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Powerful, military lasers - promised for decades and now being touted again – have failed to take off. But why?
As Israel's air raid sirens rang out to warn of an incoming rocket during the recent conflict with Gaza, they were joined by another sound. On the outskirts of the city, a cutting edge system locked on to the incoming rockets, worked out their likely trajectory and then in many cases fired its own interceptors to knock them out of the sky. During the short conflict, the roar of Israel's Iron Dome was a regular sound.
The new anti-missile batteries were heralded as a great triumph, being fired 573 times and hitting 421 out of 1,506 missiles fired from Gaza, according to Israel's defence ministry.
Iron Dome was first fielded in 2011 after Israel's government decided against a more exotic missile defense system that used lasers. But now, defence firms say that so-called directed energy technology is still progressing and soon these silent weapons could be ready for their big test.
One of the main players is US defence giant Lockheed Martin. Less than a week after the ceasefire, the company revealed that it was working on a new laser system, called Area Defense Anti-Munitions (Adam), designed to shoot down similar projectiles. It says it has even conducted a test of the system, which uses a solid-state fibre laser, to destroy small-caliber rockets from 1.2 miles (2km) away.
Although it put out a press release, Lockheed is keeping a close hold on its technology and the company declined interviews about the ground-based weapon. "We have demonstrated that the commercial 10-kilowatt laser, when focused by our innovative beam control software, has sufficient power to negate the close-in threats…," Lynn Fisher, a Lockheed spokeswoman told BBC Future. "At this time, 10 kilowatts is the highest single-mode power available in a commercial laser with sufficient beam quality for this application."
Lockheed is one of several firm's that has pursued laser weapons since the 1970s for a range of applications and military services. The Army has already used lasers for exploding mines and ordnance, whilst the Navy is interested in using them to "neutralize threats", including drones, boats or missiles. In 2011, it released a video of a test in which its so-called Maritime Laser Demonstrator burnt a hole in the engine of a small boat.
Other firms, such as Northrop Grumman already have developed a mobile weapon called the Firestrike, which the company says it powerful enough to be used on the battlefield—or at sea.
Toxic trouble
However, despite being long promised, the use of laser weapons is limited. The systems that exist today are often too big or complex for real world applications. And critics say the latest burst of interest merely reflects a decades' long tendency to overestimate the capabilities of lasers, while underestimating the operational and technical difficulties of using such weapons for missile defence.
One example of this was the Airborne Laser, which was to be flown in the nose cone of a Boeing 747 and was designed to take down intercontinental ballistic missiles in their vulnerable boost phase. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, said the operational concept, which involved flying an undefended plane into potentially hostile areas, was unrealistic and canceled the project.
Other laser projects have suffered similar fates. Subrata Ghoshroy, a research associate at the Massachusetts of Institute of Technology, recalls working as a congressional staff member in the mid-1990s when he was briefed on the Nautilus laser, which was jointly sponsored by the United States and Israel.
Nautilus was a chemical laser, so-named because it obtains its energy from a chemical reaction, which was designed to shoot down Soviet Katyusha rockets. Even then Ghoshroy expressed his doubts about the project, however.
"This particular laser was using deuterium fluoride, chemical laser technology, which is extremely toxic and difficult to handle," he says. "There would be canisters of this stuff sitting in the desert; one Katyusha rocket hitting a canister is a huge problem."
The developers were eventually able to demonstrate on a test range that they could take down a rocket, but the tracking system wasn't very good, according to Ghoshroy. After a decade of effort and hundreds of millions of dollars, the laser effort was cancelled, and Israel instead deployed Iron Dome.
"My concerns were validated once the whole thing was abandoned," he says.
Ivan Oelrich, a defense analyst who has advised on military technology issues for several decades, is equally dubious of the near-term prospect of laser weapons for defeating rockets and missiles. "The problem is these things look great when you test them at White Sands," says Oelrich, referring to the Army range in New Mexico used for testing lasers. "In the real world, all these lasers have limitations based on what's going on in the atmosphere."
Haze, fog, or other poor weather conditions can degrade the laser's effectiveness—and that provides an advantage to would-be attackers. "If I know I'm going to have a cloudy day tomorrow, I'll launch my rockets then," says Oelrich.
Money talks
Oelrich suggests that another problem is that attackers might be able to come up with simple countermeasures to such laser weapons, such as painting their rockets white, which would allow them to reflect heat. Or, another idea, slightly more technical, but still easily doable, is to find out what the wavelength of the laser would be, and then cover the missile with material that would deflect it. "It doesn't add a lot of weight, so why would I not do that?" he says.
Yet there are still laser enthusiasts who argue that the technology has a role to play as part of a more comprehensive approach to missile defense. Mark Gunzinger, a retired Air Force colonel and former Pentagon official, argues that new high-power lasers, particularly newer solid-state lasers, offer a "complementary approach" to systems that deploy interceptors.
One of the problems pointed out with interceptors, such as Iron Dome, is that it often ends up costing much more for the defender to take down a rocket than for an aggressor to launch it. Laser weapons, by contrast, are theoretically cheaper since they can shoot a near infinite number of times.
Gunzinger, now a senior fellow at the Washington, DC-based Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, argues that laser weapons have the potential to change "the negative cost ratio back in your favor.
While Gunzinger points to growing support for solid-state lasers, particularly from the Navy, he says a chemical laser like the one developed for the Airborne Laser could prove useful. "You could take an upgraded version of the Airborne Laser's weapon system and use it to defend forward areas, forward air bases, from medium and even short range ballistic missiles," he says. "The technology is there: It's a question of if someone wants to fund it."
And that's the problem - with the US administration facing the fiscal cliff, the prospects of funding a major laser weapon system is unlikely at best.
But even if it were affordable, it's not clear it's desirable. "One of the things you have to ask yourself when dusting off an old idea is that if we decided not to do this last time, what's different now?" says Oelrich. For laser weapons that answer still may be unclear.
If you would like to comment on this video or anything else you have seen on Future, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.


