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Conlibe: Political Blog for TRUTH in Politics.Liberal Opinion Blog. Boston, Massachusetts. Political Democrat, Independent. Debunk Republican Lies, Misinformation
Archive for White House
WHY Dems lost?
Let ME count some ways?
Republicans and I finally AGREE on something!
I CANNOT stand Nancy Pelosi…either, and I'm going to check which representatives from MA voted to keep her as House Minority Leader — and to ask them about it. (Seth Moulton did NOT. Good for him!)
Pelosi does not get it, the other democrats who support her DON'T get it…(well, they get fund-raising to get RE-elected!) and the Clinton circle STILL DOESN'T GET IT!
Why the HELL are they still blaming Trump for losing the election? Isn't that what he's supposed to do – make the challenger lose?
They don't get why Trump won. They're only looking at false news and negative attacks, Russia, the FBI, etc, everything and anything but them and their poor campaign, their plastic candidate, their negativity, their lack of connection, their manipulation behind the scenes, their lack of counter-punch, their arrogant assumptions…and keep missing the economics, disappointments and frustrations of people's lives, missing the forest for the trees…while they earn millions and we earn zero…but keep asking you to DONATE, DONATE, CHIP IN.
Chip in – you dumb, insensitive (whatever!) With what…you out-of-touch (whatever)! Why can't YOU chip in some of your millions? I need my 3-dollars to pay my rent. I don't own an 11-room, 2-million-dollar mansion in Chappaqua. Donate WHAT?
I did NOTHING to support democrats in this election cycle – and that's NOT because of Trump. It's because I'm FED UP with democrats, (starting with President Obama), and their inability to connect with the cares of everyday people like me. I'm frustrated with Democrats because of their laissez-faire attitude to Immigration Reform, blaming Republicans for their failure to act, then pandering at election time with DACA. Trump appealed to HIS BASE. You did NOT! Multiply MY feelings by millions of other disgruntled, frustrated "liberals" who feel like me, for various reasons, and you get why Democrats lost. But don't tell them, let them blame Trump. It's easier.
I didn't support Bernie. But if you ask him why Democrats lost, he will NOT lay the blame on Trump. He doesn't…
At this point I'm actually thinking of going Republican, if they'd have me…eew!
Who knows, maybe Trump, crazy as it seems, MAY work out better for blacks like me!
Should I care if Trump has white supremacists in his cabinet – if he brings jobs and peace/security to my inner city? Or should I keep supporting no supremacists in the cabinet – and instead live with fear and economic depression?
Did I say I CANNOT STAND NANCY PELOSI? I am NOT a Trump hater. 20 million Americans voted for him. He is different. He is crazy. Hell, I'm giving him a chance. 2 years (midterms?) before I get on his case. I want to SEE what he will do, before I crucify him.
Did I say I cannot stand Nancy Pelosi and most of the current hierarchy in the Democratic Party?
Can someone tell me WHY Donna Brazile felt that Hillary Clinton, a seasoned politician, was NOT capable of answering a question from a CNN reporter? WHY she felt a need to slip Clinton the question on the sly beforehand? I find that morally reprehensible. If a candidate CANNOT answer a SIMPLE question off-the-cuff, then you have NO freaking right wanting to be – or BEING, president!
- It's not like the answer determined whether you went before a firing squad. Yes, in a situation where a wrong answer meant death or dismemberment, by all means, go ahead and "save" your candidate…but really? She needed prep to answer a question on the DEATH PENALTY? Why?
- Did Hillary clinton NOT know that she was going to run for president? Are you telling me that all the while she was Secretary of State, she did NOT know she was running for president and only made THAT decision suddenly, in a great "aha" moment in March 2015? How do you explain her NOT knowing that she should have 2 separate and clearly demarcated servers – one to email daughter Chelsea to ask her to check on Bill – and one to email the State Department and the White House…and to KEEP THEM separate? Why the hell did she NOT know that?
- I wrote to the president in 2008 begging him to tackle Immigration Reform FIRST. But no, he had to go tackle Health Care Reform, (because his mama had insurance issues) and so, he listened to Rahm Emmanuel (his then Chief of Staff) who thought that immigrants should remain a political football that would never deflate. Obama/democrats disregarded counter arguments. Well congratulations on "Obamacare" that unwieldy monstrosity that democrats sold out to the health care lobby. That was a great help. Helped you lose the mid-term, which meant NO immigration reform which pissed off Hispanics and immigrants and led to apathy. Great help! Helped in 2016 too!
- How about Montana Democrat, Max Baucus? HE chaired the Senate Finance Committee and was one of the LEADING architects of Obamacare. According to news reports, Baucus RESISTED including a public option (which would let people choose a government Medicare-like plan, instead of private insurers, and help keep costs down). THAT is understandable, since according to news reports HE, the great and mighty Baucus, got nearly 2-million dollars from the insurers, hospitals and related groups – WHILE HE WAS SPEARHEADING OBAMACARE! Smelling a swamp?
- Do democrats LISTEN to ordinary people who are NOT Harvard's grads or billionaires or celebrities? I'm no Katy Perry, how can I compete? If I live in the heartland and coal is going out of style and my town is dying, shouldn't I be glad that I have clean air to breathe – even though I can't pay my mortgage or feed my family. Ah, all that oxygen filling my stomach! Isn't the O in O2 really tasty? Hey, the bank will accept the C too, if you tell your loan officer C stands for the Roman Numeral for hundreds!
- Living in the inner city? For the FIRST week in November, three police/fire/EMS responses to my 14-family section, in one week! Fighting, drug use, trespassing. What a life. I look out my peephole and people are injecting drugs, buying drugs, selling drugs. Yep, I'm raring to donate! Yet I'm being asked to CHIP-IN 3-dollars to make the Boston fund-raising quota. F-you! What have you done for me lately?
Republicans are right – Democrats dice and slice voters. Blacks? Hispanics? Asians? Women? Blue-collar? Dog-lovers! Muslims! Gays! Immigrants! BULLSHIT. People.
Still don't understand, MS. Pelosi? Fund-raising and MONEY DID not win 2016. Gender did NOT win. Experience did not WIN. Get THE freaking MESSAGE. What the hell are you doing for me, immigrant? What the hell are you doing for me – job loser in company deserting to Mexico or India? What the hell are doing for ME, working poor with two jobs earning minimum wage who still CANNOT afford to rent an apartment in Boston where the median rent is about 3-thousand dollars in many neighborhoods?
After all, earning minimum wage in Massachusetts, working 40 hours a week at $10 an hour is $400 BEFORE TAX. That is 16-hundred dollars a week. Holding TWO minimum wage jobs, working 80 hours a week (if you can), is $32-hundred dollars a month. STILL CANNOT MAKE THE RENT…not counting food, travel, clothing, utilities, etc. But hell, we'll CHIP IN so you can win and cut deals benefitting your rich friends and cronies!
Guess what: Get lost!
Yes, I said it. F-you, Democrats. How much do you earn in Congress. before factoring in the perks and the bribes and the lobbying trips? The dinners/gifts/favors? The insider deals made IN THE SWAMP, on stocks, etc…
PS: And Clinton staffers yelling at Kellyanne Conway (Trump's campaign manager) and trying to vilify HER for your loss…just, in MY eyes…UNDERSCORES how much YOU still don't GET it – and yes, your bitterness shows. Ha! HA HA!
In other words? MOVEON.LOST!!!
CNN photo of WHICH Capitol?
CNN posts a photo of a tourist standing in the snow at the nation's Capitol on March 06, 2015:
— except it is NOT a photo of the Capitol as it looks in March 2015 – because I just returned from DC last night, (March 05, 2015) and the Capitol's DOME is shrouded in scaffolding – and the CNN photo has NO scaffolding!
Maybe they mean March 06, 2016?
Or maybe I missed the side without the scaffolding? Possible…
Yes, I walked past the Capitol while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was making his big speech to Republicans – and the whole area was blocked! Tight security, protesters, police sniffing dogs, the works…public NOT allowed.
My photos of the capitol when I could walk by AFTER Netanyahu left…
Maybe CNN has a different Capitol tucked away somewhere?
Who knew?
My other DC photos:
Real photos of the landmarks AS THEY LOOKED over the weekend.
Yes I really WAS in DC from February 28-March 04 and the Capitol dome DOES have scaffolding…
I think…
Ooohhh, they UPDATED: The photo was from MARCH 6, 2013…and they tweaked the caption/wording too. So now it's just a tourist snapping photos – said tourist NO LONGER being part of today's snow at Capitol!
BS — as in Before Scaffolding!!!
But we good now, CNN!
Cheney: The Political Kardashian..
Seems the Washington press think there are ONLY a handful of people – a select few -who can have answers, solutions or opinions about anything…and they call upon these people time and again to tell the rest of US:
- HOW things should be done
- WHY things should be done
- WHERE things should be done and
- WHEN things should be done.
One of these KNOWLEDGEABLE people is former Vice President Dick Cheney.
I think Cheney is really a Kardashian. Except instead of see-through tops, he wears see-through ideology! I mean, he's as hungry and eager for the spotlight as any Kardashian – and he will do or say ANYTHING to get in the limelight. Here is one EGOmaniac who will NOT go away quietly – or EVER!
