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India Business Leaders Appeal for More Action on Corruption
A group of Indian business leaders made up of executives, entrepreneurs, judges and former central bank governors, has issued a second open letter to the country's government, appealing for more action to be taken in the fight against corruption.
The letter, dated Oct. 3 but only released late Monday, highlighted four issues that "call for urgent attention and action to make reforms effective and have a positive and perceptible impact on citizens' day-to-day life."
More In Corruption
- Indian Army Tells Soldiers to Stop Complaining on Social Media
- Indian Parliament Set For Stormy Winter Session Amid Cash Crunch, GST Introduction
- What India's Decision to Replace High-Denomination Notes Means for Farmers and the Poor
- Tamil Nadu Confiscates Record Stash of Cash Intended for Vote Buying
- Why India Can Be Pleased About Its Corruption
- India Still Has Big Corruption Problems, Says Transparency International
The issues were the same as those raised in the group's first-open letter on Jan. 17, namely, a growing governance deficit, rampant corruption, the need for judicial reform, and problems with obtaining environmental clearances for projects because of "irregular practices."
It welcomed the progress made towards reaching an agreement on an anti-corruption ombudsman, but noted that much more needs to be done.
"We support the need for the urgent passage of a well-crafted Lokpal Bill by Parliament. We, however, believe that the Bill is only one small but critical step in the national task of weeding out the plague of corruption," the letter said.
"This draft Lokpal Bill is intended to address episodic corruption, but is unlikely to have any significant impact on day-to-day corruption which is insidious and demeaning," it continued.
To help in the fight against corruption, which the letter noted affected almost every interaction between the "common man" and public officials as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises and other businesses, several antiquated laws must be urgently overhauled.
It said land, judicial, electoral and police reforms are all needed, and – in a nod to the unruliness that often disrupts parliamentary proceedings in India – should be "constructively debated in a time-bound and orderly manner and not in uncivil and hostile environments."
The letter, which carries 14 signatures of powerful figures in India, went on to say that the "nexus" linking certain corporates, politicians, bureaucrats and power brokers is "one of the greatest threats for the Indian economy."
Both the giver and receiver of bribes should be punished in a timely manner, it said.
The letter also bemoaned the inefficiency of India's court system, noting that even the best-crafted legislation would be ineffective if reforms weren't made and the backlog of more than 31 million cases cleared.
"It is imperative to increase the number of judges and other judicial officers, modernise infrastructure and implement judicial reforms such as creating additional fast-track specialised courts," it said, highlighting that India has just 10 judges per one million people, while in the U.K. the figure is 50 and in the U.S. it's 107.
"The adage of justice delayed is justice denied is the key reason why the common man is unable to fight against corruption," the letter said.
The fourth issue raised referred to "an impasse in environmental clearances which continues to delay several investment proposals and hamper economic growth."
The letter suggests that natural resources could be allocated through an online auction process, which it states would provide transparency and prevent irregular practices.
"Fresh investments are not forthcoming at the pace required. Policy uncertainties and delays in approvals are forcing many large corporate entities to seek out opportunities in other geographies."
Several Indian and international companies, including steelmakers Posco and ArcelorMittal, have seen their planned projects in India stall because of delays and backtracking in the approval process.
The letter concluded by saying that the signatories "wholeheartedly endorse Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that economic progress must not be hijacked by internal dissensions."
"India's focus must remain steadfast on economic reforms and growth in order to reduce poverty and ensure adequate job creation. These national challenges cannot be solved by urban protests and posturing," it said.
The open letter was signed by:
N. Vaghul, Deepak Parekh, Ashok Ganguly, Jamshyd Godrej, Justice Sam Variava, M. Narasimham, Yezdi Malegam, Anu Aga, A. Vaidyanathan, Bimal Jalan, Keshub Mahindra, Azim Premji, Nachiket Mor and Justice B. N. Srikrishna.
You can follow Mr. Davies on Twitter @WillMHDavies. Follow India Real Time on Twitter @indiarealtime.