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Diplomas are printed and available for graduating and financially clear candidates who have completed all degree and graduation requirements. If you are an Andrews alumni and would like to make a diploma request(s) OR you have questions about the status of your diploma, please email firstname.lastname@example.com.
PLEASE NOTE: Processessing for a diploma request is an estimated 4 to 6 weeks. Students are responsible for notifying Academic Records when they have financial clearance at 269-471-3375.
Download a Request for Diploma Form
There is a two-week period between the second and fourth weeks after graduation when students can pick up their diploma. Diploma printing for complete degree candidates begins two weeks after graduation ceremonies. Students who are financially cleared may visit the Office of Academic Records on the second floor of the Administration Building with a form of ID to pick up their diploma.
Students will not receive their diploma under the following circumstances:
Beginning approximately one month after graduation, diplomas are mailed to the home mailing address in the vault database. If you want your diploma to be mailed to the accurate address it is critical that you keep your address current.
In the event that students have not become financially clear by the end of the mailing period, students who become financially clear by the above guidelines need to notify Academic Records that they have achieved financial clearance in order to receive their diploma by mail or pickup. They will need to submit a Request for Diploma form. Students must ensure that their address in the Vault database is accurate.
The Office of Academic Records will provide a replacement diploma for a charge of US $50. Replacement diplomas are defined as such for original diplomas which are lost or damaged. The designation "Replacement of Original" is printed at the bottom.
For graduates who wish to have multiple copies of their diploma, they have the option of requesting diploma duplicates. Diploma duplicates are available for a charge of US $50 and will have the designation "Duplicate Diploma" printed at the bottom.

subset: commoncrawl


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End-of-grade tests more rigorous
With end-of-grade test results from the 2012-13 year about to be released, scores may be down, but there are strong indicators of academic growth in Lenoir County Public Schools.
LCPS Testing Director Becky Whittington said 64 percent of schools met or exceeded academic growth for the 2012-2013 school year, which is almost on par with the state average of 71 percent.
�It�s something we are really celebrating,� she said.
Whittington said school growth is calculated using all end-of-grade and end-of-course
test scores, by an Educator Value-Added Assessment System. The system looks at where a child was on the previous year�s test and compares that result to the current test. They determine where they fall in the range of all the children across the state. It is then calculated on a normal curve.
She said if a student maintains their position, even if it is below the state average, then the student has met growth.
She said a new test was given at the end of last school year and as a result of some of the changes, test scores were down in some areas.
�This year there was a new test, with new curriculum and the standards were raised, with more rigors and there was no retest,� she said.
The new standards and curriculum are part of the N.C. READY initiative, which is shifting the focus from only grade-level readiness to career and college readiness, too.
She said due to the new standards, the N.C. State School Board decided to make the 2012-13 test scores a baseline and not compare them to the 2011-12 year.
�All of our charts will start with 2012-13 results and move from there. Because there is no way to say well last year you were 70 percent proficient and this year you are only 45 percent proficient. That doesn�t even say the same thing, because it�s a totally different curriculum, a totally different test.�
When the EOG and EOC scores are released to parents in the coming weeks, Whittington said they will notice lower scores, but there is no cause for concern.
�Know that the children are being challenged and are under much more rigorous standards to have them college and career ready. Because of that, the scores don�t show it, but the growth is there,� she said.
Also she said there is no penalty on students and if a child did not pass or reach level 3 or 4 on an EOG test. The student will not be dropped down to their previous grade.
Whittington said she is confident about scores going forward.
�We fully anticipate, that things are going to move positively everywhere, because teachers and children rise to the challenge. So we expect that our results will be better this year.�
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @nclark763.
Expected Growth Categories
Exceded expected growth
Banks Elementary School
La Grange Elementary School
Pink Hill Elementary School
Met expected growth
Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School
Lenoir County Early College
Northeast Elementary School
Rochelle Middle School
South Lenoir High School
Southeast Elementary School
Southwood Elementary School
Did not meet expected growth
E.B. Frink Middle School
Kinston High School
Moss Hill Elementary School
North Lenoir High School
Northwest Elementary School
Woodington Middle School


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Pittsburgh Penguins Tickets
Pittsburgh Penguins Tickets Tickets Rated 0.00/5 based on 0 customer reviews 100 0
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to improve the 2011-12 NHL season where they finished 2nd in the Atlantic Division and qualified for the playoffs, but were defeated by their rival Philadelphia Flyers. The loss to the Flyers in the first round of the playoffs has not sat easy with the Penguins' organization. General Manager Ray Shero has wasted no time this offseason in an attempt to bring more than a few big names to Pittsburgh. Shero's aggressive plan has already been put into action with the signing of Washington Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun and a contract extension for captain Sidney Crosby that will ensure he remains the face of the franchise until the 2024-25 season. Also, the Penguins are expected to make an offer to either Alex Semin or Shane Doan, both of them able to make an instant impact on the Penguin's offense. The Penguins clearly have big plans for the 2013 NHL season and with a Stanley Cup win just four years ago, this franchise is hoping to do it again. Get tickets to all the Pittsburgh Penguins games during the 2013 NHL season today with Gold Coast Tickets! The Pittsburgh Penguins represent the city of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia in the NHL and are members of the Atlantic division of the Eastern Conference. The Penguins' first season was in 1967 when they became part of the NHL's first expansion that doubled the size of the league from 6 teams to 12. In the team's history, they have claimed a total of 3 Stanley Cups, 4 Conference titles, 1 Presidents' Trophy, and 6 Division titles, making them one of the most successful NHL teams. The franchise has also boasted some of the biggest names in hockey, most notably Mario Lemieux, who is the current co-owner of the organization. The Consol Energy Center is the home of the Penguins and opened in August of 2010. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia share one of the most heated rivalries in the NHL, playing in a matchup dubbed by fans as the "Battle of Pennsylvania". For more information on the Pittsburgh Penguins, visit their website at: http://penguins.nhl.com/
Results Filter


