text:
Posts Tagged 'iPhone'
Leave everyone to their own devices – even Apple's iPhone 5 will become soooo last year
As a call centre manager it's easy to slip into the lazy habit of imagining your customer holding a telephone to their ear in their hallway. This wouldn't matter if it wasn't that we tend to design all our products and services around a particular image and the image in our head can often be from times gone by. We have been programmed to design projects with a payback over a number of years but our world and our customers are changing.
30 years ago the typical customer communication was via post. In my first working office I remember the telex machine stood as a silent reminder of a channel dying out. The fax machine was used regularly as a way of sending images. I wrote letters which went through the typing pool before being sent, hopefully to receive a response within a week. We prospected in those days by sending an introductory letter followed up by a telephone call a few days later.
Then came email, a wonderful invention geared towards improving communication within our business, and shortly afterwards came the web with access to some interesting bulletin boards of information. Around the same time the first handheld devices I remember – the Psion organiser – emerged as an alternative to the Filofax. It incorporated a diary, contacts database and clock. The smartest sales reps around would flip one open at a moment's notice. The original model in 1984 cost £99 – around £285 in today's money and I remember being extremely envious of them but being unable to justify such enormous expense. At the same time the PC was developing and I remember selling a proprietary standalone computer, second-hand, for the equivalent of £2,500. It could just about run a spreadsheet and a word processing package. The first mobile phones were enormous and they were rationed like gold dust – expensive to buy and expensive to use. This was at the back end of a generation who were grateful for telephones, never mind mobile phones, and were brought up to ration their use. I worked with Americans at this time who were astonished at the British cultural aversion to using the phone.
Over the years the handsets got smaller but still did pretty much the same thing. Their usage became more widespread but I still remember the shock when teenagers started to get mobile phones. What would they use them for – who would they call? They were clear luxury items.
The IBM PC launch started a revolution too. The difference with the IBM PC was actually the Microsoft operating system and the access to software it enabled – at that stage no-one knew about Microsoft and everyone knew about IBM. The thing that impressed me about the first IBM PC I saw was the graphics rather than the machine itself. The disks, the chips and the graphics capabilities improved rapidly. The first laptops I remember were actually "luggable" devices used by auditors on the move. Very heavy and with very poor monitors. Compaq launched some comparatively tiny machines and a new market was created.
Around the mid 1990s I began to really dabble with gadgetry and I had a string of pretty good but very expensive HTC and HP devices which involved using a stylus and could access mobile websites in a text only form using WAP. HP had an online shop of apps – there must have been a couple of hundred to choose from at one point. The growth of the mobile networks in coverage and bandwidth and the development of broadband with wireless internet have changed the face of technology in the 2000s.
The launch of the iPhone happened in 2007. Since then there has been the meteoric rise of the Blackberry, now tailing off. The seeming dominance of Apple based on vastly more apps and ease of use is now being eroded first by Android and potentially by Windows 7. The phones at first got smaller and are now getting bigger. Tablets have been around for at least 20 years but the iPad transformed their market and now tablets are getting smaller.
The point of my story is threefold:
1. At the time, each of these stages seemed revolutionary. You couldn't imagine wanting or needing anything more. The first Psion Organiser was every bit as groundbreaking and revolutionary as the iPhone.
2. The pace of change is phenomenal and it is impossible to pick long-term winners. The days of a dominant supplier are numbered.
3. While much of the change is driven by technology making things possible, a significant part of the change is driven by consumers.
While we need to spend a significant amount of time thinking about a social media strategy based on applications we also need to think about where and how the applications are being used. We need to build strategies and platforms to take advantage of opportunities with customer behaviour across all platforms and not try to pick winners. Anyone who doesn't adapt their website to serve customers using a mobile device is missing a trick. Service strategies reliant on customers quoting a long account number from memory or a recent bill, making a phone call, or writing an email are completely outdated.


text:
Event box
Print the page Add to a Calendar using iCal Share page on Facebook Add to Google Calendar Share page on Twitter
AEIOUkes is a community ukulele club. We meet regularly to sing together and to improve our playing, and we occasionally have opportunities to play in public. The group has been meeting for several years and over the past year has expanded to include Saturday morning practices. We are comprised of ukulele enthusiasts with all levels of playing experience, including beginners, and we always welcome new members to play, sing, or just watch and listen.
Photo by Dale Ruff.
- Date:
- Saturday, August 4, 2018 Show more dates
- Time:
- 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Community Room
- Categories:
- Adult Events Music Participation Recurring Events Teen Events

subset: commoncrawl


text:
To me, temples and castles seem to be magical, and they take me back to a time in the past. I left Asia as a child, and this is my first journey back to Asia. It is a great introduction for me to further explore my history.
But this part of the world is all new to me. Visiting KekLok Si—what a visual feast! No wonder it's name means "Temple of Supreme Bliss".
Is it a colorful city in the mountains? That may be what it looks like on the surface, but it's actually the largest Chinese temple in Southeast Asia, right in Penang.
As you hike to the temple up the stairway, it is a slow incline that lifts you to your Zen path. The roofs provide shelter over an assortment of shops that sell souvenirs and other goods.
Inside, it's hard to comprehend all the detail. There are literally millions of images of Buddha (there's even a Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas!), and so many sculptures, murals and carvings that all have specific meanings. The priest who founded the temple, Venerable Beow Lean, felt that the location had the right feng-shui for a temple. He named the hill "Huock-san", or Crane Hill, because he thought the hill looked like a crane spreading its wings.
The temple is perched on a hillside and provides amazing views of Georgetown. The magnificent
What a riot of color and detail! Touring the Kek Lok Si temple in the hills surrounding Penang is an absolute one-of-kind experience—and one I'll never forget.
Ann Tran is currently sailing onboard the Azamara Quest in Asia as a guest of Azamara. Follow her adventures on Twitter.
Other Blogs You May Like...
How To Spend A Day In Bahrain
Bahrain is a small Gulf nation that most people know nothing about. It's only two real claims to fame are that Michael Jackson once lived there and...
The Best Podcasts for Travel Lovers
We love podcasts. They give you a break from looking at screens, let you learn a little something new during your daily commute, and are the best way to...
Exploring the Mediterranean Through Dame Traveler's Lens
This blog was written by Nastasia of Dame Traveler. Nastasia was invited to travel aboard Azamara®. It's no secret that the Mediterranean is...
Are you excited for your next Azamara voyage?
Enter your email address below for exclusive offers, updates, and news. Don't miss out!


text:
Saint Peter Ou
- Peter Wu Gousheng
- Wu Gousheng
- Wu Guosheng Petrus
- 7 November
- 28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Born to a non-Christian family. Known from his youth for his sense of justice, his quick defense of the poor and oppressed; his outspoken nature actually frightened people in his traditionalist region. A husband and self-made businessman, he owned and ran a large hotel. One of the first converts made by missionaries to his area. Naturally enthusiastic, Peter tossed out his household idols, and preached Christianity to anyone who came by. Lay leader of the converts in his district, he took the name Peter at baptism. Worked as a catechist for missionaries in Sichuan; instructed 600 people in Christianity. Arrested on 3 April 1814 during a violent backlash against the faith. Imprisoned and tortured to break him from his faith, he worked to inspire the faith in his fellow prisoners, and led prayer services in the cells. Condemned to death for refusing to step on a crucifix. One of the Martyrs of China.
- strangled to death on 7 November 1814 at Tsen-y-Fou, Su-Tchuen province, China
Be loyal to the Lord, accept his will. – Saint Peter in a letter to his wife from prison
Heaven, heaven, my true home! I see my heavenly Mother and my guardian angel coming to take me home.– Saint Peter's dying words
- "Saint Peter Ou". CatholicSaints.Info. 16 November 2018. Web. 26 November 2020. <>


text:
Our favorite cosmetic brand, MAC Cosmetics, is made specifically to resist any active day or a night out on the town. Tougher than regular cosmetics, MAC knows there is much more to the glitz and glamor than just application. For me, there is nothing I hate more than creases on a beautifully done eyelid, or spending a bunch of time on my face makeup or eye makeup only to see the different shades blend together at the sight of sweat or moisture.
To prevent these cosmetic catastrophes, here are a couple products you might want to try (if you haven't already), as well as a few quick makeup tips
To avoid eyelid creases on your lid, first apply MAC Paint under your eyeshadow. These Paints blend right into your skin and serve as a base that will keep your eyeshadow looking fresh all day, or night. Some people use the paints as their actual shadow, but I often use it in addition to shadow to help my shadow last longer and stay in place. Paint can double as a simple basic primer that works well with a matte or shimmer look. The paints come in different shades, but my favorite is Bare Canvas – it is just that, a nice, neutral shade that provides the perfect canvas for your shadow. Truth be told I have even dabbed Bare Canvas on my lips to help keep my lip gloss or lip stick on a little longer.
Now, shadows are not the only thing that starts to wear out and blend together. So, for a fresh all over look, MAC created its popular Prep + Prime – a makeup primer that you smooth over your face to achieve an impeccable powder application. Many of us use both foundation and powder but with Prep + Prime I have found that for a more natural look the powder itself will do just fine. Of course both can be used if a little more coverage is needed. If you've ever wondered how to make your makeup last all day, you'll definitely want to give Prep + Prime a try. You can usually even stop by the MAC counter and have one of the makeup artists apply it to your skin so you can test it out.
When there is a long day or night ahead, let these top MAC products come to your cosmetic rescue and make your makeup last longer. MAC Paints and MAC Prep + Prime are both top notch MAC essentials that will prevent you from having to take a too many powder breaks – leaving more time for the more important things in life!


text:
Malai Sandwich, 1 Pound
Current Sale & Offers from Bengali Sweet House:Flat $9.99 Shipping rate for all orders under $75.00
FREE Ground Shipping within USA on all online orders of $75 or more.
Bulk / Party orders or Corporate Gifts are welcome. Call us if you have any questions.
» Free Shipping on $75+ Order By Bengali Sweet House
Discount applied in cart No Coupon Required.
» Extra 5% Off - Coupon Code DC5OFF
Register or Sign in to use coupon one time.
Discount only guaranteed for today.


