text:
November 23rd, 2012
Matthew Fraser is a "2012 best Esteemed Psychic in America," was named a "Psychic Superstar" by OM Times Magazine, has appeared on numerous talk radio shows, and is internationally known for his abilities, as well as being a truly nice person with a warm sense of humor. Basically, Matt's one of the nice guys who also gives his time and support to Forever Paws Animal Shelter (foreverpaws.com) and the New Hampshire Cultural Diversity Awareness Council. He also wrote a book.
Matthew Fraser is a "2012 best Esteemed Psychic in America," was named a "Psychic Superstar" by OM Times Magazine, has appeared on numerous talk radio shows, and is internationally known for his abilities, as well as being a truly nice person with a warm sense of humor. Basically, Matt's one of the nice guys who also gives his time and support to Forever Paws Animal Shelter (foreverpaws.com) and the New Hampshire Cultural Diversity Awareness Council. He also wrote a book.
"The Secrets to Unlocking Your Psychic Ability" is an e-book that I found on on Amazon.com. "Secrets" is an easy-to-read-and-understand book designed to aid readers in exploring their own psychic abilities. Included are many exercises, tools and techniques that can be utilized on a daily basis to help people enrich their lives. Will a reader be able to talk to their dearly departed ancestors in three easy lessons? No. This isn't a hocus pocus magic wand or medicine sideshow snake oil guaranteeing anything other than an offering of assistance and guidance to those interested in searching inside themselves and connecting with threads of awareness and conscience they believe to already be there. One thing is for certain: Matt's writing is clear and enjoyable, and many readers will walk away with a new outlook on the world around and ahead of them.
Q. Do you believe, as some do, that déjà vu is a window to inner awareness or a parallel to psychic abilities? If not, why not?
A. Definitely. We have all experienced that moment of deja vu where we feel that we have either been at that same place at a given point of time or that we had met that same person before and just could not remember. This is our intuitive psychic ability stepping in and showing us that we in fact have seen this before and we are in the right place and in fact right on track.
Q. How important do you believe your Native American heritage is to your psychic abilities?
A. I believe it is very important, one because Native Americans are very spiritual people, and two because heritage can play a huge role in psychic abilities. Everyone is intuitive/psychic or has abilities to some degree, but those families who embrace it more have strong connections with their abilities and it is passed down to future generations. Having psychic abilities run so strong on both sides of the family and it enabled my gift to be discovered a lot earlier in my life and allowed me to truly embrace it and familiarize myself with it instead of keeping it hidden. Not only was this gift present way back through my great grandmother, it was also embraced by my grandmother on my mother's side who also was a psychic medium. She would read for friends and family during the day by sharing messages from loved ones in heaven and also used it to help those around her find guidance in everyday life.
Q. Why should someone like me who has never really sought to explore any psychic potential buy your book?
A. Great question! The reason being is because your intuition/psychic ability is a powerful tool that you carry with you that you can use to improve your life in just about any category. Your psychic ability allows you to use your intuition to not only know more about yourself but also to feel situations before they happen that can help you find the positive outcome in many situations. Developing your own psychic abilities will help you to life a more positive and fulfilling life by seeing or feeling beyond the obvious to the underlying connections know those around you on a deeper level, and also appreciating all the good and positive opportunity that we have to look forward to in our life.
Q. You are in constant motion and demand. What do you do to relax and recharge?
A. Prayer, meditation and good friends are the best ways that helps me to relax and recharge. Being able to collect my thought through a quick meditation before speaking to large groups helps. Also I pray every day. It connects me to a state of peaceful calm, and helps me stay centered while energizing my thinking from previous sessions.
Q. Any parting thoughts for your fans and those not familiar with you?
A. Start increasing your attention on your spiritual journey. It is a wonderful ability that is available for you to use and many find it has helped increase their positive thinking and closeness with others. Pay attention to your hunches. Start writing down your dreams. Just pay a bit more attention to how you feel around people and situations. Personally, I found it a gift that once I began to accept and develop has evolved and allowed me to connect with others and bring messages of love from the departed on the other side. It only takes a minute of your time to take hold of this amazing ability. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.


text:
Firmware Notice: EF40mm f/2.8 STM: Firmware Version 1.2.0
Thank you for using Canon products.
Canon has released a firmware update for the EF40mm f/2.8 STM Interchangeable Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camera.
EF40mm f/2.8 STM
Firmware Version 1.2.0 addresses the following phenomenon.
1. If pressure is applied to the lens barrel while the lens is mounted to the camera (pressure can be applied even while attaching the lens cap while carrying the camera with the lens attached in a bag), the autofocusing function of the lens may stop working.
Firmware Version 1.2.0 is for lenses with Firmware Version 1.1.0. If the lens' firmware is already Version 1.2.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware.
The lenses with the following serial numbers are equipped with Firmware Version 1.1.0:
The third digit in the serial number is either 0, 1, or 2 (xx0xxxxxxx, xx1xxxxxxx, or xx2xxxxxxx).
Lenses with serial numbers other than those listed above are equipped with Firmware Version 1.2.0.
● If an extension tube, or cables, such as USB cables, are attached to the camera, the firmware may not be successfully updated, so make sure that you detach the extension tube, and/or cables before updating the firmware.
● A supported camera* is required for the firmware update.
Cameras that can be used for the firmware update:
Canon EOS-1D X (*1), Canon EOS 5D Mark III (*1,*2), or Canon EOS REBEL T4i
*1. If the "Battery Info." on the menu screen is checked right before performing the firmware update, the update operation may fail. If the battery information is checked, turn off and on the power before performing the firmware update. If the update fails, please remove and reinsert the battery then perform the firmware update again.
*2. The firmware update operation may fail if updating the firmware under any of the following conditions:
a) The camera's (EOS 5D Mark III) firmware version is Version 1.1.2 or earlier.
Update the camera's firmware to Version 1.1.3 or later first, before performing the lens firmware update.
b) The battery information (EOS 5D Mark III) is registered in the camera
Delete all the registered information first, turn off and on the power, and then perform firmware update.
If the firmware update operation fails, remove the battery and lens. Insert just the battery into the camera (without attaching the lens). Power on the camera and if you are using an EOS 5D Mark III, confirm that the firmware version of the camera is 1.1.3 or later and there is no battery information registered in the camera. After confirming the above two conditions, attach the lens and perform the firmware update again.
Customers who do not own any of the cameras listed above, but wish to have the firmware of their lenses updated, are asked to contact our service centers.
The new Firmware Version 1.2.0 can be downloaded by clicking here.
This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.
Please register your EF 40mm f/2.8 STM. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email when future service updates are available.
Thank you,
Customer Support Operations
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Contact Information for Inquiries
Canon Customer Support Center
Phone: 1-800-OK-CANON
Email: email@example.com
Support options and hours of operation: www.usa.canon.com/support

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Essential Rope Chain | Men
Choose options
What People Are Saying
We Thought You Might Ask That
Absolutely. We only use real gold plating on all of our gold pieces. Underneath, we use pure stainless steel so that you can wear this piece around water and sweat and never worry about any fading or tarnishing.
Our Rose Gold pieces have the same pure stainless steel base, and are coated with real gold, but blended with copper to achieve its gorgeous rose-colored hue.
Our Silver pieces are also made from pure stainless steel, and simply polished for that beautiful lifelong shine.
Men's pieces are all made with pure stainless steel for the same waterproof & sweatproof promise.
It's simple -- if you don't like your piece for any reason, you have 100 days to send it back for a full refund. Period. In the US, we'll even pay for your return label. Start your self-serve return right here and we'll take care of the rest.
Absolutely. We cover every single piece we sell with a Lifetime Warranty against any rust or tarnish, with the exception of watches & our fine jewelry collection which contain a different warranty. Read above in the Materials & Warranty section to find exact details.
For standard jewelry, if you ever experience any fading on your jewelry, just e-mail us a photo and we'll get you taken care of.
By default, our women's chains are made with a 16" chain with a built-in 6" extender for a total of 22 inches. This excludes chokers & custom pieces.
Men's necklaces are typically made on a 23" chain.
For info on a specific product, please scroll up to our Materials & Warranty section on any necklace listing to see the details.
Yes! That's exactly why we made Nominal - we felt that beautiful jewelry deserves to be worn daily. Because we use only real gold plating and pure hypoallergenic stainless steel, you can wear your piece day in and day out, including in the shower, with no worries about skin sensitivity, jewelry fading, or anything in between. Wear and enjoy.
*Please note, though, that Qur'anic pieces should be tucked away or removed prior to entering the restroom.*


