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All Things Inspirational Necklace (JC118)
- pendant is silver toned and double sided
- images shown on pendant represents the front and back of pendant
- original artwork is sealed and protected by clear resin
- measures 26 mm x 36 mm
- comes on a 25 inch dainty silver ball chain
- also comes with a small off white pearl
Want to add some glamour to this pendant? You can swap out the ball chain for one of our one of a kind or limited edition necklace collection. You can also check out our earring or bracelet collection to complete your look.
This will make the perfect gift for mom, your wife, girlfriend, sister, or yourself!


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As part of a project with a total value of 1.2 billion tenghe (approximately $8 million), IBM will work with Kazakh Railways to establish a new system based on two disaster-proof data centers in the city of Astana. The new data centers will not only enable Kazakh Railways to consolidate core freight and passenger management applications but also increase the reliability of systems.
With advanced recovery capabilities, the new system will help Kazakh Railways safeguard and recover critical information and reduce possible downtime in the case of a systems failure. Downtime can cause costly delays for passenger and freight rail across the entire transportation system. According to Kazakh Railways' own estimates, a day of downtime costs the company an estimated 940 million tenghe (approximately $6 million) per day as well as causing disruptions for passengers. To ensure uninterrupted transport operations, the new solution from IBM will help to reduce the potential downtime related to a systems failure from several hours to as little as 20 minutes.
Kazakh Railways manages more than 18,800 kilometers of rail network including some of the main international lines connecting Central Asian countries with China and Turkmenistan. More than 68 percent of freight and 57 percent of passenger traffic in Kazakhstan relies on the country's railroads.
"Reliable and fault tolerant systems are crucial for our company's operations. Even the smallest systems failure can lead to enormous financial losses," said Ermek Keyzatov, Vice-President for Business Development, The National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. "IBM has proven experience in providing smart transportation systems to railway operators across Europe and worldwide and was chosen by Kazakh Railways to help ensure the uninterrupted operation of our passenger and freight operations."
IBM is working to build smarter railways in some of the most complex transit systems in the world, partnering with Russian Railways, KiwiRail in New Zealand, the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation, Guangzhou Metro in China and other operators. By using a combination of IBM hardware, software and services, leading rail networks are able to improve the speed, safety, reliability and efficiency of both passenger and freight trains.
"The national railway of Kazakhstan is the backbone of the economy and IBM has been selected to help make it more efficient and reliable and lay the foundations for a smarter rail network in the country that can better predict demand and optimize capacity to handle the increasing volume of rail traffic in the country," said Mikhail Seregin, Country General Manager of IBM in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The solution includes a new IBM z10 mainframe and the upgrade of Kazakh Railways' existing z9 mainframe connected by a Parallel Sysplex. It also includes two high-end DS8700 disk storage subsystems, FICON/SAN directors and two TS3500 tape libraries. Software includes IBM DB2 and WebSphere technologies. Automatic application recovery is taken care of by IBM Tivoli NetView, System Automation and GDPS technologies.
The contract was signed in August 2010 and the project is planned for completion in the first half of 2011. IBM, Kazakh Railways and software developer IBA Group also signed today a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) agreement to look into areas of possible collaboration around Linux and Open Source software.
About IBM Smarter Rail
IBM has been working in the rail industry for more than 50 years and has more than 100 rail and metro clients. IBM operates a Global Rail Innovation Center to bring together rail industry leaders in an effort to build smarter rail networks. For more about IBM's Smarter Rail efforts, please visit: http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/rail. To see a video on some of the technologies being developed, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltYl3NZBun4
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subset: commoncrawl


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Hooks, Snap Tackle and Pike Traces
A selection of Hooks, Snap Tackle and Pike Traces for Predator Fishing, including products from Drennan, E-Sox and CJT.
We have lots more products in store than currently displayed here. If you can't see what you are looking for, please contact us for advice. We can also take your order over the phone (01323) 460441.


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After winning gold in the men's 100m, Usain Bolt decided to let loose a bit and hang out with the Swedish Women's handball team.
The Olympic champion tweeted the photo above of himself and the women making 'W' for "win" hand gestures with the comment, "A gaza we say hmmm mmm." Gaza is a section in his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica.
Reportedly, the three handballers who asked for special privileges to meet Bolt, then partied with the sprinter for three hours in his room after his manager accepted their proposal.
Gabrielle Kain, Jamina Roberts, and Isabelle Gullden comprise the handball team. Who finished last in their handball group, losing all five of their matches.
Roberts said, the group activities included visiting facebook and taking photographs. All innocent fun.
A report says that Bolt will earn approximately $2 million dollars per second (around 10 seconds) from his Olympic win for the next year from endorsements and appearances.
With that amount of money, Bolt can hang out with whomever he wants.


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'This Week' Transcript: Target Libya
Transcript: Target Libya
March 13, 2011 -- (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) AMANPOUR (voice-over): This week, "Target Libya." Missile strikes begin.
OBAMA: Our consensus was strong, and our resolve is clear. The people of Libya must be protected.
AMANPOUR: Another war front opens for the United States. The world unleashes all necessary measures to stop Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. His son, Saif, speaks to "This Week" in a worldwide exclusive. What next for Moammar Gadhafi, the Libyan people, for the United States military? How does it end?
Then, disaster in the Pacific. Nuclear nightmare scenario in Japan. How prepared is the United States? Could it happen here? Libya and Japan, two crises with major consequences for the United States.
ANNOUNCER: Live from the Newseum in Washington, D.C., "This Week" with Christiane Amanpour, "Target Libya," starts right now.
AMANPOUR: As we begin our broadcast, the United States is at war in a third Muslim country, Libya. We'll take you there live in just a moment. ABC's team of correspondents is covering every angle of this story. I will have an exclusive interview with Moammar Gadhafi's son and close adviser, Saif al-Islam. And I'll be joined here in the studio by Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss what's being called Operation Odyssey Dawn.
But first, the latest headlines in this fast-moving story. A defiant Moammar Gadhafi is promising a long war, one day after the United States and a broad international coalition launched military strikes on his country. British and American ships and submarines fired 112 cruise missiles at more than 20 targets on the coast.
American B-2 bombers took out a Libyan airfield, all part of the largest Western military intervention in the Arab world since the start of the Iraq war. The show of force is designed to impose a no- fly zone to prevent the Libyan strongman from firing on his own people.
Sunday, Tripoli shook with the sound of explosions and anti- aircraft fire. Libyan state television reported that 48 people had been killed.
But today, in a phone call to state television, Gadhafi said Libyans stand ready to fight what he calls "crusaders." This is a fight, he says, that he will win.
M. GADHAFI (through translator): You are not capable of a prolonged -- for a prolonged war in Libya. We consider ourselves ready for a long war. Be aware of that. We're not retreating anywhere, because this is our land. This is where we're staying. Then you're going to return defeated.
AMANPOUR: Joining me on the line from Tripoli in Libya, Saif al- Islam, Colonel Gadhafi's second son and close adviser.
Saif, thank you for joining me. Can you tell me right now, where are you? And what is happening there right now?
GADHAFI: You know, we are in Tripoli, as you know. But yesterday, we were surprised that -- you know, the Americans and the British and the French attacked Libya, attacked five cities, terrorized people, and (inaudible) children, women were so afraid yesterday, heavy bombing everywhere. So it was a big surprise that, finally, President Obama -- we thought he's a good man and friend of Arab world -- is bombing Libya.
AMANPOUR: Saif, President Obama very explicitly gave your father an ultimatum and said cease fire, stop, and this won't happen. He then had to say that the attacks continue and the United States cannot sit idly by while a leader says that there will be no mercy. Why did your father continue the attacks in Benghazi? Why didn't he have a cease fire?
GADHAFI: First of all, our people went to Benghazi to liberate Benghazi from the gangsters and the armed militia. So if you -- if the Americans want to -- want to help the Libyan people in Benghazi, so go to Benghazi and liberate Benghazi from the militia and the terrorists. So do it.
AMANPOUR: My question, though, is, there is now missile strikes and an air attack against Libya. Will Colonel Gadhafi step down? Will he step aside?
GADHAFI: Step aside why? I mean, to step -- again, there's a big misunderstanding. The whole country is united against the armed militia and the terrorists. You asked -- simply, the Americans and other Western countries, you are supporting the terrorists and the armed militia. That's it.
AMANPOUR: Saif, will there be Libyan retaliation against, let's say, commercial flights around the Mediterranean or other targets?
GADHAFI: No, this is not our target. Our target is how to help our people in Libya, especially in Benghazi. Believe me, they are living a nightmare, a nightmare, really, a nightmare. They have no freedom, nothing under the rule of the armed militia.
So we urge the Americans either to go there themselves and help our people there or let the Libyan people help their brothers in Benghazi. But believe me, one day, you wake up and you will find out that you were supporting the wrong people. And you are being a big mistake with supporting those people. It's like the WMD in Iraq. It's another story.
AMANPOUR: Saif al-Islam, thank you very much, indeed, for joining us from Tripoli.
GADHAFI: Thank you.
AMANPOUR: So that's the view from the Gadhafis in Tripoli. Let's go to eastern Libya, the rebel stronghold where ABC's Alexander Marquardt joins us live.
So what is the mood there where you are?
MARQUARDT: Good morning, Christiane. We are in Tubruq, in eastern Libya, where an opposition spokesman told us this morning that morale is sky high. They've been pleading for military intervention for weeks. They now feel that there's a level playing field, that the rebels will be able to push the Gadhafi forces out of the east, away from cities like Ajdabiya and Benghazi that have seen heavy fighting over the last few days. Eventually, they want to make their way to Tripoli, where they plan to oust Gadhafi.
