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Do you love to cuddle and kiss your pet but can't stand its smelly breath? Every cat or dog owner has been there before. But, your pet's breath might be more than just a stinky nuisance. Bad breath, clinically known as halitosis could be a sign of a significant health problem affecting your pet's teeth, gums, kidneys, liver or heart.
Periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed clinical condition in cats and dogs. By the age of three, most pets show signs of periodontal disease, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. That'll only worsen as your cat or dog ages, which means early intervention is a critical part of ensuring your pet's dental health.
Fortunately for you and your fur ball, oral diseases are preventable with daily maintenance, frequent brushing and annual trips to your trusted vet. Since February is "Pet Dental Health Month," it's the perfect time for you to take control of your pet's dental health on the path to a long, happy and healthy life!
Oral health is an essential part of your pet's overall health and well-being. Failure to properly address dental health could lead to more serious issues as the toxins from periodontal disease are absorbed in the bloodstream. But, tartar and plaque buildup isn't necessarily a cause for alarm – at least not yet. There are a few steps that you can take to support your pet's oral health and help prevent further issues.
buy perio Support NOW for YOUR PET'S dental HEALTH
3 Ways to Improve Your Pet's Dental Health
Routine checkups: Leave it to your vet to properly asses your pet's teeth and gums to determine the root cause of bad breath. Annual cleanings are a critical part of your pet's oral health and may help prevent serious health problems. You'll want to schedule an appointment sooner if you notice broken, loose or discolored teeth, abnormal chewing or drooling, reduced appetite, and pain, bleeding or swelling around the mouth.
Brush, brush, brush: Most of us have never dared to take a close look, let alone brush our pets' teeth. However, brushing once per week could help prevent plaque and tartar from forming on its teeth. Veterinarians note that routine brushing between dental cleanings is the best way to help keep your pet's teeth healthy. Fresh breath and pearly whites certainly don't hurt, either!
Try supplements! Can't stand the hassle and mess of brushing your pet's teeth? We can't blame you! Instead, you can use Perio Support to make your life easier. Just sprinkle this tasteless, odorless powder over meals to maintain your pet's dental health without the aggravation of brushing. Perio Support is easy to use, easy to remember and demonstrates clinically proven results in a double-blind testing of dogs.*
Between brushing, flossing and dental cleanings, we go to considerable lengths to take care of our own dental health. Shouldn't we do the same for our pets? Say "yes" to your pet's oral health and fresh breath during "Pet Dental Health Month" this February.
*Evaluation and Comparison of the Effectiveness of VetriScience Powdered Perio Support on the Reduction of Plaque, Calculus, and Gingivitis in Adult Dogs.


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Now that it's officially fall, it's officially time to switch over our makeup and bring back my favourite shade of lipstick and polish: Red! Continue reading REDS // LIPS AND TIPS
Tag Archives: rococo
Even though it's back to school, the beginning of September, etc., Fall doesn't technically start until September 22nd. While most days we are willing to accept the crisper weather, chilly nights, and shorter days (not really), we can't let go of the sunny, long days just yet (the weather is cruelly giving us a taste of the heat again this week). On cold days and nights, how do you create summer against Mother Nature's will? Easy. Fragrance, Makeup and Nail Polish.
Fragrance- Cire Trudon Candle in Dada
I picked this handsome-looking candle up last Spring because I was just dying for Summer to start. After smelling a lot of heady, strong, manly scents from the collection, as soon as I smelled this eucalyptus, tea and mint concoction, I immediately knew it was coming home with me. This candle fills your space with a fresh, summery scent. The citrusy fragrance is perfectly evocative of sunny days.
Makeup- RMS Lip2Cheek and Lip Shine
These little pots in 'Sacred' and 'Smile' are sunshine in a lip product.
'Sacred' is the most perfect bright pink. You can build it up to different intensities, and it glides on as a gloss and is long-lasting as it wears into a stain. Perfect for rev'ing up a dull or pale face (thanks, Fall).
'Smile' is a pretty, peachy-apricot that works on your lips and cheeks. This little pot brings a sunny warmth to your look.
Nails- Rococo Polishes
No one says that you have to embrace the darker palette of Autumn's polishes just yet! Rococo's Bombshell and Kitsch will have you getting in a summery frame of mind every time you look at your nails. I'm especially loving the magenta pink of Bombshell on my toes. These creme formulas are thick and opaque and ensure full-coverage in just one coat. Pretty and time efficient!

subset: commoncrawl


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Exposure to arts drives innovation, spurs economy, study finds
(PhysOrg.com) -- Michigan is hurting its chances at economic recovery by slashing funding for the arts, according to a study by Michigan State University researchers.
The study found that arts and crafts activities such as painting, dancing and filmmaking are closely related to success of the scientists, engineers and other innovators who create new companies and inventions that stimulate the economy.
Yet during the past decade Michigan has cut funding for the arts by some 90 percent from about $25 million in 2002 to $2.3 million this year. In Detroit, officials attempting to balance the budget have proposed large cuts to the citys arts and cultural institutions.
Politicians often strip funding for arts and cultural assets, assuming they are expendable extras, but this may be a serious policy error based on false assumptions, said Rex LaMore, lead researcher on the project and director of MSUs Center of Community and Economic Development.
Due to a lack of formal research on the issue, researchers set out to find whether exposure to the arts influences innovation. They studied MSU Honors College graduates who earned a science or technology degree between 1990 and 1995.
According to the study, there was a close relationship between arts and crafts experiences and graduates who went on to produce patentable inventions and create new companies.
In addition, these graduates had more extensive arts and crafts skills than the average American, and also believed their innovative ability was stimulated by their arts and crafts knowledge. Other activities defined as arts and crafts include sculpting, woodwork, architecture, photography and many others.
Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that policymakers:
-- Recognize the importance of arts and crafts in supporting innovation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
-- Recognize that funding of arts and crafts is critical in supporting Michigans economic transformation.
-- Support research into the best ways to provide arts and crafts exposure.
John Bracey, executive director of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, said hes not aware of any other state agency taking a 90 percent cut in funding.
Certainly a lot of that was driven by the economy, Bracey said. But if you look at that percentage you have to realize that something was happening beyond the economy there was some kind of philosophical decision being made. And you have to conclude that the former administration didnt see arts as a priority.
Bracey said hes encouraged that Gov. Rick Snyders administration has left his agencys funding in place. I think weve seen some signals that things are changing, he said.
LaMore said more support of the arts could ultimately help stop Michigans self-perpetuating cycle of unemployment and brain drain.
If Michigan is going to reinvent itself out of this economic crisis, he said, we must attend to the role of arts and crafts as generators of innovation.
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We are currently oversubscribed for September 2017 entry but spaces may become available and will be allocated from Friday 25th August from noon on a first come, first served basis.
Offers are subject to meeting our entry requirements.
Please come in with your GCSE results and birth certificate or passport.
Keep updated on availability via our website or social media platforms:
Twitter: @CoLA_Southwark or @CoLA_SixthForm
Welcome to City of London Academy (Southwark). We offer high-quality education in a vibrant, innovative learning environment to students aged 11-18. We provide added focus on Business & Enterprise and Sport, and are one of only 10 schools in England to be awarded Basketball Academy status by Basketball England.
read more
We are passionate about helping every student achieve their full potential in a caring, inclusive community. CoLA is sponsored by the City of London, allowing our students to access unique, exciting career opportunities in the heart of the capital.
City of London Academy is high-achieving and oversubscribed. The majority of our students progress to leading universities - including Oxbridge - apprenticeships or employment. Many also go on to prestigious college basketball scholarships in America.
We continue to raise attainment and achievement, boasting academic results significantly above the national average. In 2016 we matched our best ever GCE results, with a 100 per cent pass rate.
We also recorded our best results at GCSE, significantly improving on last year and placing in the top 10 per cent of schools nationally for attainment.
We offer a broad, balanced curriculum, with small class sizes ensuring no child is left behind.
But City of London Academy is renowned for being more than just a school; we are dedicated to nurturing every student's holistic development. We believe every child matters and were awarded the Investors in Careers (gold) for our exceptional work in supporting students' development.
We are also joint lead school of London South East Maths Hub, part of a national programme dedicated to improving the quality of mathematics education.
We work closely with businesses, the local community and our family of schools to bring educational and social success to all members of our learning community. Our Inclusion Unit retained its Inclusion Quality Mark of Excellence, one of a handful of London schools to achieve this honour.
City of London Academy is entering a new and exciting era, with our purpose-built Sixth Form centre opening at 399 Rotherhithe New Road in September 2017, ready to accommodate 400 students.
This will transform facilities for our students as we embrace the latest technology on a specialist Sixth-Form campus to improve learning, motivation and aspirations.
By joining City of London Academy, students enter a learning environment where aspiration and hard work leads to resourceful, resilient and well-rounded young people.
They will be prepared for the 21st century, ready to thrive in our Academy and in their lives ahead.
Sixth Form
Blockbuster exhibitions and permanent decorative arts collection, with design shop and ornate cafe.
16-storey Gothic clocktower and national symbol at the Eastern end of the Houses of Parliament.
Canary Wharf is a major business district in east London, within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Financial district airport for domestic, European and New York flights, plus a private jet centre.


