text:
Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI)
Definition and types of AEFI
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an AEFI as a medical incident that takes place after an immunisation, causes concern, and believed to be caused by immunisation. There are three key aspects to this definition.
Firstly, it is deliberately loose to encourage reporting of events. This is because it does not restrict the type of event (other than being a health consequence) nor limit the time window after immunisation, nor attempt to determine whether the immunisation may have been responsible, i.e. it is events, not reactions that are reported.
Secondly, it describes a belief about causality that requires investigation. The belief that immunisation was responsible may turn out to be correct, incorrect, or impossible to assess.
Thirdly, describing an event as an AEFI, does not and must not imply causality. (There is only a belief of causality). Only after investigation, it may be possible to assign causality.
Within this framework an AEFI can be either:
- Caused by the vaccine or immunisation process (causally associated) or
- a coincidental event that, by chance, happened after immunisation (temporally associated).
There are three types of AEFIs caused by immunisation, these are caused by:
- The inherent properties of the vaccine (vaccine reaction)
- An error in the immunisation process (programme error)
- Injection-related reactions arising from anxiety about or pain of the injection
Sometimes it is not possible to state with any degree of certainty what is the cause of a particular AEFI. This is particularly true at the level of the individual if there are no studies that have helped assess causality. From the above, there are five types of AEFI, described in table below.
|Vaccine reaction
|Event caused or precipitated by the vaccine when given correctly, caused by the inherent properties of the vaccine.
|Programme error
|Event caused by an error in vaccine preparation, handling, or administration.
|Injection reaction
|Event from anxiety about, or pain from, the injection itself rather than the vaccine.
|Event that happens after immunisation but not caused by the vaccine - a chance association.
|The event's cause cannot be determined.
Source: Adapted from "Immunisation Safety Surveillance: guidelines for managers of immunisation programmes on reporting and investigating adverse events following immunisation. Manila: World Health Organization, 1999. "
Vaccine reactions
These reactions are caused by a constituent of the vaccine. In some cases this will be the vaccine antigen (the substance that generates immunity), and is thus a side effect of the immunological process of generating immunity. In other cases it will be caused by other vaccine constituents (e.g. preservatives, stabilisers, antibiotics, or residual substance from the manufacturing process) or the adjuvant that is added to boost the vaccine's immunogenicity. Vaccine reactions can be categorised into two types:
- Common, usually minor and self-limiting
- Rare and more serious
The reason that there are only these two types of vaccine reaction is that any vaccine that caused a serious reaction that was even relatively common would either not be licensed for use or withdrawn when the frequency of the serious adverse event is identified. An example of this was the withdrawal of the first rotavirus vaccine because it was found to cause intussusception in about 1 in 10,000 vaccinees. Similarly, oral polio vaccine (OPV) is no longer used in most industrialised countries because it carries a risk of about 1 in 2 - 3 million of causing polio. However, the current use of OPV in developing countries and its previous use in other countries, reflects the fact that the vaccine risks need to be balanced against the risk of the disease and the cost of the alternative (inactivated vaccine in the case of OPV).
Common vaccine reactions (reactogenicity)
The common reactions are caused by the body's response to the vaccine antigen(s) and the other vaccine constituents. In general they occur within 24-48 hours of vaccination and are self-limiting. However reactions following live vaccines (e.g. MMR) may be delayed and resemble a mild version of the disease.
|Symptom or sign
|Maximum difference in rate*
|Peak frequency (days after vaccination)
|Local erythema (>2 cm)
|Other local reaction
|Mild fever (<38.5°C rectal)
|Moderate fever (38.6-39.5°C)
|High fever (>39.5°C)
|Willingness to stay in bed
|Generalised rash
|Peripheral tremor
|Cough and/or coryza
|Nausea and/or vomiting
*between MMR group and placebo group
¹more in placebo-injected children.
Adapted from: Symptoms and signs caused by MMR vaccination and day of peak occurrence. Reference: Peltola H, Heinonen OP. Frequency of true adverse reactions to measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial in twins. Lancet 1986;1(8487):939-42
Common reactions are usually a local reaction at the site of injection and/or systemic symptoms. For the local reaction there is pain, swelling, lump and/or redness at the injection site, which can vary in severity and usually last a day or so but sometimes longer. The systemic symptoms can include fever and a range of non-specific symptoms (e.g. irritability, malaise, 'off-colour', loss of appetite). For live virus vaccines, the systemic symptoms can be a mild form of the disease (e.g. fever, rash for measles vaccine).
The common reactions usually take place within a day or so of immunisation - except for live attenuated vaccines such as measles/MMR, where reactions occur 6 to 12 days after immunisation (the time taken for the vaccine virus to replicate). Common reactions usually only last a few hours to a few days. The frequency and severity of these common reactions vary by vaccine and by person. (See specific vaccine preventable diseases for details).
Rare vaccine reactions
While there is some similarity between the common reactions caused by all vaccines, the rare more serious reactions tend to be more specific to each vaccine.
Most of the rare and more serious vaccine reactions (e.g. seizures, thrombocytopaenia, hypotonic hyporesponsive episodes, persistent inconsolable screaming) do not lead to long-term problems.
Anaphylaxis, while potentially fatal, is treatable without leaving any long-term effects. Although encephalopathy is included as a possible rare reaction to measles or DTP vaccine, it is not certain that these vaccines in fact cause encephalopathy (brain inflammation) as there is no difference in incidence between vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
Programme Errors
Programme errors result from errors and accidents in vaccine preparation, handling, or administration. They are preventable with good practice, appropriate facilities and equipment. Vaccinator technique in choosing the site for the injection, the depth of the injection, and the speed of injection may affect the rate and extent of local reactions.
A programme error may lead to a cluster of events associated with a particular provider, health facility, or even a single vial of vaccine that has been inappropriately prepared or contaminated. Programme errors can also affect many vials (e.g. by freezing vaccine during transport, leading to an increase in local reactions and loss of effect).
Globally, the most common programme errors are non-sterile injections leading to bacterial or viral infections. This is extremely rare in New Zealand, particularly as multi-dose vials are not usually used.
Injection technique can also lead to increased local reactions for example giving intramuscular injections too superficially.
Injection Reactions
Individuals can react in anticipation and as a result of the pain of any injection. This reaction is unrelated to the content of the vaccine. Some individuals may be 'needle-phobic,' aggravating such reactions.
The injection reaction can lead to a group event. The event is essentially a psychological reaction that spreads between individuals of the group (who are usually primed for this by high levels of anxiety), when a member of the group suffers a reaction such as a faint or other vaccine reaction.
Fainting (vasovagal reactions) is a relatively common injection reaction, but usually only affects children aged over five years. Fainting does not require any management beyond placing the patient in a recumbent position, preferably the recovery position.
The likelihood of faints can be anticipated when immunising older children, and reduced by minimising stress in those awaiting injection through short waiting times, comfortable room temperatures, preparation of vaccine out of recipient's view, and privacy during the procedure. Avoiding injury from the fall is important, and those at particular risk should be immunised while lying down; the faint however can occur many minutes after the immunisation.
Hyperventilation as a result of anxiety about the immunisation leads to specific symptoms of light-headedness, dizziness, tingling around the mouth and in the hands, and sometimes chest pain.
IMAC 2010 Guidelines for a pre or post vaccination hyperventilation event - click here
Younger children tend to react in a different way, with vomiting a common anxiety symptom. Breath-holding may occur, which can end in a brief period of unconsciousness during which breathing resumes. They may also scream to prevent the injection or run away.
Clear explanations about the immunisation and calm, confident delivery will decrease the level of anxiety about the injections and thus reduce the likelihood of an injection reaction.
It is important to be able to distinguish the loss of consciousness resulting from a fainting (vasovagal) injection reaction to that of anaphylaxis.
|Usually at the time or soon after the injection
|Usually some delay between 5-30 minutes after injection
|Pale, sweaty, cold and clammy
|Red, raised and itchy rash;swollen eyes, face; generalised rash
|Normal to deep breaths
|Noisy breathing from airways obstruction (wheeze or stridor)
Transient hypotension
|Abdominal cramps
|Transient LOC, good response once prone
|LOC, little response once prone
Distinguishing anaphylaxis from a faint (vasovagal reaction)Source: "Immunisation Safety Surveillance: guidelines for managers of immunisation programmes on reporting and investigating adverse events following immunisation. Manila: World Health Organization, 1999."
Coincidental events
This is probably the most important type of AEFI, in terms of impact on immunisation programmes. It is the main cause for the continuing controversy about immunisation safety.
The distinction between the event happening after immunisation and being caused by immunisation is not easy to make, and many people find it hard to understand. The automatic assumption is that when B follows A, it is that A caused B.
Because large numbers of immunisations are given every day, it is inevitable that in the days following immunisation many people will suffer major health events. Most vaccines are given early in life, when infections and other illnesses are common, including manifestations of an underlying congenital or neurological condition. The health event is likely to be blamed on the immunisation, simply because of the temporal association between the events that, in fact, reflect chance and coincidence and not a real causal relationship.
Examples of false allegations caused by coincidental events
One good example is the association between immunisation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or cot death). The incidence of SIDS peaks around the age when infant immunisations are delivered. So, many SIDS cases will occur in children who have been recently immunised. Inevitably, when a previously healthy child dies a cause is sought. In some cases there will, purely by chance, have been an immunisation, shortly before the death. The only way to clarify if such an event is in fact due to a chance association is through careful studies. In the case of SIDS, controlled studies have shown that the association of SIDS and immunisation is purely coincidental and not causal.
More recently, there has been much concern around MMR vaccine causing autism that started from a report of 12 cases with a variable temporal association. Despite many controlled studies that have failed to find a link, many parents remain convinced that their child's autism was due to the vaccine. This association has arisen because MMR is usually given early in the second year of life – at a time when autism is recognised.
Anticipating coincidental events
It is possible to predict how often one would expect to see a coincidental association between a health event and immunisation. Using the expected incidence (number of cases per population to be vaccinated per time period) of the health event.
For example, assume that one million children aged 1-15 years are immunised in a mass campaign and the background mortality rate for this population is 3 per 1000 per year. Then, 250 deaths can be expected in the month after immunisation and 8 deaths on the day of the immunisation, simply by coincidence. These deaths will be temporally associated with, even though entirely unrelated to, immunisation.
A similar calculation is shown in the Table below for infant (aged under one-year) deaths in selected Western Pacific countries for the number of deaths temporally associated with routine DTP immunisation (calculated in 1999).
|Infant mortality (per 1,000 live births)
|Number of births per year
|Number of infant deaths during one year in the:
|month after immunisation
|week after immunisation
|day after immunisation
|New Zealand
NOTE: Assumes uniform distribution of deaths and children who are near to death will still be immunised.
Infant mortality and births from 1998 Western Pacific Region Health Data Bank.
IMR= Infant mortality rate per live birth (can substitute for rate of any event).
N = Number in population (births used as proxy for numbers aged under one year).
nv = number of immunisation doses: assumed here to be three visits.
ppv = proportion of population vaccinated: assumed here to be 90% for each dose.
Note: in calculation of deaths the first line of equation shows number of total deaths in period, second line adjusts for exposure to vaccine within that period, multiplied by the number of periods in the year.