We spoke with people on the streets. They're understandably very happy, thanking the coalition for what they've done, specifically France and the U.K., for introducing the resolution at the U.N. They believe that this intervention will lead to victory and eventually to a free Libya.
But with this change in tide comes a period of insurgency. The opposition spokesman said that this is the scary part, because of how illogical Gadhafi is and because of -- because of what he calls his thirst for blood.
AMANPOUR: Alex, thanks.
And now let's go to the capital Tripoli, again. That could soon be ground zero in this conflict. Moammar Gadhafi is there, and so is the BBC's Allan Little, who joins us now live.
So, Allan, you heard from the Gadhafis. You heard the mood in Benghazi. What do you think is the next move in Tripoli? And how are they portraying it there?
LITTLE: Well, fighting talk from Colonel Gadhafi, as from his son, Saif, largely for domestic consumption. It's not hard to go around the city and find people willing to echo those sentiments, diehard devotees of Colonel Gadhafi saying that -- people saying they're willing to die along with him if it comes to that.
There's no doubting the sincerity of those people, I think, and the passion with which they speak. Their devotion then seems to get more intense the more isolated he becomes from the world. The question is, how representative is that voice? No other voice can make itself heard here in the prevailing atmosphere in which patriotism for Libya is fused with devotion to the person of Gadhafi himself.
What are those hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people who do not take part in those demonstrations of devotion, really feel and think in the silence of their own heads? What is the real sentiment of Tripoli? That is simply impossible in this atmosphere to gauge.
AMANPOUR: Allan, thank you so much.
And, of course, the leaders of Britain, France, and President Obama is keeping a close tab on the unfolding situation. ABC's Jake Tapper is live at the White House.
And, Jake, what from the White House is the end game here? What's the perspective from there?
TAPPER: Good morning, Christiane. President Obama is in Brazil. But you talked on a very, very difficult question for the White House, because it's been the position of President Obama that there should be regime change in Libya, since March 3rd, when Obama said that Gadhafi has to go.
But that is not the goal of this military operation. The goal of this military operation officially is to impose a no-fly zone and to protect civilians. Gadhafi stepping down is not part of it.
So what I would expect is that you will see more efforts internationally to arm the Libyan rebels so that they will take into their own hands the goal of toppling Gadhafi. But that is not officially the goal of this military operation, so it's a delicate dance for President Obama as he attempts to make this military operation even more international than previous U.S. military operations.
As you know, as we've talked about, there's been a huge effort by the White House to make this seem as though the United States is not playing a leading role, even though, of course, we have 11 ships in the Mediterranean, five of which were firing Tomahawk missiles. There, of course, are other nations participating in the military operation, France, the U.K., and others coming in the coming days, but right now, the U.S. is taking a major leadership role, although the Obama administration wants to make this seem as though it is the world against Gadhafi, not Obama and the U.S. against Gadhafi, Christiane.
AMANPOUR: Jake, just very quickly, do you think the U.S. will arm the rebels?
TAPPER: I think it's a distinct possibility that the U.S. will be part of an international effort to do so. I would doubt very much that the U.S. would do so on its own.
AMANPOUR: Jake, all right.
And let's go now to Martha Raddatz. The U.S. is pledging, as Jake said, to step back to a support role after the initial phase. Martha, you're there. You're covering the military. Is that happening? Do you think it's realistic to go into a support role? It's obviously very unusual in these kinds of military interventions. RADDATZ: It's certainly unusual for the U.S. And right now, a U.S. general is in charge of the operation, General Carter Ham. And you have an admiral, Admiral Scott -- or Sam Locklear, who is on a ship. And he is the tactical commander, meaning he is coordinating all of these air strikes.
But in a few days, the hope is, the U.S. hopes that General Carter Ham can turn over his responsibility to one of the coalition members. That is the plan right now. I don't think they know who that will be.
But in this initial phase, the U.S. does have unique capabilities, as the president keeps saying. You had stealth bombers going in there. You had the B-2 bombers going in there. You had these Tomahawk missiles on the ships. So the U.S. felt it had to take the lead role in this phase.
And this phase is, of course, to wipe out Gadhafi's air defenses. The next phase will be the no-fly zone. I do think the U.S. will be involved in that somewhat and will have fighters involved in that, but the bulk of the no-fly zone will be flown by British pilots, French pilots, and other allies.
AMANPOUR: Martha, thank you so much.
And joining me next, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And we'll put that to him. I'll ask him how the missions will work, when it will end, and whether it can succeed at all if Moammar Gadhafi remains in power.
AMANPOUR: Welcome back.
Though his son sounded subdued, Moammar Gadhafi himself was sounding undaunted this morning. He says his supporters are armed and prepared to fight, and he's pledging that this will be, quote, "a long war."
Joining me now, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen.
Thank you for joining us.
MULLEN: Good morning.
AMANPOUR: Is the United States leading this? Or is it in a supporting role?
MULLEN: Well, actually, the French were the first ones in yesterday, in terms of starting to establish the no-fly zone. The United States is taking the lead in terms of the coalition. General Carter Ham, U.S. commander of U.S. AFRICOM, is actually the commander right now. And we look to, in the next few days, transition that to a coalition leadership.
AMANPOUR: So the U.S. will pull back?
MULLEN: The U.S. will essentially take a supporting role, providing unique capabilities, certainly in terms of things like jamming, things like...
AMANPOUR: But not bombing and flying over?
MULLEN: No -- well, certainly, the -- we'll be in transition. I mean, effectively, Christiane, what's happened in the last 24 hours is the no-fly zone has been put -- has essentially started to have its effects. We've got aircraft over Benghazi right now. We have that for 24/7. He hasn't flown any aircraft in the last two days. So the initial part of the operation and the idea of getting a no-fly zone in place is...
AMANPOUR: Is successful?
MULLEN: Well, it has been successful so far.
AMANPOUR: So will it be a long war, as Colonel Gadhafi pledges?
MULLEN: Well, we're very focused on the limited objectives that the president has given us and actually the international coalition has given us, in terms of providing the no-fly zone so that he cannot attack his own people, to avoid any kind of humanitarian massacre, if you will, and to provide for the humanitarian corridors, humanitarian support of the Libyan people.
AMANPOUR: So you say a limited objective, but we've heard from the president, we've heard from the secretary of state, Gadhafi has to go. Is that the military objective?
MULLEN: Well, the military objective is -- is as I just described it, in terms of -- the mission is very clear right now. It's to focus on getting this no-fly zone in place and to support the U.N. objectives of no humanitarian crisis and humanitarian support, protecting Libyan civilians.
AMANPOUR: So it's possible that we could have, like Iraq, a 12- year no-fly zone with the strongman still in place?
MULLEN: Well, again, I think circumstances will drive where this goes in the future. I wouldn't speculate in terms of length at this particular point in time. It's had a pretty significant effect very early in terms of our ability to address his forces -- to attack his forces on the ground, which we did yesterday outside Benghazi, and get the no-fly zone stood up.
AMANPOUR: What about other countries, such as Bahrain, such as Yemen? If the United States military is attacking to protect civilians in Libya, why not in Bahrain and Yemen?
MULLEN: Well, I think, first of all, just back to Libya, a very important part of this has been the Arab League vote to establish a no-fly zone and the -- the partners -- the coalition partners that are coming into play with respect to Libya.
AMANPOUR: Correct. But what's the logic?
MULLEN: In terms of...
AMANPOUR: Of other people being -- civilians being killed in other countries where the U.S. has an interest?
MULLEN: Well, I think -- I think we have to -- to be very careful to treat every country differently. Certainly, there's a tremendous change going on right now throughout the Middle East, including in Bahrain. And Bahrain is a much different -- in a much different situation than Libya.
We haven't had a relationship with Libya for a long, long time. The Bahrainis and that country has been a critical ally for decades. So we're working very hard to support a peaceful resolution there, as tragic as it has been, and we certainly decry the violence which has occurred in Bahrain. I just think the approach there needs to be different. AMANPOUR: Do you think the Libyans have the wherewithal to retaliate against the United States or its allies in the region or here?
MULLEN: I don't think -- from a military standpoint, certainly, they have some capability. And -- and yet, at least if I were to take the first 24 hours or so, they've -- they've not been a very effective force.
Part of what you do when you go into this is you assume they have a fairly significant capability or the capability they have is good until proven otherwise. We've taken out their air defense. We've actually stopped -- attacked -- we've attacked some of their forces on the ground in the vicinity of Benghazi. And yesterday they were on the march to Benghazi. They were lobbing rockets and mortars in Benghazi...
AMANPOUR: So Benghazi is safe?
MULLEN: Well, Benghazi -- they're no longer marching there. I wouldn't describe Benghazi as safe at this particular point in time.
AMANPOUR: But even though you say you have to assume that they have some kind of capability, realistically, do you think Gadhafi can attack civilian aircraft targets and will do?
MULLEN: Well, he still has -- from what I've seen this morning, he still has some surface-to-air capability, where he could attack an aircraft, including one of ours. We haven't seen large-scale indications of that after the action yesterday. He clearly has the ability to continue to attack his own people, and then we're very focused on that, and -- and trying to ensure that his military forces don't do that.
AMANPOUR: Mustard gas stockpiles, is that a problem?
