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Democracy Delayed in the West Bank
Palestinians in the West Bank were supposed to vote last week on a new set of local politicians. To us Americans, municipal elections aren't a big deal. But for people who haven't had a taste of democracy in years, just the slightest chance at waiting online to cast a ballot is an exhilarating experience. For Palestinians- a people under persistent occupation, divided between two political factions, and separated in two geographical areas- this exuberance would have been even more fulfilling.
Sadly, those elections were cancelled by the Palestinian Authority, which argued that elections at the present time would have fragmented Palestine's national identity and diverted attention away from the more pressing problem of Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe.
Little do they know that Palestinian identity hasn't been unified for quite a long time; Hamas and Fatah have been battling it out for the past four years. 1.5 million Palestinians are separated from another 2.5 million in the West Bank. And if you want to get mired in technicalities, the Palestinians don't even have a national identity. The lack of a Palestinian state kicks the "national" right out the door.
Something else is at work here. The cancellation had nothing to do with Gaza, and it certainly had nothing to do with efforts at unity. Instead, fear of who would win and who would lose was most likely the culprit. And in some strange way, the United States is partly to blame for Palestine's increasingly authoritarian behavior.
Back in 2006, the United States encouraged Palestinians to come out and vote for their next national government. At the time, it was an historic moment; the first elections since the death of longtime leader Yasser Arafat and the beginning of a new era in Middle East democracy. But when the elections were over, and the winner was announced (Hamas), encouragement in Washington quickly turned into despair and disappointment.
The right thing for Washington to do was applaud the Palestinians for their trust in democracy- even if the U.S. didn't necessarily like the results. This positive response may have been able to serve as a precedent for further elections into the future.
Unfortunately, the Bush administration took the exact opposite approach. The same democracy that Washington trumpeted beforehand quickly turned into an embarrassment. Due to Hamas' place on Washington's terrorist list, the United States refused to declare the contest legitimate. The U.S. dug itself deeper by not engaging Hamas at a low level, which would have at least shown Palestinians that the U.S. meant what it said about democratic institutions.
Four years later, what we have in the Palestinian Territories is a powerless legislative branch, a Palestinian President ruling by decree, and an authority that is divided internally between old-time technocrats and upwardly mobile moderates.
We are still suffering from that disastrous 2006 experience. Just as the U.S. was afraid about the results back then, the P.A. is afraid about what's on the minds of Palestinian voters today. Canceling the elections gives them more time to delay the inevitable.
-Daniel R. DePetris
**Comments courtesy of Mustafa Barghouthi of the Palestinian National Initiative. His article can be read at FP.com's Middle East Channel**
July 6 Post-Game Report
After a short hour and 19 minute meeting at the White House, President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were quick to embrace one another in front of reporters, showing the world that they have both decided to change their rhetoric towards one another and work together on a common goal of Middle East peace.
Like I said a few days ago before the meeting took place, this is precisely what the bilateral event was designed for. After a tumultuous eighteen months between Israel and its greatest ally (the United States)- including disagreements over Israel's behavior with respect to the Palestinians- Obama's staff made sure that this diplomatic exchange went as smoothly as possible. You may recall that the last U.S.-Israel meeting did not go very well…it went so badly, in fact, that the President deliberately kept the Israeli Prime Minister waiting in the lobby for a few hours and even refused to hold a joint news conference after the talk was completed.
Three months later, Obama's mindset towards Israel and its Prime Minister has changed dramatically. The midterm elections are fast approaching, and the last thing Obama wants to do is jeopardize his party by appearing to be anti-Israeli. Plus, Republicans in recent months have been all over the President on his Middle East policy, accusing him of compromising U.S. security interests and letting his grudge with Netanyahu get too far. Given this atmosphere, the White House probably viewed this meeting as a political opportunity to show his solidarity with Israel in the hopes of stemming this criticism and shoring up Jewish support for Democrats ahead of the vote.
On the other side, Netanyahu faces a similar, yet different, domestic situation on the cusp of his Washington visit. He has been taking a beating from the international community, dovish Israeli political parties, and Arab leaders for his terrible track record at peace talks, whether this includes brandish statements towards the Palestinian leadership or actual policy moves that have weakened Palestinian trust. His endorsement of Israeli settlement building on occupied Palestinian land- which the international community deems illegal under international law- has driven a deep wedge between Israel and its greatest ally, donor, and patron. Israelis critical of Netanyahu were (and continue to be) afraid that his reliance on right-wing politicians has damaged Israeli credibility in the eyes of the region and in the eyes of the international community. Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren suggested as much a month ago, arguing that a "tectonic" shift is taking place between Washington and Tel Aviv on a number of important issues.
So both leaders had reasons for shaking hands and smiling in front of the cameras today. Both men, regardless of their experience, are confronting political pressures in their home countries. Netanyahu is hearing it from Jewish peace activists, and Republicans in the peanut gallery are heckling Obama. This could help explain why the U.S.-Israel meeting went without incident. Obama stated compassionately that he always had trust in Netanyahu, despite what the press had said, and that the U.S.-Israel relationship is stronger than it has ever been. Netanyahu returned the favor by endorsing Obama's vision for a two-state solution to the conflict…something that he previously opposed.
But logistics and sugarcoating aside, the July 6 meeting still didn't bridge the United States and Israel when it comes to policy. President Obama's plan for a two-state solution depends primarily on the termination of Israeli settlement building, and a willingness by Netanyahu to show the Palestinians that he is serious about peace talks. This runs right into Netanyahu's strategy, which is both pro-settler and hawkish in its origins. It's one thing to say that you would like a quick and smooth end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which Netanyahu has expressed. But it's quite another to actually progress towards that goal. Given his dependency on right-wing parties, I'm still not sure if Netanyahu is willing to sacrifice his political career for a successful Israeli-Palestinian resolution.
However, one thing is clear; if Israel refuses to renew its ban on new settlement building this September, all of this talk of peace is meaningless.
By the way, Obama declared that he wants Israelis and Palestinians to stop acting like children and address one another directly in just a few weeks time. But it's hard to see this actually happening, both because Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is opposed to the idea as long as settlement construction continues, and because Palestinian negotiators are afraid that concrete issues (like security, borders, Jerusalem) will remain off the table.
-Daniel R. DePetris
What To Expect On July 6
Now that the Independence Day Holiday is over with, the White House is back to business as usual. The first item on the agenda is a major diplomatic meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 6; a meeting that will hopefully go much better than the previous two this year (one resulted in an embarrassing moment for Obama on Israeli settlements, and the other added to an already frosty relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv). What a way to get back to reality.
As usual, pundits and talking-heads across the political spectrum are gearing up for the meeting and speculating about what the final result between the two men will be. So naturally, I have to add my two cents in, although I'm neither a pundit or a talking-head…just a loud mouthed and opinionated blogger.
Nothing substantial can happen in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict unless the United States and Israel get on the same page on the most basic requirements for peace. Administration officials are acutely aware of this, so tomorrow's diplomatic event will probably spend most of its time and energy on bridging these policy gaps, or at least portraying to the world that the U.S. and Israel are working towards the same goal.
Washington's demands towards Israel and the Palestinians are still the same as they have ever been. With respect to Israel, the United States wants Netanyahu to cease illegal settlement building in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and review his Gaza policy, which has created a devastating humanitarian crisis for over one million Palestinians. Mahmoud Abbas' job is to put an end to Palestinian incitement in his area of control (the West Bank). But to the dismay of many and to the surprise of none, all of these requirements are still unmet, for a number of specific reasons.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is afraid of taking the first big steps for peace, out of fear that his right-wing political allies would stab him in the back and facture his governing coalition. On the other side, Mahmoud Abbas has been powerless to eliminate the old Palestinian mindset of rejectionism in the West Bank. But this is not entirely his fault; there is still a large cadre of 20th century Palestinians in the P.A. that are suspicious of whatever Israel decides to do.
To think that a single meeting in Washington with the Israeli Prime Minister will solve any of these problems is a façade. In fact, it will be surprising if the Obama-Netanyahu meeting has any lasting effect on the conflict at all.
The funny thing is that Obama and Netanyahu understand this, so the July 6 event at the White House should perhaps be seen more as a P.R. stunt than the start of a new determination on Mideast peace.
My prediction: 1) the meeting will go well, both men will hold a joint press conference reiterating their friendship and their desire to end the conflict, and neoconservatives will end up blasting President Obama for not supporting the Israelis unconditionally. 2) Israel's settlement policy will stay the same, but Netanyahu will end of scrapping some really big projects in East Jerusalem and the West Bank to show Obama he's trying to act like a responsible partner. And 3) the Arab League will re-endorse the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
In other words, more of the same.
-Daniel R. DePetris
**Comments courtesy of Matthew Duss and David Halperin at FP.com**
An Upswing On The Israeli-Palestinian Roller Coaster
It looks like all of my bitching and moaning has actually paid off…or at least this is what I'm inclined to tell myself.
After an enormous international uproar over Israel's deadly raid on a pro-Palestinian humanitarian mission, and after America's refusal to wholeheartedly support Israel at the United Nations after the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has finally admitted that perhaps he was wrong about Gaza all along.
The Israeli blockade on Gaza, which was supposed to put the hurt on Palestinians to the point that they would challenge and possibly overthrow the Hamas Government, is now being loosened to its weakest position since the embargo was established three and a half years ago. Weapons, like guns, ammunition, and Qassam rockets, will still be on the list of banned items going into the strip (and they should be). But other goods, like certain foods, spices, construction materials, books, and movies, will now be allowed to pass through the border and make their way into the hands of Gazans. For once, the hardship that the ordinary Gazan faces may be coming to an end.
Or it could be something entirely different, like a political move by the Israeli Government to relieve some of the pressure that they have been forced to contain over the last 6 months. Or it could be both.
I'm not going to speculate why Israel had a sudden change of heart, because to be blunt, there is probably more than one motive at work here (although I would like nothing more than to run my mouth and pretend I know the answer).
So a word of caution; before we all jump the gun and automatically assume that the Gaza blockade is going to be a success and a pretext for future Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, perhaps we should just sit and wait to see if the policy is going to be implemented correctly.
Middle Eastern history is rife with compromises that seemed positive and reassuring in the present, but then soured and turned into a big disappointment in the future. The fuel-swap deal last October that was supposed to dissuade the Iranians from enriching uranium to higher levels turned out to a political maneuver by Tehran to stall for more time. Likewise, Barack Obama's election victory was supposed to usher into a brand new era of Mideast peacemaking, both in terms of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and in terms of America's relationship with the wider Muslim world. But eighteen months later, the United States is still trying to get out of Iraq despite the lack of an Iraqi Government, and Washington is still stagnant in Afghanistan despite the tens of thousands of additional American troops entering the country this summer.
The point is not to disparage Israel's decision to ease up on Gaza. In fact, I've been passionately arguing for this kind of step for months on this forum and elsewhere. I still firmly believe that Israel will not increase its security by endorsing a policy of collective punishment on those who live in Gaza. In fact, boycotting the Gaza Strip may have the exact opposite effect. It should be clear over the past three years that this is precisely what has happened as a result of the blockade. Israel's legitimacy has been corroded in the eyes of much of the world, and the Muslim world continues to show its anger, which plays right into the hands of Israel and the west's many enemies (Al'Qaeda, Hezbollah, the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, and Iran's Revolutionary Guard).
With that being said, Israel's decision should be applauded and expanded. The list of banned items has always been a bit overbearing. We should just hold our breath to see if it actually works. But if the last week's shift in policy is any indication, my past concerns are now starting to look a lot less like delusional rants.
-Daniel R. DePetris
**Comments courtesy of Marc Lynch at FP.com**
Troubling Poll Comes Out Of Israel
I have some bad news. David Pollock (a senior pollster and researcher for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy) just wrapped up his latest polling project in the Middle East about what Israelis think of their prime minister, peace with the Palestinians, the Gaza blockade, and U.S. President Barack Obama. And on all accounts, the numbers show a disheartening trend towards further conflict.
From the information that is frequently provided by the international community and Israel's very own media, you wouldn't think that a majority of Israeli Jews held hawkish positions on the Mideast peace process. Similarly, you would also find it hard to believe that most Israeli voters were (and continue to be) supportive of Benjamin Netanyahu, the right leaning politician who has done more to alienate Israel in the court of world opinion than any other Israeli leader in recent memory. But the new study by Pechter Polls confirm these trends: 53 percent hold favorable views of Netanyahu, 71 percent are unhappy about President Barack Obama's handling of the conflict, and nearly 75 percent surveyed stated that Israel should do whatever it took to enforce the Gaza embargo (lingo for military force).
If there is anything that can be concluded from these figures, it is this: the Israeli public, for whatever reason, is deeply confused as to how to proceed with the Palestinians.
Generally speaking, Israelis understand what is required for a comprehensive peace agreement. They recognize that Tel Aviv needs to make dramatic concessions if they want to end the conflict once and for all. Close to two-thirds of Israelis are emphatic about the very idea of a two state solution, which has the potential of finally establishing a viable and independent Palestinian state peacefully living side by side with the state of Israel.
Yet on the other hand, this same majority is opposed to taking the step that would make the two state solution a sustainable strategy: engaging Hamas in even the slightest form. Unfortunately, it may be Israel's disdain for Hamas (or vice-versa) that is quickly destroying the very prospect of the two state concept.
Over the last four years, Israel has used every tool at its disposal to weaken Hamas. Successive Israeli Governments have enforced a blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, prohibiting arms and certain humanitarian goods (like construction materials) from crossing into the coastal territory. It has performed covert security missions inside the Gaza Strip against Hamas instillations, often stoking violence from Palestinian militants in the process. And it launched a two-month air and ground assault against the movement in 2008-2009, hitting Hamas military facilities and diminishing its ability to carry out rocket attacks against Israeli civilians.
Yet even despite all of these operations, Israel is still hanging in a state of limbo.
As the last half-decade has demonstrated, Israel cannot- and will not- establish peace in the region by marginalizing Hamas in the hopes that it will simply go away. In fact, this type of "divide and conquer" strategy only emboldens the Movement by giving it an excuse to operate. Oh, and did I mention that it places an unwanted strain on the 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza?
Five years later, what has Israel's Gaza policy accomplished? Is the blockade driving a wedge between Hamas and its constituents? Is it pressuring Hamas to change its ways towards Israel? Is it even encouraging them to put aside their differences with Mahmoud Abbas for the sake of Palestinian unity?
The answers, respectively, are no, no and no. Apart from the relative decrease in rocket fire in Israeli towns close to the Gaza border, marginalizing Hamas (and the broader Gazan population) has been a dismal failure. Hamas is not receding, but becoming stronger in both image and morale. Palestinians living in the strip are doing so in conditions that dogs in the United States would refuse to accept. And from a P.R. perspective, states that were previously ambivalent to the entire situation in Gaza are now starting to take notice.
More importantly, Israel's Gaza blockade is only reinforcing Hamas unhelpful behavior.
The status-quo is obviously not working, yet the polls that were conducted by Dr. Pollock still seem to support Israel's status-quo mentality towards the conflict: open up to Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank and isolate Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This should be troubling to anyone who possesses the slightest desire to find a solution to this lingering stalemate.
More of the same is not what the region needs. Yet more of the same is probably what we are going to get.
-Daniel R. DePetris
**Comments courtesy of David Pollock at FP.com**
Can We Please Stop Talking About The "Freedom Flotilla?"
