchers from Trudeau have recently uncovered abnormal behavior in aging cells that helps explain the loss of previously acquired immunity. The findings were made available Monday on the website of the online scientific journal Immunity & Aging. The paper was authored by Lisa M. Connor, Jacob E. Kohlmeier, Lynn Ryan, Alan D. Roberts, Tres Cookenham, Adam A. Quinn, Marcia A. Blackman and David L. Woodland.
The research team focused on "memory" T-cells, a type of white blood cell that fights infection and tumor development. Memory T-cells created after an infection have the capacity to "remember" the prior pathogen; upon secondary exposure, they typically respond with accelerated speed and strength.
A key question for researchers is how these memory T-cells can be maintained into old age. The memory pool becomes progressively dysregulated with age, such that large expansions of identical cells (or clones) occur in the elderly. These clonal expansions are found in most individuals and are thought to contribute to age-associated immune dysfunction. Understanding how and when these clonal expansions develop is a key focus of aging research.
The Trudeau team developed, in a mouse model, a way to track the early development of these clonal expansions and test their impact on the ability of the mice to respond to reinfection. Their data show that the clonal composition of the virus-specific memory CD8+ T cell pool begins to change within months of the initial infection. These early clonal perturbations eventually result in large clonal expansions that have been associated with aging.
Importantly, most of these expanded clones are significantly impaired in their capacity to mount recall responses to secondary challenge in vivo. However, as reinfection promotes the expansion of the normal memory cells in the pool, this raises the possibility that booster vaccination regimes could overcome the increasingly dysregulated immune response in the elderly.
The new information should be helpful to immunologists working to develop improved vaccine protocols for elderly populations.
Platelet disorders
An international contingent of immunologists, led by Trudeau faculty member Marcia A. Blackman, has established an experimental mouse model that will allow researchers to answer fundamental questions about the biological origins of thrombocytopenia, a decrease in platelet levels which can lead to excessive bleeding, caused by gammaherpesviruses like Epstein-Barr virus. The new mouse model will allow researchers to test therapeutic strategies that may have implications for the treatment of human forms of the disease, which can prove fatal.
The research currently appears online at www.sciencedirect.com and will appear in print in the Journal of Autoimmunity.


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Muramatsu Flutes
Since the first Muramatsu flute was created in 1923 by the late Koichi Muramatsu, thousands of artists worldwide have chosen Muramatsu over all other brands. Leadership was later passed to his son, Osamu Muramatsu and today the factory carries on the same tradition of excellence in flute-making under the direction of his grandson, Akio Muramatsu. Every flute that bears the Muramatsu name is built with the care and precision that has earned Muramatsu its reputation as one of the world's finest professional flutes. Today Muramatsu sells more professional model flutes worldwide than any other flute maker.
All of our flutes come with a hard case and cleaning rod.


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iHerb Customer Reviews
Savings of: $9.91 (50% off)
Could Be Darker
Posted by Reviewer1645066 on Jan 05, 2011
I use this to fill in my eyebrows. I am missing the outsides due to a thyroid problem and I have almost black hair. This is a little light, I wish it came darker without being black, and it's a little creamy so it smudges easily. I am glad to find it though, and unless it runs really bad in the summer when I'm outside, I'll be buying more despite the color. It lasts a LOT longer than another brand I've tried.
lovely eye liner
Posted by Reviewer1383154 on Jan 19, 2010
This is a very nice eye liner. It goes on smooth and has a lovely color. Very high quality. It is a bit pricey, but if you like to pamper yourself, get it.
Posted by Reviewer2184517 on Apr 29, 2010
I love the little sponge tip for blending the liner.
Posted by 5310989502505036583 on Aug 20, 2012
This is good for everyday wear. I like that it's natural and doesn't hurt my eyes like other eyeliners can.
eye liner
Posted by 4828569383796290654 on Jan 02, 2013
Love the color but comes off easily
Items 1-5 of 5 total


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GoingOutGuide Bars+%26+Clubs
Subscribe: Home Delivery | Digital
At Edgar, only the decor is arresting
By Tom Sietsema
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
If it weren't for two roadblocks, I could see myself making a habit of lunching at the freshly minted Edgar Bar & Kitchen in the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel, a watering hole and restaurant named for one of the property's best-ever customers: J. Edgar Hoover, the late, long-serving director of the FBI.
Just off the dashing main lobby, Edgar calls to customers with a warren of dining rooms made intimate with brick walls, leather booths and light wood columns. The hub of the interior, formerly home to the Town & Country bar, is a marble-topped counter ringed with stools.
Sticking point No. 1: The service. Does anyone at Edgar get training before they hit the floor? Greetings are slow to be made, bills can take forever to retrieve, calls to the restaurant go unanswered. When I placed a request for a glass of chardonnay featured on the menu, my server asked, "That's a white, right?" Another afternoon, someone spilled water on the floor, a puddle that no one bothered to mop up for the hour or so we monitored it. The unsmiling staff appears to have been recruited from the Soviet school of hospitality.
Another obstacle to a patron's happiness at Edgar: food that for the most part tastes as though it had been put together on an assembly line. Salads aren't properly tossed; one bite delivers a mouthful of dressing, another is just naked spinach and arugula. Potato croquettes are a hot and gluey waste of calories. A strapping bowl of pappardelle is mixed with sauteed shrimp, zucchini and Parmesan shards: a dish that looks like a page torn from a hotel room-service menu circa 1998. The towering EBK burger packs in short ribs, blue cheese and soft onions. The stuffing can't mask the reality: a boring patty beneath a dry bun.
A pleasant reprieve from the clinkers is the chicken potpie. An island of puff pastry sets off a creamy, sherry-laced moat of chicken, carrots and more. The dish is the sort of easy comfort that you imagine Hoover came to "Washington's second-best address" for -- and that you know deserves more charming company.
Hotel bars nod to past with new approaches
By Fritz Hahn
Friday, February 22, 2013
Washington's hotel bar scene has never been more eclectic. The plush-but-staid lounges such as Off the Record at the Hay-Adams and the Round Robin Bar at the Willard remain, but at new places, you're likely to find rooftop pools or on-trend cocktails. Three hotels have recently given their bars complete overhauls.
Edgar Bar and Kitchen
Edgar, the Mayflower Hotel's replacement for the vaunted Town and Country Lounge, is a world away from that dark, clubby watering hole. Opened in December, it's decorated with shining green subway tiles, mirrored columns and a veritable museum of old bourbon bottles and crates. The huge circular booths can easily hold eight to 12 people.
The bar itself straddles two rooms, and the side closest to the door always seems busiest. If you go around to the other side, you'll find more stools, first-come, first-seated booths, and a long, broad communal table that's big enough to be a second bar counter. The space is wide open, but if you get stuck standing next to one of the columns at the corners of the bar, it's tough to catch a bartender's eye.
It's hard to be at the Mayflower without thinking of much-loved bartender Sambonn Lek, who spent three decades there, wrote its menu of 101 cocktails and performed magic tricks to get strangers to chat with each other. Lek retired to Cambodia after Town and Country's January 2011 closing, and although none of the remaining bartenders have his personality, they've worked there for 10 to 25 years. This makes it twice as frustrating when service goes missing, but it also means that if you're yearning for Lek's signature Sam I Am (Citron vodka, amaretto and cranberry), someone should be able to whip it up.
Asking for it isn't a bad way to go, because Edgar's new cocktail menu is pleasant but not really remarkable. The Pom-Blackberry Balsamic Bourbon is sweet and tangy, thanks to agave nectar and blackberry balsamic vinegar, but the bourbon gets lost. Better is the Pear Sidecar, where the combination of bourbon and rhubarb bitters keeps pear liqueur from being too sweet. Someone on staff must love the combination of gin and Chambord raspberry liqueur, because two of the nine drinks are built around it. Beyond cocktails, it's nice to see a focus on local draft beers, including Flying Dog, Port City and 3 Stars.
To build buzz, Edgar is sponsoring a raft of happy hours: Free flatbread pizza and $3 drafts from 5 to 7 p.m. on Fridays, a free bottle of sparkling wine for groups larger than five after 5 p.m. on Thursdays, and half-off the whole bar menu from 8 p.m. to close on Sundays. I'd aim to make one of those on your first visit.