MULLEN: Very closely monitored, and I haven't seen it as a problem thus far.
AMANPOUR: Admiral Mullen, thank you very much, indeed, for joining us.
MULLEN: Thank you, Christiane.
AMANPOUR: And we're covering the unfolding events in Libya from all angles this morning. Up next, I'll speak with a leader of the opposition movement who until recently worked for Gadhafi himself. He joins me with unique insight into the Libyan strongman.
And later, will a new war abroad bring a new threat here in the United States? Could Gadhafi retaliate on American soil? I'll put that question to the former homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff.
H. CLINTON: The world will not sit idly by while more innocent civilians are killed. We are standing with the people of Libya, and we will not waver in our efforts to protect them.
AMANPOUR: So, as you heard his son, Saif, tell us, Moammar Gadhafi remains in Tripoli, presumably hunkered down. His Tripoli compound is reportedly filled with hundreds of supporters, including women and children. Could they make up a human shield, a possible last line of defense for the embattled leader?
Until just weeks ago, Ali Suleiman Aujali was Gadhafi's voice in the United States, the Libyan ambassador to this country. But Aujali has turned against Gadhafi and is now a leading voice of the opposition. He joins me here at the Newseum in Washington.
And from New York, a man whose country led the call for air strikes we're seeing right now, France's ambassador to the United Nations, Gerard Araud.
Gentlemen, welcome, both, to this program.
AUJALI: Thank you.
AMANPOUR: Let me ask you first, former Ambassador Aujali, what is in the mind of Gadhafi right now? This is a man you know, you served. Under this threat, will he fold?
AUJALI: I think there is one thing in the mind of Gadhafi, that he will not step down at all. He will fight until the end.
AMANPOUR: So everything that his son is telling us, that he's telling us is not just bravado?
AUJALI: Yeah.
AMANPOUR: He will fight?
AUJALI: He will fight. He will fight. He has no other choice. He has no shelter to go. And this is his -- his attitude. He will never give up. ARAUD: Yes.
AMANPOUR: So how will this end?
AUJALI: Well, the end -- now I think there is a good chance after the air strikes, after the revolutionaries being protected by -- from the Gadhafi hitting, I think now they'll start marching to the -- to the east. And we have to -- we have to break the siege against Tripoli. If Tripoli...
AMANPOUR: So you're hoping that the rebels will keep marching on to the capital...
AUJALI: Of course. Of course. Of course.
AMANPOUR: ... and take on Gadhafi himself?
AUJALI: Of course. Yeah, we have to open the road, you know, to Gadhafi's -- where he's staying.
AMANPOUR: Let me ask you, Ambassador Araud. This is pretty much an extraordinary situation. There is a military intervention, and France is the country that has led it and that has really brought the United States to this situation. You're listening to the ambassador here, Aujali. Why is it that France took that decision?
ARAUD: Well, I think it was, first, I guess, a moral and human reaction. It was impossible to consider a victory of Gadhafi and Gadhafi taking Benghazi. He was himself saying what will happen. He was saying that they -- they will search house by house. He was referring to rivers of blood. It was simply totally impossible to -- to accept it.
You have also to consider that, for us, Libya, the Maghreb, it's a bit like you, Central America and Cuba. In human and geographic terms, it's very close to -- to my country.
AMANPOUR: Well, then let me ask you, though. Now, then, are you on the side of the rebels? Is this the -- you know, making the rebels win, is that the aim of this current military operation?
ARAUD: We -- we do consider France as recognized -- the committee of Benghazi as the representative of the Libyan people. We simply want the Libyan people able to express their -- their will.
AMANPOUR: Well, let me ask you, Mr. Aujali. You've heard Admiral Mullen clearly said the mission is to protect the citizens of Benghazi and -- and Libya and to open up humanitarian ability for them, not to take out Gadhafi, not to support the opposition. What do you understand by this resolution?
AUJALI: I understand the mission is to protect the Libyan civilians, not only Benghazi. Protection of the Libyan civilian only achieved by one goal, that Gadhafi is not there, not only by stop his airplanes striking the people. The dangers is Gadhafi himself.
AMANPOUR: So you understand, this military action is aimed to get rid of Gadhafi?
AUJALI: Of course. If this is not the mission, then they would just hit some airplane -- shot the airplanes down and then leave was this madman, killing his people without mercy. This is...
AMANPOUR: Well, let me ask you, Ambassador Araud. Is that the aim? Is that what the United States, France, and Britain have signed up to, to get rid of Colonel Gadhafi?
ARAUD: We want the Libyan people to be able to express their will, I've said, which -- and we consider that it means that Gadhafi has to go.
AMANPOUR: Are you concerned -- are you concerned that there will be retaliation? You've taken on this -- this military intervention. He has threatened retaliation against France, Britain, the United States, or at least their interests. Are you worried?
ARAUD: You know, when you enter a military intervention, it's never risk-free. So we have to be careful and to consider all the dangers. But, also, we know that Gadhafi is prone to empty rhetoric.
AMANPOUR: All right. Let me ask you one final question, Ambassador Aujali. This is designed to divide and conquer, to get Gadhafi's people away from him. You defected. Do you think that others around him will defect?
AUJALI: Believe me, the people who are around him, especially the ministers, if they have a chance to defect, they will do it now, now, now. But he kept them -- he's keeping them in the Bab al-Azizia. They have no place to go...
AMANPOUR: In his compound?
AUJALI: In his compound. Then he's using them as a -- as a human shelter, also. But if they have a chance, they will defect. For example, I give you example, if you have some time. Then -- I have a friend of mine who was appointed the ambassador to Geneva. He's a young man, first time he's been appointed the head of mission. And when he left Tripoli with his credential, he just resigned.
AMANPOUR: All right. Well, we'll see what happens, whether the people around Gadhafi turn against him. Ambassador Araud in New York, thank you for joining us.
Ambassador Aujali, thank you for joining us.
And when we return, the big question: How -- now that the U.S. has struck at Libya, will Libya strike back? I'll discuss that with a high-powered roundtable that includes the former chair of the House Intelligence Committee and an architect of the war in Iraq.
And later, we turn to the week's other major story, danger and devastation in Japan, as that country struggles to avert a full-scale nuclear meltdown. I'll ask former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson and former Homeland Secretary Chief Michael Chertoff whether America is prepared to manage such a catastrophe.
OBAMA: Actions have consequences, and the writ of the international community must be enforced. Today we are part of a broad coalition, we are answering the calls of a threatened people, and we are acting in the interests of the United States and the world.
AMANPOUR: President Obama right there -- excuse me -- explaining why American missiles and allied air strikes are now raining down on Libya, emphasizing that this is a broad international effort. As noteworthy as what the president said yesterday is what he left out, namely, his recent declaration that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi must go.
This is a momentous time in America's relations with the Arab world. And joining he today to discuss its far-reaching implications, ABC's George Will, former Congresswoman Jane Harman, who chaired the House Intelligence Committee, Paul Wolfowitz, former deputy secretary of defense under George W. Bush and a mastermind of the war in Iraq, and Robin Wright of the U.S. Institute of Peace, author of "Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World."
Thank you all for joining me. And let me ask you first, George, do you think that this was the right thing to do?
WILL: I do not. We have intervened in a tribal society in a civil war. And we have taken sides in that civil war on behalf of people we do not know or understand for the purpose -- not avowed, but inexorably our purpose -- of creating a political vacuum by decapitating that government. Into that vacuum, what will flow? We do not know and cannot know.
AMANPOUR: Paul Wolfowitz, you disagree with George?
WOLFOWITZ: I do. I think that what we have prevented, for one thing, is a bloodbath in Benghazi, which would have stained our reputation throughout the Arab world, at a time when our reputation really matters. And I understand George's hesitations, but it would seem to me, if you follow those hesitations, you say, it's better to keep this devil that we know than the unknown, and I don't see how any unknown could be worse than the devil who is in Tripoli right now. AMANPOUR: Except wouldn't you say the hesitation -- you can trace it right back to your operation in Iraq, that, you know, it caused such a pendulum swing against trying to intervene because of the chaos that was unleashed.
WOLFOWITZ: We have paid the price of intervention. Sometimes we've paid the price of nonintervention, in Bosnia, for example. One of the things that makes the situation so unique is the monstrous quality of the Tripoli regime, the monstrous quality of Gadhafi and his sons. And I know, you know, people say, well, what about Bahrain? What about Yemen? This is a totally different case, where a man is actually slaughtering his own people, has no regard for his own people. He uses mercenaries to kill them. It is a unique case, and it's being watched throughout the Arab world.
AMANPOUR: Well, let me ask you, former congresswoman. You sat on the Intelligence Committee. You -- I mean, this question about why Libya and not Bahrain or -- or Yemen, American allies, is that a valid distinction to make?
HARMAN: I think it is. First, let me salute the life and service of Warren Christopher, a dear friend from California, who died yesterday and say how honored I am now to be president and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson Center, succeeding Lee Hamilton, and working with scholars like Robin and Aaron David Miller and others.
I think we have to see this in a broader context. I just watched your Mike Mullen interview, where he said we -- we view each of these countries individually. We need a strategic narrative.
And as I look at this, from my experience being in Congress when we did nothing in Rwanda, which Bill Clinton said was his biggest mistake, when we intervened in -- in Bosnia, did a no-fly zone, which didn't prevent the -- the massacre at Srebrenica, when we -- when Congress acted in Afghanistan, the authorization to use military force is still in effect, and then we took our eye off the ball, when we went into Iraq, I voted for that, because I believed the intelligence, which turned out to be wrong, I see lessons to be learned, and I'm not sure we're learning all the lessons.
