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Iraq: So was it a war for oil?
By Greg Muttitt, http://www.fuelonthefire.com/?
Tony Blair always did like to think of himself as a world statesman. I sometimes wonder whether he had an eye on Winston Churchill when he said of the Iraq War in 2003, "the oil conspiracy theory is honestly one of the most absurd". Back in 1920, Churchill told parliament that the idea of an oil motive behind Britain´s Mesopotamia Campaign during the First World War was "too absurd for acceptance."
New York Times Hypocrisy
New York Times Hypocrisy
by Stephen Lendman
NYT's attempts to set the record straight are duplicitous. They come too late to matter.
On May 26, 2004, Times editors headlined "The Times and Iraq," saying:
The "American" War Isn't Over for the Iraqi People...
by World Can't Wait Director Debra Sweet Yes, I know it wasn't all of the countries of the Americas which made war on Iraq. It was the United States of America, as Barack Obama is so fond of saying, dragging along with it the coalition of the bribed and coerced. Just as it was for the Vietnamese people an American war, while we called it the Vietnam War, this one is known in Iraq as the American War. We have to accept that.
March 19: The Anniversary Iraqis Can Never Forget.
by World Can't Wait Director Debra Sweet Early today, I'll be driving to Highland Falls, NY, near the US Military Academy at West Point, the site of many protests over George Bush's Global War on Terror. Six friends will be sentenced tomorrow in local court there for protesting Obama's expansion of the war on Afghanistan in 2009, and because it's the tenth anniversary of "shock and awe" we feel compelled to throw up a protest.
War Without End
By Kathy Kelly
U.S. Marines occupy Baghdad, in March 2003, in front of the Al Fanar hotel that housed Voices activists throughout the Shock and Awe bombing.
Photo credit: Iraq Peace Team
Ten years ago, in March of 2003, Iraqis braced themselves for the anticipated "Shock and Awe" attacks that the U.S. was planning to launch against them. The media buildup for the attack assured Iraqis that barbarous assaults were looming. I was living in Baghdad at the time, along with other Voices in the Wilderness activists determined to remain in Iraq, come what may. We didn't want U.S. - led military and economic war to sever bonds that had grown between ourselves and Iraqis who had befriended us over the past seven years. Since 1996, we had traveled to Iraq numerous times, carrying medicines for children and families there, in open violation of the economic sanctions which directly targeted the most vulnerable people in Iraqi society, - the poor, the elderly, and the children.
10 Actions on the 10th Anniversary of the US Invasion of Iraq
- Send a letter for peace. Write a letter to the Iraqi people or an Iraqi individual and we'll be sure it gets delivered. Learn more.
- Attend a bridge vigil and presentation by IARP Executive Director Kathy McKay and Board Member Steve Clemens marking the anniversary on March 20 in Minneapolis. Learn more.
- Share stories of Iraqi citizens and US veterans affected by the war. Read, watch, and share the stories here.
- Provide life-saving clean water to Iraqi children. Learn more.
- Start a new Sister City relationship between an Iraqi and American city. Learn more in our report here.
- Write a letter to the editor about the ongoing human costs of the war. Check out the template provided by Iraq Veterans Against the War here.
- Organize a race or walk with your community to raise awareness and funds for clean water in Iraq or support for peacemakers in Iraq. Learn more.
- Share the new website, Costs of War, by Brown University.
- What do you dream about for Iraq's future? Write it here.
- Forward this email to a friend.
Ten Years After: How Not to Teach About the Iraq War
By Bill Bigelow, Common Dreams
In 2006, with U.S. troops occupying Iraq, the great historian and humanitarian Howard Zinn expressed his desire for what the end of the war would bring: "My hope is that the memory of death and disgrace will be so intense that the people of the United States will be able to listen to a message that the rest of the world, sobered by wars without end, can also understand: that war itself is the enemy of the human race."
At least in a formal sense, our country's memories of war are to be found in school history textbooks. Exactly a decade after the U.S. invasion, those texts are indeed sending "messages" to young people about the meaning of the U.S. war in Iraq. But they are not the messages of peace that Howard Zinn proposed. Not even close.
Let me offer as Exhibit A the textbook adopted for global studies classes in Portland, Oregon, the district where I spent my career as a social studies teacher, and which is used in countless school districts across the country: Holt McDougal's Modern World History.
The section in Modern World History on the U.S. war with Iraq might as well have been written by Pentagon propagandists. In an imitation of Fox News, the very first sentence of the Iraq war section places the 9/11 attacks and Saddam Hussein side by side. The book presents the march to invasion as reasonable and inevitable, while acknowledging: "Some countries, such as France and Germany, called for letting the inspectors continue searching for weapons." That's the only hint of any anti-war sentiment. In fact, there was enormous popular opposition to the war, culminating on Feb. 15, 2003, a date that saw millions of people around the world demand that the United States not invade Iraq—if you're keeping track, the largest protest in human history, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. This, of course, is a pattern in corporate textbooks: Conflate governments with the people; ignore social movements.
Just as textbooks fail to begin the story of the Vietnam War in the 1940s (or before), so that students might have some context to evaluate later U.S. military intervention, today's textbooks similarly ignore an earlier U.S. relationship with Iraq. For example, Modern World History says nothing about the role of the United States in aiding the Ba'ath party and Saddam Hussein for years, as they crushed all opposition and later waged war against Iran—a history summarized in a recent article by Iraqi sociologist Sami Ramadani, who fled Saddam Hussein's repression in 1969. As Ramadani writes, "But when it was no longer in their interests to back him, the U.S. and U.K. drowned Iraq in blood."
The official title of the U.S. invasion of Iraq was "Operation Iraqi Freedom." Modern World History uses this term without any discussion of the "freedom" that this invasion might offer. The section ends with the terse conclusion that "the coalition had won the war." And what about that supposed freedom? Silence.
2003-2013: Iraqi Resistance, American Dirty War, and the Remaking of the Middle East – PART 1
by Dirk Adriaensens on 18-03-2013
The crippling devastation of Iraq today overwhelms all else. It is difficult, given the facts on the ground, to recapture the imperial vision that was to make Iraq an exemplar of American sponsored democracy and a model for the American remaking of the Middle East. Iraq, after all, was to be a test case for the display of American pre-eminent power. That imperial vision is in ruins and Iraqi nationalism has reasserted itself.
Hawija February 2013
2003-2013: Iraqi Resistance, American Dirty War, and the Remaking of the Middle East – PART 1
- Decline of American Empire
- The Iraq war was illegal under International Law
- The real reasons of the Bush administration for invading Iraq and occupying the country
- The dramatic consequences of "blossoming democracy" for the nation and the people of Iraq.
The story of Iraq has become a tale of the total collapse of the original American objectives and the unintended consequence of the rise of a persistent Iraqi national resistance movement that, as American power declines, has demonstrated far more resilience than almost anyone imagined.
1. Decline of American Empire
On March 18, 2003 ECAAR (EConomists Allied for Arms Reduction) prepared a statement against unilateral initiatives for war in Iraq, which was endorsed by more than 200 US economists including seven Nobel Laureates and two former Chairmen of the Council of Economic Advisers. The text of the statement formed the basis of an ad in the Wall Street Journal. A few excerpts:
As American economists, we oppose unilateral initiatives for war against Iraq, which we see as unnecessary and detrimental to the security and the economy of the United States and the entire world community.
Intelligence Fraud from the Outset: Launching War on Iraq
A Last-Second Appeal for Sanity
Ten years ago, the U.S. invasion of Iraq was only hours away, but the case for this unprovoked war was already falling apart with exposure of hyperbole, half-truths and even a forgery. On March 18, 2003, a group of U.S. intelligence veterans pleaded with President George W. Bush to postpone the attack. The text of VIPS's March 18, 2003 Memorandum for the President follows.( A list of all 23 corporate memoranda produced by VIPS since its first, on February 5, 2003, is found at warisacrime.org/vips.)
March 18, 2003
Memorandum for: The President
From: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity
Subject: Forgery, Hyperbole, Half-Truth: A Problem
Iraq War Among World's Worst Events
Ever More Shocked, Never Yet Awed
By David Swanson
March 18, 2013
This report is being made available in an attractive 86-page PDF from ColdType here.
Alex Bell has kindly produced an ePub and a Kindle version, also available here: ePub and Kindle.
It is also available at http://davidswanson.org/iraq
Our Hope, Still Dissenting and Resisting: 10 Years After Shock and Awe
By Malachy Kilbride
Traffic had come to a complete standstill on March 19, 2003 at the intersection of 16th H Streets, NW by Lafayette Park across from The White House as a couple of hundred protesters gathered on the sidewalk. Around 21 people or so lay on the ground in the street blocking midday traffic in a die-in, an act of civil disobedience, just hours before "Shock and Awe", the US bombing of Baghdad, was triumphantly announced by the Bush Administration and celebrated by US corporate news media.
America's Dirty War in Iraq
America's Dirty War in Iraq
by Stephen Lendman
America wages wars dirty. They're all unprincipled and lawless. It's official policy. Exceptions don't exist. No-holds-barred barbarism is longstanding.
Rule of law principles don't matter. They never did. Modern technologies make today's wars worse than ever. All forms of brutality are commonplace.
Reflections of 10 years os Illegitimate US War in Iraq
by the Steering Committee of World Can't Wait Samatha Goldman:Ten years ago, I was a student in high school when the war in Iraq began. At 15, I threw myself wholeheartedly into resisting the war. I remember the agony and outrage I felt when despite mass protest, a war based on lies was waged in our names...
Some European Media Showed Some Guts 10 Years Ago
An Unheeded Warning on Iraq
Editor Note: Ten years ago, as the clock was ticking down to George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq, a campaign of U.S. government lies and exaggerations had convinced many Americans that they were the ones under threat. A few U.S. intelligence veterans spoke up, but were heard mostly in Europe and on the Internet. This was the second of three Memoranda issued by the (then-newly formed) Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) before the US/UK attack on Iraq. (The first, addressed to President Bush, gave Colin Powell's speech a C-minus for content -- a far too charitable grade, in retrospect.)
DATE: March 12, 2003
MEMORANDUM FOR: Confused Americans
FROM: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity
True, He's the First Black President But Obama's the Worst President Ever
By Ron Ridenour
Yes, I mean it: the worst ever!
We've had James Monroe and his doctrine of supremacy over Latin America. We've had Theodore Roosevelt and his invasion of Cuba; Nixon, Reagan, Bush-Bush and their mass murder, and all the war crimes and genocide committed by most presidents. Yes, but we never had a black man sit on the white throne of imperialism committing war crimes.
Journalistic Malpractice at the Post and the Times Rejecting the Offer of Evidence of US War Crimes
By Dave Lindorff
Thanks to the courageous action of Private Bradley Manning, the young soldier who has been held for over two years by the US military on trumped-up charges including espionage and aiding the enemy, we now have solid evidence that the country's two leading news organizations, the Washington Post and the New York Times, are not interesting in serious reporting critical of the government.
War Is a Lie
In honor of the 10th Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Liberation, and in hopes of helping us keep in mind that every war is based on similar lies, even if sometimes the lies are told more competently, I'm making available here the introduction to my book War Is A Lie. If you're near the heart of the empire on March 18th, join us at the 10 Years Later: Still Shocked, Not Awed event.
Not a single thing that we commonly believe about wars that helps keep them around is true. Wars cannot be good or glorious. Nor can they be justified as a means of achieving peace or anything else of value. The reasons given for wars, before, during, and after them (often three very different sets of reasons for the same war) are all false. It is common to imagine that, because we'd never go to war without a good reason, having gone to war, we simply must have a good reason. This needs to be reversed. Because there can be no good reason for war, having gone to war, we are participating in a lie.
A very intelligent friend recently told me that prior to 2003 no American president had ever lied about reasons for war. Another, only slightly better informed, told me that the United States had not had any problems with war lies or undesirable wars between 1975 and 2003. I hope that this book will help set the record straight. "A war based on lies" is just a long-winded way of saying "a war." The lies are part of the standard package.
Lies have preceded and accompanied wars for millennia, but in the past century war has become far more deadly. Its victims are now primarily non-participants, often almost exclusively on one side of the war. Even the participants from the dominant side can be drawn from a population coerced into fighting and isolated from those making the decisions about or benefitting from the war. Participants who survive war are far more likely now to have been trained and conditioned to do things they cannot live with having done. In short, war ever more closely resembles mass murder, a resemblance put into our legal system by the banning of war in the Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact in 1928, the United Nations Charter in 1945, and the International Criminal Court's decision to prosecute crimes of aggression in 2010. Arguments that might have sufficed to justify wars in the past might not do so now. War lies are now far more dangerous things. But, as we will see, wars were never justifiable.
Mission Unaccomplished
Why the Invasion of Iraq Was the Single Worst Foreign Policy Decision in American History
By Peter Van Buren, TomDispatch
I was there. And "there" was nowhere. And nowhere was the place to be if you wanted to see the signs of end times for the American Empire up close. It was the place to be if you wanted to see the madness -- and oh yes, it was madness -- not filtered through a complacent and sleepy media that made Washington's war policy seem, if not sensible, at least sane and serious enough. I stood at Ground Zero of what was intended to be the new centerpiece for a Pax Americana in the Greater Middle East.
Talk Nation Radio: Norman Solomon on Iraq War Lies and New Online Activism