Say what you will about George W. Bush or the elder Bush, they've gone away quietly. I admire their graciousness in this regard. Cheney will die – and minutes after his burial – he will be staggering up and down the Washington Mall, chains dragging, looking for some reporter to take a statement. Like we really want to know WHAT hell is like!
Does Dick (darn, his momma named him well) Cheney have nobody, no-one in his circle who can suggest he shuts up! I mean he's NO Colin Powell. Now here's a republican I can tolerate…that most people will tolerate. Cheney, good god! (as in Cheney thinks he's a god). I personally don't think he deserves a capital G…
So the Veep Wonder was on TV (ABC – 6/22/2014) AGAIN, talking about Iraq. Cheney is criticizing the President for Obama's stance on Iraq. Host, JONATHAN KARL asked Cheney what HE would do about Iraq and he said, quote:
"I'd recognize that Iraq is not the whole problem. We've got a much bigger problem than just the current crisis in Iraq.
The Rand Corporation was out within the last week with a report that showed that there's been a 58 percent increase in the number of groups like al Qaeda, Salafi jihadists. And it stretches from West Africa all across North Africa, East Africa, through the Middle East, all the way around to Indonesia, a doubling of the number of terrorists out there.
The first thing we have to do is recognize we've got a hell of a problem and it's not just in Iraq. I worry about Pakistan. Just a couple of weeks ago in Pakistan, the Taliban, the same group that we just released five of the leaders from Guantanamo, the Taliban raided Karachi Airport.
Why do I care about that?
Well, Pakistan is unique in that it has a significant inventory of nuclear weapons. We have evidence that the man who built the Pakistani program, AQ Khan, offered up recently and that was that the North Koreans have bribed Pakistani officials for sophisticated technology for enriching uranium and that the North Koreans now have some two — 2,000 centrifuges operating to enrich uranium.
We had North Korea try to provide Syria with a nuclear reactor.
The — the difficulty, the spread of the terrorist organizations is not recognized by the administration. The proliferation of nuclear capability and the possibility that it could fall into the hands of terrorists is not really being addressed at all.
And I appreciate the problems we've got in Iraq right now…
…But what I think we need is a broad strategy that lets us address this whole range of issues. And that involves reversing a number of the policies of…the Obama administration.
Host, JONATHAN KARL asked Cheney AGAIN:But let me — let me ask you specifically on Iraq, because that — that's the crisis confronting us right at this moment.
Would you in — would you take war — you know, air strikes against ISIS? (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria…OR…Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
CHENEY: Well, I — what we should have done in Iraq was…
KARL: No, no, what would you do now?
CHENEY: — leave behind a force — well, what I would do now, John, is, among other things, be realistic about the nature of the threat. When we're arguing over 300 advisers when the request had been for 20,000 in order to do the job right, I'm not sure we've really addressed the problem.
I would definitely be helping the resistance up in Syria, in ISIS' backyard, with training and weapons and so forth, in order to be able to do a more effective job on that end of the party.
But I think at this point, there are no good, easy answers in Iraq. And, again, I think it's very important to emphasize that the problem we're faced with is a much broader one, that we need to — an administration to recognize the fact that we've got this huge problem, quit peddling the notion that they — they got core al Qaeda and therefore there's no problem out there…They've got to rebuild trust and relationship with our friends in the region…It's very important to take a broad gauge approach to it.
Let's break down Cheney's answer – because it is way too simple for liberals to understand unless one DECONSTRUCTS his wisdom. So Cheney would:
- Have left a force behind. How long for – ask him! Ask him too about his TENSE. What would you do NOW, as in the PRESENT…but then Cheney CAN'T differentiate between past and present – which is why he still thinks HE is running the country!
- Be realistic about the nature of the threat. The White House thinks ISIS is a game with a pretend Egyptian invasion.
- Instead of arguing over 300 advisers (when the request had been for 20,000 in order to do the job right), let's just wait until Mr. Cheney IS sure, then perhaps we'll know if he wants to send 300, 33-hundred or 23-thousand to ADDRESS the problem.
- HE would definitely be helping the resistance up in Syria with training and weapons and so forth. Bravo Mr. Cheney. Now that's decisive. Training – OK. Weapons – OK. So forth? Is that wriggle room, Mr. Cheney, for things like No-Bid Contracts for your cronies and companies you make lots of money from? Like Halliburton perhaps?
- He admits there are NO good, easy answers in Iraq. You don't say!
- He wants the administration to recognize that we've got this huge problem. Did you know that we've got a huge problem in Iraq? Do you think perhaps we should TELL the White House about this big problem in Iraq?
- Cheney would quit peddling the notion that the U.S. got core al Qaeda and therefore there's no problem out there. Would THAT be before or after he said (about Iraq): "And I think they're in the — in the last throes, if you will, of the insurgency"… OR "Regime change in Iraq would bring about a number of benefits to the region".
Cheney just did not realize to WHOM those benefits would go. Surely these benefits are NOT going to American taxpayers or the soldiers who return with PTSD or their families or to the U.S. economy or to the millions of refugees fleeing their homes in Iraq and Syria. Or does last throes mean to him: just beginning to arise?
If the U.S. bombs ISIL, America comes across as anti-Sunni — and if America moves too openly against Iraq's Shiite prime minister, the unsatisfactory Nuri al-Maliki, then it is seen as anti-Shiite. WHICH side does Cheney want us to support? On which side does he see America coming out a winner? When he looks through HIS looking glass, where does it foretell a VICTORY? I suppose it would be whichever one can ensure his interests in Halliburton keep bearing juicy oil dividends?
Now I know Cheney is wrong, always thought he was wrong (and maybe you thought so too) but when his very OWN republican colleague – and a likely front-runner for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2016 (Rand Paul) says:
"Many of those clamoring for military action now are the same people who made every false assumption imaginable about the cost, challenge and purpose of the Iraq War. They have been wrong for so long, why should we listen to him — listen to them again?"
…don't you think it is time, BEYOND time, for Dick Kardashian, spotlight hogger, limelight chaser and attentionaholic – to get the hint. Pssst: Cheney! How much clearer can Paul get? Pack up! Go away! Shut up! IRRELEVANT!!!
Photos: Google Images, Reuters and others.
Silent Center Starts to ROAR! Amen!!!
It's about time for this nation's MAJORITY — the middle-of-the-road Americans who make up the "Silent Center" — to wake up and roar. THANK GOD that you are beginning to…finally!
For too long you've chickened out, burying your head in the sand, while you let a handful of posturing kooks and haters set the agenda and shape the political debate.
So where have you been?
The majority of Americans are NOT racists. The majority of Americans are NOT haters. The majority of Americans are sensible, level-headed people who understand that compromise is NOT a dirty word. In short, the majority of Americans are realistic, LEVEL-headed people who have NO problems electing a black president…and would elect a green, blue or striped president, if they liked what he or SHE stood for.
But until the shoe started to pinch you, Silent Majority, YOU didn't care, did you? You happily let the country go to hell, gave politicians carte blanch to engage in unnecessary wars, to desiccate Healthcare Reform with one hand — while accepting money from the Health Care Industry with the other hand.
YOU, the silent majority, allowed your kids/families to be burdened with crippling student debt and other bad consumer loans. You let Republicans defeat and stymie attempts to regulate business. You looked the other way because YOU were too busy engaged in a buying frenzy you couldn't afford – rushing to buy another prop you did not need, or another piece of materialistic flotsam that was cobbled overseas.
Did you NOT understand that there would be a price…for not caring? Now you're waking up…hi ho!
Here's just one example where you turned the other cheek. IMMIGRATION REFORM. (I use Immigration as a mirror to reflect several other issues of key importance, like the Iraq war, where you turned a blind eye with negative consequences.)
Where were you in 2006/7 when you let a minority of extremists on the right, led by racism and political posturing instead of practicality and human decency, set the agenda over IMMIGRATION REFORM?
Where were YOU when Ted Kennedy and John McCain (he was a different McCain – a principled McCain, back then) and President George W. Bush came so close to passing The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, (110th U.S. Congress)? If you think ILLEGAL Immigration is bad, LEGAL immigration is even worse – it's a nightmare!
The law would have overhauled America's broken Immigration system, INCLUDING providing legal status/a path to citizenship (PATH – as in working your way towards a goal) for the approximately 14 to 20 million illegal immigrants currently residing in this country.
What is the convincing argument that you can come up with to keep millions of undocumented people in this country remaining IN THE SHADOWS? There were ONLY two options. Assimilate or Repatriate. Now, Republicans have added a third: Limbo! Not deporting, not assimilating – just hanging around!!!
Think of it. There are up to/or more than 20-thousand people living in this country without official documentation. Meaning, most are NOT in government databases. So authorities have NO idea WHO these people are, WHAT they are…or even WHERE they are. What a haven for terrorists!
Some of these people have been here for 10, 15, 20 years. They come from EVERY country in the world, EVERY race, including an estimated 20 thousand undocumented Irish. But Republicans focus ONLY on the Hispanics. Why? There are thousands of Chinese, thousands of Vietnamese, thousands of Africans, Cape Verdeans, Caribbean…Haitians, WHITE Europeans, Russians, Brazilians etc…
(Please note that as far as I am concerned, immigrants of any kind who rape, kill, pillage etc…should be deported immediately, without process. I am NOT asking for hardened criminal immigrants to remain here. My case is for honest, hard-working people who come here to WORK, who come seeking a better life or who are fleeing persecution and hunger, famine, disease.)
