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In a move that is likely to become a controversial topic for horror fans, Dead Space 3 now has micro transactions that allow players to use real-world money to purchase various resources like materials and scrap parts. Yes you heard it, you can use real money to pay for virtual better weaponry.
While it may seem like a controversial subject, Dead Space 3's associate producer Yara Khoury has said that it is entirely optional. "You can buy resources with real money but scavenger bots can also give you the currency you can use on the marketplace, so you don't have to spend [real-world] dollars." It has also been refuted that you will be able to buy the best weapons right from the start: "There are a lot of weapon parts that are only available to buy later in the game. Unless you're playing it through again [on New Game Plus]."
The pricing for these resources currently hasn't been revealed although there will be several currency bundles to choose from. This is the first game in the series to feature this element, although it's certainly not the first EA game to use micro transactions.
Dead Space 3 will be released for PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 on the 8th February 2013 for Europe. What do you think about Microtransactions? Are they a good or bad idea?
Last modified on


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The secrets hidden in the pyramids of Egypt (Harun Yahya) – YouTube.
From 1915:
. . . the time is very near when we shall have the precipitation of the moisture of the atmosphere under complete control, and then it will be possible to draw unlimited quantities of water from the oceans, develop any desired amount of energy, and completely transform the globe by irrigation and intensive farming. A greater achievement of man through the medium of electricity can hardly be imagined. — "The Wonder World To Be Created By Electricity," Manufacturer's Record, 1915
Nicholas Tesla
Every living being is an engine geared to the wheelwork of the universe. Though seemingly affected only by its immediate surrounding, the sphere of external influence extends to infinite distance. There is no constellation or nebula, no sun or planet, in all the depths of limitless space, no passing wanderer of the starry heavens, that does not exercise some control over its destiny—not in the vague and delusive sense of astrology, but in the rigid and positive meaning of physical science. — "How Cosmic Forces Shape Our Destinies," New York American, 1915
Nicholas Tesla
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- They Want To Tear Down The Pyramids (dvorak.org)

subset: commoncrawl


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Once more I'd like to turn my space here over to the younger generation and let you hear from Harriet Zucker, a senior at Emma Willard in Troy doing a writing internship with me, about her views on the dizzyingly popular book and movie series Twilight.
The sex and blood series is so big among the younger set that you cannot keep the books on the shelves of used book stores and on the days when movies based on the books come out, it's hard to walk past the clumps of teens camping out all day in theaters to ensure getting it for the first showing.
With the Academy Awards ceremony set for Feb. 26, I asked Harriet to talk about the appeal of the vampire tale – and was surprised by her response. She is one of the series' legion of readers and viewers, but she is no fan:
By Harriet Zucker
Six of the 10 movies nominated for best picture Academy Awards this year are film adaptations of books. But surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly, the most anticipated film adaptation among my female teen-age peers is not among them.
Stephenie Meyer's so-called saga, Twilight, consists of four books and four movies so far. Breaking Dawn, the fourth film, was released this past year. It had a budget of $110 million and grossed more than twice that in the U.S. alone. I don't know what part of that statement horrifies me more.
It's a horrified fascination, though. I've read all the books, seen all the movies. I absolutely loved them when I first read them. But I was in seventh grade then. I hear some people say that it doesn't matter what kids read, as long as they read at all. But I wouldn't let my daughters read these.
And the films adapted from them are morally, emotionally, spiritually, artistically, and intellectually repugnant. With a similar budget, movies such as best-picture nominee Hugo feature engaging scripts, complex characters, and visually stunning effects.
A film like Hugo is like a rich, $6, high-quality chocolate bar where you can taste the complex layers in it. Breaking Dawn, in contrast, is like one of those chocolate Easter bunnies your grandmother sends you that tastes like carnauba wax.
I went in with the lowest expectations. The film didn't disappoint. It opens with pouring rain, and some meaningful words: "Childhood is not from birth to a certain age… childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies…at a certain age the child is gone, and puts away childish things."
Breaking Dawn is not devoid of beauty. Bella, the main character, essentially gets any young girl's dream wedding. With a hot vampire boyfriend. Her dress looks like it cost in the thousands, there are white flowers frosting everything, even the priest looks put-together.
Unfortunately, about six equally awkward and distasteful speeches are given in honor of the occasion. Bella's brother-in-law smirks as he says, "I hope you won't miss too much sleep." No one laughs. One of Bella's classmates laments Edward's lack of interest in her. Then Bella's mom sings a lullaby as the wedding guests stare into their napkins.
"Is it just me?" I whisper to my friend as we watch, "Or does everyone in the movie hate them as much as we do?"
Like the final Harry Potter movie, Breaking Dawn was split into two separate feature-length films. There is obviously no need for a fifth Twilight move, as No. 4 is riddled with incredibly long pauses, and minutes-worth of meaningful looks. Anger, frustration, self-loathing, constipation, you name it, you'll see it on someone's face for a lot longer than you want to.
It seems to me that everyone is really looking only to profit off of these films.
Considering the massive budget, you'd think they would have been interested in at least creating impressive special effects. Instead, as one example, werewolf packs are represented by a red tint and various ambiguous canine sounds.
It's so much more than the poor quality of the films, though. Someone made than $230 million off of this movie, mostly from girls like me.
I don't think it's healthy that we should be subjected to these didactic, manipulative, creations. You would think no girl would be enticed by the idea of a boyfriend who deeply regrets taking her virginity. Or who, in a time of life-crisis, stops communicating and makes major plans involving aborting her fetus without even speaking to her. That's hardly dreamy.
Yet both the books and the film are laced with subtle moralistic implications.
Bella doesn't go to college; she gets married and has a baby.
Edward Cullen, her hunky vampire husband, tampers with her car to prevent her from leaving the house. It's OK, he knows what's best for her.
Bella's sister-In-law describes the half-vampire fetus that is slowly sucking Bella's life away as a "Baby…just a little baby."
Edward promotes controlling, possessive, relationships wrapped up in a guise of hotness. Really, do teenage girls need exposure to a fairytale where some really good-looking man treats them like garbage?


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Pablo Neruda (12 July 1904 – 23 September 1973 / Parral / Chile)
The Men
I'm Ramón González Barbagelata from anywhere,
from Cucuy, from Paraná, from Rio Turbio, from Oruro,
from Maracaibo, from Parral, from Ovalle, from Loconmilla,
I'm the poor devil from the poor Third World,
I'm the third-class passenger installed, good God!
in the lavish whiteness of snow-covered mountains,
concealed among orchids of subtle idiosyncrasy.
I've arrived at this famous year 20000, and what do I get?
With what do I scratch myself?� What do I have to do with
the three glorious zeros that flaunt themselves
over my very own zero, my own non-existence?
Pity that brave heart awaiting its call
or the man enfolded by warmer love,
nothing's left today except my flimsy skeleton,
my eyes unhinged, confronting the era's beginning.
The era's beginning: are these ruined shacks,
these poor schools, these people still in rags and tatters,
this cloddish insecurity of my poor families,
is all this the day? the century's beginning, the golden door?
Well, enough said, I, at least, discreet,
as in office, patched and pensive,
I proclaim the redundancy of the inaugural:
I've arrived here with all my baggage,
bad luck and worse jobs,
misery always waiting with open arms,
the mobilization of people piled up on top of each other,
and the manifold geography of hunger.
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Second Annual Tommie Smith Youth Track Meet
John E De Freitas. | 5/19/2010, 12:04 p.m.
The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation's (DPR) D.C. Speed Track and Field Club hosted the Second Annual Tommie Smith Youth Track Meet at Dunbar Senior High School in Northwest, Sat., May 15.
This year more than 600 athletes, comprised of 26 teams from across the nation, competed in the event.
The Tommie Smith Youth Track Meet, named in honor of 1968 Olympic Champion Tommie Smith, the only athlete in the history of track and field to hold 11 world records simultaneously. Smith served as a spokesman for human rights and as a symbol of African American pride and accomplishment.
The meet was sponsored by 100 Black Men of Greater Washington, D.C., Inc., as part of their "D.C. Youth Movement" program. The program focuses on improving the health and well-being of youth through a number of programs that include the Saturday Leadership Academy and creative health and fitness activities.
Michael Melton, President of the 100 Black Men of Greater Washington, D.C. complimented Smith for his many achievements.
"My organization is always proud to partner an event with Tommie Smith, an Olympian who is committed to excellence both on and off the field."
The temps hovered in the 70's, and the track was filled with colorful umbrellas that added to the festive atmosphere.
Steve Hadley, a volunteer from the D.C. Speed Track and Field Club gives his final instructions to participants in the 100 yard race. Hadley decided to bring along his 18-month-old to watch the competition at Dunbar Senior High School in Northwest, Sat., May 15. Photo by John E. De Freitas
Sports Shorts
Mystics Beat Fever
Monique Currie scored 21 points and Crystal Langhorne added 19 to help the Washington Mystics defeat the Indiana Fever 72-65, Sat., May 15, in the season opener for both teams. Katie Smith added 12 points in her first game for Washington after pestering Indiana for years as a member of the Detroit Shock. Mystics open at the Verizon Center Fri., May 21.
Bowie State University Women Make All-Academic Teams
Bowie State University's Kyara Lombre of Mitchellville, Md. has been selected to the CIAA Commissioner's All-Academic first team. The third year Communications major has a perfect 4.0 grade point average and recorded a 13-4 singles record and 15-4 doubles record for the Lady Bulldogs tennis team. Maya Newman of Baltimore, Md. is a three-time member of the All-Academic Team and made the women's basketball second team.
Howard University Women's Softball Teammates Earn All-MEAC Honors
Howard University outfielders Courtney Young (Sherwood, Ark./North Little Rock H.S.) and Christine Sborz (McLean, Va./Brevard C.C.) and third baseman Nicole Saez (Norridge, Ill./Arkansas Pine Bluff) earned All-MEAC honors for softball participation. Young was named first team All-MEAC for the third consecutive year. Saez finished fourth in the MEAC with a .373 BA. Sborz joined Saez on the All-MEAC second team. The junior was fifth in the MEAC in doubles (13) and seventh in runs scored (35).
Wizards Basketball Camps to Return this Summer
The Washington Wizards are proud to announce that the popular Wizards Basketball Camps will return this summer for a second season after last summer's pair of sold-out weeklong sessions. Three additional Wizards Basketball Camps have been added, bringing the total number of weeklong camps to five, and extending the reach of Wizards Basketball Camps into Maryland and Virginia.
United to Play El Salvador National Team in Charity Match in June
D.C. United will play a match against the El Salvador National Team for charity , Sat., June 19. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at RFK Stadium in Northeast. Ticket proceeds from the game will benefit the Spanish Catholic Center and the club's charitable arm, United for D.C. "We're excited about this match with El Salvador and pleased to partner with the Spanish Catholic Center," said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. "We'll be raising money to benefit our own United for D.C. Foundation as well, and are looking forward to a great evening at RFK."