text:
OCLC is a non-profit library cooperative, made up of thousands of member libraries throughout the world. OCLC does not sell books and the actual content is not provided in our database. Libraries add bibliographic records to WorldCat representing books and other items in their collections. The Classify prototype helps librarians apply classification numbers to resources in library collections. Only the metadata/citation is presented in Classify and WorldCat. Your local library may be able to help you gain access to a resource found through Classify and WorldCat.
Classification schemes are used to provide a systematic arrangement of materials. The classification numbers applied to books and other materials are used to arrange items on shelves and to support browsing, filtering and retrieval of bibliographic information in online systems. The Classify prototype is designed to help users apply classification numbers.
Classify provides a user interface and a machine service for assigning classification numbers and subject headings. The database is searchable by many of the standard numbers associated with books, magazines, journals, and music and video recordings. These numbers include:
The database is also indexed by OCLC record number, title and/or author and FAST headings.


text:
LYON, France – A convicted rapist wanted by Switzerland has been arrested in Poland the day after an INTERPOL Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, was issued to help identify and locate the fugitive.
Fabrice Anthamatten was taken into custody near the Polish/German border on Sunday 15 September following close coordination between the INTERPOL National Central Bureaus (NCBs) in Bern, Warsaw and Wiesbaden and INTERPOL's Command and Coordination Centre at its General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon.
The 39-year-old, who has been convicted of rape in France and Switzerland, disappeared on Thursday 12 September after leaving the La Pâquerette correctional facility with his therapist, whose body was later discovered in woods near Geneva.
Anthamatten was arrested after being spotted by police in Germany travelling in the Swiss registered white Citroën Berlingo in which he had last been seen.
"The swift arrest of this dangerous fugitive is a credit to all of the law enforcement agencies involved and clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of cross border police cooperation," said INTERPOL's Executive Director of Police Services, Jean-Michel Louboutin.
"The Red Notice requested by Switzerland and circulated via INTERPOL's global network enabled national authorities to ensure the information was available to frontline officers, and again underlines the value of ensuring real-time access to vital police information contained in INTERPOL's databases," added Mr Louboutin.
A Red Notice represents one of INTERPOL's most powerful tools in tracking international fugitives. Containing identification details and judicial information about a wanted person, INTERPOL Red Notices communicate to police worldwide that a person is wanted by a member country and request that the suspect be placed under provisional arrest pending extradition.


text:
Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama thinks his health care law makes states an offer they can't refuse.
Whether to expand Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor and disabled, could be the most important decision facing governors and legislatures this year. The repercussions go beyond their budgets, directly affecting the well-being of residents and the finances of critical hospitals.
Here's the offer:
If states expand their Medicaid programs to cover millions of low-income people now left out, the federal government will pick up the full cost for the first three years and 90 percent over the long haul.
About 21 million uninsured people, most of them adults, eventually would gain health coverage if all the states agree.
Adding up the Medicaid costs under the law, less than $100 billion in state spending could trigger nearly $1 trillion in federal dollars over a decade, according to the nonpartisan Urban Institute.
"It's the biggest expansion of Medicaid in a long time, and the biggest ever in terms of adults covered," said Mark McClellan, who ran Medicare and Medicaid when George W. Bush was president.
"Although the federal government is on the hook for most of the cost, Medicaid on the whole is one of the biggest items in state budgets and the fastest growing. So there are some understandable concerns about the financial implications and how implementation would work," McClellan said.
A major worry for states is that deficit-burdened Washington sooner or later will renege on the 90-percent deal. The regular Medicaid match rate averages closer to 50 percent. That would represent a significant cost shift to the states.
Many Republicans also are unwilling to keep expanding government programs, particularly one as complicated as Medicaid, which has a reputation for being inefficient and unwieldy.
Awaiting decisions are people such as Debra Walker of Houston, a part-time home health care provider. She had a good job with health insurance until she got laid off in 2007.
Walker was recently diagnosed with diabetes, and she's trying to manage by getting discounted medications through a county program for low-income uninsured people.
Walker estimates she earned about $10,000 last year, which means she would qualify under the income cutoff for the Medicaid expansion. But that could happen only if Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, reconsiders his opposition.
"I think that would be awesome if the governor would allow that program to come into the state," Walker said. "That would be a help for me, robbing Paul to pay Peter for my medicines."
She seems determined to deal with her diabetes problem. "I don't want to lose a limb later on in life," said Walker, 58. "I want to beat this. I don't want to carry this around forever."
As Obama's law was originally written, low-income people such as Walker would not have had to worry or wait. Roughly half the uninsured people gaining coverage under the law were expected to go into Medicaid. The middle-class uninsured would get taxpayer-subsidized private coverage in new insurance markets called exchanges.
But last year the Supreme Court gave states the right to opt out of the Medicaid expansion. The court upheld the rest of the law, including insurance exchanges and a mandate that virtually everyone in the United States have health coverage, or face a fine.
The health care law will go into full effect next Jan. 1, and states are scrambling to crunch the numbers and understand the Medicaid trade-offs.
States can refuse the expansion outright or indefinitely postpone a decision. But if states think they'll ultimately end up taking the deal, there's a big incentive to act now: The three years of full federal funding for newly eligible enrollees are only available from 2014 through 2016.
So far, 17 states and the District of Columbia have said they'll take it. That group includes three Republican-led states, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer was prominent among GOP leaders who had tried get the law overturned.
An additional 11 states, all led by Republicans, say they want no part of it. Perry says it tramples states' rights.
The remaining states are considering options.
In some cases, GOP governors are trying to persuade balky legislatures led by Republicans. Hospitals treating the uninsured are pressing for the expansion, as are advocates for the poor and some chambers of commerce, which see an economic multiplier from the infusion of federal dollars. Conservative foes of "Obamacare," defeated at the national level, want to hold the line.
The entire debate is overshadowed by some big misconceptions, including that the poor already have Medicaid.
Many of them do, but not all. Medicaid generally covers low-income disabled people, children, pregnant women and some parents. Childless adults are left out in most states.
The other misconception is that Medicaid is so skimpy that people are better off being uninsured.
Two recent studies debunked that.
One found a 6 percent drop in the adult death rate in states that already have expanded Medicaid along the lines of the federal health care law. A second looked at Oregonians who won a lottery for Medicaid and compared them with ones who weren't picked and remained uninsured. The Medicaid group had greater access to health care, less likelihood of being saddled with medical bills, and felt better about their overall health.
Skeptics remain unconvinced.
Louisiana's health secretary, Bruce D. Greenstein, is concerned that the Medicaid expansion could replace private insurance for many low-wage workers in his state, dragging down quality throughout the health care system because the program pays doctors and hospitals far less than private insurance. He says the Obama administration and Congress missed a chance to overhaul Medicaid and give states a bigger say in running the program.
"Decisions are made by fiat," he said. "There is not any sense of a federal-state partnership, what this program was founded on. I don't feel in any way that I am a partner." The Obama administration says it is doing its best to meet state demands for flexibility.
But one thing the administration has been unwilling to do is allow states to partly expand their Medicaid programs and still get the generous matching funds provided by the health care law.
That could have huge political implications for states refusing the expansion, and for people such as Walker, the diabetes patient from Houston.
These numbers explain why:
Under the new law people making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line, about $15,400 for an individual, are eligible to be covered by Medicaid.
But for most people below the poverty line, about $11,200 for an individual, Medicaid would be the only option. They cannot get subsidized private coverage through the new health insurance exchanges.
So if a state turns down the Medicaid expansion, some of its low-income people still can qualify for government-subsidized health insurance through the exchanges. But the poorest cannot.
In Texas, somebody making a couple of thousand dollars more than Debra Walker still could get coverage. But Walker would be left depending on pay-as-you-go charity care.
"It's completely illogical that this has happened," said Edwin Park, a health policy expert with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which advocates for low-income people.
Federal officials say their hands are tied, that Congress intended the generous federal matching rate solely for states undertaking the full expansion. States doing a partial expansion would have to shell out more of their own money.
"Some people are going to be between a rock and a hard spot," said Walker.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