Norman Solomon discusses his recent debate with former Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff Lawrence Wilkerson on the lies that took the United States into war 10 years ago, as well as Solomon's cofounding of online activist force RootsAction.org.
Total run time: 29:00
Host: David Swanson.
Producer: David Swanson.
Music by Duke Ellington.
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Individual Honor versus Unpleasant History The Battle Still Rages Over What Vietnam Means
By John Grant
"The experience we have of our lives from within, the story we tell ourselves about ourselves in order to account for what we are doing, is thus a lie -- the truth lies rather outside, in what we do."
-- Slavoj Zizek
10 Years Later: Still Shocked, Not Awed
March 18, 2013
Washington, D.C.
The Langston Room at Busboys and Poets, 14th and V Streets, NW
8-10 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Sign up here: http://facebook.com/events/601163023231687
Ten years after the latest U.S. assault on Iraq began with a campaign of "Shock and Awe," we stop to consider where we've been and where we should be heading. Join:
Leah Bolger, Board Member and Past President of Veterans For Peace.
Andy Shallal, artist, peace and social justice activist and entrepreneur, is the founder of Busboys and Poets and Eatonville. He sits on the board of several art, business and peace and justice organizations including the Institute for Policy Studies, Anacostia Community Museum and Think Local First D.C.
Robert Shetterly, an award winning painter whose work is in collections all over the U.S. and Europe. For more than 10 years he has been painting the series of portraits Americans Who Tell the Truth. The exhibit has been traveling around the country since 2003. A book of the portraits has won the top award of the International Reading Association for Intermediate non-fiction.
Shetterly will be unveiling his latest portrait, that of David Swanson.
David Swanson, an author whose books include Daybreak (2009), War Is A Lie (2010), When the World Outlawed War (2011), and The Military Industrial Complex at 50 (2012). Swanson hosts Talk Nation Radio, and works for RootsAction.org, as well as blogging at WarIsACrime.org.
Sponsoring organizations that have helped spread the word about this event:
World Can't Wait
Voices for Creative Nonviolence
Veterans For Peace
Peace Action Montgomery
OccupyWashingtonDC.org / October2011
Americans Who Tell the Truth
Busboys and Poets
Teaching for Change
C.H.O.I.C.E.S. (Committee for High-School Options and Information on Careers, Education and Self-Improvement)
Fellowship of Reconciliation
Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space
Tin Anniversary of Riding Hussein Kamel to the Ground
Eyes Wide Shut on the Iraq War
Edior Note: As the tenth anniversary of the Iraq War approaches, it's worth recalling one moment when the curtain was prematurely lifted on the lies justifying the invasion – and how quickly government officials and the complicit mainstream press pulled it back down.
By Ray McGovern
Ten years ago, as President George W. Bush and his administration were putting the finishing touches on their unprovoked invasion of Iraq, the mainstream U.S. news media had long since capitulated, accepting the conventional wisdom that nothing could – or should – stop the march to war.
Lawrence Wilkerson and David Swanson Debate Colin Powell's Lies at the United Nations
When I wrote about MSNBC's documentary on Iraq war lies this week, I linked to an earlier blog post of mine that drew heavily on a House Judiciary Committee report on the same topic, as well as to Lawrence Wilkerson's recent debate with Norman Solomon on Democracy Now!
When Brad Friedman reposted my Hubris review, he suggested I ask Wilkerson for a response. I did and here it is:
David,Several misleading and even spurious bullets and headlines that make strong claims that are not supported in the surrounding narrative. For example, no one ever DID warn Powell about Curveball, in fact quite the opposite. This particular source--billed as an Iraqi engineer who had defected--was George Tenet's--the DCI's--strongest weapon. And incidentally, the title "Curveball" was never heard until well after the 5 Feb presentation.Your use of INR's assessment of "weak" repeatedly, is weak itself. INR was at the time one of 15 intelligence entities in the US intelligence architecture at the federal level. (Add Israel France, the UK, Jordan, Germany, et al, and of course you get even more). INR's assessments were often viewed--indeed still are--as maverick within that group (and were particularly so viewed by George Tenet and his deputy John McLaughlin. Indeed, INR's insistence on putting a footnote in the October 2002 NIE with regard to its doubts about Saddam's having an active nuclear weapons program was only grudgingly acknowledged and allowed by Tenet. And in truth, INR itself concurred in the overall NIE's finding that chems and bios existed (and the NIE was the root document of Powell's 5 Feb presentation).I have admitted what a hoax we perpetrated. But it actually spoils or desecrates a fair condemnation of what is already a bad enough set of misstatements, very poor intelligence analysis, and--I am increasingly convinced, outright lies--to take the matter to absurdity with one man, in this case Powell.To see my point dramatically, one must realize that whether Powell had given his presentation or not, the President would have gone to war with Iraq. That doesn't relieve Powell or me or any of us who participated in preparing Powell of responsibility; it simply places the bulk of that responsibility squarely where it should rest.You, Ray McGovern, and I will never reach accord on this I'm certain; but I must say that just as I may have biases from my long association with Powell, I believe both of you should examine your biases with regard to the man. Just as it was very difficult for me to face the fact I had participated in a hoax, it probably is just as difficult that you two admit you may be too aggressively critical of Powell. Both our conditions are recognizably human and yours more forgiveable than mine to be sure. lw
Thanks for this response.
I'm CCing Brad Blog which posted my commentary and might want to post your reply.
Here's my reply to your reply (also available to publish) :-)
Whether or not anyone told Powell of Curveball's reputation, Powell's own staff, the INR, told him the claims were weak, the claims that came from Curveball and from numerous other sources. The INR told him the claims were weak and questionable and even implausible.
An open letter to the international oil companies operating in Iraq, a decade after the U.S. invasion of Iraq
Ten years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, which was undertaken ostensibly to overthrow the former dictator and to promote human rights and democracy, we see that a more essential, long-term goal was for international oil companies to acquire control over Iraq's newly privatized oil resources, creating a "liberated" Iraq that would serve as an economic model for a "New Middle East" and spread neo-liberalism throughout the region.
The project has been a failure on all fronts.
Those who suffer the consequences are Iraq's citizens. Their country is wracked by violence and mounting sectarian conflict. Their rights are violated. Vital services – water and electricity – are unavailable, while international oil companies receive priority access to these scarce resources, and operate under long-term contracts to develop Iraqi oil fields, that were signed while Iraq was still occupied.
Hubris Isn't the Half of It
As our government was making a fraudulent case to attack Iraq in 2002-2003, the MSNBC television network was doing everything it could to help, including booting Phil Donahue and Jeff Cohen off the air. The Donahue Show was deemed likely to be insufficiently war-boosting and was thus removed 10 years ago next week, and 10 days after the largest antiwar (or anything else) demonstrations in the history of the world, as a preemptive strike against the voices of honest peaceful people.
From there, MSNBC proceeded to support the war with mild critiques around the edges, and to white-out the idea of impeachment or accountability.
But now MSNBC has seen its way clear to airing a documentary about the fraudulent case it assisted in, a documentary titled Hubris. This short film (which aired between 9 and 10 p.m. ET Monday night, but with roughly half of those minutes occupied by commercials) pointed out the role of the New York Times in defrauding the public, but not MSNBC's role.
Yet, my primary response to that is joy rather than disgust. It is now cool to acknowledge war lies. Truth-tellers, including truth-tellers rarely presented with a corporate microphone, made that happen.
MSNBC host and Obama promoter Rachel Maddow even introduced Hubris by pointing to another war lie -- the Gulf of Tonkin incident that wasn't -- and a war lie by a Democrat in that case. Similar lies can be found surrounding every war that has ever been, which is why I wrote War Is A Lie. We have to stop imagining that "bad wars" are a subset of wars.
But, of course, using Maddow as the presenter and narrator of a film about Republican war lies during a period of unacknowledged Democratic war lies unavoidably gives the thing a partisan slant. Watching Hubris, I was reminded of something that Michael Moore tweeted last Friday: "Senate Repubs: U started 2 illegal wars that broke the treasury & sacrificed the lives of thousands of our troops & countless civilians."
Of course, the Senate that gave us the two wars in question was in reality controlled by Democrats, and the war lies were pushed hard by Senators Kerry, Clinton, and their comrades. Hubris touches on this reality but not with sufficient clarity for most viewers -- I suspect -- to pick up on it.
The film presents a great deal of good evidence that the war on Iraq was based on lies. Unavoidably, endless terrific bits of such evidence were not included. Less excusably, also left out was an analysis of the evidence that only dishonesty -- not incompetence -- explains the propaganda that was produced.
Hubris is the wrong word for what took the United States into war with Iraq. The forces at work were greed, lust for power, and sadistic vengeance. The word "hubris" suggests the tragic downfall of the guilty party. But the war on Iraq did not destroy the United States; it destroyed Iraq. It damaged the United States, to be sure, but in a manner hardly worthy of mention in comparison to the sociocide committed against Iraq.
Hubris, the film, provides a reprehensibly ludicrous underestimation of Iraqi deaths, and only after listing U.S. casualties.
It was not pride but a disregard for human life that generated mass murder. Congressman Walter Jones, who voted for the war, is shown in Hubris saying that he would have voted No if he had bothered to read the National Intelligence Estimate that very few of his colleagues bothered to read.
Another talking head in the film is Lawrence Wilkerson. He is, of course, the former chief of staff of former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Wilkerson is shown explaining that the reason not to attack Iraq was that doing so would take a focus away from attacking Afghanistan. Clearly this was not a reason that led to Wilkerson or Powell taking any kind of stand.
Wilkerson says in this film that he and Powell knew the war was based on lies, that the claims were junk, that no WMDs were likely to be found, etc. Yet, when confronted last week by Norman Solomon on Democracy Now! with the question of why he hadn't resigned in protest, Wilkerson claimed that at the time he'd had no idea whatsoever that there were good arguments against the war. In fact, he blamed opponents of the war for not having contacted him to educate him on the matter.
The Hubris version of Colin Powell's lies at the United Nations is misleadingly undertold. Powell was not a victim. He "knowingly lied."
The same goes for Bush, Cheney, and gang. According to Hubris it may have just been incompetence or hubris. It wasn't. Not only does overwhelming evidence show us that Bush knew his claims about WMDs to be false, but the former president has shown us that he considers the question of truth or falsehood to be laughably irrelevant. When Diane Sawyer asked Bush why he had claimed with such certainty that there were so many weapons in Iraq, he replied: "What's the difference? The possibility that [Saddam] could acquire weapons, If he were to acquire weapons, he would be the danger."
What's the difference? In a society based on the rule of law, the difference would be a criminal prosecution. MSNBC and Hubris steer us away from any ideas of accountability. And no connection is drawn to current war lies about Iran or other nations.
But the production of programs like this one that prolong Americans' awareness of the lies that destroyed Iraq are the best hope Iran has right now. MSNBC should be contacted and applauded for airing this and urged to follow up on it.
Where Are They Now? The Reporters Who Got Iraq So Wrong
Ten years ago yesterday, Colin Powell made the Bush administration's case for going to war against Iraq. Much of what he said about Iraq's threats to the United States was false. But the media coverage gave the opposite impression, and most of the pundits and journalists who promoted the justifications for the war paid no price for their failures.
As FAIR reported at the time, even before the Powell address there were reasons to be skeptical of the administration's claims. On February 4, 2003, FAIR published "Iraq's Hidden Weapons: From Allegation to Fact," which made the point that "it has not been demonstrated that Iraq continues to hold unconventional weapons." FAIR criticized coverage like that of the New York Times (2/2/03), which asserted that "nobody seriously expected Mr. Hussein to lead inspectors to his stash of illegal poisons or rockets, or to let his scientists tell all."
As the FAIR release concluded:
The media convey to the public the impression that the alleged banned weapons on which the Bush administration rests its case for war are known to exist, and that the question is simply whether inspectors are skillful enough to find them.
Powell's address was instrumental in pushing a faulty media line on Iraq's WMDs further. That much was clear in the coverage right after his appearance at the United Nations, as FAIR documented on February 10 in "A Failure of Skepticism in Powell Coverage."
In Andrea Mitchell's report on NBC Nightly News (2/5/03), Powell's allegations became actual capabilities of the Iraqi military: "Powell played a tape of a Mirage jet retrofitted to spray simulated anthrax, and a model of Iraq's unmanned drones, capable of spraying chemical or germ weapons within a radius of at least 550 miles."
Colin Powell: Conned or Con-Man?
Editor Note: A decade ago, President George W. Bush was hurtling toward an aggressive war against a country not threatening the United States. Only a few people had a chance to stop the rush to war with Iraq, but one – Colin Powell – instead joined the stampede.
By Ray McGovern
Ten years ago, Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the United Nations in a speech which routed what was left of American resistance to the Bush/Cheney push for invading Iraq. The next day, the Washington Post's editorial pages spoke for the conventional wisdom, filled with glowing reviews of Powell's convincing arguments.
Today, of course, we know that much of what Powell said on Feb. 5, 2003, was wrong. He himself has acknowledged that the speech was a "blot" on his record.
Links? We Don't Do No Stinkin' Links: Cognitive Dissonance at the New York Times
By Dave Lindorff
For a masterpiece in cognitive dissonance, just look to the foreign editors and the managing editor of the New York Times, who ran two stories in Saturday's paper without referencing each other at all.