If you rely on mainstream television and syndicated columnists for your daily news, I'm sure that you're probably sick and tired of hearing about Israel's botched assault on a humanitarian convoy that tried to doc in the Gaza Strip (the press has repeatedly invoked the phrase "freedom flotilla" to describe the convoy of ships). I hate to put words in everyone's mouths, but it seems that you can't read a news article today without hearing another op-ed columnist give some mundane analysis on what went wrong and how the incident is going to affect the state of Israel in the eyes of the world.
Here's the bottom line, and a point I've already made in a previous posting: we can all argue about whether Israel should have intercepted the boat or whether international law allowed the operation in the first place. But all this does is set the clock back when the United States and its allies should be focusing all of their efforts on getting the Turkish-Israeli relationship back on track.
More important, dwelling on the past and continuing to concentrate on the flotilla incident diverts a tremendous amount of government attention that could be used on much bigger problems, like say preparing for a nuclear Iran (which is becoming more evident by the day) or containing a powerful Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
I understand that everyone likes a little drama in their lives now and again. It can excite and propel us out of the boring aura that usually dominates our lives. And don't think for a second that this is limited to suburbanites like myself; governments like some excitement too. Who in their right mind would want to sit down and crunch budget numbers all day when something as invigorating as an "international incident" pops up? And nothing spells "international incident" as much as a controversial and deadly Israeli raid on a pro-Palestinian humanitarian mission.
But there comes a point in time when even the drama can get a bit too dramatic. Unfortunately, the Israeli attack on the flotilla is starting to fit rather nicely into that category.
The bad news is that this is not helping the United States in any way, shape, or form. Calls for Washington to denounce Israel over its conduct during the "freedom flotilla" operation is only distracting President Obama from a long laundry list of national priorities that are much more important…like the thousands of barrels of crude oil that are ruining the Gulf of Mexico or the thousands of U.S. troops that are expected to land in Afghanistan in the next month.
I'm sure other bloggers or readers will disagree with my assessment. Some may claim that the President should condemn Israel, for this would save America's reputation in the Arab world and help the United States gain some leverage over Jerusalem in the future. I, however, see it a bit differently. Such a compliant will only keep the issue alive at a time when the White House is knee-deep in other problems.
-Daniel R. DePetris
Memoriable Day Siege On The High Seas
There is no other place in the world today that generates as much controversy and debate as the Gaza Strip; the slim coastal enclave smaller than the island of Manhattan that is home to approximately 1.5 million Palestinians.
The Gaza Strip has been governed by Hamas- a U.S. and Israeli designated terrorist organization- since 2007, when its fighters drove Mahmoud Abbas' forces from the territory in a convincing display of coordinated force. Sensing that a ferocious adversary now controlled a quasi-state right next door, the Israeli Government responded to the takeover with a brand new set of economic restrictions, including a naval blockade off the Gaza coast and a ban on certain materials. The sale and distribution of steel, cement, and other construction materials are prohibited inside the Strip, although an impressive system of makeshift underground tunnels along the Egyptian border has diminished the effectiveness of the entire blockade. Certain foods like jam, avocados, spices, and chocolates are also confiscated by Israeli authorities and denied to ordinary Palestinians living under Hamas rule.
The Gaza siege was supposed to put pressure on Hamas officials from the bottom up. By making life virtually unbearable, there was a possibility that Palestinians living inside the Strip would revolt against the Islamist government out of both anger and desperation. But unfortunately, after three years of the blockade, the objectives that Israel has sought to accomplish remain distant. Hamas is still the primary authority in Gaza politics, Mahmoud Abbas has been unable to take the initiative and draw popular support away from the Hamas Movement, and weapons still make their way into the hands of Hamas through a sophisticated smuggling network. In fact, if this morning's tragic loss of life is any indication, the fortification of the Gaza Strip has actually given Jerusalem an ever greater headache.
In case you haven't heard the news, Israeli Navy commandos intercepted a convoy of ships that were attempting to make their way to the Gaza Strip. At the onset, it seemed like an ordinary operation from an Israeli perspective: in accordance with the embargo policy, Israeli forces would stop the ship from entering Gaza and deport those responsible. But within the few minutes of the operation, ordinary quickly succumbed to catastrophic.
The ships were carrying thousands of pounds of civilian materials for the people of Gaza, mostly supplies that could be used to reconstruct homes that were damaged by the 2008-2009 war between Israel and Hamas militants. The ships were also being commandeered by humanitarian workers and pro-Palestinian activists, all of whom view the Israeli siege as an unjust act of "collective punishment."
If the activists were arrested and deported by Israeli authorities, perhaps we wouldn't be talking about this event. After all, the Israeli Government has thwarted a number of civilian campaigns in the past, even if the humanitarian mission is well-planned and moderate in size.
This time it was different. 14 people were killed and about 30 were injured when Israeli commandos stormed the ships at nightfall, making this one of the deadliest naval operations along the Israeli coast in decades. So far, most of the victims have been described by hospital officials as Turkish nationals.
To say the very least, the loss of life is unfortunate, particularly when similar operations have been dealt with in a much more peaceful and professional manner (intercepting boats destined for the Gaza Strip is a fairly routine occurrence for the Israeli Navy). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Foreign Ministry claim that the commandos were firing in self defense after activists wielded knives as they tried to subdue the convoy. The Arab media is reporting the story quite differently, stating that Israeli soldiers fired indiscriminately at unarmed civilians. I honestly don't know what to believe or who to believe at this point, because events are still unfolding and everyone has their own interpretations about what happened "in the moment." But what is clear is that Israel must now find some way to manage another diplomatic snafu.
So far, Turkey has recalled its ambassador from Israel in a show of protest over the deadly raid, calling it a "murder conducted by a state;" the European Union is calling the attack an indiscriminate show of force; U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is vehemently ordering a full and detailed investigation into what actually happened; the Israeli P.M. cancelled his trip to Washington to cool the fallout; protests have erupted across much of the Arab world; and the U.N. Security Council called an emergency session to draft a resolution expressing its strong displeasure.
To label this as a crisis is perhaps mollifying its significance. Israel is already facing challenges from the international community on a number of fronts, whether its settlement activity in the West Bank or covert security missions in allied nations. Before this development unfolded, the Turkish-Israeli relationship was slowly getting back to normal after a pretty extensive period of frosty exchanges. And indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority were finally kicking off after eighteen months of stalemate.
This episode on the high seas has the potential of jeopardizing each and every one of these improvements. Whether it will or not remains to be seen (Israeli authorities will undoubtedly try to lift themselves out of the water in the hopes of avoiding the shark). Yet even with this uncertainty, international condemnation from Europeans and Arabs alike is not the start that Prime Minister Netanyahu was looking for.
Note: The Obama administration is taking a much more cautious approach to the entire ordeal, telling the press corps that the United States "expressed deep regret at the loss of life."
-Daniel R. DePetris
**Comments courtesy of Blake Hounshell of FP.com, Marc Lynch of FP.com, and the Economist**
Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Place
Now that the Obama administration has finally gotten Israeli-Palestinian peace talks going after a year and a half of stalemate (a plan that could quickly fall apart in a day's time if something drastic like…uh hum….more settlement building is approved), analysts from around the world are starting to ask if the meetings can produce anything worthwhile.
The short answer is no. If anyone thinks that a magic formula for peace is going to be struck through shuttle diplomacy- jargon for indirect "proximity talks"- than you will be sadly mistaken.
The good news is that both sides have agreed to address key issues of the conflict instead of arguing about useless formalities. Issues like settlements on occupied Palestinian land, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, borders, and security will apparently be the focus (although I'm not so sure how this could possibly be discussed without negotiating face-to-face).
Yet even with this supposed "diplomatic breakthrough" now in the works (to be fair, it is a welcomed change from the last 18 months), this development is still a step backwards from what have traditionally been direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The Madrid Peace Conference in 1991, the Oslo Accords of 1993, and the Camp David Summit of 2000 all involved the active participation of key political players. But now in 2010, the international community is forced to resort to an impersonal method for resolving the same-old disputes that have destroyed Mideast peacemaking for six decades in the making.
I hate to the be the bearer of bad news, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not exactly a trustworthy and constructive partner, and his religious coalition is the sort of government that you would expect to find in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
And then there was this revelation that I had about a day or two ago.
In the past, I've expressed a sense of urgency about Netanyahu's government and my hope that he would someday smarten up and drop the extreme right-wing members of his coalition…especially if he wants to keep his job amid a frustratingly slow moving peace process. Doing so would not only pave the way for a new governing coalition with a much more centrist and pragmatic partner, but would also severely weaken Netanyahu's dependence on pro-settler Jewish groups.
While I still support the idea of the Israeli P.M. dumping his more radical allies in the government, I'm now starting to question whether this move would actually change things.
Don't get me wrong here; a more moderate government would be a fine contrast from the current administration in Israel (most of whom are all too eager to sabotage peace talks before they even start). Likewise, a more centric-oriented coalition would be a great parallel to the P.A.'s moderate leadership under Mahmoud Abbas and Salam Fayyad. The chances for a successful Israeli-Palestinian dialogue- perhaps leading to direct negotiations- would improve quite significantly at the executive level.
But what about the bigger picture…that of the Israeli electorate? Poll after poll in Israel has consistently confirmed the Israeli public's endorsement of the current status-quo. And why not? The Israeli economy is one of the best in the world, security has been tight, and the suicide-bombings that used to terrorize Israeli cities on a daily-basis are now virtually nonexistent.
Surely the Israelis want peace and reconciliation with the Palestinians. Each Israeli Government has been trying to accomplish this goal since the state's creation in 1948. But at the same time, Israelis don't want to jeopardize or risk destroying the type of peaceful environment that they have been accustomed too over the last three years.
Talk about caught between a rock and a hard place.
-Daniel R. DePetris
**Comments courtesy of the Economist*
Rumors Building Up About A New Obama Peace Push
Boy do I love rumors. And if there is anything I love more than rumors, its rumors that originate inside Washington, which usually has the effect of spreading around town and taking on a life of their own once newspapers get a hold of them.
Such is the case with a rumor now circulating in the Beltway that President Barack Obama is working feverously on a new Middle East peace plan. And God knows that we need it…the process has been stalled for the past decade.
Israel's policy of unconditional settlement building, along with Mahmoud Abbas' refusal to even sit down with the Israelis, has made peace some sort of alien concept for the past ten years. The United States hasn't helped the situation either, partly due to its taken-for-granted support of Israel and partly due to President Obama's inability to take provocative steps (like sanctions and termination of the American aid pipeline) to get talks started.
So for obvious reasons, an American-imposed peace plan is generating a lot of excitement in the blogosphere…and on the twitter feeds for that manner. But we should be cautious that such a move is actually taking place within the White House, because let's face it, the administration hasn't been all that united on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to begin with. Dennis Ross, Obama's chief Mideast Policy advisor, is staunchly pro-Israeli (so much so that some people are starting to question whether he is more sympathetic to Israel than the United States), while VP Joe Biden is probably still hot under the collar over his embarrassing trip to Israel last month. And of course there's George Mitchell, who is the administration's point man on current negotiations (or lack thereof) and who seems to be enduring a level of frustration that even a patient diplomat like himself cannot bear.
Is this supposed peace plan actually a real thing? Well, yes and no.
From what I've heard so far, it looks as if the Obama administration is going to wait a little longer before they decide to implement an American-led peace push. Some officials in the administration, particularly those involved in U.S. Middle East policy, are saying that the President's main priority is still getting "proximity talks" forward, which would probably be a dismal failure anyway. Of course, I take everything that the White House says with a grain of salt, because the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of those issues that can create deep schisms between high-ranking administration officials. Actually, it seems like this is occurring already, with Envoy George Mitchell calling an American plan "premature."
Whatever the administration decides to do, I hope they wait for the proximity talks to fail first. You can only use the most important tool at your disposal after all others are exhausted, and a unilateral peace plan by the United States is the sharpest tool the country has. Doing it now, just as Mitchell and Clinton are trying to get indirect talks back on the table, simply doesn't make sense.
Patience is the key here. Look what happened when the President rushed earlier on in the process…he got rebuffed and humiliated by Benjamin Netanyahu over settlements, and lost a whole lot of credibility with Arabs at the same time.
-Daniel R. DePetris
**Comments courtesy of Marc Lynch at FP.com**
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Just Gets Worse and Worse
By this time, most people have probably heard about Israel's new housing plan, which permits the construction of another 1,600 homes in East Jerusalem…an area, by the way, that has long been regarded as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Likewise, most Americans have either heard or read about America's strong opposition to this latest announcement, which has the potential of severely derailing the start of new Mideast peace talks between Tel Aviv and the Palestinian Authority.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spent most of her day on Friday venting her displeasure to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the telephone, calling the recent settlement decision a terrible and destructive step in the U.S.-Israel relationship. President Obama's senior political advisor, David Axelrod, jumped on the Sunday morning talk shows to vehemently denounce the Israeli action as an "insult" to the United State. Mideast Envoy George Mitchell went so far as to cancel his scheduled trip to Israel, in what is obviously construed as one of the strongest forms of diplomatic protest.
When both the United States and Israel confirm that there is a serious crisis going on between the two countries, you know that an alliance is stretched to the brim. The question now is whether President Obama and P.M. Netanyahu can mend their many differences for the sake of a new Mideast peace dialog. They at least owe George Mitchell this little bit of satisfaction.
What does Congress have to say about all of this? Well, nothing constructive as usual.
There is a bipartisan outraged over the administration's public relations tour this weekend, so much so that a number of powerful Senators spent hours on the floor accusing Obama, Clinton, and Axelrod of misplaced anger. Here are a few noteworthy segments:
Senator John McCain: "It might be well if our friends in the administration and other places in the United States could start refocusing our efforts on the peace process. Now we've had our spat. We've had our family fight, and it's time for us now to stop and get our eye back on the goal, which is the commencement of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks."
Senator Joseph Lieberman: "Let's cut the family fighting, the family feud. It's unnecessary; it's destructive of our shared national interest. It's time to lower voices, to get over the family feud between the U.S. and Israel. It just doesn't serve anybody's interests but our enemies."
Senator Sam Brownback: "It's hard to see how spending a weekend condemning Israel for a zoning decision in its capital city amounts to a positive step towards peace."
Representative Shelley Berkeley: "The administration's strong implication that the enduring alliance between the U.S. and Israel has been weakened, and that America's ability to broker talks between Israel and Palestinian authorities has been undermined, is an irresponsible overreaction."
Here is a question for Congress; if you want this saga to be over with, why engage in speech that will provoke the White House to respond?
Besides, the Obama administration has every right to let their voices be heard. As the maker and executor of U.S. foreign policy, the Commander-in-Chief has an ethical responsibility to defend his (or her) record if it's indeed under attack. Just ask President Bush, someone who spent most of his second term combating the media on the Iraq War. Even President Clinton before him spoke up (for a different reason of course…cough cough). If the White House formulates policy, they have the liberty to protect that same policy if it is being compromised. This is an even bigger requirement if the official White House line is being challenged by a so-called friendly nation.
I personally don't have a problem with political advisers giving their opinions on foreign-policy issues. In fact, I believe that major advisers have an obligation to provide alternatives to the President.
I will concede to Congress on one point. David Axelrod should keep his mouth shut, especially when he lacks any firm expertise on the matter at hand. Stick to politics Mr. Axelrod, and let the policy wonks take care of this one.
-Daniel R. DePetris
**Comments courtesy of Daniel Drezner at FP.com**