text:
|Topic Review (Newest First)
|Regardless of what people say about Silicone I and II. I used both and they're perfectly fine for shrimp. Brand I use is GE. Before I bought Silicone 1, I had to use Silicone 2 and reseal my 10g after couple months shrimp is breeding well.
|Maybe do a bleach solution to sterilize after you resilicone it?
|I decided instead of getting rid of the tank I'm going to break it down and rebuild with new silicone. I think there is something in the silicone that's not letting me keep anything alive.
|That is a lot of shrimp. Do try again. Was this a 2nd hand tank? Maybe try with a new one It sounds like a contaminate or Bacterial. Do try again, you'll be better prepared this time. I found the pool store had a Scientific TDS thing, where you poured the water in and it told you the TDS. I am try too, and lost a whole lotta shrimp my whole new line. I promise it will not be bad 2nd time around. You'll be prepared!
I had a similar experience with Yellow neos when I first got them. Decided to set up a tank with ADA aquasoil and it pushed my pH down below 6.0. Now I have a tank with flourite sand in it and sseriu stone to help buffer the water and my blue velvet neos are thriving.
Sometimes you just get a batch of shrimp with weak genetics that cannot handle extreme conditions. I would make sure you build your next tank around the shrimp. Sounds like with your water params you could easily be very successful with CRS or CBS.
|I broke this tank down last night. I'm going to be selling/giving this 10g away. 4-5 mo is the longest I've ever been able to keep anything aquatic alive in this thing.
I've kept PFR with my CRS at TDS 100-120 and they were completely fine and reproduced well.
There really is no way to know everything that goes into your tap water; pipes corrode and things get mixed in on the way out of your faucet.
If you want to be serious in keeping them I suggest you only use R/O water and add minerals until you get the desired parameters.
You also need to drip acclimate the shrimp to their new water when you first get them to prevent shock and weakening them even more.
|Well all that's left is one lonely male. I'm going to give this aquarium away or something. Everything that has ever been in it has died. I'm starting to think something got into it. Or maybe I'll tear it down and rebuild...
|Sounds like a pretty good assumption. I learned the hard way too.
Thanks for the tip on the TDS meter. I don't shop at Wal-Mart, so I'll call around to any RV dealers and see if they have one. I wonder if a pool supply would have them. The local nursery supply store sells them, but they're like 30 bucks.
I guess I worded that wrong. 'Sinkers' would be more appropriate. Nothing funny looking about them at the time of death. They look like they just literally keeled over and quit. My maintenance routine is very hands-off. I mostly did top-offs with RO water. Once a month or so I'd do a 2-3 gallon water change. Parameters never fluctuated from 0, 0, <25. I'm guessing the super low PH and low GH/KH levels is what slowly did them in.
Do you notice any white milkyness inside their body before dying?(could be bacterial infections)
Is there anything mechanical in the tank that could be killing them?
Its also odd to me that they would float after dying, I've always had them sink/stay sunken. I guess the sponge filter bubbles are blowing them to the surface?
The water parameters sound fine, temp is ok gh/kh/ph seem fine. Makes me think theres something you may be overlooking, possibly chemicals entered the water or possibly the un noticed deaths were releasing ammonia into the water?
Is your maintenance routine somehow introducing something harmful into the tank?
You can pick up a tds meter at walmart for about 12$ in the RV section.
PH out of the tap is 7.4. I think I will do water changes with tap and maybe RO for top offs to keep my TDS from creeping up.
I started with 50 or so shrimp about 4 months ago and they appeared to be doing great. I always had a dozen or so berried mamas and I would see babies of all sizes roaming around. It wasn't until recently that I noticed a drop in population, but no bodies. Then very recently I started seeing bodies floating. And I just saw a berried mom on her side last night. The only thing I haven't been able to measure yet is TDS. GH is 4 degrees, KH went down a little bit, but all the other parameters are fine (ammonia 0, nitrite 0 and nitrate below 25ppm) and PH is up around 7 now after doing a WC with tap water. I think I'm going to move the rest of the shrimp (all males at this point I think) to my other tank and wait to move forward with shrimp until I have all the tools to properly care for them (TDS pen, GH adjuster etc).
From my experience snails and neos don't really like the lower end of their ph range. I would also recommend starting with 10-15 shrimp and hoping they breed. The offspring will do much better than the adults.
It really depends on what tank parameters they are coming from and it takes time for them to adapt to your parameters(sometimes they don't and they die because their molting cycle is messed up.. lack of minerals water too acidic too much feeding etc.) I'm sure someone will point out they have kept neos in a lower ph before and so on, I'm simply saying eliminating more factors never hurts.
Shrimp like consistency, I'm assuming using only tap will be fine for a neo tank. Your gh and kh seems good and I'm guessing the ph will be a little higher since not mixed with RO. Just keep in mind that as you do top offs the tds will increase slowly and eventually you will need to do a larger water change even if the nitrates are low(neos are pretty hardy though so its not a super big issue depending on the tds of your water..). Seems like a good start to eliminating most of the factors.
As for the light bulb I'm not sure but about 11$ will give you piece of mind.
And about the copper I would assume they would have died much faster.. Some people seem to think that using hot tap water during water changes(to adjust the temperature) could possibly add copper to your tap water due to the water heater heating up and copper leaching into the water. I guess its a possibility but seems a bit outlandish.
Best bet: Use your tap water, hope ph is closer to 7, see what happens..
|Could a reptile UVB fluorescent bulb be harmful for shrimp?
|I finally got around to testing my tap water last night and its sitting at 5 degrees GH and 6 KH so I think I'm just going to stick with tap water and cross my fingers that the copper content is reduced by prime. Later down the road I think I'll rig up some kind of carbon filter like is used in home water filters. I've seen guys who use similar setups and are able to remove chlorine and chloramines with out the help of prime and it should remove copper as well.
|This thread has more than 15 replies. Click here to review the whole thread.
|Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Flash flood danger looms in Waldo Canyon burn area
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - State and local officials say they're worried the scorched hillsides left by the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs last summer could mean intense flash flooding this spring and summer.
Gary Heller, maintenance foreman for the Colorado Department of Transportation, tells The Gazette that "before the fire, it was like we had a golf course on the side of the hill and it absorbed water. Now it's like a parking lot and absorbs nothing."
Some worry the waterways in the burn area will pick up debris that could damage homes, bridges, culverts and streets.
But government agencies and environmental groups have started mitigation efforts and funded two studies to help direct future efforts. Greg Langer with the Natural Resource Conservation Service says the odds of any part of the area being flooded are 50-50.


text:
HOW TO: Alessandra Ambrosio at Sundance
Shaylee Blatz, using Keratin Complex, was on hand to help supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio look polished and finished for her Sundance Film Fesitval visit. Here she offers tips and a HOW TO:
1. The rocker chic hair style was achieved with a round brush –Keratin Complex Thermal Round Brush
2. Then set with Velcro rollers to create volume. (Velcro rollers give the loose Victoria's Secret style wave.)
3. For the girls wanting a tighter curl, use clips and a 1 1/4" curling iron – Keratin Complex 5-in-1 curler
4. Allow the roller set to cool for 15-30 minutes, (depending upon the hair texture.)
5. Finish with texturizing spray and light hold spray – Keratin Complex Flex Flo Hairspray


text:
A variation on the polish donut but a Merkin is used around the anus causing a tickling sensation for the individual's face as they suck out the whip cream
Dirty Debbie once again suprised me by doing something new last night. When I least expected it she gave me a chirlin. Afterwards I asked if she wanted a cherry on top of that whip cream but she said she was full.
by J. Br. January 01, 2009


text: So the latest is that Tuiasosopo is gay, or confused, and fell in love with Teo and just wanted to keep in touch with him. Hes taken full responsibility for the Hoax saying Teo was never involved and that only he spoke with Teo. The only problem with that is, some voice analyzers have said that the recording they heard was definitely a woman. Seems theres still more layers to this onion than whats out there. More lies and contradictions than anything, but I still have to believe that Teo may not have been in on it, but made it out to be more than it was for his own benefit.


