text:
There has been much discussion in the UK recently about the importance of getting the right approach to the role of technology in schools. Many have used this as the opportunity to reinforce the need for greater emphasis on the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with further focus being given to the need to create a new generation of "kids who code". Whilst this on its own is an incredibly important initiative, it is vitally important to continue to remind ourselves that it is still just a subset of the overall duty of care we have as technologists to ensure that every single aspect of society is empowered by technology. Yes that means having great software, and as such brilliant computer scientists, but more importantly it means ensuring that every single member of society knows how to make the best use of technology whatever their societal role – this is our modern equivalent of a "PC on every desk".
In order to achieve this it means that we need to get beyond teaching the "tools" and start teaching the "skills" that will make all the difference for the workforce of the future. In particular it requires that our children and every other member of our society are equipped with the cognitive capability and skills that enable them to harness the incredible potential that technology brings to us. It is no longer just a case of "feeding" them with the basic tools that will become obsolete tomorrow, but instead teaching them to "fish" in a growing digital pool.
Within our brave new digital world, one of the most important skills we must learn is "critical thinking" a concept that rather incredibly, dates back to Socrates over 2000 years ago, but after being "recently" updated in the 20th century for a modern society by many great scholars it provides an powerful framework for our internet age.
Every single day, we are bombarded by millions of signals of data, information and content, and every single day the quantity of information we are exposed to grows exponentially. These days we are still looking for the needle, it's just that now it's in a billion haystacks.
Critical thinking is about "reflective" rather than "routine" thought, it's the process of "active, persistent and careful consideration" of the credibility and conclusions of supposed knowledge or information.
Most of us use critical thinking every day and for most of the time, we are barely aware of it. Every time we read a newspaper article, watch a documentary or look something up on Wikipedia we are aware of a whole range of biases, influences and emotions that may interfere with the validity, accuracy and overall conclusion of the content and, if we're doing our job properly, we take all of that into account as we parse the information, reflect on it drawing in a range of other context and ultimately use it to draw conclusions and make decisions.
Fortunately for us, we've had years of practice and experimentation to get this right but in this new digital age, where children and young people have so much access to an incredible world of information but have yet to develop the skills to know how to deal with it.
From an early age, we need to ensure that children using the internet are able draw upon critical thinking skills to:
Search efficiently and effectively – depending not solely on the search engine's view of relevancy but able to navigate and adjust the query to ensure the most appropriate results.
Distinguish kinds of sources and analyse a source's validity and reliability – from basic differentiation of primary vs secondary sources through to deconstructing domain names and URL's to learn more context about the source.
Make a habit of cross checking facts, even from reliable sources – we know from experience that even "authorities" can mislead and experts make mistakes so wherever possible there must be independent confirmation of the facts.
Conscientiously and properly attribute the words and ideas of others – the internet has made plagiarism a lot easier, but thankfully, easier to spot. Students need to know the basic rules about when and how to quote others' words and how to properly attribute the ideas that are not their own.
Stay safe on the internet – these are some of the most important skills of all, from not giving out personal information through to taking care about the kind of conversations they enter into on-line, staying safe is absolutely paramount.
Interact with others online honestly, respectfully, fairly and clearly – the anonymity, immediacy and lack of proximity presented by the internet can lead to anti-social behaviour, sometimes with devastating consequences. Learning how to speak honestly, fairly, and with respect, clarity and brevity along with understanding why this is important in a society, especially a democracy, is crucial.
(Note: More detail on each of these areas, as well as lesson ideas for different ages of students can be found in the "Critical Thinking" white paper we published in 2010)
So, as we prepare to wind down this educational year and pause over the summer to think about the role of ICT in the new school year in September, please, let's make sure we keep a firm focus on ensuring that as well as being brilliant at coding, our future citizens (and workforce) are equipped with all the necessary skills to make the very best of all that technology will have to offer them.


text:
June 7, 2011
Through the innovative and fully integrated Superstore campaign, Progressive showed consumers that a better way exists when shopping for new insurance. And, with our charming, helpful, and hysterical spokesperson Flo, we put a new face on the Progressive brand.
Members Only Content
This content is available to ANA Members only. Please login below or create an account.
You may already be a member. Find out if your company is already an ANA member.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Anatolia (561-361-4000) brought Mediterranean cuisine to Boca Raton about five years ago, offering authentic Turkish dishes in a family environment. The doner kebab (known as gyros in Greece) is a combination of lamb and beef, succulent and perfectly seasoned, served on a bed of rice and bulgur wheat. Anatolia's version of hummus is rich, creamy and satisfying, sprinkled with paprika and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. There's also a selection of pide, or Turkish specialty pizzas, made with homemade pita bread that bears a resemblance to focaccia and topped with everything from cheese to ground lamb and beef sausage. For dessert, pass on the inevitable baklava in favor of the traditional rice pudding, dusted with cinnamon and topped with caramelized sugar. You'll leave with a smile on your face.


