text:
The nation added 129,000 jobs in January but California lagged behind with a loss of 31,600 jobs, according to figures released Friday.
California's unemployment rate dipped to 8.1 percent in January compared with 8.3 percent the previous month and 9.5 percent a year earlier, the state Employment Development reported.
Los Angeles County followed the same trend. Its jobless rate fell to 8.9 percent in January from 9.2 percent the previous month and 10.3 percent a year ago, despite the loss of 62,600 nonfarm jobs.
The Inland Empire lost on both counts.
Its unemployment rate ticked up to 9.5 percent in January from a revised 8.7 percent in December and the two-county region lost 25,200 jobs.
The region's year-ago jobless rate was 11.4 percent.
Southern California's job losses were certainly not welcome. But Robert Kleinhenz, chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., said they should not be cause for alarm.
"These are seasonal changes that were very much expected," he said.
Kleinhenz attributed most of the losses to seasonal workers who were hired by retailers for the holidays but no longer needed. And the latest revisions to previous California employment reports reveals a welcome trend, he said.
"The state's job growth had been tracking with the national market, but these revisions tell us that the California market is not just tracking faster — but at a much higher trajectory," he said.
The previous estimate put California's 2013 annual job growth at 1.6 percent with 241,000 jobs added. But the revision boosted that to an annual growth rate of more than 3 percent with 447,400 new jobs, according to Kleinhenz.
"That's a very large upward revision," he said. "It tells us that the state economy and local economies have been performing better than we thought."
The nation added 175,000 jobs in February while the U.S. unemployment rate ticked up to 6.7 percent compared with 6.6 percent in January, according to the Labor Department. Job gains for December and January were also revised upward. That boosted December's gain from 75,000 jobs to 84,000 and January's gain from 113,000 jobs to 129,000. Those revisions added 25,000 more jobs than had initially been reported for the two months.
Those job gains didn't trickle down to Extreme Stainless, a Rancho Cucamonga-based sheet metal fabricator that makes products for the restaurant equipment industry.
"It's up and down like a yo-yo," company owner Dennis Fleischer said Friday. "Our business is probably down 40 to 50 percent because of imports — mainly from China. We can't compete with their prices because of lower wages there. We used to be a 25-man shop … but now we're down to three people."
Fleischer said he plans to begin supplying parts for a company that makes washers and dryers for the hotel industry.
Limousine Connection in North Hollywood had a more upbeat take on things.
"I'm very glad to say that we've seen a steady uptick in business over the last couple years," company CEO Chris Hundley said. "We are back up to where business was in 2007 in terms of gross revenues, but not profits. But we are well positioned as an affordable luxury."
Hundley said his fleet of 35 vehicles includes Cadillacs and Mercedes. So when they pick up a CEO for a corporate meeting the transportation doesn't appear over the top and send the wrong message in still uncertain economic times.
"I'm concerned about our national economy, but things are turning around," he said. "Corporate America is back and doing deals, business and travel."
Los Angeles County's biggest job losses for January came in trade, transportation and utilities, which lost 17,900 jobs. The lion's share of the decline came in retail trade, which shed 14,900 jobs.
Additional job losses were reported in educational and health services (10,600), leisure and hospitality (7,300), professional and business services (7,200) and government (6,800), among others.
The Inland Empire also saw its biggest loss in trade, transportation and utilities, which shed 13,200 jobs over the month. And like L.A. County, the bulk of those losses (10,400 jobs) came in retail trade.
Other losses were seen in professional and business services, construction, leisure and hospitality and education and health services.
Two national retailers announced planned store closures this week that will soon deepen Southern California's job losses.
Staples announced Thursday that it will be closing up to 225 stores in North America in the face of declining sales. The closures are expected to be completed by 2015.
And Radio Shack announced earlier in the week that it plans to shutter as many as 1,100 stores after reporting a wider than expected quarterly loss and a huge drop in sales during the holidays.
Neither retailer has announced which locations they will be closing, but both operate a significant network of stores throughout Southern California.
On the flip side, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is planning to open 270 to 300 smaller Walmart Neighborhood Markets and Walmart Express stores this fiscal year, as well as 115 new supercenters. The mega retailer has yet to reveal locations for the new stores, but company spokeswoman Rachel Wall said the focus will be on core markets, both rural and suburban, where Walmart already has a firm foothold.
That would include Southern California.
"We opened our first Neighborhood Market in California in July of 2012 in Huntington Beach," she said. "And now we have 42 Neighborhood Markets in California."


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Family of Grandpa Peter Wm. Ralston
about 1918.
L to R: Dorothy, Hannah, Evelyn, William., Kenneth, Peter Wm., Thomas.
Grandparents Louis A Belden
and Clara Goff Belden
Family history is an interesting hobby that can become exciting when your search for a missing ancestor is successful.
Family lines of special interest to me are those of my Grandparents Peter and Hannah Ralston and Louis and Clara Belden. Click on the web page links to the left to see their ancestors.
The Immigrant Ship passenger lists for my ancestors may be viewed by clicking on My Ship Lists. Other ship passenger lists are there also.
Look at the Argyle-Caledonia page for help if you have ancestors who lived in those communities.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Smart, strategic decision making is one hallmark of a top manager. But there's more: deal-making savvy, a flexible operating style, a knack for moving innovative products to market quickly, a capacity to build employee morale, a flair for public speaking, and good citizenship -- any combination of these attributes may spell success for managers at any level.
Our management concentration integrates practical coursework in areas such as operations, business systems, human resources, marketing, and finance with "big-picture" topics such as leadership, strategy, and organizational structure. You'll gain a solid understanding of the types of day-to-day issues of power and conflict that managers face.
Small class sizes enable business faculty to blend lecture, discussion, and exercises so that students can apply their learning to experiential assignments, internships, and fieldwork. In recent months management students have had such experiences in organizations including Century 21, M&T Bank, the Ithaca Downtown Alliance, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. In addition, you'll have the benefit of professional skills training and electives in current business topics such as sustainability and social entrepreneurship.
You'll be prepared to manage confidently within a corporation, an organization, or your own start-up.
Well-Grounded and Current
Sustainability is one of the fastest-growing management strategies in global business. We immerse students in sustainability with focused courses such as Supply Chain Sustainability and Business Stakeholders and Sustainability. Students also get plenty of chances to hear lectures by guest speakers on topics like sustainable enterprise, socially responsible investing, and environmental planning. And all of this learning takes place in the business school's innovative new home, a building that was designed to meet the highest levels of sustainable design and operation.
Sound like a career opportunity? You'd better believe it!


text:
Sadie the Scottie may have won Best in Show at the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, but let's not forget that the other competitors were also adorable — and hilarious. We award prizes to the
losers runners-up, below.
Loveliest Locks
Awarded to this Irish setter, whose highlights, lowlights and sheen would make any Pantene commercial model envious.
Best Attitude Despite Constant Onslaught Of Trustafarian Jokes
Mighty Komondor, we salute you.
Recipient Of The Billy Joel Geographical Pride Award
Lincoln the Newfoundland, in a New York State Of Mind.
The Statler & Waldorf Prize For Cantankerous Old Coot Couple
Mastiffs Wilbur and Anchor have this one in the bag. Statler and Waldorf would be proud.
The Conair Stunning Styling Award
Jazz, the English Springer Spaniel, is honored to receive the prize sponsored by Keith Urban and Pete Wentz, and would like to thank his hairdresser.
The Jack Klugman Certificate Of Achievement For Faces With "Character"
Bubba, a Neopolitan Mastiff, is a huge fan of 12 Angry Men and Quincy, M.E.
The Oprah Winfrey Blue Ribbon For Maintaining Dignity & Composure
This American Cocker Spaniel would like to thank the little people.
The Mary-Kate & Ashley Double Trouble Prize
Fin and Hayley, West Highland Terriers, are thrilled to accept.
Miss Manicure, aka The Kim Kardashian Award
No surprise here: Calvin Klein, a Golden Retriever, nailed it.
Most Demure
Unfortunately, soon after this shot was taken, the prize was revoked from Sizzle the Weimaraner.
The Cloris Leachman Honorary Grandma Award
Jennifer, the Clumber Spaniel, plans on baking some cookies and mailing you a check for five dollars right after Days Of Our Lives.
The Like, So Rad Award From The '80s Appreciation Society
Congratulations to Shaun the Cocker Spaniel, who won a Swatch and a DVD of Valley Girl!
Excellence In The Embodiment of Ennui
This Boston Terrier can't be bothered to celebrate his win.
Most Dapper
You should see Cody the Pug's shoe closet!
The Bish Plz Prize
A highly coveted award! This Maltese knew she would win. Come on.
Most Emo (Sponsored By Hot Topic)
Keefer the Afghan Hound plans to put on some skinny jeans and listen to Dashboard Confessional later.
Miss Congeniality
Bouncer, the English Toy Spaniel — the most popular girl in the room.
Getty." />