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Hello , can you help me please ? I have a mercedes s 500 coupe 2015 c217 455hp i need to change the spark plugs cand you tell a good model ? What ngk iradium ix code is compatible with my car ? Thanks
For the spark plugs I would stick with OEM to be honest. As far as the brakes and disks sure upgrade if you find something. While spark plugs are not going to make a difference if you go with a more expensive type. The plugs that in the car already have been tested for best performance. The only advantage that you may gain from more expensive spark plugs is that they will last longer. But then they will cost a lot more that OEM, so not sure if you are gaining anything. Just my opinion.


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One often hears that Iran's real purpose for pursuing nuclear technology is to develop nuclear weapons and that with its huge oil and gas reserves it has no real need for nuclear energy. Even those who should know better claim that Iran, both now and in the foreseeable future, can easily meet its energy needs without recourse to nuclear sources. We would like to demonstrate that these claims lack substance.
First, it is important to bear in mind that Iran's nuclear history pre-dates the current Islamic government. It originated in the mid-1970's, when the Shah unveiled plans to purchase several nuclear reactors from Germany, France and the United States to generate electricity. With Washington's blessing, the Shah's government awarded a contract to a subsidiary of the German company Siemens to construct two 1,200-megawatt reactors at Bushehr.
At the time, the United States encouraged Iran to expand its non-oil energy base. A study by the Stanford Research Institute concluded that Iran would need, by the year 1990, an electrical capacity of about 20,000 megawatts. The first cadre of Iran's nuclear engineers was trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In recognition of Iran's energy needs, the final draft of the U.S.-Iran Nuclear Energy Agreement was signed in July 1978 — several months before the Islamic revolution. The agreement stipulated, among other things, American export of nuclear technology and material and help in searching for uranium deposits.
Second, Iran's present electrical requirements are far larger than had been predicted. With an annual growth of 6 percent to 8 percent in demand for electricity and a population estimated to reach 100 million by 2025, Iran cannot possibly rely exclusively on oil and gas. The aging oil industry, denied substantial foreign investment largely because of American sanctions, has not been able even to reach the pre-revolution production level of 5.5 million barrels per day. Of Iran's 60 major oil fields, 57 need major repairs, upgrading and repressurizing, which would require $40 billion over 15 years. Iran's current production level of 3.5 million barrels per day is increasingly geared toward domestic consumption, which has grown by more than 280 percent since 1979. If this trend continues, Iran will become a net oil importer by 2010, a catastrophe for a country that relies on oil for 80 percent of its foreign currency and 45 percent of its annual budget.
Third, opponents of Iran's nuclear program often argue that Iran should opt for the more economically efficient electricity from natural gas-fired power plants. Such arguments are also not valid. A recent study by two MIT professors indicated that the cost of producing electricity from gas (and oil) is comparable with what it costs to generate it using nuclear reactors — not to mention the adverse effects of carbon emissions or the need to preserve Iran's gas reserves to position Iran in 20 or 30 years as one of the main suppliers of gas to Europe and Asia.
Fourth, why should Iran deplete its nonrenewable oil and gas sources when it can, much like the energy-rich United States and Russia, resort to renewable nuclear energy? Nuclear reactors have their problems, and they will not resolve Iran's chronic shortage of electricity. Yet they represent an important first step in diversifying Iran's sources for energy.
Sadly, with their fear of an Iranian bomb, the United States and some of its Western allies have failed to acknowledge Iran's legitimate quest for nuclear energy, which is important for a meaningful dialogue with Tehran to deter it from expanding its nuclear technology to bomb making.
A small corrective step has been taken by France, England and Germany, whose foreign ministers recently dispatched a letter to Iran promising technical cooperation with Iran's civil nuclear program in exchange for full nuclear transparency. This is wiser than the coercive approach by the United States, which seeks to dispossess Iran of nuclear know-how altogether, and is blind to Iran's energy and security worries.
Mohammad Sahimi is a professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Pirouz Mojtahed-Zadeh is professor of political geography and geopolitics at the Tarbiat Modares university of Tehran and chairman of the Urosevic Research Foundation in London. Kaveh L. Afrasiabi is professor of Middle East politics at Chapman University.
[Not to be reproduced without the permission of the authors.]


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4/27/2015 0 Comments
♥Ferris Prom ♥
It's Prom Season, and everyone is at the top of their game, looking sharp. One of my models Savana Fredericks asked me to come and shoot her before the big event with her friends at the historic Davenport hotel. It was a mob of flashbulbs (not! try iPhones) and some of the prettiest young people ever. And some very proud/nervous/awestruck parents...
See the whole set here: https://plus.google.com/u/1/photos/113102078977524737647/albums/6142432800259599473
If you're interested in purchasing any of the images, (or booking me) just email me!
Kelcey Boyce
Taking photos is just one of the ways I can express my creativity and appreciation for unique beauty. I am a visual person, and I truly enjoy opening my eyes and capturing life. It is all art, and I revel in its creation. This is where I post my inspirations, ideas and overall brainstorms that fuel my creativity.
All Beauty Blackandwhite Bridal BuckBrannamanClinic BuckBrannamanHorsemanship Country Davenport Davenport Hotel Editorial Equine Portraits Family Family Portraits Fashion Ferris Floral Football Formal Fun Graduation Haley Ross Handsome Horse Horsemanship IndieBride Inspirational Jane And David Jen Jen Bell Jen Bell's Horsemanship Journey Junior Kelceyboycephotograpy Lake Love Lumberjack Makeup Model Outdoor OutdoorPortraits Paper Portrait Pretty Prom Rural Sam Senior Senior Boy SeniorGirl Senior Portraits Spokanephotographer Stying Styled Shoot Tim Tuxedo Urban Wedding Wedding Portraits Woodnymph


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I know I made a couple lessons in the past on the woolly mammoth, but I thought since a new Ice Age was released into theaters a while back, kids would enjoy a simplistic version on "how to draw a woolly mammoth", step by step. This came out looking very cute and incredibly vivid. The colors of brown and blue really makes this mammoth stand out. Even though I made a few of these animals in the past, it was still fun to make another. I don't know what else to day since I have already talked about the woolly mammoth before. I guess I will leave you folks to drawing this prehistoric elephant. Don't forget to show folks your artistic work when you're done. Adios peeps and enjoy!
DragoArt members upload artwork and drawing tutorials! They are also allowed to leave comments on tutorials, profiles, etc. Many more features, as well; it's way better than just being a boring guest! Register Now!


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"Round" is series of home decorations, composed of container, vase, mirror and
pendant lighting. The designers were inspired by Thai architectural prang. The
design presents new perspective of woven techniques, which is a combination of
nature and metal. The collection is composed of contrast materials namely
bamboo, brass, copper, and marble, which are interesting combination. The
collection presents elegant approach to fusion materials, fine texture and
charming forms. The production makes by hand with the aid of tools. Every
piece is unique and high quality.
Materials : Bamboo, Brass, Copper, Wood, Marble


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What is in it for you?
- A bright and inviting home
- No ruined floors
- A healthier indoor climate.
Our SLIM glass wall system is a quality product, that gives an elegant and different partition of your home. No home is the same. Therefore, the glass walls are produced based on individual measurements. A SLIM glass wall gives you the opportunity to make partitions without shutting out the light.
SLIM glass walls are simple and easy to install, and can be moved or changed without big costs to adapt new functions into the home - even without leaving holes in the floor.
The glass and the maintenance-free profiles do not form breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, you get a healthier indoor climate.


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Sweden fights EU move to let aid pay for military activities
The European Commission wants to use development aid to fund military activities, but has met fierce opposition from Sweden's Development and Climate Minister Isabella Lövin. The EC's proposal contradicts an agreement of OECD members from earlier this year that explicitly prohibits the use of aid for such purposes. "The EU cannot come a few months later and change it," she says.Read more >>
Foreign Ministry tapped aid for nuclear weapons project, misinformed Parliament
Over several years, the Foreign Ministry in Oslo funded a huge Nuclear Weapons Project from the aid budget. The project, which was carried out by the International Law and Policy Institute (ILPI), did not pass OECD's test for what can be reported as aid.Read more >>
While US and China launch competing Mekong initiatives, Sweden stands by MRC
Sweden has decided to renew support for the 20-year-old Mekong River Commission, which it views as being "lonely and exposed" as economic development runs rife in the basin.Read more >>
New Finnfund loan boosts resources by 50%
After months of fine tuning the formalities, the decision for a EUR 130 million loan to the aid-funded investor Finnfund has now been signed by Trade and Development Minister Kai Mykkänen.Read more >>


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Tiffany Brown was a judge in the 2009 Q1 Contest
WPJA Judge since 2009 -
Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Tiffany Brown has had a lifelong passion for photography. A news photographer with a distinct point of view, an eye for detail and a sense of humor, Tiffany digs into stories to inform her work and provide viewers with something more than straight news photographs – whether it's casino workers losing their longtime jobs to the "progress" of a wrecking ball or a teacher coping with the devastating effects of a shooter's bullet lodged in her husband's spine. In her current work she is leading the way to tell multimedia stories online as well.
Brown worked for a community newspaper in Corvallis, Oregon, from 2003 to 2006 and is currently a staff photographer with the Las Vegas Sun. She also works freelance assignments around southern Nevada and the world. Her freelance work has published in Stern, The New York Times, Wired.com, CondeNaste Portfolio, Rolling Stone, The Fader, The Washington Post, The Oregonian, and many others internationally.
Tiffany's photos have been published in books including America 24/7 (2003), Oregon 24/7 (2004) and as one of only forty contract photographers worldwide for Blue Planet Run: The Race to Provide Safe Drinking Water to the World (2007).
In 2009, Brown has been a contributing member to the Las Vegas Sun's Pulitzer Prize for public service.
In addition, Tiffany has been a runner-up for the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism for a single project, was a finalist for the 2008 Dart Award, a 2008 nominee for the World Press Joop Swart Masterclass and has been recognized for her work by World Press Photo, the National Press Photographers Association, Best of the West journalism contest, The Associated Press, The Eddie Adams Workshop, Nevada Press Association, Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Suburban Newspapers of America, and Lee Enterprises.


