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October 2010
Three Single-Shot Rifles from CVA and H&R in 308 and 30-06
The Scout from CVA in 30-06 shot 3-inch-and-bigger groups, which we didn�t think was good enough. LIkewise, the Apex had indifferent accuracy in 308. But we�d buy H&R�s Ultra 308.
The concept of a single-shot rifle for modern usage goes back quite a few years. Despite the advent of repeating firearms, the single-shot rifle has always held its own, from the Sharps down to the H&R Ultra rifle tested here. Many makers have put together some very fine and also some not-so-fine single shots on a great variety of actions. This test looks at three relatively simple rifles. Two of them are from CVA in the form of the 308-caliber Apex CR4502S ($652) and the less-expensive Scout in 30-06 ($340). We also acquired one of the U.S.-made H&R 1871 Ultra Hunters in 308 (SB2-808, MSRP $374). We tested the 308s with three types of ammunition, Remington 180-grain Core-Lokt, Winchester 150-grain Power Point, and Winchester Supreme 168-grain HPBT match. In the 30-06 CVA Scout we used Winchester 180-grain Power-Point Plus, some M2 ball from Lake City Arsenal, and Speer Nitrex 165-grain JSP. Could the H&R compete against the Spanish-made CVAs? Here�s what we found.


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Stripped Thread in Electrical box - Help
Hi all! I am installing a new ceiling fan where a lighter ceiling fan was installed by the previous owner. When I went to attach the bracket to the electrical box, one screw was fine, but the other hole was stripped.
When I climbed in the attic to check how the box was mounted to see if it could be easily changed, it's nailed to the beam and going to be difficult to remove.
A friend mentioned rethreading the hole.
Whats the best way to fix this?
I should mention this is ALL very new to me, so please speak in layman terms!! :)
What kind of box is it?
Being nailed on does not sound like a fan rated box.
To be honest, I have no idea.
It's old, been painted over, textured over, etc. It looks like this, as best I can tell:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=203343431&storeId=10051&l angId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=203343431&ci_kw={keyword} &kwd={keyword}&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-203343431&ci_gpa=pla#.UL0d5FKQEw0
If it is a fan rated box like the one in the link you posted then there is no mounting hole to be stripped when mounting a fan. There should be two screws protrudn down thru the box like in the link to mount the fan to. Souns like you have a standard light box that is not fan rated.
Just use a 1 size bigger screw. Run a drywall screw in in first being careful not to hit any wire with the sharp point.
Do you really want to take a chance on the fan falling? Change the box to a fan rated one.
How do you know it's not fan has been hanging on it for years?
There are probably 10 times as many fans hanging from what ever box the home owner found when they installed it as ones that hang from a "fan rated" box that the festidious instruction following home owner upgraded. Its a ticking time bomb I tell you!
The link you posted uses 3 long screws from inside the box to attach to the beam. Also, they sell a similar box that is not fan rated. The metal strap across the top of the box is critical for fan support.
If you have any doubts, replace it with a fan rated box.
12 Attachment(s)
As a side note, you are not required to use a fan rated box with a fan, its just an option, you can simply nail a 2x4 over the box and secure the fan to the 2x4 and not the box itself if you don't want to change the box out....
Just because the box is nailed on does not mean it is not fan rated.
A picture of the box would help.
As Stickboy stated, the box only needs to be fan rated if it is the sole support for the fan.
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Margaret Read MacDonald is an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate School of Education.
Margaret Read MacDonald
Professional Title: Adjunct Professor
Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: Storytelling, folklore, children's literature
Area of Work and Concentration at Lesley: Cultural history, storytelling.
Representative List of Recent Courses Taught: Cultural History Through Storytelling
Education: AB, Indiana University; MLS, University of Washington; MEdEc., University of Hawaii; PhD, Indiana University (folklore)
Representative List of Recent Publications / Exhibitions: Teaching with Story: Classroom Connections to Storytelling (August House, 2013).Give Up Gecko: A Folktale from Uganda (Amazon Children's Publishing, 2012).Boy from the Dragon Palace: A Folktale from Japan (Albert Whitman, 2011).Tunjur! Tunjur! Tunjur! A Palestinian Folktale (Two Lions, 2012) [Amazon Children's].Five Minute Tales (August House, 2007). See a complete list of Margaret's 60+ publications.
MacDonald has taught storytelling for the University of Washington and for Lesley University's Creative Arts in Learning division. Retired from a career as a children's librarian, she travels widely throughout the world offering storytelling workshops, school visits, and performances. Her publications include The Storyteller's Start-up Book; The Storyteller's Sourcebook: A Subject, Title, and Motif-Index to Folklore Collections for Children; and Ten Traditional Tellers. She searches for folktales which will delight our children and retells them in a "tellable" format easy for beginning tellers to share. MacDonald encourages teachers and librarians to experience the joy of sharing story and discover the many uses of story in furthering our curriculum needs.
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text:
In six years, childcare company has gone from part-time venture to 35 staff.
Baby Thomas is less than a month old but mum Cecilia Robinson is already scanning the listings at her Au Pair Link business for the perfect person to help care for him.
Her superstitious business partner and husband, James Robinson, had forbidden her to study Au Pair Link's database until Thomas, their first child, was born this month.
Finding the right au pair is essential for Cecilia's return to work, part-time at first, early in the New Year.
The company that matches au pairs (live-in nannies from overseas) with New Zealand families has seen extraordinary growth since Cecilia founded it nearly six years ago.
By the end of this year some 1000 au pairs will be on Au Pair Link's books. That's up 600 per cent on the number of au pairs placed with New Zealand families in 2009 and puts it in the top 5 per cent of au pair agencies in the world.
James says the company aims to become the third largest home-based early childhood care provider in New Zealand, behind Porse and Barnardos, by the end of the year - "a very realistic goal".
In time Au Pair Link's goal is to be the largest au pair agency in the world, and eventually the largest home-based provider in New Zealand, says James.
The recession hasn't dented the company's growth, he says.
"In fact our business has really been going from strength to strength as a result of the affordability of the concept. It's dedicated one-on-one childcare but still so affordable."
Having three children under 5 in daycare or with a nanny could cost up to $800 a week, while an au pair with an early childhood qualification would come to $300, excluding PAYE tax.
Assistance with older children or babies starts at $120 a week.
On top of the au pair's wages, and tax, clients must provide a room and meals, pay a $900 enrolment fee and a completion bonus when the au pair's contract finishes.
The real game changer for Au Pair Link came in 2009 when it became a Ministry of Education licensed home-based early childhood provider, says James.
Although it was a significant process to go through, it means parents can get access to the 20 hours of government-subsidised early childhood education funding.
"It meant that au pairs, which were traditionally perceived as a more informal type of childcare, were actually supported by fully qualified teachers to teach a curriculum and provide resources to families," he says.
While Au Pair Link is an early childhood business, it also operates in the youth work and travel market, forming a partnership with STA Travel to promote its au pair programme.
Strong overseas links, including membership of the International Au Pair Association, are vital for sourcing au pairs from a range of countries and running the required police, character and health checks.
"Having really good partners is really important because you can generate as much awareness in New Zealand as you like and host families can be really keen to get an au pair but if you don't have the au pairs and the supply it means nothing," says James.
The couple also recognised early on that they needed to invest in the right people to help the company grow.
"They always say: employ people who are smarter than you, and I firmly believe that," says Cecilia.
Au Pair Link began as a part-time venture while Cecilia was studying law, but within a year it had 10 staff and now has 35, including a general manager.
They have created an advisory board made up of former Telecom head Theresa Gattung and Lee Mathias, deputy chair of the Auckland District Health Board, a move Cecilia says has had a huge impact.
"They taught us a lot about business and about what is really important for a business."
Cecilia approached Gattung after hearing her speak at a function several years ago. Gattung was interested in helping the fledgling company but wanted to be involved as part of the advisory board, preferring to see all the numbers and have complete disclosure, rather than being a mentor.
Cecilia says she loves Gattung's ability to cut straight to the important issues, even though she has no experience in the early childhood business, nor any children herself.
"Theresa and Lee have really stretched us as business people and continue to challenge us and make us think outside the box," Cecilia says.
For now it is wee Thomas occupying his parents' time as they adjust to parenthood.
"I've just been a mum now for two weeks, so it's still early days yet, but it's really important that women, in particular. embrace opportunities, whether it's in their personal life or in their career," says Cecilia. "You can have a family and a successful career. It's completely doable to do both."


