text:
It's official: the Securities and Exchange Commission is done playing nice with Wall Street banks. This morning, it accused the investment bank of fraud, dropping its first civil suit against investors who have directly profited off the fallout of the housing market.
The company's stock dropped more than 14 percent in morning trading after the SEC released the charges.
In a court document, the SEC charged Goldman Sachs with "making materially misleading statements and omissions in connection with a synthetic collateralized debt obligation ("CDO") Goldman Sachs & Co. structured and marketed to investors."
SEC Enforcement Director Robert Khuzami explained the decision in a phone conference with the press this morning: "As we've said, we continue to examine structured products and other instruments that contributed to the financial crisis and that remains the case."
Goldman responded to the allegations in a statement. "The SEC's charges are completely unfounded in law and fact and we will vigorously contest them and defend the firm and its reputation."
In 2007, Goldman sold investors a financial product made up of mortgage-backed securities, which were selected by an outside hedge fund called Paulson & Co. What investors didn't know, but the SEC says the bank did know, is that the hedge fund was shorting those mortgage-backed securities. In other words, they had in interest in those securities losing value, but the investors wanted them to go up in value. In the end, investors lost more than a billion dollars while Paulson & Co. made about that much on the transaction.
"If the facts are as they alleged, this is an egregious conflict of interest and I don't really know how anyone could seriously argue otherwise."
said Boston University School of Law Professor Cornelius Hurley. "The fact that the Goldman Sachs stock plummeted on the revelation of these charges kind of indicates the consensus on that."
Although hedge fund manager Paulson was highlighted in the suit, it was Goldman that was charged.
"It was Goldman that made the representations to investors," said Khuzami. "Paulson did not. We charged those that we felt appropriate based on the evidence in the law."
Khuzami said the SEC will move forward examining questionable products and practices in the financial crisis. "If we find structures or deals or arrangements that share similar profiles to this one as well as other structures or transactions that violate the securities laws," he said, "We will pursue them aggressively."
The accused product: Abacus 2007-AC1
The New York Times reports a focal point of the case was a bond package known as "Abacus 2007-AC1", and named Goldman Vice President Fabrice Tourre as well as notable hedge fund manager John A. Paulson, who made billions in 2007 for his wagers that the housing bubble would burst:
Goldman let Mr. Paulson select mortgage bonds that he wanted to bet against -- the ones he believed were most likely to lose value -- and packaged those bonds into Abacus 2007-AC1, according to the S.E.C. complaint. Goldman then sold the Abacus deal to investors like foreign banks, pension funds, insurance companies and other hedge funds. But the deck was stacked against the Abacus investors, the complaint contends, because the investment was filled with bonds chosen by Mr. Paulson as likely to default. Goldman told investors in Abacus marketing materials reviewed by The Times that the bonds would be chosen by an independent manager.
In November 2008, Paulson discussed the mortgage crisis with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Paulson made a $15 million contribution to the Center for Responsible Lending for the housing crisis in July 2007.


text:
Examination of the Effectiveness of Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Identifying Poor Prognosis in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
The recruitment status of this study is unknown. The completion date has passed and the status has not been verified in more than two years.
Verified November 2011 by Paul Bird, Optimus Clinical Research.
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
Optimus Clinical Research
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First Posted: November 30, 2011
Last Update Posted: November 30, 2011
Arthritis Australia, Abbott Australia
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Paul Bird, Optimus Clinical Research
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
No Study Results Posted on ClinicalTrials.gov for this Study
|Study Status:
|This study is currently recruiting participants.
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|August 2012
|Primary Completion Date:
|No date given

subset: commoncrawl


text: No injuries were reported after a single-vehicle accident that occurred at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday on the Rockton Mountain Highway in Union Township. Sarah R. Alicea, 28, of DuBois was traveling westbound in the right-hand lane approximately 100 feet west of Old Pike Road. A deer entered the roadway from the north hillside and into the path of the Alicea vehicle, causing her to strike the deer. She pulled her vehicle off the north berm approximately 80 feet from the point of impact. The deer was located along the south berm of the roadway.


text:
Protein is made of building blocks called amino acids. Although the human body can make some of these amino acids, nine of them (the essential amino acids) must be obtained from food. Soy foods and animal sources of protein (milk, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, and seafood) contain all the essential amino acids in the amounts our bodies need.
Most plant foods contain some of the essential amino acids in varying amounts. Beans have some amino acids, and grains have other amino acids. Eating these different types of food throughout the day will provide your body with adequate protein. They complement each other to form a whole protein.
Complementary proteins
- Beans and tortillas.
- Black beans and rice.
- Chili and corn bread.
- Pita bread with hummus (ground garbanzo beans and sesame seed paste).
Foods that contain protein
Most adults should eat 5 to 7 ounces of protein foods a day.
- Lean meat, poultry, or fish. A cooked serving is 2 to 3 ounces. (3 oz is about the size and thickness of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand .) You can use your hand to judge other portion sizes.
- Protein isn't just found in meat. If you are a vegetarian or just looking for alternatives to meat, the following are equal to approximately 1 oz of meat:
- ½ cup cooked beans, peas, or lentils
- ¼ cup tofu (about 2 ounces)
- ½ ounce nuts or seeds (for example, 12 almonds or 7 walnut halves)
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter or other nut or seed butter


text:
Government and the Arts; Abstract Expressionism and Music
i.e this is a discussion question, Hence, no in text citation or reference required.
"Government and the Arts; Abstract Expressionism and Music" Please respond to one (1) of the following, using sources under the Explore heading as the basis of your response:
- Examine the U.S. Government's support during the Great Depression for programs, such as the Federal Arts Project, the Federal Writers' Project, and other such efforts. Determine whether or not such projects were good government investments during those hard times, and provide two (2) examples that support your viewpoint. Determine in what ways the U.S. government currently tries to support the arts.
- State whether you agree or disagree with the perception of Abstract Expressionism as exemplifying individualism and freedom. Explain the reasons for your views. Compare and contrast one (1) example of Abstract Expressionist visual art to John Cage's musical compositions. After reviewing the pages and Websites below, explain how an abstract expressionist artist might respond to the assertion "my kid could paint that". Explain your position on that assertion.
Government and the Arts
- Chapter 37 (pp. 1228-1231), Federal support for the arts
- Government helping the arts in hard times at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/1934-Picturing-Hard-Times.html and http://www.pbs.org/speak/seatosea/powerprose/wpa/
Abstract Expressionism and Music
- Chapter 38 (pp. 1255-1263, and 1269), Abstract Expressionism
- Chapter 38 (pp. 1267-1269), Music of Chance
- John Cage, listen and see -- "Dream" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fhc3Tbnhsc
- John Cage, listen and see -- "4'33'" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY7UK-6aaNA&list=PL223147EC2385356B&index=3
- "my kid could paint that" views: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/my-kid-could-draw-that/; and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/28/study-examines-difference_n_841268.html
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text:
Birthday: 09/10
Remind me to update my interests.
i adopted a chibi!
name: Axel
likes: Fire, Roxas, fire, occasionally Demyx if he's in the mood
doesn't like: Water, Xemnas... well, authority figures in general.
owner: MoonieKittenGirl
you can adopt one too!
adopt me!
Posts per Day: 0.03
Total Posts: 83
You currently have zero playlists!


text:
Leave a Reply
I know a wonderful Mexican eatery that we could take you to for Cinco De Mayo… just sayin… Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Hi Prize Patrol first I want to say Happy 60th Anniversary and I hope to meet you all one day I know I'm a little late bit right now is a trying time for me with my mom I just want you all to know I'm in it to win it I'm try in my best under the circumstances I really just want you all to know that I do want to win and l Dave's says a winner never quits
I could do so much good with this money & I could get out of debt. GOD BLESS PCH…………….
I would like to win and share the money with my family
I would like to win and shre the money with my family
I love Millions lots and lots of green money I wish I can when prize 1830 or 31 or any other numbers
I want to win lots and lots of green green green mone
I want to win Super prize giveaway number 1830 also super prize giveaway 1831
if so let me
fro from pch Super Priz 183
YES! MY DEAR PCH PRIZE PATROL, YES! I DO WANT TO BE THE NEXT WINNER, I am going to be a blessing to a lot of people,then remodeling the house, pay the rest of money to the bank i due for the house, buy car for my daugther and chance my transportation bless PCH.
please not tell my yu are the next winnner and yu not due


text:
Hey, this is the Monster Abyss here -Mr. Abyss to the people who don't know me as well. Once again I have the inside scoop on this week's Ask.com trivia question. Let's see how well you know your TNA Wrestling trivia. This week's questions are: Under what name did AJ Styles first wrestle? The answer is Mr. Olympia. He will always be phenomenal to me. The second question was: What instrument did Booker T play in high school? It was the Drums! Can you imagine that? I'm sure his mother loved listening to him practice every night. That is all for me. 'Til next time, have a Monster weekend.
© 2017 Spike Cable Networks. All Rights Reserved.


text:
Re: Some problems with "Revert changes from this revision"
From: Kazutoshi Satoda <k_satoda_at_f2.dion.ne.jp>
Date: 2006-10-27 01:06:30 CEST
Stefan Küng wrote:
Thank you again. I verified this with nightly r7854.
But I think it's better if the existance of wcPath is checked before
How about the attached patch? (As before, I can't compile this by
-- k_satoda
Index: src/TortoiseProc/LogDlg.cpp
This is an archived mail posted to the TortoiseSVN Dev mailing list.