text:
Presbyterian Panel Survey, May 2002 - Peacemaking, International Conflict and Related Issues, Clergy
Marcum, J. P. (2021, April 22). Presbyterian Panel Survey, May 2002 - Peacemaking, International Conflict and Related Issues, Clergy.Summary
The Presbyterian Panel began in 1973 and is an ongoing panel study in which mailed questionnaires are used to survey representative samples of constituency groups of the Presbyterian Church (USA). These constituency groups include members, elders, pastors serving in a congregation, and specialized clergy serving elsewhere. Panels are re-sampled every three years. The main goal of this study is to gather broad information about Presbyterians in terms of their faith (beliefs, church background, and levels of church involvement), and their social, economic, and demographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status, living arrangements, etc.). The May 2002 survey focuses on peacemaking, international conflict and related issues.The ARDA has added five additional variables to the original data set to enhance the users' experience on our site.
Data File
Cases: 809Variables: 211
Weight Variable: None
Data Collection
September 1999 (Background questions) and May 2002Funded By
Congregational Ministries Division, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)Collection Procedures
Data were collected by self-administered mail surveys. "In the initial mailing on September 21, 1999, each sampled individual was sent a letter from Freda Gardner, Moderator of the 211th General Assembly (1999-2000). ... A week later, on September 28, 1999, each sampled individual was sent a 9"x 12" envelope (personally addressed) containing the following materials: a personally addressed letter (individually signed) from John P. Marcum, Panel Administrator; a tri-fold brochure describing the Panel in a question-and-answer format; a postage-paid, business-reply envelope; a copy of the questionnaire; and a 4"x6" card with information on how to complete the survey on the World Wide Web. (Overall design of the survey and mailings followed the 'Total Design Method'; see Dillman, 1978.)" (Technical Notes: Establishment of the 2000-2002 Presbyterian Panel)."All individuals were mailed a reminder postcard on October 4, 1999. A second reminder, including a replacement copy of the questionnaire, was sent on October 27, 1999, to all sampled persons who had not yet responded. A third reminder (a postcard) was sent on December 15, 1999, to all remaining non-respondents in the member and minister samples only." (Technical Notes).
"The Panel consists of three samples, each drawn from a separate constituency group, or population, of persons affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The PC(USA) includes congregations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico." (Technical Notes).
"The member sample was drawn from the population of all active members of congregations affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with the following exclusions: elders currently serving on session and persons unable to complete a mailed survey. At the end of 1998, the total active membership of the PC(USA) was 2,587,674. Subtracting the 108,532 active elders, the approximate population for the member sample was 2,479,142." (Technical Notes).
"The population of elders is defined as the subset of active members of Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations (1) who have been ordained to the office of elder by a PC(USA) church (or a church affiliated with one of its predecessor denominations) and (2) who are currently serving on the session of a PC(USA) congregation. At the end of 1998, the
population of elders serving on session was 108,532." (Technical Notes).
Clergy or Ministers of the Word and Sacrament
"The population of ministers of the Word and Sacrament is defined as those persons who have been ordained to this office and continue to hold it as members of a presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Retired or emeritus ministers are excluded. In 1998, the population of active ministers totaled 14,171." (Technical Notes).
Sampling Procedures
"Three representative samples were drawn, one from each of the three populations above, using probability techniques."Members
"Lacking an exhaustive list of active members of all PC(USA) congregations, [the investigators] implemented a two-stage sampling process, first sampling congregations, then members within each of the sampled congregations. Using proportional stratified sampling, 425 congregations were drawn from the list of 11,261 congregations affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) at the end of 1998. Strata were based on region, race-ethnicity, and membership size." (Technical Notes).
"Each sampled congregation was sent a form and detailed set of instructions for sampling eight names from the membership list. These instructions asked each congregation to number consecutively the names of all current active members using a standard list (e.g., in alphabetical or zip code order). Next, they were requested to send the Panel the names, addresses, phone numbers, and other information for the individual members whose numbers in this process corresponded to one of eight random numbers generated for that congregation by the Panel." (Technical Notes).
"... Responses were accepted until early in 1999, although most congregations responded by the end of September. A postcard reminder and second copy of the form and instructions were sent to non-responding congregations on July 2 and July 20, 1999, respectively. Because congregations with large racial-ethnic (i.e., African American, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American) memberships and those with few total members (less than 100) were less likely to respond, in August Panel staff phoned all non-responding congregations in these categories to encourage participation. In all, 282 congregations (66%) provided completed forms." (Technical Notes)
"Elders were sampled from the same 425 congregations drawn for the member sample. A national list of current elders, based on annual reports by congregations to their presbyteries, is maintained by the Office of the General Assembly. At the time of the sampling (July 1999) this database contained names of elders from 414 of the 425 sampled congregations. Random sampling was used to draw four names from each of the congregations with five or more elders listed, and the total number if four or fewer elders were listed (14 congregations listed three or fewer names). The total sample of elders equaled 1,634." (Technical Notes).
Clergy or Ministers of the Word and Sacrament
"A list of all ordained ministers of the Word and Sacrament is maintained by the Office of the General Assembly based on reports from stated clerks of presbyteries. A total sample of 2,197 was drawn in two steps. First, all ministers serving as pastors (including associate, interim, stated supply, tentmaker, etc.) at the 425 congregations chosen for the member sample were included (n=655). The rest were then drawn randomly from the remaining list of all active ministers."
"For most analyses, the ordained minister sample is split into two sub-samples: pastors (those serving a congregation) and specialized clergy (those serving in all other settings, both church-related and not). This division is effected from responses to questions on current call asked on the initial survey." (Technical Notes).
Response Rates
Response rates in 1999, by sample, were: Members, 60 percent; Elders, 70 percent; Ministers of the Word and Sacrament, 68 percent.
Principal Investigators
Research Services, Presbyterian Church (USA) and John P. Marcum, Panel Administrator.Related Publications
Background Report for the 2000-2002 Presbyterian Panel. 2000. Louisville, KY: Research Services, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).Peacemaking, International Conflict, and Related Issues: The Report of the May 2002 Presbyterian Panel Survey. 2003. Louisville, KY: Research Services, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).