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Check BNN and Bulbanews for up-to-date Pokémon news and discuss it on the forums or in the Bulbagarden Discord server.
Kyurem (M15)
| This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Kyurem (Japanese: キュレム Kyurem) is one of the featured Pokémon in Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice.
|Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
Having been born at the same time as Reshiram and Zekrom, Kyurem is considered the strongest Dragon-type Pokemon in the world. It can harness the powers of both Reshiram and Zekrom at will, allowing it to transform into White Kyurem and Black Kyurem respectively. According to Keldeo, one cannot become a Sword of Justice until one defeats Kyurem, who the Colt Pokemon is eager to fight against in order to become a member of that position.
Residing in the abandoned mines of a mountain sanctuary named Full Court, Kyurem is challenged to a battle by Keldeo, who claims to be a Sword of Justice but in truth is training to become one. The Boundary Pokemon engages Keldeo in battle, and although the Colt Pokemon manages to land a hit on Kyurem, the latter soon proves to be too strong for Keldeo, and the fight escalates with Kyurem breaking off Keldeo's horn with a Shadow Claw attack. Terrakion, who had observed the battle nearby, attempts to stop the fight to help Keldeo, despite Cobalion's warnings. Enraged by the intrusion, Kyurem shifts into White Kyurem and uses Ice Burn on Cobalion, Virizion, and Terrakion, locking them in a block of ice. Keldeo is overcome with fear and flees during the middle of the battle. Furious, Kyurem begins pursuing the Colt Pokemon, angrily declaring that their battle is not over.
Determined to finish their battle, Kyurem, aided by its Cryogonal followers, relentlessly hunts down Keldeo, but is stalled by Ash, Iris, and Cilan, who find the Colt Pokemon and befriend it. After being lured away from Keldeo by Iris, and later Cilan, Kyurem returns to the abandoned mines, where Ash would later enter in his attempt to free the trapped Swords of Justice when Keldeo is once again gripped with fear. Kyurem, enraged by the intrusion of a human in its lair, confronts Ash, who is striking at the ice that held the Swords of Justice to free them. When Ash refuses to leave, the Boundary Pokemon attacks him with Dragon Pulse, but the strike is blocked by Keldeo, who finally gained the courage to face Kyurem.
Keldeo admits to Kyurem that it lied about being a Sword of Justice and did so in order to do battle with the Boundary Pokemon. Kyurem reveals that it already knew that Keldeo lied from the start and demands that they end their battle. Through Ash's support, Keldeo transforms into its Resolute Form and proceeds with its battle against Kyurem. As it seems that Kyurem won the battle by freezing Keldeo solid using Freeze Shock, Keldeo breaks free and learns the move called Secret Sword, and with it, the Colt Pokemon lands a direct hit on Kyurem.
Pleased by this turn of events, and witnessing Keldeo's true power, Kyurem attacks at full strength by unleashing another Freeze Shock attack, which threatens to attack Ash, Iris, Cilan, and the freed Swords of Justice. Keldeo leaps in and splits the Freeze Shock in half with Secret Sword, preventing the attack from hitting its friends but takes major damage in the process. This results in the Colt Pokemon collapsing, and Kyurem pins Keldeo down. The Colt Pokemon admits its defeat, but instead of finishing the battle, Kyurem reverts back to its normal form. Kyurem is impressed that Keldeo chose to protect its friends over winning the fight, thus earning Kyurem's respect.
When the mines begin to collapse from the damage it sustained from the battle, Kyurem changes into White Kyurem and freezes the collapsing mine into place, preventing the destruction of the mines while the Swords of Justice, Keldeo, and the others escape. The Boundary Pokemon then shifts back into its normal form and lumbers back into its lair without a word.
Personality and characteristics
Kyurem is considered to be the strongest Dragon-type Pokémon in the world, as it has the ability to transform into Black Kyurem and White Kyurem at will, utilizing the powers of Zekrom and Reshiram respectively while in those forms. Destructive as it can be, however, it chooses to live in seclusion in Full Court, an abandoned mine, along with a group of Cryogonal who serve it.
Although it prefers to stay away from others, when challenged to a battle, Kyurem will readily accept. Kyurem hates for its battles to be interrupted, and will attack anyone who attempts to stop its battle. If an opponent runs away from a fight, Kyurem will chase it down with relentless fury until it defeats the opponent.
It also possesses a dislike for humans who trepass into its lair, as it was hostile towards Ash and was willing to destroy him when the Trainer refused to leave without freeing the trapped Swords of Justice. Kyurem has the ability to tell if an opponent is not using their full strength, and will continuously pressure the opponent into using it. Despite this, it is shown to have a sense of honor, as Kyurem values Keldeo's courage for saving its friends instead of winning the battle.
Moves used
As Normal Kyurem
|A † shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.
As White Kyurem
|A † shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.
As Black Kyurem
|A † shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.
Related articles
For more information on this Pokémon's species, see Kyurem.
|This anime-related article is a stub. You can help Bulbapedia by expanding it.
|This movie article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.

subset: commoncrawl


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Why not try Aomei Partition Assistant?
Please see attached screen shot.
/dev/sda/1 is the Windows Reserved Partition
/dev/sda2 is my Windows System Drive (C
/dev/sda3 is my Windows Data Partition (D
/dev/sda4 is where BackTrack is installed
As you can see there is a couple of unallocated spaces there and 2 swap drives.
I had BT5 installed on here twice, and I think some of it can be removed but I dont want to mess anything up!
I think the /dev/sda5 swap space can be deleted?
Why not try Aomei Partition Assistant?
What will that acheive? I'm comforable using gparted, I just wanted clarification on what partitons should be there and which shouldnt be there.