text:
Even musicians who've played hundreds of concerts can usually cite a single show that was pivotal to their careers. The members of Colorado's Fiddlin' Foresters are no different--but their definitive gig certainly was. "One of the big turning points for us that really helped us gel," notes Foresters guitarist Jane Leche, "was when we played the fiftieth anniversary for Smokey the Bear."
Why was this 1994 date so important? Because everyone in the Fiddlin' Foresters maintains ties to the United States Forest Service. Leche and fiddler Lynn Young both work as public-affairs specialists for the organization, and banjo player Jim Maxwell and stand-up bassist Doug Wagner (a 1995 Foresters recruit) serve as a hydrologist and a computer technician, respectively. And while guitarist Tom McFarland, who also came aboard in 1995, makes his living as a local attorney, he volunteers his musical talents to the Forest Service during his off-hours. As a result of these commitments, the opportunity to honor America's furriest firefighter took on extra significance for Foresters Leche, Young and Maxwell, who were part of the lineup at the time. And the location of the show (the pedestrian mall near the nation's capitol) and the dignitaries in attendance made it even more special.
"We played for the secretary of agriculture and the chief of the Forest Service, so it was a big thing for us," Young recalls. "Plus it was the first time we played in uniform as representatives of the U.S. Forest Service."
An indication of how seriously the Foresters take this responsibility is a phrase that's printed on both sides of their self-titled cassette: "The Program Is Morally Good." Thanks to transfers and the like, the act's membership has shifted since its unofficial formation in 1978. But everyone who's performed under the Fiddlin' Foresters banner has been a true believer in Forest Service ideals--and because they are frequently invited to perform at Service events in Colorado and other states, the band has become a unique blend of vocation and avocation.
"Where some people have to give up their jobs to have a career in music, we've made it a part of our job," says Young, a thirty-year veteran of the Service. "And if you don't have to get paid from your music, it simplifies things. Every band that ever broke up argued about money, but we don't have money fights, because we don't have any money." Furthermore, he continues, "if we had to make a living doing this, we'd have to play mainstream stuff. We couldn't play obscure music."
The brand of obscurity most favored by the Foresters goes by the name of old-time music, a term coined by Twenties-era record companies to describe the rustic hillbilly airs that initially took root in Appalachia and the American South. The genre's golden age took place during the Thirties, when bands such as Gid Tanner and the Skilletlickers enjoyed widespread popularity. Young, an amiable encyclopedia of roots-music arcana who befriended old-time pioneer Grandpa Jones during a rangering stint in the Ozarks, describes the style as "folk music before Joan Baez got ahold of it. It's traditional rural music of the plain people, and much of it was handed down by word of mouth."
Old-time eventually gave birth to bluegrass, a format with which it shares a great deal. "The instrumentation is similar to bluegrass--banjo, fiddle, guitar and bass," Young divulges. "But we don't play breaks or anything like that. Old-time is an everyday style. Plus it's simpler in that it stays on the beat, and typically, the banjo and the fiddle play the melody together, rather than a bunch of counter parts and taking turns."
To Young, old-time's key instruments have everything to do with its appeal. "You can't be sad listening to a banjo, and you sure can't be sad playing one," he says. As for the fiddle, he notes, "In the Appalachians today, the fiddle is still called 'the devil's walking stick,' because it leads to frolicking, drinking and good times. The devil is supposed to be in that fiddle, and I'm not sure I disagree. If you consider the things a staunch fundamentalist considers bad, like dancing and jumping around and letting your hair down and having a good time--well, the fiddle can sure do it to you." He adds, "We get so many comments when we play these songs. People come up and say, 'By God, now, that's music,' or 'That's what I grew up with--you just took me home.' All those kinds of things. It's plain old fun."
It's also an appropriate type of music for Forest Service workers to play, since its roots run parallel in many ways to those of the Service itself. "We've got two kinds of shows," Young remarks. "One is just entertainment. But we also do educational shows, where we talk about the Forest Service and its history. And the early forestry service and the conservation movement started at around the same time as much of this music, so we can relate to these songs. 'Fire on the Mountain' and 'Mississippi Sawyer'"--two vintage offerings frequently included in the Foresters' sets--"are forestry terms.
"The first rangers could all shoot and ride--and I can imagine them also playing fiddle and banjo and singing around the campfire at night, for the same reasons we do. And they played some of these same songs."
In fact, the most recent number the Foresters play is the Smokey the Bear theme, which was penned in 1952. It's an unsophisticated little ditty, but to Leche, it's one of the most meaningful in the Foresters' repertoire. "I just talked to 75 kindergarten kids, and I taught them that song," she reveals. "And when I sang it to the kids for the first time before teaching it to them, all the teachers sang it with me--they all knew it. It bridges gaps."
Regional forester Elizabeth Estill, who oversees the work of Leche, Young, Wagner and Maxwell, believes that performances like this one demonstrate why the group is so valuable an adjunct to the Forest Service. "Individually, they all contribute through their regular jobs, and they do super work," she insists. "But on top of that, doing the Fiddlin' Foresters thing is just an added bonus and a terrific public-relations tool for us." In her view, "You've almost got to have a hook to get an audience to listen to you--and they provide that hook. They're a unique and different way for us to get an audience that we normally might not reach."
Young concurs. "We're a morale booster for the Forest Service--and we put a face on the faceless bureaucratic establishment. Keep in mind, we're the feds. We're government employees, which means we're right down there with journalists, used car salesmen and lawyers. We're part of that government that we all like to complain about."
When crowds catch a Foresters show, however, Young believes that they get an opportunity to view the Forest Service from a new perspective. "We're a bunch of people who are having fun, doing something that requires some talent and work, and we're real people. People can see that. We think that's an important thing." During the shutdown of the federal government a couple of years back, Young acknowledges, such sentiments seldom occurred to the average citizen. "Some people said, 'Good. They ought to just stay home.' Well, that was a real hard time for us, because we think what we do is a very important job. It's important for the health of this country, for the environment and for the economy. So we felt like nobody knew who we were or what we do."
At a recent show in Broomfield, an appreciative audience found out. The setting was perfect: Rather than appearing in a bar under hot lights in a fog of cigarette smoke, the Foresters performed under the clear blue sky near enough to a series of horse stables that the aroma of manure was easily discernible. (Fortunately, the Fiddlers have experience playing under such circumstances: They provided musical accompaniment for the appearance of a Forest Service mule team at the Great Western Stock Show last year.)
With green pastures spreading out before them and the snowcapped Rockies in the distance, the players presented a delicious array of tunes that ranged from giddy rousers like "Cluck Old Hen" and "You Ain't Talkin' to Me" to tearjerkers such as the stirring "Vacant Chair," which features lush harmonies (all the members sing) and Young's lonesome harmonica playing. "We think that's a real pretty song," Young tells the crowd, in a whopping understatement. Just as memorable were "Banks of the Ohio," a haunting standard that finds the Fiddlers wrapping their angelic voices around a grisly tale of love turned to murder--a frequent old-time motif--and poignant numbers of the West like "Song of Wyoming."
Throughout the set, the effusive Young hooted and hollered in a gloriously rough-hewn voice and danced an occasional jig between fiddle parts. Meanwhile, Maxwell knocked out an earthy claw-hammer-style banjo, McFarland delivered tasty acoustic guitar, Wagner provided steady bass-playing and Leche contributed dependable strumming and gutsy vocals that lent heavenly grit to the whole affair.
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By the time the Fiddlers closed with a rendition of "Mountain Dew," those in attendance were clapping along with great fervor--a credit both to the Fiddlers themselves and to the material they choose. "There's a reason 'Mountain Dew' has been around for so many years," Young states. "Because it's simple, it's a good tune, and you can stomp your feet to it. And it's about a subject, moonshine, that's sort of romantic, too. Plus it's a song that everybody can play. It's not Yanni or anything like that. That's why these tunes have gone so far and wide. They've been passed down like a good joke."
The Foresters are doing their bit to keep these songs circulating--and if the reaction they received at a performance in Estes Park earlier this year is any indication, their efforts are appreciated by their peers. The band was invited to play at a meeting of district rangers from the five states that make up the Forest Service's Rocky Mountain region--a group that, in Leche's words, "could make us or break us if they didn't like us." Making the musicians' mission even more difficult were the circumstances of the show. The Foresters were slated to perform on the last day of an intensive, week-long session of policy-and-practice meetings, and Leche recalls that her colleagues "were tired and stressed out--and they'd been away from home for a week. A lot of them didn't want to even be there."
Nonetheless, the Foresters wowed their fellow rangers, earning several standing ovations. "It was probably the most spiritually connecting experience for the band," Maxwell says, "because here we were, playing for the folks who touch the land--who represent what the Forest Service is all about."
At the conclusion of the band's set, the Foresters played "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," and the response from the crowd came as a huge surprise to the bandmates. "They joined hands and made a big circle and started circling around the room while singing the song," Maxwell remembers. "It ended up as one big ol' family.