text:
The Woman
By Anne Raso
Jane Rosenthal : From Dyslexic To Dynamic!
Jane Rosenthal might be famous as Robert DeNiro's partner in creating and running The Tribeca Film Festival—which was created from the ashes of 9/11 as "a nice thing to do for the (Tribeca) community"—but she is also a hugely successful movie producer of over 20 years with projects like Meet The Parents, About A Boy and Wag The Dog under her belt.
Rosenthal is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and stood by Hillary Clinton in her presidential run. The 61-year-old is the mother of two adult daughters who are following in their mother's footsteps of political and social activism.
Most importantly, Rosenthal is a great example of someone who did not let childhood bullying get her down. Being dyslexic, she was teased mercilessly by classmates and even her own family. Jane has now made Speak Up For Kids and Child Mind Institute, top dyslexic foundations, her mainstay charities.
The powerful New Yorker recently revealed, "My teachers treated me as if I was not very smart. My father just sometimes called me dumb. My mother told me I could do anything but I think that they were frustrated by me." She added that there is more hope for dyslexic kids today: "With all the new technology you can be and do anything you want to be. There are so many ways you can learn; it is not one size fits all."
Rosenthal has been regarded as one of today's great patron of the arts and Montblanc Pens even gave her an award for her great achievements in this area. She has mentored many recent college graduates who wanted their foot in the door of the TV and film production business but did it without seeking any publicity at all. She stated at the Montblanc award dinner, "I never realized that the world patron applied to me. It brings the connotation of kings and queens. I'm a kid from Providence, RI. But it's so important to support the arts. It's the artists who shine a light on the important problems and issues that we have and if there's any hope, it's going to be through the work that artists do to unite us."
Most recently, Rosenthal has spoken up about the allegations of sexual harassment by showbiz bigwigs and urged women in the movie industry to "commit to mentoring the next generation." She stated, "These monsters…aren't going to change their world through conversation. We have to change the world around them. Women must come forward and support each other. We must understand that an assault on one of us is an assault on all of us."
As we go to press, Rosenthal is working on the next Tribeca Film Festival–whose offshoot Tribeca Film Institute supported 55 women's film projects in 2017–as well as co-producing her latest major movie project, The Irishmen. This crime drama reunites Robert DeNiro with Al Pacino has a huge "buzz" and a huge $105 million budget; Martin Scorcese is at the director's helm.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
It is in my nature to underestimate the time it takes to do things, hence our family tradition of always being late
ಠ_ಠ (I am working on improving that!) So when I sit down to create, I always think I will be done much sooner than it ends up being in reality.
Given this, I decided to find out how much time I actually spend on a project, to give me some hard data to work with. I had downloaded Ginger Melon's Hansel & Gretel pattern over Christmas, got the timer on my iphone ready and started cutting and sewing!
So, just to get to body complete (from cutting out pieces to attaching all body parts) it took me a total of
….drum roll please….
FIVE HOURS and FORTY THREE MINUTES
WHAT THE WHA??!?!? Holy crapola Batman, that is sooooooooo long!!! Admittedly it was a new pattern, although the technique is similar to several others I have made, and I spent the time to make sure she was finished properly, but that is waaaaaaaay longer than expected!
Cutting felt: 38 mins
Sewing head and features: 1hr 48mins
Sewing arms and legs: 2hrs 2mins
Putting body together: 1hr 15mins
Unfortunately I didn't manage to keep up the timer for the clothing, but I estimate in total Gretel has taken me at least 4.5 hours for the clothing, so a grand total of 10 hours to make her come to life.
1. Cost effectiveness: just to pay my time at $10 per hour would make her cost over $100, not to mention costs of the materials or any profit!
2. I did really enjoy creating her and seeing her finish come up so evenly. I will attempt Hansel when I have some more skin coloured felt, but I think handsewing these dolls will be for fun only :/
Very interesting findings and a lot of food for thought came for making of Miss Gretel, got a lot to think about in the direction I want to head with my softie creations.
Have you had a project that took longer than you expected?


