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GOP Contenders Eye Ohio As Super Tuesday Prize
Santorum, Romney Focus On Key State
Rick Santorum seized about as many of Michigan's GOP delegates as primary winner Mitt Romney, and could end up with more, in a close contest that does little to clarify the muddled presidential race heading into Super Tuesday.
After Romney's strong win in Arizona and close finish in his native state of Michigan, the GOP field fanned across Ohio, Tennessee and Georgia for the weeklong sprint to Tuesday's 10 contests. Washington state's caucuses fall in the middle, on Saturday.
Romney tried to build momentum from his wins, Santorum crowed about his near-miss and Newt Gingrich looked to revive his campaign in the South where he will battle Santorum for the party's most conservative voters.
Texas Rep. Ron Paul could also be a factor in the Super Tuesday delegate count, especially in caucus states such as North Dakota.
Tuesday night's Michigan race was so close Romney won the contest with 41 percent of the vote to Santorum's 38 percent that the delegates will be closely divided between the top two candidates, with Gingrich and Paul getting none. With 26 of the state's 30 delegates decided, Romney and Santorum each won 13.
Results that will determine the distribution of the final four delegates were incomplete Wednesday. But Santorum held a slight edge that would give him the majority of Michigan's delegates, if it holds.
Campaigning at Temple Baptist Church in Powell, Tenn., on Wednesday, Santorum said he was heartened by his success in Romney's backyard.
"We had a much better night in Michigan than maybe was first reported. This was a really great race to go into, in a sense, the belly of the beast, the hometown of my chief rival here in the Republican primary," he said. In addition to Tennessee, the former Pennsylvania senator is focusing on the big prizes of Ohio and Oklahoma next week.
Chastened by the tough fight in the state where his father was governor in the 1960s, Romney acknowledged in Michigan that he had made mistakes and was trying to "do better and work harder."
"We didn't win by a lot, but we won by enough," he told supporters Tuesday night.
On Wednesday, Romney focused on the economy and business know-how, saying at a fence post factory in Toledo that he wants "to go to work for the American worker."
He promised about 150 supporters "more jobs, less debt and smaller government" if he's elected in November. Romney was making another stop, in Bexley, before leaving Ohio for North Dakota, which holds caucuses Tuesday.
In Atlanta, Gingrich acknowledged that he must win Georgia the state he represented in Congress for 20 years to "move forward" with his campaign. With Gov. Nathan Deal at his side, Gingrich predicted he would win "decisively."
But the other states Gingrich is focusing on, such as Tennessee and Oklahoma, will be tougher.
Paul, who keeps a less grueling campaign schedule than the others, was flying home to Texas to celebrate his wife Carol's leap-year birthday on Wednesday.
On Super Tuesday, 419 delegates are up for grabs in states also including Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, Vermont and Virginia.
All four campaigns face financial strain: It would cost about $5 million to run a week's worth of heavy ads across all the states that vote Tuesday.
The Super Tuesday races could go a long way toward determining which Republican will take on Democratic President Barack Obama this fall.
Romney's Arizona triumph came in a race that was scarcely contested, and he pocketed the 29 Republican National Convention delegates at stake in the winner-take-all state. He won 47 percent of the vote to Santorum's 27 percent.
Michigan's primary was as different as it could be a hard-fought and expensive contest that Romney could ill afford to lose and Santorum made every effort to win.
With his twin victories, Romney had 165 delegates, according to an Associated Press count, compared with 85 for Santorum, 32 for Gingrich and 19 for Paul. It takes 1,144 to win the nomination at the convention in Tampa, Fla., this summer.
The lengthening GOP struggle to pick a nominee has coincided with a rise in Obama's prospects for a second term. A survey released Tuesday shows consumer confidence at the highest level in a year, and other polls show an increase in Americans saying they believe the country is on the right track.
Unopposed for the Democratic nomination, Obama timed a campaign-style appearance before United Auto Workers Union members in Washington, D.C., for the same day as the Michigan primary. Attacking Republicans, he said assertions that union members profited from a taxpayer-paid rescue of the auto industry in 2008 are a "load of you know what."
All the Republicans running for the White House opposed the bailout. But in the auto state of Michigan a survey of voters leaving polling places showed about 4 in 10 supported it.
Gingrich, Romney and Santorum will participate in a FOX News special this weekend hosted by Mike Huckabee. The special will be taped from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Wilmington Air Park and will air later that night at 8 p.m.
A Republican Party spokesman in Clinton County said efforts were made to include Ron Paul, but he would not likely attend.
Three Wilmington residents will join the panel to ask questions related to job creation and the economy.


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Hans Strunge Bonde
Senior Industry Consultant
Hans Strunge Bonde's professional engagement is driven by the ability to create supply chain transparency through digitalization and data analytics. With a doctoral candidate and a career in forecasting and planning processes, Hans can speak on various data-driven aspects of supply chain management and planning.
As his writings on Hidden Insights will testify, he is confident in data analytics' abilities to reduce uncertainties for businesses - both upstream, downstream and internally.
Within the last decade, he has designed, built and implemented S&OP processes to create valid forecasts and plans in three large companies as well as created valuable tools to convert large sets of data into knowledge and decisions.
Hans has a Ph.D. in Management of Technology from Aalborg University which he wrote on Demand planning and forecasting with a process and software focus. His current role at SAS is as a Senior Industry Consultant.