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Obama on Terrorism:
The Experts Weigh In
Today, in a speech billed as a "comprehensive strategy to fight global terrorism," Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) spoke about the U.S. relationship with Pakistan, removing troops from Iraq and increasing efforts against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Below, experts in the field of terrorism and foreign policy assess Obama's take on what he called "The War We Need to Win." (Read Dan Balz's report on the speech here.)
Richard A. Clarke, former White House counterterrorism official, who has briefed Obama on terrorism related issues: I believe his speech is a comprehensive, sophisticated approach to terrorism. I was glad to see it recognized the importance of stopping repressive police and intelligence activities in countries threatened by al-Qaeda and terrorism. I'm also glad to see him say clearly that we are not at war with Islam but must partner with Muslims threatened by al-Qaeda. On Pakistan, I think it must be true anywhere that if we know of high value targets and the host government will not act, we have to do so.
Teresita C. Schaffer, Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' South Asia program and former U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka: In general, much of what he said is actually very much in line with U.S. policy, including the conditioning of military aid to Pakistan, which is about to be put into law. His statement that we would be willing to act if President Musharraf isn't, is not dramatically different from the current administration's attitude. Most members of the administration don't like to talk about this, and look on it as an absolute last resort. What he said isn't that different from what Frances Townsend [White House homeland security adviser]was saying over the weekend. He did propose additional economic assistance, and suggested that we ought to be emphasizing economic rather than military aid. This is a good suggestion.
Also worth noting from this speech was his proposal to reshape U.S military capabilities and to beef up diplomatic capabilities for handling post-insurgency situations.
I was a diplomat for 30 years and the idea of strengthening our diplomatic ability to deal with these complex situations is a sound one. You don't just send in the army-there's a whole civilian aspect as well. His emphasis on public diplomacy seemed like it could in some ways would take us back to a time when public diplomacy was a significant part of the budget, which it currently is not.
Lisa Curtis, senior South Asia research fellow at the Heritage Foundation: His mention of conditioning assistance to Pakistan is not new--Congress passed legislation to do that last week. I would sound a cautionary note on this, however. In 1990, the U.S. abruptly cut off assistance to Pakistan because of its nuclear program. That had a very negative impact on U.S. relations with Pakistan. The Pakistanis felt betrayed. They thought this was unfair treatment and that the U.S. seemed like a fickle partner. If anybody knows that history, they would understand that conditioning aid through legislation is just going to bring up those memories, and raise doubts about the U.S. reliability as a partner, particularly at a time when the U.S. needs to support Pakistan in its efforts against extremism.
Peter Bergen, author of "The Osama bin Laden I Know:" Overall it was a very strong speech. Here is a minor criticism: While there is no doubt that conflict zones can breed terrorism, the 9/11 plot was actually planned in Hamburg. The idea that weak and failingstates are causes of terrorism is wrong. There is in fact overwhelming academic literature that demonstrates the reverse is true. Terrorism is a sort of bourgeois endeavor. On a related point, the idea that madrassas are a big problem for violence against the United States is also wrong. Madrassas lead to problems regionally, and are a big problem in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but not in terms of terrorism against the United States.
Daniel Markey, former State Department official, current senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations: If you were to be as charitable as you can possibly be about his read of things--by looking for diplomacy where there isn't much--he is saying if Musharraf will not help us, then we will act alone. It is hard to dispute that basic statement, but by implication Obama is building in an assumption that Musharraf is unlikely to act. Politically -- in terms of US electoral prospects, this is just fine. It's probably the only thing he can say in the context of the upcoming primaries. But in the diplomatic sense it's unfortunate because it sends a message about our relationship with Pakistan that undercuts the partnership we're trying to build. It says that we don't trust Musharraf, even when it comes to hitting the top leadership of al-Qaeda - the very group that has tried to assassinate him on multiple occasions.
In another part of his speech, I think that Obama makes a very strong case for greater US commitment to Afghanistan. This is a positive, constructive agenda that also has political bite because it presses the point that the Bush Administration dropped the ball on the real threat when it turned towards Iraq. That aside, Obama's argument has the potential to be a unifying goal for Americans on both sides of the aisle: winning the war in Afghanistan and closing the door on the threat that hit us on 9/11. More military, economic, and political commitment from the US will also pay dividends in when we approach our allies - especially those in NATO - to make a greater sacrifice. And it sends a constructive signal to Afghans and their neighbors (including Pakistan): the US will be there to help you finish the job, so don't give up hope or continue to hedge your bets.
Michael F. Scheuer, the founding head of the CIA's bin Laden unit: Senator Obama must have left a couple zeroes off his plan for reinforcements. Two brigades -- which is about 6,000 men -- will not make a lick of difference in Afghanistan, which is a country the size of Texas, with the highest mountains on earth, a hostile population, and a growing Islamist insurgency. If Obama starts talking about 100 brigades -- about 300,000 men -- then the public might be able to assume he means business. Otherwise, he is just blowing smoke. Obama and all the other candidates in the other parties constantly say that "we have tried the military option and it does not work." This of course is a bald lie; U.S. military power has been used most daintily in Afghanistan and Iraq. If the military power we have delivered in both places so far is the best we can do, then American taxpayers have been monumentally swindled in the amount of taxes they have paid for their military during the past 25 years. And another billion dollars for aid for Afghan reconstruction would just be another billion wasted. It appears that Obama and his fellow candidates in both parties have not learned that programs for economic recovery, internal stability, and nation-building cannot be started with any hope of effectiveness and durability until the enemy has been definitively annihilated. If Obama is right and the military option has failed, then more aid is just throwing money away because -- as all can see -- the enemy is growing in size and ferocity and shows no signs of being on the edge of annihilation.
Post Editor
August 1, 2007; 2:55 PM ET
Categories: A_Blog , Barack Obama
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Not So Fast
you can call him niave if you want
but when he wins the nomination and then the general, try not to feel dumb and lead by the MSM who have always nit-picked on young politicians since kennedy ran,
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 3, 2007 1:50 AM | Report abuse
I wouldn't buy a used car from Barack Obama, let alone put him in charge of the country. Wise up people. Obama is naive and being naive has made him careless.
Posted by: audart | August 2, 2007 8:56 PM | Report abuse
jaduboy: its worth it if you dont want another 9/11
and to anyone who says Obama wants to invade pakistan or send the 100,000+ troops in Iraq to Pakistan...you should actually listen to his speech here:
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 2, 2007 7:19 PM | Report abuse
McGish: Yes its upto Pakistan to solve their problems, american threats and american interference doesnt solve anything.
SeanFoots: Sending American troops to any part of Pakistan has the same effects on the Pakistani govt, it will also enflame the Pakistani population. Its a counterproductive move and not worth it.
The American military has failed to eradicate terrorism from Iraq and Afghanistan, its is not qualified to do anything in Pakistan.
Posted by: jaduboy | August 2, 2007 5:12 PM | Report abuse
In his much discussed speech, there is no doubt that Barack Obama came close to enunciating a military-diplomatic doctrine that encapsulates his thinking with respect to the imperative of striking a proper balance between diplomatic practice and military necessity.
Posted by: TSMMDA | August 2, 2007 4:20 PM | Report abuse
I am unclear as to how some could have construed Senator Obama's speech to indicate he supported an invasion of Pakistan. Nothing he said suggests that is something he would support or pursue. What he advocated was precise and exact special forces operations on key targets based on actionable intelligence. In a sense, a controlled and calculated military action, not an invasion by any means. He never suggested it was or should be our desire to topple the government of Pakistan, or occupy the country. In fact, he promotes this limited response if, and only if, Pakistan does not take action on its own. Since Pakistan is supposedly our ally in combating terrorism, the thought that it would not or could not take action within its own borders to begin to justice those individuals responsible for the death of innocent people around the world is incomprehensible to me. If a country cannot or will not complete its basic duty in monitoring and dealing with its internal problems (especially when those problems are directed outside the country), then its national sovereignty can and should come into question.
Did we all forget that President Bush and his military commanders passed up the opportunity to conduct such direct and targeted strikes in Pakistan? Rather, they conducted a full scale invasion of Iraq, a country which had few to no ties to al Qaeda or those groups responsible for much of the terrorism witnessed around the world. They allowed those responsible to go free because they were so concerned with losing one of this country's few allying in our ludicrous war (although supposedly the Coalition of the Willing is enormous!). They should have thought about these consequences before invading Iraq. Senator Obama is a breath of fresh air. Strong where and when we need it, intelligent and calculating, and an individual that recognizes the importance of simultaneous varied approaches to dynamic problems. We could only be so luck to have such a President, especially after the failure of this current administration.
Posted by: chiquoin | August 2, 2007 2:21 PM | Report abuse
The fact is that there's not much disagreement regarding Pakistan and our carrots and sticks in dealing with it in the context of disabling Al Qaeda. Obama's ideas are mainstream.
The problem is he goes around trumpeting his willingness to invade...and for what? To score points in a primary. That's irresponsible.
George W. was roundly criticized by the very people who now support Obama when he called NKorea, Iran and Iraq an "axis of evil." He was right, but he shouldn't have said it. It has been a touchpoint for recalcitrance from those three nations, and complicated diplomatic efforts in the runup to the Iraq war as well as denuclearization efforts in Iran and Korea.
Obama should have learned this lesson.
Posted by: mshimazu | August 2, 2007 10:28 AM | Report abuse
Having been partially raised in Indonesia and carrying a Muslim name, Hussein, from a Muslim father, Sen. Obama has much greater insight in this matter than would be suggested by his vacant military experience. Should he not be the Democratic nominee or if he gets it and loses, he may be young enough to join the Armed Forces and become an officer. Then, he could help lead the charge into Pakistan or elsewhere and greatly improve on his considerable credentials for another shot at The White House. Have a go, B. O.!
Posted by: filoporquequilo | August 2, 2007 8:31 AM | Report abuse
Having been partially raised in Indonesia and carrying a Muslim name, Hussein, from a Muslim father, Sen. Obama has much greater insight in this matter than would be suggested by his absent military experience. Should he not be the Democratic nominee or if he gets it and loses, he may be young enough to join the Armed Forces and become an officer. Then, he could lead the charge into Pakistan or elsewhere and greatly improve his considerable credentials for another shot at The White House.
Posted by: filoporquequilo | August 2, 2007 8:26 AM | Report abuse
Two Observations --
First, these are Guerilla Ops in Pakistan by local inhabitants with longstanding and deep political discontent. Invading, attacking someone else's native country is to invite Fierce and lethal Resistance, which in Vietnam and Somalia, in Iraq and Afghanistan we could not, have not overcome.
Second, unless we have an Strong, Effective, and Successful Political Result along side of our Military Option, we will guarantee ourselves Mission Failure.
Just remember Vietnam, where we suffered the LOSS of over 58,000 U.S. Combat Soldiers and Marines before we finally called it quits.
We had vast Military Superiority, and we used it.
But we had a difficult time telling the difference between our Vietnamese "allies" during the day from our deadly VietCong enemy as night fell.
We are in the same mess again in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the Red Zone, (which is EVERYTHING outside our little Green Zone), we have a tough time telling the difference between the White towel heads and the Black towel heads
The Congressional Budget Office estimates a monthly cost of $12 billion per month for the war in Iraq for 2007.
Some of that is being used to manufacture "IED proof" vehicles at a cost a Five Hundred thou per vehicle.
That's compared to the cost of a string of increasingly sophisticated and more powerful IED's that are hidden under roadways as remotely controlled Traps against our Combat Soldiers and Marines.
BTW, Iraq is one of the most heavily mined nations in the world. As of early 2003, it was estimated that there were over 10 Million Mines already in the ground -- 8 Million antipersonnel (AP) and 2 Million antitank (AT), with Iraq both a producer and exporter of AP mines.
So when our Presidential Politiciams talk on TV about attacking this country or that, in pursuit of this Terrorist group or that, they are just blowing smoke up your butt.
They don't know what they are talking about. Their expensive consultants don't know what they're talking about either.
And judging from our experience in Vietnam and Somalia, in Iraq and Afghanistan, neither do our Pentagon Planners, unfortunately.
I swear -- sometimes I believe that we are Addicted to War.
Posted by: leochen24551 | August 2, 2007 6:52 AM | Report abuse
Is this what they call Mission Creep?
Creeps keep creeping upon us with numbers (of soldiers) and amounts (of treasure) they need to prosecute the strangest of "wars" ever fought: one without end, with fuzzy objectives, with no national borders or identities, with an enemy that is little more than a label. If you ask the innocent question "Are we there yet?" there can be no answer, ever, from our war leaders (because there's no "there" in this war.) So, when do we know when this war is over? When we have completed the mission. What is the mission? To achieve success. What is success? Success is completing the mission. Who are we fighting? The Enemy. Who? Vicious. Beg your pardon? Evil. How many of them are there? Be afraid, be very afraid. They seem to be growing in numbers and spreading, is that so? Be afraid, be very afraid. What do they want? To destroy democracy. Why? Because democracy is good and they are evil.