text:
Joint compound comes in a variety of container sizes, however be suggested that smaller containers might value just as a lot as the bigger ones. It's best to use one piece, however I have a small SUV and asked to Lowes guy to cut my boards in order that they'd match in the automobile. Assuming there are no wires and pipes in the way in which, you now want to make use of a pointed drywall saw that resembles the spear on a sailfish. The water enters the drywall and the drywall expands and then ultimately the drywall will disintegrate and have to be replaced.
Drywall is then attached to the wall using nails, generally glue, or the not too long ago made drywall screws. Our experienced and skilled workers additionally installs drywall for remodels, renovations and additions. Then fastidiously insert your finger into the opening attempting to probe and feel if there are any pipes or wires behind the drywall. On the coronary heart of our success is our perception that no two repair projects are identical. This ensures there is a stable piece of drywall the place there was moments earlier than a hole. Upon surveying the damage, they are going to choose the fitting sort of drywall compound.
Raleigh Drywall Contractors Call Jim 919-542-5336 Drywall contractors providing service in Raleigh, North Carolina for over 1 / 4 century. Utilizing a screw as a handle to hold the backing in place while screwing by way of the prevailing drywall. I've built relationships with homeowners and have remained dedicated to providing every buyer with the sources and personnel necessity's to complete their drywall venture in a well timed manner and cost effectively as possible.
Call Jim 919-542-5336 A to Z Reworking Contractors offering service in Cary, NC. Complete remodels, call right this moment for a free no obligation estimate. Lower just to the skin of the line to create a bit of clearance for the edges of the patch so you won't must force it into place. However, for extra in depth harm, that is typically the only option because the restore will last more and be more durable. Fasten the backing strip to the again of the outlet using a drywall screw driven via the wallboard and strip on both sides of the hole.
We are able to fix drywall and sheetrock damaged by water, patch holes left by plumbing and electrical techniques, and restore cracks that have broken the drywall. Next, fill the opening with drywall compound or painter's putty using a putty knife to clean it out, and make it degree with the wall surface. The experts at Mike's High quality Portray in Albuquerque can do your drywall restore, probably for less than it would price you to do it your self (especially once you calculate the price of repairing your repairs). When completed taping, sand the patch smooth and end the brand new floor to match its surroundings.


