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An examination of the new benefit sanctions which came into force in the UK yesterday, 21 October, and the effect they will have on the most vulnerable in society. Reproducing this article is not an endorsement of all of the views of the author.
From yesterday new sanctions on benefits are being rolled out by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), whereby people who don't comply with the terms of their receipt of benefits can have their benefits docked for up to three years. The reasons for such sanctions being handed out include not applying for the jobs suggested by JobCentre staff, turning down offers of work - even if work is entirely inappropriate, refusing to do unpaid work - regardless of the conditions of that work, and missing appointments. It's worth remembering that the JobCentre have targets to move people off benefits, and in the current situation in which there really aren't enough jobs, that people are being moved off benefits by sanction and not by getting employed. It is also worth remembering that more people applying for jobs does not make more jobs appear.
Anyhow, I was mainly interested in trying to discover how benefits sanctions actually affect people - given that benefits are set at pretty much the minimum level to keep you alive, the prospect of living for three years without that, I imagine, would likely result in a) destitution, and b) death. I'm really interested in whether the government has impact-assessed or risk-assessed this change of policy. Unsurprisingly there is little in the way of research on people undergoing benefits sanctions, but having gone through the docs on the DWP site, I found a couple of useful reports. I'm just going to paste a couple of block quotes here in order that you can get a flavour of what these sanctions actually mean. The first is from a report on the effects of benefit sanctions on offenders from 2003 (http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2003-2004/rrep198.pdf)
"One group appeared to have experienced little financial hardship. For these offenders, the sanction meant they had not had the money for things like buying clothes for themselves or toys for their children, renting videos, and going out. They reported having to buy cheaper food and cutting back on discretionary spending during the sanction period. 'I just went without cigarettes, went without like going out for drinks and just cut back really.' (Male, 23, CPRO, Sanctioned, IS 40%)
Others experienced more severe financial impacts, with problems paying for food, heating and electricity. These impacts were described by people experiencing an Income Support reduction as well as the 100% Jobseeker's Allowance sanction. They described buying less or cheaper food or missing meals, and occasionally reported going without food for periods of time. Offenders reported that they had also cut back on or gone without heating or lighting for periods. 'Without that money they were taking off me, I couldn't run my fire, I was going without gas and electric.' (Female, 19, CRO, Sanctioned, IS 40%)
There were also reports of living circumstances becoming more unstable because of the sanction. Offenders who lived with their parents said they had been threatened with being thrown out, or told to leave, because they were unable to contribute to their board during the sanction. Offenders living in rented accommodation also described being unable to pay rent due, above Housing Benefit. There were reports of being threatened with eviction (none had actually been evicted), and falling into arrears.
Offenders had also been unable to pay outstanding fines from previous offences, or fines imposed for the breach for which they had been sanctioned, and some received a summons to court or were threatened with repossession. There were other outstanding loans on which people had not been able to make repayments, such as Crisis Loans, informal loans from family or friends, and a debt owed to drug dealers.
A consequence for many offenders was an accumulation of debt which added to financial difficulties after the end of the sanction period"
A second report, from 2008, on the effects of benefit sanctions on the behaviour of lone parents, http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep511.pdf, (a study that sounds like it was cooked up by Dr Milgram) offers the following in its summary:
"The findings in this study, based on the data gathered from both the lone parents and the Jobcentre Plus staff, suggest that imposing a sanction had only a negligible effect on customers' labour market decisions. The questions posed in pursuit of the research aims drew very little data that could illustrate that sanctions promote job-seeking behaviour, although a very small number of customers said that the risk of, or the implementation of, a sanction 'may' have made a difference"
"The financial coping strategies of the lone parents who found their benefit payments reduced usually involved reducing spending. The spending that was reported to be affected often related to the purchase of basic provisions, such as food, phone, electricity, gas, nappies, taking their child to playgroup, paying other bills, Christmas club payment."
Further, this study showed that "These lone parents, in comparison to the wider sample in this study, demonstrated higher levels of ill health, both of themselves and of their children."
The increase in benefits sanctions has been designed by the government to save an extra £10bn. What is clear from these reports is that this money will be saved at the expense of the lives of those who are poorest and most in need. These sanctions will not create jobs, nor will they help people get jobs, but they will prevent both adults and children from having access to the very basic necessities: food, warmth, and shelter.
From http://prolapsarian.tumblr.com/post/34020269905/the-effects-of-the-benefit-sanctions
Absolutely fucking horrible. As a nice cherry on top the high numbers of sanctions can/will be used as 'proof' that the unemployed are lazy fucks and not trying hard enough. That's what happening over here and it makes me fucking sick.
The whole ATOS fiasco goes to prove that using private companies do not serve the public in any way ,but are put in place to do their pay masters bidding ie the Government .Large companies are allowed to use tax loop holes because they are also large employers ,it is fair to conclude then that its business that's dictates the policy of public management with little input from Government ,except to ignore the sharp practices they use .Governments serve no beneficial purpose for a cohesive and stable social platform ,why vote for any party.Under the Geneva Convention 1949 nobody should suffer for a mismanaged economy not of their making,but that is exactly what is happening here and now .Draconian Welfare reforms are being put in place because of the state of the economy so we are told, either the Government are lying they are not for that purpose ,because of the convention or lying to hide the fact they are carrying out a programme of social cleansing .Whichever we the public are lied to which ever stance any Government wish to take .
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Sorry to state the obvious, but it's going to be a fucking shit Christmas and New Years for a lot of people.
What made me laugh is in the event your benefits could be gone for three years, you're still expected to turn up to the job centre every week or so, to keep hold of the 'entitlement'. What would be the fucking point of that?
realistically how can people aford to travel to jobcentres if they have no money????
This government seems determined to bring us back to the 1930s. Terrible news.
The two studies are from 2003 and 2008 - I imagine things will be worse now, for example credit will be less available.
This government seems determined to bring us back to the 1930s. Terrible news.
The difference is that society is much more atomised now, and I think we are much less able to rely on family.
I remember being sanctioned for walking out of a job becausr my employer at the time wasn't a very good one. It was winter.snow was thick on the ground. I couldn't afford to eat.I had no heating. I was frozen and became ill. I actually thought I was going to die I was so cold and hungry. Yet the law states what people need to live on. My situation at the time was inhumane and its a disgrace how people are treated. If I was a pet owner and starved or neglected my pet.id get done for it.
Two of my daughters receive benefits and both have problems with the petite bureaucrats of the state.
What is it with these people, treating working class as if they are shit especially if they come from a tough working class estate.
The youngest has had her dole stopped for two weeks for not turning up to a pointless job search session the day after she had been to the very same place to sign on. Explaining that she could not attend the session through the lack of money for the bus fare. She was asked why did she not walk to the job centre. Well its a round trip of seven miles, that's why. Such caring people. Every week she is expected to go to the job centre at least once a week usually twice at £5.00 ago.
I can see the glass screens making a come back.
How is it Legal for this Government to authorise sanctions that take the safety net of the poorest and most vunerable people in society including Women & Children.! Meanwhile this Government allows huge Corporations to get away with not paying taxes, Gives Tax breaks to the rich and does absolutely nothing to help British born citizens get Jobs which European members are taking.! When a member from the EU or an internatinal; terrorist has more human rights than a British citizen who is born here worked and paid taxes It begs the question does this Government actually care about the very people who they are supposed to be representing.! I am a Victim of this ' Sink or Swim ' culture and it feels as thoe Mr Camerons boot is on the top of my head.! It would be more Humane to hand out syanoid pills this Christmas!,It would be a quicker way to go than Starving to Death.! If this is allowed to happen it is the similar sort of Evil that has allowed Jimmy Saville to commit the attrocities that he has done to the most vunerable Children over decades under a cloak of Good will.
totally agree with michael boxall,how can it be legal to treat english born and bred benefit claimants differently to people from other countries who the gov have been told they MUST give benefits to even if they dont intend to work. Is the human rights law only for immigrants and people from eu countries ,its easy to see how the gov. is making people rascist even people like myself who never was before. The gov. love to divide and rule, they are taking us back to the thirties and i expect the next thing they have lined up will be to bring back the workhouse for people who cant get jobs! The injustice of this gov. sickens me and it seems no one in power is willing to stand up for all the wrongdoing of this hateful government !!!
@ nannyjules, you complain that a government stuffed with white millionaires loves to divide and rule workers such as yourself and yet you say you are racist. Does that not seem illogical? As if you're falling for their con?
I'm unemployed again now, but the last job I had was through a temp agency as a minumum wage warehouse operative. The vast majority of my workmates were immigrants from Eastern Europe and the Mediterrenean because there are no jobs there and the wages are crap (what would you have done if you were in their shoes? be honest now ); we laughed together, skived off together and talked shit about our superiors together. The only people to give me beef and eventually screw me over were my Stakhanivite line manager and the person at my agency, both of whom were Britsh citizens born and bred, who spoke the same language and came from the same region as me. The English person at the agency didn't tell me anything about the job, didn't give me a timesheet, reduced me to being a day labourer not knowing whether I had work the next day and when I asked for my wages she went on to accuse me of lying about the number of days I had worked and mocked me for taking a day off due to a migrane.
I'm not saying we should side with all immigrants by the way, because they can be equally exploitative, just those that work or claim benefits alongside us.