Do you really believe the reason the economy is bad and you can't find a job is because of undocumented immigrants? OK, tell me.
How many Undocumented Immigrants killed President Obama's 447-billion-dollar jobs bill in the Senate? (October 11, 2011)
How many undocumented immigrants are working at NASA? Or assembling train engines at General Electric (GE)? Are at Boeing building jet engines? At Bank of America creating bad mortgage policies? How many jobs did Undocumented Immigrants take at investment banks on Wall Street? At Goldman Sachs? And How many Undocumented Immigrants took home million-dollar bonuses while you lost your home…or voted to bomb Iraq?
How many towns are laying off teachers, doctors, nurses and closing fire stations because Undocumented Immigrants are taking their jobs? Don't you understand that the jobs these immigrants take are generally the backbreaking, low paying jobs so necessary to an advanced economy that traditionally the better off natives NEVER WANT TO DO? Even welfare dependents will stay home instead of doing these jobs. (Don't blame immigrants, blame your system, and the politicians who won't fix it.)
The Wall Street Journal has a list of major companies that laid off workers in ONLY the FIRST quarter of 2009.
- CIRCUIT CITY (Bankrupt): 34-THOUSAND
I listed some of the bigger companies/biggest job cuts. But go check the list for yourself: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/01/08/first-quarter-layoffs-selection-of-job-cuts-by-major-companies/
Is somebody trying to make YOU believe that UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS are "taking" your jobs? Did they take those jobs in the Journal list? Whom do we blame here?
For the fourth quarter of 2008, follow the Journal link or use this to check company lay-offs: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2008/12/04/fourth-quarter-layoffs-selection-of-job-cuts-by-major-companies/
How many of you are willing to go to Georgia to dig onions? Why not? Like Republicans claim, Immigrants are taking your jobs. Now the jobs are available. Go do them! $8 an hour, with little or no benefits. Backbreaking, filthy, baking in the sun all day. Waiting for you.
Lawmakers in Georgia, led by the state's Republican governor, (naturally) Nathan Deal, passed a law: House Bill 87 – the "Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011" intended to drive such individuals "back home."
What happened? About a-third of the workforce fled Georgia (they didn't leave America, they left Georgia), crippling Georgia's largest economic sector: agriculture…by leaving millions of dollars in crops—blueberries, onions, melons and others—to sit rotting in the fields.
Farmers, who were not consulted about the law, (what do farmers know?) and left out of discussions when the law was being crafted…are pissed.
So, you'll take the jobs if farmers pay more? Say from $8 to $12 per hour? Is 12-dollars an hour acceptable to you? Not YOU, per se…(you're looking for at least $20 an hour and up) but maybe lesser educated people? OK. Throw in Health Care and other benefits, you argue — to attract American Workers.
Are these the same Health Care/Benefits packages that big companies are trying to get out of? The Post Office says benefits are crippling the service to bankruptcy! (I'm NOT arguing FOR or AGAINST benefits. Just saying companies claim benefits raise costs, and they do.) Ford, Chrysler and GM had to renegotiate their benefits packages or go bust. Remember, YOU had to then bail them out? Are you willing to pay $5 for a head of lettuce? Why not? Just think of the number of American jobs you'll be saving…
A factory here in Massachusetts, (employs an acquaintance of mine), shut down and moved operations to Mexico. The company is keeping an office with a skeleton staff in Massachusetts. Who took those jobs? Immigrants – over in Mexico. Since they didn't actually COME here, and are not immigrants, we'll call them "potential immigrants-in-waiting." They didn't NEED to come HERE because YOUR jobs went to them! Well, I guess that's better than having them come here, right?
I'd prefer the factory to stay here and at least pay taxes and have the wages they pay be spent HERE and generate economic activity HERE, for shelter, movie passes, food, clothing, furniture – wouldn't you? I assume Undocumented Immigrants pay rent and buy food and pay bus fare and their phone bills? Or does somebody do THAT for them?
Do you hear Republicans saying anything about these companies that they support, the ones they give tax breaks to, while these companies export jobs overseas? Of course NOT! Big business can send jobs overseas to foreign workers, long as (a) these foreign workers STAY OVER THERE and don't take these same jobs here, IN America…and (b) as long as these businesses continue to donate to Republicans political coffers!
How many of you, the Silent Majority, believe that every one of these millions of undocumented people in the U.S. should be rounded up and deported?
How many of you believe that every one of these people CAN be bundled up and deported?
How many of you are willing to pay for it? To pay for hiring airplanes and personnel, pilots, law enforcement to accompany deportees, food and shelter to house deportees while they wait, and for the long appeals lawyers/individuals will mount in YOUR courts? Would you mind the government hiring more lawyers, judges, court clerks…while laying off teachers and police?
How many of you believe that the legions of kids born to these undocumented immigrants, who are U.S. citizens by law, should either remain here while their parents are deported – or should be deported with their parents? Or should the parents go – kids stay?
How many of you believe that undocumented students who have excelled in their studies at American schools (at taxpayer expense) should be denied access to university while American kids are failing? Do you blame Undocumented Immigrants for the numbers of American kids, who sit next to the immigrant kids, sharing the same lessons, teachers, facilities and opportunities, but still fail?
How do you expect these bright, intelligent immigrant kids to support themselves when they leave high school with straight A's but cannot get a job, not even at McDonald's, because they have no Social Security number? Are you willing to throw these promising kids under the bus – your future scientists, teachers and artists – while shouldering lifetime Welfare Benefits to failing American kids – just because they are American?
So, lets' re-examine. What did Republicans achieve by killing Immigration Reform? Political gimmickry, pandering to the Right!
Did undocumented immigrants leave? NOPE. Still here, with de facto Amnesty.
Is the problem fixed – or did Republicans manage to sweep one more major issue under the carpet, again?
Do you expect people who braved hell to get here, crossed deserts, sailed rickety boats in shark-infested waters, paid smugglers, sold everything they possess for passage, to endure great hardship and persecution, even rape, along the way, to give up now, that they've gotten here? Do you really think that after getting a taste of America, people will return to foraging in garbage dumps for food? To return to drug wars and disease and starvation and political uncertainty and religious persecution and lack of opportunity? Would you?
Would you like a pregnant undocumented immigrant woman to start labor pains, or get involved in an accident, or suffer a heart attack and go to a hospital and be refused treatment, and be sent away to die? Do you want the hospital to tell the pregnant woman, sorry, we can't deliver your baby and let the woman and baby die in the parking lot? How would YOU feel if you woke up one morning and there were 20, 50 such cases around the nation?
Or would you proclaim, like the Republican Right/Tea Party crowd (yes, the ones who so zealously appear to believe in a merciful, just, compassionate, forgiving God, the ones who speak for Jesus), because they are very sure that Jesus would also say: "Too bad for you, unwanted immigrants. You should die, so you can get the message and go back to where ever it is that you came from. You are taking away from my plenty – go back to your nothing! Furthermore, I talked to Jesus this morning, and he agrees with me!"
Polls consistently show that a MAJORITY of Americans favor giving undocumented people who are already here, have been here for years, those who are hard-working, upstanding, willing to learn English where necessary, A PATHWAY TO LEGALITY.
So again I ask YOU, the Silent Majority, where were YOU when you let voices on the right prevail, and shallow, scared politicians ducked for cover, and let a MINORITY of right-wing Republicans crush efforts by tying reform to a secure border? Do you plan to build a fence on the Canadian border too?
Now states are passing piecemeal Immigration Laws WHICH THE WHITE HOUSE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THEN GO TO COURT OVER, WASTING THOUSANDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, because the Obama White House is AFRAID to take up a bill THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN INTRODUCED (HR 4321 – Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity (CIR ASAP) Act of 2009 by Representative Luis Gutierrez, Illinois Democrat in December, 2009)…because Republicans oppose it.
Most people thought President Obama had a wonderful opportunity to reform Immigration. But he squandered his political capital on a Healthcare Hash and now, instead of having the guts to force a vote, the White House is cowering because they've done the math/taken a poll, and apparently do not have enough votes to pass the bill!
Now we are governing by poll? By posturing? We are governing by fear?
Gone are the days when politicians with balls INTRODUCED a bill and DEBATED it and LET Congress VOTE. No, now handlers must first go behind the scenes and find out who is willing to vote for the bill, and tally how many votes they have, and if there are not enough votes, then capitulate and shelve/kill the legislation – EVEN IF IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!
Oh Silent Majority, how much you are to blamed for…!!! And now, you protest…
Thanks God slavery is already abolished.
Imagine passing an anti-slavery vote Today. IT WOULD NEVER BE DONE. And thank God Rosa Parks did not go around asking for support BEFORE she sat down on that bus seat!
White House, take note. If the polls allow it…
Cash for Clapboards & Kennedy's Replacement
Wouldn't it be nice if the government decided to buy foreclosed homes – invite people to turn in homes they no longer want or can afford – like homes that are not energy efficient? The government could then buy these houses, rehabilitate them and sell them to people who can afford them!
I suggest we call that program: "<strong>Cash for Clapboards" (CACLAP)</strong>.
