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Skip to comments.Muslim Societies Can't Be Trusted
Posted on 07/02/2007 7:20:47 AM PDT by prman
Not many in the media, much less in the general public, have a real understanding of what is incessantly and mistakenly called the "war on terror," and for this reason, our military initiatives in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as peacemaking efforts in Palestine, have all come a cropper.
Our enemies are not just a few numbers of radical Islamists, committed to violent and subversive acts. They are only the activist vanguard of a sizeable population of Muslim sympathizers with an agenda: to establish Islamist states throughout the world, whether by subverting established governments, or by letting increasing Muslim demographics accomplish this for them, as in Western Europe.
In surveying the level of global revolutionary terror or threats of violence, with few exceptions one would find a reinvigorated jihadism at the root. The geography is frightening: from the Philippines to Indonesia, from Thailand to Bahrain, from Mauritania to Ethiopia, in all Middle East countries, in ethnic Albania and the former Soviet republics, and including the current strife in France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and now even in Switzerland. In the U.S., the jihadists remain more or less under cover.
Our policy benightedness in dealing with Islam has a long paternity clueless politicians and diplomats, wrongheaded advisors; widespread ignorance of history, foreign cultures, languages and beliefs; and naïve acceptance at face value of adversary claims and promises all wrapped in the feel-good but self-delusional world of multiculturalism.
For these and other reasons, State Department men of yesterday have gotten it wrong for decades, failing to understand that Muslim societies cannot be trusted in international relations. Americans have to recognize that our most pressing Middle East foreign problems, current and future, lie in the nature of Islamic belief itself.
Islam is not simply a system of theology, doctrine and laws, but more accurately, a political ideology disguised as a religion. It is totalitarian and supremacist and according to its central tenets, followers cannot question what they have been taught, and they must not tolerate other beliefs. In the Muslim mind, there are believers and there are infidels.
At a recent conference on the current impact of Islamic fundamentalism on Europe sponsored by the American Freedom Alliance, author Dick McDonald succinctly summarized the matter: "Islam is promoted by the left as a religion of peace,' but in reality is headed by a God that believes in killing non-believers. That makes Islam not a true religion but an ideology which demands the death sentence for you, should you depart from it or its rigid demands . . . a cult in which the allegiance of its devotées is not to America but to their ideological group, Islam."
What, then, does this mean for America? It means that Muslims in the U.S., as they are in Western Europe and other countries, are a self-segregating and generally unintegrable population whose collectivist beliefs are fundamentally inimical to American values of democratic government and individual freedoms, to equal rights for women, as well as to skeptical inquiry and intellectual rejection of religious dogma.
This has historically led Muslims to be submissive to despotic regimes, where Islamic state power usually falls into the hands of the most extreme elements.
Since 9/11, Muslim enclaves in the U.S., supported by whining advocacy lobbies like CAIR, MPAC and others, are bringing lawsuits demanding special accommodations: Islamic prayer rooms in public places, the right of taxi drivers to refuse passengers who carry bottles of alcoholic beverages, the right to broadcast the "call to prayer" over loudspeakers five times a day in communities surrounding a mosque, publicly funded foot washbasins at college campuses, and so on.
At the same time, these groups are pressuring federal legislators to outlaw profiling of Muslims by law enforcement and national security personnel as a matter of discrimination, and threaten defamation lawsuits against anyone who singles out a Muslim engaged in suspicious activity. Yet CAIR itself a Hamas spin-off organization funded primarily by Saudi money has been named an unindicted co-conspirator in the Hamas funding court case in Texas.
For the most part, the mainstream media have taken a preposterously non-judgmental position on matters relating to Muslim appeasement and possible terror threats, succumbing to the fog of deception that Muslim advocacy groups are only too eager to spread.
For example, The New York Times saw fit to put the story of the three Muslims that were going to blow up JFK airport on Page 37, in favor of an Indian brick-making business article on Page One.
In Britain, a government survey of university Islamic Studies courses has shown that students are being exposed to extreme teachings that condone terrorism. Is this any different in the U.S., where great sums of Saudi money are going to university Islamic Studies programs, mosque-building projects and Muslim advocacy groups across the country, where Wahhabism is the main message?
Who is behind the increased recruitment and conversion of prisoners by Muslims in U.S. prisons, and why are they involved in 14 Muslim paramilitary training camps here? Who is funding these operations?
Taken as a whole, the mainstream media is unusually silent about the fifth column nature of Islam in this country. Isolated cases are simply labeled as such; not part of a larger pattern. This leaves most Americans unaware of the true threat of increasing Islamization over time.
In areas where Muslims predominate, the push to introduce Sharia (Islamic) law is ever-present. American Muslim magazine published an article in February 2007 which suggested that this could be accomplished by using Native American tribal law as a model, "as we attempt to implement Muslim family law in North America."
A few years ago, Canadian Muslims were pushing provincial government in Ontario to set up Sharia law to adjudicate disputes within Muslim communities. In response, a united group of secularists fought this move and legislation was passed mandating that family legal arbitrations must now use Canadian law.
These skirmishes are far from over since Islamic jurists have determined that whenever Muslims become a majority in a nation, Sharia must become the law of the land.
Muslims in America represent both a short-term and a long-term problem. In the short run, we must be vigilant against homegrown terror plots and those imported from abroad. This seems to be the only threat the media are concerned about.
Fear rather the long term: If we remain in the dark about this unassimilable group whose entire belief system is incompatible with American values, we will do little to resist it. And considering Europe and other countries, once Muslim numbers grow, societies are destabilized.
Although America is the land of the short-term fix, we should really be looking at the big picture. The growth of Islam in the U.S. should be watched closely immigration should be controlled and newcomers should be scrutinized for jihadist tendencies. If the number of Muslims here increases significantly in coming years, we will sooner or later lose whatever it is that makes us Americans.
In this case, the past is indeed prologue.
Barrett Kalellis is a Michigan-based columnist, writer and pundit whose commentary appears regularly in various local and national print and online publications.
This really is an excellent article. Thanks for posting it.
Good article.Some may consider me a bigot,but i've come to the conclusion that Islam is incompatable with humanity-period.
Or they duly ignored it if they did.
So why does Bush want to continue on Clinton's policy of giving the Jihadists an independent Kosovo? Don't the Islamofascists have enough bases in Europe?
Wow. Very well said. I agree with all of your points.
Stating reality clearly does not make one a bigot.
"We need more Muslims here like we need a hole in the head."
If we get any more Muslims we may end up with holes in our heads.
"Our policy benightedness in dealing with Islam has a long paternity clueless politicians and diplomats, wrongheaded advisors; widespread ignorance of history, foreign cultures, languages and beliefs; and naïve acceptance at face value of adversary claims and promises all wrapped in the feel-good but self-delusional world of multiculturalism."
I wonder if this is a true statement. I don't think that the politicians and diplomats are that clueless. I am convinced that there is something more sinister and intentional behind our foreign policy regarding Islam.
I believe that the plan is to destroy the US as envisioned by the Founding Fathers, so that it can fit in with the rest of the world. Remember the saying; 'Misery needs company'? This miserable world wants our company and our politicians are willing to give our country away for the sake of globalization.
It is not bigotry to recognize evil for what it is.
Theres a very revealing scene at the end of the epic Lawrence of Arabia.
