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ANY TALK that WA's election result is purely due to "state factors" is, to be kind, delusional; just as Tony Abbott's unpopularity fortified the swing against Campbell Newman in Queensland — where One Nation and "arrogance" were factors, as they were in WA — an unpopular federal government has compounded the revolt in another Liberal state. WA provides Malcolm Turnbull's "Newman moment." it is inconceivable he will emerge unscathed.
I am not simply taking a potshot at Malcolm Turnbull, whose claims on the leadership of the federal Liberal Party have never stacked up in my eyes; but so bad is the outcome of yesterday's state election in Western Australia for the Liberal Party — the worst, in fact, since the ALP first contested a state election there in 1901 — that it is impossible to argue, with any credibility whatsoever, that a deeply unpopular federal Liberal government led by a deeply unpopular Prime Minister is innocent of blame for a truly dreadful result in what has traditionally been one of the best states in Australia for the forces of mainstream conservatism.
In fact, and whilst I used the metaphor of lambs engaging in the slaughter of Liberal MPs to frame my piece ahead of the WA state election yesterday, a better analogy today is that of a nuclear Armageddon that has generated millions of tons of lethal fallout: and some of this, inevitably, must fall on Canberra and poison Turnbull's government.
With more than a third of the 47.1% of the primary vote Colin Barnett's Liberal Party attracted at the 2013 WA election lost — along with more than half of the 31 MPs the Liberal Party won on that occasion in the 59-seat lower house — the Liberals, along with their National Party alliance partners, appear to have been able to muster less than a third of those 59 seats, if projections of 14 Liberals and 5 Nationals come to pass: easily the worst state election result for non-Labor forces in WA in more than 100 years.
This isn't merely an embarrassment — it is an indictment.
Yesterday's abysmal state election result in Western Australia is a wake-up call to the Liberal Party nationally; to have been completely poleaxed in what has for decades been one of its best states can't simply be attributed to the longevity of the Barnett government (eight years and seven months) when Labor has spent more than a decade in office continuously in every other state over the past 35 years (and in Victoria and South Australia, has done so twice in that time).
It can't simply be attributed to the huge pile of debt that has been racked up on Barnett's watch after the end of the mining investment boom; in Queensland in 2015 and South Australia in 1997, Labor rebounded after crushing election defeats where financial mismanagement was the key factor within a single term to force minority governments; in Victoria in 1999 and Western Australia in 2001, the ALP reclaimed office after just two terms despite the scale of financial scandals that cost it office in landslide defeats dwarfing anything Barnett might be accused of today.
And it can't just be blamed on the silly preference deal the Liberal Party struck with One Nation, whereby the Liberals foolishly preferenced the protest party above their National Party allies.
The result in WA is, to be clear, a sign of the Liberal Party's slide from favour across the country: and more evidence of this recalibration of the national polity will follow, as sure as night follows day, unless the penny finally drops for those Liberals in a position to actually do something to reverse it.
Whilst the Barnett government was far from perfect, it did in fact have a powerful record of achievement upon which to campaign: a message which, in increasingly typical fashion for the Liberal Party everywhere, proved impossible for it to sell.
The Barnett government spent much of its second term fighting with itself, with a clear lack of succession planning forcing it to ask voters to endorse an unpopular 66-year-old figurehead for a further four years — a big ask at the best of times, let alone in the straitened economic circumstances the WA Liberals found themselves in after eight years in office.
But it reflects on a sick and increasingly inept organisation which, right across Australia, is showing signs of being incapable of winning unless it is to capitalise on the faults and shortcomings of the Labor Party, and with the resurgence of federal Labor under arguably the least suitable individual ever presented to voters as a potential Prime Minister, it is growing difficult to ascribe even that capability to the Liberal Party either.
Readers of this column know exactly what I believe are the handicaps my party faces — and these are as applicable to yesterday's election in WA as they are anywhere else in Australia.
A basic inability to formulate and execute effective political strategies and tactics.
An utter inability to sell anything whatsoever, and a "communications" capacity that is amateurish at best and downright juvenile at worst.
A contingent of advisors, staffers and other insiders who owe their presence to parking their noses up the backsides of factional overlords, or to pandering to minor chieftains presiding over petty dunghills and fiefdoms, rather than being selected on the basis of what they can actually do to help the party: the Liberal Party, at senior levels and wherever any degree of operational expertise is required, better resembles a crony club these days than a slick, well-oiled, effective political machine.
A lack of policies (or, indeed, a lack of any coherent platform at all) that mark the party out as a beacon for the small government, low tax, pro-family, pro-business, pro-individual constituency it has traditionally represented: the Liberal Party these days is too busy eliminating points of difference with the ALP to be bothered with cogent contemporary expressions of the timeless and noble offer it is uniquely positioned to make for the benefit of all Australians.
A parliamentary cohort increasingly swelled by former staffers, factional stooges, and other worthless types: the same thing it has spent decades (rightly) pillorying Labor for.
And whilst yesterday's election loss might have been all but unavoidable, its scale speaks to the basic inability of the party to fight effective campaigns these days: with just 14 Liberal MPs likely to emerge after a two-party swing that looks to be in the order of 15%, nobody can argue the party in any way mitigated its losses. It didn't.
It is one thing to win elections from opposition on slogans such as "stop the boats" or "axe the tax:" it is another thing altogether to govern effectively once government has been secured and in this sense, what happened yesterday merely reflects the malaise that has infected the Liberal Party nationally.
To win — and to win the best victory in WA history in 2013 — and spend the ensuing four years descending into hubris, squabbles over the spoils of office, and exhibiting a complete contempt for the voters who put it there far transcends the difficulties imposed on the Barnett government by cyclical events like the end of a mining boom or the related fall in the state's GST share: a modest loss might be justified, but this annihilation is at least partly self-inflicted.
But to claim that this was an election decided purely on "state factors" is fatuous; and in this sense, the malfunctioning, misfiring federal Coalition government of Malcolm Turnbull — which itself embodies every one of the problems afflicting the Liberal Party that I have listed here — has to take its share of the responsibility too.
To be sure, Turnbull now faces an odious parallel with the Queensland state election of 2015 and the role played in it by the standing of Tony Abbott and his government, but more on that in a moment.
Right now, I think the Liberal Party is facing the bleakest period of its existence since the early 1980s, when more than a decade of opposition federally (and in most of the states) loomed large; the odd triumph (NSW, 1988) was more than offset by failures that should have been successes (WA in 1989, Victoria in 1988, SA in 1989, federally in 1990 and 1993) and the gradual elimination of what "real estate" conservative forces entered that miserable period with in the first place, losing Queensland and Tasmania to Labor in 1989 and the Brisbane City Council (which at one point represented the most senior administration the party headed anywhere in Australia) in 1991.
Since the Coalition returned to office federally in 2013, state Liberal governments in Queensland, Victoria and now Western Australia have fallen; two years out from another state election in NSW, the party's prospects look shaky there too. Liberals are unlikely to win in South Australia or Victoria next year, and the Liberal government in Tasmania is as much a hostage to that state's proportional voting system as anything else when it comes to its prospects for winning a second term next year.
In other words — now holding office only in NSW, Tasmania and federally — there is realistic and probable scope for the Liberal Party to surrender office in all three of these jurisdictions over the next two years, and it is looking down the barrel of an even more painful period than the 1980s, and "professional, modern" Labor, began inflicting on it 35 years ago.
If readers are wondering why I'm not devoting today's article to a systematic analysis of the numbers emanating from what is tantamount to an apocalyptic, politically nuclear event, it's simply because I think it represents just the latest instalment of a pattern of decline that will consign the Liberal Party to a decade of misery unless something drastic occurs to arrest it, but those who fret over such minutiae can keep an eye on the Wikipedia breakdown of the results here: I think the question of how many MPs the party emerges with, or where the swing against it finally settles, is that irrelevant in the wider scheme of things.
Just as the 2013 state election in WA sounded the death knell on Julia Gillard's Prime Ministership (and arguably Labor's tenure in office federally overall), I can't help thinking that the one held yesterday heralds a similar milestone — or millstone — for Malcolm Turnbull.
It is a seismic event of the importance of the 1974 election in Queensland, which effectively stamped the papers of the Whitlam government in Canberra.
And another state election in Queensland, two years ago, led directly to the so-called "challenge by an empty chair" which began a protracted process of removing Abbott from the Prime Ministership: the swing against Campbell Newman was almost identical to the one suffered by Barnett yesterday, and whilst the Queensland LNP retained enough seats to remain within spitting distance of reclaiming government, it started from an even stronger position in terms of votes and seats than Barnett entered yesterday's contest defending.
Nobody can suggest that the lacklustre Turnbull government is blameless for what happened yesterday.
Nobody can claim the Prime Minister, as Abbott was in Queensland in 2015, was anything less than a direct negative that amplified the movement away from the incumbent government.
It is time for Turnbull's colleagues to seriously consider the damage his continued presence stands to inflict upon the Liberal Party's fortunes, federally and around the states, should he be permitted to continue as the party's most senior — and visible — standard-bearer.
But dumping Turnbull will be pointless unless the other structural problems the party has lumbered itself with are also addressed and in this sense, those who "control" the Liberal Party — and who dish out patronage and paid employment to the useless, the inept, and the downright incompetent — ought to take a hard, critical look at themselves in the wake of yesterday's disaster, and make brutally honest decisions about where they want the party to head: and whether, despite their cosily entrenched sinecures, their handiwork is conducive to the best interests of the party at all.
Yesterday was cataclysmic. Without extensive change at almost every level, many similar humiliations will soon follow.