Its forerunner, "Cash for Clunkers" seems to have:
• Ignited under new car sales.
• Thrilled General Motors (GM) so much, the auto maker decided to lend dealers money to run the program…while those dealers wait for the government to reimburse them!
• Increased vehicle production. GM is adding 60-thousand vehicles in the third and fourth quarters and re-hiring about 1400 laid-off workers.
Under The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS program), owners traded in their gas guzzlers. That made them eligible to get from 35-hundred to 45-hundred-dollars towards buying a newer model that meets or exceeds higher mile-per-gallon standards. Dealers fronted the money and the government reimbursed them.
According to the Associated Press, the government's "Cash for Clunkers" program has: <em>revived business at car dealerships, taken gas-guzzlers off the road and given a badly needed boost to struggling auto factories. By many measures, the government's Cash for Clunkers program has been a success</em>".
Well then! My "Cash for Clapboards" (CACLAP) program could similarly inject a substantial infusion of cash into the struggling housing market/industry.
Under CACLAP, homeowners could trade in that draughty old colonial for that new, energy-efficient detached with the big yard that you've been drooling over! Water saving, energy efficient appliances, solar panels on the roof – just think of it!
Cash for Clunkers ends Monday, August 24, 2009. I say we start "Cash for Clapboards" immediately!
I don't support changing the Massachusetts Succession Law because a situation has developed that could benefit Democrats.
The Boston Globe says Senator Ted Kennedy (who's been battling brain cancer since May 2008) has written to Governor Deval Patrick asking the governor and legislative leaders to change the succession law. Kennedy apparently wants to ensure that Massachusetts will have a Senate vote when his seat becomes vacant.
Massachusetts governors used to have the power to fill Senate vacancies.
But in 2004, democratic lawmakers didn't want republican Governor Mitt Romney to fill Kerry's seat with a Republican if Kerry became president. So Democrats (who also held the majority back then) changed the law and created a five-month vacancy.
Now that little self-serving trick could come back to bite democrats. President Obama and Democrats may face a close vote to pass health care legislation…and if Kennedy is out of the running, that's one crucial vote short…unless that seat can be filled quickly!
I tend to be pro-Democrat, but that doesn't mean I support everything they do…or want to do.
Why don't I support it? <strong>Because it was Democrats who changed the law when it didn't suit them – and if they changed it solely to tie Romney's hands – what makes them think they can just as opportunistically change it now</strong>?
Sometimes just having the required votes and the ability to do something…<em>doesn't mean you should do it! </em>I like it when people fall into holes that they've dug for others!
At one time Rome was the superpower. At one point it was Egypt. The Huns ruled, the Aztecs ruled…and more recently, Europe ruled. Empires come…empires go. Civilizations come and civilizations go!
Learn from this. Politicians come and politicians go. Parties come and parties go!
<strong>Whichever party has a majority should understand that this state of affairs will never last! What use is history is we never learn from it?</strong>
Crowley and Gates go to Washington!
Residents of Massachusetts (the state that gave you The Boston Tea Party and the Gates Controversy) apparently wanted to know (well, one of the TV stations thought we wanted to know) if taxpayers are going to be footing the bill for that peace-making junket to DC!.
The Cambridge Police Union is paying for Sgt. James Crowley, his wife and 3 kids plus a union spokesman to travel to DC. As for Gates, Harvard says it doesn't know who's paying for the professor. (I think airlines, which absolutely hate having to deal with profiling accusations, have decided that professor Gates can now fly free!)
Phew, what a relief! We'll never stop paying for the Big Dig. Imaging having to take this on too! Which got me thinking: Is there any waste of taxpayers' money involving alcohol that I could uncover? So I checked, (Googled it, really) and there it was, in the 2009 Pig Book!
• 200K for alcohol interdiction for investigating and prosecution of bootlegging crimes as part of a statewide effort to reduce Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, in Juneau, Alaska.
• 95K for the Santa Barbara, California Summit High School. for educational programming to reduce school risk factors for students recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.
• 190K Sonoma County Dept. of Health, Santa Rosa, for partnerships with senior service providers for alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education in the senior population.
• 500K (Half-a-million!) Portable autonomous fluid-less near-infrared non-invasive alcohol testing devices , New Mexico
• 714K Chiesman Foundation for Democracy, Inc., Rapid City, Sputh Dakota, to establish a Center for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
So, feeling rather pleased with myself, I checked travel, and this came up:
• 190K for Florida Campus Compact, Tallahassee, for a project to enhance service learning on campuses throughout Florida, which may include equipment, lodging, and travel
• 285K St. Bonaventure University, for the Father Mychal Judge program, which may include student scholarships and travel costs for student exchanges and visiting professorships.
So I decided to check Massachusetts, and found that the inquiring TV station's "Investigative Team" has some work to do:
• 475K – YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts, New Bedford for rehabilitation of the Levi Standish House and Construction of the Carriage House. Barney Frank
• 95K – Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, for a collection of science materials for K-12 educators and professional development. John Olver
• 285K – Landscape Connectivity Study for Massachusetts, UMass-Amherst. Olver
• 952K – RNAJ Research University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester. James McGovern and John Olver.
• 238K – Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, for facilities and equipment. Michael Capuano.
• 1M, 189K – Western Massachusetts collaborative wind project. John Olver
• 143K – Health Care of Southeastern Massachusetts, Brockton, for equipment. John Kerry/Ted Kennedy
• 250K – Town of Lexington Massachusetts Police Department Town of Lexington. Enhanced School Security Through Technology. Lexington. Edward Markey/Kennedy/Kerry
• 1M – Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute for continued research into the New England scallop fishery, to promote sustainability New Bedford. Frank/Kennedy/Kerry
• 650K – University of Massachusetts, Amherst Climate System Research Center Amherst. Olver/KennedyKerry
• 100K – University of Massachusetts, Amherst large Millimeter Telescope Amherst (NASA). Olver/Kennedy/Kerry
• 190K – Massachusetts 2020 Foundation, Boston, for the continued development of an extended learning time initiative. Kennedy/Kerry
• $247* – Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Economic Development Center, Boston, MA. Kennedy/Kerry
• 190K – Massachusetts Attorney general for repair of abandoned houses Kennedy/Kerry
• 95K – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, for the Center for Frank/Kennedy/Kerry
• 247K – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Advanced Technical and Manufacturing Center business incubator, Fall River. Kennedy/Kerry
• 238K – Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, for the continued development of a program to reduce health disparities and infant mortality. Kennedy/Kerry
• 143K – Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Waltham, for facilities and equipment. Markey/Kerry
How do you like your pork – rare? Well cooked?
*Er, can that TV reporter investigate if the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Economic Development Center, in Boston, is getting just 247 dollars…or 247-thousand?
Never mind. I don't care, do you?


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Fewer researchers have empirically investigated behaviors and characteristics associated with "Executive Presence" than the number of consultants offering recommendations on how to develop this quality and its potential association with career advancement.
Communication, "Gravitas", and Appearance were associated with "executive presence" in a study by Sylvia Ann Hewlett of the Center for Talent Innovation
Interviews with 34 professionals, conducted by Perspex Consulting's Gavin Dagley and Cadeyrn J. Gaskin, formerly of Deakin University, uncovered more elements than Hewitt's proposed triad of qualities.
They found that most executives described as having "presence" were men, reinforcing Hewitt's assertion that women interested in career advancement should focus on conveying executive presence attributes to observers.
Dagley and Gaskin identified ten characteristics including those mentioned by Hewitt.
The first five characteristics are based on first impressions during initial contact:
- Status and reputation, similar to "gravitas" discussed by Hewitt,
- Physical appearance, also mentioned by Hewitt,
- Confidence,
- Communication ability, included in Hewitt's "presence" triad,
- Interpersonal engagement skills.
The final five attributes derive from evaluations over time during repeated contacts:
- Interpersonal integrity,
- Values-in-action,
- Intellect and expertise,
- Outcome delivery,
- Coercive power.
These qualities combine in different ways to form four presence "archetypes":
- Positive presence, based on favorable impressions of confidence, communication, appearance, and engagement skills plus favorable evaluations of values, intellect, and expertise,
- Unexpected presence, linked to unfavorable impressions of confidence plus favorable evaluations of intellect, expertise, and values,
- Unsustainable presence combines favorable impressions of confidence, status, reputation, communication, and engagement skills plus unfavorable evaluations of values and integrity,
- "Dark presence" is associated with unfavorable perceptions of engagement skills plus unfavorable evaluations of values, integrity, and coercive use of power.
Another typology of executive presence characteristics was identified by Sharon V. Voros and Bain's Philippe de Backer.
They prioritized elements in order of importance to purportedly related life outcomes:
- Focus on long term, strategic drivers,
- Intellect,
- Charisma, combining confidence, intensity, commitment, plus demeanor of care, concern and interest in others,
- Communication skills,
- Passion,
- Cultural fit,
- Poise,
- Appearance.
Most people assume a relationship between "executive presence" and career "success," even if the causal connection has not been demonstrated.
However, University of Nebraska's Fred Luthans and Stuart Rosenkrantz with Richard M. Hodgetts of Florida International University investigated this relationship by observing nearly 300 managers from various levels at large and small mainstream organizations as they:
- Communicated,
- Engaged in "traditional management" activities, including planning, decision making, controlling,
- Managed human resource issues.