text:
Over recent days the notices have gone out, an annual ritual of dashed hopes.
Brown University offered admission to the lowest fraction ever of the applicants it received: fewer than 1 in 10. The arithmetic was even more brutal at Stanford, Columbia, Yale. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill had a record number of students vying for its next freshman class - 31,321 - and accepted about 1 in 6 who applied from outside the state. Notre Dame took about 1 in 5 of all comers.
[1] http://www.liberalopinion.com/content/subscribe
[2] http://www.liberalopinion.com/user
[3] http://www.liberalopinion.com/content/free-sample-issue

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|E1 6b
|6m. Make either a dynamic or a powerful long move up the initial leaning wall to a large sloper left of the arete. Use the arete to climb its left-hand side and finish with ease above a suspect block in the break. (Using a crash mat erases the E-grade.)
Martin Crocker 27/Jun/2002
Submit a new photo of this climb.


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It's Not Too Late to Save on Your 2013 Taxes
Cathy Ralston and Mick Pryor, Certified Public Accountants with Daniel Professional Group in Winston-Salem, have some suggestions for additional ways to reduce your tax liability. Ralston says consider 'bunching' your spending on deductible expenses that are based on when you spend the money.
"If you have a lot of medical expenses this year and you think you might qualify for a medical deduction, go ahead and get your prescriptions filled for 3 months' supply right now," she says. "Put money in a North Carolina 529 college savings plan now, because that's a deduction we're not going to have available after December 31st." Some additional things to consider:
- Make an additional mortgage payment so your investment interest deduction will be higher.
- Pay tuition for yourself - or your child if they're at college - so you can take advantage of education credits.
- Teachers can also take advantage of the educational adjustment by spending up to $250 on supplies before the end of the year.
- People who are 70-and-a-half or older should remember take the required minimum distribution from their IRA.
Some new taxes went into effect in 2013. Mick Pryor says a new tax to support the health care overhaul may catch some taxpayers by surprise. He says folks who have significant net investment income, dividends, interest, capital gains, will see a 3.8% tax imposed on top of the regular tax, "and it's turned out to be a pretty significant number for quite a few folks."
Daniel Professional Group has other year-end financial information, as well as links to state and federal tax forms and FAQs on their website.


text: I was on the bus with my boys and we were discussing weight lifting techniques and toning muscles. I was showing off my progress letting them check the tome in my arms by punching them. Some lady gets out of her seat and tells me that it sounds hard then helps herself to a feel. […]Share on Facebook