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Click Here to Watch the Whole Video in HD at GreatCanadianMale
Where Canadian Straight Boys Go Gay!
Description: Buck Is an Older Dude With a Long Lean Body and Long Lean Dick to Match. Before I Even Get the Camera Rolling He Has His Cock Out and Starts Pumping to the Porn He's Watching. I Sit Beside Him and Play With His Nipple and Then Grab That Hard Cock and Give It a Good Pump. He Starts Talkin Dirty About Getting Fucked In the Ass and Shoots a Massive Load All Over His Belly.


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Sorry! We're unable to serve your requirement at this moment. Kindly fill up your learning requirement below and we'll notify you soon with some matching members.
Let us guide you to find Piano institute for you
Popular Music Institutes in Agartala
Guide Line
- Address: Sonamura, tripura
- Class held for: Indian Classical Music
- Pincode: 799131


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Randy Travis' Before You Kill Us All — Flashback Friday [VIDEO]
It's Randy Travis' 53rd birthday, so it's a perfect reason to feature him in this weeks edition of Flashback Friday. We go back to 1994 for this week's selection, "Before You Kill Us All".
This was the first single from Randy's 1994 album "This Is Me". The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard country charts. He would follow it up with one of his many #1's "Whisper My Name".
Randy has had one stellar career! 25 Years in the business! In that time he has released over 20 studio albums as well as a number of Greatest Hits albums. He's been in movies and TV shows and still tours the country on a regular basis. Randy was playing in my household as a child on a regular basis and one of the reasons I am a country music fan.
There have been a few rough patches in Randy's life recently. Back in September he collapsed on stage during a performance. In February as he was arrested for public intoxication and now he is being sued by his Ex-Wife for givng her the boot as his manager. Hopefully things will turn around for the good in the long run.
Happy 53rd Birthday to Randy Travis! A true Country Music Icon!!


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climax(redirected from climaxed)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Encyclopedia.
bring something to a closeand bring something to an end; bring something to a climax
to end something; to cause something to reach its final point and stop. I think it is time to bring this matter to a close. The incident has been brought to a climax.
come to a closeand come to an end; come to a climax
to end; to progress to an ending. The celebration came to an end about midnight.


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A blowout was brewing early in the second quarter at A.W. Mumford Stadium Saturday evening.
Alabama State scored touchdowns on four of its first five possessions, and held a 21-point lead with more than 13 minutes left in the first half. Undaunted, Southern responded with an eight-minute touchdown drive that changed momentum and paved the way for a second-half comeback.
The Southern comeback came up short when Dray Joseph's short-armed a two-point pass for Rashaun Allen. Still, the Jaguars showed heart as they outscored the Hornets 23-3 over the final 2½ quarters of play before falling 31-30.
"You give up 28 points in the first half, and you give up three in the second half to the same team," Southern coach Dawson Odums said. "We did a great job against them in the second half. I just hate that we dug such a big hole in the first half."
The hole was 28-7 with 13:24 to go in the second quarter when Southern took over at the SU 8. Southern then used 14 plays and 7:59 as it methodically moved downfield. Joseph completed 10 of 11 passes on the drive, which was capped by Joseph's 3-yard strike to Lee Doss.
"That drive enabled the defense to stay fresh and make stops when we needed them the most," Joseph said. "There was a point when the score was 24-31, and they got the ball three times. We couldn't score, but the defense kept stopping them. They kept us in the game until we finally came around."
That point was in the fourth quarter when Alabama State had three possessions in Southern territory.
The first came after Kejuan Riley's interception at midfield on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The Hornets moved to a first at the SU 29, but the Jaguars moved them back. A fourth-down penalty pushed the Hornets out of field-goal range forcing a punt.
Malcolm Cyrus' 17-yard punt return gave the Hornets a first at the SU 43 on their next series. Jaguars' linebacker Anthony Balancier threw Hornets running back Isaiah Crowell for a 4-yard loss on 3rd-and-1 to end the threat.
"When they were going no huddle, if affected us, but as the game went on we caught up with their tempo," Balancier said.
"If the game comes down to the fourth quarter, the defense is going to do whatever it takes to win the game."
Alabama State's final possession started at the SU 28 after punter Chase Tuten, under a heavy rush, instead threw a pass to Corry Roy. The Hornets picked up two yards on three downs, and Bobby Wenzig's 43-yard field goal try on fourth down was off the mark.
"You could tell that moving the ball in the second half allowed our defense to make plays because they stayed fresh," Joseph said.
Southern's final drive began at its own 26 with 3:05 left. The Jaguars quickly moved into Hornets territory, and then overcame a holding before Joseph found Doss for his second touchdown of the game.
With that, Southern was poised to complete an improbable comeback. Instead, Joseph's two-point conversion pass for Rashaun Allen fell incomplete, and Southern was left to lament another close loss.
"We made the plays to get back in the game," Odums said. "People will probably say, well, last week you played for overtime, and this week you go for the win. It's a gut (feeling). Its all about the gut."
The Southwestern Athletic Conference loss was Southern's fourth of the season by six points or less, and their second one-point loss in as many weeks.
"I told the guys after the game hold your heads high," Odums said. "The effort you gave and the fight you showed is the reason we know this program is going in the right direction."