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In the aftermath of a disappointing loss to Pittsburgh, Mick Cronin and the Bearcats focused on toughness rather than a struggling offense in attempting to dig out of a recent funk.
CINCINNATI -- As the Bearcats worked the ball inside and outside the Pittsburgh zone defense, it eventually kicked out to Sean Kilpatrick standing in his favorite spot in the corner, the defender out of position.
From a spot where he's buried countless 3s during his career at a higher percentage than any spot on the floor hit the rim and bounced into a mob of Panthers.
A possession later, movement inside created a kick out to Cashmere Wright standing at the top of the key, a spot where he's been most comfortable shooting during a season where he knocking down 40 percent from deep.
It slipped in and out.
More triples would follow, some contested, most not. Most were of the high percentage variety into the wheelhouse of this team's best players in positions where they've made a career burying during NCAA tournament runs.
Following the 62-52 loss to Pittsburgh during which UC didn't manage a field goal in the final 9:21 of regulation, walking out of Fifth Third Arena in a frustrated fury muddling about how the offense stinks would be a cop out and lack a deeper introspection.
The Bearcats offense created open shots, maybe as many as they have in weeks. On this night, in the second half, they didn't fall. That happens. Nobody wants it to happen and certainly not in the final minutes of a critical conference game leaving UC (18-6, 6-5) at a crossroads one month from Selection Sunday. Yet, an offense under scrutiny will take undue criticism in the aftermath of Saturday night.
Clearly, Mick Cronin wouldn't buy bad offense theories during a press conference that amounted to the most frustrated eight minutes and 25 seconds we've seen of him this season.
"You can sit there and say, boy Cash and SK had some wide open looks when they went zone," Cronin said. "Yeah, they did. But where I come from you have to win when you don't make shots. Right now we are not tough enough to beat a good team."
Winning without making shots comes as easy as not sticking out in a red shirt among the whiteout crowd. Yet, going the first 15 minutes of the second half without an offensive rebound while so many were available sent Cronin into a speech on his team's need to find a way to finish the job.
Kelvin Gaines, David Nyarsuk and Chiekh Mbodj combined for one offensive rebound among 36 missed shots.
"You got to be tough enough to beat a good team, do whatever it takes," Cronin said. "There's a difference between giving effort and giving the effort required to win the game. Tonight when we weren't making shots the effort required to win the game was for our five man to get a rebound. The effort required was to be perfect on defense. Our effort wasn't good enough to win. That's all I'm interested in."
Certainly, the devil's advocate will shrug at toughness and point to the numbers. And rest assured they are disappointing for UC.
The Bearcats finished Saturday 4 of 25 from 3-point range. They missed their final 14 shots. Kilpatrick went 0 for 7 after halftime following one his most efficient halves of the season to open the game.
Cashmere Wright continues to struggle with his shot since the injury. After weeks spent as the best player on the court every time he took the floor, he's hit just 6 of 35 from 3-point range (17 percent) since coming back. This from a player who was knocking them down at a 46 percent clip.
"Let's just be honest, guys, the kid is giving everything he's got," Cronin said. "He's playing hurt, it's obviously affecting his game."
His struggles filter down to the rest of the team and UC certainly must find a way to convert under the current circumstances. A common misunderstanding would be toughness revolving only around defense. Quite the contrary. A significant part of developing toughness means finishing around the rim and fighting for rebounds, which Cronin focused on after the game.
To contend the offense is a broken mess would mean only looking at the box score and not the film.
"I think our offense was fine today, we just had a lot of defensive breakdowns," Kilpatrick said. "We are sharing the ball, that is all that matters."
February may be the shortest month, but means the most in terms of momentum. Over the past two seasons, the Bearcats found a way to fight out of a funk as the outside tossed dirt on them. Even sitting on a podium five feet removed from the UC backdrop Saturday night, Kilpatrick sounded like a player with his back pressed against directly against the wall.
"There's a lot of teams around the country that tends to fold ... that can't be the case at all," Kilpatrick said. "We got to want it more than the other team and today that didn't happen. We know what we are capable of and we know if we continue to keep playing the way we played the last two games it won't be good. We will get out the trench."
Little time exists for digging. Villanova (15-9, 6-5) and Georgetown (17-4, 7-3) arrive in Clifton for two games in five days and the relentlessness of the Big East shows up like a bullying post move from Steven Adams.
As Cronin referenced before making his final statement of the night and leaving, worrying about wide open misses would be a waste of time. The law of averages will center themselves. Worrying about converting the difficult buckets around the basket and finding ways to claw out victories remain a better use of time.
"You go to find a way to win," Cronin said. "And the answer is to toughen up and get the job done. So, obviously, I got work to do."
I want to hear from you. Shoot me your comments, questions and any theories you'd like to offer up to firstname.lastname@example.com or hit me up on Twitter @pauldehnerjr.


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MICHAEL JACKSON: Chart-Bound
MICHAEL JACKSON: Chart-Bound
Michael Jackson is headed back onto the Billboard charts.
His new posthumous single "Love Never Felt So Good" is poised to appear on the Billboard Hot 100. It will mark MJ's 49th career appearance on the singles chart and the second since his death -- "Hold My Hand" featuring Akon peaked at number-39 in 2011.
"Love Never Felt So Good" has reportedly racked up more than 60,000 downloads, most of them for the duet version with Justin Timberlake. The posthumous album Xscapecomes out next Tuesday.


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Hilton Boca Raton Suites7920 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida, 33434, USA TEL: +1-561-483-3600 FAX: +1-561-852-9976
This content will open in a overlayFive Day Forecast
Things To Do
Hilton Boca Raton Suites is located in the heart of Boca Raton, within minutes of world class shopping, fine dining, and Gold Coast Atlantic Ocean beaches. Find plenty of things to do in Boca Raton from the hotel. The hotel sits center stage on a six-acre lakeside complex, equally distant from Fort Lauderdale Airport and Palm Beach International Airport.
In and Around Town
Atlantic Ocean Beaches
Check out the many beaches Boca Raton has to offer including the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
Boomers Game Park
Brings out the inner child in everyone, with Bumper Cars, Miniature Golf, Go Karts and more.
Cinemark Theatre
Why not try dinner and a movie! With all of your favorite movies playing on 20 screens.
Local Country Clubs
Some of the area's best country clubs are close by offering access to golf, tennis, spas and more.
Mizner Park
Enjoy some of the best shopping, dining & entertainment in the area.
Town Center Mall
Check out designer shops: Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Macy's, Tiffany & Co and more.
Lynn University
One of the leading private Universities, with more than 15,000 total alumni and a 115 acre campus.
Delray Marketplace
More than just shopping & dining options with featured events year round including Music Fest.
Florida Atlantic (FAU)
Boca Raton Campus offers a broad range of academic - as well as intercollegiate - programs & activities.
BB&T Center
Indoor arena, home to the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League with events all year round.
Local Golf Courses
The Boca Raton area is home to over 30 private & public golf courses for you to choose from.
Boat Rental/Water Sports
From boat rentals to jet skis, parasailing or snorkeling, choose the best adventure for you.


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Date of Stay: March, 2011
This park is extremely well maintained and the owners were really nice folks. I would highly recommend it!
Date of Stay: November, 2010
Great park - love being able to reserve specific sites!! The lake is great for fishing and the sites are large and private. Very peaceful and relaxing campground.


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Variance Monitor ™
Highlights variances in HCM data
Let us face the facts.
Human Capital Management data never stops changing. This makes it difficult to compare HR and Payroll data from one period with that of another, and adds costs you never expected. Manual comparisons are not the answer. They waste time, are error-prone and by no means audit-proof.
Just when you thought it couldn't get worse...
Your stress increases if comparisons occur when upgrading, during new implementations or when checking payroll and time data. All this involves large amounts of data, so speed and accuracy are essential. To top it all, audit compliance requirements (such as Sarbanes-Oxley) mean you need to be able to set tolerances and define your analysis.
Now the good news!
Variance Monitor™ offers you the kind of power and control you need to highlight variances in SAP HCM data. The good news is that it's automated and easy to use. You simply set tolerance levels or specify tables and fields, and comparisons for payroll, time, master data and FI postings become painless. Importantly, period to period comparisons and the testing of Support Packs are easy and absolutely accurate. VM also detects "null" values and comes with the free sample comparisons.
Easy, streamlined, reliable
You'll use up to 70% less time because variances are highlighted (i.e. matches are simply ignored.)
Variance Monitor benefits in a nutshell
- Highlights variances in HCM data.
- Easy comparisons of payroll and time, master and FI postings data.
- Accelerates period-to-period auditing.
- Highlights discrepancies only – ignores matches.
- Enhances testing of upgrades, Support Packs and new business rules and policy changes.
- Compare with legacy data when implementing SAP for the first time.
- Free sample comparisons.
- Picks up discrepancies instantly and saves you money.
- Accurate, fast, versatile.
- Re-usability – design once, use often.
Supported SAP releases: 4.7x110, 4.7x200, ECC5 (ERP2004), ECC6 (ERP2005) up to and including the latest EhP.
Can VM help when we introduce new business rules?Yes – being able to check both the positive and negative effects of configuration changes is exactly what VM will help with. Rather than testing five or six records manually, VM will automate the process and test hundreds of records. For example, if you have introduced a pay increase of 2.5%, you can build the rule to indicate when someone is getting more or less than this.
I wish I could check the differences before the live payroll run ...You can – use VM to test data using simulated results, which will give you an early warning. Alternatively, if you run multiple runs in the payroll process and want to be able to see what has changed between runs, take a snapshot of the first run and use VM to compare it with the second run.
How can I test the effect of support packs?You can either compare results between the lower and higher SP systems directly, or you can take a snapshot of the "before" results and save them to file. Then, after loading the support packs, you simply compare the new results with the file.