Communication and interpersonal skills elements of "presence," coupled with intentional "networking" and political acumen enabled managers to rapidly advance in their organizations.
Luthans and team identified these managers as "successful" leaders because they advanced more rapidly than "effective" managers, measured by participants' organizational level compare with their organizational tenure.
In contrast, "effective" managers demonstrated greater managerial skill than "successful" managers, but were not promoted as quickly.
"Effective" managers spent most time managing human resource activities including:
- Motivating/reinforcing,
- Managing conflict,
- Hiring/staffing,
- Training/developing team members,
- Communicating by exchanging information,
- Processing paperwork.
Their subordinates reported more positive attitudes and behaviors than subordinates of "successful" managers for:
- Job satisfaction,
- Organizational commitment,
- High team performance quality,
- High team performance quantity.
Differences in advancement and subordinate reactions to "successful" and "effective" managers appear related to differing managerial behaviors.
"Successful" managers spent little time in managerial activities, but invested more effort in networking, socializing, politicking, and interacting with outsiders.
Their networking activities were most strongly related to career advancement but weakly associated with "effectiveness."
Few managers were both "successful" and "effective": Only about 10% of volunteers were among the top third of both successful managers and effective managers.
These findings can lead to discouragement and cynicism, noting that effective managers who support employee performance may not be rewarded with advancement as rapidly as managers who prioritize their career over that of their employees.
These studies suggest that gravitas, communication, and political acumen may explain the gender difference for perceived "executive presence."
Women who aspire to organizational advancement seem to benefit from cultivating both gravitas and proactive networking to complement communication and interpersonal skills.
-*Which behaviors and characteristics are essential to "Executive Presence"?
Related Posts
- Executive Presence: "Gravitas", Communication…and Appearance?
- Leadership Qualities that Lead to the Corner Office?
- Powerful Non-Verbal Behavior May Have More Impact Than a Good Argument
- Authoritative Non-Verbal Communication for Women in the Workplace
- How Much Does Appearance Matter?
- Developing "Charisma" and "Presence"
- The Attractiveness Bias: "Cheerleader Effect", Positive Attributions, and "Distinctive Accuracy"
- How Accurate are Personality Judgments Based on Physical Appearance?
- "Self-Packaging" as Personal Brand: Implicit Requirements for Personal Appearance?
- Non-Verbal Behaviors that Signal "Charisma"
©Kathryn Welds

subset: commoncrawl


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Fully Licensed & Bonded
The Bergere Opera Hotel is in the heart of the Grands Boulevards area of Paris, just a few minutes from the Opera Garnier. There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants in the surrounding area whilst the 134 room Hotel Bergere Opera itself has a large glass-roofed sitting room, mosaic floor and a panoramic lift with views over the hotels winter garden. Typically Parisian, the rooms are all air conditioned and free wi-fi internet access is also available.


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Palm Beach County. 09-10-17. 8.30 am. In 11 years, my daily news website has never been interrupted by any event, even hurricanes crossing my state of Florida. But here comes category 4 Irma entering Florida with winds up to 165 mph and gusts up to 205 mph. At this time, we still have electricity and a Wi-Fi connection. But we have been warned, not for a long time… So, apology in advance for not being able to update my site as usual if destruction and flooding happen to be as heavy and geographically extended as predicted by meteo experts.
Video: shot at home 09/10/17 4 pm EST. Irma is still 85 miles away. Have a thought for all those affected by hurricane Irma.
Palm Beach County 09/11/17. 10.30 am. We new safe with no material damage. Back online as soon as we get back power (half of Floridians are still without electricity)


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To sustain this free service, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. This doesn't affect rankings. Our review process.
In an age of information overload, email still tends to be one of the oldest and most effective tools for marketing your business. But what is email marketing exactly? It's important to understand the terminology and some of the basics before you pick an email marketing service provider, design a template and create engaging campaigns. So, get ready to go back to the school of We Rock Your Web to learn more about email marketing 101.
What Is Email Marketing?
Email marketing in its most basic form is the process of utilizing electronic mail to promote products and services to a target audience. Email marketing can be utilized to share discounts, promotional products, special events, fundraising messages, solicit sales or simply to create brand awareness. While email communication between a small business and any potential or current customer could be considered email marketing, the purpose behind email marketing campaigns is always to improve business for the company.
Now that you know what email marketing is, let's dive deeper into some of the more techy terms that go along with it.
Email Marketing Terminology
Some email marketing terms might sound like Greek when you first hear them. But don't worry, as with any new topic, over time, you'll start to get the hang of it as you begin using and applying these concepts to your own business. To help you out, we have prepared a comprehensive list of definitions that will equip you with the knowledge and expertise to implement successful email marketing campaigns. They are listed in alphabetical order, so feel free to read them all or jump around and go straight to the item you are looking for. And, you'll note that many of the terms in the list below are referenced often in the email marketing reviews, so when you are ready to decide which platform is right or you, feel free to reference back to this article if you get lost or confused.
A/B Testing (Split Testing)
An Internet marketing technique that lets you test and see which elements of your email newsletter: subject line, text, graphics, design or layout, can be improved to increase your newsletter's success rate. Some email marketing service providers include this feature to help you split test and give you results to find out which performs better.
Application Programming Interface (API)
Most popular Email Marketing Service Providers (EMSPs) now offer what's called an API (or Application Programming Interface), which allows you to connect/integrate other existing software to the EMSP. Benefits include: data sharing, better contact importing, better contact list management and analytic reporting capability and more. The options are numerous, depending on your needs and what type of API the EMSP offers. An example of an API would be Salesforce, a popular customer relationship manager (CRM) used for tracking leads. EMSP's can use the Salesforce API to automatically send out campaigns to segments of your existing database, without having to import or export lists from other programs.
Almost all EMSP's do not allow attachments for a simple reason – they increase the probability of a given message being viewed as spam (as a result, the EMSP's (and your) delivery rates may be affected). Attachments can also be flagged as computer virus files. For that reason, you're better off using inline links in your newsletter email, which you can then link to a hosted file. When the user clicks the link, they are given the option to download the file. Not as streamlined as an email attachment, but much more likely to allow the email to reach its full audience.
An autoresponder fires off an email to a subscriber automatically. A single autoresponder is most common – this typically just replies to a subscriber when they sign up. A sequential autoresponder is a little more advanced and allows you to schedule a series of predefined emails to be sent out on a specified schedule.
Bounce & Bounce Rate
A bounce is when an email is rejected by the recipients mail server. There are two types of bounces. A soft bounce is when an email is temporarily un-receivable due to a full mailbox or email size and a hard bounce is a permanent fail to deliver. Emails that have hard bounces should be removed from your email database because they do not exist. Soft bounces on the other hand are okay to keep in your database, but you should keep an eye on them over time. Some EMSP's will continue to try to send to soft bounce emails several times to attempt success (but not guaranteed). The bounce rate is the percentage of emails that bounce back on your email list. For example, if you have one email out of 10 that bounces back, you would have a 10% bounce rate. If your bounce rate is high, then your account could be flagged for having a large number of undeliverable emails.
CAN Spam
A term you might often hear thrown around is "Can Spam" which stands for the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing act – or "Canning spam" email. Signed into law in 2003 the law contains a series of email marketing guidelines enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect U.S. consumers. Most of these compliances are standard in EMSPs including having a mailing address in email campaigns and requiring subscribers to opt in so you shouldn't have to worry about adhering to them (but you should be aware of CAN-SPAM to make sure you are not breaking the law).
Click-Through Rate
Just as the term states, the click-through rate is the percentage of how many people click on your email campaign. The click rate is used primarily in campaigns with call to actions that encourage a subscriber to click on a link to buy, read more or sign up. It's less important in more general awareness email campaigns. Some EMSPs like Mailchimp show you the industry average click-through rate so you can see how your campaigns compare to others.
Email Marketing Service Providers (EMSPs)
These are companies that provide email marketing services for companies to create, deploy and track marketing emails. There are a wide-range of services that offer a variety of different bells and whistles so it's important to get to know which is the best service for you and what you are trying to achieve. Read our full review of the best email marketing services.
List Segmentation
List segmentation is targeting messages to subsets of your subscriber base. Customer segmentation can be done using a variety of factors based on data you have captured from your newsletter subscribers when they sign up (like interests, location, etc.). If you have the time and resources, segmenting your lists is a great way to help establish a stronger connection via more relevant newsletters. A great use of segmentation is to resend messages to subscribers who didn't open or click the first time.
The term used for when a subscriber joins your email newsletter. The subscriber must be aware of joining your list prior to adding them by agreeing to receive email communications from you. Conversely, if someone wishes to remove themselves from your newsletter, you must legally have the option for them to "opt out" within the emails you send.
Open Rate
Similar to click rate, the open rate is much like the name states and is the percentage of opens from a single email campaign. Open rates are often used as a benchmark for success with higher open rates translating to better emails. Catchy subject lines (see below), frequency and timing of campaign can all affect the open rate, so it's good to test out each to get the highest open rate possible.
