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AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Dee Milliner wanted to wait until after the BCS Championship game to fix his shoulder.
Now he's waiting till after this week's NFL scouting combine.
The Alabama alum who is expected to be the first cornerback taken in April's draft said Sunday that he will have surgery March 12 to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He's expected to need about two months to fully recover and with the injury being no secret, he doesn't expect it to hurt his draft stock.
"I know I'll be back to normal, making plays and that's why I wanted to come to the combine, just to do this and just to show that I can move around and do stuff with my arm hurt now," Milliner said.
The defensive backs won't work out in Indianapolis until Tuesday after most coaches and general managers have already left town. And unlike some of the other top prospects, Milliner said he plans to do all the drills other than the bench press this week.
His reasoning is simple: Even at less than full strength, he still feels he's the best cornerback available.
The injury occurred Nov. 10 when Alabama lost its only game of the season to Texas A&M. Milliner said he was injured as he dove to make a play on the ball. He could have opted for surgery then, but decided to play through the pain instead and wound up helping lead the Crimson Tide to its third national title in four years.
"I was hurting when I was playing, but you've got to fight through it and keep playing," Milliner said. "So I just continued to go out there and play."
OTHER INJURIES: Though Milliner decided to work out this week, injuries are keeping a handful of others off the field.
The biggest name to be out might be Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley, who is waiting till his March Pro Day to start throwing after injuring his shoulder in October. Another is Duke quarterback Sean Renfree, who tore his right pectoral muscle during the Blue Devils' bowl game.
Renfree spent the next month in a sling, then worked on getting his range of motion back and now is trying to strengthen the shoulder. A return date is still unclear for Renfree, who NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock called "really good."
"When I go back, I will start to run, be able to do some weights," he said. "In the next month, I will just try to get some strength back and then by able get to 100 percent and be able to throw."
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy also did not participate in Sunday's workouts. He has a hamstring injury.
TOP PERFORMERS: Texas receiver Marques Goodwin looked more like a sprinter than an Olympic long jumper Sunday.
The 10th-place finisher in the long jump at last summer's London Olympics posted the fastest 40-yard dash time of the day. He was clocked in 4.27 seconds, taking the early lead in the race to get a contract offer from Adidas. West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin and Texas A&M receiver Ryan Swope tied for second in 4.34.
That time also matched the fastest time posted by a running back, Auburn's Onterio McCalebb. Arkansas running back Knile Davis was the next fastest at 4.37.
West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith helped his case by posting a 4.50, the fastest at his position. Florida State's E.J. Manuel was second at 4.65. They were also one-two in the vertical jump with Manuel barely beating out Smith 34 to 33
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Most of us remember playing outside till the streetlights came on, but our kids can't because of any of the following fears: crime, creeps, traffic, tennis lessons, homework... or all of the above. Except at RV campgrounds.
Read Whole Story
While top-of-the-line outdoor gear and insect repellents work well in the Northern California backcountry, they're next to worthless in the Colombian jungle.
At the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, alongside prominent political figures such as former president Bill Clinton and Massachusetts S...
The Jordanian government presented the draft elections law to Parliament. It is sure to garner much discussion before it is finally approved and published in the Official Gazette.
From Kailani's Korner:
Last week when I had a special visitor, we decided to do a little pre-holiday shopping. I found this adorable dress at a lit...
Yann Arthus-Bertrand's method is to get somewhere high, usually a helicopter or a paraglider, and point his camera downward. The results are usually magnificent, and last year, they inspired a film.
The path out of the Afghan quagmire lies in making the Afghan tribes the cutting blade of the strategy, not the US forces or the Afghan National Army.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Women's Network
The main objective of ECREA's Women's Network is to assess and develop the interdisciplinary and multicultural field of female scholarship in the context of European Communication and Media Studies. Furthermore, the Women's Network aims to research the current situation of women in higher education and academic research in Europe, identifying differences, strengths, weaknesses and areas of good practice.
Meetings' minutes:
24 November 2009, Oporto (Portugal)
Chair: Teija Waaramaa (Department of Speech Communication and Voice Research, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland)
Vice Chair: Barbi Pilvre (Tallinn University, Institute for International and Social Studies, Tallinn, Estonia)
Vice Chair: Inês Gil (Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal)
Modus Operandi
Network objectives
Network website
Yearly reports:
Women's Network Report 2009
Women's Network Report 2010
Women's Network Report 2011
Women's Network Report 2012
Women's Network Report 2013
Other Info:


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RFE: Conference Listings
This service is joint project of RFE and EconBiz.
- World Economy Society; Universidad de Ja̩n
|May 30-June 01, 2012
|XIV World Economic Meeting - XIV ReuniĚ_n de EconomĚ_a Mundial
|Ja̩n, Campus las Lagunillas of University of Ja̩n, Spain
|The World Economy Meeting, annually held by the World Economy Society, is an international forum opened to different economic approaches, where research works about world economy are presented and discussed. It is also a meeting place for discussion, emphasizing to all researchers, teachers, students and other professionals in the economy that focus on the global economy analysis. Topic Areas: 1. Internacionalization of Agriculture and Food 2. Trade and Investment 3. Integration 4. Finance 5. Development and Cooperation 6. Employment and Migrations 7. Innovation and Technological Change 8. Environment 9. Crisis and Governance [gemĚ_ĚŮ den Informationen des Anbieters - according to site editor's information]
|JEL Code:


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Police searching for El Paseo assault and robbery suspect
Updated On: Feb 25 2013 02:13:55 PM CST
Palm Desert Police are still searching for a man suspected of assaulting and robbing a woman Friday night in a parking lot behind El Paseo.
Around 9 p.m., the woman had just left a restaurant and was walking to her car when the suspect approached her, physically assaulted her, and stole her purse. With the purse in hand, the suspect ran across the parking lot and jumped into the passenger side of a dark-colored car and rode away.
The victim was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries where she was treated and later released.
Palm Desert Police say they are planning to release a sketch of the suspect today.
Copyright 2014 Gulf California Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Your helicopter charter will be custom tailored to your needs. You decide where and when you want to fly, and we will fly you anytime between sunrise and sunset. If you would like to spend some additional time at destination, we can even wait for you overnight. We operates about 250 different helicopter routes, we fly you on the shortest possible route from Phuket (VTSP) to Ao Nang (HELI) without hidden costs. The helicopter and all its seats are at your full disposal, flying at the most convenient time for you. Chartering a helicopter means that you pay for the time you fly. Where and when you plan to fly is entirely up to you, on our helicopter charters. Please contact us anytime to reserve your helicopter rental. We can even assist you with other needs related to your flight, such as VIP airport transfer in Ao Nang (HELI) or limo service. Follow link for online helicopter charter cost.
Contact Us
|London City (LCY/EGLC)
| firstname.lastname@example.com
|Phuket Airport
Helicopter Service
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The beautiful city of San Francisco is much the same as last year – and the San Francisco LinuxWorld looks much the same, with many of the same exhibitors and guests. I'm even starting to recognize some of the show staff. From what I've seen so far, this show could almost be last year's show, except for one thing. I have only been here for half a day, and I've heard one term more already than I heard it at all the other LinuxWorlds I've ever attended. That term is power consumption. I'm not talking about power management – like how long your computer can operate on its battery. I'm talking about the problem of reducing power consumption, as in using less to save money. Most people generally believe it is better to conserve energy, but such things never used to get much notice from major IT vendors. The talk used to be about reliability and getting the maximum capacity for the minimum expense. More recent arguments have centered on saving floor space and lowering maintenance overhead. Since when did IT get so interested in the environment? A combination of forces certainly helped bring this issue into focus. Rising energy costs have certainly played a role, but maybe there is something else going on.