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How to download your IEM deployment's current license.crt file
license; licensing; license.crt; subscribenet; entitlements; masthead
Technote (troubleshooting)
Steps on how to download your IEM deployment's current license.crt file through the IBM Endpoint Manager License Key Center.
Resolving the problem
To download your deployment's current license.crt file, follow these steps:
- Go to: https://tem.subscribenet.com/control/ibmt/login
- Login using your username and password:
- Choose the serial number for your deployment:
- Leave your site entitlements unchanged, scroll down to the bottom of the screen, and click Update Serial Number:
- Click the appropriate link to download your current license.crt file:
This license.crt file can then be imported into your deployment through the IEM Admin Tool on the server giving your deployment the most up to date licensing and site entitlements.
Normally, changes to your license on IBM license servers are gathered by your IEM server automatically across the Internet.
In the event your server cannot connect to the Internet to gather license updates, these steps give you a way to update your license manually.
Document information
More support for:
IBM BigFix family
Software version: Version Independent
Operating system(s): Platform Independent
Reference #: 1656479
Modified date: 26 October 2015
Translate this page:


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Zinhof Audio
Blog with quality music.
Apr 13, 2007 MP3 Blogs & Sites Clicks: 7235 Pagerank: 4
Advertising Slogan Generator
And for free.
Apr 11, 2007 Online_Generators Clicks: 7153 Pagerank: 4
Flickr Logo Maker
A cute Flickr Logo Maker
Apr 11, 2007 Logos Clicks: 7146 Pagerank: 4
World of Free Games
The ultimate free games archive.
Apr 10, 2007 Abandonware Games Clicks: 7099 Pagerank: 4
The Cloak
Just other free anonymous surfing site, with many options.
Apr 10, 2007 Anonymity Clicks: 7007 Pagerank: 4
Volleyball Links
Volleyball links categorised.
May 8, 2007 Volleyball Clicks: 6983 Pagerank: 4
Beginner´s Guide to getting a Tattoo
Where to start and what to do about getting your first tattoo. Answers to commonly asked questions, and lifesaving information you didn't even know you needed.
Apr 14, 2007 Tattoos Clicks: 6978 Pagerank: 4
Write rhymes
Look up rhyming words as you write. Instead of leaving what you're writing to find rhymes in a rhyming dictionary, just alt-click (or option-click) on the word you need a rhyme for and select from...
Jul 15, 2008 Poetry Clicks: 6978 Pagerank: 4
Wired Magazine Cover
Design your own Wired magazine cover.
Jun 8, 2007 Covers Clicks: 6975 Pagerank: 4
Customize your youtube embed player with many options like autoplay, loop, High quality, custom background and download videos from youtube, myspace, veoh and more.
Aug 31, 2008 Video Edition Clicks: 6972 Pagerank: 4


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DORLET provides solutions for every customer need, regardless of the sector and ranging from major industrial corporations to public authorities, airports, hotels, and so on. …
We also want to highlight the type of DORLET systems that can be installed in different sectors such as:
AIRPORTS: Integrated Security System, which includes access control readers in the restricted areas that need protecting, readers to control boarding gates, control of conveyor belts and no-return walkways, registration plate readers for vehicle access, integration of CCTV cameras, intrusion sensors and fire detectors, all managed from our DORLET DASS control platform, which in turn is integrated in the airport's total control SCADA application.
HEALTH – HOSPITALS: Corporate Access Control integrated with the customer's RP, which firstly allows the automatic registration/cancellation of every employee in the access system, and secondly allows data to be uploaded to the RP to manage staff hours, manage canteen menus and apply automatic payroll discounts, etc. On-line control in the hospital's restricted areas (laboratories, operating rooms – hands free, pharmacy, medical records …), off-line control in the patient rooms using HS/STAINLESS STEEL electronic locks and even locker-style locks for the wardrobe inside the room that the patient can open using their card, integrated visitor access control with the list of patients at the hospital, car park vehicle access control, and so on.
HOTELS: we have two types of solutions for hotels to solve access control problems. Firstly there is the traditional system consisting of HS/STAINLESS STEEL independent locks to be installed in each of the hotel's doors. There is also an on-line solution for hotels. As well as room access control, it shows, in real time, whether the room is empty/occupied/being cleaned… even represented in synoptic charts, allows the user to manage the climate control and electricity system in the room depending on whether the customer is present or not, activate the room intrusion system, among other features.
© Dorlet 2011 · Parque Tecnológico de Álava · +34 945 29 87 90 · firstname.lastname@example.com