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As a homeowner, a termite infestation is one of your biggest fears. If it's not, it should be. Termites cause more damage to homes in the United States than fires and storms combined. Even a small colony of termites can severely compromise the integrity of a home in just a short amount of time.
At the first signs of a termite infestation, there are a few things that you should and shouldn't do to limit the damage these destructive pests can do to your home.
As a homeowner, here's what to DO and what NOT to do after you discover termites in your home:
At first sign of a termite infestation, it's best you call a professional; and not just any professional. You want a licensed professional that has years of expertise dealing with these destructive pests. You want a company that offers excellent customer service, and can schedule inspections and services around your busy schedule. You want Bulwark Exterminating and our professional termite solution.
Your home is one of your biggest investments. Don't leave its protection to just anybody. Leave it to the preferred termite control professionals who are highly trained in all the leading termite pest control methods; the professionals that can provide all the best pest control options including baits, liquid baits, liquids, and monitoring stations.
Call Bulwark Exterminating for your termite solution today!


text:
Create an identical NEON Sign Effect like the example in PHOTOSHOP
Presupuesto $10-100 USD
I need a NEON sign effect, exactly like the sample attached in photoshop. The text needs to be editable so I can change the text in photoshop. For example, it currently says "Flaws" I need to be able to change this to anything else, and the effect stays exactly the same.
Before I can award this job I will need to see an exact replica of this image, with any other word (or words) you choose so I can verify you can do it. (Obviously you can send this as a jpeg) If its good, job is awarded, you send across PSD and get paid. SIMPLE :)
31 freelancers están ofertando el promedio de $58 para este trabajo
Greetings Kindly instate chat. I will create a replica and sent you the Image Regards.............
Hello Sir, Why do you pay me, if I can't fulfill your requirements? You must get your expected quality work from me, guaranteed coz, i am working here over 7+ years and already completed 800+ project. • I will prov Más
Hi, I can do that. I have made you a sample- Here is link: [login to view URL] I can change anything you want. Thank you.
Did anyone send to you I can do this in under 1 hour if you message me. I will submit the sample. Please know I am one of the best photoshop artists here on freelancer.com
Sir Please Give me a chance. My work is very professional please award me this project. Sir I can complete your project in less than 24 hrs with professionalism. please sir I will not disappoint you Waiting Más
Dear, Sir/Madam, Please have my best regards and my best wishes first. Thank you very much for your nice Project! Well, I have reviewed your project and bid for your kind consideration that I can get a chance to wor Más
Hello, Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kirti , And I have been a graphic designer for the past 7+ years, Working on staff for commercial agencies serving the PHOTOSHOP Design and other Designi Más
Hello, I am expert in Photoshop and Illustrator, and cartoon design, I am also expert in brochure, logo, business card, banner, flyer, T-Shirt design, I assure that I will provide you best quality work. I always Más
Hi. I have read through your project description, I understood your requirement and I believe I can help you to CREATE THE NEON SIGN EFFECT. I am a professional graphic designer with cognate experience in LOG Más
Hi, I am very interested to do this job because it is the very easy and simple photo editing project. If you hire me then i will provide this project with in short [login to view URL] give me the job and hire me. Regards
Hi! I have 5 years experience working in photography and retouching. I have pen tablet and I do monitor calibration every 6 months. Thanks, Vicky


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Delle Donne leads Sky past Griner's Mercury
Phoenix, AZ – Elena Delle Donne scored 22 points in her WNBA debut, leading the Chicago Sky to a 102-80 victory over top pick Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury.
Delle Donne, the No. 2 overall pick behind Griner in this year's draft, added eight rebounds and four blocks.
Griner became the third WNBA player to dunk and first to do it twice in one game. She finished with 17 points, eight boards and four blocks for Phoenix, which scored just nine points in the first quarter and trailed by as many as 27.
Epiphanny Prince had 26 points to pace the Sky, while Diana Taurasi led the Mercury with 18 points.


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Pedro scores twice as Spain canter to heavy victory in Panama
Spain cruised to a 5-1 win over Panama thanks in part to two goals from Barcelona forward Pedro.
Last Updated: 15/11/12 12:05am
The world and European champions were 3-0 up by half-time after Andres Iniesta had teed up Pedro and Villa to slot home before Pedro produced a classy finish for his fifth goal in his last three internationals.
Ramos then thundered home a wonderful free-kick nine minutes from time and debutant Susaeta completed the scoring for the visitors with an easy finish from Jesus Navas' cut-back.
However, the home fans were given something to cheer three minutes from the end as Gabriel Gomez dinked home a penalty after Cesc Fabregas had tripped Nelson Barahona.
Vicente del Bosque had taken the opportunity to leave some of his older players such as Xavi and Xabi Alonso back home, but still named a strong team against the side ranked 46 in the world that contained eight of the squad that won the European Championships in the summer.
Villa was also given the honour of captain for the evening as Iker Casillas started on the bench and the Barcelona forward ought to have opened the scoring on 12 minutes but the ball seemed to take a bad bobble as he sliced horribly over from 10 yards out.
The world champions were in front four minutes later though as a lovely interchange between Iniesta and Pedro freed the latter just inside the area and he beat Jaime Penedo with a shot into the far corner.
Juan Mata then fired a free-kick just over the bar on his return to the international scene after being surprisingly left out of the squad for last month's World Cup qualifying double header, and Spain extended their lead just before the half hour mark as more magic from Iniesta saw him wriggle away from a posse of defenders before squaring for Villa to side-foot home his 53rd international goal.
Gabriel Torres then saw Panama's best effort of the first-half whistle across Victor Valdes' goal, but the visitors were soon back on the attack and extended their lead two minutes before the break as Pedro latched onto Mata's through ball and showed amazing skill to dummy the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into the unguarded net.
Del Bosque introduced Roberto Soldado, Fabregas and Navas at half-time and Spain were nearly caught cold after the break as Valdes was forced into his only serious save of the evening by a low driven effort from Luis Renteria.
It was Penedo though who was to have the busier time in the second period as he did well to turn away efforts from Villa, Soldado and Fabregas whilst Navas also saw an effort come back off the post.
Susaeta had appeared to have missed his opportunity for a debut goal when he miskicked with the goal at his mercy 12 minutes from time but after Ramos had curled in a beauty of a free-kick for his eighth international goal, the Athletic Bilbao midfielder turned the ball home from Navas' inviting cross.
However, there was a memorable moment for the hosts when Fabregas was adjudged to have clipped Barahona inside the area and Gomez cheekily chipped the spot-kick past Casillas, who had since replaced Valdes.