text:
(CMT Offstage keeps a 24/7 watch on everything that's happening with country music artists behind the scenes and out of the spotlight.)
You know that feeling you get when you see song lyrics and already love the song — before you've even heard one single second of it? Well, that's about to happen. Because these lyrics to the Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift collaboration on "Highway Don't Care" are that moving. It looks like there are going to be a lot of "I can't live without you" references in the chorus, but what I think will be the better hook is this line: "The highway don't care, but I do." The story is essentially about a breakup, and McGraw is telling his love that he knows she's driving (too fast) away from him and trying not to think, so she turns on the radio. Then comes the line, "That song is always on, so you sing along." And as good as it feels to hit the road and drive, there are things the highway just can't do. The highway won't hold you tonight, doesn't know you are alive, doesn't care if you are all alone, won't dry your tears, doesn't need you here and doesn't care if you are coming home. McGraw and Swift sing that part together. And when his album Two Lanes of Freedom comes out on Feb. 5, I'll finally get to hear this duet I already love.


text:
Is Apple Closing Off the iPhone to Rival Ad Networks?
Is Apple, which just launched its own ad network, crippling competitors that want to sell ads on its iPhones and iPads?
That's how some competitors are interpreting a clause in the developer agreement Apple released last week when it announced the new operating system that will power its mobile devices.
They're concerned about language in the contract that seems to ban apps from transmitting data that third-party ad networks would use to track their ads' performance. If they're right, Apple's contract would severely handicap rival "in-app" ad networks–like Google's AdMob–without formally banning them.
"Ads don't exist without analytics," says a mobile ad executive. "Can't measure it, can't bill for it."
The language in Apple's agreement that worries ad networks also seems to cause problems for companies that only sell analytics, like Adobe's Omniture.
I've included the full text of Section 3.3.9, which falls under the "User Interface, Data Collection, Local Laws and Privacy" section of Apple's agreement, at the bottom of this post. But here's what seems to be the crucial bit:
"Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, Device Data may not be provided or disclosed to a third party without Apple's prior written consent. Accordingly, the use of third party software in Your Application to collect and send Device Data to a third party for processing or analysis is expressly prohibited."
As I understand it, Apple is arguing that app makers can't pass along information that incorporates each phone's "unique device identifier" to ad networks and measurement companies.
This doesn't expressly prohibit ad networks from selling ads, but it prevents them from selling targeted advertising, which is close to the same thing when it comes to mobile devices. The same problem would plague analytics companies, which might be able to compile very broad usage info about apps, but little else.
I've asked Apple (AAPL) for comment, but haven't heard back. I'm also waiting to hear from Adobe (ADBE), which is already battling Apple over a clause in the developer contract that more or less prohibits its Flash standard, and Google (GOOG), which has been cheering on Apple's entry into mobile ads.
I did talk to Peter Farago, who runs marketing for Flurry, a mobile app analytics company; he says Flurry executives noticed the language in the contract when it was released last Thursday and have been trying to figure it out since then. Farago says Flurry is worried, but figures there will be some way to work with Apple.
"It's too early to tell. No one's freaking out," he says. "There's more to understand about it, and we're dialoguing with Apple about it, but it looks we may have to modify the way we collect and distribute information."
3.3.9 The following requirements apply to You and Your Application's use, collection, processing, maintenance, uploading, syncing, storage, transmission, sharing and disclosure of User Data:
– All use of User Data collected or obtained through an Application must be limited to the same purpose as necessary to provide services or functionality for such Application. For example, the use of User Data collected on and used in a social networking Application could be used for the same purpose on the website version of that Application; however, the use of location-based User Data for enabling targeted advertising in an Application is prohibited unless targeted advertising is the purpose of such Application (e.g., a geo-location coupon application).
– You may only provide or disclose User Data to third parties as necessary for providing services or functionality for the Application that collected the User Data, and then only if You receive express user consent. For example, if Your Application would like to post a message from a user to a third party social networking site, then You may only share the message if the user has explicitly indicated an intention to share it by clicking or selecting a button or checking a box that clearly explains how the message will be shared.
– Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, Device Data may not be provided or disclosed to a third party without Apple's prior written consent. Accordingly, the use of third party software in Your Application to collect and send Device Data to a third party for processing or analysis is expressly prohibited.
– You must provide information to users regarding Your use and/or Transmission of User Data and explain how Your Application will use User Data, e.g., by providing information in the App Store marketing text that accompanies Your Application on the App Store, by adding an About box within Your Application, or by adding a link to Your privacy policy on Your website.
– You and the Application must take appropriate steps to protect any User Data from unauthorized disclosure or access. If a user ceases to consent to Your use and/or Transmission of User Data, You must promptly cease all such use and/or Transmission and destroy any such information from Your records (except to the limited extent necessary for Your Application back-ups and record-keeping or as otherwise prohibited by law).


text:
Seamlessly sophisticated, this platinum art deco engagement ring holds a center 1.25 ct old European cut diamonds that is I in color and SI2 in clarity. Sweeping from the center in an exquisite open work pattern are 2 rows of 12 smaller diamonds meeting at the edge of ethereal etching. Softly effervescent
We ship via Fed Ex 2 day delivery. We ship fully insured and require a signature upon delivery. We also require a phone number for the air bill.
We will gladly ship internationally most countries. We use Fed Ex for all our shipments and we insure them for the full value along with all the invoices necessary for international shipping. The customer is responsible for all duties, taxes and fees associated with customs. We recommend that you look up your country's specific policies regarding customs and customs fees, so you are not surprised by any additional costs.
Please be aware that customs may delay clearance of your item or require you to pick up an item, depending on the country and the customs regulation there. We are not responsible for what customs choose to do.
Also be aware that if you refuse shipping you are still responsible for the customs fees.
Most International items are shipped for $100.00 (but could increase in some cases). This $100.00 covers the shipping fees to your country and also the insurance for your item, but does NOT include any customs fees, duties and taxes required from your specific country. We require a phone number for the Fed Ex air bill.
If you have any other questions regarding shipping, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Just contact me within: 5 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 7 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
We offer a 7 day refund for any reason. BUYER is responsible for shipping costs back to seller. MUST SEND BACK FULLY INSURED. Any items damaged will not be accepted for refund.


text:
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – The family of a 15-year-old student fighting the use of tracking badges in her San Antonio high school is asking a federal court to keep her on campus.
The Northside school district equipped 4,200 students this fall with mandatory ID badges containing tracking chips. Administrators say locating students via computers will improve safety and boost attendance records that are used to calculate how much state funding a district receives.
Sophomore Andrea Hernandez has refused to wear the badge, and the district says she must transfer to another campus if she doesn't comply.
A San Antonio federal court Monday is set to hear the family's request to stop the district until the lawsuit is settled.
Northside ISD is the fourth-largest school district in Texas.
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Also Check Out:


text:
Warning: Marked as: mature & graphic.. [images]
H/T Freethoughts
Although practiced by as many as 100 million people, it was banned — under pain of imprisonment, torture and death — by the Chinese government in 1999.
Falun Gong, literally "Practice of the Wheel of Law") also known as Falun Dafa, "Great Law of the Wheel of Law") is a system of "mind and body cultivation" introduced by Li Hongzhi to the public in 1992. Falun Gong refers to five sets of meditation exercises (four standing, and one sitting meditation), and Falun Dafa refers to a set of religious teachings Li claims to provide salvation for mankind .
Falun Gong has been the focus of international controversy since July 20, 1999, when the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) began a suppression of the movement nationwide, except in the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The PRC government claims to have banned the group for what it considers to be illegal activities. The Falun Gong claims that the ban was the result of personal jealousy of the group's popularity on the part of Jiang Zemin, a former President of the People's Republic of China. The suppression of Falun Gong is considered a human rights violation by a number of (mostly western) human rights groups and politicians.
The atrocities being committed against women who practice Falun Gong are escalating. The accounts below are just a small sample of typical examples of torture being endured by these women in detention centers and forced labor camps throughout China.:
• Widespread use of electric stun devices to shock women on sensitive body parts such as the genitals, breasts, mouth, head, and anus.
• Force-feeding using liquid mixtures containing hot pepper or a thick saline solution with only a small amount of water added; this usually causes severe vomiting.
• Forced injections of higher than normal dosages of drugs that damage the central nervous system.
• Prolonged hanging from shackles on the wrists.
• Forced standing for long periods of time in freezing temperatures, wearing little or no clothing and drenched in ice water.
• Piercing through the fingertips with sharp bamboo sticks or through the nipples with wire.
• Prolonged and daily beating with instruments such as wire cables, nail studded batons, planks, etc.
• Sleep deprivation.
• Beaten with poisonous iohuomals branches, a hemp-like perennial plant, with downy branches and piercing thorns that causes red, blistered and extremely painful, itchy skin.
• Public humiliation by being paraded through the streets wearing derogatory signs.
• Subjected to snake and scorpion bites or left outside without clothing in mosquito infested areas.
• Restrained with dirty items stuffed in their mouths, such as used sanitary napkins, cleaning rags, dirty socks, etc.
Chen Lihua 36, female, a farmer from Dawangzhuang Township. She was detained in an office of the township government on January 4, 2000, for going to Beijing to appeal. Dozens of young male officials led by Li (an official in the office of the communist party committee,) came to the office and forced her to take off all her clothes. Official Bo thrust an electric baton into her vagina, shocking her to the floor. Then, one man held her arm and electrically shocked her body and handcuffed one of her hands to the window. Official Wang held her other hand while Bo grabbed her breasts and shocked her upper body repeatedly. She was tortured this way for quite a while, and then was told to put on her shirt and sit on the floor. Dozens of men kicked her so hard that she rolled around on the floor screaming in agony.
A 14-year old girl was forced to walk with a heavy brick on top of her head and her feet were bound to heavy rocks. While she walked, guards repeatedly slapped her in the face. At night the officer ordered her to hold a position touching her toes with knees straight. When she could not maintain the position, the guards beat her with clubs. After being tortured like this for an entire night, she could not walk without being assisted by someone. Guards threatened practitioners who protested the mistreatment saying they would stuff their mouths with used sanitary napkins.
Because the sheer magnitude of these abuses against women this is only a small number of cases, representing the specific types of torture and brutality being unleashed upon female practitioners by Chinese government officials.
The evidence that Falun Gong practitioners are being persecuted by being extracted of their organs
Vodpod videos no longer available. from www.liveleak.com posted with vodpod