Do you actually know any immigrants? Do you have any statistics to back up your claim that all/ most of them don't want to work? Or did you get that from a tabloid newspaper which constantly attacks us unemployed? I've stopped reading that crap purely for my own mental wellbeing...
If you don't recognise that your interests and those of immigrant claimants (regardless of what colour they are or which country they're from) are the same and then fight together for BOTH OF YOUR BENEFITS, then the government will end up sanctioning both of you.
@ michael Boxall
Don't pick out women and say they're just as vulnerable as children - it's ridiculously sexist.
Why are benefit sanctions legal? The same reason it is legal for states to send legions of workers to maime and slaughter one another - so the boss class can get richer.
Coicidentally, more people have died as a result of the government cuts to welfare re disability than British soldiers have died in Afghan.
Agree entirely with wojtek, above.
How is it Legal for this Government to authorise sanctions that take the safety net of the poorest and most vunerable people in society including Women & Children.!
this is because the law is controlled by the rich!
Meanwhile this Government allows huge Corporations to get away with not paying taxes, Gives Tax breaks to the rich and does absolutely nothing to help British born citizens get Jobs which European members are taking.! When a member from the EU or an internatinal; terrorist has more human rights than a British citizen who is born here worked and paid taxes
now, the first bit you right here is correct, however the second and third bits are stupid. Sure, some Europeans have jobs in the UK - but similarly millions of British people have jobs abroad. Who wants to live behind an Iron Curtain? As for saying that terrorists have more human rights than British citizens, this is just a ridiculous statement which sounds like something you are quoting from the Daily Mail, and which has no basis in fact. If you think it does, then please show some evidence of your assertion. Thanks
By all means support 'Britain' at the olympics whatever, but it doesn't belong to you...
The UK has approximately 60 million acres of land in total and 70% (approximately) of this land is owned by 1% of the population. Until recently this land mass was owned by only 6,000 or so landowners, including large institutions and the Crown. However, there has been a recent shift in ownership of land as it becomes a more attractive asset to people other than traditional land owners. It is particularly attractive when it can be bought and sold in acreages suitable for the private investor who wants to buy land for long term speculation...
Thanks for this article, Steven.
I can't believe what I'm seeing in my ESOL classes. People are indeed getting their benefits stopped and having to go without food. Insane requirements for jobsearch and constant threats. Every single person found fit to work despite severe illness and lack of mobility. People doing jobs they were once paid for now only for their benefits.
I'm so glad there's campaigning against workfare and all the rest, it's brilliant and is obviously having some effect. Unfortunately a lot of the people I see don't have access to the type of information which could help them avoid the worst of it all. There a lot of people in this country just trying to survive now.
Gives Tax breaks to the rich and does absolutely nothing to help British born citizens get Jobs which European members are taking.! When a member from the EU or an internatinal; terrorist has more human rights than a British citizen who is born here worked and paid taxes It begs the question does this Government actually care about the very people who they are supposed to be representing.!
I get most of what you're saying, but I don't think migrants from the EU are anything like as well off as you seem to be saying here. A few of my friends have EU citizenship and they get the same shitty treatment from the government, the JobCentre, the bosses etc. that I get as a UK national. In fact some of them have it a lot worse, e.g. a mate of mine from Eastern Europe who works at a software company and would have no safety net at all if they lost their job. They can't claim JSA so they'd be totally fucked, with no money to live on whatsoever.
Between 1st April 2007 and 31st March 2012, 1,483,760 or 19% of JSA claimants had their benefit sanctioned.
Will try to be as brief as I can or I will be here all night. I fail to see how imposing sanctions on people already struggling will benefit anyone. The only thing sanctions will do is lead to crime prostitution and suicides.
Let's just say a lone parent does not meet her job seeking agreements, Is that the fault of the child. Therefore, should her child be put into poverty and be made to suffer from malnutrition.
3 year sanctions come on Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg, Mr Osbourne and Mr Duncan Smith and anyone who I have forget to mention "dirty scumbag disgusting rapists are not punished for much longer that that". xx
I am claiming Jobseekers as a lone parent, Yesterday I missed a job search appointment, not a signing appointment.
I totally forgot as my appointments are usually thursday and this was booked for a tuesday.
I called first thing this morning when realising this and went for an interview today.
I now have to wait for 4-6 weeks whilst they decide whether or not I'll be sanctioned for 4 weeks.
If so I will become £440 in debt with my landlord ( luckily I am a council tenant of this would be A LOT higher )
£60 in debt to council tax and wont recieve Jobseekers allowance of £240.
I get if I did this kind of thing regularly but this is the only time this has happened, I am studying and trying to become a bookkeeper, applying for well over the 8 ( every two weeks )jobs I have been told is all I have to apply for, and I'm now facing these possible sanctions.
Is it too much to expect just a smidge of understanding and descency ?
Hi Jeckle.
No of course it is not too much to ask for a smidge of understanding and decency?. They enjoy the fact that they have our lives in their hands. Have you noticed as well when they make a mistake it is called human error. However turn things around and we make a mistake we are dragged over the coals.
O.K so you missed an appointment which is hardly crime of the century, but is that the fault of your child.? No. so why should he/she be made to suffer which is what could happen should the sanction go a head.
Hopefully the sanction wont happen will keep my fingers crossed for you, but if it does go to your local P.M. (after all they do have a vested interested in helping their constituents, and they are elected to represent people) and local paper and tell them a child is being made to suffer because of their mums honest mistake.
I have great faith that what goes around comes around and karma will be after these people who think they have the right to treat us like puppets on strings, and play games with our lives, and one day sooner or later, she'll get them. xx
after phoning the wp to explain in advance why i couldnt go for my appointment, i was assured it was fine and go the next day. which i did. then just before christmas i was sanctioned for 1 month because of it. it was the most degrading month of my life. i am 54 and have worked since i was 16 up until 2 yrs ago. i recieved a letter yesturday from jc asking why i had missed another appointment at wp and threats of another sanction. i had not been told about an appointment so how could i attend ? i was waiting for a 3pm call from the wp for a telephone appointment, which came at 3.20. ( another little trick they are using ) i had my looking for work chat. then i asked him about this so called appointment and how had they made it ? he started looking on his comp and clearing his throat, turns out it was his mistake and could i meet with him tommorrow to go over my reply to jc. covering his own arse no doubt. even now im terrified incase i get sanctioned again. i was suicidal at the month one, how could i possably go for a longer sanction. i was cold and hungry and felt so low. how can they do this to people. what was i paying my taxes for ?
Disgusting treatment. Working 38 years (if I've got my mathes right) it isn't benefits that you claim it is insurance! your money. I hope they had a happy Christmas!. The trouble is they seem more interested in sanctioning people rather than getting people into work. Karma will get them one day though, I can promise you that.. How do they sleep with the knowledge that they are putting people into poverty
In regards to you being understandably, terrified of benefit sanctions. I would personally phone then up or call in each week and ask do I have any impending appointments, when you sign in the visitors book give your reason for visit "To check impending appointments". They re emburse your travel. You can also use the computers as well while you're there, to apply for jobs.
It's a bad day when we have a government and society that seem to care more about the rights and safety of Murderers, phedophiles and rapists than they do about job seekers. xx
The TUC (Tory Unofficial Cops) support benefit sanctions.
Because they are real jobs, the same benefit rules that apply to other jobs should also apply; claimants who turn down a job guarantee job without good cause should face benefit sanctions.
Why the TUC is wrong on benefit sanctions…..
'Labour supporter' Tim Page wrote it. He has a twitter account. Feel free to troll him.


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Non Surgical Nose Job Q&A
Small Nose + Non Surgical Nose Job
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I was wondering if growing out a lengthy beard and mustache would help make my nose look smaller from the profile side. I don't know if it would work,... READ MORE
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Can I get permanent injections to make my nose bigger or is surgery the only option?
I have a very small nose with very little to no nose bridge. I heard about a non surgical nose job that can enhance the shape of your nose. If it is a... READ MORE
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I had a big nose and a saw video on youtube to make it thinner....it's works great for a week but after 1 week my nose becomes bigger then earlier. i... READ MORE
Would a non surgical nose job (injection rhinoplasty) improve the appearance of my crooked nose? (photos)
I realize it wouldn't make it perfect, but it would it significantly improve the appearance and make it look straighter? Also, is it possible to make... READ MORE
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My nose is small, but when I smile it seems to widen outwards a lot! And also droops. My nose becomes very tense and scrunched up and people say I... READ MORE
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subset: commoncrawl


text: Hello! I have All In One Windows 7 ISO in English. (11 Versions: Starter To Enterprise X86, And Home Basic To Enterprise X64) I would like to have a choice between 35 languages from the installation... how can I integrate the language packs to all of the versions automatically? Thank You In Advance, Benny Bronshtein


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Target: Aleksandr Ivanovich Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigation Committee of the Russian Federation
Goal: Demand that the Russian government properly investigate the suspicious disappearance of Uzbek national.
The suspicious disappearance of Yusup Kasymakhunov in mid December 2012 in the Moscow area has prompted concern from human rights groups like Amnesty International, who fear that Kasymakhunov has been abducted by Uzbekistani forces. If this is the case, he is at serious risk of being "held incommunicado,…tortured or otherwise ill-treated." Call upon Russian authorities to thoroughly investigate Kasymakhunov's disappearance and to achieve justice for him.