At the conclusion of a meeting with Lord Allenby (Jack Hawkins) where Lawrence has made several remarks Allenby finds hard to believe, Allenby comments to Lawrence Youre a good liar.
Prince Feisal (Alec Guiness), who is also in the room, turns and says He should be. Hes almost an Arab.
Yes, its only a movie but that scene speaks volumes about the folks with whom we will one day have to deal.
Real Arabs never negotiate in good faith.
Yes the only ex-muslims we should have here are the ones that have converted to Christianity.
My dad has been saying that since I was a kid. He has good reason to know, since he grew up in the southern Philippines.
Purge or be purged is what I'm saying...
Their promises are the hope of fools!
Islam is the root, terrorism, oppression, and lies are the fruits. That is the truth.
Also remember that the Muslims in America are right now minding their p's and q's because the non-Muslims are keeping a close watch on them and the former know that a number of the latter have "packed heat" and do not want to take a chance for now.
We need to end all immigration from Muslim countries and expel Muslims here illegally. And any legal Muslims who are involved with conspiracies tied to funding or carrying out terrorist attacks. We also need to investigate the mosques, the training camps, and shut down any that are a problem.
An excellent movie and an interesting piece of history. I've always found Lawrence an incredibly paradoxical enigma: Tactically brilliant and strategically naive.
You aren't a bigot. You're just facing reality.
I definitely agree with your comments and have thought the same myself. If they don't have Jews, Christians, Westerners, etc. to hate/kill, then they do it to themselves. They don't like animals. They don't like people. They don't like anything that's alive. This is a generalizaiton, but I think it holds true for a good portion of them. We have to face it. We can't wish it away.
One of my favorite movies. If I remembering correctly, Feisal seems to be saying that in a sarcastic way. The once scene I enjoy, and I think it definitely represents Arabs, is the "meeting" toward the end of the movie of all the Arabs after they have taken over Damascus.
I worked/lived in islamanazi countries for almost 20 yrs and witnessed a wide variety of conditons from several countries in the ME. When I returned home yrs ago I hardly ever spoke of things I witnessed. Most Americans just couldn't believe the true horror of these animals but slowly ...very slowly... this is changing. The doctrine from these lunatics is for all to convert or die. Free people need to decide...convert, die or fight back.
These are the most dangerous people on earth. The second most dangerous people on earth are the apologist for islamanazis. This is the gang that will proclaim our support for Isreal is the cause of all problems.
Yes, Feisal (Guiness) delivered the line with an upturned lip.
The entire film is most revealing of the darker character of those we must now confront or perish.
You are also right that if they don't have an external enemy then the Sunnis will kill Shias and if not that they will kill sub tribes. These people are inherently incompatible with the modern world, have loyalty only to their tribes and no rational thought or dialogue will ever change that. The liberal apologist who believes that if you just get along with them and appease them, they will leave you alone is a suicidal lemming.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (243 votes).
In short: Good course but waterlogged this yearIn full: On any other day, that hadn't been preceded by two weeks of rain, this course would have been a joy to run. As it was it was a mudbath on the return leg. I foolishly wore road running shoes and as a result slipped and fell three times - thank you to the other runners who offered to pick me up at the 17 mile mark. Support and marshalling was good and friendly. Small improvements that could be made - add a sign on first turnstile and baggage area should be controlled and marshalled.Would I do it again ? Only if the rain stays away.Date of review: December 24, 2012
In short: challenging raceIn full: Great event, against the odds, i actually got a pb with 3-57-48 . Very friendly atmosphere, and support along the way, in all, a great day!Date of review: December 24, 2012
In short: Good fum in muddy conditionsIn full: My first Marathon so was not sure what to expect.Nice route made interesting with all of the mud and shingle beaches.Glad I asked around at the start and ran in hybrid shoes.Atmosphere at drinks stations was much appreciated.Thanks to all involved in organisingDate of review: December 24, 2012
In short: Flat, but don't let that fool you.In full: Other than the last 2 miles along the seafront I thoroughly enjoyed it. Much of the race is in paths which is interesting in itself but after a week of rain was a complete mud bath. Marshals and organisers were great. Not sure about the moans on water stations, they were well stocked with water, gels, jelly babies and the odd Xmas tipple! If fast road marathons and Pb's are your thing then this isn't for you, if you like a tough, fun challenge setting you up for Xmas then this is perfect!Date of review: December 24, 2012
In short: First ever race with rum at the feeding stations!Date of review: December 24, 2012
In short: thank God it stayed dry !In full: A decent event which was well organised butthe bag drop was not great, it should havebeen marshalled I think. My bag was dirty/muddywhen I collected it-caused by other runnersI presume who had not removed their muddy boots.Never had rum or brandy before during a race sothat was different. I thought the first drinksstop was too far from the start/finish areaand was poorly organised on the outward loop.Personally, I thought the field was too big forthe nature of the route but there you go.The conditions were terrible underfoot and wassorry to see several runners go over-not nice.To me, this race served a purpose but I muchprefer road marathons and how people say this is a PB course I just dont get.Well done to all involved, and hopefully a nice sum was raised for a worthy cause.PS the hot shower was brilliant !!Date of review: December 24, 2012
In short: Bit wet underfootIn full: 2nd year running this one, less windy than last year (and warmer too). Muddy in places and slippery underfoot - saw a few people go flying - definitely a race for shoes with plenty of grip.Always impressive seeing the lead runners on the way back when you are still miles from the turnaround. Respect to the Gingerbread man too - bet that was tough going when the the wind got up.Aid stations well placed and well stocked, enjoyed the mulled wine - I am blaming that for slowing down so much on the return leg.Clif bar and socks were a nice find in the goody back - thanks to marshals and organisers.Date of review: December 24, 2012
In short: Flat, fast, fun and floods (well muddy puddles!)In full: Thank you marshalls! Great race. Weather was kind apart from head wind in the last 2 miles . I could not get water at the first water station as the had seemed to run out of cups - organisation issue; but that was the only hic up. Friendly marshalls and fellow runners. Great fun!Date of review: December 24, 2012
In short: Amazing, despite conditions!In full: Course was really tough this year as it was a mud bath (which I slipped in at 17mi and grazed my knee), but luckily the rain stayed away for the duration of the race! Lost my water bottle at 13mi so had to rely on the water stations which were fantastic!Managed to run the whole way which is a first, although think this is more to do with my fitness improving than the course! Would definitely do this again. Lovely to have a local race that you can train on the course. Date of review: December 24, 2012
In short: Great friendly race, pity weather made course so muddy in 2012In full: Great race; friendly runners, well organised, brilliant water stations. Very muddy and windy in 2012; had been perfect in 2011. Always next year!Date of review: December 23, 2012
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quote ThrombosisJonesHi there - This is Will from Propadata Films. The FigurePrints in production video was made by myself and is a side piece from a short documentary about the 3D prints, currently in production. You may see it here:Hey, hey!
Figure Prints has sent us their Blizzcon video too. Huntyr has uploaded it, making us the first site to have it.
Here's a link: videos.neoseeker.com/movies/1033-figure-prints-production/
This one is a longer video that shows more of the production facility - including the de-powdering process and a look at the old liquid treatment process.
There's no audio though and that might be our fault. We're checking into it right now and will have more info asap.