As I look at it, the biggest threats to the United States, to our homeland security, are Yemen and some of the Al Qaida and other terror cells in Pakistan. Going into Libya has a moral objective, and I strongly agree with that. And I also think that Hillary Clinton and Susan Rice, who were strong proponents of what we're doing here, are great public servants.
But we have to understand that just a no-fly zone here may not cause regime change. And if we have a cornered Moammar Gadhafi -- who is not a rational actor -- and he uses mustard gas against his people, how have we...
AMANPOUR: Well, actually -- Admiral Mullen...
HARMAN: ... how have we prevented that?
AMANPOUR: Admiral Mullen said that there wasn't a huge amount of threat there.
HARMAN: There are two tons of liquefied mustard gas in Libya.
AMANPOUR: Yeah, but he said he hasn't seen any movement of that.
HARMAN: Not yet. We've only been there for 24 hours.
AMANPOUR: Do you think it's a threat?
HARMAN: I worry about that. I mean, we can't take out mustard gas by air. If we blow it up, we disperse it. And I worry about a guy who's going to fight to the end -- and that's what we just heard from the former ambassador -- and is not a rational actor, doing things like that, putting human shields around all the obvious targets, including his own -- his own living quarters, and taking Westerners as hostages and possibly engaging in terror acts and going down with as much bloodshed as possible.
AMANPOUR: Well, let me ask you. You've interviewed him; I've interviewed him. A lot of people have. Is he the crazy man that Representative Harman talks about? Or is he going to either fold or be turned on by his own people?
WRIGHT: He could prolong this for a very long time. This is not a man who plays by international rules, nor is he a man who thinks like even many of his counterparts in the Arab world, and that's why I think you've seen a great deal of unity in the Arab world against him. This is someone that everyone in Africa, in the Arab world...
AMANPOUR: Which is really unusual, to have such a big Arab coalition against a fellow Arab leader.
WRIGHT: And we haven't had one like this since the Iraq war back in 1990-1991. And that's what's, in fact, given the international community the legs. Without that, we probably would not be engaged.
But this is a very different kind of war. This is a country that's the size of Alaska with a population smaller than New York City. And so when we talk about the -- the kind of scenarios down the road, this is -- you know, most of the cities are along the coastal strip -- that it may not be as complicated as a place like Iraq was. This is -- you know, there are obvious targets and obvious sequence of places that either side will go. But there is mission gap between saying we want regime change and we're in there militarily for humanitarian. And that's where the problem is.
AMANPOUR: Should it be regime change?
WOLFOWITZ: Look, I think one of the most important pieces that's missing here is our connection with this transitional national council in Benghazi. They are -- they have representatives from all over the country. They seem to be setting up rules that are respectable rules.
AMANPOUR: Really? Are you convinced about that? Who are they?
WOLFOWITZ: Well, I'm not convinced. Well, I think we should have people in there so we really know better who they are. And we ought to be thinking of them as a leading edge here. I think it's been right to get an international coalition out in front and not make this all American, but most of all, it's a Libyan fight. What's been amazing over the last month is how brave the Libyan people have been. And I think -- across the whole country. this is not just a tribal thing in the east.
AMANPOUR: But -- but when it comes, then, to lessons learned, what happens then with a Bahrain or a Yemen? I mean, isn't this a double standard?
WOLFOWITZ: Look, excuse me: Libya is a separate case all by itself. You cannot...
AMANPOUR: It is or it isn't.
WOLFOWITZ: No, no, you can't -- you can't compare the regime in Bahrain or even the regime in Sana'a to Gadhafi. But, yes, there is a certain -- there's something in common here, which is that regimes that don't represent their people are not only wrong, they're ultimately unstable. And I think what we should be working for in Bahrain, what we should be working for in Yemen are governments that are much more representative of their people so that we can work with them better. But they're not -- it's absolutely wrong to compare what's happening there with what Gadhafi is -- is doing and has been doing for 40 years.
WILL: There is no limiting principle in what we've done. If we are to protect people who are under assault, then where people are under assault in Bahrain, we are logically -- not only logically committed to help them, we are inciting them to rise in expectation. The mission creep here began, Paul, before the mission began, because we had a means not suited to the end. The means is a no-fly zone. That will not affect the end, which is obviously regime change.
WRIGHT: Look, Yemen and Bahrain have the same problem that we do in Libya. Forty-five people were killed by the regime in Yemen, peaceful protests on Friday. You have the same thing in Bahrain.
This is -- the Obama administration has been responding very slowly at the outset to this kind of colossal transformation in the Arab world, and it's finally begun to kind of -- in response to what's happened in Tunisia, then in Egypt, and now in Libya, but it -- to develop a strategy, but it doesn't have a policy across the region that is consistent. And I think it's going to catch us at some point.
HARMAN: Two points. I agree with that. We don't have a security narrative across the world. And we absolutely need that, because these countries are connected to each other. One fruit vendor who immolates himself in the boonies in Tunisia has set off a firestorm, an earthquake -- let's use Japan as the metaphor -- across the region.
Two points about this. One, Congress. The leaders of Congress were briefed last Friday at the -- in the Situation Room. Many were part of the recess and weren't there. That is not, by my lights, briefing Congress. Congress needs to be called back and discuss this and authorize or limit...
AMANPOUR: Isn't it too late?
HARMAN: ... the mission. No, I think the president is lawfully acting under his emergency powers as commander-in-chief and the U.N. resolution. And we didn't ask Congress to approve Bosnia. But I think Congress needs to act.
The other thing is, this is a zero-sum game militarily. We are stretched to the limit. And the assets we put into Libya we are taking away from somewhere else. And it's not just warships, people, and money. It's brain cells.
AMANPOUR: All right. Let me then ask you -- since you've just said that, last lightning round then. Is this, as the president said, in the U.S. national interest?
WILL: It is not worth war.
AMANPOUR: U.S. national interest?
HARMAN: It is not as direct a threat to us as Yemen and Pakistan.
AMANPOUR: U.S. national interests?
WOLFOWITZ: I think, if Gadhafi were to survive, it would be very much against American interest, very seriously so.
WRIGHT: We were within 24 hours probably of losing Benghazi, which would have been losing Libya. So you have to ask yourself, how important is Libya to the broader scheme of things? And it had become the new model. After peaceful transitions in Egypt and Tunisia, you began to see a new model in Libya and the use of force, and that's where it became dangerous.
AMANPOUR: So within 24 hours, was it a desperation move, then?
WRIGHT: I think that we were very close to the point of not being able to intervene at all, because it would have become Gadhafi's baby -- his country again.
AMANPOUR: Well, certainly everybody is going to be watching this and keeping a very close eye. Thank you all very much, indeed.
And when we return, the other story making global headlines this week, the disaster in the Pacific. The nuclear crisis in Japan raises a disturbing question: What if it happened here? Could it? Is the United States prepared to respond to a full-scale nuclear meltdown? I'll ask the man who coordinated the federal response to a host of national disasters, former Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff. He'll join me. And so will Bill Richardson, who's grappled with issues of nuclear safety as diplomat, energy secretary, and governor of New Mexico. I'll ask them whether the U.S. should be ready for a possible terrorist attack sponsored by Moammar Gadhafi.
AMANPOUR: In Japan today, workers at the Fukushima nuclear power plant are struggling to contain radiation, as fears of contamination spread across the country. Officials abandoned a plan to release more radioactive gasses into the air to relieve pressure at the crippled reactor. And the government announced the plant itself would be scrapped once the emergency is resolved.
And this troubling news: Higher than normal levels of radiation has been found in spinach and milk. That's been detected from farms about 90 miles from the reactor.
The harrowing images we've seen day after day have many Americans asking one question: Could it happen here?
There are 104 nuclear reactors scattered around the country in some 31 states. At least a dozen are in areas at moderate to high risk of an earthquake. So what happens if a natural disaster sets off a catastrophic domino effect here in America? Is the government prepared to respond?
Joining me now to answer that question, Michael Chertoff, who served as secretary of homeland security in the Bush administration, and he's also chairman of the Chertoff Group. And with us, Bill Richardson, who wears many hats. He was Bill Clinton's energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations and most recently served as governor of New Mexico.
Gentlemen, thank you very much, indeed, for joining us.
Just before we get to the crucial issue of Japan and nuclear energy, let me ask you regarding Gadhafi's threats and the possibility of terrorism. Your job was to protect the homeland here. Do you think there's an increased risk now with this military activity over Libya?
CHERTOFF: I think you have to assume there's an increased risk in the sense that Gadhafi is a proven terrorist, and it's wise to assume that he's got the intent at some point to do something to retaliate.
But I think his capability has been much degraded. For one thing, we have raised the level of our protection and our security over the years. I think his capability in the U.S. is not that great. If this operates today as it did when I was in office, we already have unfolded a plan to track all of his operatives in the United States and to make sure they're not in a position to do something. So...
AMANPOUR: So you're really prepared here for that?
CHERTOFF: I think we are prepared for this, but, again, the important thing is to continue to watch him not only here in the U.S., but look at American interests overseas, including people who are traveling or people who may be living overseas, as well.
AMANPOUR: I mean, his son said, no, that's not our target, when I asked him about retaliation. I mean...
CHERTOFF: Well, you know, he's like a cornered rat. And a cornered rat will do whatever it has to do in order to defend itself or to strike back. So while right now my suspicion is they have their hands full, it's certainly something -- it's prudent to consider that he may seek to divert attention or even to push back by striking someplace else.