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BAFTA and Media Trust announce joint Youth Mentoring Programme; cities across the UK will take part; over sixty mentors are already confirmed.
From Left to Right:Colin Izod, Brad Blackbourn, Sam McCarthy, Tricia Cooklin, Clive Bradley, Eve Gutierrez, Adam Leese, Simon Ardizzone, Chris Rodmell, Gwenan Edwards, Charles Palmer
Supported by the RBS group and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation
BAFTA and Media Trust are delighted that their Youth Mentoring programme for 2010 is now underway. The scheme involves BAFTA members, Award-winners and leading practitioners volunteering as mentors to disadvantaged young people on media projects, and is an integral part of BAFTA's learning and events strategy.
BAFTA has already recruited over 60 mentors to work with youth organisations in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds and Nottingham. Additional mentors are still being recruited outside London, and the programme will be extended to Scotland in the autumn.
As well as engaging young people in productive and empowering activities, the programme aims to improve young people's attitudes towards education, training and employment, and to enhance their knowledge, skills and personal development, thus giving them new opportunities.
The Youth Mentoring Programme follows a London-based pilot last year, which was a huge success. Both the mentors and the young people talked about the positive experience of the scheme.
"It was really, really powerful to meet young people who live just down the road but are living very different lives from me and to get a window into a different world. The experience was one of the best things I've done all year."
Basi Akpabio, Development Executive and BAFTA mentor
The young people who have been involved in the programme so far have identified both personal and careers-based positive outcomes, including increased confidence, new transferable and media-related skills, and a new willingness to engage in media-related training and education.
"Before starting I'd lost interest in my dreams. I was lost. I didn't know what I wanted to do. I still don't know but now I have options." Eddy, 24
"It was absolutely fantastic to gain insight into the way that industry experts think, and all of the considerations that need to be made during each stage of development - I hope one day to be involved in games development as a profession." Andres, 17
The mentors come from a range of disciplines. This year's participants include actor Sophie Ward (Jane Eyre, Holby City) and TV director Steve Smith (The Graham Norton Show, The Friday Night Project) in Bristol; animation producer Sam McCarthy ((London and Birmingham) and producer Carol Harding (Holby City, Doctors) in Birmingham; Head of Film at Vision+Media Tara Cook and CEO of LiveFrame Studios and former MD of Cosgrove Hall Films, Anthony Utley (Postman Pat, Dangermouse) in Manchester; and directors Aisling Walsh (Song for a Raggy Boy, Wallander) and Jon Jones (Cold Feet) in London. Returning mentors include director Antonia Bird (Cross My Mind, Ravenous); actor and director David Morrissey (Nowhere Boy, Don't Worry About Me); film producers Damian Jones (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll) and Pippa Harris (Revolutionary Road, Away We Go); and TV writer Stewart Harcourt (Marple, Jericho).
The mentors will offer their expertise to organisations such as Leave2Remain, Headliners and Kids Company in London, Fairbridge in Birmingham, Catch 22 and Fairbridge in Manchester, and Short Cuts at the Watershed in Bristol.
Although the general public tends to associate BAFTA with its film, television and video game awards ceremonies, its main function is as a charity. Krishnendu Majumdar, Chair of BAFTA's Learning & Events Committee says: "Through sharing the knowledge and experience of this amazing array of industry experts, BAFTA aims to inspire young people who might never have experienced the support of an adult role model. We are delighted to be partnering with Media Trust on this initiative."
Speaking about last year's programme, some of the mentors have described how the scheme was as rewarding for them as it was for the young people involved:
"It's not a huge amount of effort on behalf of the mentors and I think that the rewards in terms of what the mentees get out of the schemes are huge in some cases and I would definitely recommend people to do it."
Pippa Harris, Film Producer and BAFTA mentor.
"The benefit for me as a mentor has been to encourage them in their dreams really, and to encourage them in their ambitions whether it's in the media or not."
Stewart Harcourt, Scriptwriter and BAFTA mentor.
The success of the 2009 pilot programme was showcased at an event at BAFTA headquarters last September. BAFTA will also celebrate the achievements and work of the young people involved in the 2010 scheme at a similar end-of-programme event in March 2011.
BAFTA partners on the Youth Mentoring Programme with Media Trust, a national communications charity that works with media organisations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice and make it heard.
The BAFTA and Media Trust Youth Mentoring Programme is supported by the RBS group and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
For further press information please contact Olivia Jarvis [email protected] / Zoe Flower [email protected] / 020 7247 4171
To view a promotional film from the pilot programme, click here.
Notes for Editors:
About BAFTA:
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes film, TV and video games by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. BAFTA's year-round Learning & Events programme offers unique access to some of the world's most inspiring talent through workshops, mentoring, masterclasses, lectures and much more, working with groups of all ages and backgrounds across the UK. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. www.bafta.org
BAFTA's Learning & Events Programme:
BAFTA works with learners of all ages – from young children who want to find out more about how their favourite TV show, film or game is made; to students wanting to know about working in the industry; to industry professionals who want to learn from the successes of their peers.
About Media Trust:
Media Trust is a national charity that believes everyone should have a voice and the opportunity to be heard. It works with media organisations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice. It owns and runs Community Channel, the UK's only national channel to be run by a charity. Media Trust corporate members are BBC, Channel 4, Daily Mail and General Trust, Disney Channel UK, Guardian Media Group, IPC Media, ITV plc, MTV Networks UK & Ireland, News International, OMD, Sky, Virgin Media TV, Warner Bros.
Media Trust's Youth Mentoring Scheme encourages media professionals – from filmmakers to journalists - to volunteer their time and skills to support disadvantaged young people working on media projects. The projects can range from making a film or radio production to producing a newsletter, magazine or website. The scheme, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has supported more than 1,500 people, aged from 13 to 25, since it started in 2007. www.mediatrust.org
Case studies are available upon request.
List of current BAFTA mentors
Adam Leese – Actor (London)
Adrian Curry – Producer, EA (London)
Aisling Walsh – Director/Writer (London)
Albert Barber – Director/Producer (London)
Anna Benson Gyles – Director/ Producer (London)
Anthony Utley – CEO, LiveFrame Studios Ltd (Manchester)
Antonia Bird – Director/Producer (London)
Basi Akpabio – Executive (London)
Bassem Abdallah – Producer/ Director (London)
Brad Blackbourn – Head of Previs/Virutal DoP, Double Negative (London)
Brian Woods – MD, True Vision Productions (London)
Carl Schoenfeld – Producer (London)
Carol Harding – Producer (Birmingham)
Caroline Van Den Brul – Creativity & Story Consultant (London)
Charles Palmer – Director (London)
Christian Martin – Director/Writer/Producer (Bristol)
Christin Cockerton – Writer/ Director (London)
Christopher Rodmell – Editor (London)
Clive Bradley – Screenwriter (London)
Colin Izod – Director/ Producer (London)
Damian Jones – Producer (London)
David Johnson – Series Producer (Bristol)
David Morrissey – Actor/ Director (London)
David Neal – Lighting Camera Operator/Director/Sound Recordist/Editor (Bristol)
David Rolfe – Producer/ Director (London)
Delyth Thomas – Director (London)
Ellin Stein – Script Consultant/ Writer (London)
Eve Gutierrez – Producer (London)
Gary Davy – Casting Director (London)
Gillian Hawser – Casting Director (London)
Gordon Adams – Senior Producer/Director/Journalist (TV) (Manchester)
Gwenan Edwards – TV Presenter/Journalist/Producer (London)
Ivor Baddiel – Writer (London)
Jeff Dowson – Writer/Producer/Director (Bristol)
Jill Robertson – Director (London)
Jon Hare – Composer & Video Game Designer/ Director (London)
Jon Jones – Director/Writer (drama) (London)
Joris De Man – Composer & Sound Designer (London)
Kate Lee – Director of Film, Freud Communications (London)
Kevin Doyle – Actor (London)
Linda Shire – Consultant/Production (London)
Lisa Neeley – Producer/ Screenwriting Tutor (London)
Luigi Chiappini – Filmmaker/Composer/Broadcaster (London)
Maddy Elles-Hill – Producer (London)
Michael Hines – Director/ Producer
Nic Jeune – Creative Director/Producer/First Assistant Director (Bristol)
Paul Bason – Director, Creative Manchester (Manchester)
Paul Johnson – CEO, Tuvalu Entertainment Ltd (London)
Pippa Harris – Film Producer (London)
Richard Hastings – Executive Producer, Entertainment, BBC (London)
Sam McCarthy – Animation Producer (London and Birmingham)
Simon Ardizzone – Documentary Producer/Director/Editor (London)
Simon Booker – Writer (London)
Sophie Ward – Actor (Bristol)
Steve Smith – TV Director (Bristol)
Stewart Harcourt – Scriptwriter (Bristol)
Tara Cook – Head of Film, Vision+Media (Manchester)
Tim Whitby – Producer/Director (drama) (Bristol)
Tricia Cooklin – Producer/Line Producer (London)
Bafta Youth Mentoring Press Release (352 KB)


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- Gender: Man
- Type: Sneakers
- Upper: Synthetic material-fabric
- Internal lining: Fabric
- Sole: Rubber
- Heel height cm: 3
- Platform height cm: 2
- Details: Round toe fits large
All items are dispatched daily from Monday to Friday once payment has cleared. It takes approximately 24 hours to process an order and send the instructions to the warehouse. Therefore, an order placed on Tuesday, for example, will normally be dispatched on Wednesday.
UK FREE Standard Day Delivery*
Free Standard Delivery 3-5 working days. There may be some remote areas where our couriers are unable to guarantee delivery within 5 days. This service is not available on Saturdays or Sundays.
*(Excluding Highlands and Islands of Scotland and Channel Islands, where separate rates will be displayed at checkout).
SECTION 21 a/b-Terms of service Kagmad
Returns and Refunds:
Our policy lasts 14 days. If 14 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we can't offer you a refund.
21.a.Return Procedures
1. We accept to do return request only before 14 days from the date of receiving your purchase
2. Send a return request by email at email@example.com or click here - indicating the product number and the date when you bought it from our website.
3- Wait for an e-mail from our customer service with instructions to prepare the goods to be returned.
4. If the product is damaged or it's not the one requested, you must send a minimum of 3 pictures to email@example.com as proof of wrong or damaged product.
5. By the next business day, you will receive an email containing all the instruction on how to return the order.
- The order number
- Request return code
- The address of the warehouse to return the product.
6- Please print and insert a copy of the ORDER NUMBER AND THE RETURN CODE inside the package. If no number is subsequently found we will NOT guarantee reimbursement for the goods returned.
7-The products must be returned intact and with the original packaging.
21.b.Refunds (if applicable)
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If approved, you will refund directly onto the credit/debit card that you have used to purchase the item.Return fees rely on the customer.
We are a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE online store. If you have done the purchase through our payment gateway, please give us 2-3 working days to transfer the amount of money spent on your bank account. If you have used payment providers e.g.Paypay-Klarna-Amazon Pay or any other payment gateways, it may take up to from 7-21 days. This depends on the terms and conditions you accepted with the third parties.
Can I exchange goods?
Kagmad does not exchange goods. You need to create a new order.
Sale items (if applicable)
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately, sale items cannot be refunded.
Gifts Vouchers:
Unfortunately, we don't refund gift cards or gift vouchers.
If the item was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you'll receive a gift credit for the value of your return. Once the returned item is received, a gift certificate will be mailed to you.
If the item wasn't marked as a gift when purchased, or the gift giver had the order shipped to themselves to give to you later, we will send a refund to the gift giver and he will find out about your return.
Before the return your products, you should mail your product to send us an email at firstname.lastname@example.com
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Please keep the return shipping receipt in case we decide to process a refund.
When we don't have to offer a refund?
We don't have to refund a customer if they:
Knew an item was faulty when they bought it damaged an item by trying to repair it themselves or getting someone else to do it (though they may still have the right to a repair, replacement or partial refund) no longer want an item (e.g because it's the wrong size or colour) unless they bought it without seeing it. We won't refund if you bought a bad advertise products(e.g. missing product image or products description, not presented in a safe manner). If you are interested to purchase a product from our website and you are unsure, please contact us before you proceed with payments.
Proof of purchase
We can ask the customer for proof that they bought an item from you. This could be a sales receipt or other evidence such as a bank statement or packaging.
We only have to accept returns from the person who bought the item.