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WETLAND ASSESSMENT METHODS Oregon Rapid Wetland Assessment Protocol (ORWAP)
Oregon Explorer - ORWAP Viewer - This link will no longer work in Google Chrome. If you receive an error, copy and paste link into Internet Explorer browser.
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David Tutera Celebrate Card Design Team
September 10, 2012 by Ellen
Filed under Core Blog, Design Teams
Debbie Standard
My name is Debbie Standard. I have been scrapping for about 15 years now. I am a wife, mother to four, step-mother to two more, grandmother to 11 and have a great-granddaughter by my husband's oldest grandchild. To keep myself in scrapping supplies I work as a Critical Care Nurse in the Surgical/Trauma ICU in a level one trauma center in San Antonio, Texas. I have been doing this for about 18 years now. I am only working part-time now and that gives me more time to spend doing the things I love to do – scrapping, crocheting, running, kayaking and biking. We live on three acres near the Guadalupe River where we built our dream home. I have been published in most all of the US scrapping magazines. I love creating both cards and layouts and luckily have a lot of kids and grand-kids to use for subjects. I have met so many wonderful people through the scrap world who have become my long distance friends. I am on a few more card Design Teams as well so get to spread the Core'dination's around. I am thrilled to be a part of this creative team. Core'dination's products are just amazing and I can't imagine using any other cardstock. There is such a huge selection of products and they are always coming out with something new and different – makes me want to scrap all the time. I am so honored to work with this talented group of women – they are such an inspiration and Core'dination's staff is just the best!
Check out my blog here: http://debbiestandard.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Edwardson


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Dish Recorder Snubbed for CNET Award Over CBS Legal Scuffle
By Shalini Ramachandran and John Jannarone
Perhaps it could be called the day CBS skipped over Dish.
Dish Network's infamous ad-skipping digital video recorder was dropped from consideration for a CNET award because of a legal battle underway between Dish and CNET's parent, CBS, relating to the device, CBS confirmed.
In a statement, CBS Interactive, the division of CBS which houses CNET, said the device, the Hopper with Sling, "was removed from consideration due to active litigation involving our parent company CBS Corp."
CBS Interactive added that "we will no longer be reviewing products manufactured by companies with which we are in litigation with respect to such product."
The device in question, the Hopper with Sling, is the latest version of Dish's controversial Hopper digital video recorder. Introduced last year, the device includes a feature that made it very easy for users to skip over ads in television broadcasts. Launch of the feature prompted litigation from major broadcasters. CBS, along with several other companies, sued Dish in federal court in California, accusing it of copyright violation.
The latest version, which also contains the ad-skipping feature, was introduced this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and reviewed this week by CNET. The review described the device as "pretty cutting-edge stuff" that "helps Dish make a strong case that its HD DVR is the most advanced out there." It added that the DVR system "borders on having almost everything you could possibly want."
After the review, CNET named the device as a finalist for its "Best of CES Awards" which were decided Thursday.
Dish issued a statement after being informed that its device had been pulled from consideration.
"This action has nothing to do with the merits of our new product," said Dish Chief Executive Joe Clayton said in a statement. He said Dish was "saddened that CNET's staff is being denied its editorial independence because of CBS' heavy handed tactics."
Consumer Electronics Association president Gary Shapiro said he was "extremely disappointed that CBS has interfered with CNET's Best of CES awards."
And the winner, after all this? the Razer Edge gaming tablet.
-With additional reporting by Keach Hagey


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ATI, graphics business unit of Advanced Micro Devices, has not demonstrated any new graphics processors at Computex Taipei 2010, even behind closed doors, according to unofficial information. Nevertheless, there are media reports that ATI's next-generation lineup code-named Southern Islands will still be released in 2010.
Earlier this year AMD's chief executive already confirmed plans to refresh the lineup of ATI Radeon graphics processing units (GPUs) with new offerings by the end of calendar 2010; on the other hand, the absence of members of Southern Islands family at Computex naturally leads to assumption that the new chips are not yet ready to be shown to the public. Chips that cannot be demonstrated in early June naturally do not come out during back-to-school (BTS) season, a crucial timeframe for computer makers and chipmakers.
But according to a news-story published by Computer Base web-site, ATI has a clear intention to release its Southern Islands this year and sometimes in the autumn, not winter. The SI family will offer higher performance compared to currently available ATI Radeon HD 5000 "Evergreen" line, but will hardly be considerably more advanced in terms of feature-set. It is reported that designers of the new GPUs concentrated mostly on improving efficiency, but not on building something completely new from scratch.
At present AMD's graphics business unit feels itself quite comfortable since the arch-rival Nvidia Corp. still has to start offering its GeForce 4-series "Fermi" in the mainstream and entry-level market segments. But ATI does not exactly has time to stand still and should come out with some improved offerings for the BTS season so to not allow Nvidia to score deals with PC makers with their new products.
ATI did not comment on the news-story.
Tags: ATI, AMD, Radeon, Southern Islands, 40nm


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Central Hampshire
This page links together information from Hantsweb for Central Hampshire and its borders. If you are visiting the Central Hampshire area and want to know what there is to do take a look at what we have got on offer:
- Attractions in Hampshire
- Cinema and Theatre listing for Central Hampshire
- Conference Venues in Hampshire
- Leisure and Tourism in Hampshire
- What's on in Hampshire
We also provide comprehensive information for public services, attractions and events for the whole of Hampshire.
Local information for all the towns and villages in the Central Hampshire area is available - including attractions, public services such as schools, social services and community groups. For more details about the towns and villages in this area, please follow the link to your nearest postal town:


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i can stretch dough eyes closed and with one hand tied behind my back, and still toss AND catch it one handed.
c0mpl3x,At any time do you use a foot and, if so, do your superiors at Papa John's approve of this or is it in the manual?Peter


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Transform Your World, One Small Risk at a Time
Waterbrook Press, Paperback, 9780307730619, 212pp.
Publication Date: August 21, 2012
Tired of dreaming about changing your life? Ready to change it? You came to the right place.
Jason Jaggard has developed a simple, direct way to practice the art of self-challenge. It requires a willingness to take healthy risks and is energized by the involvement of a small group of fellow risk-takers.
Here are just a few of the "Spark" insights that lead to lasting change:
.More resources are available to you than you realize.
.Living a changed life works best when a few friends get involved.
. When you relearn what good is, you experience more goodness in your life.
. Taking a healthy risk is "always" worth it, even if you fail.
When you practice the art of self-challenge, you notice that your life and the world around you start changing for the better. It involves doing the one thing that only you can do: take responsibility for your life. So go ahead and take your first risk: open this book and start reading.
Praise for Spark
"I expected to come away from reading Spark impressed with Jason Jaggard's thoughts and encouraged by his stories. But I was also inspired to start taking my own risks to make a difference in small ways and big. This book is a valuable tool for anyone looking to move from contemplating life to fully living it."
— Mike Gogis, Willow Creek Association chief financial officer
"Jason's flair for writing makes Spark as enjoyable to read as it is insightful. His drumbeat is that small risks often lead to dramatic transformations. Jason offers encouragement to everyone who seeks to make their lives and the world around them better, one risk at a time."
