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Monday, March 14, 2011
Welfare Cookies and A Reflection on Poverty
From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Poverty has many faces. The most wrenching are, of course, those of hungry children whose empty eyes speak volumes without words. There are, however, other faces to which we have become enured or chosen not to see. My first encounter with real poverty came as a high school freshman. A service project took my class to Hull House, where we spent a year of Saturdays working with preschool children from the nearby Jane Addams Homes, one of Chicago's first housing projects. One of our tasks was to escort the children to and from the settlement house and those walks taught me a lot about attitude and the way it is worn. Some of the project poor wore masks of arrogance and indifference. Others, beaten down by circumstance, had given up the fight, and in surrender donned masks that were etched with weariness and a quiet despair. In both cases, the masks hid a gut-wrenching fear of tomorrow and what it might or not might bring. As newlyweds, Bob and I spent weeks hiking in Appalachia and learned that the uneducated can forever be kept poor. Housed in shacks, their reality was hidden by the masks of ignorance and pride they donned while rocking in their porch chairs. What was thought to be stupidity simply masked another type of fear. The Bronx was still burning when we moved to the East coast, and while not condoning what we saw, understood fully why it was happening. Sometimes poverty wears a mask of rage so fierce that it implodes and self-destructs. Over the years, we cast a wider net and our adventures led us to abject, numbing poverty of Cambodia and the stacked slums and filthy water of Kathmandu. On these trips, we've learned that despite a shared fate, climate and altitude can change the face of poverty. Those living at higher elevations seem more energetic than those begging on the valley floor, and not surprisingly, the faces of the religious poor are more serene than those of non-believers. Yesterday, I was re-introduced to the face of the working poor.
We've recently had heavy rains in Oregon. Despite the downpour, we decided to get out and drive along a really scenic stretch of the Siuslaw River. That put us on Highway 36, a route that is peppered with small dying mill towns and boarded and abandoned homes. We make this drive two or three times a year, and couldn't help but notice an increase in abandoned properties. Judging from the swings and basketball hoops in the yards, what was once a problem for the elderly has trickled down to the working poor who can no longer afford even these modest properties.
We stopped for some coffee. Two little guys, I'd guess them to be 8 to 10 years old, were riding bikes through puddles in the pockmarked parking lot. They were as clean as boys that age can ever be, but their clothes looked tired and were either hand-me-downs or thrift shop finds. What caught my eye was that one of them was riding a pink bicycle. He was remarkably sociable and told me the bike was new and that his dad was going to paint it for him when the weather broke. You would have been charmed by this child. Trust me. Born from another womb, he'd be fraternity president in another 10 years. Unfortunately, cream can't always rise to the top in our pasteurized, homogenized society. I hope the fates and furies will be kind to him. His mom clerked in the store and he insisted we try her cookies. She makes the cookies to supplement the family income. She calls it her egg money. The recipe actually belonged to her mother who found it on the back of a can of welfare peanut butter. The cookies are great, though I must admit I was so charmed by the company, my judgment might be impaired. I thought some of you might like to try them. All of the USDA recipes can be found here. Here's the version of the recipe that was used to make the cookies we had yesterday. I followed it exactly save for adding a teaspoon of vanilla to the ingredient list.
Welfare Peanut Butter Cookies...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of the USDA
2-1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup margarine, butter, or shortening
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2) Whisk flour, salt, and baking soda together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3) Mix fat and peanut butter in the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Add both kinds of sugar. Mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition.
4) Stir flour mixture into peanut butter mixture.
5) Drop dough from a teaspoon on baking pan. Flatten with a fork.
6) Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Yield: 4 to 5 dozen cookies.
Your might also enjoy these recipes:
Top Chef Worthy Peanut Butter Cookies - Cookie Madness
Tuesday's with Dorie: Peanut Butter Crisscrosses - A Whisk and A Spoon
Honey Peanut Butter Cookies - Baking Bites
Big, Super Nutty Peanut Butter Cookies - The Culinary Chronicles
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies - Within the Kitchen
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies - The Baking Beauties
Over the Top Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies - Real Mom Kitchen
Peanut Butter Cookies with Ketchup - Cookie Madness
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies - Gonna Want Seconds
Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies - The Comfort of Cooking
This post is being linked to:
Smiling Sally - Blue Monday
80 comments :
- Ginny Hartzler said...
I love your stories, and was spellbound with this one of your impressions and travels, though sad. So the lady gave you the recipe?
- March 13, 2011 at 11:30 PM
- That Girl said...
What a sweet story to remind us to be grateful for what we have.
- March 13, 2011 at 11:31 PM
- Mickey said...
I too always know I can hear a wonderful story from you. I feel like I was there. I love your stories Mary.
mickey - March 13, 2011 at 11:48 PM
- Susan said...
Wow, Mary. What an incredibly moving story.
- March 14, 2011 at 12:48 AM
- Alessandra said...
You are right about education, it is the only thing that can really lift you from poverty. When I think of poverty I think of hard working people (like the mom who makes cookies) who hope for the better, but often struggle to get to the end of the month. They deserve to have their kids educated.
- March 14, 2011 at 12:59 AM
- Sandra said...
Sweetest story and delicious looking cookies!
- March 14, 2011 at 1:37 AM
- Indrė said...
Ok, what is the differences in brown sugar? What does this "packed" mean? Like you can weight as much sugar as you need normally and that sugar is bad for this baking? We have here sugar like muscovado in both colors or demerara (http://www.moteris.lt/uploads/img/cane%20sugar%20-%20cukrus%20Demerara_7.jpg) (both made by DanSukker). So which one I need to use for these cookies?
- March 14, 2011 at 1:37 AM
- Diane said...
What a great story. Pity I do not like peanut butter as these sound simple enough to make. Diane
- March 14, 2011 at 1:43 AM
- Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...
As a teacher I've seen hungry children and it breaks my heart. I would have loved to have seen that little boy on his pink bike! He sounds like an amazing, confidant child. I hope he gets the guidance to direct him so he can become president of the fraternity! Sometimes the parents don't know how to help their kids because are too tired trying to make ends meet. Great recipe by the way!
- March 14, 2011 at 2:51 AM
- Banana Wonder said...
I bet those boys were adorable. It's astonishing to recognize such bright kids, especially when they don't have much going for them. Love this recipe - I am thinking golden soft margarine all the way.
- March 14, 2011 at 2:54 AM
- ♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...
Mary , u narrate and write so well the real stories of life and we can actually feel the emotions.
SO wonderful.
Gods blessings with education and opportunity is all that can lift from poverty , my humble thoughts that is.
Wonderful week to u mary. - March 14, 2011 at 3:28 AM
- Suman Singh said...
Wow..what a great and touching story..cookies look beautiful and delicious!
- March 14, 2011 at 4:46 AM
- Priya Suresh said...
Wat a beautiful story,incredible...Cookies looks fantastic..
- March 14, 2011 at 6:13 AM
- love lives in the kitchen said...
beautiful blog, pictures and recipes! i'm so glad to meet you!
have a sweet day,
justyna - March 14, 2011 at 6:25 AM
- Fabi said...
I adore these ones! The recipe I ususally do is Stephanie Jaworski's and it's delicious. Big hug from the cloudy Madrid.
- March 14, 2011 at 7:22 AM
- Ana Rita Marreiros said...
I must try this!!!!They look perfect!
Your writting is always full of inspiration...
Rita - March 14, 2011 at 7:30 AM
- Three-Cookies said...
Your perspective on poverty is interesting and definitely plausible. Its a pity that development agencies don't seem to realise and understand this. Interesting thought on altitude. I would have imagined the other way round since altitude affects breathing due to lower oxygen levels. Perhaps other factors are more dominant. Thanks for sharing your stories and thoughts.
- March 14, 2011 at 7:34 AM
- Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...
What a beautifully written post, Mary...thanks for sharing. My youngest is going on a mission trip over spring break with some of his classmates...I hope his eyes are opened by this experience...
- March 14, 2011 at 7:34 AM
- Tanna said...
Poignant and perfect. Thank you, Mary. Blessings ~ Tanna
- March 14, 2011 at 7:56 AM
- Kim said...
Education is everything. I'm a teacher and I have to deal a bit with povertie... I love ready your stories Mary, these make me feel gratefull about all I have (and I'm not speaking about material stuffs).
- March 14, 2011 at 8:26 AM
- Ryan said...
A beautiful post, Mary, and I'll be thinking of that sweet little boy all day. I have heard about the famed PB welfare cookies before but have never made them. Everyone says they are delicious. I must try them because I love PB!
- March 14, 2011 at 8:40 AM
- Unknown said...
Wow Mary, great story...so vivid...I feel like I was right there with you talking to the boy.
Thanks for sharing your day with us and reminding us to be gratful and to help... - March 14, 2011 at 8:57 AM
- Unknown said...
What a moving story...and such delicious looking cookies!!
- March 14, 2011 at 9:08 AM
- Jeannie said...
That looks delicious, Mary and yes, that is a very timely remind to be grateful for what we have.
- March 14, 2011 at 9:08 AM
- From the Kitchen said...
One of the highlights of my fall trip to Virginia is driving through the mountains of West Virginia. They are strikingly beautiful in the fall. When I pull off for a rest stop or a meal, I see the poverty that is rampant in that area. It certainly brings one quickly back to reality.