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Modern power tools are made to withstand the rigors of years of hard use. Properly maintained, they can help you power your way through hundreds of projects, whether you are on a jobsite or working in your own garage. While the tool itself may last for years, the interchangeable parts and blades accumulate damage, begin to dull and can eventually wear out. If you stock up on a supply of replacement parts, even a broken saw blade won't slow you down in the middle of a project. With Kmart's extensive selection of replacement blades, you'll always have a fresh, sharp blade close at hand.
Kmart carries band saw blades manufactured in many lengths and widths ranging from 3/16 inches to 3/4 inches. These steel composite blades feature pinpoint carbides and induction-hardened teeth made for both heavy-duty and delicate work. Choose your blade's teeth per inch (TPI) according to the material that you're planning to cut. If you usually work with 3/4 inch wood, then a 4 TPI blade will give you a fast and rough cut while a slower cutting 14 TPI will give you a smoother finish. For thin metals and plastic, use a fine-toothed blade of 18 to 32 TPI. For resawing wood and thick stock, go with a 3/4-inch coarse tooth blade of 2 or 3 TPI. Keep a variety of saw blades in your tool storage cabinets so you're ready for any project.
For circular and table saw blades, finer teeth also make smoother, slower cuts and larger teeth make quick and rough cuts. Since each saw make and model has different blade size requirements, Kmart carries plenty of options that fit saws from the brands you rely on so you can keep your toolbox stocked. Specialty blades like dado blades designed to cut grooves in wood and heavy-duty blades for cutting through masonry, tile and concrete are also available at Kmart.
Jigsaw blades are long and thin which can make them prone to breakage after use in plenty of demanding projects. Find affordable sets of jigsaw blades from brands like Craftsman and more so that your jobsite storage unit or home garage can always be stocked with the selection you need. Reciprocating saw blades are wider than jigsaw blades and can be changed out quickly to match the job at hand, whether you're pruning a tree or sawing through sheet metal. The thinnest blades, made for scroll saws, are used for intricate, detailed work with wood and metals.
One power tool that is found in most home workshops and jobsite storage chests is a multifunction tool, which can be useful for just about any project since it uses dozens of attachments to smooth, grind, scrape and gouge various materials. When it comes to replacement blades for your tools, look no further than Kmart to find exactly what you need.


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ISIS Invites Argentinian Soccer Star Lionel Messi to Join Jihad After Goal Against Iran
Lionel Messi's goal on Iran (Reuters)
ISIS invited Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi to join the jihad after his goal against Iran in the World Cup.
Brookings reported:
Mehr News Agency reports that the Twitter and Facebook accounts affiliated with the Sunni militant group known as the Islamic States of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), congratulated Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi for the goal he scored in closing minutes of the Iran-Argentina World Cup soccer match on June 21st. The group also invited him to "join the jihadist call."


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In a typical loan arrangement, the borrower commits to repay interest and principal on a regular basis so that the loan is cleared over its term. This is the structure of a repayment mortgage. Each monthly repayment consists of a bit of interest and a bit of capital. The split varies – in the early years the majority of each payment is interest to reflect the large amount of capital outstanding. In the latter years, most of every repayment is capital.
However, there is another type of mortgage where the repayment pattern is different – the interest-only mortgage. Here, the borrower just pays off interest charges on a monthly basis. As such, the repayment to the lender is smaller. Then, at the end of the term of the loan – say 25 years – the capital is repaid in one chunk.
This is also known as a 'bullet repayment loan'. The lender will normally expect the borrower to have a savings plan in place from the start of the loan that will fund the final repayment of capital.
• See Tim Bennett's video tutorial: Beginner's guide to mortgages.


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In 2010 the entire budget was cut, totally devastating the Youth Sport Trust, an organisation Sue had devoted nearly 15 years of her life to. She honestly thought there was no way out and that that would be the end of everything she had worked so hard to achieve.
For two months she describes herself as being totally numb and flat, as if someone had taken all her energy away. At this stage she was forced to take a phone call from a 16 year old girl who had attended a "Step into Sport" camp organised by the Youth Sport Trust. This girl felt as strongly as Sue about the injustice of the situation and organised a walk to deliver a petition to Downing Street.
Sue stood in amongst these school children and remembered why she did what she did – moral purpose. "If you want to be resilient at times of difficulty you have to have a strong sense of moral purpose". If you really care about what you do, that will see you through your times of trouble.
Baroness Sue Campbell is part of the Wavelength Speakers Bureau. To view her full biography, find links to video's and to book Sue to speak at your own event go to Wavelength Speakers Bureau Baroness Sue Campbell.
Youth Sport Trust is an independent charity devoted to changing young people's lives through sport. Established in 1994, they are passionate about helping all young people to achieve their full potential in life by delivering high quality physical education and sport opportunities.
Some areas of emphasis are PE and sport in primary schools, opportunities for those with special educational needs and disabilities and to foster international relationships through sport. Their aim is to support all young people to achieve their sporting best in school and their personal best in life.
The Youth Sport Trust has driven many of the improvements over the last decade in PE and school sport and is continuously looking at new ways to inspire young people to participate, compete, volunteer and officiate in sport.


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Step 1Sort the beans. Soak overnight in cold water to cover generously.
Step 2The next day, drain and rinse the beans. Bring a large pot with fresh salted water to a boil. Add the beans and turn down the heat; simmer until tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Drain and cool. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Step 3Layer the beans and onions in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Have ready about 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. First cover the bottom of the dish with a layer of onion slices. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add beans to cover the onions and sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Continue making layers in this fashion until the dish is full, finishing with a layer of beans and using the 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. The oil should come to just below the top layers of beans and onions.
Step 4Cover and bake until the beans are very tender, about 30 minutes.
Step 5Remove the cover and bake 15 minutes longer, until beans start to turn golden brown. To serve, remove spoonfuls of beans and onions from the baking dish with a slotted spoon, letting the oil drain off. Season to taste with additional salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Offer on small plates as an appetizer with fresh bread or garlic toast.


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TITLE: Action Comics #574
COVER DATE: December 1985
24 pages
I've already written before about how this era of Superman books is one of the few that I've not really cracked into with any sort of consistency. Nothing has changed in the last couple of months, so there's not a whole lot to say before we start reading.
One of the things I am looking forward to, is reading a Superman book that came out in the last year before the John Byrne relaunch. It always strikes me as odd that the Superman books from the early 80's still read like they were straight out of the silver age. The Superman titles by and large were missing the more mature themes that popped up in the bronze age, and for whatever reason just plowed on through like nothing much had changed.
Eventually, the editors realized that something needed to be done and John Byrne was brought in to relaunch the franchise. It was definitely one of the wiser decisions that has been made to the Superman lines over the years, and the books are better off for it twentysome years later.
So when this issue came out, Crisis On Infinite Earths was two-thirds of the way through and was laying the groundwork for the new status quo. I'm curious to see if this issue still clings to the silver age style, or if it saw the writing on the wall and tried to get with the times. Let's find out.
May The Best World Win!
- Writer: Craig Boldman
- Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
- Inker: Dave Hunt
- Letterer: Milt Snapinn
- Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
- Editor: Julius Schwartz
The noise came from a roving camera/transmitter from the Planet Ostok, which has come to Earth with an offer for Superman to partake in an athletic competition. Decades ago, the natives of Ostok used to hold athletic competitions that spanned the galaxies. The only planet that they couldn't beat was Krypton, with all of their battles ending in a tie before Krypton was eventually destroyed leaving the contest forever stalemated. With the realization that there is still a Kryptonian alive on Earth, they are looking for one last chance to claim victory.
Not wanting to shirk his responsibilities to the people of Earth, Superman demurs. Jimmy Olsen, who has been eavesdropping on the converstation the whole time, writes about it in the Daily Planet. Fan mail soon starts pouring into the newsroom, urging Superman to accept the challenge and compete for both Krypton and Earth's honor. Not one to disappoint his fans, Superman accepts.
A series of events are soon scheduled to take place on Earth and Superman meets the Ostokian champion with which he will do battle, Rad Zonon.
The meeting is soon cut short however, as something shiny catches Superman's attention.
Over the next seven pages, the two athletes compete against each other with neither one gaining the upper hand for very long. During the weeklong contest period, Jimmy Olsen tries to get to the bottom of what had distracted Superman earlier in the story. Working together with S.T.A.R. Labs, they have discovered that Zonon's body is emitting a strange radiation that nonetheless, doesn't seem to be affecting Superman.
It's all down to the final contest, which has Superman and Zonon engaged in a super-strong arm wrestling competition. The supercomputer, which has been used to keep score during the contest, buzzes as it's ready to declare a winner.
Jimmy Olsen and the scientists at S.T.A.R. Labs decide to bring the information they've discovered to Superman's attention, as they feel that the strange readings they found may have affected the super-computer's results.
Superman's non-plussed of course, as he lets us in on exactly what has been really going on. With no clues that were ever seeded in the story for the reader, Superman demonstrates the deductive abilities of his super-brain and fills us in.
When he left abruptly earlier, he went to the fortress and used some specialized equipment to "tune in" on the Planet Ostok. He soon found out that Zonon's planet was also affected by Krypton exploding, which caused the planet to become bathed in a series of radioactive solar eruptions.
Zonon was the only one of his planet to escape it's fate, as he was travelling back from an athletic competition at the time. Distraught and alone on his devastated planet, he spent next couple of decades tinkering with technology that allowed him to discover that a lone Kryptonian was still alive. Using his machines to de-age himself, he travels to Earth to finish that final athletic competition.
It was the effects of the de-aging technology that S.T.A.R. Labs had detected earlier, but Sueperman was aware of it the whole time. He decided it was best to give this last athlete of a devastated world his final victory, so that he may return to his world and die at peace.
There's no mistaking it, this story reads like it could have been straight out of an 80-Page Giant from back in the day. I was actually surprised at just how Silver Agey this story actually felt.
It's no wonder that Superman was in for a major overhaul if this was the status quo going into 1986.
That's not to say that I don't enjoy the old stories, I'm just amazed that they were still telling them this far into the 80's.
There's still one more story in this issue, and it's a Mr. Mxyzptlk romp that we'll finish up tomorrow.