But, again, his capability now is not what it was 10 years ago. And more importantly, we've got a much more robust security apparatus.
AMANPOUR: And, Governor Richardson, do you think that the U.S. is more at risk?
RICHARDSON: Well, I don't want to be an alarmist. And I agree with what the secretary said. But he's a very unpredictable -- he's almost a wild man right now. He's cornered. My concern is, does he have any chemical weapons? I am concerned about these mustard gas reports.
AMANPOUR: We asked Admiral Mullen about that.
RICHARDSON: No, I know what he said, but my concern is, there are some allegations that he was directly responsible for Lockerbie. My concern is, Americans in the Mediterranean flying I think should be extra cautious.
I don't want to be an alarmist, but when a man is cornered who is desperate, who wants to cling on to power, who sees his base narrowing, who is attacked, could be capable, as he has in the past, very horrendous things.
AMANPOUR: Let's turn to the other major, major story, this potential cataclysmic meltdown. Is there -- is the United States totally prepared to handle something like that? Could that happen here?
CHERTOFF: Well, let's -- let's define what we mean by handle. If you had a -- an earthquake that resulted in serious damage, devastating damage to a nuclear power plant -- and I'm saying that that would happen -- it would be a very ugly situation.
The critical issue would be to evacuate people in a timely fashion. Now, as part of the process of putting these plans in and as part of our general planning process, we have worked to develop evacuation plans. But make no mistake: They have to be drilled. They have to be exercised. And if that hasn't been done, it's going to become a challenge.
AMANPOUR: Has it been done?
CHERTOFF: Well, I think it varies. I mean, if you look at California, they tend to be very good about the process of preparation. Other states may not be quite as intense about it.
The thing to remember is this, though: No matter how good you are, it's going to be very difficult. And the way to minimize the difficulty is to have people be self-reliant, to have them well prepared, to make sure they're educated so they can take their own actions to get out of the way if, in fact, it looks like we're going to have a problem.
AMANPOUR: And, Governor, you were governor of New Mexico when Secretary Chertoff was in office. To your mind, is the federal government prepared if it happened somewhere near your state?
RICHARDSON: Well, I can tell you that states generally are not prepared. And so we rely on the federal government. And -- and I believe the secretary's right. The federal government has to lead.
I think the big message here is -- from -- from the Japanese crisis is that we're looking at what happened in the oil spill, what happened with the mining disaster in West Virginia, the pipeline explosion. We have to look at the safety, cost, environmental risks of all our energy production. And I think the message with the nuclear reactors in Japan is that we should look at all our 104 reactors in the United States for their safety and preparedness within NRC.
AMANPOUR: And when you were governor -- you were saying the states aren't prepared -- but did you believe that the federal government was prepared?
RICHARDSON: Well, I think this tragedy in Japan indicates that we need to be better prepared, that...
AMANPOUR: So is that a yes or a no?
CHERTOFF: Well, I think -- I think, again, Christiane, you have to have a realistic expectation. I think the federal government is -- has a general plan for catastrophic incidents. I think there are capabilities that could be deployed.
But recognizing, the initial hours after any kind of catastrophe, the government is not going to rescue everybody. That's not possible. And part of what I used to say and what Secretary Napolitano is saying is, preparation begins at the home and at the business level.
And that means, if you're in an area which is earthquake-prone, you've got to have a plan in place to evacuate if necessary, or you've got to know how to shelter yourself. Now, there's going to be a big exercise in May, in the central part of the country, the New Madrid earthquake fault, which we put in process several years ago. And that's a great opportunity for communities to take a -- a second look at their plans and make sure they're really serious and well-prepared.
AMANPOUR: So what scares you most as a former governor and having to rely on the federal government for this kind of rescue?
RICHARDSON: Well, first of all, we need to have evacuation plans. I don't think we have adequate ones around the country.
Secondly, we have to look at licensing of new nuclear power plants. The president wants to proceed with 20 in the next decade. We want to have loan guarantees. But I think we have to have a timeout on nuclear power.
AMANPOUR: So is that -- a timeout?
RICHARDSON: A timeout, not -- not a moratorium, a timeout, review the safety and cost of all these plants, with the new licensing plants. Let's look at those that are being proposed in earthquake- prone areas. Let's look at those that are in seismic -- where there's intensive seismic material.
And then, lastly, look at the ones -- and there's about a third of our nuclear plants that have some of this Japanese technology that obviously has not worked. And I think internationally we have to have some leadership in the whole range of the coolants in these reactors, the spent fuel. We have to look at ways that the international community, the international atomic energy commission looks at ways that there can be standardized safety procedures.
AMANPOUR: Do you think there needs to be a timeout?
CHERTOFF: Well, I -- I agree with Bill, we need to obviously look at the lessons learned from what's happened in Japan. But what I would caution against is overreacting, even to this catastrophic event.
You know, we had a problem with BP in the gulf, and the reaction was, we can't drill in the gulf. We have problems with other forms of energy, and people say, well, we shouldn't do that.
Well, you know, at the end of the day, if we don't use coal, oil, natural gas, or nuclear, we're going to be sitting around the fire trying to warm ourselves like we did eons ago.
So we're going to have to manage risk. That doesn't mean guaranteeing against any -- it means having in place ways to mitigate problems. And that's where I think the lessons of Japan can be very, very helpful.
RICHARDSON: And I think the lesson, also, for America is, we have to look at renewable energy, natural gas, clean sources, but reassess our entire safety procedures when it comes to our fossil fuels. When it -- look what happened in -- in the gulf. Look what happened in these mining disasters. A new conversation about safety, cost, and environmental risk of our energy production.
AMANPOUR: A new conversation, indeed. Thank you both very much for joining us. Secretary Chertoff, Governor Richardson, thank you for coming in.
And we'll have a final thought when we come back. Stay with us.
AMANPOUR: A week ago, I was in Japan. This program was broadcast out of there after we were covering the aftermath of the terrible earthquake and tsunami. And with me, a team of ABC correspondents, reporting on all the aspects of the unfolding tragedy, including the nuclear accident.
When we returned to the United States, we gathered to discuss the stories that we all didn't get a chance to report on the air. And you can find that conversation at abcnews.com, where you can always get the latest developments on Japan and Libya. And, of course, "World News with David Muir" will have a full wrap of the day's events. And ABC will have all the news across all the platforms.
Thank you for watching "This Week," and I'll see you again next Sunday.


text:
April 21, 2007
After winning game one 3-2, the Bisons could not complete the sweep against Campbell on Saturday, April 24 as they fell 4-2 in the final game.
In his first start since being named Co-A-Sun Pitcher of the Week, right-hander, Taylor Merry threw another dominating complete game as the Bisons` defeated the Fighting Camels 3-2 in game one.
"Of course expectations were high," Merry said. "I did not fell like I threw my best game, but everybody did a good job keeping us in the game."
After the Fighting Camels struck for a run in both the sixth and ninth innings, the Bisons were three outs away from squandering Merry's impressive performance.
Shane Simpkins got the Bisons' rally started with a single through the right side, before advancing to second on a ground out by Caleb Joseph. Ryan Wilkins walked to put runners on first and second for Casey Bond, who came through for the Bisons' with a two-run triple to left center. After Kevin Gavigan struck out, Branden Cadavid gave Lipscomb the walk-off victory with an RBI single to left center.
Campbell's starter, Justin Lilly threw 8.1 innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits in the no-decision.
Merry earned the win to improve to 3-0 on the season. In nine innings he gave up two unearned runs on six hits. He struck out four while lowering his ERA to 2.88.
Ryan Hamme received the loss to lower his record to 3-2. In 1/3 of an inning, he gave up one run on two hits.
In game two, right-hander Charles Williams took the mound for the Bisons' in his first start of the season. After giving up two runs in the first and another run in the second to the Fighting Camels, Williams settled down, throwing a scoreless third before allowing another run in the fourth.
The Bisons' offense struck for a run in the second on an RBI single by Justin Sanders, but remained silent until Ben Williams scored on an error in the ninth to bring the score to 4-2, the final.
Williams received the loss to drop his record to 1-4. In eight innings, Williams gave up four runs, three earned, on seven hits while striking out four.
Simpkins led the Bisons on offense with three hits, while Allen Bolden and Casey Bond each contributed two.
The Bisons are back in action when they travel to Martin, Tennessee, to take on Tennessee-Martin in a single game on April 24 at 3 p.m.


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- AZ @ NO. This should be a great game. A few days ago, after the Packers lost to AZ in the highest scoring playoff game in NFL history, I predicted this game would be another huge scoring affair. Suddenly, I'm starting to think that won't be the case. There will be a fair amount of points, but nothing like the GB/AZ game. NO will be fresh and AZ will be tired. So I expect the game to play out accordingly. Some good scoring by both teams in the first 3 quarters until AZ gets tired. Then, NO will continue scoring and AZ won't. NO 34-24 .
- Balt @ Indy. It's hard to bet against Balt. John Harbaugh gets those guys to play for him and play hard. (Though I have to say, John Harbaugh is starting to be one of those coaches who seems to always be sporting a "that's-a-BS-call" look on his face.) Like the Jets though, I just have this feeling that the over-reliance on the running game will catch up with them and eventually lead to them getting blown out. Whenever a team has a quality run game, clock control and a strong defense can lead to nice victories yes, but rarely by big margins. For Balt, I think their secondary will struggle to defend Manning's passing attack and at some point, in order to catch up, Balt will have to pass. They will succeed at first because Flacco isn't bad and Derrick Mason is a quality older dude. But by the end of the 3rd quarter, Indy will have taken control. The big question in this game might be: what disparaging remarks will Ray Rice make about the city of Indianapolis after the bitter loss? Indy 38, Balt 16.