I hope the boy on the pink bicycle finds a mentor.
Bonnie - March 14, 2011 at 9:17 AM
- Jocie's Mom said...
While its a very sad story, its a wonderful one to read. Thank you for taking the time to ask questions and to think about what you're seeing and experiencing. More people should do that.
And that's for the lovely recipe :) - March 14, 2011 at 9:32 AM
- Pondside said...
This post seems to strike a chord in all of us. I was at a meeting on the weekend and all who had grown up poor were asked to stand. Many said that they'd grown up poor but didn't now it at the time. Books, parents who passed on a positive outlook, education (sometimes one caring teacher) all made a difference.
- March 14, 2011 at 9:54 AM
- www.you-made-that.com said...
I really enjoyed this story and your writing style is wonderful. Thanks for sharing it with us.
- March 14, 2011 at 10:02 AM
- Tasha said...
It is stories like this that are a good reminder of how blessed in life most of us truly are and how grateful we should be. Thank you for sharing this- along with the tasty sounding cookie recipe.
- March 14, 2011 at 10:03 AM
- What's next said...
A wonderful reminder to be so thankful for a good education and all the blessings we have. My husband loves peanut butter cookies... I will make him these today.
have a wonderful week.
Cara - March 14, 2011 at 10:23 AM
- Lauren Hairston said...
Thank you for reminding your readers that most people who are going through hard times aren't just "getting what they deserve." It's so easy to forget that no matter how bad things may seem in a recession, there are others out there who are truly suffering. I hope that maybe someone will be encouraged to ask their congressmen not to end funding for education. I was lucky to grow up knowing I didn't have to worry about paying for college, but my husband would never have been able to go without government grants and loans. Now, he gets to have a career he loves. I want everyone to have that opportunity!
- March 14, 2011 at 10:29 AM
- Nuts about food said...
A beautiful post that reminds us that hardship is not just on the other side of the Pacific right now. Sometimes we are so struck by the great tragedies that we forget to look closer for those in need.
- March 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM
- Lucie said...
What ban inspiring story, Mary. A great way to illustrate that we should all try to see the good side of life, even when it's difficult. Plus, these cookies sound great!
- March 14, 2011 at 10:31 AM
what a heartwarming story! i would so like to buy these cookies for her and contribute to her bank of "egg money". I have nothing but warm wishes to the charming boy as well :)
- March 14, 2011 at 10:31 AM
- tootie said...
Thank you for the recipe - and the reminder that we should be grateful for what we have because many are not as fortunate. I'm glad you bought her cookies!
- March 14, 2011 at 10:36 AM
- A Bitchin' Kitchen said...
What a touching story. It makes me feel so grateful for everything that I've been blessed with and taken for granted on occasion.
- Maggie - March 14, 2011 at 10:43 AM
- chacha said...
Beautifully written and thought provoking.
- March 14, 2011 at 10:46 AM
- Receitas para a Felicidade said...
Mary, unfortunately that is the sad reality all the poverty in the world and is the tendency to increase and it saddens me, even though there is sympathy and good heart of many people to help and change this.
Thanks for the delicious recipe of these cookies looks divine and delicious,
kisses and have a good week!! - March 14, 2011 at 11:07 AM
- PeggyR said...
I love peanut butter cookies!
- March 14, 2011 at 12:06 PM
- Sushma Mallya said...
so perfect and so yum as well..
- March 14, 2011 at 12:50 PM
- Jennifer said...
What an interesting story! and I love the cookie recipe!
- March 14, 2011 at 12:56 PM
- Joanne said...
As part of our public health curriculum we often go to halfway houses or homeless shelters and it's always so tragic to see. You told this story so beautifully and those cookies look delicious.
- March 14, 2011 at 12:59 PM
- Laural (bhealthier) said...
Wow, amazing story and post! I was really moved and especially because its so "close to home" for me with what I do each day at work.
You inspired me about what I do, thank you for the reminder. - March 14, 2011 at 1:07 PM
- Unknown said...
What a beautiful post, Mary. Very moving story and the cookies look wonderful. Have a great week! xo
- March 14, 2011 at 1:27 PM
- The Blonde Duck said...
You can never go wrong with PB.
- March 14, 2011 at 1:43 PM
- Wendy Irene said...
This recipe reminds me of my childhood. It looks just like the recipe I used to make with my Mom. What a charming young man you met! I too hope the universe treats him very well.
- March 14, 2011 at 2:08 PM
- Chiara said...
Thanks for sharing this great and touching story Mary!have a lovely day, blessings....
- March 14, 2011 at 2:12 PM
- Unknown said...
Beautifully written Mary. I can almost picture the little guy now, and taste the cookies myself.
- March 14, 2011 at 2:22 PM
- teresa said...
such a sweet story, touching and heartbreaking at the same time. the cookies sound wonderful!
- March 14, 2011 at 3:42 PM
- Gloria Baker said...
Mary these cookies are amazing! bless to you dear, gloria
- March 14, 2011 at 4:31 PM
- Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...
That's such a poignant statment about the boy with a pink bike and what a different future he'd have if he was 'from a different womb'. SO sad but probably so true.
Sarahx - March 14, 2011 at 4:40 PM
- JasmyneTea said...
Very poignant. It hits home, because I used to be a "welfare" kid myself when I lived with my mother, who is mentally ill. And the cookies are great too! :)
- March 14, 2011 at 5:41 PM
- nanny said...
I love peanut butter cookies....and your story was very touching.
I hope you don't mind me using your chicken fried steak photo for sharing your recipe...... your pictures just pop from screen...I love the white background...do you photoshop it or use pure white when making picture? - March 14, 2011 at 6:18 PM
- Shug said...
A story that touches hearts...
The minute I saw the cookies, I had such a rush of joy in my heart. My mom passed away five years ago, but I never see or taste a peanut butter cookie without thinking of her...She loved to make peanut butter cookies and I always loved pressing the cookies with a fork..
Thank you for sharing..
Shug - March 14, 2011 at 6:25 PM
- StephenC said...
I don't know what you are best at, storytelling or cooking. Whatever it is, we love you it.
- March 14, 2011 at 6:38 PM
- Plateful said...
That's such a touching tale, Mary, and so beautifully told. Millions of families are living in abject poverty and it's so sad!
Btw, the cookies look wonderful, tempts me to try out that recipe! - March 14, 2011 at 6:49 PM
- La Cuisine d'Helene said...
Growing up my parents did not have money. My dad had to work on the farm plus 1-2 jobs. I started babysitting at 11 so that I would never ask my parents for money. We survived and we still had a great time as a family. That's what is important in life.
- March 14, 2011 at 8:07 PM
- Nancy said...
A lovely and sweet story. It's quite sad the rising poverty around the world. One can only hope for the best for those poverty stricken we cross paths with. The cookies look delicious. Thanks for sharing this with us.
- March 14, 2011 at 8:08 PM
- Juliana said...
Oh Mary, such a touching story...and your peanut butter cookies look great. Love the pictures! Have a wonderful week ahead!
- March 14, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Thanks Mary for such a wonderful post :)
- March 14, 2011 at 8:40 PM
- Melinda said...
What a great story. Times are a changing for sure.Which is scary.
The cookies look delish!
Melinda - March 14, 2011 at 8:40 PM
- Lisa @ Dishes of Mrs. Fish said...
What an amazing back story. I teach third grade in a lower income school, so I experience stories like this often. I so often take for granted things like the lunch I packed, when I know some of my students weekly substance comes from the nonperishable snack pack that is sent home each week. Regardless of where there the recipe came from, these cookies look divine.
- March 14, 2011 at 9:41 PM
- GLENDA CHILDERS said...
Beautiful post, Mary. I am impressed with a high school that helped their students see the real world.
And the cookies look great.
Glenda - March 14, 2011 at 9:50 PM
- Jennifer (Delicieux) said...
What a beautiful story. And your cookies look delicious.
- March 14, 2011 at 10:32 PM
- tasteofbeirut said...
Very touching story and one I can relate to; I have met so many dirt poor folks during my time in the Middle East and was so affected by it; haunted is more the word. I think that all people ask is to have some dignity in their life. If that is taken from them, they have nothing. Sounds like this family, although poor, had some dignity and it was wonderful that you were able to purchase the cookies and write this post with your find. Great cookies, too, a classic.
- March 14, 2011 at 11:20 PM
- Maria said...
That is a touching story Mary, thanks for sharing! These cookies look truly wonderful.
- March 15, 2011 at 12:06 AM
- hobby baker Kelly said...
What a poignant story. It never hurts to be reminded of what we sometimes neglect to notice all around us. I think I'll pass this one along to friends and family. (And I do love PB cookies...)
- March 15, 2011 at 12:54 AM
- Sue said...
So nice to have a touching story behind the cookies. They look great, by the way.
- March 15, 2011 at 2:01 AM
- June said...
Lovely post Mary. You are really something you know!
- March 15, 2011 at 11:15 AM
- Beverly said...
I am sitting at my desk in tears. Yours words speak volumes, and I pray that we can find a way to make this kind of poverty end. But, unfortunately it has been with so many for centuries.
Thank you for sharing this, Mary. - March 15, 2011 at 3:45 PM
- Cooking Creation said...
Mary, thank you for sharing that inspiring story. I look forward to trying these cookies out.