About the name: Former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover ate lunch at the Mayflower nearly every day. But since he doesn't quite fit the younger, hipper image the Mayflower is going for, he's not part of the design theme. But, there are busts of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington in the dining room.


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A reader sent me this excellent question:
Possibly but not necessarily. There's nothing wrong with competing in a contest to win. The apostle Paul clearly commended that desire in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
There are undoubtedly times, however, when an athlete's motives might be tainted with sinful pride and even sinful ill-will toward the opponent. (I think that's been a pervasive problem in modern professional sports at least since the time of Cassius Clay.) But I don't think that's always necessarily a part of athletic competition, or Scripture would condemn athletics altogether. What makes gambling different, and always wrong in my estimation, is that there's no way to win without actually hurting other competitors. Your victory costs them something real (not just their own pride or title), and what you win is something to which you have no legitimate entitlement. Therefore, I have suggested it's tantamount to stealing. Winning someone else's title isn't nearly the same thing, because you are entitled (by definition) to compete for that. It isn't really the other person's personal and private possession—except for a stint between contests. I made note of this obliquely in my description of why gambling is tantamount to stealing: "It is the taking of that which belongs to your neighbor and to which you have no right." You couldn't say that about the title in a sporting contest. You have a right, if you have the ability, to be champion of the US Open. But if you win, that title is rightfully yours for only one year, unless you legitimately win it again.
Phil JohnsonExecutive Director
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I understand and agree with the point of view (position). I do have a question, though. What about when the 'contest' involves winning prize money? For example, players have to pay an entry fee to participate, and the winner gets the proceeds in addition to a title. And does your position change based on whether the contest is physical, such as a golf or tennis match, versus something like chess or poker? Many people feel that if skill, whether physical of mental, is involved then it isn't gambling if you win money. What do you say?
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Trying to find a WAY that the contest isn't gambling is always the goal it seems.
The World Poker Tour (WPT) has created a sense that it can be like other contests. Let's say that the WPT is not gambling but instead is simply a contest where spectators pay to watch and participants earn their way(vs. buy in). The winner would get more of the money raised in ticket sales. I believe this would kill the WPT. Eliminating what makes it gambling (trying to win the belongings of other people through a game of chance) and it will die. The foundation of the WPT is the gambling industry. Without it, the WPT is nothing.
Eliminate gambling, and Vegas will disappear because the "entertainment" is not in the slot machines, poker, or other games, it is in the winning of the money. And there in lies the sin. Wanting something without earning it. At least in my humble opinion.
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Umm, when Adam and Eve had to work in the fallen world, they did'nt earn anything but worked until they return to the ground. Like we are but dust. Just a thought.
Out of shear ignorance I am asking this question, "How is the stock market not a form of gambling?"
Thank you.
"what you win is something to which you have no legitimate entitlement. Therefore, I have suggested it's tantamount to stealing."
I am loving this whole series. The discussion is great, and I agree with you on almost every point, except this one.
As someone who has, in the past, on occassion played some penny-ante poker, I had full awareness that my change might very well go home with someone else. The very act of putting the money in the pot gave the winner of the pot a legitimate claim on my money. Whether playing for dollars, pennys or doritos ... at no time have I ever remotely felt that my losses were stolen, illegitimately taken, or unfairly aquaired by the winner. I knowingly placed something at stake and lost it. My participation in the game was an agreement to surrender possession of the item/$ being wagered.
There are so many other reasons why gambling can be labelled anything from extremely unwise to destructively evil. I'm sorry, but "stealing" is not one of them.
If all gambling were a cut and dry case of stealing, as you have tantamountly defined it, there wouldn't arise so many objections. And please, let's refrain from strong accusations about a person's spiritual maturity because they ask questions or defend positions, these are needless straw man arguments that misrepresent the positions of others.
In this particular post alone you have already pointed to the problem, which you are even able to apply to gaming of all sorts. It's a heart motive.
"Mutual consent" and "stealing" are exclusive terms and this is where the entire argument falls apart. I've seen the rationalizing and attempts to redefine terms, but subjective interpretations and definitions cannot alleviate the ambiguity.
As one commenter stated , the argument for stealing is "just one part of the pie", but if this particular piece of the puzzle does not fit you are left with just that, an incomplete puzzle.
Darla #5 - Great question! There has been lots of discussion on this question over the past several blogs. I assume you are just getting in now on this discussion. If that's true it has been most wonderful. Go back and read Phil's blogs from the beginning when the issue of gambling was started and you will discover the answer! May the Lord bless you and open His wisdom to you and I and all His seeking children. In Him, Tom Jourdan
@ 7 Greg
I completely agree. I mentioned before that you could make the case that gambling leads to many sins therefore you should not gamble, but to say that gambling is a sin is much different.
First, there are so many forms of gambling, so it makes the question so much harder. Why must it only be money on the line that makes it evil?
I think that the argument for mutual consent is at best a controversial opinion b/c deep down we all know there is a huge difference from someone stealing from us and two people agreeing to bet $5 on a sports game or game of poker. Mutual consent, almost by definition, excludes stealing. If I say "you can have the $5 from my wallet" and you take it that is not sin. If I say "you can have the $5 from my wallet if you beat me in poker" how is this situation different.
Again, we have to also really define what gambling is as many people have mentioned, the definition offered here relates to so many things that is why it is so hard to separate it from the stock market. It is precisely b/c these things are so similar that we are cutting hairs to point out they are different. Penny ante poker games hardly cause any coveting of any type here or any of the other sins mentioned. Again this has to be differentiated from taking your life savings to the roulette table.
We need to be careful about sin b/c it is the biggest problem in this life. Just as so many things in this world are not being called sin and it is causing trouble, we should take pause to call out something sin when we do not know. The far easier argument, if you want people to not gamble, is to say gambling can lead to so many sins. This should be easy and would be easier to biblically defend.
Personaly I think there needs to be a clairfacation on what COVET, and To STEAL mean.
To Steal..to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, esp. secretly or by force.
To Covet...To envy what your neighbor has so much, that it leads you to Jealousy to were you steal it, or take it by unlawful means.
It is not a sin to want to be successful in business and make a good living, but when you become obsessed with those things, it can become coveting. When they become the most important thing in your life, and you will do whatever it takes to get it, coveting has become idolatry, something that Colossians 3:5 warns us about.
Now when you Gamble and Gamble wisely YO DO NOT SIN!!!...a slot machine can not sin...sin comes from the heart the one pulling the lever can choose whether to sin or not. If you devise a way illigaly to take money from the machine....you sin!
Or when x number of people want to play any kind of game of chance, and when they put their money in the pot....it is no longer their money, they have given it over to a nutreal source to be paied out at a later date...where in heavens name is this now called stealing WHEN THEY HAVE GIVEN PERMISSION TO GIVE THEIR MONEY UP TO WHOM-EVER WINS???.
Now there are Rules that pretain to how one is suppose to Gamble with certian Games, and if one breaks thoes rules...he sins...why because out of greed, wanting to win and covet the winnings so bad that he or she trys to cheat ....this is a SIN but playing the game within the rules set....NO SIN....this is not rocket sceince people.
People say Gambling makes you sin if you get mad and cuss....WRONG if you pulled the slot machine wheel 3 times and got mad and cussed because you didnt win it was because of ANGER that comes fron the heart....You 99% of the time would of cussed at home if the lawn mower didnt start after 3 pulls of the cord, so did the lawn mower make you sin?...Gambling is not the sin...ANGER IS! and anger come from the heart of who ever is playing the game.
People whether they are Christians or not if playing Games of chance and play by rules set before them , who play respectfully, wisely and show no anger,jealously,or Greed have not commited one sin....period
And thoes who play games of chance that has more than 2 playing on a "pot" that has been agreed-upon PUT FORTH BY THE PLAYERS THEMSELVES
winner take all....no such word as stealing should be used , unless one devised a unlawful act against the rules of winning.
these are the seven deadliest sins folks
Gambling by itself dont have any of the above....they are carried in the human heart and are not manafested in just the Gambling hall.
And there are thoes that dont have any of the above when playing games of chance.
@ Tom, Thank you. I'll go back and read the beginning.
Happy Father's Day !!!
#11 Darrel
Try to apply your logic to cancan dance.
We are living to glorify God. Christ is our image.
Just being puzzled. Gambling incudes those things you mention, Darrel. We may be tempted to gamble but if we allowed it to engulf us then these sins you mention plays a part. Hmm. No such thing a godly gambling. ... Best to avoid chance. Chance seperates us from God.