Yusup Kasymakhunov was charged in 2004 with involvement in the Islamist organization Hizb-ut-Tahrir. He was tried in Russian courts and sentenced to seven years and four months in prison. In 2011, just as Kasymakhunov's jail time was up, his native country of Uzbekistan requested an extradition, prompting the prolongation of his imprisonment in Russia. Kasymakhunov has done all he can to appeal the extradition, and outside human rights organizations have done the same. Uzbekistan's cracking down on alleged members of Islamist groups has led to a precarious human rights situation within the country, with Amnesty International calling the treatment prisoners receive "cruel, inhuman and degrading."
Kasymakhunov was released from prison in Russia on December 10, 2012 and had requested asylum in Russia before moving to a village where he had an apartment. On December 14, Kasymakhunov made plans to borrow something from a neighbor but never showed up to retrieve the item. Growing suspicious, the neighbor alerted authorities. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Kasymakhunov was missing, although most of his possessions remained undisturbed in his apartment. Only his coat and some papers were gone. Two days prior to his disappearance, Kasymakhunov had been alarmed by two cars following him and parking outside of his apartment.
Human rights activists fear that Kasymakhunov has been abducted and transported to Uzbekistan, where he is being held "either in Tashkent or Andizhan pre-trial detention facility." Stand up for human rights — tell Russia to fully investigate Kasymakhunov's disappearance and to work with human rights activists and Uzbekistani authorities to ensure that Kasymakhunov receives a fair trial and proper treatment.
Dear Chairman of the Investigation Committee,
Despite having served out his prison sentence in Russia, Yusup Kasymakhunov was facing extradition to his native Uzbekistan in December 2012 — that is, until he disappeared. Human rights activists around the world are concerned for Kasymakhunov's safety and fear he may have been abducted by Uzbekistani forces to be held facing trial in Uzbekistan. Regardless of the charges being brought against Kasymakhunov, this is not the proper way to treat prisoners. I urge you to fully investigate Kasymakhunov's disappearance and to ensure that his kidnappers — whoever they may be — are brought to justice.
Kasymakhunov's disappearance was the culmination of several days of suspicious and threatening events. Following his December 10 release from prison, Kasymakhunov applied for asylum in Russia and moved to a small village where he had an apartment. On December 12 he noticed he was being followed by two cars that remained parked outside his apartment building while he was at home. On December 14, Kasymakhunov made plans to meet with a neighbor but never followed through. A subsequent search of his apartment revealed that he was missing. The only items gone were his coat and some documents.
The suspicious circumstances of Kasymakhunov's disappearance and his fraught relationship wit Uzbekistani authorities certainly merit further investigation. Please take a stand for justice and search for answers in the disappearance of Yusup Kasymakhunov.
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: WikiImages via Pixabay


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MWA: Andy San Dimas & Juelz Ventura, Dr. Susan Block Show, Exxxotica
Bonjour mon amis! Comment ca va? Myles Shaffer here. This time around, I'll be writing about two sexy women, a very interesting Internet radio show, and an adult entertainment industry trade show that included many beautiful women and even some of the male talent. Hopefully, I have peaked everybody's curiosity enough to cause them to read on to see just what it is that I am speaking of.
Andy San Dimas and Juelz Ventura
Friday night, August 26, I drove up and out to the Rouge Gentlemen's club, in Van Nuys, to say hello to Andy San Dimas, to meet Juelz Ventura for the first time, and to observe both of their shows for the evening.
For their first show, Juelz wore a black bra, a red corset, and a red pleated mini-skirt. Under her skirt, Juelz wore a black G-string. On her legs, she wore a pair of hip-length, black, fishnet hose. And on her feet, Juelz wore a pair of black knee-high boots with stiletto heels and platform soles.
Andy wore a black bra decorated with shiny metal studs, a black corset, and a black G-string. She also wore a black leather garter belt. Next she wore a pair of hip-length black stockings with three wide horizontal white stripes around the tops. Her footwear was a pair of black, knee-length, stiletto-heeled, platform-soled, boots.
Andy and Juelz performed this show to, "Got 2 Know," by Flux Pavilion, and, "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites," by Skrillex.
At the start of their second show, Juelz wore a gold bra and a pleated red and black mini-skirt. Beneath her skirt, she wore a pair of gold bikini panties. Beyond that, Juelz wore what appeared to be the same fishnet hose and boots.
Andy wore a black bra and a pleated red and black mini-skirt. Under her skirt, Andy wore a black G-string. She additionally wore what appeared to be the same stockings and boots that she wore during the first show.
The ladies performed the second show to, "Gucci Gucci," by Kreayshawn, "Money Cash Hoes," by Jay Z, and, "No Hands," by Waka Flocka Flame.
Andy San Dimas comes complete with long black hair and hazel eyes. She stands five feet five inches tall, weighs in at one hundred fifteen pounds, and her measurements are 34B-24-35.
Juelz Ventura has long black hair and green eyes. She is five feet five inches tall, weighs one hundred fifteen pounds, and she measures 32D-24-34.
Andy and Juelz are both very good-looking women, they are quite friendly, and they are both well-spoken ladies. In the short time I was around them, I got the distinct impression that they have rather good senses of humor, and that they both enjoy meeting and chatting with their fans.
It is my opinion that Andy San Dimas and Juelz Ventura are both well worth the trip to a nearby club to see them perform and to meet them in person. So if any of the readers happen to get a chance to see these ladies, either as solo performers or better yet as a duo, they should not allow the opportunity to sneak past them.
I have again forgotten to ask Andy San Dimas whether or not she might have an official website, and try as I might, I can not find one to save my soul. However, she can be found on Twitter.com and all over the Internet.
I also didn't think to ask Juelz Ventura about an official website and can not find one. Although, Juelz can be found on MySpace.com, Twitter.com, and an Internet search for her will turn up lots and lots of content.
The Dr. Susan Block Radio Show
Saturday night, August 27, I went into downtown Los Angeles to observe the Dr. Susan Block Radio Show.
Shortly after arriving and occupying a place in the parking lot, I was sitting in my car waiting for the arrival of the time to go into the building. A car pulled up beside me and parked. A short time later, the woman driving the other car looked over at me and began waving at me. She turned out to be Bethany St. James whom I had met at the Exotic Dancer Gentlemen's Club Owners Expo earlier in the week.
After chatting for a while, it came time to go in, and Bethany and I walked to the elevator. Within a couple of minutes, Kelly Shibari, who produces the show, came down in the elevator to collect us and escort us up to the studio.
After I was signed in, and after having a short but very enjoyable conversation with Kelly Shibari, I walked around and explored the broadcast studio and Dr. Suzy's Speakeasy areas.
Dr. Suzy even provided some very tasty hors d'oeuvres which delighted me to no end. Especially since I had not found time to eat a single thing the entire day, and Diet Pepsi stops holding the hunger pains at bay just a few minutes after a person stops drinking it. (I made what I feel was a gallant effort to not be a pig in regard to the delicious hors d'oeuvres.)
Dr. Suzy's guests for this broadcast were: Destiny Dixon, Angela Sommers, Kiki Daire, Bethany St. James, and Afro Disiac.
During the show, in response to a message sent in by porn lover aka Pantie Boy, Angela and Destiny removed their panties and donated them much to my delight, and everybody else in the studio, I'm certain.
When asked to donate her panties, Kiki revealed that she wasn't wearing any. So Dr. Suzy had her select a pair from a bunch of brand new, and very sexy, panties that she had available. After picking out a pair, Kiki put them on and wore them in order to donate them later in the evening.
Actually, Kiki did a little pole dancing, stripped nude, and then put on the new panties for fan pantie boy.
At one point in the show, Angela and Destiny joined Dr. Suzy on the bed where Angela made Destiny squirt while Dr. Suzy narrated.
A little later, Angela, Kiki and Destiny joined Dr. Suzy on the bed and played around. The playing around consisted of Kiki giving Destiny oral sex while Destiny masturbated and Angela passionately kissed Destiny until she squirted once again. Naturally Dr. Suzy busied herself with a running narration for the listeners' pleasure.
Eventually, Dr. Suzy and all five of her guests played around for a little while before ending the show.
After the show had ended, I met another webcam girl named Jessica.
Several photographers ended up photographing Angela, Destiny, Jessica and Kiki in various stages of dress, or maybe I should say undress.
I am thankful that Dr. Suzy graciously allowed me to attend her show as press. I had a great time, and I hope to be invited back from time to time in the future.
For those who can't possibly attend one of Dr. Suzy's broadcasts in person, they should check the shows out at: http://drsusanblock.com/ and http://DrSusanBlock.TV/
Some other websites people might want to check out are: MyFreeCams.com and look for DDJessica and Destiny Dixon, and AngelaSommers.com
Sunday afternoon, August 28, I went to the Los Angeles Convention Center to attend the Exxxotica trade show.
The people I ran into that I already knew, or had met at least once before, were: Jessica Bangkok, James Bartholet, Tony Batman, at the Screaming O booth, Lexi Belle, Delotta Brown, Mary Carey, Kayla Carrera, Vicki Chase and Eric John, Kiki Daire, and Adriana Diablo.