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As part of its effort to support growth and sustainability of Citizen Corps Councils and CERT programs across the United States, FEMA has developed a series of resource guides. Each one addresses topics important to developing and sustaining a well-trained volunteer program focused on increasing individual and community preparedness. Click on the links below to learn more:
Citizen Corps: A Guide for Local Officials - Explains the primary objectives of a local Citizen Corps Council are and show how a Citizen Corps Council can benefit the whole community by bringing together all stakeholders to increase individual and community participation in preparedness: Guide for Local Officials (28-page PDF, 377 Kb)
The Citizen Corps Volunteer Liability Guide - Provides an overview of liability concerns and suggests approaches to address these concerns: Volunteer Liability Guide (100-page PDF, 1.6 Mb)


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The internal Liberal Party battle for preselection in the Sydney seat of Riverstone has turned nasty after sitting MP Kevin Conolly was quoted in official minutes as admitting to branch stacking "for the longevity of my career".
Mr Conolly was sensationally disendorsed by his own branches last month, despite being the only candidate, after a falling out with the Diaz family that controls Liberal numbers in the area.
The NSW Liberal Party reopened preselections and Londonderry MP Bart Bassett decided to challenge to contest the safe Liberal seat at next year's state election, as will Hills Shire councillor Yvonne Keane.
Fairfax Media has obtained the official minutes of a June 10 meeting held to consider applications to join the Riverstone branch.
In them, Mr Conolly is asked why he moved a motion to reject the applications of 10 prospective members.
"I am happy to answer that question," he is quoted as saying. "This is my branch and we must reject these people for the longevity of my career."
Mr Conolly is then challenged as to why the branch would be rejecting members before an election at which they could be useful.
Mr Conolly is recorded in the minutes as replying: "I must stack people into this branch for the longevity of my career. I cannot be watching my back for four years. I have to stack my people into this branch for the 2019 election."
The meeting was chaired by Jason Diaz, the brother of Jaymes Diaz, who shot to prominence during last year's federal election campaign when as Liberal candidate for the western Sydney seat of Greenway he was unable to articulate the Coalition's six-point plan to stop asylum seeker boats.
Mr Conolly has previously enjoyed the backing of the Diaz family in Riverstone, but patriarch Jess Diaz, a Blacktown councillor, nominated against Mr Conolly in Riverstone after failing to win the mayoralty. He later withdrew but the Diaz family numbers contributed to Mr Conolly's shock disendorsement.
Mr Conolly has lodged an appeal with the NSW Liberal Party's disputes panel over the legitimacy of the decision to reopen the preselection and the validity of the deadline for branch membership. It is understood he has not ruled out taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
Asked about the battle on Tuesday, Premier Mike Baird said "democracy is a wonderful thing" but "ultimately it is a party matter and I'll leave it to the party to resolve".
Mr Conolly did not respond to a request for comment.


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Today, Paul Hodes called on Congressional leaders to have an open debate as they begin to craft their final Wall Street reform proposals. As Wall Street's high paid lobbyists descend on Washington, Hodes is calling on Congress to conduct its negotiations so that they are accountable to the middle class families who've been hurt by Wall Street excess.
"In order to crack down on Wall Street's most dangerous practices, it is important for middle class families to be involved and see exactly what is being discussed," said Hodes. "In New Hampshire, we have a proud tradition of citizen involvement with our government. In order to bring that level of accountability to Washington, Congress should debate this reform in public."
In a letter to both Democratic and Republican leaders, Paul Hodes has called for negotiations to craft a final Wall Street reform proposal to be conducted in view of the public.
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Majority Leader Reid, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader Boehner,
I am writing in support of making any conference committee on financial regulatory reform open and viewable by the public. As we work to protect hardworking families from the reckless behavior of Wall Street, it is critical that we give those families an open and transparent process.
Risky actions by Wall Street banks caused incredible hardships for many middle class families. It is imperative that we show Americans that we are working for them, and that we continue to provide access to this important legislative step in financial regulatory reform.
Citizens who wish to become involved with the actions of their government should be able to see and hear what is happening on important issues that affect their lives. We must make sure that middle class families, and not Wall Street's lobbyists, have the tools to hold their government accountable for reining in the abusive Wall Street practices that continue to hurt the Granite State's small business- driven economy.
By allowing Americans continued access to the legislative process, we will be standing up for the basic principles of our democracy -- access to an open and honest government. As the financial regulatory reform legislation moves to conference, I urge you to make sure that there is continued public access to our legislative system.
Source: http://hodes.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1895


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Sometimes Shopgirls Are The Worst
How often has this happened to you: You're stoked to buy something at a cute little boutique, but then the girl working there totally freezes you out? It's like, commmmme onnnnnn, you work retail! We're all in this together! You're not cooler than me! Stop it! The girl in this video knows exactly what I'm talking about. [NY Mag]