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What was your first vinyl? That was the question we asked Drowned In Sound's multitude of music lovers in order to celebrate Record Store Day 2014.
We'd hoped for a few childhood tales of parental bonding and perusing through the Top 40 in Woolworths. What didn't expect was a slew of heartfelt anecdotes about the Power Rangers, picking A-level English over a Reuben instore gig and Lou Reed being near-on unlistenable... again.
Joy Division
Unknown Pleasures (Factory Records)
Okay, it's an obvious one but ever so true. Having seen no need for vinyl (child of the CD age an' all that) I ignored the medium until the day I saw THAT SLEEVE - jet-black with a shock of chaotic white beauty - staring out at me in Kingbee Records. I suddenly realised how much the artwork sucked you in with an LP, rather than being a downsized whimsy on CD. The minute I got it home and the bassline to 'Disorder' jumped out of the speakers with a muscular, threatening power – unlike anything I'd heard before on a record I thought I knew intimately – I fell madly in love. And seven years, 850 records and a significant bank-balance deficit later, I don't regret it for one second. David Edwards
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
My Dad gave me the Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Live 1975-85 5LP boxset when I was about 16. Claiming that I would never get my paws on it until he was on his death bed, he had come to the conclusion that I had 'proved' myself as a Bruce fan, due to my impressive Boss knowledge and growing out of my pop-punk phase. He explained that he had saved up for months to buy it; arriving in Naples, Italy when he was stationed there with the American Navy, he purchased it from a local record store a few weeks before meeting my mum for the first time when she was working at a local bar - yes, it really was a meet-cute.
I still listen to it regularly and it will always remind me of that time we got so drunk at a Bruce gig together, we almost missed our train home due to important McDonald's purchases. It taught me that records are something to save up for and to cherish because they end up meaning a whole lot more than you might think. Okay - you can all go and throw up now. Sammy Maine
Keep It To Yourself (Xtra Mile)
When me and all my friends were 16, 17, our favourite band was Reuben. We were pretty excited when they announced an instore gig up the road in Newcastle to promote their second album, Very Fast Very Dangerous. Then I realised I couldn't go.
See, I was starting sixth form that week, classes finished at five and the show started at half-past. There was no way I could get there in time and when you're a studious teenage dork, skipping your first ever A-level English Language class doesn't really cross your mind.
So I didn't go see Reuben play at Steel Wheels and I didn't get to hang out with my favourite band. I did get a signed copy of the 'Keep It To Yourself' seven-inch though, courtesy of a pal in the year above who picked up an extra disc to ease my disappointment. He even sellotaped over Jamie Lenman's signature, which had been mistakenly written with a dry wipe marker and would have smudged off long ago if he hadn't been so bloody thoughtful. Robert Cooke
David Bowie
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
(RCA Records)
Bar spinning my sister's copies of Doolittle and The Queen Is Dead, growing up, my musical consumption was predominantly CD-based. I started collecting vinyl as a way of compensating for the free music I receive, but I've gone on to fall in love with the format. Ok – not technically a purchase – but I christened my fusty old Fidelity player with a hand-me-down copy of Ziggy Stardust, one of my all-time favourite albums. Should I be embarrassed that I cried when I first heard the majestic 'Five Years' in all its crackly glory? I'm not. I can't remember the CD version ever eliciting such an emotional response. Gemma Samways
De La Soul
The Magic Number (Warner Bros. Records)
Proust might have had the smell of Madeleines, but my unique recherché du temp perdu is ignited by yellow mallow; the aroma of tiny synthetic bananas in Woolworth's pick 'n' mix inexorably linked to the excitement of browsing the week's top 40 singles. I'd love to say I brought 'The Magic Number' because I was at the bleeding edge of hip-hop culture, but in truth - at just 9 - I think my first reaction was just how cool the pink and yellow sleeve looked; a Saturday morning cartoon pressed to 7 inches. Looking back it informed my listening for the rest of the '90s, much of which was spent obsessing about hip-hop that imitated - but rarely lived up to - those initial three minutes and fifteen seconds; the samples, rhymes and beats still as crisp and magical as they sounded 25 years ago. Tom Fenwick
Primal Scream
Kill All Hippies (Creation Records)
The first record I recall buying, at 14 or 15 years old, is 'Kill All Hippies' by Primal Scream on 12". It was the final release by Creation Records and it was dedicated to Curtis Mayfield. I remember the hand-written sign that stated a handful of singles, only one left, had been found in a back room and that the B-side, 'Revenge of the Hammond Connection', was a must hear. I'm not normally precious over black plastic circles, but this is one I take care of. Why? Because I play it all the time and that flipside really is worth hearing. Mike McDonald
Power Rangers
The Official Single (Atlantic Records)
Music can make you do all sorts of things. It can make you laugh. It can make you cry. In some instances, it can make you laugh and cry at the same time. However, it's not often that a song makes you a kung-fu master.
The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers theme did just that. It transported my 4 year old self to a world of fluorescent suits and thrash metal guitars. A world where Godzilla is a reality and karate is a viable career choice. There's not much more you could ask for from a first record. Well, maybe less guitar solos, but you can't have it all. Jack Doherty
Lou Reed
Transformer (RCA Records)
I feel like this first purchase has defined my relationship with vinyl ever since – unnecessary but nonetheless enjoyable. It all started because my flatmate at university bought a turntable but he didn't have any vinyl to play. So I went into a charity shop and found Lou Reed's Transformer for the bargain price of 3 quid. Little did I know, because I'm an idiot and didn't check, that it was in piss poor condition so it jumped all over the place and was generally unlistenable. In the end I got more joy using the sleeve on my bedroom wall for artwork. I still buy the odd vinyl. It's only the price of new vinyl, rather than any tortured memories of the scratched up Transformer, that stop me switching from CD completely. Woodrow Whyte
Tunnel Of Love (Deceptive Records)
My first vinyl purchase took place around Christmas 1995, and was a one-sided seven-inch on which Scarfo covered Fun Boy Three's 'Tunnel Of Love'. I hadn't heard the original at the time, but was alerted to this version by radio play courtesy of Steve Lamacq – who, let the records show, did not by this point have a financial stake in Deceptive, the label which released it. A limited edition in special festive packaging, chances are I bought it with its future collectability at least partly in mind. I mislaid or sold it years ago, but copies on Discogs currently start at £1.00, so there's that. Noel Gardner
Moving Waves (Imperial)
It was roughly 1994 and I was 13. I was massively into the Beatles – a teenager obsessed. Then the magic happened. My dad opened a cupboard I'd never looked in. It contained around 30 records. Typical dad type stuff – Clapton, Cream, Steely Dan, ELO, MJQ… and Focus.
Focus' Moving Waves was one of the first I played and, being 13, I was hooked with the yodelling and mentalness of 'Hocus Pocus'. It was the soundtrack to my GCSEs – the only instrumental music I owned. The album stays with me due to the amazing Hammond-flute combos, the awesome riffs and that drumming… just wow!
Roughly 15 years later I met the wonderfully eccentric Thjis Van Leer. My signed copy of this original vinyl is one of my prized possessions. Gemma Hampson
Randan Discotheque
Daily Record May 18th 1993 (The Bonjour Branch)
This got a good write-up in the Drowned In Sound singles column at the time. Plus, it came with a ballot to win exclusive band merchandise, and I'm a sucker for free stuff (in case you're wondering - I won some handmade artwork from the band, which is now living in a cupboard somewhere). Was it any good? As far as odd electronic singles about what was reported in a regional newspaper on a certain day goes, it's pretty okay. Christopher McBride
Arctic Monkeys
When The Sun Goes Down (Domino Records)
There was once a time in my life when it was essential for me to own everything Arctic Monkeys-related. Having only discovered The Libertines through a bargain bin copy of Up The Bracket, I needed to cherish every utterance from the next band that arrived with a poetic frontman and penchant for grotty indie-pop. This meant buying the Sheffield quartet's B-sides in physical form instead of just nabbing them off Limewire like some sort of casual fan.
Anyway, you could only acquire 'Settle For A Draw' by buying the 7-inch version of 'When The Sun Goes Down' - so that's what happened. Did I have a vinyl player at the time? Absolutely not. Would it take me another year to get one? Sure. But my teenage fandom did educate me early in the merits of spending too much money on easily-scratched bits of black plastic, and having no regrets about this whatsoever. Rob Leedham
Want to share the story of your first vinyl? Join our discussion on the DiS Music Board


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I have two applications:
-A server, which is the one that calls listen().
-A client, which is the one that calls connect().
Ok, I've got them running on a LAN and they are constantly sending each other stuff. To make things short, just assume that the server is the one that sends all the time, and the client receives all the time.
Well, when nothing strange happens, it works great. Also, when I unplug the Ethernet cable from the client, recv() returns SOCKET_ERROR, so I can do the necessary clean up and close my application correctly. However, when I unplug the Ethernet cable from the server I don't get a SOCKET_ERROR, recv() returns the size of the data I asked it to receive... Any ideas?


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USEA Staff - The USEA has a small staff of professionals that work to fulfill the duties and mission of the association. This is a list of the contact information for each of the staff members who may be reached during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM Eastern). USEA Address: United States Eventing Association Inc., 525 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg, Virginia 20176.
Affiliates - A list of local eventing associations affiliated with the USEA.
Areas - The USEA has divided the country into ten areas. Each area has its own chair and group of officers and volunteers to run the affairs of its area. This is a list of the contacts for the representatives of each area.
Colleges/Universities - A list of Universities and Colleges in the United States offering equestrian programs with eventing opportunities in conjunction with traditional academic programs.
Classifieds - While the USEA does not host classified advertising on this website, a number of the USEA areas do host classifieds on their websites. This is a list of the classifieds for each of the areas.
Committees (PDF) - The USEA is made up of numerous committees and task forces that guide the association in the fulfillment of its mission. This is a list of contacts for each of the current committees and task forces.
ICP Instructors - The USEA Instructors' Certification Program (ICP) educates all levels of event instructors in the teaching of event riding, training, and competing, as well as in the care of the horse and the development of effective and safe teaching methods. This is a list of certified instructors.


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Probabilistic Programming is a way of defining probabilistic models by overloading the operations in standard programming language to have probabilistic meanings. The goal is to specify probabilistic models in a compact manner for human communication and in a precise manner for automatic inference. A good overview of the research in this area was provided by the NIPS 2008 Workshop on Probabilistic Programming.This is a talk and a series of exercises in Probabilistic Programming that we presented at the Machine Learning Summer School 2009. The exercises provide a hands-on introduction to the power of Probabilistic Programming and a tutorial in Infer.NET. The exercises require Infer.NET and a C# 3.0 compiler such as Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 (available as a free download). pdf slides
The talk and exercises are available in a single zip file.


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The Konftel Ego is a personal speaker phone that is compact and portable. Despite its size, it delivers crystal-clear sound thanks to Konftel's unique OmniSound audio technology. It's ideal for a meeting with a couple colleagues in one of your smaller conference rooms or in a hotel room when you are away from the office.
It works seamlessly with Skype for Business, Cisco Jabber, Avaya Communicator and other conferencing tools. The Ego has a headset port, and the built-in battery gives you the option of completely cordless use.
The Ego received a Red Dot Award for 'Excellent product design' in early 2016!
Experience Mobility with the Konftel Ego personal speakerphone!
Connects to a mobile phone, tablet or pc — connects via Bluetooth; USB port for connection to a pc or other compatible USB device.
Compact and portable — easy to take with you; soft case included.
Crystal-clear sound — with full duplex thanks to OmniSound audio technology.
HD calls over Bluetooth — plus Bluetooth A2DP for superior audio performance when playing music.
Perfect for Skype for Business & more — Supports Skype for Business, Cisco Jabber, Avaya Communicator and other conferencing tools.
Bluetooth pairing with NFC — Simplified pairing with NFC.
Completely cordless — thanks to its built-in battery and Bluetooth (the battery is charged via the USB port and has up to 12 hours operating time.)
Headset Connectivity option — allows easy switching between headset and speaker function
Clear LCD screen display — lets you see at a glance which feature is enabled.