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Academic work is a lot like discipleship. You do the day to day work of writing (or pastoring) and publishing (or praying) and teaching (or preaching), and you may or may not ever see the way that your work makes a difference. But the leverage involved is enormous. Ideas can change the world. Good, true ideas, expressed well, can make a powerful difference for the Kingdom of God. And if those good, true, well-written words also open the door for others to do good work — and if the scholar is the kind of Christian who uses his own tremendous gifts to inspire others to serve Christ – and who encourages and teaches in word and example – then the effects are incalculable.
I can't calculate the incalculable (I'm an English professor; I don't even balance my checkbook) but I can say a little bit about why I believe Christian scholarship is vitally important — not in abstract language, not this time, but with one stellar example.
I have been writing about my move to Houston Baptist University, where great things are happening. The whole university is on the move to do great things for the Kingdom, but my own part in changing the world is to help develop (and then teach in) HBU's new MA in Apologetics, which will have a cultural apologetics focus. I am grateful and delighted in equal measure (with a dash of trepidation) that my work in imaginative and literary apologetics is an integral part of this project.
How did that happen? Certainly it makes sense to bring together my academic training in English literature with my academic training and ministry work as an apologist – but what kindled my own imagination and helped me realize that I can do work that makes a difference in the world was the inspiration of Malcolm Guite's scholarship, most notably in his book Faith, Hope and Poetry: Theology and the Poetic Imagination. It is now available in a paperback (and hardback) second edition from Ashgate Press. (Read my extended review here.)
In a marvelous series of interviews done by Lancia Smith (read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3), Malcolm discusses a number of vitally important issues about imagination, creativity, and the role of the poet. Here he comments on the significance of Faith, Hope and Poetry:
I began to see that poetry was meeting a deep need in me and in others because there was a fundamental imbalance in our culture, an imbalance between reason and imagination, and that my book needed to be a defense of imagination and a plea for restored balance. In particular I saw the need to defend the role of imagination as a truth-bearing faculty, distinct from and yet complementary to reason, not just some private subjective mythmaking, but a real clue about how things actually are. So in the end the book became a bit of a manifesto, a rallying call to resist the bleak reductive materialism of our age, not only for the sake of the gospel as I understand it but for the sake of truth itself.
It was a rallying cry indeed… one that I am attempting to answer with action.
Can Christian scholarship make a difference in the culture? Can Christian scholarship be part of transforming the world for Christ? Yes.
Malcolm Guite's work – his clarity and depth of vision, the connections he makes with the work of other writers and thinkers, past and present, his ability to share what he sees in clear, powerful language – is Christian scholarship at its best.
And so I look ahead with anticipation to the academic work that I will be doing in the years ahead, with gratitude for my fellow scholars like Guite who have opened the door, lit the way, and inspired me to do good work alongside them.
Can Christian academics change the world? Yes. And, God willing, we will.


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Jason Rubin, the former president of THQ, believes that the financial problems that brought the company down cannot be wholly blamed on the big changes of the video games industry and that leadership needs to accept responsibility for its mistakes.
Speaking to MCV, the executive says, "The incredible losses attached to uDraw, massive wasted capital in the unpublished MMO that was cancelled, sticking with children's and casual titles far after mobile and tablets had killed the business, bad, late, or otherwise inferior titles like Homefront, and a generally haphazard and inefficient approach to deal making."
Rubin admits that luck is an important part of business, but he also says THQ should have performed better than it did.
He adds, "It would be a cop-out to say that bad luck was the predominant force. Could Homefront have caught a nerve and sold 10 million copies? It's possible I guess, but probably not without better production. And it's hard to attribute a cancelled MMO to bad luck. That was simply a bad decision in a sea of bad decisions."
THQ ran out of money and its assets, including big franchises and development studios, were sold at auction in order to get the necessary funds required to pay the debts.
SEGA picked up Relic and Company of Heroes, which should get the sequel during the first half of the year.
Ubisoft got the Montreal studio and the new South Park game while Metro and Saints Row went to Koch Media.
But THQ failed to find a buyer for the Darksiders franchise and for developer Vigil.
Jason Rubin is delighted that a part of the development team managed to find a new home at the newly inaugurated Crytek USA studio.
THQ still owns a number of legacy assets that could be sold at a later date, before the company is finally shut down.