— Andrew K. Benton, president of Pepperdine University
"Game changer! It's a term that is used to describe the monumental changes that occur in an array of spheres—from politics to the music industry to sports and everything in between. Spark is a game changer for life and those who desire to live life loud."
— Dr. Marcus "Goodie" Goodloe, catalyst at Mosaic, a Los Angeles faith community
"Spark will ignite you. Jason Jaggard invites everyone into movement by creating beautiful spaces (Spark Groups) where each person embraces the genesis of change. Spark reveals an author with a contagious passion for others and the willingness to walk by your side as you take meaningful risks. Anyone will benefit from reading this book, and bold readers will be charged, challenged, and changed."
— Brian Kammerzelt, assistant professor and chair of communications at Moody Bible Institute; founder and director of The Just Life Spark


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Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, will hold a conversation with Jennifer Cooke, Director of the Africa Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and John Norris, Executive Director of the Sustainable Security and Peacebuilding Initiative, Center for American Progress, on "Building Americans' Engagement with Sub-Saharan Africa." The discussion will be moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, and will be available for on demand viewing soon on YouTube and www.state.gov.
You are invited to participate by submitting questions, some of which will be selected for response during the taping. Submit your questions below on DipNote and join the ongoing discussion via Twitter using the hashtag #EngageAfrica. Please submit questions via DipNote and Twitter as soon as possible for consideration.
Through Conversations With America, leaders of national non-governmental organizations have the opportunity to discuss foreign policy and global issues with senior State Department officials. These conversations aim to provide candid views of the ways in which leaders from the foreign affairs community are engaging the Department on pressing foreign policy issues.
View other Conversations With America here and by accessing the Conversations With America video podcasts on iTunes.
Editor's Note: This Conversations With America webcast occurred on September 14. You can read the transcript here.
Barmou S. in Africa writes:
The overwhelming majority of African business is conducted by SMEs employing less than 10 people. What can the State and Commerce Dept do to promote US and African SME2SME trade and investment relationship?
Thank You
Edward T. in Ghana writes:
In the past couple of years, the establishment of tech accelerators such as the iHub in Kenya, MEST in Ghana and the CC Hub in Ghana have seen the springing up of mobile and web startups being created by technology entrepreneurs. Is there a plan in sight to support such ventures either by creating an environment for such start-ups to tap into the resources available in the WEST or by providing some support to these businesses locally?
Aniedi O. in Washington, D.C. writes:
1. Under the cover of investments in Africa, many companies including US companies such as Herakles Farms take advantage of corruption in African nations to sign contracts with irresponsible leaders that facilitate the cheap acquisition of land (land grab) and mining concessions and forcefully displace the local people and mortgage the heritage of future generations for centuries to come. What mechanisms are we going to put in place to hold these companies accountable, more especially to prevent them from dispossessing the people of their livelihood?
2. How are we going to ensure African governments' accountability if we do not constructively participate in building up African civil societies at the grass roots level?
3. There is need to understand that the military in Africa is rooted in colonial culture. African militaries were not trained to protect the people; they were trained to subjugate them for easy colonization – the culture continues in post colonial era, even today. How are we going to ensure that our engagement with the military does not end up training experts at subjugating the people or protecting "strong men�
4. If President Obama Africa policy seeks to strengthen Africa's financial institutions, what mechanisms are we going to put in place to stem the tide of illicit financial flows out of Africa and hold foreign collaborators who aid and abet the process accountable?
Monica F. in Texas writes:
I was wondering about the United States' role in the rebuilding of Liberia. What part is the U.S. playing, and is Liberia progressing financially, and rebuilding itself? Also, are there plans for the United States to buy more gasoline and other minerals from Africa? What are the different roles that AFRICOM, U.S. AID, Dept. of Agriculture, and Sstate Dept. play in Africa ? Is a multi-department team approach more effective than an individual department's approach? Which African countries are growing the fastest economically, and why? Which countries are regressing economically and why? Finally, what are Liberia, Uganda, and other African countries doing to end the usage of child soldiers by rebel groups? Are the U.N. and State Department involved in ending the usage of child soldiers? If so, please explain.
Carol B. in Pennsylvania writes:
I have a credible organization that provides academic assistance to African and Carbbean born youth and adults. How can I join the network at USAID and the State Department to expand my work to Sierra Leone? I currently do small volunteer projects there.
Thank you.
KMA in Washington, D.C. writes:
Does family planning have any place at the table? My experiences in Africa impressed on me the importance of limiting family size in order to properly provide for children, avoid food aid dependency and sustainably meet needs with resources. This topic generates accusations of racism and is unpopular with both conservatives and liberals. Does the USG have an interest in the issue?
Tiffany in California writes:
How big of an interest does the U.S have in the newly discovered oil reserves in Ghana?
A.R. in the U.S.A. writes:
What lessons, if any, is the US learning from the Chinese approach to their involvement in Africa? In what ways is China's more commercial, business-oriented approach complementing or countering conditional aid from the US and Europe? From a US national security perspective, what changes do you foresee in America's role across the continent over the next 10 years?
Njambi N. in Connecticut writes:
What steps are you taking to bridge the perception gap that exists for Africa across the US? What can be done to counter the current view where images of poverty, ignorance, disease, corruption and war persist? What are the best ways to disseminate information on the rapid growth, innovation and investment opportunities across Africa?
Darfur Rehabilitation Project in New Jersey writes:
What is the United States' current foreign policy as it pertains to peace and reconciliation in Darfur? What has been done over the last six months to implement this policy? What are the implementation plans for U.S. policy over the next six months?
Do U.S. plans include encouraging international stakeholders to financially support implementation of the Doha Darfur Peace Document (DDPD)? Is the DDPD on schedule, e.g. a donors conference in December 2012, or has the DDPD been put aside because the major rebel groups refused to participate in the negotiations also President al-Bashir was quoted as saying he will not speak with the groups who did not sign? Although violence in Darfur has been turbulent, will the U.S. make efforts to "bring all parties to the table of reconciliation†within the next few months?
What efforts are being made to secure the safety of returnees in the event repatriation becomes a reality as the DDPD promises?
Historically, the United States has considered The Sudan important because of its efforts in counter-terrorism. Does the U.S. still judge The Sudan to be effective in maintaining regional stability?
If not, is the U.S. re-evaluating the amount of financial support being given to the Government of Sudan?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has indicted Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for Genocide and issued arrest warrants for Defense Minister Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein to face charges of war crimes which occurred in Darfur. Considering the United States' long-standing ideology against Genocide and war crimes and its role as Permanent Member of the U.N. Security Council, what
incentive would convince the United States to become a signatoree of the Rome Statute?
Personal accounts have alerted the world to the existence of Ghost Houses where Darfurians are being tortured. Could the United States, as a Permanent of the Security Council, recommend that efforts be made to locate and close down the facilities? Further, arrest warrants be issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against those who manage the Ghost Houses?
UNAMID seems failed to protect civilians in Darfur though its essence mandate is to protect them .
The pro-government militias are still committing crimes against the IDPs , for example. What has happened in Kassab IDP camp in North Darfur (01- 05 /08/2012) shows the weakness and failure of the UNAMID and it is mission in Darfur .
Is there any effort to activate the UNAMID role and its mandate in Darfur to achieve it is real mission?