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TOR Network Isn't So Anonymous
A new study says it is possible to unmask 81% of TOR users.
.NET Goes Open Source
Redmond joins the revolution by turning the .NET Core Runtime into a GitHub project.
Drupal Advisory Unleashes a Torrent of Attacks
Users only had 7 hours to update before the intrusions started.
HTML5 Gets Promoted to a Standard
It's official: The new web arrives
Linus Addresses Criticism for Harsh Language
Kernel king admits his tone has alienated volunteers, but says the demands of the process require directness.
New SSL Attack Lets a Malicious Listener Steal Session Cookies
New flaw in an old encryption scheme leaves the experts scrambling to disable SSL 3
Leading Open Source Coder Rants about Rants
Lennart Poettering wants to change the way Linux developers talk to each other.
HP Splits into Two Companies
Enterprise giant frees itself from ink and home PCs (and visa versa).
Mozilla Labs Shuts Down
Mozilla's product think tank sinks silently into history.
Internet Giants Launch Collaboration to Improve Open Source
TODO group will focus on open source tools in large-scale environments.


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Skip to Section Subnavigation Skip to Page Content
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A 2009 Gender Equity Study compiled from surveys of 39 independent schools throughout the U.S. reveals that Baylor does an exemplary job in providing equitable experiences for students, regardless of gender, in a number of critical areas. Highlights of the report include:
Baylor received top ratings from both boys and girls when asked if they felt their school was a good place to grow and develop. Both genders also report a high level of comfort at Baylor and felt free to express their opinions in class.
The majority of students at Baylor feel they have an adult they can speak to on a personal level. Seniors of both genders exceed the national norm when asked if they have a same gender adult with whom they can speak.
A majority of both genders at Baylor are able to find healthy ways to manage stress, and senior girls exceed the national norm. Seniors of both genders exceed the norm when asked if they are able to balance academics, extracurricular activities, friendships, and their health.
An overwhelming majority of Baylor girls feel they have leadership opportunities, and both genders rate girls as effective leaders at the school. Overall, Baylor was rated exemplary in the Girls Leadership category. An overwhelming majority of boys feel that they have leadership opportunities at Baylor; while girls and boys rate boys as effective leaders at the school.
The majority of boys and girls feel that it is easy to make friends at Baylor. A majority of students, particularly seniors, also feel they are able to share true feelings with their classmates; (exceeding the national norm for both genders).
Baylor received an exemplary rating from seniors when asked if they felt that boys and girls had an equal influence at school. A majority of students also believe that male and female adults have an equal influence at Baylor.
Students of both genders rate Baylor teachers as unbiased in the classroom – seniors are especially positive. Regarding equitable discussion in class, Baylor received an exemplary rating from seniors of both genders (exceeding the national norms).
In the national data, senior girls are the least healthy group in their behaviors and attitudes about their bodies. At Baylor, senior girls considerably exceed the national average, as they report behaviors and attitudes that make Baylor unique in fostering a positive body image in adolescent girls.
Source: IndependentSchool Gender Project 1996-2009, by Cheryl Sandford Jenkins, Ed.D., St. George's School, Rhode Island; Principal Investigator for the IndependentSchool Gender Project, April 2009.
Except for the years 1900-1911, Baylor was defined in part by its all-male tradition. That changed in 1985, when the school began admitting girls. Today, the school's culture and community reflects the real-world camaraderie and leadership that exists among our male and female students.
Baylor School
171 Baylor School Road
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 267-8505 main
(423) 267-5902 admissions


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Support Freedom for the Iranian People
- Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize recipient
A Powerful Cyber-Weapon Against Tyrants
If President Barack Obama wants to support democratic movements on a shoestring, he should support an "Internet freedom initiative" in Congress, which would include $50 million in the appropriations bill for these censorship-evasion technologies. The 21st-century equivalent of the Berlin wall is a cyber-barrier, and we can help puncture it.
Zhou, the son of a Chinese army general, said that he and his colleagues began to develop such software after the 1999 Chinese government crackdown on Falun Gong (which the authorities denounce as a cult). One result was a free software called Freegate, small enough to carry on a flash drive. It takes a surfer to an overseas server that changes I.P. addresses every second or so, too quickly for a government to block it, and then from there to a banned site.
Freegate amounts to a dissident's cyberkit. E-mails sent with it can be encrypted. And after a session is complete, a press of a button eliminates any sign that it was used on that computer. The consortium also makes available variants of the software, such as Ultrasurf, and other software to evade censors is available from Tor Project and the University of Toronto.
Originally, Freegate was available only in Chinese and English, but a growing number of people have been using it in other countries, such as Myanmar. Responding to the growing use of Freegate in Iran, the consortium introduced a Farsi-language version last July — and usage there skyrocketed.
Soon almost as many Iranians were using it as Chinese, straining server capacity (many Chinese are wary of Freegate because of its links to Falun Gong, which even ordinary citizens often distrust). The engineers in the consortium, worrying that the Iran traffic would crash their servers, dropped access in Iran in January but restored it before the Iran election.
A Sculpture for a Free Cuba
Where's the Momentum?
Momentum for Changing U.S. Policy Toward Cuba Subject to Interpretation
While a National Foreign Trade Council official said June 17 that momentum is growing in Congress for U.S. policy change toward Cuba, an official with a Cuban democracy advocacy group said that lawmakers currently advocating policy change in the 111th Congress have done so before and failed.
Jake Colvin, NFTC vice president of global affairs, and Mauricio Claver-Carone, director of Cuba Democracy Public Advocacy Corp., made their remarks at a forum organized by the Washington International Trade Association.
Colvin said that there is increasing interest in Congress in normalizing relations with Cuba. President Obama, he noted, has said that U.S. policy with respect to Cuba has failed.
Also, currently, nearly 70 percent of Cubans living in the United States support the removal of all U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba. This marks a "huge change" from two years ago, he said.
Cuba has been under U.S. economic embargo for over 45 years. The Obama administration April 13 announced a series of steps aimed at relaxing certain restrictions on U.S. travel to and business dealings with Cuba, including authorizing the donation of certain consumer telecommunication devices without a license from the Commerce Department and restoring items such as clothing and personal hygiene products to the list of items that can be included in gift parcel donations (69 DER AA-1, 4/14/09).
"In the short-term we're likely to see a lot more engagement and interaction between the United States and Cuba," he said. Colvin speculated that the Obama administration will focus on implementing regulations for the changes it has already announced before undertaking other reforms.
During his presidential campaign, President Obama promised to loosen restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba. However, he also said that the trade embargo should be maintained as leverage to encourage Cuba to make democratic changes.
Colvin argued that—contrary to some opinions—the president is empowered to make changes to the Cuba embargo. "For those of us who want to see policy change, the wind is at our back for the first time in a long time," he said.
John Veroneau, former deputy U.S. trade representative now with Covington and Burling, commented that the current administration has more "policy space" than prior administrations to make changes to Cuba policy. He said it remains to be seen how much of that policy space Obama will use.
Same Lawmakers Back Legislation
Claver-Carone said that U.S. lawmakers pushing policy change with Cuba in the 111th Congress are the "same members with the same interests" as have supported such changes in the past.
Several bills loosening sanctions have been introduced in the 111th Congress. Among them, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), joined by 15 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, May 20 introduced a measure to ease trade and all travel restrictions on Cuba, including Treasury Department rules that made it harder for Cuba to purchase U.S. agricultural products (96 DER A-6, 5/21/09).
Normalizing relations with Cuba's dictatorship—now led by Raul Castro—would open a Pandora's box, Claver-Carone said, noting that Cuba is one of only a handful of totalitarian states remaining.
"Cuba is not China and it is not Vietnam," he remarked. A totalitarian regime strives to control all aspects of a citizen's life, he said.