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Orectolobus haleihttp://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T161709A5485787.en
|Scientific Name:
|Orectolobus halei
|Species Authority:
|Whitley, 1940
Common Name(s):
Orectolobus devisi Ogilby, 1916
Orectolobus ornatus subspecies halei Whitley, 1940
|Taxonomic Notes:
Orectolobus halei was previously synonymised with O. ornatus and was believed to be the adult form of O. ornatus. Taxonomic revision of NSW species showed that O. halei differs from O. ornatus in color pattern (O. halei has black edges around saddles and is less freckled), an adult size larger than 120 cm TL, more dermal lobes at the posterior preorbital group (4–6), precaudal vertebrae count (>106), spiral valve count (>25), and two supraorbital knob. Morphometrically, O. halei has a shorter pelvic fin to anal fin interspace, larger pectoral fins, larger head dimensions, and relatively larger claspers in mature specimens (Huveneers 2006).
Orectolobus halei is also often confused with O. maculatus but differs from it by having less (4-6 dermal lobes at the posterior preorbital group) and a distinctive brownish upper body coloration with well-defined, darker brown saddles surrounded by black edges, and containing paler markings that lacks whitish rings and blotches (unlike O. maculatus) (Huveneers 2006).
|Red List Category & Criteria:
|Near Threatened ver 3.1
|Year Published:
|Date Assessed:
|Huveneers, C. Pollard, D., Gordon, I., Flaherty, A. & Pogonoski, J.
|Stevens, J.D. & Valenti, S.V. (Shark Red List Authority)
The wobbegongs Orectolobus ornatus and O. maculatus were assessed for the 2003 Red List of Threatened Species. Recent studies, however, have provided new biological and ecological information while previous taxonomic uncertainties in New South Wales (NSW), Australia have now been resolved, elevating O. halei to species level (previously believed to be the adult form of O. ornatus).
The Banded Wobbegong (Orectolobus halei) is an Australian endemic species. Previous records from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Japan are either misidentified Ornate Wobbegongs (O. ornatus) or a different species of wobbegong. O. halei is a biologically vulnerable species, site-attached within its relatively shallow water range (0–195 m) and caught in commercial and recreational fisheries as a target species and as bycatch. Historic catch data are aggregated between wobbegong species, but serious declines (>50% between 1990/1991–1999/2000) for O. ornatus, Spotted Wobbegong (O. maculatus) and O. halei are documented for the east coast (NSW). Catches have since stabilized, however species-specific catch-per-unit-effort data are unavailable due to inaccurate reporting of fishing effort and aggregation of wobbegong species in catch records. Until late 2006, there were no management strategies specifically regulating the wobbegong commercial fishery in NSW. Since September 2006, wobbegongs have been included in the daily trip limit for a specific list of shark species to one tonne for a 24 hour period and two tonnes for 48 hours or greater. Furthermore, a minimum size limit of 180 cm TL and a maximum trip limit of either six or 12 wobbegongs (including O. maculatus and O. ornatus) will also be implemented and is pending approval by the NSW Fisheries minister. Given the targeted wobbegong fishery, documented decline in catches and previous lack of management regulations, O. halei is classified as Vulnerable in NSW. Wobbegongs are not targeted and catches are low in other Australian states (Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria). However, given that localised depletion is possible due to wobbegong's slow reproductive cycle (triennial) and long residency within small geographical areas, and that O. halei is caught across its range, O. halei is classified as Near Threatened globally at present. Records of this species from the southern coast of Australia and Western Australia need to be verified, and if this species proves to be more restricted in distribution than currently known; this assessment may need to be revisited. More information is needed on catch composition, fishing effort, age and growth and population structure to develop stock assessments and demographic analyses for use in future conservation and management decisions. Monitoring of catches will also be required due to the recent management regulations that have been introduced in NSW limiting fishing pressure on wobbegongs. Reassessment might then be required in light of this new information.
|Range Description:
Orectolobus halei is an Australian endemic wobbegong.
Orectolobus halei has been recorded from warm temperate eastern Australia with confirmed reports from Moreton Bay, Queensland and likely reports from Hervey Bay southwards to Port Phillip Bay (38°14'S, 144°39'E), Victoria and north-westwards to Norwegian Bay (22°54'S), Western Australia (J. Chidlow, unpub. data). However, records from the southern coast of Australia and Western Australia need to be verified (P.R. Last pers. comm. 2007).
Previous sources (Last and Stevens, 1994; Compagno, 2001) show that the global distribution of O. halei (formerly known as O. ornatus) includes Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Japan. However, wobbegongs from these areas are either misidentified O. ornatus or different undescribed species of wobbegongs.
|Countries occurrence:
|FAO Marine Fishing Areas:
Indian Ocean – eastern; Pacific – southwest; Pacific – western central
|Range Map:
|Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
|No evidence of subpopulations. However, as stated above, O. halei population was previously considered the adult of O. ornatus. A genetic study looking at orectolobid phylogeny and phylogeorgaphy and assessing potential stock structure is currently being undertaken (S. Corrigan pers. comm.).
|Current Population Trend:
|Additional data:
|Habitat and Ecology:
Orectolobus halei is a common inshore bottom-dwelling shark of continental waters that is found in bays, on macroalgae-covered rocky reef areas, coral reefs (including lagoons and reef flats, reef faces, and reef channels), and around offshore islands (Compagno 2001). In a study in Port Stephens, NSW, a sympatric species of wobbegongs (O. ornatus) was shown to prefer sponge gardens, artificial structures and barren boulders habitats with a high topographic complexity and crevice volume (Carraro and Gladsone 2006). However, O. ornatus did not seem to select habitat on the basis of prey availability and habitat selection may therefore be related to predator avoidance (Carraro and Gladsone 2006). O. halei occurs inshore on the continental shelf to at least 195 m depth (J. Chidlow unpub. data) and appears to prefer clear-water reefs (Kuiter 1993). It is often found in clearer water than the closely related O. maculatus (Lieske and Myers 1994).
A survey on wobbegongs shows evidence of site-attachment with divers observing individual sharks in exactly the same positions over consecutive dives (The Ecology Lab, 1991). Furthermore, O. halei has been recorded within the same area for over 2.5 years (Huveneers et al. 2006; Huveneers unpub. data), and a sympatric species of wobbegong (O. ornatus) has been re-sighted within a 75 hectares area for a period of over 211 days suggesting site fidelity (Carraro and Gladstone 2006).
Compagno (2001) describes this shark as a nocturnal species that rests on the bottom during the day in caves, under ledges on reefs, and in trenches and that undertakes nocturnal excursions away from resting areas. As a primarily nocturnal feeder, it preys on bottom invertebrates and fishes (Last and Stevens 1994). Compagno (2001) cites the prey of O. ornatus and O. halei as bony fishes, sharks, rays, cephalopods and crustaceans. A NSW study found elasmobranchs (including O. ornatus), osteichthyes (reef, benthic and a few pelagic fishes, and moray eels) and cephalopods as prey items (Huveneers et al. 2007a), and only teleosts and cephalopods in a WA study (Chidlow 2003 - misidentified as O. ornatus). No crustaceans were found in the stomachs of O. halei caught in the NSW or WA study. Sampled sharks were, however, mostly large juveniles and adults (> 140 cm TL), and it is possible that crustaceans are part of neonates or small juveniles diet.
O. halei (misidentified as O. ornatus) was previously believed to mature at about 175 cm TL (Last and Stevens 1994, Compagno 2001). Further studies confirmed this and estimated L50 at about 175 cm TL in NSW waters (Huveneers et al. 2007b) and 182 cm TL in WA waters (Chidlow 2003). Similar to O. ornatus and O. maculatus, O. halei as a triennial reproductive cycle with follicles taking two years to enlarge before ovulation. During the first year, follicles remain small, then grow rapidly during the second year prior to ovulation during November. Gestation lasts about 10–11 months with parturition occurring during September–October (Huveneers et al. 2007b). O. halei is lecithotrophic viviparous (Huveneers et al. 2007b) with a litter size ranging from 30–45 and a size-at-birth of about 35 cm TL (R. Brislane pers. comm.). Maximum length is about 290 cm TL (Last and Stevens 1994).
Age and growth of O. halei was attempted but could not be verified or validated (Chidlow 2003; Huveneers 2007). Furthermore, different age estimations for wobbegongs were obtained if using whole vertebrae or thin cut sections (Huveneers 2007). Juvenile captive O. halei of about 120 cm TL grew about 12 cm TL year-1 (Huveneers 2007).
|Major Threat(s):
Commercial fishing is probably the main cause of the decline of this species in eastern Australia. Furthermore, observed site fidelity is likely to increase wobbegong's susceptibility to fishing pressure. On an Australia-wide basis, wobbegong sharks are commonly caught in trawls, beach seines, gillnets, lobster pots and traps, by hook-and-line, and also by spearfishing. The flesh is now highly regarded as food, but in the past has generally been of only limited commercial value. Historically, the attractive skin has been used as decorative leather (Last and Stevens, 1994). However, it is unknown if this practice is still occurring.
In New South Wales, three Orectolobus species (O. maculatus, O. ornatus and O. halei) are taken in the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery (OTL), in the fish and prawn sectors of the Ocean Trawl Fishery, and very few in the Estuary General Fishery. The majority of commercial wobbegong catches occur in the OTL Fisheries, where they have historically been taken as both a target species by setline methods and as by-product by other methods (NSW Department of Primary Industries, unpub. data). Serious declines have been observed in NSW, demonstrating the vulnerability of this species to exploitation. The NSW total catch of wobbegongs (genus Orectolobus), combining all fishing methods and Fisheries, has declined from about 120 tonnes in 1990/1991 to about 55 tonnes in 1999/2000, representing a decrease of about 55% in less than a decade (Pease and Grinberg 1995, NSW Department of Primary Industries, unpub. data). However, catches have since stabilised, and range 55–73 tonnes during 1998/1999–2003/2004. Fishing effort is mostly unknown and inaccurate because it has only been reported as the number of days fished. Additionally, the historical aggregation of the wobbegong species in catch data is a further complicating factor. Species-specific catch-per-unit-effort, required to obtain a more accurate estimation of wobbegong catches, is therefore unavailable. Although the strong decline in catches should be of concern for the resilience of wobbegongs to strong fishing pressure, the number of fishers landing wobbegongs has also decreased from about 520 in 1990/1991 to about 250 in 2003/2004 (NSW Department of Primary Industries, unpub. data).
Commercial fishing by a variety of methods is potentially threatening wobbegong species in southern Australian waters. In southern Australia, wobbegongs are taken within the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) (AFMA logbook data unpub. data). Most of the above fisheries take these species as bycatch, and like many bycatch species they are often utilised. Retained wobbegong from the Commonwealth Fisheries ranged 2.3–5.1 tonnes between 1994 and 1999.
O. maculatus and O. halei are a component of the bycatch of a commercial shark fishery utilising demersal gill-nets that target carcharhinid whalers and other sharks along the southern and lower west coasts of Western Australia with an average total wobbegong catch between 1999 and 2006 of about 45 tonnes year-1 (range 35–68 tonnes) (Simpfendorfer and Donohue 1998, Penn 2001, McAuley and Lenanton 2003, McAuley and Gaughan 2004, Gaughan and Chidlow 2005, McAuley 2006, McAuley 2007). Smaller catches of orectolobids also occur in commercial and recreational rock lobster pots throughout temperate coastal Western Australian waters (J. Chidlow, pers. comm.).
Commercial catches of wobbegong are small in most parts of South Australia (about 0.5–2.5 tonnes) with the highest yearly catch being 3.1 tonnes in 1987/88
Wobbegongs are not targeted in Queensland. O. halei has been recorded in low numbers in the bycatch of prawn trawl fisheries (Kyne et al., 2002), whereas small wobbegongs are sometimes caught by crab pots in Southeast Queensland and Moreton Bay, but are usually discarded (J. Stead, pers. comm.).
The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (Henry and Lyle, 2003) reported that 5,174 wobbegongs (all species combined) were caught and kept by recreational fishers in southern Australian states during the survey time period (May 2000 to April 2001), comprising 1,944 from NSW, 999 from Queensland, 252 from S.A., and 1,978 from W.A. In Western Australia, a WA Fisheries Department survey conducted in 1996–1997 between Augusta and Kalbarri, reported that up to 1,000 wobbegongs were caught and kept by recreational fishers during that period (Sumner and Williamson 1999).
|Conservation Actions:
As a result of the observed decline in New South Wales wobbegong catches, a discussion paper on wobbegong sharks was produced, seeking the views of various stakeholders on the future management of commercial and recreational fishing of wobbegong sharks (NSW Fisheries 2001). However, the management plan has not been finalised and management measures have not been implemented. NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) also requested commercial fishers to report catches for O. ornatus and O. maculatus individually. Most recently, a review of NSW Recreational Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing Rules and the Fishery Management Strategy (FMS) for NSW Trap and Line Fishery have proposed a minimum size limit of 130 cm TL for wobbegong sharks and a trip limit of 12 wobbegongs caught in fish traps (NSW DPI, 2006). The FMS has also recommended that commercial fishers report their catches of each species separately and to collect additional biological data through the observer program.
Until late 2006, there were no management strategies specifically regulating the wobbegong commercial fishery in NSW. The only regulation in place was a recreational bag limit of two wobbegongs per day (later reduced to zero in September 2007) and a commercial gear limit of no more than ten lines each with a maximum of six hooks when setlining within three nautical miles of the coast. There were no gear limits outside three nautical miles, but as of 2008, amendments to the share management plans will instate a maximum of 1,200 hooks and 30 traps per endorsement holder.
Since September 2006, wobbegongs have been included in the daily trip limit for a specific list of shark species to one tonne for a 24 hour period and two tonnes for 48 hours or greater. NSW DPI also recommended that fishers in the Ocean Trap and Line and Lobster fisheries have in their codes of practice to release wobbegongs less than 130 cm TL caught in fish traps. Since July 2007, the use of wire trace, or other trace made of metal type materials, is prohibited to decrease instances of gut-hooking. Furthermore, a minimum size limit of 180 cm TL and a maximum trip limit of either six or 12 wobbegongs (including O. maculatus and O. ornatus) will also be implemented and is pending approval by the NSW Fisheries minister.
Site attached species may also benefit from habitat protection and suitably designed and implemented "No-take" MPAs, where all forms of harvesting or fishing are excluded. Some protection may be offered by those protected areas already being implemented for grey nurse sharks Carcharias taurus in NSW.
Australian Marine Protected Areas in which the species occurs:
Moreton Bay Marine Park, Qld
Cape Byron Marine Park, Byron Bay, northern NSW
Julian Rocks Aquatic Reserve, off Byron Bay, northern NSW
Solitary Islands Marine Park, north of Coffs Harbour, NSW
Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park, north of Sydney, central NSW
Jervis Bay Marine Park, south of Sydney, NSW
Batemans Marine Park, south of Sydney, NSW
Shark Bay Marine Park, WA
Ningaloo Marine Park, WA
Jurien Bay Marine Park, WA
All Victorian marine parks
All South Australian marine parks
Possibly also occurs in the following areas:
Great Sandy Marine Park, Qld
Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, WA
Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, WA
Marmion Marine Park , WA
Muiron Islands Marine Management Area, WA
Rowley Shoals Marine Park , WA
Further protected areas might be necessary to ensure stable populations and are likely to be efficient due to the high site fidelity of wobbegong (Huveneers et al. 2006).
Recreational fishers may also have had an impact on this species in the past. An in-possession limit of two wobbegong sharks per person was introduced for recreational fishers in NSW and reduced to zero in September 2007. This new regulation may help to alleviate any adverse affects caused by recreational fishing practices.
Although a PhD project investigated the biology and ecology of wobbegong sharks, catch and effort is still poorly recorded preventing adequate stock assessments. Species-specific catches in addition to accurate effort data is required to correctly determine population status of wobbegong.
The improvement of species identification in catch records and a better understanding of biological parameters, including validation of age and growth are crucial in providing accurate data upon which to base stock assessments and demographic analyses. Outcomes from which can then be used to estimate wobbegong resilience to fishing pressure and recommend future conservation and management decisions.
|Huveneers, C. Pollard, D., Gordon, I., Flaherty, A. & Pogonoski, J. 2009. Orectolobus halei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009: e.T161709A5485787. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T161709A5485787.en . Downloaded on 10 October 2015.
|To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
|If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided


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1000 Free Nintendo Points to EU Customers
Posted by Philip J Reed
Just a quick news item to share welcome news
According to Eurogamer, European gamers will also receive 1000 Nintendo Points free upon their first connection to the DSiShop.
This offer will be valid for a limited time, but we do not have information on just how limited that time might be.
The choice is yours: use the 1000 points to download a nice bunch of launch titles, or sit on them until the classic GB and GBA games start rolling in. Whatever you choose to do, though... make sure you remember to log on and collect your points before it's too late!