- NYJ @ SD. This one is a bit tough for me to be objective about because I'm developing a strong dislike for Rex Ryan and I want the guy to lose. I think the Jets are tough and could play SD tough for the first half. But SD is better and they are a more complete team. They have been on an incredible roll and I just can't see the NYJ coming in with their clock-control game style and sticking it to high-flying SD. At some point, Mark Sanchez is going to screw up. As a coach, you can offer your full faith and confidence in a player all you want but when the player hasn't yet developed his own foundation of confidence you might be building false confidence that could wind up collapsing in a heap. If I were a Jets' fan, I would worry right now that Mark Sanchez and the Jets are like a skyscraper being built up bigger and bigger, but with a questionable foundation. I can just see Rex Ryan obnoxiously yelling "the sky is the f-ing limit…the f-ing limit" – then eating an extra meal. If they pull this one out, that foundation might fortify yes. But I think it's far more likely that they get crushed here exposing a foundation that may in fact need a lot of work in the coming years. SD 37, NYJ 17.
- Dal @ MN. Very interesting situation because this game features 2 QBs who have been great this year, but who also have a history of chunking it in big games – throwing a few picks. Neither has had an atrocious game this year but both are certainly capable of it. Keys will be the Dallas pass rush. If Ware is contained, this could end up being a long, long day for Dallas (possible blowout). But if he's not, Favre could fumble/throw picks and make this a game. In the end, I hate to say it, but I can see Favre and company winning mostly because the Dallas' offense will get stuck when their running game goes nowhere. Also, fun match-up to watch will be Antoine Winfield on Miles Austin. Winfield is still hurting, but if he's any healthier after having a week off, he could be a big reason the Dallas offense gets stuck. Definitely be on the lookout for the down-14-not-sure-what-the-hell-to-do-now look from Wade Phillips in this one. MN 27, Dal 14.
NFL Playoff Preview – Round 2
10 Responses to "NFL Playoff Preview – Round 2"
foundinidaho Says:
January 15, 2010 at 6:39 pm |
Sigh. Is it bad that I no longer give a damn about anything to do with the playoffs except for Judas losing?
Keefer Says:
January 15, 2010 at 7:19 pm |
"Go Cowboys" (for this week ONLY!)
Travis Says:
January 15, 2010 at 7:26 pm |
Ah not sure how you can say that, some good matchups this week for sure.
Obviously the Ravens played very well last week, but have quite the matchup this week for sure. It will be interesting to see if they can matchup to the Colts and give them a run for their money. Could be close, or the Colts may just prove its going to take alot to be beat.
Jets played magnificent last week, but Bengals really didn't seem to show up. Chargers have rested, and while we have clearly seen momentum didn't work into the post season, we will see if rest will. Rest vs momentum as Jets come in confident and played well. I can't see the Chargers losing, but I think it should be a game, to a point.
NFC games will be the best I think. Saints vs Cards should be quite the matchup. If Arizona shows up and plays defense like last week, Saints will win. Arizona will be able to battle at first due to their high power offense, but the Saints have a good enough defense to eventually find a way to stop the Cards, and that is the difference maker. Cause if Cards don't show up on defense, they have no chance of stopping Brees, and if they actually show up and play good D, they still might not be able to stop Brees.
Dallas and Minnesota will be a good game. I'm not a fan of Dallas but to see our rival continue on isn't something I'd look forward to either. Best to luck to Favre, I'll give him some credit because of what he gave Green Bay for 16 years, but I don't like to see Minnesota succeed. Minnesota capped the year very strong, but Dallas is taking down every opponent with ease in the last few games. I am very excited for this game, and we also could be expecting the annual post season choke from the Cowboys this week. And thats always worth a laugh, especially when the cameras show us Wade's face.
And I just wanted to put this out there. I was talking to my buddy today about the Cowboys and saying basically "you think they'll choke again this year?" and I basically stated that well I think it would be hilarious considering Romo is back to holding, that if they made it to the superbowl with 2 seconds left down 2, and he bobbles the snap and they lose the game. I'd feel bad for Romo, but I couldn't imagine a more ironic and hilarious situation.
mark Says:
January 15, 2010 at 8:08 pm |
Im with "foundinidaho" i coudnt care less about football till the draft!
Keefer Says:
January 15, 2010 at 11:33 pm |
Cowboys choking history vs. Vikings choking history…it could be a close game!
Kozak Says:
January 16, 2010 at 11:21 am |
With the playoff history of both teams this one may end up with them both loosing…
There is something wrong with the Universe when I find myself rooting for Dallas against, you know who……
- Kozak Says:
maggie's_girl Says:
January 16, 2010 at 6:04 pm |
You are fooling no one, AW. You are picking MN over Dallas just because your picks have all been wrong and your are trying to put a curse on the Vikings. Still, hope you are right.
Cindy V Says:
January 16, 2010 at 6:15 pm |
I've always held the opinion that if the Packers aren't in the playoff, then I don't want anyone from our division in them. So I'll be cheering for the Cowboys even though I don't like them very much. But I do not want the Vikings going to to the NFC game.
I like the Saints and they're all over the Cards right now.
Kozak Says:
January 17, 2010 at 3:55 pm |
So far the MN DL game is giving even more reasons to hate the Cowboys.


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The Fern Lake Fire did not move any closer to Estes Park as fire lines held Sunday night in the face of strong gusty winds. Firefighters had been bracing for a similar "wind event" that occurred overnight Friday when the Fern Lake Fire moved approximately three miles in just 35 minutes as sustained wind gusts in excess of 70 mph drove the fire through Moraine Par.
The fire management team is optimistic about the fire after fire lines held last night in spite of heavy winds. Forecasted weather conditions are also favorable with cooler temperatures in the mid-30s to low 40s and lighter winds for today. Calm winds are expected tonight. Today an air tanker is available and will help support firefighting efforts if wind conditions allow. Helitankers will also fly if winds allow. Due to the hard work of firefighters, high winds in the Fern Lake Fire area did not cause the fire to spread any closer to Estes Park, and it is still contained within Rocky Mountain National Park boundaries. Approximately 150 firefighters and 19 engines worked on the Fern Lake Fire overnight. Spot fires continue to burn in the Steep Mountain area and crews continue working to keep it from moving further to the south. Structure protection crews are still stationed along Bear Lake Road to try to keep the fire within the park.
Approximately 250 personnel are currently working on the fire and more resources are on the way. No injuries have been reported. Only one private cabin is confirmed lost in Moraine Park, within the park. The fire is approximately 4,400 acres and if weather conditions allow, there will be an infrared flight to map and estimate the fire size more accurately today. The last containment estimate for the fire is 20 percent.
The priorities of fire managers continue to be firefighter and public safety, incident stabilization and control of the fire perimeter to keep it from spreading beyond the park boundaries so residents may be allowed to re-enter when it is safe for them to do so. Smoke from the fire has been impacting the area especially during the evening hours. Structure protection is being provided by many local Fire Departments. Cooperating lead agencies are the National Park Service, Larimer County Sheriff's Department, the Town of Estes Park and the Estes Valley Fire Protection District.
The east side of Rocky Mountain National Park via Beaver Meadows Entrance and Fall River Entrance is closed, although Fall River Visitor Center remains open.


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Caught On Tape: Man Walks Up Blasts Dude In The Chest In Brazil! (His Gun Jams & The Guy Just Stands Their)
Guy just froze
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As the Shadows Fall
31243, Hymns, As the Shadows Fall, no. 168
1. As the shadows fall, O Savior,
Turn our thoughts and minds to thee.
Help us, Lord, that we may strive for
Peace, and find our rest in thee.
2. Father, please watch o'er our loved ones
As the evening round them flows.
Lord, accept our supplications;
Be with us in our repose.
Text: Lowell M. Durham Jr., 1943-1997. © 1977 IRI
Music: Lowell M. Durham, 1917-1992. © 1977 IRI


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I am steadily trying to improve myself as person who is learning Java as a first programming language. I'm studying about problems and algorithms by practising problems on TopCoder alongside reading articles and watching videos on the topic.
Though I was wondering would it be more beneficial for me to learn Design patterns alongside or should I save this for more advanced studies.
Also is the subject of Design patterns similar to algorithms and data structures in that the principles follow in different programming languages, or do different programming languages have radically different takes on the topic.


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In case of Corona the Taxi Service was running without any complications. The driver was very friendly and kind. Drove very smooth. And the price was incredible. Thank you for your help in this strange time with Corona to helped us come home as soon as possible.
The driver was there on time, even at bit earlier, he was very courteous, and he arrived in Dubai well ahead of time whilst always driving carefully and observing the speed limit. The car was spacious and clean. So, all in all it was a very positive experience.
The driver was on time. He was easy to find. He was very helpful with the bags both at pickup and the destination. He knew where he was going and the vehicle was more than adequate for 4 people. What more could we ask for, very pleasant experience overall.
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It was easy to make booking through the app. Once the booking is confirmed then they will send driver's number to be contacted. The driver arrived on time, the car is so big and clean. Beyond my expectation.
Good communication prior to trip from Kiwitaxi. Driver arrived on time was well presented in a good Lexus car. Drove professionally and safely. Am using again.