text:
Gina Lisa Frasco became the bride of Keith William Rogers in an Aug. 25, 2012, ceremony at the Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine. A reception followed at Foster's Clambake, York Harbor.
The bride is the daughter of Rose Frasco, of Agawam, and the late Richard Frasco.
The bridegroom is the son of Elizabeth Rogers and John Rogers Jr., both of Chicopee.
Julie A. O'Connell attended her sister as matron of honor, and Karley C. Rogers,
daughter of the bridegroom, attended as junior bridesmaid. Reginald Sanders served the bridegroom as best man. Kevin and Daniel O'Connell, nephews of the bride, served as ringbearers.
The bride is employed as a financial manager with Mercy Home Care in Holyoke. The bridegroom is employed as a food services shift supervisor with the Hampden County Sheriff Department in Ludlow.
The couple chose "Marry Me" by Train as their wedding song, and honeymooned at Secrets Resort, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
They reside in Chicopee.


text:
The Reliance Group, founded by Dhirubhai H. Ambani , is India's largest private
sector enterprise, with businesses in the energy and materials value chain. The
flagship company, Reliance Industries Limited, is a Fortune Global 500 company and
is the largest private sector company in India.
Dhirubhai Ambani founded Reliance as a textile company and led its evolution as
a global leader in the materials and energy value chain businesses. It was in 1957
when he returned to India after a stint with A.Besse& Co., Aden he started yarn
trading business from a small 500 sq.ft. office in Masjid Bunder, Mumbai.he set
up his brand new mill in Naroda, Gujarat. In 1996 Reliance went on to become the
biggest textile brand 'Only Vimal'. In 1977 the Reliance Textile Industries came
with an IPO which was oversubscribed seven times.
Aarthi Consultants Pvt Ltd1-2-285 ,Domalaguda,,Hyderabad
GST effect: Xiaomi drops prices of these Mi devices
Amazon Black Friday sale: Top gadgets, other products on offer, check out best deals
This Samsung Galaxy S9 phone could beat Apple iPhone X's best feature
New IBC provisions to deepen losses for banks, says report
GoAir offer launched; book tickets for just Rs 312 in The 12 Fares sale; Delhi, Kochi, Bengaluru and more flights on list
GoAir offers heavy discounts on select routes; starts as low as Rs 312
Black Friday sale 2017: OnePlus mocks rivals, offers just about Rs 0.60 discount
NPPA caps prices of 51 essential formulations
UK companies largely positive in ease of doing business in India, says report
Mahindra & Mahindra, Uber come together for EV push in India
This new 'Bookmarks' feature on Twitter will make you like the app more
Unbelievable price! Airtel may offer 1GB data per day at just Rs 198, but there is a catch
After Rcom shuts down, Airtel may end up with its assets
SBI to cut jobs? This huge amount of money spent on technology in 2017-18 can lead to layoffs
New feature allows Twitterati to save tweets for later reading
Nokia 2 goes on sale in India priced at Rs 6999: Things you should know before you buy the smartphone
Apple offices raided ahead of iPhone X launch in South Korea
Chinese Insurance major embraces Artificial Intelligence
Mitsubishi Materials shares tumble after saying units falsified product data
Narendra Modi government's tough insolvency law cleared, promoters put out
Forex reserves rise by $240.4 mn to $399.53 bn
BSE asks brokers to remit excess STT to government within 15 days
India is going to enter double digit earnings growth after a long time: IIFL
After sudden rout, China stock traders question Beijing put
Tomato prices harden, hit Rs 80 per kg in Delhi
These top rated smallcap mutual funds have gained more than 55% this year since January
Reliance Industries sells stake in Marcellus Shale to BKV Chelsea for $126 million
Scandal-hit Mitsubishi Materials sees shares plunge
Sensex, Nifty hold opening gains; Infosys, Bajaj Auto, RIL rally 1%
Videocon resolves with banks to stay out of NCLT
PFC hits the road with $450-million green bond issue
NOF compliant companies get RBI exemption
SBI unveils smartphone app Yono for digital bank and an e-commerce superstore
Government's plan to review direct tax rule hits insurance stocks
Mindtree stock is a buy, says Motilal Oswal; target price Rs 600
Is Kalpataru Power stock a Buy? Here is what Edelweiss has to say to investors
Chinese stocks tumble most in 17 months as bond selloff spreads
What analysts are saying about the sudden drop in Chinese stocks
Top mutual funds sold these stocks in October: Do you still hold any of these duds?
Stock market heading down but correction to be marginal, short-lived: HSBC Global AM
Is Arvind Subramanian right? India calls out S&P's conservatism in credit rating upgrade
S&P maintains status quo on India, Piyush Goyal calls it conservative
After Moody's, S&P praises PM Modi, says BJP-led NDA will make further gains in India's elections
Three Modi reforms lauded by S&P even while refusing India a credit rating upgrade
5 reasons why S&P did not follow Moody's in upgrading India's credit rating
Full text: Standard and Poor's pegs India's rating at BBB-minus, outlook stable; government calls it unfair
S&P says this is what India must do if it wants a sovereign credit rating upgrade
S&P says India's fiscal deficit to remain as expected, economic growth to be robust over 2 years
S&P keeps India credit rating unchanged at 'BBB-', outlook 'stable'
4 reasons why businesses still love cheque books
After creating bad loan monster, lenders now fear Insolvency clean-up
Are restaurants overcharging you despite GST rate cut? Here are 3 things you can do
Modi government clears Rs 1 lakh cr projects in Tamil Nadu; from Chennai-Bengaluru Express Highway to slashing accidents, see benefits
Why Narendra Modi shouldn't fall into the Indira Gandhi trap
Distress deepens: As NPAs of 5 worst-hit state-run banks surge, burden on Indian taxpayers to be higher
Modi's $207 billion bad loan fight: Banks tighten screws on borrowers; here are steps they are taking
Ahead of S&P rating review, Morgan Stanley gives thumbs up to India's reform agenda
All eyes on S&P India review after Moody's credit rating upgrade
GST rollout: Anti-profiteering authority in place, but consumers not filing complaints
Cyberspace security: This is message PM Narendra Modi gave to 120 countries on internet use


text:
Creating solutions:
Our specialization and years of experience we turn to find an individual solution for our customers. We take time for thoughtful consulting and regular exchange of information. Our international network allows us a flexible respond to all requests of our customers.
Our customers are industrial companies in Germany and Europe in different businesses: machinery and equipment, automotive, aerospace, and medical. We are enabling engineering solutions from design to samples, and up to series. Our commitment to quality will support you from the beginning to the finishing of your product.


text:
ENSENADA, Mexico - The entertainment publication Hollywood Hors D'oeuvres reported that a highly reliable, inside, unnamed, source had informed them that Jennifer Lopez had been spotted down in Ensenada, Mexico with Will Smith.
The source told Tahiti Zeppelin of Hollywood Hors D'oeuvres that although Lopez and Smith were both wearing bathing suits their actions seemed to suggest that they were either rehearsing a scene from a romantic beach movie or else they were simply just a little bit over enthusiastic in thanking each other for rubbing suntan lotion on each other.
When Miss Zeppelin asked the source for her name she replied in broken English that she would reveal it but only if she was paid the sum of 12,000 pesos [$893 U.S.].
Zeppelin said that she would have to call her home office and that she'd get back with her. In the meantime she asked her if there was anything else that she happened to see Lopez and Smith doing.
The mystery brunette, who was wearing a red peasant blouse and Daisy Duke shorts, replied that she did notice that the two celebrities were teapotting. Zeppelin started laughing and asked if she was sure.
She was assured that she was sure because she has seen couples teapotting before and this was without a doubt the epitome of the quintessential teapotting.
Miss Lopez, who has filed for divorce from Marc Anthony, was reached by Hollywood Hors D'oeuvres and asked to verify the incident.
She remarked that not only did she not engage in the act of teapotting with Will Smith, who is separated from his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, but that she was not even down in Ensenada, Mexico on the day that the alleged incident supposedly took place.
Lopez was asked where she was on that day and she angrily replied in her Bronxesque accent, "Ah dat's nunna jur friggin bitness okay?"
Hollywood Hor D'oeuvres will stay on top of the story and bring you any further teapotting developments should they come to a 'boil.'


text:
Panter Sprint 10/20
Panter cigars are a brand that specialize in small, cafe cigars. They're mild, tasty and affordably-priced, making them some of the best quick smokes you can buy. Depending on the series, Panter cigarillos are produced in a variety of wrapper leaves, including Indonesian Sumatra, Brazilian, and Connecticut. Holland produces some of the world's finest small, dry-cured cigars, and Panter are ranked at the top in popularity for their superior flavor and quality. Try some today!


text:
This product is no longer available.
Hand-Painted Giant Flip Flops Margarita Glass
If she's always dreaming of sipping a tropical drink while looking out over the waves, surprise her with this fun margarita glass. The hand-painted glass is decorated with flip flops and holds 72 oz. of her favorite drink.