Beloved please understand If you do not feel right about Gambling, I totally respect your decession, If I took a Brother with me to Vegas and I ask him if he wanted to pull a few slot machines handles or any other devices and he told me "I would like to but they make me upset if I DONT WIN, OR "I get so wrapped up in thoes things I cant break away before I am broke"...I will just throw my arm around him and say "then lets go over to the Bellagio and take a look at the Bakery which has a 12 waterfall that is pure chocolate then we can go over to Harras and see their car collection, then tomarrow we will run out the the Nascar track and take a spin in a real Nascar"...I will not do anything to make my brother stumble before his Lord, if his conscience is telling him not to.
You see beloved this thing about the "Apperance of evil" is in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 is taken so far out of context, and this is the main bases many consider Gambling a sin, lets take a look and see what it really means.... This verse is explained by many folks to mean that if some act "appears" to be evil then we must abstain from it. Of course, the person explaining the passage gets to determine what "appears" evil and what doesn't. If they don't like going to the movie theater then you can't go either, it "appears" to be evil. If they don't like playing cards then you can't play either -- it "appears" to be evil. If they don't like vanilla ice cream then you can't eat it either, it "appears" to be evil.
In the Thessalonians passage quotes, Paul is talking about prophetic utterances in the previous verses (19-21). "Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." What is to be tested? The content (the message) of every prophetic utterance. What is good is to be held on to; what is evil is to be rejected. The passage is not saying never do something which looks like sin to another.
So in laymens terms Paul is saying In the text Paul is telling them to allow prophetic revelations of the Spirit, test the utterances, keep what is good and abstain from those that appear bad. It is that simple...Remember beloved that He and his disciples picked grain on the Sabbath, and they did not ceremoniously wash their hands before eating. Both of those "appeared" evil.
Furthermore, Jesus ate with the tax-collectors, prostitutes, and other sinners.
He also drank wine. In fact, this looked so evil to some of his time that they charged him with being a drunkard (an alcoholic) in Matthew 11:19:
You can not stay away from the apperance of evil...its impossiable!!
The Greek wors transalates to "FORM" of evil meanning the very act.
So then if you Gamble and do it in a way that I stated above...NO SIN!
I WILL FINISH THIS ON THE NEXT page I am running out of room....SORRY
.............Apperance of evil 2.....
I think thoes that attend GTY have one of the best Bible Expositors on this planet and I am sure he will back this up. But If we were suppost to stay away from the very apperance of evil, we couldnt shop the supermarkets because of selling bear and wine, driving a black car to some looks like a "MOB CAR" I could not go to work because many where I work cuss and tell dirty jokes. The Pharisees were stunned that Jesus' disciples did not perform the Jewish hand washing ritual before they ate. They hammered on the disciples and on Jesus for not obeying the oral commandments. Jesus did not say, "Sorry, boys. I didn't mean to cause offense. It won't happen again." Instead, he very boldly pointed out that these religious leaders had exchanged the laws of God for their own self-made rules.
IfI or any of you are indeed wrong, it is wrong because the Bible says so. When we attempt to avoid everything that even LOOKS like evil, we are throwing that standard out the window. We are no longer concerned with being obedient to Scripture…our focus is on what other people think. Living based on the opinions of others either leads to legalistic living or liberal living…it never results in biblical living. When this is our goal we no longer have a solid foundation of right and wrong. We settle for a standard of right and wrong that is relative to the views of those around us.
Christian freedom amd liberty rubs many the wrong way,Some of you you might disagree with your fellow Christian who likes to dance, smoke cigars, has tattoos, enjoy a glass of wine or a beer for dinner, have piercings,Gambles or even drive a nice car (and "yes" I've heard this verse quoted in regards to the type of car one drives!) but you'll not find God saying in this verse to avoid such liberties because they have the appearance of evil. The verse isn't saying that...Many times the "religious nut" is the hardest to crack!
When many play College football games, They dont have a lure to swear, to cheat, to covet, greed dont impose its ugly head on us, I am not lazy I have been on the same Job for 41 years married for 40, have 2 sons in the ministry in one form or another..I just play because I have not one check by the Holy Spirit NOT to spin a slot machine....I smoke a fine cigar twice a year, have a glass of wine , mainly because I sleep well afterwards.
Your actions and life choices are either EVIL or they are not. even if others think it "looks bad!" You and I may be misunderstood by the legalists but we be in good company – Jesus looked bad to the religious people of His day also..
I have had a great time in this discussion....even if I have made some enemies....which I JUST WANTED TO STATE MY SIDE ..and thank you GTY...for your Tolerance of me on this issue....Lord Bless
A lot of you have suggested there is a big difference between gambling and investing the stock market. You guys remember how I mentioned in a previous blog regarding gambling, how this friend of mine compared the stock market to the Kentucky Derby. The other day when I was at home watching TV I thought about my friend's analogy and agreed with him.
If you think about it, anybody who goes to the Kentucky Derby (or anywhere there is horse racing) doesn't just simply bet on a horse arbitrary. They do their research into the horses' racing history, as well as who trained it, what breed it is and even on the jockey. My dad used to tell me that he used to go to the track every week to see if he could win some money. He told me how a lot of research had to be done before placing his bets, but despite all his efforts he would often lose. I've actually looked into it and I agree (there is so much research involved it is like betting on the stock market). Compared to most conventional methods of gambling, horse racing can be considered a game of skill.
When it comes to the stock market there isn't much of a difference. In the stock market you have to do a lot of research into the various companies that are listed. You have to check how profitable the companies really are, how well they have gone in the past, if there is potential for to make more money and what differs them from their competitors. You also have to hire a broker to give you advice and make transactions, and sometimes you also have to take out insurance in case the market slumps. Despite all this effort, it isn't a sure thing for you to get a return on your investment and you are just as likely to lose money rather than make a profit.
Also some of you have suggested the difference between gambling and the stock market is that the stock market benefits people broadly, while gambling only benefits the winner. I generally agree with that statement. But horse racing also benefits people broadly. From what I have heard, most of the revenue race tracks make is from people placing their bets. This money goes back into the company as capital. They can then use that money to pay their employees, pay to maintain their stables, as well as upgrading their facilities and increasing the market value of the track.
And unlike most methods of gambling, there are various winners in these competitions. It isn't about one person winner everything. It's about some people putting their money on a certain horse and depending on the odds of that horse winning (as well as how much money they bet), a lot of people can win a lot of money.
So as you can see ther isn't really much of a difference between betting on horses at the track and putting money in the stock market.
What you describe is the world we a delivered from.
I'll let John MacArthur speak with a quote from the sermon series:
Title: Back To The Basics
Search for: 202_Back-to-Basics-The-ABCs-of-Christian-Living
"Now, keep this in mind, most of us when we're saved have ah, a kind of a balancing act that we carry on, in fact this is true of all believers I'm sure. We have the principle of new life in us; we also have the old sin that's around us, the sin that's in our flesh, that thing which is no good that's part of being human. And now that we're a believer we find that a little bit of our life is given to God and a little bit to sin, and we kind of balance it off. But as we mature, there is an increasing frequency of righteousness, and a decreasing frequency of sinfulness. There isn't the idea that sometime in your Christian life you stop being sinful, and you just are righteous no, it's always progress, it's always a moving, Paul says, "Not as though I had attained, but I press toward the mark." You're always moving up and the evidence of moving up is the decreasing frequency of sin. I use myself as an illustration, I'm a well known sinner, and when I was saved ah, it was a struggle a very great struggle a kind of a struggle Paul talks about in Romans 7, the things I wanted to do, I didn't do, the things I didn't want to do, I did and I was fighting against the flesh and all of this. The struggle is the same now, but what I've noticed is that as I've grown, grown by living to the glory of God, grown by walking in the Holy Spirit, grown by a life of obedience, as I have matured in the progress of spiritual maturity I have seen the decrease of the frequency of sinfulness, not its absence, it just doesn't happen as much as it used to, as I'm growing away from that toward a more righteous standard.