text: Fill in your email address,name, Please don't fill in anything at Subject, At Message columns you must fill in something (even a few letters). Please fill in your phone number ,address, what you are capable in, example : Computering, Translation, Typing, Editing, Organising activities, Driving, Speaking fluent : English, Mandarin, Cantonese Do the simple arithmetic at the bottom. After you fill in everything, press「Send」


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This year's presidential race continues to remain neck and neck, but as the election approaches many believe the country is headed down the wrong track. Sixty-five percent (65%) of respondents
Many Americans have been frustrated with the slower than normal recovery that has taken place over the last 4 years. There have been heated congressional disagreements over how the federal government should fix the looming debt crisis. We have seen Americans on all sides of the debate take to the streets over the past few years – from Tea Party groups rallying against record breaking debt, spending and higher taxes to the occupy movement marching against the "establishment."
Weighed down by a fiscal and monetary debacle in Greece, Spain, and the rest of Europe and worried that rising debt at home is a drag on a fragile economy, a majority of Americans have expressed urgent pleas to cut annual deficits and the national debt, which has piled up to nearly $16 trillion. Unfortunately, Congress and the President have been unable to agree on the correct measures to fix the ailment. Last summer their division fueled a major "fiscal cliff" standoff in Washington over crucial questions of taxes and spending and it seems we may be in store for another dose in the coming months.
For many Americans the "hope" that things will get better if President Obama has one more term in office is fading. Earlier this week, liberal commentator and economist, Paul Krugman stated:
Well, I mean, it's a game of chicken, and I actually think that if Obama's reelected, I think that there's a quite good chance that for a month or two we actually will go off the cliff – which doesn't do that much harm because it's brief
This is a surprising statement from the economist who has been the economic mouth piece of the President's administration. But even looking beyond the economic impact, the Obama administration's extreme focus on class warfare has fueled the nation's dissatisfaction and plays on an underlying resentment towards small business owners. Mr. Obama continues to push for higher taxes and does so in a way that is an attack on those who are the most successful–demanding that higher-income taxpayers pay their "fair share," when according to the numbers they already pay much more than that.
Many Americans might agree to pay more in taxes if they felt their government was doing everything it could to stop waste, fraud, and abuse of their tax dollars. The President has said it was "patriotic" to be willing to pay more in taxes and give the government a hand for its immoral deficits. This is a shift in governing philosophy compared to what we have seen since WWII where "fiscal restraint" in governing was something to feel patriotic about.
The American people have a fundamental choice to make this November and their vision of how our government should work and the direction our nation should head will be between two options: One in which we have higher taxes, more regulation and a growing welfare class, or an America that has a competitive tax structure, smarter and reasonable regulation, and more individuals contributing to society as productive citizens. We will see which path America takes come November.
Original article authored by David Nicholas on RightChange.com


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How to Tackle Spring Cleaning
Spring has officially arrived. Now is the perfect time to freshen up your home! "Spring" off on the right foot with a deep-down spring cleaning. Throw in a little organization and your home will feel like and look like new.
Don't let the daunting to do list scare you, tackle your list one task at a time and before you know it, it'll all be done! Over the next few weeks set aside a little time for each task and your home will be sparkling clean and organized in no time. The one task you shouldn't worry about: Cleaning your floors on your own, leave that to the professionals. CLEAN Choice is available to help you with your Carpets, Pet Stains and Odors, Upholstery, Wood Floors, Tile & Grout, Natural Stone & Concrete, and Mattresses. Check out the checklist below to get the cleaning started!
Spring Cleaning Chores for the Whole House:
- Dust
- Crown Moldings & Baseboards
- Ceiling Corners
- Light Fixtures, Lamps & Ceiling Fans
- Bookcases
- Around Mirrors, Picture Frames & Wall Hangings
- Window Blinds
- Baseboard Scuff Marks & Stains
- Doors & Windows
- Walls
- Air Vents
- Lampshades (Can be vacuumed, depending on material)
- Replace Light Bulbs
- Touch-Up Paint
- Vacuum or Wash Window Curtains & Coverings
- Polish Wood Furniture
- Wipe Down & Vacuum Furniture (clean the base and under cushions)
- Condition Leather Furniture
- Shake Out & Vacuum Rugs, & Clean The Floor Underneath
- Vacuum All Flooring (especially the corners and edges)
- Change Air/Furnace Filters
- Replace Batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Hire a Certified Professional To:
Call today to schedule your next home and carpet cleaning service!
"Clean Choice is the only way to go. I went through several companies before I found them. They do a fantastic job every time."Tim Savalina in Pasadena, MD
"Clean Choice has cleaned the carpets in two of my houses and I have been amazed at how great they look. The carpets, both over 10 years old, look brand new. I was sure I was going to have to replace them but decided to try and have them cleaned first and I am so glad I did. Keith is extremely passionate about his job and very dedicated to providing the best service possible. I have already referred them to several of my friends and will continue to do so in the future."Elizabeth Bare in Columbia, MD


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AMERICUS, Ga. -- The Lady Canes poured it on late in a 7-1 win over USC Aiken in game one and got an Elizabeth Wills walk-off single in the ninth for a 6-5 victory in game two on the way to sweeping a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader Saturday at Lady Canes Field.
Georgia Southwestern improved to 13-18 overall and 2-4 in conference play after getting the first Peach Belt victories of first year head coach Nicki Levering's career. USC Aiken fell to 8-22 overall and 1-3 in PBC play.
How It Happened:
Game 1: Georgia Southwestern 7 USC Aiken 1
Madason Messer got the start in the circle for the Lady Canes and turned in one of her best performances of the season. Messer threw a complete game, allowing just one run on eight hits while striking out three to earn her fifth win of the season.
The game was tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth before the GSW bats got going late. Lyndie Dorgan replaced Caroline Cockrell in the circle to start the inning and Mikela Barlow got the rally going with a single to right field. One out later Barlow stole second and scored on a Lauren Kuerzi RBI single to center on what proved to be the game-winning run. Shannon Gibson hit her first homer of the season, a 2-run shot to center making it 4-1 GSW after five full.
GSW added more insurance for Messer in the sixth when Hayley Tierce hit her 12th homer of the season and 40th of her career, a 3-run bomb deep over the fence in centerfield to make it 7-1. It was Tierce's fourth homer in as many games as she upped her RBI total to 38 this spring.
Dorgan took the loss for the Pacers, falling to 3-8 on the season after allowing 4 runs on five hits in three innings.
Game 2: Georgia Southwestern 6 USC Aiken 5
Messer started in the circle for the second straight game, but didn't have the same success against the Pacer lineup. Hannah Price hit a 2-run homer in the first to give USCA an early lead after getting just the one run off Messer in game one. The Lady Canes loaded the bases in the bottom half and got a run on a Wills RBI walk, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat to make it 2-1 after the first inning.
Two straight singles in the third forced Levering to go to the pen for the first time and bring in Brittany Childs. A fielder's choice followed by a Sydney Murphy RBI double and Chandler Terrapin RBI single gave the Pacers a 4-1 lead.
GSW answered back again in the bottom half of the third thanks to Wills. The freshman from Orlando, Fla., hit her seventh homer of the season, a 2-run shot to center cutting the lead to 4-3. Wills is now second on the team in batting average, home runs and slugging percentage.
After four straight scoreless innings it was Wills again who got the big hit and sen the game to extra innings. After Tierce doubled to get the tying run to second base Wills followed with a 2-out RBI single to center to bring around Tierce and send the game to extras tied at four.
USCA got a run in the eighth to retake the lead before Chloe Zoeller answered to extend the game again. Graysen Sanders hit a 1-out single before Zoeller came up big with an RBI double down the left field line to knot the game again 5-5.
Ansley Dean set the Pacers down in order in the top of the ninth and Wills won the game in the bottom half with her fifth RBI of the game. Tierce led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch before Wills brought her home on a walk-off single to right for the 6-5 victory.
Dean got her first win of the season, going three innings while allowing just one run on two hits while striking out three. Hannah Price was a tough luck loser for the Pacers, falling to 2-6 after throwing 187 pitches in 8.1 innings. She allowed six runs while walking eight and striking out nine.
Up Next: GSW welcomes Lander to Lady Canes Field for a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. with the second game to follow at 2:00 p.m.