text:
Welsh wordsmiths Goldie Lookin' Chain continue to grope their way through their post-ironic, post-humour haze by embarking on a set of dates leading up to Christmas.
"December is the month to party and our latest tour sees us bringing the 2006 official GLC works do direct to the kids. With fifteen shows in the build-up to Christmas this looks set to be the ultimate end-of-year event. Spreading peace, goodwill and beer via the medium of loud music, draw and leisure wear. There is also a possibility of Adam wearing a snowman outfit for the entire tour. Behold! The Christmas Party 2006."
The GLC will be lighting up stages like those tacky candles that'll be everywhere in a couple of weeks, here, here and here:
2 Liverpool Academy
3 Leeds Met University
4 Nottingham Rock City
5 Swansea University
7 Cambridge Junction
8 Cardiff University
9 Stafford University Student Union
10 Norwich Waterfront
11 Brighton Concorde 2
12 London ULU
13 Sheffield Plug
15 Aberdeen Moshulu
16 Glasgow Garage
17 Inverness Ironworks
18 Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
Have you got those November blues, too?


text:
On the road away from New Orleans, where they won the Super Bowl nine months ago, the Ravens lost their way. Here is a concise state-of-the-birds look at the Baltimore team coming to Cleveland.
Baltimore's blemishes began to show even before the Browns spent half a game shutting up M&T Bank Stadium.
The Ravens' warts glowed a neon purple in the second half of the 2013 season opener at Denver. They were outscored 35-10 in two telling quarters.
Suffice it to say Brandon Weeden is easier prey for any defense than Peyton Manning, but it took long enough for the Ravens to subdue the Cleveland passer in Game 2.
At halftime of Baltimore's home opener, on a day of celebrating the Super Bowl win from seven months earlier, Weeden's team led Joe Flacco's 174 yards to 122. The Ravens were scoreless. The crowd was speechless.
Weeden is yesterday's quarterback. October is blowing by, and the Ravens are ruffled by a cold wind. They have nested in their bye week, which came after a loss to the struggling Steelers.
The Ravens are breathing, at 3-4, but they have lost three of their last four games.
Their wins have come against the Browns, Bills and Texans, teams with a combined 8-15 record this year.
There was no shame in losing the opener to Peyton Manning, but the next time the Ravens went on the road, they lost to Buffalo and its rookie quarterback, E.J. Manuel.
With a 3-5 record, the Browns are in no position to crow, but, given a strong second half at Kansas City, they think they are in position to beat Baltimore.
"This is a division game, which magnifies it that much more," Browns head coach Rob Chudzsinki said. "They're coming off a bye, so obviously they're going to have a wrinkle or two."
Wrinkles were the start of Baltimore's problems. Old mainstays Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin and Matt Birk all departed. Younger veterans, including new Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger, inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and cornerback Cary Williams, left as free agents.
General manager Ozzie Newsome came away from the Super Bowl with a conundrum. How could he reward potential free agent Flacco without fracturing the salary cap?
He couldn't. He chose to give Flacco a $120.6M contract which at the time was the richest ever given to a quarterback.
The forces of doom came to a head on Sept. 29, when Flacco was sacked four times and threw five interceptions in a loss at Buffalo.
Two days later, Newsome made a trade aimed at allowing Flacco to live to be 30. He sent Round 4 and Round 5 draft picks in 2014 to Jacksonville in exchange for Eugene Monroe, a former Round 1 pick who never lived up to his draft status.
Monroe has replaced aging Bryant McKinnie, who has been shipped to the Dolphins. However, in Monroe's first start, Flacco got sacked five times in a 19-17 home loss to Green Bay.
A week later, the Ravens lost at Pittsburgh, sending them into the bye week flustered.
"We'll trade guys, we'll cut guys, we'll sign guys, we'll coach guys, we'll change schemes," head coach John Harbaugh said. "It doesn't matter, we're going to find a way to get better."
Almost inexplicably, Harbaugh found a way last season. His 2012 team went 1-4 in December, limping into the postseason at 10-6, but then it beat the Colts, Broncos, Patriots and 49ers.
The roster looked a lot different then. What worked then can't work now simply because so many of the players are different.
"We've got to run the ball and we need to stop the run," Harbaugh said. "We've got to get turnovers. We need to not turn the ball over. We need to protect the quarterback. We need to get sacks.
"We need to score in the red zone. We need to continue to stop people from scoring in the red zone. We need to get big plays. We need to stop people from having big plays."
The biggest play coming out of the bye was to get running back help for Ray Rice. Former Akron Garfield-Ohio State star Beanie Wells was brought in for a tryout; the Ravens wound up signing ex-Bengal Bernard Scott.
In the Pittsburgh game, backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce averaged 2.76 yards on 21 carries. The alarming part: That is normal for 2013. Rice has run 86 times for 242 yards (2.81 average). Pierce has run 79 times for 219 yards (2.77).
Opponents have outgained the Ravens in rushing yards 730-518.
One thing the Ravens still have going for them is Flacco's connection with Torrey Smith. Smith is averaging 20.3 yards on 31 catches. He caught seven passes for 85 yards in the Sept. 15 game against Cleveland. Overall, the passing game has suffered with Boldin gone and tight end Dennis Pitta recovering from a hip injury.
The defense has received eight sacks from 31-year-old Terrelle Suggs and 5.5 sacks from free agency pick-up Elvis Dumervil.
Five of Baltimore's 25 sacks came against Weeden in the Cleveland game. The Ravens have only four interceptions, none of which came against the Browns.
Baltimore is the first defending Super Bowl champion to have a losing record in the following season's first seven games since the 2006 Steelers.
The Baltimore series is getting to be a terrible embarrassment for the Browns, who have lost 11 straight games to the team that used to be the Browns.
Beating Baltimore, which can be had, could do wonders for the Browns' season.
Reach Steve at 330-580-8347
or email@example.com
On Twitter: @sdoerschukREP