text:
San Antonio Car Rental
& Nearby Car Rental Locations
Airport Locations for San Antonio
San Antonio, TX Details
San Antonio, TX, 78216 Phone: 210-824-0737
Hours: Sun - Sat 5:00 AM - 12:30 AM
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San Antonio, TX, 78217 Phone: 210-646-6664
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If you need a rental car in San Antonio, TX, Budget.com has great money saving rental car deals on San Antonio car rentals and the fast and easy One-Click rental process that takes the hassle out of renting a car.
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Not Accepting Guests
- Last login about 2 years ago
Join Couchsurfing to see Julien's full profile. It's free!
About Me
Haha a mission...
Well, I'm 26 years old and have lived in Berlin for around 6 years. I come from Nancy (France), but also lived in Montpellier, Paris & Barcelona (cities I more or less hated). I am currenly trying to start a bar with a few friends here, and hopefully this project will work out.I am also a musician, you can listen to my old songs if you wish :http://www.myspace.com/tome612I don't know what more to say - it somehow already feels like too much.
It changes everyday...
Why I'm on Couchsurfing
Well, I guess I participate by hosting people, no?
I only had good experiences with Couchsurfing, both hosting and squatting. I travel a lot and enjoy to meet people, though I am quite reluctant to "people enthusiastics" - I believe you can enjoy something, even though you know it is futile. No need to be overexcited.
Writing and listening music, movies, books, paintings, astronomy, ancient civilisations, animals (cats especially), general history and geography, etc...
- animals
- cats
- writing
- books
- working out
- movies
- traveling
- socializing
- music
- astronomy
- geography
- history
Music, Movies, and Books
Movies : David Lynch, Guy Maddin, Abbas Kiarostami, Coen Brothers, Wong Kar-Wai, Woody Allen, Julio Medem, Kusturica, Tarantino, Jarmusch, Leos Carax, Haneke, Cassavetes, Simpsons... Music : Dead Can Dance, Nine Inch Nails, Bowie, Noir Desir, Jeff Buckley, Einstürzende Neubauten, Cramps, Meteors, Mad Sin, Nick Cave...and James Bond soundtracks of course! Books : essentially russian litterature, Nabokov, Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoievski, and american litterature, Bukowski, William S. Burroughs...also Ferdowsi & Khayyam (iranian poets), Goethe, Oscar Wilde, Boris Vian, Pierre Desproges...
One Amazing Thing I've Done
None? I don't know. Or many?...
Teach, Learn, Share
What? What could I teach? Maybe music theory...I think I just don't get the question!


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Are the Denver Broncos Super Bowl Favorites Now? — Sports Survey of the Day
The Denver Broncos are making some big moves this NFL off-season, and on Wednesday they may have made the biggest move of all: signing Wes Welker to a two-year deal.
The Denver Broncos are making some big moves this NFL off-season, and on Wednesday they may have made the biggest move of all: signing Wes Welker to a two-year deal.
A few pretty big off-season moves involving to high-profile NFL players happened on Tuesday, but which one was the biggest?
March Madness is nearly upon us, and as we approach the tournament the Gonzaga Bulldogs are ranked number one in the country. But can they win it all?
The golf spotlight was returned to Tiger Woods this weekend, as he came away with his 76th PGA Tour win at the Cadillac Championship.
The best closer in the history of baseball will be calling it a career at the end of the 2013 season.
Currently in professional sports there are two pretty impressive streaks going on, one by the Miami Heat and one by the Chicago Blackhawks.
As a professional athlete approaches free agency, he has two choices: sign a contract with his current team, or wait to offer his services to the highest bidder. Most choose the latter. Is this smart?
Every once in a while, an NBA team is constructed in such a way that it can bring multiple years of success to a franchise. Are the current Miami Heat one of those teams?
The 2013 World Baseball Classic gets underway this weekend, and while it isn't as popular as some of the other global sporting events, it's gaining ground. So is it important to you to see your country well represented?
At the recent NFL Scouting Combine, at least one player claims that he was asked, essentially, whether or not he was gay. Now an NFL spokesperson has said that the league will investigate such claims.


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WOODSTOCK -- About half of the estimated 4,000 people who showed up at a church in a suburb north of Atlanta hoping for free dental care were treated before the two-day mission ended.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that hundreds of volunteer dentists, hygienists and dental assistants treated more than 2,100 people at the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, donating more than $1 million in services. Those who had to be turned away were given information about dental clinics around the area.
Some had waited since Thursday morning. The church doors opened Friday morning at 5 a.m. The clinic, known as the Georgia Mission of Mercy, was sponsored by the Georgia Dental Association and its Foundation for Oral Health. Dental clinics are seeing an uptick since the economic downturn began.
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text: MORE FROM THIS AGENT Leased $38,300 PA Map NORTHMEAD GREAT VALUE: Modern Unit Located 5 Minutes To Parramatta CBD. * Located in a spacious complex* Quality air conditioned and carpeted offices.* Briens Road allows for access to all main arterial roads.Bawdens ID: 25191 Industrial / Warehouse 383m² Loading No listings found


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August Brush-Up Gr. 1-5
August Brush-Up – Grades 1-5 – One Week Workshop
Review last year's skills in grade level groups to help build confidence for a successful school start. Practice reading & writing, math or both! A great way to prepare for school! 1 hr. class. Maximum 5 students. Tuition: $150. A nonrefundable registration fee/deposit of $50 will apply toward tuition.
- Schedule at Zion Lutheran Church: Afternoons
- August 3-7, M-F, 1 hr classes – Choose one or both!
- Reading & Writing
- Math
- Schedule at Grace United Methodist Church: Mornings
- August 10-14, M-F, 1 hr classes – Choose one or both!
- Reading & Writing
- Math
Elementary Registration form for Grace Location
Elementary Registration form for Zion Location
How to Register –To register, download a summer registration form for elementary (Gr. K-5) students and mail with a $50 nonrefundable deposit for each class for which you register. Deposit applies toward materials. You will receive an email confirmation the first week of June.


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HK Audio Lucas Nano 300 Portable PA System
HK Audio Lucas Nano 300 Portable PA SystemDetails
a compact, lightweight, all-in-one PA unit from HK. Boasting a great sound for the size, and including everything you need render sound pretty much anywhere. And when you're done, fold it up and wheel it away!
Product Ref: 26992View Full Description
Full DescriptionView Full Description
The LUCAS NANO 300's subcompact dimensions and miniscule footprint will treat you to an unprecedented experience in convenience. Simply click-fit the two fist-sized satellites into the subwoofer, grab one of the comfortable grips, and enjoy the ease of toting an ultra light 10-kg package.
The Lucas Nano 300 has an unprecedented range of applications that transcends all conventional boundaries: Anything goes, from champagne receptions, small pub gigs and recording sessions to garden parties, multimedia presentations and thrilling gaming experiences. Just like that, the little LUCAS NANO 300 could become a big part of your life.
- 8" High-Performance Bass Woofer
- Class D System Power amp
- Subfire Reflex Port for sub-bass down to 44 Hz
- Aluminium Plate (5 mm) serves to cool and brace the cabinet
- Anti-Resonant Polyamide Housing
- Transport Bay for Satellites with locking mechanism
- Large metal carrying handles for easy, comfortable portability
- Triple-Channel Mixing Console with ports for microphones, instruments, line signals, MP3 / CD player, etc.
- Max SPL Peak: 118 dB
- Output Power System: 160W @ 2 Ohm
- Frequency Response: 44 Hz - fx
- Maximum SPL @ 10 THD: 116 dB
Satellite (Single):
- Max SPL Peak: 116 dB
- Mid/High Unit Dispersion Pattern, Horizontal/Vertical: 60° x 40°
- Output Power System: 35W @ 2 Ohm
- Frequency Response: 190 Hz - 20 kHz
- Maximum SPL @ 10 THD: 112 dB
Satellite (Double):
- Max SPL Peak: 120 dB
- Mid/High Unit Dispersion Pattern, Horizontal/Vertical: 60° x 40°
- Output Power System: 70W @ 2 Ohm
- Frequency Response: 190 Hz - 20 kHz
- Maximum SPL @ 10 THD: 116 dB
The product price includes 6 years' warranty and 180 day money back guarantee.
However, the Gear4music extended warranty scheme provides an enhanced service, and is designed to offer a higher level of protection than many 'free' warranties offered by some retailers and manufacturers.
The highlights of this enhanced warranty service are:
- Warranty is extended to 6 years from the date of delivery.
- Our Money Back guarantee is extended from 30 days to 180 days (terms apply after 30 days)
- Collection and delivery costs are included for the first 2 years
- Claim 50% cash back on the cost of the policy after 6 years if it has not been used!
- Warranty is transferable if the item is re-sold
- Loan or replacement equipment will be provided if the product isn't repaired within 30 days
- If an item can not be repaired, a similar alternative product or cash discount (as defined in this policy) will be offered
- The policy can be cancelled within 30 days, and at any time after that for a pro-rata discount
Please note that this extended warranty is currently only available on products sold within the EU or EEA, and is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed on the extended warranty certificate provided.
For customers in outlying areas of the country, the price of the Extended Warranty may be marginally higher, due to the potential for higher collection and redelivery transport costs.
This enhanced warranty is in addition to the standard Gear4music and manufacturer warranty policies, and the Gear4music terms and conditions of trade. No statement or condition of sale contained within these terms affects or restricts your statutory rights as defined under the Consumer Contracts Regulation 2014.
Once the product is delivered, you have 180 days to decide that you definitely want to keep it. If you decide it is not suitable for any reason, you can return it back to us for replacement or full refund, including standard delivery charges.
All Products are new unless stated, and include a minimum of 2 years warranty.
Some items are only eligible for money back guarantee if they are returned to us unused and sealed in the original packaging, and in the case of software, unregistered. These items include:
- Software
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- Mouthpieces, Reeds etc… for Woodwind and Brass instruments
- Mouth / Lip Care Products
We are unable to accept returns of any custom made items designed to work together as a unique package, such as computer system built to a customer's personal specifications. Exceptions may only be possible with prior agreement of the vendor, and may be subject to a cancellation fee.
If you also purchase items that do not qualify for free delivery, some delivery charges may be applied to your order which will be shown in your shopping basket.