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Spot and resolve small plumbing problems before they become major issues at home.
Spot and resolve small plumbing problems before they become major issues at home.
There are plumbing problems you can handle on your own, but others are too big to tackle. Do you know when you need to call in professional help? The five scenarios below may surprise you. Read more
Freezing temperatures are here. This may have you thinking about your furnace, but you should also be mindful of your household plumbing, frozen pipes risk.
When the temperature drops below freezing, there's always the potential that the water in some pipes may freeze. In the best-case scenario, the ice temporarily stops the flow of water before thawing when temperatures rise. But it doesn't take extreme temperatures for expanding ice to actually break a vulnerable pipe, putting your home at risk for leaks or even significant flooding.
During winter, keep these tips in mind to avoid this messy and costly problem.
Knowing is Half the Battle
Most homeowners don't know the locations of every foot of pipe in their homes. A pipe that is heated or well insulated in some areas may be fully exposed to the elements somewhere else down the line. All it takes is a small frozen section to result in a major break. So to know where you might be at risk, ask your local plumber to conduct a thorough audit of your plumbing system for freezing risks. Read more


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With November just around the corner and massive titles like Battlefield 3 and Skyrim nearing release, it's no surprise that gamers are looking for the best ways to maximize their gaming experience. One aspect of the gaming experience that often gets overlooked but is arguably one of the most important is that of the game's sound design. As technology becomes better, more and more gamers are looking for the next best way to get the most out of their game's sound.
This is where SteelSeries' Siberia V2 headset comes in. While it may not be a 7.1 surround sound system, SteelSeries' newest addition to the headset market refines past models and provides gamers with all the functionality and portability that would be expected of a high-end headset. While it is also compatible with the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Mac, we tested the Siberia V2 on the PC.
Upon first unboxing it, the Siberia V2's unusual design will be the first thing that most gamers will notice. Rather than having adjustable arms to fit the headset to a given head, there is a leather strap attached to two thin wires which sits on the inside of the headset's outer frame. This allows the headset to comfortably form itself to the user's head the second it is placed there without having the need to adjust anything. While the free-floating strap may seem unconventional at first, in practice it removes all of the discomfort that can come from a regular headset's frame.
In addition to the headset's free-floating strap, the earcups are also incredibly comfortable. They are large enough to fit most ear sizes comfortably, but at the same time sit snugly regardless of size. The leather that covers the earcups provides the user with added comfort and within this leather is noise-reducing foam. While the Siberia V2 will not completely cancel out all sound, the foam goes a long way in dulling any outside noise and immersing the user in the game's soundscape.
While this is all well and good for simply hearing the game at hand, the headset also has a retractable microphone should you need it. This means that if you want to make use of the headset in public for simply listening to music, the microphone can be retracted, making it virtually invisible.
In regards to cord length, the Siberia V2 may seem short at first, but once the included AudioMixer USB connector is attached, there is more than enough length to please most gamers. The AudioMixer sports a small controller for muting the microphone, adjusting game noise and the microphone itself, and activating LiveMix, one of the headset's most impressive features.
By turning on LiveMix and choosing from one of the three presets, whenever a teammate begins talking, the in-game audio will then be lowered to compensate for this, making it much easier to clearly communicate with them. In practice, this feature works extremely well, organically adjusting the in-game levels to best benefit the user. By providing three different levels of compensation between in-game sound and voice, there is an option for every type of gamer.
The Specs
- Frequency response: 18 — 28.000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- SPL@ 1kHz, 1 Vrms: 112 dB
- Cable: 1.0 m / 3 ft.
- Jacks: 3,5 mm
- Frequency response: 50 — 16.000 Hz
- Pick up pattern: Uni-directional
- Sensitivity: -38 dB
- Cable: 3.0 m / 9 ft.
- Chat cable: 1m / 3 ft.
To test the Siberia V2, we subjected it to Team Fortress 2 and Killing Floor on the PC, recording digital music samples, as well as listening to various styles of music. The headset performed exceptionally well in all areas of use. Using it in-game, every gunshot rang clear while never overpowering the voices of teammates. As with using it to record digital music samples, the recorded and transmitted dialog in-game was always clear. Finally, it managed to pump out impressive sound quality while using it to listen to music.
As mentioned before, the Siberia V2 is without a doubt one of the most comfortable headsets on the market. With its padded, noise-reducing earcups, leather strap that automatically fits to any given head, and retractable microphone, this is one headset which excels in just about any situation and remains incredibly comfortable while doing it. Retailing for $119 USD, the Siberia V2 is packed with a large amount of value for its price.
While some gamers may prefer the relentless power of a 7.1 surround sound system, the SteelSeries Siberia V2 provides gamers with a multipurpose device that still manages to output incredibly impressive sound while also remaining portable. For anyone in the market for a new headset, the Siberia V2 is a no-brainer and coupled with the SteelSeries Shift keyboard and Xai mouse, gamers don't have to look far to outfit themselves for the coming gaming season.
The SteelSeries Siberia V2 is compatible with PC, Mac, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.


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Adam Rowney:
Death is an essential element of our existence. It means a great deal to us, and brings many emotions with it. I wanted to show how I view life, how important it is to me. I wanted to show it through a medium that is not physically possible, but is understandable to those that view it. In these images, life is symbolized by pure and beautiful colour. It is represented in the form of shadows, silhouettes and physically changed objects solidified into intense colour.
It is important to note that this is not a series based on realism, but rather on beauty. The juxtaposition of beauty / fashion and the macabre of death is important. Each image is meant to be symbolic, in that it helps show how beautiful life is through the model, her pose and her expression.
Super sweet harmonious perfection...


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Build Your Wealth - Three Great Tips
I bookmark everything. If you're looking for parenting advice, tips on growing zucchini or how to make McDonald's signature sweet tea at home, I can help with that! One blog entry I recently added to my collection was "3 Utterly Obvious Ways to Build Wealth". In a nutshell, here's what Jeff Rose at Credit.com has to say about building wealth.
1. Say "NO" to Debt
Saying "no" to debt is truly a behavior at the heart of so many wealthy individuals. Why? It has something to do with interest rates. Student loans, credit cards, personal loans, car loans, and many other types ...
Read More->


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Afternoon Swim - Loon Lake Canvas Print
Decorate your home or cabin with this gorgeous loon print and you will always have a piece of the lake with you to enjoy. This is one of our most popular and requested loon images and is perfect housewarming, hostess or birthday gift for those who love loons.
Jody Doll, a talented nature photographer, perfectly captured the drops of water as they glimmer on this beautiful loon. She and I have teamed up to bring you a series of wildlife canvases called "Near to Nature" featuring amazing wildlife photography.
Each print is:
This print is available in several standard sizes. If you would like a special size or edit, please contact me. I would be happy to work with you to design the canvas you have in mind.
And remember, for each canvas you purchase I will plant a tree. You can read more about this program here.
Photo by Jody Doll