Other people known to me were: Kelly Divine, Shay Fox, the original Tommy Gunn, Derek Hay and Scott Alexander of LA Direct Models, Erika Icon, Prinzzess Felicity Jade, Ron Jeremy, Kayden Kross, Tessa Lane, and Phoenix Marie.
Additional people in attendance whom I knew were: Kiara Mia, Priya Rai, Raylene, Tee Reel, Kristina Rose, Savanna Samson, Elizabeth Starr, Evan Stone, Shyla Stylez, Alexis Texas, and Sarah Vandella.
The industry people whom I met for the first time on this day were: Mistress C, Nikki Delano, Jenna Rose, Rubberdoll, Kelli Staxxx, Jada Stevens, Stoya and Isis Taylor.
Unfortunately, because of arriving a couple of hours later than I had intended, I missed seeing my dear friend Inari Vachs.
Getting back to Savanna Samson, some people might be living under rocks and don't know that she owns Savanna's Winery La Fiorita which is located in Montalcino, Italy. The website for Savanna's winery is: SavannaSamsonWine.com
The wine varietal is Brunello di Montalcino, and Savanna will be releasing a 2006 Riserve wine in the near future. The new wine is now nearing the end of its seven year aging process.
Savanna's new wine will be called, "Sogno Vero," which translates to Real Dream.
Savanna Samson's previous wines, "Sogno Uno," (Dream One), "Sogno Due (Dream Two) and, "Sogno Tre," (Dream Three), were all given great ratings by wine experts. If fact, "Sogno Uno," was given a 91 rating out of 100 by Robert Parker, and, "Sogno Tre," was given a 92 rating out of 100 by Ed McCarthy.
And that will just about do it for now good people. Let's all meet back here the next time to speak of gorgeous woman and interesting travels and events. Until then, everybody stay safe, have a great week, and live life as if there were no tomorrow!
Bonsoir et au revoir,
Myles Shaffer
Getting Into Porn
Lisa Licious Live!
Jacky St. James: I Do Care
Dinner With Ron
ED Expo 2017
Eva Lovia Co-Ho's XRCO
Scammer Warning!
Darker Side of Desire ~ Reviewer Rated
Jillian Janson at AEE 2017
Prop 60, Part One
Prop 60, Part Two
Phillips, Valentina Deliver BJs
Briana Banks Comeback
AEE 2017: A Resounding Success
Are You an iDriver?
Closer to Reality
Jump to Mainstream
Submission Crosses Over
Columns Section Index
Redefining the Status Quo
Hard Squeezes
APAC and Sex Worker Rights
New Girls
What We Signed Up For
The Directors
What is Consent?


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Jessica Alba sparkled at ESPYS
A host of stunning actresses graced the red carpet at the 2014 ESPYS in Los Angeles yesterday.
The 33-year-old actress looked simply stunning in her gold and silver embellished Elie Saab cocktail dress, which featured a structured origami shape neckline. It's midi length gave it a classy feel, while the sparkling finish stood out beautifully against Jessica's deep tan.
To accessorise she wore silver Brian Atwood strappy heels, rings by Bulgari, Graziela Gems and Casato and cute Melissa Kaye Jewellery ear cuffs.
Her brunette locks were worn down and straight, and she created a warm smoky-eye to complete the look.
During the ceremony she joined Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to present the ESPY for best moment to the USA Vs. Ghana World Cup soccer match.
Also in attendance last night was Cameron Diaz, who defied her 41 years in a spaghetti-strapped, low cut black dress by Reed Krakoff. With this she rocked black Prada shoes and a simple Cartier necklace for a touch of sparkle.
Her bright pink lipstick made her lips pop, and her blonde tresses were styled into loose curls.
She and her Sex Tape co-star Jason Segel posed for photos together on the red carpet, then presented the award for breakthrough athlete to Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman.
Jordana Brewster took out at the event too in a nude DSquared2 dress, which featured gorgeous embellishment at the bottom made up of different coloured gems. The colour of her Kurt Geiger shows matched the outfit, and she pinned her dark hair back into an elegant up-do.
Iggy Azalea took a leaf out of Jessica's book and also opted for a Elie Saab number, however her black asymmetric dress with a thigh-high slit had more of a sultry look. She and beau Nick Young, who covered the red carpet fashion for ESPN, looked loved up as they made their way into the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.
© Cover Media


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Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/24/2011
Publication Date: 10/1/2011
Citation: Tillman, P.G. 2011. Influence of corn on stink bugs (Heteroptera:Pentatomidae) in subsequent crops. Environmental Entomology. 40(5):1159-1176. Interpretive Summary: In cotton, stink bugs are primary pests responsible for millions of dollars in losses and cost of control. Generally, in this region, corn is grown closely associated with peanut and/or cotton. The objective of this 3-yr on-farm study was to examine the influence of corn on stink bugs, including the southern green stink bugs and the brown stink bug, in peanut and cotton in corn-cotton, corn-peanut, and corn-peanut-cotton farmscapes. Interpolated stink bug population raster maps were constructed to show changes in distribution of stink bugs in farmscapes during periods of stink bug movement. Seasonal graphs of stink bug populations were developed to examine relative occurrence and abundance of stink bugs in each crop over time. Early in the growing season, stink bugs entered corn to oviposit and feed, eventually producing stink bug nymphs and adults in developing corn. This crop then served as source of stink bugs to subsequent peanut and cotton crops. Peanut can serve as mid-to late season breeding site for stink bugs and as a source of stink bugs to cotton in farmscapes composed of both crops. In mid-to-late summer, after stink bugs enter cotton to feed on newly-available bolls, new adults are grown in the crop, and some of these adults begin to overwinter. Therefore, management strategies for cotton need to be designed to break this cycle of stink bug production and expansion by exploiting their edge-mediated movement and host plant preferences.
Technical Abstract: In southeastern U. S. farmscapes, corn fields are often closely associated with peanut and/or cotton fields. Thus, the objective of this 3-yr on-farm study was to determine the influence of corn on stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Nezara viridula (L.) and Euschistus servus (Say), in peanut and cotton in corn-cotton, corn-peanut, and corn-peanut-cotton farmscapes. Interpolated stink bug population raster maps were constructed to show changes in distribution of stink bugs in farmscapes during periods of host-plant switching. Seasonal graphs of stink bug populations were developed to examine relative occurrence and abundance of stink bug eggs, nymphs, and adults in each crop in a farmscape over time. In corn-cotton farmscapes, stink bugs were present only in corn early in the growing season, but stink bug eggs were found later in squaring cotton at the interface, or common boundary, of the farmscape. When bolls became available in cotton, stink bugs began decreasing in corn while increasing in cotton at the interface. Altogether, these results indicate that stink bug adults dispersed from corn into cotton early in the season to oviposit on cotton plants and then later to feed on cotton bolls. In corn-peanut farmscapes, stink bugs were present first in corn. In July, stink bugs entered peanut and began laying eggs at the interface. Then, stink bug nymphs increased in peanut and spread throughout the crop. A total of seven stink bug adults that had been marked in corn were recovered later in peanut in rows 1-9 at the interface. So, stink bug adults were dispersing from corn into peanut to produce nymphs and adults. In the corn-peanut-cotton farmscape, stink bugs were found exclusively on corn until entering peanut in July. Nymphs then were produced in peanut. Upon availability of bolls in cotton, stink bugs adults apparently dispersed from peanut into cotton. Evidently, populations of stink bugs in corn can directly and directly impact cotton, for stink bugs in both corn-cotton and corn-peanut-cotton farmscapes caused severe boll damage in cotton. In conclusion, stink bugs are generalist feeders that exhibit edge-mediated dispersal from corn into subsequent adjacent crops in corn-cotton, corn-peanut, and corn-peanut-cotton farmscapes to find food for adults and sites for oviposition and nymphal development over the growing season in this region.


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- Stylish Seattle lodging for two
- A bottle of chilled sparkling wine
SEATTLE, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Renaissance Seattle Hotel is featuring a special offer unique among Seattle hotel packages for all partners looking forward to legalizing their unions. The Marriage for All Package will be available on Sunday, Dec. 9, the first day that same-sex couples will be allowed to legally wed in Washington state under Referendum 74. To coincide with the occasion, Seattle City Hall will be open on Dec. 9, and eight Seattle municipal judges are donating their time to marry couples between noon and 5 p.m. that day. "Obviously, this is a historic day for our state, and we are excited to be a part of it," says Rene Neidhart, Renaissance Seattle Hotel General Manager. "We look forward to welcoming all newlyweds on Dec. 9 to our hotel that evening." This special package will be available only on Dec. 9, 2012, and includes:


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Yes, to the emigrant company of those days, the drying up of a stream was often of serious import.
Every emigrant train for California then expected to restock in Utah.
The mountain men who run them know how to get an emigrant's last nickel.
We had to stay there overnight, and occupied the emigrant sheds.
The emigrant royalists who had taken refuge there ostentatiously displayed their detestation of the democratic prince.
A coach can go where an ammunition or an emigrant wagon can't.
This is the story of a little girl who in 1849 rode all the way from Ohio to California in an emigrant wagon.
He at once booked his passage by an emigrant ship, and sailed from England.
And Bobinikine turning to the complexion of the remainder of cupboard dumplings discovered in an emigrant's house-to-let!
Behold me on my way to an emigrant Ship, on a hot morning early in June.
1754, from Latin emigrantem (nominative emigrans), present participle of emigrare (see emigration).