Now, glorifying God becomes the key thing. Second Corinthians 3:18 was our verse on that, and we said that in that verse it says this, that as we, "with an unveiled face," that is there's no more veil over us as there was in the Old Testament. The veil is taken away, "we behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord." Now somebody asked after class in the last session, why a mirror? And the reason is because the glory of the Lord is reflected to us, isn't it? In other words we don't literally see the shekinah, we don't literally see the presence of God, or we would be consumed, "For no man can see my face and live." Says God. So God refracts His glory to us, He reflects it to us, how? Through the Word. So as we focus on the Word of God, and as we obey its principles we are seeing in this the mirror of Gods glory. And then Paul says, as we see that glory, we move from one level of glory to the next level of glory to the next level of glory, conforming to the very image of Christ, by the working of the Holy Spirit."
Paul use to be a cold blood murderer. God changed him for a purpose and showed him what a christian life leads. Paul humbled himself, blinded by the light. God gave his sight back and Paul endured and praise God for his love. He was the best preacher in the N.T. Just a thought to share.
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text:
Pernod Ricard achieved a good performance in HY1 2012/1302/14/2013
Press release - Paris, 14 February 2013
Download press release
In summary:
In the first half of the 2012/13 financial year Pernod Ricard achieved a good performance despite a less buoyant environment than in 2011/12 and taking into account major technical effects(1) (estimated impact of € (72) million on profit from recurring operations).
|€ millions
|reported Growth
|organic growth
|organic growth, excl.technical effects (1)
|Net sales
|Profit from recurring operations
The growth motors of the Group remain unchanged:
- Premiumisation and Innovation
- Top 14 and Indian whiskies
- Emerging markets and the United States
Pierre Pringuet, Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of the Board of Pernod Ricard, comments: "The good performance achieved this semester confirms the soundness of our business model: a comprehensive portfolio of first-class international and local brands, a premiumisation strategy enhanced by a strong innovation policy, and global exposure allowing us to capture all growth relays. We are confident in continuing our growth mid-term, and we confirm our guidance of organic growth in profit from recurring operations close to +6% for the full financial year 2012/13."
The Pernod Ricard Board of Directors' meeting of 13 February 2013 chaired by Danièle Ricard approved the financial statements for the first half-year 2012/13 financial period ended 31 December 2012.
HY1 Sales and Highlights
Good sales growth was reported in the first six months of the 2012/13 financial year despite a less buoyant economic environment than in FY 2011/12.
The sustained value growth of Pernod Ricard's strategic brands continued:
- excellent growth for Martell and Jameson
- good performance for white spirits but slowdown for Scotch whiskies in HY1
(high comparatives)
- continued favourable price/mix for the Top 14
- Dynamism of Indian whiskies with a strengthening of our position in the premium segment
- Growth remained strong in emerging markets (+14%(2)):
- Asia (+13%(2)): China (+18%(2)) and India (+17%(2)) are still the main growth drivers
- continued dynamism in Eastern Europe
Mature markets, however, posted a contrasted performance:
- solid growth in the US (+9%(2))
- significant decline(2) in France largely due to technical and temporary effects;
the underlying trend is -3%
- environment still challenging in Southern Europe (particularly Spain)
HY1 and Q2 Sales
Half-year sales totalled € 4,907 million (excl. tax and duties), representing growth of +6%, resulting from:
- organic growth of +€116 million, an increase of +3% (+5% excluding technical effects(1))
- a negative Group structure effect of € (40) million (-1%), primarily due to the disposal of certain Canadian activities in 2011/12
- a highly favourable foreign exchange effect of € 216 million (+5%) primarily due to a stronger USD and CNY
- Consolidated sales for the 2nd quarter of 2012/13 increased +3% to € 2,703 million, resulting from:
- a +1% organic growth
- a negative Group structure effect of -1%, primarily due to the disposal of certain Canadian activities in 2011/12
- a foreign exchange effect of +3% primarily due to a stronger USD and CNY
Excluding technical effects(1), organic growth was +5% in the 2nd quarter, in line with that of the 1st quarter.
Sales Analysis by Region
Asia/Rest of the World
Growth remains dynamic (+11%(2)), and Pernod Ricard is strengthening its leadership.
Martell (+25%(2)) achieved an excellent performance. The brand was only marginally impacted by the later Chinese New Year due to the implementation of a commercial strategy of anticipating shipments to pre-empt this key period.
Sales of Indian whiskies (+21%(2)) remain very dynamic. PR India thus strengthened its leadership in the most dynamic local segments, gaining 4 points of market share year-on-year in Premium Admix thanks mainly to the success of new products (Blenders Pride Reserve Collection and Royal Stag Barrel Select).
The marginal growth of the Top 14 Scotch whiskies was due to a challenging South Korean market and a conjunctural decline in China.
New growth drivers (Absolut, champagne, wine) continued to develop positively.
Imperial posted solid growth (+12%(2)), and the brand gained market share. The HY1 performance was bolstered by price hikes on 1 January 2013.
Difficulties persist for 100 Pipers (-7%(2)), particularly in Thailand.
The performance of the region's main markets may be summarised as follows:
- China: growth remains very dynamic (+18%(2)), driven by Martell which continues to gain market share. Scotch whiskies experienced conjunctural difficulties in a market down in volumes. Absolut and Jacob's Creek continued their very strong growth.
- Vietnam: Chivas, Martell and Ballantine's continued to grow rapidly.
- India: the dynamic growth of local whiskies (+18%(2)) continues, bolstered by premiumisation. 100 Pipers and the Top 14 (Chivas, Absolut and The Glenlivet) experienced strong growth.
- Africa/Middle East: growth (+13%(2)) was driven by the Top 14 and the promising start of new subsidiaries (Angola, Kenya, Morocco, etc.).
- Travel Retail: continued dynamic activity (+15%(2)) was driven by premium brands.
- South Korea: growth was enhanced by price increases introduced on 1 January 2013. The structural decline of the traditional on-trade continued, and the rapidly-expanding modern on-trade channel drove the rapid development of Absolut (+64%(2)).
- Thailand: the environment remained unfavourable for 100 Pipers, but the strong dynamism of the Top 14 (+13%(2)) continued.
- Japan: strong growth (+3%(2)) was driven by the Top 14 (+7%(2)), particularly champagnes.
- Australia: growth was strong for the Top 14, particularly Mumm. The high-value strategy for Priority Premium Wines is still in process.
Solid growth (+6%(2)) was driven by the US.
The Top 14 (+7%(2)), propelled in particular by Jameson, The Glenlivet, Absolut and Malibu, was the main growth driver.
Priority Premium Wines (+2%(2)) continued to grow, led by Canada.
Among Key Local Brands, Something Special (Venezuela) and Passport (Mexico) experienced double-digit growth.
The performance of the region's main markets can be summarised as follows:
- US: solid growth, with (i) dynamic consumption for Pernod Riacrd products (Nielsen and NABCA), (ii) +9%(2) growth of the Top 14, the main growth driver with price/mix of +3%(2), and (iii) good overall performance of the other brands (Avión, Mumm Cuvée Napa, Seagram's Gin, promising launch of Oddka).
Strong dynamism of the Premium brands: Absolut (+1%(2), recent price increases in 6 states; upcoming launch of Elyx), Jameson (+24%(2), still the main growth driver), Malibu (+10%(2), confirmed success of innovations launched in the past year), Beefeater (+16%(2), very good performance, led by Beefeater 24, in a context of renewed category growth), Perrier Jouët (+17%(2), excellent volume progression with very favourable price/mix), The Glenlivet (+21%(2), growth remains very dynamic; pricing power intact with price increases taken in the fall).
- Brazil: underlying trends are favourable for the strategic brands, with Nielsen figures showing solid value growth for Absolut (+20%), Chivas (+12%) and Ballantine's (+25%). Nonetheless, sales declined due to a lag in shipments/depletions (tax reform, reductions in market inventories, etc.).
- Mexico: the new business model is now in place and has resulted in renewed growth (+8%(2) in Q2, +5%(2) over 6 months). The price/mix effect was very favourable, especially on the Top 14 (+7%(2)).
- Canada: growth was driven by wines (particularly Jacob's Creek), as well as Wiser's, The Glenlivet and Jameson.
- Travel Retail: sales were stable on a high base of comparison. A clearly improved trend was noted in Q2, which will continue into HY2.
- In most other markets, particularly the Andean markets, performance was strong.
- Europe excluding France
The performance of the region (-1%(2)) confirmed the bipolarisation of a dynamic Eastern Europe and a Western Europe that remains challenging.