text:
By Elise Labott and Pam Benson
The conviction of a Pakistani doctor who tried to help the CIA locate the hiding place of Osama bin Laden is further exacerbating tensions between Washington and Islamabad and could affect U.S. ability to negotiate a deal with Pakistan over re-opening NATO supply lines, senior U.S. officials told CNN.
Dr. Shakil Afridi on Wednesday was convicted of treason for having assisted the United States in trying to uncover the location of the terror leader last year under the guise of a vaccination campaign in Abbottabad, Pakistan. He was sentenced to 33 years by a tribal court in northwestern Pakistan, and sent to prison in Peshawar following the ruling.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta have both spoken of their concern for Afridi, and have called for his release.
Clinton said Thursday that the United States "does not believe there is any basis for holding Dr. Afridi."
"His help, after all, was instrumental in taking down one of the world's most notorious murderers."
"This action by Dr. Afridi helped to bring about the end of the reign of terror - designed and executed by bin Laden - (and) was not in anyway a betrayal of Pakistan. ... We will continue to press it with the government of Pakistan."
Senior U.S. officials said Afridi worked with the United States prior to the bin Laden raid, but was never asked to spy on Pakistan and was only asked to help locate al-Qaeda terrorists posing a threat to both Pakistan and the United States.
"Over the course of his several years of service, Dr. Afridi was able to provide valuable information on al Qaeda in the FATA, the group's safe-haven," a senior U.S. official with knowledge of Afridi's activities in Pakistan told CNN. "Dr. Afridi was inadvertently able to confirm something we already suspected - that bin Laden's couriers practiced extraordinary operational security. Was that a key to the raid? No. Was it important? Absolutely."
Another senior U.S. official with knowledge of counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda in Pakistan told CNN that Afridi "helped save Pakistani and American lives. His activities were not treasonous, they were heroic and patriotic."
Afridi's conviction adds to an already-damaged and fractured relationship between the United States and Pakistan. Relations between the two countries essentially froze last November following the accidental killing of Pakistani soldiers in a NATO airstrike. Pakistan in turn closed supply lines into Afghanistan that NATO used to support the war effort.
Senior administration officials pointed to Clinton's statement about the ruling, which she made unprompted by any questions from journalists, as evidence of the seriousness with which the U.S. takes the issue.
Senior State Department officials have pointed to her remarks and reinforced her message in subsequent calls with Pakistani officials, the senior administration officials said.
"We are saying exactly along the lines of what she said," one senior official said. "We tell the Pakistanis they have agreed bin Laden should not have been in their country and we could easily argue that they should have been helping us get him. This case colors the attitude of the U.S. government, but also of the U.S. Congress at budget time."
Congressional outrage was in full force Thursday as the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to cut $33 million from the military aid package to Pakistan.
The figure derived from Afridi's 33-year sentence.
The 30-0 roll call was based on an amendment to the Senate version of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. The amendment calls for the $33 million to be upheld until "the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that Dr. Shakil Afridi has been released from prison and cleared of all charges relating to the assistance provided to the United States in locating Osama bin Laden."
The amendment was sponsored by Sens. Lindsay Graham, R-South Carolina; Dan Coats, R-Indiana; Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont; Dianne Feinstein, D-California; and Frank Lautenberg, D-New Jersey.
"For them to do what they did signals this is a pretty big issue," the senior administration official said.
Officials said Afridi's case could tie U.S. hands to negotiate a deal with Pakistan to reopen its border with Afghanistan to military shipments of departing NATO forces, which would resolve a sticky issue in planning the withdrawal of foreign forces.
Pakistan closed the ground routes after a NATO airstrike in November killed two dozen of its soldiers. NATO insists the incident was an accident. Obama offered his condolences, but refused to apologize.
The United States and Pakistan have not come to an agreement on the price of reopening the supply lines, known as the ground lines of communication or GLOCs. The senior U.S. officials said the deal is essentially done except for agreement on a fee for trucks that cross the border. Pakistan was requesting $5,000 per truck as a condition to reopen the supply lines between the two South Asian countries but previously, the United States had been paying just a "small fraction" of the requested fee and is not expected to pay the stiff fees, officials said.
"We are talking now about the GLOCs but the Afridi issue could hurt our ability to negotiate a deal," the second senior U.S. official said. "If Congress did what it did yesterday, what else are they going to do?
the single female's strategies for internationally personals
Laila utters New Yorkers are far more stimulating relevant to datingSign as many as FREE every single email signals right from make use of yourrecord email address contact infoSubscribe We will simply for passing along ezines you.now this woman is backbone produced by coming to oregon, Rio de Janeiro, rome, the capital and Stockholm who has relationships tips and hints up from throughout the world in helping britons uncover adore,From the lunch associate with to finding dolled older of a sat the evening out, everyone of these could be creating us great deal more bad-tempered, improving individual expectations as well as stopping our business residing as soon as,all of our next projects is ensuring single women obtain these suggestions on board and initiate loosening way up when it comes to a new relationship,Here are all very reputable tips what type Laila accrued because of how to tell if a vietnamese girl likes you personals from the worldNew you are able to obvious weekend periods and in addition ensure that shortNew more challengingers have a much viewpoint to allow them to relationships in order to brits, Laila picked up.it routinely keep distinct trips reserved for dating others and make sure weekday dates are really smaller and amusing.Laila believed: "san francisco trained me in when dating in order to be fun in no way attained as a result very. When you are heading on a first appointment, small bit the event head out for many people creations and purchase the the discussion going in a playful earths atmosphere,different Yorkers have a much more stimulating posture to actually a new relationship than brits he then displays in the fact they always maintain their saturdays and sundays reserved for getting together with their neighbors. fat loss date in nyc is no so what. I found members who've been on dependent on three the single evenings,Rio pour Janeiro you could try corporation online datingBrazilians employ a relaxed start on too bring along specific buddys.Laila acknowledged: "different the uk, online dating in south america is most very last minute. and a little surprised you'll be able to asked apart for a group the present day. group dating is a ordinary part of Rio,as an example, a " friend,a working male will why not invite you out concerning happier hour with the exceptional chums possibly registering for in with the night time. appears strange but it's actually a wonderful ways to breaking the ice in addition steering clear of a awkward silences,the italian capital dress to outstandingStylish german gentlemen make the effort vehicles keeping these people really groomed as well Laila is sure you have to dress to a date on.AllMost ReadMost RecentOnline huntingBoohoo jumpsuit does make user appear 'melted disco ball' upon chop down failOlivia Burroughs fond of dress the 24 the fact but appeared to be different.
Our community is better because you are in it. After looking over a number of the blog posts on your blog, I seriously like your way of blogging. amazing job on this article! When I opened my Iphone this website was running.
Hi, just wanted to mention, I appreciated this blog publish. It was valuable. Keep on posting! Also go to my world wide web blog; ครีมหน้าขาว
acheter cialis sans ordonnance
Give him the medals but take away his freedom. Penalty for collaborating with enemies is treason of the highest order in most civilized countries. Most Hindustanis on this page think otherwise. Then again who considers India civilized.
PAKISTAN.....The New Gateway to Central Asia and Europe.
With a population of over 180 million most of whom are well educated, English speaking, entrepreneurial and a cultural and social fit with Central Asians...Pakistan will now become the new face and gateway to Central Asia and Europe. Pakistan will thus span this region and provide the impetus for growth, prosperity and unity among these countries.
Habib, the Pakistani, is back again. Now he is back to recycling his pro-Pakistani post.
Peeps, I have the runs...to much beef jerky. Gotta go and then wash dishes. Be back
Pakistan hid bin Laden for a decade and now Pakistanis are trying to kill the doctor who helped find him. Bin Laden was a Pakistani hero and the Pakistani national pride was severely hurt by this doctor.
Isn't bin laden a construction company in Jidda, saudi arabia?
Well said. He was certainly a hero to some that is why he was buried at sea and compound demolished.
Since Sep 11, 2001, 1.2 Million Indian Army soldiers have been hiding in bunkers scared of Talibans.
With friends like these who needs enemies !!!!
This is a good one. LMAO
Beats the heck out of me as what this Indian army was doing when a bunch of teenage talibans with BB guns invaded the country. Seriously, folks they can't be sooooo cowardly these Indian soldiers. Don't they have commandos etc for pete's sake? WHat are we Americans giving the aid for to these Indians? To make us look bad? Time to switch gears.
Amanda ji, they were eating raw onions with roti in bunkers, these jawaans. They don't get paid eough to have 3 meals a day so they won't fight.
At an ecumenical meeting held in New Delhi on Saturday (Oct. 24), the secretary general of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, said the rise of fundamentalism was "seriously worrying" the church in India. The meeting was held to discuss prospects for immediate enactment of federal legislation to counter religious extremism with the proposed Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill.
Again, it's Habib, the Pakistani. He is taking a break from his anti-American, anti-Western, anti-Semitic posts by posting something anti-Indian. You so are predictable, Habib.
Peeps I now again have to go back to washing dishes and cleaning toilets in a hot pillow joint owned by Patels from India. I will see you all later. Hare om hare om. BTW I took a break to post the comments. Please don't tell Patels otherwise will be fired and deported to Mumbai.
Pakistan hid bin Laden and now Pakistanis are trying to kill the doctor who helped find him. Bin Laden was a Pakistani hero and the Pakistani national pride was severely hurt by this doctor.
New, More Dangerous Hindu Extremist Groups Emerge in India: Jews and Christians and Muslims need to get outta India.
Christians concerned as rightwing factions splinter to form militant outfits.
PUNE, India, October 29 (CDN) — After more than a decade of severe persecution, India's Christian minority is growing increasingly concerned over the mushrooming of newer and deadlier Hindu extremist groups.
Gone are the days when Christians had to watch out only for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, which are closely linked with the most influential Hindu extremist umbrella organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). With voter support faltering for the RSS's political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), moderate and extremist sections within the Hindu nationalist movement are blaming each other, and militant splinter groups have emerged.
My relatives are members of Shiv Sena a hindu extremist group and they say all this is so true.
It's Habib, the Pakistani, again. He is taking a break from his anti-American, anti-Western, anti-Semitic posts by posting something anti-Indian. You so are predictable, Habib.
Peeps I now again have to go back to washing dishes and cleaning toilets in a hot pillow joint owned by Patels from India. I will see you all later. Hare om hare om. BTW I took a break to post the comments. Please don't tell Patels otherwise will be fired and deported to Mumbai.
From my prism Dr. Afridi did a good thing Re: OBL but it seems the way he went about doing it was quite repulsive. We can keep on arguing about it till the cows come home but those who want to give him a medal should have already done so. Pakistan has done or will do what it needs to. Never the twain shall meet.
Now Habib, the Pakistani, is disgracing Jewish people by assuming a Jewish identity. But defending Pakistan blew his cover again. There are no Jews in Pakistan - the last synagogue was demolished by Islamists in 1980s. So, Habib needs to stop pretending to be a Jew who is pro-Pakistani. There is no such thing as a pro-Pakistani Jew. Habib, please get a decent education without which you will continue to work in 7-11.
Peeps I now have to go back to washing dishes and cleaning toilets in a hot pillow joint owned by Patels from India. I will see you all later. Hare om hare om
This @JR guy sounds like a real loser and is probably an Indian hindu terrorist which I refer to as a Hindu Taliban (HinduBan...if you will). He needs to get a life. if one cannot make some reasonably intelligent comments, better to stay off the forum.
In yiddish we call people like @JR a schmuck. Go away, please.
Habib, the Pakistani, has now stolen the identity of Peter Luke and Ehud Meir. He can be recognized by his anti-Hindu, anti-American, anti-Semitic, anti-western content so easily. Identity theft is tolerated in his Islam - that's what he means when he claims that Islam is a religion of tolerance.
OOOps I am back from washing dishes in a chinese restaurant. Earned enough to buy beef jerky for dinner. I might go back to Mumbai
Pakistanis have issued a religious Islamic decree to murder doctor Afridi by cutting him into pieces. Islam is vile.
Habib let us not spread hatred in this world. Peace and harmony is what we are striving for. Now excuse me I have to go wash dishes in the dhabba and then clean toilets in the hot pillow motel.
India poses a clear and present danger to the regional security of the world. ...to USA...NATO...Pakistan and Afghanistan people and armed forces. Hindu cult extremism is on the rise and fanning all terrorism worldwide. Indians are the bankers to and financing terrorism and supporting Talibans and Al Qaeda and harboring them in India. These terrorists are being entertained in the Indian parliament building in New Delhi where they are residing and then smuggled over to Pakistan in Indian Army helicopters. Shame on these Indians.
JR is now posting as Jr. he is torn between supporting Pakistan or India and has developed a bipolar disorder or ADD.
Jr or JR....six of one half dozen of the other. Confused personalities.
Habib, the Pakistani, can easily be identified through his pro-Pakistani and pro-Islamic content. Habib's messages have anti-America, anti-Israel, anti-Semitic, anti-India, and/or anti-western content. So, there is no confusion when anyone reads the content. Habib is ashamed of his heritage and therefore he is misusing my name "JR" to create confusion. When 711 reads the contents of his messages, Habib will lose his job as an attendant.
Is habib JR or JR habib...Hmmmmm ....Me confused. Now i have to go gas up JR in 911
Habib, Yes. You are the only one who is confused here because you are posting under my name "JR". Everyone knows that if the message is pro-Islamic, it is from Habib (posting under all kinds of names including JR). So, ignore who is posting and read the content.
This is typical of American rush to judgement on this doctor issue as in other issues related to Muslim world. Pakistan is saying this man was convicted based on helping banned militant organizations who are killing Americans and Pakistanis. US administration and congress look like idiots as they have been harping on Bin laden connection. This is exactly how the 24 Pakistani soldiers were murdered by Americans based on deliberately innaccurate information provided by Indians and Afghanis. US are like cowboys, trigger happy and love to shoot off the hip. They have lost all respect especially mine. Indians and Afghanis are hiding behind the American skirts.
I am of the view that an Islamic Union should be formed. As a nuclear nation, Pakistan should play a prominent role in this organization. All muslims need to get behind Pakistan and help it succeed as the new regional power.
Ya Sheikh ya Habeebi. You are dead on. Not only that some of the Indians posting comments in this forum look like bufoons too including me. Please forgive me as i believed the Americans and they let me to the path of ridicule in this doctor's case. I beg everyone's forgiveness and if you will now excuse me I have to go to my night shift to wash dishes in a dhabba.
Habib, the Pakistani, is trying to mislead by posting under my name "JR" now. This is not my message.
How do we know it is not your message? Stop confusing the issue please.
Habib is now posting as "Sheikh Ahmed bin Al Huseini". Habib, the Pakistani Islamist, uses many different names; however, the message is the same - his messages are always anti US and pro Pakistani. Habib is saying that the doctor helped militants. However, the Islamic religious decree issued by Pakistani Taliban orders murdering the doctor in the name of Allah. Habib, you are wrong again. So, could you please try to stay at least a little informed?
It will probably be a stretch getting all to put Pakistan on the pedestal. But an interesting concept with good timing. I think Pres General Musharraf of Pakistan unilaterally tried to achieve that with some success.
Land that we love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From Kashmir to Karachi and onto New Delhi,
And to the oceans, white with foam
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN, Our home sweet home.
Home to the rich and poor and needy,
Home to the Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists and everyone else
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN, the Land of the Beautiful and the Brave.
Yaar, JR why don't you make up your mind whether you are he or she-male or what you stand for. You keep on repeating stupid comments that make no sense. You are giving a horrid name to Hindus and Indians. Please post some intelligent comments. Otherwise stick to your day job as dubbawala.
Habib, the Pakistani, is trying to tell us that he is a total loser: Habib is an Islamist and a Pakistani. That is 2X loser. Habib, God does not bless violence and therefore can not and will not bless Pakistan. Start believing in something real.
iin my opinion:-
Unbelievable!! CNN allows Pakistani terrorists like Habib to post their jihadi messages.
Habib, the gas station is not working out for you? You are trying to make some income on the side by supporting Jihadi propaganda?
Our brothers and sisters are the key to galvanizing the muslim world. We look up to them to lead the way being a nuclear power. As Panetta seeks to damage control the and contain China...we in the Islamic world have conveyed to Pakistan that besides being the new face and gateway to Central Asia and Europe, the muslim countries are inviting Pakistan to be the new face and leader of the Islamic World and Middle East also. All our resources are behind them. We are in process of evolving an Islamic Union of Nations that will will take the world civilization to its next level of achievements. We invite all the neighboring countries and western nations to join our mission instead of sitting on the sidelines.
Correction...should read...."Our brothers and sisters in Pakistan are the key to galvanizing the muslim world......" Pardon me, please.
Habib, You have changed your name again!! You may already know that the drones strikes are contagious - Any country which would join Pakistan in its mission will get similarly affected. So, good luck asking other countries to join you. Haven't you wondered why not a single country has ever come forward in favor of Pakistan and spoke against the drone strikes?
711 does not ask too many questions while hiring... Have a nice day, Habib.
Land that we love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From Kashmir to Karachi and onto New Delhi,
And to the oceans, white with foam
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN, Our home sweet home.
Home to the Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists and everyone else
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN, the Land of the Beautiful and the Brave.
Habib, the Pakistani, is again posting under my name "JR". Habib, everyone knows that the God does not bless a violent and murderous country like Pakistan. Pakistan is a Jihadist country with Islamist citizens like you. So, quit reading your Qran and read the Bible or Torah or any decent book. It will help you.
Conclusions from US presidential debates.