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Google opened up their invites again on Wednesday night at approximately 7pm.
In order to invite people, you would have needed to click on the red envelope in the lower right-hand corner of your main Google+ home page and enter in the person's email address. You could of also invited them from the "Circles" page by selecting their email address from your Gmail address book.
This news came way of Dave Besbris who is listed as Engineering Director of Google+.
Dave warned to only invite a handful of people as inviting a large number could actually hurt your chances:
As I bet you've noticed, we are facing pretty incredible demand for Google+ invites.
As Engineering Director of Google+, I wanted to take a moment to explain why we're growing the system slowly. First, we want to make sure our infrastructure scales so the service remains fast and reliable. Second, we want to ensure that bugs are fixed while there are still a relatively few people in the field trial.
Things are going well with the systems right now so we feel comfortable enough to open up invites for a brief period. Our goal is to double the user base in the field trial. (Sorry, we're not giving details about how many folks are in the field trial yet).
So, in a few minutes, we'll open up invites again.
We continue to throttle invites, so please don't mass invite folks as it won't work. If you invite a handful of your most important friends and family you're much more likely to get these folks into our system.
Thanks again for providing so much wonderful feedback!
I invited just under 25 people and had confirmations within minutes people were getting in. I did this three ways:
- I added people I invited to a circle
- I asked them to tell me once they were in
- I checked my notifications for alerts of new people following me
Last week, I'd only had time to make a short video on Google+ and then invite 3 or 4 people before I headed out to dinner.
This time around, I caught the announcement early. The window was from approximately 7pm – 10pm Pacific time and during that window, an icon appeared again in the lower right-hand corner of your Google+ home page allowing you to directly invite people to the social networking service.
I began inviting people directly:
Mile (@nikefab) had no problem getting the email and signing up for Google+ within minutes:
I also DM'd, emailed and notified people on Google+ that that could invite others. I looked through my business cards as well for invite opportunities. It was lovely to see people get access so quickly tonight! Some people didn't get email invites. I sent two to my own email address as well for testing toward the end.
Out of the people I invited, 6 confirmed their new membership to Google+ via the following ways:
- Several received email invites welcoming them the service
- One signed in directly and got in
- Another logged in via the Android app
One person noticed they had been invited 3 times:
They immediately could invite people to join as well.
- Will Google continue to focus on Wednesdays to offer early access to new services?
- How many new people joined Google+ on this latest round of invites?
- When will Google+ become available to the public?
I still have my weeklong review of Google+ in the works so make sure to subscribe to get notified of that post!


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Diversity's Challenge
In today's tumultuous economic environment, when survival is paramount, it is difficult for businesses to argue that a specific function, program or initiative should be considered "sacred" and left untouched. This is certainly true of diversity programs, especially as they often are defined or perceived. Properly structured, however, a diversity program can remain a priority focus and can even be instrumental in helping a business to get through challenging economic times.
Many corporations have been applauded for diversity programs that are considered highly effective. These highly effective programs often have a number of components in common. First, they define "diversity" broadly to include several contexts: ethnic, religious, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, geographical, political, socioeconomic condition and disabilities. The diversity initiative therefore focuses on creating a consistent methodology for identifying, attracting, hiring, retaining, motivating and promoting the best and brightest among these various groups, starting with lowering barriers for entry into the organization.
Placing these diverse individuals in key functional areas of the company relates to another critical component of an effective diversity initiative: Diversity must be integrated into all aspects of the business. One of the goals of an effective diversity program should be to move from special projects and initiatives to broader business strategies that are fully integrated into all business strategies. Diversity can move from the acquisition of talent that mirrors the customer base to integrating the acquired talent into all of the functional areas of the business. At this point, the advantages of having a diverse business should start to influence broader business decisions, the ultimate goal of diversity.
For instance, in the past, many diversity programs consisted primarily of naming a minority person as a "director of community relations," with a staff — sometimes small — and a budget — also sometimes small. With this approach, it is difficult to justify this department as a priority when budget cuts must be made. A more effective approach is to draw up a strategic plan that engages all of the core functional areas of the business: sales and marketing, procurement, human resources, legal, accounting and tax, finance and compliance. The diversity initiative should also be reflected in the vendor and supplier base with a goal of ultimately being reflected in the customer base of the corporation.
Sponsorship at the highest levels of the organization is the third critical component of an effective diversity initiative. This sponsorship comes only after there has been agreement on the "business case" for the program, i.e., acknowledgement of the program's benefits (primarily, economic) to the organization. Once the "business case" has been made, it should be accepted by executive-level management and implemented as a corporate mandate, with a long-range plan for it to gain traction throughout the organization.
Too often, many within the organization are not motivated to adopt such a program simply because it is the right thing to do. Instead, they must be persuaded that it can provide an economic benefit to the organization. Communicating the initiative and, as a part of its implementation, educating the entire organization about its outcomes are key to the plan's acceptance and to the creation of an environment where everyone feels comfortable and self-actualized.
Retaining a diverse work force initially requires an understanding of the diverse groups and how best to utilize the resources and benefits they bring. The focus should be on inclusion, on embracing the makeup of the work force, rather than simply tolerance. Retention also involves ensuring individual success through corporate training programs that benefit all employees and the corporation, including organizational, leadership and management development programs, and team building.
The community outreach component of a diversity initiative, sometimes considered expendable and not a part of an important business function, not only brings name recognition and creditability to the organization, but also promotes employee pride as a result of the organization's good works in communities with which the employees identify. An organization with a well-structured diversity initiative that is fully integrated into the business, and which effectively has become part of the overall corporate strategy rather than a mere program, cannot and should not want to eliminate that initiative. Such an initiative would, in fact, be very difficult to eliminate.
Most important, an effective diversity program can be beneficial to the business at anytime, especially during challenging economic times. For example, a diverse work force can help the organization to better understand the needs of a diverse marketplace in terms of the products and services that should be developed and offered.
In a global environment, as the marketplace becomes more diverse, the competitive advantage will go to organizations that can understand and respond to the needs of the diverse global marketplace.
Similar benefits accrue from targeted marketing and sales. Just as the diverse work force can help the organization to understand the product and service needs of the global marketplace, it can also help the organization's strategies to effectively brand and market these products and services to individuals.
An effectively diverse work force also is an effective recruiting tool. The best and the brightest among various groups are attracted to, rather than deterred by, an organization that is a microcosm of society. Morale and job satisfaction tend to increase when an effective diversity program leads to a natural diversity throughout the organization. As data from the U.S. Census Bureau show, ethnic minorities comprise roughly one-third of the country's current population, but by 2040 are predicted to make up the majority of the population.
Perhaps less compelling for some, but important nonetheless, an effective diversity program can minimize concerns related to legal compliance and risk management since there is presumably a reduced likelihood of lawsuits related to noncompliance with laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. In addition, a successful diversity initiative that reaches down to the supplier/vendor level will be critical in helping the organization to meet its obligations under government contracting regulations (with federal, state and local governments) that encourage and sometimes require the use of certain categories of vendors.
In economically challenging times, businesses benefit from taking advantage of initiatives that can give them an economic edge. With today's increased emphasis on talent as a key contributor to the success of an organization, and with the acknowledgement of the value of a diverse talent pool, ending diversity initiatives that are integrated into the business at all levels seems an unwise move. Where diversity initiatives are not totally integrated into the business as a success strategy, a strong case can be made against the benefit of those initiatives.
In the global economy, U.S. companies are competing against companies in emerging markets, not just companies in countries historically viewed as competitors. These emerging countries, such as India, South Africa and Mexico, tend to be more nimble and more adaptive to change, including change to acknowledge and accommodate the product and service needs of the world.
Mancur Olson, a leading 20th-century American economist, wrote that powerful nations like the United States tend to get trapped by their own success, or at least face the threat of doing so. In his The Rise and Decline of Nations, he argues that these nations become so dominant that they are fooled into thinking that they know best. Their social and political instincts tend to get locked in place, becoming rigid and sclerotic, thus making it hard for them to respond to changing economic conditions. This in turn cracks open the door for new nations to stick their feet in — nations that have taken a few notes and can more readily respond to and deal with new conditions. A low-wage labor force that also allows them to compete in a more cost-effective manner often bolsters these new nations, giving them an even greater advantage in a global economy.
In powerful nations, the commitment to diversity may very well become the differentiator that will determine which [currently successful] business organizations will survive in perilous times and in a highly competitive global marketplace. "If you are successful, all that proves is that you know what used to work. There is real danger in parking by past successes," a Stanford University instructor once said. Old assumptions often do not fit new realities.
Companies that work at ways to remain effective in changing times are merely positioning themselves for exciting opportunities that await organizations that are prepared for the future. Effectively integrating diversity into an organization's operations across all functional areas — with senior management sponsorship, acceptance by midlevel managers and overall employee buy-in — can be one way to understand and address new realities.