The Top 14 was the main growth driver (+2%(2)), led by Jameson, Chivas, Absolut, Havana Club and Beefeater, despite a challenging first six months for Ballantine's
Priority Premium Wines were stable(2) overall, marking an improved trend compared to previous years, particularly due to Campo Viejo.
Key Local Brands (-1%(2)) reported contrasting performances. ArArAt and Olmeca (Russia), Seagram's Gin (Spain) and Wyborowa (Poland) experienced strong growth. The first six months proved more challenging for Ramazzotti (commercial dispute in Germany), Ruavieja (Spain) and Becherovka (temporary ban on the sale of spirits in Czech Republic market in the last two weeks of September).
The pace of growth was sustained in Eastern Europe (+12%(2)):
- Russia: the principal market contributing to growth, was led by Jameson, ArArAt, Chivas, Olmeca and Ballantine's
- Poland: the slight sales decline(2) was primarily due to local standard vodkas. Also noteworthy are the strong development of Wyborowa and Passport, sustained growth of Chivas, and the difficulties for Ballantine's (high-value strategy with a price/mix +5%(2))
- Czech Republic: decline (-15%(2)) due to the ban on spirits sales (two weeks at end- September) due to public health issues
- Ukraine: growth was driven by Jameson, Absolut, Ballantine's and ArArAt
- Kazakhstan: rapid development (+29%(2)) in this highly promising market
Western Europe declined -4%(2), in a challenging economic climate:
- Southern Europe was the primary reason for this decline
- In Spain, despite a more accentuated decline (-9%(2)) compared to the trend of previous years, Pernod Ricard gained market share and has seized leadership in value.
The decline was largely exacerbated by technical effects…
- significant pre-buying in HY1 2011/12 had an impact of € 98 million on sales, resulting in unfavourable comparatives for HY1 2012/13
- excluding this effect, sales declined -11%(2)
… and conjunctural effects:
- residual inventory reduction adversely affected Q1 2012/13
- at 31 December 2012, inventories were lower at a number of distributors. The latter gave priority to beer inventories ahead of the excise duty hike applied to this category as of 1 January 2013
- promotional offers ("50% off") were not repeated by major retailers in HY1
Taking account of these effects, the underlying sales trend was a decline of -3%(2) in HY1.
Pernod Ricard's portfolio outperformed a market impacted by the excise duty hike: Nielsen figures show Pernod Ricard volumes down -1% in a market down -3%. Specifically:
- Ricard proved more resilient than its category (Ricard -3%, aniseed -5%)
- certain brands suffered: Chivas (-10%), Malibu: (-14%)
- other strategic brands reported a strong performance: Ballantine's (+4%), Jameson (+5%), Absolut (+10%) and Havana Club (+14%)…
- …as did other tactical brands: Clan Campbell (+8%), Long John (+6%), Aberlour (+7%) and Suze (+2%)
As a result, Pernod Ricard has gained market share.
Sales realised in the Euro zone were limited to 20% of Group sales in the HY1 2012/13.
Sales Analysis by Brand
Top 14
The Top 14 grew +4%(2) in value. Excluding technical effects(1), growth was +7%(2), with price/mix of +8%(2).
Martell (+23%(2)) and Jameson (+13%(2)) continued to report an excellent performance.
White spirits posted a strong performance:
- Absolut continued its recovery in the US and its strong development in emerging markets
- Havana Club recorded an improved trend, driven by Europe (Germany in particular)
- Beefeater experienced good growth, especially in the US, Spain and Russia
Scotch whiskies remained virtually stable(2) compared to high comparatives (HY1 2011/12 growth was +12%(2)):
- The Glenlivet posted very favourable price/mix and outstanding growth
- but slower growth was noted in Asia (conjunctural in China, structural in Korea) and Spain…
- … and a number of unfavourable technical effects (significant Duty Free shipments and French pre-buying in HY1 2011/12, etc.)
The decline(2) of Ricard due to lower consumption in France (excise duty hike), was significantly exacerbated by technical effects (pre-buying in HY1 2011/12, promotional phasing).
Champagnes posted a contrasted performance:
- strong performance of Perrier-Jouët (Americas, Asia and France)
- decline of Mumm (primarily in Western Europe)
- Priority Premium Wines
Priority Premium Wines grew +2%(2) in value due to the high-value strategy and geographic diversification of these brands.
Campo Viejo and Jacob's Creek grew in value, while Graffigna and Brancott Estate reported a decline(2) in sales.
More significantly, in HY1 2012/13 these brands posted double-digit(2) growth in their contribution after advertising and promotion expenditure.
18 key local brands
Overall growth(2) of the 18 key local spirits brands remains very strong.
The momentum of local Indian whiskies continued (+21%(2)) with significant price/mix.
Passport (+14%(2)), which targets in particular the emerging middle class, posted sustained growth in Mexico and Russia.
Other brands also posted double-digit growth(2): ArArAt (+24%(2)), Olmeca (+21%(2)) and Something Special (+32%(2)).
The Imperial brand, boosted by the price hike in Korea introduced on 1 January 2013, grew +12%(2), while difficulties persisted for 100 Pipers (-7%(2)). In addition, the technical effect relating to French pre-buying had an unfavourable impact on brands particularly exposed to the French market (Pastis 51, Clan Campbell).
Premium brands(3) now represent 76% of Group sales, an increase of three points compared to the previous financial year.
Analysis of Profit from Recurring Operations
Gross margin (after logistics costs) was € 3,096 million, an increase of +3%(2), with a gross margin to sales ratio which substantially improved to 63.1% compared to 61.7% in the previous year excluding technical effects(1) ) (+146 bps). This was the combined result of:
- a favourable portfolio mix: sales growth(2) of the Top 14 exceeded that of the Group,
- a favourable quality mix: +4% on average for the Top 14,
- price increases (+4% on average for the Top 14),
- tight control of input costs (+3% excluding mix effects),
- a favourable foreign exchange effect of approximately +50 bps.
Advertising and promotion expenditure reached € (888) million, an increase of +4%(2).
Investments were allocated to priority brands and markets:
- investment to support the Top 14 increased at a more rapid pace than the portfolio average: +5%(2)
- double-digit growth(2) was recorded in the US and emerging markets
- investment was optimised in less buoyant markets (virtual stability(2) in mature markets), yet while preserving support behind strategic projects (e.g.: Ritual in Spain)
The ratio to sales was virtually stable at 18.1%, despite unfavourable phasing:
- investment in Absolut was relatively lower in HY1 2011/12 than HY2 2011/12
- media spend in Russia was concentrated in HY1 2012/13 before advertising restrictions came into effect as of 1 January 2013 (A&P +30%(2) vs. sales +22%(2))
Structure costs increased +8%(2) to € (749) million, with a structure costs to sales ratio of 15.3% in HY1.
Pernod Ricard continued to increase the resources allocated to rapidly-expanding markets:
- +28%(2) increase in emerging markets, compared to a virtual stability(2) in mature markets
- continued efforts to strengthen the distribution network: China, India and Russia
- new subsidiaries opened in Africa, already approximately 100 staff
… but reduced structure costs in less buoyant markets: Western Europe -2%(2), France -5%(2)
2012/13 saw the finalisation of the resource expansion cycle originating from the Agility project, which allocated additional resources to support innovation, digital initiatives and talent management (HR, PR University).
Profit from recurring operations grew +1%(2) to € 1,459 million. After restatement for technical effects(1) organic growth in operating profit was +7%(2).
The operating margin increased +68 bps excluding technical effects, resulting from:
- a significant increase in gross margin, still driven by premiumisation and controlled input costs
- controlled advertising and promotion expenditure
- a favourable foreign exchange effect (contributing +28 bps to the increase in operating margin)
Over the first six months, the Group structure effect on profit from recurring operations was quite limited at € (11) million. The foreign exchange effect was a positive € 77 million, primarily due to a stronger USD and CNY. For the full 2012/13 financial year, this effect is estimated to be slightly positive (based on current rates).
Organic growth in profit from recurring operations was particularly driven by:
- the continued dynamism of Asia
- accelerated growth in America, especially due to the US
- excellent on-going momentum in Eastern Europe
Emerging markets are an increasingly powerful growth driver for the Group and further increased their weight, rising to 46% of profit from recurring operations in the 1st half of 2012/13, compared to 39% in the 1st half of the 2011/12 financial year. This increase has a positive impact on margins.