Has the United States taken the initiative to make known its censure of the brutal killing of young peaceful students in Nyala back in early August? Further, is it unreasonable to expect that the U.S.
release a declaration with a sure method of implementation that makes known, albeit consideration of sovereignty, U.S. deterrents to be taken in order to prevent future atrocities of like nature?
Darfur Rehabilitation Project in New Jersey writes:
Perhaps one further question: July and August were extraordinarily destructive and violent months in Darfur, like nothing we've seen for years. Humanitarian access in North Darfur has collapsed in some areas, especially north of Kutum---relief organizations have had their supplies looted and their buildings burned – tactic used for years in order to derail international humanitarian efforts.
Since the situation is deteriorating at a highly alarming rate, can the U.S. call significant attention to this major shift on the ground or are there concerns about other Sudan issues which prevent the U.S. from speaking out on behalf of the innocent civil society? Any UNAMID statement fails to have the impact as to what Darfurians who look to protection from the United States and U.S. citizens have grown to expect from its own government.
Why is the U.S. silent?
Matthew J. in Maine writes:
What role, if any, will the United States take in the continuing governmental crisis in Mali? Will there be any strategic importance placed on restoring authority in the Ansar Dine-controlled northern territories?


text:
The USA Manufactured the Arab Spring
A recent Journeyman video questions the roots of the recent Jasmin Revolutions.
The video looks at Otpor, a revolutionary training school that was instrumental in the toppling of Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s. Their logo is the logo of the Egyptian revolution.
Gene Sharp is the American author of the "revolution guide book" that was used in the recent revolutions to topple US-backed dictators. He has been branded by Hugo Chavez and the Russian regime as a "rabble rouse in the employ of the CIA."
Leaders within the Arab revolutions, as well as leaders of the revolutions of Eastern Europe in the 1990s, maintain that they were not coerced by free-market ideologies.
Believe this video or not, there remain forces within the Jasmine Revolutions that seek to blunt the effects of the peoples' struggle.
We've had this discussion before. Some folks can't accept that there are people in the world who fight for freedom and democracy in spite of the USA.
Indeed. One would think that the world would go spinning off into the sun without USA assistance in all thing non-USA...
In the name of GOD, son, don't be bashin' gladio terrierists round here! You'll be labelled a heretic, gutted and strung-up by your chestnuts at dawn. Ye might as well just fall on your own sword, if ya know what I mean.
God bless us, and Happy Coincidenting Every One.
Establishment Media and babble Plagued by 'Coincidence Theorists'
It is a little disheartening to see a report like this dismissed because it doesn't endorse the political well-wishing we project onto the Arab world. Are we content to simply accept that these linked instances of revolution were solely the result of popular dissent? How many of us towed the party line on 9/11? Yet there is compelling evidence and a formidable movement that suggests sinister forces were at work.
I don't necessarily endorse these ideas, but the video makes a considerable argument. It doesn't only espouse coincidental theory, but causal as well. The video shows current and previous revolutionary leaders confessing to the use of the revolutionary book written by Sharpe. Doesn't it occur to anyone that if this book was responsible for the ousting of US-friendly dictators, that Sharpe would at the very least by under FBI harassment? Yet there he is, fine as day, with only a secretary as his guide. Bradley Manning was imprisoned for far less. I don't mean to suggest that this is an irrefutable bit of evidence, but it is definitely provocative. If we have the confessions of these leaders to the use of the book, and their admission that Otpor was an organizing member, then all that's left to debate is whether Otpor and Sharpe indeed further Washington's interests, knowingly or not.
So millions of people are just passive puppets to the great masters in the CIA, eh?
Puppet or not, it wouldn't be the first time the CIA effected widespread change in the face of millions. Latin America, 1980s?
Don't go cutting your own throat, Dibbler, some of us made that point the first time around. Mind you, the argument that the turbanned horde cannot conceive of such western ideas as freedom from despotism without the friendly guidance of gentle whitefolk nevertheless seems to hang around.
"Any document which officially shows American involvement in an assassination is a foreign policy disaster... The second problem is that of names. They have asked for all the records of our relations with PanAm, [redacted] ITT and others. If we acknowledge a relationship, we will kill these companies and our ability to place agents and get cooperation".
Democracy should more appropriately be referred to as corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power. - George Warshington
Nowhere did I explicitly state that the people of the Arab states are incapable of developing their own democratic aspirations, although I suppose that, if you want to dig, that is tacitly suggested.
At the time of my original posting, my skepticism was well entrenched. I posted this video to elicit discussion. In light of several new reports and articles I've read, that doubt has gradually given way to a benign horror at what is probably just the latest in a long line of manufactured regime changes. Regarding conspiracy theories, especially ones that gnaw at our most optimistic projections of world events, I ask what amount of evidence is required to begin the process of doubt? Consider what you know of Canadian politics. The tendency of most of us here on the forums is to doubt the coverage of the mainstream press and seek out alternative sources of information, like this website. Why does that change with regards to the Arab Spring? Why are we so eager to embrace the status quo espoused by the corporate media, but apt to disregard the dissenting views of others who poke holes in the official version?
I suppose that in this case, we would love to believe that the Arab Spring was completely spontaneous. It affirms our belief as progressives that bottom-up social change is manifest - tangible. It could be the case, somewhere, someday. But right there right now?
Revolution U, article in Foreign Policy magazine
In the summer of 2009, Mohamed Adel, a 20-year-old blogger and April 6 activist, went to Belgrade, Serbia... "I got trained in how to conduct peaceful demonstrations, how to avoid violence, and how to face violence from the security forces ... and also how to organize to get people on the streets," Adel said of his experience with the Serbs (Center for Applied Non-violent Action and Strategies).
CANVAS participates in some workshops financed by...Freedom House, an American group which gets its money from the U.S. government. But CANVAS prefers to give Washington a wide berth, in part due to Otpor's experience. Like the entire opposition to Milosevic, Otpor took money from the U.S. government, and lied about it.
The next idea was one the Serbs had learned from the American academic Gene Sharp, the author of From Dictatorship to Democracy...Popovic was first introduced to Sharp's ideas in the spring of 2000 by Robert Helvey, a former U.S. Army colonel who had served as defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Burma in the 1980s before becoming disillusioned with armed struggle.
Article on website of Webster Tarpley
Since there was no real mass organization capable of seizing power, and no program of economic reconstruction, development, and reform which could have united the efforts of larger sectors of the Egyptian population, Egypt was left to the tender mercies of the now standard CIA/National Endowment for Democracy color revolution, people power coup, or postmodern putsch.
The Obama-Zbigniew Brzezinski foreign policy tacitly concedes that the US is now too weak, too isolated, too hated, and too bankrupt to undertake direct military attacks on the long list of countries which Bush, Cheney, and the neocons were eager to assail. The new policy of subverting existing governments and replacing them with regimes far more susceptible of being played as kamikaze puppets against the regional enemies of the United States
A New York Times article of a Wikileak that chronicles the Washington meet n' greets with a young Egyptian revolutionary.
Egypt Protests: Secret US Document Discloses Support for Protesters
One more, an analysis on the role of Gene Sharp and his progeny in the popular revolutions of the past 20 years.