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Two Nerds, One giant pack of flesh-eating zombies.Mature
"They're swarming the back entrance!" Craig's voice informed me over the walkie-talkie.
"Copy. Pull back to my room and we'll try to punch through on my end."
"Alright, on my way."
I dropped the walkie-talkie, brought my gun up to bear and began firing. It was my pride and joy if I can say that. Once word of this epidemic came out I spent all that I had saved up in the bank on survival gear.
Survival Gear... Guns... same difference.
The money was supposed to be for college, but I figured that if I survived this whole fiasco I'd be one of the people running the college. The un-un-dead can't be choosers now can they?
I had a nifty assault rifle, a combat pistol, and some military-grade combat knives. The guns had honest to goodness modern day bayonets fixed on to them. It was pretty cool. Pretty expensive too... but what else was I going to spend cash on?
The door burst open behind me and I spun getting ready to fire, but lowered my guard when I recognized the person whom I trusted most in the world... not that there were that many people to choose from anymore, but it didn't matter. Craig was my friend, comrade, and fellow-nerd. If anyone was going to survive this mess, it would be us.
I shouldered my way through the door and regretted it instantly. An entrance like that would raise Alex's attention, awareness, and paranoia... combine that with a gun... not good.
In this instance however it didn't matter.
If I slowed down to knock, the zombies tailing me would be enjoying a human happy-meal. At least this way I had a chance of survival. Alex spun and raised his gun but lowered it just as quickly.
He started to speak but I cut him off. Not that I was rude or anything but,
"Alex we don't have time, they are right behind me... we gotta split!"
He nodded, picked up the walkie-talkie on the ground, and turned back around. I didn't slow down for a second. I tensed and leapt. I could do that because, as Alex never let me forget, I was short. Alex took a second longer than I did and then we were out of the temporary "house" and running for our lives.
"Now for wrath, now for ruin, and the RED DAWN!" shouted Alex as we sprinted away. Lord of the Rings and Star Wars quotes came to us more easily than mere conventional english. We're nerds. Don't forget that.
I looked over at him and gave him a grin while saying, "You were right about one thing master, the negotiations were short."
I looked at my watch, following a sharp right turn off of main street and found the time to be 10 AM.
Kicked out of our temporary home, chased by flesh eating dead thingers, and two references to the best movies ever...
The morning was off to a great start.

subset: commoncrawl


text: DUBLIN, Aug. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "The Global Market for Transformers 2014 - 2050: 2nd Edition" report to their offering.A new report "The Global Market for Transformers 2014- 2050" forecasts steady global growth between 2015 and 2020, with the installed base of Power Transformers likely to increase by 16.4% and the installed base of Distribution Transformers to increase by 6.8%. But fortunes within the total global market vary dramatically once we start looking at the split between power transformers (PT) and distribution transformers (DT) and then by region, says director David Dower: In terms of installed base, the most significant growth will be in Asia for PT and Sub-Saharan Africa for DT, both of these markets will show a growth in the installed base of more than 20% from 2015 to 2020. Other regional markets will also show double digit growth over that time and we will be following the Middle East in both PT and DT demand with interest. Key Topics Covered: 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2. THE TRANSFOMATION PROCESS, POWER AND DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER TYPES AND OWNERSHIP3. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND HIGH EFFICIENCY TRANSFORMERS 4. MATERIALS COSTS 5. LOGISTICS 6. RATIOS OF TRANSFORMATION CAPACITY TO GENERATING CAPACITY 46 7. UTILITY, GSU & INDUSTRIAL POWER AND DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER CAPACITY, NUMBERS AND AVERAGE kVA PER UNIT 52 8. THE TRANSFORMER CAPACITY DEMAND CYCLE 9. ANALYSIS OF GENERATION MIX AND IMPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFORMERS 10. TRANSFORMER PRODUCTION CAPACITY 11. POWER AND DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER MARKET VALUE 12. TRANSFORMER SUPPLY: THE MANUFACTURERS 13. REGIONAL BREAKDOWN AND FORECASTS FOR TRANSFORMER MARKETS 14. TRANSFORMER CAPACITY & UNITS BY REGION AND COUNTRY, 2010 - 2020 15. METHODOLOGY For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/p7qp9j/the_global_market Media Contact: Laura Wood, +353-1-481-1716, firstname.lastname@example.com SOURCE Research and Markets


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A US military detachment being sent to Uganda will also be used in parts of Central African Republic, DR Congo and South Sudan, the White House confirmed on Monday, after announcing its second deployment of special operations forces in Africa within a week.
At least four CV-22 Ospreys, a tilt-rotor aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, are being sent with 150 special operations airmen to assist in the hunt for members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
The escalating pursuit of Joseph Kony, the fugitive leader of the LRA accused of scores of massacres, comes just days after the White House also deployed US navy Seals in north Africa to capture an oil tanker taken by Libyan rebels.
White House officials stressed that the Ugandan assistance was an evolution in its existing support for the fight against the LRA, and not a sign of greater military involvement in the region.
"The deployment of these aircraft and personnel does not signify a change in the nature of the US military advisory role in this effort," said spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden. "African Union-led regional forces remain in the lead, with US forces supporting and advising their efforts."
The US says its African partners have "consistently identified airlift as one of their greatest limiting factors as they search for and pursue the remaining LRA leaders across a wide swath of one of the world's poorest, least governed, and most remote regions."
But the White House was also forced to defend its decision to provide logistical support to a Ugandan government that has itself been heavily criticised in Washington and around the world for its treatment of gay people.
"Ensuring justice and accountability for human rights violators like the LRA and protecting LGBT rights aren't mutually exclusive. We can and must do both," Hayden said.
"We are cognisant that there are many who share our concerns about Ugandan president Museveni's recent enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act," added Hayden, in a statement provided to the Guardian.
Previously, the US previously deployed around 100 troops in October 2011, to serve as "military advisers" in the hunt for LRA commanders and to support efforts to protect civilians.
In a separate factsheet issued on Tuesday, the State Department said it had also deployed a field officer and previously offered rewards of up to $5m for information leading to the arrests or conviction of LRA leaders Joseph Kony, Okot Odhiambo, and Dominic Ongwen.
"The LRA is one of the world's most notorious atrocity perpetrators," said Hayden. "For nearly three decades, the LRA has displaced, maimed, and terrorised innocent people across four countries, including abducting tens of thousands of children and forcing them to become sex slaves or child soldiers and to commit unspeakable acts."