Think hard. Have our leaders told us anything more about this war and The Enemy than the inanities above?
The punditocracy now is starting to float surreal numbers. One of them mentions 300,000 troops for Afghanistan alone. What about Iraq? Iran? Syria? Pakistan? Surely we need to go in to all these countries and more (India, Indonesia, Bangladesh .. all have people who look like The Enemy) if we are to destroy The Enemy completely.
Now Barrack Obama has joined the asylum. Does he have the answers? These are the most basic of questions that any leader contemplating war better know. If not, in the end, the outcome will not be any different from what the current war president has wrought.
Posted by: holywoodog | August 2, 2007 4:16 AM | Report abuse
First of all, Obama doesn't have a chance. I agree with those who have written above that his statement about attacking inside Pakistan only undermines what little credibility he had left. Yes indeed a lot of people got excited and gave money to his campaign. That will not be sustained. If he could wrest front-runner status from HC the big spigots might open, but...
It's not that I don't like the guy, by the way. He is simply too inexperienced for my taste. (Yes, I hear you say, "JFK was inexperienced!" and of course I say look no further than Vietnam, the Bay of Pigs and the LSD in Fidel's cigar.) I hope he comes back when he's put in a little more time. Perhaps as a veep. (Though frankly to whom, I don't know. I don't see any winners in the Dem ranks, polls be damned.)
On Pakistan, of course any overt US incursion inside Pakistan's borders would further weaken Musharraf. When your country gets bombed by another country it is humiliating. When your country gets bombed by your leader's allies, the humiliation is magnified--you are humiliated on your own behalf, but even more you are humiliated on behalf of your leader. That's not a sentiment that has ever kept anyone in power and certainly wouldn't help someone with so precarious a hold as Mr. Musharraf.
Posted by: wastebasket13 | August 2, 2007 1:36 AM | Report abuse
What did Obama say on Aug 1 ?
"There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again. It was a terrible mistake to fail to act when we had a chance to take out an al-Qaida leadership meeting in 2005. If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will."
My take:
Tough talk, but clearly this is not good diplomacy. Obama's threat of using force in Pakistan is one of the most reckless positions espoused yet in this campaign. While not as crazy as Tancredo's chat about bombing Mecca and Medina, it is still quite naive and irresponsible (heard that before?) -- and very dangerous. Since when do we send troops into a sovereign country that possesses nuclear weapons, unless they ask us? The fate of Pakistan is a critical element in our ability to stabilze Afghanistan. We have to fly over Pakistan to get into Afghanistan. If Pakistan were to go against us and radicalize, there would be a nuclear war between them and India -- and we would only hope that some of those nukes wouldn't find there way over here or on one of our allies.
Let's not confuse this with a careful consideration of important foreign policy issues facing the US today. I see this as an amateur effort to sway primary voters. I don't know who Obama's advisors are, but this was definitely NOT well thought out by top rate people. My advice to Obama about Afghanistan: Don't let your defensiveness complicate the situation.
Posted by: politicallogic | August 2, 2007 1:27 AM | Report abuse
Sending american troops to some mountains in Northeastern Pakistan to take out Al-Queda is not going to destabilized the Pakistani Government, hense that is all he wants to do, IF that were necessary. He wasnt talking about invading pakistan
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 2, 2007 12:16 AM | Report abuse
I said Pakistan has to clean up Pakistan, not us. They have to treat the symptoms as well as the problems. Their madrasses are producing more jihadis than both of us can kill conventionally. Pakistan is a repository of the worst type of Islamic extremism and backwardness. If they allow it to fester and we suffer another major attack because of it, I think people here will demand that the rules of the game fundamentally change. That probably means that the border tribal regions will be bombed indiscriminately, and most of the madrasses all over Pakistan will be targeted as enemy encampments.
Posted by: mcgish | August 2, 2007 12:09 AM | Report abuse
You failed to "clean up" Iraq and Afghanistan and are not capable of "cleaning up Pakistan". The United States is responsible for its own failures in Iraq and Afghanistan, nobody else is.
Regarding Obama's threats to Pakistan, I dont think he understands that such an action would hurt the Pakistani govt and bolster militants.
Posted by: jaduboy | August 1, 2007 11:26 PM | Report abuse
Relax people, Pakistan is no longer in control of its nukes. They forfeited the right. I can assure you, they do not control those resources.
Posted by: mcgish | August 1, 2007 11:04 PM | Report abuse
58 million did not just come from hollywood and chicago
it came from people - 260,000 of them
appearently those who think Obama has not chance of winning the nomination and the general are either not paying attention to polls or are in denial
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 1, 2007 10:53 PM | Report abuse
and another thing
it wasnt the liberals who started this war in iraq, it was the trigger happy republicans + hillary
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 1, 2007 10:50 PM | Report abuse
and another thing
it wasnt the liberals who started this war in iraq, it was the trigger happys republicans + hillary
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 1, 2007 10:50 PM | Report abuse
How, exactly, is Obama's position on the war on terror any different than Sen. Clinton or Gov. Richardson? Other than leaving the impression that we would be willing to send troops to Pakistan (all of the candidates would do so if we had credible and actionable intelligence), and that he seems to not understand the condition of our CIA, Army, and Marine Corps?
Sen. Biden at least has an understanding of the consequences of failure in Iraq, and a real proposal and approach that may (with a little luck and a REAL commitment) work.
I think Sen. Obama just cost himself any hope (and he didn't have a lot of that, no matter how much money he raises in Hollywood and from the corrupt Chicago pols) of ever winning the Democratic nomination, much less a general election.
Good riddance. He was perhaps the least qualified of all the candidates in this race. Although it has been amusing to hear about a "Revolution" happening based on two polls out of SC and NH - 1/3 of Democratic voters in these respective states are leading a revolution!
When is the press going to wake up and start taking seriously the choices in what may be one of the most important elections this nation has ever had - and they are still focused on a "Rock Star" - thanks Oprah - its Entertainment Tonight - 24-7
It would be funny, if our troops and so many innocent people in Darfur, Iraq, Afghanistan and any number of other places weren't loosing their lives. And this guy is not worthy of their sacrifices.
Posted by: clawrence35 | August 1, 2007 10:50 PM | Report abuse
he is sending some troops along borders and mountains to take out Al-Queda and find Bin-Laden. Folks, this is not an invasion, we arent waging war on pakistan. THIS IS FINDING AND CAPTURING THOSE WHO KILLED 3000 AMERICANS nothing more, nothing less
and Obama is very electable, hense the 58 million, him tieing clinton in New Hampshire, him ahead in South Carolina, him beating republicans by 5, 10, 15 percent (much more than clinton's numbers)
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 1, 2007 10:47 PM | Report abuse
Love it! all the liberals now are ready to start ANOTHER WAR because it's Obama's war! Yes go to war with a country run by wakos with alot of nukes. What is Obama hussein going to say to the parents of all our soldiers who get fried by Paki Nukes. This guy makes Bush look sane.
Posted by: beecheery | August 1, 2007 10:42 PM | Report abuse
A strong speech by Obama, who contrary to a couple morons upthread can easily win both the nomination (tied in NH and SC, looking at a modest money advantage on Clinton, many still don't know who he is) and the general (wins every head-to-head by 5% or more right now.)
Love the last official weighing in challenging Obama to put 300000 troops into Afghanistan. Exactly how many do we have now in Iraq? Right. Way to go, Mr. Strawman.
Posted by: Nissl | August 1, 2007 10:28 PM | Report abuse
You think attacking Pak will stop them, and by the way don't patronize me Pak does not have a system with the range, But try and read what any kind of nuke war means? Thats why we have not gone into Pak as hard as we like, He would use nukes, Its a target rich area of the world, or Prez Mufunny face would use them I don't get it he says what we all think,and what great message to hear what you think, very well crafted.
Posted by: RaferJanders | August 1, 2007 10:17 PM | Report abuse
Barak must be drinking his own Bush-Lite Kool Aid.
He is just trading and Iraqi quagmire for a Pakastani quagmire.
Posted by: deals | August 1, 2007 10:16 PM | Report abuse
Oh yeah. I'm also tired of the Osama, erm, I mean Obama and Clinton side-show. All this political theatre is distracting from actual issues; the loss of our country. Why is it the media has the spotlight on these two clowns? Why does the media deliberately ignore RON PAUL? Skrew Osama, Clinton and everyone else. Vote RON PAUL in the next election!
Posted by: kogejoe | August 1, 2007 10:01 PM | Report abuse
Just like Bush, only Blacker!
Posted by: kogejoe | August 1, 2007 9:56 PM | Report abuse
To the guy in Pakistan: I don't think you understand. If you do not clean that area up and we suffer another 9/11, we will destroy (i.e., wipe out) that breeding ground.
Posted by: mcgish | August 1, 2007 9:55 PM | Report abuse
This was a powerful speech by Obama, and a lucid exposition of why invading Iraq has eroded, not strengthened, our national interests. I should point out what the WP should have known -- Richard Clarke is not an objective source in the above article, as he is an Obama advisor. That said, I hope Obama's speech will catalyze more debate about foreign policy in this election.
Posted by: miked98 | August 1, 2007 9:42 PM | Report abuse
Obama definitely outperformed Hillary in the last debate and he is now trying to further separate himself.
He must run a perfect campaign to win because most of the media (save for FoxNews of course) will give Hillary a pass at every chance.
Her negative ratings are no doubt extremely alarming to her people and that number will only grow when you get the average Joe voters coming out and expressing their dislike for her.
I wonder if there has ever been a more disliked presidential candidate in the history of this country. Also wonder if anyone this loathed has ever won the race.
Posted by: gthstonesman | August 1, 2007 9:35 PM | Report abuse
every country has the right to defend itself, the US has that right and so does Pakistan.
But for all the supporters of Barack's foreign policy wrt Pakistan, are you guys really sure that the people in the tribal areas of Pakistan are spending their timing plotting to destroy the US. These guys are busier killing Pakistanis these days, just go through the news for the past 2 years to see how many Pakistanis have been killed by suicide bombings. We guys probably hate them more than you do.
And please we dont need you to step inside our territories , cause where ever you guys go , you bring with you destruction and instability. The people of Pakistan do not fight the war on terrorism for the US, the US has done nothing except support military dictators throughout Pakistan's history.
Without Pakistan's help , the US would really have been unsafer after 9/11. Attacking Pakistan would completely erase the little positive image left of the US, and would ensure a very big breeding ground for terrorists that plan and plot against the US.
Terrorism wont be eradicated with bombs, you either pay off the terrorists or cause a change of heart by actually doing some good for the common man.
Posted by: mohammadrao | August 1, 2007 9:17 PM | Report abuse
Finally, a democrat with guts. I though they were all girly men.
His plan includes diplomatic and financial incentives as well as military solutions. Now, we have president.
Some of these cowards haven't even read the full transcript of the speech and they're already misquoting him. He didn't say he would invade Pakistan. Quite frankly, this guy is more intelligent than all the candidates on the democratic front. Apparently some of them don't even understand what he's saying.
His proposals are 100% CONSISTENT WITH THE IRAQ STUDY GROUP AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 9/11 COMMISION.
Take Wolf Blitzer's advise- read the transcript of the speech for yourselves. fools!
Posted by: zrarieh | August 1, 2007 9:15 PM | Report abuse
AMEN to you McGish!!
So what Pak has nukes....so does China, Russia and many many other countries.
Is that putting our tail between our legs??
So we can spend TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS on a civil war (oil) but we don't protect ourselves from the people who attacked us?
Posted by: marinemommilof3 | August 1, 2007 7:56 PM | Report abuse
Yeah, Pak has nukes. I suppose you think they're going to target the United States or our troops in the region with those nukes. A) They cannot target the U.S., and B) if they target our troops they'll be risking total annihilation. But whatever the risk the fact is we cannot allow a safe haven in Pakistan for extremists to train and plot another 9/11. If we're willing to allow it we may as well just surrender.
The Musharef regime has been duplicitous. To think that we're actually putting up with an enemy sanctuary in a so-called friendly state is mind-boggling. It could only happen in the alternative universe created by the inept Bush administration. This is the same crazy universe in which we're attacked by Saudi Arabia and we respond by attacking Iraq.
Posted by: mcgish | August 1, 2007 7:48 PM | Report abuse
read july 25 senate CFR statement
Here you will see how torn Barack was during the last week.
He had Hillarys niave statement and he also had to deal with the REAL TRUTH
That lead him to SAY THE RIGHT THING
and that wasn't good for POLLS
But it is Good for the world.
I believe Barack has not just reacted to Hillarys
statement at the last YOUTUBE DEBATE but he is using
what he has learned to help let the people of Pakistan
understand that he is a potential candidate who will
take action and it can be good and it can be bad
depending on their actions in the upcoming elections.
Now this was not what many expected to hear from
Barack. Especially after coming out on top after the
Clinton/Obama fued.
To me it tells me Barack has decided that letting the
Pakistan people know what is going on and by making it
(which to many may have hurt Barack in the primaries)
that the future president is willing to help with 5
billion dollars in aid to that region. This is
important because they do need funding for stability.
Barack knows that much has been lost due to all the
funds going to the war in Iraq. This i am sure hurts
Barack. He knows Bush had a chance at doing great
things in afghanistan and Pakistan but that was
detored with the Iraq war.
I know, this was a shock to me, a supporter, to see
his statements about invading Pakistan, but now that i
have read the "full report", i am proud of Barack, for
doing whats right, versus just trying to win an election through getting good polls numbers.
A copy of the full report is at my blog with all the
links = http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/danielleclarke/CpFC
which has direct links to its original posting at the
senate foreign relations committee web site (listed on