text:
Camille K. Barsukiewicz, associate professor of health administration at the University of Memphis, will discuss "The U.S. Heath Care System: Ripe for Change" on Friday, September 21, at 3:30 p.m. in the Michael D. Rose Theatre, Room 115.
Her presentation is the first of a series of talks on bioethical issues sponsored by Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-health professionals honor society), the U of M Pre-Dental Club, and the U of M chapter of the American Chemical Society.
The series is designed to provide a forum for discussion of vital issues facing health professionals.
News & Events


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The Ottawa Civic Hospital welcomed the first baby of 2013 at 12:02 a.m.
The baby girl's parents are resting.
by News Staff
Posted Jan 1, 2013 1:22 am EDT
The Ottawa Civic Hospital welcomed the first baby of 2013 at 12:02 a.m.
The baby girl's parents are resting.
Congrats to the parents!! My brother's wife gave birth this morning to my beautiful niece, Alessandra, at 4:47am!
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My cat has a high fever 104.9
I took Meowgi to the vet this morning and he has a fever. It was 104 . something. The doctor said it is a fever of unknown origin. He is to still take Clavamox and now along with another medication called Zeniquin. We are force feeding him, although he doesn't mind too much, and we are also giving him pediatric electrolyte. We bought a thermometer to take his temperature and it is 104.9! I'm very concerned! I don't know what to do. We turned on the AC in the room to get the room to cool down, and have been placing an ice pack on his abdomen. Do you have any suggestions as to what else we can do to get his fever to go down? Please, we really need advice and suggestions.
Asked by
on May 18th 2010
in Illness & Disease
- Cast your vote for which answer you think is best!
If your cat's fever is still 104, you need to get him back to the vet. There must be some infection going on and Clavamox isn't working. I don't know why you are giving him pediatric electrolye. Was this something your vet suggested? Has he been vomiting? If not, I would not give the electrolyte. You could be starting more serious problems. Electrolytes are nothing to mess with unless prescribed by your vet. Did your vet do lab work? If not, find another vet. In any event, a trip back to the vet is needed ASAP if that fever doesn't go below 103. Best wishes to kitty.
Member 185886 answered on 5/19/10. Helpful? / 0
Hi, I don't want to cause more worry, but I feel the need to let you know what happened to my kitty angel Hanna. She had a UTI and was prescribed Zeniquin. She got better after about 5 days. Then I noticed her left eye was dialated. I brought her to the vets and they said there was nothing wrong with her and to bring her to an opthamologist. The opthamologist said she had glaucoma caused by the Zeniquin, and she was prescribed drops. She got so bad that she was breathing heavy, her tongue stuck out all the time, she couldn't eat, and was drooling. She was disoriented, could barely walk. I brought her to so many Vets and they all said there was nothing wrong with her. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore and brought her to an emergency Vet in the area. She had a brain malfunction and was on oxygen to breathe. I had to put her down. Sorry for being so long winded, but research Zeniquin! If Hanna wasn't on this, she would be here with me today. Watch your cat carefully! Good Luck!
Hunter *Dreamboat #82* answered on 5/19/10. Helpful? / 0
I know you've been having health concerns with Meowgi, and I'm sure all of us wish we could be there to help him. But, unfortunately, we can't be and we aren't vets who can give out professional medical advice. I sense you are in a panic over Meowgi's health, but really the only ones who can help are the vets. Pediatric electrolytes are OK, but he really needs just plan, cool water. I'd be careful with the ice pack-don't put it directly on his skin. Wrap it in a towel first. Has the vet done blood tests? If Meowgi's fever does not subside, you might want to ask about a specialty vet clinic. Remember that fevers are a way that the body has to fight off infection, but if his fever starts to rise, take him to an emergency vet clinic immediately. If there are none where you live, call your vet now and ask what to do in case of an emergency and the office is closed.
Izadore (Izzie) answered on 5/19/10. Helpful? / 1


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Real time updates about the flood relief/recovery efforts and maps of areas anticipated to flood are posted at www.StaySafeShelby.us.
Memphis and Shelby County residents without internet service can get information by phone at the 24-Hour Flood Watch Hotline 901-324-8799. Text requests to: 901-290-7530.
Shelby County Emergency Management Agency Contact Information
Main Number: 901-515-2525
Mid-South Red Cross 901-726-1690.
Help/Volunteer Hotline – 901-324.8799, text questions to 901-290.7530
Motorists traveling in the western areas of the state are encouraged to use extreme caution. Up-to-date road closure and travel information can be accessed by visiting http://www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway, or dialing 5-1-1 from any land line or cell phone. Travelers can also follow TDOT on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel information or http://twitter.com/#!/Memphis511 for traffic information in the Memphis area.
Shelby County Office of Preparedness Shelters
1. Hope Presbyterian Church, 8500 Walnut Grove Road
2. Cummings Street Baptist Church, 250 East Raines
3. Millington Civic Center, 8077 Wilkinsville Road, Millington, TN
4. Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 70 north Bellevue
The American Red Cross is supporting the following shelters in the Mid-South and West Tennessee:
Shelby County
- White Station Church of Christ, 1106 Colonial Road, Memphis TN 38117
Crittenden County
- 8th Street Mission, 717 E. Broadway, West Memphis, AR 72301
Dyer County
- Dyersburg 1st Assembly of God, 730 E. Court Street, Dyersburg, TN 38024
Obion and Lake Counties
- Second Baptist Church, 831 Everett Blvd., Union City, TN 38261
- Reelfoot Youth Camp, 4304 Kendall Rd., Hornbeak, TN 38232
To find shelters in your area, access the National Shelter System or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
An emergency animal shelter is open at 1716 Shelby Oaks Drive, North, Suite 1. Pet owners needing shelter for their pet(s) need to bring with them and their pet to the shelter the following items if possible:
- Shot records or rabies tag
- A collar and leash
- Any medication that their animal needs.
If the owner does not have these items that is fine as the shelter is able to provide these and vaccinate the pet at no charge if needed. Pet owners will need to provide the shelter with contact information and present some form of identification (Drivers license, state id etc.). Representatives from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) are caring for the animals.
River Levels
Mississippi River @ Memphis
Wolf River @ Germantown
Loosahatchie River @ Arlington
More information is available at website of the Shelby County Office of Preparedness.