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Download J. COLE – KOD Album (Zip)
Bits of gossip about J. Cole's rebound have been getting a great deal force over the recent days hours after the North Carolina rapper chose to wipe his whole Instagram page clear on Monday morning, and add the shading purple to his fundamental picture, implying the way that another collection may be ideal around the bend. Notwithstanding the promoting technique, Cole likewise tweeted out the words "now is the ideal time" on Monday, before declaring he was completing a free show in NYC Monday night for the fans. Well it turns out Monday night's show was him playing his whole new collection, and declaring the title to it called K.O.D.
As indicated by RapRadar's Bdot Miller, who was in participation at today's free show, K.O.D remains for three distinct acronyms… . "Kidz On Drugz, King Overdose, and Kill Our Demonz."
B. Speck tweeted the title out Monday night, including that Cole recorded the venture in "two weeks" and that he played the whole collection for fans at the show Monday night, which he accepted to be around 12 tunes altogether. B. Speck likewise said he heard Cole exploring different avenues regarding his stream more on this undertaking too.
J. Cole K.O.D. Tracklist
1. Intro
3. Photograph
4. The Cut Off ft. Kill Edward
6. Motives
7. Kevin's Heart
9. Once An Addict (Interlude)
10. FRIENDS ft. Kill Edward
11. Window Pain (Outro
12. 1985 (Intro To The Fall Off)


text: Given that some people claim the curvature of the Earth is not accounted for in surveying, I thought it would be interesting to document various historical instances of this, and of accounting for refraction. Curvature comes up in two ways. Firstly it arises when determining latitude and longitude by observation of sun and stars. The Earth here is assumed to be a sphere, and the stars essentially fixed in a "celestial sphere" infinitely far away. Secondly it comes up in the practice of levelling which is the art of determining how high things are above a nominal level surface, such as the surface of the sea. Interestingly this use of the word "level" is often misinterpreted as meaning "flat", when the books on surveying make quite clear this is not the case. Update: two additional ways in which curvature comes up in surveying, mentioned by @Jon Leighton Spherical Excess In general, the internal angles of any large surveyed triangle will sum to more than 180 degrees. Distance corrections including the chord to arc correction, and its inverse, the arc to chord correction. A treatise on surveying, containing the theory and practice: , John Gummere, 1853, page 239 https://archive.org/stream/treatiseonsurve00gumm#page/238/mode/2up/ A discussion of refraction adjustments, being 1/6 of the curvature adjustment https://archive.org/stream/treatiseonsurve00gumm#page/242/mode/2up/ A definition of "levelling" The Theory and Practice of Surveying, Robert Gibson, 1814 https://archive.org/stream/theoryandpracti00gibsgoog#page/n293/mode/2up Actually from: A Treatise of Practical Surveying, Robert Gibson, 1777 1808 version on archive.org: https://archive.org/stream/atreatisepracti01gibsgoog#page/n283/mode/2up Unfortunately the plates were improperly scanned. What is being referred to is on the left here: 1789 Version does not contain the section on levelling, but does mention the globe and celestial poles https://archive.org/stream/treatiseofpracti00gibs#page/242/mode/2up/ A similar figure (likely derived from the Gibson work) is found in: A treatise on surveying and navigation : uniting the theoretical, practical, and educational features of these subjects, by Robinson, Horatio N, 1858 https://archive.org/stream/treatiseonsurvey00robirich#page/n157/mode/2up (again, note the definition of a level surface) Slightly off topic, but in this older book, A treatise of practical geometry, published in 1745 (from a 1695 college book written in Latin), we have a discussion on the size of the earth: https://archive.org/stream/atreatisepracti00greggoog#page/n51/mode/2up Unfortunately again the figures were not well scanned, and this is all that remains of Fig 22.


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America's technology titans view employee poaching as a professional sport, making hanging onto major talent a key part of life for the technology companies that compete there.
For tech staff, meanwhile, the old advice that "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em," has long been replaced by a more devious plan: "if you want to work for a top tech firm, get signed up for its biggest rival."
So who are the biggest culprits of tech talent-poaching and where should you work if you want to become their latest recruit?
Help with these posers has arrived from recruitment firm Talentful, which recently carried out research shedding some light on how America's 15 biggest tech companies poach staff from their competitors.
Using LinkedIn, the firm found the total current number of employees for each company, as of November 2016. It then filtered this information to show how many of those employees previously worked for other groups in the sample.
The biggest poachers, according to the study, were as follows:
• Google: Some 12,798 of the internet group's employees came from other major tech companies and nearly one-third of these, a total of 4,151, previously worked at Microsoft
• Microsoft: Not to be outdone, the Seattle group has been mounting a rear offensive, taking 896 former Google employees.
• Apple: The iPhone maker has also had Microsoft in its sights, pinching 1,334 staff from the company cofounded by Bill Gates.
• IBM: Big Blue has taken on more staff than Dell but remains vulnerable to its privately-owned rival's headhunting, having lost 2,302 employees to the company. In return, it has taken on 1,753 former Dell employees.
• Amazon: The internet retailer has been swapping workers with eBay, giving up 152 and taking on 218.
Facebook poached the most from other social media sites, picking up the majority of recruits who had previously worked for other tech firms from fellow Silicon valley startups Twitter and LinkedIn.
Google was the biggest culprit of poaching in the study, taking nearly 12,800 staff from other technology companies.
In contrast, Airbnb was the least aggressive of the companies researched, taking the fewest employees from its rivals.
Its most frequent hunting ground was Google, where it found 261 employees. However, that is less than half the total taken from the YouTube and driverless cars group by taxi-hailing app pioneer Uber, which recruited nearly 600 of its staff from the world's most popular search engine.
It all adds up to an enormous secondary market in people talent, underpinning the pressure that tech firms are under pressure to formulate retention polices, equity plans and incentive schemes to retain their best people.
The fear, confirm Talentful's research, is that when a key staff members is hired from a tech company, others around them can easily follow.
"Every time one company hires a staff member from another," says a person familiar with the Talentful research. "they're not just bringing in that person – they're bringing in their whole network."
"People like to work with familiar teams who know the way they work, and they end up bringing their colleagues with them."


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First Republic Bank - 5 Year Dividend History | FRC
|Market Cap
|Banks - West
|First Republic Bank operates as a commercial bank offering private banking, business banking, real estate lending and wealth management services in California. The bank's services are catered to accounting firms, architecture and design, business management firms, entertainment/media, family offices, hedge funds, independent schools, investment firms, law firms, medical firms, non-profit organizations, private equity funds/firms, property management firms, venture capital firms and etc. Services offered by First Republic include asset allocation, trust administration, custody, asset management, brokerage, private placements, ATM rebate checking, money market checking, passbook savings, and certificates of deposit and etc. The Company's product include family mortgages, co-op and condominium loans, home equity lines of credit, bridge loans, and construction-to-permanent loans; commercial lending and personal lending. First Republic Bank is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
|Stock Name
|Market Cap
|PE Ratio


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What is mBraining4Success?
mBraining4Success Ltd. is a company formed in 2013 to offer leading edge coaching, training and consultancy, using the very latest knowledge of neuroscience and behavioural psychology to work with multiple intelligences in practice to support transformational change. The evolution process uses mBIT (multiple Brain Integration Techniques) to communicate with and align your multiple 'brains' and supports clients to the emergence of newer, higher levels of wisdom, opening up new possibilities and opportunities.
About Suzanne
Suzanne Henwood is the Director of the company and the lead coach and trainer (and one of only 2 Master Trainers and Master Coaches in mBIT globally).
With a PhD in professional development, she has worked in higher education and development for 25 years and has authored numerous books, book chapters and articles, with a particular interest in stress, communication, leadership and personal and professional development to improve and transform practice, supporting people to operate from a place of excellence. She also frequently presents at academic conferences internationally. Suzanne trains alongside appropriately qualified coaches and trainers, ensuring shared core values are evident in all that we do: Integrity, Authenticity, Quality, Respect, Value, Passion and Fun.
Suzanne is from the UK originally and was trained in the 1980s as a diagnostic radiographer. She moved into higher education in London in the 1990s and has developed and extended her skills and expertise to include areas such as Leadership, Research, Stress, Communication and Development. Before leaving the UK Suzanne was the Company Director for Henwood Associates, providing coaching, training and consultancy using NLP and offering a wealth of experience to underpin mBraining4Success. Suzanne spent nearly a decade as an Associate Professor in Health and Social Sciences in New Zealand and uses her academic background to ensure the utmost quality of coaching, consultancy and training provision and works constantly to research and continuously develop to ensure all practice is evidence based and absolutely up to date.
Suzanne, who is also an NLP Trainer, works closely with ANLP (the Association of NLP) and is the International Ambassador for ANLP in New Zealand and coordinates ANLP (NZ) enabling representation of ANLP in NZ, along with a full range of membership benefits locally. She is the Editor of Current Research in NLP, an international peer reviewed journal promoting dissemination of NLP research worldwide. She is also the Rapport Magazine Research Series editor and the Research Conference lead for the International NLP Research conference, which is held bi-annually.
Suzanne organises and hosts an mBIT Practice Group every second Sunday of each month in Titirangi (4.00pm-6.00pm) to facilitate the on-going development and supervision of mBIT coaches, ensuring the highest level of practice of associated coaches. All mBIT coaches and trainers are welcome to join. She also hosts a teleconference style support group globally – the mBIT Global Wisdom Support Network (Intro flyer) to link together and support mBIT Coaches and Trainers Globally.
Suzanne has various publications including:
And has book chapters within:
She is the Editor of Current Research in NLP and the Research Series editor in Rapport Magazine
She is also a regular contributor in The Great Health Guide. Additionally she has appeared in two of their ebooks.
Suzanne has also had an article featured in Worldwide Coaching Magazine