text:
Research News from BrandeisNOW
Advancing Knowledge
Brandeis University was established in 1948 and rapidly entered the ranks of elite universities. Early in its second decade it earned Phi Beta Kappa recognition, and in its fourth decade it was admitted into the Association of American Universities, the organization of leading research universities in America.
While Brandeis has grown over the past 64 years, the liberal arts remain at the core of the university. This is part of our distinctive identity. As a research university, we attract faculty who are leading scholars, scientists, and creative artists. From the inception of the university, the Brandeis faculty, whose mission also includes teaching of exceptional quality, have been exemplary in their scholarly achievements.
As the smallest and youngest school in the AAU, Brandeis prides itself on trying to kindle in our students the drive to discover, create, and innovate in their own chosen domains. And we help them develop the knowledge and tools they will need to be rigorous thinkers and thoughtful actors. Through research and teaching, we hope that our students will find and hone their intellectual voices and continue to contribute knowledge and improve the world for others.
Faculty Finder
|Find a faculty member by school.
|Find a faculty member by expertise.
|Find a faculty member by last name.


text:
Kenna Tipped Scalloped-Edge Dress
Original: $1,640.00 Now: $492.00 This item is Final Sale.
Product Actions
Additional Information
Contour a colorful, creative look with this figure-flattering scalloped-edge dress.
- V-neck. Sleeveless.
- Bandage construction. Tipped scalloped-edge trim detail.
- Crisscross-strap detail at bodice. Scoop back.
- Center back zipper with hook-and-eye closure.
- Rayon, Nylon, Spandex.
- To maintain the beauty of your garment, please follow the care instructions on the attached label.
- Imported.
- Measures approximately 33.5" from shoulder to hem.


text:
Friday, November 2, 2012
Gearhart Hotel & Sand Trap Pub
Brian Copeland Band
7 p.m.
All ages welcome
Brian Copeland Band
Pop-savvy Brian Copeland Band is one of Portland's favorite up and coming contenders. BCB boasts a well-rounded resume, including landing a coveted main stage slot at the Bite of Oregon and winning the regional finals of the Emergenza International Music Festival.
After the overwhelming regional success of their debut album Daffodil, the band returned to the studio with producer/engineer Josh Millman to record their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Velvet Crush, in 2006. Filled with powerful vocals and silky guitar hooks, this high-energy pop record not only showcases Copeland's musicianship but his songwriting and production chops as well.
Now, with a rotating cast of characters, an arsenal of new original songs, and sophisticated refinement to the sound, BCB is poised to make a big splash in the Northwest in 2008.
"Experiencing the Brian Copeland Band for the first time, we were inspired by Copeland's lyrics and his obvious positive and upbeat way of looking at life. Every musician in the band is excellent and impressive in their own right. Together they make a tight, cohesive unit that is at once charismatic and energetic. We can't wait to film them again!" - PDXposed
"The Brian Copeland Band...contains saccharine lyrics and pop orchestrations so sweet they'd leave Bigfoot a drooling, drunken beast." - Willamette Week
- website:
- http://www.briancopelandband.com


text:
Built on a foundation of success.
Experience the excellence of a program with a rich history.
In 2008, Woodbury College's renowned mediation program was transferred to Champlain College. As one of the nation's oldest programs, founded in 1984, Woodbury's program pioneered a practice-based approach that blends distance learning with face-to-face skills in diverse settings. Today, Champlain's program builds on this sound foundation.
Successful mediation of complex conflicts demands more than "by-the-book" mediation techniques. It takes multidisciplinary mastery of each facet of conflict resolution. Mirroring the required needs of real-world mediation challenges, we've developed an integrated learning approach that emphasizes four fundamental competencies — skills, self, theory and structure.
Skills are the various strategies in the mediator's toolbox and the capacity to creatively deploy them. Training and development of proper skills builds a bridge between theory and practice.
Exploration of self teaches attentiveness of how one's own way of being and beliefs about conflict influence their mediations. Students will also learn how to wield this self-awareness as a positive instrument.
Theory is the groundwork for understanding and engaging conflict. Students' exploration of mediation's theoretical foundation will help them attain a conceptual basis of mediation practice.
Structure encompasses methods of navigating and organizing information during mediation. Students will learn how various mediation processes and structures can be adapted to serve different contexts.