text:
The Daffodil Murder Case!
eBook (PDF), 14 Pages
Price: $1.25
What fiend is murdering old women in London? Each victim was found clutching a pale yellow Daffodil. Cheerie is a large male cream colored cat who is a detective with Scotland Yard. He has an uncanny knack for finding clues and evidence in murder cases. Bentley Brighton is his human who is an author of murder mystery novels living in London. Cheerie loves when "the game is afoot!" **Fifth book in the series.** Watch for new books.
Available in PDF Format
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Product Details
- Copyright
- Lyndia Glover (Standard Copyright License)
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- September 30, 2011
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 14
- File Format
- File Size
- Product ID
- 17492039
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Date Added
Job Type
Located just minutes from the coast off of Houston, TX, this hospital is looking to hire a Psychiatrist right away! Must be Board Certified or Board Eligible. All IP with opportunity to develop OP clinic, Patients are all ages. Call by phone only. Full benefits, 401, CME & so much more. Beginning salary in the upper $250K range. F
How to Apply
If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Jeff Nicholas at 270-784-5664 x239 or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com regarding job number TX393


text:
ULife lace specialize in manufacturing and supplying all kinds of African lace material for years, we are serve with excellent customer service and communication and high-quality products, as well as competitive prices.Visit Store >
US $52.77 - 65.63 / Lot ( 5 Yards / Lot )
Please Select Options
Shipping Cost: Free Shipping
To United States Via FEDEX_IP Est.Delivery Dec 27 and Dec 30
Product Type: Fabric
Material: Polyester
Color: Multi-Colored
Decoration: Lace
Shipping:Free Shipping Product Type:Lace Colors:Many color(As Picture) Width:51''-52'' is_customized:Yes Application:Dress,Clothes,Wedding dress,Party,Garment,Gift
Product Show:
how long will ship the goods after I pay?
we usually ship to you before BeiJing Time 5 o'clockPM everyday and give you the tracking number second day tomorrow!
why does the seller choose the logistics make different from my choice?
usually we will choose the best express, because each buyer's address is not the same, some of the address is remote areas, buyers choose the logistics can not arrivals,but please don't worry, we will change the logistics for you and will send you a message,please note "DHgate" Messages
(DHL as the first logistics delivery, remote areas default Fedex)
How long can I get my goods after the seller have ship?
It usually takes about 3-7 days for your order arrive,but as this is the shopping season,
the logistics companies are very busy and some orders may take slightly longer to
why did I get the product length less than the description?
our products are need to dye or print,in order to ensure your health this is done in a high temperature process, the high temperature makes the fabric shrinkage, so that the fabric is shorter than the actual,but don't worry, we will strive to improve production process, the error control in 0.3 yards or so (normal circumstances are 5 yards)
Seller: gzulife
118 Transactions, 97.7% Positive Feedback
New Arrival
US $10.01 / Yard
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US $7.84 / Yard
New Arrival
US $82.38 / Piece
New Arrival
US $5.61 / Piece


text:
Tis the season to open a restaurant in Trinity Groves. If you have not checked out the growing number of restaurants that have recently opened in Trinity Groves, you are missing out on a new treasure in Dallas. The most recent to join that list of openings is Amberjax. Located on the northside of the main building, Amberjax is both a seafood market and restaurant combined into one. Amberjax is owned and operated by Larry Williams and Karen Simmons-Williams. Larry was formerly running the kitchen at Rex's Seafood Market, and jumped ship to open his own restaurant. Originally he planned to stake claim directly across the street from Rex's, but that plan was scrubbed and he partnered with Phil Romano and Trinity Groves.
The restaurant opened this past Saturday to a large reception. The room is long and airy with a genteel southern feel. The interior is bright and inviting, and not overly pretentious much like Larry himself. Amberjax is no doubt occupies the largest space in Trinity Groves so far (sans 3015 the cheffy entertainment venue across the parking lot), and also has the largest and most interesting kitchen which is decked out with every appliance known to chefs. Continue reading


text:
Explosion Gold
07 Heather Gerritse C Wichita St
07 Alex Holmes LHP University of California, Davis
07 Megan Bush SS University of Florida
07 Shaunice Harris 3B University of Florida
07 Mandy Urfer 1B Arizona State University
07 Sarah Rice C Arizona State University
07 Dani Manko 2B/OF University of North Carolina
07 Jody Valdivia RHP Notre Dame
07 Pricilla Curiel 2B/OF Cal State San Berardino
07 Stephanie Egan 2B/SS Occidental College
07 Jennifer Meinheit OF Rutgers University
Olivarez, Letty #12(University of Wisconsin)Hendrickson, Brittany #16(University of Pacific)
Lawrence, Kat #17(St. John's University)
Perales, Nic #43(Ohio State University)
[Don't disrepect Letty she is going to be a sophomore at Wisconsin, she signed the year before. I would think if you're coming on here to brag you'd know your players.]
relax this was just an honest mistake, she played for the Sting and We just wanted to acknowledge that, and as for bragging this is just another post just like all the rest, so by all means you have a wonderful day! K ps learn to spell disrespect ( try to pull someones chain and get yours pulled instead)
Unfortunately for these young ladies, the opportunity to sign huge professional contracts, right out of high school, appears many years away. From a strictly selfish point of view, I think it's great that all this talent will eventually show up on the college circuit for our entertainment. If and when that professional opportunity presents itself, the effects on the college verbal/signing may be quite similar to the boys. Here's an interesting article regarding the colleges and their committed baseball recruits. If only.
Thanks for the info.By the way are these players mostly local.?????By local I mean Californian.As normally Fullerton tries not to recruit from out of State.
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text: The Design of the exhibition refers to the the first letters of the different disciplines that showed their work during the exhibition: Camera, Photography, Graphic-Design and Object/Interior-Design. Like the interdisciplinary concept of the school the different letters mingle and start to create something totally new – just like the students of the school. The concept was used for different kind of media (Homepage, orientation system, trailer, exhibition and publications).


text:
CEVA to Unveil its CEVA-X2 DSP at the Linley Mobile & Wearable Conference 2016
Company to present comprehensive LTE IP offerings, scaling from wearables through to LTE-Advanced-Pro and 5G at the conference, centered on the new CEVA-X2 DSP for PHY control
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif ., – July 18, 2016 – CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA), the leading licensor of signal processing IP for smarter, connected devices, today announced that it will unveil the CEVA-X2 DSP targeting multi-RAT PHY control and other advanced modem workloads at the upcoming Linley Mobile & Wearables Conference 2016. CEVA's presentation at the conference will give an in-depth insight into the Company's comprehensive portfolio of LTE and associated IPs, scalable from low-power wearables through to high-performance LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G smartphones. In addition to the CEVA-X2 scalar DSP, CEVA's offerings include CEVA-XC vector DSPs, associated function-specific accelerators, optimized firmware and software reference chains.
The two-day conference will take place on July 26 – 27 in Santa Clara, California, with CEVA's presentation scheduled for Session 1: "The Road to 5G Wireless" on July 26. More information can be found here.
Linley Gwennap, principal analyst of the Linley Group, commented: "CEVA has a long and successful heritage in DSP IP for LTE, and in fact, powered the first-ever LTE phone launched in the United States in 2010. In the intervening years, they have consistently advanced their LTE capabilities by adding specialized DSPs for control and data planes and augmented these with essential hardware and software IPs that improve performance and accelerate time-to-market for their customers. As a result, CEVA is well-positioned for the future with a single, coherent portfolio of LTE reference architectures for LTE-Advanced-Pro use cases, from IoT through to smartphones and beyond."
The CEVA-X2 is designed for specific LTE-Advanced-Pro and 5G use cases where the emphasis of the DSP is PHY control processing. For example, where the PHY Datapath tasks such as per-channel measurement and decoding are not required to run on the DSP, the CEVA-X2 offers a 30%-65% better die size efficiency and 10%-25% better power efficiency compared to CEVA-X4 DSP. The CEVA-X2 is also ideal to run both the PHY and MAC for a range of other communication standards, including IEEE 802.15.4g, ZigBee, Thread and power line communications (PLC), combining power efficiency with minimal die area for such use cases.
Michael Boukaya, vice president and general manager, Wireless Business Unit at CEVA, commented: "The NEW CEVA-X architecture framework addresses the DSP 'design gap' that exists for companies developing next-generation modems, including those targeting LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G. Many existing DSP architectures simply don't have the performance to tackle these advanced use cases efficiently. The CEVA-X2 brings a host of powerful features that address the key challenges for multi-RAT PHY control processing, ensuring outstanding performance and power efficiency for even the most complex use cases."
About CEVA-X2
The CEVA-X2 is the second DSP in The NEW CEVA-X family, offering a smaller and more power efficient alternative to the CEVA-X4 for use cases where the emphasis is on PHY control processing. The CEVA-X2 features a 64-bit SIMD data path and support for five-way VLIW instructions, together with a ten-stage pipeline and support for both fixed- and floating-point operations. The DSP is equipped with high-end features to compete with the best off-the-shelf controllers, including a dedicated 32-bit zero-latency Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), 32-bit hardware division and multiplication, dynamic branch prediction and ultra-fast context switching. For more information on The NEW CEVA-X family, visit http://www.ceva-dsp.com/CEVA-
About CEVA, Inc.
CEVA is the leading licensor of signal processing IP for a smarter, connected world. CEVA has partnered with semiconductor companies and OEMs worldwide to create power-efficient, intelligent and connected devices for a range of end markets, including mobile, consumer, automotive, industrial and IoT. CEVA's ultra-low-power IPs for vision, audio, communications and connectivity include comprehensive DSP-based platforms for LTE/LTE-A/5G baseband processing in handsets, infrastructure and machine-to-machine devices, computer vision and computational photography for any camera-enabled device, audio/voice/speech and ultra-low power always-on/sensing applications for multiple IoT markets. For connectivity, CEVA offers the industry's most widely adopted IPs for Bluetooth (Smart and Smart Ready), Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac up to 4×4) and serial storage (SATA and SAS). Visit CEVA at www.ceva-dsp.com and follow them on Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.