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New issue available: General Issue Vol 11 No 2, 2014
|SITES Vol 11 (2): Mike Lloyd and Maree Martinussen discuss a novel 'greening' project in Wellington; Trisia Farrelly, Rochelle Stewart-Withers and Kelly Dombroski reflect on the absence/presence of children for mothers doing fieldwork; Hannah Bailly explores what some yoga practitioners in Dunedin are learning; Antonia Lyons and her colleagues analyse young people's talk about alcohol; Tony Mitchell critiques the music industry's neglect of Te Reo through the biography of hip-hop artist, Maitreya; and Alex McConville and colleagues discuss print media attention to Waitangi Day, analysing the affective discursive environment created.
|Posted: 2014-12-08
Call for Papers: General Issues
|SITES welcomes submissions to its General Issues at all times. The next general issue is scheduled for October/ November 2015. Manuscripts in social anthropology and cultural studies relating to New Zealand and the Pacific (broadly conceived) are sought. Masters students are advised to consider submitting jointly with their supervisors.
|Posted: 2014-12-16
New issue available: Anthropology and Imagination 2014 11(1)
|Along with the Special Section edited by Lorena Gibson is a small General section with Book Reviews. A substantial Guest Editorial on Anthropology and Imagination introduces papers on The Crown, Development, Same Sex Civil Unions, and Indigeneity through Performance. An article on Crime Stories in the Media and Maori, plus book reviews, comprise the general section.
|Posted: 2014-07-28
New issue available: SITES 10 (2) Available Online
|The new general issue of Sites (Volume 10, Issue 2) is available online.
|Posted: 2013-12-20
New issue available: SITES Volume 10 (1)
|In this volume, edited by Lily George and Graeme MacRae, the idea of whakapapa is explored. This collection is based on presentations at the 2010 ASAA/NZ conference in Rotorua. Contributions include reflections from anthropologists on working with Maori, as well as analyses on the contemporary meanings of whakapapa.'
|Posted: 2013-11-28
|More Announcements...


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Virgin America has announced that it is bringing more of its upscale, low-fare flights to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) with new nonstop service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning April 22, 2013. The three daily roundtrip flights will add to Virgin America's existing service from its San Francisco International Airport (SFO) home base to Las Vegas and its existing nonstop service between Las Vegas and New York's JFK International Airport (JFK).
"With moodlighting, custom-designed leather seats and touch-screen entertainment at every seat, we think our guests will agree that Virgin America is the perfect way to escape to one of the most iconic travel destinations in the world," said John MacLeod, Virgin America's senior vice president of planning and sales. "This route has been one of the most requested by our frequent flyers, and whether guests are traveling for a fun weekend getaway or headed to one of the many trade events or business conferences that Las Vegas hosts each year, we think this new 'ride' will be a stylish, welcome alternative."
Known for a high level of service, beautifully designed cabins and in-flight entertainment, Virgin America has swept the travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named "Best Domestic Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for the past five years. In December 2012, Virgin America opened its first airport lounge – the Virgin America Loft at LAX offers guests a sleek and modern retreat, with a selection of amenities and a space that reflect the look and feel of the airline's mood-lit aircraft and overall design aesthetic.
"We are thrilled to welcome additional service from LAX on Virgin America," said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority. "Every new destination that is added to the schedule provides additional convenience and flexibility for travelers. With record visitation to Las Vegas in 2012, every new airline seat provides opportunity for continued growth. " "Virgin America has been a wonderful partner since its first flight arrived at McCarran International Airport in October 2007, and we believe travelers will take to its newest service as much as they have to its existing flights connecting Las Vegas with San Francisco and New York," said Rosemary A. Vassiliadis, deputy director of Aviation for Clark County, Nevada, which owns and operates McCarran. "The greater Los Angeles area is the largest feeder market for air passengers into Las Vegas. We are pleased that Virgin America will soon offer additional capacity for Southern California residents, as well as other leisure and business travelers who may make Los Angeles a connection point for their travels to and from Las Vegas."
Virgin America, www.virginamerica.com


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|Attention lax fans: Paul Rabil is coming to a town near you
Thursday, September 20, 2012 12:01:34 PM
Following the announcement in April and recent launch of his own signature Warrior line, Paul Rabil is touring the country in October and November, shaking hands, taking names and hopefully, selling gear. Lacrosse Playground reported that the Rabil Roadshow will include 12 stops across the United States.
The 2012 MLL Player of the Year will be visiting brick-and-mortar lax stores to sign autographs and showcase his new Warrior products. He'll visit California, Maryland, New Jersey and Massachusetts, among other states on the tour.
Rabil's line is currently small, just five products, consisting of a lax stick, crosse, arm pad, arm guard and chest protector. If you want to meet the man, the myth, the legend, the Rabil Roadshow will be your chance.
Rabil himself, when he tweeted about the events, said it's "gonna get rowdy at each location!"
It will also mark the debut of his gear in stores, so if you want a glimpse in person to see if it has been worth all the hype, check out the schedule here. Sounds like it should be more like a launch party than a trunk show, and who wouldn't want to get down with the masterful midfielder who pretty much breaks records whenever he walks onto a field?
Sneak preview: according to Warrior's website, there will be a new addition to the line come October. It's called the Adonis cleat - how fitting.
We'll be waiting for more details and what, exactly, the Rabil Roadshow is going to be like. While you're camping out in front of one of the stops, check out Lax.com's awesome selection of gear for serious lacrosse junkies!


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L0ve w0men an i wont do it back. Hubby is away a lot and would consider swingers club for it a compliment.
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Vigeo Shipping, a member of Vigeo Group, is targeting exploration and production activities in Nigeria's deep water oil fields.
To facilitate this, the firm in a statement on Tuesday, said it had acquired a Platform Supply Vessel.
The Chief Executive Officer, Vigeo Shipping, Mr. Farouq Olayinka, in the statement, noted that the vessel, expected to leave Europe this week, should sail into Nigeria in the first week of May.
Olayinka said Vigeo Shipping, which had been working with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company and other International Oil Companies since 2004, was actualising its goal to own a fleet of PSV, Anchor Handlers Tug Supply and other OSVs to support the oil and gas industry operations, particularly in the deep offshore segment of the Gulf of Guinea.
The company had in August 2007 invested $14.5m to acquire an AHTS vessel christened "Vigeo Olufunke" to facilitate exploration and production activities – thus emerging the first Nigerian company to have 100 per cent ownership of an asset for deepwater operations, he explained.
Olayinka said the new vessel christened "Vigeo Adebola," would help consolidate the local content policy, which the company had been championing in the oil and gas sector dominated by foreigners.
Vigeo Shipping's journey in the deepwater oil operations began in 2003 when Vigeo Limited, a wholly Nigerian company, entered into a joint venture with Farstad ASA of Norway, the world's third largest supplier of AHTS and PSV in the deepwater segment to form VigeoFarstad Shipping Limited, a limited liability Nigerian company with 60 per cent Vigeo and 40 per cent Farstad interest.
The terms of the agreement included a Ship Operations Agreement between Farstad and Vigeo Limited, and a Bareboat Charter Party Agreement between P/R IOS, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Farstad and VigeoFarstad Shipping Limited, the firm explained.
"Later the management of Messrs Farstad ASA Norway took the decision to pull out of Nigeria owning to increased agitation in the Niger Delta. Consequently, Vigeo acquired their 40 per cent interest in the JV along with the acquisition of the vessel.
"This was a proof that there are credible and competent Nigerian companies, who are ready to take on increasing commitments to service the Oil and Gas industry," he explained.
According to the Vigeo boss, Vigeo Shipping had an excellent safety record and had remained commited to the host communities.