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Sorry, but the page you are looking for has not been found. Try checking the URL for errors, then hit the refresh button on your browser.
Thanks a ton for getting the drawings back so fast!- The details you have been drawing are very good. I am very happy with your work.
- Jeffrey Lewis


text:
i-Handbook, an electronic version of the Field Data Handbook, displays data that helps compute results fast. This eliminates the time-consuming and error-prone practice of first assimilating data and obtaining results using a separate calculator.
The i-Handbook was designed with three objectives
An interactive wellbore diagram lets you build a graphical view of the wellbore with drag-and-drop data from the tubular tables. You can define various flow paths in the well. The volumes of defined sections are calculated automatically and displayed on the diagram.
Tubing and casing data tables can be expanded so you can see additional physical properties. You can send data entered in any calculator or a particular wellbore to your team. Correct information is exchanged fast.
A thorough understanding of the treatment and the effects of recommended wellbore actions is communicated through visual, sometimes animated, schematics. You can prepare diagrams illustrating the various combinations of pipe strings. This lets you create realistic, multiple design options in one session.
New information is included in sections on pipe, tubing, casing, tanks, volume, fracturing, cement, and acid/oil/brines.
iHandbook has been temporarily disabled for scheduled updates


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[Tech N9ne: Intro]
(Echos and fades out)
Break free
But Together
[Verse 1: Tech N9ne]
Welcome to planet Earth
Where people are divided
Some who try to fight it got violence and it hurts
Damaged turf, put men at work so people could manage personal demons and them it's worth
'Cause they give roadblocks and you're told not to show at the vote box and go for the broslops
Which in shows get the folks hot, what do you suppose locked the shows rock is gotta be their old and cold pops
Racism is passed down and gay gives them mad frowns
But how they live and laugh now should be they bis and last sound from class clowns
People should be free to be together
Should be free to be whatever you can see that we get better
When we give respect is good in any language
People are the strangers, but we don't wanna see any anguish
When I see we free to be something, anything we see
All we gotta do is B.E.L.I.E.V.E
[Hook: Kourtney Leveringston]
They smell the fires burning
They hear us in the streets
And though the world is crumbling
They want us on our knees
So, that's why (That's why)
We all (We all)
Must stand (Stand tall)
For what?
For what we all believe
[Verse 2: Tech N9ne]
Yeah, lost so many soldiers overseas over cheese
I was on my knees, in Kuwait and Bahrain steady praying for the war to freeze
Little kids gone, never did wrong
Look at him missing limbs but he is strong
We should take notes, why you wanna hate folks?
And hurt each other using color as the scapegoat
We all struggle to bubble we gotta huddle up
Different people together like in a shuttle bus
Trouble is double, dealt with muddle, just puddle tough
Cause we ruddle bust rubble up and shuttle befuddle us
Your freedom is yours, you're free to explore
They speak in evil, you're free to ignore
Through these hells I freely see
Because I B.E.L.I.E.V.E
Off of Tech N9ne's album Something Else
Tech uses the song as a platform to preach positivity and understanding


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'The Voice' Pays Tribute to Sandy Hook Shooting Victims With Heartfelt Performance
In an effort to make sense of the gruesome shooting that took place on Friday morning (Dec. 14) in Newtown, Conn., coaches on 'The Voice' -- including country's Blake Shelton -- performed a touching tribute on the show on Monday. Backed by a large chorus, the group of talented singers belted out 'Hallelujah.'
The song began with a shot of white candles flickering in the dark as a guitar strummed in the background. After a few chords, Shelton's voice rang out the first words of the legendary tune while holding a card that read 'Emilie Parker, 6.' Behind him, the rest of the coaches from 'The Voice,' host Carson Daly and finalists from every season of the show stood silently holding cards with the names of victims inscribed on them.
After Shelton made it through the first half of the first verse, Adam Levine picked up and finished it off. By the time the chorus began, there couldn't have been a dry eye in the house -- although the performers managed to keep it together. The entire choir of 26 people sang together in harmony.
Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera picked up the second verse, and the chorus chimed in with a round of 'hallelujahs' once more before the song quietly faded out. As the camera panned back, viewers could see that 26 candles were lit in remembrance of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting victims.
The tribute was only about two minutes long, but the reverent tone and somber mood with which the performers sang made it clear that NBC wanted to put everything aside for a few moments and remember those who lost their lives too soon.


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Lost Girl: Like Hell on April @ 10 pm is for Part 2 of a 2 Part which should be for Part 1. This is causing Part 2 on April 24 not to show. This show is not on On-Demand ether so if it isn't fixed by the 24th I will have to watch live.
I was finally able to find this on the channel page and resubmitted it as a ticket.


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In one of the first customer surveys to directly address the controversy surrounding Oracle's recent decision to end support for Intel Itanium processor running its popular database environment, it's pretty clear that many IT organizations are dubious of Oracle's motives.
A survey of 450 IT organizations conducted by the Gabriel Consulting Group finds that about half have serious doubts about Oracle's stated reasons for wanting to pull the plug on Itanium, and just about as many see it as a power play to justify the company's recent acquisition of Sun.
Whether customers are concerned enough to either move to another platform or database remains to be seen. But one thing is for certain, nobody likes to be a pawn in somebody else's chess game.
Seven Dos and Don'ts for Digital Communication Our evolving online behavior reveals a lot about our habits and values.
New Insights into DNSSEC Adoption There is still much to do regarding DNSSEC.
Seven Sexy Smartphones This latest batch of smartphones calls attention to glasses-free 3D technology, front- and rear-facing cameras and Snapdragon processors.
Related Topics : Stimulus Package, IT Market Analysts, Supercomputing, Performance Management, Request for Proposals
Selecting the perfect consultancy firm may seem daunting, but keeping these five tips in mind will help organizations get off to a good start. ... More >>
Robotic hardware combined with cognitive intelligence and cloud computing capabilities signifies a host of new opportunities across many industries. ... More >>
Here are five key business areas in which service management can help streamline the infrastructure and process challenges of M&As. ... More >>