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The driver was waiting for us at the airport. The car was awesome and really comfortable and the driver dropped us off at the hotel door. Driver was polite and courteous and we will definitely use this service again.
Very comfortable minivan, great driver! All went well, we were picked up & arrived on time. Totally worth the money considering crazy Istanbul traffic ?
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|System: Xbox 360, PS3
|Dev: Gaijin Entertainment
|Pub: Konami
|Release: TBA
|Players: 1-4 Offline, up to 16 Online
|Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p
by Josh Engen
Over the last several years, it has become increasingly difficult to get excited over a combat flight sim. Flight sims don't hit the market very often, and when one is ultimately delivered, the final product never quite makes the grade. Part of it might be that we may have hit some kind of saturation point on what can be done to make flight sims seem new and interesting. Sure, most have some short-term entertainment value, but they all follow the same basic formula. The new ones just have shiny new graphics.
That's why when Konami announced Birds of Steel last May, most of us assumed that it going to be another standard dogfighting title. And let's face it; the world doesn't really need any more of those. But as more information has trickled its way onto the internet, the more interesting this game has started to sound. In a recent interview, Martin Schneider, Konami's European general manager for sales, gave us a little insight into the thought process behind BoS: "For far too long, first-person shooter fans have been tied to the foot soldier point of view, but we aim to bring the seat-of-their-pants skill and daring of dogfighting and aerial combat to a wider audience."
This "FPS in the sky" approach is surpassingly apparent in Birds of Steel. Once you get the hang of the controls, which are pretty standard as far as flight sims go, the gameplay is incredibly responsive and unique. However, before you take off, you'll need to select which flavor of control setup you'd like: Arcade or Simulator. The Arcade mode is perfect for those FPS players who are simply taking a break from Modern Warfare 3, but hardcore flight sim purists will want to select the "Simulator" option. In Simulator mode, your plane will react to wind and mass just like it would in real life. Konami has even gone the extra mile by increasing the speed of your craft as your fuel decreases. Players will have to avoid stalling their plane and adjust for the wind when shooting down enemies. And yes, this mode will support your favorite overly-complicated USB flight sticks.
But the controls aren't the only thing that makes Birds of Steel interesting. The campaign itself is a mix of semi-historical and semi-fictional missions that stretch across Europe, reaching all the way to the Pacific theatre. Players will get to take part in missions like the battle of Midway, Coral Sea, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and dozens of other locales taken from your high school history books. Obviously, Konami isn't using BoS as a subversive way to trick gamers into learning their history, but using World War II as a backdrop for an immersive experience has become a time-honored tradition among game developers. (However, it might also be part of the reason why flight simulators have become so tedious.)
When Konami first started telling players about BoS, they kept using the phrase "MMO gameplay" to describe the multiplayer component. Now, I'm not sure if they're aware, but the first letter in MMO stands for "Massively." So, you can imagine my surprise when I discovered that the multiplayer mode only supported 16 players. Obviously, I was a little disappointed, but it was hard for me to stay mad at them when I found that they'd included a co-op option, which allows up to four players to support one another in several cooperative strike campaigns.
However, if the co-op isn't your thing, you can connect to the verses arena and duke it out with 15 other players online. There is an assortment of multiplayer gameplay modes including "Capture the Airfield," tournament mode, and standard deathmatch.
Birds of Steel definitely doesn't have an overabundance of locations—16 in all—but what it lacks in scenery, it makes up for in hardware. Currently, Konami is including over 100 makes and models of World War II-era planes. Everything from the P-51D Mustang to the Japanese Zero, the British Spitfire to the German Messerschmitt. Players that even have a passing interest in aviation history will most likely find themselves pretty entertained by the seemingly endless parade of aircraft.
Only time will tell if Birds of Steel ends up being a distinguished member of the flight sim club or simply another humdrum addition. But if Martin Schneider's perspective is anywhere near accurate, this definitely a title to keep our eyes on. "Birds of Steel pushes the throttle of realism," he said, "by giving fans what they've been missing; cooperative online game play, life-like VFX and game dynamics, and a campaign… that encompasses some of history's most memorable aerial battles!"
Sounds good to me, Martin. Keep up the good work.
Josh Engen
CCC Contributing Writer
Game Features:


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Richard Silverstein, Tikum Olam, February 1st, 2012
In a story reminiscent of the kidnapping of Dirar Abusisi, a Palestinian engineer known for his activities in support of Hamas, has been arrested and interrogated for long periods by the Mukhabarat in both the United Arab Emirates and Jordan:
Was Israel behind the overseas arrest of a Palestinian engineer suspected of ties with Hamas? The arrested man thinks it was – but Hamas blames the Palestinian Authority.
Jafar Daghlas, 27, a resident of the West Bank town of Burka who until recently lived in Abu Dhabi, has been questioned by two different Arab security services recently – those of the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. He suspects Israel was trying to get him extradited here
The victim enlisted the support of a professional engineering association in Jordan and Friends of Humanity, a human rights NGO which intervened on his behalf to prevent what he expected would be his extradition to Israel. It appears too that if he had been extradited and imprisoned in Israel, this would've been doing the PA's bidding as well, since it accuses him of fundraising and arms trafficking on behalf of Hamas. It's quite a cozy, comfy relationship all these mukhabaratnikim (there probably isn't even such a Hebrew word, but I like the sound of it) have with each other.


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Latest updated 07 SEP 2014 please see the update below
Managov Multi-Purpose WordPress ThemeManagov is a Multi-Purpose WordPress Theme, you can use this theme as Business , Agency or Portfolio website, It's modern design built with HTML5 and CSS3, built-in theme option framework so you can easily to customize beyond your idea and also this theme is responsive.
Page Builder with Drag and Drop blocks you can easily to create page like whatever you want,it's simple but more powerful there're 22 blocks available for you, here is tutorial how to use it http://www.screenr.com/iI87
Homepage block active if you don't want to use page builder it is easy for you to tick the block via theme options to show up on the homepage for example : tick " portfolio block " then the homepage will show only porfolio block.
Number counter you can use it counter to your client number, your resolution issue etc.
Parallax background content made your site nice looking and appealing.
Highlight color The light green highlight colors you can choose whatever color you think that suit for your website it's very simply just choose the color via theme options.
SEO We create this Theme using heading tag " H1 , H2 , ... H6 " for title that is the best way to practice helping search engines to list your site.
Localization This theme including .mo/.po files so you can edit to any language.
Documentation file + DemoXML.xml + Demo.json These will guide you on how to set up the theme and its demo content, 3 mins demo content installation.
Theme Features :
- Responsive for devices (now support iphone 6 and iphone 6 plus)
- Compatible with the Latest WordPress Version
- Number counter jQuery
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- Custom post type ( Support both image and video ) plugin
- Including Slider Revolution Plugin $15 Value !!!
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- 4 different homepage layouts, portfolios and 2 blogs layouts
- Localization supported
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- Short-codes generator plugin
- Built-in Theme Option Panel
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- Pagination
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- Highlight color ( All light green color you can change to any color via theme option)
- More than 7 widgets
- Optional background pattern
- 600+ google font
- 10+ pages
- Google Map with Marker
- Pretty Photo
- Portfolios filter,Quicksand
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Credits :+ Video preview
- Video preview by McKenzie.
- Video preview by American Express.
- http://creattica.com/
- You can purchase photo here
- You can purchase photo here
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/markjsebastian/page5/
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachd1_618/4341944395/in/photostream/
- http://iconsweets.com/
- http://damieng.com/creative/icons/silk-companion-1-icons
- http://www.graphicrating.com/2009/06/19/quartz-icon-pack/
Changelog07 SEP 2014 – File still be V 1.0
- updated Revolution slider plugin to the latest version.
06 Feb 2014 – File still be V 1.0
- Fixed while saved option then just jump to the first option of the theme option
- Updated Documentation inclued example code and pictures, it will easily for you just copy and paste the example code to theme options
managov/option-tree ( all file inside option-tree folder just replace with the new ones )
06 Dec 2013 – File still be V 1.0
- Added google map optional Active/Deactive ( Avoid jQuery conflict if user don't want to use google map at contact page ).
includes/theme-options.php contact.php js/google_map.php
05 Dec 2013 – File still be V 1.0
- Fixed jQuery conflict.
functions/js.php js/custom.php js/google_map.php ( New file added )
28 Nov 2013 – File still be V 1.0
- Fixed slider single post not showing correctly.
- Fixed responsive for small devices not showing correctly.
css/style.php css/bootstrap-responsive.css functions/js.php


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A great mentor taught me to focus on positive nutrition rather than negative.
When looking at a label, don't ask what the food lacks — such as trans fat or sodium. With the exception of allergens, some claims indicating what's not in the food are as helpful as "contains no dirt" or "hair-free."
Instead, ask what the food provides; critically assessing what we're about to put into our body matters. Is the food high in fibre?
Does it provide vitamin D or other key nutrients?
Will it energize me?
These are important questions.
On your journey to becoming a lean, efficient machine, ask even deeper questions. Ask what plant or animal is this food from? (If it's not immediately obvious, reserve it for 20 per cent or less of the time.) Will this food rot? If it were open and left out on the counter for a long time, would it break down or still seem perfectly good?
The answer is one way of determining whether the food is something the body can make good use of. Think of the body as a human compost bin: select foods that eventually rot.
Keep in mind that when quality eating is mastered, the issue of over-eating has a way of resolving itself.