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Louisville Football: Cardinals May Grab Florida Transfer De'Ante Saunders
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
Louisville's win over Florida in the Sugar Bowl was the biggest victory in the school's history and proved that Charlie Strong is building something special. Players will always want to play for a successful program that is heading in the right direction, and that is exactly what is happening at the University of Louisville.
Louisville has been able to pick up some very talented recruits the past week, including 5-star receiver James Quick, who picked Louisville over Ohio State during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Now Louisville has a chance to pick up Florida transfer De'Ante Saunders. The sophomore safety recently announced he would be transferring after missing two games this season for disciplinary reasons and two more due to injury.
Saunders was also charged for marijuana possession his freshman year.
"Nothing against Florida or coach Muschamp, but I just needed a fresh start," Saunders told Zach Abolverdi of The Gainesville Sun. "The top school I'm considering right now is Louisville."
Saunders had 18 tackles and one interception in six games this season. He had 26 tackles and two interceptions his freshman year, including one for a touchdown. When he committed to Florida in 2011 he was considered the 19th-best safety in the class by 247Sports.com.
Charlie Strong recruited Saunders while he was the defensive coordinator at Florida and has had some success getting Florida players to Louisville. Adrian Bushell played at Florida before coming to Louisville and started the past two seasons at the cornerback position. Ex-Florida players Gerald Christian and Robert Clark transferred to Louisville last year and will be eligible to play next season.
Will Saunders End Up At Louisville?
Saunders' off-the-field issues concern me a little bit, although Charlie Strong and the Louisville coaching staff have done a fantastic job turning players around in the past. I am sure Strong will not allow him to be a part of the program unless he proves he is willing to change.
Florida's backup quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, is also planning on transferring and has Louisville on his list. Louisville will probably not try to pick up Brissett since it has plenty of talent coming in at the quarterback position, although it is interesting to see so many players leaving Florida at the same time.
Saunders has not announced when he will make his decision.
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Time: October 21, 2013 from 7pm to 9pm
Location: Razorbacks Raw Bar & Grill
Street: 826 Dulaney Valley Rd
City/Town: Towson, MD 21204
Website or Map: http://www.razorbacksgrill.co…
Event Type: meet-up
Organized By: Cara Coleen
Latest Activity: Oct 21
Export to Outlook or iCal (.ics)
Think Atheist holds monthly meetings (typically the third Monday of every month, but that is subject to change) to discuss topics of interest and simply enjoy the company of other free-thinkers! The site founder, Morgan Matthew, will be in attendance.
Have you thought of having these meetings on Fridays or Sats?
Hi Cara,
sadly MS. and the expense of travelling from England means I won't be attending but have a great time, and:
Graham (Supernova)
We'd be happy to have you, Phillipe! And Edward, we look forward to meeting you. :)
I'm working in DC until 7: 30 pm but I could finish earlier. If I do, since I live in Greenbelt, I'll drive to Baltimore to attend. I need to meet more atheist.
one of these days i will make it....:-)
Hahah, I have a feeling you and I will get along.
December 23, 2013 from 7pm to 11:45pm – Spartanburg Event Center Cleveland Park
0 Comments 1 LikeStarted by Giddian Beer in Biology and Medicine. Last reply by Brian Daurelle 6 hours ago. 2 Replies 1 Like
Posted by Ed on December 8, 2013 at 12:30pm 2 Comments 0 Likes
Check out our new mobile/tablet version of Think Atheist! www.ThinkAtheist.com/m
© 2013 Created by Morgan Matthew.


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I'm going to devote some time to getting a recent driver installed.
After the 270.61 drivers, nVidia changed from a windows installer to their own custom installer, and there are many who can't install them on their machines - including me.
I'm curious which drivers are stable.
BTW - I ask because it really does take some time to find a driver that is stable - and how to set up the nVidia control panel properly (which affects stability).
Just because it's a WHQL driver doesn't mean that it's stable. Many introduce memory leaks and other issues during their quest to get high benchmarks from video games - resulting in blue screens of death.
This quest for a stable driver is made a bit more difficult as one of the main sources of feedback, the nVidia forums, have been completely down since July 12, as they got hacked.
BTW - if anyone else is having issues, this guide on the EVGA forum is helpful. It outlines some changes nVidia made that make it impossible to install PhysX in SafeMode, and other "gotcha's" that can end up corrupting everything.
It definitely has good advice on what not to do during an install.
I'll post my routine for an install:
1. add/remove - un-install nVidia physX, then un-install nVidia driver
2. reboot into safe mode
3. In DriverSweeper, clean all nVidia and PhysX (but not nVidia chipset)
4. Delete c:\program files\nVidia corporation, also for x86
5. reboot and wait, the default vga driver should install itself
6. install nVidia driver
select CUSTOM option
CHECK 'perform clean installation'
Un-check everything else except 'graphic driver' and PhysX