- March 15, 2011 at 7:04 PM
- A little bit of everything said...
what a great story Mary. thanks for sharing it with us.
the cookies look so good, peanut butter, mmmm - March 15, 2011 at 11:26 PM
- Choclette said...
A lovely post Mary. I was really shocked to hear the other day that food parcels are becoming quite prevalent over here in the UK as more and more people cannot afford to eat! Your welfare cookies sound delicioius - I hope they bring in lots of egg money.
- March 16, 2011 at 4:06 PM
- The Single Nester said...
The simple pleasures of a cookie that many many people around the world do not get to indulge in.
- March 16, 2011 at 6:37 PM
- Simply Life said...
I love this story! I'm a social worker and have been graced numerous times through work and travel by individuals who have truly humbled me. These cookies look delicious - I think she should sell them online; I think you'd have plenty of readers buying some from her :)
- March 16, 2011 at 7:29 PM
- Glennis said...
What a lovely post. I love your wide experience and compassion.
- March 16, 2011 at 8:34 PM
- Kristy Sayer-Jones @ Southern In Law said...
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and letting me discover yours! I love that every recipe has a story and I can't wait to read more!
- March 16, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Thank you for writing this, and pointing out the difference education can make. One of my grandfathers didn't graduate from high school, but he was literate, worked hard, and encouraged both of his children who went on to higher education and both became teachers. My other grandfather graduated high school but during the Depression had to work for only 10 cents an hour. He was a farmer and also loved to read. He also wrote beautifully. Education was very important to him. Self-education can be a great thing, too. Louis L'Amour, the famous author, was largely self-educated. You would love his autobiography, "Education of a Wandering Man." There are more people out there like this little boy and his family than we are often aware of, and I appreciate you writing about it. Very thoughtful post.
- March 17, 2011 at 8:14 AM
- Unknown said...
Thank you i was looking for this same cookie recipe but didn't know where to find it i used to make these same cookies for my girls and wanted to make them for my grandsons Thank You Jesus for leading me to this page.
- January 10, 2014 at 2:00 PM
It's so refreshing it is to hear someone talk about the poor in such kind and sympathetic language. There is so little compassion and so much derision in our society toward low or no income people, as if they have chosen poverty. I just wanted to tell you, your words moved me as did your kindness. Plus I can't wait to try those cookies.
- March 19, 2014 at 11:40 PM


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Nathan Eovaldi (0-3, 2.35) vs. Barry Zito (5-5, 4.35).
Barry Zito is the bomb.
There was obviously a lot of pressure on this poor troubled soul when Zito signed his seven-year, $126M deal with the Giants back in 2007. And despite his 48-66 record to date, he has come through huge this year for the Giants, catalyzed by a shutout victory in his first start of the 2012 season. In between relaxing meditation sessions by the Golden Gate bridge with only a guitar as his companion, Zito has powered his way to a 5-5 record, blemished but a tad by his last three starts and their accompanying collective 10.60 ERA.
But fear not, true believers. Even when his gargantuan contract expires in 2014 (assuming the Giants pick up his one-year option, of course!), Zito will be just fine setting up shop on a corner of the Tenderloin district, strumming some of his self-penned tunes for tips.
Zito goes up against a Dodger pitcher who has had some flashes of brilliance this year (MLB.com has a video touting his promise). However, Eovaldi not only sports a winless record of his own; he hasn't pitched in a game all season in which the Dodgers won (they are 0-5 in his five starts). The Dodgers come into AT&T Park with a scant three-game lead in the NL West, having lost consecutive series to Oakland and the Angels on the road. The Dodgers have scored only 13 runs in their last six games.
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How Smoking Damages the Eye
Smoking does not just increase your risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases, but can also damage your eyes. Although some changes to your eyes, such as dry eye, can be reversed, others cause lasting, irreversible damage. Before you light your next cigarette, consider the many ways the habit can affect your vision.
Impaired Central Vision
Smoking increases your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The macula is the part of the retina responsible for central vision. The retina lines the back of your eye and sends impulses to the brain, which interprets them as the images you see.
When you have AMD, cells in the macula begin to deteriorate, affecting your ability to read, drive, and recognize faces. Smokers have two to three times the risk of developing AMD as non-smokers, according to a systemic review published in the online journal, "Eye."
If you develop AMD, you may notice that:
- Words in books, magazines, or digital screens look blurry.
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- A white spot, or a dark or blurry area, appears in the center of your vision.
- You need a brighter light for reading or close work.
Cataracts are a natural consequence of aging for many people, but you are twice as likely to develop them if you smoke. Cataracts cause the clear lens inside your eye to become cloudy. Your lens helps focus light images on the retina. When the lens loses its natural transparency, your vision becomes blurred. In addition to blurred vision, signs of cataracts include:
- A frequent need to change your contact lens or eyeglass prescription
- Double vision
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Smoking also increases your risk of developing uveitis, an infection that can lead to blindness. Uveitis affects the middle layer of the eye and causes redness, pain, and blurred vision. Untreated uveitis can lead to optic nerve degeneration, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts. When Proctor Foundation doctors reviewed uveitis risk factors for their eye clinic patients, they discovered that smokers were 2.2 times more likely to develop uveitis than non-smokers.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness and vision impairment in working age adults, according to the National Eye Institute. Smoking increases your risk of developing diabetes and may speed the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels in your retina begin to leak blood or fluid. As the blood or fluid builds up in your eye, your vision becomes distorted. In the later stages of the disease, new, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow in the retina. Because these vessels cause cell loss and scarring, your vision becomes permanently impaired.
Dry Eye
Exposure to cigarette or cigar smoke can irritate and dry your eyes. Although dry eye does not usually cause lasting damage to your eyes, the condition can be very uncomfortable and can make it difficult to successfully wear contact lenses. Symptoms of dry eye include:
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Sometimes, it is easier to stop smoking if you have a good reason to give up the habit. If you are undecided, consider one of these three reasons.
Quitting Prevents Damage to Your Eyes
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Quitting Prevents Damage to Your Pets' Eyes
Smoking doesn't just damage your eyes, it can also affect the health of your pets. Not only can your pets suffer from the same aliments as smokers, they also run an increased risk of nasal and oral cancers due to dogs' sniffing habits and cats' tedious grooming routines.
Smoking Doesn't Just Affect You
Secondhand smoke affects your family and friends and has been linked to asthma flare ups, respiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome, chronic cough, and frequent ear infections. If you smoke while you are pregnant, your baby may be more likely to experience optic nerve problems or crossed eyes.
All About Vision: How Smoking Harms Your Vision
New York State Department of Health: Smoking Can Lead to Vision Loss or Blindness
CDC: The New Smoking Story
U.S. Surgeon General: Health Consequences of Smoking – 50 Years of Progress
Eye: Smoking and Age-Related Macular Degeneration
American Lung Association: Reasons to Quit Smoking
Ophthalmology: Cigarette Smoking as a Risk Factor for Uveitis, 3/1/11
National Eye Institute: Facts About Diabetic Eye Disease, 9/15
Live Science: Secondhand Smoke Causes Cancer in Pets


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The contest: Field Hockey
The teams:
squaring off against:
Without in any way wishing to drag the Smackdown into the realm of educational toys, something did occur to me as the teams were lining up. It has been very difficult throughout history for a woman to become notable without first becoming at least somewhat notorious. Unless you're a nurse or a nun, you're likely going to get a bad rap - and even then your success may ruffle feathers.
There's a lesson in that, no?
The Good/Bad designation is tongue-in-cheek, with a few guidelines based on the woman's career.
Good: nurses, canonized saints, devoted wives, public servants,** ladies who wrote about nice things, ladies who pursued gentle arts like writing and painting without stirring up too much trouble
Bad: professional whores, open lesbians, those connected (horrors!) with the stage, ladies who wrote about unladylike subjects that stirred shit up
*I think it's so nice how women get a month. It suggests that during the other 11 months they were getting their nails done. But I suppose it's better than nothing.
**That's how Elizabeth Cady Stanton wound up as captain on the Good side, although she really could have gone either way. Certainly in her own time realtively few men would have considered her a servant of the public good. But when she steps up and says, "I'm in charge," you don't argue.


text:
I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. First of all, you might be noticing that the program sounds a little bit different today. We are having some technical difficulties that are not allowing us to play some of the music and other elements you're used to hearing. But we're still going to have great conversations.
First we're going to talk about President Obama's State of the Union address, his first since he won reelection. Last night before a joint session of Congress, he spoke about revamping the country's immigration system, placing more limits on guns and withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.
But President Obama's main focus was on the economy. He said a growing economy that creates good middle-class jobs must be the north star that guides our efforts. So while the president's speech is addressed to Congress, more importantly it is delivered to the American people.
So we decided to ask a group of people whose concerns were very much at the center of the president's address to give their reactions. Oakland Lewis is 47 years old. He's been without steady full-time work since he was laid off from his job as an account manager with a major financial services company three years ago. He's with us from Cleveland. Welcome, Oakland Lewis. Thanks so much for joining us.
OAKLAND LEWIS: Great to be here. Thank you for having me.
MARTIN: Trei Dudley is 18. She's a freshman at the University of Arkansas. She's with us from Fayetteville. Welcome to you, Trei. Thank you for joining us.
TREI DUDLEY: Thank you for having me.