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Thank you
I'm profoundly grateful for your partnership with In Touch Ministries.
Together, we are telling the world the glorious good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, and the riches of life in Him. Everything we do is made possible by your prayers and gifts, and I wish to thank you personally for sharing your love of the Lord so that others can know Him, too.
I'm thankful for all He has done and hopeful for all He will do. To God be the glory!
Charles F. Stanley
Looking Ahead
Leading people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and strengthening the local church.
Tried & True
We started out sharing the gospel on television and radio. Through purchased air time and Dr. Stanley's solid biblical teaching, millions are still coming to know God and grow spiritually through the daily and weekly broadcasts.
Many Platforms, Same Message
We've been fulfilling Dr. Stanley's vision of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth since 1977. Today, we use both traditional and new technologies to keep telling the world about the hope found in Jesus. And you're right there with us!
Monthly Devotional
1.5 million subscribers study and learn from Dr. Stanley's daily devotions each month.
In Touch websites received more than 60 million page views last year.
Listeners can now enjoy Dr. Stanley's teachings in a new, innovative way with Amazon Alexa Skills.
Declaring His Glory Among the Nations
The In Touch Messenger Lab
Spotlight: Puerto Rico
Because of your prayers and generosity, we were able to send 20,000 Messengers to Puerto Rico to help encourage those still struggling from last year's hurricane. While the recovery has been a long, slow process, the stories people have shared with us have warmed our hearts.
Did you know?
Biblical content on the In Touch Messenger is now available in 114 languages.
Greece: Love in the Midst of Crisis
Dr. Stanley's weekly broadcast and the In Touch Messenger Lab are helping Greek Christians spread the Word of God and the love of Christ to neighbors new and old.read more
Nepal: Lift Your Eyes to the Mountains
With the New Testament and dozens of inspiring sermons from Dr. Stanley, this simple solar-powered audio device is an indispensable discipleship tool in the hands of Nepali believers.read more


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Men's Swagman 2016/17 KIT
Fits: Men's
- Size Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, XXL
- Unisex Arm Warmers
- Jersey
- Bib Shorts
- Wind Vest (no back pockets)
- The kit comes in a variety of sizes for Men, Women and Youth jerseys. Call your sales rep today to order 1-800-469-7924! Buy as a whole outfit, or in pieces. For sale while supplies last.


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934kg seems a bit on the heavy side!
Kenda's Flintridge Pro is a reasonably priced tubeless tyre that stands up well to harsh conditions. Kenda recommends the Flintridge Pro for 'dry, hard and sandy' conditions, but they work pretty well in 'wet, rocky and rooty' as well. You wouldn't plan a paved-road ride around them, but they'll see you right for a few tarmac miles betwixt home and gravel.
The centre tread is almost constant, to afford smooth, low-resistance rolling over hard surfaces, while the more open pattern towards the sides affords grip in the slippery stuff – to a point.
After an easy tubeless setup on some vintage Mavic Open Pro rims (19mm internal width), they measured up at 36mm – so no stinting on volume there. On dry, firm surfaces they do perform very well. My measure of a tyre is whether I'm notably scared when things get dicey, having to change lines or brake unexpectedly, where your bike's position relative to the trail and yourself isn't optimal for force transfer down through the wheel/tyre interface to the dirt or grass below. No such fears with the Flintridge Pro – when a tyre is egging you on to push harder and brake later without fear of it letting go, that's a good thing.
What's surprising about the Flintridge Pro tyres is how well they work when pointed at the Scottish hills (or other geographies involving slick rocks, roots and the like). Set up 55psi rear, 45psi front for my 75kg frame, the Flintridge Pros didn't hold me back. Rolling over pothole-strewn gravel tracks, into overgrown swooping singletrack, across grassed riverbanks, and descending 5-10% grade trails where water run-off is such an issue there's a waterbar every twenty yards – no problem.
> 12 more gravel and adventure tyres to consider
What was genuinely unexpected was how well they performed on short, punchy climbs of over 10%, where you're out of the saddle in the lowest gear. My vintage cyclo-cross bike is relatively highly geared, with a 38 front small ring and a 28 sprocket at the back – this isn't a ride that lets you spin out climbs. So there was considerable low-speed, high-torque, out-of-the-saddle effort required to clear short pitches. The Flintridge Pros did an admirable job, staying stuck to the wet, rocky, rooty trail surface, only letting go once all hope of forward momentum was pretty much spent anyway.
Towards the end of the ride, on a long tarmac drive, with tired legs, the centre tread kept things buzzing along nicely, ready for the next lactic-burnout transition back onto the last stretch of farm track.
No, these aren't the tyre you want for a winter cyclo-cross race in soft mud, but for most people, the balance of smooth centre tread with more open outer lugs on a pretty supple, easy-rolling carcass will work well.
A solid choice for an all-round mixed on-gravel-off-road tubeless tyre – mostly for harder surfaces though
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Kenda Flintridge Pro
Size tested: 35x700C
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
They're for people wanting to ride on mixed terrain with a tubeless setup.
Kenda says:
"Born in the hills of Kansas, the Flintridge takes its name from the local sharp jagged rocks. Hones to perfection with a smooth centerline tread pattern that is equally at home on pavement and hard pack. The Flintridge shifts from the fast rolling center to the grippy transition and shoulder knobs for control in loose rock and even mud. The KSCT casing does double duty , reinforcing the sidewalls of the tire with a woven shield to prevent slashes and abrasions while optimizing the casing for fast and easy tubeless conversion.
A gravel crushing tire to rule them all.
KSCT casing for tubeless conversion and sidewall reinforcement."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Swift - Fast rolling center profile
Corner grip - Grippy transition pattern and shoulder knobs for control on hardpack and sand.
Flat resistant - SCT casing prevents slashes and abrasions.
Tubeless ready – Saves weight and provides a better rolling performance. Riding tubeless also means riding flat free.
Be seen - Reflective hot patch for better nighttime visibility
No surprises, which is a good thing.
They appear to be holding up well.
Not the lightest, but that's 'tubeless' and 'durable' for you.
£38 isn't cheap, but for what you get it's an acceptable price.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Surprisingly well. I was expecting to be all over the place, but they stayed stuck, mostly.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The grip in the wet over rocks was surprisingly good.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing, really.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
It's a good tyre with no surprises – the price is spot on and the performance won't hold you back.
About the tester
Age: 43
I usually ride: Merida Ride 5000 Disc My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: A few times a week I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo-cross, club rides, general fitness riding, mountain biking, Dutch bike pootling
2 comments
934g would be the weight for a pair. The Kenda web site has them weighing 481 g plus or minus 20 g - either way pretty heavy for a 35c tyre. However, they have been purposely designed to reduce cuts from flint - which they appear to be good at. If you aren't riding where there is very sharp flint there are much lighter tyres such as the Panaracer Gravel King SK.