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YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Eastern Michigan has dismissed junior forward James Still from its basketball team while an assault case against him is being resolved in court.
The school said Friday that Still has been dismissed from team activities in accordance with athletic department policy.
Still was a freshman at Providence in April 2010 when he and teammate Johnnie Lacy were charged with assault following an attack on another student. Both were suspended.
Eastern Michigan says Still pleaded guilty Tuesday and sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2013.
Eastern Michigan says it was aware of the criminal matter when the school admitted Still this fall. The school says it received "numerous positive recommendations" and that Still, of Detroit, had earned an associate's degree from Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn.


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From: Homeopathic Medicine
Entry posted by aanabill ·
1176 views
So as soon as my skin got clear of active acne, the pores on my cheeks started becoming clogged again with closed comedones which started turning a few into cysts. I was at the vitamin shoppe and saw they have pills just for acne (which you usually think are just scams), so spur of the moment I thought why not. First off I will say they are expensive, $25 for 60 pills and you have to take 2-4 pills a day till your acne clears then 2 for maintenance. There is a money back guarantee though so if it doesn't work for you I guess no loss. I'm not here because I'm getting paid by a company either, I'm just always looking for a supplement to help with acne since I already eat extremely healthy. So the first couple days I took 2 pills in the morning and 2 at night. All the clogged pores are gone now after a week and the cysts are almost gone, so weird, because I've never had anything get rid of them so fast, not even antibiotics. I'm going to keep taking them for a couple months though to make sure it's not just a fluke.
Here's the ingredients list, which is kind of vague,
Natrum Muriaticum 6C, 12C, 30C; Kali Bromatum 6X, 12X, 30C; Thuja Occidentalis 30C; Arsenicum Bromatum 4C, 9C, 12C; Tuberculinum Residuum 6C; Calcarea Picrata 6X, 12X, 30X; Sulphur Iodatum 6X, 12X; Aloe Vera 10X; Calcarea Sulphurica, Kali Sulphuricum 6X; Viola Tricolor 1X. In a base of: L-Cystine, L-Glutamic Acid, L-Cysteine, PABA, Radix Angelicae Sinesis, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Herbalamnae, Pyridoxine HCL, Magnesium Oxide, Methionine bound Zinc, Retinol, Beta Carotene, Ergocalciferol, Gelatin, Rice Flour, and Dextrose.


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Harvest Bible Chapel Woodhull
161 N. Division St.
Woodhull IL 61490
Harvest Bible Chapel Woodhull
Jim Shannon – SENIOR PASTOR
Kevin Fogerty – WORSHIP/YOUTH PASTOR
I am sure by now you have heard about the lawsuit that was filed by pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel. Ironically, the October 24th Walk in the Word podcast started with James MacDonald stating "Bow and acceptance when God says no. Or bitterness will lead to bad behavior and break down and bankruptcy at every level."
I say ironic because this was the first sermon I heard after I read the broadcast email sent out by Harvest to its members announcing their decision to do the unthinkable and file a civil lawsuit over a relational issue. Something that James has preached on and made very clear that it goes against God and is sin. Yet James has rationalized it to fit what James wants. You as an elder, pastor, and you as a Harvest Bible Chapel church plant need to understand that if you stand by James Macdonald's unbiblical actions, you too will be a part of that "break down and bankruptcy at every level". The chances are very good that this ungodly, prideful and selfish decision will have an impact on your church. If you are an elder and pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, I would suggest you find the strength and courage to stand up to James and the wrongdoing his will is imposing. Yes, based on several past incidents, there will more than likely be some backlash and you most certainly will have to endure James' wrath. But isn't your job to put what God says and thinks above what James says and thinks? Aren't you suppose to put your trust in God and not James?
Being Godly men and women, you have to realize the magnitude of James' and the elders of Harvest Bible Chapel's actions. You must understand that they have opened Pandora's box. Not only does their actions directly contradict God's word, but also directly contradicts James' teachings. According to James' letter, he is rationalizing and making excuses for these actions because "man's law" allows it.
So, because man's law says it is ok to get a divorce, is Harvest now going to now teach that it is ok to seek a divorce for any reason? Because man's law says it is ok to have an abortion, will Harvest now teach it is ok for someone to have an abortion? Because man's law teaches it is ok to live in a sexual relationship outside of marriage, will Harvest now be ok with people openly and freely having sex without being married? These things are exactly what James is conveying to his members and millions who listen to him worldwide.
What about the people who have been on the fence about a lawsuit? People who have chosen not to file a lawsuit because they heard James' teachings. Is Harvest going to be ok with them now moving forward with a lawsuit that is a relational issue? How many people will this turn away from the church and possibly turn away from God due to the blatant hypocrisy of James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel? The bible warns of this very type of hypocrisy and the consequences that come with it.
Later in that same message mentioned above, James states "I would surrender the whole how, and the whole when, even if you know you are praying for something you know is God's will, I would let the who and the how and the when be God's."
Here is a link to that Walk in the Word podcast where James himself is defining his own hypocrisy:
Walk in the Word Podcast
Unfortunately, James and the elders have ignored this teaching, and many others. I am sure you are aware and must know that God will not be mocked. So the question is, what side of this are you and your church going to be on? God's side or James' side? If you are going to mock God, you already know what God is going to do.
Regarding the blog James describes, have you ever read anything on it? The Elephants Debt
I do not know the people behind it, nor do I know anything about the issues and circumstances between them and Harvest Bible Chapel. But I took some time to read the blogs and what I read was nothing like the picture James MacDonald painted. The thoughts and concerns and evidence posted there seem to be an attempt to address the wrongdoings of Harvest Bible Chapel. Sinful wrongdoings that James and the elders have intentionally ignored and tried to coverup. From my time as a member at Harvest I have heard about, and even witnessed for myself the coverups, lies and even defamation that has occurred from Harvest's own leadership. How they intentionally and systematically coverup wrongdoings that impact and hurt members. Just discarding those members instead of addressing the issues. I have personally witnessed a serious lack of transparency. Even though James teaches complete transparency. I am sure there are dozens, maybe even hundreds or maybe thousands of other current or past members who have been steam rolled and bullied by Harvest Bible Chapel in order to coverup various issues that they don't want to address. All you have to do is read the story about how Harvest abused 3 of its elders. If they are doing that to their own elders, you can rest assured they have done that, and continue to do that to its members. This happened just a few short years ago. How many more stories like this are never exposed? Never brought into the light? Here is the article:
3 Excommunicated Elders
If you are an elder, pastor or Harvest church plant, I would strongly suggest you stand up for God's word. James has stated that you are to obey the authority placed over you, unless it is causing you to sin. These actions are sinful. No matter how Harvest tries to spin it.


text: Word on the street is that the infamous Live Nation deal that Jay Z was supposed to sign may end up being the deal that never was. The $150 million dollar deal that had media outlets hopping back in April as it would be the biggest deal ever planned for the company who is a spin off of Clear Channel Communications. Talk of the town is that Jay might be headed over to Warner Music Group where his old homie Lyor Cohen is situated.