MARTIN: And also with us - you've met her here before - Gaby Pacheco. She's 28 years old. She came to the U.S. without documentation when she was seven. She has been working since then as an advocate for herself and other immigrants and she's with us in D.C. Gaby, welcome back. Thank you so much for joining us too.
GABY PACHECO: Thank you for having me.
MARTIN: And I'll start with you. What did you think of the president's speech and what was the most important thing about it to you?
PACHECO: Well, the ending. And I think President Obama always has a way to end his speeches and leave everybody either wanting for more or feeling really inspired. And I think that I was used to the rhetoric that he talks about immigration. I said yes, yes, yes, we've heard that in the speech that you gave in Nevada.
But at the end he talked about we are all citizens. And he said this beautiful line where he talked about it's a word that doesn't just describe our nationality or legal status. And then he went to add and said that our rights are wrapped up in the rights of others.
And so to me that's the fundamental thing and why we're talking about immigration, the rights of American citizens to be able to, you know, protect their work, protect their country, but also the rights of human beings like myself that feel American. Feel they're a part of this nation, the fabric of it, and feel citizens but without papers.
MARTIN: Oakland Lewis, what about you?
LEWIS: I thought it was overall a very good speech. You know, from where I sit having, as you mentioned, been out of work for a while, I was more keenly looking for more specifics about job creation. I know that these things, you know, take a long time to happen but I wanted to get some more specifics about how that will play out.
But overall a very good speech. Like the young lady said, the wrap-up was very, you know, inspirational. But, you know, for me I just want to see, OK, how can I add some value to a company and get value in the form of some money, you know, for my family.
MARTIN: Well, you know, to that end I want to mention you're doing what you can do. You're a member of the Career Transition Center in Cleveland, you know, for example.
LEWIS: Yep.
MARTIN: So you haven't just been sitting on your hands for the last, you know, couple of years.
LEWIS: Nope.
MARTIN: The president did make some specific, you know, proposals. I mean, talking about the minimum wage and things of that sort. But your sense is that wouldn't help you?
LEWIS: That's correct. For someone like myself I often wonder do we actually count in those numbers that they report? You know, a person who has been out of work for a long time and has fallen off of the unemployment rosters. I mean, do we actually track those people? And maybe those numbers are a little skewed because of that. So that's my take on that.
MARTIN: Do you feel like - and I guess I have to just go right there and ask do you feel that the president and I guess other national leaders, do they still remember you? Do you think that they're still thinking about you?
LEWIS: I would hope so. But I don't see any action towards that end.
MARTIN: Trei Dudley, what about you?
DUDLEY: I agree. I also thought it was a really, really good speech. I liked what he said about, you know, making sure that education is definitely at the forefront of the things that we focus on. And then also I thought it was interesting that he mentioned starting so young at preschool. I feel like that's not something that I've personally heard before that's really focused on.
And so the stats that he gave about that were really interesting to me as well as the new plan that he has for the curriculum for high school. So I thought that was really interesting.
MARTIN: He talked a lot about education in the speech. As you mentioned, he talked about the desire to make preschool universal, to make it universally available. Not just preschool but quality preschool.
DUDLEY: Yes.
MARTIN: And to really kind of talk more about revamping our educational system so that people have the opportunity to advance because the more education you get the more likely you are to be employed. When you hear that, Trei, does that make you feel encouraged? Does it give you kind of a boost that you're on the right track? Or do you still feel - I don't know. Do you feel like you're part of the national conversation, is I guess what I'm interested in.
DUDLEY: I do. I do but I also know that there's a lot of kids who might not feel the same way. You know, I think - I don't know. I like how - one thing that I did want to mention was that he talked about, you know, how the more money that we spend on, you know, education and stuff like that the less money that, you know, hopefully we'll have to spend on teen pregnancies.
And I don't know; I think it was creative how he linked that stuff together. Because I do have friends who, you know, took that - graduated from high school not necessarily being able to go to college because, you know, they did get pregnant at a young age. And I see that as definitely a huge issue.
So if we focused, you know, more on education hopefully things like that wouldn't happen.
MARTIN: Well, he did also talk about housing and I understand that that's an issue that's close to your heart as well, Trei, because, you know, your mom raised you and your siblings on her own and for a while you also lived in a homeless shelter.
DUDLEY: Right.
MARTIN: So this is not something that's just an abstract for you.
DUDLEY: Mm-hmm.
MARTIN: If you're just joining us, we're talking about President Obama's State of the Union address. We've gathered our own roundtable of pundits. They're our own pundits. Oakland Lewis is currently looking for work. Trei Dudley is a student at the University of Arkansas. And Gaby Pacheco is an immigrants' rights activist.
We do actually have one clip from Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a rising star in the Republican Party, former Speaker of the House in Florida. He delivered the Republican's tradition - or the opposition party traditionally offers a response to the president's address and Marco Rubio was selected to do that. Kind of a tough message. I'll just play a short clip and hope it works.
SENATOR MARCO RUBIO: At a time when one showdown after another ends in short-term deals that do little or nothing about our real problems, some are starting to believe that our government leaders just can't or won't make the right choices anymore.
MARTIN: Gaby, as we were talking about earlier, the Marco Rubio speech was a teeny bit overshadowed by the fact that he had some kind of - how can I put it? Some odd...
PACHECO: A gaffe.
MARTIN: ...stage directions. Like, he kept sort of wiping his brow, taking a sip of water in the middle of his address. So there was a lot of Twitter conversation about that. But let's talk about the substance of the speech. Do you think that was effective? And how did it strike you?
PACHECO: I think he was very strong. I think that his viewpoints and the way he was delivering it was very effective. And one of the things, the trademarks of Marco Rubio is this ability to speak to the people and communicate his message. And I think a lot of Republicans, aside from, you know, the little things that happened in his speech - and I think all those slights on him really were taking a toll on him - but a lot of people liked what he had to say.
A lot of people actually mentioned - Sean Hannity mentioned that that was by far the best speech he had ever heard. So to me what I was focusing on and what I was trying to hear was on immigration. I feel that he could've given us a little bit more. He has done in the past. He was very cautious. I think he...
MARTIN: But he's one of the leaders of a bipartisan group...
PACHECO: Correct.
MARTIN: ...trying to advance an immigration compromise.
PACHECO: Correct.
MARTIN: And so he's gotten some note for that. And in fact, had said that he'd hoped to do that before but that nobody was listening. And now that they are...
PACHECO: Yeah. And I think even Rand Paul in his Tea Party address went a little bit further into the immigration debate than Senator Rubio. But I think all of this are good signs. The fact that the three different people that spoke last night to the nation, to Republicans, Democrats and Tea Partiers, they all had one message, which was we need immigration reform and we need it now, and I think that's a great sign.
MARTIN: Oakland Lewis, what about you? One of the big points of contrast that Senator Rubio hoped to draw with the president was a philosophical one, arguing that the government is not the solution to your problem. In some ways it is the problem. And I wanted to ask how that message resonated with you as a person whose - you know, you spent your career in the private sector, but you're struggling right now. How did it strike you?
LEWIS: Well, I didn't hear his speech per se. I mean, it was in the background. I wasn't really listening to it because I was getting ready for bed, but I will tell you that I think that we need to come to some sort of agreement when it comes to all the points that they were talking about.
I mean for someone like myself, I think that it's very difficult to continue to be positive. However, I try to do that. But a person like myself who is out of work for two years, almost three years, and just can't seem to get a fit, you know, it strikes me as we are forgotten. You know, I'm dealing with my own fiscal cliff, so to speak, as the politicians like to call it, and it's been challenging.
MARTIN: Can you just talk a little bit - we're going to take a short break in a minute, but could you talk a little bit about what you've tried to do to get employment over the last couple of years? Do you mind?
LEWIS: No, not at all. I've been going to various - like the (unintelligible) center, looking at the various postings. Applications - I don't know how many applications I've sent in, and not only myself. I mean, the cohorts that I speak to - I mean you send applications so many times that sometimes you send an application that you've sent before and didn't realize it. You know, it becomes so daunting that it's really a challenge to stay positive. However, you know, I do try to do that.
MARTIN: Well, we know that you're also a motivational speaker and people...
LEWIS: Yeah.
MARTIN: ...call upon you to kind of buoy their own spirits, but...
LEWIS: Exactly.
MARTIN: How are you making it? How have you been making it these last couple years?
LEWIS: Well, luckily my wife works and she's been a real steady point in our life right now and she's been the one who basically has taken over the bill payments and things like that because, quite frankly, you know, I don't contribute anything like that anymore right now on a consistent basis.
So I do some temporary work when it comes up and, like I say, like you mentioned, I do some speaking, and you know, this may be an opportunity to do some entrepreneurial things. Like you said, helping people to stay positive. But besides that, it's been quite interesting.
MARTIN: We need to...
LEWIS: It's been...
MARTIN: It's tough.
LEWIS: It's a growing experience, you know.
MARTIN: A growing experience, a challenge. Right. A character building experience.
LEWIS: Exactly.
MARTIN: We need to take a short break but when we come back, our panel of commentators is going to return and talk more about the president's state of the union address. We're speaking with Oakland Lewis. He's currently looking for work, as we mentioned. Immigrants' rights activist Gaby Pacheco and University of Arkansas student Trei Dudley. When we come back, we're going to talk about the president's call to action on gun policy, so we hope you'll stick around for that. This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
The WonderBaby Royal Tour, Western Edition, First Dispatch
Where to begin?