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Topic Page: Asthma
Disorder of the respiratory system in which the bronchi (air passages) of the lungs go into spasm, making breathing difficult. It can be triggered by infection, air pollution, allergy, certain drugs, exertion or emotional stress. Allergic asthma may be treated by injections aimed at lessening sensitivity to specific allergens. Otherwise treatment is with bronchodilators to relax the bronchial muscles and ease breathing; in severe asthma, inhaled steroids may be given. Children often outgrow asthma, while some people suddenly acquire the disease in middle age. Air pollution is increasing the number of asthma sufferers. See also bronchitis; emphysema; lungs
A common disorder of breathing characterised by widespread narrowing of smaller airways within the lung. In the UK the prevalence among children in the 5–12 age group is around 10 per cent, with up to twice the number of boys affected as girls. Among adults, however, the sex incidence becomes about equal. The main symptom is shortness of breath, especially on exercise, exposure to an allergen or with respiratory infection. A major feature is that the airway-narrowing and consequently, the breathlessness can be reversed spontaneously or in response to treatment with a BRONCHODILATOR.
Asthma runs in families, so that parents with asthma have a strong risk of having children with asthma, or with other atopic (see ATOPY) illnesses such as HAY FEVER or eczema (see DERMATITIS). There is therefore a great deal of interest in the genetic basis of the condition. Several GENES seem to be associated with the condition of atopy, in which subjects have a predisposition to form ANTIBODIES of the IgE class against allergens (see ALLERGEN) they encounter – especially inhaled allergens.
The allergic response in the lining of the airway leads to an inflammatory reaction. Many cells are involved in this inflammatory process, including lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, and mast cells. The cells are attracted and controlled by a complex system of inflammatory mediators. The inflamed airway-wall produced in this process is then sensitive to further allergic stimuli or to non-specific challenges such as dust, smoke or drying from the increased respiration during exercise. Recognition of this inflammation has concentrated attention on anti-inflammatory aspects of treatment.
Continued inflammation with poor control of asthma can result in permanent damage to the airway-wall such that reversibility is reduced and airway-narrowing becomes permanent. Appropriate anti-inflammatory therapy may help to prevent this damage.
Many allergens can be important triggers of asthma. House-dust mite, grass pollen and animal dander are the commonest problems. Occupational factors such as grain dusts, hard-metals fumes and chemicals in the plastic and paint industry are important in some adults. Viral infections are another common trigger, especially in young children.
The prevalence of asthma appears to be on the increase in most countries. Several factors have been linked to this increase; most important may be the vulnerability of the immature immune system (see IMMUNITY) in infants. High exposure to allergens such as house-dust mite early in life may prime the immune system, while reduced exposure to common viral infections may delay the maturation of the immune system. In addition, maternal smoking in pregnancy and infancy increases the risk.
The major symptoms of asthma are breathlessness and cough.
The onset is usually in childhood, but it may begin at any age. Children who have mild asthma are more likely to grow out of the condition as they go through their teenage years, although symptoms may recur later.
The degree of airway-narrowing, and its change with time and treatment, can be monitored by measuring the peak expiratory flow with a simple monitor at home – a PEAK FLOW METER. The typical pattern shows the peak flow to be lowest in the early morning, and this 'morning dipping' is often associated with disturbance of sleep.
Acute exacerbations of asthma may be provoked by infections or allergic stimuli. If they do not respond quickly and fully to medication, expert help should be sought urgently since oxygen and higher or more frequent doses of drugs may be necessary to control the attack. In a severe attack the breathing rate and the pulse rate rise and the chest sounds wheezy. The peak-flow rate of air entering the lungs falls. Patients may be unable to talk in full sentences without catching their breath, and the reduced oxygen in the blood in very severe attacks may produce the blue colour of CYANOSIS in the lips and tongue. Such acute attacks can be very frightening for the patient and family.
Some cases of chronic asthma are included in the internationally agreed description CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) – a chronic, slowly progressive disorder characterised by obstruction of the airflow persisting over several months.
The first important consideration in the treatment of asthma is avoidance of precipitating factors. When this is a specific animal or occupational exposure, this may be possible; it is however more difficult for house-dust mite or pollens. Exercise-induced asthma should be treated by controlling the condition with medication rather than avoiding exercise.
Desensitisation injections using small quantities of specific allergens are used widely in some countries, but rarely in the UK as they are considered to have limited value since most asthma is precipitated by many stimuli and controlled adequately with simple treatment.
There are two main groups of drugs for the treatment of asthma. The first are the bronchodilators which relax the smooth muscle in the wall of the airways, increase their diameter and relieve breathlessness. The most useful agents are the beta adrenergic agonists (see ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS) such as salbutamol and terbutaline. They are best given by inhalation into the airways since this reduces the general side-effects of oral use. These drugs are usually given to reverse airway-narrowing or to prevent its onset on exercise. However, longer-acting inhaled beta agonists such as salmeterol and formoterol, given in a combined preparation with a steroid or the theophyllines given in tablet form, can be used regularly as prevention. The beta agonists can cause TREMOR and PALPITATIONS in some patients.
The second group of drugs are the anti-inflammatory agents that act to reduce inflammation of the airway. The main agents in this group are the CORTICOSTEROIDS. They must be taken regularly, even when symptoms are absent. Given by inhalation they have few side-effects. In acute attacks, short courses of oral steroids are used; in very severe disease regular oral steroids may be needed. Other drugs have a role in suppressing inflammation: sodium cromoglycate has been available for some years and is less effective than inhaled steroids. Newer agents directed at specific steps in the inflammatory pathway, such as leukotriene receptor antagonists, are also prescribed in some cases.
Treatment guidelines have been produced by various national and international bodies, such as the British Thoracic Society. Most have set out treatment in steps according to severity, with objectives for asthma control based on symptoms and peak flow. Patients should have a management plan that sets out their regular treatment and their appropriate response to changes in their condition.
A study in 2003 reported on a follow-up of persons born in 1972–3 who developed asthma and still had problems at the age of nine. By the time these persons were aged 26, just over a quarter were still having problems; around half of that number had never been free from the illness and the other half had apparently lost it for a few years but it had returned.
متعلقہ کریڈو مضامین
Full text Article asthma
A disorder in which breathlessness and wheezing are aggravated by certain stimuli, which cause the bronchi (which conduct air to the lungs) to...
Full text Article Asthma
The English word 'asthma' comes from the Greek 'asthma', which means 'panting with sound, wheezing'. Patients who suffer an asthmatic episode are...
Full text Article Asthma
Globally, asthma incurs a large burden of disease, affecting an estimated 300 million persons. Only recently, however, has the condition been...


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Fisheries Agency Deputy Director Chiang Ying-chih (江英智) yesterday reiterated that long-stalled fisheries talks between Japan and Taiwan, which are likely to be resumed next month, are to focus mainly on Taiwanese fishing rights in the disputed waters near the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台), and not on sovereignty.
"The new round of Taiwan-Japan talks would center on the rights of Taiwanese fishing boats to operate near the archipelago and would not touch upon sovereignty issues," Chiang said on the sidelines of a press conference in Taipei to promote certified agricultural standards (CAS) for aquatic products.
Both countries are engaging in preparatory communications, but the topics to be covered in the talks have yet to be finalized, Chiang added.
According to Japanese media reports, the new round of Taiwan-Japan fisheries talks, which would be the 17th round of such talks, could take place as early as next month.
Taiwan is said to have rejected a proposal by Japan to resume the talks after the latter nationalized three of the islands in the chain on Sept. 11, a move that led to widespread protests against Japan and a water-cannon altercation between Taiwanese and Japanese coast guard vessels during a protest voyage by Taiwanese fishermen in waters near the disputed islands.
Japan has been dispatching patrol vessels to expel Taiwanese fishing boats operating within its claimed exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which extends 200 nautical miles (370.4km) from its baseline, including water off the Diaoyutai Islands, which are known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan.
Taiwan and Japan's 16 rounds of fishery talks have yielded little results thus far.
When pressed by reporters on how fishing rights could be addressed if the matter of the overlapping EEZs of Taiwan and Japan is not, Chiang said the EEZ issue was related to sovereignty dispute because an EEZ stretches from the seaward edge of a country's claimed territory to a distance of 200 nautical miles.
"The talks aim only to deliberate on fishing operations [near the Diaoyutais,] while shelving any disputed issues," Chiang said.
As for the overlapping EEZ matter, Chiang said the government was inclined to adopt an approach of joint management to allow simple fishing operations in the area, but added that further discussions were still required.


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The Croatian government has grown into a self-centered beast that is more of a detriment than benefit to the well-being of the Croatian nation. The Croatian government MUST be reformed before it bankrupts Croatia!
The Croatian parliamentary elections are less than 2 years away - just enough time for a reform-minded political party to start developing a new vision for the role of the government. After almost 50 years of communism, 5 years of war, and 18 years of slowly crawling towards true representative democracy and a free market economy Croatian reformers will need to start from scratch in developing a responsive, affordable and accountable government.
A political party which wants to show vision will need to show a PROACTIVE vision
rather than having a program of reactionary policies
- The first step will be to define the purpose (scale and scope) of government.
- The second step will be to define the programs and vision of the government.
I believe that a government should be:
- Small and effective - and not eat too much of the economy
- Responsible and accountable to the people that empower it
- Empower citizen-government rather than ruling the citizens
Three areas that I would like to move in Croatia are:
1. Smaller and more efficient government
Governments grow in size and scope because of two natural forces; the first being that bureaucrats want to protect their jobs and build empires and the second because special interest groups keep making demands on government for protection or funding. Well meaning people (for the most part) create an ever increasing monster. In Croatia, with a population of about 4.3 million there are 151 ministers in the parliament. This is too much.
I would like to learn from the business world and see the following improvements in the management government:
- Develop a criteria for what amount of GDP the government can spend.
- Develop budget spending limits so that the wellbeing of future citizens is not mortgaged for the benefit of today
- Develop a criteria for what percentage of the population can be employed by the government (municipal, regional and national).
- Develop an annual program in which 5% of all programs over 10 years old are assessed to determine if they are still accomplishing anything of relevance.
- Develop an annual program where any law that is more than 30 years old still has relevance to society. Laws are to be updated or eliminated.
- Develop a Vitality Curve based process (20/70/10 rule - Jack Welch) for annually eliminating non-performing bureaucrats.
+ + + Government jobs should not be seen as comfortable lifetime employment.
2. Government transparency and accountability
At present transparency and accountability in the Croatian government are very low. There is no oversight and the people are powerless. The government is nothing but a bad soap opera that the people are forced to watch. If the people are paying for the services of government through their taxes then the citizen/customer of those services must have the right to change their service providers.
The government must be accountable to the people. If politicians or bureaucrats make decisions against the common good, or they are corrupt, there should be a way to remove not only the politicians but bureaucrats as well from government between election cycles. to determine who is making good decisions and who is not, there must be transparency into all parts of government.
I would like to see the following areas of transparency in government:
- Identify potential conflict of interest for all politicians and bureaucrats
- Show how each elected official voted in various government issues
- Show how each politician spend government funds in their area of responsibility
- An annual report which identifies what change or improvement was created (how did the nation benefit)
- Make public all contracts for government services
- Make an efficient and honest Access to Information program
- Develop a process for getting rid of corrupt and incompetent bureaucrats
Ideally I would like to see some form of ombudsman that would investigate complaints by citizens or a department like the US Government Accountability Office.
3. Implementation of Direct Democracy - Government by the People
We Croatians do not trust the government, but it blue or red the governments to date have worked for their own self interest and not the interests of the people. The bureaucracy has a sense of entitlement and decisions are made that benefit the elites and those connected to the elites. Social engineers try to create a society which they think is best for the people without regard for the desires of the people. If the government does not want to voluntarily represent the will of the people then the people need to have some way to influence the policymakers and the elected representatives.
I would like to see the following improvements to direct democracy:
- Develop a criteria of types of decisions which are automatically made by direct democracy referendum rather than by politicians.
- Develop an annual direct democracy - referendum program where the citizens can vote on any issues that receive over 50,000 support signatures.
- Development of a technology based, cost effective manner for carrying out voting on issues of importance to the population.
- Develop local direct democracy processes
- Ensure that decisions made by direct democracy cant be revisited for 5 or 10 years and supreme court or government cant overturn the decisions