my blog)
I can imagine how torn Barack was during the last
week. He had Cliton telling him he was niave and then
he was listening to the statements about Pakistan in
his senate foreign relations hearings.
I am sure it was hard for Obama to make this statement
knowing that it isn't a positive statement but it was
more important to send a message to the people of
Pakistan than to be concerned for his own election /
polls results.
For this i have to thank Barack for pushing the
envelop and helping to do the right thing that is best
for the long run for american for Pakistan and for the
Gotta love you Barack your so special and concerned
for doing the right thing :)
Posted by: DANIELLECLARKE | August 1, 2007 7:47 PM | Report abuse
Empty Suit.
Posted by: hbp1 | August 1, 2007 7:44 PM | Report abuse
This is once again another example of Obama not having enough sand in his pockets, he is still thinking big game coach, Ok we attack Pak. Pak has NUKES!! hello youg man you just don't go and attack somebody that has a nuke to back up his army, Hillary is no better, that lady couldn't lead a fat guy to a hot dog. Dr. Ron Paul is the only real person running for the President, If you don't believe me go see for yourself, Pick up a copy of the Consitution and read along. He has a few things they don't Integrity, he's a Doctor a healer, not a lawyer, a Consistent voting record, Pro America, Anti WAR! I challenge all the thinkers to see for yourself. Remeber a Closed Mind is an empty one. And Republican and Democrat are stupid terms, We are all Americans, United we stand Divided we fall.
Posted by: RaferJanders | August 1, 2007 6:48 PM | Report abuse
Go get em Obama!!
I can't wait to hear what the Chickenhawks Limbo and Insannity have to say about this.
Aiding in the oil take over of the Dubya/Dick FAILED policy in Iraq.
This gives me hope that my kids can finally fight for what they enlisted for:
to fight terrorism, not a civil war for the Sunni's (Saudia Arabia/Haliburton/ Carlyle Group
Posted by: marinemommilof3 | August 1, 2007 6:28 PM | Report abuse
So, if people would actually read the whole speech they would see what most of these foreign policy experts see, that Obama is making very good points. He talks about a strike on Al Qaeda in Pakistan, not an invasion of Pakistan. The media is misrepresenting this. And for all the peace people on the left who want no more military action ever, then I guess we should not send a UN Force into Darfur? You see, in Darfur, all else has failed. There needs to be some military muscle to make all the diplomacy work. Same in Pakistan with Al Qaeda. We need to do more than ask Pakistan to please clean up Al Qaeda. We need to use some toughness to back up all the diplomatic efforts that Obama has outlined, if people would only read the speech. He ramps up diplomacy, economic aid, educational aid, and fighting poverty. He understands the broad issues and broad responses that are necessary, as the experts above have mentioned. But you can't leave the military behind. That would be naive.
Posted by: goldie2 | August 1, 2007 6:19 PM | Report abuse
In response to the person above that stated Bill Richardson initially supported the Iraq War, that is inaccurate.
Once the war began Richardson, of course, wished the best for our troops. But prior to the invasion, Richardson criticized the Bush Administration's rush to war. Richardson advocated that the U.S. explore all diplomatic approaches including returning to the U.N. Security Council for approval of any invasion.
In an interview on CNN on March 11, 2003, eight days before the invasion, Richardson urged patience and diplomacy, and accurately predicted that a unilateral U.S. invasion would undermine the U.N. and hurt the prestige of the U.S:
CROWLEY: I want to ask you the question, first, if there is no Security Council resolution approving of a war on Iraq, and if the Bush administration should go ahead, who loses in that scenario?
RICHARDSON: Well, I think the United Nations loses because it shows a lack of relevance to this crisis.
And, secondly, I think, Candy, that the United States loses because we're going into a major conflict without the blessing of the U.N. Security Council, without some of our major allies like France and Russia, and also those 10 other members of the Security Council, the 10 non-permanent members that have a voice right now.
So I think it would come at considerable cost especially if we're to win the war, which we would, issues relating to a post-Iraq configuration to the prestige of the United States worldwide to bring some kind of order to the Middle East and bring some kind of Persian Gulf-lessening attention. So, I think everybody would be a victim. The United Nations, the United States and, certainly, our NATO allies. I think would be hurt, too, because if they don't support us the breakdown of the NATO alliance might be next to go.
CROWLEY: Well, I want to cite a couple of figures for you. One of them just came from a CBS/New York Times poll, which showed that right now only about 34 percent of Americans believe the U.N. is doing a good job handling this situation.
Fifty eight percent think it's doing a poor job. On top of that, we also found that 55 percent would support an invasion, even if the Security Council says don't do it. What does that say about how Americans view the U.N., and has that changed since you were the ambassador?
RICHARDSON: Well, the United States as a populous, here in new Mexico, there's not much support for the United Nations. But at the same time, Candy, what everyone should understand is the United Nations does a lot of things that we, the U.S. as the only superpower, don't want to do.
They get involved in conflicts in Kosovo, in the Congo in Africa, in Guatemala and Latin America. Immigration issues, AIDS, refugees. We don't want to get directly involved in these, but we use the arm of international support, legitimacy of the United Nations to do it.
Now, in the Persian Gulf, conveniently, the U.N. supported our efforts in 1991 to get a broad coalition. And I think we've used the U.N. in the war on terrorism to get international support.
But clearly in this Iraq crisis, the U.N. has to step up and simply enforce its [1441] resolution. And it's not doing that. So, it's going to be a big loss for the U.N. in terms of its peacekeeping relevance, unless it really steps up and gets tough on Saddam Hussein. I think that's the issue.
CROWLEY: So, am I right, am I hearing you correctly that you believe that the U.N. Security Council should pass the resolution that Britain and the U.S. are proposing?
RICHARDSON: Well, I would go a little differently, Candy. I think the U.S. and Britain should compromise. That's the essence of diplomacy. To get nine votes, if it means postponing for 30 days, or 15 days or 10 days, a new resolution with benchmarks on Iraq's behavior, let's do it. I think that France and Russia are basically gone.
They are going to veto. But it would be a partial victory if we get nine votes for a victory of a majority in the Security Council. If we don't do that, I think it's going to be tremendous prestige loss overseas. I think, domestically, it's going to cause more problems for the administration. The Congress will be divided. This is a time when it's frustrating, but what's the rush, really. Iraq is not heading down Baghdad into the United States.
Again, it is a threat, but it's not an immediate threat. It's not something that is like the war on terrorism, where we're under alert from a potential terrorist attack in this country. So let's be judicious. Let's be calm. Let's be patient.
Posted by: shcassidy | August 1, 2007 6:12 PM | Report abuse
obama and clinton are tied in new hampshire
obama is up in south carolina
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 1, 2007 5:59 PM | Report abuse
One more thought for those of you that think Barack is not electable."Google" the words OBAMA STRAW POLL and read the articles and places, now "Google" the words HILLARY STRAW POLL. Now look at the latest poll results coming from New Hampshire and South Carolina. We are witnessing a revolution.
Posted by: eSPO1 | August 1, 2007 5:43 PM | Report abuse
To ndpwp
Going after Al-Queda is not going to be the same mess that Iraq is. The mission for Iraq turned from finding WMDs to overthrowing a dictatership and making a stable democratic society, anyone with some protein in their brain knows that there is not exit strategy for that and thats why it's screwed up.
Obama simply wants to protect this country. He wants to refocus on capturing Bin-Laden. This isn't an invasion (going into pakistan was a last resort if the pakistanies dont help out), this isnt going to war against a nation. His goal is to dismantle Al-Queda to prevent another 9-11.
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 1, 2007 5:37 PM | Report abuse
He's essentially parrotting official US policy on military incursions into Pakistan. It's a totally ridiculous idea of course whether it's articulated by Obama or Ms Townshend from the Pentagon. It's hard to understand why he said it as he must have known this was the money quote the press would pick up. I can't see it doing him much good with his constituency in the Democratic party and by comparison with Hillary it makes him look rather, what's the word......naive?
Posted by: johnbsmrk | August 1, 2007 5:34 PM | Report abuse
Obama's solution to the Iraq disaster? Start another one in Afghanistan. But it seems to have escaped his notice that we are already doing just that. He just wants us to do more of it. More indiscriminate bombing - condemned even by our puppet Karzai - which has already killed thousands of innocent people, and, in so doing, resurrected the Taliban, which, stronger than ever, now controls much of the country.
Even crazier is his threat to invade Pakistan. The Musharraf regime is already tottering. Even the threat of U.S. intervention there could topple it. Both of Obama's bright ideas are madly irresponsible. But the craziet thing about them is that he thinks they're going to get him elected!
Posted by: ndpwp | August 1, 2007 5:26 PM | Report abuse
Score another one for Barack ! Those who think that he is just another fresh face have alot to learn. Barack is electable and many of us who support him are ,by far and away ,invisible to the Polls. New Hampshire and Iowa are just the tip of the iceburg.
Posted by: eSPO1 | August 1, 2007 5:23 PM | Report abuse
Score another one for Barack ! Those who think that he is just another fresh face have alot to learn. Barack is electable and many of us who support him are ,by far and away ,invisible to the Polls. New Hampshire and Iowa are just the tip of the iceburg.
Posted by: eSPO1 | August 1, 2007 5:23 PM | Report abuse
For those who say Obama can't win the nomination or get elected (even though its only August), dd you see the new poll where he is tied with clinton in New Hampshire and is ahead in South Carolina? Have you seen all the head-to-head polls that show he has a better chance of beating the republicans than clinton
for those who say his speech was the same thing bush has been stressing, did you forget the fact the bush had the chance to take Bin Laden out but didnt? A President Obama wouldn't have done that. Obama wouldnt have started another war and forgot about afganistan and Bin Laden.
Posted by: SeanFoots | August 1, 2007 5:16 PM | Report abuse
In the speech, Obama says that he will attack targets in Pakistan without the permission of General Pervez Musharraf.
For over six years, our government has repeatedly violated, or ignored international law under the name of fighting terrorism. Never in history we have been so isolated in the international community. It does not make Obama tougher by saying that he can attack this or that. It is baffling to hear it from Obama. He is losing me.
Posted by: lhao333 | August 1, 2007 5:16 PM | Report abuse
The "experts" have had their say many times before, during, and after 911 and the Iraq invasion. These are some of the people who were wrong, wrong, wrong. Obama's pronoucements are wiser than Bush's actually. First, it was stupid to prematurely leave Afghanistan while Bin Laden and Zawahiri were on the run and then attack Iran which has NOTHING TO DO with 911. Bin Laden killed 3,000 American civilians and Bush let him go. Idiotic reasoning and logic. Then we pour billions into Pakistan which is double-crossing America because Musharraf does not like Karzai. Obama makes more sense than our current stupid arrogant leaders. 5 years i Iraq with nothing to show except 3600 dead American troops, 250,000 dead Iraqis, 2.5 million Iraqi refugees.
Posted by: mstratas | August 1, 2007 4:54 PM | Report abuse
I continue to be amused by the takes on Obama's new policies. Almost every time he introduces a plan with a new approach (which other candidates simply aren't doing), we have many a commenter basically saying "X doesn't matter and Y doesn't matter because he's not getting elected."
Wow I didn't know Nostradamus had so many offspring.
I wonder how many Republicans are going after Obama simply because he is the only credible threat to Republican domination in this country. The polls show Obama would beat out any Republican candidate, so it seems to be in their best interests to see that Obama does go down in the primaries and Hillary moves on, so the Dems lose once again.
Challenging the status quo is hard and few politicians have the will to do it. Obama is one of these few, and for that reason alone he has my support.
Posted by: marc.choquette | August 1, 2007 4:44 PM | Report abuse
Listen for Hillary to say "I wouldn't send troops into Pakistan until we layed the proper groundwork first". Lot's of people buy this nonsense that Hillary is wise because she always hedges. SHE IS NOT A LEADER! Obama is proving he can lead.
Posted by: markdmorris | August 1, 2007 4:44 PM | Report abuse
"General George Patton" Obama? "Watch where you're stepping there, General, those riding boots have shallow insteps." (I have to stop here; I'm laughing too hard.)
Posted by: pnmiller4 | August 1, 2007 4:38 PM | Report abuse
Obama's views on terrorism are irrelevant - he has no chance of winning either the Democratic nomination or the White House. Everyone on earth knows this except his ego driven campaign, and his supporters who pick a loser on the Democratic side every four years like clockwork. Obama panicked after Clinton revealed just how unworthy of the White House he is during the youtube debate. Obama is pandering because he knows how bad he looked last week. IT won't help. He should focus his energy on his current job. If I lived in Illinois I would be livid with Obama. He was only elected a few years ago and has done nothing except publish self congratulatory books and and chase after Clinton.
Posted by: smartmonkey | August 1, 2007 4:31 PM | Report abuse
A smart man, with solid ideas that make the status quo bunch mad (see above). I cannot wait to vote for this man for President. What a nice change he would be for our country.
Posted by: cyndiu | August 1, 2007 4:21 PM | Report abuse
Obama's solution to the Iraq disaster? Start another on in Afghanistan. And we've already started to do just that. Our indiscriminate bombing - condemned even by our puppet Karzai - has killed thousands of innocent people and, in so doing, revived the Taliban which, stronger than ever, now controls much of the country.
Even crazier is his threat to invade Pakistan. The Musharraf regime is already tottering. Even the threat of U.S. intervention there could topple it. Obama's bright idea is madly irresponsible.
Posted by: ndpwp | August 1, 2007 4:17 PM | Report abuse
Mike Scheuer sounds like a very angry man.
Posted by: jp1954 | August 1, 2007 4:10 PM | Report abuse
I agree with Obama. He has the best judgment of all the candidates. Richardson, Clinton Edwards, Biden and Dodd all have no credibility when it comes to iraq because they all supported the invasion.
Posted by: vamonticello | August 1, 2007 3:54 PM | Report abuse
It does not matter what Obama says because he will not be elected President.
He is just blowing smoke.
Posted by: WestVirginian | August 1, 2007 3:46 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.