Analysis of net profit
Financial income / (expense) from recurring operations was a net expense of € (272) million, compared to € (233) million in the prior year.
The average cost of debt was 5.4% during the first six months. The increase compared to the previous year was essentially due to debt refinancing in the 2011/12 financial year, which enabled the Group to:
- increase the share of bond debt (>80%)
- extend the average maturity (close to 7 years)
- secure attractive long-term rates
For the full FY 2012/13:
- the average cost of debt should be close to that of the HY1
- in HY2, financial expenses from recurring operations will improve vs. HY2 2011/12
In 2013/14 a significant reduction in the average cost of debt is expected, to 5% (based on the current rate curve).
Corporate income tax on items from recurring operations was a charge of € (319) million, representing an effective tax rate of 26.8%. The higher income tax rate compared to the first six months of the previous financial year was primarily due to the impact of tax reforms in France as mentioned in the Q1 communication: € (16) million negative effect on HY1 net profit.
For the full 2012/13 financial year, the effective income tax rate on recurring operations should be close to that of the first half-year.
The Group share of net profit from recurring operations was € 857 million, up +2% over the prior year, largely driven by operating performance. Net earnings from recurring operations per diluted share grew to € 3.22.
The impact of non-recurring items was limited at a negative € (10) million.
Restructuring charges of € (39) million (particularly in Spain, Australia and New Zealand) and the € (64) million impairment recognised in relation to Brancott Estate were partly offset by an income tax gain on non-recurring items of € 91 million (including updated deferred tax rates).
Overall, the Group share of net profit was € 847 million, a +6% increase.
Debt and Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow totaled € 416 million.
It was largely impacted by technical and conjunctural effects (totaling € (130) million in the HY1.)
These effects include (i) the French impact (pre-buying in December 2011) representing approximately € (60) million, (ii) the HY1/HY2 phasing of certain payments (notably excise and taxes) which differs from last year and (iii) an unfavourable base of comparison in working capital requirements due to the impact of optimization initiatives in 2011/12 (particularly in Asia/Rest of World).
Growth in capital expenditures and strategic inventories had a negative € (60) million impact compared to the 1st half of last year.
The increase in financial charges (impact of refinancing) and in cash tax (including measures in France) was offset by improvement in non-recurring items.
Cash generation will accelerate in the HY2, thereby contributing to deleveraging.
- Net debt at end December 2012 was € 9,148 million.
It declined € 215 million due in particular to a favourable forex impact.
The net debt/EBITDA ratio(4) remained stable due to unfavourable technical(1) and conjunctural effects in the HY1.
The structure of the debt remains unchanged.
Bank and bond maturities in 2013 and 2014 are covered by forecasted cash flows and existing credit facilities. As of 31 December 2012, € 0.6 billion of the syndicated loan was drawn vs. a maximum availability of € 2.5 billion.
Natural hedging of the debt is maintained with the split of EUR/USD debt mirroring EBITDA exposure and a large proportion of fixed rate debt has been maintained.
Conclusion and outlook
In a less favourable macro-economic environment, as anticipated, Pernod Ricard achieved a good performance in the 1st half of the 2012/13 financial year, taking into account major technical effects(1) which are now behind us.
The Group's growth drivers remain unchanged:
- Premiumisation and Innovation
- Top 14 and Indian whiskies
- Emerging markets and the US
In this environment, Pernod Ricard confirms its target of organic growth in profit from recurring operations close to +6% for the full 2012/13 financial year.
(1) France pre-buying and Chinese New Year: negative impacts of € (114) million on sales and € (72) million on profit from recurring operations
(2) Organic growth
(3) Retail price > USD 17 for spirits and > USD 5 for wine
(4) Net debt calculated by translating the non EU-denominated portion at average forex rates for the financial year
About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world's n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in 2015/16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob's Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,500 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 "Brand Companies" and 85 "Market Companies" established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard's strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.
Contacts Pernod Ricard
Julia MASSIES / VP, Financial Communication & Investor Relations
Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 41 07
Adam RAMJEAN / Investor Relations Manager
Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 42 14
Sylvie MACHENAUD / Director External Communications
Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 42 74
Emmanuel VOUIN / Press Relations Manager
Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 44 04
Apolline CELEYRON / Press Relations Officer
Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 40 97


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The Ned Kelly series gallery
Gallery | Listing | All NGA works
Open 10.00 am – 5.00 pm every day
Sidney Nolan's great, iconic Ned Kelly paintings are among the first works that visitors will encounter when they visit the National Gallery of Australia. The recently opened, specially constructed oval space on the entry level is intended to display some of our most significant Australian works to best advantage and to make them easily accessible to local and international visitors alike. Highlighting these works makes the point that Australia art is part of the world, with its own stories to tell. This dual emphasis of connectedness and distinctiveness in relation to culture and place is integral to Nolan's Ned Kelly series.
In 1977, Sunday Reed donated 25 of the 26 paintings on display in the Kelly series to the National Gallery of Australia.
Sidney Nolan Ned Kelly, 1946 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Gift of Sunday Reed, 1977 more detail
The Ned Kelly series
In 1961, Sidney Nolan told the writer Colin MacInnes that the main ingredients of the 'Kelly' series were 'Kelly's own words, and Rousseau, and sunlight'. 1 This characteristically pithy one–liner sums up the engagement with Australian history, Australian landscape and European modern art that led Nolan to create these iconic paintings.
Kelly's own words: At the first exhibition of the 27 Kelly paintings (at the obscure Velasquez Gallery in Melbourne in 1948), the catalogue included quotations taken from a variety of historical sources. Kelly's own words, the most celebrated record of which is the quasi–political, quasi–personal recital of grievance known as the 'Jerilderie Letter', fascinated Nolan with their blend of poetry and political engagement. Throughout his life Nolan was interested in literature and the visual arts and in many of his works sought to bring verbal images and pictures together.
Despite the fact that this historical grounding accompanied the paintings when they were first exhibited, the series was not intended as a literal illustration of the story. It appears rather as a meditation on the circumstances of Nolan's own life at the time and on the way in which the actions of one person could 'change the world'. Coming as they did from an immediately post–war milieu, Nolan's paintings had a particular and personal urgency. Originally, too, some of the paintings were reflections of a world of violence (although Nolan remarked that after a number of decades the paintings did not look particularly violent any more).
The series weaves biography and autobiography together, but we can only guess at the details of the autobiographical dimension. The narrative is strongly present, beginning with a scene–setting painting which shows an empty landscape lit by an eerie light from the horizon. The paintings take us through the main events of the story of Ned Kelly and his gang – the shooting of police constables at Stringybark Creek, the ensuing police chase, the activities of the police spy Aaron Sherrit, the siege of the hotel at Glenrowan and the trial which ended in a sentence of hanging for Ned Kelly.
Rousseau: The overwhelming impression of the style of the Kelly paintings is of an uncomplicated, wilfully naïve execution, a quality Nolan admired in the art of the 19th–century painter and hero of the 20th century's avant–garde, Henri Rousseau. Nolan's admiration of Rousseau shows how determined he was to be a modern painter and how he admired French culture. As a young artist, Nolan was passionate about everything French, from the poetry of Verlaine and Rimbaud to the paintings of Cézanne and Picasso. He was fortunate enough to have access to the works of these artists in the magazines and catalogues in the up–to–the–minute library of his friends John and Sunday Reed in their home at Heide.
Yet Nolan was no slavish imitator. He developed his own style based on a principle of direct vision and intuitive execution. There were several ingredients in this approach. Nolan employed the simple bright colours and runniness of commercial house–painters' enamel. He produced his paintings quickly, often in a single session. Furthermore, he kept the forms big and bold, particularly the black form of Kelly that constantly asserts itself across the planes of the paintings' pictorial spaces.
Sunlight: Nolan insisted that the Kelly paintings were more than simply a series illustrating the events of Australia's most famous bushranging story. In 1948, he wrote that the Kelly saga was 'a story arising out of the bush and ending in the bush'. An understanding of landscape was a motivation:
I find the desire to paint the landscape involves a wish to hear more of the stories that take place in the landscape … which persist in the memory, to find expression in such household sayings as "game as Ned Kelly". 2
The landscape is therefore a crucial part of the Kelly paintings; the story gives meaning to the place.