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Shared Endorsements and unless you change your Google account settings your photo and name can be used beside online ads.
Shared Endorsements is used to help your friends find things you have liked. So for example if you read a news story or watch a YouTube video and you click "Like", Google has the right to put your photo and name from your Google account in an ad related to that item.
It's easy to opt out if you don't like this idea - just log in to your Google account and go to Shared Endorsements then untick the radio box labelled "Based upon my activity, Google may show my name and profile photo in shared endorsements that appear in ads"
These new Terms of Service are also in effect on Google + and apply to Google's use of your Page's name, photo and actions. To opt out of having your name and photo used, you must log in to your Google + Page account first.
Note that you can access this setting from your Page's
Dashboard. If you turn the setting off,
you may not be able to use certain features until you re-enable it.
October 12, 2013
Shared Endorsements on Google - Opt Out if You Don't Want Your Name/Photo Used
3 comments:
- Yvonne Demoskoff said...
I can't find "shared endorsements" in my Google account profile, Lorine; maybe this feature is only available to those with a Google+ account?
- Colleen G. Brown Pasquale said...
'Shared Endorsements" Where is it? Can't find it.
Me 3 -- no Shared Endorsements page for me either!! KMC
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Vikings Pat Williams Retires; Does Minnesota Draft Defensive Line First?
ESPN 1500 reported yesterday, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams will retire, just one day after re-signing with the team.
Williams hasn't played with the Vikings since 2010, and is 40 years old. Williams totaled 466 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, and an interception in his career with Buffalo and Minnesota.
Going into the NFL Draft Thursday, the Vikings have Kevin Williams and Christian Ballard on their depth chart as defensive tackles. The Vikings own two first round picks, and could select a defensive tackle, as Kevin Williams isn't getting any younger (32 years old), either.
North Carolina's Sylvester Williams, Georgia's Jonathan Jenkins, Ohio State's Jonathan Hawkins, and Purdue's Kawaan Short will more than likely be the top rated defensive tackles on the board at this time.
Minnesota has draft picks No. 23 and 25. The Vikings draft needs are linebacker, defensive line, wide receiver, and cornerback.
The NFL Draft begins Thursday, and continues into Saturday.


text:
Thank you very much for posting how to enter BIOS. To date, I just randomly pressed everything from F1 to F12, esc. delete, etc. until something appeared before entering XP.
The first window that pops up offers a selection of boot options plus entering setup. I noticed one of those options is Network Boot. Would it be possible to fully boot from the network like a thin terminal using the Cisco card? AFAIK, no OS would need to be installed on the unit itself, which means the flash disk is not used and thus preserved.
Secondly, I don't have the hardware to try other boot options, and I have read mostly about the DT366, but can Atigo T/DT368 boot XP exclusively from USB pen drive or Compact Flash slot?
Thank you


text:
Steube missing target
State Rep. Greg Steube ("School Gun Bill Passes One Test") takes the lock-and-load approach to protecting students in Florida schools: Since the Legislature apparently cannot afford to pay for more school officers, give teachers and principals a 40-hour course, and let them carry heat into the classrooms and hallways. Forget any study which supports curbing school gun violence with this amazing proposal. Forget the number of logistical and liability problems.
Almost lost in the Steube article: "Most of the bills intended to increase gun control have not received any committee hearing."
Here's an idea that state (and national) Republicans simply choose to ignore. A recent Quinnipiac poll indicates that an amazing 91 percent of Floridians support universal background checks for gun buyers. One wag has noted it's not certain that "you can get 90 percent of Floridians to agree that April should follow March on the calendar." Even 88 percent of state gun owners favor background checks.
You don't even need to be a "Profile in Courage" nominee to promote this minimal gun-control measure. That is, unless you are a handmaiden of the NRA and gun manufacturers.
Bill McGrath
North Port is ignored
I read in Friday's paper the article about the rental boom in our area, Specifically mentioned was the metropolitan statistical area "Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice."
I tried to look up this MSA on the web. It wasn't there. However, the "North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton" metropolitan statistical area was there.
Then I remembered: North Port is the elephant in the room in these parts.
Mike Moran
North Port
Appalling tale of surgery
My wife, Molly, suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, so we both have firsthand experience with the excruciating pain it causes. Before we found the "right" neurologist I had to sit and watch her suffer from wave after wave of pain and could do nothing but offer words. I certainly know why it is nicknamed the "suicide disease."
We have been fortunate that the pills the neurologist prescribed are doing their job and are masking the pain so she can lead a normal life.
However, we both know that, should the pills cease to be effective, she will be facing surgery.
Which brings me to the reason for this letter. I am appalled at the procedures encountered by Carole Valente during her surgery at Manatee Memorial Hospital and that of her surgeon, Dr. Phillip Tally ("Surgical gaffe was just the first shock," March 17 Herald-Tribune). I am also at a loss to explain the attitude taken by the State's Board of Medicine.
Should the day come when my wife requires surgery, I am confident of two factors. One, Manatee Memorial Hospital will never see us coming in the front door, and, two, Dr. Phillip Tally will not be receiving a new patient.
Our only hope will be that either Sarasota Memorial Hospital or Venice Regional Medical Center will be able to offer the proper care. However, should that not happen, we will have no choice but to return to Ohio and place our trust in the Cleveland Clinic.
David P. Prosser
Weight and heredity
"Employers push health changes with incentives" (March 26 Herald-Tribune) tells of employers rewarding or penalizing workers for whether or not they change unhealthy behaviors. I'm all for incentives, but punishing workers for unhealthy behaviors, especially for their weight, is dehumanizing.
When will we stop making eating and weight loss a simplistic issue when it's exceedingly complex and based on myriad factors, from sleep deprivation to environmental toxins? Studies show that long-term changes in eating are not generated by self-discipline or self-control and that internal motivation works better than external motivation for lasting results.
According to New York Times science writer Gina Kolata in "Rethinking Thin -- The New Science of Weight Loss and the Myths and Realities of Dieting," researchers concluded in a 1990 New England Journal of Medicine paper on identical and fraternal twins that "70 percent of the variation in people's weights may be accounted for by inheritance, which means that a tendency toward a certain weight is more strongly inherited than nearly any other tendency, including those that favor the development of mental illness, breast cancer, or heart disease."
Do we really want to live in a society that punishes people for their heredity? I, for one, do not.
Karen R. Koenig
Lawyers fight 'no fault'
The consideration by the state Legislature to eliminate "no fault" auto insurance is simply a giveaway to the Florida Bar Association. We need not look too far to realize that a large number of legislators are attorneys who favor the unlimited legal action and favor open season on the public by land developers and contractors.
Wake up, fellow Floridians, and toss these bums out before they cause more damage!
Wayne R. Dubbs
Stop median handouts
Please stop giving money to the panhandlers on the narrow medians of most of the major intersections in our area. A median is a dangerous place for anyone to stand/walk/stagger on.
Your money won't go to food, clothing and shelter. It will be used for drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.
Stop it!
Stephanie Dubsky
Sunday's letters
Steube missing target