text:
So far, Kim Kardashian's first pregnancy has been smooth sailing!
Three months pregnant with Kanye West's baby, the Kourtney and Kim Take Miami star tells Us Weekly she's been lucky to avoid the dreaded morning sickness most expectant mothers face in the early stages of pregnancy.
"I have felt good. I haven't had any morning sickness, but it still isn't the easiest," the mom-to-be told Us on New Year's Eve when she hosted a bash at Las Vegas nightclub 1OAK. "People always say it's easy and fun. It's definitely an adjustment learning about your body and stuff like that. I've been feeling really good so that's good."
Clad in a black dress with lace details, Kardashian, 32, attended the party on the arm of boyfriend of eight months West, 35, who surprised Kardashian when revealing her pregnancy to New Jersey concertgoers on Dec. 30. ("Make some noise for my baby mama," West told the audience of 5,000 at Atlantic City's Revel Resort.)
Calling the next phase of their lives together "so exciting," the pregnant star says she intends to find out the gender of her firstborn — when the time is right.
"Of course I do want to know. I can't find out yet, but I do want to know," she told Us at Monday night's party.
Once Kardashian's divorce from Kris Humphries is settled, a source close to West hints that the dad-to-be will get down on one knee and propose to Kardashian. Says a pal: "He's told friends and family he was gonna [marry] her since the day they met."
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text:
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text:
Ain't Nothing But a Spring Thing
Got to tell you, yesterday was extremely fun. The 78 mile trip seemed so long getting there, even with the red hued Sun poking out of the morning haze as I crossed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, but I was on my first mission of the Spring.
I always look forward to the first day of workouts. Punxsutawney, Pa. might have their "Phil", but when you finally see Rays First Base Coach George Hendricks pop out of the clubhouse and begin his strut to the field….It is a true sign of Spring. Along with the usual classic Spring Hendricks sighting, I got a special gift to begin the 2011 Rays baseball season.
A first glimpse of Manny Ramirez dressed in a blue and white track suit walking towards the Rays clubhouse with his father. A half hour before the first glimpse of Rays blue this Spring we got some "Manny" time, and I totally approved of it. Sure I might have only had a second of chatter with ManRam, but he seemed all business and ready to roll. I like that in a player.
As if they were all wearing precise Swiss chronological devices, at the chime of 10 am, the rolling doors on the west side of the Rays clubhouse opened wide up and out cam our Florida "Boys of Summer". I was extremely psyched to see the familiar faces, and also finally face to name of some of the new arrivals through trades and minor league signings. I got my first "official" Garfoose signing, got to also take in the mini dreadlocks look of young pitcher Chris Archer.
J P Howell strolled out looking thicker in the shoulders and new Rays Adam Russell just looked like a seaside condo. But the playfulness was also at hand as leftie David Price made a hovering newspaper writer his personal bubble gum holder and other veteran Rays pitchers began to make the round trying to place names with faces on this first day.
One of the most interesting moments was seeing Rays Bench Coach Dave Martinez come out in full "Caveman" fashion with a full-blown beard and a swagger. Rays catcher John Jaso also carried a few more whiskers than usual after his 2010 off-season adventure in the land of the Mayans. I was actually afraid Jaso was going to be speaking in Mayan or Spanish when I first talked to him.
Rays owner Stuart Sternberg also made his yearly pilgrimage down to "meet with the troops" and make his yearly confessional to the Tampa Bay media. Sternberg was more than candid on his optimism for the region, and emphatically told the assembled masses he has not been approached by "outside" communities wanting to entice the Rays away.
Sternberg did not wear his usual Caroline Blue sweater vest that had become a bit of a Tampa Bay tradition on the first day, but his smile and to the point remarks made it clear his intention was to work in harmony with this region towards an eventual stadium situation. As Rays skipper Joe Maddon took his assembled army on the path of what is expected this season. Another Way" was a phrase used often and with emphasis in his lecture.
That energy and vibe also carried on to the fence line as Rays fans watched as the Rays pitchers and catchers stretched, ran some agility drills, then went into their pitching group for various other exercises and eventual running. But this was the day to hear the hard popping sound of the ball striking the mitt leather. This was the day for the franchise to again find the pieces of the puzzle and assemble them in such a way to possibly prove everyone. I was looking forward to see the pitchers' throw for that first time.
To see what kind of slide and dice Hayhurst had on his pitches, or see the great break on his fastball that archer is famous for in Team USA circles. But it was also time to see Rays minor leaguers like Alex Cobb, and Rule 5 pick-up leftie Cesar Cabal throw for the first time in the Major League camp.
I was especially excited to see what Cabal had knowing he would have to occupy a Rays roster spot all season long, or be offered back to the Red Sox. You can bet the Rays will do everything in their power to not let the Boston get Cabal back in their system. The leftie will have to show this Spring the confidence the Rays had when they plucked him off the Red Sox farm system roster this Fall. So far,
I like the drop on his pitches, and he could be a real underdog to possibly taking the left-hand specialist spot in the Rays Bullpen. I honestly think he will be given every opportunity to make this Rays squad and be a significant member of this rebuilt Bullpen. Most came out to see the guy that is sure to have his say in who will be the last pitcher on the hill.
Kyle Farnsworth did not try to elude his intimidation factor one iota today as he made sure to pop the glove and stare in on every pitch to Jaso during their first side session together. As they finished, Jaso made sure to go out and shake Farnsworth's hand.
First day impression means a lot to me. Maddon has already left his mathematical equations and rhymes at the door and went with the eloquent and to the point "Another Way" mantra for 2011.
Somehow I see it being done another way. I can fully imagine and see immediate success in the 2011 twists and turns in the "Rays Way" as it is modernize to fit the 2011 goals and aspirations, to incorporate this young bunch of impressionable youth with seasoned veterans like Ramirez and Johnny Damon.
Looking forward to that first Grapefruit League game on February 26 in Port Charlotte. Hopefully in that contest towards the beginning Maddon will utilize the first of his multi-dimensional lineups for 2011. But today was all about the pop of the glove and birth of another season.
Today an owner embraced the Tampa Bay area with enthusiasm and open arms while a few young pitchers' left immediate impressions and glimpses into the Rays future/ A future Hall of Fame member came walking into the clubhouse like a kid in a candy store eager, willing and happy to be there while teammates assembled outside mingling and meeting each other for the first time.
It was a day of meetings, first greetings and a first glimpse into the 2011 mind of Maddon. It ain't nothing but a Rays Spring thing.
12 Comments
Pretty cool that you get to be in the middle of it all. Oh how I long to fly south for the winter…
I agree with Jeff, it must be great being in FL (or AZ) during the spring training. Lots of nice pictures. And I'm glad to see that Zim is back for another year, I see him in that last picture.
I love living in the South, especially at this time of the year. Within an hour of my home I can visit so many MLB teams Spring Training site.
Heck, the Phillies and Blue Jays site is closer to my house than Tropicana Field. The Orioles, Yankees, Tigers, Pirates and Red Sox are all around an hour's drive (for better or worse).
But an inique gem, the enitre AL East actually plays so many game against each other in March that there are no surprises come the regular season…and that can be a great thing.
Rays Renegade
Very exciting that you were there for the first day. Must have been a thrill to see everybody in uniform again, plus the new guys!
That must have been a blast. It's a shame I couldn't make it, but I will probably take a stroll that way this weekend.
I was sooo happy when we finally secured a team for this region. Finally baseball of the MLB variety would be played in Tampa Bay past April 1st.
Sure we have the maturing minor league system teams, but it was not the same. Zim actually has been a family friend for a long time. I used to change his oil and gas up his car at my father's former gas station ever since I was 7 years old….That is where I got my work ethic.
Rays Renegade
I actually think of it as a holiday. I celebrate afterwards with the yearly chicken wing salute with baseball friends. Was cool to see Manny walk in that day, plus see some of the hot minor leaguers we got in our trades this off season.
Going to be fun this season. I am already giddy with excitement.
Rays Renegade
Me have fun?
I am the guy who can have fun with a red rubber ball and a wall…for days..
Was a great time. Got some great photos, got to welcome a few new faces, and got a head nod and conversation with the ManRam himself….All I need now is hear Johhny Damon say "what's up dude"….and it will be perfect.
Rays Renegade
Oh how fun to be there greeting your boys of Summer Cliff! Wish I could be with my boys already but I got 8 days more before we head to AZ. Met Gabe Kapler at the Save the Bay, day two of the Dodger Caravan. He was real nice. We talked about the high school he atended here in the Southland, cleaning the beach area and baseball.
It is always the highlight of my Spring.
Kapler was a great Ray. One of the most intense physical fitness guys I have ever seen on a team, and probably still has less than 3 % body fat(guessing here).
Kaps is one of those guys that can help you when you least expect it.
Rays Renegade
Double-R ~ The pics are spectacular. And you know me, I really want Sternberg and the area to succeed. Happy "Holiday" to you Sir! Enjoy the days.
This is the time of the year I always wait for. When everyone, even Yankee and Red Sox fans are in a great mood and waiting for it all to become " official" again. Clock is tikcing faster with every moment, and in a selfish move, I do not want the season to start….because then it will be the end of Spring Training….and the pressure only gets more intense.
Rays Renegade