text:
Architectural Gem in New Orleans
The Whitney Wyndham Hotel • New Orleans, LA
Escape Kit
- A One-Night Stay for Two in a Standard King, Queen, or Double-Double Room, Sundays through Thursdays ($93)
- Or, a One-Night Stay for Two in a Standard King, Queen, or Double-Double Room, Fridays and Saturdays ($113)
- One Appetizer and Two Glasses of Wine at Bistreaux at the Bank
- Combine Unlimited Vouchers for an Extended Stay
The Destination
Tennessee Williams once said that there are only three cities in the United States: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. What do they have in common? For one, a unique cultural richness embodied by the cities' historic architecture, obsession with food, and dedication to the arts. It's a trio that inspires romance, a sense of timelessness and ambience that lends an air of inimitable authenticity. And so it is in New Orleans, a place that isn't so much stuck in the past as it is a tribute to its roots—good food, good drink, and good times, among them. Laissez les bon temps rouler, indeed.
The Digs
Once upon a time, there was a lovely Beaux Arts-style bank by Lafayette Square in New Orleans. Its interiors gleamed with shiny brass and granite, crown moldings encircled its lobby, and a sturdy vault stood in the center. Today, this National Historic Landmark houses The Whitney Wyndham Hotel, but the old bank's stately features have been preserved. Modern touches complement the traditional architecture, and the hotel's rooms offer high-speed Internet and cable television. In the evening, dine at the hotel's own Bistreaux at the Bank, beloved by locals for its Creole cuisine.
The Diversions
• Lafayette Square
• New Orleans Museum of Art
• Bourbon Street
• Canal Street Ferry
"Renovated and expanded, the stylish Whitney is a great choice if you're looking to stay away from the Bourbon Street bustle. This European-style hotel has top-notch service as well as eminently comfortable rooms."-- Read Fodor's Review of The Whitney Wyndham Hotel
escapes 30-day promise
LivingSocial gives you up to 30 days to return your unused voucher for a full refund. Once you've made a reservation, you are subject to the merchant's cancellation and refund policy. If you want to secure your preferred dates of travel, we strongly recommend that you complete reservation with the merchant within 30 days of your purchase—after that, LivingSocial will not issue any refunds.
the fine print
- Entire value must be used in a single visit
- Only valid for stays between June 1 to August 31, 2013; must book by August 9, 2013
- Reservations required and subject to availability
- Not valid toward existing or room block reservations
- Merchant cancellation/rescheduling policy and fees apply once booking is made; voucher subject to forfeiture
- Voucher valid for up to 2 guests; up to 2 additional guests may be added based on availability and at an additional cost of $20 per person per night
- Room type subject to availability
- Gratuities not included for appetizer and 2 glasses of wine at Bistreaux at the Bank; reservations subject to availability
- Taxes/resort fee not included; payable directly to the property
- Nights must be spent consecutively; all inclusions must be redeemed during one stay
- Blackout date(s): July 2 and 5-6
- Other conditions apply • PAID AND PROMOTIONAL VALUES EXPIRES ON August 31, 2013 • PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE • PAID VALUE EXPIRES ON August 31, 2018 • PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON August 31, 2013 • Enjoy By August 31, 2013
Other conditions apply
Except where noted in the fine print:
• Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion
• Tax and gratuity are not included
• Merchant is responsible for the quality of the products or services provided to you at redemption
• LivingSocial Terms and Conditions - https://www.livingsocial.com/terms
Original Price:
- 0% savings
- remaining


text:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Coronary Heart Disease
Most Americans eat too much fat and too many calories. Along with a lack of exercise, this has led to an epidemic of obesity and diabetes. It's also contributed to keeping heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. But what about omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3s are a helpful and important form of fat, one that your body needs but can't make. Although your body needs 2 forms of omega fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, it is the omega-3s that get high marks from researchers. They believe that omega-3s help prevent coronary heart disease (CHD) in healthy people and slow progress of the disease in those who already have it.
Diet and heart disease
CHD is caused by atherosclerosis. This is a long-term process in which fatty deposits of plaque build up on the inside of the coronary arteries. These are the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients. In the long run, the coronary arteries become so narrow that the flow of blood to the heart muscle is decreased or easily blocked by plaque or a blood clot. CHD can produce chest pain, called angina, heart attack, or both.
Atherosclerosis begins when the inside wall of an artery is damaged by inflammation or high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Triglycerides is another form of fat in your blood. A diet high in fat, especially saturated fat, increases cholesterol and triglycerides. Artery damage can also be caused by high blood pressure, tobacco smoke, or diabetes. You should keep your cholesterol and triglycerides at or below recommended levels. This could help prevent heart disease. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, that means a total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL and a triglyceride level of less than 150 mg/dL.
Where omega-3s come in
To lower your levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, you should maintain a healthy weight, do moderately demanding physical activity most days of the week, eat a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Also include fish containing omega-3 fatty acids at least twice a week.
In the average American's diet, about 20% of calories that come from fat are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Most of the omega fatty acids are omega-6s. Experts have found that people who eat foods with high levels of 2 of the omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have low rates of CHD.
EPA and DHA are also called marine omega-3s because they are found in fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon. They are also in supplements called fish oils. Another source for EPA and DHA is alpha-linolenic acid. This is found in soy and canola oils, flaxseed, walnuts, and other nuts. It can be changed into omega-3 fatty acids in the body, but its benefit in preventing heart disease is not as clear.
Here's how experts believe omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk for CHD:
They lower the risk for arrhythmia, an abnormal heart rhythm, which can lead to sudden cardiac death.
They lower triglyceride levels.
They lower the growth rate of plaque that clogs blood vessels.
They lower blood pressure slightly.
They help prevent inflammation of the blood vessels and formation of blood clots.
How much do you need?
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that healthy people who do not have heart disease eat some type of fatty fish at least twice a week. And they should include oils and foods rich in alpha-linolenic acid in their diet. Flaxseed, canola and soybean oils, and walnuts contain this acid.
Food is the best way to get omega-3 fatty acids because food contains other healthy substances. For example, fish contains arginine, glutamine, and selenium. All of these may benefit the heart and blood vessels. Flaxseed and walnuts have substances that help lower total cholesterol.
The AHA offers this rundown on the omega-3 content of some fish, per 3-ounce serving:
Canned light tuna: 0.17 to 0.24 grams
Shrimp: 0.29 grams
Pollock: 0.45 grams
Fresh or frozen salmon: 1.1 to 1.9 grams
Cod: 0.15 to 0.24 grams
Catfish: 0.22 to 0.3 grams
Clams: 0.25 grams
Flounder or sole: 0.48 grams
Crabs: 0.27 to 0.4 grams
Scallops: 0.18 to 0.34 grams
Drawbacks of fish
Eating fish comes with a downside. There are some health risks. Some types of fish, especially the older, larger predatory fish, may contain high levels of poisons. Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.
Methylmercury is found in shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Tilefish is also called golden bass or golden snapper. Methylmercury is most dangerous in very young children and in women who are pregnant or likely to become pregnant. Fish low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are found in freshwater fish living in polluted waters. PCBs may cause cancer. These fish include lake trout, smelt, and freshwater bluefish. PCBs also are found in some farmed fish like salmon. Dioxin and similar compounds cause cancer, depress the immune system, and affect the central nervous system. You should check local advisory information before buying fish.
The benefits and risks of eating fish vary, depending on a person's stage of life. These are the AHA's recommendations:
Children, and pregnant and/or nursing women should avoid potentially contaminated fish, including shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.
Middle-aged and older men, and women after menopause should follow guidelines from the FDA and Environmental Protection Agency on how much fish to safely eat. For this age group, the benefits of eating fish outweigh the risks.
You should eat a variety of fish to help decrease possible harmful effects from environmental pollutants.


text:
Phillies designated INF/OF Michael Martinez for assignment.
An MRI on Jesse Hahn's ailing right triceps came back negative.
Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A St. Lucie on Friday.
Manuel Margot (calf) was wearing a walking boot on his right leg Friday and is expected to be placed on the disabled list.
J.A. Happ (elbow) could rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation as soon as Tuesday versus the Reds.
Cameron Maybin (knee) said Friday that he expects to return to the lineup Saturday.
Kendall Graveman was scratched from Friday's start versus the Yankees due to right shoulder soreness.
Gary Sanchez is not in the Yankees' lineup Friday.
Blue Jays activated SS Troy Tulowitzki from the 10-day disabled list.
Dustin Pedroia (knee) is not in the Red Sox' lineup Friday.
The first game of Friday's doubleheader between the Tigers and White Sox has been postponed due to rain.
Daniel Murphy is not in the Nationals' lineup Friday.


text:
[quote user="JPizzack"][quote user="lttaylor56"][quote user="JPizzack"]
[quote user="lttaylor56"][quote user="JPizzack"]Matt, no comment on my "Facebook Friend Remover Recommendation tool" that I posted the other day?! lol[/quote]I yahoo, but I don't facebook. Is is accurate that getting "unfriended" would be one of the worst insults on the web?[/quote]

not really...you dont really know when you get unfriended.
Worst insults on the internet would be........the worst insults you can think of, just me telling you over the internet =P