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Nina Leonfellner has been involved in a variety of sports all her life, both team sports and individual sports such as swimming, skiing, figure skating and now rock climbing since 2000. She has been treating sports injuries since she graduated as a physiotherapist in 1999. Nina is a member of the ACPSEM (Association of Chartered Society of Sport & Exercise Medicine) and has her Silver level of accreditation with this association. This means she has not only worked in clinics treating athletes, but also at various sport events and competitions for a variety of sports. She has also been mentored by some of the top physiotherapists in sport in the country. A Silver accreditation also means that Nina submitted an extensive professional portfolio and case reflections to the ACPSEM board in order to justify being called a sports physiotherapist.
Nina is also a member of the AACP (Association of Acupuncture for Chartered Physiotherapists) & ACPOHE (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Heath & Ergonomics).
Contact Me: Tel: 07759026869 Email: email@example.com


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I missed Meg for years. I had found out soon after Meg's death that it had been colic that had killed her. I always wished that I could have saved her, but deep down I knew I couldn't have.
I learned to ride, and apparemtly I was a natural, but I never paid much attention to that. I would still go out in the middle of the night, and ride about in the field as I watched people ride one of the first nights that I was here. No saddle, no bridle, nothing.
Living on an Arab stud farm was a huge leap forward in the equestrian world. I remember that one day, we bought a stallion of our own. He was huge, with massive muscles, and black as the night sky. He scared me, but I connected with him, and I understood the pain in those dark eyes.
His name was Riot, and it suited him perfectly. In the field he would gallop around, trying to jump into the mare paddock, often succeeding and often breaking the fences in the process. He was a complete lunatic. Soon, we had to keep him in his stall, where he went mad.
The door of his stable was made of reinforced steel, and yet he broke three. Noone would dare enter the stable, for fear of being killed, as one poor groom nearly had been. He stood for days, knee deep in his own muck. I would see him and I would be able to look through his eyes, and I could feel the pain that he felt. As I said, I had connected with him as I had never with any animal before.
One night, I crept out onto the yard and went to his stable. It was like I was detached from my body, and I had no idea what I was doing. I just went. I took a tourch, and I glimpsed it into his stable. He was crowded against the back wall, in the shadows, so all I could see of him was his dark eyes reflecting the tourch.
He slowly came to the front of the stable. I confidently stood my ground, and as he came towards me I knew I should have been scared but I wasn't. The stallion must have felt the connection between us, because he simply put his muzzle on my shoulder and stood there.


text:
The hotel was renovated. It is an air-conditioned building which comprises a total of 35 rooms spread across six floors. The lobby area offers a reception desk manned around the clock, as well as a lift, breakfast room, WLAN Internet access and conference facilities.The rooms all come with an en suite bathroom, individually adjustable air conditioning and heating and a double or king-size bed. The triple rooms are fitted with one double bed and one single bed. All rooms have a direct dial telephone, cable TV, WLAN Internet access, minibar and safe.
Take the metro at Place d'Italie (lines 5, 6, 7) or the bus lines 83, 27, 47, 57 or 67. Montparnasse (2 km) is 10 minutes with line 6 and Austerlitz (1 km) is 5 minutes with line 5.


text: Tim Cowlishaw When Cowboys owner Jerry Jones turns his gaze to the opponent's sideline today, he's likely to be struck by two thoughts about Saints coach Sean Payton. One. "I used to have him." Two. "How do I get him?" Possible answer: He already has him. Again. When Jason Garrett was hired as offensive coordinator in 2007 – actually he was just hired, period, before a head coach was named and then the coordinator title came after – he talked about his influences. Payton, who was offensive coordinator when Garrett played in New York, ranked right at the top. That was an easy choice to make, given that Payton had just led the Saints to an NFC Championship Game that month. Now a head coach, Garrett continues to talk glowingly about Payton. Again it comes with good reason. Read More http://www.**************/sharedcon...oys/stories/112510dnspocowlishaw.28a6a1d.html


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Marcus and Millichap closes more real estate investment sales than any other brokerage firm—over 60% of which involve a 1031 Exchange.
Our leading market position, coupled with extensive investor relationships, gives us access to the largest pool of qualified buyers, including exchange buyers.
Through its long-standing relationships and market knowledge, Marcus and Millichap secured difficult financing for its buyer where other mortgage brokerage firms had failed.
Learn more about what made this case especially complex and how Marcus and Millichap overcame the financing obstacles.
Vacancy Drop, Higher Rents on Tap in Chicago
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Alicia, the founder and leader of Shepherd Commercial, is a true Westside specialist, in Marcus & Millichap's West LA office, located in the heart of her specialized market of Venice, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, and The Playa communities. Alicia and her team of cross product agents offer dedicated services to both buyers & sellers in commercial real estate with a business practice built on the cornerstones of integrity, honesty, and trust. Through creative marketing approaches, strategic pricing, and a thorough knowledge of the marketplace, Alicia creates successful platforms that work in her clients' best interest to create a market and maximize on their returns. Beyond being a market specialist, Alicia is a board member of the West Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, actively participating in the development and best interests of the West Los Angeles community. She also regularly attends the Santa Monica & Venice council and neighborhood meetings, keeping a direct pulse and voice in the community as both a specialist and a resident. Alicia offers a specialization in an understanding of development, not only from the land owners position, but as an active community member with an astute understanding of what "plausible" development throughout the Westside. Her creative, successful, and results driven team offer a brand of commercial real estate service that always keeps the clients benefit the focus. With fresh marketing platforms paired with aggressive "in the streets" marketing, the team keeps their transactions closing at the peak of what the market has to offer. This practice of business over Shepherd's career has participated on over 100 transactions totaling over $412 Million in sales. Prior to joining Marcus & Millichap, Alicia performed as the Director of Operations for a successful Real Estate firm in Santa Monica. There she was responsible for building and developing marketing platforms for a team of seven agents, managing the transaction process, and creating an administrative organization through which the team could successfully perform in the most effective manner. She began her path in Real Estate in 2003 at White House Properties, working with several agents specializing in residential homes in Woodland Hills. This experience gave her the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients in just over 100 transactions, and the ability to truly understand each family's situation and circumstance. This has equipped her to be a fine tuned agent that pays attention to the details of her clients' needs. The high transaction flow that Alicia has seen throughout the course of her career has built a wealth of transaction knowledge and experience. That enables her to solve problems that can arise and to aid in closing a sale as smoothly and time effectively as possible for her clients.With a belief in cultivating relationships, utilizing an aggressive marketing approach, and bringing to the table a wealth of market knowledge, Alicia continues to bring a refreshing brand of commercial real estate to the Westside.
Senior Associate
Tel: (310) 909-5500
Fax: (310) 909-5410
License: CA 01916304
Associate Member - National Multi Housing Group
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text:
Action 9: Teenager struggles to receive replacement gift card
by: Don Griffin Updated:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A local teenager received a gift card as a present for her high school graduation, but when she lost it she had a difficult time getting the replacement card the company promised.
Shannon Thomas is proud to show off her daughter Laysha's high school diploma and graduation picture.
"This is the small picture that I have of her," said Thomas.
Thomas said one of the graduation
presents Laysha received was a $100 American Express gift card that got misplaced.
"My daughter called to cancel the card and American Express told her that she would receive another one in the mail in two weeks," said Thomas.
The replacement card never came, so Thomas said she called American Express and then faxed them a copy of the purchase receipt.
Thomas took notes on wh
o she talked to and was told the card would be sent in 10 days, but it still never arrived.
"I am very disappointed, especially with American Express because we are an American Express cardholder ourselves," said Thomas.
Action 9 got in touch with American Express and a spokesperson said their gift cards are safer than cash and can be replaced if lost.
The spokesperson recommended customers write down their card number somewhere safe and save the receipt.
After Action 9's contact with American Express, they sent Thomas' daughter a new card.
Laysha was happy to receive her new $100 gift card and will not misplace it this time.
"I am very excited
; now I am going to go Christmas shopping, get a little something done and have extra money in my pocket," said Laysha.


text:
OCA and APA Advocates Looking to Move Forward with D.C. Councilmember Marion BarryFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE24 May 2012CONTACTTom Hayashi | Executive Director202 223 5500 | email@example.com, D.C. – OCA, a national organization dedicated to advancing the political, social, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), applauds Washington, D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry Jr. for publicly acknowledging and apologizing for his problematic statements previously made regarding the APA community. In today's joint press conference with the APA community, Mr. Barry publicly acknowledged his unfortunate statements with sincerity and directly apologized to the community. Taking an active role in advocating for APAs, Executive Director Tom Hayashi also participated in the press conference, touching on the importance of continuing the discourse that is crucial to moving forward. OCA is pleased that a community dialogue has been established in an effort to address Mr. Barry's concerns while we work in solidarity to improve economic and educational conditions of all citizens within his constituency. It is high time for APAs to stop being polite or deferential; having said that, this does not mean being disrespectful, rude, or inappropriate. The outcome of this event reflects the collective resolve of our community to stand up against insensitive, xenophobic, and unfounded claims.While the dialogue between Mr. Barry and the APA community is symbolically important, this event must not be an end all or be all for race relations. This marks the beginning of an effort, and more importantly a commitment, to understand the deeper issues that plague our communities. Holding this press conference and the opportunity to express our hurt and concerns directly with the Councilman and members of the community is the easy part of our journey. As we had agreed to today, so much must and should be done in the months and years ahead to address how we can come together to move forward without the pitting and the blaming.
As we struggle as a nation with an economy in recession, issues of educational and economic opportunity continue to stress race relations. Our resolve locally in Washington, D.C., as well as on a national scale, is strong because leadership and relationship building between communities of color are pursued with integrity and solidarity. We must come to a fundamental understanding that we are all Americans; that APAs contribute to their community as much as everyone else. Moving forward is not about pointing to who is more oppressed or privileged. It is about addressing racism squarely for what it is and to overcome it.Our next step, as an APA community, is to get beyond the personalities and to engage in crucial discussions on how we can address specific issues around economic development and educational opportunities through regularly scheduled meetings sponsored by the D.C. Commission for APIAs. As a national membership driven civil rights organization, OCA will continue to fight injustices and seek to build stronger relationships across communities locally and nationally. For their national collaborative effort, we would like to thank the ongoing support of the Japanese American Citizens League, Asian American Justice Center, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. We would also like to thank all members, donors, and allies for supporting our work.
5/6/2017OCA Chapters Nationwide Observe 135th Anniversary of Chinese Exclusion Act
4/11/2017OCA Demands Answers Regarding Removal of United Passenger
3/6/2017OCA Condemns Offensive 'Orientals' Statement By Rep. Mike Bost
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The first part of the episode was difficult to follow, as the action picks up well into the Seadragons mission. Things pick up after Linstrom is falsely accused of killing a POW. Why the dying man accused her is unknown.
Bobby meets an falls for a woman he meets. As the show progresses, he finds out that she is in the Navy and enlsted, to boot. Their relationship a go no farther, for it is against regulations of officers and enlisted people to date.
AJ and Lindstom get closer, first having a "moment" on the beach. After the real killer is exposed, Lindstom and AJ give into temptation and kiss.