Newsletter Archiving
This is the ability to save, or archive, your old newsletters. EMSPs differ in the way they handle this feature. Some offer to back up a certain quantity or volume of newsletters on their servers. Others offer export options that convert your newsletters into PDF or HTML files so you can download them and/or store them on your website. You need to keep in mind that there is an SEO advantage to archiving your own newsletters (DIY).
Responsive Design Templates
Given the popularity of smartphones, most email templates are now designed to adjust automatically for viewing on mobile, tablets and PC screens. There are also mobile-aware designs that are more basic in their design than their responsive counterparts. Ideally mobile-aware designs render on all screens, but they are geared toward smartphone screens so they can get glitchy. Responsive design templates are the optimal choice these days as statistics show that consumers are increasingly opening their emails on the go through their smartphones and tablets. If you don't have a good design that you know will render well on all screens, you're risking losing a great opportunity to build and keep your customers. Use your EMSP to preview your email in smartphone mode or send a test and check it on your own device.
Spam Score/Checking
Finding out whether your subscribers actually got your email is important. If they didn't, why not? Some EMSPs offer spam score utilities that help you determine the likelihood of your newsletter ending up in a spam box before you hit send. Spam tests help you optimize and clean up your email campaign before sending it.
Subject Line
The subject line is the string of text in the subject field of the email. It gives the reader an idea of what to expect, and is one of the most important parts of your message. Think of the subject line as a "hook" to get a subscriber to open the email. Unlike traditional email where the subject line is more informational, the subject line for email marketing should be catchy and engaging to get your audience's attention. Subject lines should not contain any words that could be flagged as spam like "FREE" or over-use punctuation marks!!! As emojis become more popular, you might see them being used by marketers; however, they might get caught in the spam filter. We have not decided yet whether these should be included in your email marketing best practices.
Here are some tips from our friend Amy Schmittauer of Savvy Sexy Social on how to get better performing subject lines.
Text Version
There are some people who might opt in to getting a text only version of your email or have phones that do not support HTML. This is not as common as it used to be, as HTML is now the standard email format.
Trigger-Based Messaging
This lets you send messages based on your subscriber's actions. It creates a more personalized interaction with your audience. Examples of trigger-based messages include a welcome email, a "happy birthday" message, a reminder to renew a subscription, a note that a new version of a product is available, a "we miss you " note to a subscriber that hasn't opened a newsletter in a while, etc.
Steps to Using Email Marketing
Now that you hopefully have a better grasp on the A to Z's of email marketing, it's time to take the next steps towards using email marketing for your business.
- Decide if email marketing is right for you – Just because email marketing exists doesn't mean it's necessarily the right fit for you and your business. Evaluate if you have the capacity and how your business might benefit from email marketing.
- Come up with a launch plan – How often will you send your campaign and to whom? Where will you get subscribers and what information will you ask on the subscribe form that will be useful for your business (Birthday, zip code)?
- Think about the long-term strategy – What ways will you plan to grow your list (from customers on check out or at events)? How many subscribers do you anticipate having over the long period? Asking these questions up front will help you down the road.
- Determine the best email marketing platform software – Now that you know what you need in an email marketing service provider, it's time to evaluate the best fit for you. It can be easy to get distracted by some of the added features, but stay focused on what's most important to you and your bottom line.
Read more about all the various providers and review their features side by side in our handy email marketing services comparison table.
More Resources
Still want to learn more about email marketing? You're in luck my friend! We have a great introductory article, a definitive guide to email marketing campaigns full of email marketing tips and an article on using email marketing to help your small business.
Now hopefully you feel a little more comfortable and empowered to dive into the world of email marketing and can start sending your own campaigns soon.
Do you use email marketing? What other questions do you have about email marketing 101?
Disclaimer: This website contains reviews, opinions and information regarding products and services manufactured or provided by third parties. We are not responsible in any way for such products and services, and nothing contained here should be construed as a guarantee of the functionality, utility, safety or reliability of any product or services reviewed or discussed. Please follow the directions provided by the manufacturer or service provider when using any product or service reviewed or discussed on this website.


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Grill Covers
Barbecue Grill Covers are the best way to protect your barbecue from the elements. When not in use be sure to keep your grill covered. Grill Spot offers a variety of Barbecue Grill Covers. If you can't find a part or accessory, just contact our friendly customer care team. We're here to help!
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Napoleon OEM Heavy Duty 41 1/2-Inch Built-In Deluxe Grill Cover
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In the summer of 2014, for the fifth straight year CIR was host to a dedicated group of young environmental travelers from New York State and Connecticut who were participants in the Rein Teen Tours community service program, Project California. The goal of Project California is not only to give back to the global community, but for participants to learn and grow through their experiences. This Rein Community Service project was designed to beautify Santa Barbara County while increasing awareness and promoting action to help the environment.
In order to make a lasting impact on the environment, participants volunteer with the same project for the length of the program. This group of teens volunteered with CIR in the San Marcos Foothills over the course of two weeks, earning many hours of Summer Community Service credit. CIR staff, Jared Logan, was their field leader throughout the tour and provided the teens a well-rounded outdoor experience. Jared guided them on habitat restoration tasks at a variety of project sites, inducing hand-weeding, mulching, hand-watering of new plantings, and removing invasive fennel. He also took them on nature hikes and offered educational talks about the local geography and wildlife, how watersheds work, and discussed conservation and the importance of biodiversity. Jared reported that the teens were consistently engaged and productive and that overall the program was a great success.
During their tour, the teens enjoyed a fun college campus stay at UC Santa Barbara and arrived by bus to the CIR project sites with their counselor, Jess. Jared was impressed with Jess' strong work ethic and enthusiasm, and said that she went above and beyond in helping to inspire the kids! Her energy was contagious and the kids followed her lead, proving a perfect example of passionate leadership, which resulted in positive results and the achievement of project goals. Jared felt rewarded by helping the kids learn more about the outdoors, native plants, and ecology. He hopes that this experience will be long-lasting and perhaps they will go on to do more work in restoration or in the
biological world, and at least become concerned citizens who vote in favor of environmental issues. Jess subsequently wrote to CIR praising Jared and the staff who helped coordinate the program! Her delightful correspondence follows this article. CIR looks forward to continued involvement in Project California, as educating teens about conservation is an important part of our mission.
For more information about Rein Teen Tours: www.reinteentours.com
Hi CIR Team!
My name is Jessica Levy. I had the pleasure of volunteering at the San Marcos Foothills location under the guidance of Jared Logan. I was working with a group of students, ages 14 to 17, through Rein Teen Tours. We worked with Jared for 2 weeks. I wanted to say thank you for working with our small group and making it a great experience. On our first day, Mr. Ken Owen provided an interactive introduction to the project, encouraging the students to taste mustard seeds, teaching them about native and non-native species of plants by touching them and smelling them, and about the history of the San Marcos Foothills Preserve. The students did not know each other prior to the trip and literally had spent less than 24 hours in California before this introduction. This fun activity made it much more comfortable for the students to talk to each other and the content was relatable for teenagers.
The kids responded positively to Jared's laid back personality and his sense of humor. He answered more than enough silly questions and still managed to keep the kids on task. Jared was able to gauge how much and what type of work to expect from the kids. For several of them, it was their first experience volunteering, and for some, the first time they used a garden tool. Or, as one kid put it on the bus after a morning of hard work, "I've never used a shovel in my life. Or a hoe. I need to thank Jared for that." Ha! We really had fun! The kids especially liked being able to identify plants, eating the edible plants, and getting into deep conversations with Jared about the drought and general environmental conservation and restoration. Of the 5 students that volunteered, all of them told me they tried to take short showers each day while on the trip to reduce water use. Jared took our group on a mini adventure everyday, leading us on a hike on the walking trail. It was especially exciting for me when locals stopped to say thank you, and our students were able to accurately describe why they were pulling out particular plants and how it would impact the wildlife in the area. Of all the projects, our group arrived back at the dorms first each day. All 5 of the students retreated into their rooms for naps before lunch, even though I offered to supervise them in the game room or at the gym. They were truly beat after a morning of digging up plants and mulching. I was sad to see the project end after 2 weeks. I would have liked to have spent my final week working outside with the kids and Jared. Jared's demeanor is welcoming and a great fit for working with young people. We had many memorable moments while volunteering and Jared is a big reason why it was so enjoyable. Also, the kids say Jared is "awesome" because he brought cold bottled water and granola bars everyday. I'm pretty sure 1 particular camper ate about 4 a day. We were definitely comfortable during our volunteer work.
Again, thank you for welcoming me and the students on this project. I think I made the other camp counselors jealous because I always had a smile on my face and a story to tell after volunteering each day. Thank you to Ken and Jared and the behind the scenes people that I didn't get to meet, like Miss Linda Benedik.
Wishing you lots of rain! Maybe I'll see you next summer, Jess


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Software to Help Manage Your Jewelry Business
Do you love making jewelry but need help keeping track of inventory, pricing and sales?
Whether you are just starting out or have been making jewelry for years this easy-to-use jewelry software program will help you sell your handmade jewelry!
Developed by a Jewelry Designer
Jewelry Software designed by a computer programmer for her own small jewelry business.
Outstanding Value
Helping Jewelry Designers Since 2001
Track Jewelry Inventory
Keep detailed part purchase information including date, cost, vendor, Item/Style# and shipping costs.