[/quote]lol. The humidity is as thick as a louisiana bayou today. I feel like I'm on the set of true blood out there today.[/quote]

Yes, the heat is exhausting this week, and the humidity is torture!! You can cut the air with a knife!!
[/quote]The east coast humidity is what makes it nasty.
I couldn't help it last night, while I was resting with Molly jersey shore and snooki and jwow was on. I can't believe that show is sucessfull. Does every single guido do steroids now?


text:
Reality, you are talking to a close-minded set of guys that feel they are better than the people that Reese has working for him. They will spit venom at anyone that they did not fall in love with. I recall a cluster of linebackers like 2 years ago these same peeps were saying we HAD to have. Most of those LB's ended up not panning out. I like the fact that Reese is keeping our depth fresh, because that is how you win championships.
Bet you he plays MLB for the Ravens often in a 43 too.
"He played inside and outside linebacker, but the Ravens see him fitting as an inside backer within their scheme" - http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/...4-a5b929beb896
Or how about this, from the Ravens FO - http://www.baltimoreravens.com/video...3-739df4b822ef
"we thought Brown was one of the best inside linebackers in this draft"
Last edited by slipknottin; 04-27-2013 at 08:54 PM.


text:
Welcome to
Hostels Direct, where we not only help you to find the accommodation
to suit your needs, you could book it right now on our secure
on-line booking form.
Have a look through our pages and you can try and find as
many options to suit you as possible with all kind of options
from a private single room, to a large dormitory.
We cover over 2,000 district in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France. Over 10 000 properties to choose from. Contact us if you don't find what you are looking for!
expedia.co.uk for offers on short breaks in europe
This new 600 bed hotel is located in the
heart of Piccadilly, Londons liveliest area, and only
a heartbeat from Londons most popular attractions. More
The Wake-up London Hostel
is in the perfect location to explore London
for budget travellers and groups.
Home I
London I Britain
I Germany
I Book
it I About
I Contact
I FAQ I Privacy Policy