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Swing states poll: Amid barrage of ads, Obama has edge
When it comes to campaign ads in the presidential race, there are two Americas.
In most of the country, just about the only time campaign ads for the presidential candidates are on TV is when there's a news story about the ads. In the handful of battleground states that are likely to decide the outcome of the election, though, viewers can't escape arguably the most intense early barrage of ads in American political history.
"In a swing state, you're part of the presidential campaign," says political scientist Darrell West, author of Air Wars. "Everywhere else, you're outside."
INTERACTIVE: Political Ad Tracker
INTERACTIVE: Electoral Vote Tracker
STORY: Obama's campaign manager confident
In a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of swing states, an overwhelming majority of voters remember seeing campaign ads over the past month; most voters in other states say they haven't. In the battlegrounds, one in 12 say the commercials have changed their minds about President Obama or Republican Mitt Romney — a difference on the margins, but one that could prove crucial in a close race.
At this point, Obama is the clear winner in the ad wars. Among swing-state voters who say the ads have changed their minds about a candidate, rather than just confirmed what they already thought, 76% now support the president, vs. 16% favoring Romney.
"We gave them new information," says Obama campaign manager Jim Messina. "Romney had been out there claiming success as governor," but Democratic ads have prompted voters to "take a look at his record" on job creation and as head of the private-equity firm Bain Capital. Messina also credits a $25 million buy for a positive ad "about the challenges the president inherited and what we had to do to move this country forward."
To be sure, Obama's ads have done more to win back Democrats than to win over independents or Republicans: Thirteen percent of Democrats say their minds have been changed by ads, compared with 9% of independents and 3% of Republicans.
Romney pollster Neil Newhouse calls the findings unsurprising. "It is expected to find that more voters say their views have changed about Mitt Romney; they simply don't know him all that well," he says. "On the other hand, there are few voters who are going to say their views have changed about President Obama. They know him pretty damned well."
Obama and his allies have outspent Romney's side on ads so far by almost a third. Although the TV spots didn't start earlier than in recent elections, there have been more than ever before — including a negative flood from the new breed of super PACs — and they are continuing without the traditional summertime letup.
Analysis: Swing state voters' reaction to political ads
In the 12 battleground states, the race is all but tied. Obama leads Romney 47%-45% among 1,200 registered voters in the poll June 22-29 — a tick closer than Obama's 48%-44% lead among 2,404 voters in the rest of the USA over the same period.
The swing states survey focuses on a dozen states that aren't firmly aligned with either Democrats or Republicans. That puts them in a position to tip the outcome in the Electoral College. The states: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The candidates expend enormous time and effort raising money in such cities as New York, Los Angeles and Houston so they can then spend most of that money on ads in such media markets as Colorado Springs, Orlando and Richmond, Va.
Their target: voters like Jessica Bruning, 28, of Holstein, Iowa.
"I don't get a chance to see the news a lot," Bruning, who was called in the USA TODAY Poll, said in a follow-up phone interview. "I have two kids and go to school and work. Seeing the ads every day helps me catch up. I see what they are going to do."
Positive ads? Your politics might affect what you see
Whether political ads are positive or negative is in the eye of the beholder.
Consider: Seventy percent of Democrats in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 12 swing states say they have seen positive ads for President Obama on TV over the past month, but just 53% of Republicans say they've seen them.
Why the disparity?
One reason might be that the Obama campaign has targeted positive ads to appear during programs and on stations watched mostly by Democrats, although that seems unlikely to account for such a wide difference. Another factor might be that voters discount, disregard or don't even notice a positive ad for a candidate they oppose.
"If you're not looking to buy a car and there are all these car ads on TV, you may see them but they don't go into your head," says Ken Goldstein, president of the Kantar Media CMAG, which tracks political ads.
Those with the strongest antipathy to the president also may perceive any ad with him in it as negative. "If the president in an advertisement is saying, 'We've turned the corner,' Republicans might say, 'From what? You've caused more problems than you've fixed,'" says Michael Franz of Bowdoin College, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project.
By Susan Page
What has she learned? That Obama has been pushing to keep student loan rates low — she's attending community college to be certified as a welder, so that's an important issue for her — and that Romney "wants to cut taxes for the rich people and raise them for the poor."
"I don't think that's cool," she says. She plans to vote for Obama.
Remembering the negative
More than three of four voters in the battlegrounds say they've seen campaign ads on TV over the past month. They're more likely to recall the negative ones, which have included a barrage attacking the president's stewardship of the economy and depicting Romney as a heartless corporate executive. Nearly two-thirds have seen negative ads about Romney and almost seven in 10 negative ones about Obama.
"Oh, man, you can't turn on the local network — it's every other one is a campaign commercial for somebody," says Trish McConnell, 57, of Jacksonville. She plans to vote for Romney. "I just really am disappointed with the way our country is going," she says.
Last week alone, the presidential candidates and outside groups supporting them spent nearly $15 million on advertising in the Sunshine State and other battlegrounds, according to data from the ad-tracking firm SMG Delta as reported by NBC. The Romney campaign bought $4.3 million in ads, and the conservative super PAC Americans for Prosperity another $2.6 million. The Obama campaign bought $6.5 million and the pro-Obama Priorities USA Action $1.4 million.
It's about to get even more intense: The two sides are poised to spend $100 million on ads over the next month, TheWashington Post calculates. Since advertising began for the general election, Romney and his allies have spent $85 million on TV spots, according to NBC/SMG Delta. Obama and his supporters have spent $110 million.
"I've seen quite a few of them, but I try to get my information from a plethora of sources out there," says Bruce Rosemark, 63, of Las Vegas, a retired bank employee who was among those surveyed. "Normally the ads you see on TV are pretty much knocked down to the lowest common denominator and appeal mostly to emotion and half-truths on both sides."
Many voters say they dislike the campaign ads as too negative, distrust them as inaccurate and deny that they affect their opinions. Seven of 10 say the TV ads simply confirm what they already think about the candidates. "I figure it's all a bunch of hooey anyway," says Ken Kelly, 72, a retired steelworker from Alliance, Ohio.
Only 8% acknowledge the ads changed their minds about a candidate, for better or worse, though analysts say the actual number is probably higher because some voters don't want to admit or may not even realize their views were affected. Obama leads among those voters nearly 5-to-1.
Even Rosemark, a conservative, says Democratic ads criticizing Romney's history in Massachusetts got his attention. "It did make me look a little bit about what his record was," he says.
"There's passive learning, passive effects," says Michael Franz of Bowdoin College in Maine, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project. "Voters may not know per se that an ad has changed their mind. … It may be moving their perceptions slightly in ways they're not cognizant of."
Ken Goldstein, a political scientist and president of Kantar Media CMAG, which monitors political ads, says even a small effect could have decisive consequences. He cites the razor-thin margins in Florida and elsewhere in the 2000 election. "Listen, I think the political-advertising impact is pretty modest — a small effect that only matters on the margins," he says. "But ask Al Gore if the margin matters."
'Front-row seats'
Swing-state voters are a bit more enthusiastic about voting this year than those living elsewhere, perhaps reflecting the attention they're given in TV ads and candidate visits. Nearly half of those in battleground states are extremely or very enthusiastic about voting for president this year. Just under three in 10 aren't keen about it.
In the battlegrounds, the most enthusiastic voters outnumber the least enthusiastic ones by 17 percentage points. In the non-battlegrounds, the difference is 12 points.
"Voters who are being exposed to the bombardment of ads feel like they're in the game," says Tobe Berkovitz, an advertising professor at Boston University and a former political media buyer. "They have front-row seats for the presidential campaign."
The USA TODAY Poll shows that Republicans, who lagged in enthusiasm in the last swing states survey, have gained an edge now. That may reflect growing comfort with Romney becoming the nominee now that the GOP primaries are over. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, 30% say they are extremely enthusiastic about voting, up 5 points from the spring.
Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, 23% are extremely enthusiastic, a 3-point dip from the last survey.
Even so, battleground voters say, 4-to-1, that they are ready for this election to end already.
They were asked which better describes them: You can't wait for this election to begin? Or you can't wait for this election to be over? Eight in 10 chose the latter.
"They last so long," says Corey Cunningham, 26, a graduate student in music composition at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
That sort of voter fatigue could present challenges for both campaigns over the next four months, when the flood of TV ads is guaranteed to get fiercer. "Ads do have a limited shelf life," Franz says. "Any gains would disappear if you stop." But by the end of the campaign, he cautions, people could "just roll their eyes at the advertising. They'll say, 'I get it; I know it; stop talking to me.' "
Pam Jopson, 51, of Rockingham, N.C., already tries to dodge the ads. "I mostly DVR everything and edit the ads out," the mental-health professional says. "They can ruin your day."
Posted | Updated