Confusing two divergent issues is rarely helpful in analysing geo-political situations. On the one hand we've witnessed such genuine and heartfelt sentiments being expressed by people literally putting their lives on the line, if only for the opportunity to voice an opinion at all about their long standing conditions, and on the other, we have rumour and sign of the imperium's best men being assigned to oversee and direct the various situations as best they can, which amounts to a darn good turnout indeed when considering that thus far, nothing even remotely resembling a democratic changing of the guard has taken place in any of the circumstances which unfolded during the past several months.
Sibel Edmonds says Pepe's essay is briliant, so here it is:
So to make a story short, here's a concise New Middle East Obama policy. We support "our" bastards (dictators) who are sophisticated enough to beat, arrest and kill their own people in the low hundreds (Bahrain). We get slightly annoyed by "our" war on terror collaborators who crudely beat, arrest and kill their own people also in the low hundreds (Yemen). We're strongly inclined to ditch our support for unreliable, Iran-aligned dictators who beat, arrest and kill their own people in the high hundreds (Syria).
We unleash war - via the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a weaponized arm of the United Nations - over unreliable oil-wealthy dictators who beat, arrest and kill their own people in alleged thousands (Libya). And we remain absolute mute about "our" monarchical bastards who pre-empt the possibility of democratic protests (Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia) or invade their neighbors to smash ongoing peaceful protests (Saudi Arabia).
There is credibility to the idea.
I think it is more like Pres. Obama saw the writing on the wall - the Tunisian, Egyptian and Libyan people were going to rise up, so get on good terms with them so they will continue to deliver the oil to the USA when the dust settles. If the brutal dictators have control over their people, then fine, support them and the oil keeps flowing to the USA. Obama has to do this "dancing with Arab friendlies" very carefully.
There is another game behind all this, where "if the USA didn't do it, then China or Russia would be in there like a dirty shirt snapping up all the oil for themselves". So, America/Obama has to do whatever it takes to be the best friend of Arab nations with oil.
Aside: Fidel, is that an actual quote by the framer George Washington, but with a sarcastic spelling error? {Warshington}
Was "corporatism" a word used in the time of Pres. G Washington?
{RE:" Democracy should more appropriately be referred to as corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power." - George Warshington
Confusing two divergent issues is rarely helpful in analysing geo-political situations. On the one hand we've witnessed such genuine and heartfelt sentiments being expressed by people literally putting their lives on the line, if only for the opportunity to voice an opinion at all about their long standing conditions, and on the other, we have rumour and sign of the imperium's best men being assigned to oversee and direct the various situations as best they can, which amounts to a darn good turnout indeed when considering that thus far, nothing even remotely resembling a democratic changing of the guard has taken place in any of the circumstances which unfolded during the past several months.
Nowhere did I label the Arab masses as collaborators. There may be collaborators among them in the revolutionary leadership, and definitely within the ruling junta. I suggest that external forces might be manipulating the proletariat. I think the evidence is more than circumstantial.
Once again, I urge everyone to think about this critically - not just project your well-wishing on the situation. The two narratives of mass struggle and interference from the intelligencia are convergent, not divergent, and it would do well to analyze this from every possible angle.
I rather think that many of us suffer from political amnesia. Does nobody remember the Contras? The Cuban terrorists operating freely on American soil? Why is it so difficult to imagine? Unless, of course, we want to believe it so bad that we're willing to forego the critical analyses we afford to everything else.
There is another game behind all this, where "if the USA didn't do it, then China or Russia would be in there like a dirty shirt snapping up all the oil for themselves". So, America/Obama has to do whatever it takes to be the best friend of Arab nations with oil.
Except that China or Russia would prolly cut a better deal with Qadaffi. British Petroleo, for instance, were pretty ruthless in Iran last century and didn't even believe that the oil revs should be shared with the Iranian people at all.
And U.S. energy companies were darned near as crooked when signing deals with Russia for oil and gas development projects at Sakhalin Island in the early 1990s. Putin decided that those contracts were created at a time when Russia was at a disadvantage economically, and so decided to raise taxes on natural resource exports across the board. That was one more reason the west claimed the Russians were "backsliding" on democracy. IOWs they were daring to user perferctly legit free market mechanisms to raise oil revenues which the gladio gang's corporate friends didn't appreciate very much. That and some issues with US and European oligarchs, and probably with CIA seed money, attempted to bribe members of the Duma in 2003 in order to slide out of paying taxes they legally owed to the government in Moscow.
Exxon and the rest signed some pretty crooked oil deals in Iraq in the 2000s. Blood for oil hounds really were after the oil in Iraq as it's right there in the ground same as Libya's lowest cost to extract oil fields. They've been right bloody bastards these mass murderers.
If you listen to some of the wishy-washy lefties on this site, there is no such thing as the corporatocracy. It's all above board, and fascism just isn't possible without goosestepping thugs and private railroad companies with fat contracts for transporting tourist class box cars loaded with old people and daycare groups to the outskirts of Kracow for "tea and delousing" on a steady basis. They just don't get it or don't want to one or the other.
Noah_Scape]Aside: Fidel, is that an actual quote by the framer George Washington, but with a sarcastic spelling error? {Warshington}
Was "corporatism" a word used in the time of Pres. G Washington?
{RE:" Democracy should more appropriately be referred to as corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power." - George Warshington
I made it up. It's really describing fascism according to a quote by Mussolini. he he It should begin with, Fascism should more appropriately ...
In Iran? Nicaragua? Cuba? The Shah was overthrown, and the Islamic Republic that replaced him is still in existance today. The Sandanistas eventually won in there struggle against Samosa and the yanks, and the revolutionary government in Cuba still fuctions. Yup, petty clueless.
You're very right that the US meddling in those countries generally didn't achieve its goals. I concede in the failure of the CIA there. That doesn't erase the fact that they did meddle and caused untold suffering. The CIA basically ruined any hope for democratization in Iran, at least in the short term. They starved the Cubans. They murdered tens of thousands of Nicaraguans. Yet that is not the official narrative we find in the American media. That's why I'm skeptical.
I think that the masses had every right to revolt. I don't endorse the meddling of any external forces. Revolution has to come from within. That's why, when I see evidence that there was a guiding hand at play, red flags immediately start popping up. What will we say when the Egyptians or the Tunisians elect a free-market racketeer as their new leader? Someone who will effect policies in stark opposition to the popular demands articulated by the revolution.
I have presented evidence here that casts doubt that the movement was completely spontaneous. I am still waiting for anything to concretely refute these claims.
In Iran? Nicaragua? Cuba? The Shah was overthrown, and the Islamic Republic that replaced him is still in existance today. The Sandanistas eventually won in there struggle against Samosa and the yanks, and the revolutionary government in Cuba still fuctions. Yup, petty clueless.
They've worked pretty hard to pave the way for militant Islam in the "Middle East" and Central Asia. The US and Israelis allowed a militant Hamas to form at a time when the PLO was cut off from international funding.
The US and western allies paved the way for militant Islam in Iran once their brutal dictatorship under the Shah had run its course. Muslim clerics wondered how they themselves could be deemed fit to run a country. Iran's Revolutionary Guard aided Clintonites in creating a militant Islamic base in 1990s Bosnia. They worked closely with "al-Qaeda" in achieving their goals on the edge of Eastern Europe. And the oil companies love Ahmadinejad. Every time he utters the word Israel or oil, the price of a barrel of oil skyrockets.