ONE: Pakistan holds the key to the next presidential elections in USA
SECOND: Pakistan should be made a permanent member of the UN Security Council in recognition of its contributions and sacrifices in fighting the terror war and making the world safe and prosperous for US/NATO/ and the rest of the world
Bravo! I second that.
Habib, the Pakistani, has changed his identity again!! It is not easy being a two time loser - a Pakistani and an Islamist. So, please understand why he has to keep changing his identity. But when you read his fanciful pro-Pakistani posts, it is very easy to identify Habib.
Again, yaar, JR why don't you make up your mind what you stand for. You are giving a horrid name to Hindus and Indians.
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN, Our home sweet home.
Home to the rich and poor and needy,
Home to the Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists and everyone else
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN, the Land of the Beautiful and the Brave.
Habib, the Pakistani who works at 711 gas station, is posting under my name "JR". Habib, you can ask god all you want but only satan would bless something so violent and vile. God can not bless violence or identity theft.
"While the storm clouds gather far across the North and East,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us be grateful for a land so fair,
Let us thank for the foresight to seek Independence from India,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer."
Land that we love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From Kashmir to Karachi and onto New Delhi,
And to the oceans, white with foam
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN, Our home sweet home.
Home to the rich and poor and needy,
Home to the Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists and everyone else
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN, the Land of the Beautiful and the Brave.
OOOps posted in the wrong spot under some weirdo hindu who calls himself JR and is obsessed with gas. . There is why we moved from Bombay...too much smell as everyone used to eat Daal there as they could not afford meat. PHHHHEWWWWW. So here we go....
God Bless you too, Dinesh. I have very fond memories of my childhood in Karachi. My dad worked for Burmah Shell Oil at that time. What a lovely city. Wonderful people. When we were transferred to Bombay...we could not adjust to our new environment in India and opted to return back to USA. I wish nothing but the best to Pakistanis and their quest for regional leadership which is imminent
No Dave Devney could live in Karachi, Pakistan and live to tell about it. Christians were prosecuted in Pakistan for being Christians and have left Pakistan. "Dave Devney" is actually Habib, the Pakistani Islamist. 711 needs to take some action against its employees involved in identity theft.
Since Sep 11, 2001, 21,672 Pakistani civilians have lost their lives or have been seriously injured in the war against terror.
The Pakistani Army also has lost 2,795 soldiers while 8,671 soldiers have been wounded. More than 3.5 million have been displaced while the country has lost $68 billion due to terrorism.
Despite sacrifices, Pakistan was still engaged in 'the war for world peace".
Habib, Habib, Habib... Again praising Pakistan like a fanatic Pakistani you are. When Pakistan charged the doctor for helping America, you praised them. Now Pakistan is making up new charges accusing the doctor for helping militants, you are saluting Pakistan again!! Now, can you please clean up your gas station? You are giving 711 a bad name. Bad Habib.
God Bless you too, Dinesh. I have very fond memories of my childhood in Karachi. My dad worked for Burmah Shell Oil at that time. What a lovely city. Wonderful people. When we were transferred to Bombay...we could not adjust to our new environment in India and opted to return back to USA. I wish nothing but the best to Pakistanis and their quest for regional leadership which is imminent.
Get a life....go wash the toilets in some motel in Tennessee...instead of harping on gas all the time. If you are having stomach issues take pepto bismal for indians (extra strength) !
Habib, the Pakistani Islamist has stolen the identifies of his customers at the 711 gas station he works at: Habib is now posting under the names of Haji Rajiv Patel, Dave Devney and Rajesh Patel. Habib, give it up. Everyone knows.
"While the storm clouds gather far across the North and East,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us be grateful for a land so fair,
Let us thank for the foresight to seek Independence from India,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer."
The Aghoris are members of a Hindu sect in India who worship Shiva. But the thing that makes their ancient traditions bizarre is that they are also practicing cannibals and their temples are cremation grounds. An aghori lives in the cremation ground and is able to support himself there – his clothing comes from the dead, his firewood comes from the funeral pyres, and food from the river. When a person is cremated, an aghori will coat himself in the ashes of the body and meditate on the dead.
The most shocking aspect of the Aghori life is their cannibalism. Dead bodies that are found floating in the river are gathered up and meditated on. The limbs are then removed by the Aghori and eaten raw. Gruesome video of the cannibalistic practices of this Hindu cult can be googled.
Habib the Pakistani is assuming so many identities.
Why don't you go wash dishes instead of giving us indians a bad name. Don't you have anything intelligent to say?
The US officials said that Afridi's family was offered to leave Pakistan with him as part of the resettlement plan. The officials said he rejected the offer. The doctor made a really bad decision. What was he thinking?
He was thinking Katrina Kaif for starters and then Lady Gaga for lunch. He will get back re: dinner. Resettlement plan for 30 family members to follow. Can the arrangers handle or too broke to afford?
Ya don't double cross your country...bottomline. Ya don't shiet in the same pasta plate you eat. "Leave the gun, take the Cannoli". Mama mia.
Habib, Ugh! Your gas station is filthy.
You Indian pissant. I will give you a whiff of my @ss, you will want to crawl right in it. Don't mess with Sicilians.
Habib the Pakistani is now involved in identity theft instead of minding his gas station.
From where I come this doctora would have been taken care of very swiftly. No judge no jury. Bodda bing bodda boom. Kapiche? Salute'
Habib, Please focus on your gas station.
Pakistani diplomats need to be expelled till the doctor is freed. See what is happening in Syria. No Islamic people are protesting or will ever protest about wrongdoings by other Islamic people.
"Amnesty International is calling for an impartial investigation into mass graves found in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Sunday, India's Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission released a report saying a three-year investigation had uncovered 2,156 unidentified bodies in 38 sites in the region. In a statement released Monday, Amnesty International asked Indian officials to allow impartial forensic experts to carry out a thorough investigation of the skeletal remains. The rights group also urged Indian authorities to ensure the safety of the witnesses who gave statements to police during the investigation. Indian authorities conducted the inquiry in response to allegations that Indian security forces have committed rights abuses in fighting a more than two-decade-long Muslim separatist insurgency. Rights activists say at least 8,000 people have gone missing in Indian Kashmir since the separatists began fighting in 1989 for independence from Hindu-majority India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan. Rebel attacks and Indian government crackdowns have killed at least 50,000 people.
Indian ambassador subjected to US airport 'pat down'
India's ambassador to the US has been pulled from an airport security line and patted down by a security agent in Mississippi after attending a conference. After that she was kicked out of the country for hiding contraband in her sari. A few months ago the Indian president was stripped at JFK and found to be hiding betelnuts in his underwear. Underwear Betelnutter?
Yaar, don't forget about a year ago the Indian ambasador to UN was kicked out of USA for not paying his household help from india and trying to molest her. Sham eon these Indian diplomats.
@Abigail. You stole the words from my mouth. Well said. Pakistan is playing its cards very well. It is not only flexing its muscles but telling the world they've arrived...as the new regional power . More power to them.
Habib, Is that you? Stop overcharging me at the gas station.
Did he pump too much gas up your rear end swami?
The way I see it any collaboration with an intelligence agency of another country in your country of origin, while bypassing your establishment, is Treason (with a cap "T") of the highest order. No two ways about it. It is a matter of principle and law.
Treason? No way this Pakistani doctor has anything to do with treason. The Pakistanis are the ones who shut down the NATO/US supply routes - That is the real act of treason. This doctor is being punished by the treacherous Pakistanis because they are mad at the Senators for chopping off the USAID considerably.
Pakistan has offered credit to USA to pay for opening transit routes. 30 yr financing @ 1% @no upfront fees @no closing costs @ no baloons. Helluva deal. better than IMF or World bank (infested by Indians cleaning toilets there) OH, by the way, Pakistan has opened up its highways and Wagah border in Lahore to supply free food to starving Indian populace. U da man Pakistan !!! Gud work bro !
Habib, you are not Peter Luke. 711 does not tolerate identity theft. Now, go back to your gas station.
We would never tolerate treason in Germany. You don't collaborate with foreign spy agencies in your country ... period.
Nobody who gives information on a Nazi in Germany is ever prosecuted. Are you kidding or plain old s_u_p_d? Please look it up.
Sorry, wrong analogy. It's like comparing Shiv Sena to Mother Theresa.
Habib, why are you posting all these silly messages defending Pakistan? Pay attention to your gas station instead of calling yourself Gertrude Wilhelm.
In hindu culture treason may be acceptable, but in most of civilized world's it is a heinous crime punishable by at least life plus more.
This is outrageous. This doctor does not deserve punishment, he should be awarded the highest civilian honor for helping his country and the world by helping find OBL.
Maybe he can help finding terroists Brhamdagh Bugti and Maulvi Fazlullah etc. being wined and dined in India.Shall ISI send him over to India? Will India give him a medal then? Yeahhhh, now I am sure you get it though your thick head !!
I can't imagine any country not giving death sentence to anyone caught spying for a foreign nation. It is treason of the highest order.
What are you talking about? How can finding a terrorist be treason? You need to read what is going on here before you post an uninformed comment like that. The doctor helped collect DNA evidence. He did not reveal anyone's sensitive information.
The Aghori or Aghouri is a Hindu cult that is considered to have split off from the Kapalika order in the fourteenth century AD. They have cannibalistic rituals. The streets of northern Indian cities are littered with followers of this cult carrying a kapala, which is a cup made from a skull! These bizarre people will eat anything from rotten food to animal faeces. In order to achieve the highest citadel of enlightenment, the Aghori will perform horrendously crude rituals. The finality of their rituals is attained from eating the decaying flesh of a human
This is absolutely disgusting and unacceptable. US Congress please take note and stop all aid to India. I could not even imagine such a barbaric hindu culture could be in practice in the 21st century. I could not imagine americans want to associated with such medieval country.
Drones need to be sent to India to wipe out such practices. Americans need to nip it right in the bud.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of barbaric Islamic rituals and abominable practices which spread out of the Arabian peninsula. Some really terrible things have spread out of Mecca and Medina to surrounding places. Truly disgusting. Such is Islam.
Unfortunately, it gets worse in the Hindu culture... BARBARIC...DECADENT
Bizarre child-burying Hindu ceremony in India
Indian police have charged 80 people for burying children alive in an ancient Hindu ceremony known as "the festival of pits."
The ceremony, in which children - some less than a year old - are buried alive briefly and then dug up, happened on Monday in southern Tamil Nadu state, The Asian Age reported on Thursday.
Every two years, parents who have vowed to bury their first-born if they are blessed with a child, take part in the Kuzhimattru Thiru Vizha ceremony.
The children are drugged to make them unconscious and placed in shallow "graves" in temple courtyards.
The pits are covered with leaves and dirt and the children are pulled out after Hindu priests chant a brief prayer - lasting up to a minute.
In the news:
Children buried alive in Hindu ritual
As far as I am concerned this is Pakistan's internal matter. The message Pakistan is sending is that they won't be muscled by any external meddling. US should understand that all countries in the region have different DNA and this is not meek and timid India they are used to dealing with. Pakistan is a proud country with a rich heritage free of medieval and barbaric cultural practices, unlike India, and will not tolerate any interference by USA or others. Period.
Agreed. Move on
When it involves terrorists, it becomes a NATO, US and concerns the whole world. The Pakistani action is truly outrageous. Can't just move on and let the doctor rot in jail for 33 years for helping the US.
Child, then send the seals and pluck him out. What are you waiting for? Typical Indian talk no b@lls. Indian army 1.2million are hiding in trenches from talibans and then some behind US/NATO skirts. Talk Talk Talk no action.
In the civilized world treason gets the death sentence. US gave Jonathan Pollard Israeli spy life sentence for a paltry treason. This handsome doc should be given a chance to defend and if found guilty should get at least life and then some. 33 yrs is too light for treason. That in fact is the issue. The rest is balderdash.
@Janet You need to read. Not only read but have some understanding too. The doctor was after a terrorist - not after any sensitive information of his country. Pollard had nothing to do with terrorism - and he was after sensitive information of his country. Janet, you need to subscribe to a magazine or a newspaper. Please read anything.... and then you will not be so clueless.
Reread. Treason is treason is treason. Whichever way you slice the onion it comes out as treason. We agree to disagree.You are comparing coconuts to papiya. Perhaps you should reread and rethink to really grasp the issue at hand. Shooting off the hip on CNN forum is easy.
Clinton hath spoken. Thirty-three million smackers lopped off Pakistan's aid budget because its spooks banged up poor old Dr Shakeel Afridi for 33 years after a secret trial. And, as the world knows, Dr Afridi's crime was to confirm the presence of that old has-been Osama bin Laden in his grotty Abbottabad villa.
Well, that will teach the Pakistanis a lesson. Forget the CIA's black prisons and rendition and water-boarding, and the torture of the innocents in the jails of our friendly dictators. Dr Afridi was just doing the free world a favour. And WOW, Dr Afridi got shopped by Leon Pannetta when he was CIA boss, and now Barack Obama is accused of letting him down.
Well, I pause here. Dr Afridi was brought before a secret trial in the Khyber tribal area – no charge sheets, no lawyers, no statements from the defendant or the prosecution, just a measly accusation of conspiracy against the state of Pakistan and "high treason". I've never known the difference between "treason" and "high treason" but – since Pakistan's security apparatus is a mirror image of the British Empire – I assume it was invented by us. "High treason" means treason against the monarch. By fingering Bin Laden, after using a ruse about vaccinating his family against hepatitis B to gain access to him, Dr Afridi was committing treason against King Asif Ali Zardari, otherwise known as the President of Pakistan.
But hold on a moment. Let's suppose Vladimir Putin sent a KGB/FSB hit squad to Britain to murder a former agent called Alexander Litvinenko who had turned against his old spymasters. And let's suppose that the Russians murdered Litvinenko. Which – in real life – they did. And Litvinenko – in real life – was indeed a trusted agent of the Russians, just as Bin Laden was a much-admired servant of the CIA when he was fighting the Russians in Afghanistan.
Getting a bit close to home? Well, let's go a stage further. Supposing Litvinenko was murdered after being identified by a friendly British GP – working for the KGB/FSB – who vaccinated the Berezovsky family against hep B. What do Messrs Cameron and Clegg and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Lord Chief Justice and the Lord High Executioner and all the other nabobs do? Do they accuse the British GP of treason, clap him in irons, stage a hush-hush trial covered by the Official Secrets Act and send the chap off to rot in the Tower of London for – say – 33 years?
Or do they accept a bribe from Moscow of, say, $33m (£21m) to let the GP out of jug so he can potter off to Moscow to be given a new home and restart his career as a doktor for the nomenklatura?
In other words, are the Pakistanis being so dastardly when they lock up a national who has helped a foreign power murder an exile inside his own country of Pakistan? And, more to the point, wouldn't we do the same?
And let's take the story of hypocrisy a stage further. Wasn't there a brave Israeli citizen called Mordechai Vanunu, who, in opposition to the nuclear weapons that his country was amassing in secret, spoke out to the world about this outrageous threat to international world order and was subsequently kidnapped from Italy by intelligence agents, tried in Israel for "treason" – in secret, of course – and spent 18 years in prison? Now I grant you that's 15 years shorter than poor old Dr Afridi, but Vanunu still lives under grave restrictions to his liberty and has twice been imprisoned again for the heinous crime of chatting to foreign journalists.And has La Clinton threatened to suspend a single dollar of Israel's annual $3bn in aid from the United States for the next 33 years in order to protest Israel's treatment of Vanunu? Not to mention – not even to utter the words – Sabra and Chatila, Gaza, a 45-year occupation, illegal colonisation of West Bank land, etc, etc, or, indeed, for producing nuclear weapons. And we absolutely must not mention Jonathan Pollard, the former CIA and US Navy intelligence officer sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for spying for Israel. For if Pollard is not released, is Israel threatening to cut its aid to America? Hold on, that doesn't quite compute, does it? But you get the point.
It's about hypocrisy. Sure, Pakistan is a corrupt country. Sure, it is corrupt from the shoeshiner up to the pinnacles of power. But I suppose in the end, if you're going to prostitute yourself to America – financially and militarily, as Pakistan has done for decades – that's the price you pay. Which is why hypocrisy will win. For Dr Afridi, I predict, will be quietly given a substantial reduction in his sentence, will be released – or disappear – from his Pakistani prison and, in a few months/ years, when Zardari has scored enough points from Dr Afridi's imprisonment, the good doctor will pop up in the US with a fine medical practice and the pleasure of knowing – of course – that La Clinton has re-endowed Pakistan with its missing $33m.
Clinton needs to check what her husband is doing with the cigar with the likes of Monica Lewinsky. LOL....!!! She is a joke. Said the Raven Nevermore.
This news is extremely troubling. We need to start mobilizing our congregation against the hindu extremism against Christians.
New, More Dangerous Hindu Extremist Groups Emerge in India
Christians concerned as rightwing factions splinter to form militant outfits.
PUNE, India, October 29 (CDN) — After more than a decade of severe persecution, India's Christian minority is growing increasingly concerned over the mushrooming of newer and deadlier Hindu extremist groups.
Gone are the days when Christians had to watch out only for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, which are closely linked with the most influential Hindu extremist umbrella organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). With voter support faltering for the RSS's political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), moderate and extremist sections within the Hindu nationalist movement are blaming each other, and militant splinter groups have emerged.
Claiming to be breakaway factions of the RSS, new groups with even more extreme ideology are surfacing. The Abhinav Bharat (Pride of India), the Rashtriya Jagran Manch (National Revival Forum), the Sri Ram Sene (Army of god Rama), the Hindu Dharam Sena (Army for Hindu Religion) and the Sanatan Sanstha (Eternal Organization) have launched numerous violent attacks on Christian and Muslim minorities.
Right on, Pastor. We will do same all over Europe. These hindu talibans need to be stopped before they create a genocide against Christians.