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Land. Air. Sea. Space. And now, officially, Cyber, too.
The Pentagon on Thursday unveiled its first ever "Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace," officially – some say belatedly – staking out its turf in the digital realm of networks and computers, an arena that analysts say has been militarized for years.
The document outlining the strategy emphasized its defensive – albeit proactive – posture, indicating only by omission the presumed offensive capabilities of a nation seen by many cyberwar experts as the world's preeminent cyber superpower.
Some analysts were quick to criticize the unclassified document as shedding little light on the full and true nature of the Pentagon's new cyberstrategy.
Recent leaks of some elements of the policy document led to its early characterization as focusing on circumstances under which the United States would retaliate with bombs, if it came under serious cyber attack.
But this slender 13-page document stresses measures to enhance US cyberdefenses, with nary a mention of offensive cyber weapon deployment, development, or cyberwar strategy other than the broad mandate to make "cyber" a full-fledged "operational domain."
"Far from 'militarizing' cyberspace, our strategy of securing networks to deny the benefit of an attack will help dissuade military actors from using cyberspace for hostile purposes," Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said Thursday at the National Defense University in a speech characterizing the new strategy. "Indeed, establishing robust cyberdefenses no more militarizes cyberspace than having a navy militarizes the ocean."
"Peace through preventive defense is at the heart of our DoD cyberstrategy and the administration's overall approach to cyberspace," he said, referring apparently to sensors and other network systems by which the Pentagon hopes to thwart infiltrating hackers – or at least give them less than they had hoped to gain.
Amid headlines touting the latest "cyberbattle" and breathless coverage of hackers defacing websites or criminals scooping up credit card and personal information, Mr. Lynn asserted that little of what is characterized in the media as cyberwar or cyberbattles comes close to meriting military attention, much less military action.
"While identifying criminal activity in cyberspace is of concern, this is not the Defense Department's primary concern," he said. "Rather, our concern is specific to activities that threaten our mission to protect the security of the nation."
Lynn's speech – and the new document – outline "five pillars" that characterize the Defense Department's cyberstrategy, including:
• Operational Domain: The Defense Department will treat cyberspace as an "operational domain," just as it does land, air, sea, and space. What that means is that the military will operate within and defend its networks as well as organize, train and equip US forces for cyber missions.
• Active Defenses. The US is deploying for the first time new "active defenses" that employ "sensors, software, and signatures" aimed at detecting and stopping malicious code before it affects military networks and operations – thereby denying the benefit of an attack.
• Critical Infrastructure Defense. Here, the Pentagon describes its role helping defend critical infrastructure and nonmilitary networks that undergird key military functions, including the power grid, financial sector, and transportation system.
Because the US military is restricted from certain domestic operations, it is working in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security and private sector partners to lend its expertise to protect US critical infrastructure – providing to both the signatures and systems that help identify malicious software. Punctuating that point, Mr. Lynn noted in his speech a serious, previously unknown intrusion in March into a defense contractor's network that netted 24,000 files.
• International Defense Building. This fourth pillar lays out expectations that the US will build "collective cyberdefenses" with international partners and allies, including NATO, expanding awareness of malicious software attacks.
• Training and Technology. The fifth pillar aims to ramp up training of defense personnel. The idea is to weaken the advantage cyberattackers enjoy due to anonymity on the Internet and generally porous defenses in society.
With DoD operating more than 15,000 networks and seven million computing devises in installations around the world, the target is huge. So the Pentagon is seeking some technological fixes to shift the field away from attackers, the strategy document indicates.
Though not in the document, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently announced work on new computer systems that adapt on the fly to attacks to increase resilience. Add to that new encryption technology that prevents data from becoming visible or vulnerable to an attacker.
Alan Paller, research director for the Sans Institute, a Washington-based cybersecurity education organization, says he especially likes pillars two and five – protecting critical infrastructure and ramping up procurement.
"This is the first time the nation has fully and publicly committed to continuous monitoring and active defense that will allow the federal government to raise the bar in securing existing systems," he says in an email interview.
But for others the document was missing too many major elements, offensive cyberweapons strategy, for one.
Shrouded in secrecy, the development of weaponized cyber is being conducted in the US – as in many other nations – outside public view and with little debate about their impact on international treaties and on conventional theories of war – such as deterrence – that have governed nations for decades, cyber warfare experts say.
Weapons like Stuxnet, the world's first-publicly confirmed piece of weaponized software that some have called a "digital guided missile" was discovered last year to have hammered Iran's nuclear facilities. Nobody knows who developed Stuxnet, even though the US and Israel are high on the list of suspects, many say.
The new document doesn't reference US offensive cyber weapons capability or development, or when such weapons might be used against an adversary. Yet, doctrine and policy regarding such use is a major issue within the cyberpolicy community, some arguing the president should be involved in many, if not most, decisions to deploy such weapons. Still, it's possible such questions are more directly addressed in a classified version of the cyber document that observers presume exists.
"I didn't see a single new thing here," says a member of the 2009 National Research Council study of the legality and ethics of using offensive cyberweapons, who asked not to be named. "This so-called strategy is so broadly written that not only is there nothing new in it, parts of this could have been written in the mid-90s – stuff about active defenses, better training, better procurement – it's the same old stuff. It's hard to see how this constitutes a strategy."
Others agreed there were obvious omissions with no reference to "information operations" – the deployment of digital disinformation – or a new generation of cyberweapons that could take out computer-controlled power grids, refineries, chemical factories and other computer controlled infrastructure, says Dan Kuehl, a professor of information operations at National Defense University, who attended Lynn's speech.
"The reality is this is really a document focused on cybersecurity efforts, which are not unimportant, but it's only one or two slices of the pizza," Dr. Kuehl says. "Where's the DoD's strategy for the use of cyberspace to influence operations?" he asks, referring to the use of disinformation.
Still, he thought Lynn's speech and the document are unambiguous about the major issue: the military's key role in cyberspace.
"There's been some unhappiness emerging about the idea of militarizing cyberspace," he says. "But I thought Lynn's speech and the strategy document are right on the mark in trying to just normalize it – driving a gentle stake through the heart of all this concern.
"I mean, give me a break, it has been militarized for two decades just like space. We're just catching up with it."


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We can hardly believe that almost a year has passed since the first U.S. LG Android phone, the LG Ally, hit our shores. LG has advanced considerably in the U.S. market since then, with the release of several great Android phones like the high-end T-Mobile G2X, the entry-level Optimus handsets for every major carrier, and the recently launched midrange LG Marquee.
Now LG has introduced a successor to the Ally with the LG Enlighten for Verizon Wireless. In the tradition of LG's entry-level offerings, the Enlighten is surprisingly feature-packed for its category--it ships with Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, 3G, Wi-Fi, along with 3G Mobile Hotspot capabilities for up to five devices. Seeing as the Enlighten is free with a two-year contract, that's not a bad deal at all if you're just looking for a basic Android phone.
The LG Enlighten looks more like the Optimus line of phones than the Ally. At 4.5 inches long by 2.3 inches wide by 0.58 inch thick, the Enlighten has a blocky rectangular design that is softened slightly by curved sides and rounded corners, and is not nearly as curvaceous and angled as the Ally. The Enlighten is not as heavy at 5.54 ounces, but it'll still put a dent in your pocket. The phone has a soft-touch matte finish on the back that gives it a nice comfortable feel in the hand.
On the front of the Enlighten is a bright and colorful 3.2-inch HVGA display. We're a little disappointed that LG downgraded the resolution from 480x800 pixels to 320x480 pixels, but for an entry-level phone, we think it still does the job. It looks great under bright sunlight as well. The capacitive display is responsive enough, and you have the option of adding haptic feedback if you desire. You also get an accelerometer and a proximity sensor.
Interestingly, LG opted for its own custom interface instead of the standard Android user interface. The menu is divided into application categories--Communications, News & Search, Media, Tools, Applications, and Downloads--and the bottom row houses the phone dialer, the contacts list, the messaging menu, and Home/Menu shortcuts. You can also customize up to seven home screens. Android purists might not like it, but the user interface does serve to make Android a bit more palatable to smartphone newbies. You get the default Android virtual keyboard as well.
If you're not happy with the virtual keyboard, you can slide the phone open to reveal a physical QWERTY keyboard. As with the Ally, we really like the keyboard here. The four-row keyboard is roomy, with plenty of spacing in between each key. The keys are all raised above the surface as well, which results in a satisfying click when pressed. We like the large Space bar along with the physical navigation controls on the right, just in case you're tired of using the touch screen to scroll around.
Underneath the display are the usual Android shortcut keys for the Menu, Home, Back, and Search functions. The volume rocker and Micro-USB port is on the left spine, while the camera button is on the right. On the top is a screen lock/power key along with a 3.5mm headset jack. A 3.2-megapixel camera sits on the back.
We're very impressed that the LG Enlighten has Android 2.3.4, considering it's an entry-level phone. This gives it an improved user interface along with a better power management, downloads management, control over apps, and more. It even has Adobe Flash Player 10 in the browser, along with GPS, 3G with EV-DO Rev. A, and Wi-Fi. It has tethering and 3G Mobile Hotspot capabilities, too--you can share data with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
As with all Android phones, the Enlighten is compatible with Google's array of apps and services that include Gmail, Google Search with Voice, Maps with Navigation, Google Talk, Latitude, Places, and YouTube. If you decide not to use Gmail, you can use your own e-mail log-in information and enter in your POP3 or IMAP server addresses if you like. LG and Verizon have included a few of their own apps on here as well, and they include Backup Assistant, Guided Tours, My Verizon Mobile, and Polaris Viewer. The Verizon apps like Backup Assistant are not removable.


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"The newest and most exciting voice to emerge in contemporary Southern fiction."
- San Francisco Bay Guardian
"An original, lyrically written tale . . . a beautifully realized character. . . Reynolds aims high and just about hits the bull's eye, displaying a self-assurance and a taste for moral and social issues that makes her debut a most welcome one."
- Publisher's Weekly
"Sheri Reynolds's haunting voice will stay with you long after you have finished her scary and brilliant first novel. An auspicious debut for a very talented writer."
- Lee Smith, author of Fair and Tender Ladies
"Reynolds is a wonderful storyteller and master of pastoral imagery."
- New York Times Book Review