They crippled the Sandinistas before electing one of their neoliberal stooges who basically ran the country into the ground for years. It's all about preventing socialism and maintaining poverty and backwardness in the colonies.
US Democrats have at least had the sense to admit that they created the Gucci Mujahideen, Taliban, and even al-Qaeda. And it could just as easily have been called Saudi bin Laden with all the western aid and assistance that country has received from the west in propping up imperialism there.
Hawks in the west love militant Islam and right wing extremists in general. What they did was create another unseen enemy in Central Asia and headed by Emanuel Goldstein's protege, Elvis bin Laden.
What they fear most is legitimate political opposition on the left like the political wing of Hamas today. They fear people's revolutions and so work hard to re-install another stooge, or in the case of Egypt ensure that the old military order remains in control.
And they fear stooges like Karzai and his drug trafficking brother being woo'd away from CIA/ISI controllers by Asian leaders. Anything resembling democracy is fighting dirty as far as they are concerned. They really are working overtime to maintain empire. It's slipping away though.
Oh I'm simply making up for the five or six decades that it was entirely underused in this Northern Puerto Rico. Whether stooge, kleptocrat, hireling, toady, sycophant, I've used them all but have settled on stooge for ease of typing. Our stooges are not worth the extra keys. Only 0.18% of Canadians actually voted for our latest head stooge.
Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the reasons that Parliament voted unanimously back in March to impose sanctions against the Libyan regime and undertake a UN sanctioned mission exist today. We are there to protect the vulnerable civilian population that is under attack by its own government.
We believe the military mission is incredibly important but so too is adding humanitarian support, additional diplomatic measures and, as has been suggested by others in the House, support for good governance from the transitional council.
Some honourable members: Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.


text:
Topic: Complicated Join Logic
So I'm working on a digg style system.
Here'e the deal I have
Articles and Users Joined by a Picks model.
So articles and users have many picks and picks belong_to users and articles.
Picks have a "vote" column that can be -2 (sucks bad), -1 (kinda sucks), 0 (don't care), 1 (cool), 2 (very cool).
Now a simple method to find the most popular article and worst articles would be to sum up all the votes.
HOWEVER each User has a multiplier that updates daily.
So an articles score equals the sum of (pick1.vote * Pick1.User_Id.multiplier + pick2.vote * Pick2.User_Id.multiplier + pick3.vote ...
This makes things a bit complicated. Using the following SQL I can find all the articles with their scores sorted in order.
SELECT a.*,
SUM(u.multiplier * p.vote) as 'score',
p.article_id as 'pick_article_id',
a.company_name as 's_comp',
u.id as 'user_id',
p.user_id as 'puid'
FROM picks p, users u, articles a
WHERE u.id = p.user_id
AND a.id = p.article_id
GROUP BY p.article_id
ORDER BY score desc
This leads to the first question. This result set comes back with a bunch of fields that will become attributes (I believe, I haven't tried this yet) of the Article objects that get returned from the find_by_sql method. If this is true is there some way to hide these?
Second I'm not sure how to do a search (simple one right now using like) to search all articles and return the articles that have a score with a score, articles without a score get a default score of 0.
Any leads would be appreciated!


text: I too had an '88 ZX10, that's why I replaced it with the '95 GPZ. I never noticed my ZX to be "hot running" as both it and the GPZ keep the temp indicator in the lower 25% of the range most of the time, which I assume is running fairly cool vs. in the upper range. I use Rotella 20W50 now, but was a Mobil 1 junky for years. I've decided I change it often enough I don't need that high temperature, racing margin oil ;-) John -----Original Message----- From: gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com [mailto:gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com] On Behalf Of art.robinson Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 12:50 PM To: 'GPZ List' Subject: RE: Hello group! Oil Question?? I had an air cooled 550cc Zephyr as well as the GPZ and I used 20/50 Belray full synthetic oil. The bike was "cold blooded" from the start the synthetic made a huge difference to the clutch action and the warm up period. The bike really loved it! My '95 GPZ runs "cool as a cucumber" and from what I gather from The List this is the way it is. Art in TO -----Original Message----- From: gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com [mailto:gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com] On Behalf Of thomas hoy Sent: 23 March 2010 13:56 To: 'GPZ List' Subject: RE: Hello group! Oil Question?? Oil: Now, I have an '84 gpz, and I run 20w50 in it. I run 20w50 cuz its air cooled, I live in CA and it is a hot-runner. Now, I have owned a whole slew of bikes in my life, but never a mid-90's Kawasaki, but I could be off-base on this: I have owned an '86 ninja 600 (zx600), and 85 zx900 ninja and a 1989 zx-10. All of these have been, although healthy machines, rather hot-running motorcycles. I have always run a 20w50 in them b/c a.) I was much younger and liked to go fast now and then, b.) lived in Texas and CA at the time, and c.) understood that heat is the enemy of viscosity. I really have no idea now whether the newer generation of kwaks like to run hot or not, but it can't kill ya to keep a little thicker goop in yer oil pan. -----Original Message----- From: gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com [mailto:gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com] On Behalf Of patrick Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 5:53 AM To: GPZ List Subject: RE: Hello group! Oil Question?? Thanks art, should I use the 20 w 50? Connected by MOTOBLUR on T-Mobile -----Original message----- From: Arthur Robinson <art.robinson at rogers.com> To: 'GPZ List' <gpzlist at micapeak.com> Sent: Tue, Mar 23, 2010 12:27:05 GMT+00:00 Subject: RE: Hello group! Oil Question?? I've been using 10-40 fully synthetic oil since 4K Kms. The bike now has 105K and doesn't use any significant amount of oil over the entire season. I wouldn't go for anything else: I think it's a good investment. Art in TO -----Original Message----- From: gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com [mailto:gpzlist-bounces at micapeak.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Sent: 22 March 2010 19:49 To: GPZ List Subject: Hello group! Oil Question?? Hello all, time for an oil/filter change on my '96 GPZ 1100. When I bought the bike the seller gave me two full boxes of Castrol fully synthetic R4 oil. 1 box of 20 W-50 and another of 5 W-50. I dont generally use any synthetic oil, although this stuff is damn expensive and I sure would love to use it. What is everyone's opinion? I would probably use the 20 W -50 I suppose. Not sure though??? Thanks "In vino veritas" --- On Mon, 3/22/10, Chuck Driscoll <cdriscol2001 at yahoo.com> wrote: From: Chuck Driscoll <cdriscol2001 at yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Might be looking to sell To: "GPZ List" <gpzlist at micapeak.com> Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 1:04 PM Dave, As someone who sold his, I wish I hadn't. I did use the $ toward my KLR which I am glad to have, and I enjoy, but the GPZ is a great 2up road bike, and the KLR is not that. With the GPZ the fun value is more than the $ value. Do what you gotta, if you really need the $ or garage space, but 1000 quality miles a year is better than 0 quality miles per year. Chuck Driscoll --- On Mon, 3/22/10, mrgilmore at aol.com <mrgilmore at aol.com> wrote: > From: mrgilmore at aol.com <mrgilmore at aol.com> > Subject: Re: Might be looking to sell > To: gpzlist at micapeak.com > Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 10:11 AM > > Charles, Dave and all you guys, > > I'm with you Charles... keep it. If you have > the