Consistent with U.S. law, Obama has made it clear that the embargo will not be lifted until Cuba makes a democratic transition, Claver-Carone said.
Three conditions are necessary before the embargo is lifted: the unconditional release of all political prisoners; the respect and recognition of universally recognized human rights; and recognition of the opposition party, he said.
Labor Leaders for Cuban Freedom
The forum sponsored by the Unitary Council of Cuban Workers, Solidarnosc and the Committee for Free Trade Unionism brought together an international group of worker delegates to the ILO, human rights advocates, journalists, influential leaders and observers to discuss the current labor situation and the prospects for change on the island nation long throttled by political repression.
"Hundreds of political prisoners are today in inhumane Cuban prisons designed by the dictatorial regime in Havana to silence the truth. In this cruel and systematic manner, the regime deprives these men and women, without any respect for their personal dignity, of their most sacred rights, and the freedom to express their thoughts. For five years, I experienced with these men and women the abuses and violence committed every day by the Cuban government," said Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, the exiled Secretary General of the United Federation of Cuban Workers (CUTC).
He continued, "As one of those arrested and subsequently incarcerated, I witnessed and suffered alongside the other victims of those terrible acts, which were perpetrated against human rights activists, journalists, union members and political party members who supported and still support the new civil society emerging in our country."
In a new report on labor violations released by the International Group for Corporate Social Responsibility (GIRSCC), Joel Brito, Executive Director of the group described the current level of repression and how the Cuban government continues to deliberately shut down efforts by independent worker groups to organize freely. "These are clear violations of all ILO Conventions and standards and Cuba has violated all of them repeatedly with impunity."
"We want to fight for the legalization of independent trade unions in Cuba in accordance with international labor standards, its time to stand up for Cuban workers who want free trade unions --- they should not be jailed," noted Manuel Cova, General Secretary of the Confederation of Workers of Venezuela.
The report noted that despite the fact that Cuban workers find themselves without any true labor or political representation, the government continues to pursue independent unionists and to deny the creation of independent unions without ties to the CTC, the government's official representative.
"There are many independent labor unions in Cuba that have solicited the legalization of their organizations before the corresponding authorities, however none of these organizations have ever received a reply," noted Brito.
"We know from our communications with worker activists and their families on the island that the Castro regime continues to harass and imprison those who dare to speak up and speak out," said Thomas R. Donahue, the former president of the AFL-CIO and chairman of the Committee for Free Trade Unionism.
"We are proud to support their struggle for freedom of association, a basic right."
Tom Donahue, Chairman of the Committee for Free Trade Unionism discussed the most egregious labor violations orchestrated by the Cuban government discussed at the forum focusing on a recent historic decision by a U.S. District Court at the end of 2008 to award $80 million to three Cuban workers who were victims of a Cuban forced labor scheme operating in Curacao, the Netherland Antilles.
"Forced labor is not a crime according to Cuban law. Cuban statutes permit it. The result is that the state has absolute power to compel labor from its citizens, and that is what happened in the case of the Cuban workers in Curacao. They were sent to Curacao, but held captive there at the drydock, and the Cuban government got paid for their work. It was essentially an outpost of the Cuban forced labor system and funneled millions of dollars to the Cuban government and we want the ILO and other democratic countries to lead an effort to put an end to these practices," Donahue said.
"I want to ask for support of all democratic unions here at the ILO that care about freedom for all workers in Cuba and our international campaign is demanding their freedom," noted Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos.
"Pre-Criminal Social Danger"
PARIS – Reporters Without Borders on Wednesday demanded the immediate release of Cuban photo journalist Maria Nelida Lopez Baez, who is being held at an unknown location on the communist-ruled island.
The journalist faces possible persecution for "pre-criminal social danger," the Paris-based organization, known as RSF, said in a statement.
"The regime once again feels the need to censor and crack down on dissidents and journalists," RSF said. "This helps to explain why it was so contemptuous about the recent decision, obtained thanks to the efforts of other Latin American countries, to let Cuba back into the Organization of American States."
"Rejoining the OAS would have meant respecting basic freedoms, a clearly unacceptable prospect for the continent's last dictatorship," the press freedom watchdog said. "The international community must press for the release of Cuban political prisoners."
The organization noted that the accusation of "pre-criminal social danger" leveled against the journalist is commonly used by the Cuban government against individuals who have committed no crime, jailing them merely for their "potential" threat to society.
Three journalists have been convicted on this charge since 2006 and given sentences ranging from three to four years: Oscar Sanchez Madan, Ramon Velazquez Toranso and Raymundo Perdigon Brito.
Things You Cannot Do in Cuba (Or End Up In Prison For)
1. Travel abroad without permission from the government. Even if you have an approved visa and an airline ticket, you may only leave Cuba with a government issued "White Card," which may take years to obtain and is usually denied. Workers linked to health services, government agencies, the armed forces, or high profile athletes, among others, must wait at least five years, but in most cases never get permission to leave.
2. Travel abroad with spouse and/or children. With the exception of some senior government officials.
3. Switch jobs without prior government permission.
4. Switch homes. Home exchanges are subject to endless regulations and is practically impossible.
5. Publish anything without permission from the government.
6. Own a personal computer, a fax machine, or a satellite antenna.
7. Access the Internet. The Internet is strictly controlled and monitored by state security. Only 1.7% of the population has access to the web.
8. Send your children to a private or religious school. All schools belong to the communist party.
9. Belong to any religious denomination without penalty. Adults may be terminated from their jobs and the children can be expelled from school.
10. Belong to any organization regardless of its national or international presence with the exception of government organizations. The exceptions are the Communist Party, Union of Communist Youth, Committee for the Defense of the Revolution, etc.
11. Listen to or watch any radio or television station that is independent or privately owned. All of the media is state property and controlled by the state. Cubans illegally listen to or watch BBC, Voice of the Americas, Radio Marti, TV Marti, etc.
12. Read books, magazines, or newspapers, with the exception of those approved/published by the government. All books, magazines, and newspapers in Cuba are published by the government. There is no authorized independent press.
13. Receive publications from abroad or from visitors. This is punishable by jail pursuant to Law 88.
14. Freely communicate with foreign journalists.
15. Visit or stay in hotels, restaurants, beaches, or resorts for tourists.
16. Accept gifts or donations from foreign visitors.
17. Search for employment with foreign companies established on the island without prior approval from the government.
18. Own your own home or business.
19. Earn more than the wages established by the government for all employees: $7-12 monthly for most jobs, $15-20 monthly for professionals, such as doctors and government officials.
20. Sell any personal belongings, services, homemade foods or crafts without the approval of the government.
21. Fish along the coastline or board a boat without permission from the government.
22. Belong to any independent trade union. The government controls all unions and no individual or collective bargaining is permitted; neither are strikes or protests.
23. Organize any sporting team, sporting activity, or artistic performance without permission from the government.
24. Claim any monetary prize or recognition from abroad.
25. Select a doctor or hospital. The government assigns them all.
26. Seek medical help outside of Cuba.
27. Hire an attorney, unless he or she is approved by the government.
28. Refuse to participate in an event or mass demonstration organized by the Communist Party. Refusal to participate in demonstrations results in being categorized as an opponent of the state and leaves you exposed to serious consequences.
29. Refuse to participate in "voluntary" work for adults and children.
30. Refuse to vote in a single party election with candidates nominated by the government.
31. Aspire to hold a public office unless the Communist Party nominates you.
32. Criticize or simply question the oppressive laws of the regime or any comment/decision made by the officials or the "Maximum Leader."
33. Transport any food products for either personal or family consumption between provinces. The police regularly inspect bags and/or luggage in trains, buses, cars, bicycles, and any other mode of transportation, in search of vegetables, sugar, coffee, and meats. All food products are confiscated and its carriers undergo judicial proceedings.