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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations
|This report is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information
Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-07-042
Date: April 2007
Maintaining Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity: Impacts on State and Local Agencies
PDF Version (413 KB)
PDF files can be viewed with the Acrobat® Reader®
3. Sign Management Costs
In addition to the direct costs of a sign, an agency will also incur costs for the processes they have developed to procure, deploy, maintain, monitor, and upgrade traffic signs. The information below reflects some of this diversity and indicates the difficulty in establishing specific agency-level cost impact estimates.
3.1. Sign Management Processes
Each State or local highway agency has a sign management process that is used to add, remove, modify, and maintain the full spectrum of signs that are placed on the streets and highways within their jurisdiction. These processes vary by 1) the size of the agency, 2) the nature of the highway system under an agency's jurisdiction, 3) agreements with other internal departments, external agencies, private sector manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and consultants, 4) the history of sign practices in the area, and 5) other factors. These processes vary from information-driven systems that allow field staff to generate work orders on laptop computers or personal data assistant (PDA) devices to arrangements that designate a member of the local council to install, fix, or replace signs with materials carried in his/her pick-up truck.
Clearly, the nature of the process, the age and adequacy of the existing sign inventory, and the resources of an agency imply that the cost impacts of implementing new MUTCD provisions will be greater for those agencies that do not have a formal sign management system already in place. Additionally, an agency that has freeway or expressway segments is likely to have responsibility for overhead guide signs, with a higher system cost than an agency responsible for a roadway network comprised primarily of residential streets.
There are various methods that an agency may use to maintain minimum levels of traffic sign retroreflectivity in its jurisdiction. These methods can be loosely categorized as assessment-based or managed replacement. Under assessment-based replacements, scheduled evaluations provide a direct measurement of the adequacy of the retroreflectivity of in-place traffic signs. Signs not in compliance with minimum levels, or likely to fall out of compliance before the next assessment, are scheduled for replacement. Managed replacement relies on information about each sign to determine when a given sign should be replaced. Varying levels of detail may be incorporated into a managed replacement system, ranging from manufacturers' warranty periods to complex lifetime models incorporating environmental conditions, traffic volumes, etc.
3.2. Sign Management Methods
The methods associated with assessment-based and managed-replacement processes are not always distinct and may be used in combination. These include:
These methods vary in their initial implementation costs and annual operating costs. The nature of sign management processes in an agency and the current status of the sign system will dictate the degree of need for initial assessments and replacements.
3.3. Sign Management Cost Elements
The cost elements for sign management vary by the specifics of the process. Major cost elements include:
These costs are a function of the size of the agency, the ability to link with other systems, the availability of support staff, and a host of other factors.
The use of sign inventory and management software is not strictly necessary for an agency to bring a sign system into compliance. However, inventories and management tools (e.g., software to schedule sign replacements for the next funding cycle) may be beneficial in making a sign management system more cost-effective. For example, an inventory of signs along a given corridor allows a simple check-off of performance during a visual nighttime inspection and permits identification of any missing signs.
Note that it is assumed that State and local highway agencies already design and install signs in compliance with the MUTCD, which includes provisions for day and night inspections and maintenance of traffic signs.
There are a number of factors that can influence the sign management costs of an agency. These include:
Many of the above items were also identified in Section 2.4 as factors influencing the cost of individual signs. It is recognized that these factors will vary by agency, and that some of the factors will reduce the overall cost of a sign management program and other factors will increase the cost. The impacts to an agency by the factors listed above will be directly tied to the decisions of each agency to address or not address each factor. By electing to utilize cost-saving factors, the combined negative impacts of these factors may not be significant, especially when considering the assumption that all agencies are currently following the recommendations in the MUTCD.