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£17.00 per person, this event is held every last Friday of the month – Booking is required, call 01384 2531418 to make your reservation. Dates are subject to change.
Sunday Lunch Carvery- every Sunday – from £6.95 per person. Telephone 01384 253418 for reservations.
Belly Dancing every Monday with Shakadim Dance £6.00 per session 7.30- 8.30pm
Salsa every Thursday with Club Cuba Dance £5.50 per lesson. 7.30pm – 10.00pm
£29.95 per person including two course meal, 3 hour investigation with our resident medium – Parties of 10 or more required. Available on request.
Meetings held every Thursday morning from 9.45am
They offer anextensive range of balloon decor, favors, chair covers and associated items. Over the past 16 years they have provided balloon decor for weddings, parties and business events. http://www.cloudnineballoons.co.uk/
Special Designs for all occasions, 07737600541
Professional Singer Bookings now being taken for 2012 2013 2014 Call 01902 255 005 mobile 07812 089 65
Phychic Clairvoyant http://www.psychiclightandsoul.co.uk/01902 830 525


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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated open water swimming champion Bhakti Sharma for setting a world record by swimming 1.4 miles in the one degree temperature in the Antarctic Ocean in 52 minutes.
"We are all very very proud of Bhakti Sharma for her accomplishments! My best wishes to her", Modi said in a statement.
Bhakti on Tuesday became the first Indian woman to achieve this feat, beating the record of British open water swimming champion Lewis Pugh and American swimmer Lynne Cox, according to information received here.
She is the youngest and the first Asian girl to have achieved this feat and has now conquered all the five oceans of the world.


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|Reviews for The Awkward Adventure of Spiderman and Deadpool
| Guest chapter 1 . 8/22/2013
Haha i love it!
| IamBatgirl chapter 1 . 1/5/2013
I actually liked it! It was funny and Peter and Deadpool just made smile. Peter couldn't have been more uncomfortable-it's a good thing;)
| Rider Paladin chapter 1 . 7/24/2012
It was still pretty funny, enough to make me smile a little. Peter is such a good boy, trying his best not to be disrespectful while at the same time very clearly frustrated and in need of a good shag himself. Carol/Jessica femslash is really awesome, particularly since there is some basis for it in the comics proper, with Jessica saving Carol's life after Rogue completely drained her powers back in the 1980s and left her to die and then Carol eagerly hugging Jessica after seeing her on the Skrull vessel where all the Skrull-impersonated characters were being held captive despite everyone else being leery around her because of the Skrull Queen wearing Jessica's face the whole time. If that's not true love - or deep friendship that can be reinterpreted by us fanficcers as true love - I don't know what is.
Wade is absolutely terrible . . . and we love him for it. Slashier than canon would have him, maybe, but this is the same Deadpool whose greatest fantasy was to rub suntan lotion on Cable's back, so him acting the way you write him here isn't quite out of the ordinary for him.
I do agree with you that Carol being the new Captain Marvel rocks and I'm going to buy Avenging Spider-Man #10 (in addition to #9) along with her new #1 to show Marvel I want this title to last. Oh, wait, I'd have to buy the next few issues to actually demonstrate that, since anybody can buy a #1 issue, but it takes real dedication to buy the ones after. Fine by me; I've been looking forward to it since Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes showed me just how awesome she could be. Great work with the fic.
| AislingIsobel chapter 1 . 7/24/2012
You wrote Wade really well, it's hard to do. I enjoyed this, had me laughing loudly in a waiting room. Super cute, I wanna know what they broke...


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SearchAll Refuges
This nectar feeding member of the honeycreeper family, with its brilliant scarlet body plumage and black wings and tail, abounds in the forest canopy where 'ōhi'a lehua blossoms are plentiful. The 'i'iwi's long, down curved, orange bill is specialized for sipping nectar from tubular flowers. The 'i'iwi's "squeaky hinge" call can be heard throughout the forest when the birds are present.
Their diet consists primarily of nectar, but 'i'iwi also eat small arthropods.
Both sexes defend small nesting territories and may defend important nectar resources. Courtship chases and feeding may precede breeding. Nest sites are in terminal branches of 'ōhi'a trees and both sexes build the open-cup nest. Only females incubate eggs (typically two) and brood young. Young are mostly provisioned by female; males feed females off the nest.
Although 'i'iwi populations appear stable on the islands of Hawai'i, Maui, and Kaua'i, they are likely susceptible to the same factors that threaten other native Hawaiian forest birds, including: loss and degradation of habitat, predation by introduced mammals, and disease.
Like 'apapane, 'i'iwi often fly long distances in search of flowering 'ōhi'a trees and are impprtant 'ōhi'a pollinators.
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The rare and endangered 'akiapōlā'au occurs in only a few areas of upper elevation koa/'ōhi'a forest on the Big Island. The 'akiapōlā'au feeds on insects and caterpillars living in the wood and under the bark of koa trees. Its bill is one of the most unusual in the honeycreeper family.
Learn more