Which stories to tell? What news to relate? Which curse words to fling?
1) The birthday that began as day from hell (complete with crippling back pain and projectile cat vomit and near-confrontation with aging naked socialite at spa) but got better (lovely meal prepared by lovely husband) but then went hellish again (projectile husband vomit from over-indulgence in super-rich chocolate cake and/or secret Vietnamese lunch that he snuck in while I was at spa staring down saggy-titted Rosedale matrons)?
2) The flight westward? With Energizer-charged WonderBaby, now with EYES THAT DO NOT CLOSE, not even after endless hours without sleep? During which the so-not-helpful flight attendant commented, after observing WonderBaby's amazing ability to sit up on floor near bulkhead with a soft book and hoot, loudly, FOR HOURS, that "it's always the skinny finicky ones that develop most quickly."?
Insert multiple curse words here.
(Am trying to train myself to minimize cursing. Am in presence of small children. And increasingly, freakishly, alert WonderBaby. Goddam.)
3) Our arrival in British Columbia's beautiful Okanagan Valley? The lovely greeting from WonderBaby's little cousins? Tanner's query (oft-repeated) as to why his auntie wears glasses? And why auntie looks like Velma? And could she please take off her glasses and not look like Velma? For the record: a taller, blonder, thirty-something Velma. And could someone please explain to him, in terms that a six year old will understand, that this is a look that many a latter-day feminist hipster girl strives for?)
The long, difficult discussion on the drive home about where WonderBaby came from, exactly? (Auntie's tummy. Why? Because she grew there. Why? Because that's where babies grow. How did she get there? She, ahem, grew from a seed. How did the seed get there? Um... How did she get out? Um...)
From the cabbage patch, dudes. From the cabbage patch.
4) WonderBaby crawling? Backwards, but still. On hands and knees and MOVING.
I can't do any of these stories justice in the five free minutes that I have right now. Especially without the cursing (cursing makes storytelling immeasurable faster and easier. A well-delivered what the fuck would summarize that my commentary on that flight attendant story quite nicely, thank you very much. But I'm cutting down.)
Saints preserve me. It's going to be a long twelve days.


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Notice: this Wiki will be going read only early in 2024 and edits will no longer be possible. Please see: https://gitlab.eclipse.org/eclipsefdn/helpdesk/-/wikis/Wiki-shutdown-plan for the plan.
DSDP/DD/Face-to-face Toronto 22-Feb-2006
Agenda & Attendee List
- Pawel P - PDA Prototype
- Mikhail K - CDT Flexible Hiearchy Update
- Samantha C - Update Policy
- Hobson B - SPIRIT for EDA
- Hobson B - SPIRIT for Debuggers
- Aaron S - Target Descriptions in SPIRIT
Minutes - Wednesday DD Meeting
Eclipse 3.2 Debug Platform - Demos / feedback session on prototyping
- Pawel Piech - Wind River
- Implemented directly against platform
- Pawel P - PDA Prototype
- The current state of the flexible hierachy aligns well with WR's debugger implementation.
- Main issues at this point:
- Need retargetable actions
- Need public interface to get at standard images for label providers
- Column support in views is incomplete at this point
- Alan Boxall
- Implemented directly against platform
- Moving from 3.0 to 3.1 - the biggest challenge was to get the multi-threaded UI to talk to their synchronous debug engine.
- They queue up all asynchronous requests. They use a lot of caching.
- They are using the compatibility mode right now.
- Taking advantage of 3.2 EDM in the future: eventually, IBM's debug engines will drive the hieararchy.
- Number of jobs is somewhat alarming. (See performance discussions below.)
- Plan to do some prototyping against flexible hierarchy after 3.2 is released.
- Mikhail Khodjaiants, QNX
- Mikhail K - CDT Flexible Hiearchy Update
- CDT has requests to provide customized versions of variables and registers view. Probably will happen after CDT 3.2.
- Using compatibility mode right now for flexibile hierarchy (for 3.1). Still need more investigation for how to expose customization.
- We need flexible hierarchy exposed at CDI layer.
- We use disassmebly view. Need a disassembly memory renderer.
- Summary, they need flexibility at top and bottom.
- They would like to see CDT define a more embedded-centric user experience without major changes to CDI.
- Some view customizations.
- Freescale:
- Multi-core flexibility is important.
- Nokia:
- Similar comments to TI.
- Builds against Eclipse platform, but haven't had a chance to look at 3.2 yet.
- Builds against Eclipse platform.
- Migrated an old VB debugger. Looked at CDT and did some prototyping, but decided it would be too much work.
- They are lacking some features using the platform directly, but also believe they have less problems. One big issue was using GDB with their architecture.
- First product: Oct 05 and based on 3.1.
- Biggest issue is trying to use the memory view with their architecture.
- Haven't prototyped against 3.2 EDM yet, but they can benefit from simplified hiearchy. Update policies are also critically important because of very slow target connections. Will focus on 3.2 after April.
- Continually re-evaluate CDT. Could potentially use parts of CDT.
- PalmSource
- Have a released product on 3.0 with a customized CDT.
- Working on a 3.1-based product with un-modified CDT. Trying to use GDB.
- Also like view customization.
- TI: Demo of view customizations in E 3.1
- Variables and registers view are in table tree format (using tree control)
EDM 3.2 Progress Update – Darin W (IBM)
- Stuff in M5 (public API freeze)
- Virtual tree - turned out to be more complicated than they thought.
- Virtual table
- Incremental load
- Stuff not in M5
- Scopes / drag and drop
- Columns
- Moving forward, our API's are provisional, so we can still make changes.
- March 30 - M6 feature freeze - only 3 weeks of development left
- Columns and removing the last remaining synchronous interfaces
- What's next after the 3.2 release?
- How much feedback they get will determine how quickly these provisional API's can be public
- Would need feedback in first 3 months: July - Sept
- The customized view content may have to go through another cycle.
- 125374 - multi-column support in variables view: patch posted. Darin says this is close to the actual design. Ted would like more granuality in toggling specific columns on and off. Ted will add this to bug entry.
- Plugable cell editors probably won't make the release. Ted to look at provided a patch to possibly help get this in.
- API versioning - adding new interfaces on top of old ones vs. deprecating. When are interfaces collapsed together
- Intention is that the adapters would live for a while in order to enable the backward-compatible debug model.
- Using the editor with multiple debugging backends
- Double-click gutter action - how is this resolved when the same editor is shared between two debug engines.
- Seems to be a bigger problem that spans multiple projects: CDT, DD, PTP
Performance discussion
- IBM will come to EclipseCon that shows performance across multiple versions
- Concerns about the large numbers of working threads spawned
- Will have some suggestions for performance improvements
- Action items: each company should run its own performance numbers
Update Policy
- Progress Update – Samantha (IBM)
- Samantha C - Update Policy
- Slide 4: Element, Model Proxy Factory, Model Proxy, and Model provided by client. "Update Policy" is actually "View Updater"
- Implementation is in the model and is model-specific.
- Still work to do before we have a generic implementation.
- Update policy will have to be part of viewer, and model proxy will have to be part of the model.
- Samantha C - Update Policy
- Need to form a workgroup to address the issues in Samantha's presentation. Need to collect use cases from folks in this group.
- Need to share a common look-and-feel, even if the implementation is in the model.
- What's in 3.2
- You can create model Proxies that tell how and when debug events are handled
- Not there: a generic update policy
Memory View
- Demo by Ted Williams (WR) of new renderer for memory view.
- DD group would like this contributed
- Other features
- Programmatic foreground and background coloring
- Customizable context menu
- Symbol interleave with address bar
- Optional confirm before write
- Undo write
- Column headings with sub-address - user can turn on and off
Contributions and Participation Discussion
- Proposal: Technology sub-groups
- Purpose is to create faster progress on the many technical areas the group wants to purpose.
Technology | Lead | Members |
Debug view | Paul Gingrich (TI) | TBD |
Memory | Samantha Chan (IBM) | Ted Williams (WR), Freescale, AMI |
Expressions & Variables | Ken Ryall (Nokia) | Ted Williams (WR), Pete Nichols (IBM) |
Registers | Kirk Beitz (Freescale) | Ted Williams (WR), Pete Nichols (IBM), ATI |
Breakpoints | Ewa Matejska (PalmSource) | Pawel Piech (WR), Mikhail Khodjaiants (QNX), TI, Nokia |
Console - Debug/Serial/Network | Aaron Spear (Mentor) | Freescale, AMI, PalmSource |
Disassembly | Chris Recoskie (TI) - temporary lead | Wind River |
Views - multi-context, pin/clone, update policy | Darin Wright (IBM) | Samantha Chan (IBM), Ted Williams (WR) |
Debug Model | Pawel Piech (Wind River) | Mikhail Khodjaiants (QNX), Freescale, Nokia |
Launching | Pete Nichols (IBM) | TI |
Editor | Ewa Matejska (PalmSource) | Pete Nichols(IBM), Nokia |
Source Lookup | Pawel Piech (Wind River) | Pete Nichols(IBM) |
SPIRIT | Aaron Spear (ATI/Mentor) |
- Technology sub-groups Tasks
- Leader drives discussions and prototyping on their technology. Leader initiates conference calls, starts a wiki page (see link above), collects requirements, and investigates/delegates prototyping. Leader is responsible for making sure the discussion is progressing. Leaders have commit rights to DD.