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It's a testament to End of the Road organisers Sofia Hagberg and Simon Taffe that not even the festival's most professionally melancholy acts could contain their merriment at playing amongst peacocks, enchanted forests and parrots in the beautiful Larmer Tree Gardens, with everyone from Bon Iver to Warren Ellis singing EOTR's praises.
Squirrelled away down the rabbit warren lanes of the Dorset border, this wonderland infant festival managed to command an amazing roster, and sell all 5000 tickets whilst keeping its friendly ethics and atmosphere intact. Canada's The Acorn hit on a slightly guilty note, commenting, "so this is where white people come from", but lifted the mood with their comfortable woodsy snow-capped songs (although they're the first of the weekend's bands to not do their album much justice). A Hawk and a Hacksaw's intense jarring Baltic folk was sadly lost a little to the leafy heights of the Garden Stage and the drizzly afternoon, and the augmented band clustered together in a corner of the stage.
Bon Iver
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The many nooks and crannies of the festival only upped the charm quotient; from watching parents getting carried away in the kids' bhangra dancing workshop to giggling whilst a hokey "peace healing practitioner" conned a gullible family into a trip around the woods to massage each other's auras. Back on the Garden Stage, Bon Iver's natural candour and emotional understatement made for many a lump in the throat, breaking away from his falsetto for a new organ-led song, 'Blood Bank', about "finding yourself trapped in the snow with someone you're meeting for the first time". This is, apparently, one of his last gigs touring For Emma, Forever Ago, and this aching song of missed opportunity and awkward encounters is an auspicious sign of what's to come. His songs climb from burning embers to cloud-piercing firecrackers with 'The Wolves', the audience shivering as they sing "what might have been lost", beaming with awe at our own mellifluous intensity.
Brightonian Sons of Noel and Adrian, a self-professed "musical centipede", are reminiscent of a more folk, less neurosis Arcade Fire, with their huge vocal harmonies and chorus of whistling glowing like the spirits in the woods, perfect for relaxing on a bin bag (as much as is possible) in the morning wake of far too much hot spiced cider the night before.
Billy Childish
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Low play what should have been a triumphant set, sad and redolent, with 'Dinosaur Act' and 'Sunflower' amongst others, but as the sky darkens so does Alan Sparhawk's mood. He bitterly asks the audience if they've ever had a day where "everyone you love tells you that they hate you?", and ends the set by violently hurling his guitar across the heads of the front row. Miraculously, no-one was hurt, but although the owner of the mangled instrument went away beaming, many of the audience left silenced with concern for his emotional well-being. It was an evening where many seemed let down by their heroes, as Sun Kil Moon followed with an esoteric, grumpy and indulgent set. Someone shouted, "play 'Glen Tipton'", to which an ostensibly bored Mark Kozelek replied, "jeez, three songs in and you're criticizing me already?" Yep, three songs, and half an hour. However, their aloof monotony makes it even easier to be charmed by the cute, but never twee dancing of The Chap, who brought joyous angular poppy krautrock to The Local stage. They borrowed from Fujiya and Miyagi's delicious cornered pronunciation, and Devo's arch deadpan outlook on life, their manifesto for "proper songs about girls and clubbing!" making them a jolly good fun antidote to the weekend's weightier bands.
Jeffrey Lewis
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The goofy fun streak shines brightly in Sunday afternoon's bands too; The Wave Pictures aren't particularly innovative, but frontman David Tattersall's bashfulness at potentially offending his mum, and their slinky-like lyrical bounce lead nicely into Kimya Dawson's busy set. She cuts an altogether different figure above the magic eye-esque sea of of checked shirts before her, starting bashfully with a song from her new album of songs for children, a cutesy actioned tale about bears which delights the beaming families in the crowd. Unbeknownst to them, it's probably all a giant metaphor for skag. The parents in the crowd are quick to cover their spawn's ears as she starts 'Alphabutt', the A-Z of animal poop – "d is for doody…f is for fart", and the humour turns more puerile, comprising some staple festival Bush bashing, and her polite decline to ride an audience member's cock. She completely epitomises the childlike wonder of the festival, and it's brilliant to watch adults sniggering like Beavis and Butthead at the toilet humour inherent in her set.
Jason Molina
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Jason Molina is impossibly well presented given the gloopy mud, and slightly disappointing – he does little to lift the spirits – it's more of a fan's gig than anything likely to convert anyone, which is a shame considering the wealth of his back catalogue. Another berserk shift in tone comes from Bob Log III, who looks like Boba Fett phoning adult chat lines, and roars like Billy Childish should. His one-man band schtick and thankfully very layered striptease are funny for five minutes, but we escape before any mention of dipping a boob in his Scotch, bewildered at the reverie surrounding him. Both Darren and Jack Play Hefner, and Jeffrey and Jack Lewis are spirited manolescents, followed by the majestic grandeur of Calexico. The muddy camaraderie of the festival extends to a member of the crowd buying them a round of steaming ciders, which are subsequently passed around the front rows. Were it not so teeth-chatteringly cold, there's no doubt that everyone would have been on his or her feet. Brakes end the festival on a frenetic, wired high, with Eamon Hamilton bringing his new wife on stage to sing 'Jackson' (so new in fact that she seemed still to be wearing her wedding dress), and 'Comma Comma Comma Full Stop' seeming like the perfect definitive cue to bite the cake reading "Eat Me" and slope back to reality.