text:
CHAKULA Issue #20: Pushing for broadband policy in Africa
Pushing for broadband policy in Africa
1. Broadband for Africa: Launching the cables, launching the campaigns… – e-interview with Willie Currie
2. NIGERIA: Striking when the time is right… – e-interviews with John Dada, Titi Omo-Ettu and Abi Jagun
3. GHANA: Moving the hand of God – e-interviews with Eric Osiakwan and Eva Lokko
4. SOUTH AFRICA: Autopsy of a missed opportunity – Ten things analysts say are absent in the South African broadband policy; and an e- interview with Steve Song
Broadband for Africa: Launching the cables, launching the campaigns…
The rapid roll-out of fibre optic cables in Africa over the past years brought a wave of optimism to the continent – finally, the sentiment went, all those ambitious online business plans and project proposals that couldn't be realised ten years go – simply because the internet was too slow – could be dusted off and see the light of day. The implications for fast connectivity for the continent – in education, in realising citizen and social rights, in entrepreneurial development, or just for plain gaming fun – suggested the realisation of something of a renaissance for Africa; a quantum leap into the 21st Century, as far as the internet was concerned.
But the boom in broadband – the landing and roll-out of cables such as the East African Submarine Cable System (known as EASSy), The East African Marine Systems (TEAMS), and SEACOM – was in many countries met with something of a vague and non-committal response from governments.
Some were, it seemed, trapped in a strategic uncertainty, much like the 1990s, when the implications of information and communications technology (ICT) policy on the continent were only just beginning to be grappled with. Few countries had developed coherent broadband
policies – if any policy at all – to manage the implications and potential of the new connectivity being dug into the ground before their eyes.
It was with this in mind that the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), together with its partners, set about mobilising stakeholders in South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, to advocate for progressive broadband policies to be developed in those countries. The overall objectives of the project, which was funded by the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, was to achieve affordable universal broadband.
The advocacy initiative kicked off in South Africa in October 2008, with the launch of the South African Broadband Forum, a partnership between APC, South Africa Connect, SANGONeT(Southern African NGO Network), and the Shuttleworth Foundation.
The Forum's interventions included a multi-stakeholder workshop, the drafting of a forward-looking framework for a broadband policy, and an online petition. A face-to-face meeting with the South African government was also held. In Nigeria, a similar multi-stakeholder approach was adopted, with an outside consultant team employed to draft a broadband policy document. This in turn was put open to vigorous public review, a process which included a strong media campaign. In Ghana a stakeholder's forum held in August 2009 was attended by some 60 participants from across the public, private and civil society sector. This processes resulted in the formation of a broadband policy sub-committee, which was part of the newly formed ministerial advisory committee in that country.
The impact of the campaigns has been different in each country. In South Africa, a broadband policy gazetted earlier this year has been met with disbelief from some stakeholders. As the interviews in this Chakula show, campaigners in Nigeria are optimistic about a positive
outcome to their efforts. In Ghana, the response is less optimistic, even though the advocacy resulted in the formation of the policy sub-committee – a move which seemed to guarantee government buy-in.
With the project now having reached its conclusion, Chakula caught up with Willie Currie, APC's Communications and Information Policy Programme Manager, to get his take on the success of the initiative…
"Policy processes are not linear. They have peaks and troughs and can go round in circles…"
CHAKULA: The broadband initiative in South Africa was the first to get off the ground with the launch of the South African National Broadband Forum. Then Ghana and Nigeria followed.Why broadband and why these countries in particular?
Willie Currie [WC]: The context for broadband revolved mainly around the question of what would happen when increased submarine cable capacity reached the east and west coasts of Africa. Were African counties ready for taking advantage of the reduction in costs of
international bandwidth to reduce the broadband gap inside their countries? Research at the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] indicated that countries that adopted broadband strategies increased their levels of broadband penetration while countries like the US and Britain who did not adopt broadband strategies did not. Research from the World Bank indicated that increasing broadband penetration by 10% increased GDP in both developed and developing countries. One of Obama's tech policies was to have the FCC [Federal Communications Commission] develop a national broadband plan as well as to include broadband as part of his stimulus package. And Britain was going through its Digital Britain process. In South Africa and Ghana there were elections and new ministries and the hope was that they would be willing to support national broadband strategies. Nigeria had a very effective coms regulator and was about to receive additional submarine cables, so it also seemed to be a good opportunity to promote a national broadband strategy. In addition, the project was funded by the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa who was also keen to see progress towards affordable broadband in these countries.
CHAKULA: The policy vacuum around broadband in Africa is striking. I suppose there are many sectors where a policy lag exists – energy springs to mind. But why do you think African countries tend to be 'late adopters' when it comes to ICT policy? The growth in the ICT
sector has hardly been a surprise – and it's no longer the early 1990s when many were still trying to get to grips with new technologies from a policy perspective.
WC: Good question. African countries work closely with the ITU [International Telecommunication Union] and its regulators do attend the ITU's Global Regulators Symposium. ITU has put broadband on the agenda in its events and publications and has organised a Broadband Commission which is to make a policy recommendation on broadband to the UN this month. Governments have certainly been active on policy on the east coast – Kenya, Rwanda, but not so much elsewhere. But one still hopes for more dynamic policy initiatives.
CHAKULA: The three campaigns are at different points right now – Nigeria has developed a draft strategy; the process in Ghana seems to have stalled; and in South Africa, there is a sense of the ineffectiveness of the campaign, despite the good work of the people involved. How successful do you think these campaigns have been?
WC: Policy processes are not linear. They have peaks and troughs and can go round in circles. What has happened has been some degree of engagement between civil society and governments in the three countries, some awareness raising of the issues and attempts to
persuade governments to take action. Perhaps as the cables continue to land we may start to see a more coherent approach emerging from governments.
CHAKULA: What have been your key learning experiences across the three countries when it comes to these sorts of advocacy drives? If anything, what has been missing?
WC: What is difficult is to sustain advocacy processes over long periods of time, especially when immediate results are not forthcoming. The funding cycles that civil society organisations draw on run over two years at the most and if results are not achieved quickly campaigns can stall. On the other side, governments have their own ways of undertaking policy and these do not always align with those of business or civil society. It is important for the civil society policy entrepreneurs involved to be able to sustain their activities during peaks and troughs so that they are ready when conditions change and policy windows open up to engage with policy- makers.
CHAKULA: What are the next steps from your perspective? Do you anticipate another advocacy push in, say, Ghana and Nigeria to bring those processes to fruition?
WC: The next steps are really up to the policy entrepreneurs in Ghana and Nigeria to keep the broadband initiatives going if they can.
NIGERIA: Striking when the time is right…
The broadband campaign in Nigeria kicked off in early 2010 with the formation of a multi-stakeholder team to drive the initiative. The strategy in that country had several components, including commissioning the drafting of a broadband policy, hosting a Nigeria National Broadband Forum, and implementing a media strategy.
Fittingly, the media strategy included a strong online presence to stimulate awareness and discussion of the broadband strategy and to monitor the progress of the campaign.
Chakula spoke to the campaign's leader, John Dada, Titi Omo-Ettu, who is president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria and also a co-ordinator of the campaign, and Abi Jagun, who represented SMarT Research in the policy development process.
"[M]edia-savvy individuals and members who know the history of the Nigeria telecom inside out were on the team…"
CHAKULA: You were tasked to set up a broadband forum in Nigeria, with the view of developing a national broadband strategy for the country. With such rapid take up of ICTs in Nigeria, how is it possible that the country didn't have a framework for broadband development?
JOHN DADA [JD]:* Nigeria is awash with brilliant attempts at ensuring ICTs are available for national development. However the uncertain political climes have been a major deterrent to continuity and focus. The nation already had a draft ICT4D policy, which was developed after
the original IT Policy, but it is still waiting legislative approval. This draft policy is a precursor of the work done on the broadband framework.
CHAKULA: Tell me a bit about the process of setting up the forum – how did you go about it, who was involved, and what did you hope to achieve?
JD: A core group of volunteer individuals and organisations from civil society, the private sector and academia was identified to initiate discussions on issues related to a broadband strategy, including infrastructure, content, e-governance/e-citizenship and education.
CHAKULA: You then contracted Society Markets & Technology (SMarT)Research to develop a draft broadband strategy. How was this strategy received by stakeholders?
JD: SMarT Research were commissioned to conduct policy research and produce the draft broadband framework and background documents. After a consultation process, the final version of both documents were prepared and submitted on 18 May, 2010. These were published and widely circulated for inputs in both print and electronic formats in- advance of, and during a stakeholders forum. Drafts of the documents were made available to the public through mailing lists, presentations and interactions at various stakeholder meetings, workshops and
conferences. A BB4NG [Broadband for Nigeria] Stakeholders' Forum was held on 28 July at the National Commission for Colleges of Education(NCCE) in Abuja. Chaired by a private sector delegate, over one hundred delegates participated in the event and each had a copy of the printed documents. Delegates were from government ministries and institutions; private sector and telecoms industry; civil society groups; the media; the political sector; the military and intelligence community; young adults from the National Youths Service Corps; the
academia and the general public. The framework document was considered acceptable, as the issues brought up and discussed by delegates had to do with implementation of the framework. Accordingly, all but three of the delegates in the attendance register also signed their endorsement of the framework during the Stakeholders' Forum, and both the senior special assistant to the minister of information and communications as well as the chairman of National Information Technology Development(NITDA) regarded the framework as presented to government.
CHAKULA: There were a number of strands to your strategy, which attracted a good deal of media coverage. What do you think were the most successful learning experiences, and why do you think they were successful?
JD: Composition of the core team of volunteers for developing the strategy was critical; media-savvy individuals and members who know the history of the Nigeria telecom inside out were on the team. They were able to mobilise their formidable network for effective coverage
and follow up activities. For example a key member of the BB4NG campaign, Titi Omo-Ettu, is also the president of the high profile Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). ATCON, is already part of a team that includes the Nigeria telcom regulator that will attend the October ITWeb Broadband 2010 summit in South Africa
CHAKULA: Where is the process now, and what are the next steps?
JD: Sustained post-forum campaigns are on-going and being monitored. It is delightful that a framework already has a solid "leg in" with the present government, as the objectives are already featuring in speeches delivered by the minister of information and communications.
However, the impending commencement of political campaigns and changes of government and functionaries at all levels of governance suggest a strategic delay or toning down of the formal presentation of the framework to government. The Nigeria campaign therefore has to be sustained for a period that will span the inauguration of the next government in May 2011. This is an advantage as the new government is more likely to own a policy presented to it than inherited, especially from the tail-end of a previous one, and will also have the time to commence implementation of the framework.
"[T]he campaign is coming at this time, which is its time."
CHAKULA: You are the president of ATCON, and also a member of the broadband forum. First of all, can you tell me more about the Association – what is its role, and does it have a strong membership?
TITI OMO-ETTU [TO]: ATCON is the umbrella Association of all Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria. It recognises seven subgroups as well as autonomous subgroup associations such as Association of Licensed Telecom Operators (ALTON), the Internet Service Providers Association(ISPAN) and others. It interfaces with the industry regulator and also with government to protect the interest of its members and also of the entire industry. It is a powerful input provider into policies of the federal government of Nigeria on communication matters. The government hired the association's president in 2000 to serve as the chief executive of the Nigerian Communication Commission for two terms, which ended a few months ago.
Another active member of the Association was recently hired to succeed him. The Association is taking a team of its members and other industry players and entrepreneurs to explore trade relationships with world class players in Johannesburg in a fortnight, there about. It
asked for and got the approval of the regulator to lead the trade team for strategic reasons.
CHAKULA: What got you interested in the broadband campaign?
TO: I am an engineer and I built a career in the telcom industry working for Nigeria's expired monopoly incumbent in the days of monopoly. I have followed the growth and development of Nigeria's telecommunications since 1987 while I was in the public service and
when we first mooted the liberalisation agenda. I opted out of service in 1991 int retirement to pursue a career in telecommunication consultancy and also to play in the political development of the industry. I have done so continuously from then and it is only natural that the broadband campaign is coming at this time, which is its time.
CHAKULA: Why do you think Nigeria lacked a broadband strategy?
TO: To the extent that something has to start one day, ubiquitous broadband presence is not an old subject anywhere and I would rather see it as current need and not one of previous lack.
CHAKULA: What does the Association's membership make of the campaign? Are they generally supportive?
TO: Yes, they are.
CHAKULA: There have been suggestions that in Nigeria, perhaps more than in other countries, in order to bring about policy change you have to prove the business model – appeal to the economics of it – rather than appeal, to say, bridging the digital divide, or providing
services to the poor. Is this perception correct?
TO: This is true. I am an apostle of that philosophy which actually derived from our experiences that we have to situate the fortune of our development in the private-sector focused economy. This needs to be done to amass the kind of seriousness that enables us to meet our social needs using business models for productivity. The other models are unsuitable for our circumstances and ditto for a few other strategies.
CHAKULA: Where to now with the campaign, in your view?
TO: One way. Up! We are influencing government to open up the industry further. We did just that in the past decade, but now by stimulating SME initiatives to transport traffic and to enhance universal reach in such manners that promise ubiquity of broadband and strategic lowering of the cost of access and services. Government has been responding better and our efforts are counting. For our association and its members, the first is advocacy, then education, then constructive requests for government intervention to reduce stress as we march on. The march is unstoppable.
"[T]he dominant paradigm regarding [ICT development] dictates that [the government's] involvement be minimal."
CHAKULA: You were asked by Nigerian National Broadband Forum to develop a draft broadband strategy for Nigeria. I have posed this question to the forum – but it intrigues me that many African countries with burgeoning ICT environments, have not yet taken the initiative to develop policy frameworks to guide the development of the ICT sector – which they nevertheless concede is critical to the country's development. How do you account for the policy lag in Africa around ICTs?
ABI JAGUN [AJ]: I wish I had concrete evidence for what I am about to say rather than gut feel or unsubstantiated opinion, but I really do think that whilst some countries do more to integrate developments in ICTs into their national development strategies, and indeed practical/concrete examples exist of this, other countries merely "talk the talk". I think there are various reasons for this, but a key one links to the perception that technology is a "black box" (for want of a better phrase). It boils down to the way technological innovation is packaged to developing countries and is linked to an out-dated(?)perspective of the way in which developing countries are expected to acquire technology. Technology is not something that developing countries "develop"; rather it is "transferred" to them, and as such there is little expectation that governments/the recipient nation should be too involved in the "technicalities" nor in innovation.
Given an acceptance of this, it is not surprising that not much by way of developing the ICT sector features in meaningful/practical ways in the national priorities. Reinforcing this is the success with which the theory of liberalisation has influenced development interventions. A competitive private sector can deliver the promises of technology and governments need only react to their needs – articulated either by the sector itself or agencies that directly of indirectly represent their needs. Also influential are the very expansive and effective
'advertising' that has been done by private sector communications operators looking for new markets and who, on the one hand, are looking for favourable investment/trade conditions in developing and emerging countries and on the other see the opportunity to score corporate social responsibility points/quick-wins with their customers/public in more industrialised countries. In summary, we do not see more government involvement in the way/manner in which ICT development occurs in (most) African countries because the dominant paradigm regarding such developments dictates that their involvement be minimal.
CHAKULA: The draft framework suggests that the broadband strategy should aim to bring "broadband, with speed of at least 4Mbps, that is accessible, affordable and dependable to citizens and consumers in Nigeria." How do you define issues of accessibility and affordability?
AJ: Accessibility and affordability are defined in practical terms and much the same way as would be defined with respect to other (tele)communications products/services. A large proportion of the population (if not all members of the public that wish to access the
product/service) should be able to access the product/service conveniently and at a price that is commensurate with the income of the majority of the population.
CHAKULA: Amongst the objectives, you talk about the use of broadband for economic activities, because of the entrepreneurial nature of the population. In your experience, is broadband more about making money in Nigeria than elsewhere on the continent? In other countries, such as South Africa, an advocacy campaign might make more of bridging the digital divide, and serving underserved communities. In Nigeria, how do you see the balance between business and development, as the spark for an advocacy campaign – what gets you more leverage if you want to bring about change?
AJ: There was intense discussion with respect to this in developing the broadband strategy. Whilst I cannot speak for other African countries, the truth is that the main driver of broadband deployment/diffusion in Nigeria will be businesses. When businesses believe that
they will be able to make money in rolling out broadband and when businesses believe that they will make money by adopting it we will see infrastructure being built and applications and/or content being developed. Personal use of broadband and its spread to underserved
areas and/or mariginalised groups will come about/increase as a result of this. There is therefore a need to acknowledge and create the space for the business aspect of broadband in order to attain more public- interest oriented objectives.
Key links:
Draft policy documents: www.forum.org.ng/BB4NG
Essentials of the media strategy is summarized at http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUg1mzUdzt_SZGZ6anRqaDJfMjY5ZnNwcTJnZ2...
Stakeholder mapping is summarized at http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AS4Cn2nENwLzZGZkMmtrMmJfMmZ0OG05d2Zi&h...
Results of the media campaign:
"Nigerians demand broadband access from FG," Available at http://compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article...
"Nigeria: New Broadband Capacity Underway, Says FG," Available at http://allafrica.com/stories/201008100128.html
"Stakeholders to dialogue on broadband for Nigerians," Available at http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6361408-stakeholders-to-dialog...
"Broadband for Nigeria holds in Abuja," Available at http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/07/20/broadband-for-nigeria-holds-in-abuja/
GHANA: Moving the hand of God
The campaign in Ghana was launched in August 2009 with a stakeholder workshop in Dodowa. One of the key purposes of the campaign was to push for "immediate steps" to lower the cost of bandwidth in Ghana – the vehicle to do this would be the development of a national broadband strategy in consultation with stakeholders.
Chakula spoke to Eric Osiakwan from Internet Research, who was tasked to lead the campaign, and Eva Lokko from Ghana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing.
"Unfortunately the political elite has higher priorities…"
CHAKULA: The goal of your broadband campaign was to push for lower bandwidth cost. Why are broadband prices so high in Ghana?
Eric Osiakwan [EO]: The business model of operators nurtured by the environment is a "high margin, low volume" one, but our effort is to move them towards a "low margin, high volume" approach which is fundamentally responsible for the mobile revolution we have experienced on the continent.
CHAKULA: It seems strange to me that governments in this day and age don't recognise the need for policy and strategy frameworks when it comes to ICTs. Why does this broadband strategy vacuum exist in Ghana?
EO: There is an existing ICT for Accelerated Development Policy which calls for a Broadband Strategy, hence our effort. But unfortunately the political elite has higher priorities even when the sub-committee was set-up to advance the cause.
CHAKULA: You intervention began in 2009 with a multi-stakeholder workshop in August of that year. It looks like government and business were very responsive to your aims?
EO: Very. Our process was to gather the relevant stakeholders, and at the level of the vice president we had buy-in. But when the button was handed over to government to take leadership on the development of the strategy, which is within their remit, other competing priorities took over.
CHAKULA: You have now been asked to serve on a newly-formed Broadband Policy Sub-committee of the Ministerial Advisory Committee. The task of the sub-committee has been to develop the broadband strategy. But I understand this has also been a frustrating process – where does
everything stand right now? And what are your next steps?
EO: Various members of the committee were tasked to write various elements of the policy input paper, but it is yet to be integrated, polished and tabled for a multi-stakeholder submission and input.
CHAKULA: What are your learning experiences from this intervention, in terms of making policy interventions of this sort work?
EO: We have learned that you can only move the "hand of God" that much…….maybe it would move at its own time and pace.
"Stakeholders from all sides get to the practical acceptance of the fact that they need each other to survive…"
CHAKULA: You were one of the conveners of the broadband strategy in Ghana, representing the Ghana Information Network and Knowledge Sharing (GINKS). First of all, tell me a bit about GINKS?
EVA LOKKO [EL]: GINKS provides the platform for individuals and institutions to share experiences, best practices, lessons learnt as well as common ground for networking and dialogue with each other in order to harness all aspects of ICT for the development of Ghana. GINKS brings together institutions including government, CSOs, ICT infrastructure/service providers and users.
CHAKULA: Why did the broadband initiative interest you?
EL: I believe that the internet has become a "human right" in this era of knowledge economy. Consequently broadband is the blood that carries all the knowledge and information through the physical and virtual pipes to us. It will therefore be a disaster if Ghana does not put in place the necessary strategy to ensure standards, availability, affordability, reliability and sustainability of broadband services and support to facilitate ICT4D for all Ghanaians. I could therefore not stay out of such an important ICT initiative. A broadband
strategy will:
- Promote competition between and within communication service providers
- Promote the provision of reliable and high-quality electronic services and content at affordable prices
- Stimulate individual and business demand for broadband services to ensure viability of ICT businesses
- Expand infrastructure, services and support to areas that do not yet have access.
CHAKULA: Why do you think Ghana lacked a broadband strategy up until this point?
EL: Unfortunately, strategies and policies seem to always lag behind implementation where ICT is concerned. I think the lack of a broadband strategy for Ghana was primarily due to the difficulty of accepting that ICTs cut across all sectors (education, health, agriculture, business, etc.) and that implementing ICT solutions across board would solve faster (and in some cases solve better) some of the same problems that we are aiming to solve with "brick-and-mortar". The perception was that after we have solved the difficult problems in health, education etc. then we can look at ICTs. There was also the perception that ICTs are solely for ICT professionals and enthusiasts and therefore issues pertaining to ICTs were always reserved for last.
The impact of broadband as a key economic indicator had also not been appreciated fully until now.
CHAKULA: In your view, has the strategy been successful?
EL: I think it has, even though not to the extent and at the speed that one would have wished. It was successful because stakeholders found it challenging and important enough to send high-powered delegates and decision-makers to the forum (government, users, providers, public, CSOs, etc.). The strategy forum sparked off a lot of interest from all quarters via the internet when it was going on and was taken up by parliament, the National Communications Authority and the ministry of communications (all of them participants) after it concluded. A committee has also been set up to review it for adoption.
It will however be fully successful if implemented in good time after the review.
CHAKULA: What has been your learning experience in engaging in this kind of strategy initiative?
EL: Such initiatives are always very challenging experiences fraught with the usual tug-of-war on almost all suggestions made on the floor. The most important thing, though, is that there is always consensus at the end of such initiatives, since stakeholders from all sides get to the practical acceptance of the fact that they need each other to survive. You also learn new things and get a better picture of what is actually on the ground, what has been planned and where the gaps are.
It always brings you back to the reality that there is always the need for a champion to ensure the move from a strategy to review and adoption, and finally to implementation.
Key links:
ICT for Accelerated Development Policy in Ghana: http://www.ict.gov.gh/
SOUTH AFRICA: Autopsy of a missed opportunity
What got left out…
Ten things analysts say the South African broadband policy, gazetted earlier this year, does not do:
1. State the problem/challenge/opportunity which requires a policy intervention, and relate this to wider national policy objectives.
2. Establish the present position in relation to that problem (through e.g. statistical summary, technological and market analysis, research into user behaviour).
3. Consider international and national trends relevant to the policy area concerned.
4. Establish objectives for national broadband policy.
5. Set out alternative approaches which could be taken by government(and other actors), and consider the pros and cons of these different alternatives in light of objectives and resources.
6. In a consultation process, identify choices and questions which need to be addressed and on which opinion is consulted (but may indicate an initial policy preference)
7. In a final policy document, choose a particular policy approach and give reasons why this particular approach has been chosen.
8. Address questions of resourcing, including both finance and human resources.
9. Identify and consider other policy areas, outside the policy area in question, in which action or interventions are required (e.g. In supply-side areas such as capacity-building, in demand-side areas such as enabling legislation for e-commerce).
10. Establish a plan of action with clear goals, allocation of responsibilities and timetable.
Criticism of South Africa's broadband policy has been hard-hitting. Stakeholders – including activists, policy advisors and academics – have called it a "lost opportunity", an "aspirational document with no clear plan of action", unambitious, and the result of a government consultative process that was not sincere. Analysts have pointed out that there are few differences between the draft document published in 2009 – which was roundly criticised – and the final policy document which was gazetted.
In a response to the draft policy document released by the department, Alison Gillwald, executive director of Research ICT Africa, pointed to the lack of clarity in the "roles of the state, state- owned entities, authorities and private sector in broadband infrastructure
development". These included the roles of the state broadband company Infraco, the Department of Public Enterprises, which is the sole shareholder of Infraco, and the Department of Communications, which has been "responsible for the to-date weak 'managed liberalisation'
policy of the last decade".
"Critical issues of the co-ordination of rights of way and of complementary spectrum usage, which have plagued the roll-out of new entrants, are not raised," she wrote, adding that the strategy lacked the vision seen in Britain, Australia, Mauritius and the US. In particular, the draft policy lacked insight into the crucial role of broadband in economic growth and job creation.
Many have now warned that South Africa is likely to fall even further behind other African countries in its economic development because of a lack of strategic insight into the transformative power of communications technologies.
Chakula spoke to the Shuttleworth Foundation's Steve Song to get his sense of what can be salvaged from the aftermath…
"[N]o one within government gets it or is prepared to stand up and fight for it."
CHAKULA: When we last spoke there was a sense of a policy window opening – an opportunity for policy influence given the change in government. It was in this moment that the South African National Broadband Forum (SANBF) launched its campaign for a progressive broadband strategy in this country. But the final policy as it emerged appears to lack substance, despite the efforts of many. What do you think are the key failings of the policy?
STEVE SONG [SS]: I think the key failings of the policy are:
a) To have set broadband penetration goals that are so weak as to be comparatively meaningless (15% broadband penetration – 256kbps – by 2019 for example).
b) To have no resources linked to the policy. Without strong backing from economic planning, this policy is unlikely to attract the investment it needs to be meaningful.
CHAKULA: The campaign was proactive, and, probably with limited resources, had a number of components – a workshop, a media drive (you yourself were interviewed on radio), a meeting with the Department of Communications, and a written response to the first draft of the broadband policy. Would you do anything differently if you had to launch a campaign like this again?
SS: From a public perspective, I would simplify the message. We asked people to support a framework which was a set of recommendations for government policy. As a public campaign, we should have just focused on the targets, namely:
By 2014, South Africa will:* Have broadband access in every town and village; * Have the cheapest broadband access on the continent; and, * Be number one in terms of broadband penetration on the continent.
We should have just hammered those targets into the public consciousness so that even politicians would have those targets on their mind. Secondly, I would have focused on finding a point of leverage within the economic planning centres of power. As mentioned above, a broadband policy without some strong budget commitment is unlikely to have much impact.
CHAKULA: What is your sense of the South African policy environment – do you think there is real willingness to engage with stakeholders on the government's side; or do you think that much is made of this engagement, yet when it comes to the crunch, government goes its own way? Sometimes there is a feeling that when stakeholders are ready, government isn't really on the same page, so efforts at advocacy can come to very little. Has this process left you disempowered, as stakeholders working outside of government?
SS: There is no real champion within the South African government for broadband as an accelerator of social and economic development. My learning from this process is that no one within government gets it or is prepared to stand up and fight for it. We took a calculated risk that the South African election was a point of malleability in terms of policy and that politicians might seize on affordable broadband as policy issue. Strategically this was the right thing to do but tactically we failed to find the right points of engagement within the
government. I don't feel disempowered by the process. It was a learning experience.
CHAKULA: An assessment of the gazetted broadband policy document and the process is now underway. Are there still avenues open for policy advocacy around broadband? Where to now?
SS: The problem of affordable access to broadband is not going to go away. Other countries are expanding their broadband infrastructure at an accelerated rate and the impact of this is showing itself in economic growth, in education, in nearly every aspect of life. Sooner or later it will dawn on someone in the South African government that we have been shooting ourselves in the telecommunications foot for nearly 10 years and it is damaging South Africa's prospects of being a competitive player in the global knowledge economy. Our job is to see bring that dawn about as quickly as possible.
Key campaign links:
Website for the online campaign: http://www.broadband4africa.org.za/
Participants' comments on the strategy framework: http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/Broadband+strategy+framework_compiled...
Willie Currie's blog on the campaign: http://www.southafricaconnect.org.za/
Broadband Forum's workshop on video: http://www.southafricaconnect.org.za/?p=265
CHAKULA is a newsletter produced by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC). It aims to mobilise African civil society around ICT policy for sustainable development and social justice issues.
We welcome your opinions about this newsletter. Send your comments, feedback or contributions to chakula at apc.org.
To subscribe or unsubscribe e-mail chakula at apc.org or go to: http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/chakula