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Ahhhh…blessed, peaceful silence.
Well, at least you'll get some peace and quiet after you turn that damned radio
off. My advice to anyone who buys Silent Hill (and many of you should
because it's a good game) is to turn off the radio! Better yet, don't even pick
it up. The sound and music are good, and they will set you on edge if you can
actually hear over the awful hissing, suspense-spoiling radio. Is it off now?
Good. We may begin.
world of computer gaming got its first real taste of horror from Alone In
The Dark, a terrific, terrifying and revolutionary title. Then the Resident
Evil series reared its gruesome head on the PlayStation, a captivating bit
of 'survival horror' that combined special forces teams, bad acting, and brain-eating
zombies. Now the next level is here in Silent Hill, which is both better
and worse, more disturbing and yet somehow less jump-out-of-your-seat scary
than its predecessors.
Every time I think that game programmers have reached the limits of the PSX
hardware, I am proven wrong. Silent Hill breaks that envelope because
the whole world is truly 3D. No more fixed camera angles. No more pre-rendered
sets and constant blips of CD access. Instead, you get full freedom of movement,
incredible graphical detail and very cool lighting effects. This is partly accomplished
through an almost constant fog affect, which only allows you to see a short
distance in any direction at any time. While this is normally a bummer, it actually
works in Silent Hill by heightening the suspense.
Of course, the key to having fun in 3D worlds is the camera. Put a stupid camera
in a game, and objects will block the view and interrupt gameplay, spoiling
otherwise decent games like Akuji The Heartless.
Silent Hill, on the other hand, has the best camera I have ever seen.
Not only does it provide fast and clear views, but it also manages to have a
distinct editing style: eerie and spooky with lots of interesting angles. It
really feels like playing through a horror movie.
And what a sick horror movie it is. Silent Hill moves us away from the
campy, Roger Corman style horror of Resident Evil, and into the truly
disturbed worlds of H.P. Lovecraft and Clive Barker. You play
Harry Mason, a simple guy. You're not a cop, or an FBI agent, or anything vaguely
heroic. You swerve and crash your jeep just outside the mountain town of Silent
Hill. When you come to, your daughter is missing. You think you spot her
running off in the distance, and you follow…
Every part of the town of Silent Hill seems to have two sides. There's
the regular-world part, which is pretty bad and full of vicious hell dogs and
flying demon things; and an other-worldly nightmarish mirror that is much worse
and will simply make your skin crawl. You will have to explore large parts of
both worlds to solve the puzzle of Silent Hill and find your daughter.
of puzzles, they are almost exactly the same as in Resident Evil. Find
the Silver and Gold disks, then put them in the right place. Gotta locate that
next key, because you certainly shouldn't kick open any doors in a depopulated
town full of demons. These puzzles do make a bit more sense in Silent Hill's
nightmarish setting, rather than having them all confined to psuedo-rational
explanations in a zombie-infested police station as in Resident
Evil 2.
That's another great thing about Silent Hill: the freedom of movement.
You can go all over the town and into many of the buildings. The maps and floorplans
actually make sense, unlike the random, unlikely corridors of Resident Evil.
But Resident Evil did some things better. The enemies in Silent Hill
are all sort of pinkish and don't move very well. The settings and the mood
are actually scarier than the creatures themselves. To make it worse, the combat
is pretty bad. While the controls are almost exactly the same as Resident
Evil, combat is much more sluggish, less fun, and less interesting. It just
feels like you have very little control during a fight.
And so far, Silent Hill hasn't made me fall out of my seat in terror
like a couple of the inspired moments from Resident Evil.
But even if your heart doesn't skip a beat because something really startled
you, your pulse rate will be throbbing thanks to the ghoulish settings, the
confusing horror, and the perfect set-your-nerves-on-edge music (which you can
hear because your turned off that crackling radio, remember?). It's just too
bad the voice acting continues to be terrible in these games. With bizarre pauses
in the dialogue, it spoils the otherwise perfect mood.
I only complain so much about the flaws in Silent Hill because I really
like the game. The little problems are thrown into sharp contrast by the brilliant
vision of horror. And with multiple endings, you may not even discover the true
evil that stalks the town your first time through.
Silent Hill is definitely the scariest monster in town until we see
what Resident Evil 3 for the Dreamcast looks like. It also brings video
game horror into the 3rd dimension. Add to that a more intelligent, more disturbing
plot than its B-movie predecessors, and this is definitely not a game for little
kids. So if you don't fall into that category, go buy Silent Hill, pour
yourself a strong drink, turn out all the lights, and immerse yourself in the
sickness. It's a hell of a lot better than going to see the latest Wes Craven


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James Delingpole
London Telegraph
Friday, January 8th, 2010
As you freeze your butt off in a winter whose severity the politicised weather forecasters of the Met Office utterly failed to predict, and as you wonder how you can afford gas and electricity bills which have been grotesquely inflated by taxes and legislation designed to "combat global warming", spare a thought for a fellow victim of eco-fascism who's even worse off than you. In a week or so this poor man could be dead.
His name is Peter Spencer, he's a farmer in New South Wales, and his livelihood has been stolen by the Australian government in the name of – you guessed it – "combatting climate change." That's why he is now sitting atop that windblown tower you see in the photograph, on sheep farmland rendered useless by eco-legislation, starving himself to death in protest at his government's callous disregard for his property rights. This is his 46th day on hunger strike.
[efoods]Jo Nova has been following the story closely. Here's the eco-political background:
As a part of Australia's commitment to protect native vegetation and to reduce carbon emissions under the Kyoto protocol, Peter Spencer and thousands of farmers like him, have been subjected to a government imposed ban on land clearing.
The saved trees are natural carbon sinks worth an estimated $10.8 billion to the government in reduced carbon emissions, should Kevin Rudd's emissions trading scheme go ahead. But the farmers, who can no longer develop this land have received no compensation.
Peter Spencer is among the victims of this legalised theft. He first told his story here in 2006.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