text:
Topic: test(100%) == overkill?
Okay, it's confession time:
I recently finished a small project and there is absolutely no test coverage on it. I can already hear some of you fainting out there, and the ones left standing are freaking out..
"GASP!!! OMG!! But your application is not SAFE! Your code is UNPROTECTED! Only losers dont test first!!!" etc etc
I know ... I know.. I felt really guilty and promised myself that future projects would have test coverage. And for the last 2 weeks, I have made good on that promise.
My first impressions are that Unit Tests are indispensable. My model behavior, once specified is not likely to change that much and tests provide a safety net that allows me to refactor my code much quicker than before.
Where I start to get impatient is with functional tests. When you start working things like redirects into the equation, you start to violate DRY and lose some agility. I don't like the idea that I have to update my code in two different places if the client wants me to make a change.
Another gripe I have is that a lot of Test enthusiasts out there really go over the top. I mean is it really necessary to test things like ActiveRecord validations? Aren't they already well tested? I can understand trying to spec out something like user permissions, but I fail to see the point of saying
specify "should be invalid without username"
When we already know that validates_presence_of :username ALWAYS works.
Are people just obsessive compulsive about testing? Or am I failing to see the value of repeating yourself in a framework that preaches DRYness.
Please help me see the light!


text:
|Flame Type:
|Single Torch
|Gun Metal
|Ignition Type:
First two Bugatti B-1 lighters were duds. CI was kind enough to replace one of them, and so far the replacement works fine. One good lighter (so far - fingers crossed) and two paper weights (these lighters are heavy).
I have had this torch for about 3 months now, and I really love it. The feel is really good and its super consistent. The side button is a really good way to go. 2 different size punchers also come in useful.
I've owned this lighter for 2 years now and use it all the time shoot I even light fireworks with it when my crap bic I was using stopped working and it still works like the day I bought it best lighter out there.
This lighter is awesome! it looks amazing, it has a strong flame, and a large fluid capacity
Got One Of These And It Worked Twice And Didn't Work Again. Not Sure If It Doesn't Work Because I'm In A High Altitude Area. I Always Use Quality Fuel In All My Lighters.
i got 2 of these thru cigar deals. both worked about 6 mos. before quiting, I wonder if they were erjects?? for $100 they should last a lot longer. can they be fixed?? George Hall....
Love this Lighter...I wanted this light so I bought the Pueblo Dominicano cigar bundle for $25 that included this lighter. Just the feel of the lighter is amazing, the torch is dependable, strong, and steady. Love it.
At first I was skeptical about this particular lighter. I just received my gunmetal B-1 with a few other orders from CI. This lighter is stunning, it's heavy yet very versatile. You can fit it anywhere. I see a few people complaining about a few things, so let me perhaps help with those complaints. Complaint # 1 - "The torch doesnt stay on past a few seconds". Solution - All you have to do is turn down the flame power to about 70% with a little flat screwdriver. Then the flame will stay on until you let go. Complaint #2 - "Butane splashes out when I fill it up and light it" Solution - Turn the flame knob all the way (-). Bleed out any air by pressing in the flame nozzle. And fill up with highly purified butane. (I use Xikar Purofine gray can - it has only 15 impuraties per million parts.) And not too expensive only 10$ for the largest can that lasts me like a month and I use it nonstop.) Mark my words, this lighter is amazing if you only know how to use it. All the solutions above were tested by myself because I, too , researched here before buying and found some negative feedbacks. Smoke well my friends.~
Was great for the first maybe 2 months before the ignitor quit on me. Looks great sitting in my drawer. Sadly that's not its intended purpose.
Just got this!! And what have I been thinking off for past few years. Never again will I use a cheap lighter purchased at Wal-Mart.
Not very good. I can only light about 2 cigars before re-filling. Doesn't stay lit. Doesn't have a window to view gas level and is not very adjustable. Punch cutters are loose and may fall out. Not nearly what I expected.
Fantastic lighter.
My kids like it almost as much as I do! Good looking lighter.
Someone put it right. When Bugatti isn't making million dollar automobiles, they have a solid following in high tech lighters. Side grip ignition is THE go to for ease of use. Flame is pinpoint, solid blue and pretty darn windproof. Add a razor sharp punch to it and you've got something really worth bragging about. A DUAL Punch, no less. One nice thin one, slightly wider than a golf tee, and a wider one for cigars with a stronger draw. Both punches are clean and precise and refuse to mutilate the most delicate caps. A proven winner that has stood up to the hardest test. Me.