text:
And unlike earlier times, most of these organizations are no longer reliant on (or controlled by) large conservative foundations. A review of the biggest conservative foundations' grant-making reports found that they were responsible for about only $50 million of the $2 billion pulled in by the groups reviewed by the Phoenix.
Not incidentally, all of this is helping push the conservative base further to the fringe of American politics, and almost certainly damaging the Republican Party. But if you think that bothers the right-wing merchants, you've got it backward. If anything, they are incentivized to help the GOP lose: Democrats in power give them a foe to rally the ideologues against (and a growing pool of disaffected Americans if the economy, or anything else, goes badly). The ascension of Obama and the Democrats was a financial godsend that repowered the gravy train — it was the best thing to happen to them since the Clinton era, when conservative talk-radio listenership tripled, and much of this industry was born.
So are these organizations run by true believers, or cynical parasites? That's ultimately a moot point. It's like asking whether fast-food CEOs eat their companies' food, or if tobacco executives smoke. In a consumer market, the consumer will get what they want from someone, whether it's chicken nuggets, Marlboros, or the most reactionary, extremist fear-mongering.
"If you want to do well in that marketplace, they expect red meat," says Zelizer, speaking of the conservative customer base. "They don't want moderates — that's not what sells."
Palin is red meat, atop red Naughty Monkey heels. She will sell.
Building an empirePlus, she has an army waiting to follow her — even here in liberal Massachusetts.
"I believe that, whatever she chooses to do, she would be terrific at it," says Sandi Martinez of Chelmsford, a Republican activist and unsuccessful candidate for State Senate, who adds, "I see Sarah almost as a female Ronald Reagan."
Other Massachusetts residents who contribute to right-wing groups, in interviews with the Phoenix following Palin's resignation announcement, agreed with that sentiment. Palin has many options for channeling that following into a quite-profitable enterprise built around her brand.
If she plays it right (and finds trustworthy people to manage her affairs), she can make a lot of money, from a lot of different sources. And there's more than just dollars. Nonprofit organizations will pay for her and her fisherman-husband, Todd, to cash in on their notoriety and live the lifestyle of the rich and famous: travel, well-appointed offices, and other lifestyle accouterments. She will be paid to take part in luxury "conference" cruises, like one hosted by Oliver North's organization in June, or National Review's this month.
(Palin knows all about that world: her path to the V-P nod actually began when she visited with groups from National Review and Weekly Standard cruises during their stops in Juneau.)
And if she's looking for a model of success, she would do well to study at the feet of the master: former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
Table of Contents
Cover Archive
Masthead | Authors | Contact us
See all articles by:
All Slideshows