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Product Description
Bosch PSR 18 LI-2: Next Generation Cordless Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver with Two Batteries
A generation of the Bosch PSR 18 LI-2 cordless drill/driver is now available for all passionate DIYers. The improved PSR 18 LI-2 is even smaller, lighter and handier than its predecessor. The drill/driver is best in manageability and user convenience in its class, as well as having the most compact design. The PSR 18 LI-2 is perfect for screwdriving and drilling tasks around the house. The 2-gear tool is especially suitable for particularly powerful screwdriving with high torque. That means that screwdriving is even possible in solid wood up to 35 mm, such as on climbing frames, treehouses and swings, or substructures for ceilings, walls and floor coverings. You can even drill and drive screws effortlessly in metal up to 10 mm thick, such as floor panels, signs or aluminium profiles
The compact and handy design allows for convenient and versatile operation. It weighs 11% less and is 16% smaller compared to its predecessor PSR 18 LI-2 drill/drivers, and it's up to 15% lighter than the average competitor in the segment thanks to li-ion technology and compact design. In addition, Bosch lithium-ion products come with electronic cell protection (ECP), which protects the battery against overheating, overloading and deep discharge and therefore guarantees a long lifetime of the battery.
A PSR cordless screwdriver is recommended for longer overhead applications and larger diameters. Whether it is reconstruction work, repairs on a wooden patio or summerhouse, or renovation work and repairs on fences in the garden, its range of applications is (virtually) unlimited. It is perfect for drilling holes to hang pictures and shelves and screwdriving tasks such as putting together kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Optimal Choice--High Performance Planetary Gears
The tool has a 2-speed high performance planetary gearbox. This gives high power in the first gear at low speed for all screwdriving works and high speed in the second gear for drilling works, which ensures superior lifetime, best power transfer and high running smoothness.
Reduced Complexity
The upgraded PSR 18 LI-2 combines the torque setting and gear shifting functionality. All functions are in one place and within visual field of the user, meaning a higher visual support and an active feedback for easy setting at the tool.
Setting Ring
The PSR 18 LI-2 comes with 10 preselectable torque settings for perfect control, plus drill setting for optimal power for every application. A large setting ring allows easy switching between drilling and screwdriving. With the correct setting, the screwdriver bit is stopped automatically as soon as the pre-set torque (tightness) is reached. Select a higher setting when removing screws, or select the 'drilling' symbol. Ten LEDs show how much torque is currently being applied while the screw is being driven. A sliding switch enables the user to adapt the required power to the screw size and the material to ensure that the screw is driven in flush.
Keyless Chuck and Auto-Lock
The twin-sleeve keyless chuck allows tool-free easy changing of screwdriver and drill bits. The bits click audibly into place, ensuring a secure fit. When the on/off switch is not pressed, the drill spindle and thus the tool holder are locked. This enables screws to be screwed in, even when the battery is empty and allows for the machine to be used as a screwdriver. The integrated Bosch Auto-Lock ensures that the machine locks the drill spindle at standstill, making it easy and convenient to open the keyless-chuck.
Intelligent Bosch Electronic: Optimum Power for Every Application
The run-out brake stops the motor in the shortest time possible, meaning no after-run. This is ideal for driving rows of screws, as you can work without interruption. Bosch Electronic allows speed control using the trigger switch with acceleration from 0-max. This allows for smooth pilot drilling followed by rapid drilling at full speed.
Other Features
The integrated PowerLight is a built-in LED which means the work piece is always well lit and clearly visible. The forward/reverse indicator means that users are able to screw in both directions. The green direction LED shows whether the screwdriver is in forward or reverse mode when screw driving. The battery charge-control indicator consists of three green LEDs, and indicates the charge condition of the battery for a few seconds when the on/off switch is pressed halfway or fully. The PSR 18 LI-2 also comes with a Softgrip handle that allows users to get to real grips with those hard-to-tackle corners.
18 Volt 'Power4all' System
Introducing the powerful 18 volt family with lithium-ion technology from Bosch. The 18 volt 'Power4all' system is the cordless system with lithium-ion technology for an entire family of Bosch tools in the house and garden. One single 18 volt battery and charger fits all the tools in the system.
The 'Power4all' label on the tools show at a glance which tools belong to the family. Users can easily and quickly identify the tools within the system.
The system is simple. The user can buy the full tool, which includes the battery and charger, or purchase the components individually as needed. All tools can be bought as a bare tool so once a DIYer owns the battery and charger, there is no need to purchase them again. This means owning many different batteries for many different tools is a thing of the past.
Having just one battery and charger for many tools offers users the highest convenience. The system is easy to understand, meaning no more confusion over which battery fits which tool. Not having to purchase a new battery for each new tool not only saves money for the customer, it also saves on storage space.
Please note: Always check the product description for whether the tools includes battery and charging station.
18 Volt Battery
The powerful 18 volt battery is powered by lithium-ion and protected by Bosch Electronic Cell Protection, to ensure that users are never slowed by a weak battery. The PowerPacks give the tool 30 per cent more power. The lithium-ion technology means the tool is always ready to use. They suffer from no self-discharge and no memory effect. The Bosch Electronic Cell Protection helps ensure extra-long life of the battery. It protects the battery from overheating, overload and self-discharge.
18 Volt Charger
The 1 hour lithium-ion charging station comes with intelligent 'battery full' detection. The charger not only fits the 18 volt battery but all also works for all lithium-ion quick-change battery packs with voltage coding.
Lithium-Ion Technology
The lithium-ion technology means that the tool is always ready to use.
The Advantages of Lithium-Ion Technology
Tools with lithium-ion technology are ready for use practically all of the time. Regardless of whether the battery is fully charged, partially charged, or flat, you can put it in the charging station without having to worry about self-discharge or memory effect.
Small Tools, Big Progress--Simply Remarkable
Bosch lithium-ion cordless tools like the PSR 18 LI-2 are ready for use quickly. Even after a period of 4 months on standby, a fully charged lithium-ion battery is still charged to approximately 85 per cent. This means that Bosch Power is available to you for six times longer than that of conventional NiCd batteries.
Full Power at all Times
No self-discharge, no memory effect: constant battery capacity over the entire lifetime. Always ready when you are thanks to lithium-Ion technology.Same Battery Power at Half the Size
Due to the lithium-ion technology, the size and weight of the batteries are reduced by approximately 60 per cent compared to conventional nickel cadmium batteries--although they offer the same amount of power.
Batteries That Can Withstand the Elements
The intelligent electronic cell protection, Bosch ECP, protects the lithium-ion batteries against excessive temperatures and overload, therefore giving them a particularly long lifetime.
High Power, Low Weight
Bosch cordless tools with lithium-ion technology impress with their very compact design, low weight and very good ease of use. This saves you a lot of effort when doing those DIY jobs.


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Kyle H. Borut
Licensed Real Estate Agent
New York Real Estate Group
"The Best Compliment I Can Receive Is A Referral To Your Friends And Family."


text:
Welcome to the Greater Anglia Green Travel Plans WebsiteOnly registered customers are able to purchase tickets from this site using the login link on the top right of this page. To access ticket sales, please hover your mouse over the "Buy Tickets" menu item in the top left of the screen. |
Job Track SchemeJob Track is a innovative scheme run by Greater Anglia to help get people back to work. It's run in conjunction with Job Centre Plus and Igneus to help get people to interviews and even help them with their first 2 months travel to a new job. |
Scholars Seasons For Spring Term 2014 - Important AnnouncementFollowing the announcement by the government of a further change to fares regulation from 2nd January 2014, train companies are now re-setting the fares that will apply for travel from the 2nd January onwards. The new fares for Scholars Seasons will be made available as soon as possible. It is unlikely that they will be available prior to 16th December (except Colchester Sixth Form - See below). |
Scholars Seasons for Colchester Sixth Form Spring Term are now available!We are selling the Spring Term season tickets for Colchester Sixth Form from this site. |
Football Seasons - Now Available!Season and Flexi-Tickets for Norwich, Ipswich and Tottenham Football clubs are now available. |
Business 2 Business Ticket SalesWe are pleased to announce our new Business 2 Business ticket sales section. This makes ordering tickets for our account holders as easy as 1,2,3...... |


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On Sept. 4, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC guerrillas. In the works for some time, the announcement follows the steady chipping away of insurgent strength by government security forces. However, no one should hold their breath that it will yield immediate results.
Historically, attempts to negotiate peace with the FARC have ended in failure. Even if current leaders cut a deal, fronts scattered throughout the countryside may not fall in line. And many of the conditions in Colombia's vast rural areas that fueled the 50-year insurgency have not changed. Still, chances are better now than the last time around.
Rural violence in Colombia goes back to the 1890s. Starting in 1948, clashes between Colombia's two main political parties produced the decade-long period known as La Violencia that killed some 200,000 citizens. Its effects gave birth to the country's Marxist insurgencies.
Rebel enclaves, called "Little Republics," sprang up throughout the countryside, joining communist-backed peasant organizations to fight large landholders. By the 1960s, there were signs that these groups were receiving outside support. Soon thereafter they became incarnated as the FARC and the much smaller National Liberation Army (ELN).
In 1990, the government invited the FARC and another guerrilla group called the M-19 to lay down arms and transform themselves into political parties. The M-19 did so, but the FARC refused. In 1998, President Andrés Pastrana ceded a 16,000-square-mile "safe haven" in the mountains south of Bogotá to the FARC to induce it to cease hostilities. Under no real pressure, it refused. As Pastrana's term drew to a close, he closed the sanctuary. By then, the FARC was close to 20,000 combatants strong.
Just as the decapitation of Colombia's Cali and Medellín drug cartels in the 1990s failed to curb drug trafficking (many smaller organizations took their place), a negotiated peace with the current FARC leadership may fail to bring in all combatants from the jungle. Granted, the government has handed the rebels a series of stunning defeats, killing top leaders like Raúl Reyes and Alfonso Cano. As a result, communication between widely dispersed fronts is infrequent, causing them to operate more as individual franchises. Meanwhile, the rebel mission to create a Marxist state has been replaced by more lucrative drug trafficking.
Over the last 50 years, few conditions have changed in the Colombian countryside. Large landholdings still dominate agricultural production. More than 60 percent of rural dwellers live in poverty, compared to 39 percent of urbanites. Property seizures by guerrillas, paramilitaries, and drug lords have made the rural poor even more dispossessed than before. There are estimates that up to 4 million people are still displaced from the conflict.
Infrastructure is minimal east and west of the population centers in the Andean ridge. And with guerrilla strength somewhat reduced, there is a rush to exploit natural resources even before security, infrastructure, and land tenure needs are addressed. Finally, Colombia's ethnically diverse populations are still poorly integrated and at the mercy of remaining illegal armed bands.
Fortunately, some things are different now. President Santos' government is clearly committed to reducing poverty and opening opportunities for the rural population — sharing some concerns of the insurgency's founders. Thanks to gains under predecessor Alvaro Uribe, Santos' team can talk from a position of strength, while remaining FARC leaders hold few cards and can expect no concessions or let up in pressure that would treat them as legitimate actors.
One key step to addressing the situation lies well in the government's control — the government must deliver on promises to promote opportunities for a better life in rural areas. In its hip pocket is a national development plan. All it has to do is identify specific projects and implement them — and thus begin what one might now call Colombia's manifest destiny.
Stephen Johnson is a senior fellow and director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. From 2007 to 2009 he was deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs.