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Professional Community for Car Dealers, Marketing, Advertising and Sales Leaders
Mathematically and certainly, the BeBack Fight is dead. JD Power shows us in the graph below that the average dealerships visited by vehicle shoppers dropped from 4.1 in 2005 to 1.3 in 2010. Don't expect 2012 to raise that number.
Why does this "kill" the BeBack fight? First, logically, it at least kills it as we've known it. If a person left the dealership in 2005, statistically we knew they were prone to leave and we fought to get them back. This number tells us that we were one of four dealerships visited in 2005, so we were right to fight. We were competing.
Yes, what you're thinking right now remains correct: We should still contact customers to get them back, of course. However, the shopper's choice of who to come back to is not our biggest issue any longer--to begin seeing why that is the case, start here with the aforementioned JD Power data graph (thanks for the graphic to a friend of mine):
NOW, clearly, the big fight is to be the ONE dealership they visit. To be the first dealership, actually! Because shoppers, of course, can't visit a partial dealership, so they must visit 1, 2, 3, and so on. And mathematically, in order to average 1.3 that means that at least 70 out of 100 shoppers (that's 70%!) visit only ONE dealership during their shopping. If we account for rounding down from 1.34 to 1.3, for 100 shoppers that still means that at least 65% of the shoppers visited only ONE dealership during their shopping. And, if you believe that the maximum number of dealerships normally shopped is no more than five, then the math shows that 91 out of 100 (or 91%!) shoppers visit only one dealership!
Why is this happening? Because the customers are, of course, shopping ONLINE now and (84% here and 90%+ according to some OEMS), and so they don't need to visit until they are ready to buy! Really, on a customer visit nowadays the sale is in our hands more than ever and is, really, ours to lose.
So, to help, what makes them come to you first? Some of that is their habits: Are you making your customers habitual for service and repeats? ("Habitual" will be the subject of a later article). The rest is your advertising, your website, your online presence—essentially, your digital lot—and your work with leads, equity, and the like. Everything you learn here and in workshops, conferences, battle plans, etc. is VERY VALUABLE on this issue. It is all gold.
However, there's also platinum--and diamonds!--to be had for being the first dealership visited, as well! And we need all the help we can get with that. Including the most powerful sales-enabling tools we can muster.
And that leads me, in this article, to Big Data. Would you like to know who in your customer base and aged leads are shopping for vehicles? What their targets are for vehicle type and price range? How to help them come to your dealership first? Or what households in your area to best target? So that you are at position ONE in the "1.3" and get the most sales?
THAT is the promise, really the result, of Big Data for Dealerships for sales: Because being #1 isn't just a "thing" now.
It's the ONLY thing.
(P.S. How can Big Data specifically help you with this? More to come on that!)
By Keith Shetterly, firstname.lastname@example.com
Copyright 2012 All Rights Reserved
Views: 1436
I'm fascinated by the whole Big Data thing but uncertain to it's limitations. Obviously, it can track your movements throughout the research phase. It can determine when you stop shopping which would make you believe that you purchased or found out that you couldn't.
I'm convinced that people, after they have completed their research, set out to buy a car. They have decided what they want and will purchase it at the first dealership or at the next.
From personal experience, dealerships don't want to hear this. They like to look at their logs and see that they accomplished a 30% closing ratio. Ignorance is bliss.
To Doug's point, yes, exactly.
To Tom's point, not that JD Power is infallible, but the actual visit to dealerships . . . well, the average is 1.3. Online, I've heard everything from 5 dealers and 2 auto shopping sites to 3 dealers and 4 auto shopping sites. I'm not sure if that answers your point, but that's what I meant. Thanks!
Tom, let me add one to your list:
4. You better have someone that can close them when they come in the door. If not, they are off to dealer #2, where they will buy.
Everyone shops multiple dealerships. But shopping multiple dealerships doesn't mean visiting multiple dealerships. There will always be some folks who are comfortable doing things the way they always have, but the world is moving in a new direction. An increasing number of people expect to manipulate digital content to streamline their consumption experience. Consider DVR, VOD, RSS, iGoogle, etc. People don't have to look up a program in the TV Guide and program a VCR to record at a specific time. Now you just sit down at your computer or your TV and tell the machine what you want to watch right now. The machine goes out and gets it for you. The car shopping equivalent is CarWoo. The consumer tells the machine what they want and the machine goes out and finds dealers who have what the consumer wants. This sounds crazy, but a few years ago I thought using my credit card # online was crazy too.
Keith, am I in denial, has my head been in the sand? Just this past Sunday's family dinner (of around 18) there was discussion of car shopping by 4 separate parties and all shopped, or were shopping multiple dealerships. Is a double blind experiment in order by J.D. Power? This data is so unexpected it is either unbelievable or I spent far too much time on the beach with my head in the sand lately!
Doug, I'm with you on this. For me, there are three key elements The first two are crucial because you can't sell a car if you can't get them in.
The last one is crucial as well. The customer will buy and you will create advocates who will give you referrals and repeat business.
In the "old days", customers visited the dealership to get a price, then went somewhere else to shop the price, and perhaps returned.
Today, the prices are available before the customer comes to the store. So the lesson here is monitor your online pricing to be competitive, and if you're higher on a unit, explain online why you're higher. The limited search criteria available in the major portals means that you, as a dealer, have to explain why your unit is worth $850 more than the cheapest make/model/year/mileage that is returned in the same search. Perhaps you can even itemize, e.g., this unit has a $1600 Nav system, $550 stereo upgrade, $2300 custom wheels, etc. Make the customer aware of all the value in the unit so they don't simply dismiss it. If you fail to demonstrate the value, you won't be the first/only dealer they visit.
When i was a newby on the lot in the late 90's, I had a sales manager who was fully convinced of two things: 1) the internet was a fad that would only last 5 years, and 2) "THEY AIN'T COMING BACK!". With his 50% success rate, I won't follow him to the dog track or blackjack table, but I never forgot his point.
Of course Keith teases us with his future content, but but this poignant data just strengthens the point that you have to make every effort to differentiate yourself from the clutter and engage buyers online early and often with the use of well-trained BDC staffs and round-the-clock internet chat options.
To me, IT IS CURIOUS that in an era that sees brand loyalty lower than in years past, is someone shopping for a car would not even LOOK at cars in person before making their choice. That would also point to the importance of bringing your 'A' game to off-site marketing events and auto shows.
your point about not expecting customers to come back is solid. If you aren't making progress at the end of 2 weeks after your first appointment with a customer, good luck. You most likely won't see them again. My condolences to the dealer.
I often wonder how much that market has changed. Because of the level of competition, they put a lot of pressure on the customer. Triple TO was the rule of the day, at every store. If a customer went through that, they're not coming back. Most stores really trained their salespeople. A one to three week highly structured course was standard. They didn't hand someone a bunch of brochures and say, "read these and go sell some cars".
When a customer comes in, used or new, it means they are already close to buying. They already liked what they saw online, be it price, customer reviews, etc. If reality meets up with their online experience, you're done. Great customer service, great upfront attitude, and good price will clinch the deal 90% of the time.
Tom, we are on the same page. I put dealerships into three categories; Market Leaders, Average Performers and Sub Par Dealers. The vast majority fall into the last two categories. Market leaders know how to market their cars and have good processes. Not only will they get more leads, they will close a much higher percentage of them. They close a huge percentage of their appointments.
Keith's chart deals with averages, "Best of the Worst" or "Worst of the Best". There is a disparity in how well the Market Leaders perform against the Average and Sub Par dealers. How do these averages relate when Market Leaders are realizing 50, 60, and even 70% of their business through their internet departments?
The graphic displaying leads and online usage is interesting. I find it fascinating how internet usage is drastically increasing and yet the number of leads submitted has remained consistent.
We were looking at the trends of be-backs in our office 6 months ago and we found an interesting trend with our dealership clients. Customers who left without buying a vehicle on their first visit and who did not return within 2 weeks, only closed at a 3% rate over the next several months. This was not for lack of effort. These customers were convinced that the dealer was not capable of assisting them with their vehicle needs for one reason or another.
Doug, your point about not expecting customers to come back is solid. If you aren't making progress at the end of 2 weeks after your first appointment with a customer, good luck. You most likely won't see them again. My condolences to the dealer.
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text:
Transitioning From Mechanical to Electronic Locking Devices
Steve Spatig, General Manager, Electronic Access Solutions, Southco, Inc.
At one time or another you may have used a swipe card, a keypad or remote controlled device to gain entry into a secure room, building or vehicle, without giving thought to the system behind this convenient user interface. These electronic access systems incorporate electronic locks or latches (EMLs) to provide security for a variety of applications today from medical storage units and server cabinets to vehicle compartments and enclosures.
As consumers have grown accustomed to the security and convenience of electronic access systems, equipment OEMs have realized the need to transition from traditional mechanical locks to electronic locks due to the safety and convenience they provide. When integrated with a networked, remote monitoring system, these systems can provide electronic records of access activity which can be used to streamline security administration.
Electronic Access Solutions (EAS)
Engineers can simplify the transition from mechanical lock and key configurations to electronic access technology by integrating an appropriate Electronic Access Solution (EAS) into their application. An EAS consists of an EML, an access control device and a remote monitoring system.
The EML is the heart the system and is critical to the effectiveness of any remotely controlled EAS because it influences system electrical requirements, physical security, installation and operation, as well as the industrial design of the end product. The EML operates similarly to a mechanical lock, but its electronic capability allows it to be combined with an access control device to add an additional layer of security.
Access control devices actuate electronic locks by validating user credentials and producing a signal that unlocks the EML. Access control devices such as keypads, radio frequency (RF) proximity card systems, biometrics or other wireless systems can be combined with the EML or integrated to simplify installation.
Together with an access control device, EMLs communicate with external systems to create audit trails that can be viewed locally or remotely, on-site or off. Each time an EML is actuated, an electronic "signature" is created, and can be stored by an existing security network to monitor access. This record of electronic activity can capture location, date, time, duration of access and specific user credentials, which reduces reaction time in the event of a security breach. The information collected provides critical audit trail data required for compliance with directives such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Sarbanes-Oxley.
The Heart of the System
Choosing the right EML depends on many factors. How the end user will monitor access and their need to balance convenience with security, for example, may impact how engineers incorporate the technology into their applications. EMLs can be customized to meet the needs of each application, and are available in a variety of mechanism types.
- Electronic Slide Bolt – This EML operates in a similar manner as a traditional door and may be mounted to the frame, rather than the door itself. The electronic slide bolt, such as Southco's E-Keeper platform, is ideal for applications where space is limited, such as the drawers of a medical dispensing cart. In this case, the EML acts as an intelligent keeper or strike, releasing the door from the frame when actuated. The door can then be simply pushed closed against a spring-loaded slide bolt.
- Electronic Rotary Latch – This EML uses high-strength rotary action and concealed "push-to-close" convenience that is suitable for many types of applications, from vending machines to supply cabinets. When actuated, the efficient R4-EM Electronic Rotary Latch for example, releases the cam under heavy loads of up to 350 lbs with minimal power consumption of less than 500 milliamps.
- Electronic Locking Swinghandle – This EML electronically unlocks upon receipt of valid electronic input, enabling manual actuation of the handle. Primarily used on electronic enclosures such as datacenter server cabinets, the H3-EM Swinghandle has integrated sensors and multiple output signals to provide data for both local and remote monitoring of the lock status.
For added piece of mind, EMLs can also be equipped with a mechanical override system, which enables manual release in the event of a power failure.
Making the Transition
Electronic access control solutions offer manufacturers a means for increasing the level of security for their equipment. Security systems that provide flexible access control management, audit trail capability and a smooth transition from mechanical to electronic mechanisms allow engineers to simplify the design process for new application or the upgrade of an existing access system.
A reliable security system must include an efficient electronic lock. When combined with the appropriate access control device, a complete electronic access solution provides a secure means for remotely managing and controlling access to enclosures.


text:
I'm finished!
I just got back from my last official final of my undergraduate career! Clearly, I have another semester to go, but none of my classes will be "final test" type classes- just papers or portfolios! AMAZING!
And yet, as I walked out into the street the feeling of sadness sifted through me. And I remembered that I always feel sad when I finish finals. Not that I LOVE the stress, but that I love the challenge, and that I'm reasonably good at it because I enjoy learning so much.
The triumph of being finished for a whole months certainly outweighs that faint sadness, and yet I feel it with a bit more intensity this time, knowing its the last time I'll finish THIS way- just before Christmas, bursting through the doors of the Silver Center with a cheesy grin on my face, just like I did freshman year.
I've been feeling a strange nostalgia- or perhaps its not strange- for the last few years, and yet I'm so happy to be HERE. Now. But it has hit me harder than it has before that I am going to REALLY REALLY REALLY miss this place, and this thing- College- the atmosphere. I've had so many "I love NYU" and "I love Gallatin" moments (no, really... strange, I know) the last few days, and even today, in the middle of my essay test as I was writing away, felt that swell of endearment. Gosh, I'm a nerd.
I am, though, more and more ready to be in a new phase of life. While college has been so wonderful, I'm eagerly anticipating completing it. Less than two months until my Colloquium, and just under five months until I graduate. Wow... after 22 years I think I'm ready.
I'll never be ready to be DONE with school- never reach that golden brown stage of ready-to-eat academic achievement, and yet I think a change 'll do me good.
So there you have it. Some nonsensical musings about now and then and just now and all that... I'm sure you're in for a lot more of that as the true 'end' of this stage approaches.
For now, though, I wish you all very Merry Christmases and Happy Hanukkas and Fatastico New Years and Amazing Trips to Israel or Colorado or North Carolina or California or Minnesota or Georgia or Tennessee....
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
I'm finished!
Posted by Claire at 4:03 PM 1 comments
Monday, December 11, 2006
Update: Pictorial.
Here is a pictorial update marathon! Well, really just pictures from weekend before last's good times. Friday night Staci and I went out with Josh, Laura, Laura, Brittany, and Allison! Saturday we went to the Ballet! Oh the culture!
See below for some of the pictures!
And you know everyone in that bar loved it!
Below is our picture of the tree at Lincoln Center where we saw the Nutcracker which was FANTASTIC- the set was amazing! I'll leave you with that for now- hopefully I'll come by some good pictures from other peoples' cameras from this weekend (my battery died).
Posted by Claire at 3:57 PM 7 comments
Sunday, December 10, 2006
We are officially BOOKED to go to JAMAICA for our Honeymoon!
This is going to be us!
I am so excited! Only 244 days!
Posted by Claire at 8:52 PM 4 comments
Progress Report.
Finals time. Yikes. I realized I haven't kept you very well updated, and some of you are confused at the goings on unless you talk with me daily or see me every few days- so here is the latest:
I turned down the internship- I believe this was the right decision and feel very much at peace with it. (yes (for those confused), I interviewed, was offered the internship, and then turned it down).
I am finished with Finals on Wednesday at 6:00pm (maybe earlier). Until then I'll be pretty crazed, but honestly things are going well. I have solid drafts of both papers due on Wednesday completed that need only minor changes and input. I have an Irish oral test that I'm taking tomorrow at 3:30. Tuesday is my final in piano. Wednesday I'll hand in my papers and then my last class is an essay test on Twelfth Night and King Lear. So overall, not too bad. Having last week's papers and groups projects happily behind me, the work I put in on Wednesday night, Thursday night, and Friday has really helped this week seem not at all bad. It is stressful, but knowing its the last of its kind (here I come 10 credits!!!) is a GREAT feeling.
I head home on Thursday morning- I'll be leaving the apartment around 4:45am! Woo!
So there you have it. Mostly this post was written for me to clear my thoughts, and for you confuseled kids to know what's up. And for Miss Whitney- to have a little more info on finals time so she can relish vicariously :) Holla.
Anyway. Should have some fun news coming up, and ideally some pictures. But hey, I know I'm full of promises....
Posted by Claire at 2:30 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Drowning in Jacques.
Yes. Its true. I'm drowning in Jacques le Fataliste.
And yes. That was a blatantly sad effort at procrastination.
But it worked. *
Posted by Claire at 8:19 PM 3 comments
December 6, 2006.
I have elected to stay home this evening and work on some papers.
It should be good.
I'll be wearing this, an item I receibed in class today, in order to stay focused...
Posted by Claire at 4:06 PM 5 comments
Monday, December 04, 2006
To Be or Not To Be...
An Intern.
I got offered the internship that I interviewed for on Friday. Hooray! And yet...
I would have a 45 minute (at LEAST) commute every time I went out there, another 45 back. It's not the most desirable location, nor is the office a traditional style office- it is located in a donor's apartment- this is a TRUE non-profit. It would be SUCH good experience, but I'm not sure that in the end it's what I want for my last semester here.
I'll keep you all posted, of course. Right now I've requested more info on the jobs and duties I would have as an intern, and we'll go from there.
I'm pretty tired and still have a group meeting to go to tonight at 9:15. It shouldn't be bad, but the paper I'm currently trying to outline is totally slapping me in the face and laughing at me like a frosting-faced little girl. Cruel!
Some day soon (or maybe this weekend...) I'll post more details and some pictures. In the mean time, leave me some love, wisdom, or inspiration!
Posted by Claire at 5:27 PM 4 comments
Saturday, December 02, 2006
I Do Exist.
I didn't realize it had been so long since I updated! I apologize. That's kind of what the ol' Thanksgiving break/finals lead-in will getcha!
But hey- hey, settle down! I'll be updating tomorrow, hopefully, with pictures and stories and provoking thoughts for you, so buckle in.
And just you wait!
Also, very merry December to you all!
Posted by Claire at 2:11 PM 1 comments