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Pandects, ( Greek: "All-Encompassing") Latin Pandectae, also called Digest, collection of passages from the writings of Roman jurists, arranged in 50 books and subdivided into titles according to the subject matter. In ad 530 the Roman emperor Justinian entrusted its compilation to the jurist Tribonian with instructions to appoint a commission to help him. The Pandects were published in ad 533 and given statutory force (see also Justinian, Code of), which they retained into the Middle Ages in the Byzantine Empire. Early in the 19th century the term Pandectists was applied to the historical school of Roman-law scholars in Germany who resumed the scientific study of the Pandects. The leader of the school was Friedrich Karl von Savigny.
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FOLSOM — Jeffrey Siegel's unique "concerts with commentary" are a joy for both the piano aficionado and novice alike with exciting explorations of some of the best-loved works in the classical canon. He returns for the 2013-14 season — his fourth such engagement with Harris Center — with four programs of Keyboard Conversations, beginning with Bach and the Romantics on Aug. 23.
This program includes performance and commentary on high voltage, dramatic works of Bach and Bach-inspired compositions by such diverse composers as Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Shostakovich and Felix Mendelssohn.
"Mr. Siegel's audience is so broad. He can engage everyone from the most avid music lover to the inquisitive newcomer," said David Pier, Harris Center executive director. "We're proud to bring him back. With his considerable experience as a concert pianist, his succinct commentary and a brisk question and answer session, he gives his fans a memorable evening every time."
American pianist Siegel has been soloist with the world's great orchestras. Abroad, these include the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony, Philharmonic and Philharmonia, Moscow State Symphony, Munich's Bayerischer Rundfunk, the Amsterdam, Oslo and Stockholm Philharmonic, Orchestra of La Scala and NHK Symphony of Japan. In the United States, engagements include the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Siegel has collaborated with many of the pre-eminent conductors of our time: Claudio Abbado, Pierre Boulez, Charles Dutoit, Neeme Järvi, James Levine, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Leonard Slatkin, Michael Tilson Thomas and David Zinman, as well as legendary maestros of the past, including Eugene Ormandy, Sir George Solti, William Steinberg, Klaus Tennstedt and Yevgeny Svetlanov.
Siegel's ongoing series of Keyboard Conversations flourish in numerous American cities. Some of these venues have been presenting Keyboard Conversations for more than 40 years — resounding testimony to Siegel's superb artistry, innovative format and loyal fans. New listeners discover an informal, entertaining and immensely accessible introduction to the magnificent piano repertoire while seasoned music lovers enjoy a deeply enriched, more focused listening experience.
Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel: Bach and the Romantics will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23. Tickets are $19 to $29 with premium tickets available for $39 and student tickets (with ID) are $7. Purchase them online at harriscenter.net or from Harris Center ticket office at (916) 608-6888 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Parking is included in the price of the ticket. Harris Center is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, facing East Bidwell Street.
Future Keyboard Conversations by Siegel at Harris Center are The Miracle of Mozart at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26; The Glory of Beethoven at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19; and Mistresses and Masterpieces at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. For further details visit harriscenter.net.


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Sunday, October 12, 2008
Blue d'Auvergne Cheese
I have quite a few posts to catch you all up on that will rollout over the next few days. Let's start with a cheese that I think is one of the most beautiful there is. Blue d'Auvergne. unlike most blues that have the tell-tale signs of spore injection line, this blue is perfectly speckled with blue. I find it mid-tone in its strongness, as well as in texture - meaning it can crumble or spread as needed. I love blues with a bit of fig preserves more than anything else!
Posted by Gfron1 at 4:15 PM
2 comments:
- Manggy said...
Oh, yum. This is the cheese I used when I made the maple-glazed pumpkin pizza. It is actually the cheapest blue cheese we have at the deli here!
- October 12, 2008 at 10:22 PM
- Gfron1 said...
It's one of our cheapest as well - I think it gives the most bang for the buck. I take it you're home. Welcome back. Hope it was a good trip.
- October 13, 2008 at 5:19 AM
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Our collection of Free Online Cricket Games available on the Internet - games that teach, build or strengthen some skills and concepts while having fun. We categorise and review the games listed here to help you find the games you are looking for.
It's the final of the 2005 Ashes. Have you got what it takes to step on to the pitch and win for your country? Hit Sixes and bowl out the opposition.
Hosted by Daily Free Games


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Lynne Austin is a Centerfold from United States. She was born in Plant City on April 15, 1961. She is listed on FreeOnes since 2001 and is currently ranked 10560th place. She currently has 2 gallery links in her own FreeOnes section.
Our records show that Lynne Austin is currently active which means she is still making movies, doing live shows and/or doing photo shoots.
Currently we have only a few links of Lynne Austin. You can help us out by submitting more photos and videos links to Lynne Austin galleries.
To submit new links please click here
No need to register!


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Brand Management Certification $99
NOTE- You will be given a reference e-book to read which has 340 pages And the test will be based on that e-book , you can take the test only after 10 days Of purchase.
Brand Management Certification – The must for Brand management
Brand is the grand ambassador of a product that makes anything sell like hot cakes amidst tough competition. But creating and maintaining the brand name is not that easy as it may seem. Proper management is of utmost importance. It is not simply the name that matters but also includes various other aspects like design and packaging, customer relation and handling etc.
Structure of this Certification Course
This Brand Management Course would take you through all those things involved in creating a brand image, developing and maintaining it with utmost care and creativity. This online certification course takes you on a step by step learning process.
The first step is to make you thorough about all the basics of Brand Name, its powerful world, what influence it has on the mentality of the customers because brand names are equally important to them as to the brand owners. It also talks about the basics of brand management and how the augmentation of internet technology has led to e – commerce and their impacts on brand name and brand management. With this you would be clear about the purpose behind branding and the effective role played by advertisements in this branding process. You would also explore another interesting market other than that which involves the branded companies and its retail customers. This market is one which many do not understand about in relation to brand and brand management. And this is the business to business market or technically termed as corporate branding.
Next step would be to make you aware of the various strategies used in brand management. It will polish your thought process and creativity and make your every approach towards brand management as a complete professional. You will be made to understand all about building a brand, creating brand identity, brand equity and developing brand loyalty. You can simply put on the hat of the strategic brand management called the 5 P's. The knowledge of this would take you a long way in developing a personal brand name and successfully seeing it at the top of the popularity.
The next step is to be thorough with brand management, the role of brand names, the brand identity sources and ways and means of safeguarding your brand name. In the process you would get knowledge about the various issues and hurdles relating to brand name and its protections which includes various trademark issues. This part of Brand Management Course would also keep you updated about the current issues in brand management. To make it easier and clearly understandable, examples of actual companies would be provided along with their success stories and the methodologies applied by them. There would be many thought provoking sections that would stimulate your creativity and intellectual thinking that would help you go far beyond than normal circumstances.
The next jump would be the various brand resources, what would be the expectations and approach of the customers, ways to convince them and develop a strong brand equity and the various inevitable issues that may affect your brand and finding out strategic ways to overcome such problems.
The final step would make you feel a complete Brand Management Professional to the core. This will guide you in analyzing the various factors, the brand personality, how to measure the brand's positioning and the brand's association and motivational approaches that need to be effectively implemented. With this, you would be ready to take off to play key responsible roles as an expert.
Beneficiaries of this Certification Course
It is an Online Brand Management Course After you qualify in the Brand Management Exam you would receive Online Brand Management Certification. This would open the doors for various positions in the branding industry starting from Associate Brand Manager, Assistant Brand manager to Brand Manager and even senior managerial level. You can expect the salary to start from $ 95,000 and can go upward up to $ 130,000.
Benefits of Brand Management Course
A job of Brand Manager is quite interesting and a multifarious job that requires utmost understanding and strategic application of thoughts, ideas, skills and approaches in appropriate places at appropriate timing. Once you are thorough with this Online Brand Management Certification course be confident that you would prove to be the best in the industry. You would be well equipped with all information, ideas and strategies which you can aptly apply and handle any kind of situations with great expertise.
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—About 45 percent of hospitals said they'd add it to their formulary, or preferred-drug list, along with Thrombin-JMI, while the remaining 25 percent said they wouldn't buy it. Some of those denials came before June, when ZymoGenetics didn't have a full product lineup, Carter says.
—ZymoGenetics has said it plans to charge a 20 percent higher price, although that showed some signs of moderating yesterday. When asked by analyst Han Li of Stanford Group whether customers are sensitive to the higher price, Carter said they are willing to pay if they've seen a case of a severe bleeding episode from a reaction to the standard drug. If not, "others say they've never seen a clotting problem, it's a theoretical risk. Then they are price-sensitive." When I followed up in the interview, Carter confirmed that it is selling Recothrom at a "more modest" premium than the original 20 percent to the bulk-buying organizations, and that when King has offered discounts, it has responded by offering its own, Carter says.
—Carter has said repeatedly to investors, before the product was approved, that once hospitals switch to Recothrom, the market works like a "ratchet" and they will never switch back to the alternative derived from cow blood. So far, ZymoGenetics is finding customers in a wait-and-see mode. "Some people fully convert and others say, 'You guys are new, we'll put you on the formulary, but we want to see if you can consistently supply us.'"
It will be interesting to watch what happens when Bristol, TN-based King (NYSE: KG) reports its second quarter results on Thursday. If King commits to lower its price to fight off ZymoGenetics, that could pose a threat to both companies, DeGeeter says. "If King cuts price and ZymoGenetics doesn't follow, King will keep its share," he says. "This is shaping up to be a lousy market for everyone."
Wall Street is going to expect Recothrom to generate $15 million to $17 million in sales in the second half, DeGeeter says. ZymoGenetics isn't giving specific guidance on sales for the period, or further in the future, until it has gathered more data, says chief financial officer Jim Johnson.
Before I hung up with the always-upbeat Carter, he left me with one separate thought. It's about PEG-interferon lambda, a "distant cousin" of the antiviral interferon-alpha drugs used for hepatitis C, which cause fever and flu-like symptoms that make them difficult for patients to take. An early-stage clinical trial of the ZymoGenetics version suggests it may offer the virus-killing benefits without the toxic side effects. The company dropped hints that partners are interested in co-developing this drug. "This is the big sleeper in our pipeline," Carter says.
The folks who work at ZymoGenetics and/or invest in the company had better hope he's right, because Recothrom may end up being a tougher sell than once thought.