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ED Magedson – Founder
Ripoff Report
ICM Internet Cash Machine12210 Brighton Road Lake Forrest, California United States of America
Does your business have a bad reputation?
Fix it the right way.
Corporate Advocacy Program™
On 6/2/10 I found two unauthorized charges on my account. One was for 2.97 and the other is still a pending charge of 149.95 for a company by the name of ICMWEB. Because I have never heard of this company and also had not used my debit card in over a week this cause me great concern and fright. I immediately contacted my bank which provided me with information about this company and the charges that were made. I made it clear to my bank that I had not used my debit card online at anytime or authorized anyone else to use my card at the time of this purchase. After that they decided to file a fraud charge dispute against this charge. We assumed somehow somebody stole my banking information or at least the debit card number so we cancelled my card.
I got my dispute number and they tried calling this ICMWeb for any information regarding these charges but they said that they had properly gotten all my correct information therefore the charges were correct. Angry that I did not do this and they wouldn't refund me the bank advised me to contact them. When I called I waited for an answer for about 10min then finally hung up and called back again and got an answer. The woman on the phone asked for my name, address, email, and phone number all of which were incorrect except for my name. I told her this and she just kept repeating the information she had given to her and again I told her it was incorrect. The email, address, and phone number were all incorrect. I told her that was not even aware of what company this was or what they did so she said it was a business website. Okay well I'm 19 and work at a grocery store going to school to be a nurse, now why would I need a business website? I told her this and she starting being rude with me and kept putting me on hold finally connecting me to a customer service rep who was completely horrible to me. I tried explaing to this guy that I did not sign up for this, I did not authorize anyone else to and I and requesting a refund and also that that information didn't even match me. I asked him why would I put a email and an address that isn't mine on there and he just responded "I don't know you tell me you did it!" I was furious about this and said I didn't even know this stupid company existed and he replys "Oh so your calling us stupid now" then he says "look we can go back and forth at this all day long". I was like this guy is horrible he was completely unwilling to help me at all. I told him again that I did not sign up for anything that I didn't do this and all he did was hang up on me!!!! That is the worst customer service I've ever experienced in my life. I called my bank right after and had them note that I tried to tell them what had happened but they were unwilling to help and refund all charges. Now if the situation was different and one where I did sign up for a website and just didn't read the fine print or terms and conditions, I can see where this would be different and why they would be unwilling to help but COME ON SOMEONE STOLE MY DEBIT CARD AND I KNOW IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ANY OF YOU GUYS, YOU WOULD ALSO BE UPSET IF SOMONE BOUGHT A WEBSITE AND WIPED OUT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.
EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 06/03/2010 11:50 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/icm-internet-cash-machine/lake-forrest-california-/icm-internet-cash-machine-icm-websites-this-company-refuses-to-refund-any-charges-that-i-d-610143. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on ICM Internet Cash Machine
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In order to assure the best results in your search:
#1 UPDATE Employee
SUBMITTED: Friday, June 04, 2010POSTED: Friday, June 04, 2010
Thank you for your correspondence in connection with the above-referenced matter.
We are unable to locate this account with the name provided in the complaint. We would simply ask this customer to contact our office at 1-877-863-3088, ext 144 and ask for Jennifer at extension 144. Jennifer has been directed to immediately address and resolve your concerns, provide you a refund, or cancel your account.
Internet Cash Machine is committed to the success and satisfaction of all of its clients and conducts its business in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Internet Cash Machine is a membership site that provides users with all the tools and information necessary to learn how to post product websites and mall webstores, as well as, launch products for auction on eBay.
In order to sign up for the Internet Cash Machine program, the customer MUST go thru the following steps.
1. Client reaches Internet Cash Machine offer site through different
internet advertisements.
2. Client is directed to a sales landing page to enter preliminary
information, in which there is a link at the bottom of the page to
the Terms and Conditions of the signing up for the program.
3. Then the customer must provide their
credit card information on the
secured payment page and must agree to the terms and conditions, that are
conspicuously displayed no more than 80 pixels from the order submission button.??
Regardless, if this customer is not satisfied with the product, the charges or the customer service, Internet Cash Machine, as a customer service gesture will assure that this customers account is terminated and no further charges will be conducted on their account by our office.
Internet Cash Machine is committed to the success and satisfaction of all of its clients and conducts its business in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Please contact our office directly if we may be of any further assistance.
Respectfully yours,
Internet Cash Machine Staff
Please contact customer service 1-877-863-3088, ext 144 and ask for Jennifer for a refund.
Are you an owner, employee or ex-employee with either negative or positive information about the company or individual, or can you provide "insider information" on this company?
Advertisers above have met our
strict standards for business conduct.


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Sign in to retrieve a saved callback list.
Scores based on 24 reviews
Invoice history based on 18 reviews.
I founded Canndo Construction in 2014 after working around Sussex since 2005. I have over 30 years experience in joinery and building.
My company specialize in all aspects of joinery both domestic and commercial, our main services include extensions, loft conversions, roofing, renovations, conservatories orangeries, windows, doors and flooring.
We can undertake jobs of any size and offer a complete building service including project management, my team are highly experienced tradesmen.
Our underlying principle is that our customers come first and we only make promises we can deliver.
Worthing, storrington, Uckfield, Pulborough, Littlehampton, East Grinstead, West Sussex


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© Copyright 2001 - 2017 Phuket villas. All content and rights of this web site are copyrighted and reserved.
Special note: This page was about phuket-villas-rental.com holiday rental search. All of our websites involve Holiday rentals in Asia.
So please browse our holiday villa websites for more great deals and special offers.


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Hampshire Hotel - City Groningen
No prices found through our partners. Please contact the business directly or check some of our recommended alternatives.
How has this hotel rated in the past?
- Suites
- Free High-Speed Internet
- Business Services
- Bar/lounge
- Fitness/Health center
- Wheelchair accessibility
Photos of Hampshire Hotel - City Groningen
Travelers also looked at:
- Bar/lounge
- Fitness/Health center
- Free High-Speed Internet
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Suites
- Business Services
TripAdvisor Reviews Hampshire Hotel - City Groningen
Travel Blogs from Groningen
Jos and Fenny take me to nearby Assen to see the Drents Museum (gallery). The building is old, not surprising, and has been lifted to allow windows to be placed at the bottom. Surprising and amazing. Inside we wander through several exhibits including one of sculpture by german artist Laura Eckert, I found her use of wood and marble fascinating. The Glasgow ...
Familiar faces and another warm welcome that reminds me how fortunate I am to have such a family, both at home and here. I happily handover the suitcase for Jos to carry upstairs, I can manage it on and off trains and planes and over footpaths etc, but also happy to delegate on stair-occasions. In 'my room' upstairs I am greeted by a large photograph of Jos and Fenny's son Jasper holding a koala. During Jaspers year in Australia, he spent ...
Day 7: Holwerd to Delfzijl with the wind.
... longest day so far at 57 miles.
Nothing much happened until just before lunch when Oskar took a small tumble scrapeing his knee again. Luckily he unclipped and fell mostly onto grass otherwise it could've been much worse.
We had lunch in Pieterburen next to an old windmill. Having stuffed ourselves we powered on only stopping briefly to get food and a couple spare chain links for my bike. ...
I felt so warm as we got close. This area is definitely one of my favourite parts of Nederland. After last hugs with Trudi we found most of the Houwing family in their 'buiten huis', a roomy, octagonal, covered area with couches and a BBQ. In the late afternoon sun people were enjoying a drink and relaxing, with an outlook over their natural swimming pool and fields beyond. It was delightful to meet the new members of the family - ...
Double Dutch
... with playground, restaurant and snack bar. Perfect for having a stroll after dinner and an ice cream! Indoor heated swimming pool as well. We were fortunate to find a caravan servicing centre not far, who were able to fix the caravan fridge ( it just needed a new element) after the very helpful reception people phoned around for us. Didn't cost as much as we expected ...


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-Studio 8- Photographer
DoulPhotographer Male Glenrothes, Scotland, United Kingdom
My MM URL: http://www.modelmayhem.com/doul
Mayhem # 1046845
About Me
I started taking photos when I was 12 at High School.
I'm based in Glenrothes Fife and cover a variety of styles from location to studio.
I'm a member of my local camera club where the members are great to get on with and all have thier ideas on how and what a photograph should look like.
My goal is one day to do this full time.
I have had the privilage to have worked with some great models over the past year which is half the battle.
I do take on TFP/TFCD.
Have you worked with Doul? Add Credits for Doul! >>
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Get an overview of this hotelHotel in Springfield with free breakfast and indoor pool
Popular property highlights
Situated in Springfield, this hotel is 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Battlefield Mall and 2.9 mi (4.7 km) from Clarke Surgical Center. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center are also within 6 mi (10 km).
An indoor pool, a fitness center, and a spa tub are available at this smoke-free hotel. Free full breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a 24-hour business center, conference rooms, and a 24-hour front desk.
Hotel Features
Room Amenities
All 97 rooms provide conveniences like refrigerators and microwaves, plus free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Other amenities available to guests include coffee makers, free weekday newspapers, and free local calls.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Baymont Inn & Suites Springfield
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
In addition to an indoor pool, Baymont Inn & Suites Springfield provides a spa tub and a fitness center. A computer station is located on site and wireless Internet access is complimentary. This hotel offers access to a 24-hour business center and a meeting room. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning. Event facilities measuring 225 square feet (21 square meters) include conference space. This business-friendly hotel also offers an arcade/game room, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Onsite self parking is complimentary.
Baymont Inn & Suites Springfield is a smoke-free property.
- 24-hour front desk
- Arcade/game room
- Total number of rooms - 97
- Number of floors - 3
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Free breakfast
- Conference space
- Elevator/lift
- Fitness facilities
- Free WiFi
- Computer station
- One meeting room
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Free self parking
- Conference space size (meters) - 21
- 24-hour business center
- Conference space size (feet) - 225
- Smoke-free property
- Spa tub
- Indoor pool
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Indoor pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Arcade/game room
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Free weekday newspaper
- Air conditioning
- Free local calls
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea maker
- Microwave
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Shower/tub combination
- Iron/ironing board
- Cable TV service
- Flat-panel TV
- Free WiFi
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
Where to Eat
A complimentary full breakfast is served each morning between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM.
Nearby Things to Do
An indoor pool and a spa tub are on site. Other recreational amenities include a fitness center.
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Minimum check-in age is 21
Check-in time ends at midnight
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 5.66 per night.
- Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 20 per pet, per night
- 2 per room
- Specific rooms only
- Pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
Service animals exempt from fees/restrictions
No cribs (infant beds) available
- Deposit: USD 100.00 per stay
Optional extras
- Pet fee: USD 20 per pet, per night
- Rollaway bed fee: USD 5.66 per night
Hotel Name
- Baymont Inn Springfield South Highway 65 Hotel
- Baymont Inn Highway 65 Hotel
- Baymont Inn Springfield South Highway 65
- Baymont Inn Highway 65
- Baymont Inn Springfield Hotel
- Baymont Inn Springfield
- Baymont Inn & Suites Springfield Hotel Springfield
- Springfield Baymont Inn
- Baymont Inn And Suites Springfield
We should mention
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation. This property allows pets in specific rooms only (surcharges apply and can be found in the Fees section). Guests can request one of these rooms by contacting the property directly, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.