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Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Get Hilariously Mocked on 'SNL'
'Tis the season to poke fun at celebrities on 'Saturday Night Live.' This week, SNL vets Jay Pharoah and Nasim Pedrad, played Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, respectively, on a fictional morning talk show called 'Wake Up with KimYe.' The duo's Christmas show was full of yuletide foolery.
The show featured Kimmy explaining how she lost her baby weight after giving birth to North West. "Through a healthy diet, regular exercise and photshop," she whined.
Elsewhere, Yeezy praised Kim for creating a gingerbread nightclub and introduced the viewers to their ragtag in-house carolers called the "Kardashian Kristmas Karolers."
But the highlight of the sketch came when KimYe premiered their Christmas video card.
Essentially, KimYe remade their infamous 'Bound 2' video into a Christmas-themed spectacle full of gratuitous motorcycle sex and West mean-mugging for the camera. Even Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, makes a cameo.
The 'SNL' clip should bring you some holiday cheer this week.


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Watch Jon Pardi's Music Video for 'She Ain't In It'
Jon Pardi is getting dramatic in his new music video for "She Ain't In It."
Directed by Jim Wright, the new clip was filmed in black-and-white on a ranch outside of Thousand Oaks, California. The video echoes the song's message of lost love, and Jon calls it his most cinematic to date.
As for the song, the singer reveals it almost belonged to the King.
"I really loved this song when I first heard it. I listened to it multiple times and loved that it was reminiscent of an older era of country music, but still delivered a heartbreaking mix of lyrics and melody," he tells Entertainment Tonight. "Everyone loves a good 'moving on' song. George Strait had it on hold to record it originally, and when it ended up becoming available, I knew I wanted to record it right away."
"She Ain't In It" is currently sitting in the Top 30 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart and follows three consecutive No. 1 hits for Jon.
His latest album California Sunrise is available now.


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Story highlights
- A gym in Long Island City is now offering CrossFit for toddlers
- Some people think it's too expensive and snobbish
- Two classes a week for a month costs $280
I go to the gym. It's an excellent place to watch SportsCenter while occupying a bench press that somebody else might otherwise use for actual exercise.
"You done with this?"
"Define done."
My other favorite part of an early workout is when the gym staff finally plops the morning newspapers on the media table, where thumbing through USA Today for 20 minutes seems to be another great way to not improve my personal well being.
Then I hit the sauna. Because, clearly, I've earned it.
So, my daily routine isn't exactly CrossFit. In fact, it just barely even qualifies as being awake.
Which is a little pathetic when you consider that, now, even toddlers are taking on CrossFit. Yes, one of the most controversial and interesting fitness crazes around -- one that some people (with incredibly loose standards) even label as a "cult" -- is actually offering age-modified classes to children.
That's the larger story that people were talking about this week online. But, before diving deeper into that, I think it's important, first, to understand what CrossFit actually is. You know ... as explained by someone who's never done it.
As best I comprehend the phenomenon, CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that focuses on highly functional real-world movements that are constantly varied and performed at amazingly high intensity. Participants work out in groups and meet not in a gym, but an industrial-looking "box" that is void of all the things I love most -- you know, SportsCenter and USA Today.
Making CrossFit even more unique is the fact that you don't decide your own routine. Instead, there is a posted daily exercise that everyone does together. It's called the workout of the day -- or the WOD.
On some days it might include nothing but front squats, and on another day you might find yourself lifting weights. But whatever it is, you'll do it as a group, it's going to be intense, and there's a decent chance you might barf all over your Nikes.
My gym franchise would be slightly different.
"Yesterday we napped. Today we're going to stare at our hands. Be champions."
People who do CrossFit absolutely swear by it. Others simply see it as snobbish, especially considering that it's far more expensive than just joining an ordinary gym.
For example, the "box" nearest me in Atlanta -- BTB Fitness -- charges $250/month. My current gym is $360 for the year.
So, it's definitely a lot of money. But, that doesn't mean it's snobbish.
As someone who doesn't really care one way or the other, I just see a lot of really fit men and women working incredibly hard. And that's more than I can say for myself. Thus, if you want to have your own lingo and dress a certain way, I say go for it.
Really, I harbor no judgement in support of or in opposition to CrossFit. I'm not a health expert, and I'm literally sitting here writing with a Super Big Gulp. Which is just like a normal Big Gulp, but with slightly more type-2 diabetes.
So, in general, I just applaud anyone who exercises. And I wish I could look as good as the people I see doing CrossFit.
Which is why, at first glance, CrossFit for toddlers seems completely fine. It's not like the kids are deadlifting kettle bells or hauling giant bags of dirt around the neighborhood.
If that was the case, I'd let the neighborhood kids pay me to clean my backyard.
"Billy, here's a Kroger bag. Now give me 10 more dog poop lifts. And 50 bucks."
Instead, at CrossFit Gantry in Long Island City Queens -- the affiliate that made news this week -- children starting at 3 years old will focus on traditional CrossFit movements but without any weight. The classes will also incorporate counting and colors, as well as bear crawls and crab walking.
Basically, it's just a bunch of fun kid stuff. But with a price tag.
If your son or daughter attends two classes a week, the fee for the month is $280. And, that, some argue, makes it all completely unnecessary. Especially when playgrounds are free. And outside.
But, come on. We're simply talking about a fun, organized group activity for kids. It's just like karate or ballet. People shouldn't let their contempt for the word "CrossFit" overshadow that it's just something active and interesting for children to do. And people are certainly free to spend their money however they please.
But don't listen to me. My kid is a dog. And Mikey's primary workout routine is dropping giant turds on my lawn.
"Billy, grab another Kroger bag."
Follow Jarrett Bellini on Twitter.