garage or other location to store it, that will probably > make you very happy if/when you elect to get it out one day > and re-experience why you rode (ride) in the first > place. Like you (Charles) I'm older than Dave I > presume. At 57, I figure I've also seen better days > and getting out and riding when the opportunity presents > itself is a really good thing for me. Of course, > living in S. CA gives me virtually year-round riding, but > the principle remains the same. I took a week-long run > up and around CA last Oct., just me, tent/gear, some > e-books, etc. and that was really great for my > spirits. These days, I don't go for the type of full > morning or all-day rides like I used to, for a few > reasons. Mostly keeping the women happy, and also I'm > pre-occupied with this home remodel presently going > on. I do intend to crank 'ol red' up for a brief ride > today, but that'll probably be it for a little > while... I can't afford a new bike, and I'm really > glad I chose the Geeper when I bought it new in '95. > Been the best all around bike for me. No complaints, > period. A little porky, but WTF? That heft is > reassuring when I crank up the RPMs if you know what I > mean... > So Dave, unless its a financial thing or the woman is > handing you a difficult ultimatum, I say keep it and leave > it in hiberation mode for your use when you want it. I > guarantee you'll miss it when the day rolls around and that > feeling says "ride"... > > Just my two cents... > Ron Jordan > lurking in Altadena, CA > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Charles Scappaticci <scapco at ecentral.com> > To: GPZ List <gpzlist at micapeak.com> > Sent: Sun, Mar 21, 2010 5:49 pm > Subject: Re: Might be looking to sell > > > Dave, > I say keep it. > I certainly understand where you're coming from. It > seems harder and > arder to get out for a long ride with work, kids and > everything > tealing your time. It seems I have less free time now > than ever > efore. And I've not given the GPZ or my dirt bikes the > attention they > eserve the past couple of years. But... > It took a long trip through western Canada to remind me of > how much I > njoy riding and why I do it. The solitude, the > scenery and the > lements are such a wonderful change from the daily > pressures sitting > ehind two computer monitors in my little office at work, > making > thers wealthy while my life gets harder. > I'm a little older than you and my kids are older too, one > gone and > he other in just a couple more years. My youngest > rarely rides with > e anymore with her school, sports and friends so it's just > me > sually. I turn 54 this summer and time is certainly > weighing on my > ind. My best years behind me now, how much more time > do I have left > o ride and partake in life's adventures? How many of > you listers > ave read about Edelweiss tours around the world trip this > fall? 8 > onths, 40K miles for $102,000, plus you provide the bike > and other > tuff, maybe $150K all together. I'd give my left nut > to do that ride > f I could (since my marriage ended I don't use it > anyway). I'll > ever get to retire thanks to the actions of others, so I > choose to > ide when I can as long as I can. > I'm planning on a 10 day ride around Colorado in late > August, just me > nd the GPZ, a tent, sleeping bag and no schedule. I'm > going to find > ome nice lakes to camp next to, a good book or two and some > good > orners and scenery. 2011? Probably back to > Canada, I just have to > ecide east coast or west coast. My biggest concern > these days (other > han paying for my daughters college) is how I'm going to > get a newer > ike, maybe a new Connie, BMW1200 GS, or something like that > to eat up > he miles. I'll still keep the GPZ though, with > insurance down to > 183 a year (still full coverage!), and $50 annually to > register it, > t costs me almost nothing to keep it for whatever comes > along. And > ith 50K on the clock and a salvage title, who'd want it > anyway > egardless of the condition? > So, my apologies for the long winded rambling, but I say > keep it for > ow and give it some serious thought. Are you ready to > retire to the > az-boy recliner? I'm not. > Charles S. > > From: David Spaulding <spauldingd at hotmail.com> > I think it might be time to sell my GPz. > >


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ATHLETES OF WEEK (April 1-18): Jordan Willetts and Paige Wilson
Times Observer photos
The season is young, but Warren Area High School senior Jordan Willetts, right, and freshman Paige Wilson are off to good starts. Willetts was just getting warmed up this weekend when he finished second in the 400, third in the 100-meter dash and was on Warren's winning 1,600-meter relay, helping the Dragons to defend its Harbor Creek Invitational title Saturday – by one team point. On Tuesday, Willetts won the 100 , 400 and was on the winning 1,600 relay in a win over Franklin, and won the 100 and was, again, on Warren's blazing 1,600 relay with Luke Wortman, Caleb Hultman and Ryan Shattuck in a win over Fort LeBoeuf on Thursday. Wilson is starting off her varsity career right, going 4-for-4 with a HR and 5 RBI in a14-0 win over Central Tech, 3-for-4 with 2 RBI in 14-0 win over Mercyhurst Prep, 4-for-4 with 3 runs, four RBI and her second HR of season in 13-0 win over Strong Vincent, and 3-for-4 with three RBI in a 9-1 win over McDowell. Willets and Wilson (14 RBI in 5 games) are the Times Observer Athletes of the Week, sponsored by McDonald's.


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Guide's Top 5 Things to do this weekend: Chihuly glass, jazz and fests top the list
It's a jam-packed weekend! Here're our Top 5 picks:
CHIHULY AT THE ARBORETUM: Some 15 installations comprising thousands of piece of blown glass from artist Dale Chihuly complement the summer gardens at the Dallas Arboretum in this glorious explosion of art-meets-nature. The show officially opens Saturday and runs through Nov. 5; it's included with arboretum admission of $15 for adults; discounts available. Parking on-site is $10.
LOVER'S LANE JAZZ BAND: The much-loved local band celebrates the season with Spring Swing!, a family jazz fling delivering the band's trademark mix of Big Band-era jazz and down-home gospel. Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood Road at Northwest Highway, Dallas. Free.
COTTONWOOD ART FESTIVAL: This twice-yearly juried art fest, now in its 44th year, is one of the area's best. More than 240 artists will be featured this year, with Mark Keller of Sausalito, Calif., chosen as the featured artist. You'll find paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry and mixed media, and Brave Combo will perform. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson. Free.
FESTIVAL OF THE CHARIOTS: Get immersed in another culture with this fest, popularly known as Ratha Yatra, which originated in India and has been celebrated for thousands of years. A symbolic journey from dark to light is feted with a parade, stage entertainment, food booths and more. Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m. at Dallas Hare Krishna temple, 5430 Gurley Ave., Dallas. Free.
ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION: Krauss' appearances on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Cold Mountain soundtracks helped revitalize interest in bluegrass. Her music, often played with the band Union Station featuring dobro magician Jerry Douglas, is an intoxicating brew that mixes bluegrass, country and Americana. They're on tour for their latest CD, Paper Airplane, and will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at Verizon Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie. $49.50-$89.50.
PHOTO by Kye R. Lee/Staff Photographer: The Chihuly glass installations at the Dallas Arboretum.


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So it makes any (food-safe) 5-gallon bucket into a Vittles Vault. Cool. I've used the Vaults for years for pet food and horse feed: http://www.gamma2.net/ Never thought about using them for flour storage, but it's a good idea. Better than what I'm using now, for sure
Jeff, I bought gamma seal lids on line years ago and use them for storage of wheat berries. What department did you find them in Home Depot, I can always use a few more ?