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[Jonathan Band and Jonathan Gerafi] In the copyright policy debate, proponents of strong copyright protection tend to be dismissive of the quality of freely available content. In response to counter-examples such as open access scholarly publications and advertising-supported business models (e.g., newspaper websites and the over-the-air television broadcasts viewed by 50 million Americans), the strong copyright proponents center their attack on amateur content. In this narrative, YouTube is for cat videos and Wikipedia is a wildly unreliable source of information.
Recent studies, however, indicate that the volunteer-written and -edited Wikipedia is no less reliable than professionally edited encyclopedias such as the Encyclopedia Britannica. Moreover, Wikipedia has far broader coverage. Britannica, which discontinued its print edition in 2012 and now appears only online, contains 120,000 articles, all in English. Wikipedia, by contrast, has 4.3 million articles in English and a total of 22 million articles in 285 languages. Wikipedia attracts more than 470 million unique visitors a month who view over 19 billion pages. According to Alexa, it is the sixth most visited website in the world.
Wikipedia, therefore, is a shining example of valuable content created by non-professionals. Is there a way to measure the economic value of this content? Because Wikipedia is created by volunteers, is administered by a non-profit foundation, and is distributed for free, the normal means of measuring value—such as revenue, market capitalization, and book value—do not directly apply. Nonetheless, there are a variety of methods for estimating its value in terms of its market value, its replacement cost, and the value it creates for its users. These methods suggest a valuation in the tens of billions of dollars, a one-time replacement cost of $6.6 billion with an annual updating cost of $630 million, and consumer benefit in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Click here for our full analysis of Wikipedia's Economic Value (Updated October 7, 2013)
2 Responses to "Wikipedia's Economic Value"
"In the copyright policy debate, proponents of strong copyright protection tend to be dismissive of the quality of freely available content. In response to counter-examples such as open access scholarly publications…" Wait a minute – what do "open access scholarly publications" have to do with copyright? The answer is, nothing. Open access does not involve copyright at all. In fact, such publications are always protected by copyright unless they come with an explicit no-copyright license. It is a mistake to think that open access equates with "no copyright" – just as it would be a mistake to equate copyright with "no or restricted access". Academics benefit if their open access papers are copyright so that they have recourse if someone plagiarizes or otherwise steals their expressed ideas. That doesn't stop them from being circulated for free, and it is a mistake to suggest otherwise.
First, Wikipedia actually is a professionally edited encyclopedia. While many still believe that there are only a few of us who professionally edit, the truth is that paid editing is more wide spread than anyone from the Wikimedia Foundation can imagine. Now, as far as reliability, it doesn't really matter. There have been debates about the reliability of Wikipedia since day 1. My take is simple…….if people believe that Wikipedia is unreliable, then how is it in the top 10 most visited websites in the world? This means that even if the majority of the population feels it is inaccurate, they are still turning to it for answers.


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Back in the 1980s, Mercedes sold its midsize E-class in both four-door and two-door form, the latter with either a fixed steel roof or a convertible cloth top. It wasn't a particularly sporty car, but it-like all 124-chassis Mercedes E-classes-was built like a nuclear bunker. And priced accordingly.
The W124 E-class sedan was replaced for the 1995 model year, and a few years later, the E-class coupe's spiritual successor of sorts debuted in the form of the 1998 CLK. Mercedes' new nomenclature reflected the fact that this coupe was no longer simply a two-door variant of the E-class; indeed it was based on the smaller C-class, but styled more similarly to the E-class. And it was far, far less expensive than the old E coupe.
The CLK enjoyed two generations (the 1998 C208-chassis and the 2003 C209-chassis), the second being the far better car, with interior materials again befitting a vehicle wearing a three-pointed star. (If we're being honest, the C208-like many late 1990s Mercedes models-wasn't quite up to the quality and reliability standards that buyers of Daimler-Benz vehicles had come to expect.)
Thankfully, Mercedes has cleaned up its act considerably-in terms of quality, and now it's cleaning house in terms of its naming scheme. The CLK name proved confusing to customers, not by virtue of the particular three letters, but because there are so many other vehicles in the Mercedes lineup. Quick quiz: what's the difference between a C, CL, CLK, and CLS?
You get the point. To help customers keep track of what Mercedes is what, the CLK is being renamed the E-class coupe for the C207-chassis. Unlike the old C124, it's not merely a two-door version of the sedan. In fact, it's not really based on the sedan at all. Mercedes insist that sixty percent of the coupe's structure and parts comes from E-class, but of course that means that the other forty come from somewhere else. In this case, it's the C-class.
Sure, Mercedes could have called the new coupe a D-class, as D is halfway between C and E in the alphabet. BMW did something similar with the 6-series coupe (based on the 5-series sedan) and so did Audi (the is a two-door based on the ). But since the company wants to simplify its naming scheme, the coupe reverts to E nomenclature.
The 2010 E-class coupe goes on sale this summer in two forms: the V-6-powered E350 and the V-8 E550. In both cases, the powertrain is familiar from the current E-class sedan, which the coupe is styled to look like. In terms of size, the coupe is still C-class.
The E350 will start at $48,925, about $50 less than last year's CLK350 coupe. Despite the price reduction, the E includes a substantial amount of standard equipment that wasn't included in the CLK350, such as a sliding glass panorama roof, three additional air bags (two pelvic bags and a driver's knee bag), Bluetooth, auto dimming mirrors, and the COMAND user interface. Also included is Mercedes' new Attention-Assist system, which warns the driver that he or she may be losing concentration due to fatigue. It monitors seventy factors to make its decision to scold the driver with a coffee-cup and a message on the instrument cluster display.
The E350's 3.5-liter V-6 produces 268 hp and is matched to a seven-speed automatic, propelling the coupe to 60 mph in a claimed 6.2 seconds.
The second E-coupe is the $55,525 E550. Under its hood is the torque-monster V-8 we know and love from other 550-badged Mercedes, producing 382 hp, 391 lb-ft of torque, and two strips of black rubber on the asphalt, if asked to. It uses the same seven-speed automatic, and can scoot to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds, according to Mercedes.
Replacing the E350's conventional suspension, and in place of the Airmatic air suspension found on the E550 sedan, the E550 coupe uses a new system called Dynamic Handling. It uses computer-controlled adjustable shocks to allow both a smoother ride and better body control than the E350's. Mercedes says it chose this new system instead of Airmatic because it provides a more sporty driving experience. We suspect cost–the air-spring system isn't cheap–played just as important of a role in that decision.
The two E coupes share their steering gear–a rack-and-pinion layout that has an overall ratio of 14.7:1, much quicker than the E-class sedan's 17.0:1. Indeed, the quicker steering helps to make the E coupe feel lighter and smaller than the sedan-but then again, it actually is smaller and lighter than the sedan. Over the road, though, it doesn't feel small at all: road and wind noise are unusually well hushed. In fact, the E coupe seemed to provide near S-class levels of quietness on the open road, even at its 130-mph speed limiter.
The E coupe is more of a high-speed grand tourer than it is a sports car. The seven-speed automatic is smooth in normal driving, but can be slow to react and clumsy in manic driving. Typical of most Mercedes, the steering is devoid of feedback on-center, where there's an appreciable amount of play in the system. In crosswinds, the E requires more input than one would expect to keep it traveling in a straight line. Unfortunately, there is also a substantial amount of lateral compliance in the rear (C-class-based) suspension, which results in an unsettling yaw moment as the rear takes a set.
There are no complaints about the E's cabin, which is filled with first-rate switchgear and very high-quality materials. It lacks the E-class sedan's ambient lighting, but it uses the sedan's new, straightforward climate control, which operates effectively and quietly. The front seats (optionally heated, ventilated, and highly adjustable) are aggressively bolstered and very comfortable. The rear seats are also buckets, and there's plenty of legroom, but the low roofline restricts headroom for passengers approaching six feet tall. Headroom is tight up front, too, for very tall adults. The optional Harmon/Kardon stereo plays well with iPods and offers excellent sound reproduction.
It's the interior's feeling of quality that's the E-class coupe's best attribute. Like the CLK, this two-door will sell on emotional appeal rather than logic. (In other words, people will buy it because of the way it looks.) It's in that area that the new C207-chassis is a little awkward. It's a mish-mash of styling cues from all over the map, including rear fenders that have a modern interpretation of the rear flare from 1950s Ponton-fendered Mercedes. Not only do the fenders look a little out of place on a vehicle with such an aggressive face (especially on the E550, which gets standard AMG body-styling), it's obvious that they were flared to help distract the eye from what would otherwise be a big ol' expanse of plain steel. The relatively short doors leave an emormous rear quarter panel. And the LED taillight treatment-though pretty-isn't particularly distinctive.
As with most modern Mercedes-especially the S-class-the E coupe looks best in motion, painted in a dark color. Under such conditions, the eye notices less of the awkward details and more of the traditional Mercedes cues-the trapezoidal grille, CLS-like arching roofline, and get-out-of-my-way headlights. It's then that the new coupe becomes glamorous enough to proudly wear its E-class badge.