text:
Avalon Consulting, LLC can accelerate your success at every point on the Hadoop Continuum. Whether you are just getting started with Hadoop, knee deep in developing your Big Data architecture, or are looking to tackle some advanced topics, Avalon provides expertise, innovation and thought leadership around Hadoop.
Getting Started
Looking for a place to start? Avalon makes it easy to hit the ground running in the Big Data arena. We can kickstart your Hadoop experience by answering: What is Hadoop? Where does Hadoop fit into today's modern data architecture? How can I leverage the Hadoop Ecosystem to make my data work for me?
Initial Success
Avalon provides experience driven advice and expert implementations for Hadoop projects. We can evaluate and define your use cases, design your Hadoop architecture, and implement a solution that answers your Big Data questions.
Advance the Experience
Avalon has expertise at every step of the Big Data life cycle. We can provide professional assistance with your Hadoop cluster maintenance and upgrades, review and optimize your existing solution architecture and implementation, design and implement your Hadoop security architecture, and provide expert mentorship for your team of Hadoop developers.
Avalon is your trusted resource for ensuring optimal success in your Hadoop implementation projects. We do this by adding senior architectural oversight and expert development resources to your team as needed. Avalon does not seek to take over your development; we seek to become a part of your team and an expert mentor in our Big Data Mentorship Program. This allows you to reap value from our engagement long after our projects with you have ended. For more details on Avalon's Big Data Mentorship Program or Hadoop Services please Contact Us.
An Enterprise Data
Architecture That Works.
We Will Deliver.
Most, if not all, organizations struggle with some part of bringing software solutions from inception to client delivery. And most, if not all, organizations know that they struggle. But they either do not know how to improve their processes or they "don't have the time" to improve their processes.
We assist clients ranging from Fortune 50 to startups in understanding how shifts in engineering practices (DevOps) can improve the business value and competitive advantage created by IT. Our conversations and success stories generally revolve around four core practices that most groups engage in: Delivery, Agile Development, Architecture / Implementation and Cloud Automation / Cloud Management.
Read this post on culture change within organizations for a view into how we define DevOps.
Working with our senior-level experts, you will:
- Reduce the risk and cost of implementing new technologies
- Bridge the gap between complex technologies and successful implementation
- Reduce the time it takes your IT investments to achieve measurable business results
- Develop and improve mission-critical business applications
Avalon is the premier implementation partner for critical MarkLogic solutions.