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DART Right on Target
JOEL USA has introduced Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART), an ion source for noncontact analysis of materials in open air, under ambient conditions, at ground potential, making it possible to directly detect chemicals on surfaces, in liquids, and in gases without the need for sample preparation and without the use of radioactive components, solvent sprays, high voltage, or vacuum. DART preserves the integrity of the sample and provides real-time information for screening or high-throughput analyses during forensic investigations, homeland security operations, and toxicological examinations. When installed with JOEL's AccuTOF mass spectrometer, it provides improved sensitivity and accurate elemental composition assignment through exact mass measurements.
Vendor: JOEL USAProduct: Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) ion sourceAvailability: NowFor more information: (978) 535-5900; www.joel.com
Going to the Extreme
Jasco has introduced the Extreme HPLC (X-LC) series of high-pressure liquid chromatography instrumentation capable of delivering solvents at pressures in excess of 15,000 psi. These pressures, coupled with the X-LC line of columns, enable users to achieve chromatographic speed, sensitivity, and efficiency beyond traditional HPLC, the company says. The small footprint of the X-LC system and its modular nature allows each system to be customized to fit the budget and space requirements of virtually all customers. The X-series UV-Vis detector paired with EXChrom Software can collect 100 data points per second, making X-LC the fastest high-pressure system on the market, according to Jasco.
Vendor: JascoProduct: Extreme HPLC System (X-LC)Availability: NowFor more information: (800) 333-5272; www.jascoinc.com
The Flourescense of A Lifetime
HORIBA Jobin Yvon has introduced the Protein 280 ex, a lifetime spectrofluorometer that can measure three fluorescence lifetimes in just a few minutes. Ideal for biologists and biochemists who need to test multiple protein samples quickly, the Protein 280 ex uses Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting, a time-resolved fluorescence technique to record accurate, reproducible lifetime data. Analytical software is then able to calculate lifetimes based on least-squares fitting algorithms. The system uses the modular Fluoro-cube, with a pulsed 280nm UV NanoLED source that matches absorption maxima of the naturally fluorescent amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine, making it well suited for studying biomarkers and the dynamics of protein folding.
Vendor: HORIBA Jobin Yvon Product: Protein 280 exAvailability: NowFor more information: (732) 494-8660; www.ibh.co.uk
Targeting Sequences with TargeTron
Sigma-Aldrich's TargeTron Gene Knockout System provides a robust and simple method for site-specific disruption of DNA sequences within a host cell genome. A validated TargeTron algorithm designs specific primer sets for use in PCR mutation of the TargeTron intron, which is re-programmed to insert itself into the algorithm-predicted site of any user-defined gene. Ligation of the PCR product into a TargeTron vector is followed by transformation of the host cell, resulting in expression in a ribonucleoprotein complex that targets the intron to the precise insertion site within the host genome resulting in gene knockout.
Vendor: Sigma-AldrichProduct: TargeTron Gene Knockout SystemAvailability: NowFor more information: (314) 286-7879; www.sigma-aldrich.com
LC/MS At Your Fingertips
Agilent Technologies has introduced the first high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) chip/mass spectrometry (MS) system for protein identification. The company says its microfluidics-based LC/MS technology is expected to significantly increase the speed, ease, and productivity of proteomics research. The new HPLC-Chip simplifies LC/MS, heightens separation power and sensitivity, and reduces required sample sizes by integrating multiple functionalities on a single microfluidics-based chip. Smaller than a credit card, it integrates sample enrichment and separation capability of a nanoflow LC system with the intricate connections and spray tips used in electrospray mass spectrometry. The technology also eliminates 50 percent of the fittings typically required in an LC/MS system, reducing the possibility of leaks and dead volumes.
Vendor: Agilent TechnologiesProduct: HPLC-Chip/MS System Availability: NowFor more information:(877) 424-4536; www.agilent.com


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|Cypress Gardens is Back
|© Copyright 2004-07 Bill Jones World Rights Reserved
Winter Haven, Florida. Opened in 1936, Cypress Gardens was Florida's first theme park that included world famous water ski shows, lovely mermaids, and beautiful botanical gardens.
The pressure of lessening-tourism took its toll on this once-popular park following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. On April 13, 2003, the 67-year-old Cypress Gardens was forced to close.
Cypress Gardens was a topside second-unit filming location for story establishing shots on several SEA HUNT episodes that featured water skiing and other surface stunts. Movies filmed at Cypress Gardens included "Easy to Love" (1953) and "On an Island With You" (1948) starring Esther Williams, and "Moon Over Miami" (1941) starring Betty Grable.
On February 24, 2004, after lawyers spent most of the day bickering over last-minute details, the transfer of 150 acres of Cypress Gardens to Georgia theme park owner Kent Buescher was completed. Following the sale, Governor Jeb Bush said "Cypress Gardens is a rare piece of Florida's modern history, ...Florida's first theme park will live again". Polk County and the state of Florida will retain rights to the gardens and the original park areas and protect them from any type of future development.
Under it's new name, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park re-opened in 2004 with a lower admission price, new rides, and new attractions. Buescher said he invested another $35 million for thirty new rides.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park is located in Winter Haven Florida about 35 miles southwest of Orlando in the 2600 block of South Lake Summit Drive.
Editor Note: Bill Jones, The Scuba
Guy, is a PADI Master Instructor and a Published and Award-Winning
Questions & Comments:
The Scuba Guy
Questions & Comments: The Scuba Guy


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Want More Twitter Followers? Stop Talking About Yourself
Y'know how people who constantly talk about themselves have a tough time making friends in real life? Turns out that logic applies to Twitter, as well. After analyzing data from more than 60,000 tweeters, Dan Zarrella—the viral-marketing scientist who gave us nine scientifically proven ways to get re-tweeted—concluded that those who use social language ("we," "you") have more followers than those who self-reference ("I"):
In sum: If you want more Twitter followers, stop talking about your feelings, and start engaging your audience. Good luck!
[Data and graphs via TweetPsych and Dan Zarrella]
Click here to follow me on Twitter and here to follow Fast Company.
Add New Comment
7 Comments
Couldn't agree more!
This applies not only on Twitter, but any social media channels. You don't tell people what you are
going to do. You do something for them or inspire them to do. People
are so impatient nowadays. They have very short attention span.
We should listen and focus on customers' needs and problems. Be insightful and stand out from the noise.
Enough about me, let's talk about you!
There was a study that appeared about 2 months ago, indicating that the secret behind getting RTs was to just add "please RT" to what you wanted to be RTed. The author tried different combinations ranging from "can you please RT" to "RT pliz" and found that "please RT" works the best.
Thanks Dan.
This is good advice, but only true to the majority of us who aren't famous. If you are famous, your emotions is just what people wanna hear, right?
In my experience, it's about striking the balance between sharing information about yourself, your hobby/company/interest and your market at large. If you do only one of these three things it will turn people off.
Specifically this translates into sharing your thoughts, sharing links or retweeting others' content, answering questions, asking questions - ya' know, actually getting involved in or leading the discussion.
Steinar Knutsen
Can't say I entirely agree with the "Stop Talking About Your Feelings". When I feel strongly about something and I tweet it out I get pretty good engagement on twitter. I say it in the first place to engage people that agree with me or disagree with me. Those are the best conversations and my whole point for being there.
Patrick Allmond
@Scott IMHO, it's hard to imagine that someone who almost exclusively tweets about himself could manage to grow his follower base (beyond actual friends) in the first place--unless he's really, really funny or famous. But you make a good point. I should have included a caveat.
This is intriguing, Dan, but I'm wondering if this might be a case of "cum hoc ergo propter hoc"? We can see that there's a correlation, but perhaps the causality runs in the other direction? Perhaps the growth occurs for other reasons entirely, and as people's follower base grows, their perspective changes.
With under 1,000 followers, a Twitter user feels like Twitter is more of a personal lifestream or publishing outlet. As their followers grow, more conversations occur -- they feel more engaged, more aware of "we" and the collective "you", rather than "I".
It's an interesting data point, but I don't think we can necessarily draw this conclusion from the data.


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A classic beautiful old school lavender.A crisp 'suit and tie' of a scent. This is how I imagine the most conservative, starched, handsome and beautifully dressed French man would smell. Gorgeous, well crafted, long lasting with a very strong initial blast that I find requires application a good 20 minutes prior to leaving home to prevent overpowering my driver or fellow tube passengers, (although some days I love to overpower the general public). Develops into a warm, attractive vanilla / lavender with almost edible quality. Great male conservative staple - this scent lasts all day and gives a noticeable aura of a true quality scent. Caron Pour Un Homme for me gives the wearer a sense of elegance and understatement even when it is screaming 'look at me' in it's initial blasts.
10th June, 2010
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Msc Industrial Direct Company (MSM) goes positive by breaking intraday moving average 2012/11/20 16:39
The intraday price for Msc Industrial Direct Company has moved above its 200 period 30 minute moving average of 57.13. MSM is near 70.48 bucks now. The general trend in MSM has been down recently.
Presently, it is below the near-term support price of $92.45.
Other stocks to watch – these are correlated with Msc Industrial Direct Company:
Insperity Inc (NSP) with a correlation of 97.53%
P3R (P3R) with a correlation of 97.87%
ROJANA IND UTS (RJIUF) with a correlation of 97.53%
Progressive Care (RXMD) with a correlation of 97.33%
Soybean Oil {Dec 10} (ZLZ10) with a correlation of 97.56%


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Co-founders Rhiannon Davenport and Valerie Wininger created Lion Face Studio as a boutique design firm looking to bring affordable, stylish design services to small businesses. Every project is unique, and we work with you from scratch to bring your vision to life. From logos to business cards, to websites – we do it all. We've got years of experience so even if you've never had a website before, you can feel comfortable knowing that we can help you from start to finish.
Meet the Team
Rhiannon Davenport
I've been a professional illustrator and designer for over 7 years, and have had such wonderful opportunities working with many great companies, such as Scholastic, Maru and Friends, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, Little Passports, Bop, and many others.
I am passionate about creativity and love working with others to see their projects come to reality.
Valerie Wininger
I've been a professional developer for 7 years. I've had the pleasure of working with rising stars like Cook It Allergy Free, Simply Sugar and Gluten Free, as well as large companies in Indianapolis and Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
My code breathes life into Rhiannon's designs, rendering beautiful websites across all modern browsers.