The Ned Kelly paintings entered the collection in 1977. Their exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, shortly after Nolan's death, cemented their position as one of the greatest sequences of Australian painting of the 20th century. As a result of their familiarity, Nolan's invention of an original and starkly simplified image for Ned Kelly – as a slotted black square atop a horse – has become a part of the shared iconography of Australia.
Andrew Sayers
Article source: Australian Art in the National Gallery of Australia, Edited by Anne Gray, 2002
1 Kenneth Clark et al, Sidney Nolan, Thames and Hudson, London, 1961, p 30
2 Sidney Nolan, The Australian Artist, vol 1, pt 4, July 1948, quoted in 'The "Kelly" paintings by Sidney Nolan', p 20
The historical quotations displayed with the images in the Ned Kelly series were chosen by Sidney Nolan from the Royal Commission's report of 1881 on the Victorian police force and the conduct of the hunt for the Kelly gang, newspapers of the day, and JJ Kenneally The inner history of the Kelly gang, Melbourne, J Roy Stevens, 1945
The second quotations, from Sidney Nolan himself, are from a conversation with Elwyn Lynn in 1984


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Battery charging from a generatorWednesday, June 17th, 2009
I have a 7500 Watt generator working fairly well except that the DC output to charge the 12 volt battery is ony 8 volts DC due to a problem I am unable to repair.
Will the 8 volt DC to the battery cause any harm to the 12 volt battery? I have been using a portable 12 volt charger to to keep the battery up to par.
Bob Libbon
You should never run a large generator like this just to use the battery charger circuit. Some generators offer this small DC charging power to trickle charge a battery while you are running the generator to power other loads, but you would use up a tank of gas just to charge a small battery like this.
You want to buy a high quality 120 VAC battery charger and plug it into the AC outlet of the generator. Select a charger that lets you select different amp charging rates to match the battery. You could easily power a large capacity charger with this size generator, so the charging process would be much faster and will save fuel.
One caution – cheap battery chargers will not work from most generators as they require the higher peak-to-peak voltage of a generator output, and if the generator voltage drops while under load the charger will stop charging. Be sure the charger specs indicate it can be powered from a generator.
If you have a half-full basketball with 30 PSI pressure inside, you will never add more air to fill it up if your air pump only goes to 20 PSI, even if you ran the pump all day. You cannot charge a 12 volt battery with 8 volts. Regardless of charger type – solar, generator, wind, grid, the charger voltage must be higher than the battery voltage. A 12 volt battery will require a charger that puts out 13 to 14 volts. At 12 volts the battery will be almost discharged.
Good luck,
Jeff Yago


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The Right's Campaign Against Marriage Equality in California
July 30, 2008
"One of the dumbest things the devil ever did was attack the institution of marriage."
— Dr. Jim Garlow, Skyline Church, San Diego
"We must be consumed with a holy anger…this is the time to fight... Isn't it time that we the church come out of the closet? Everyone else has."
— Rev. Jim Franklin, Cornerstone Church, Fresno
For two hours on Wednesday afternoon, July 30, pastors gathered at 215 sites in California, Arizona, and Florida were exhorted by national Religious Right leaders and local anti-gay pastors to spare nothing in the cultural and spiritual war against Satan and his allies who support marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. National figures included Tony Perkins, Harry Jackson, Maggie Gallagher, and Chuck Colson.
"The Armageddon of the Culture War"
The primary focus of the call was Proposition 8 in California, described by Colson as "the Armageddon of the culture war." Many speakers invoked the language of warfare, raising up an army of believers, putting soldiers in the streets, being on the front lines of a battle. Lou Engle actually described a massive rally planned in Qualcomm stadium on November 1 as a "blitzkrieg moment."
While speaker after speaker spoke of the dire threats same-sex married couples pose to "traditional" marriage, religious freedom, and civilization itself, the overall tone of the call was confidence that victory would be won with God's help, 40 days of prayer and fasting before the election, teams of intercessors and prayer warriors around the country, and a massive highly organized deployment of volunteers in a systematic voter identification and turnout campaign.
Pastors from around the state, and those representing African American, Latino, and Chinese congregations, reported on their mobilization efforts. Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, auxiliary bishop of the diocese of San Diego, pledge the support of the Catholic Church and said the state conference of bishops would be providing congregations with organizing resources and urging parishioners to take part in the broader campaign. Organizers said that they are "blessed to have the full support of the LDS church" — which will help identify anti-equality voters in 21,000 precincts in August. Individual activists will be encouraged to write letters to the editor, call in to radio shows, comment on blogs, and be as visible as possible to overcome the expected media effort to "discourage" Proposition 8 proponents.
Funding the Campaign
While complaining about opponents of the proposition "raising millions of dollars from wealthy gay Americans," campaign organizers said they have already raised $15 million of their minimum $23 million budget and have plans for special offerings to be taken in churches around the country. In addition to precinct-by-precinct organizing and deploying thousands of volunteers to identifying and turn out voters, the plan includes rallies, a "Stand for Marriage Sunday" on September 21 and a "family voting weekend" on October 18 and 19, when people will be encourage to vote by absentee ballot.
Ron Luce from Teen Mania ministries and other organizers talked about plans to organize 300,000 youth and their families for an October 1 simulcast, and using them to reach 2.4 million. A representative of the Church Communication Network, a satellite network that has downlink equipment in 500 churches in California, 95 in Arizona, and 321 in Florida, said it would simulcast the youth event free of charge, and would make a satellite dish available "at cost" to churches who don't yet have one. Said one speaker of the youth organizing, "if we don't use them, Satan will."
Another speaker, Rev. Dudley Rutherford, predicted that if Prop. 8 fails, the God-ordained institution of marriage would be destroyed; the engine of hate crimes legislation would be fueled, ultimately leading to it being illegal to read some sections of the Bible; the floodgates would be open to gay couples suing to force churches to marry them; and the polygamists would be next.
"8 for 8"
The campaign's volunteer recruitment is built around an "8 for 8" theme, ie, asking pastors to recruit eight other pastors for next month's call. Among action items for pastors:
- Urge people to pray 8 minutes every morning and evening at 8 for passage of Prop. 8
- Urge people to enlist 8 other people to join 8 for 8 plan
- Give at least $8 to protectmarriage.com for each member of the family, or $88, or $888
- Obey — as we watch and pray, we must decide to be obedient to God in all that he is directing each one of us to do
- Starting on 8/8/08, begin to volunteer, offer services of work 8 hours for the campaign in some capacity — sign up through protectmarriage.com... we're going to be offering more opportunities for volunteer service on Aug. 27 conf. call
- Encourage one another — send a note of encouragement to at least eight other pastors who are standing for marriage
- Turn out the vote — people need to be registering at least 8 other people to vote — get 8 other people to apply for permanent vote by mail
- Contact 8 families and ask them to participate in the family voting weekend, display bumper stickers, put posters in local stores.
Speakers urged a primary focus on energizing pastors who are committed to the anti-marriage proposition, but also discussed strategies for individuals and pastors to reach out to the "mushy middle" — people "who need a good common sense rationale to protect marriage."
Right-Wing ABC's
One speaker described the ABC's of the campaign's outreach to those undecided and/or secular voters:
- Activist judges hijacked the issue;
- Benefits for gay couples are one thing but marriage goes too far; and
- Children are profoundly confused by this whole debate.
Three African American pastors from San Diego recounted how they mobilized after the city's mayor changed his position to support marriage equality. The call's host goaded the ministers by asking "how do you feel when you hear the opposition try to equate homosexuality with race as an issue." Dr. Timothy Winters of Bayview Baptist Church called it "absurd" and "a trick of Satan." Another pastor said he was "highly offended... I was born this color. I have no choice, they have a choice."
Quoting Dr. King
Jim Franklin of Fresno made it clear that he has no hesitation in claiming the civil rights movement for the pro-Prop. 8 forces, quoting Martin Luther King as saying the church should be "a voice rather than an echo…a thermostat, not a thermometer" He said a church should be identified as a "mega church" not by the size of its budget but by the size of "the enemy" it takes on.
He encouraged pastors not to waste time dealing with liberal ministers who support marriage equality, but focus on identifying and engaging pastors who have a "Biblical foundation" but don't understand what's happening or how important it is.
Organizers dismissed as deeply flawed a recent California Field Poll and cited instead an LA Times survey showing amendment proponents with a commanding lead.
The next conference call will be held on August 27, with a focus on training.