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Carnival Cruise Line announced deployment changes for 2016 in Galveston and Port Canaveral FL, two of its key homeports.
According to Carnival's president, Christine Duffy, Galveston and Port Canaveral were "two important markets for 'Fun Ship' cruising". The deployment changes provided line's guests and travel agent partners with new options featuring various on-board innovations and visiting top destinations in Mexico, Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean.
Carnival Breeze, which was originally planned to reposition to Galveston in December 2016, will now move there several months early - in May 2016 to replace the Magic and assume its 7-night Western Caribbean and Bahamas voyages. Additionally, the Carnival Splendor ship will take over the 6- and 8-night Caribbean year-round sailings of Carnival Breeze from Miami, beginning May 2016. Currently, the Splendour splits time between Miami, Norfolk and New York. Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to fill in the gaps in the latter two ports, left by Splendor.
Carnival Magic will relocate to sail from Port Canaveral in April 2016 and take over Valor's 7-night Caribbean cruises, while Carnival Valor will stay in Port Canaveral where it will offer a different set of itineraries. Following an extensive dry dock in early spring, the ship will offer 3- to 5-night short sailings to the Bahamas and Caribbean in April and May 2016. Starting June 2016, Carnival Valor will sail 5- to 8-night Bahamas, Eastern and Southern Caribbean voyages.
All bookings for Carnival Breeze sailings between May and December 2016 from Miami will be transferred automatically to Carnival Splendor. As Splendor's fares are lower, all travelers affected will receive price adjustments and a $50 onboard credit per person. If those passengers want to rebook on a different cruise ship, they can do so and will still receive the onboard credit of $50 per person. Affected passengers who choose to cancel completely can do so and receive a full refund.


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There was a famous face in the crowd at Villarreal's home game last weekend. Manuel Pellegrini had come to watch his old club. It was a promotion six-pointer against Girona and the supporters stood to applaud when their former coach appeared to take his seat next to his one-time President and still close friend Fernando Roig. Villarreal won 4-1.
Tomorrow, Malaga's La Rosaleda stadium will also rise to salute the soon to be appointed Manchester City coach as he takes charge of his last home game. "It will be emotional," says Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
There is a reason why the two sets of supporters hold the 59-year-old Chilean coach in such high esteem – he almost took them to a European Cup final.
Twice Pellegrini persuaded his charges that they were "in it to win it" despite being competition novices.
"He told us that we weren't there to just participate; we were there to win it," says Caballero, who admits that must have sounded a bit far-fetched as they stumbled into the group stage having just sold Santi Cazorla, their best player.
"People thought we were there to enjoy the group matches and then get back to the business of the league but we won the group and ended up being just minutes from making it into the semi-final."
Asked for the best moment of this incredible season, Caballero says "the away trips" instead of picking out one game in the run which saw them beat Porto and so nearly tonight's Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.
"I will never forget the trips to places like Milan, the atmosphere among the players," he says. "We had a mixed group – some who had never played at that level before and others who had – but there was a feeling that we were all in it together."
It is the kind of togetherness that Manchester City's chief executive Ferran Soriano saw lacking in the club under Roberto Mancini. It might be harder to forge in Manchester than it was in Malaga, although for all their riches City, as a club, are as lacking in Champions League experience as two of Pellegrini's former clubs.
Caballero says Pellegrini did not have to look too far to find something to inspire his Malaga players – his former club had blazed the trail. "In many ways Villarreal were the perfect role model for us," he says. "If they could do it, then so could we."
Villarreal qualified for the Champions League in Pellegrini's first year, 2005. "Many of us had not played the tournament before and we were not exactly led into the shallow end," says then right-back Javi Venta, now back at the club to play out his career.
They drew the one team that President Roig had said publicly before the draw they did not want – David Moyes's Everton. "Despite that, Pellegrini convinced us that playing an English team suited us perfectly," says Venta. "He convinces his players because he is convinced himself."
Pellegrini's impact was also felt off the pitch, where he changed the club's bonus system. What was previously split 24 ways for each player was to be split 25 ways, with the 25th part to be divided between all remaining club employees.
"Everyone from the groundsman to the president counts. You share so many hours with these people, you should share the rewards," adds Venta, who says the players bought into the manager's ideas.
It was not all peace and love at Villarreal but club insiders say that when the brilliant Juan Roman Riquelme rebelled and delivered a "me or the manager" ultimatum the club backed Pellegrini over the star player in a heartbeat.
Back when Villarreal were a match for Barcelona, Txiki Begiristain, now Manchester City's director of football, held that role at the Nou Camp. He noted how the club down the east coast of Spain were Barça's greatest competition in terms of bringing youngsters through.
Players such as Cazorla came out of the youth system and were nurtured by Pellegrini into Champions League performers.
"I took Cazorla and put him in the first team but by his second season you could see that he was still struggling so I sent him out on loan," the coach says. "He came back ready. Not every player needs that loan move. But if a player needs to mature elsewhere then there is nothing wrong with that."
Cazorla came back from a season at Recreativo ready to take the reins at Villarreal and Pellegrini might have taken him to Real Madrid if the club had not been so obsessed with buying Kaka and paying him €10m (£8.5m) a season. The player eventually moved to Malaga, where he worked with Pellegrini until his sale to Arsenal.
Under Arsène Wenger he has now been reunited with another former Malaga team-mate, Nacho Monreal, who cannot speak highly enough of Pellegrini.
"He is the best coach I have had. He is the one I learned the most from. He knows everything there is to know about the game and it is sad what is happening to the club [Malaga] because he and the players deserve better," Monreal told the Spanish sports paper Diario AS.
Monreal needed to improve his attacking game at Malaga. "The full-backs have to be very attacking, with the wingers going inside and leaving the flanks free," Venta explained.
That preference for "false" wingers was never clearer than when Pellegrini sold orthodox outside right Antonio Valencia to Wigan Athletic from Villarreal. "I don't want wingers but I want players on the wings. I want forwards and full-backs that can occupy the flanks at the right time but I don't want someone standing out on the touchline waiting to receive the ball so they can take the full-back on," he said in an extensive interview he gave on taking over at Real Madrid.
He only lasted a season at Spain's biggest club and it is that failure that will most make Manchester City supporters doubt their new manager. His relaxed demeanour was often mistaken for a lack of intensity. Not that he hadn't warned them what to expect.
"I give instruction from the touchline, but I am not a clown," he said. "I also know that players don't listen too much during the game, not even at half-time. As a coach you win the game through the week on the training ground not during the 90 minutes."
In many ways Manchester City's kingmakers have chosen the anti-Mancini. A man who stays calm and who believes togetherness, not the spark of conflict, brings the best out of a squad.
One thing they will hope he does share with his predecessor is popularity among the support. It may take time but if the reception he got last weekend at Villarreal and the raucous send-off he will get tomorrow are any indication it will come in the end.Reuse content