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Featured Blogs |
Music and Art to the RescueSeptember 3, 2012 at 4:26 AM Real life, over the past 48 hours, has reminded me about the power of music and art.Friday morning, my teenage daughter awoke with an ache in her stomach so bad she could barely walk. She's had a bit of pain all week, but this was something far worse. We took her to the doctor, and after a morning of uncomfortable medical tests, the results pointed to appendicitis -- and imminent surgery for her. Remembering my sister's burst appendix in childhood and her hellish recovery, I understood all too well that you don't mess with appendicitis, and you don't wait for it to worsen. But that didn't help my daughter feel any better. We couldn't console her, and everything the surgeon at the hospital said just made things scarier and worse. He explained procedures that involved needles and knives, dangers, possible complications -- all in unvarnished detail. Suddenly we were being admitted to the hospital's pediatric ward and moved to a room for more tests. Our anxiety rose. We sat despondently, already tired from our day, and knowing we had much, much more to face. At this point, a stream of beautiful sounds surprised us. What was that? I peeked out the door. A big, beautiful harp sat in the hall, a woman playing it. I can say with certainty, this would not have felt the same, piped over speakers as background music. A real, live person had brought her enormous harp to the fourth floor of the hospital, and her well-trained fingers strummed and plucked away, all with the intent of pacifying people in distress. Each note sprang so clearly from a vibrating string; it was so present. And it worked. We grinned at each other when we started to recognize the tunes forming in the ether: Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins; Scales and Arpeggios from the Aristocats; Winnie the Pooh… Play any song on the harp, and it sounds sophisticated and heavenly, no matter what its origin! The music changed the hospital atmosphere completely, from a worried bustle to beauty and peace. We breathed easier -- for a while. Because a number of hours later, our daughter was in surgery, and we had several hours to pass before we would see her. Having neglected to eat all day, I realized I was hungry, and my son accompanied me to the cafeteria. Choosing where we would sit, we noticed some outdoor seating and headed toward the door. We found a beautiful courtyard, with flowers, fountains and foliage. We sat in the midst of it. I wondered, who made this garden? Who raised money, who decided it was important enough to have this here? Because it is. It's incredibly important to have this here. All these things helped us immeasurably; they gave us strength and courage. How can anyone fail to see that the arts heal us, help us, even save us? * * * She is still recovering in the hospital but definitely on the mend. So many people have sent us their thoughts and prayers -- thanks to all of you! From Emily Hogstad
THANK YOU LAURIE!!! I'm so sick and tired of this idea that anything worthwhile in life is money-oriented. I'm becoming more and more aware that you just can't measure the positive impact of certain experiences or beautiful spaces that seem, at first glance, frivolous or financially unfeasible. I'm not saying we shouldn't as a society be frugal and wise with our expenditures, but people who think about price-tags and nothing else are poor beyond words, and are looking at the bark of trees when they really need to step back and see the beauty of the forest.Posted on September 3, 2012 at 4:38 AM Best wishes to your daughter!!!
From marjory lange
Good wishes for your daughter's quick, complete recovery.Posted on September 3, 2012 at 4:44 AM You are right, of course...and the key is being able to see and hear what is right with us (not piped over a loudspeaker or found on an i-device). We need to become present--as you did, in your fear--and you found the consolation to carry on. Thank you so much for sharing.
From George Mitrou
How touching! Posted on September 3, 2012 at 10:00 AM I definitely agree, art heals your soul, too bad I don't see much art these days, and everyone is talking about money and football (Which I totally HATE)... My best wishes to your daughter also :)
From Paul Deck
In this day of fifty dollar gigs, one wonders whether the harpist was paid a reasonable fee and whether she collected any tips.
Posted on September 3, 2012 at 2:10 PM From Emily Grossman
I'm so glad your daughter made it safely through surgery and is on her way to being well again!
Posted on September 3, 2012 at 5:16 PM From Nairobi Young
I played in a septet at a childrens hospital, once during Christmas and the other time just as school let out. The first time was the best experience because my private teacher was with us and helped us loosen up and help the kids feel better. The children where adorable and loved the music. The most memorable part of it ring when we were about to pack up. The little girl came and was dissappointed when she saw that we were packing up. So we unpacked and played a song specially for her and made her feel really good about herself. We did not get paid, but the experience was payment enough.Posted on September 3, 2012 at 9:43 PM I am glad that music was there to help ease both you and you family. I wish a fast and easy recovery for your daughter. I'm happy that everything went as planed. I send love and wishes!!
From Tom Holzman
Thank goodness your daughter is on the mend. All of us send our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Music is truly a healing art, even for those who we know are not going to heal. I played for my mother as often as I could as she lay dying from a stroke. I know that Yo Yo Ma played for his father and also for the wife of his mentor, Leon Kirchner, as his wife lay dying. I hope that someone will play for me when I am sick and/or dying.
Posted on September 3, 2012 at 9:51 PM From Dessie Arnold
After reading about the Indianapolis Symphony's difficult contract negotiations, and some of the comments on that news article from people who very clearly just don't understand or appreciate what professional music involves, your article was a breath of fresh air.
Posted on September 4, 2012 at 3:51 PM From Benedict Gomez
The harp is the one instrument that can given the violin a "run for its' money" in terms of completely capturing my undivided attention. I've also heard (often) that either the violin or the harp is the most difficult instrument to learn to play, though I dont know if that's true. But what I do know is that a well-played harp is mesmerizing to me.
Posted on September 4, 2012 at 5:26 PM From Benedict Gomez
A little OT, but LN's post has me reading up on harps, and I was shocked to find that Strad made harps (pic below). Maybe this is common knowledge and I'm just unaware, but I thought I'd post link to the pic in case anyone else found this interesting.Posted on September 4, 2012 at 6:10 PM http://www.minehara.com/musikit/images/stradivari_harp11.jpg
From Jim Hastings
Oh, man -- what an ordeal; but glad to read that she's on the mend.Posted on September 4, 2012 at 7:27 PM So true -- music does have a healing impact. I've experienced it. It wasn't with anything nearly as serious as appendicitis, but it was enough to convince me that this stuff works. Same for tasteful artwork and landscaping. This makes me want to share the music still more. If it brightens a few more lives and eases some stress, that's enough to make my day.
From Pauline Lerner
Someone I know told me that in the hospital where her husband had heart surgery, you could hire a harpist to play in a patient's room. How much better it was to have a harpist give the gift of music to patients and their families without charging them.Posted on September 5, 2012 at 5:30 AM When I was a kid, I had my tonsils removed in a Catholic hospital during Christmas break. It was minor surgery, but I was pretty uptight. As I lay sleeping in my hospital room after the surgery, I awoke to hear nuns walking through the halls singing Christmas carols. It was beautiful. I will always remember with appreciation that people on v.com played some music by Bach for me when I was deeply in need. I send my best wishes to your daughter and to you, too, for rapid healing. When I play my violin tomorrow, I'll play something for her (and for you).
From Don Sullivan
You guys are in my prayers. I'm glad she is on the mend. Keep us posted. God bless you & your family abundantly with joy & healing.
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 12:24 AM From Laurie Niles
Thank you everyone, and thank you for playing for her, Pauline!
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Title: Object-Oriented Software Construction (Book/CD-ROM) (2nd Edition) Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR Authors: Bertrand Meyer Rating: 5/5 If one were to read only one book on software construction, this would have to be it. It covers all the essential areas with a logic that is difficult to refute and a clarity and style which make it a pleasure to read. If you have read the previous edition buy this one. The first edition was excellent, but this one is much better written and covers an amazing amount of new material. Every software practioner, regardless of their experience and expertise, should read it.
Product: Book - Paperback
Title: Macromedia Flash MX ActionScripting: Advanced Training from the Source Publisher: Macromedia Press Authors: Derek Franklin, Jobe Makar Rating: 2/5 I am into the 4th chapter and I sometimes just can't help but chuckle about the simplicity of this book. The author assumes that the reader is a complete newbie to Flash & ActionScript. He repeats things until the horse is dead, dead, dead! The book is full of fluff to increase the page count. However, if you never touched ActionScript or any programming language then this book is for you. It's a book that will take a newbie to an intermediate level if you can get passed the fluff and not fall asleep to the repeating advice. There are mistakes in the book as well. Ran into one last night that I couldn't believe was missed in the editing process. It's a lesson paced book which is why I bought it but I would opt for something else if you want an "Advanced" ActionScript reference.
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Title: Hacking Exposed: Network Security Secrets & Solutions, Fourth Edition (Hacking Exposed) Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media Authors: Stuart McClure, Joel Scambray, George Kurtz Rating: 5/5 This book is great for hackers and administrators it teaches everything you need to know for basics and more advanced. It shows you how to think like a hacker. Even though you already know something in this book you will even know more about the subject and find things about what you thought you knew that are amazing.
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Title: Cisco BGP-4 Command & Configuration Handbook Publisher: Pearson Education Authors: William R. Parkhurst, Ph.D., William R. Parkhurst Rating: 5/5 If you start with BGP you can read Doyle's Routing TCP/IP vol II. For the complete picture and also if your are a beginner, read Halabi's Internet Routing Architecture 2nd edition (if to choose one, buy this last) If you already practice BGP and want to achieve the "BGP's state of the art", buy Parkhurst's BGP-4 Command and configuration handbook. This is NOT a command reference book which are very unuseful. Although Cisco is doing efforts with their web site, it's missing many explanations on commands. It is never as good as this book that contains a lot of examples for illustrating the why and how. |