text:
You could call it the Nationals League East.
Let's recap: Washington captured the division title last season. Led the Major Leagues with 98 wins. Improved, on paper at least, by adding right-hander Dan Haren to the rotation, Rafael Soriano to the bullpen and Denard Span to play center field. And, oh, by the way, the Nationals should have both ace right-hander Stephen Strasburg and 2012 NL Rookie of the Year Award winner Bryce Harper for the entire season.
As everyone knows, though, games aren't played on paper. Before the postseason invitations are passed out, there will be countless twists and turns that can't possibly be foreseen.
The Braves have averaged 90 wins a season since Frank Wren became their general manager prior to the 2008 season, and after adding outfielders B.J. Upton and Justin Upton, Wren thinks this is his best team yet.
"I don't see a big hole. We're in pretty good shape," he told reporters. "Just from seeing what these guys are capable of. It's by far the most athletic team, it has the most speed, is the most powerful, has the most balance. Now we've got to go play."
The Phillies have as many big names as anybody: Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Cliff Lee, Michael Young, Jimmy Rollins, Jonathan Papelbon. These are pedigreed players with histories of success. But they also raise legitimate questions about age and health.
"I still think we definitely know how to win games and we're going to find a way," said manager Charlie Manuel. "We're definitely going to stay there all year. We ain't going nowhere. We have a chance to have a big-time season."
Mets manager Terry Collins was asked early in Spring Training about his outfield situation. "Still searching," he said succinctly. That could end up being the theme for the season as the Mets bring back basically the same team that finished fourth last year and is now minus NL Cy Young Award winner and 20-game winner R.A. Dickey. The hope is to offset that with more innings from Shaun Marcum and Dillon Gee and improvement from Jonathan Niese and Matt Harvey and, if all goes well, the arrival of top prospect Zack Wheeler later in the season.
Three non-roster invitees -- relievers LaTroy Hawkins and Scott Atchison and outfielder Marlon Byrd -- are projected to make the Opening Day roster. That can be a difficult way to make a living in a division that's gotten better, at least at the top.
Everybody knows that the Marlins underwent an extreme makeover last season, but youth and enthusiasm can sometimes go a long way.
"It's definitely a great opportunity for everybody," said veteran Juan Pierre. "I think if everybody pulls together that we can actually have a good team. I know we're going to have to outwork guys. I know the young guys are working and eager to go."
With all that in mind, we polled our NL East beat reporters -- Mark Bowman (Braves), Anthony DiComo (Mets), Joe Frisaro (Marlins), Bill Ladson and Joey Nowak (Nationals) and Todd Zolecki (Phillies) -- and asked them to rate each team in four major categories and then slot them. Here's how they voted:
With the exception of Michael Morse, the Nationals return the same group that led the division in runs (731), home runs (194) and OPS (.750) last season. And it's not a stretch to suggest that shortstop Ian Desmond, second baseman Danny Espinosa and even Harper can get better. The Braves lost Chipper Jones to retirement, Michael Bourn to free agency and Martin Prado in a trade with the Diamondbacks. But that deal brought Justin Upton from Arizona, and B.J. Upton was signed to take Bourn's spot. With that, a lineup that was heavily left-handed is more balanced. And that's important in a division in which the other top contenders are stacked with lefty starters: Gio Gonzalez and Ross Detwiler for the Nats, and Hamels, Lee and John Lannan for the Phillies.
Our selection: Braves
Our selection: Braves
Gonzalez won 21 games in 2012, made the All-Star team and finished third in the NL Cy Young Award voting ... and that's not good enough to be the Nationals' Opening Day starter. And Jordan Zimmermann, who had a 2.94 ERA, is listed third on the depth chart. Yes, Washington's starting pitching, topped by Strasburg, is that good. And Strasburg, free of the innings limit that led to him being shut down in September, is poised to have a breakout season. The Phillies signed 28-year-old Hamels to a six-year, $144 million contract, the third-largest deal ever for a pitcher at the time, and are counting on him and Lee to be elite starters. What could make the difference between whether the Phils have an excellent rotation or just a very good one is Halladay. The two-time Cy Young Award winner turns 36 in May and is coming off a season during which he was bothered by back and shoulder problems.
Our selection: Nationals
Our selection: Nationals
Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel is the only pitcher in Major League history to strike out at last half the batters he faced in a season. He whiffed 116 in 62 2/3 innings while allowing just 27 hits and 14 walks for a remarkable 0.65 WHIP. Along with lefties Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters, the Braves can shorten games. Pretty impressive. But consider the back end of the Nationals' bullpen: Drew Storen saved 43 games in 2011. Tyler Clippard saved 32 (in 37 opportunities) last season. And Rafael Soriano saved 42 for the Yankees before signing on to be the Nats' new closer. The Phillies lost 20 games in 2012 when they were tied or leading going into the eighth. So the addition of setup man Mike Adams could be one of the best under-the-radar signings of the winter and help get more games to Papelbon.
Our selection: Braves
Our selection: Braves
The Braves led the NL in both fielding percentage (.986) and defensive efficiency ratio (.705), with the Nationals just one point behind in each category. In allowing Bourn to depart as a free agent and trading Prado, replacing them with the Upton brothers, Wren seemingly gave up some leather for more lumber. Still, Atlanta might have the best defensive outfield in baseball. Tight glove work was a hallmark of the Phillies while winning five straight division titles, a trait that was noticeably missing last season when they finished 81-81. Even though free-agent acquisition Young hasn't played third base full-time since 2010, he had a solid spring in the field, and a healthy Utley at second should improve the defense.
Our selection: Braves
Our selection: Braves
Nationals. Despite being pounded by injuries, Washington became just the fifth team in modern big league history to improve by at least 10 games for three consecutive seasons. Can the Nats keep the streak alive? They'd have to win 108, but if they stay healthy, that doesn't seem impossible.
Braves. Atlanta added to an impressive foundation after winning 94 games in 2012 and may be the best team in baseball not favored to win its division. And if the rotation comes together, the Braves certainly have the ability to chase down the Nationals.
Phillies. The Phils have a lot of question marks -- Halladay, Howard, Young, Utley, both corner outfield spots -- but if things come together, there are still a lot of players on their roster who have proven they know how to win.
Mets, Marlins. New York still has David Wright. Miami still has Giancarlo Stanton. Both teams have some impressive talent coming through the system. If they can get off to a quick start and then push some of their prospects, anything's possible. Just ask the Orioles or Athletics.


text: Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an employment, unreasonably interferes with an work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. Lawyers who handle sexual harassment cases represent individuals -- usually employees or students -- who have been victimized by unwanted verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, or subjected to sexually offensive behavior that creates an unfavorable environment. Sexual harassment attorneys may also represent employers, school districts, and businesses that are named defendants in sexual harassment lawsuits.