text:
Trip Ticks
What Is a Trip-Tick?
Trip-tick is a printable document with country specific instructions through the border crossing and turn-to-turn directions for the fastest route through the country. It contains specific advise with names and phone # of tested tramitors and tramitors to avoid. The route specifically by-passes congested towns and avoids slow roads as much as possible.
For each leg of the route the document contains an unambiguous identification of turning points, landmarks to look out for, length of the leg and approximate time to drive for planning purposes. The route description is accompanied with numerous detailed maps for navigation of complicated parts of the route.
The trip-tick is formatted to make it possible for the driver to navigate alone. You will never need more than two pages at a time: route description and a map. Having a separate person to navigate makes it safer, simpler and easier. Trip-ticks are down-loadable in pdf format
Here is a sample of a trip-tick through some parts of Mexico.
If you feel that this document is helpful to you we are asking for a small donation to cover some cost of maintaining and updating the information on this site. Your donations are tax deductible. Banyantree Ventures is a registered non-profit organization. Banyantree Ventures receives your donations via Paypal where you can use your Paypal account or any credit card you wish. For alternative arrangements please contact us by email email@example.com
Please remember to print the receipt at Paypal site to claim your tax deductible donation. The trip-ticks and last update times for following routes are available:
|Mexico, 03/2010
|Matamoros – Tampico – Tuxpan – Veraguas –
Acayucan – Matias Romero – Arriaga – Tapachula
– Talisman (crossing to Guatemala)
|Once you complete the transaction in Paypal
please follow the link to download page
|Guatemala, 03/2010
|El Carmen – Pajapita – Coatepeque –
Mazatenango – Escuintla – Taxisco –
Chiquimulilla – CD Pedro de Alvarado (crossing to El
|El Salvador, 03/2010
|La Hachadura – Acajutal – La Liberdad – Zacatecoluca – San Miguel – El Amatillo (crossing to Honduras)
|Honduras, 03/2010
|El Amatillo – Nacaome – El Caimito – Choluteca – San Marcos – El Espino (crossing to Nicaragua)
|Nicaragua, 03/2010
|El Espino – Esteli – Tipitapa – Masaya – Granada – Nandaime – San Juan Del Sur – Penas Blanca (crossing to Costa Rica)
|Cost Rica, 03/2010
|Penas Blancas – Liberia – San Ramon – San Jose – San Isidro El General – Palmar Norte – Paso Canoas (crossing to Panama)
|Panama, 03/2010
|Paso Canoas – David – Santiago – Penonome – La Chorrera – CD Panama
|Central America, 03/2010
|Mexico – Guatemala – El Salvador – Honduras – Nicaragua – Costa Rica – Panama


text:
Rumors that Samsung would announce S-Cloud (a cloud storage solution) at their S3 launch proved to be unfounded, and instead they announced that they are offering 2 years of 50GB free Dropbox storage with the device.
However they have just announced that they have acquired the cloud music locker/streaming service mSpot.
mSpot not only allows users to upload their own music, but also offers radio and movie rentals.
Samsung said in their official announcement, "The acquisition will provide a cloud-based entertainment experience of music, video and radio services for users of Samsung devices, while extending mSpot's cloud and streaming solutions to a broader base of global entertainment fans. The combination will extend mSpot's top class cloud and streaming services while further enhancing Samsung's mobile and tablet device entertainment offerings. mSpot's entertainment services will be a key integrated offering on newly announced Samsung mobile devices."
As yet there is still no information on how much Samsung paid or how long it will take for them to start including mSpot with their devices.
via AndroidCentral


text:
Price: $30.00
Quantity: 1 available
192pp, b/w plates, map eps. Cloth (some small marks) with d/w (spine faded). Owner's name on ffep. Very good.
Title: Adventures to China : Americans in the Southern Oceans 1792-1812.
Categories: Asia,
Publisher: New York, Oxford University Press: 1970
Item: 1.00 Item
Seller ID: 9548
Keywords: america asia china maritime pacific trade United States,


text:
Pressure is growing on President Trump to settle on a strategy for the war in Afghanistan.
Administration officials have been embroiled in a heated debate for months about what the strategy for the war should be, with Trump reportedly frustrated to the point that he raised the idea of firing the general in charge of U.S. forces there.
The dramatic suggestion underscores the sense that Trump is looking for a way to resolve the nation's longest war, but it has only heightened the frustration of those in Washington who want the president to make a decision.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, threatened to take matters into his own hands if Trump doesn't chart a course for the war by next month.
"If the president fails to do this by the time the Senate takes up the defense authorization bill in September, I will offer an amendment to that legislation, which will provide such a strategy," he said in a statement.
McCain accused Trump of making the same mistakes as his predecessor, Barack Obama, in failing to provide a "successful policy and strategic guidance from Washington."
Read More
source: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/345255-trump-struggles-to-find-new-strategy-for-afghanistan


text:
Ah, August, that most bittersweet of months. Its early, languid days shimmer with heat and promise, offering the tantalizing prospect of an endless summer. Within weeks, dusk vibrates with the hum of cicadas, hinting at autumn's inexorable approach. Those days are not far off, but there's something I've been dying to share with you before it's too late: peach and white miso ice cream. Imagine: creamy, caramelized custard layered atop salty tang, each mouthful tinged with the acidity and fragrance of impossibly ripe peaches. The mood of this ice cream is slow and sensual, like eating peaches licked with sea spray and sand after a leisurely day at the beach. It's summer in a spoonful, and it's both as peculiar and delicious as it sounds.
In the spirit of brevity, I'll leave you with the recipe and some favorite scenes from summers past.
Peach and White Miso Ice Cream – 桃と白味噌のアイスクリーム
Thanks to Tokyo Terrace for providing the inspiration for this ice cream!
2 large, very ripe peaches (13 oz / 376 g)
6 large egg yolks (4 1/2 oz / 127 g)
1 cup (250 ml) whole milk
1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream
3/4 cup brown sugar (4 3/8 oz / 140 g)
2 tablespoons white miso (1 1/4 oz / 35 g)
Peel the peaches, cut into sections, and puree in a food processor. You should have about 1 1/4 cups / 300 ml of puree. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
Whisk together the egg yolks in a medium bowl.
Combine the whole milk, cream, brown sugar, and miso in a medium saucepan. Whisk well to dissolve the sugar and miso. Heat gently, whisking, until the mixture is almost at a simmer. Remove from heat and drizzle about 1/4 cup of the milk mixture over the egg yolks, whisking constantly. Slowly pour the remaining milk mixture over the yolks, continuing to whisk constantly.
Return the mixture to the saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard has thickened slightly and just coats the back of the spoon. Immediately pour the mixture into a clean bowl and whisk in the peach puree. Place the bowl in an ice bath to cool. When the mixture has cooled to room temperature, cover with plastic wrap and place inside the fridge until thoroughly chilled. Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's directions.


text:
Courtney Vowles
Courtney, 16, is a student at Cromwell College, where she is working towards her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. She took part in the Water Wise Water Management Programme in Bannockburn where she learnt how water was collected and managed for the Central Otago region. Courtney volunteers at the Salvation Army and is involved in school environmental initiatives.