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My Nonprofit Reviews
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No director of any non-profit could be more dedicated than Mark Anton. (His partner, in turn, supports Mark's efforts wonderfully.) That is where the dedication begins. That is what makes those of us who give anxious to support this worthy and worthwhile cause.
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This weekend marks the seventh anniversary of the California State University's "Super Sunday" initiative, aimed at increasing college enrollment among African American students. Across the state, CSU presidents and administrators will visit African American churches to share the importance of a college education.
In our region, I have the distinct honor of speaking to the congregation of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oceanside. In Temecula, two senior Cal State San Marcos administrators will address parishioners at Mountain View. And while Super Sunday is held every year, our message couldn't come at a more crucial moment.
The demand for college graduates is at an all-time high. A recent Labor Department study shows that unemployment for college graduates is around 4 percent; the rate for employees with only a high school diploma or less is more than three times as high, at 13 percent.
And by 2030, 67 percent of jobs will require post-secondary education and training. Yet, at the current rate, California will be 1 million persons short of filling this demand. Even more disheartening is that fewer than 25 percent of historically underserved students in our region are college-eligible.
If our region is to prosper and take a leadership role in this knowledge-based economy, we must ensure that more students are prepared, that they obtain the best possible education beyond high school. Today's global marketplace demands a highly educated, diverse workforce, and it is critical that public universities in California work toward meeting this demand.
Cal State San Marcos has long realized that part of the challenge in reaching underserved student populations is the lack of collaboration between the K-12 system and universities. To that end, in 2006, we began working with area school districts, homes for foster youth, and native tribes to guarantee admission to students who meet CSU entrance requirements. We currently have nine such agreements.
CSUSM faculty and staff work closely with area teachers to develop a clear path to college for students, mapping out a timeline for required courses and application deadlines. The results are encouraging. So far, 1,200 students have been admitted to CSUSM. They are coming to us ready for college and fully aware of what it will take for them to succeed.
At the same time, we are strengthening our recruiting efforts. Half of CSUSM undergraduates are first-generation students, and nearly 45 percent of all students identify as African American, Asian, Hispanic or Native American. Once these students get on campus, we focus on keeping them here ---- through small learning communities and a team of advisers who answer student questions and point them and their families toward appropriate university resources.
I firmly believe that African American students ---- and all students ---- deserve a high quality of life and economic security. This weekend, we can help some of our region's students understand that their hopes and dreams are best realized through education, and that the CSU system remains one of their most affordable options. The more students we can encourage to attend college, the more super this Sunday will truly be.


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Vintage HIFI Shop of Pgh is now doing Carver/Sunfire repairs
Some of you already know that beemers417, Tom, at Vintage HIFI Shop of Pittsburgh has been doing repairs on the side but now he has a full time tech and are doing Sunfire, Sunfire True Sub and Carver Amp repair.
Some of you also know that he is doing mods/upgrades to Carver gear. I know he has been tweaking his C-19 for years and there was a post not too long ago about his mods to the C-19. He also has upgrades for the C-1 and C-9.
So now we have an East Coast option to repairing our equipment. Check out his site and keep him in mind when you need equipment repair.
http://www.vintagehifipgh.com/index.php ... jpta48ndi3
BTW, I have already had him fix my Sunfire 600 and two of my Sunfire True Subs and now they are working great.