text:
Now that the violence of Somalia has spilled over into Uganda, western policymakers and pundits are suddenly all aflutter with the urge to 'do something'. Exactly what that something might be is uncertain. Drone attacks, special forces, a Gaza-like blockade and even a full scale invasion have been suggested.
All of those are truly terrible ideas – and exactly the kind of legacy thinking that caused the US to hug the tar baby called IrAfPak. At best, they will generate yet another failure / quagmire, and expand the ever growing pool of pissed off people who want to car bomb Times Square. At worst, they could invite a 'fifth column' type of resistance on the part of the Somali diaspora and sympathizers, spreading conflict across the region and beyond. (Somewhere between 40% and 50% of ethnic Somalis live outside the country.)
Instead of pursuing the same old failed policies, the way to resolve intractable problems is to expand the 'solution space' – the range of available options. Solution space is determined by the perspectives – which we might also call beliefs, paradigms or 'mental models' – of the players involved. Because we can only act on ideas that get through our political / cultural / personal filters, the way to achieve breakthrough is to broaden our perspectives in order to see a wider range of possibilities.
Here are five perspectives that could begin to shift the situation in Somalia.
Perspective 1 – Disaggregate It
Somalia is not really a country in the way westerners typical apply the concept. Like Afghanistan, it is a collection of tribes and clans that alternately compete and collaborate, spread across arbitrary boundaries imposed by colonial powers. (Somalia's borders are a result of combining Northern Somalia, which was a British 'trusteeship', with Southern Somalia, which was an Italian 'protectorate', to form the Somali Republic. French Somaliland to the north became Djibouti.)
Even though lines on maps are somehow sacred to most policymakers, they should be ignored here. So long as the US and its allies see Somalia as a single, troubled country controlled by radical Islamists, they will suffer 'path dependency', stuck forever with only the limited range of lousy options noted above.
'Chunking' the issues – seeing Somalia as a diverse jumble of players, areas and interests – would allow adaptive responses based more on objective realities and less on stereotypes. It would also allow distributed, locally appropriate interventions and innovations that could be rapidly prototyped to see whether and how they might scale and extend.
Perspective 2 – Reinforce the Positive
There are areas of Somalia that work reasonably well (by local standards), and those should be engaged and fostered. The Republic of Somaliland, in the northwest, is relatively stable and continues to move toward a constitutional democracy, including holding what outside observers consider free and fair municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections.
Puntland, which includes the 'horn' of Africa, declared itself an 'autonomous state' in 1998 and has been relatively stable since. (Again, by local standards. It's not Sweden.) Puntland has worked to diversify its economy and made education a government priority, especially for girls and the nomadic clans that make up roughly half the population. Early childhood development is also a high priority.
Engaging these regions with targeted aid and development efforts would increase their stability, and demonstrate that westerners are not the enemy of Somalis. Even more important, it would demonstrate to Somalis in war torn areas that there is hope. Nothing is more destabilizing to a regime than rising or falling expectations, and increasing stability and prosperity in the north could provide a severe challenge to Al-Shabaab, the Islamist movement dominating south-central Somalia.
The reactionary, 'crisis management' focus on distressed areas in the south and center of the country causes neglect of the more stable north and west. That neglect creates openings for parasitic entities. Both pirates and human traffickers operate openly in Puntland, and can be displaced only by developing viable, alternative livelihoods.
Perspective 3 – Open Lines of Communication
Complexity science tells us that structures are relationships made visible. In order to create new structures – which will then generate new patterns of events and behaviors – the US needs to create new relationships.
Obviously, this can be difficult – especially for politicians who have staked out positions based on simplistic jingoism, like 'Islamofascism' and 'Global War on Terror'. But it has been done successfully in equally difficult situations. When Nelson Mandela was criticized by members of his own party for talking to the de Klerk government, he said, 'If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.'
Although the US despises the Al Shabaab movement, that entity currently controls much of the south and center of the Somalia. If the US truly wants to change the situation on the ground, it needs to get past its prejudice and work with Al Shabaab. Despite competing ideologies, both sides have some common ground and can find ways to work together. As trust and relationships grow, deeper issues can be addressed.
Perspective 4 – Think Governance, Not Government
Despite western claims, there is no legitimate government in Somalia. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has no writ beyond a few square blocks in Mogadishu, and would quickly disappear were it not protected by Ugandan and Burundian troops under the auspices of the African Mission on Somalia (AMISOM).
The TFG is the fourteenth attempt to impose a functioning government in Somalia since the end of the Siad Barre regime in 1991. Like many other iterations, it is largely seen by locals as a shill for Ethiopia and the US, and has been accused by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch of chronic rape, murder, looting and theft. Backing it lends no credence to western claims of promoting human rights and democracy.
Encouraging Al Shabaab to govern well – rather than attempting to subvert that governance – is a more effective strategy. If they succeed and bring forth order and development, everyone wins. If they fail and destroy their own legitimacy in the eyes of the Somali people, they will be deposed – without resentment against outsiders and the potential for blowback that engenders.
Perspective 5 – Get Over the Fear of 'isms'
Just as America's fear of communism stampeded it to make disastrous decisions regarding China, Viet Nam, Iran and a host of other nations, its fear of Islam drives stupid and self-defeating policy regarding Somalia.
It was this fear of Islamism that caused western nations to sponsor the 2006 invasion of Somalia by Ethiopia to defeat the relatively moderate Islamic Courts Union (ICU) when that group seemed about to consolidate power. By toppling the ICU, the US and its allies created a vacuum that was filled by the ICU's military wing. Today that movement is called Al Shabaab, and America rails against the very situation it helped create.
The fact is, Somalia is a Muslim country, in a Muslim region. It is only logical that Islamic values and tradition frame discussions of the country's future. (Even the TFG 'president' offers his degree in Islamic Law as a primary qualification for the job.)
If US policymakers truly want to help stabilize the situation in Somalia, they need to get past their pathological fear of all things Islamic. In fact, they should encourage all sides to practice fundamental tenets of Islam, including devotional activity, simplicity, charity, humility, patience, and consistency.
Muslims believe that through such practices believers become more whole, peaceful, loving and compassionate. These virtues, as they become living attributes, evolve into a state of higher consciousness called fana.
Somalia – and the world – should be so lucky.


text:
For spending the night within the warm and cozy arms plus body of sexy girls, the client is required to follow the right procedure. Do look for the stunning and glowing ahmedabad Escorts and then see the downpour of a memorable erotic love. The visit to holiday destination ahmedabad is incomplete without enjoying the company of sizzling babe. The keyword mentioned above is the optimum way of making sure those super-hot escorts in ahmedabad is chosen. Now, spend romantic and grown-up time within the four walls of a luxurious room. In other scenario you can also enjoy the sexy frolic activity on a beautiful beach. Just do not let your body feel deprived of a great and memorable sex time. All the pretty damsels are ready for creating a wonderful erotic time. Let the naked body of yours get entangled with the ultra-smooth one of the ravishing beauty. None of the sex date will look as though a hole is formed in your pocket.
There is nothing wrong in following your heart, body and mind. Yes, one does follow it and then scales higher positions in the official life. Now, things are much different. You require and are desperate for a hot beauty to give you perfect type of physical relaxation. This is something you can't get it from the other sources without the complications. You require concentrating on the fabulous Female Escorts in ahmedabad and then giving yourself a perfect physical reward. This goes out without saying that sexual urge of yours will get answered in the most pristine manner. All the escorts in ahmedabad that is listed under this keyword search is a fine example of a juicy mango fruit. Please do not feel shy or hesitant in any way. Make the selection of one of the best escorts from Varsha Chowdary and then see the wild side of the beauty queen. She will make sure that hot love is evenly spread and in fact the ore element of hot love is properly settled deep inside your body.
Most of the hot babes of a different escort agency do reveal of quality and perfectionist nature of hot sex time. This is why client is suggested for making the appropriate selection from the Friendly Independent Escorts in ahmedabad and then gets to exciting part. Even you will agree that at the end of the sex time you are not feeling deprived of anything. This will be a complete "Value for the Sex money" and the different females of other escort agency are nowhere near to even common form of sexual pleasure. All the requirements for a spectacular sex life are clearly understood by the super duper hot females of Varsha Chowdary escort agency. Hot and bold female will also make you understand the significance of a perfect one night stand. This is quite difficult for others to emulate and gain success.
On deciding to meet really hot females of well-established adult service provider, shouldn't get coupled with a doubtful thought. It is said like this because then you will find it difficult in really enjoying the benefits. The hot females of sexy VIP hot escorts of ahmedabad are attached with a premium card. Over her frankly speaking, time is not wasted in bargaining or talking the agent or hot female to get some discounts. The client receives 100 percent type of pure and genuine hot love and other erotic services in ahmedabad also.
The hot females you get connected with post typing of the above-mentioned keyword is the right answer for getting extremely happy. Selected hot females overall style of dispensing hot love will not get accessed from other females belonging to different escort agencies. The entire range of the ahmedabad escorts are the owner of right curve, juicy boobs, beautiful hands and legs, glowing skin etc. the mere sight of theirs will blow you off. Not to forget the special types of hot sex techniques, positions and styles. You will definitely thank me for making you realize the great sexual time one will receive on meeting the skilled and experienced hot female ahmedabad escorts. Your complete sexual desires and fantasies will get fulfilled.