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A fledgling British-based sports car maker has announced a lightweight, single-seat road racer designed to rival models from Ariel and Caterham.
The Briggs Automotive Company's new car, called the Mono, is powered by a Cosworth-sourced, 2.3-liter engine producing 280hp at 7,700rpm and 207lb-ft of torque at 6,000rpm. The power is transferred to the road through the rear wheels via a Formula 3-spec 6-speed sequential gearbox.
Weight has been kept down to 1,190lbs, providing an impressive power-to-weight ratio that translates to a 0-60mph sprint time of just 2.8sec and a top speed of 170mph, according to Briggs.
For use on track or road, the car features fully adjustable push-rod suspension and 11.6in. ventilated brake discs.
Director Neil Briggs – former engineering manager of the Mk1 Ford Focus RS – told Autocar he is aiming to produce 50 units this year, and 100-200 cars per year thereafter.
While the car is currently only available in the UK, "Export is on our radar," Briggs said. "We're working on selling to overseas markets, hopefully toward the end of 2012." Emissions regulations require revisions to the current engine for it to be sold outside the UK.
Prices start from £79,950 ($130,500), and Briggs says that the car will offer buyers "an alternative purchase decision" to the more familiar rivals. "We've already had Ariel Atom customers approach us about the Mono and the interest has been huge," says Briggs.
Alex Kersten/Autocar
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I've graduated and am sticking around Chicago. Currently, I'm continuing work on my own projects, with STREB on their newest project—BRAVE—and I'm teaching at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Roosevelt University. More information about classes I've been teaching: http://www.aaronhenderson.com/teaching/
- Back to school
- Metamorphoses in Cover Blown (Graduate Exhibition)
- The Astounding Race
- Over and Under


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- April 23, 2012
- 7:09 a.m.
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- Reply to this post
adirondacks writes:
Naples needs MORE of this !!!! Yeah !!!!!
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I have just started one @Busy, Young, Single Momma Sanity! Anyone else have a facebook page for their blog?
I just did the same thing for my site, still a work in progress of course
Hi there! I've liked your FB page and your blog!
If you'd like, you can check out my FB page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Mix-of-6-Blog/464199060320697
or my blog at http://www.mixof6.com
I just started one for mine. A day in the tangled skeins of my life I can't seem to get people to go 'like' it though!
I just did...=)
Oh my...I still need six more likes...
i liked yours. I love the DIY kitchen playset on your blog. I wish I had thought of doing that when mine were little!
I have a public FB page here https://www.facebook.com/mamabeartoldme that's linked to my Twitter feeds as well. Still getting everything up and running while I work on my book, edit manuscripts and eBooks for a publisher friend of mine as well as work full-time. All while putting my daughter first (thank god for naps!). I'll go through here and follow my fellow mom bloggers, ask that you do the same! :-)
Posted by Jennifer Marshall on December 13, 2013 at 12:56pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
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Sunday Dinner at Flip and Ching's
Brian and I invited his mom and dad over for dinner on Sunday night.
We served Caesar salad, the garlic pull-apart bread from Target that we really like, and spaghetti and meatballs. No dessert because we didn't think that far ahead. LOL. We had three different kinds of wine, though. Brian's Stump Jump that he opened the previous night, but didn't finish, and a bottle each of River Valley Red and Sweet Lady, both from Smoky Hill Vineyard and Winery (Under the Cork).
This is a picture of Brian making dinner. He is such an awesome hubby. Anyway, we are having David and Donna over again on Saturday night. We're doing movie night this time. Donna is bringing "The Help" (which she got for Christmas) and also her famous scalloped potatoes. Brian is making his really tender and delicious apricot pork roast. Mmmm.. Mmmmm… Yum!
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Their findings? People who prefer unusual toppings such as pineapple or onion tend to be more assertive, achievement-oriented and are born leaders. Those who reach for a single topping of a standard meat like pepperoni are more likely to be nervous and antagonistic; they often procrastinate and forget obligations at home or at work. And those who like different multiple meat toppings are dramatic and alluring extroverts who like to be the center of attention.
People who eat their vegetables had the most positive feedback. Those who eat a single vegetable topping are said to be understanding, empathetic, well-adjusted and relaxed, while the people who pile on many veggie toppings are reliable, faithful and trustworthy sorts who say that friendship is the most important thing in life. Or at least that is what the study said.
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Funding the small niches is tricky for state budget writers
By WALTER C. JONESMorris News Service
ATLANTA — Finding an appropriate formula for funding some of the small parts of public education was the challenge faced Tuesday by members of a state commission rewriting the 26-year-old equation used to spend nearly half the Georgia budget.
The part of the $7 billion education budget going to regional education service agencies and to homes for students with mental illness is tiny, but complicated. For instance, the homes for the mentally ill may treat about 1,000 students at any one time out of the state's total student population of 1.6 million, but they have to rely on donations to cover nearly one-quarter of their expenses.
The state funds each of those categories with varying levels of federal and local assistance, but writing a formula for it all is tricky. Adding to the challenge is that the students in the homes typically stay less than one year, meaning they may not be counted in the semi-annual census used in the current funding formula, notes Emily Acker, director of the non-profit Youth Villages' Douglasville campus.
Another niche program is the network of 16 regional service agencies that support school districts in multiple ways. Some offer group buying of supplies like paper and pencils, saving an estimated $1.6 million yearly. Others provide annual inspections for mildew, underground fuel tanks and playground safety so the districts don't have to pay outside consultants. All of them offer training so teachers and principals don't have to pay for it at colleges.
"We think we are poised to save Georgia money. We are doing it now," said Sandy Addis, executive director of the Pioneer Regional Education Service Agency in Cleveland, Ga. "We've seldom found a task that needs to be done by a school system that we haven't been able to do more efficiently."
Commission Co-chairman Terry England asked Addis and his colleagues to prove it by coming up with other ways to save taxpayers money.
"If there's a hindrance out there in state code we need to get out of the way, we need to know it," said England, who is also chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and a Republican from Auburn.
He said the commission is looking for find $23 million in annual savings from the administration of local school districts and the RESAs could be a help doing that.
The full commission was set to meet Wednesday for a day-long session to begin shaping the funding formula that hasn't been revised in a quarter century.
The formula was written before computers, nurses, graduation coaches and elementary-school counselors became part of daily school life.