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A son could acquire no property but with his father's consent, and what he thus acquired was called his peculium as of a slave.
Each had a share of copra, her peculium, to dispose of for herself.
If they were not slaves they could not have peculium in the technical sense.
For other references to the peculium for clothing, see Visit.
The peculium of Southern servants, even on the plantation, is sometimes not trifling.
My peculium I don't recollect, but it could not have exceeded 100.
The "peculium" was the sum of money which a son in his minority was allowed by his father to be in possession of.
Similarly, in the Constitutions of the legate Ottobon in 1268, the peculium is grouped with other forms of property; ch.
Thus the slave gets a chance of acquiring what will be as a matter of fact a peculium.
The peculium, or private acquisitions of a slave by economy or donation, ought to be reckoned his property.


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Colorado Eagles Looking For Military Heroes
Brian and I are big fans of the Colorado Eagles. We are also huge fans of the U.S. Military. The Eagles share our appreciation of the military and want you to nominate your "Hometown Heroes." If you know of someone who deserves to be honored and recognized for their incredible efforts of military service, get your nomination form to the Eagles by the end of business on Thursday, Nov. 1st.
Three nominees will be honored during the annual Military Appreciation Night on Wednesday, Nov. 7th at the Budweiser Events Center. The 'Hometown Hero' will also receive free tickets to that night's game, along with admittance for select family/friends.


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On 6/22/2013 2:59 AM, Uwe Dippel wrote:
> With no solution to this problem yet, another thing I tried was a simple
> ifconfig ath0 down && ifconfig ath0 up. That also solves the problem, until
> it creeps up again.
> To me, that indicates a problem with the driver; some buffer must be
> cloaked or choking.
> Since I didn't get any reply, I guess that nobody had an idea.?
> What I'd like to ask for next, then, would be a simple way to run this
> command on a regular base. How could this be done?
> Thanks in advance, again.
> Uwe
If you are using m0n0wall 1.8b, there is a scheduler service that can be
used to run commands like the ones you want to.