text: Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne. Some forest officials in Minnesota are complaining about deer stands. Deer stands are those small platforms hunters set up in trees to get a better view. In some deer-hunting areas, they've grown into veritable tree houses with stairs, shingled roofs, windows, heaters, lounge chairs, and all on public land. One county land commissioner told the Duluth News Tribune: We're seeing mansions out there. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
Medical Library
Loading...Please Wait
Sprains and Strains:
Sprains and strains are common injuries that we sustain with daily activities, recreation, and competitive sports. But what is a sprain and what is a strain?
A strain is the tearing of muscle fibers. Muscle fibers are the individual units that make up your muscles. When you call upon the muscle to perform strong or repeated contractions, you may suffer a strain. To further confuse the layperson, strains are classified into grades I, II, and III. Another way to think of these grades is mild (grade I), moderate (grade II), severe (grade III).
A grade I strain is a mild disruption of the muscle fibers. There may be mild swelling, mild tenderness, and it may be painful to stretch and use the injured muscle.
A grade II muscle strain indicates moderate muscle fiber damage. The pain is moderate to severe, it definitely hurts to use and stretch the injured muscle, and ecchymosis may be present. Ecchymosis (commonly called bruising) indicates that there was internal damage to blood vessels that resulted in bleeding within and around the muscle. This bleeding is often visible under the skin as a purple, blue, red, yellow, and even green in color.
A grade III strain is the most severe. It is the complete tearing of a muscle into two pieces, or separation of the muscle from its associated tendon. There is severe pain, complete loss of muscle strength, swelling is normally present with ecchymosis, and there may be a palpable "indentation" where the muscle is torn. Medical intervention is usually necessary. Typically, an orthopaedist (musculoskeletal specialist) will evaluate your condition and surgical repair may be necessary.
Sprains are tears of the ligaments and capsules (tissues around joints). Ligaments are made up of bundles of somewhat elastic, collagen tissue and attach one bone to another. Capsules typically partially or completely surround a joint. In a synovial joint, there is lubricating and nourishing fluid within the capsule called synovial fluid.
Like strains, sprains are classified as grade I, II, or III in their severity.
A grade I sprain involves a minimal number of ligament fibers. There may be pain, swelling, and only mild loss of function.
A grade II sprain is a moderate or partial ligament tear. There is usually moderate to severe pain, swelling and bruising are typically present, and there is a loss of joint function (e.g., it is extremely difficult or you are unable to walk on a grade II ligament sprain of the ankle).
A grade III sprain is a complete tearing of the ligament or joint capsule into two pieces. Severe pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of function are associated with a grade III sprain. As with grade III strains, orthopaedic intervention/surgical repair may be necessary.
Possible Treatments
- Active Assistive Range of Motion
- Aerobic/Endurance Exercise
- Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
- Electrotherapeutic Modalities
- Heat Pack
- Isometric Exercise
- Plyometrics
- Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
- Proprioception Exercises
- Physical Agents
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Stretching/Flexibility Exercise
Possible Treatment Goals
- Improve Balance
- Decrease Risk of Reoccurrence
- Improve Fitness
- Improve Function
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Increase Oxygen to Tissues
- Improve Proprioception
- Improve Range of Motion
- Improve Relaxation
- Self-care of Symptoms
- Improve Safety
- Improve Tolerance for Prolonged Activities
- Improve Wound Healing
Additional Resources
The information in this medical library is intended for informational and educational purposes only and in no way should be taken to be the provision or practice of physical therapy, medical, or professional healthcare advice or services. The information should not be considered complete or exhaustive and should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes without first consulting with your physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician or other healthcare provider. The owners of this mls accept no responsibility for the misuse of information contained within this website.


text:
One of the things Apple has demonstrated over its lifetime is that it has become the great disruptor. When the Mac came on the scene in 1984 and introduced computer users to the graphical user interface, it shook up the text-based DOS market so dramatically that it forced Microsoft to follow Apple's lead quickly in order to stay relevant. Now graphical user interfaces are the norm on all PCs.
Eighteen months later, Apple pushed the Mac as a disruptor to the publishing market with the introduction of desktop publishing. Marrying the Mac, a desktop laser printer and Aldus' PageMaker software, Apple championed a desktop-publishing solution that completely changed the publishing world by letting people create content on demand and publish it without the help of the publishing industry's big-iron solutions. Today, personal publishing on the desktop or on the Web has its roots in Apple's disruptive desktop-publishing blitz.
In the early 2000s, Apple upended the music market with the introduction of the iPod and an easy way to access, buy and play music on the go. While pirating music was the real disruptor to the music industry back in the late 1990s, only the tech literate went online to get MP3 files. While early MP3 players came out to make digital-music playback more portable, it took Apple with the iPod and iTunes to really disrupt the digital-music market and bring it to the masses.
Then in 2007, Apple disrupted the cell-phone market with the iPhone. While Apple did not invent the smart phone, the company reinvented it in ways that completely disrupted the wireless carriers' way of controlling their own programs and added the element of a truly intelligent operating system and apps to the smart-phone landscape. The iPhone has literally redefined what a smart phone is and has dramatically disrupted the entire telecommunications world.
In 2010, Apple introduced the iPad. The company did not invent the tablet. It reinvented the tablet and in the process reinvented the personal computer. Now the iPad has become a major disruptive force in changing the dynamics and fortunes of the traditional PC industry. Thanks to the iPad and tablets overall, traditional PC and laptop sales were off around 10% in 2012. Our estimate is that PC and notebook sales will be off at least 10% in 2013 and could see an even steeper drop as tablets gain more ground in business and consumer markets. A more interesting projection is that for the first time, tablets will outsell notebook computers worldwide in 2013.
The disruptive nature of the iPad was not predicted by anyone except perhaps Steve Jobs, who clearly understood the impact the iPad would have on the market. To all PC makers' chagrin, they too did not see tablets coming and were not prepared to make the transition from a high-volume PC business to the next big personal-computing device for the masses. Although they are trying to play catch-up with Apple and Samsung, the Wintel crowd is behind in tablets, and I am not sure they will ever really gain ground against Apple and Android.
Has Apple Peaked?
While Apple continues to deliver record sales and record profits, the financial community seems to think that Apple is done innovating and disrupting markets. Their demands for outlandish quarterly profits have sunk Apple's stock over the past seven months. I have heard some even suggest that Apple has peaked and that it's downhill from here on in.
However, if you study Apple's history, especially since Steve Jobs returned to the company in 1997, its actual cycle of creating innovative and disruptive products is around three to four years, on average. In the case of the time span from the iPod to the iPhone, it was actually seven years. This suggests that Apple is not driven by clocks or stock price when it comes to innovation. Rather, the company takes its time to think things through. It focuses on the fusion of the hardware, software and service ecosystem of new and innovative products before bringing them to market.
There is a key reason for this attention to detail. Apple has an internal mantra that when it introduces a new category of product that has the potential of shaking up or disrupting a market, it must be done so that Apple will have a two-year lead at the very least over the competition. If not, Apple won't touch it. That is why the company didn't just deliver a new MP3 player, but rather an entire hardware, software and service approach with the iPod. The same goes for the iPhone and the iPad. In both cases, from the time of launch to the time competitors come even close to catching up, Apple had at least a two-year lead.
What's Left to Disrupt?
So, is Apple done disrupting markets? Don't bet on it. Most likely the next market it will disrupt will be the TV market. And while we don't know exactly what Apple's doing, given its track record, I'm pretty sure that this product will have a dramatic and disruptive nature on the television industry when it does come out. If done in dramatic fashion, competitors may need more than two years to catch up with Apple this time.
Another industry Apple could disrupt is the auto industry. Although cars are getting smarter, they have a lot of room for innovation around embedded screens that are now popping up in cars even in the midrange price categories. Imagine if Apple and one or two major carmakers got together to write the next chapter of intelligently connected automobiles that marry dedicated applications, an ecosystem of services and constant Internet connections. Think what the impact could be on the future of road travel.
Yet another industry Apple could disrupt is the watch industry. Many people are closely watching the Pebble smart watch that's just now shipping to see if its connection to iPhones and Android phones takes off. This particular product is an interesting first step in marrying the smart phone with a watch, but it mainly relays smart-phone alerts and calling info to the watch's screen. While I really like the Pebble smart-watch idea, what I really want is Dick Tracy's watch — and I'm betting that Apple is the company that will eventually give this to us.
Could our homes get smarter too? Of course they can. It is not a coincidence that former head of hardware at Apple, Tony Fadell, has created the Nest thermostat that is connected to the Internet and is smart enough to watch your heating and air-conditioning habits, adjusting them automatically. This suggests to me that the concept of the smart home was in the works when Fadell was with Apple and that Apple has been working on this internally for some time. I am convinced that Apple will be the company that eventually disrupts the home-automation apple cart, so to speak, and makes it another prime market that gets disrupted in the near future.
Controlling the Smart Screen
In each of the examples I stated, you may have noticed that a "screen" is involved. Screens are mostly necessary for managing, viewing and even controlling content. In the case of Apple TV, there is a possibility of Apple actually doing a physical TV set, but if so, think of it as mainly a giant iPad in that it could have the same guts and intelligence found in an iPad. However, if I were a betting man, I would bet that the heart of Apple's true TV product lies in the way the iPhone and iPad interacts with the giant iPad or any other TV via a smart box, and that the real disruptive products comes in the way Apple marries the iPhone and iPad into the next generation TV-viewing experience.
All smart cars will have screens in them too. Imagine a dedicated iPad embedded in a car that doubles as the car's map as well as the vessel for a whole host of automobile-dedicated apps. As for the smart watch, what if Apple could create an iPhone or iPad that's a 2-in. (5 cm) square, which could be worn on our wrists. While it may have some touchscreen features, the real way you would interact with it is via Siri, à la Dick Tracy. As for the smart home, imagine iPads integrated into appliances, in the kitchen or even in bathroom mirrors as well as being the center of a whole home's automation system.
If anyone thinks Apple has stopped innovating, then I have a bridge I'd like to sell them. Apple is a very smart company run by some very futuristic thinkers that have a toy box of integrated products and services to work with. To think that the company won't use its experience to disrupt other markets is shortsighted. It might take time, but Apple is more than capable of continuing to innovate and drive markets in new directions.
Related Articles:
- Your Smart Phone Will Become the Hub of Your Digital Lifestyle
- Four Guiding Principles for Understanding Apple's TV Strategy
- How Apple Could Own the Interactive-TV Market
- Would Apple Create a Smart Watch? If So, When?
- 6 Reasons Apple Is So Successful
Bajarin is the president of Creative Strategies Inc., a technology-industry-analysis and market-intelligence firm in Silicon Valley. He contributes to Big Picture, an opinion column that appears every Monday on TIME Tech