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November 14, 2009 McDonald's and the Berlin WallBy David Paulin
The Berlin Wall fell twenty years ago, and among those credited with paving the way for that spellbinding event are Ronald Reagan and, to a lesser extent, Soviet reformer Mikhail Gorbachev. Yet recent media accounts largely overlook the role that another major player had in helping to bring down the Wall and rebuild a ravaged economy.
It was McDonald's: the all-American restaurant chain with its iconic golden arches -- McDonald's, the global food retailer that leftist elites love to hate. Twenty years ago this week -- days after the Berlin Wall fell on Monday, Nov. 9, 1989 -- a McDonald's in the sleepy West German town of Hof served as a beacon of American-style freedom to thousands of celebrating East Germans -- a fact touched upon in a recent Wall Street Journal article: "As Wall Crumbled, Berliners Rebuilt Their Lives." To those new customers, the golden arches were what the paper called a "siren of capitalism's long-forbidden fruits." They'd seen television ads from West Germany, the paper noted, so they "were familiar with McDonald's and other images of tantalizing Western products just out of reach." "We were overrun," recalled Klaus Rader, McDonald's 26-year-old owner at the time. Within hours, he'd sold out of hamburgers and fries. However, it wasn't just Big Macs and fries that were in big demand, because as the Journal noted: "Once the border was open, eastern Germans' consumption of iconic Western brands went into overdrive." Rader, for his part, wondered what dizzying profits awaited him if he opened a McDonald's in the former East Germany. On a certain visceral level, all those wide-eyed East Germans flocking to McDonald's had no doubt learned an important lesson under communism: political and economic freedom are inextricably bound together. Who were those wide-eyed East Germans heading straight to McDonald's? Not surprisingly, the Journal noted that they were "ordinary" folks. And presumably, there were no smiling communist elites among them, nor any of their cheerleaders and secret admirers in the West. Today, McDonald's is more popular than ever overseas: sales have been strong over the years in Europe, Asia, and even the Middle East. At home and abroad, McDonald's loyal customers are the same "ordinary" folks who mobbed Klaus Rider's restaurant in Hof. Yet curiously, a striking perception gap exists in respect to McDonald's and the public. Its loyal and ordinary customers enjoy its fast service, clean facilities, and cheerful employees serving all-American meals. On the other hand, there are those high-minded McDonald's-haters: leftist elites in America and abroad. It's not just the food they dislike, though. To them, McDonald's symbolizes all that's wrong with American-style capitalism. Leftists haughtily disparage McDonald's as a soulless purveyor of homogenized tastes, bland food, and assembly-line production. It's also an example of America's "economic imperialism," they say. That critique, however, ignores one of McDonald's bragging rights -- more than 75 percent of its overseas restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchises -- local men and women. Hating McDonald's Like anti-Americanism, McDonald's hatred among leftist elites appears to have intensified in the years following communism's collapse in Europe. At economic summits in America, Europe, and Canada, anti-globalization protesters can be counted on to trash the first McDonald's they came across. Nothing like this happened before the Berlin Wall's fall, in the years preceding globalization and America's uncontested hegemony. In those days, America-hating leftists were less frustrated than today. After all, the Soviet Union was still undertaking what they regarded as a great experiment -- one economically and morally superior to American-style democracy. Underscoring the irrational nature of McDonald's hatred, a professor at a Presbyterian seminary in Austin, Texas wrote a wacky anti-McDonald's diatribe not long ago: "The Big Mac and the Lord's Table: A Theological Interpretation of Globalization." David Hadley Jensen blasted McDonald's as being emblematic of globalization's dark side, and even at odds with Christian values. Yet interestingly, McDonald's was then reporting strong overseas sales in some improbable places -- anti-American France and former Cold War enemies China and Russia. Was it only a coincidence that all-American McDonald's has seen some of its strongest sales in foreign countries where individual freedoms have traditionally been in short supply? That question appeared in an essay I wrote called "Would Jesus Eat at McDonald's?" A rejoinder to the professor's anti-McDonald's essay, it noted that some at the seminary and parent Presbyterian Church (USA) have in recent years unfairly condemned Israel and rallied behind the Palestinian "cause." It's all part of a peculiar postmodern and post-Soviet worldview that has become increasingly popular over the past twenty years in many colleges and seminaries. It's a hybrid of Christianity, Marxism, and Edward Said. Obviously, all-American McDonald's is going to get a bum rap from academics embracing such beliefs who even suggest that imperialistic restaurants like McDonald's are stirring up Islamic terrorists. CIA spooks, the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, and many brave men and women living in communist countries all played a role in communism's demise. But so did Levi jeans, women's nylons, jazz, and rock 'n' roll. They were among myriad ornaments of American culture and democracy that subtly carried America's "siren song." Madison Avenue played a role in communism's demise, too. Marlboro's famous ads of cowboys enjoying a smoke evoked images of freedom and individualism -- things that resonated in countries, communist and non-communist alike, where such concepts were in short supply. Europe's leftists and anti-American elites savaged George Bush as a "cowboy" during this presidency. But don't be deceived: American cowboys are popular figures to ordinary people in foreign lands. Indeed, one Solidarity campaign banner in communist Poland featured a gun-toting Gary Cooper as Marshall Will Kane from "High Noon." As for McDonald's' foreign operations, its restaurants stand out (even more prominently than U.S. Embassies) on thoroughfares and side streets in cities and towns all over the world. Each is an oasis of Americana, providing customers with McDonald's trademarks: spotless facilities, cheerful employees, and wholesome food served in minutes. Nothing like it existed in the old Soviet Union and East Germany. In all, Oak Brook, Illinois-based McDonald's says it now has 31,000 locally-owned restaurants in 118 countries that serve 58 million people every day. What accounts for McDonald's-hatred among leftist elites? Much is surely due to the psychological damage they suffered over the fall of the Berlin Wall and subsequent breakup of the Soviet Union two years later. After all, leftist elites in America and abroad were once certain that the Soviet Union was undertaking a noble experiment in an alternative to heartless capitalism. Then the cruel experiment suddenly failed, leaving a void inside them. Since then, they've filled that void with ever higher levels of anti-Americanism, and they hoped to balance America's hegemony with an empowered United Nations and a politically viable European Union (as opposed to one reflecting only shared economic interests). Bottom line: People who harbor an irrational hatred of McDonald's probably don't like America much, either. By the same token, you're unlikely to find many McDonald's-haters standing outside U.S. Embassies around the world, waiting in long lines holding visa applications. The anti-Americanism of leftist elites reached a fever pitch during eight years of "cowboy Bush," whom they vilified for allegedly waging an unjust and unilateral "war for oil" and for refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol, which predecessor Bill Clinton surely had no intention of signing either. "McDonald's taught me well" Besides rabid anti-Americanism and McDonald's-hatred, something else filled the void felt by leftist elites at communism's collapse: the nearly religious belief that manmade global warming is destroying the planet. But Czech President Vaclav Klaus quickly saw through the global warning fanatics. They talked and acted, he noted, just like the communists who used to rule his country. In former East Germany today, the Journal noted that a handful of people are nostalgic for the bad old days of communism, noting that job opportunities and wages have lagged significantly behind those in former West Germany. (Of course, that's what you might expect after years of communism.) Other complaints are bizarre. Some say that Germany's free-market democracy offers too many choices -- as opposed to a only a few choices (or no choices) under communism. No matter that East Germans faced chronic food shortages and a lack of basic consumer items such as soap. Not surprisingly, some East Germans, who lost elite jobs under communism and never regained them in a reunified Germany, have remained bitter. One of them is Bruni de la Motte, a middle-aged former university teacher who published an essay last Sunday in Britain's left-wing Guardian newspaper called "East Germans lost much in 1989." Focusing on the good points of communism, de la Motte noted that East Germany -- or the Democratic Republic of Germany, as it was officially called -- was where she grew up, got her Ph.D., and had two kids. "I enjoyed a fulfilling job as a lecturer in English literature at Potsdam University," she recalled. Then the Berlin Wall collapsed, and thousands of cheering wild-eyed East Berliners flooded into the West. Bruni de la Motte, however, is full of nostalgia over what she calls East Berlin's many "social achievements" -- including "social and gender equality, full employment, and lack of existential fears." She makes no mention of secret police, food shortages, or the fact that ordinary people in the West were living so much better that their counterparts on the other side of the Wall. She also fails to explain why so many East Germans risked their lives and sometimes died trying to get to the West. Instead, de la Motte complains of the "political" purges that later occurred in state industries, academia, and other institutions. "This process was in stark contrast to what happened in West Germany after the war, when few ex-Nazis were treated in this manner," she writes. "Unfortunately, the collapse of the GDR and 'state socialism' came shortly before the collapse of the 'free market' system in the West." Recently, a group of leftists in Germany were spouting similar rhetoric during a political campaign, noted a Wall Street Journal reporter. "How quickly they forget," Rosemarie Wunnenburger, a former biochemist, was quoted as saying as she watched from a distance. She'd participated in Germany's pro-Democracy protests in 1989. As for Klaus Rader, the young McDonald's owner, he struck it rich. He built six more McDonald's restaurants, notes the Journal, and after fifteen years with McDonald's, he sold out to pursue his dream -- starting an Italian-themed restaurant named "Vapiano." Now a popular chain, Vapiano caters "to a young, urbane generation in both West and East," the Journal noted. And like McDonald's, Vapiano provides jobs, pays taxes, and provides a pleasant and upscale restaurant -- unlike anything that existed in the East Germany's state-run economy. "McDonald's taught me well," Rader says.
on "McDonald's and the Berlin Wall"
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AnyDoc®INVOICE BPM Suite
AnyDoc®INSURANCE Suite
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AnyDoc Software, Inc. P: 800.775.3222 F: 813.222.0018 E: email@example.com
Today's competitive environment requires it: successful companies must get everything they can from every business function. The accounts payable department is no exception and automation can help companies capture "invisible" AP efficiencies.
All of the "hidden" expenses and inefficient business processes spawned by manual processing can be eradicated with the automated data capture and approvals process management provided by AnyDoc®INVOICE™ BPM Suite. With fresh and accurate information delivered seamlessly into your ERP or accounting system, AnyDocINVOICE BPM Suite can also help you capture discounts you may be missing due to late data entry, delayed approvals, or other processing bottlenecks.
AnyDocINVOICE BPM Suite provides a window into your invoice process, making it easy to view and perform any portion of the invoice review and approval process. Functions such as exception handling can be automatically initiated or reviewed as needed—all according to your existing accounting practices. In addition to fast-tracking exceptions, a robust reporting feature allows you to analyze why they are occurring to ward off future exceptions.
Drive automation and efficiency throughout your entire AP invoice process. AnyDocINVOICE BPM Suite dramatically improves the way your company processes incoming invoices and tackles the issues that inflate costs and slow productivity.
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WATCH Video: Leggett & Platt speaks at IFO (formerly IAPP) Fusion 2011 on saving nearly $2 million annually with their AP & AR automated solution.
With accurate data arriving in your financial database more quickly, a more accurate view of cash flow is available. The powerful technology of AnyDoc®INVOICE™ BPM Suite makes it easy to prioritize payments and take advantage of the most favorable payment terms. Invoice data, including line-item details, are automatically matched to POs, propelling verified invoice data to the approval process much faster. By eliminating bottlenecks and backlogs, you'll accrue fewer payables at month-end. With AnyDocINVOICE BPM Suite, you can instantly see the status of any outstanding invoices. This gives you the ability to view real-time invoice information for proactive financial management, ending unpleasant month-end surprises and headaches.
Manual processing invites the potential for human errors—creating routing and approval delays, inaccurate payments, and a drain on productivity. Inaccurate invoice data means that AP employees must investigate the error, correct it, and possibly reprocess payments. But AnyDocINVOICE BPM Suite automatically validates data according to your existing business rules to deliver the most accurate data possible, virtually eliminating the manual processes most susceptible to mistakes.
Optimize efficiency and lower processing costs with management tools including real-time analytics, reports and dashboards. With a robust dashboard, customizable to an Executive Manager's requirements, trouble areas can be identified for correction at a glance. This real-time view of corporate processes gives managers the information to identify and correct problems—boosting efficiency and reducing costs.
Automated data capture can eliminate manual data entry, which can easily add up to 75% of hidden labor costs. Because manual data entry is often dispersed across your department, with each team member performing a portion of the data entry, the costs and reduced productivity can go unnoticed. But once replaced with AnyDocINVOICE BPM Suite, the improvements in processing speed and effectiveness are dramatic and obvious.
AnyDocINVOICE BPM Suite works within your existing AP procedures to validate invoice data, post invoices and route approvals just as your AP employees do now—but consistently, 100 percent of the time and far faster. Easily customizable exception rules alert operators to specific invoice discrepancies. Discrepancies can flag the data field for review by an AP employee or supervisor–or automatically replace it with the correct terms tied to that vendor.
Dealing with exceptions can take a disproportionate amount of resources, driving up expenses and causing critical processing delays. But AnyDocINVOICE BPM Suite can help you fast-track the processing of these exceptions, including automatically triggering follow up emails according to your business processes. You also have the power to analyze what is causing the exceptions—allowing you to eliminate future occurrences.
Effectively monitor and manage user tasks with an easy-to-interpret dashboard view that provides real-time status of exceptions, approvals, and work-in-process—making it simple to tweak and optimize processes for peak performance and efficiency. And integrated email and approval procedure history is easily accessible and available at the invoice, vendor, employee, or department level, and more.
As part of the AnyDoc®INVOICE™ BPM Suite, the award-winning AnyApp technology developed by AnyDoc Software provides a better way to capture the data that appears on all your invoices—such as vendor ID numbers, or total amount due—but is found in different locations in each invoice format. You simply define the data attributes you need to capture, such as "amount due," or "PO number." The software automatically and rapidly scans the entire invoice to find any variation or combination of keywords to locate the data you need. And, it will remember where it found the data the next time that vendor's invoice appears again, further speeding data capture. Templates and manual "software training" are not required.
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Economic Conditions and Trends
Despite Stumbles, a Promising Path for Start-Ups in Brazil
Investors and entrepreneurs say that economic conditions in Brazil are difficult, but that long-term prospects remain highly favorable.
In China, Weighing Economic and Political Freedoms
China's leadership may be ready to discuss reforms in October. Yet any policy changes may satisfy calls for deeper economic reforms but disappoint hopes for broader political freedom, the author writes.
As China's Economy Stumbles, Government Eyes Reform
Another set of weak economic data out of China showed that fixed-asset investment slowed, industrial production grew less than projected and retail sales growth was driven almost entirely by consumers taking advantage of the drop in gold prices.
China's Changing Internet Landscape
China was on vacation much of last week for the May 1 Worker's Day holiday, but executives at two of China's most important online companies were busy completing a deal that may reshape the country's Internet.
Nomura's Profit Gains Closely Tied to Japan's Economic Success
Nomura reported its best full-year results since 2007. But much of those gains relied on better performance domestically, which make it very dependent on the success of Japan's economic policies, the author writes.
Thai Magnate Loads Up on Debt for Big Deals
The latest deals for Thailand's richest man, Dhanin Chearavanont, only make sense as long as Southeast Asia's financial boom keeps the cash flowing, the author writes.
Earthquake Response and Political Tensions Return to the Spotlight
The government's response to a deadly earthquake is yet another test of its ability to deliver the goods. The administration of President Xi Jinping takes more steps to tackle corruption.
Efforts to Revive the Economy Lead to Worries of a Bubble
Through its unconventional policies, the Federal Reserve is trying to alleviate the crisis. Instead, it has kindled speculation.
A Highly Public Trip for China's President, and Its First Lady
China's leadership has been promoting a concept called the "Chinese Dream" that depends on continued economic growth and stable relations with the United States. Apple, meanwhile, finds itself the target of attacks in the official media.
A Bank Levy in Cyprus, and Why Not to Worry
Analysts were breathless waiting for impending disaster from the bailout in Cyprus. But nothing bad happened.
With New Chinese Leaders in Place, Waiting for an Agenda to Emerge
Premier Li Keqiang pledged in his first news conference to fight graft and pollution, but no one expects quick solutions.
China's Push to Cool Down Housing Raises Questions
Are there bubbles in the Chinese real estate market? And can some of them burst without bringing down the entire economy?
After the First 100 Days of Xi Jinping
Three important political meetings will occur in the next two weeks, with pollution problems likely to be on the agenda of at least one of them.