Do Something About It
There's not time for us to waste to:
- Put our organizers on the ground to reach out to voters and set the record straight on the myths and the facts about the ballot measure...
- Mobilize our thousands of members to speak out against this discriminatory initiative...
- Run phone banks to reach our members in target communities urge them to vote for fairness...
- And aggressively identify pro-equality voters and get them to the polls in major California cities...
With your help, People For the American Way can meet the challenge. But every step of this plan is going to take big money. And with $15 million of their minimum $23 million budget, already in the bank, the right-wing groups have a huge head start.
Donate to People For the American Way now to stop the Right's well-planned and well-funded campaign.


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This week's "Photo of the Week" shows Deputy Secretary of State Thomas R. Nides presenting an Expeditionary Diplomacy Award to Foreign Service Officer Barbara Ann Bootes. Bootes and others were honored for their service in Afghanistan and Iraq. In recognition of Bootes and others, Deputy Secretary Nides said, "The work you've done in the Frontline States has forever changed the way we tackle new foreign policy challenges."
Deputy Secretary Nides continued in his remarks, saying, "The Secretary's vision of civilian power depends on our partners across the entire U.S. government. So, we recognize the service of...colleagues at USAID, Commerce, Agriculture, Justice, and other federal agencies who served alongside you in Afghanistan and Iraq. Your successes and your frustrations both give us real-life lessons that will improve future missions. Second, you set a new standard for engaging communities and advancing people-to-people diplomacy. You served your country in isolated places, often in dangerous circumstances, with few physical comforts. You reached people in places who have rarely seen Americans. You were true partners with Iraqi and Afghan citizens. You helped them reconstruct and reconnect with the great traditions and achievements of their societies."
In his conclusion, Deputy Secretary Nides said, "The Department understands your value, seeks you out, and rewards your contributions. Frankly, your courage helped redefine what it means to work for the Department of State. It helped you through daily visits to local communities, walking village streets, taking long convoy rides home, living under constant threat of deadly attack. And it impressed all of us. You did not just heed the call for expeditionary diplomacy. You led the charge. And, we couldn't be prouder."
Brian in Colorado writes:
In Afghanistan, State Department personnel are not involved in diplomacy. There are no US diplomats in Afghanistan. Bowing down to the god "Interagency," everyone is now an adjunct to kinetic military operations.
Here's an insight into what a diplomat in Afghanistan might do:
she or he would persuade the President to release some of the Taliban being tortured at Guantanamo, without preconditions.
This would in turn get the Taliban to agree to negotiations for a peace agreement.
Holbrooke may have been a loose cannon, and generally ignorant of local cultures, but at least he understood the point of diplomacy, which is NOT to bow down to the military.
If the War against the Afghan people still has a discernible purpose, and if someone can figure out the end state we want to achieve, it will take diplomacy to get there.
Current failures suggest that the DOS does not have any organic (internal) diplomacy capability. I'm free next month, if you'd like me to end the war.


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Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (17 votes).
In short: Windy In full: Did get quite monotonous when running on the service roads.Date of review: July 30, 2013
In short: Flat, windy, high PB potential, nice medal and t-shirt. Parking a nightmare, and race photos extortionateIn full: I returned to run this event only because I was unhappy with my first crack at this race, missing my target time by 44 seconds. I knew what to expect and the chance to run around the F1 circuit is brilliant for racing fans like me. Getting there early is an absolute must, as getting into the circuit really can be the headache that is synonymous with the venue, and can leave you stressed out before you even start running if you cut it close.The 'athlete village' area is very crowded, to be expected with a race of this size, but the baggage is well staffed and organised, and they are brilliant when you come to reclaim your bag the worse for wear.The start is great, crossing the line with the F1 music in the background as you head down to the famous maggots/becketts/chapel corners, such a good start. The start/finish area is the only part where you will see gathered spectators though, as for large portions of the circuit it's just you and your fellow runners, can be quite lonely. The track is very flat, with only two incline of around 100m, really nothing to concern even the most scared of hills. Each mile marker has the race clock on it, very useful indeed, especially if you forget your watch like me!!! The atmosphere running into the finish area is brilliant.The medal and t-shirt are brilliant, and you won't be short of water and lucozade at any point on the course.Now for the downside of the event, leaving the circuit was a nightmare, and I was sat in a queue for well over an hour, and I left before the masses!! Not a marshall insight, a real free-for-all. The race was attended by marathonfoto, and their photographers were plentiful on the course and in the finish area, however charging £55 to download your images is absolutely scandalous, that's over twice as much as the fee to run the race!!! I can't imagine they did much business in this day and age, surely they would do more business and have more happy customers by charging a respectable fee?I have achieved my goals for this race now, so combined with the headache of parking and outrageous memento photograph prices I will certainly not be back. A good event ruined in my opinion.Date of review: March 31, 2013
In short: Round and a round and around ..........boring zzzzzIn full: What a boring course. I've no interest in F1 so couldn't care less if I run through the pit stops. Crowds at mile one and crowds at mile 12 and nothing but wind in between . Yuk Date of review: March 22, 2013
In short: running around a f1 race courseIn full: flat course with pb potential but not a favourite of mine due to atmosphere and scenery.nice medal and tshirt tho.nice price for a half.glad iv done it but other races on same day such as llanelli and bathDate of review: March 19, 2013
In short: Large race good for first time marathon training runners and the crank valueIn full: I would only recommend this race if you are keen on motor racing (or wanting to visit Silverstone), or for a good fast half marathon run. Reason for this is that running around Silverstone motor racing circuit is similar to running Dunsfold or runs on Airfields where you are open to the elements, but weather (Wind) permitting there is PB potential. These races do lack atmosphere for large chunks of the race but the tannoy system was put to good use by playing 80's hits. Well organised but parking was challenging! Date of review: March 14, 2013
In short: Mostly flat and fast and a very good medal. Bit dull though... and the parking is a nightmare!Date of review: March 14, 2013
In short: BoringIn full: I was excited about this race but I was quite disappointed. I actually thought the Blackpool half last year was better than this one. It was soulless, there was very little support around the track only when you past the 3 mile, 6 (ish I think) and 10 miles was there any support. I don't know what I expected but because its the half marathon most London marathon runners do I thought it might have a bit more atmosphere but it didn't. The tinny tannoys blurting out music we're awful, thank goodness I had my iPod which I don't usually like to use during these big races because I like to hear the support. It is a flat race, but again this added to the boredom. I think unless you're a proper serious runner after a pb, maybe choose a more interesting half to do with a bit of a view. On the positive side, it was very well organised, the traffic wasn't as bad as expected and I got a pb 5k and 10k time. I'm glad I've done it because now I know this sort of track race isn't for me, I like to see things other than concrete, but it's not a race ill be rushing back to do.Date of review: March 5, 2013
In short: Good half marathon for slower runnersDate of review: March 4, 2013
In short: Flat and fastIn full: Very well organised from bag drop/pick up; lots of water/lucozade stops; good marshalling (apart from car park exit - this could be done better).Not much in the way of a crowd except at start/finish due to large nature of the track so if you need a crowd to get you round there may be better races. Not scenic unless you are an F1 fan in which case it's fantastic!Great medal and t-shirt all for a reasonable price. I will do it again.Date of review: March 4, 2013
In short: Smooth organisationIn full: Silverstone is notorious for access problems, and based on previous race reviews I was prepared for a lot of waiting. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Straight in to the car parking, and out of the area again in around 20 minutes, which was pretty good considering the volume of traffic along the single road.The race is never going to win any awards for scenery, but you don't sign up to run on a racing circuit and expect to see anything other than stands and roads, surely? Unless it was Monaco, I suppose.I really can't fault the organisation of the essentials, such as baggage handling. The race started on time, and it was a great touch to start running to the F1 theme tune. I'm not a huge F1 fan by any stretch, but I'm going to get goosebumps every time I hear that theme from now on! This is the biggest event I've run to date, so it was quite a novelty to be surrounded by other runners from start to finish. Bunching around the course was minimal and there were loads of opportunities for overtaking without fuss.It's not a flat course, but the inclines are no more than about 2%, so there is plenty of PB potential. I found my Garmin was persistently measuring short miles (probably because I wasn't following the racing line well enough), so it's a good idea to wear a pace band if you want to hit a specific target.I really enjoyed the experience and thought it was good value for money.Date of review: March 4, 2013
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