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One is an ethnic group in south-west China, one is a pear, and one is associated with Germany and Hitler.
I live among Naxi people and eat a fruit that sounds the same - Nashi - but this is a Japanese word I've since found (when I moved here I thought maybe the fruit was named after the people in Lijiang).
And what can you do with it?
Because it is grainy and stays crisp, it features in salads . . . and more
Refreshing ways with Nashi
Drink it
Nashi Champagne Cocktail - add nashi puree or slices
to a flute and fill with champagne.
Slice it
Serve fresh Nashi on a cheese platter with nuts and a dessert wine.
Preserve it
Nashi are ideal for peeling, coring and preserving, or made
into jam or chutney.
Juice it
Try the mouth-watering juice combination of nashi, ginger
and your favorite berry or nashi and passionfruit.
Freeze it
Frozen nashi juice iceblocks make a healthy and
refreshing treat for children
Box it
Spark up the kids school lunchbox by adding a
refreshing, tasty Nashi.
Cook it
Nashi hold their shape well when cooked - add to a
fruit flan or use Nashi instead of apples in a crumble
Enjoy it
Nashi is fantastic just 'au natural'.
Nashi Chutney
Nashi chutney
1 kg nashi
1 large green apple
2 large onions, diced
1 tbsp grated lemon rind
1 tbsp grated orange rind
3/4 cup raisins
1 cup sugar
11/4 cups white vinegar
1 cup water
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp salt
Peel and core nashi and apples and chop.
Combine all ingredients in a large heavy based pot.
Stir, bring to boil and simmer until thick and syrupy
(approx. 60 minutes)
Cool slightly and put in warm, sterile jars. Seal jars when cool.
To sterilise jars - wash jars and lids in hot soapy water.
Rinse. Place upside down on tray in warm oven for 20 minutes.
Makes 8-10 jars
Serve on oatcakes with creamy blue cheese accompanied
by ripe nashi wedges.
Wholemeal Walnut and Nashi Muffins
Wholemeal Walnut
and Nashi Muffins
2 1/2 cups wholemeal
self-raising flour
1/2 cup castor sugar
135g butter, melted
1 egg
2 cups buttermilk
2 nashi, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Mix together the flour and sugar and stir in the butter, egg
and buttermilk. Add the nashi and nuts and mix lightly, until
just combined.
Put the mixture in greased muffin pans and bake in a pre-heated 200C oven for 20 minutes.
Makes 15
Sticky Nashi Puddings
Sticky Nashi Puddings
2 large nashi
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
100g butter
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup self raising flour
Preheat oven to 180C.
Peel and slice nashi into 4 thick round circles. Set aside. Finely dice the remaining nashi.
Put sugar and water into a small saucepan and heat until sugar is dissolved and has turned a light caramel colour. Pour a little into the base of four large greased non- stick muffin tins. Arrange the nashi slices on top of the caramel.
Melt the butter and leave to cool. Beat eggs with vanilla and brown sugar. Add butter. Sift the flour and stir well to combine. Fold in the extra diced nashi. Divide the mixture between the muffin tins.
Bake for 20-30 minutes until set.
Remove from oven and turn out onto plates.
Serve warm with extra caramel sauce and cream or icecream.
Serves 4.
Caramelised Nashi Tart
2 sheets ready-rolled shortcrust pastry
1 egg, beaten lightly
3 nashi (450g)
50g butter
� cup (55g) firmly packed brown sugar
� teaspoon ground nutmeg
� cup (50g) ground almonds
� cup (75g) mascarpone or whipped cream
Preheat oven to moderately hot. Line oven tray with baking paper.
Cut eight 11cm rounds from pastry sheets; place four of the rounds on prepared tray; brush with egg. Using 9cm cutter, remove centres from four remaining rounds; centre pastry rings on top of the 11cm rounds. Bake tarts, uncovered, in moderately hot oven about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Peel and core nashi; slice thinly. Stir butter, sugar and nutmeg in medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves; add nashi. Cook, stirring occasionally, over low heat, until nashi softens. Drain nashi mixture over medium bowl; reserve caramel mixture.
Meanwhile, whisk almonds, mascarpone and a little reserved caramel together.
Spread nut mixture in centre of baked tart shells; arrange nashi mixture on top. Serve warm, with heated reserved caramel mixture.
The delectable taste of warm caramel and crunchy nashi makes these tarts a heavenly experience.
Serves 4
Nashi pear tarte tatin
All you need to make this super easy dessert is butter, sugar, puff pastry and nashi pears. Don't know about you, but I'm trying it tonight!
Add ingredients to shopping list
Ingredients (serves 4)
* 60g butter, chopped
* 3/4 cup brown sugar
* 2 nashi pears, peeled, core removed, thinly sliced
* 1 sheet frozen ready-rolled puff pastry, partially thawed
1. Preheat oven to 200�C. Melt butter in a shallow, non-stick, ovenproof frying pan over medium heat. Add sugar and stir until well combined. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stand for 5 minutes or until bubbles subside.
2. Arrange pear, overlapping slightly, in frying pan. Place pastry over pear, pressing edges down into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until pastry is puffed and golden.
3. Allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes. Invert tart onto a large plate. Serve.
Notes & tips
* Serving suggestion: Tarte tatin is a famous French upside down tart traditionally made with apples. Serve warm with cream or vanilla ice-cream.
This is similar to those fancy asian pear salads you tend to find in more upscale restaurants. Super-easy to make, and easy to vary the ingredients to your liking. (Try different kinds of greens, cheese, or add other veggies). Asian pears are a great addition to most any salad...a little bit of that sweet crunch does amazing things! Plus, most of the main ingredients you can still find at the Farmers' Market!
* 4 cups of mixed greens (baby greens are the best!)
* 1 head of radicchio
* 2 medium Asian Pears, diced
* 1 1/2 T. white wine vinegar
* 1/2 t. Dijon mustard
* 4 t. olive oil
* 1/2 t. sugar
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Feta cheese (or other type) to taste
Tear the greens and radicchio into bite-sized pieces. Combine greens and diced pears in a salad bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk vinegar and mustard. Add oil while whisking. Add salt, pepper, and sugar. Top salad with crumbled feta. Drizzle salad dressing on top, to taste. Serves 4
From Nancy
* Baby spinach
* Asian pear
* walnuts
* poppy seed salad dressing
I use about 2 cups spinach, 1 diced Asian pear, 1/4 cup walnuts and poppy seed dressing for one meal sized salad.
* 2 T. vegetable oil
* 1 T. apple cider
* 1 T. apple cider vinegar
* 1 T. honey
* 2/3 c. pecan halves
* 1 bunch watercress or mixed fresh greens, trimmed
* 2 apples, sliced thinly (red apples add color)
* 2 Asian pears, sliced thinly
* 6 oz. Crumbled bleu cheese
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Combine oil, cider, cider vinegar, and honey in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well to combine. Toast pecans on baking sheet in preheated oven for 7 minutes or until crisp and fragrant; set aside. Arrange greens on 6 chilled salad plates. Arrange apple and Asian pear slices on top of greens. Sprinkle with bleu cheese and pecans. Shake dressing once more and drizzle over each plate. Serves 6
* Basic pizza dough (see recipe below)
* � cup plus 2 T. sugar, divided
* Butter-flavored vegetable cooking spray
* 2 T. honey
* 2 large Asian pears, cored and sliced
* � t. ground cinnamon
* � cup (1 oz.) crumbled bleu cheese
* 2 T. raisins
* 2-4 tablespoons coarsely chopped walnuts
Make basic pizza dough (see recipe below), adding 2 tablespoons sugar to flour. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray. Spread dough on pan, making rim around edge. Drizzle dough with honey. Arrange Asian pears on dough, spray with cooking spray and then sprinkle with remaining 1/4 c. sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle bleu cheese, raisins, and walnuts over pears. Bake pizza at 425 degrees until crust is browned, 15 to 20 minutes
VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE with ASIAN PEAR BUTTER
If you have a 'vegan-suspicious' family ... just don't tell them ... they'll never know! Of course, you could just use regular milk and margarine, if you prefer. I like it because there are no eggs in the recipe.
* 3 scant cups all purpose flour
* 2 tsp. baking soda
* 1 1/2 tsp. salt
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 cup cocoa
* 1 cup warm coffee
* 1 1/3 cups warm water
* 1/2 cup apple butter/Asian pear butter
* 2 Tbl.vinegar
* 2 tsp. vanilla
* 1 � cup canola oil
* Vegan margarine
* 1/4 lb. semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1/2 cup soymilk
Preheat oven to 350 F
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in the wet ingredients and mix until the batter is free of lumps. Grease a bundt pan (or 9 X 13 pan) with margarine. Bake at 350 for approximately one hour or until the batter springs back when lightly touched. Cool for about 15 minutes before inverting pan onto a plate or cake stand.
Frosting (if desired):
Melt � pound semi-sweet chocolate chips in � cup soymilk. Beat the mixture until smooth and pourable. When the cake has cooled completely, pour the icing over the top and allow it to drip down the sides of the cake.
Yield: 12 large slices.
Recipe Database
Caramelized nashi pears with hot chocolate sauce Recipe
Damian Heads
This recipe is listed under:
Desserts Recipes
1 nashi pear, peeled and cored, sliced into thick chips
2 tbs icing sugar
� cup pouring cream
� cup chocolate chips
Mint, to serve
1 Combine pear and icing sugar in a bowl. Heat a frying pan over medium heat, cook pears for 5-6 minutes or until pear caramelises.
2 Heat cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it comes to the boil, add chocolate chips and remove from heat and stir until smooth.
3 Stack nashi pear chips on a plate top with a sprig of mint and serve chocolate sauce in a ramekin to the side.


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|Miller, Helen
Submitted to: Cereal Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2008
Publication Date: 1/1/2009
Citation: Miller, H.B. 2009. Induced postharvest yellowing in Southern U.S. rice cultivars. Cereal Chemistry. 86(1):67-69. Interpretive Summary: Rice can yellow during storage if moisture levels and temperatures are allowed to increase. Although postharvest yellowed, or stackburn, rice is reduced in value, no study has looked at the diverse rice varieties available to determine if there are some varieties that will yellow less. The ability of a number of Arkansas and popular southern U.S. rice varieties to yellow was tested under laboratory conditions. Low-yellowing and high-yellowing varieties were retested using different laboratory conditions which ensured that the two groups remained distinguishable. All cultivars showed some level of postharvest yellowing under every condition. The range of yellowing achieved was relatively high and narrow indicating that a more diverse group of cultivars should be investigated to increase the likelihood of identifying non-yellowing varieties.
Technical Abstract: Rice can yellow during storage if moisture levels and temperatures are allowed to increase. Although this postharvest yellowed (PHY), or stackburn, rice is reduced in value, no study has investigated the inherent potential within rice germplasm for limiting PHY. In order to screen a large number of cultivars for their propensity for PHY, a laboratory method for PHY using a small amount of rice was used. Ninety-eight popular southern U.S. rice cultivars were yellowed under laboratory conditions. PHY was equivalent for rice grown in two consecutive years and for rice stored at two different temperatures. Additional samples of the low-yellowing and high-yellowing cultivars were retested following two and three years of storage as rough rice. Using higher amounts and larger containers, the low- and high-yellowing groups remained distinguishable and showed greater color change with higher amounts of rice and when yellowed as milled rather than as rough rice. The high level of coloring in southern U.S. rice cultivars indicates that a more diverse germplasm should be investigated to increase the likelihood of identifying low PHY cultivars.