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The legal minimum age for civil marriage for women and men in Rwanda is 21, and any marriage conducted before both parties have turned 21 is legally deemed to be a forced marriage (making the older spouse liable for prosecution).[1] However, according to data from the 2010 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), the median age of first marriage for women with no education is 20.1 (21.4 for women with primary education; 23.6 for women with primary and secondary education).[2]
Under the 1988 Family Code, both spouses are deemed to have parental responsibility to raise their children; however, elsewhere in the Code, the father is named head of the 'conjugal community', comprised of the husband, wife, and their children.[3] In addition, in cases where a couple are in dispute regarding parental authority, it is the father's will that prevails.[4] The Family Code also states that women and men have the same rights to petition for divorce, and to have ongoing equal rights and responsibilities in regard to any children.[5]
In the matter of inheritance, the 1999 Inheritance and Marital Property Law guarantees equal rights for female and male spouses and children to inherit property.[6] According to the law, a surviving spouse married under the community of property marriage regime inherits all property. If the surviving spouse remarries they keep half of the original inherited property with the other half shared equally among the deceased's children. If a spouse remarries, he or she retains one quarter of property in full ownership and three-quarters is administered for the children.[7] According to the Chronic Poverty Research Centre, in 2005 59.96% of widows inherited the majority of assets after their spouses.[8]
The Inheritance and marital property law only applies to registered legal marriages, excluding customary and polygamous marriages. Most marriages in Rwanda are not registered and, as such, women, particularly co-wives in polygamous marriages, do not enjoy inheritance rights in practice.[9] However, proportions of women in both informal and polygamous unions are declining. The percentage of women in informal unions declined from 20% in 2005 to 15% in 2010.[10] In terms of polygamous marriages, which were outlawed as part of a comprehensive bill on violence against women passed in 2009, only 8% of women reported being in a polygamous union in 2010 - down from 12% in 2005.[11]
[1] Law on the Rights and Protection of the Child; CEDAW (2007), p.65 [2] Measure DHS (2012), table 4.4 [3] Law n°42/1988 of 27 October 1988 constituting the Preliminary Title and the First Book of the Civil Code (the Family Code) articles 197 and 206, in CEDAW (2007) p.64 [4] Family Code, article 206, in CEDAW (2007) p.64 [5] Family Code, article 237, in CEDAW (2007) [6] CEDAW (2007) p.33 [7] Chronic Poverty Research Centre (2011) [8] Chronic Poverty Research Centre (2011), p.20 [9] Chronic Poverty Research Centre (2011) [10] Measure DHS (2012), p. 53 [11] Government of Rwanda (2008) Law on the Prevention, Protection, and Punishment of Any Gender-Based Violence, Law No. 59/2008, enacted 10 September 2008, Article 57; Measure DHS (2012), p. 54
In April 2009 Rwanda promulgated the Law on the Prevention, Protection, and Punishment of Any Gender-Based Violence, the country's first comprehensive legislation on violence against women. This bill addresses spousal violence, marital rape, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse of children in its definition of gender-based violence, and lists the occurrence of such violence as grounds for divorce.[12] This law is a result of a legislative process that began in 2003 to combat a pervasive problem.
The Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) reports that 56% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lifetime by an intimate partner.[13] Often domestic violence is dealt with within the extended family, according to the US Department of State, and not reported or prosecuted, effectively denying women access to external support as well as legal remedy.[15] These cases are also likely widely underreported; according to the 2010 DHS, 60.8% of women who experienced violence in their lifetime never sought help. The most recent attitudinal data on violence against women indicates that 25% of men and more than twice as many women (56%) believed that wife-beating was justified in at least one instance (out of five provided in the DHS survey).[16]
According to the US Department of State's 2012 human rights report, recent government-sponsored activities to address gender-based violence include: a hotline for domestic violence at a police station in Kigali, gender desks at all 75 of the country's police stations, centres for medical, psychological, legal, and police assistance located in five public hospitals throughout the country (four of which opened in 2012).[17]
Rape is a criminal offence in Rwanda, with penalties ranging from 5 years to life imprisonment.[18] Spousal rape is also a crime, with penalties ranging from two months to life imprisonment.[19]According to the US Department of State's 2012 human rights report, the government of Rwanda handles rape cases as a priority within its judicial system; 351 cases were reported in 2012, with 109 filed in court, 143 dropped, and 99 pending.[20] Of the 65 cases adjudicated between January and September of 2012, 17 resulted in acquittal and 53 resulted in convictions, with sentences ranging from four years to life imprisonment.[21] However, under current gender-based violence law (Law on the Prevention, Protection, and Punishment of Any Gender-Based Violence), abduction is illegal and punishable by a fine and imprisonment of five to eight years.[22]
Additionally, women tend not to report sexual assaults, due to shame and taboos regarding discussion of anything to do with sex.[23] According to the 2010 DHS, more than one in five women (22%) aged 15-49 reported experiencing sexual violence at some point in their life, although 65% never sought help.[24]
Abortion is illegal in Rwanda except in cases where the woman's mental or physical health is in danger.[25]
The problem of sexual violence was severely aggravated during the Rwandan genocide, during which many women, children, and men were subjected to acts of sexual violence.[26] During sentencing at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1998, rape was likened to an act of genocide,[27] and rape was used as a means of inflicting pain and humiliation on victims.[28] Soldiers of the Rwandan Patriotic Army were responsible for serious human rights violations throughout the conflict with the Ugandan Army in Kisangani in 2000, a period marked by a very high incidence of rape. Many women were also buried alive.[29] Rwandan soldiers and rebels have also been implicated in sexual violence in the ongoing conflict in the Eastern Congo region bordering Rwanda.[30]
[12] Pearson, E. with E. Powley (2008 pp. 24-25; World Bank (2013a)) [13]OECD (2014), Gender, Institutions and Development Database, http://stats.oecd.org [15] US Department of State (2012), p. 36 [16] Measure DHS (2012), p. 230 [17] US Department of State (2012), p. 36 [18] Government of Rwanda (2008) [19] Government of Rwanda (2008), Articles 5, 19[20] US Department of State (2012), p.35 [21] US Department of State (2012), p 36 [22] Government of Rwanda (2008), Article 17 [23] CEDAW (2007), p.42 [24] Measure DHS (2012), p. 243, 251 [25] UN DESA (2013) [26] CEDAW (2007), p.65 [27] African Development Bank Group (2008), p.3 [28] CEDAW (2007), p.40 [29] (ECOSOC) (2003), p. 94 [30] ECOSOC (2003) p. 44
The male/female sex ratio for the working age population (15-64) in 2013 is 0.99 while the ratio at birth is 1.03.[31]
There is evidence to suggest that Rwanda is a country of no concern in relation to missing women.
In 2012, the ratio of female to male primary school enrolment was 102.1 percent and 106.5 for secondary school.[32]According to 2010 data, malnutrition appears to have affected males younger than 5 years old more significantly than girls the same age.[33] According to 2010 data, girls (7-14) were more involved than boys in household chores.[34]
[31] Central Intelligence Agency (2013) [32] World Bank Development Indicators Database [33] World Bank Development Indicators Database [34] Understanding Children's Work
Where the 1999 Inheritance Law established legal rights for the inheritance of land and other property, the 2005 Organic Land Law formally abolished customary law where it governed land rights.[35] The 2005 Law also encourages long tenure security through long-term (99 year) leases and land registration, and is actively encouraging joint titling of land. Women are involved in the coordination and registration process.[36] But despite gaining a certain level of independence and legal protection since the genocide, women still face difficulties accessing property.[37] A 2010 qualitative study by the Rwanda Women Network and Makerere Institute of Social Research found women's legal rights to land are undermined by the continuation of discriminatory practices, due to the negative attitudes towards women's land rights in Rwanda.[38]
Women in Rwanda do not appear to face any legal restrictions in accessing credit, but in practice, have very limited access to bank loans.[39]Government-sponsored micro-credit mechanisms have improved their access to financial resources.[40] According to the latest data from the World Bank, in 2011, 28.2% of women had accounts at formal financial institutions, compared with 37.5% of men.[41] Although roughly equal percentages of women (8%) and men (8.9%) received a loan from a financial institution in 2011,[42] women made up only 32.74% of microfinance borrowers in Rwanda in 2012, down from 53% in 2011.[43]
[35] Verma (2007), p.24; Law No. 08/2005, The Organic Land Law [36] AfDB (2008), p.20-21 [37] World Bank (2010), p.148 [38] Rwanda Women Network (2011) [39] World Bank (2010) p. 148; CEDAW (2007), p.36 [40] World Bank (2010) p. 148; CEDAW (2007), p.36 [41] World Bank (2013b) [42] World Bank (2013b [43] Microfinance Information Exchange (2013)
Married women face some restrictions in regard to choosing where they wish to live, as they are legally required to live in the same house as their husband.[44] According to the 2007 CEDAW report, there are no other legal restrictions on women's freedom of movement in Rwanda.[45]
Women and men have the same rights to vote in and stand for election in Rwanda.[46] The Rwandan government has instituted quotas to promote women's political participation at the national and sub-national levels through its Constitution.[47] At the sub-national level, Electoral Law (02/2006, sections 2, 3, 4) put in place a parallel system of women's councils and women's only elections so as to guarantee the 30% mandate at the local levels.[48]
In 2008, Rwanda became the first nation in history to have more women members in a national parliament than men.[49] Public opinion on women politicians is evenly divided; according to a 2007 World Values Survey, 51% think that men make better political leaders than women do, versus 48% who disagree with that statement.[50]
Under the Labour Act, section 64, women with maternity insurance are entitled to 12 weeks maternity leave at two-thirds of their pay while women with no maternity insurance are entitled to six weeks leave at the entirety of their salary, and six weeks at 20% of their salary. What benefits a woman receives are paid for by her employer.[51]
As a way to empower women socially and economically, KenTel, Rwanda Telecentre Network and Southern Africa Telecentre Network implemented a digital literacy programme targeting women in rural and urban areas. Known as the Telecentre Women Campaign, the initiative aimed to empower disadvantaged women with ICT knowledge for personal growth and greater opportunities. As a result, from July to November 2013, 300 women from Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia gained basic knowledge of ICT to help them improve their businesses and employment.[52]
[44] Article 83, Family Code in CEDAW (2007), p.63 [45] CEDAW (2007), p.13 [46] CEDAW (2007), p.43 [47] Constitution, articles 9 (4), 76, 82 ; The Quota Project (2013) [48] The Quota Project (2013) [49] IPU (2010) [50] WVS (2007), Question V61 [51] ILO (n.d.) [52] Telecentre Women, http://women.telecentre.org/?page_id=224
African Development Bank Group (2008), Rwanda Gender Assessment: Progress towards Improving Women's Economic Status. African Development Bank.