text:
We are giving away a Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag!
Sign up to find out more details.
Lou Cult Kid Suede Slide
Floral Zanna Dress
Rugiada Diamond Pave Tennis Hoops
Cropped Cardigan
Mini Mini Sun Bag
By Tamara Abraham FLORENCE, Italy — Roberto Cavalli has appointed Paul Surridge as its new creative director, replacing Peter Dundas, who left the label in October 2016. British-born Surridge, whose appointment is effective immediately, will have creative responsibility for all of the...read more
By Brecken Branstrator firstname.lastname@example.com The most valuable pair of earrings to ever hit the auction block, the Apollo Blue and the Artemis Pink sold for a total of $57.4 million at Sotheby's Tuesday. Geneva–A non-matching pair of pear-shaped fancy color...read more
Born in Istanbul's Samatya district in 1972, Turkish jewelry designer –Sevan Bıçakçı, is best known as the "King of Rings", for hand carved intaglio's with inverted carved stones. At the young age of 12, he began his apprenticeship under master jeweler – Hovvsep Catak, the...read more
For out of state orders
Marissa Collections is based in Florida and ships worldwide. Currently, tax legislation does not require us to apply sales tax to any goods shipped out of state. This means savings of up to 20% compared to purchases made in your local store.


text:
Cedric Gervais Cedric Gervais live at Surrender
Cedric Gervais (born 7 June 1979) is a French house music DJ and producer currently living in Miami Gervais was the youngest resident ever at Paris's Le Queen Club. In 1998 he moved to America's South Beach. Despite being only 15 years old when he left for Miami he soon held residencies at Crobar (now Cameo) and the famous Nikki Beach before taking over the Club Space Terrace. His first single "Burning" was with Ultra Records. In 2006 his debut album The Experiment featured the single "Spirit in My Life" also on Ultra Records. His production credits include working with Lenny Kravitz Deep Dish Steve Lawler and Rachel Star among others.
10 pm – 4 am
No Cover
Surrender is a premier nightclub known for showcasing the world's best electronic music talent. Our resident DJs include deadmau5, Tiesto, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Calvin Harris, Porter Robinson, Dada Life, Nero, Bingo Players, and Skrillex. Experience the energetic indoor/outdoor environment, world class sound system, luxurious VIP bungalows and cabanas and unparalleled service. Feel the heart po unding beats and give in to your temptations. We live for the night, Surrender yours.
Las Vegas, NV 89109 (702) 770-7300
Real time stream from our members with confirmed users at local venues!
i'm in! (0)
love to, but can't (0)
50/50 (0)
def not (0)
The following respondees are sorted by date of RSVP
Below are reviews for Surrender Nightclub!