34. Slaughter a cow. Farmers who tend livestock cannot sacrifice their animals for consumption and much less to sell the beef. This "felony" is sanctioned by five years imprisonment.
35. Purchase or sell real estate or land.
36. Import into the country the following electronic products: refrigerators, air conditioning units, stoves, ovens, microwaves, water heaters, showers, fryers, irons, and toasters.
37. Return to visit Cuba after emigrating. Those who decide to visit their families in Cuba need a visa-permission to return to the land where they were born and must obtain a Cuban passport, even if they already have another recognized nationality. This process alone costs more than $450 excluding airline tickets and other fees. If permission to enter the country is denied, the Cuban government keeps the money.
38. Visit a "quitting" member of the family outside of Cuba. When a Cuban "quits" (defects) while abroad on duty, which the government considers an "official mission" (sports, science, arts, etc.), their family members must wait at least five years for the government to decide whether or not they may travel to visit.
39. Keep belongings when a family member emigrates or is caught trying to do so. When a Cuban receives permission to leave, their raft is intercepted at sea, or is repatriated; their belongings (home, television, furniture, clothing, etc.) are confiscated. If repatriated or intercepted at sea, it will also be impossible for them to return to work, they lose their rationing book (the means by which they obtain the right to pay for a portion of the nutrients they need), they are repudiated and/or receive criminal penalties.
40. Freely select a career to study. A 12th grade graduate, regardless of their academic record and placement availability, cannot select the career they wish to pursue. In the selection process for universities (all of which belong to the state), they factor ideological considerations associated to the unconditional support of the applicant and the "needs of the revolution" at the present time.
41. Invite a foreigner to spend the night at your home. If the neighborhood CDR (Committee for the Defense of the Revolution) finds an unauthorized foreigner spending the night in the home of a Cuban, investigations begin which generally result in fines for the residents and removal from their home.
42. Refuse to participate in the Militia of Territorial Troops, CDR, Brigades of Rapid Response or any of the regime's oppressive organizations. The refusal is interpreted as a clear manifestation of dissatisfaction with the revolution and is subject to penalties.
43. Buy milk in a regulated establishment for any child older than seven years. Only Cuban children up to seven years of age have the right to pay a quota for milk, from that age on, the purchase of milk is forbidden and parents can only obtain milk in the black market, which implies a clear violation of the law.
44. Live in liberty and with human rights. Survive like a human being.
45. Say "Down with Fidel!"
Jorge Moragas Sanchez is a Spanish Parliamentarian. He is a Foreign Affairs Spokesman for the Popular Party of Spain.
Political Prisoner's Testimony at U.N. Council
Thank you, Mr. President:
My name is José Gabriel Ramón Castillo. I was declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, and I testify before this forum as a victim of repression in Cuba. I will refer concretely to two points contained in the Responses provided by Cuba on the recommendations listed under paragraph 131 of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Cuba (A/HRC/11/22) Adopted during the Fourth Session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review.
The ratification of the International Covenants on Civil, Political, Social, Economic, and Cultural rights is still a pending matter. My question concerning this - Will it be possible to put a date on definitive adherence to these Covenants? As long as Cuba does not ratify these Covenants, the human rights situation will continue to depend on the political will of the Government, and there is no guarantee whatsoever that the current situation will change.
On page 2, the aforementioned document indicates that "Cuba is a State Party to the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments (CAT) from May 17, 1995 assures respect for the physical and spiritual integrity of persons. In the country there are no existing practices of torture or of other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments. Cuba has the effective national resources to ensure the rigorous application of the CAT."
The reality is that in Cuba there are hundreds of political prisoners recognized by Amnesty International. Many are ill and do not receive treatment. Human rights defenders enter prison healthy and in a short time suffer serious illnesses as in the cases of, among others, Víctor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, Librado Linares García, Normando Hernández González, and Ariel Sigler Amaya, who has been left an invalid. In Cuba, there is physical and psychological torture, and I am a direct victim of these practices.
On page 8, the aforementioned document speaks of the self-determination of peoples, and economic, social, and cultural rights are mentioned. Nevertheless, the self-determination of Cuban workers is not respected in Cuba. Workers lack the right to organizer labor unions independently of the state, and 5 Cubans are currently in prison for attempting to organize independent labor unions. This has been well documented by the relevant international institutions.
The Council of Human Rights Rapporteurs of Cuba has documented 21 deaths in prison in 2009 due to denial of medical attention and/or psychological harassment. There have been 500 cases of arbitrary arrests and 26 imprisonments of human rights activists. Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, executive director of the Council, as well as Julio Romero Muñoz of the Free Expression Solidarity Movement, have been persecuted for sending reports to the Universal Periodic Review Committee.
Mr. President, in the name of those thousands of Cubans who have been repressed and tortured, and whose fundamental rights are violated, I ask the Council to do justice for the Cuban people.
Thank you.
Trade Conference Remarks
"What's Next on Cuba Trade Policy?"
Washington International Trade Association (WITA)
Thank you so much for your kind invitation. I must admit that I'm at a bit of a disadvantage here today with the composition of the panel; the interest of the registrants; and even the time for preparation, but I am truly honored to be here with all of you.
Obviously, Cuba and U.S. policy towards Cuba -- including the issue of trade -- are topics of great passion, and seemingly endless comment, reflection and debate -- or at least for those of us that deal with it on a daily basis.
In order to get a full perspective of the issue at hand, let me first address Cuba's political system and U.S. policy towards Cuba in general, as these have important implications for the subject of agricultural trade with Cuba.
First of all, Cuba is not China and it is not Vietnam. It is not an authoritarian bureaucracy. Cuba is one of a handful of totalitarian states remaining in the world, alongside Burma and North Korea.
I hate to delve too far into political science, or even sound patronizing, but it's important to understand the dynamics of a totalitarian state in order to understand the Cuban reality.
A totalitarian state strives to control every aspect of public and private life. Totalitarian regimes, such as Cuba's, maintain themselves in power by means of an all-embracing cult of personality; propaganda disseminated through a state-controlled media; a single party that controls the state; absolute control over the economy; restrictions on discussion and criticism; the use of mass surveillance; and state terrorism to foment fear and submission.
As regards food consumption, Cubans are condemned, not by their own choice, but by that of the ruling regime, to a system of rationing, or as it's known in Cuba, the Libreta de Abastecimiento ("ration card").
On top of rationing -- of which the Cuban regime announced this week it plans to further "ration the ration" -- the average wage of a regular Cuban is about 350 pesos per month ($17-20).
Cubans can not change jobs, change residence inside Cuba, or leave the country without government permission.
Cubans are prohibited from using hotels, restaurants or other facilities reserved for tourists.
A person can get more jail time for killing a cow in Cuba (10 years in prison) than for killing a human. Those who sell beef without government permission can get three to eight years in prison. Consumers of illegal beef can get three months to one year in prison. And just to clarify, Cubans are not bound to any religious or cultural observations regarding beef, this is purely a political and economic decision of the regime.
Cuba, Zimbabwe and North Korea (177-179) comprise the least free economies in the world, according to the Wall Street Journal's 2009 Index of Economic Freedom.
I hope I've painted a good picture of the obsession for absolute control by Cuba's regime. Now, let me proceed to U.S. policy towards Cuba.
The US has a dual track policy towards Cuba. It seeks to – first and foremost -- provide support to the constantly besieged Cuban civil society (by civil society, I'm referring to opposition groups, religious organizations, independent journalists, and other marginalized, independent – and therefore illegal -- trade groups); while –secondly -- denying hard currency and resources to the Cuban dictatorship. In other words, U.S. policy seeks to weaken the Cuban regime's absolute monopoly over power and resources, in order to help the Cuban civil society create some sort of "playing field" for itself, despite the grossly disproportionate circumstances it faces.