text:
Become A Traeger Ambassador
Share your Traeger stories on social media and gain exclusive access to gear, content, and experiences.Apply Now
Since its humble start in the 1990's, Traeger Wood Pellet Grills have been the outdoor cooking choice of food enthusiasts. As people began to taste the food cooked on a Traeger, word spread about the unique flavors only Traeger natural wood fired pellets can provide.
Backed by the same original principles and values along with advanced technology, Traeger is committed to providing:
Taste the Traeger Difference!
Set it & forget it, Traeger makes cooking simple
The auger at the bottom of the hopper pulls the hardwood pellets into the fire pot where they contact the hot rod and ignite the grill. Set the temperature on your pellet smoker to the desired setting and begin cooking, convection-style heat cooks food evenly and encircles food with delicious and flavorful smoke.Learn More
Pump your weekly menu with wood pellet recipes
I have been using wood fired pellet Traegers for over 10 years. I have over 400 BBQ trophies at my house competing with the best pellet grills. You got gas grills, everyone seems to have them, the problem is they don't give any flavor. At the end of the day, you're grillin' like a villain having a great time. Traeger BBQ Grills take my everyday and make it extraordinary with wood fired flavor goodness.


text: If the majority of the crew fought in the first Cardassian War, or they simply trusted their captain like Miles did, I can kinda dismiss their blind obedience. I also loved Proto-Gul Dukat. Did you realize that he was sporting the only seen Cardassian facial hair? I found it a bit disturbing... In fact, I didn't even recognize it as facial hair for like 10 years until I was reading the TNG Companion one day!


text:
I didn't have any – not in my youth, at any rate. In middle age I have gone to the other extreme, wearing very conservative clothes in plain colors, no prints. It must be that I don't trust myself to put together anything tasteful.
I have tried to find some old junior high school/high school pictures to illustrate my poor fashion judgment, but mercifully, I couldn't find any. No, really. Cross my heart.
I entered junior high school in the late 1960s, a time which, depending on your point of view, was either a wonderful period of exuberant experimentation and inspired innovation in fashion, or a dismal illustration of the appalling consequences of a lack of inhibition, restraint, and taste. I go with the latter interpretation. Now I do, that is. Unfortunately, then, in the 60s, I did not.
So, from "kid" clothes of the 6th grade, I went to matched sets in 7th grade: a china blue and white print skirt and jacket set and a bright (= neon) orange and yellow floral print skirt with yellow top and bright orange belt. None of these colors were flattering. To make it worse, another fad of the day were those lacy, textured stockings, and I had a matching set for both of those outfits. This was truly the realm of fashion nightmare. (Please, God, tell me there are no pictures of me in the Curtis Junior High School yearbook.)
As our family fortunes declined through my junior high and high school years, we had less to spend on clothing. This meant that each choice I made became even more critical, since we couldn't just go out and buy replacement clothes if and when I ever realized what terrible choices I had made. I wish I could say that I was up to the challenge, but I'm afraid that wasn't so. Oh, having less money helped a bit, because often I could not afford the truly disastrous fashions I yearned for. But every once in a while I had an opportunity to grab something outright atrocious and I took it. There were bellbottoms, both the hugely flared, drag-on-the-ground ones and a more modestly flared pair of high-waisted suspender bellbottoms, worn with a frilly white shirt.
Almost everyone at Seymour High School wore pants almost all of the time, and that made sense – many of the kids lived on farms and had farm chores to do. I was shocked to find when I moved to Texas from California that many people did indeed wear cowboy hats and pointy-toed boots (affectionately referred to as "kicker boots"), including girls. The closest I ever came to wearing any cowboy-style clothes was when I bought a brown leather fringed jacket (and this was as much hippie as it was cowboy) in my senior year when someone went down to Mexico to buy a bunch of them for cheap. I loved that jacket. It was warm, comfortable, and not too bad looking. Unfortunately, I lost it after I went to college.
Next weekend I am going clothes shopping with my younger daughter, the one with a taste for bright colors and hippie-esque clothes. She has increasingly found herself "borrowing" her sister's more conservative (but immensely more flattering) shirts, so she wants to buy something like that. We'll see who's a good or bad influence on whom.
One of my last "hippie" skirts. Why is this still in my closet?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Memory Monday: Fashion Sense
2 comments:
What a great fashion story. If that skirt were not still in you closet, then you would not have been able to "show" and "tell" on this blog. LOL
Oh, that's a hysterical thought, Professor Dru! I hadn't thought of that. Now I'll be even more of a packrat because all of my crazy old stuff will be potential blog fodder!ReplyDelete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
We are officially back online. I apologize for the long outage. There were a couple critical security issues that had to be handled and in the course of doing this, various other issues arose. What looked to be routine maintence turned into a multi-week project with a bit of debugging. We are back though and all is well. Let me know if anything looks amiss and I'll prioritize fixing it asap.
Thanks for your patience as always!