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The new poster for X-Men Origins: Wolverine is online - and let's put it this way: if this guy offers you a knuckle sandwich, it's best to say no.
The film's due out on May 1, but this teaser one-sheet is the first official poster to hit the net. While the film's had recent reshoots (or additional shooting, depending on who you talk to) to complete a few key scenes, the bulk of filming was finished last year and a trailer's already been released (see our super-exhaustive trailer breakdown here), so this is officially late.


text: International View: Final Cup spot up for grabs Thu 27 Oct, 2011, 2:30pm Steven Birchall, NRL.com Tweet Email Print As we hit week three of rugby league's international season, International View takes a quick snapshot of all the activity happening around the globe. England stick with winning formulaEngland coach Steve McNamara was happy enough with the performance of his team in Avignon last week against France, leaving it intact for their opening Four Nations clash against Wales in Leigh.England: Sam Tomkins (Wigan), Ryan Hall (Leeds), Jack Reed (Brisbane – NRL), Kirk Yeaman (Hull), Tom Briscoe (Hull), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds), Rangi Chase (Castleford), Jamie Peacock (Leeds – c), James Roby (St Helens), James Graham (St Helens), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers – NRL), Ben Westwood (Warrington), Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers – NRL). Interchange: Gareth Widdop (Melbourne – NRL), Adrian Morley (Warrington), Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), Jon Wilkin (St Helens).European showdown in BelgradeWhile attention will focus on the United Kingdom this weekend with the official kick-off to the 2011 Gillette Four Nations series, the most important international will take place over in Belgrade in Serbia where the Italian Azzurri take on the Lebanon Cedars for the final spot in the 2013 World Cup.With both teams dominating the qualifiers so far, racking up well over 120 points each, Saturday's fixture clearly is an unknown quantity, with neither side truly tested to date.Italy boast a significant NRL advantage, with four first grade regulars (Anthony Minichiello, Joel Riethmuller, Cameron Ciraldo and Vic Mauro) to take the field, versus the Lebanese who despite having no full-time professionals have a far more experienced side. Several players featured in the Cedars' 2008 World Cup Qualifying campaign, including forwards Chris Saab and Charlie Farah.�History is also on Lebanon's side after they claimed a 36-16 win in the only other full international between the two nations back in 1999, which saw the Cedars qualify for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.The winner of Saturday's match will join Scotland and Tonga in Group C of the World Cup.Playing for bragging rightsIt may not be as important as the Italy-Lebanon clash, and there won't be any World Cup spots up for grabs, but as part of the double-header in Belgrade on Saturday, Serbia will take on Russia in their final respective match of the European Qualifiers.With both nations deciding to opt for home-grown talent rather than bolstering their sides significantly with heritage players, Saturday's clash will be a good test to see how both nations' grassroots programs are faring.Despite the two nations having met just twice in the past, both share a common history, with both leagues suffering from mass government intervention that crippled a lot of the hard work each had done.For Serbia, after first flirting with the game back in 1953 through the work of Yugoslavian Sport Association secretary, Dragan Marsicevic, the code took off, establishing strong support in the region. Unfortunately this strong growth over the first decade was completely undone when the Yugoslav government decided that there could only be one code of rugby within its borders, forcing all league teams to covert to union in 1964. Rugby league finally made its return to Serbia in 2001.On the other hand Russia have suffered more from government intervention more recently when union sevens was made a priority sport by the Russian Olympic Committee in 2009. To help fast-track results, the three top clubs – Kazan Arrows, Dinamo Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow – were lured across with financial incentives, whilst the Russian Ministry of Sports expelled the rugby league from the State Register of Sports of Russia on January 20, 2010.Despite this setback, league is still played in Russia, and is taking massive steps since its return in Serbia. As for who will win on Saturday? The tip would be Russia, who still have a stronger league to draw upon than the Serbians… but there won't be much in it.Pride in the jerseyThere is no doubt that on paper Wales is clearly the weakest of the Four Nations teams, but one thing is for sure: you can't doubt the passion they have to represent their country.�While players from the three other nations have pretty much had all their expenses paid for by their relevant national bodies, including airfares for everyone travelling from outside the UK, the Welsh representatives from abroad have paid out of their own pockets to ensure they are at the tournament.Also, the semi-professionals in the squad have taken time off work to ensure that they can dedicate everything to help the Welsh Dragons make an impact in this year's tournament.French eye first win of seasonBobbie Goulding will be hoping that playing at the Catalan Dragons home ground, Stade Gilbert Brutus, will deliver the French their first win of the 2011 international season.After losses to both the English development and senior teams, Les Chanticleers are desperate to finally secure a victory when they take on Scotland Bravehearts this Saturday.Goulding plans to stick with a similar team to that which took on England last week in Avignon, featuring 15 Catalan players.Scotland are also expected to name a relatively similar side to the one that defeated Ireland in Glasgow. American dream finally realisedLast Sunday at Campbell's Field, New Jersey, history was made for rugby league with the realisation of a dream that started back in the 1950s.As the Tomahawks ran away in the final quarter of the match to hand Jamaica a convincing defeat, the dream of pioneers of the code in North America, including the likes of Mike Dimitro, Mike Mayer and more recently David Niu, was achieved as the United States qualified for its first ever Rugby League World Cup.While there have been many attempts to attempt to kick-start the sport in America – including the well-noted 'All Stars' side that toured Australia back in 1953, the attempt to host a World Cup in 1960 and the 'fourth' State of Origin match at Long Beach California in 1987 – the most successful has definitely been the work of former St George Dragons player David Niu, who established a grassroots competition in the New England area back in 1998 that still runs today.Niu's bold efforts, plus those of many others across the country, have contributed to this historic achievement, which will finally see the USA play in the pinnacle of our sport internationally.Europe admits four more Rugby league's European influence continues to grow, the Czech Republic, Germany and Norway all being promoted to Affiliate members of the Rugby League European Federation overnight, after significant growth in their domestic structures over the past 12 months. Denmark has also joined the fold, being given observer membership status for the first time since inception. The biggest movers of the four has been Norway who now boast a 12-team senior competition, and coverage of the code on both satellite and terrestrial television after just two years since taking up the sport.� This week's fixtures:Gillette Four Nations28th October: Australian Kangaroos v New Zealand Kiwis – Warrington, England29th October: England v Wales Dragons – Leigh, EnglandEuropean World Cup Qualifiers29th October: Serbia White Eagles v Russia Bears – Belgrade, Serbia29th October: Italian Azzurri v Lebanon Cedars – Belgrade, Serbia Other Internationals29th October: France Chanticleers v Scotland Bravehearts – Perpignan, FranceLast week's resultsAtlantic World Cup Qualifiers:23rd October: USA Tomahawks 40 defeated Jamaica 4 – Philadelphia, USAEuropean World Cup Qualifiers22nd October: Russia Bears 0 lost to Lebanon Cedars 32 – Moscow, Russia23rd October: Serbia White Eagles 6 lost to Italian Azzurri 52 – Belgrade, SerbiaOther Internationals21st October: France Chanticleers 18 lost to England 32 – Avignon, France22nd October: Wales Dragons 30 defeated Ireland Wolfhounds 6 – Neath, Wales22nd October: Cumbria 12 lost to England Knights 26 – Whitehaven, England Tweet Email Print Send to a friend: Your Name: Your Email: Friend's Name: Friend's Email: Close Submit loading image needs to go here


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Brazilian Nightclub Fire Kills 231 People
Residents of Santa Maria march along the Rio Branco avenue demanding... NachrichtenfotoBrasilien,Bundesstaat Rio Grande do Sul,Diskothek,Feuer,Feuerwehrmann,Fordern,Horizontal,Küssen,Menschen,Menschenmenge,Nacht,Opfer,Prachtstraße,Respekt,Retter - Rettungsaktion,Santa Maria - Rio Grande do Sul,Südbrasilien,Tod,Unfall und KatastrophePhotographer ANTONIO SCORZACollection: AFP 2013 AFPResidents of Santa Maria march along the Rio Branco avenue demanding justice and in tribute to the Kiss nightclub fire victims on January 28, 2013, in Santa Maria, southern Brazil, where a blaze on the eve killed more than 230 people. Brazilian police arrested four suspects --two of the Kiss club's owners, along with a pair of musicians who starred in the ill-fated pyrotechnic show, in the wake of the nightclub fire that forced sports officials to defend preparations for the World Cup and Olympics. AFP PHOTO/ANTONIO SCORZA (Photo credit should read ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP/Getty Images)


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Industry Change: Journalism >> Technology Role Change: Writer >> Product Manager See Emily's complete Careerosity profile! 1) What do you do now, and what did you do before? I'm a Product Manager at a tech company that allows our clients to buy and sell online advertising space. I talk to clients, decide what products we should … Continue reading
Share Your Story: Calling all Industry and Role Switchers!
So you want to be a transitioneur? On the Careerosity blog, we will start previewing select careerpieces (here's one example) from our wonderful community in the weeks leading up to the launch of the website. For those who are still drafting their pieces or who have no idea what I'm talking about, here are more details: What is Careerosity? Think … Continue reading
Inspiration behind Careerosity: Part 2/2
Post-undergrad dilemma The ironic/crazy thing about college is that you, in your late teens, select a path of study that likely has significant implications on your career path major well before you figure out your true passions in work and life. If four years into your career as a book editor, you discover your passion … Continue reading
Inspiration behind Careerosity: Part 1/2
The need I have so many friends in their late-20s to mid-30s who hate their jobs. The dream job out of college turned out to be unfulfilling. Passions at age 20 differ entirely from those developed five, ten, and twenty plus years later. Career dispassion is palpable. Some friends complain constantly, but are held back … Continue reading
Waine Tam: My Career Change
Industry Change: Finance >> Non-Profit Role Change: Portfolio Manager >> Chief Operating Officer See my complete Careerosity profile! Hi everyone. I'm Waine, the founder of careerosity.com, and I wanted to give a brief intro about my career path. The following questions are ones I get a lot, and the five questions are the same questions that … Continue reading