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Hey everyone. My name is Jon. You can call me that or Spanky. Either is fine.
Somethings about me:
Im a huge car guy. My job is collision and restorations. I was specialized in corvettes and GM muscle. After moving to the country last year I sold my corvette and bought a 02 wrx. I needed something more rally then raw power. Im not a one company car lover. I love any car that is well designed. Im not much for talking, but will say something when needed. Im new to the imports and turbos. But I know some of it. I can give good advice for paint and body, collision, restoration, detailing, car design, and some mods and performance.
My Car:
I have a silver 02 WRX. Its mostly stock. I just got it before winter so Im just getting time to work on it.
So far I have a borla cb exhaust and a turboxs bov. Im saving for the CAI. After that Ill need some help on next quick upgrade before getting into bigger injectors, turbo, intercooler, chip, brakes, rims/tires, and anything else.
Im also going to be doing my exterior this fall maybe. Ill be starting with a black and gun metal 2 tone paint job. and maybe next year Ill get CF lips, hood, spoiler.


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2015 year marks the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council call by Pope John XXIII. He challenged the church to "throw open the windows of the church and let the fresh air of the spirit blow through." Today, Pope Francis is asking us to do the same! We are called to a re-evangelization, informed preaching based on sound doctrine. We are expected to embrace new methodologies, contemporary thought, critical thinking and prayer as we search for truth (Veritas) in the 21st century.
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text:
Football agent sues Bolton Wanderers Day 8 - Phil Gartside gives evidence
- Tony McGill is pursuing costs of £390,000 from Bolton Wanderers and rival agency SEM.
- The case relates to the 2007 signing of Gavin McCann from Aston Villa.
- Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside is due to give evidence today.
Comments are closed on this article.


text:
NZ Newswire
Police crash investigators are looking into how a 10-month-old boy was run over and killed in a paddock on a property near Ngaruawahia on Saturday evening.
The infant died in Waikato Hospital shortly before 10pm that night.
Waikato road policing manager, Inspector Marcus Lynam, says investigators are working to find out how the accident occurred.
The death has been referred to the coroner.


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The biggest news out of President Obama's Afghanistan speech isn't the 10,000 troops he's withdrawing this year. It's what Obama will — and won't — do with the forces he's leaving behind. Namely: the president won't send the remainder of the surge troops into eastern Afghanistan, which has become the country's most buck-wild region.
It's part of a new attempt to put the uniformed military on a much tighter leash than it had in Afghanistan or Iraq. Welcome a new phase of the war, micromanaged from the White House, and heavy on the killer robots.
Here's what the war's going to look like instead from July 2011 to 2014, when the Afghans are supposed to take over combat: drones, drones, training Afghans, commando raids, and drones. The military build on its momentum in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar, Obama aides say. But outside of that, this is going to be a counterterrorism strategy — with a lot of troops.
"The next fighting season is going to be about consolidating gains, not necessarily moving to other parts of the country," a senior administration official who would only speak on background tells Danger Room. "And it's going to be about transitioning and partnering, not necessarily the U.S. and ISAF [NATO's International Security Assistance Force] bearing the brunt of the burden."
That's a big pushback against a move the military wanted to make — back into eastern Afghanistan, the central front of the war until 2009. Last week, the Washington Post confidently reported that the military command was eyeing the east next. Not if the White House has anything to say about it.
"We don't anticipate replicating what we did in the south in the east," the senior administration official says. "We don't believe that's necessary."
Eastern Afghanistan didn't enjoy the fruits of either of Obama's troop surges. While Generals Stanley McChrystal and David Petraeus focused on southern Afghanistan, al-Qaida's allies in the Haqqani Network, based over the Pakistani border in North Waziristan, drove up violence in the east, as Danger Room's David Axe personally experienced this spring. There were nearly 900 insurgent attacks in March 2011, nearly double the assaults in March 2010.
"The east is clearly the most dangerous part of the country now," says retired Lt. Gen. David Barno, a former Afghanistan commander.
But it won't be mass numbers of troops who'll confront it. It'll be flying robots and commandos. "We have a capability in the east to target the Taliban and the Haqqani [Network] in the east," the official says. That is: drones and Special Operations Forces. The war in eastern Afghanistan will resemble the war in Pakistan.
Gen. John Allen, whom Obama tapped to command the war, better know what he's in for. He'll have "a degree of flexibility" over how to cut 10,000 troops this year and 23,000 by September 2012. (Why, that's right in time for an election!) But Obama pointedly did not say in his speech that withdrawals will proceed as "conditions on the ground" merit — his allowance to Petraeus for preparing for the initial withdrawals, as well as to his commanders in Iraq.
"We felt it's very important to send a signal that we're serious about transition to the Afghans, so they're going to have to step up, and that we're serious about reducing the numbers of our forces," the senior administration official says. "And it's frankly, not necessary to have this number of forces in Afghanistan to achieve our objectives."
We wrote on Tuesday that Obama needed to explain how his drawdown supports "reconciliation" peace talks with the Taliban — the last political strategy standing for Afghanistan. But Obama's speech didn't come close. It mentioned reconciliation, but didn't condition troop reductions on it. So what, then, compels the Taliban to negotiate seriously if it sees the U.S. unilaterally withdrawing?
"The biggest leverage [on] the Taliban for reconciliation is the SOF [Special Operations Forces] operations targeting their mid-level leadership," the official says, and the growth of the Afghan security forces.
But the Afghan forces still walk off the job in great numbers, according to their top U.S. trainer. The Joint Special Operations Command, however, honed their skills for the Osama bin Laden kill by hunting Haqqani and Taliban members. And it's at least arguable that it took conventional forces attacking them in Helmand and Kandahar "to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table for the first time in the ten-year war," Barno says.
But Obama's showing that's not a primary concern for him. Troop reductions are. "Pulling back is a strategic objective," the official says, "not just a tactical objective."
Photo: Flickr/ISAF
See Also:
- East Afghanistan Sees Taliban as 'Morally Superior' to Karzai
- East Afghan Plan: Choke the 'Rat Lines,' Secure the Roads
- Video: 'I Got Blown to Hell in Afghanistan'
- Shorter Petraeus: Seriously, Guys, I Support The July 2011 Afghanistan 'Deadline'
- Petraeus: Here's My Afghan Redeployment Strategy
- Petraeus Isn't Sure How Many Troops Will Come Home In July