text:
Wakefield to tutor knuckleballer Wright
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A familiar face will be back in Red Sox camp next week to help out a not-so-familiar face.
Tim Wakefield has been summoned by John Farrell to come to JetBlue Park and meet with Steven Wright, the knuckleball-tossing right-hander the Red Sox acquired from the Indians last year. Though Wright throws his knuckler harder than Wakefield did, there is a benefit, Farrell believes, to having the two team up.
"Understanding what worked well for Wake is not to say it's going to be the same set of checkpoints for Steven," Farrell said. "But that's a tight-knit fraternity. To have Wake as a resource, he's more than willing to share some of his thoughts and talk about it."
Wright, 28, reinvented himself as a knuckleballer three years ago, after a demotion from Triple-A to Double-A had his career going backward. He was a respectable 10-7 with a 2.54 ERA in 25 starts at the Double-A and Triple-A levels last year, so he's an interesting option for the Red Sox.
"I think it's a little premature to talk about Steven, not knowing him very well," Farrell said. "It's going to take a few outings to get a feel for him."


text:
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text:
World Bulletin / News Desk
Turkey, the United States are looking at all measures to help Syrian rebel forces fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, including a no-fly zone, as the conflict there deepens, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Saturday.
Clinton told reporters after talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that their countries needed to get into detailed operational planning on how to assist the rebels and bring a halt to the violence.
Overnight Syrian and Jordanian forces clashed along the border in an incident that highlighted international concerns that the civil war in Syria could ignite a wider regional conflict. The clashes also emphasised the urgent need for planning on what could follow Assad's fall.
"Our intelligence services, our military have very important responsibilities and roles to play so we are going to be setting up a working group to do exactly that," Clinton said.
Asked if such discussions included options such as imposing a no-fly zone over territory that Syrian rebels claim to control, Clinton indicated that was a possible option.
"The issues you posed within your question are exactly the ones the minister and I agreed need greater in-depth analysis," Clinton answered, although she indicated no decisions were necessarily imminent.
The imposition of no-fly zones by foreign powers was crucial in helping Libyan rebels overthrow Muammar Gaddafi last year. But until recently, the United States and its European allies have expressed reluctance to take on an overt military role in Syria's 17-month-old conflict.
The rebels are believed to be getting arms from Saudi Arabia and Qatar but only non-lethal assistance from the United States.
Davutoglu, responding to a similar question on next measures, said it was time for outside powers to take decisive steps to resolve the humanitarian crisis in cities such as Aleppo, which is under daily Syrian government bombardment.
Clinton heard first-hand accounts of the violence in Syria from six female refugees, among some 55,000 sheltering in Turkey in camps along its long shared border. These included a 42-year-old woman who had fled Idlib after Assad's soldiers forcibly evacuated her village and set it on fire.
"We heard their terrible stories," she said. "One woman fled after the regime's forces burned down her village, another came after they broke into her home, beat her and her children."
Clinton also met Syrian students, one of whom told her of his hope the Syrian opposition will be able to present a unified front both inside and outside Syria.
Washington sees Turkey, one of Damascus' harshest critics, as the key player both in supporting Syria's opposition and in planning for what U.S. officials say is the inevitable collapse of the Assad government.
U.S. officials are particularly interested in Turkey's analysis of the political forces emerging as Syria spirals into chaos - hoping that together they can puzzle out the complex patchwork of rebel groups jockeying for position.
Clinton and other U.S. officials have in recent weeks cited rebel gains on the battlefield and the defection of senior Syrian military and political figures, including Prime Minister Riyad Hijab, as signs that Assad's rule is crumbling.
They have also highlighted rebel claims to control a "corridor" from Aleppo to the Turkish border as a potential future opposition safe haven, which could present the United States and its allies with a policy predicament on whether to defend it against government attack.
Clinton said Washington worried about other groups such as the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) or al Qaeda exploiting the chaos in Syria to gain a foothold.
Turkey this week accused Assad of supplying arms to the PKK, and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has raised the possibility of military intervention in Syria if the PKK threat increases.
"There is a close link between what is going on in Syria and the latest events in Turkey," Erdogan told his Justice and Development party at a dinner on Saturday, adding that militant attacks were on the rise in Turkey and militants were trying to establish a stronghold in some areas.
Suspected PKK militants ambushed a Turkish military bus in western Turkey on Thursday in an attack that killed one soldier and wounded at least 11 people.
Turkish authorities in the southeast province of Hakkari announced on Saturday that armed forces had completed an almost three-week operation against PKK positions around the region of Semdinli, the scene of fierce fighting.
Erdogan said the PKK had suffered heavy losses and left the area.Last Mod: 12 Ağustos 2012, 13:33


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* First man on the moon died Aug. 25 at age 82
* Private memorial service held in his native Ohio
* "Never ... sought the limelight"
By Irene Klotz
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Aug 31 (Reuters) - As family and
friends of Neil Armstrong gathered in Ohio on Friday for a
private memorial service, NASA paid tribute to the Apollo
astronaut, calling him a great American and a space hero.
"He never dwelled on his remarkable accomplishments or
sought the limelight," Kennedy Space Center director and former
astronaut Robert Cabana said during a short tribute to Armstrong
at the Visitor Complex's Apollo-Saturn 5 Center.
"He just wanted to be part of this remarkable team and to
continue to move us forward," Cabana said.
More than 400 people, including NASA employees, community
leaders and tourists gathered to remember Armstrong, who died on
Aug. 25 following complications from heart surgery. He was 82.
A national memorial service in Washington is expected to be
held in September.
Armstrong rocketed into the history books as commander of
NASA's Apollo 11 mission in July 1969, the first to land
astronauts on the lunar surface.
Cabana, a retired Marine colonel who flew four space shuttle
missions, hailed Armstrong as a pilot and astronaut, but said
his greatest contribution was as a teacher.
"He wanted to share his knowledge and his experience and see
us continue to be a world leader," in space and aeronautics,
Cabana said.
"He always took the time to share his thoughts on technical
issues and his experiences from the past, and he was greatly
interested in Kennedy Space Center's path forward to the
future," Cabana said.
The Florida space port is being transformed following the
end of the 30-year-old space shuttle program last year. NASA
intends to open the base to commercial, research and military
Armstrong had agreed to speak at the Kennedy Space Center's
50th anniversary gala next month, Cabana said.
"When I got hold of him he said, 'You know, I really don't
want to be the guest of honor. I just want to be another
out-of-town attendee coming to celebrate,'" Cabana said.
"I said, 'Well Neil, will you still be willing to talk?' And
he said, 'Well, of course. Can you give me a hint on what you'd
like me to talk about?' -- as if we wouldn't hang on every word
that he had to say no matter what it was," Cabana added.
"That's the kind of guy Neil was," he said.
NASA administrator Charles Bolden, also a former astronaut,
said the United States has an obligation to build on Armstrong's
"Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon paved the way for
others to be the 'first' to step foot on another planet," Bolden
said in a statement on Friday.
"A grateful nation offers praise and salutes a humble
servant who answered the call and dared to dream," he said.
(Editing by Kevin Gray and Eric Walsh)