CEDAW (2007) 'Consideration of reports submitted by States Parties under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Combined fourth, fifth and sixth periodic reports of States parties Rwanda', CEDAW/C/RWA/6, Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, New York, NY.
Chronic Poverty Research Centre (2011) Widowhood and asset inheritance in sub-Saharan Africa: empirical evidence from 15 countries, available at http://www.chronicpoverty.org/uploads/publication_files/WP183%20Peterman.pdf (accessed 7 March 2012).
CIA, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2018.html (accessed 16/06/2014).
Government of Rwanda (2008) Law on the Prevention, Protection, and Punishment of Any Gender-Based Violence, Law No. 59/2008, enacted 10 September 2008, available at: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/population/domesticviolence/rwanda.genderviolence.08.pdf
Institut National de la Statistique du Rwanda (INSR) and ORC Macro (2006), Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey 2005, INSR and ORC Macro: Calverton, Maryland, USA.
International Labour Organization (ILO Conditions of Work and Employment Programme Database [database] http://www.ilo.org/dyn/travail/travmain.byCountry2 (accessed 30 October 2013)
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) (2010), Women in Parliament: All Countries on National Parliaments, IPU: Geneva, http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm.
Knox, A., N. Duvvury, and N. Milici (2007), Connecting Rights to Reality: A Progressive Framework of Core Legal Protections for Women's Property Rights, International Center for Research on Women: Washington, DC.
Measure DHS (2012) Rwanda DHS, 2010 [in English]. National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of Health, Kigali, Rwanda and MEASURE DHS, ICF International, Calverton, Maryland, USA.
Microfinance Information Exchange (2013) Cross Market Analysis, Percent of Female Borrowers by Country. [database] http://reports.mixmarket.org/crossmarket (accessed 30 October 2013).
Ministère de la Santé (MINISANTÉ), Institut National de la Statistique du Rwanda (INSR) et ICF Macro, (2009). Enquête Intermédiaire sur les indicateurs Démographiques et de Santé, Rwanda 2007-2008, MINISANTÉ, INSR, et Macro ICF:Calverton, Maryland, U.S.A.
Pearson, E. with E. Powley (2008) Demonstrating Legislative Leadership: The Introduction of Rwanda's Gender-Based Violence Bill. Initiative for Inclusive Security: Washington, DC, USA.
Rwanda Women Network (2011) Women's land rights gains in Rwanda are eroded by cultural practices and negative attitude: Policy briefing, May 2011 http://www.landcoalition.org/sites/default/files/publication/1159/RWN%20Policy%20Brief%2027%2010%2011_WEB.pdf .
The Quota Project (2013) Global Database of Quotas for Women [database] www.quotaproject.org/ (accessed 30 October 2013).
Understanding Children's Work Programme (UCW) (2011) 'Understanding children's work and youth employment outcomes in Rwanda, Country report, June 2011', ILO, UNICEF and the World Bank Group, Kigali: United Nations Rwanda.
United Nations (UN) (2004), World Fertility Report 2003, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, New York, NY.
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) (2013), World Abortion Policies 2013. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York.
United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) (2003), Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective: Violence Against Women, E/CN.4/2003/75/Add.1, UN, New York, NY.
US Department of State (2012) 2012 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Rwanda, US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Washington, DC.
Verma, R. (2007), 'Without Land You Are Nobody': Critical Dimensions of Women's Access to Land and Relations in Tenure in East Africa, International Development Research Centre: Nairobi, Kenya. http://www.landcoalition.org/?page_id=1419 .
World Bank (2010), Women, Business, and the Law: Measuring Legal Gender Parity for Entrepreneurs and Workers in 128 Economies.
World Bank (2013a), Women, Business, and the Law [database] http://wbl.worldbank.org/ (accessed 30 October 2013).
World Bank (2013b) Global Financial Inclusion Database [database] http://databank.worldbank.org/Data/Views/reports/tableview.aspx (accessed 29 October 2013).
World Values Survey (WVS) (2007), Selected Country/Sample: Rwanda, World Values Survey, http://worldvaluessurvey.org .


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ALDO Shoes - Malta – Varina €49
A versatile Clutch bag that takes you through your day into the night. Easy to remove chain adds convenience to this chic bag
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700r4 to T-400 swap or not?
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700r4 to T-400 swap or not?
hey guys, so we have a 1982 c10 with a 305 in it and it has a 700r4 behind that. a few years ago the tranny went out and we havent played with it since, it got parked in the back yard and left for dead ( kinda )
i also have a 89 c1500 that has a 700r4, so im stuck in the middle
ive been told 700r4 trannys are very very difficult to work with and they require tons of tools just to work on them,some people have said the good kits cost $500 and the tools are up to another $3-400 aswell
now i would love to rebuild the 700r4 even if its a 8!tCh to redo, just so i have the overdrive. my pickle starts when i consider the fact i have a suburban with a th400 in it, and ive been told the th400s are the way to go with near bullet proof construction. but with the parts to convert from 700r4 to th400, i can spend a little more and get the tools for the 700r4
both the suburban and c1500 are expecting tranny failure soon being the age and wear on the tranny,( assuming itl happen unexpectedly ) if i buckle down and aquire the knowledge and tools for the 700r4, i can convert the suburban ( since its my toy ) when it happens
so, can any guru out there clarify a few things for me ? best kits for th400 and 700r4, tools required for doing them. best manuals to purchase??? i have a guy here who will rebuild my th400 for $600 kit included and or help me out if i run into a snag, he does however, Not like 700r4 trannys nor know much about them.
i found a few threads about rebuilding them and some tools required, but post following them were contradicting.
i have 1 th400 core and one 700r4 core,i can get either or ready to without completly killing the truck and making it a crazy rush to get it done.
thanks guys! i couldnt do without yall!!!
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Hello! It's almost the end of January and if I am to blog about what I've made in time for the two awesome January themes I'd better get cracking. Today it is my polka dot Moneta dress just in time for the Sewcialists' Polka Dot January. Tomorrow it shall be my contribution to Jungle January! (Bad planning on my behalf – two blog posts on consecutive days, but hey. So I am not a blog planner.)
So what's the story with this one? I resisted such a long time getting the Moneta dress by Colette Patterns since I had the Lady Skater dress which is such an awesome pattern. How could I justify it? They seemed so similar, plus I knew that the Lady Skater fitted me out of the packet AND had plentiful sleeve options. But I did like those purty collar / neckline options offered by the Moneta. And I kept returning to ogle at them. Also @naomimolly (on Instagram) has to be the most prolific Moneta maker ever beguiling me with dresses of beauty (& clearly practical comfort).
So there was some kind of special discount offered by Colette Patterns last year & I jumped in for the digital download. And then prevaricated some more as I have the most wonderful Liberty jersey that I feel is destined to become a Moneta, but clearly, I was not going to test sizing & fit on the length of jersey that had costed me the most I'd ever paid for a length of jersey. Eventually this black & white polka dot, residing in my stash, volunteered itself. It's cheap & cheerful, although has more body that I expected so is actually quite warm to be wearing at this time of year (win!). The polka dots are the kind that are "painted on"- almost literally it feels- resulting in the underside of the fabric looking like polka dot seersucker with its puckers. Close up the white dots thinly cover the black background & look distinctly cheap. From a distance less of an issue?!
I remember trying to be smart printing out the pdf, but not realising that I had printed out the sleeveless bodiced version & had to hunt around for the longer sleeves that I required. Such is the luck of the pdf experience. I decided I would make the plainest longest sleeved version to see how it fit & how it works for then deciding on what options to take advantage of for the Liberty jersey.
I expected a simple sew & I was not disappointed. All on my overlocker apart from some of the hems (neck edge, sleeves and skirt hem) that I used my coverstitch for.