The pleasure maximization principle is a helpful tool here. When making less healthy choices — for example, sugary treats or alcohol — make the indulgence worthwhile in terms of quality, not quantity. Don't settle for inferior goods. This is how I approach chocolate. Giant but waxy seasonal chocolate statues just aren't as good as my favourite chocolate bar, so I don't eat them. Develop discriminating taste. It doesn't have to be expensive taste but pleasure in eating matters. When two groups of dieters were given the same number of healthy calories but group A got tasty choices and group B bland food, group A lost weight faster.
Eating quality foods that cover nutritional needs and satisfy at the same time helps reduce desire for filler foods like salty, low-fibre chips or sugary cookies. These "goodies" lack nutrients, are easy to overeat and leave us wanting more.
Weight loss maintainers learn to have their cake and eat it, too. Make a pact first to eat what you need. If you're ready for lunch and someone walks in with a platter of brownies, of course you'll take one or more. It has nothing to do with willpower — we're mammals and like other mammals we enjoy food that tastes good. If that same person walked in with a fresh turkey avocado sandwich on whole grain bread, you might have happily eaten that.
Make a point of doing so: When you're hungry, seize the opportunity and have a healthy sandwich, side salad and refreshing glass of water, and when you're done, go ahead have a brownie. Chances are you'll eat a more modest portion than if the brownie had been lunch.
Allowing yourself to eat everything in a healthy, quality context will make weight loss less intimidating. Focus on high-quality fuel, fresh air and activity — not because there are food police who'll lock you up for eating poorly but because you will love the affects on your body and spirit.
If sometimes a little indulgence is needed, grant yourself permission. Avoiding everything you've ever loved will lead you to overindulge later. Even when you're thinner, chances are you'll still like chips or your secret food vice. Focusing on quality, even with treats, will make all the difference.
— Registered dietitian Patricia Chuey can be reached through patriciachuey.com.


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MIC Food was already a leader in the tropical food industry, they just didn't communicate like one. The comprehensive makeover kept only the original logos, everything else was made new.
Web, print, packaging, writing and art direction
we did it all. Product sheets, email templates, print ads, booth display, photography art direction, infographics, blogging and digital marketing support were among the many services we provided for the MIC Food revamp.
Photography Art Direction
A big part of the brand makeover hinged on photography. Our team set the style and continued to art direct all additional shoots to maintain the established image. Scope included pre-planning, dish staging, retouching and at times menu creation.
We put years of experience working with large, multinational brands behind small and midsize businesses. If you are ready to take your brand to the next level, we offer the experience and solutions to make your growth more manageable.
"Frank and the group at DAISHO are extremely professional and creative. Their work in developing our new brand and our social media initiatives have brought significant attention to our firm. We look forward in continuing to advance the firm with DAISHO's assistance."
— Julie Salas —
March of Dimes
"Frank is a one stop shop when it comes to design, printing and web presence. He immediately engages you grasping the project quickly and he always goes the extra mile. He has a knack to inspire and make you and your Company shine! I have personally used Frank's talents on numerous projects and I will be back...over and over."
— Vlademir Golik —
Keller Williams
"I collaborated with Frank closely when I worked at Med-Tek. Frank and his talented team at DAISHO did a great job delivering striking and high quality designs including logo, product packaging, corporate identify guide, marketing collateral, web design and development… the list goes on. Frank works really hard to ensure the delivery of all projects on time with uncompromising results. Frank is a person with candor. With Frank, we can surface, debate rapidly and acted upon ideas. He is also a humble person with a big heart; he helps and hosts small business networking events and volunteers with charity organizations. I am privileged to have known and worked with Frank."
— Aileen Fan —
PR Professional
"I had the good fortune to have been able to work Frank on two different projects. Not only is he one of the truly creative people in this market, his is also strategic, smart and a pleasure to work with. He manages to find the right path to a solution for any creative challenge. Whether it is a major branding project or a simple brochure, Frank will not only get the job done, but get it done with superb results."
— Alana Perez —
Florida Grand Opera
"Working with DAISHO makes my job easier. From inception to completion, I can always be confident that my project is on track, in terms of goals, deadline and budget. Their team of professionals also provides an invaluable marketing perspective, even to seemingly minor projects, that helps keep our branding and communication initiatives focused. I'm always impressed with their attention to detail, and their level of customer service. DAISHO is an excellent partner in helping me achieve my business goals."
— Ana Poveda —
Communication Director
Westminster Christian School
"Frank Irias has been such a great addition to our March of Dimes - Signature Chefs committee, providing meaningful suggestions to constantly improve & promote our event to make it a smashing success. He's always lent us a helping hand with wonderful designs for the event, and even created & designed our new Loyalty Card. Frank also helps us with designing eye-popping ads & invitations for our organization. I am truly lucky to have had the chance to work with him, and we are very fortunate to have him stay on-board!"
— Angelica F. Ramcharran —
March of Dimes
"Frank is an incredibly creative designer who thinks outside of the box. He completely re-branded all of our materials and exceed our expectations. The final product is beautiful and clearly meets (and exceeds) all of our needs. He is a pleasure to work with and we continue to use his services for other projects. I highly recommend him, you will not be disappointed."
— Cathie D'Arcy —
St. Stephen's Day School
"Frank is an incredibly creative designer who thinks outside of the box. He completely re-branded all of our materials and exceed our expectations. The final product is beautiful and clearly meets (and exceeds) all of our needs. He is a pleasure to work with and we continue to use his services for other projects. I highly recommend him, you will not be disappointed."
— Cathie D'Arcy —
St. Stephen's Day School
"Frank is extremely creative and especially talented at branding an organization and presenting amazing ideas. He has the ability to provide an up to date look to a company (logo, web, collateral pieces) while still maintaining the company history and core values. His creative talent and his interest in understanding the company he is working for intimately is reflected in his outstanding work. I had the pleasure of working with Frank while I was the marketing director for a local credit union and I would hire him again without hesitation."
— Christine Redmond —
Marketing Director
South Florida Federal Credit Union
"I just wanted to drop you a note of thanks for the great work you did on our K'Alma Website. Your insight, expertise, patience and constant willingness to engage with us, despite the hour, made the entire process enjoyable, enlightening and a great experience from start to finish. We are so pleased with the outcome of our work together that you will be our go to company for everything we do moving forward and will gladly give you glowing referrals if they are ever needed. Looking forward to our next project together."
— Craig Carter —
Spa Concepts & Management
"Frank has consistently turned out excellent results for us across a broad range of our business lines. His firm has always delivered exemplary results for us. They have completed corporate identity packages, web design, graphic design, advertising layouts, brochures, trade show booth designs, and much more for all of our businesses, for more than five years. The entire team at DAISHO is excellent, they manage our needs of the usual quick turnaround times, at a reasonable cost, on all projects. When people ask me where we have our design work done, we refer them to DAISHO. And while you are reading this "glowing recommendation", I can assure you, Frank is not a relative, and he did not pay me to write this!"
— David Schwedel —
Executive Director
Coalview, Gables Energy, DAS Family Holdings,
"Frank is perfect balance between creative concept. market branding and flawless execution. Professional to work with and stays on track."
— George Contorakes —
Commercial Photographer
"This team is made up of an amazing group of professionals that are passionate about what they do, always thinking outside of the box, extremely talented and creative, and most of all they deliver in excellence."
— Isabel Gallego —
Urawk Energy Inc.
"I consider Frank the best marketing person I have met, and also a friend. From humble beginning to hard earned success, Frank stood by me personally and professionally. He helped us grow, and always offered honest advice."
— Justin Beckham —
DeFabio Beckham Solis
"Frank is extremely creative! He is determined to provide the best service possible to his clients making him accommodating and professional. His enthusiasm is important and is what makes each job unique!"
— Karen Egozi —
Epilepsy Foundation
"Frank developed several integrated merchandising and print campaigns for our brand and helped evolve the look and feel our external communications that resulted in increased sales!"
— Kim Miller —
Pollo Tropical
"I worked with DAISHO Creative (led by Frank Irias and John Keepax) for over 10 years while I was with Royal Caribbean. They were more than dependable! There was nothing they would not do for Royal Caribbean as a partner. They took time to understand the brand and were able to deliver extremely well on a very wide variety of marketing projects. I would definitely recommend them to others in need of marketing support."
— Michelle Yanda —
Marketing Manager
Royal Caribbean
"Frank has an incredible ability to find the hidden message within your company that your current and potential customers need to see. He is an extremely creative, detail and results oriented person that will set your company miles ahead of your competition. I highly recommend Frank and DAISHO Creative Strategies as your final stop for your marketing strategy needs."
— Miguel A. Lopez —
"I've had the pleasure of personally working with Frank for about two years now through the annual (Miami) March of Dimes Signature Chefs & Wine Extravaganza event. Before meeting him, he was already involved with this event for several years. Frank is a dedicated committee member and one of the most disciplined and professional people I've ever known. He goes above and beyond to help us and really cares about the March of Dimes mission -- which is to improve the health of all babies, by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. I know without a doubt that I can count of Frank to help me in designing marketing materials for our event – he not only delivers on time, but he delivers top quality work as well."
— Nanette Molina —
Marketing Manager
March of Dimes
"Frank and the group at DAISHO are extremely professional and creative. Their work in developing our new brand and our social media initiatives have brought significant attention to our firm. We look forward in continuing to advance the firm with DAISHO's assistance."
— Ray Zomerfeld —
Vizcaino Zomerfeld
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