Within this context, U.S. policy sees sanctions as an important tool that not only denies resources to the regime, but also provides important moral and political support to the Cuban civil society. However, it is important to understand that U.S. sanctions towards Cuba are not defined indefinitely, they are subject to conditions, and have been specifically codified into U.S. law as such. Since 1996 -- with the codification of this policy -- the power to ease or terminate sanctions shifted from the executive to the legislative branch of the U.S. government.
According to law, the U.S. will only lift the remaining trade sanctions and normalize relations with the Cuba when three essential conditions are met: 1. the unconditional release of all political prisoners, 2. the recognition and respect of the fundamental human, political, and economic rights of the Cuban people, and 3. opposition parties are legalized.
Therefore, any unilateral adjustment or further easing of U.S. sanctions prior to progress made on these conditions would not only send a devastating message to the Cuban civil society, but could also have very serious geopolitical ramifications as well.
Thirty-four (34) out of the thirty-five (35) nations of this Western Hemisphere are democratic. Granted, we have better relationships with some than with others, and frankly, some are outright hostile to the U.S. However, we cannot afford a return to the dictatorships -- whether of the left or of the right -- that ruled Latin America for most of the 20th century. Some may have appeared to be good for business at the time, but they are all damaging to the 21st century national interests of the U.S. Normalizing relations with Cuba's dictatorship would open a Pandora's Box that might lead to history repeating itself. And trust me, there are plenty of leaders with authoritarian tendencies ready to take advantage of such a moment.
Let me proceed, and conclude, with the issue of trade.
To speak of "trade with Cuba" is in itself a misrepresentation. To "trade with Cuba" is not about trading with the nation's businesses and people. Under the Cuban regime's constitution, only one company is allowed to engage in international trade -- that company is called Alimport. Therefore, I'm a regular Cuban citizen, and I want to import chickens from Maryland, I'm not allowed to – even if I had the capital to do so. Only Mr. Pedro Alvarez, the head of the Cuban regime's Alimport, is solely authorized to import products to Cuba – to the entire island. That's it. Cubans have no stake in it.
Therefore, we should be forthright and call it "trade with Alimport," or "trade with Cuba's monopoly," which leads to the question:
Why does the Castro regime insist on monopolizing food in Cuba?
Furthermore, why does the Castro regime only authorize one company, Alimport, to engage in agricultural trade?
There's no food in the Cuban people's ration stores, but plenty of food in the island's hard-currency supermarkets for tourists, diplomats and the regime's bourgeois, which are stocked by Alimport.
The answer is: Because food is also a weapon of submission in a totalitarian regime.
Therefore, every dollar that the 157 companies from 35 states have transacted in agricultural sales with Cuba since the 2000 Trade Sanctions Reform Act has only had one Cuban counterpart.
Judging by the interest of all the diverse trade groups here today, you would think that Alimport was the biggest monopoly in the world. Far from, it's part and parcel of a bankrupt regime whose foreign debt more than doubles its GDP and represents one of the greatest credit risks in the world. To top it off, foreign companies have been currently denouncing that their bank accounts in Cuba have been frozen, some dating six months back, and European holders of Cuban debt were just informed last week that bond payments would be postponed – again.
The good news is that the U.S. has zero credit exposure to Cuba, as current policy prohibits the extension of credit to the Castro regime.
Despite sanctions, the U.S. proudly remains the largest provider of humanitarian aid to Cuba, last year alone surpassing $270 million. There are no legal restrictions to the amount of humanitarian aid that one can send directly to the Cuban people. Cubans are extremely smart people, they know that it is not U.S. sanctions that prohibits them from freely expressing themselves; it is not sanctions that keeps them from entering those beautiful resorts, with their restaurants and bars; it's not sanctions that keep them from entering the plentiful "diplotienda" supermarkets; it's not sanctions that keep them from choosing their own destiny. It is the Cuban regime that does so.
Furthermore, Cubans on the island know what democratic ideals are. In many cases, they have given the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of those ideals. Let's not forget, Cuba has the largest prison population – per capita – in the world. Ten percent of the Cuban population has died, either trying to cross the Florida Straits, executed or imprisoned. Add to that another ten percent that has been exiled. Those are Stalin-Mao proportions.
We all know that Cuban dictator Raul Castro lacks Fidel's persuasive charisma and faces a big leadership test amidst the global economic squeeze. So the question to ask is: Who deserves the benefits of trade with the U.S.? The geriatric regime that represses and monopolizes the lives of Cubans, or those pro-democracy advocates that are courageously undertaking a daily struggle for a better tomorrow.
Hopefully, the answer will be the latter. And at that time, I hope we can gather here and discuss the prospects for a free trade agreement between the U.S. and a future democratic government in Cuba.
I am going to wrap up here. I hope I've been able to spark your interest and look forward to any questions or comments.
Thank you.
New Trafficking in Persons Report
Cuba is principally a source of women and children trafficked within the country for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Some Cuban children are reportedly pushed into prostitution by their families, exchanging sex for money, food, or gifts. Cuban nationals voluntarily migrate illegally to the United States, and there have been reports that some are subjected to forced labor or forced prostitution by their smugglers. The full scope of trafficking within Cuba is difficult to gauge due to the closed nature of the government and sparse nongovernmental or independent reporting. State-run hotel workers, travel employees, cab drivers, and police steer some tourists to women and children in prostitution – including trafficking victims – though this appears to be on the decline.
The Government of Cuba does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, and is not making significant efforts to do so. It is difficult to assess the true extent of trafficking in Cuba. Observation and independent reports suggest that the Cuban government is taking steps to address the problem of child sex tourism, though this information cannot be verified. The government will not release information about anti-trafficking activities it may have engaged in during the past year, viewing U.S. attempts to engage officials on trafficking issues as politically motivated.
Recommendations for Cuba: Acknowledge that child sex trafficking in Cuba is a problem; provide greater legal protections and assistance for victims; develop procedures to identify possible trafficking victims among vulnerable populations; increase anti-trafficking training for law enforcement; and take greater steps to prevent the trafficking of children in prostitution.
A Zero-Sum Argument by CATO
"If more US tourists were permitted to visit Cuba, and at the same time US exports to Cuba were further liberalised, the US economy could reclaim dollars from the Castro regime as fast as the regime could acquire them. In effect, the exchange would be of agricultural products for tourism services, a kind of "bread for beaches", "food for fun" trade relationship."
Coincidentally, the U.S. State Department released its 2009 Trafficking in Persons report today, which classifies Cuba in the lowest rank, Tier 3, due to its tourist sex trade and female exploitation practices. Are the apartheid hotels, beaches and nightclubs -- where only foreigners and prostitutes are allowed access by the regime's authorities -- the "beaches" and "fun" referred to?
Even more fundamentally flawed is the notion that U.S. tourists would fuel the demand for U.S. agricultural products in Cuba. Economically, that is a zero-sum proposition. You'd simply be feeding an U.S. tourist in Havana versus doing so in Miami Beach, there's no added value.
Cubans Akin to 18th Century Slaves
"For eleven million Cubans on the island, it's as if we were 18th century slaves, asking our slave-master for permission to enter and exit the country," Dr. Molina told Argentina's Todo Noticias television station.
Corporate Beneficiaries of Travel to Cuba
If the United States lifted all restrictions on tourist travel to Cuba, what corporations would net the biggest gains? Two: Orbitz Worldwide of Chicago, Ill., and GAESA, S.A. of Havana.
Orbitz, the Internet travel agency, is ratcheting up its campaign to lift U.S. travel sanctions against Cuba. It has announced an on-line petition addressed to Congress and the Obama Administration, and to seduce signatories from the 14-million monthly visitors to its website, it is offering $100 coupons good for travel to Cuba if restrictions are lifted.