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Posted: 11/07/12 19:06
by Dave Mindeman
Republicans in Minnesota are in a constant state of denial.
Zellers and Dean gave a news conference in which they claim they cannot understand how they could have lost on Tuesday. It all escapes them, the voters were either misinformed, duped, lied to, or possibly just stupid.
Here are some of the rejoinders....
?If you?re the owner of a business, look forward to higher taxes,? said Zellers.
You just lost both Houses of the legislature and you are still going back to talking points?
Republican leaders claimed they were outspent.
When you bankrupt your state party with financial malfeasance...yeah, there is a chance you would be outspent.
?We don?t have fat-cat donors,? said Zellers, who announced that he would not be seeking a minority leadership position.
That was pretty much a delusional statement.
Zellers and Dean claimed that the DFL candidates really didn?t campaign on how they?ll govern. ?They had a message of running against us,? said Zellers.
I don't know how many times the Democrats have to say we need a balanced approach before Republicans get the translation. And of course, they were running against you....who were you running against, Mr. Zellers?
So what happened?
?It?s up to a lot of college professors [to explain the election outcome],? Zellers said. ?They have to justify their big salaries.?
Maybe you'd better listen to them, Mr. Zellers....because eventually you will have to figure this out.
Zellers repeatedly said the amendments weren?t ?our message.? The GOP campaign message he said was balancing the budget without raising taxes and in making the Minnesota business climate more competitive.
So, why then, did you put gay marriage and voter ID front and center? No one else put them there. You did...the GOP did.
That news conference was just one more point that proves the GOP was never fit to govern. Politics always trumped policy.
And now we know, there is a price to pay for that.


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Q: I was making my mother's famous French onion soup the other night and had to chop six onions. Before I was even halfway through the first one, I started to tear up. By the time I was on the second, it was a full-on sobfest. It got me wondering: Why does chopping onions make you cry?
A: Firstly — can I get that recipe?
Secondly — eek. I hate cutting onions for that very reason.
It's interesting, isn't it? You can have whole onions sitting around your house for days, even weeks, and everything is just dandy. And then one day, you unsuspectingly cut into one, and ouch! Stinging and burning and crying (oh, my!) like you wouldn't believe. So what gives?
Allow me to explain: Lachrymatory-factor synthase, an enzyme that was discovered by Japanese researchers in 2002, is released when you cut into an onion. This enzyme converts the onion's sulfoxides into sulfenic acid. The sulfenic acid rearranges itself into an unstable compound known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide. Once this compound reaches our eyes, it irritates them, causing the crying reflex to kick in to flush out the irritants.
That's about all the chemistry I can take for one day. Now, on to biology …
There are three types of tears — basal, reflex and emotional. Basal tears keep your eyes from drying out, like on a windy day. Reflex tears clear your eyes of irritants, such as when you get dirt in your eye. And finally, emotional tears can be a result of happiness, sadness or any other emotion that gets your cry on. (For me, it's watching the last scene of "Garden State" … or "Bambi.")
The kind of tears you're producing when you're chopping onions is reflex tears, because your brain is sending the message to your eyes to flush out the unstable compound mentioned above.
So is there anything you can do to prevent it?
Well, a scientist at New Zealand's Crop and Food Research Institute by the name of Colin Eady is working on creating a tear-free onion. That's right, folks — no more crying. Using gene-silencing technology, Eady was able to shut down the lachrymatory-factor synthase gene and create an onion that did not induce tears. The onion is a long way from grocery store shelves, but we could be on our way in the next few years.
Until then, here are some other things you can try:
First, try sticking your onions in the refrigerator for a few hours before you cut them. Or the National Onion Association (yes, there is one) suggests cutting the top end of the onion off and peeling downward, but cutting off the root end (the one with all the hair on it) last. This is because the cells that release the onion's bountiful sulfur are concentrated at the base.
It also might help to peel the onions under water.
Finally, if you peel and chop a lot of onions, it might pay to get a little exhaust fan from your local hardware store. Having the air blow on the onion scatters the sulfuric acid and makes the irritant less potent. Check out Chow.com's nifty little how-to video here.
That's about all I've got on the onion front. I sincerely hope they hurry up and get those tear-free onions to us soon. If I hear any news, you'll be the first to know. Until then, good luck chopping!
— Chanie
Photo: Kenny Hindgren/Flickr
MNN homepage photo: imageme/Flickr


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Welcome to the Cumberland Inn!
Here at the Cumberland Inn, we combine the stately charm of old Kentucky with the vibrant energy of University of the Cumberlands. Located just off I-75 , we happily welcome both University visitors and travelers to our Williamsburg, KY hotel. The Southern elegance of our main lobby invites guests into one of Kentucky's friendliest and most unique lodging options. In addition to a full service fitness center and a sparkling indoor pool, the Cumberland Inn also houses an amazing museum and offers a three-story, fully-appointed log home for rent. Whether you're here to cheer on the Patriots or stopping off on a long drive, we promise a warm and inviting stay.
As the official hotel of The University of the Cumberlands, the Cumberland Inn is proud to employ a number of the University's brightest and friendliest students. The students work in every area of the hotel, including the conference center and the front desk. We are humbled by the fantastic service they offer, and invite you to experience the Cumberland Inn's charm and hospitality!
Hotel Policies
- Check-In: 3:00 p.m.
- Check Out: 11:00 a.m.
- Internet: Free Wifi
- Parking: Free
- Pool Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
- Fitness Center Hours: Open 24 Hours
- Smoking: Not Allowed