Interesting construction to note: the neck edge in this version is just meant to be a turned edge. (The Lady Skater has a separate neck band). I was a little uneasy about this, concerned that it might gape or stretch, so I zig zagged some woven elastic around the wrong side of the neck edge before turning it over and coverstitching through all layers. It certainly feels more robust, but even then, I could have got a slightly better tension as there is still some slight gaping which I would wish to avoid next time.
Other interesting construction note: the skirt gathering. Described as "shirring" in the pattern, you are meant to cut elastic (clear elastic) to a required length (I seem to remember it is based on your waist measurement) & then attach to the skirt like you would elastic to knickers (ie quartering, then stretching the elastic to fit in between whilst zig-zagging to the fabric). This results in 1. a nicely gathered skirt and 2. a reinforced waist to stop sagging/ drooping. I found my elastic was at its maximum stretch when I was doing this, which was fun!
I also put pockets in, as they come with the pattern, and are part of the design. But I am not convinced by in seam pockets in knit skirts. They are never quite as flat lying as I would like. Next time I will miss them out I think.
How does the Moneta compare then to the Lady Skater? Have I wasted my money? The differences I see, create the following distinctions – Lady Skater versus Moneta ballet dancer.
- Both graceful scoop necks, although the Lady Skater has a neckband finish, whilst Moneta has a turned edge (not my favorite finish) but there are additional collars which are heavenly;
- Sleeves – they both have different sleeve options – which are different to each other! Lady Skater has long from wrist, 3/4 length and short. Moneta has 3/4 length, short & sleeveless;
- Skirts- the Lady Skater is a half circle skirt (I think) with no gathering. Moneta is a gathered dirndl – with pockets.
I enjoy wearing both of them. This Moneta is nice & warm (but then so is my Lady Skater as I made it out of sweater knit & it has long snugly sleeves). You can see the fit of my Moneta doesn't quite hit my waistline- something I could alter next time. I would also consider a shorter skirt- I lazily turned up the hem allowance without trying it on 😉 But if I shorten the bodice, maybe I won't need to.
Lady Skater has more of a casual edge than the Moneta, which is just a tad more classically styled. But then isn't that what both Kitschy Koo and Colette Patterns are known for, respectively? For me, the joy of a decent knit dress is the style, comfort & practicality, therefore I have room for both of these in my wardrobe. Hurrah! Now, when can I make my Liberty jersey up & just what neckline option shall I go for? (I am veering towards the tie neck- surprise surprise). If you want to see what my Liberty pattern is, it's the same (but jersey) as Jane's lining to her boiled wool coat , Kilburn Rose.


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Last week we published Part One of Marc Chartier's interview with Jean-Pierre Houdin regarding the Great Sphinx. In that installment Jean-Pierre made the case for Khufu being the face which adorns the mighty guardian of the Memphis Necropolis. This week, in Part Two, we will be looking at the physical evidence for setting a date for the Sphinx's construction. Enjoy!
Archive for the 'Locations' Category
With the support of architectural and topographic evidence, Jean-Pierre Houdin is convinced that the Giza Sphinx represents King Khufu.
For the last fifteen years, Jean-Pierre Houdin has considered the Giza Plateau to be an area particularly rich and fruitful for research. The architect has notably focused on the star of the site: the Great Pyramid, to which he has devoted an evolving theory, developed in Khufu Revealed, then in Khufu Reborn; these are two installments in the ongoing story of the reconstruction of the building site of this marvel of stone, which was largely echoed by Pyramidales.
Broadening his focus to the whole Giza Plateau, but without moving away from his "preferred" building site, Jean-Pierre Houdin came naturally to integrate in his research another major piece of the great jigsaw puzzle that the Giza site represents: the Sphinx. Jean-Pierre's research into the Sphinx is guided by these two recurrent questions: What is the meaning of this colossal sculpture? To which King should it be tied?
Loyal to the techniques and teachings from his own profession as a builder, Jean-Pierre Houdin doesn't take the risk of following the "traditional operating mode" of Egyptologists and other patented archaeologists.
Every man to his own trade…Jean-Pierre intends first of all, while taking into consideration the developments from those Egyptologists, to allow the topography of the Plateau to speak, examining how it evolved according to weather conditions and progress of building projects on the site such as the opening of quarries, the building of the ramps for the transport of materials, the construction of pyramids and in particular, the appearance of a certain…Sphinx!
At the end of the study, a conclusion will prevail: that the Sphinx is inseparable from Khufu. But let's not get ahead of ourselves…
Jean-Pierre Houdin agreed to describe his development, exclusively for Pyramidales (French version) and Em Hotep (English version), through an interview conducted through an exchange of e-mails. With regards to the technical nature of the topic, this method was imperative. This explains the sometimes "didactic" nature of the answers which was required for clarity.
We have seen over the past weeks the case for the Great Sphinx having been constructed during the Fourth Dynasty in honor of Pharaoh Khufu, based on the evidence of the Plateau itself. In Part Three Jean-Pierre Houdin examines the evidence of other features of the Giza Plateau where the ancient builders seem to have labored to channel the water runoff that threatened their monuments.
What was the order of operations when it came to installing the facing stones on the large pyramids of the Fourth Dynasty? Were they just ornamental or did they serve a larger purpose in the engineering of the pyramids themselves? Was there a difference between how the rare instances of granite facing stones were installed and the Tura limestone facing blocks still visible on parts of the pyramids today? Join us as we probe the thoughts of a man who spends more time systematically and scientifically studying the large pyramids than any other person alive, Jean-Pierre Houdin.
Giza 3D is the virtual world of the Giza Plateau reconstructed from the thousands of archaeological photographs, first hand sketches of artifacts and monuments in situ, dig diaries, aerial and satellite imagery, and all the resources the Giza Archives have to offer, "a real-time virtual reconstruction of the Giza Plateau, based on actual archeological data gathered by Harvard and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) expeditions to Egypt in the first part of the 20th century" (Forbes: "How Harvard Students Explore Ancient Egypt From Cambridge With New 3D Technology").
Here at Em Hotep we want to provide you with a set of travel guides to the virtual tours conducted by Peter Der Manuelian, where to go and what to see when you enter the free-style navigation mode that lets you wander around, and how to make the best of the many resources Giza 3D offers. Join us for the first Travel Guide as we explore a series of three connected Fourth and Fifth Dynasty mastabas, the G 2100 Family Tomb Complex.
Tausret: Forgotten Queen and Pharaoh of Egypt is a collaboration between Richard Wilkinson, who is Regent' Professor of Egyptian Archaeology and Director of the Egyptian Expedition at the University of Arizona, and some of the most recognizable names in current Egyptology.
Written for a general audience, but with all the details a specialist looks for in a good book, Tausret is one of those books that will teach you about Egyptology while entertaining you with an adventure. But it's not the sort of swashbuckling adventure you might get with, say Belzoni. It's more of a detective story, spread out over a lot of detectives.
The Djedi Project is not just the new mission to explore the pyramid shafts—it truly is the next generation in robotic archaeology. Beginning with Waynman Dixon's iron rods, researchers have been probing the Great Pyramid's mysterious claustrophobic passageways for 140 years. But now, using technology designed for uses as divergent as space exploration and terrestrial search and rescue, we are finally able to explore the chamber behind Gantenbrink's Door.
Picking up where we left off with Pyramid Rover, this Em Hotep exclusive covers how the Djedi Team won the "Robot Olympics in the Desert", the members who make up the team, the specifics of the robot's design, and the results of Djedi's maiden voyage up QCS and into the chamber behind the first blocking stone. Through interviews and exchanges with the Djedi Project manager, Shaun Whitehead, as well as other team members, this article promises to be the resource for the published Djedi material to date.
One year ago today Em Hotep was present for the premier of Khufu Reborn at la Géode in Paris, France. Phase Two of Jean-Pierre Houdin's work with the Great Pyramid of Khufu was revolutionary, but was preceded by another revolution in Egypt just two days prior. Now, on the one year anniversary of Khufu Reborn, we visit with Jean-Pierre to ask a few questions about his work, the impact of the January Revolution, and where we go from here.
Last week as news was breaking about the new tomb—KV64—Em Hotep received word from Stephen Cross, an Egyptologist and Geologist specializing in the Valley of the Kings, that he had photographed the tomb while conducting his own, unrelated research in the Valley. Naturally, Steve held onto this wonderful shot until after the University of Basel had made their announcement. Now that the whole world knows about KV64 and its lovely occupant, Steve has very kindly agreed to allow us to publish the photo, along with answer some questions about what is going on in the Valley of the Kings.
Inside: Current projects in the Valley of the Kings, Steve's meeting with the new head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and a picture of KV64 you will not see anywhere else!
In case you haven't heard, there is a new addition to the list of tombs in the Valley of the Kings! As I am currently focused on the next pyramid shaft article, and my multi-tasking cache already runneth over, I am pointing you to the sources I go to for information about such things—my brother and sister bloggers.
As always, these are not typical bloggers (have I mentioned how much I dislike that marginalizing term, blogger?), these are folks who are thoughtful, critical, analytical, and who often have direct channels to the primary sources. Don't forget to check out the comments sections, as this is where the story tends to develop. And you have my word that these kind people will welcome your comments and questions as well.