- Team members help provide requirements and help prototype.
- All communications should happen on dsdp-dd-dev mailing list for visibility.
- By next meeting: Lead should have requirements at minimum, but should also have prototype if at all possible, since having something to look at will generate better feedback.
- Current developer commitments (used to build table above)
- 1 half-time engineer
- Plan to update memory rendings, registers view, and variables view over the course of this year. Targeting Eclipse 3.1.2. right now management. Eclipse 3.2 product will release late summer / early fall.
- 2 half-time+ engineers
- Picking up 3.2 in fall release.
- Freescale
- Still working on first eclipse based product, so not yet ready to commit to providing fixes for any issues. After first release, they will have more breathing room for possible contributions.
- PalmSource
- Also releasing first product, but could probably get some resources approved if community can delegate some work, especially in CDT. Looking for direction and needs from Mikhail.
- ATI (Mentor)
- Still evangelizing internally. SPIRIT participation is definitely possible. Potentially some tool contributions for creating, parsing, and checking SPIRIT files.
- Really want to contribute, but have no resources yet. Could possibily contribute a debug console.
- Nokia
- Would like to contribute work on the views. Currently working on second Eclipse product. Looking at adding extensible breakpoint behavior and possibly some work on variable detail formatting for c++. After that they'll look at feedback from customers to help set priorities.
- 1 engineer
- Memory update policies and possibly contribute inbound launch code. Need to think about other areas.
- How can we get better participation to help Darin out on the debugger interfaces and views?
- Where do we want to go next? Volunteers for implementation?
- New breakpoint features?
- More memory rendering?
- Multi-core
- Sample debugger implementation from Wind River?
- Debug console
- Committer List
- This list is based on the sub-project leads who volunteer to build use-cases and coordinate prototyping for platform improvements. The commiters will have edit access to the Wiki and DSDP/DD CVS repository.
- Paul Gingrich (TI)
- Samantha Chan (IBM)
- Ken Ryall (Nokia)
- Kirk Beitz (Freescale)
- Ewa Matejska (PalmSource)
- Aaron Spear (Mentor)
- Chris Recoskie (TI)
- Darin Wright (IBM)
- Pawel Piech (Wind River)
- Pete Nichols (IBM)
- Ted Williams (WR)
- Eclipse 3.2 launching framework feedback
- Darin described the launch changes in 3.2, which are covered in "Integrating Custom Debuggers into the Eclipse Platform" - his tutorial at EclipseCon 2006.
- Next Meeting - Late May / Early June. Topics
- Technology sub-group updates
- If face-to-face, do a possible coding camp to implement some prototypes and enhancements.
Minutes - Thursday TM/DD joint session
Update on DSDP, Plans for EclipseCon - Doug G
- See DSDP Website. Discussed new sub-projects: MTJ and NAB. Project pages will be posted in 1 to 2 weeks.
- All companies will be represented at EclipseCon. Aaron S, Mikhail K, Kirk B, Tom H won't be there, though.
- AI: Doug to setup lunch tables - due by Mar 1. Will coordinate with Doug S to not duplicate CDT areas.
- BOF - schedule at the conference.
SPIRIT Discussion
- Hobson - Introduction
- SPIRIT for EDA - provided mostly for information and introduction
- SPIRIT for Debuggers
- Debug working group is probably needed to drive the SPIRIT definition.
- Ideal if Eclipse could join the consortium. ARM and Mentor can be interfaces, too.
- Hobson could work on setting up the debug working group. Hobson will also check on what they can make available for parsers. Hobson will check on licensing of SPIRIT XML files.
- Next steps
- Each member company to look into joining SPIRIT
- DSDP-DD and DSDP-TM to nominate representative for a debug working group
- DSDP-DD and/or DSDP-TM to build tools for generating/reading/validating SPIRIT files. AI for Aaron to talk to company about potential contributions. No Java Parser available yet for SPIRIT - we could contribute this in DD.
- Doug - WR's data files standards
- Two feature requests from SPIRIT
- Board initialization specification
- Help file indexing so registers can point to Silicon Vendor's pdf/html manuals
- Flow: SoC describes silicon -> Board vendor describes hardware and initialization -> user customizes initialization.
- Two feature requests from SPIRIT
- Aaron Spear - general discussion on SPIRIT requirements
- Target Descriptions in SPIRIT
- Feedback on additional register spec requirements
- Unique ID
- Initial grouping, but ability for a user to change groups
- Textual descriptions - problematic for I18N - how should SPIRIT handle?
- Mapping between debug format and registers - does this belong in SPIRIT or elsewhere?
- Disassembly information should be a part of this - eventually we'd like table-driven disassembly - separate discussion
- Endianness, default display size: byte, word, long, double, etc.
- Help index
- Long description for tool tip
- Feedback on additional memory spec requirements
- Flash - should be a separate discussion - CFI standard (?)
- Cache
- Virtual - should be a separate topic - ATI limited the XML to what's physically on the chip. - need to describe MMU structure
- Need to think about run-time memory map changes that are tied to the OS. Debugger will need to look at the MMU structure and also need to know about kernel data structures to handle the effective-to-physical address translation.
- Shared memory between cores


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Lately I have been enjoying playing with food and transforming the flavours and components of one dish into the form of another dish such as the BLT salad or the Korean short rib tacos . Not too long ago I came across Mark Bittman's Greek Nachos that were along the same vein; taking Greek flavours and serving them in the form of nachos. I have combined these Greek flavours before in the form of meatball 'gyros' and I really liked the sound of transforming the ingredients into nacho form. Given the great flavours, the great idea and the fact that these nachos were pretty healthy they quickly made it to my meal plan. For the meat I decided to go with ground lamb for the extra flavour and I seasoned it with a souvlaki style of marinade. After the lamb was cooked and the tzatziki was made the nachos were as simple to make as throwing them together and they turned out great! The lamb was tasty and the tzatziki was nice and thick and cool and creamy and it held everything together. The feta and chopped kalamata olives brought a ton of flavour and the fresh and juicy vegetables rounded everything out nicely. Overall I was really impressed with the Greek style nachos and I look forward to eating the leftovers this week. Of course, if you take all of the same ingredients in these Greek nachos and change them up a bit you get Greek style tacos.
Greek Style Nachos
- 4 whole wheat pitas (cut into wedges and toasted)
- 1 pound Greek seasoned ground lamb (see below)
- 1 cup tzatziki
- 4 ounces feta (crumbled)
- 1/2 cup cucumber (sliced)
- 1/2 cup tomato (sliced)
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives (pitted and sliced)
- 1/4 cup mint (chopped)
- Assemble nachos.
Greek Seasoned Ground Lamb
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons yogurt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound ground lamb
- Mix the onion, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, yogurt, olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Marinate the lamb in half of the mixture for 30 minutes.
- Brown the lamb in a pan over medium heat.
- Drain the grease.
- Mix in the remaining marinade and cook for a few minutes.
Greek Style Pulled Lamb Fries
Chicken Gyro
Greek Meatballs (Keftedes) in a Pita with Tzatziki Sauce
Greek Style Pulled Lamb Pitas
Baba Ghanoush Topped with Lamb and Yogurt
Shrimp Nachos
Chicken Pad Thai Nachos
Baba Ghanoush Burrito Bowl
Tomato and Feta Dip
Mexican Street Corn Nachos
BBQ Chicken and Grilled Pineapple Nachos
Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Romesco Sauce
Loaded Chipotle Carnitas Nachos
Mexican Shredded Beef Nachos
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajita Nachos
Greek Beef Skillet


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PayPal Teams With Chilean Payment Network On International Money Movement
PayPal this week announced it is partnering with Chilean payment network Multicaja to offer a new service called "Retiros Multicaja." The service is targeted toward small and medium-sized businesses in Chile that accept international payments via PayPal to allow them to withdraw their funds directly into their local bank accounts, according to a post on PayPal's blog.
PayPal's Latin America general manager Mario Mello wrote that Chile -- with 10 million internet users and and an e-commerce sector approaching $2 billion -- is an important market for the payments company.
"Working alongside a company like Multicaja affords us the opportunity to empower Chilean SMBs to take an active role in global commerce by using PayPal's secure, fast and trusted payments platform," Mello wrote.
[See Also: PayPal Introduces Mobile Point of Sale Solution For iPad]
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


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Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 2.73) vs. Ryan Vogelsong (6-3, 2.41).
The Dodgers' NL West lead hasn't been this bite-size (a two-game lead) since way back on April 13. So is it fair to say it's crunch time for our boys in blue? Even without our best bat, we've managed to play .500 ball in June (11-11), so that just means that the Giants have played .590 ball (13-9). Not a big difference, percentage-wise; but still, with the Dodgers looking this soggy offensively (now plating only 13 runs in our last seven games, during which we've been outscored by 20 runs), it's entirely possible that we could flake again tonight.
Vogelsong has gone at least six innings in all 13 of his starts this year; Kershaw, who has been a bit off from his Cy Young performance last year, hasn't had a start yet this year filled with a line of O's. I'm hoping Clayton has saved a special K (or 11) for the Giants tonight. Anyway, enough talk; let's pour the milk.