text:
+353 1 402 9423 | email@example.com
Official Linux Foundation™ Course
Learn how to develop for the Linux kernel.
In this course you'll learn how Linux is architected, the basic methods for developing on the kernel, and how to efficiently work with the Linux developer community. If you are interested in learning about the Linux kernel, this is absolutely the definitive course on the subject.
Learn the methods and internal infrastructure of the Linux kernel. This Linux Kernel Debugging and Security training course focuses on the important tools used for debugging and monitoring the kernel, and how security features are implemented and controlled.
This course provides experienced programmers with a solid understanding of Linux kernel. debugging techniques and tools. This four day course includes extensive hands-on exercises and demonstrations designed to give you the necessary tools to develop and debug Linux kernel code.
Technical ICT learning & mentoring services
Our instructors are specialist consultants with vast real world experience and expertise allowing them to design and deliver client-focused courses for your organisation.
Learn more about our Private Team Training
"I particularly liked the heavy hands on sessions that went on with the training. Other than that, really liked Mark's training style. His experience in the field really shines through."
Docker - GTDK1
Feb '19
"Instructor's ability to demonstrate new features that are not part of the course help show his mastery as well as prepare us for changes in the technology. Great work.
Using Docker & Kubernetes in Production - GTK8SG
Oct '18
"This course was an excellent insight into the Cloud Service Management world and equips me with the tools to go back to my company and build upon it."
Cloud Service Manager - GTC13
Jan '19
''Fantastic course, looking forward to applying this in my work and home life. Excellent, practical approach, very motivational. I think the entire company should attend training.''
Being Agile in Business - GTBAB
Sept '19
"Excellent instructor. You can tell he really understands the concepts he's presenting and is very passionate about his work. He answered every question we asked and presented the course in an interesting and involving manner."
Spring Boot Development - GTIT40
Nov '18
"Intelligence is the ability to avoid doing work, yet
getting the work done"
Linus Torvalds, creator of Linux and GIT
GuruTeam is a high-level ICT Learning, Mentoring and Consultancy services company. We specialise in delivering instructor-led on and off-site training in Blockchain, Linux, Cloud, Big Data, DevOps, Kubernetes, Agile, Software & Web Development technologies. View our Testimonials
12th - 15th October - Live Online
16th - 19th November - Live Online
This Kubernetes Administration Certification training course is suitable for anyone who wants to learn the skills necessary to build and administer a Kubernetes cluster
Learn More
Coming Soon
This fast-paced course teaches the essentials of networking and helps to prepare the student for the CompTIA Network+ certification.
Learn about the theoretical and practical aspects of using Python in the realm of Data Science, Business Analytics, and Data Logistics
29th September - 1st October- Live Online
20th - 22nd October - Live Online
10th - 12th November - Live Online
24th - 26th November - Live Online
15th - 17th December - Live Online
Python is a powerful and popular object-oriented programming/scripting language with many high quality libraries.
View All Scheduled Courses
Stay up to date, receive updates on scheduled dates, new courses, offers, and events.
+353 1 402 9423


text:
TREATS, Inc For Cat's Sake Silent Auction
What a great time was had at the 2014 For Cats' Sake Silent Auction. The auction is organized by TREATS, Inc and provides much needed support for Tallahassee area felines. They provide free spay-neuter surgeries, medical help to those in need and education to the community. You can visit their website for more information: http://www.treatsinc.orgRead More


text:
New Patient Registration
If you wish to register with us as a new patient, please fill in the registration form below. Your registration is usually processed within 24 hours (up to 48 hours) if the form is complete.
PLEASE NOTE: Please do not complete this form if you are already registered as a patient with us – this form is for New Patients Only.
Looking for Online Services? As a registered patient, you can register to access Online Services here >>


text:
Mother of three and wife of John-Paul, Cecilia stumbles upon an old envelope in the attic. Written in her husband's hand, the letter says: To be opened only in the event of my death. Her husband is still alive and he is begging her not to open it. What does it say? Should she open it? What if she does?
Fabulous novel! This Australian author had me in the palm of her hand. Compulsively snatching time away from other projects and activities to read, I was addicted from start to finish. The end was totally unexpected and simply stunning. What a great storyteller, and her exploration of the idea of the "burden of a secret" is well developed. Can't wait to read the other books she has written! Highly recommended for book clubs since there would be lots to discuss!
One of the things I love to do is research the author of the book I'm reading. Who are these people who write great books? Some authors have very entertaining websites and Moriarty certainly does. She's very funny and her sense of humour shines through as she talks about her own life and writing. Liane Moriarty Website


text:
I must admit that as I sit here in the condo on the morning of my last day in Park City, the exhaustion that has accumulated over the past few days is weighing on me, slowing me down and holding me back, so this blog will surely be reflective of that… apologies in advance. The Sundance experience sometimes feels like a battle against a beast.
I was happy to visit Slamdance on Tuesday and check out two films there. Goldberg & Eisenberg which is a unique Israeli movie about loneliness and power and the imbalance between the two, and Copenhagen, a film about the quest for family roots, love and personal understanding, and the journey of an unlikely relationship. Very glad I saw both and wish I was able to see more. Funny how I kept on running into Bill Plympton. Bill's film Cheatin, which first screened at the Woodstock Film Festival last fall as a Secret Screening is showing here at Slamdance, so we got to hang out a bit, watch a movie together, ride shuttles together…
Before I move back on to Sundance I should mention one of the major acquisitions to date out of Slamdance; La Bare, an outrageous doc about the most popular all male strip club in the world, La Bare Dallas. The film's dancers were hanging out on Main Street throughout the last couple of days attracting everyone's attention, and after a raucous premiere the film quickly sold to Main Street Films.
Back in Sundance I got to watch Joe Berlinger's new doc, Whitey: United States of America V. James J. Bulger, an in depth, fascinating and disturbing probe into the infamous Robin Hood of South Boston and the corruption inside the law enforcement, all the while studying the relationship between criminals, victims and the law.
Later in the day I participated in a panel discussion at the NY Lounge, sponsored by Big Vision Small Wallet. There, along with colleagues Mitch Levin (head of the First Time Film Festival in NYC and the Provincetown International Film Festival) and Andrea, head of the Milan Film Festival, along with Jason Ward of Candy Factory Productions, we all delved into the dos and don'ts, pros and cons and everything a filmmaker needs to know when researching, submitting, attending and participating in film festivals.
And whats Tuesday in Sundance without the famous BMI Dinner (where after each course guests get up and are randomly moved to different tables, to be seated next to different people). While I knew that good friend, colleague and one of the Woodstock Film Festival founding advisory board members, Peter Saraf, was on the jury at Sundance this year, that dinner was the first time that I actually saw him here. While Peter is not allowed to breathe a word about any of the films in his category (US Dramatic Competition), he and I were able to gush freely about Ira Sach's movie Love is Strange as its not in competition here and we both love it.
Doreen Ringer Ross of BMI always brings together interesting and eclectic group of film folks and composers to that dinner and so, while enjoying the excellent dinner (but why did the waiters keep on re- filling everyone's wine glasses?), we all had the chance to talk to colleagues and friends while getting to know new ones. Gill Holland, Amy Dotson, Richard Abramowitz, Bob Gruen… great hanging out with you guys.
And now, off to explore and savor the last day here in Park City as thursday morning we leave for the airport before the crack of dawn…is the Polar Vortex still going on back in NY? See you all back in the East Coast where I'll put together a wrap up piece. Until then, stay warm and see you at the movies.


text:
Roughly four years ago, dairy farmer Louie Kazemeir stopped using a synthetic hormone that boosts milk production.
If he wanted to continue using recombinant bovine somatotropin, or rBST, Kazemeir would have to pay "astronomical trucking charges" to ship the milk to a segregated location, he said.
"I'm not willing to pay the extra fee," said Kazemeir, who farms near Rickreall, Ore.
The popularity of rBST has fallen sharply among dairy farmers across the U.S., according to an economic study.
More than two-thirds of dairy farmers who have ever treated their cows with rBST have stopped using it, the study found.
"It was heralded as a savior and panacea for the dairy industry, but it didn't really turn out that way," said Henry An, the study's author and an economics professor at the University of Alberta.
Despite being approved by the Food and Drug Administration, critics of rBST claimed its use was harmful to cows treated with the hormone and potentially dangerous to human milk consumers.
Many farmers have likely stopped using rBST due to the backlash against the product from some consumers and because it often doesn't measurably improve profits, said An, who considers himself an "agnostic" regarding the product's alleged dangers and virtues.
The steepest drop in rBST usage has been among larger dairies like Kazemeir's, which raise more than 1,000 cattle. In 2005, about 44 percent of such operations used the hormone, compared to 16 percent in 2010, according to the study, which relied on USDA survey data.
Across all U.S. dairies, the prevalence of rBST usage has declined from about 17 percent to less than 10 percent in that time, the study said.
That's far below projections prior to the hormone's approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1994, when some economists estimated that between 63 percent and 98 percent of dairymen would adopt the technology, the study said.
While the public controversy over rBST likely discouraged adoption, economic studies have consistently been unable to correlate its usage with higher profits, said An.
The hormone was initially intended to improve the efficiency of dairy production by inducing cows to generate more milk per unit of feed, he said.
However, hitting that "sweet spot" of milk production requires careful monitoring of cow feed consumption, An said. "It's just not feasible for most producers."
For many dairies, rBST simply boosted milk output but didn't put more money into the farmers' pocket because cows were consuming more feed, he said.
"There seems to be this fixation — how much milk you're putting out, when you should be concentrating on how much money you're making," An said.
Since some dairies are continuing to use rBST, it suggests that they're able to perfect its usage enough to increase profits, he said.
On average, though, the product hasn't been associated with better margins, An said.
The lack of a strong economic incentive to treat cows with rBST was likely a deciding factor in many dairy farmers' discontinuation of the technology, he said.
For retailers, milk is often a "loss leader" that's intended to get consumers in the door, An said.
When a vocal group of opponents protested rBST usage, some retailers figured they weren't making money on milk anyway and so it wasn't hard for them to reject milk from rBST-treated cows, he said.
"It's a good candidate to make a token gesture, if you will," An said.
The retailer response prompted some major dairy cooperatives to pay farmers less for milk from rBST-treated cows, due to the segregation costs involved, he said.
"That was one of the last straws for people," An said. "If you're not making much money to begin with, then you get docked, what's the point?"
Capital Press was unable to reach Elanco, which manufactures rBST and sells it under the Posilac brand name, for comment.
Cow health problems also likely contributed to the dropping popularity of rBST, said Rick North, a longtime opponent of the hormone and the retired director of the Campaign for Safe Food, a subsidiary of the Physicians for Social Responsibility non-profit.
The hormone causes increase mastitis, or inflammation of the udders, which forces dairies to remove cows from production and spend more money on antibiotics, he said. "It just burns these cows out."