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Teen due in court over alleged attack on girls in park (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Ryan Walker due in court over alleged attack on girls in Hinkler Green, Thornhill, Southampton
8:40am Monday 21st October 2013 in News By James Franklin, Political reporter
A TEENAGER is due in court today over an alleged attack on three teenage girls in a Southampton park.
Two of the youngsters, aged just 15 and 16, were said to have been left with serious head and facial injuries after being subjected to an alleged assault at a city skate park.
Families of the alleged victims joined police in calling for calm amid fears of vigilante-style reprisals following the alleged attack, in Hinkler Green, Thornhill.
At one point the father of one of the girls posted a picture on a social media website purporting to show the gruesome injuries suffered by his daughter.
Outraged residents and community leaders have told of their shock at news of the alleged attack.
Ryan Walker, 18, from Chettle Road, has been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm, attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm, common assault and possession of a bladed article.
He has been in custody since his arrest on Saturday and will appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court today. Police said the girls were in a communal area of a block of flats in Chettle Road in the hours before their alleged ordeal.
A man spoke to them on the stairs and there was an exchange of words.
The girls then went to the skate park at Hinkler Green, where there was an altercation.
Two of the girls were then allegedly assaulted and suffered serious facial and head injuries, detectives say.
The Daily Echo understands that a passer-by interrupted the alleged attack, which happened at about 9pm on Friday. The attacker then fled.
The pair were rushed to Southampton General Hospital for treatment, while the third girl, aged 15, who was also allegedly assaulted, was treated for minor injuries.
An area of the park was cordoned off while investigations got under way and police maintained a high presence in the area as tensions grew on the estate.
The incident sparked widespread outrage in the community leading police and the families of the girls to appeal for calm as emotions ran high throughout the weekend.
In a joint message, they said: "We'd like to thank members of the community for coming forward with information and for the support they've given us.
"However, we now need to remain calm and let the police get on with the investigation." Inspector Chris Spellerberg said at the time that an "extensive investigation" was under way.
"Members of the community should remember that any vigilante-type attacks or incitement of that type of activity will not be tolerated," he said.
"This also applies for comments made on social media. Anyone suspected of committing a criminal offence will be dealt with appropriately."
Patrols were stepped up in the area over the weekend, with officers from the Safer Neighbourhoods Team available to offer advice and reassurance to members of the community.
Community leaders also appealed for calm, urging residents to help the police carry out their investigation.
Southampton City Council leader Simon Letts, who represents the area, urged people to "stay calm and leave it to the police to sort it out".
"This is shocking, but Thornhill is a place where incidents like this are the exception, not the norm," he told the Daily Echo.
"A lot of people have told me Thornhill has improved massively over the past decade, and in the eight years I have been a councillor for the area I can only remember a handful of incidents."
Trixie Neilson, from the Thornhill Community Association, said: "I was shocked and disgusted to think something like this could happen to three young girls, although I would be shocked to hear it had happened to anybody.
"I think it has had a big impact on the community here."


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why wouldn't they work with WOW? It's just a VoIP device that plugs into your router and into a phone. Just like Vonage.
Some ISP's may block VIOP ports - or so I've been told. I've had problems with a couple VOIP devices and WOW in the past even though it seems WOW is the most "open" of the cable companies.


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July 2012 - Vol 9, No 7The Bite Market and Cafe318 W. BroadwayMuskogee, OK(918) 913-9403
Brand new in Muskogee, The Bite is already creating a buzz. Menu choices are amazing starting with a flat bread plate featuring hummus, roasted artichoke dip and Kalamata olive tapenade. Proscuitto (Italian smoked ham) wrapped pears stuffed with goat cheese and drizzled with Balsamic vinegar are a gourmet's dream! The sandwiches are equally tasty combinations like cherry pecan chicken salad, ham and swiss with apricot mustard, chicken with roasted red pepper and pesto and an unreal club made with turkey, ham ,bacon two cheeses, guacamole and prairie fire jam. Other sandwiches soup, quiche and a daily special are also available. You can see why people are talking!