text:
Rent Before You Retire?
In an article on the Active Adults Realty blog titled, "Rentals are hard to find in Coastal Delaware," I address the subject of "Renting Before You Buy". We often get contacted by people who would like to try living in Delaware before they make a decision to buy asking, "Can we rent a home in a 55+ community in Delaware?"
I'm sure this is the case when people anywhere are thinking of a major relocation, especially when they retire. No matter how compelling the reasons to consider moving to Coastal Delaware, first you need to get to know the area to find out how you like it.
Can we rent a home in a 55+ community in Delaware?
But here is the challenge, we do not have a supply of rental homes or condos in the new active adult communities. Sure, there may be one or two but there is no inventory of homes available for rent in the same community you are thinking of buying. It is purely hit or miss and whenever we have had one available for rent it has gone quickly.
We happen to have a few Homes For Rent at this time. CLICK HERE to View Our Available Homes For Rent.
There is no Multi-List for Rentals in Delaware. Read More.
or COPY and PASTE the following link into your browser. http://blog.activeadultsdelaware.com/2014/02/17/rentals-hard-find-coastal-delaware/


text:
alu hand lever pair BHHD3S/KHHD4S black/silver
- Description
Wunderkind Harley Davidson Custom Aluminium Brake and Clutch lever pair
Classic and practical.
- 6-setting adjustable grip width
- Large contact surfaces for outstanding grip feel!
- Perfect ergonomics for each hand
- CNC milled from high-strength aluminium and finished with BLACKPearl anodisation
- With adjustor in black or silver
Permit (in Germany):
With operating permit.
The accompanying operating permit booklet must be with you when you ride.
An entry in the bike documents is possible for reasons of convenience, but not required.
Price per pair
For our Swiss customers:
Please note, that due to the Swiss traffic regulation you'll need a valid allowance certificate which will be issued by our Swiss shop assistants and will NOT be delivered with the article.
- Shipping & delivery
We always give our best to handle your order as fast as possible. Orders which are placed before 2 pm on a work day are usually handed over to our logistics partner (DHL) on the same day if in stock.
Shipping cost
4.95 Euro within Germany, Poland
5.95 Euro in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands
9.95 Euro Spain, Finland, United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden
14.95 Euro Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal
19.95 Euro Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria
All delivery costs are charged per order.
In our online shop, you can choose from various payment options. You can pay by invoice, direct debit, cash on delivery, credit card or finance.
- Reviews
- Mediathek
- Product Questions (0)
Here you can ask public questions which can be answered not only by us, but also by other customers. If you have a private question, please use our contact form.
Fragen zum Produkt


text:
Don't get overwhelmed by all the different choices or compatibilities. Just ask us.
Toll free number: 1-866-805-9385.
Our paintball experts are available Monday to Friday from 10am until 6pm MT.
Send us a message: Contact Form.
Paintball Gear Canada has been selling exclusively to Canadians since 2001. Over 40,000 shoppers have chosen us as their source for gear. Ya, we're awesome.
Learn More About Us, Our Warehouse, and Our Store
I have to say you guys are awesome. The return was totally hassle free and fast. Plus to find a great sticker and a candy in the box!.That's customer service! - Jim R., British Columbia, Jun 20, 2012
Contact Us
Order Status
Returns and Exchanges
Shipping Info
Store Locations


text:
Video: Democrat screams at constituent for asking tough question on health care
posted at 8:45 pm on August 7, 2009 by Allahpundit
And by "constituent," I of course mean crypto-Nazi political terrorist. You'll find the full unedited exchange right here but I'm giving you the news segment because it provides important context. Like, for example, that the guy who asked Scott the question actually is one of his constituents, contrary to what the distinguished gentleman implies. And that his "hijacking" of this town hall (which wasn't devoted to health care) came during a Q&A session in which attendees were in fact allowed to ask about anything. But aside from that, he's very, very Nazi, baby.
He appears to be in good health during the interview, too, so the SEIU presence at the meeting must have been light.
Breaking on Hot Air
'Liberals think they are tolerant but often they aren't' says…Fareed Zakaria?
Mad Dog Mattis: War with North Korea would be catastrophic. But what would it look like?
End of an era: Merkel signals that Europe can no longer rely on the U.S.
- Meet A Blue Dog Democrat « Speaking My Mind
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: Democrat screams at constituent for asking tough question on health care | Are You Freaking Stupid?
- Ignorant Dem screams and rants at his constituent because he dared ask about healthcare. (video) | Daily Danet
- Left wing loons – from Tea Baggers to Mobs "attacking our healthcare town halls with manufactured anger – oh and protestors are "too well dressed" – The SEIU/AFl-CIO to counterattack | Fire Andrea Mitchell!
- Video: Elected Official Rages At Constituent. Subject? Healthcare. « Mcnorman's Weblog
- Democrat Yells at Constituent Over Obamacare : Stop The ACLU
- Rep. David Scott: I Don't Know = Shut Up! « Obi's Sister
- Patterico's Pontifications » More on the St. Louis Townhall Violence (Updated x3)
- Runnin' Scared « NEOAVATARA
- Dem Congressman Barks at Constituent for Asking Question on Health Care | The Lonely Conservative
- Dem Congressman Barks at Constituent for Asking Question on Health Care | The Lonely Conservative
- NEXT TEA PARTY: AGAINST OBAMACARE – August 22, 2009 (plus protest videos) « FactReal
- Leaning Straight Up » The Audacity of Free Speech - or, How to be a Crypto-Nazi Political Terrorist, Without Even Trying
- Black conservative savagely beaten by Democrat union thugs « Wintery Knight Blog
- ¿Quien sabe? « DaTechguy's Blog
- Video: Democrat screams at constituent for asking tough question on health care - Politics and Other Controversies - City-Data Forum
- The No Longer Silent Majority | The Great Illuminator
- Repeal the 17th Amendment > Fear and Loathing in Washington
- TexasSparkle
- Congressmen Yells at Constituents? | Conservative Dallas
- A Small Corner of Sanity - An Online Oasis for Conservative Thought
- Who's Hijacking Healthcare? Democrats US Rep David Scott Forgets Who He Works for and Screams at his Constituents | Scared Monkeys
- The Best Description Of This Is "Arrogant Jerk". | QandO
- Dear Leader Tells Us To Shut Up « The Underground Conservative
- Right wing mobster disrupts meeting with Congressman Scott (D) in Georgia « Danishova
- Instapundit » Blog Archive » U.S. REP. DAVID SCOTT loses his temper and screams at a constituent. Protest: They can dish it o…
- Democrat yells at wrong person townhall meeting - Politics and Other Controversies - City-Data Forum
- Physicians speak out on health care bill - Page 5
- Georgia Democrat yells at local doctor over health care | Lux Libertas - Light and Liberty
- Georgia Democratic Congressman Blows His Top At Constituent « Quipster
- (D) Congressman screams at voter for asking question
- Brutally Honest
- PrebleNY.com
- Bloodthirsty Liberal
- The Third Wave « Irishbison's Weblog
- Lying Democrat Congressman hits back at constituent three times as hard
- Democrat Believes Nancy Pelosi's Lies « Mark Epstein
- Rep. David Scott Looses It When Confronted On Obamacare | American Conservative Daily
- Atlanta TV Exposes Dem Congressman Yelling At Healthcare Questioner | linkthe.com
- David Scott Rant | LIBERTARIAN REPORT!
- David Scott's House Website – Check It Out Before They Take Down The Survey « Missourah
- This is getting scary. | Gun Free Zone
- None Dare Call It "Community Organizing" « The Clampdown
- CONGRESSMAN DAVID SCOTT: PART OF THE PROBLEM « First In
- Town halls gone wild - Page 79
- Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer are Un-American Traitors
- Hypocrisy as Usual « Guided by Stillwater
- Danishova dissents from Dollard! « Danishova
- The Cloakroom » Their Thugs Are Worse Than Our "Mob"
- Liberally Conservative » Blog Archive » Since When Is Free Speech Un-American?
- Steve Rothman: "All for one and one for all." | The Xtremist
- Hard Starboard
- Health Care, Lies, Pelosi, Town Halls….Ug!
- Bush All Class; Obama All Crass « Right Sided American Kafir
- Voice in the Wilderness » Blog Archive » Why is America's Heartland So Angry?
- Health care hyperbole « No Cynics Allowed
- Obama: Shut Up or ELSE; Can you spell Tyranny? « VotingFemale Speaks!
- Sarah Palin Calls The Obama on his BS re: Obama Care Death Panel Denials « VotingFemale Speaks!
- The Socialists thought they held an Exclusive Patent on Political Dissent; Well, Obama and Pelosi? Say Hellwoo to My Widdo Fwends – The formerly sleeping Giants « VotingFemale Speaks!
- Baron Hill (D-Indiana) calls ObamaCare Dissenters Terrorists; Time to vote him out of office « VotingFemale Speaks!
- Obama Astroturfed his own Town Hall Meeting at Portsmouth, N.H.; Way to Go Obama, you Astroturfer! « VotingFemale Speaks!
- Sarah Palin forces Obama bow down to her in full view of World; Forces Drop of ObamaCare Death Panels from the Legislation « VotingFemale Speaks!
- Whither The Representative Republic? | Stephen Kruiser
- None Dare Call It "Community Organizing" | LibertyLog
- David Scott's House Website – Check It Out Before They Take Down The Survey at missourah.com


text:
yep== the communists see an open door here.
people don't understand WHY i am so concerned with the most recent situation.
they think well this is just going to be a re-run of the clinton era ban --so what?
what they do not take into account is the clintonish ban is just the STARTING point.
what is going to transpire is --the next horrific crime that involves a firearm they ask for more banns, --first up will be hi-cap mags , flash hiders and bayo lugs, --then it will expand to all semis, then pump actions --then lever actions, and wheel guns,
then some kook will cause a disaster with some black power firearm or propellent--you see it never ends.
ammo will be a prime target on the hit list .
and at the same time--you watch the school system and the government will resist ALL attempts to protect school children.
hell why don't the president put school security in charge of the armed forces? hell the government wants the schools un protected!
all the while government beaurocrats have swarms of guards, scanners and check points and barriers --you see where the governments priority is--self protection. the damn schools cant even get a hard door installed--???
how many children have to get murdered before they realize "gun-free" zones are a prime target for nutz and terrorists?
this time there is no turning back a ban--the USA itself has changed and anything that goes down now is going to be forever.
yea i am depressed -- i am sick of the stupid left wing press, the communist government in-action and the stupid public that allows all these disasters to happen.
in the end schools will be more exposed than ever and the public will be mostly disarmed.
all the real threats will go on unchecked. we will end up just like mexico --damn criminal cartels run everything and they got all the assault weapons they want.
and a citizen can't even own a shot-gun.
welcome to north mexico--peons!