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Fort Stockton, Texas
Fort Stockton is a city in and the county seat of Pecos County, Texas, United States. It is located on Interstate 10, future Interstate 14, U.S. Highways 67, 285, and 385, and the Santa Fe Railroad, 329 mi (529 km) northwest of San Antonio and 240 mi (390 km) east of El Paso.
Fort Stockton, Texas
The Pecos County Courthouse in Fort Stockton
"Stockton; Stakitas; FS; The Heart of Pecos County"
Location of Fort Stockton, Texas
|Coordinates: 30°53′29″N 102°53′6″W / 30.89139°N 102.88500°WCoordinates: 30°53′29″N 102°53′6″W / 30.89139°N 102.88500°W
|United States
|• Mayor
|Joe Chris Alexander
|• Total
|5.1 sq mi (13.3 km2)
|• Land
|5.1 sq mi (13.3 km2)
|• Water
|0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
|2,972 ft (906 m)
|• Total
|• Density
|1,600/sq mi (620/km2)
|Time zone
|UTC-6 (Central (CST))
|• Summer (DST)
|ZIP code
|Area code(s)
|FIPS code
|GNIS feature ID
The population was 8,283 at the 2010 census.[3]
Fort Stockton is located at 30°53′29″N 102°53′6″W / 30.89139°N 102.88500°W (30.891383, -102.885032).[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.1 square miles (13 km2), all land.
|Est. 2018
|U.S. Decennial Census[6]
As of the census[1] of 2010, 8,535 people, 2,790 households, and 2,106 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,531.3 people per square mile (591.7/km²). The 3,189 housing units averaged 622.4 per square mile (240.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.6% White, 0.89% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 25.16% from other races, and 2.54% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 71% of the population.
Of the 2,790 households, 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were not families. About 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the city, the population was distributed as 30.1% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,713, and for a family was $30,941. Males had a median income of $25,735 versus $17,885 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,834. About 19.7% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.
Fort Lancaster sent 1st Infantry Co. H "to take post" along Comanche Springs on 12 April 1859.[7] Fort Stockton (named Camp Stockton until 1860) grew up around Comanche Springs, one of the largest sources of spring water in Texas.[8] The fort was named for First Lieutenant Edward Dorsey Stockton of the US 1st infantry, who died in San Antonio on March 13, 1857.[9] Comanche Springs was a favorite rest stop on the Great Comanche Trail to Chihuahua, San Antonio-El Paso Road, and the Butterfield Overland Mail route.[10] :Preface
In 1861, the fort was garrisoned by 39 men of Company C, 8th Infantry, under the command of Capt. Arthur Tracy Lee, who evacuated the fort by April.[10]:9 The Confederates took possession of the fort on 9 May by Charles L. Pyron at the outbreak of the Civil War, but soon turned command over to Capt. William C. Adams.[10]:15 With the failure of John Baylor's invasion of New Mexico, a general Confederate evacuation of West Texas occurred in 1862.[10]:35
In 1867, the Army rebuilt the fort on a larger and more permanent basis. Other forts in the frontier fort system were Forts Griffin, Concho, Belknap, Chadbourne, Richardson, Davis, Bliss, McKavett, Clark, McIntosh, Inge, and Phantom Hill in Texas, and Fort Sill in Oklahoma.[11] "Subposts or intermediate stations" also were used, including Bothwick's Station on Salt Creek between Fort Richardson and Fort Belknap, Camp Wichita near Buffalo Springs between Fort Richardson and Red River Station, and Mountain Pass between Fort Concho and Fort Griffin.[12]
On 21 July 1867, Fort Stockton was reoccupied by Companies A, B, E, and K of the 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, buffalo soldiers under the command of General Edward Hatch, while a new fort was built one-half mile north of the first post, on the west side of the creek.[10]:83 Major James F. Wade took command of Troops A, B, D, and E, 9th Cavalry, and Company G, 41st Infantry, on 2 Oct. 1868.[10]:109 Lt. Col. Wesley Merritt assumed command of Companies A and D, 9th Cavalry, G, 24th Infantry, and K, 25th Infantry in Feb. 1871.[10]:143 Major Zenas Randall Bliss assumed command on 15 May 1872.[10]:153 Troops B, G, and L, 10th Cavalry, and Companies A and I, 1st Infantry, under Lt. Col. J.F. Wade, were stationed at the fort when the Army decided to abandon it in 1882.[10]:276 Major George A. Purington was the last commander when the Army finally left on 27 June 1886.[10]:317
San Antonio entrepreneurs were convinced the water from the nearby Comanche and Leon Springs could be used for irrigation. They purchased large tracts of land for agricultural development. In 1868, Peter Gallagher bought the land that included the military garrison and Comanche Springs, platted 160 acres (65 ha) for a town site named Saint Gaul, and established two stores at Comanche Springs. Later, Gallagher and John James purchased 5,500 acres (2,200 ha) along Comanche Creek. By 1870, the Saint Gaul region had a population of 420 civilians, predominantly Irish, German, and Mexican Catholics who had come by way of San Antonio. The first church in Saint Gaul was Catholic. When Pecos County was organized in 1875, Saint Gaul became the county seat. The name, however, was never popular with the citizens, and on August 13, 1881, it was changed officially to Fort Stockton.[citation needed]
By 1870, some settlers were using the water from the Pecos River for irrigation. Seven years later, irrigated farmland comprised 7,000 acres (2,800 ha), and by 1945, the total reached 12,900 acres (5,200 ha). In 1951, Clayton Williams, Sr., and other "pump farmers" west of town drilled irrigation wells that tapped into the aquifer that fed Comanche Springs. A lawsuit was filed by the Pecos County Water District #1, and 108 families who depended on the flow from the springs, to stop the pumping (Pecos County Water District #1 v. Clayton Williams et al.). On June 21, 1954, the Texas Court of Civil Appeals ruled in favor of Clayton Williams, et al. by upholding "the rule of capture", agreeing with the landmark 1904 Texas Supreme Court decision that groundwater was "too mysterious to regulate". The Texas Supreme Court affirmed the decision. By the late 1950s, Comanche Springs was dry due to the pumping. This ruling established what is known as "the rule of capture" and has regulated groundwater in Texas since. In his book, The Springs of Texas, author Gunnar Brune called the destruction of Comanche Springs, "the most spectacular example of man's abuse of nature." After the military post was abandoned on June 30, 1886, and both the Texas and Pacific and the Southern Pacific railroads had bypassed it, Fort Stockton experienced a decline. By then, however, it was rapidly becoming the center for an extensive sheep- and cattle-ranching industry, and in 1926, the opening of the nearby Yates Oil Field brought on an economic boom.[citation needed] Fort Stockton was served by the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway.
Since the 1920s, Fort Stockton has experienced the economic boom-bust cycle of the petroleum industry. As of 2012, Fort Stockton is in a state of economic expansion as oilfield drilling and production has increased.[citation needed]
Fort Stockton is 100 mi (160 km) southwest of Midland International Airport. The town is within driving distance of the Big Bend country, including Big Bend National Park, 137 mi (220 km), and the Big Bend Ranch State Park, 171 mi (275 km), as well as the scenery of numerous day-drive locations in the area.
The City of Fort Stockton is served by the Fort Stockton Independent School District.
Fort Stockton has two elementary schools, Alamo Elementary and Apache Elementary, both of which house grades K-3. Fort Stockton Intermediate School houses grades 4-5, while Fort Stockton Middle School houses grades 6-8 and Fort Stockton High School houses grades 9-12. The city and district share the old Alamo school building, using it for the Recreation Department to host Little League games. Another older school, Comanche, is now privately owned. Butz High School now serves as the alternative education facility. Pre-K services, as well as other child-care facilities exist in town.
Higher educationEdit
The town has a Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office, offering environmental systems management courses.
Fort Stockton is also home to the Midland College Williams Regional Technical Training Center. The center was built in 1996 through a joint effort by Midland College and leaders of Fort Stockton education, business, and government as a means to enhance higher education and workforce development in this part of West Texas. Fort Stockton and Pecos County are part of the Midland College service area. After just four years, the facility, named in honor of Fort Stockton native and WRTTC donor Clayton Williams, Jr., doubled in size through fundraising and program development.
Former FSHS Exes website: http://dunbydock.com/FortStockton.htm
Area ranchesEdit
La Escalera Ranch consists of about 257,000 acres (104,000 ha) as is currently owned and managed by La Escalera Limited Partnership. The Fort Stockton Division of La Escalera Ranch consists of 223,000 contiguous acres in Pecos County and Brewster County and stretches from U.S. Highway 285 to U.S. Highway 67. The Seymour division of La Escalera Ranch near Seymour, Texas, consists of 34,000 contiguous acres in Baylor County and Archer County.
For more than 100 years, Elsinore Cattle Company owned and operated the Elsinore Ranch ("LS Ranch") in Pecos County and Brewster Counties. In 1992, San Antonio building contractor Gerald Lyda purchased the ranch, expanded its size, and changed the name to La Escalera Ranch (Spanish for "the ladder").
The Fort Stockton division of the ranch is known for its desert mule deer, pronghorns, elk, Barbary sheep (aoudad), coyotes, bobcats, Rio Grande turkeys, and quail. The Seymour division is known for its white-tailed deer, dove, quail, turkeys, coyotes and feral pigs.
The historic Comanche War Trail passes through the Fort Stockton division ranch and the internationally famous Sierra Madera crater is located on the east side of U. S. Route 385 near the entrance to the Fort Stockton division ranch headquarters.
La Escalera Ranch has been ranked by Texas Monthly, Worth, and The Land Report as one of the largest ranches in Texas.
Notable peopleEdit
- Gabriel Bristol, nationally recognized CEO and motivational speaker who has been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Fast Company and Fox Business News and Inc magazine [1]
- Walter L. Buenger (born 1951), historian of Texas and the American South at Texas A&M University, was reared in Fort Stockton.
- Vice Admiral Kendall L. Card, United States Navy [13]
- Cecil Lang Casebier (1922–1996), artist known for portrait and still-life paintings and murals, mosaics, and stained-glass designs[14]
- Terri Hoffman, religious cult leader[15]
- Gerald Lyda, Texas building contractor and owner of La Escalera Ranch
- Blaine McCallister, professional golfer
- Barney K. Riggs, 19th-century gunfighter[16]
- Andrew Jackson Royal, 19th-century Pecos County sheriff[17]
- George Shirkey (born 1936), American football player
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "2010 Census: Population of Texas Cities Arranged in Alphabetical Order - TSLAC". www.tsl.texas.gov. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved August 25, 2019.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ Francell, Lawrence (1999). Fort Lancaster. Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. p. 53,55–56.
- ^ Comanche Springs Texas Historical Marker, 1968
- ^ Williams, Clayton (1969). Never Again. Vol. 3. San Antonio, TX: Naylor Co. p. 192.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Williams, C.W. (1982). Texas' Last Frontier. College Station: Texas A&M University Press.
- ^ Carter, R.G., On the Border with Mackenzie, 1935, Washington D.C.: Enyon Printing Co., p. 48
- ^ Carter, R.G., On the Border with Mackenzie, 1935, Washington D.C.: Enyon Printing Co., p. 49
- ^ "Vice Admiral Kendall L. Card". U. S. Navy Biographies. United States Navy. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
- ^ "Cecil Lang Casebier (1922 - 1996)". Ask Art. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
- ^ Slover, Pete (January 28, 1990). "Troubling deaths of spiritual seekers: Allegations of mind control follow Dallas couple's suicide". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- ^ O'Neal, Billy (1991). Encyclopedia of Western Gunfighters. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 261–262. ISBN 978-0-8061-2335-6.
- ^ DeArment, Robert K. (1996). George Scarborough: The Life and Death of a Lawman on the Closing Frontier. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 54–55. ISBN 978-0-8061-2850-4.
External linksEdit
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fort Stockton, Texas.
|Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Fort Stockton.