text:
U.S. Men's Soccer Is On A Roll — All The Way To Rio?
At the beginning of 2013 — with only a year before soccer's crown jewel event, the World Cup in Brazil — all was not rosy with the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team. There was that 0-0 tie with Canada, and then a 2-1 loss to Honduras in a World Cup qualifier.
But now, the cry is, "Break up the Americans!"
OK, that's a bit of an overreaction to Sunday's CONCACAF Gold Cup victory. The United States' 1-0 win over Panama in the championship game isn't exactly sending a chill through the rest of the world soccer community. The Gold Cup is something the U.S. should win, having done so four times now since 2002.
Still, there's plenty to feel good about after the team's undefeated run through the North and Central American regional tournament.
The U.S. outscored opponents 20 goals to 4, led by Chris Wondolowski and veteran Landon Donovan, who had five goals each. The six victories stretched the American winning streak to a record 11 games. And the Gold Cup revealed how deep the team is: The U.S. essentially fielded a B team, prompting fans to dream about what the men could do at full strength.
Return Of An Icon
Perhaps the most exciting part of the Gold Cup was the return, in bold, of Donovan. His inspired play after a self-imposed sabbatical from the game motivated his younger teammates and appeared to smooth over a fraying relationship with head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The coach wasn't exactly overjoyed when Donovan — who SoccerAmerica.com executive editor Mike Woitalla calls the greatest player ever for the U.S. — took a months-long break on the eve of World Cup qualifying games.
Klinsmann made it clear that the all-time leader among U.S. men in scoring and assists would have to earn his way back onto the national team.
"Because of what he has achieved in the past, his benchmark is higher than all of the others," Klinsmann said. "We had honest conversations about it, and I said, 'I want the best Landon ever.'"
Donovan met expectations and then some. Now it seems he'll once again be an integral part of the U.S. men's effort to take on the world next year in Brazil.
Beyond The Plateau?
World Cup success has been an elusive goal for the U.S. men, aside from that semifinal finish in 1930 — the Americans' best-ever showing. Since then, there's been the occasional shock of upsets — a 1-0 win over England in 1950 and a 2-1 win over world No. 4 Colombia in 1994. But mostly, it's been first- and second-round exits.
Woitalla says the men have been on a plateau for almost two decades, never reaching the level of consistent, successful World Cup performers such as Brazil, Spain, Germany, Italy and France. He thinks it's because of the kinds of players suiting up for team USA.
"We have more good players than we've ever had," Woitalla says, "but the number of truly exceptional players — the ones who can do the unpredictable things on the field, the wonderful, creative moves and playmaking — the number of those [players] really hasn't increased."
The 2014 World Cup, for which Woitalla says the U.S. is certain to qualify, will feature two Americans with those exceptional qualities: Donovan and Clint Dempsey. But he believes the U.S. should have had 10 Donovans and Dempseys by now.
One big problem is the way this country's youth soccer is structured — it's not necessarily conducive to producing and nurturing intuitive, creative players, he says. And there are two main issues he says soccer officials and coaches are trying to address:
- Youth soccer is expensive and thus out of reach for kids who may have the talent but not the resources.
- Over-coaching: Kids aren't being allowed to experiment and take risks and make mistakes. You have to make mistakes, Woitalla says, while you're becoming a player who can improvise and do brilliant things with the feet.
Woitalla thinks there's been progress. He says a growing Hispanic community, passionate about soccer, is getting more opportunities to enter the mainstream of the sport.
And at the elite level, he thinks coach Klinsmann is the kind of charismatic leader who can take the current crop of top players and mold them into something special.
The Gold Cup victory is an early indicator. A significant run in Brazil next June would be the proof.


text:
Chapter 9
Jesus appears to Saul—Saul is a chosen vessel—Ananias restores Saul's sight—Saul is baptized and begins his ministry—Peter heals Æneas and raises Dorcas from death.
1 And Saul, yet breathing out athreatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him aletters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a alight from heaven:
4 And he afell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, bSaul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am aJesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to bkick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, awhat wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 aAnd the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a bvoice, but seeing cno man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 ¶ And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named aAnanias; and to him said the Lord in a bvision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much aevil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a achosen vessel unto me, to bbear my cname before the dGentiles, and ekings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must asuffer for my name's sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his ahands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that bappeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath csent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the dHoly Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received asight forthwith, and arose, and was bbaptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that adestroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bbound unto the chief priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
23 ¶ And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to akill him:
24 But their alaying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a abasket.
26 And when Saul was come to aJerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had aseen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and adisputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were aedified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the bcomfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
32 ¶ And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the asaints which dwelt at Lydda.
33 And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was asick of the palsy.
34 And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
36 ¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this awoman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, aarise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the asaints and widows, presented her balive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.


text:
Innovation in Banking: What does the Future Hold?
As banks seek to achieve customer-centricity, optimize the channel experience and take advantage of alternative distribution channels, it's clear that data will play a central role.
I sat in a press roundtable this week at SAP's International Financial Services Conference on innovation in banking, and tellingly much of the conversation centered on "big data" and analytics. The consensus seemed to be that not only will banks continue to try and use their existing data to better market to their customers, but also to monetize it in new ways. Falk Rieker, Global VP, Global IBU Head for Banking for SAP, mentioned Barclays' recent announcement that it will sell aggregated and anonymized data on its checking and savings account holders to other companies trying to understand customer purchasing trends as one prime example of this.
"The value of data has been, for a very long time, underestimated by financial services companies," he added.
Andy Hirst, SAP's senior director of industry marketing, said another data trend that will arise will be the combining of all the structured and increasing unstructured data banks collect into "an insight that hasn't been possible before" on itheir customers. "Banks can find new patterns…and new trends."
Achieving true customer-centricity, relationship-based pricing and marketing, and offering customizable services were also discussed as being a major focus for banks in the future. In fact, customer-centricity will be "the biggest area of innovation" going forward, Rieker noted.
"In the past, products have been launched inside out," he added." "Banks didn't take into account customer feedback. They just launch a new product, and assume the customer will take it."
Rieker further noted that consumers are used to being able to pick and choose what they want out of a product or service in other industries, and banks will have to follow suit in order to be successful in the future.
Ultimately, even though banks face increasing competition from non-bank competitors, they do have many inherent advantages, as companies like PayPal, Google and others can't offer the wide range of financial products banks do. However, they can't afford to simply ignore trends in consumer behavior, and creating a customer-centric model going forward will be a major part of that.
[Related: Building Trust and Innovation through Digital Banking]
Bryan Yurcan is associate editor for Bank Systems and Technology. He has worked in various editorial capacities for newspapers and magazines for the past 8 years. After beginning his career as a municipal and courts reporter for daily newspapers in upstate New York, Bryan has ... View Full Bio