Manage Part and Finished Jewelry Inventory
Part purchases are added to inventory and removed when used in finished pieces. Know exactly what you have in stock, what needs to be re-ordered and the value of all your parts and finished pieces. Great at tax time!
Sell Your Handmade Jewelry
Dozens of reports to choose from to show off your line. Select the report and the items and print. Reports can be saved as PDFs to email to your customers.
Look Professional
Impress customers with your beautiful jewelry line sheets, price list and invoice with your logo and pictures of your jewelry designs. Look like a Pro!
Manage Your Jewelry Business Efficiently
Dozens of reports to choose from to help manage your jewelry business from purchasing jewelry supplies to making and selling jewelry. Organize your jewelry business.
Do better business!
Know your inventory value, costs, best selling pieces, best customers and profit. Great at tax time!
Additional Features in Jewelry Designer Manager Premier Plus
For the advanced jewelry designer: Consignment, Import part purchases and print jewelry price tags with barcodes. Print beautiful look books on Issuu.com.
Sell jewelry on Shopify, Etsy and Facebook
Integration with Shopify, Facebook and Etsy. Export your piece information to your Shopify store. Post your jewelry pieces to Facebook and import sales from Etsy and update inventory. Perfect for selling jewelry online!
Bejeweled Software Reviews
I've been a jewelry artist since 1976 and I wish it had been possible to have a program like this when I first started. I can't imagine running a jewelry business without it now. It's become the foundation of everything I need to do in terms of tracking parts, pieces, vendors, customers, retail stores and more. It is by far, the best system for keeping organized. I've been using this software since it first became available and made my way up from the basic program, to Deluxe and now JDM Premier Plus. Not only does it grow with the times and technology, but the support and customer service are unsurpassed. If you are serious about your jewelry, a professional or a hobbyist this is a must have software program. I highly recommend it.Nancy Troske
I support myself and family by making jewelry. I rely on Jewelry Design Manager for pricing and inventory control. Because of JDM I have been able to organize my inventory to a greater degree than any other time in the 86 years my family has made jewelry. I have used JDM for many years and have been able to start slow and build my existing business around JDM so that the learning curve was flat and ability of an old established business to computerize was slow and easy. I utilize JDM everyday and price all my pieces through it. Barbara Carleton has always, always, been very helpful and timely in helping me with any and all questions. I don't know what I'd do with out JDM and Barbara and cannot recommend it enough.Sam Patania
I simply love Jewelry Designer Manager!!! It is wonderful software, super user-friendly and does it all you would require for your business from inventory management to barcoding to making beautiful line sheets and invoices & memo with images. Also the customer service we get for this software is simply amazing. I can't brag enough for Barbara, the creator of the software who is always on top for taking care of her clients requests and getting it all done right away. Simply I love JDM and would highly recommend this software to all. It is simply wonderful and I totally love it.Puja Bordia
In 2003 my sister, Lisa Peterson and I began our jewelry design and manufacturing business, Laurie and Lisa Designs. Almost at the onset Lisa (who is also an attorney) suggested that we purchase the JDM program. I contacted JDM and was immediately impressed by the incredible knowledge and support provided by Barbara Carleton. She is truly the most wonderful vendor that I have ever worked with. In 2009 my business computer crashed and I lost much of my JDM. Barbara worked with me and my IT person to resurrect as much of it as possible. Her calm, supportive demeanor, coupled with her great knowledge of the program, literally saved my business! I cannot recommend JDM enough to any and all jewelry designers!Laurie Wetterschneider
Your software is absolutely amazing. My entire business is coming together before my eyes and without straining my record keeping skills. The Look Book report is fantastic for outreach. Thank goodness I found your web page and purchased the program. I couldn't be more delighted with my business decision to go with Jewelry Designer Manager Premier Plus. Kudos!!
Your company and customer service is number one. I have always been surprised how quickly I get a response if I do have an issue, which is rarely. I will continue with your product as long as I'm making jewelry.
After a few years of starting Laura Tanner Jewelry in 2006 and trying to track all my designs and inventory on Excel (and yellow legal pads!), I discovered JDM online and decided to give it a try. Almost seven years later, I am still using JDM software daily, and it is a critical component in keeping my business running efficiently and profitably. Although the initial task of entering several years worth of raw material purchases and customer invoices into the system was a major undertaking, ultimately it was so worthwhile and has helped me grow my business exponentially. Now we enter purchases and sales as they come in, and it is so helpful to have accurate and up-to-date data. In particular, it has been critical in helping me create precise and profitable pricing for both wholesale and retail customers. After a few years, I decided to integrate the Dymo label printer from JDM, and it has been a huge time saver when tagging pieces for retail shows and labeling bags for shipments to wholesale customers. At shows, other designers often ask me where I get such professional price tags and I always refer them to JDM. The JDM invoices are also invaluable in presenting professional and organized sales records to customers and wholesale buyers. Moreover, when preparing for sales and income taxes, the JDM reports and QuickBooks integration are incredibly helpful. Last, when I have had rare glitches or questions about JDM, Barbara is always quick to respond and very resourceful and patient on the phone. I would highly recommend purchasing JDM software to anyone starting a jewelry business or looking to get organized and take his or her existing business to the next level.Laura Tanner


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Canadian clarinetist Shawn Earle performs regularly as a soloist and has been a chamber musician with the Albemarle Ensemble, Cascadia Reed Quintet, Vancouver Clarinet Trio, Trio Dolce, and guest artist with the Novo Ensemble. He also has performed with the Charlottesville Symphony Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Okanagan Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Vancouver Island Symphony, and Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra.
In December 2015, Dr. Earle completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of British Columbia examining contemporary Canadian clarinet music. Dr. Earle is dedicated to contemporary Canadian clarinet music, while also enjoying traditional repertoire. He also holds a Masters degree from the University of Victoria, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Music from Acadia University.
Dr. Earle is committed to music education having been a high school Band Director, Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, Lecturer at Washington and Lee University, Clarinet Instructor at the University of Victoria, delivering numerous masterclasses, clarinet instructor at the El Sistema inspired Saint James Music Academy, and maintaining a private studio.
Among his numerous accolades for performance and research, Dr. Earle has received grants from the British Columbia Arts Council, Canada Council, and the Nova Scotia Talent Trust Award.


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The Philippines will likely deport nearly 400 Taiwanese and Chinese arrested in a major telephone scam that swindled millions of dollars from elderly compatriots, police said on Friday.
Police made the arrests during raids on 20 houses across Manila on Thursday, after being tipped off by authorities in Taiwan and China, said Reginald Villasanta, chief of the Philippines' anti-organized crime task force.
Asked if the suspects would be deported he said: "Before the operation was launched we were provided with the evidence gathered by our counterparts in Taiwan and China. So most likely that is what is going to happen."
Posing over the phone as police officers or state prosecutors in their homelands, the suspects scared mostly elderly victims into transferring their savings into bank accounts of the gang, Villasanta said.
"They would tell the victims their bank accounts are being used by terrorists or syndicates and should transfer them to a safer account," Villasanta said. "In reality these accounts are controlled by the syndicate and when the deposits are made they are swiftly cleaned out."
The gang stole millions of yuan or New Taiwanese dollars every day, he said.
The gang had been under surveillance since last month, Villasanta said. However, police were not sure how long it had been operating in the Philippines.
A total of 385 foreign suspects were arrested along with two Filipinos of Chinese background, said Superintendent Winnie Quidato, operations chief of the task force.
Seventy-eight Taiwanese suspects were arrested in a similar scam in the southern Philippines in April. The suspects were later deported to face charges at home, authorities said.
However, sorting out the Chinese from the Taiwanese in the latest case is proving difficult because the suspects are refusing to cooperate with authorities, Quidato said.
The Philippines has asked the Chinese embassy and the Taipei cultural office for help in identifying them, he added.
In February last year, the Philippines mistakenly deported to China 14 Taiwanese suspects of another scamming operation that had allegedly swindled US$20 million from Chinese victims.
A furious Taiwan denounced the mistake as a blow to economic and cultural ties. China sent the 14 suspects home to Taiwan nearly four months later.
Officials at the Taipei Cultural and Economic Office in the Philippines were not available for comment on Friday. Chinese embassy spokesman Zhang Hua (張華) said the mission had been expected to comment on the arrests on Friday.


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Custom Dreamweaver Snippets Folder
I finally figured out how to have MY own snippets folder in the root of the snippets in Dreamweaver. (I'm using DW CS3, but this would probably work fine in Dreamweaver 8.) For the life of me, I couldn't create a new snippets folder. Instead, I hijacked an existing snippets folder (I used Comments) and renamed it. Since the new name begins with an underscore, it shows up at the top of all the snippets folders. Blammo - instant custom snippets folder.
Tags: code dreamweaver


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Last week the Preps went to the Gould League to learn about the importance of recycling, reusing and composting to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes into landfill.
Thank you to Trish from the Gould League who made our day so interesting and informative.
Thank you also to our wonderful parent helpers who were able to attend.
We made many new discoveries and have shared some of our learning below.