What's in it for Orbitz? Obviously there is an anticipated financial windfall from tourists booking vacations. Less obvious but more important, there are the good graces of the Castro brothers, who run Cuba. Their goodwill could make Orbitz the sole provider of travel services between the United States and Cuba, a monopoly worth millions.
Monopolies are not new to the Castros. Havanatur, a commercial entity of Cuba's Ministry of the Interior, has exclusive rights to arrange foreign travel and already contracts with a small cartel of agents in South Florida to arrange flights for Cuban Americans allowed to travel to the island. Obligingly the cartel allows the Castro regime to vet the travelers to exclude human-rights advocates and its outspoken critics.
Orbitz's Chief Executive Barney Harford, a British national, traveled to Cuba in 1997, and surely has the appropriate business connections with Cuban authorities to cash in if the United States lifts remaining restrictions. The same week Orbitz announced its Internet petition, however, the Cuban regime ironically issued a decree permitting only foreign visitors to access the Internet from Cuba's hotels and other tourist facilities.
Tourist facilities are among the few places in Cuba with access to the Internet, but islanders who don't work in the government-run tourist industry have been barred from entering hotels, restaurants, and other facilities ''reserved'' for foreign tourists. That apartheid has brought widespread criticism and serves as a slap of reality in the faces of those still promoting the idea that tourism will somehow ''open up'' the Castro regime.
Even more repressive are the Castro regime's Law 80, which makes it a crime for Cuban nationals to accept ''publications'' from foreigners, and the Ministry of Tourism's 2004 memo that prohibits hotel workers from accepting gifts and having any contact with foreigners outside the workplace.
For Orbitz to ignore such repression puts the company on the same low rung of the ladder of moral equivalence that the DeBeers Corporation occupied in South Africa's apartheid governments. DeBeers, world famous for diamonds, was set up by another British national, Cecil Rhodes. It used all the mechanisms of apartheid to ensure it had a cheap and docile labor force for its mines. Propped up by apartheid laws, DeBeers prospered to spawn other corporations and eventually to own 40 percent of all companies listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange.
In the Castros' Cuba, not all the spoils will go to Orbitz. To boost its revenues, the Cuban government has been promoting foreign investment in tourism since the mid-1990s. The foreign investor, however, must have a Cuban partner, and as head of the Cuban armed forces, Raúl Castro made sure the military would be that partner and become the driving force of the island's economy. Raúl established Grupo de Administracion Empresarial S.A. (Enterprise Management Group), or GAESA, a holding company for the military. He appointed several of his close confidants and relatives to GAESA positions, including its current chairman and CEO, Maj. Luis Alberto Rodriguez Lopez Callejas, who is married to Deborah Castro Espin, Raúl's oldest daughter.
No tourism-related transactions take place in Cuba without GAESA or one of its companies having a stake. GAESA leads the nation in foreign-exchange earnings and undoubtedly will be the biggest Cuban beneficiary of U.S. tourist travel to Cuba.
This leads to the next question: Who will be the biggest loser? Unfortunately, that will be the Cuban people. They will not only continue to be subject to the harassment and repression of Cuban government authorities, but also subject to the exploitation of their military's foreign partners.
The Cuban people deserve a better deal from U.S. policymakers.
Mauricio Claver-Carone is a director of the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC and founding editor of CapitolHillCubans.com in Washington, D.C.
Europe's Oxymoron (or Moron)
It was accurately reported that:
LUXEMBOURG CITY – The European Union decided Monday to continue and deepen an expansive, respectful and results-oriented political dialogue with Cuba despite determining that there has been a lack of advances on the communist island in the area of human rights.
How can there be a "results-oriented" dialogue "despite determining" that the Cuban regime has made no advances on human rights?
Where are the the "results" that have led the EU to continue this fruitless dialogue?
Either this is an oxymoron, or the Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, is just a moron.
Criminal Procedure 101
"Alleged ringleader Gerardo Hernandez, who was also convicted of murder conspiracy in the 1996 deaths of four pilots from the Brothers to the Rescue group for allegedly passing information that helped the Cuban Air Force shoot down the intruding aircraft, issued a statement through the Cuban parliament denouncing the Supreme Court decision."
Legal scholars have argued whether a person is "convicted" upon being found guilty by a jury or pursuant to sentencing. However, there is no disagreement about a person being "convicted" after being found guilty, sentenced by a judge and undergone all feasible appeals. Therefore, there are no longer "allegations."
Geraldo Hernandez was convicted by a trial jury (in which there were no Cuban-Americans), sentenced by a judge, underwent two appeals in the 11th Circuit and filed a writ of certiorari, which was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court. If somehow one is still not sufficiently convinced that Hernandez was acting illegally as a foreign agent, then perhaps the fact that he issued his statement through "the Cuban parliament" will be persuasive.
A Lesson in Civility
"Continue to express your dissent and your needs, but remember to remain civilized, for you will sorely miss civilization if it is sacrificed in the turbulence of change."
William James Durant, 1885-1981, American philosopher and historian.
Iran's Shot Heard 'Round the World
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled;
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard 'round the world.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Concord Hymn," 1837
The Golden Cows
That's because a person can get more jail time for killing a cow than killing a human, under Cuban law. Cow killers can get four to 10 years in prison under a toughened crime law adopted in January. Those who transport or sell the meat from an illegally slaughtered cow can get three to eight years. Providing beef at an unauthorized restaurant or workplace can fetch two to five years. And buying contraband beef is punishable by three months to one year in jail or a steep fine. Authorities also have the power to confiscate all or part of the property of anyone involved in black-market cattle dealings.
In contrast, the jail sentence for homicide is generally seven to 15 years, unless there are aggravating circumstances. Suspects involved in contract hits, kidnap-murders, sadistic or perverse killings, the murder of police officials and other acts can get from 15 years in jail to the death penalty."
EDITOR'S NOTE: This segment is from a 2005 Dallas Morning News article. Please note that Cubans are generally not bound to any religious or cultural observations regarding cows or meat of any kind. This is purely a political and economic consequence of the Castro regime.
Castro's Tourist Scam
Because it's a poor country, there is very little for a tourist to buy in Cuba to bring home, which is probably just as well because your money disappears as soon as you land at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport.
All foreigners are required to exchange their currency for Cuban Convertible Pesos -- CUCs -- with the Castro government taking 20 percent off the top.
Cubans themselves spend National Pesos at peso stores on subsistence items. In this dual economic system, tourists are spending CUCs for hotel rooms, meals, entertainment, taxis, cigars, and rum. And since regular Cubans can't stay in hotels and can't afford to eat in tourist restaurants, they drive the taxis and are the entertainment. Like everything in Cuba, it works most of the time -- but barely.
Supreme Court Rejects "Cuban Five" Appeal
EDITOR'S NOTE: As a reminder, there were no Cuban-Americans on the jury that convicted the so-called "Cuban Five" in 2001 for espionage activities, which included attempts to infiltrate U.S. military installations.
The Flipside of Biden's Remarks
"Talks with Iran are not a reward for good behavior," Biden said.
"They're only a consequence, if the president makes a judgment that's in the best interest of the United States of America -- our national security interests -- to talk with the Iranian regime."
Substituting Iran for Cuba, would this imply that if Cuba is not a security threat to the U.S. -- as opponents of current U.S. policy like to argue -- that talks with Cuba should then only be as a reward for good behavior?
Seems like a fair point.
CAMBIO is Inevitably Coming
Yoani's "Generacion Y" blog has earned international acclaim despite her constant censorship and harrassment by the Cuban authorities. In 2008, Yoani was chosen by Time Magazine as one of the world's most influential people.