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Robert Wulfhorst
Archived Record Manhasset, NY — Previous CEO for Cardinal Communications, Inc
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ED Magedson – Founder
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I have had my car loan with Westlake Financial since December 2006. On October 27, 2007, my car was repoed for a payment that was twenty days late. I called to let them know of my financial position of a layoff and they would not work with me. Now this year I try to pay off my car and every time I call and ask for my title they seem to figure that I owe more money but can never break down the misc fees that I owe. This happened in January, April and now as of July 27, 2010. A gentleman named Robert from the CHARGE OFF dept called and said they charged off my account in March 2010. So now I have a charge off on my credit and now I am unsure if I will ever own my car. I need help and I WANT TO file a Class Action Suit against this company. Is any attorney willing to help me fight against this crooked company. HELP please !!!!!!!
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It's only been three years since electro-sulk masterminds Mount Kimbie graced us with their debut album Crooks And Lovers. But much has changed for Kai Campos and Dominic Maker since 2010. They've played countless live shows and toured the world, and using those experiences they've crafted a new record, Cold Spring Fault Less Youth, to sound just as good in your headphones as it does live.
Where the first album was delicate and sparse, this new collection of tracks is eclectic and expressive. Each song has its own distinct sound but somehow they all fit together perfectly. "They are kind of like different islands or different chapter headings," explains Dominic when I speak to him at the Warp offices in Manhattan.
Cold Spring Fault Less Youth will be out on May 28 through Warp, and I was able to sit down with Dominic and Kai to pick their brains about how much has really changed in three years.
It seems like you guys have become more comfortable with vocals on this album. Why is that?
Kai: The types of songs we wanted to write were a bit different this time. After we finished the first album we both felt like we had taken that sound as far as we wanted to really. Other people were doing it as well—felt like it was time to move on really. Just like a natural thing that happened.
You've never had a rapper go over your stuff. So why did you decide to bring on King Krule for this album?
Dominic: It's funny, a lot of people have said that it's basically rapping, what he does on those tracks. We were just attracted to the way that he writes his own music, and the way that he is as an artist. We were quite cautious about the type of voice that we wanted—we wanted a male voice. We were afraid because we didn't feel like we wanted to use a selection of different artist just featuring on tracks. So the intention with Artie was to get him involved as much in the writing process as we were. He lived very close to where we were based, and he had been growing up in the area that we were living in for a long time, so we had that initial thing. He had total control in what he did, in the lyrics that he wrote.
Kai: For us he's like one of the most exciting people in our community.
Are there any more collaborations in the works?
Dominic: There is one other person that we thought of working with before, a girl called Micachu. Her own music for us is fantastic, we listen to it a lot. So that might be something we work with in the future—depends if the project is right.
It's been two years since Crooks And Lovers, how do you think your approach has changed with this one?
Dominic: I think it felt a lot like starting over again because we've been away for so long touring the Crooks and Lovers album, and we've kind of moved on from the sound we had on Crooks and Lovers. It still sounds like Mount Kimbie, but I think for us we were just interested in a different type of sound, we wanted to incorporate different instruments in to what we were doing, and it was just a kind of natural progression.
How do you plan to perform these songs live?
Dominic: So we got essentially things that we use for the album. So its a tempest drum machine, which is very important in the set and we got a tape unit. It's basically a load of electronics on mine and Kai's separate platform, we mingle in between the two. We got guitar amps on one side with the bass guitar, and we've now got a drummer as well. He plays the acoustic guitars but also has a SPD-SX which is a sampler, and he also sings a bit as well.
Kai: Yeah its like a whole tapestry of electronic music played live.
So why did you decide to release Made To Stray as the first single?
Kai: Don't know really. We felt like it would be a good indicator that the record is going somewhere else. Obviously some people would like you to make Crooks And Lovers part two, and it's just not what we wanted to do. So it was just a case of picking something bold that would stand out, but also just saying we're going somewhere else so sorry if you don't want to go there.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced on this album?
Dominic: Initially the hardest thing was getting back into the writing technique and getting back into the flow that you need to have,. There was that, and certainly a period of time were we felt a little bit,that we didn't know what the sound was going to be for the next album. We were quite puzzled and maybe a bit concerned about where this album was going to go, and then it just suddenly kind of happened. So I guess the biggest challenge was trying to figure out what the hell we were going to do.
Kai: Yeah and finding a voice that we wanted to get to, that it was something different that we could get excited about. Just like finding a space that we wanted to inhibit and that would feel like a good move forward.
From your perspective, what's the difference between the post-dubstep scene here in the US and the scene in England?
Kai: I'm not sure. I'm not really that familiar with what the scene over here is like to be honest. For us when we go out and tour and stuff, we tend to find that the U.K. is very fast moving. It changes, like what people are excited about. More so than the rest of the world, the UK seems to be like a few months ahead of everyone else in terms of setting little markets I feel like the rest of the world kind of reacts to whats going on in the UK, which could be a good thing or a bad thing.
Yeah, I saw you guys at Terminal 5 last year, and the crowd was in to it but they didn't really dance. Is it the same in England?
Kai: Normally we find that its the other way around. We were on at like 8 in the evening, and it was just after the hurricane and it was bit of weird show, but people were still very enthusiastic. As opposed to the U.K., they are like, "Oh, we can see them anytime."
You're set to play some festivals and shows ahead of Cold Spring Fault Less Youth. Are you planning on giving the fans some songs from the album or some old stuff?
Kai: Well for the time being we definitely still want to be playing some of the old stuff. But whats exciting for us is trying out the new stuff that we aren't so comfortable with. I think we'll carry on like adapting the old songs until we work better live and kind of look forward to playing the new stuff too. So its kind of like a mixture of the two.
Are there any festivals you're particularly interested in playing?
We've had pretty good luck of playing most of the big boys. We really liked SXSW, and we only got to do one show this year. But its always a really good time for us as a band.
Dominic: We have a little bit of unfinished business at Coachella. We went there and we had to play in a DJ booth, and it didn't represent what we were doing. A logistical nightmare really.
Kai: Yeah, if we could do a good show at Coachella one year that would be good.