- Egyptological: Tomb K64 in the Valley of the Kings – The Story as it Broke by Kate Phizackerley
- Luxor News: KV64 – Breaking News 22nd Dynasty tomb by Jane Akshar
- Egyptology News: More re: new VOK discovery by Andie Byrnes
- News From the Valley of the Kings: KV64 is the Tomb of Ni Hms Bastet by Kate Phizackerley
- Egyptians: KV 64 Found? By Tim Reid
(Kate gets two entries because VoK is her bailiwick)
Last May the Project Djedi Team caught the world's attention, and imagination, when they announced that the robot crawler designed to explore the southern shaft leading out of the Queen's Chamber of the Great Pyramid had transmitted back images of markings left behind by the pyramid's builders. Hidden behind a "door" that had either thwarted or limited previous attempts to investigate the shaft, the markings prompted much speculation about their nature and purpose.
The Djedi Project was back in the headlines at the end of December when New Scientist magazine named the discovery one of the Top 10 Science Stories of 2011. For the next few articles, Em Hotep will bring you up to date on the history of the exploration of the mysterious shafts in the Great Pyramid. This current article will cover the ground from Waynman Dixon up to the Pyramid Rover Project, with the next article focusing exclusively on Project Djedi. This will be followed by a couple of very special interviews you will not want to miss..
It has been nearly a year now since architect Jean-Pierre Houdin premiered the second phase of his work with the Great Pyramid—Khufu Reborn. How has his work been received so far? Where does the project stand at the moment? Has the Arab Spring affected the progress of Project Khufu? Where do we go from here?
My good friend Marc Chartier of Pyramidales (and more recently of Égypte-actualités, but more on that endeavor later..) had a chance to sit down recently with Jean-Pierre and discuss these questions and more. Thanks to Em Hotep's partnership with Pyramidales, I am able to bring you the English language version of this interview. Enjoy, and please feel free to join the conversation, as they say…
If you weren't able to make it to the premier of Khufu Reborn, the second episode of Jean-Pierre Houdin's theory of how the Great Pyramid of Khufu was built, then you are in luck—the full presentation is now available on the web, courtesy of Dassault Systèmes! This isn't just a dry lecture with some slides, this is the full 3D presentation, with narration.
In addition to providing the full simulation illustrating Jean-Pierre's theory in detail, the Khufu Reborn universe is interactive. You can actually navigate you way around the Giza Plateau of 4,500 years ago. But if you aren't ready to dive into Khufu's world just yet, this Em Hotep tour and tutorial will equip you for the journey.
Last week the news about the preliminary findings of the Djedi Project broke worldwide, and not without a little sensationalism. While sensationalism can be fun, it can also backfire when people form preconceived notions about what the findings mean.
"Red-painted numbers and graffiti are very common around Giza," advises Peter Der Manuelian, an Egyptologist at Harvard University and director of the Giza Archives at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. "They are often masons' or work-gangs' marks, denoting numbers, dates or even the names of the gangs."
There is a lot to be excited about with the Djedi mission, but we need to keep the discoveries in context until Egyptologists have had an opportunity to analyze the findings and their implications. But that does not mean that we can't have some fun in the meanwhile…
Follow Pharaoh Khufu's funeral procession into the Great Pyramid where we learn the layout of the two very different routes to the King's Chamber—one used by the workers in the construction of the vast monument, and one created for the sole purpose of the king's last journey from his Valley Temple to the burial room.
This is the seventh article in a series based on Marc Chartier's discussions with Jean-Pierre Houdin following the premier of Khufu Reborn, the long awaited revelation of the second chapter of Project Khufu. These articles are provided in English to Em Hotep via special arrangement with Marc Chartier/Pyramidales, Jean-Pierre Houdin and the Project Khufu team at Dassault Systèmes.


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Resolving technical issues in science
McCulloch accuses Steig et al. of appropriating his 'finding' that Steig et al. did not account for autocorrelation when calculating the significance of trends. While the published version of the paper didn't include such a correction, it is obvious that the authors were aware of the need to do so, since in the text of the paper it is stated that this correction was made. The corrected calculations were done using well-known methods, the details of which are available in myriad statistics textbooks and journal articles. There can therefore be no claim on Dr. McCulloch's part of any originality either for the idea of making such a correction, nor for the methods for doing so, all of which were discussed in the original paper. Had Dr. McCulloch been the first person to make Steig et al. aware of the error in the paper, or had he written directly to Nature at any time prior to the submission of the Corrigendum, it would have been appropriate to acknowledge him and the authors would have been happy to do so. Lest there be any confusion about this, we note that, as discussed in the Corrigendum, the error has no impact on the main conclusions in the paper.
There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism, and pointing out errors — even fairly minor ones — is important and useful. The difference, though, between people who want to find out something about the real world and people who just want to score political points, is what is made of those errors. That is the test of constructive scientific dialog. Specious accusations of fraud, plagiarism and the like don't pass such a test; instead they simply poison the atmosphere to everyone's loss.
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Irrational FearsHave you ever had an irrational fear? I've had quite a few in my time, but today I'll confess to one involving car windows. When I had older cars with manually operated windows I had a phobia of cars with electric windows. My fear was that if I drove one of these new-fangled electric windows cars, I'd have an accident on a bridge or along a body of water, my car would break through the safety barriers and would plunge into the dark icy waters. I'd try in vain to open the door, but deformation from the crash would make that impossible. The waters would flood the car electrics also stopping the electric windows from functioning. So, as I sit in the rapidly filling car I would curse the day I stopped using cars with manual windows. You'll be pleased to know that I did get over my irrational fear it's now over 5 years since I began using cars with electric windows and I'm still here.
It's security stupid
When I look at the recent hoo-ha surrounding the security vulnerabilities discovered in Google Wallet it makes me think that others might too be suffering from an irrational fear. After all, for these vulnerabilities to be exploited, the miscreants need to have physical access to the phone itself. As such, Google's assertion that the Google Wallet is still safer than the physical wallet holds. After all, cards are totally unprotected in your physical wallet.
What is slightly less irrational is the fear that a rogue app downloaded from an official (or in some platforms unofficial) app store might allow the developer access to the wallet and it's contents. It goes back to the initial slow uptake of internet banking on people's home PCs. People will be weary, but if the industry players demonstrate that they are taking security seriously, it should happen.
Thus I don't think security fears are the key roadblock on the road to NFC nirvana. The two biggest issues driving adoption of wallets are the availability of NFC-enabled smartphones and the fragmentation of mobile payment technologies.
Show me the NFC phone/PED
The former point is illustrated beautifully by the fact that neither of the two biggest selling smartphones in the UK last year (Samsung Galaxy SII and Apple iPhone 4s) sport NFC. But 2012 may be a watershed year. Already all major phone manufacturers bar Apple have announced NFC-ready phones and the much rumoured next iPhone outing (iPhone5 expected in September 2012) is also envisaged to sport the NFC standard. On the other side of the equation 2012 also sees all major PED manufacturers rolling out NFC-ready models into the marketplace.
Together we stand, divided we fall
The fragmentation of mobile payment technologies though in my mind remains the single biggest obstacle to mass adoption of mobile payments. Everyone seems to be trying to build their own mobile payments fiefdom, with the newswires littered by press release after press release on the launch of a mobile payment trial or technology. This fragmentation not only makes life tough for handset manufacturers (who don't know what they should be supporting in their upcoming handsets), but they also muddy the water for the media and the public at large.
What we really need is an industry-wide effort ala Chip & PIN, which can give us consistent branding and a reliable user experience, which together with much greater marketing backing will really help drive adoption. A whole new industry is there for the taking......if they only heed the advice of Khan Kubrat!*
* The Story of the dying days of Khan Kubrat (from Wikipedia):
According to legend, on his deathbed the Bulgarian leader (632ad – 665ad) Khan Kubrat commanded his sons to gather sticks and bring them to him, which he then bundled together. He commanded his eldest son Boyan to break the bundle. Boyan failed against the strength of the combined sticks, and so did the other sons in turn. Kubrat undid the bundle and broke each stick separately. He then proclaimed to his sons, "unity makes strength", which has become a commonplace Bulgarian folk slogan and now appears on the modern Bulgarian coat of arms.
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An invasion of giant biting spiders has sparked mass panic in northeast India.
Two people have died after being bitten by the hairy creatures, thought to be a new species of tarantula.
But officials in the district of Tinsukia said locals' attempts to treat the painful swelling caused by the bites may be more dangerous than the spiders themselves.
It is unclear whether the victims died from venom or from treatment by witch doctors, who cut them with razor blades to drain the wounds.
No post-mortem examinations were carried out before the victims were cremated.
Doctors at Sadiya town hospital said another seven victims were given antibiotics after they tried to drain their wounds.
Ecologist LR Saikia, from Assam's Dibrugarh University, said the hairy spiders may be a newly discovered tarantula species.
The arachnids were first noticed about a month ago across Tinsukia district's grassy plains and dense jungle forests north of the Brahmaputra River.
Ecologist Mr Saikia said: "It looks like a new species. We haven't been able to identify it."
Officials cannot use anti-venom in treating bite victims until the species is identified.
Meanwhile, villagers are keeping lamps on at night and standing guard against spiders entering their mud-and-thatch huts.
About 100,000 villagers, mostly poor rice farmers, live in the area which is cut off from roads by the river.
Officials said the spiders are now also showing up south of the Brahmaputra.