She said Cuban dictator Raul Castro lacks Fidel's persuasive charisma and faces a big leadership test amidst the global economic squeeze.
"On the street you hear opinions or criticism now that you never would have heard two, three, four or five years ago. People are waking up."
Wreath Laying Ceremony Tomorrow
This ceremony will feature wreaths and flowers from countries around the world -- from those that suffered the iron grip of Communism in 20th century Eastern Europe and the former Soviet bloc, to those that continue to suffer from Communist oppression in China, Cuba, North Korea and Vietnam to this day.
The VOC Memorial was dedicated by President George W. Bush on June 12, 2007. The dedication ceremony featured the unveiling of the "Goddess of Democracy," a bronze replica of a statue erected by Chinese students in Tienanmen Square in the spring of 1989.
The Memorial is located at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and New Jersey Avenue, N.W. on Capitol Hill.
Please consider attending.
Vaclav Havel on EU Relations With Cuba
Despite repeated reminders from the EU, the Cuban government has done none of the things that the Union has been urging it to do for many years — above all, to release all political prisoners and stop the persecution of independent civil-society groups and the regime's political opponents. On the contrary, the Cuban government continues to detain prisoners of conscience and to criminalize demands for a society-wide dialogue.
This year, the peoples of Europe are marking the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain that once divided Europe in two. That 20 years after this epochal event an iron curtain remains around Cuba makes this anniversary poignant. Of course, the tourists who crowd Cuba's beaches are not aware of this iron curtain. But, regardless of this ignorance and of its economic interests, the EU should insist on the release of political prisoners and use all international institutions to bring pressure to bear on the Cuban government to respect the human and civil rights of Cuba's people. During any negotiations with Cuba's leaders, European politicians and diplomats should remind their Cuban partners of their obligations.
They should also be in contact with Cuban civil society to express their solidarity with the families of the political prisoners.
From its own experiences in the twentieth century, Europe knows what catastrophes can result when concessions are made to evil.
The history of the twentieth century is an object lesson in this. Time and again, Europe paid a high price for policies of compromises with evil that were dictated by economic interests or the illusion that evil can be appeased and will disappear of its own accord. The EU should not and must not repeat this error.
Václav Havel was President of Czechoslovakia (1989-1992) and President of the Czech Republic (1993-2003)
In My Humble Opinion, Pt. 9
"It's been a big smoke screen for a long time...The Soviets used to say there were large deposits off the shores of Cuba, though it hasn't been proven," Mauricio Claver-Carone, a member of the U.S.-Cuba Democracy Political Action Committee, told United Press International.
The Isolated Gesture (That Took 15 Years)
Dr. Molina, who had been a senior Communist Party official, broke ranks with the Castro regime in 1994 over the island's "apartheid" health care system, where tourists and dignitaries are offered state-of-the-art health care services and treatments -- a privilege denied to ordinary Cubans. As a result of her outspoken criticism, she lost her job, her home and her family -- she became a pariah in Cuba, a hostage of Fidel Castro's regime.
After 15 long years of seeking permission to visit her family in Argentina, the Castro regime finally relented. However, she stresses the fact that this is far from progress, as the Cuban people are still denied the basic, fundamental right to travel in and out of their country.
"I think this is an isolated gesture," Dr. Molina told Reuters at her home in Havana.
"I think things will only change in this regard when no one has to ask for permission to leave Cuba," she stressed.
The Castro regime is one of the few governments in the world, along with North Korea, that requires its citizens to obtain exit permits to leave their country.
Quote of the Week
Richardson's home is "abandoned and in disrepair," according to neighbors.
"I wouldn't want anyone that irresponsible to represent me," said Bailey [a neighbor], who like Richardson is a liberal Democrat. "What I don't get is how she has the time to visit with Fidel Castro but doesn't have time for her own house. If you can't manage your own household, you probably shouldn't get involved in international affairs."
20 Years After the Arrest of General Ochoa
Twenty years ago -- on June 12th, 1989 -- the Castro regime arrested one of its most distinguished military commanders, General Arnaldo Ochoa, and eight other high-level officials on charges of drug trafficking and corruption.
The arrests came at a time when U.S. law enforcement agencies began detecting a dramatic surge in drug-smuggling flights over Cuban territory, suggesting that the country had become a major transshipment point for cocaine traffic into the United States.
Worried that U.S. intelligence had irrefutable evidence of the Cuban regime's links to Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel in Colombia, and that the evidence might result in an indictment of the Castro brothers -- ultimately placing their existence in a precarious situation, similar to that of Panamanian dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega -- the Castros' quickly used one of the island's most respected and charismatic generals as a scapegoat, while simultaneously removing a competitive threat to their leadership.
Shortly after a nationally televised military show-trial (see clip below), General Ochoa would be executed by a firing squad. Twenty years later, the Castro brothers continue to purge with the same impunity, as was the case in March of this year with Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Felipe Perez Roque, and Economic Czar, Carlos Lage.
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text:
6-8 Years old
9-11 Years Old
12-14 Years old
15-18 Years old
See adults as authority
Behave in ways to avoid punishment
Are learning about self in relation to others
See parents and family as primary role models
Identifying with same sex groups and feel loyalty to group
Prefer cooperative activities
See older teens as role models
Still see adults as authority but are moving toward taking responsibility for own actions
Are learning to live with opposite sex group
Strive for independence and question authority
Choose role models from adult public figures
Search for intimacy and relationship skills
Are testing sexual attractiveness
See adults as fallible and can initiate and carry out tasks
Want adult leadership roles
Reference: Youth Works (Kansas State University). (2001). Lets Start Where They Are, Part 1 [Interactive DVD]


text:
Woodberry Forest senior Doug Randolph could be joining the reigning national champions when he arrives to play football at Notre Dame next summer.
Randolph, a four-star college prospect at outside linebacker, committed to the Fighting Irish back in September, then watched Notre Dame finish the regular season ranked No. 1 in the BCS standings. The Irish face No. 2 Alabama for the BCS title next Monday.
"I think it's going to be pretty crazy," Randolph said of next week's national title game. "I think it's going to be really crazy."
Before watching that game, Randolph will play in Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The All-American Bowl features 90 of the top high school recruits in the country -- including Randolph, who picked Notre Dame over schools like Stanford, Tennessee, and Virginia.
U.S. Army All-American Bowl alums include college standouts like Terrelle Pryor, DeSean Jackson, and Vince Young, and current Clemson quarterback Tahj Boyd.
"It's a huge honor to be chosen to come to play here," Randolph said. "I was always hopeful for it. I wouldn't say surprised, because I feel I've done pretty well. I'm just really honored to be chosen here."
Randolph is regarded as a four-star linebacker recruit by Rivals.com, ESPN.com, and 247Sports.com. He says he's making the most of his opportunity to practice alongside some of the country's best classmates.
"I play pretty well coming after the quarterback, in rushing-type situations. And picking up backs out of the backfield," Randolph said. "I've been working on dropping back into coverage more, because I'm not accustomed to doing that."


text:
Expired Event
Doors Open Toronto (Main Page)
at Various Locations in Toronto
Toronto, ON
- –
May 26 & May 27, 2012
Starts: 9:00 AM
Ends: 7:00 PM
View all dates↓
Categories: Exhibitions & Shows, ToursPRICE: free
AGE: All
Video Review
Doors Open Ontario has announced their 2012 line-up with 57 events across the province and a War of 1812 Bicentennial theme.
Doors Open Toronto 2012 looks back over the past 200 years to reveal the fascinating personalities who shaped Toronto's architecture and history.
More than 135 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings will open their doors for the weekend and highlight the people who built our city. All for free!
Free AdmissionCity of Toronto is proud to present the annual Doors Open Toronto — one weekend, once a year — when close to 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and social significance open their doors to the public for a city-wide celebration.