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Yes, its weekend… also, it's daddy's day-off from work! He doesn't need to think anything, nor thinking about fixing some customer's business intelligence software over the phone… He's a call center agent you know, he knows a lot of technical stuff too… Well, that's his field.
Anyway, tomorrow is Saturday and I'm already thinking of what fun stuff we can do tomorrow… it's our bonding time! I heard him and mommy talking about playing badminton; hmm… do you think they'll let me come with them? I haven't heard that game before and now I'm curious.
Now, I'm getting bored… what do you think we can do tomorrow aside from reading books, coloring them and playing my toys? I don't worry about what to do on Sunday, because we're going out! We're going to attend Sunday service, play at the mall and eat out! Now, I'm getting excited!
Can you share your plans this weekend?


text: On this episode of GeekBlogTV, we are trolling the neighbors with bluetooth! We show you how to push messages to any phone near you without having the phone number. I used this one to successfully get my neighbor to quit walking her dog in my front yard, and helped her realize how bad of a human being she was. For this project you will need any POS flip-phone from the pre-2005 era with bluetooth capability.


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Hume biased, not media
Q: Is there widespread media bias against Christianity? Against evangelicals such as Brit Hume and Sarah Palin? Against public figures who speak openly and directly about their faith? Against people who believe as you do?
Brit Hume used the airways to proffer a latest version of Christian exceptionalism, and Fox News became an apt vehicle to allow millions to hear the basic dogma of evangelical Christianity: there is only one Truth, and only Jesus Christ can take you there. Left unsaid--"everyone else is doomed to hell."
Hume's words, rendered during an ostensibly intellectual discussion on television, are so commonly heard by people of Dharma faiths such as Hinduism and Buddhism, they fail even to emote anymore. Accosted too often by wandering proselytizers and evangelical mercenaries resorting to every trick known to man to convince me of my Hindu religion's failures and to convert, I am deaf to the polemics of religious superiority.
But sometimes, it is important to listen to the Hume variety of blatant triumphalism, if for no other reason but to affirm again the diametric polarity of our religious life. While efforts such as this On Faith project endeavor to foster an intelligent dialogue on religious life to promote understanding, how far can we truly engage those who subscribe to Hume's views?
Where pluralism is dead, we are consigned to shout against closed minds. Amazing that evangelicals fail to recognize that their monopolistic view of only their religion's legitimacy shares more with the mullahs of Iran or Saudi Arabia than with the democratic ideals our Founding Fathers established here.
Leave aside the fatuous logic--did the Christian faith protect Mark Sanford, John Edwards or Ted Haggard from errant ways? But Hume's attempt to turn criticism into an anti-Christian attack is even more ludicrous.
We criticize Hume not for his Christian faith, but for his very un-Christian judgment of another's religious beliefs. We criticize Hume for in refusing to acknowledge his error, he seeks to compound it by claiming the mantle of victimhood. Christ and Christianity do not "stir people up," but the distortion of a prophet's message into another display of arrogant chauvinism does.
The media has its biases, certainly, but Hume has made his bias against all those not sharing his Christian faith crystal clear.
Views expressed here are the personal views of Dr. Aseem Shukla, and do not necessarily represent those of the University of Minnesota or Hindu American Foundation.
Aseem Shukla
January 13, 2010; 9:57 AM ET
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Good article. And good comments, Clearthinking.
What concerns me is Azeem's phrase on intelligent dialogue on religious life to promote understanding and the wall we face with fanatics like Hume. Or is it religion in general that makes intelligent dialogue futile? (Futile in terms of understanding) Since there is no reasoning with faith, is there any hope of understanding?
Posted by: Bios | January 15, 2010 11:22 PM
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"We criticize Hume not for his Christian faith, but for his very un-Christian judgment of another's religious beliefs."
This may sound harsh, but what aspect of Buddhism condemns Woods' actions? None that I know of. However, as a society we clearly condemn taking many mistresses while being having a family. Therefore, if Woods seeks redemption and admits something must change, it is rational to look, among other things, for a religious change.
And how is it inconsistent with the Gospel message to claim religious superiority? Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He didn't say that he was ONE way to the Father. Please don't claim that the Gospel message allows for some pantheistic interpretation, you are smarter than that.
Posted by: Publ1us | January 15, 2010 7:25 PM
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Excellent artictle.
It is not simply "exceptionalism" but "supremacism" practiced by Christians and Muslims. This is the root cause of the degradation of spirituality in the last 2000 years. The "Western world" has become desentisized to how offensive and often destructive and painful this has been to nonchristians and nonmuslims.
Even Lisa Miller wrote yesterday that
evangelicals evangalize so what's the big deal.
However, this is precisely the problem, as perceived by secularists, Buddhists, Hindus, etc.
The urge to evangelize and convert has caused very serious problems around the world. It is not a benign or amusing behavior which can just be ignored or the channel changed.
This is a bit overstated, but murderers murder. That does not make murder OK. One still has to make a judgement about the morality and the consequences of evangelizing and converting.
Let people come to your religion or philosophy based on their own wishes. Respect others traditions and cultures. Respect an individual's rights. Don't stir up trouble for peoples in distant lands like the Amazon. Don't try to exploit the weakness in a society to divide and conquer so Christianity or Islam can spread and be more powerful. This is not politics.
Religion in the western world (Abrahamic) has too often been about power and politics and not about an individual or societies spiritual evolution in harmony. Look at the Pope's (spiritual? leader) reaction the the movie Avatar.
SO, this is not an overreaction. Many people in the modern, global, scientific world sense that the cause of the problem is not just "religion" but certain religions and their behavior, such and evangelizing.
Posted by: clearthinking1 | January 14, 2010 8:19 PM
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As a gay man and an atheist, I have to say this article is right on the money, particularly with the term "Christian exceptionalism," a phenomenon I have encountered far too many times in my life.
In the arguments I have sometimes found myself in with conservative evangelicals, I have frequently discovered them to be so far gone in their sense of superiority and rightness that there is absolutely nothing to convince them to show even the slightest amount of propriety to people whose beliefs differ from theirs or whose lives don't match their peculiar notions of morality.
I think it's safe to say that this kind of mentality explains why, if you look at virtually every religious war in history, Christianity and/or Islam has played a significant role in it.
True, no religion's history is untarnished, but Hume's disparaging remarks about Tiger Woods' Buddhist faith are a perfect example of the kind of arrogance and contempt that many Christians refer to as "love."
Posted by: james44 | January 14, 2010 5:35 PM
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I very much doubt anyone is seriously biased against Christianity in general - not among the media and not in the greater society. It is the TYPE of Christianity promoted by Hume that is drawing the criticism. Most people in our society - including many types of Christians - have risen above the need for a faith that excludes everyone outside of it.
Hume and others at his faith level would do well to realize that their triumphalist views actually give Christianity a bad name. They fail to realize that whatever God and spiritual faith is about - it is surely NOT about excluding most of the civilized world from its graces.
The more Hume et al promote their triumphalist and exclusivist interpretations of their faith, the greater the rift they create between themselves and the bulk of society which tends toward a more mature spiritual level and a more inclusive worldview.
Margaret Placentra Johnston
Posted by: mmppjj | January 13, 2010 6:58 PM
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You are too generous. It is a very christian thing to condemn other religions. It is a very christian thing to not recognize his error. It is a very christian thing to stir things up (see Africa). The prophet's message, as the one and only son of god, through only him is there salvation, is a chauvanistic arrogance. Hume is representing the true form of mono-ideological christianity. And it is the christians coming to his defense.
Those of us "accosted too often" by this attitude of intolerance are generous (correctly so) in saying that everyone of us, even those that disagree with us, are loved by and expressions of God's love. But we need, now in a nuclear age of mono-ideology, to stand up and take up Arjuna's bow to fight the creeping mono-ideological physical and metaphysical terror, each in our own way. For it is our karma to unite the satva, bhakti, and rajas so that humanity can pass this next challenge of possible self annihilation.
Posted by: Navin1 | January 13, 2010 1:58 PM
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Keyword Research
Keyword Research
Google offers a free keyword tool that estimates search traffic for different keywords. Take your ideas and put them into the keyword research tool. You can paste them directly from your spreadsheet. The results are given in two columns: Global Monthly searches, and Local Monthly Searches. Local means searches in the United States. Take note of terms with a high number of search traffic in the "Local" column and add them to your spreadsheet. Anything with more than 1000 searches are worth noting.
This tool also works as a keyword suggestion tool. Your results will display other keywords in the results that can be added to your list. Also, if you put your website address instead of keywords at the top it will return suggestions based on your current website content.
Keyword Brainstorming
Before you start researching which keywords are the best it is a good idea to generate a big list of keyword ideas to start from. What keywords might searchers type in to find your product or service? Make a blank spreadsheet in Google Docs and begin brainstorming some searches your potential customers might use to find you.
https://docs.google.com/ Its very important that you don't just ask yourself. Getting a variety of opinions on this is important because not all of your potential customers will think like you.
Good places to look for keyword ideas include:
- Google Analytics or other website reports. See what people are currently typing in to find your website.
- Employees and Customers. A casual conversation may lead to some keywords that are not on your list.
- Competitor's websites. Take a look at your competition for ideas.
- Social Media. Ask your Facebook friends, your Twitter followers, or your LinkedIn Connections how they would search for your product or service.