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Drill bits make an interesting pattern on the deck during the Beaufort Gyre Freshwater Experiment in 2005.
(Photo by Christopher Linder, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
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Oil In The 21st Century: The Competitive Challenges
Kenneth T. Derr, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Chevron Corporation
45th Annual Convention
San Francisco, California
I'm very proud to be speaking to you today. Throughout my career, I've found Desk and Derrick members to be a great source of knowledge on oil and energy industry trends and issues. And the reason for this is clear.
Your association has been dedicated to promoting personal education, professional development and continuous learning since 1949. Your motto, "Greater Knowledge - Greater Service," really does describe the outlook of all the Desk and Derrick members I've known.
More important, it's a philosophy that will serve you as individuals - and the companies you work for - well into the next century.
In fact, your goals are a perfect fit with a subject that's captured my interest and attention in recent years, and they are at the heart of what I want to talk about today. And that is the need for the people in my company - and in any company, for that matter - to be a part of a learning organization.
The key competitive challenge for any corporation headed into the 21st century is to have people eager to absorb knowledge, master new skills and apply those abilities in a fast-changing global economy. Flexibility and an enterprising spirit are essential, not only for business success but for a company's very survival.
So, we have a mutual interest at stake. Because in times of change, it is the learners who will inherit the organization. And those who refuse to learn will find themselves well-equipped for an organization that no longer exists.
This sure is true of the U.S. energy industry. The companies we joined in years past may still be in the same fundamental business today. But the ways we now do our work bears little resemblance to how we once operated. The organizations have changed, and in many respects, it's been a radical change.
Please bear with me if I overstate the obvious. I know that you're all aware of what's been happening within many American corporations. We've gone through major restructurings that have included downsizing and a shift toward emphasizing international operations. I know that in the energy industry, these trends have created apprehension among Desk and Derrick members, because you so clearly care about the future of our business.
Well, our business certainly has a future. And it's one that is far more bright than we ever imagined ten years ago.
From the 1950s through the early 1980s, post-war economic growth erased an awful lot of business mistakes. With the encouragement of government officials, corporate managers consciously expanded employment and enhanced job security, which contributed to large and cumbersome corporate bureaucracies. Along with all this came the idea that responsible companies promised, implicitly or explicitly, lifetime jobs.
I think we all realize that conditions have changed. Frankly, during this long period of general prosperity, American companies grew flabby. Meanwhile, the Japanese, most notably, began making numerous products of much higher quality than did their U.S. competitors.
Economic growth then began to slow. Trade barriers began to fall. And we found ourselves competing in a truly global economy, against manufacturers with modern factories and lower labor costs. Relatively few American-based companies were prepared to compete on the international stage.
It was apparent that if we were to succeed, we had to become globally competitive. That meant we had to make some basic changes in the way we were organized, where we focused our efforts and how we did our business.
Since the early 1980s, employment in U.S. petroleum businesses has been reduced by more than 400,000 jobs, which is nearly 26 percent of the work force. This is a mind-boggling figure, especially when you consider that we are producing and delivering more products and energy than we did 15 years ago.
The reductions have been industrywide. In 1984, when Gulf and Chevron merged, we had a combined work force of about 80,000. Today, Chevron directly employs less than 37,000 people throughout the world. That's down about 15,000 in just the past four years.
Part of the employment contraction in the U.S. is due to government policy, which prevents us from finding and developing significant new sources of American oil and natural gas. There are good prospects remaining. Unfortunately, most of these are beyond our reach.
But an even greater factor was the need for oil companies to cut their operating cost structures. Since 1991, Chevron has reduced its operating costs by $1.5 billion a year. When you compare that to our 1995 operating income, which was $2 billion, it's easy to see the importance of cutting those costs.
Like many other petroleum companies, we have also sold many of what we call "noncore" businesses. In Chevron's case, these have included our Ortho Consumer Products line, Chevron Land and Development Co., and our fertilizer and agricultural chemicals units.
We also sold our interests in more than 3,100 U.S. oil and gas fields, most of which were marginal producers. We kept less than 400, but these were fields that yielded over 95 percent of our U.S. upstream profits.
Taken together, we've sold roughly $5 billion in assets since 1990.
That $5 billion in capital has been useful, to say the least. But these sales weren't only about money.
More important is that the process enabled us to focus on our core business. What we do best is to find and produce oil and natural gas, and refine and sell petroleum products and chemicals. And while focusing on these core businesses, we've learned to run them with fewer people.
Most of the staff reductions have come through normal attrition, voluntary early retirements and asset sales, with many employees going to work for the acquiring companies. But about 20 percent of those employees left involuntarily - the most painful part of the process.
Providing generous severance packages and job-finding assistance didn't erase the pain, either for them or us. We know these people. We're aware of the impact on their families. And the steps were not taken lightly.
When people discuss the transformation of American business, the difficulties of downsizing - and doing more work with fewer people - gets most of the attention. But for all the turmoil, the process has had some benefits that you don't often hear about.
Yes, restructuring generated anxieties and uncertainties, but it also forced all of us to jump on a very steep learning curve - and climb it faster than we once thought possible. In the oil business, we embraced the Quality Revolution and adopted its principles to change how we operate. Because of the uncertainty, the industry was charged with a sense of urgency, which in turn expedited those changes.
We've organized much of our work force into teams, while reducing layers of management and flattening the bureaucracy. This gives greater decision-making authority to those who are at the front lines of the business.
We've adopted information technologies that enable individuals to do more and better work - and instituted policies such as family leave, flexible hours, part-time work and alternative schedules - so that employees can better balance their home lives with what we realize are demanding jobs.
Work and family programs have been absolutely critical to our company's people and represent a major shift in corporate culture. Since we ask so much of employees, it's only right that our policies account for overlaps between an employee's home life and work life. We recognize that unless those two areas are balanced, no one can be at their best.
The oil business has also changed how we work with partners, by forming novel and entrepreneurial alliances that in the past would have seemed unthinkable in what's been a very conservative industry.
For instance, we're delighted by our new alliance with McDonald's. We plan to build hundreds of shared locations - with Chevron stations and McDonald's restaurants - throughout the Sun Belt and the West. Given the price of land in prime locations, the dual use of the sites will serve mutual customers and reduce costs for both companies.
The recent agreement between Mobil and British Petroleum - to merge their refining and marketing operations in Europe - is another example of oil companies adapting to fast-changing business conditions.
Along with the urgency and innovation, we've also developed new technologies. These include three-dimensional seismic studies and horizontal drilling techniques, which together help us find and produce oil and natural gas in a more cost-effective way.
We've made great strides in our environmental performance and in how we work with the nations and communities where we operate. For U.S.-based petroleum corporations, this is a significant distinction in the international marketplace.
As a result, I believe that American oil companies, along with many other manufacturers, are now stronger and better prepared for the challenges of global competition than corporations in any other nation.
As a CEO, I'd love to say that four years ago, when we started serious cost-cutting and downsizing, I knew exactly how things would turn out. I'd like to claim that I made a forecast, that I knew all the uncertainties would inevitably lead to innovations and radically different ways of doing work.
In truth, credit for the transformation rests mainly with our employees, who made a commitment to learn, discover and apply their knowledge to help the company grow. Thanks to their efforts in restructuring the industry, I believe we are poised for real financial growth, although in a vastly different world.
At Chevron, we are trying to increase our earnings by 10 percent a year. Although it won't be easy, I'm convinced this is possible.
For one thing, the age of oil is nowhere near its twilight. When I started my career, the U.S. had about 12 years worth of proved domestic reserves at 1960 consumption rates. Thirty-six years later, we still have nearly a decade of proved reserves, despite greater consumption. Worldwide, there is about 45 years' worth of reserves. And more oil will be found.
For another thing, although we keep a prudent watch on emerging technologies, I can't envision anything replacing fossil fuels in the foreseeable future. The demand for oil and natural gas will continue.
In its 1996 International Energy Outlook, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that worldwide demand for oil will grow at nearly 2 percent per year for the next 15 to 20 years. That's an annual increase of about one-and-a-half million barrels per day. And in developing countries - especially the rapidly growing economies in Asia - growth in oil consumption is forecast at a rate of roughly 5 percent per year.
Now, you're probably wondering how I can talk about Chevron's goals for 10 percent growth when we live in a 2 percent world. But that brings me right back to the strengths, skills and innovative ideas that American companies developed during our restructuring - and the reason that much of our growth will come from international ventures.
Of the $3 billion we've budgeted for exploration and production worldwide, about 65 percent is earmarked for international projects. This is where we can reap the largest rewards, if we do our work better and smarter than our competitors.
Before I talk about international projects, let me assure you that we haven't abandoned the United States. I've mentioned the limitations imposed by government. Nevertheless, we're increasing our U.S. exploration and production spending by 20 percent to more than $1 billion in 1996.
I'm also pleased to report that there's now a mini-boom in the Gulf of Mexico. We're finding new sources of oil and natural gas, and squeezing more production from mature fields - in part thanks to three-dimensional seismic studies, horizontal drilling and better, low-cost operating practices.
We're moving into deeper water in search of oil. With its Mars and Auger fields, Shell has been the leader of the industry. And as others follow, the oil services industry in the gulf will continue to enjoy a resurgence. An estimated 95 percent of all available deep-water drilling rigs are now operating, and securing contracts to use their services is getting tougher everyday.
We've found that innovation is critical to other areas of our U.S. operations - and again, this stems from what we learned while restructuring. For instance, we are just about to conclude a merger of our natural gas and gas liquids marketing business with NGC Corp., a Houston-based firm. The new company will become the nation's largest marketer of these fuels and feedstocks.
NGC is an aggressive, entrepreneurial organization, the kind of company that will thrive in the increasingly deregulated energy supply business. Chevron will own 28 percent of the new company and will be one of its major suppliers. We will enhance each other's strengths.
And since the U.S. is the world's largest energy consuming nation, we're certainly here to stay.
Still, most of that 10 percent growth that Chevron is after will come from international projects. These are places where American companies have an advantage, thanks to the technologies we've developed and the skills of our people. But it's not like we're the new kid on the block.
Chevron has had international operations for more than 60 years. Thanks to our reputation for excellent technical skills, business ethics and environmental practices, we're now being invited back as partners into countries that nationalized our assets in the 1970s.
A good example is Venezuela, where Chevron discovered the huge Boscan Field about 50 years ago and operated it until 1975. By the early 1990s, however, Venezuela started looking for cash and the expertise to improve recovery from Boscan, which was in decline.
Chevron has had a lot of experience in producing the kind of heavy oil found there. So we're now back at the Boscan Field as operator, where we think we can increase production by 43 percent over the next three years. And there are other U.S. oil companies helping to revive the Venezuelan industry.
Again, it is the technical and environmental skills, and a solid track record of seeding social and economic benefits in surrounding communities, that have made American oil companies welcome partners in places as diverse as Papua New Guinea, West Africa and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Which brings me to our Tengiz venture in that former Soviet republic. This has been one of the greatest challenges Chevron has ever faced, and if you've read about some of the problems we've encountered, you may wonder why we bothered taking such a risk.
Well, risk is the one thing that will never change in the oil industry. But the rewards can be tremendous. When we signed the agreement to develop the 6 billion-to-9 billion-barrel Tengiz field, our half instantly doubled Chevron's worldwide crude oil reserves.
These types of opportunities don't occur very often. And despite some growing pains, the project is starting to come together.
We boosted production in Kazakhstan to 95,000 barrels per day in 1995 and hope to expand it to 130,000 by the end of this year. We're also growing close to reaching a final agreement on a new pipeline system to move Tengiz oil directly to export markets.
This has taken five long and difficult years. But it is an achievement of which I am personally very proud.
CEOs get a tremendous amount of criticism these days for focusing on quarterly results just to please securities analysts - actually, we get criticized for a lot of things - but we're most often accused of downsizing to produce short-term financial results and upward spikes in the price of our stock, moves taken at the expense of the future.
Well, when you consider Tengiz, our operations in Papua New Guinea, Angola, and our new North Sea ventures such as the Britannia gas field and many more, you'll see that we took some of the proceeds from downsizing and poured them back into projects that will keep our employees busy for decades to come. These investments - and they are big ones - will yield income for Chevron's stockholders long after I have retired.
Allow me to deal with two questions that I hear repeatedly, and which I'm trying my best to answer.
First: How can a company generate loyalty when that so-called implied contract of lifetime employment no longer exists?
And second: How can you motivate people when flattened hierarchies reduce the opportunities for promotions?
These are tough ones, because they're at the core of what people have long assumed a career at a large corporation was all about. We know the times have changed. But only now is our thinking starting to catch up with the realities of restructuring.
Ironically, instead of company loyalty, I'm starting to detect an even more powerful attitude in our work force. It's a commitment to a profession, work group or project.
While loyalty is an admirable trait, it also suggests a somewhat passive mentality. The loyal employee does as he or she is told. But the committed employee brings creativity, discretionary effort and even passion to the workplace. Moreover, a committed employee not only has the skills needed for a current job, but is ready to adapt to whatever new demands arise. And this can include opportunities inside or outside of the corporation.
This emerging attitude has flourished thanks to our Quality Revolution, and it's been aided by pushing down lines of authority, reducing layers of supervision and encouraging employees to take risks - without enduring nit-picking and criticism for minor mistakes.
Though there may be fewer opportunities for conventional promotions, these team environments - where employees have a strong feeling of ownership over their tasks and output - are much more interesting places in which to work. People today have much broader job responsibilities than ever before.
This brings me to the final key of meeting the competitive challenges of the 21st century. And that is the willingness to seek continuing education that will enable us to adapt to the next round of change, which is inevitable.
Greater knowledge is the key to greater service. And it is people like you who will inherit our future organizations.
The oil industry has gone through some tough times. The cost-cutting, downsizing and restructuring was difficult, yet necessary for short term survival.
But the urgency that came with that process helped prepare us for the long term. We learned new ways of working, and we know that we must keep learning as we move into the 21st century.
Our industry has a solid and bright future. And it's because of people like you, who have made American oil companies the strongest competitors in the world. For that I can only offer my most sincere thanks.
Updated: September 1996