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Had botox 5 weeks ago in the middle of forehead. Since then I can not see very well because the upper lids have swelled. I have slits for eyes. I was told it would last a few days, but it just got worse. I have tried benedryl, ice, Nephcol eye drops and no results. In the morning its the worst. What can I use to reduce swelling from Botox? Do you have any suggestions and please tell me this will go away.
How Can I Reduce Swelling After Botox?
Doctor Answers 5
Poor Botox technique causes eyelid droop.
1) I hate to tell you this, but it is not swelling. When Botox is injected too close to the eyebrows, the brows droop and that causes the eyelids to bunch up. In bad cases,the eyelids themselves droop (ptosis). I did this myself a couple of times when I was learning to use Botox years ago. I am pretty sure this is why you are having trouble with your vision. It is the most common Botox complication.
2) See an ophthalmologist, but this could last 2 or 3 months.
This is only good if you are Droopy (of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
When Botox gets into the orbicularis oculi muscle, it makes it difficult to open the upper eyelid. This usually occurs when Botox is injected too close to the eyelid, or if too concentrated of a dose is used. Unfortunately the effect can last anywhere from a few days to weeks to months, again depending on the amount of Botox in the muscle.
The good news is that this will go away, hopefully sooner than later. This occurs more often in patients who have had previous forehead surgery (brow lifts), so that Botox needs to be injected further from the eyebrow in those patients. Visine eye drops are a temporary help in elevating the upper eyelid if you have social events, but "tincture of time" is the only sure remedy. Sorry that you have to suffer from this rare side effect.
Again, it is very important to choose your physician carefully when having medical procedures. I hope that by the time that you read this that your symptoms have resolved, and that you can relate to my favorite of the 7 dwarfs, Happy. Be well.
That other dwarf, Doc (P)
Botox and swelling
You do not have eyelid swelling. What happens when you inject the center of the forehead is that the muscles that hold your eyebrows up no longer function causing the eyebrows to drop drown and the upper eyelids to look heavy. If you have a heavy eyebrow to begin with then injecting the forehead is a no-no because it makes your problem worse. You will have to wait for this to wear off. It should start getting better soon.
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Swelling 5 weeks after Botox
If you had Botox 5 weeks ago, it would not be related to swelling you have currently. Either one of two things is likely happening.
1. You may have had too much Botox injected into the forehead which is dropping your brow, causing your eyelids to feel heavy and swollen.
2. If it is swelling, you could have some other health issue going on that appeared around the same time, but is unrelated.
In either case, you should visit the practitioner that injected you for an evaluation. Good luck.
Web reference: http://www.celibre.com/botox.aspx
Swelling of the eyes after Botox
Botox itself is unlikely to give eye swelling 5 weeks after the procedure. If you have upper eyelid descent than that it may be related to brow descent. This may be a litmus test for you requiring a brow lift. If it is just the upper eyelid, then the Botox may have gotten into the orbicularis muscle of the eye and caused ptosis.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.


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Hindu Press International (HPI) is a daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike. Sign up to receive to HPI by email
Source: Korean Buddhism at the Crossroads
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, May 6, 2001: Dr. Frank M. Tedesco, a well-known social activist, expert on Korean Buddhism and author of "Korean Buddhism at the Crossroads," was invited to Malaysia for a series of talks in May, 2001. Dr. Tedesco noted that after the Korean War (1950-1953) the entire country was in ruins and the people were demoralized. The country needed foreign aid and the U.S. poured in money to rebuild South Korea. In the process the US government used Christian missionaries to administer aid because they had been in the country for nearly a hundred years and understood the local customs and language. The missionaries came to be seen as saviors of the Korean people as the local people associated Christianity with development, self-help, advanced Western technology and medicine. During this time the Buddhist monastic community was largely uneducated and fragmented, and there was no strong and organized lay Buddhist leadership. Buddhism began to lose followers to the missionaries who were able to capitalize on these weaknesses. Some Korean Christians have been very zealous, using every opportunity to bring others to their faith. Also a number of attacks on Buddhist temples by extremist Christians have also occurred over the years. In 1900 .5 percent of Koreans were Christians. Today, it is 21%. Christians consider it a success story and hope to repeat it across Asia, with Nepal as the immediate next target.
Source: The Nation, Thailand
BANGKOK, THAILAND, February 4, 2003: The Indian Embassy recently brought 40 Madhubani paintings from India to display at Bangkok's National Gallery where they were on display until January 30. This exhibition by women from the Indian state of Bihar, highlighted centuries of a folk art tradition Madhubani women have created for religious and secular ceremonies. All pieces are unsigned as the artists have not sought fame, but instead use their talents to honor a timeless tradition. When drought struck the state of Bihar in the late 1960s, the Indian government, hoping to create a new source of income for the villagers, encouraged the artists to market their pieces.
RISHIKESH, INDIA, February 4, 2003: The Encyclopedia of Hinduism is seeking an editor based in India to professionally review thousands of articles and edit the English to a uniform excellence. Those interested, or with recommendations, may email "source" above.
HOUSTON, USA, February 2, 2003: Mr. B.L. Chawla lit a kuththuvilakku (oil lamp) at the Meenakshi Temple in Pearland, Texas, Sunday in memory of his daughter Kalpana, one of the astronauts who died aboard Columbia. More than 1,000 members of Houston's Indian community gathered Sunday to mourn and celebrate the life of NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla. Chawla, a 41-year-old flight engineer who died aboard the shuttle Columbia on Saturday, was described as an inspiration to her fellow Indians and Indian-Americans, especially the youth. Chawla, a first-generation immigrant who became an astronaut in 1994, was the first Indian-born woman to fly into space. The tribute was mult- denominational and drew Indian-Americans of all persuasions. Many participated who subscribe to the Sikh faith and hail from the Punjab region of India, Chawla's birthplace. Chawla's religious affiliation is unclear, and HPI requests anyone with a definitive answer to e-mail email@example.com.
NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 30, 2003: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, established with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi, has been awarded the coveted Gandhi Peace Prize for 2002. A five-member jury, headed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, chose Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan because of its "significant contribution towards spreading peace and harmony among all religions and communities on the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and also integration of the best of ancient and modern values." The recipients receive a cash prize of US$209,226 and a citation, to be awarded at a later date by President Kalam. The Bhavan currently has over 90 centers in the India, with 45 schools where special emphasis is placed on ethical and cultural education, promotion of religious interfaith and understanding, mutual respect and peace. They also have a number of centers worldwide with major cultural centers in London, New York, Lisbon and Mexico.
WASHINGTON, USA, January 31, 2003: A massive online protest by Indians and pacifists from many countries has forced Maxim, a British and American soft-porn magazine, to apologize for its literal Gandhi-bashing caricatures in its latest issue. In that issue, a martial arts expert is show in a series of cartoons "exercising" by beating up a character that looks like Gandhi. The apology from editor-in-chief Keith Blanchard came after more than 5,000 Indians clogged the magazine's e-mail addresses with protest messages. Many of them followed up the online protest with angry telephone calls. Maxim vacillated a great deal before coming out with the apology, however what seems to have finally worked was a threat by IndiaCause, a US-based activist group, to approach advertisers with appeals to stop giving ads to a publication that has "insulted the apostle of peace." It even put out a sample letter to corporate heads on its website. Issuing the apology late Thursday, Blanchard said: "We apologize if our cartoon depicting Mahatma Gandhi...was interpreted as offensive. An edgy sense of humor, laced with irony, has always been a central element of Maxim's editorial. For some people, this piece may have gone one step too far."
VADODARA, INDIA, February 2, 2003: It seems to be a no-win situation for the US fast food chain McDonald's which has now stirred up activists here for posters saying beef is not sold in its outlets. Sarvadharm Jivdaya Samiti activists entered an outlet on Saturday, asking that the display boards be removed. SJS activists said the boards implied that beef was consumable, although not sold at the restaurant. They forcibly removed one sign and asked employees working there to remove the others. Deepak Gandhi, SJS member, said the fact that McDonald's had to make such an announcement indicated something was wrong. He said no other restaurant in the city felt the need to make such an announcement. McDonald's representatives here said, "It (the sign) was for dispelling apprehensions among those who come to eat here. However, it has been misunderstood. The issue is being raked up unnecessarily." A McDonald's spokesperson in Mumbai said,"...we have been maintaining total segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian material from the suppliers. It is also true that we do not serve beef in India and have always taken care not to hurt religious sentiments."
MONTPELLIER, FRANCE, January 16, 2003: Edible bananas, whose botanical forebears are traced back 10,000 years to southeast Asia, may be changing in the next decade. Research conducted by Belgian scientist, Dr. Emile Frison, head of the French-based International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain, indicates that the Cavendish Banana, which is eaten across the planet, lacks genetic diversity. Without genetic diversity the banana could be wiped out by soil fungus or pests. One particular variety of fungal disease called Black Sigatoka has reached epidemic proportions. In the next five years Dr. Frison plans to focus his research on inedible African wild bananas, full of hard seeds that are resistant to black Sigatoka. If Dr. Frison is successful, the edible banana may offer sustenance for another 10,000 years to the half a billion people in Africa and Asia who depend on bananas as a staple food.
NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 31, 2003: An average Indian-American contributes up to US$300 a year for social causes in India. If just half the Indian population in the US donated that much, India would receive more than $250 million for social causes every year, says a survey on the giving patterns of the Indian diaspora conducted by the Charities Aid Foundation India. According to R. Gopa Kumar, author of the study, more and more of the 1.7 million Indian Americans are keen to increase their charitable giving to 10 times of what they give now. Among all respondents, 7.3 percent donated more than $3,000 in the past two years and nearly 40 percent donated between $500 and $1,000. The donations came overwhelmingly during times of crises, such as the Kargil war of 1999, the Gujarat quake and other natural calamities. "The study shows that Indians are emerging as a powerful community in the US though they comprise only 0.6 per cent of the total American population."
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 21, 2003: The Third International Conference Seminar on Murugan-Skanda will be held in Malaysia, May 1-4, 2003. Scholars and devotees from around the world will be attending the conference as delegates and representatives of the Tamil diaspora from 45 countries are expected to participate. The inaugural function will take place at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur. Academic sessions, multimedia and cultural programs, a valedictory function and other related events will take place at the University of Malaysia. For more information and registration forms contact "source" above.
PATHANAMHTITTA, INDIA, February 2, 2003: Union Minister of State for Defense and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Rajagopal urged the Kerala government to pass legislation curbing forcible conversions and check what he termed the "onslaught" against Hinduism. Inaugurating the 91st Annual Hindu Matha Parishad at Cherukolpula on the banks of river Pamba here, he said the government was duty bound to protect and preserve the centuries old spiritual traditions. Referring to the recent attack and deportation of evangelist Mr. Joseph Cooper, Rajagopal said the missionary had no authority to preach religion by visiting the country on a tourist visa or cast a slur on Gods worshiped by the local people. India visa requirements state, "Those traveling to India on behalf of a church or for any missionary purpose must complete an additional application form for Missionaries. Processing time for applications is between two-four months." The Indian Penal Code, Section 1860, makes it a crime to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens, or to insult the religion or religious beliefs of any class.
LUCKNOW, INDIA, January 21, 2003: Standing on his feet for thirty days, Pagal Das, a sadhu under personal vows, has attracted huge crowds of pilgrims. Pagal decided to undertake these tapas in Ayodhya near the Sri Ram Janmabhhomi-babri Masjid site and has vowed to keep standing until the proposed Ram Temple has been constructed. Despite cold temperatures at night and sleeping while holding onto the branch of a Pakar tree for support, Pagal Das is unrelenting and calls his quest a peaceful agitation. President of the Sri Ram Janmabhhomi Nyas Trust, 90 year-old Mahant Ram Chandra Das Paramhans, fears that the sadhu may die because he cannot see the government relenting to the sadhu's demands to build the temple.
THANJAVUR, INDIA, January 30, 2003: Tiny Vayacheri village, near Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, celebrated Pongal (the season's first rice harvest) in a big way with a king-size 100-meter-long kolam (rangoli, designs drawn on the ground with colored powders) covering an entire street. Residents believed this may have been the longest kolam in the country. A group of 20 women, who started around midnight completed the intricately designed kolam at 7:00 a.m. the next day.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, November 19, 2002: Politically-conscious Kerala is in the midst of a debate on who should get prominence in college courses, Gandhi or Marx. The controversy has been extended to the Kerala Assembly where Congress member Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan wondered how Gandhism could be relegated to the background to give prominence to Marxism in the revised syllabus of the MA (Political Science) course of the Kerala University. Education Minister Nalakath Soopy expressed the Government's displeasure at the prominence given to Marxism and said the Government viewed the issue seriously. The issue will be considered by a special meeting of the Board of Studies of the University and any changes in the curriculum would be done based on decisions made at the meeting. Kerala's communist party has long been prominent in the State.
Source: The Nation (Thailand)
BANGKOK, THAILAND, January 17, 2003: Thailand authorities have asked Fine Arts Department Deputy Director General Sod Daeng-iad to suspend renovations on two ancient Hindu Temples as Cambodia believes the temples are in Cambodia. Both countries have set up a joint demarcation committee which will survey the 798 kilometer border to clear up the question of exactly where the border is. Thailand's Fine Arts Department has already spent US$292,637 on the Sdok Kok Thom temple and $749,151 on the Ta Muen Thom temple. Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai explains that Cambodia has not asked for the return of the temples but he cannot guarantee that the temples will never go to Cambodia. In 1961, Thailand and Cambodia had a similar conflict over the ownership of another temple. The question was taken to the International Court of Justice who ruled in favor of Cambodia. Riots and a breakoff of diplomatic relations have occurred since this first report.