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Culligan Makes Sense
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Buried deep in the side of a mountain on the Arctic Circle sits humanity's last chance for survival: a seed vault containing the sole remaining genetic samples of the foods that have kept us going for centuries.
This fantastically bizarre real-life scenario is at the heart of "The Vault," a screenplay that's being described as "'Ocean's 11' meets... Children of Men,'" written by former comic book and "Lost" writer Brian K. Vaughn, tweeted Production Weekly.
The full description comes by way of /film:
When a terrifying plague destroys crops and causes starvation on a global scale, the world's greatest thief must break into the extremist-controlled Doomsday Vault to steal the one seed that could prevent the extinction of the human race.
Construction of the vault began in 2006, and since then the Norwegian government, who footed the $9 million bill for the project, has collected more than 400,000 seed samples from all over the globe. That part is true.
In addition to his time on "Lost," Vaughn was the creative force behind Marvel's "Runaways," "Y: The Last Man" and "Ex Machina," each of which is on track to hit the big screen.
If "The Vault" doesn't get bought soon, you can expect to see it on next year's Black List.


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The Greenville center is about 4 miles south of Robert Trent Jones Golf Club and 10 miles west of Prince William Hospital.
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UFO sighted over the Hunter: poll
A BELMONT family say they were left speechless by a UFO they photographed in the sky over Lake Macquarie on Friday night.
And a second family, which saw what appears to have been the same object from their vantage point at Valentine, are also unable to give a rational explanation for their sighting.
The accompanying photograph – enhanced by the Newcastle Herald for publication – shows a bright row of white lights along what looks, to this writer, like the leading edge of a boomerang.
With UFO watchers already clamouring over the arrival in our solar system of Comet ISON – which NASA expects to peak between November 28 and Boxing Day* – the Lake Macquarie photo is bound to generate wide interest.
The sightings began at about 8.50pm on Friday as Richard Hardy and his wife Tina were walking west along Maude Street, Belmont, on the eastern side of the Pacific Highway, when they saw ''the brightest blue light you have ever seen'' in the sky to their north.
''At first I thought it was a flare, it was such a solid glowing blue.
''It came in from the north-west then slowly descended, and then it changed quickly from blue to red. Then it shot straight up for a couple of seconds and my wife reached for her phone camera and it changed back to blue then shot over towards the south-west.
''I rang my son who was at home on the other side of the highway and he saw it go blue then red then blue again and eventually disappear way over the other side of the lake towards Dora Creek or Toronto.''
Herald journalist Jim Kellar also saw the object at the same time for about 15minutes on Friday night as he sat on the verandah of his house at Valentine.
He saw it as red, and turning to yellow, and moving low on the horizon to the south-west, where it disappeared and re-appeared, moving faster at times than aircraft would appear at the same distance.
Mr Kellar was reluctant to admit seeing it and the Hardy family described themselves as highly sceptical.
What surprised Mrs Hardy as much as anything was the colour of the image she captured on her iPhone4S.
''It was blue when I photographed it but white when I looked at it in the photo,'' Mrs Hardy said.
*NASA describes ISON as a greenish comet travelling at about 142,000km/h towards the centre of the solar system and recently passing the orbit of Mars. Even serious scientists are calling it a ''sun-grazer'' but the conspiracy theory end of the internet is getting ready for the end of the world through death by comet.
Discuss "UFO sighted over the Hunter: poll"
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Science Friday® is produced by the Science Friday Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Science Friday® and SciFri® are registered service marks of Science Friday, Inc. Site design by Pentagram; engineering by Mediapolis.
|In a new book, "I Heard the Sirens Scream" Pulitzer Prize winner Laurie Garrett gives her account of the World Trade Center attacks ten years ago, and tells how she thinks those events, combined with the anthrax attacks that came shortly after, changed the country's course.