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This Is the Manicure You Should Get, Based on Your Astrological Sign
10 Things a Makeup Counter Salesperson Doesn't Want You to KnowYou might want to read this before signing up for that "free makeover" |
Older comments
Ive gotten alot of free samples from makeup counters- little containers of clinique makeup... like multiples at once
by brianna121791 Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 07:31AM Report as inappropriate
This was such a great article. Its so sad but all these things are so true and that is why I like to do my own research on products and normally buy either directly through their main website or for some brands, the drug store.
by CatrinaB Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 06:38PM Report as inappropriate
This may be true for most Companies, but I work for a Merle Norman Studio, where our make overs truly are free, the brushes are both chemically and UV sterilized, our lesson material that is to be used on clients is removed from the container with a sanitary spatula, and the tester people put their fingers in are NEVER for use on a customer's face. I am both a licensed cosmetologist and very experienced make up artist, but would never claim to have any medical expertise about dermatology, and in fact have referred many clients to a determologist for issues ranging from rosacea to skin cancer. Perhaps the author should dig a little deeper while researching next time. Not all make up counters are created equal!
by LJMullaney Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 01:46PM Report as inappropriate
Ok, in any customer service job (fast food, retail, etc.) they talk about you behind your back. I've worked in fast food and retail, so I know I've done it.
by caitlin_bickel Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 12:51PM Report as inappropriate
All true. I worked at Nordstrom for nearly 20 years; Testers are filthy and I will buy a product to test it before I would try it at the counter. Especially at stores like Sephora where everything is being handled. Also; Check the product you're buying that it hasn't been opened, don't buy it or return it if you have,
by Dari Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 08:18PM Report as inappropriate
I'm glad I read this. I'll think twice before approaching the makeup counters now.
by cyndi_albritton_hall Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 07:59PM Report as inappropriate
Interesting article, makes you re-think when dealing with sales people
by Candice11 Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 02:30AM Report as inappropriate
Kinda scared me. Glad I shop at the drugstore.
by hanana Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 08:34PM Report as inappropriate
It's interesting to see how many people are uneducated in regards to germs. The fact that face products are refundable just shows that if you find a product you actually like, test it on something new not the actual "tester". Your skin will thank you later.
by Kireipnai Friday, March 1, 2013 at 08:19PM Report as inappropriate
I never use the tester makeup, it always scares me, you never know who used the product before you, ew. I ask questions about the products, I want matter of fact not their personal opinions.
by morgan_ledford Monday, February 25, 2013 at 01:29PM Report as inappropriate


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Free Online Course Title: Anatomy: Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills
Free Online Course Offered by: University of Pennsylvania
Approximate Time To Complete Course: 16 hours
Course Level: Beginner
Student Outcome After Completing Course: 20% started a new career
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Learning Method: 100% online
Learn how to incorporate resilience interventions into your personal and professional life with Dr. Karen Reivich. In this course, you are exposed to the foundational research in resilience, including protective factors such as mental agility and optimism. Several types of resilience interventions are explored including cognitive strategies; strategies to manage anxiety and increase positive emotions such as gratitude; and a critical relationship enhancement skill.
Throughout the course, you will hear examples of individuals using resilience skills in their personal and professional lives. Suggested prerequisites: Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman's Visionary Science, Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions and Positive Psychology: Character, Grit & Research Methods.
Online Courses — Free Online College Courses — Coursera Free Online Courses


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"I think doing what you love and being committed to your profession is the most important thing, whatever it is that you do." - Demian Maia
It was the chant Demian Maia had heard so many times before in his formative years, in the moments before he became a UFC fighter and went on an international tour of sorts that took him from Montreal to Minneapolis, London to Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi to Chicago.
But last October 13, the grappling master returned to fight in his home country of Brazil against Rick Story, and midway through the opening round, he gave his fans reason to chant once again.
"The feeling was awesome, not only because it was a win by submission, but because Story is a great fighter, a very tough opponent and there were a lot of special elements added to that fight," said Maia. "It was my first time fighting for the UFC in Brazil, and to win again by submission in Rio de Janeiro, one of the birth places of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and to have the crowd shouting 'Jiu-Jitsu! Jiu-Jitsu!' after the fight like in the old days made it feel extra special. This is a tough sport, and winning is always great and difficult no matter how. It certainly felt great though."
It was a Hollywood ending to a Brazilian homecoming story, yet despite everything that was on the line in terms of Maia fighting a tough opponent in his second fight in the stacked 170-pound division and doing it at home for the first time in six years, he was remarkably calm leading up to the event.
"I didn't feel any added pressure because actually I was coming from a fight with heavy pressure at UFC 148," said Maia, referring to his first round TKO of Dong Hyun Kim last July. "Whenever you are coming from a loss there's a sense of urgency to win, and as pro fighters we know how much a win and a loss mean in global terms to your career. 148 was tough. It was also my debut at welterweight and that presented lots of new challenges. So fighting in Brazil turned actually into a motivation, and it was something I wanted to do for a long time. The experience was great with the support from the fans and it was certainly something I wanted to have for my career."
This Saturday, Maia, now 2-0 as a welterweight after fighting the previous part of his career at 185 pounds, will be on the road again, this time in Vegas to face Jon Fitch in a UFC 156 main card bout. The 35-year-old Sao Paulo native is 4-0 as a pro in the city, so he might as well have home field advantage there too, but what really matters most is that in his new weight class, he finally feels that he can deliver his best night in and night out.
"I'm feeling good at welterweight," he said. "At middleweight I barely had to cut weight and I would actually make an effort to get bigger and heavier to not give away too much power to my opponents. In my first UFC fights I stepped in the Octagon to fight at around 190 pounds or something like that, which is almost ridiculous for a middleweight nowadays. Most of the top middleweight fighters actually cut from 220 pounds or sometimes even more, and I would put in an effort to walk around at 203 pounds. Fighting as a welterweight, I'm feeling at least closer in size and strength to most of the other fighters, and this has been helping me to perform better. Both weight classes have top fighters, and there are no easy paths, but I think that for my genetics and frame, welterweight seems more equal."
His opponents may not feel the same way, at least when the fight hits the mat, because on the ground, Maia has few peers. This was evident against Story, when a relatively safe position turned into a fight finishing one moments later with a few well-placed maneuvers by the decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. And when he saw that his rear naked choke wasn't going to end the bout, Maia switched to a neck crank and ended matters. It was a scary finish, and one that prompted a referral back to the Brazilian's UFC bio and a question about his favorite technique.
Maia responded "Submit my opponent without him hurting me or me hurting him."
So does Maia ever worry about hurting someone in the Octagon?
"That (the bio quote) actually comes from the years of training BJJ," he said. "It's not something you have to think about during the fight, but something that happens naturally, as you have trained your whole life to neutralize your opponent and submit him without the extra need to put punishment on him. However, this is an MMA fight and obviously punches and strikes are gonna happen at one time or another. I do my best to win the fight, which is every fighter's goal, and I end up always playing in my style one way or another. During the fight you can't or won't worry about anything other than winning the fight, but you're trained to do it within the rules of the sport and respect for your opponents is a matter of character actually."
This Saturday he will put his skills on the line once again, this time against perennial contender Fitch, a fighter Maia has been well aware of for some time.
"Fitch is a great fighter, as proven as one can be," he said. "Just look at the list of names he has fought and defeated, and the battles he has been in. He fought for the belt, defeated great prospects, fought legends all the way and defeated several established fighters. For someone to have such a long and winning record like he has, and be at the top for so long, there's no way you won't credit him as a top fighter. I have seen lots of his fights through the years, and obviously now I paid more attention to them. I think he presents a world of difficulties to anyone. He is well-rounded, good standing up, has great wrestling for MMA, great cardio and pace, a very good ground game for MMA, and most of all an amazing, strong mind. You have to be able to keep up with his pace and tenacity, and mostly with his mind and will throughout the fight to have a shot."
Of course to the diehard fans, the question is, can the man who has been dubbed unchokeable for his top-notch submission defense repeat that feat against a man you don't want to let anywhere near your neck (or any limb for that matter)?
"I think he is a challenge for many reasons, not only that," said Maia. "I don't go into fights expecting to submit anyone, or putting this pressure on me. I go in there to do my best and try to implement my game plans, and if they work well a finish might be a natural consequence, be it against him or anyone else, and I'm sure he thinks the same. Sometimes you worry so much about submitting someone that you end up frustrating yourself and losing focus on the fight. I have to fight my best and be prepared for all scenarios, and what has to happen will happen, and then we both have to be able to deal with it and keep fighting until it's over, one way or another."
What is clear is that whether Maia wins by submission, knockout, or decision, if he does get the victory, that's three straight at 170 pounds against top-notch competition, making him a player in the talent-rich weight class. He's not looking too far ahead though.
"I leave that to my manager and my trainers," he said. "There are so many tough guys at welterweight, a lot of guys wanting a title shot, and I have one of the toughest to fight at 156 in Fitch. We have to look at this fight, do our best and then move on. Most of the welterweight contenders have fights lined up, and I'm sure the UFC is waiting to see how everything unfolds on the next cards before making decisions. Injuries happen a lot in this sport and everything can change at any given minute; that's why you have to focus on the next fight only and let your team take care of the rest."