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Ebel's Limousines & Event Decor
Getting the right limousine often depends on the occasion, number of people, number of hours required and how far you're going. The more details you can provide and the better prepared we are.
Events you may want to hire a limousine for: Events may include airport transfers, weddings, nights out or day trips, bachelor or bachelorette parties, city tours, concerts, proms, client meetings and special events.
Company's credentials: Our limousines and shuttle bus are licensed for commercial hire, properly insured and safety inspected every 6 months. Drivers are properly licensed and certified for commercial hire. Vehicles are licensed with ALGC.
Reserve your limousine early, especially for big events.!
We can design a custom decor package for you. Rent you the items you may need to Do It Yourself, or work with the items you've already purchased and put them together to make your vision come to life.
For all your event and party rental needs.
We have you covered, from linens and chair covers, to tables and chairs, we even carry dishware.


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The governance and management of the University supports our guiding principles, strategies and aims.
The day to day oversight of the University is managed by the Vice-Chancellor and the senior management team that make up the University Executive Board.
The framework within which the University works is based upon our Royal Charter, Statutes and Ordinances.
The governance structure of the University is overseen by Court, Council and Senate who work as the executive and academic authority.
We also have a number of Honorary Officers, including our Chancellor.


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Even though America is in a serious financial crisis, according to "A recent survey by the National Retail Federation" Halloween spending will be up this year. Americans are expected to spend $5.77 billion dollars on Halloween!
Isn't it ironic that 1) while Americans so were furious about the the waterboarding of three terrorists at Gitmo, and 2) while Americans appear to be about to elect Barack Obama, in no small part because they think Obama has more compassion on the poor; Americans then go out and spend nearly six BILLION dollars on a holliday celebrating terror and torture?!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween?
1 comment:
- professor ed said...
I agree, that it is a lot of money to spend on treats. But why not consider another angle: "escapeism". Sometimes, when times are tough, and folks can afford to do so, people will spend money on a movie, an amusement park, etc, to try, just for a while, to leave their financial/economic/social worries behind. Especially with this year's Halloween falling on a friday, a lot of "partying" is anticipated.
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Solar panels
Energy solutions
Off-grid applications
This article was first featured as a LinkedIn post from Canadian Solar CEO Dr. Shawn Qu:
After the Paris agreement on climate change and carbon reduction was signed, renewable energy leaped to the front line of the New Economy. I am often asked these days, "what are the surprises we may expect in solar technology in the next ten years?"
Well, I have been working in this industry for 20 years, so first of all, let's count the surprises the solar industry has experienced in the past.
Surprise No. 1 is cost
It used to cost end-customers $10/W to install a solar system less than 10 years ago, now it's $1/W. And today's solar panels can generate electricity for 30 years. It usually takes less than two years for the solar panel to generate enough electricity to offset the energy it takes to produce all the solar equipment, so you are producing 'carbon free' electricity for the next 20 years and beyond.
Image source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance & pv.energytrend.com
Surprise No. 2 is scale
Ten years ago, we used to install 3-4 GW of solar power plants each year across the globe . In 2016 alone, we will install more than 60 GW worldwide.
Canadian Solar itself is a living testimony for this scalability. Back in 2002, our first product was a 3 W car battery trickle charger for Audi. We produced about 200,000 units in that year, with a total capacity of roughly 700 kW. Today the product we produce the most is the 320 W solar panel for grid-tied applications. We are going to produce tens of millions of units with a total capacity of 5.4 - 5.5 GW this year - a growth of over 8000% in only 15 years.
Surprise No. 3 is location
People used to think solar is a product of luxury and should only be adopted in equatorial countries, not in Northern countries like Canada. But in fact we have already installed 2 GW of solar in the Province of Ontario, Canada alone. And we have even seen Canadian Solar panels installed at an Arctic research station due to their superior low light performance.
Surprises of the future
I think the surprises in the next 10 years will again come from cost, scale and technology. I wouldn't be surprised if we can cut the cost of solar equipment by another 30%. A cost reduction of 50% however would be a game changer, as solar would be competitive to any fossil fuel at that cost level.
Scalewise, we forecast 100 GW of annual solar installations 10 years from today, but who knows, we may surprise ourselves by installing 200 GW per year in 2025.
Scientists think that the theoretical efficiency limit for silicon solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity is just below 30%. This is a respectful number by the way, as the energy efficiency of a coal-fired power plant is only in the order of 30-40% - most of the energy generated by burning coal ends as wasted heat rather than useful electricity. However, somebody may invent a layered and compound solar cell structure with 50% efficiency that is still cheap to make – that would be a real surprise.
Energy storage and microgrid control technology will also bring us surprises. As solar electricity is becoming increasingly cost competitive, more and more people and communities will want to install themselves and become independent from the grid. There could be a lot of intermittent solar electricity being generated at peak hours that we need to store and control. There's a vast amount of opportunities for such technology and know-how.
Electric cars work perfectly with solar. People primarily drive electric cars to commute from home to work. They charge their cars during the daytime, making the most out of the peak hours for solar power generation. This reflects a natural shift of load, and it's a perfect way to store solar power.
Consumers will have more choices and we will develop different products to match their needs. At this moment, 99% of all solar panels look the same. In the future we will produce not only large standard panels for utility-scale power plants, but also solar shingles for roof-integrated applications, solar canopies for carparks etc. There won't be a 'one size fits all' solution. To address sustainability, we actually need a 'scattergun approach', because we live in a diversified ecosystem, and we have to address the little things in order to maintain the eco balance.
I like the term 'Energy Internet'. On a macroscale, it means transporting green electricity through transmission lines, for example shipping wind electricity from the North and solar electricity from the South. On a microscale, it means establishing community smart grids, in which green electricity, load and energy storage devices can be monitored, controlled and intelligently balanced. We are building pilots and we are learning. This year we will complete a 4 MW lithium iron based energy storage system with Ottawa Hydro and a microgrid testing lab with Guelph Hydro. Both are among the first in the world.
I can see most fossil fuel assets being phased out and decommissioned. I hope this process happens gradually so that those fossil fuel assets don't get stranded.
What should Canada do? The country has to look both inward and outward. At this moment, 4 out of 10 Canadian provinces have adopted renewable energy portfolio standards. All 10 provinces should have such standards. All cities should have such standards. This will give sustainable economy a home market. Meanwhile, Canada is exporting its renewable energy products and know-how instead of setting aggressive regulations and targets to build up its home market. Once that is in progress, both industry and society will figure out the best combination of solutions.
The pace of change will be faster than anyone can imagine. The development and deployment of renewable energy will be like a waterfall. Today, solar accounts for less than 1% of the worldwide energy generation, but it has the potential to reach 10% in the next 10 years. Scientists believe that renewable energy can account for 50% of our energy generation by 2050. Well, wouldn't that be a pleasant surprise? Many of us will have a chance to live and see that day.


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Wolf Girl
Being a teenage werewolf isn't easy, but it sure can be fun.
She is fun, fabulous and a trend setter with her fashionable ways and her amazing costume. She has supernatural abilities like her fellow werewolves like enhanced smell and speed and by the light of the moon – these werewolf abilities are in full swing.
She is a common fixture at Halloween events and birthday parties for those that like trendy monsters!


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- Jilliebean1
- 6 years ago
- Wedding: July 2013 - Rock Hill Country Club, Manorville NY
So you may have seen my other thread that my husband and I were considering a second dog to help with our 2 year old male dog's anxiety and fearfulness.
We worked with a Lab rescue in CT, describing the personality type we were looking for. They've matched us with a 7 month old female Lab/Hound mix (just like Bruford!) named Louise. They describe her as self confident, but not dominant. She's potty trained, great with young children, cats, other dogs, even chickens. She sounds perfect for us.
Anyway, we are going to be meeting her Sunday and I'm looking for tips. So far, Bruford has never met a dog he didn't get along with. In fact, he loves other dogs.
How do you safely, and most successfully introduce two dogs? We already have a head start because they both get along with other dogs, but I still want to do this correctly.
We will be meeting on neutral territory with the foster mom, and if it seems like a good match, she will come home with us!


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Udom's Aides To Be Arrested
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Information available to our reporters indicate that a special team of Police detectives have arrived Uyo from Abuja.
It was learnt by our reporters that the team of police is reportedly led by a Senior Police officer. And they are coming from the IG's Special Investigation panel.
It was not clear whether the Policemen have reported to the Commissioner of Police. But top police forces in Akwa Ibom State said, the visiting Police team are likely to be received and domiciled at Police Officers mess, metro road, off Wellington Bassey way, Uyo.
However, Governor Udom Emmanuel's aides who have been very vocal in defence of their Boss like Joseph Okon, SA to Governor on grassroots reorientation, Essien Ndueso, SA to Governor on media, Aniekeme Finbarr, SA to Governor on media are prime targets.