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Patrick O'Keefe
|Pittsford, N.Y.
|High School:
|Pittsford Sutherland
|Applied mathematics
|Residential College:
2011-12: Rowed in five seat of the 2V, winning a gold medal at Eastern Sprints... Rowed in three seat of the 1V at IRA's, finishing third.
2010-11: Finished second at the Head of the Charles in the Lightweight Four... Rowed in the 1V during the regular season... Rowed in the six-seat of the 3V at Eastern Sprints, finishing first... Rowed in the three-seat of the lightweight four at IRA's, finishing fourth... Invited to the United States U-23 Selection Camp.
2009-10: Rowed in the three-seat of the 2F at Eastern Sprints, finishing third.
Before Yale: Played basketball at Pittsford Sutherland.
Personal: Applied mathematics major... Member of Calhoun College.


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Jason Babin is parting ways with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the second time in just over three months.
On Thursday morning the team announced that it released the veteran defensive end.
Babin voided the final two years of his contract in March, but just three days later he signed an incentive-laden, three-year contract to rejoin the team.
The 34-year-old was coming off a productive, 7.5-sack season in 2013, but with younger players emerging in a crowded "Leo" position, the team decided to move on.
The Jaguars will move forward with Andre Branch, Ryan Davis and Chris Smith fighting to earn more playing time.
@ryanohalloran Although personally not a believer, have been told they expect this to be the year DE Andre Branch takes game to new level.â Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN)
June 19, 2014
The release comes as a mini-surprise, but the Jags did Babin a small favor by not waiting to cut him. The mid-June release gives the vet time to catch on with another team before the beginning of training camps in July. Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reported that coach Gus Bradley and general manager Dave Caldwell met with the veteran Thursday morning to inform him of his release.
With the arrow pointing up on the Jags beyond 2014, Bradley and Caldwell are likely to give several more youngsters a chance to sink or swim this season.
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys make the case that multiple teams have closed the gap on the Seahawks and 49ers in the NFC.