Then it's all up to Maia, a fighter who has had more success than most, with 15 UFC bouts under his belt. That's an impressive run of longevity, but he doesn't have the luxury of stopping to smell the roses yet. As for the secret…
"I don't know," he laughs. "I think doing what you love and being committed to your profession is the most important thing, whatever it is that you do. You have to try your best to have peace of mind, and whatever happens you know you did your best. I hope to stay in it for a long time and work myself up for another title shot, this time at welterweight."
UFC 300 Embedded | All Episodes


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The Story's The Thing
Here's the thing about maintaining a personal blog: one sometimes forgets that one is not simply maintaining a diary - albeit a carefully thought-out diary, one that is edited for style and for grammar - but publishing, virtually, a sort of memoir or collection of essays or some combination of these. One forgets, sometimes, that one has made, is making, one's story public.
I forget this all the time.
The primary danger, here, is not that one might unintentionally reveal something that one might later regret. We most of us hesitate with our cursors hovering over the Publish Post button every time that we write, mentally reviewing what we've said and how we've said it and worrying over how it might be received. The Publish Post button reminds us, in the crucial moment, that we are in fact publishing, making public, our stories, our rants, our confessions. What the Publish Post button does not remind us, however, is that with every post that we publish we are constructing and furthering a narrative that is followed by tens or dozens of readers, tens or dozens of readers who might well want to know what became of that problem, was that issue resolved, what happens next? They follow a narrative, and our blogging platforms don't provide tools for reminding us that we're weaving such narratives as we write. And because we are not reminded, we - I - sometimes forget.
I was reminded - uncomfortably - of this the other day when I wrote a confused, rambling post that was a variation on another post that I'd written a few months ago. I knew that I had already written on the topic - whether or not I wanted to keep open the possibility of having a third child - and was just trying to sort my feelings out further. It was a post that I wrote for myself, not one that was intended to advance my story, such as that story is. And that pissed at least one reader off, a little: she protested that I was just retreading old ground and that it was frustrating and why didn't I make more of an effort to let readers know what I was doing to prevent what seemed to be my inevitable slide into whiny insanity - for example, what had I done about the sleep issues? Had I taken any readerly advice? - because, seriously, if I kept this up - and certainly if I made the terrible mistake of committing mental suicide by further childbearing - she, for one, was not going to be able to read me anymore. (She later apologized for articulating herself so harshly, and made clear that she was just frustrated because she is a fan of the blog, and I'm totally comfortable with that, so please don't smack her in comments.) Which: OUCH.
The comment struck a nerve, because a) I'm sensitive about the possibility that this blog can be, you know, angst-ridden at times, and believe me, my angst bores even me, and b) oh, gawd, I like totally can't maintain the thread on my own stories, can I? But there're reasons why I don't always (read: almost never) maintain a narrative thread: because sometimes doing a follow-up on how nothing has changed and how I'm still angsting out over the same old miscellaneous bullshit seems, I don't know, tiresome, and because - more often than not - I forget. Some other issue comes up - the girl pours canola oil on the living room sofa, or I become obsessed yet again with the finality of vasectomies - and whatever thread I had begun to weave about sleeplessness or feeding baby or finding long lost siblings gets lost.
Which is fine, in a way: this is my story, and if it's disjointed, so what? But still: I like a coherent narrative thread, and so far as coherence is possible in personal narratives, why not pursue it? I can't promise that I'll follow up on every little issue, but I can promise to make an effort to not just abandon cliffhangers (I laugh even as I write this. Who among you was waiting with bated breath to see if Her Bad Mother would ever sleep again, dun dun dun DUN?!?!?) So, to that end: the first of a series of semi-occasional, whenever-the-hell-I-feel-like-it, will-probably-forget-to-do-this-ever-again updates on stories that you probably don't care about but this blog is a narrative, dammit, and so the story must go on:
1) Did Her Bad Mother ever sleep again? No, she did not, and probably will not again, ever. She has tried most of the suggestions offered and none, so far have worked. She would just give up and look into becoming a vampire, were it not for the fact that she doesn't want to eat her baby (I don't care what Stephenie Meyer implied in Breaking Dawn about mother-love overcoming the temptation to sink one's teeth into buttery baby butt cheeks; if I were a vampire I would totally eat my baby because, my god, the deliciousness), so she'll just persist in this lovely and only slightly inconvenient sleep-deprived fugue state.
2) Did Her Bad Baby ever take to solid foods? Yes! He did! He does! But only if they're, you know, solid. As in, able to withstand the clutch of a chunky little fist. Which is to say, hunks of bread or cereal biscuits or meatballs or whole baby carrots or, for some reason, pickles. Anything mushy, anything on a spoon, anything in a bottle (sigh) is rejected with a swat of a chubby hand.
3) Did Her Bad Mother ever find her long lost brother? Has she made any progress? Not so much. Believe me, you'll hear about it when - WHEN - anything happens.
4) Whatever happened to the Phallic Lovey? He (Christian name: Toadstool) was tossed aside by the girl - who declared herself to be 'too big for Toady now' - a few weeks ago. It was like a sad Toy Story 2 sub-plot, really, and Her Bad Mother got a little weepy. Her Bad Husband, however, rejoiced. And then this happened:
And so it goes.
Any other questions on narrative threads that I may have dropped, recently or, like, eons ago? Fire away in the comments, and I'll follow up them, someday. And tell me, what are the narrative threads that you've dropped? I'm not the only one out here who can't tell a story, am I?
Also, oh, hai: yesterday was Delurking Day, and I missed it. Feel free to make up for that today.


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U.N.: U.S. drone strikes violate Pakistan's sovereignty
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The head of a U.N. team investigating casualties from U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan declared after a secret research trip to the country that the attacks violate Pakistan's sovereignty.
Ben Emmerson, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, said the Pakistani government made clear to him that it does not consent to the strikes — a position that has been disputed by U.S. officials.
President Barack Obama has stepped up covert CIA drone strikes targeting al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan's tribal region along the Afghan border since he took office in 2009.
The strikes have caused growing controversy because of the secrecy surrounding them and claims that they have caused significant civilian casualties — allegations denied by the United States.
According to a U.N. statement that Emmerson emailed to The Associated Press on Friday, the Pakistani government told him it has confirmed at least 400 civilian deaths by U.S. drones on its territory. The statement was initially released on Thursday, following the investigator's three-day visit to Pakistan, which ended Wednesday. The visit was kept secret until Emmerson left.
Imtiaz Gul, an expert on Pakistani militancy who is helping Emmerson's team, said Friday that the organization he runs, the Centre for Research and Security Studies, gave the U.N. investigator during his visit case studies on 25 strikes that allegedly killed around 200 civilians.
The U.N. investigation into civilian casualties from drone strikes and other targeted killings in Pakistan and several other countries was launched in January and is expected to deliver its conclusions in October.
The U.S. rarely discusses the strikes in public because of their covert nature. But a few senior officials, including CIA chief John Brennan, have publicly defended the strikes, saying precision weapons help avoid significant civilian casualties.
A 2012 investigation by the AP into 10 of the recent deadliest drone strikes in Pakistan over the previous two years found that a significant majority of the casualties were militants, but civilians were also killed.
Villagers told the AP that of at least 194 people killed in the attacks, about 70 percent — at least 138 — were militants. The remaining 56 were either civilians or tribal police, and 38 of them were killed in a single attack on March 17, 2011.
Pakistani officials regularly criticize the attacks in public as a violation of the country's sovereignty, a popular position in a country where anti-American sentiment runs high.
But the reality has been more complicated in the past.
For many years, Pakistan allowed U.S. drones to take off from bases within the country. Documents released by WikiLeaks in 2010 showed that senior Pakistani officials consented to the strikes in private to U.S. diplomats, while at the same time condemning them in public.
Cooperation has certainly waned since then as the relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. has deteriorated. In 2011, Pakistan kicked the U.S. out of an air base used by American drones in the country's southwest, in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
But U.S. officials have insisted that cooperation has not ended altogether and key Pakistani military officers and civilian politicians continue to consent to the strikes. The officials have spoken on condition of anonymity because of the covert nature of the drone program.
However, Emmerson, the U.N. investigator, came away with a black and white view after his meetings with Pakistani officials.
"The position of the government of Pakistan is quite clear," said Emmerson. "It does not consent to the use of drones by the United States on its territory and it considers this to be a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The drone campaign "involves the use of force on the territory of another state without its consent and is therefore a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty," he said.
Pakistan claimed the drone strikes were radicalizing a new generation of militants and said it was capable of fighting the war against Islamist extremism in the country by itself, said Emmerson.
A major reason why the U.S. has stepped up drone attacks in Pakistan is because it has failed to convince the government to target Taliban militants using its territory to launch cross-border attacks against American troops in Afghanistan.
Emmerson met with a variety of Pakistani officials during his visit, as well as tribal leaders from the North Waziristan tribal area — the main target for U.S. drones in the country — and locals who claimed they were injured by the attacks or had lost loved ones.
The tribal leaders said innocent tribesmen were often mistakenly targeted by drones because they were indistinguishable from Taliban militants, said Emmerson. Both groups wear the same traditional tribal clothing and normally carry a gun at all times, he said.
"It is time for the international community to heed the concerns of Pakistan, and give the next democratically elected government of Pakistan the space, support and assistance it needs to deliver a lasting peace on its own territory without forcible military interference by other states," said Emmerson.


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