The program allows visitors free access to properties that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Many locations have organized guided tours, displays and activities to enrich the visitor experience.
View Doors Open Toronto 2011 Buildings list
The Guide
Photo: A.Bielousov
City in Focus2012's theme is commemorating the war of 1812. This theme will determine some venues selected for the roster and inspire thematic event-weekend programming including (but not limited to):
- – historic; e.g. showcase archival photo or camera collections
- – contemporary; e.g. demonstrate cutting-edge digital work at educational and innovation institutions
- – industrial; e.g. tours of photography processing facilities
- – commercial; e.g. photography studios (in some cases, family businesses)
- – artistic; e.g. behind-the-scenes tours of photography galleries


text:
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Wish I'd known of these sooner
March 22 2012 at 8:53 PM
FL Gal
Response to
Not sure which card the drug company used; they just said one worked. I didnt think they'd work with a mail order pharmacy, but they did. I think the big issue for DE cyclers will be if they can get their clinics to get a card for the donor. The follistim alone for a recent cycle was $6400! A savings of 25% would be $1,600!
Respond to this message
Re: Wish I'd known of these sooner
- mary on Apr 29, 8:53 PM
One of the cards
- FL Gal on Apr 29, 10:51 PM
Re: One of the cards
- mary on Apr 30, 5:12 PM
Re: One of the cards
- FL Gal on Apr 30, 5:42 PM
Re: One of the cards
- mary on May 2, 7:08 PM
That's great
- FL Gal on May 2, 7:14 PM
Re: That's great
- mary on May 3, 6:47 PM
Sometimes I think
- FL Gal on May 3, 11:30 PM
- Kacee on May 4, 5:11 PM
- mary on May 4, 10:37 PM
- mary on May 18, 3:59 PM
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text:
Welcome to Manor Fashions, Helston, Cornwall
Manor Fashions specialise in providing elegant outfits for the mother of the bride, mother of the groom and special occasion guest.
We are one of the few shops in the UK dedicated to mothers of the bride and groom for special occasion wear, hats, shoes and bags.
Opening times:
Tuesday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm.
Appointments preferred.
On Saturdays appointments are absolutely essential.
Please telephone Ann to book your appointment
on 01326 561455.
Let us help you to look good and feel wonderful by creating the perfect outfit for you. We have something for everybody and can create an outfit which is unique to you. If you already have an outfit but need a hat and shoes we can also provide this.
All outfits can be colour coordinated with any hat or fascinator in the Richard Designs range to make a stunning and individual ensemble.
Manor Fashions is situated just outside the town of Helston in a listed Manor House where there is ample parking and you can choose your style and colour in tranquil surroundings.
Sizes 8-30 available.
We are only 2 miles from the fishing village of Porthleven and you could make your visit to us part of a day out.
Gino Cerruti - Veromia
Condici ~ Gina Bacconi ~ Carla Ruiz ~ Jaego
Sonia Pena ~ Veni Infantino ~ Capri ~ Tina Taylor ~ Ann Balon


text:
Madeira Beach Condo Rental Photos and Description
Condo, 2 Bedrooms + Den, 2 Baths, (Sleeps 6)
Luxury, two or three-bedroom, two bath, vacation condominium for rent. The beachfront condo directly overlooks the glistening Gulf of Mexico and sparkling white, sandy beach of Madeira Beach, less than one mile from the famous John's Pass Village. The condominium was completely professionally redecorated and upgraded with a brand-new kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops.
This is located on the third floor of Villa Madeira, less than a mile from John's Pass Village where there are many fun shops, restaurants, and boating trips. There are many great restaurants and shops within walking distance too!
There are 3 TVs and High Speed Internet Access for your laptop!
The master bedroom and living room share an extra-large balcony directly overlooking the beach with breathtaking panoramic views, perfect for enjoying our brilliant sunsets.
The quiet, wide beach offers sparkling, white sand loaded with undiscovered seashells. The heated swimming pool stays warm all year long.
The over-size balcony seats up to six for entertaining and breathtaking views.
The living room has fantastic Tommy Bahama-style furniture with a large TV and DVD/CD surround sound system. There is also a TV and VCR in the master bedroom and TV in the second bedroom. The gorgeous kitchen is fully equipped with the latest, high-end, stainless-steel appliances, dishes, and pots and pans.
Master bedroom has brand-new, tropical island-style furniture with a luxurious king-size bed, brand-new master bath with granite counters and a huge romantic tub for two! The second bedroom has all new furniture too with a luxurious, pillow-top queen-size and twin-size beds. The third bedroom has a twin and also has brand-new furniture.
Keywords: Condominium
- Suitability:
- children welcome
- non smoking only
- pets not allowed
- wheelchair accessible
About Pam Carpentier
I live in the Tampa Bay Beaches area and enjoy renting out my condos to vacationers. I have 2 kids in school.
Pam Carpentier purchased this condo in 2005
Why Pam Carpentier chose Madeira Beach
I grew up in this area and have spent most of my life here. I have done a lot of traveling and think that our beaches combined with the Tampa Bay area have much to offer anyone.
What makes this condo unique
I love to relax on my balcony in the mornings with my coffee and enjoy the beautiful sunsets in the evening. The beach is never crowded, however the selection of great restaurants are endless. There are also great boating opportunities. My kids love the pool and beach and never get tired of coming.


text: On 4/18/07, Michael Gunter <countgunthar at hotmail.com> wrote: > >Most smiths will go with what the customer wants, unless it's > >downright silly/dangerous. > > Ah, but you forget I get to come in as totally clueless. Ripe for > the picking for some evil unscrupulous blacksmith/welder/artisan. > > >I wouldn't. Too many odd chemicals. Standard rec from most smiths I > >know is to either season it with oil, or to apply beeswax, if you need > >it to be food safe. > > Good point on the chemicals, but I do wonder if some of the > special grill paints aren't fully checked about that. If you notice, they're suggested for the outside of things that might be near heat, but not on anything that might be ingested. However, there's nothing to say that you have to use the same thing on every part. If you wanted to use the paint on, say, the uprights and the cross bar, and maybe the S-hooks (although I'll need to show you a trammel hook- it's an adjustable S-hook) you'd likely be OK. It's the actual spits that I'd be concerned about. And, paint is commonly used by smiths for things that aren't in direct heat. I use it for prettifying portable holes, archery stands, and the like. By the time it wears off, the metal itself has blackened and rusted a bit. Of the two that Aeduin suggested, I'd go with the Rustoleum. Just used it on a project, replacing the poles with pipe for a garage shelter that was Rob's inadvertant practical demonstration of what happens when the snow load exceeds the structural strength ;-) -he just demonstrated what happens when you don't tie the damn thing down properly, this weekend ;-O ) and I was reminded of why I like that brand so well. For your project, use the flat black, if you use it. But, if you DO use it, you'll have to check every time you take it out of storage for cracking and chipping of the paint, which is what happens when the heat tolerance is exceeded. Just give it a light sanding to get the loose stuff off, and repaint. If you use a couple light coats of the spray paint throughout, you'd be fine. > >Wrought iron seasons too, btw. > > I kind of wonder how to season a spit setup. It sure won't > fit in the oven. Maybe just rub it down with oil and then > cook on it. Long slow heat over several hours.... I'd build a long fire, and lay it along it, with some sort of barrier- a trough of sheet metal maybe? between it and the fire so the oil doesn't catch on fire. > >When I build my final one, that's what I'll be building it out of, but > >for your purposes, I'd use seasoned mild steel and just plan on > >reseasoning it regularly. > > I could do that. And that is another step in the right direction. > > >Saint Phlip > > Gunthar -- Saint Phlip Heat it up Hit it hard Repent as necessary. Priorities: It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools which make the smith.