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After the first B2B release we have a lot of feedback. All business partners found our product innovative, easy to use and with a great potential on the market. Positive feedback gives us strength to continue our work with boosted efforts, because we know that many customers are waiting for our upcoming releases.
(Notes: statistics updated each week that is why numbers are not 100% accurate and not showing real time state.)
Customer QuotesGeorge Witney, VoIP consulter, UK told us:


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While we certainly intend to use the space in the X for hauling stuff around, our main use will be as a medium range (overnight) cruiser for ourselves and another adult couple. With lots of interior room, upright seating, and great visibility, the X would be a far better cruiser than the S.
To that end, I'd like to see an option package that upgraded the middle seat traveling experience.
For example:
Split luxury seats for adults
Heated middle row seats
Usable cup holders
Power outlets
Full reclining seats
Ability to move seats all the way back to the rear seats to maximize leg room
Separately controlled front/reat climate control
I'd also like to see the air suspension capable of lowering a lot to give a low step over height for older and partially disabled passengers. The S does have this capability, but the X has a higher ground clearance, so it would have to lower more. The car should also allow the lowered height to be maintained during parking so you could lower the car when you arrive, and still have it lowered when you return.
It would also be nice if the air suspension, like the S, could be set to sport for when I'm alone, luxury for highway travel, and boonies for camping park roads.
Sounds great!


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The Seminar is arranged around 3 major themes, physical integrity of historic urban landscapes, functional integrity of historic urban landscapes, visual integrity of historic urban landscapes.
It will be hosted by Hanoi University of Architecture (HAU), Hanoi People's Committee (Vietnam). The Seminar official languages are English, French and Spanish. Interpretation services will be provided in English, French, Spanish and Vietnamese
Important Dates
- 30 September 2008, Call for Papers
- 30 October 2008, Deadline for submission of abstracts
- 20 December 2008; Notification of Scientific Committee's evaluation
- 20 January 2009, Deadline for submission of revised abstracts
- 27 February 2009, Deadline for sending full papers


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So, I thought I would get in on this recent thread craze as the possible announcement of the FilMation rights at SDCC continues to grow.
Now, there are a LOT of FilMation characters that I want brought into the line, many of them already have threads, but King Micah, Ahgo and Grox, King Miro (adapted from the cartoon in the same manner as Randor was for the toy) are all high on my list as well. But so is General Sunder. Personally, I think we was one of the best written somewhat minor characters (though he had just as many appearances as many other characters) on the PoP show and his design is just great. I think he would make for a very striking figure with his armor and plumed helmet, especially since they are qualities that are not rampantly represented in MOTU. Plus, I think it would be very cool if they repurposed his base body, added a Horde symbol and gave us a two-pack of Horde Officers to help boss around the Troopers.
So, is there more support to be shown for this well-written character that could be a potentially awesome figure?


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July 2008
Evaluation Methods and Tools
Institute of Education Sciences
In 2002, the Education Sciences Reform Act created the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) as an institute dedicated to conducting and providing research, evaluation, and statistics in the education field. IES maintains a registry of evaluators and has published the two guides described below. The Regional Educational Laboratory Program is also housed within IES.
Identifying and Implementing Educational Practices Supported by Rigorous Evidence: A User Friendly Guide
Published by the U.S. Department of Education, this guide is meant to help practitioners understand the meaning of "rigorous evidence" and important research and evaluation terms, such as "randomized controlled trials." Understanding these terms and the different types of evidence in the education field can help when designing an internal evaluation or working with an external agency.
Random Assignment in Program Evaluation and Intervention Research: Questions and Answers
This document, published by the Institute of Education Sciences in the U.S. Department of Education, discusses the purpose of education program evaluation generally, and answers specific questions about studies that use random assignment to determine program effectiveness.
Regional Educational Laboratory Program
The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program is a network of 10 applied research laboratories that serve the education needs of the states within a designated region by providing access to scientifically valid research, studies, and other related technical assistance services. The labs employ researchers experienced in scientific evaluations who can provide technical assistance on evaluation design. The REL Web site provides contact information for each of the labs.
Local School System Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Guide
This guide from Maryland Virtual Learning Opportunities is a useful resource when considering program implementation. Planning considerations are divided into a three-part checklist of planning, implementation, and evaluation. Additionally, suggested roles and responsibilities are provided for both district- and school-based personnel. The guide can be found online at the following URL, using the link on the left-hand side for the "Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Guide."
Online Program Perceiver Instrument
The Online Program Perceiver Instrument (OPPI) was designed by the staff at Appleton eSchool in Wisconsin, as an online evaluation tool to be used by Wisconsin's network of virtual schools. The tool is featured as an internal evaluation process in this guide and is currently available for all online learning programs across the country to use. The Web site provides information about the framework and an overview of how the instrument works, as well as contact information and directions on how to become a member of the OPPI network.
Program Evaluation Standards
This document is a 1994 publication of the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation, a coalition of professional associations concerned with the quality of evaluation. The standards address utility, feasibility, proprietary, and accuracy issues, and are intended for use in checking the design and operation of an evaluation.
2005 SETDA National Leadership Institute Toolkit on Virtual Learning
The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) was developed to provide national leadership and facilitate collaboration between states on education technology issues. Each year, SETDA hosts a National Leadership Institute and develops toolkits intended to help educators effectively use virtual learning. The 2004-05 toolkit includes a lengthy section on program evaluation.


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God does not expect us to work ourselves into spiritual, emotional, or physical exhaustion, nor does he desire that the members of the Church be truer than true. There is little virtue in excess, even in gospel excess. In fact, as we exceed the bounds of propriety and go beyond the established mark, we open ourselves to deception and ultimately to destruction. Imbalance leads to instability. If Satan cannot cause us to lie or steal or smoke or be immoral, it just may be that he will cause our strength—our zeal for goodness and righteousness—to become our weakness. He will encourage excess, for surely any virtue, when taken to the extreme, becomes a vice.
"Gospel hobbies" lead to imbalance. To instability. To distraction. To misperception. They are dangerous and should be avoided as we would any other sin. President Joseph F. Smith said: "We frequently look about us and see people who incline to extremes, who are fanatical. We may be sure that this class of people do not understand the gospel. They have forgotten, if they ever knew, that it is very unwise to take a fragment of truth and treat it as if it were the whole thing" (Gospel Doctrine, 122). To ride a gospel hobby is to participate in and perpetuate fanaticism. On another occasion, President Smith taught, "Brethren and sisters, don't have hobbies. Hobbies are dangerous in the Church of Christ. They are dangerous because they give undue prominence to certain principles or ideas to the detriment and dwarfing of others just as important, just as binding, just as saving as the favored doctrines or commandments.
"Hobbies give to those who encourage them a false aspect of the gospel of the Redeemer; they distort and place out of harmony its principles and teachings. The point of view is unnatural. Every principle and practice revealed from God is essential to man's salvation, and to place any one of them unduly in front, hiding and dimming all others is unwise and dangerous; it jeopardizes our salvation, for it darkens our minds and beclouds our understandings. . . .
"We have noticed this difficulty: that Saints with hobbies are prone to judge and condemn their brethren and sisters who are not so zealous in the one particular direction of their pet theory as they are. . . . There is another phase of this difficulty—the man with a hobby is apt to assume an 'I am holier than thou' position, to feel puffed up and conceited, and to look with distrust, if with no severer feeling, on his brethren and sisters who do not so perfectly live that one particular law" (Gospel Doctrine, 116–17).
True excellence in gospel living—compliance with the established laws and ordinances in a quiet and consistent and patient manner—results in humility, in greater reliance upon God, and a broadening love and acceptance of one's fellowman. What we do in the name of goodness ought to bring us closer to those we love and serve, ought to turn our hearts toward people, rather than causing us to turn our nose up in judgmental scorn and rejection. The greatest man to walk the earth, the only fully perfect human being, looked with tenderness and compassion upon those whose ways and actions were less than perfect.
We have been counseled to stay in the mainstream of the Church, to see to it that our obedience and faithfulness reflect sane and balanced living. While we are to be true, we need not be truer than true. While we are not to partake of the vices of the world, we are to live in it. While we are to "be valiant in the testimony of Jesus" (D&C 76:79), we are not to be excessive in our zeal. We will arrive safely at the end of our gospel journey through steady and dedicated discipleship—loving and trusting the Lord, keeping his commandments, and serving his children—not through righteousness crusades or spiritual marathons. True conversion manifests itself in settled simplicity.


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Home > Criminal Defense Issues > Eyewitness ID Reform
NACDL supports changes in eyewitness procedures that are proven to improve the reliability of eyewitness testimony without impeding police investigations. Among the most important reforms is the adoption "double blind" sequential lineup procedures, which means that suspects are shown one by one to the witness, which reduces the possibility of the witness picking the person who looks most like the culprit. This also means that the procedure is conducted by a police officer who does not know the identity of the suspect, which thus prevents the officer from unconsciously or consciously providing cues to the witness.
NACDL's eyewitness identification reform page contains featured articles, news of interest, new reports, and external resources.
NACDL v. Evanston (Flawed IL Pilot Study and Mecklenburg Report)
New Jersey v. Henderson (Eyewitness ID Admissibility and Jury Instruction)
Innocence Project Resources
Reports & Papers
Pending Legislation
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GSA (Or GS) is created by both Ryan Cordell and Hellser. The mod picks up where Genesis Saga left off, the two taking turns on modifying weapons, effects, monsters and further enhancing the feel of the mod to fit similar to ICD-SE but add its own flair. Hellser being put into the department of effects and bullet weapon systems while providing tweaks to GS.
Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free - or sign in with your social account on the right) and join in the conversation.