text:
With the Friday the 13th drawing failing to produce any winner lucky enough to claim the fifth-biggest jackpot ever, officials raised the amount to $550 million for Tuesday's drawing. That now ranks as the fourth-biggest.
Paula Otto, the Virginia Lottery's executive director and Mega Millions' lead director, told The Associated Press early Saturday that she expects the amount to rise even higher before the drawing. It could approach or surpass the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever claimed, $656 million in March 2012. Had someone won Friday, it would have been that game's second-highest prize.
"We've never had a jackpot at this level in December leading into the holidays," Otto said. "If we keep rolling, we could well be at a billion dollars going into Christmas."
But each time the lottery fails to produce a jackpot, as it now has 21 straight times on this run, the pot gets even larger. That increases the number of tickets sold while decreasing the chances that nobody will win.
Otto said after $167 million in sales of mostly $1 tickets since the previous drawing on Tuesday, the odds of someone picking all the winning numbers Friday were about 50-50. They'll almost certainly be even higher next Tuesday and even higher in subsequent drawings should the jackpot still go unclaimed.
A winner from Friday night's drawing would have had a cash option of $228 million before taxes. The winning numbers were: 19-24-26-27-70, Mega Ball: 12.
Although nobody hit the biggest prize, nine people nabbed $1 million prizes for matching the first five numbers. Those tickets were sold in Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey and two apiece in Florida, Michigan and New York, Otto said.
Earlier Friday, Otto said sales were 40 percent ahead of projections, prompting officials to boost the jackpot to the jackpot from $400 million to $425 million.
Sarah Andrews, 35, of Madrid, Iowa, purchase one Mega Millions ticket Friday morning. The infrequent player took the automated Easy Pick option.
"I feel that my odds are so low anyway, it doesn't really matter," said the IT specialist. "I only buy a ticket to get a dollar's worth of entertainment."
A major game revamp to Mega Millions in October - aimed at growing bigger jackpots in a shorter amount of time - decreased the odds of a person winning the top prize to about 1 in 259 million. It was previously about 1 in 176 million, nearly the same odds as winning the Powerball jackpot. Still, the cost for a chance at winning millions with Mega Millions is just $1.
"In some ways we're in uncharted territory because we have this new matrix," Otto said. "... How wonderful that the changes seem to be working immediately to get us bigger jackpots."
It also gave ticket buyers a chance to daydream - at least until the drawing dashed their hopes of striking it rich.
"It would change my life, absolutely," said Barbara Cooper, who bought two tickets Friday at a New Orleans convenience store. "We still have children in college, so that would help out immensely."


text:
14 Nights | Caribbean/Bahamas
About Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands
You will visit the following 5 places:
San Juan
San Juan, officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista (Municipality of the Capital City, Saint John the Baptist), is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2000 census, it has a population of 658,304 making it the 42nd-largest city under the jurisdiction of the United States. San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, who called it Ciudad de Puerto Rico ("Rich Port City"). Puerto Rico's capital is the second oldest European-established city in the Americas, after Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic. Several historical buildings are located in San Juan; among the most notable are the city's former defensive forts, Fort San Felipe del Morro and Fort San Cristóbal, and La Fortaleza, the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Americas.
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. It is considered the southernmost city in the continental United States. The city also occupies nearby islands and portions of nearby islands. It's popularly known for its stunning beaches, coral reefs – destinations for diving and snorkeling.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, 28 miles (45 km) north of Miami. The city is a popular tourist destination, with an average year-round temperature of 75.5 °F (24.2 °C), and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Greater Fort Lauderdale which takes in all of Broward County hosted 12 million visitors in 2012, including 2.8 million international visitors. The district has 561 hotels and motels comprising nearly 35,000 rooms. Greater Fort Lauderdale has over 4,000 restaurants, 63 golf courses, 12 shopping malls, 16 museums, 132 nightclubs, 278 parkland campsites, and 100 marinas housing 45,000 resident yachts. Fort Lauderdale is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the Second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale (1782–1838), younger brother of Lieutenant Colonel James Lauderdale. William Lauderdale was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort.
Little San Salvador
Little San Salvador Island, also known as Half Moon Cay, is one of about 700 islands that make up the archipelago of The Bahamas. It is a private island, owned by Holland America Line, which uses it as a port of call for the cruise ships it operates in the region. Prior to being owned by HAL, Little San Salvador was the private island of Norwegian Cruise Line. The island is also a significant nesting area for waterfowl. Activities offered on the island include swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, cycling, and snorkeling. Deep-sea fishing, parasailing, glass-bottom boat rides, and nature walks also are available. A variety of water toys are available for rent, including Hobie catamarans, Sunfish sailboats, windsurfing sailboards, and kayaks.
Charlotte Amalie
Charlotte Amalie, located on St. Thomas, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Founded in 1666 as Taphus (meaning "beer houses" or "beer halls"), the town has been inhabited for centuries. Hundreds of ferries and yachts pass through town each week, and at times the population more than doubles. The city is known for its Danish colonial architecture, building structure and history, and a dozen streets and places throughout the city have Danish names. Charlotte Amalie has buildings of historical importance including St. Thomas Synagogue, the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, and Frederick Lutheran Church, the oldest Lutheran church in the Western Hemisphere. The town has a long history of pirates, especially stories of Bluebeard and Blackbeard (Edward Teach). In the 17th century, the Danes built both Blackbeard's Castle and Bluebeard's Castle attributed to the pirates. Blackbeard's Castle is a U.S.National Historic Landmark. Another tourist attraction is Fort Christian, the oldest standing structure in the Virgin Islands Archipelago. A copy of the Liberty Bell is in Emancipation Park, which is a tourist attraction.


text:
Users' Choice
Court blocks California law banning 'ex-gay' therapy
A federal appeals court on Friday put the brakes on a first-of-its-kind California law that bans therapy aimed at turning gay minors straight.
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency order putting the law on hold until the court can hear full arguments on the measure's constitutionality. The law was set to take effect Jan. 1.
Licensed counselors who practice so-called "reparative therapy" and two families who say their teenage sons have benefited from it sought the injunction after a lower court judge refused the request.
The law, which was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown this fall, states that therapists and counselors who use "sexual orientation change efforts" on clients under 18 would be engaging in unprofessional conduct and subject to discipline by state licensing boards.
The appeals court's order prevents the state from enforcing the law, SB1172, while a different three-judge panel considers if the measure violates the First Amendment rights of therapists and parents.
Liberty Counsel President Mathew Staver, whose Christian legal aide group is representing reparative therapy practitioners and recipients in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the law, applauded the court's decision to grant his request to delay its implementation.
"This law is politically motivated to interfere with counselors and clients. Liberty Counsel is thankful that the 9th Circuit blocked the law from going into effect," Staver said. "This law is an astounding overreach by the government into the realm of counseling and would have caused irreparable harm."
Backers of the ban say the state is obligated to outlaw reparative therapy because the practice puts young people at risk and has been rejected by every mainstream mental health association. After signing SB1172, the governor called the therapies it would outlaw "quackery" that "have no basis in science or medicine."
Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which helped fight for the law's passage, said the measure's supporters shouldn't read too much into Friday's order.
"It's disappointing because there shouldn't even be a temporary delay of this law, but this is completely irrelevant to the final outcome," Minter said.
The brief order issued Friday did not explain the panel's thinking. The 9th Circuit has requested briefs on the case's broader constitutional issues but has not scheduled arguments.
"California was correct to outlaw this unsound and harmful practice, and the attorney general will vigorously defend this law," said Lynda Gledhill, press secretary to Attorney General Kamala Harris.
Earlier this month, two federal trial judges in California arrived at opposite conclusions on whether the law violates the Constitution.
On Dec. 4, U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller refused to block the law after concluding that the plaintiffs represented by Staver were unlikely to prove the ban on "conversion" therapy unfairly tramples on their civil rights and should therefore be overturned.
The opponents argued the law would make them liable for discipline if they merely recommended the therapy to patients or discussed it with them. Mueller said they didn't demonstrate they were likely to win, so she wouldn't block the law.
Mueller's decision came half a day after U.S. District Judge William Shubb handed down a somewhat competing ruling in a separate lawsuit filed by a psychiatrist, a licensed counselor and a former patient who is studying to practice gay conversion therapy.
Shubb said he found the First Amendment issues presented by the ban to be compelling. He ordered the state to temporarily exempt the three people named in the case before him.