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The A2DP hardware mods are set, I have the parts and am shipping new Bluestars with them starting the third week in January. Still awaiting a software switch to turn power on to A2DP amp.
Those with Bluestars already will be able to send them back for hardware mods for cost of parts and return shipping, about $20.
Also in the works is a voice audio line-out op-amp sub board to increase the default line-level to a usable volume and reduce amplified background noise/static.
New A2DP-enabled, line-out amplified Bluestars will probably be ready the week of the 28th. Early orders get first units. Expected price will be $329, including shipping.
Last edited by keithwbloom; 01-06-2012 at 10:19 PM.
Hi Keith,
So I need to send you only the bluestar unit, not the old onstar unit that you modified? correct?
Some feedback on my install:
1. Turns out that removing the whole overhead panel is exceedingly easy and there is no need to remove the rearview mirror, FAQ notwithstanding. I had to do this because the car's female jack where the modified keypad plugs in retracted into the cavity and I just did not have the patience to fish it out after 15 mins of trying to do so. Recommended also for unplugging the darned plug so you can send your keypad to Keith for voltage modification.
2. I can emphatically assert that if you play with the Bluestar unit's settings via USB cable, the Bluestar does remember such settings across starts and across time off. My car was parked unused for three weeks from Dec 19th to Jan 6th and just today I confirmed my settings Volume +11, line out gain +24, mic gain +0 are still there since Dec 10th or thereabouts.
2.1 The above only makes perfect sense, insofar as the Bluestar does have a 3.2V battery inside, of which the USB connection will provide its curiously varying voltage within 1 second intervals! By the way, I do not recall seeing instructions on how to replace this battery, and this concerns me in the long run.
3. I wasn't able to understand how to create or import ringtones, and can further report that the one ringtone preexisting on the Bluestar does not work:
3.a) Does not work at all when the Play button is depressed
3.b) Does not work over the car's speakers when someone calls you
Fortunately, the iPhone still rings loud and clear, plus the Phaeton progressively and elegantly turns down to zero any music source currently playing (except Nav audio prompts) upon phone rings.
4. Quality with my settings leaves quite a bit to be desired. With the volume control for phone at max (and which is separate from Nav audio prompts and from radio, etc volume), caller volume is still too low, and my counterparties say I sound like I am speaking from the bottom of a barrel.
4.1 Simple conversations can be had OK, but I would not hold a conference call with this system with my current settings under any circumstances. By way of contrast, I have had quite a few conference calls with the Parrot Mki9200 on our Touareg, because of its superb mic and audio quality.
5. The software version on my Bluestar is completely different and seems to follow a difference sequence from that of the software versions available on the Costar website, and which are: ver. 0201, 0215, 0422, 0614, 812, 0904, 0927, 1028. 11-0401. I am therefore a bit puzzled.
Also, without knowing whether my software version is up to date/certified I would be deathly afraid to try and use the COSTAR DSP Programming Utility - ver. 1.0 (DSP upgrade for improved echo and noise cancellation). Don't want to brick my Bluestar.
6. People wanting to install their Bluestar module and have easy access on a temporary basis to the diagnostic/update software can easily remove their ski bag from their trunk passthru and leave an USB cable dangling, like so:
7. There are quite a few bits of functionality available for those interested in learning the key combos available with all three OnStar keys in the car's ceiling. I'll say that learning to use the white dot button for starting a call with Siri ("call my wife") and for ending calls is plenty easy and enough for light phone users such as myself. Or just start/end the call from the phone; but I recommend be safe and use one button. Knowing that depressing the OnStar button while on a call transfers the call to the handset is also useful.
8. All in all, I heartily recommend this mod for all 2004/2005 North America Phaetons. This was my sole car without Bluetooth and this was beginning to irritate me from a safety standpoint. Keep your OEM look, get a Bluestar while these things are still available.
The only thing better than this would be for someone to figure out what exact components and how to do a factory phone prep, like jkuisma did for the heated steering wheel. But I don't think anyone ever did.
Last edited by Itzmann; 01-09-2012 at 12:26 AM.
Flash/update your bluestar with the 11-0405 update. It should solve many of your reported issues. I only became aware last week that at least one other Bluestar had been shipped to me with an outdated firmware version, and it was a brick from the start. So I have since tested my entire inventory and will test and update any that I receive in the future to 11-0405, which works as designed and reported. It should definitely add a couple of ringtones too, and if you want to program you own ringtones, instructions on how are downloadable from the CoStar website.
On the sound quality issue, when you have updated to 11-0405, then reduce your mic gain -12dB or -18dB to see if it helps. The sound cancelling program will be more effective and your voice quality on the other end should be noticeably better. ON the matter of the sound level in the car with the output gain set to max, I am working up an op-amp sub board to piggyback on the BlueSTAR PCB to fix this problemthe parts should be on my bench when I get back from my travel this week, and I hope to report success after the weekend. Retrofits will begin as soon as I can get PCBs made with the working circuit pattern. For existing owners, I will also be applying the A2DP upgraded circuit components to prep for A2DP amplifier software switch. To answer Dennis' question, you need only send me the BlueSTAR module itself, I do not need the button controller again to complete the mods.
On the subject of the batterythe BlueSTAR does not have an internal battery, the level you are seeing is the battery in your paired phone.
Just the BlueSTAR unit, Dennis. Retrofits will begin as soon as I can get PCBs with a working circuit design. Testing of circuit design begins this coming weekend.
Hi All-
I'm relatively pleased with the performance of the BlueStar unit. When I set the speaker volume to maximum, the sound is sufficient. Of course, a more amplified signal would be nice to have.
I'm receiving several complaints about the quality of my outgoing voice, sounding like I'm "digitized" or that "I sound like I'm speaking from the bottom of a barrel". I tried to set the microphone gain at the low, medium, and high end of the 13-step range using the Onstar controls with little improvement. FYI...I'm linking to a Blackberry Torch. Are there any further adjustments to be made using the PC software? I received my unit from Keith just about a month ago. Could it have an old version of firmware on it?
As I cycle everyone's BlueSTARs through the line-out op-amp mod and A2DP circuit prep, I will be sure they are all flashed with latest DSP and firmware versions. It seems now that two have been found that are older firmware versions (current is 11-0405 or newer). And the really old firmware versions are certainly going to be lacking current DSP. Sorry about this guys, I know now that I have to check them all as they come through.
Will be op-amp circuit bread boarding tomorrow!
Keith,It seems now that two have been found that are older firmware versions (current is 11-0405 or newer).
The newest software that Costar has available for download on their webite seems to be 11-0401.
Do you have an "insider's" access to 11-0405?
Thanks, Keith.
I am so pleased to let everyone know that the low default line out volume level is FIXED. I just installed the newly modded BlueSTAR, replete with the A2DP circuit upgrades and the voice out op-amp bridge in my Passat and I had to return the BlueSTAR volume setting to 5 and turn the phone volume setting on my head unit down to about 25% of max level, and the volume of my caller was still louder than the previous unamplified line out with everything available maxed to 100% (BlueSTAR volume, phone mode volume and output gain).
So get ready to live without bluetooth again in your Phaetons for a week upcoming so you can send your unit back to me for the additional hardware mods. At the same time I add the voice out op-amp bridge, I will also upgrade the A2DP circuit to prepare it for quality music reproduction, upping the capacitance on the four stereo channels and increasing the resistor values to better handle the low frequency ranges in music. Once Chris has completed the A2DP control interface, we will get the software upgrade and be the first BlueSTARs to have the feature enabled. For the curious, the BlueGiga chip in the BlueSTAR can maintain more than one active connectionup to 3 or 4 I think, e.g. your phone and your iPod, or your phone and your iPad, or your phone and your wife's phone and your child'd iPod. The control interface needs to be modified to allow a user to switch between sources using the three button OnStar keypad. It is easy enough to set the phone to override all when a call comes in, but the trick is how do you pair your phone and your iPod, and then choose to listen to a playlist on your iPod? So when that is solved, it will be a software flash using Costar Programming Utility.
Lastly, when everyone's unit comes through, I am going to confirm the DSP program is up to date and then flash the unit with firmware version 12-0117, released yesterday, just for us, to enable the voice out op-amp.
OMG - I didn't even get to rant and rave over the unit I have and already you've improved on it? How much do we (my Phaeton and I) love you!?!?!
PS..I've probably bragged more about Keith (My own resident Nerdy Genius (lovingly)) than the unit!! But seriously, this has breathed new life into my riding experience, and those guys out there that know me know I use my Phaeton over my other cars or bikes!!!
I have to say, it really is great to have hands-free conversations in the Phaeton. The cabin is so quiet that even with the low volume problem, conversations are fine in a host of environments except highway speed.
I must have driven the P more in the last week and a half than in the whole last quarter of 2011.
Of course then there will be the problem of tackling the source switch mechanics from A2DP audio to CD changer on the head unit harness, but Victor R approached me about a related issue a few months ago and I've been cooking up some clean, nearly invisible solutions. Not to worry!
I'm ready to jump in if I can help with the quest in anyway!
Keith, should I order now?
Vag-Com available Philly to Washington, DC
VAS 6262 DSG Oil Change Tool for DSG equipped VW Products available also.
Heard it with my own ears. The A2DP out on my BlueSTAR finally works. I was able to listen to Pandora Radio from my iPhone through the 3.5mm audio jack. I am going to run a few sound quality checks later today, but the heavy lifting is done.
I am also going to run some real-life scenarios with Dave Passmore (local Phaeton owner) when he comes to upgrade his BlueSTAR to rev 2. I am going to check the audio source signal switching to make sure the phone overrides the streaming A2DP audio when a call is placed or received. I am going to also test to see if a second paired appliance using the A2DP input will be able to playback, e.g. an iPod/iPad paired while your smartphone is paired for phone functions. In theory, this should work because the phone audio signal has priority.
Control of streaming programming will initially be limited to the touch controls of your A2DP source (iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc.), however if you have an iPhone 4S paired, I expect Siri will be able to call up your playlists by request. ;-)
I'm in awe.
Last edited by keithwbloom; 02-01-2012 at 04:32 PM.
Are you saying A2DP is ready? I'm a bit confused as to exactly where you're up to with it all, and I hate visible wiring!
Yes, A2DP is working now. And I completed some wide ranging sound quality tests this afternoon, listening to some Mozart piano concertos, some Marilyn Manson, some Annie Lennox and some Flo Rida. I listened using various stations on my Pandora Radio iPhone App. All genres reproduced beautifully when the phone volume was set to peak volume as well as at mid volume. Keep in mind the A2DP signal is going to be further amplified by your head unit, so I was listening primarily for reproduction quality and line noise. I am very pleased to report the former was excellent and the latter was non-existent.
And I tested multiple units, a few from inventory and one from an upgrade return... Congratulations Itzmannyour BlueSTAR rev2 with A2DP enabled is good to go and I'll be dropping it in the post tomorrow!
So those who have been fence-sitting, it's time for you to stretch your legs. ;-)
To get yours, PM or email me with your email address. My email is keith at keithbloom dot com.
Last edited by keithwbloom; 02-01-2012 at 06:56 PM.
Wonderful !
Now that things are sorted out for NAR vehicles, how could this bluestar device that allows to pair cell phones using bluetooth be adapted to ROW vehicles ?
If I am only missing the bluestar buttons, I could maybe buy the overhead bluestar thing from a scrapeyard in the US ?
But would this interface with ROW vehicles (mine was manufactured in May 2004).
Bluestar addition and upgrade on volume are terrific. When I called my wife on my linked cell phone and asked "How do I sound?" she said "You sound normal" - That's a rare response but I won't pursue that! Hoping to find time to try out the A2DP and the iPhone 4S.
I recommend this product! Thanks again to Keith!
Lenexa, KS
The OnStar Telematics units in the NA Audis and VWs use the phone audio input on the the head unit and a hard wired mute signal to tell the head unit when to override whatever programming source is playing and put the phone audio over the loudspeakers. So it stands to reason that those leads exist on the head units of all ROW Audis and VWs, because the phone kits available from the factory would not function at all without them either.
So an adaptation of the BlueSTAR would need a keypad to control it (you can possibly get them from a NA salvage yard, then have it modified by me), a mic (which can be concealed in the overhead console in the factory mic bay), and a harness with leads to connect to the phone audio and mute functions of the head unit. I have been toying with the idea of developing a discreet button controller, something along the lines of an array of momentary tactile blister switches packaged in a flexible pod colour-coded to the VW interiors. Such an array would be about 2.5cm x 6cm and maybe 3 or 4mm deep. Since all VWs with premium sound from the factory since 2001 have this phone input capability, it is a sizable market in NA and ROW. And discreet/invisible is always appealing to us dubbers.
So if you think that is a good idea, ROWers, let me know. I have kit here to get cracking on a prototype, I have just been fiddling with getting this A2DP sorted and in good order. Fait accompli.


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Location: Elkhart, IN, United States
Member Since: January 2013
Open for read requests: Yes
Profile Information
I am me.
I can be who I want to be.
You can disagree with me,
but I don't give a shit.
Now when I think about it, Life isn't the problem (not always at least).
Most of the time, It's usually the people.
People are my lemons. 0o0
Favorite Quotes:
"Your song is as beautiful as an Angel being sucked dry by a Vampire"
~Louie the Vampire
-[My own quotes I like]-
"I love the rain... One day it'll turn black and paint the world grey."
"I wanna cut the world in half, then sew it back together as my own."
"Silver strands hanging from the ceiling. Touch them? Wrong. Those silver strands are blades. We all want to touch them with getting hurt..."
" When I die, I don't want to be tied to the earth. I wanna be allowed to go beyond that, and see the astral lights."
This is where you can leave a short message for the writer. All Quickees are public. To leave a private message, use the private.
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The White Stripes are crying foul over what they call the unwelcome and unauthorized use of their song "Fell in Love With a Girl" by the U.S. Air Force Reserve during a Super Bowl ad last Sunday. The band, consisting of singer Jack White and drummer and ex-wife Meg White, issued a statement on their website slamming the repurposing of their song, asserting "we simply don't want to be a cog in the wheel of the current conflict" and threatening "strong action to stop the ad containing this music." The warning seems to have worked, as the Air Force Reserve has taken down the ad from its site. —KA
"Rock & Roll Daily" in Rolling Stone:
A comparison of the White Blood Cells single and the Air Force Reserve commercial reveals that the music is nearly exactly the same, with Jack White's guitar riffs firmly intact and another guitar replicating the cadence of the original vocal medley. The commercial initially seems like an X Games ad until three fighter jets fly into frame during its final seconds. The "Grab Some Air" recruitment spot "features the high-octane thrills of action sports at its best. This is sure to capture the interest of even the most enthusiastic sports fan," the Air Force Reserve site writes while listing two-dozen television markets where the ad will air. The Air Force Reserve makes no mention of the White Stripes.
Watch the video for "Fell in Love With a Girl" here:


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