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The Clinton era, to put it mildly, has not been a halcyon period between Britain and the United States. Conservative Party help for the Bush campaign in 1992, and more recently Bosnia and the flaming row over the Gerry Adams visa, have made the billing and cooing of the Thatcher-Reagan era look like prehistory.
Now however comes a chance to put things right. For Mr Major's visit next week, the President is pulling out the stops: a sentimental journey to the steel-mills of Pittsburgh, where the Prime Minister's grandfather and father once worked, a cosy dinner followed by a trip back together on Airforce One to Washington, where Mr Major will spend the night at the White House. A smaller gesture was Tony Lake's interview this week with a group of British correspondents.
W Anthony Lake may be one of the most powerful men in town, but he does not dress that way. A tweedy suit and sensible brown shoes are anything but standard Washington attire. As he rehearses the soothing words which will be heard again and again over the next few days, he resembles the softspoken professor of international relations he was for 11 years before returning to Washington to serve Bill Clinton.
The relationship, he says, is 'very strong', its strongest feature 'a shared confidence, an ability to disagree and work through the disagreements as only those who trust each other can'. He cites Bosnia, where the two sides have come together in the Nato air strikes ultimatum. It was 'absolutely not so' that Britain's agreement was only secured by a US threat to pull out its troops from Europe.
The Adams affair of course is touchier still. Dr Lake doggedly maintains it was not a mistake to grant the visa. Tellingly though, the US 'has no follow-up in mind'.
Indeed, the notion of a US special envoy has been shelved, and a visitor's impression is that Washington, having put its toe into the scalding waters of Northern Ireland, has no wish to repeat the experience.
Bill Clinton, he says, 'is looking forward to Pittsburgh'. The two are firmly on 'Bill and John' terms, according to Dr Lake. But the 'monthly phone call and numerous letters' suggest a less intimate relationship than during the Republican years.
Dr Lake, however, does his best to make up. One button on the telephone unit behind him is a direct line to Roderick Lyne, his opposite number at 10 Downing Street. 'I've talked to Rod two or three times on each of the last four or five weekends.'
Not that Tony Lake has had a smooth ride. When US foreign policy seemed in a special shambles last October after the Somalia debacle, there were mutterings for Lake's head.
But if he ever were forced out, Dr Lake would not be inconsolable. His delight is the herd of cattle on his farm in Massachusetts. When he returned to foreign policy-making here, someone asked why. 'I did it,' he said deadpan, 'because the price of beef is down.'
- More about:
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- US Politics
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The election campaign is now in full swing – although it may be the campaign to elect George Osborne as leader of the Tories rather than the campaign to elect a Conservative government. Either way, it's gloomy news a full 10 months before polling day. Slightly better news is that there will be some very able women making the Tory case along with the able women on Labour's front bench. (This is a survey from which the Lib Dems have largely excluded themselves by failing to provide enough female candidates).
With the smart, quick Liz Truss in environment – possibly not the job she'd have most wanted, but it'll challenge her ability to master a complex brief – and Nicky Morgan in education to schmooze the teachers and embed the reforms, and the highly TV-literate Esther McVey tackling the jobs issue, the Tory strategists will no doubt be congratulating themselves on a good line-up for the media campaign.
At least that's the line that's filtered out of Downing Street in the most eye-catching rearrangement of political talent in 50 years, since the last great actor-manager Harold Macmillan staged the night of the long knives. And it was all broadcast largely from the prime minister's own Twitter account. This week's "moment in history" question could be to judge which will change the way we live more profoundly – a) the use of Twitter on consecutive days to write a novel and to control the political agenda, or b) on the same consecutive days, the final acceptance by the Church of England of women as bishops and the promotion of more women than ever before to a Conservative cabinet.
Such an extensive reshuffle at the tail end of a parliament is unmistakably about buffing up the party image in the hope that the election offer appears enticingly fresh – so different from the stale old male-dominated coalition – and the Tories can look as if at least some of them speak the same language as the electorate. It is not about policy or political ideas or even administrative competence. It is all about image.
The way that Cameron has allowed the reshuffle to be seen as being all about his women problem will end up leaving the women in question diminished. It is one thing to recognise that positive discrimination as a general principle is necessary to clear a way through the encrusted prejudice of generations, quite another to be labelled as its particular beneficiary. That is tough and unfair on the women involved, and it will undermine even the dodgy ambition behind their promotion.
These are able people. Their appointments should be a recognition of that, a part of the normalisation of political life, another small step in its excruciatingly slow progress. Instead they – and with them the prospects of another generation of women – may be mortally impaled on the party leadership's obsession with day to day media management that reduces them to appendages in the manipulation of the message. When it comes back to the zeitgeist question, I reckon Twitter beats women.