We learnt that there are different trucks. One is for cans, one is for boxes and there are separate boxes for recycling. Alexander
We learnt about rubbish. We should put stuff in the right bin. Nicholas
Scraps and rubbish go in the rubbish. Paper goes into the recycling bin. Daniel
I learnt that worms have a saddle where the babies come from. Anouk
Glass is made from sand and aluminium comes from rocks. Bianca
We learnt about picking up rubbish. Madeleine K
I learnt that you have to put the rubbish in the right bin because your earth can get destroyed. Ruby
We played games – fishing, recycle relay and catch the right food for the worms. Ryan
I didn't know that tea bags can be put in the compost. Scarlett
We learnt about which foods we could put in the compost. Eve
Tin cans can be recycled to make new cans. Nathan
Rocks and sand and oil can make glass and plastic. Tara
Worms are really slimy and they are good for the soil because they poo to help the soil. Erin
We did a play about helping our environment called Kid Can. It was about recycling. Madeleine W
I learnt that if a worm has its tail cut off it can grow a new one. Joshua D
I learnt that worms like to eat apple and pear. Tegan
Paper comes from the bark on trees. Celia
We looked for treasure and found pictures of cans and sand and rocks. Yar
We went inside the compost bin and we saw a spider and lettuce and slugs. Victoria
I learnt that if you put things in the wrong bin it won't be recycled. Oscar
Spiders live in the compost bin. Samuel
Metal is made out of rock. Joshua S
I learnt that there is actually a place where the rubbish goes called landfill. Sophie
When the worms are pregnant they have a band around them called a saddle. Georgie
Apples and banana peels go in the compost. Paper goes in the recycling bin. Rubbish goes in the the rubbish Bin. Tilly
I learnt that trees give us paper and air. Vanessa
Sophie found a big white bug in the garden and we found out it was a beetle grub. Max K
We shouldn't cut down trees because trees make our air clean. Jake
The compost makes the grass healthy and helps it to grow. Stella
Share with your family all the things the you learnt at the Gould League.
Parents, please use the photos and discoveries as prompts to discuss the excursion with your child.
We would love to see some comments from you.


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We are so excited to bring back a deep water aerobics class after 6 years.
Water aerobics uses the natural resistance and buoyancy of water against your body to provide a wide variety of conditioning activity. There is no swimming required in water aerobics and flotation devices are used frequently. Water exercise helps increase your energy, stamina, and strength
Runs every Thursday from 6pm to 7pm.
Please contact Ashley if you have any questions or concerns at: email@example.com.


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Posting Elemental
Posts: 2739
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:50 am
Location: Utah
Re: Down to the Root
This was one thing he couldn't quite understand in other creatures; this prevalent, all-encompassing fear of something. His thoughts on This bad thing could happen! ran along the lines of So?
Actually, Sundrop - he rather liked that - seemed just as illogical when they first met. Maybe Seth had a thing for nitwits.
Why am I here? he asked, a silky grin spreading over his muzzle, I'm here because some half-brained fool has been causing trouble for someone I'm quite happy to kill for. And for the sake of a hobby.
Leaning back so that he wasn't a half breath away from stepping on Blackie any more, Caustic closed his eyes a moment and tilted his face to the overcast sky. He was admittedly disappointed; he'd been looking forward to a good fight. Foregoing that, he gathered up that "power of presence" and pushed it again, releasing the tight eagerness for battle by feeding it to the sky. If he couldn't make someone bleed, he could bleed his tension into world; anyone near enough may think that there had been blood flow.
Deep inside he felt his bond thrum, a tingling sensation tightening in his core; his release of the tension spread down his link as well as outwards, to be shared with and absorbed by his bonded. She understood the darkness in him; she reflected it back.
Releasing a breath, he leveled his gaze at Blackie again and said You don't use your brain very often, do you?
It wouldn't do any good to point out the obvious; that trying to force a new bonded to write him off would only expedite his fears. Or that his fear made things larger than they were. Blackie had already said that he saw no point in changing now; he'd already done too much damage, to his mind.
Here's a little-known fact for you. She told you. She didn't just up and drop you, didn't ditch you without warning or effort. She's giving you a chance. Now tell me, you angry little creature, why would she give you this chance if it would prove fruitless to take it? If it was really too late, you'd be gone.


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Multistage Completions, Fracturing, and Refracturing in Shales
Course Description
This course gives an overview for completing, fracturing, and refracturing shales and other low-permeability formations that require multistage hydraulic fracturing. Participants will learn the primary types of wellbore completion options, plug-and-perf, ball-activated systems, and coiled tubing-activated systems, and how they compare in different applications. Participants will also learn hydraulic fracturing and refracturing theory and design, including slick-water fracturing, cross-linked gels, fluids, proppants, additives, refracturing options, and identifying refracturing candidates.
- Multistage completion options
- Plug-and-perf completions
- Ball-activated completion systems
- Coiled-tubing-activated completion systems
- Benefits and considerations for each completion option
- Application comparison of completion options
- General fracturing theory and design
- Selection of fracturing components – fluids, proppants, etc.
- Fracturing challenges – proppant transport, conductivity, fracture geometry, etc.
- Stimulation Design Optimization – stage placement, risk mitigation
- Refracturing theory and challenges
- Identifying refracturing candidates
- Refracturing options and design considerations
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify the different types of multistage completions
- Recognize the benefits and considerations for each type of completion system
- Use knowledge gained to select completion based on their specific application
- Understand theory and design of fracturing and refracturing wells
- Compare the application specific challenges for a fracturing and refracturing job
- Apply knowledge gained to their fracturing and refracturing application
Learning Level
Introductory to Intermediate
Course Length
1 Day
Why Attend
In the last decade new production from shales and other low-permeability reservoirs that require multistage hydraulic fracturing has significantly influenced the price and supply of hydrocarbons. The success of these plays in North America has operators around the globe trying to identify similar reservoirs. In order to replicate these results in new plays and implement a more sustainable and improved approach to unconventional resource development in existing plays, it is important to understand and recognize the multiple options and challenges of completing, fracturing, and refracturing these types of wells.
Who Attends
This course is designed for all Oil and Gas Industry professionals involved in planning, drilling, completing, hydraulic fracturing, asset management, and operating wells with multistage hydraulic fracturing.
0.8 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) are awarded for this 1-day course.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be received no later than 14 days prior to the course start date. Cancellations made after the 14-day window will not be refunded. Refunds will not be given due to no show situations.
Training sessions attached to SPE conferences and workshops follow the cancellation policies stated on the event information page. Please check that page for specific cancellation information.
SPE reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule courses at will. Notification of changes will be made as quickly as possible; please keep this in mind when arranging travel, as SPE is not responsible for any fees charged for cancelling or changing travel arrangements.
We reserve the right to substitute course instructors as necessary.
Full regional cancellation policies can be found at the Cancellation Policy page within the SPE Training Course Catalog.
W. Aaron Burton's career has been focused on the completion of shales and similar unconventional plays that require multistage hydraulic fracturing. In 2015, Burton started Unconventional Oil and Gas Training, a company specializing in training and consulting for unconventional multistage completions. Prior to starting the company, he was with Baker Hughes for nearly 8 years. During his tenure in operations he held the roles of field engineer, operations coordinator, and application engineer. Outside of operations he has been Product Line Strategist, Completions Manager for the Unconventional Resource Team, and Product Line Manager for unconventional multistage completions. He has completed wells, conducted training, and consulted on a variety of projects worldwide. Through his experience, he has developed a solid understanding of reservoir properties and stimulation design that are used in a data-driven approach to more effectively design completions in unconventional wells.
He is active in the industry authoring and instructing on the subject of unconventional completions. He has authored and coauthored three SPE papers, and continues to teach two SPE continuing education courses. He has written a variety of other documents including magazine articles and newsletters, and taught numerous classes in many different venues to operators, service companies, and other companies involved in the industry. Also, he has been a discussion leader, presenter, panelist, and participated in many other roles in industry events.
Burton holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Mississippi State University.
Sergey Kotov is the Manager of Integrated Technology, Global Products and Technology at Baker Hughes. Kotov has 20 years of oil and gas industry experience primarily specializing in production enhancement. Kotov started his career in Russia, participating in all aspects of pumping operations in most of the major oil and gas basins from the South to the Arctic Circle. As an application engineer of BJ Services Technology Research Center, he participated in the development and optimization of new stimulation technologies. As a senior stimulation specialist, Kotov worked in North Africa. He was involved in many stimulation projects around the world. In recent years Kotov has specialized in unconventional stimulation as a Region Engineer in the US, Sr. Stimulation Advisor/Stimulation Manager for the Unconventional Resources, and as a Global Product Line Manager for Unconventional Fracturing, providing technical expertise and leadership globally. Currently Kotov is leading the Baker Hughes' NextWave production rejuvenation initiative to maximize value from the existing assets in unconventional reservoirs.
He is an active member of the SPE. He participated in numerous industry events as a speaker and a panelist. Kotov is as instructor for the "Unconventional Completions and Fracturing" SPE course, he is also a co-author of Baker Hughes Recommended Practices / Data-Driven Solutions for Shale Gas/Oil Analysis and Development, a co-author and instructor for Baker Hughes Shale Academy, and a co-author of "Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources: Exploration and Development" book CRC press, 2016.
Kotov holds an MS in petroleum engineering/oils and gas geology (Russia), he also earned an honors MA in linguistics (Russia).