Not a fancy thing, but elegant and highly functional!! I think it works better than any lighter I've owned over the years. As for its built in punch duo, it's the only way I cut cigars. I prefer the smaller gauge punch most of the time as its clean and provides for a great concentration of smoke across the palate. For those that complain of the punch not ejecting the plug; that's because it doesn't have an ejection device. Duh! I just send a quick breath (blow it out) from one side and the plug is quickly ejected.
This is my current lighter.. Fits in my pocket and people love using it.. I've only had it for a week, but everyone that's used it has commented on it. Seems to be solidly made and works well.
I've had one of these for the last 3 years. Always consistent, always dependable. Impervious to wind. Nice hefty feel. Large fuel capacity lasts me all day and evening with one refill each morning. And if I forget till the next afternoon, it still lights! If you follow the instructions to "keep the burner clean with compressed air" and burp it regularly this thing will last and last and last. I've dropped it many times without incident. I've worn the finish off the sides. So what And, I prefer a punch, so this lighter is perfect. Well worth the money!
Had trouble with the first one, CI customer service replaced it no questions asked. It is a great lighter, the best I've owned. CI customer service can't be beat!
An okay jet flame lighter. I do, however, question the wisdom of placing two punches, one large and one small, so close together. This sometimes makes it difficult to punch without the second punch damaging the side of your cigar. I never use the smaller punch, so I went ahead and popped it out (you can do that). I have been using mine for a while and the finish has really started to wear....I got this lighter cheap, though, so I guess I shouldn't complain. And, yes, it still lights.
Got this torch in the father's day bundle, the first one wouldn't work. Got a replacement and its been great. The built in punch is very convenient. CI's customer service was fantastic.
This lighter looks very nice and for the most part works great. The punch works nicely. The only thing I can find wrong with it is the fuel tank. I can only seem to get it to light two cigars before it runs out. I have bled the tank, tried different butane and adjusted the flame.
Such a great lighter! Sleek, stylish and easy to use. The first lighter I received had a manufacturer's issue. CI didn't hesitate in sending a replacement! Thank you, CI, for the great products and tremendous Customer Service!
I have only had mine for just over 1 year and the large punch broke off. I am an occasional smoker and may have used the lighter 20 times. Not really happy with it.
I just got mine in the mail yesterday and I filled it with xikar triple refined butane and I cannot get it to work. It stays on for about 5 seconds and then goes out but this is after I have clicked it about 20 times. I adjusted the flame level and I purged it and even went online to see if I was doing something wrong. The lighter looks awesome and I can't wait to get it to work. Any suggestions?
No, it doesn't have a fuel window. No, it doesn't have a thumb-knob to adjust the flame height. But it WORKS. Unlike all those other jet lighters you buy and throw in a drawer 3 or 6 months later because they just go click-click-click (or click-halfsecondflame, click-halfsecondflame), this one JUST WORKS. I don't care about there being no fuel window because this guy holds a good amount of butane (and I carry a spare can with me for refills anyway). I don't care about there being no thumb knob because not only does this thing JUST WORK, the flame height is CONSISTENT. Get your screwdriver, set the flame height ONCE to a good cigar-lightning height, and FORGET about it after that. Also, you don't ever have to play the stupid game of "set flame height to max because it's not working again!" So, a thumb knob isn't needed! Plus, this guy's built like a tank, all metal, can't kill it. I've dropped it more times than I can count, and it doesn't care. The side-ignite is great too, keeps your fingers away from the heat, and is slick-looking too. Look for a discount deal if you can, but I love this thing, and I recommend getting one!
The first one was a dud. CI replaced it and now I love it, my hands down favorite!!!!
I've been using Colibri lighters for years and I have to say that this lighter is by far the best lighter I've used yet. It's rugged and dependable. So far this one has lasted long and is still going strong! The only weak point is the built in punch, meaning it doesn't discharge the plug cut from the cigar, but, I really don't use that feature all that often so it's not an issue. I give this a thumbs up! Get one!
Have had mine for a couple of months and has never failed me. Great lighter. Got it for $30.00 on make me an offer.
No doubt about it. This is probably the best constructed lighter I have ever owned.The side igniter is great, and will continue to burn with little finger presure, and stay lit for a moment after release.It also has the ability to hold a large amount of fuel. However, the only way to adjust the flame is by using a small screw driver, while my other ones at less the cost can be done by turning a small knob,nor can you see the amount of butane in the tank, and the punch doesn't discard the tobacco when the punch is made. The best way to purchase this lighter and well worth the cost, is looking for it to be offered on one the great deals offered by CI. I only paid $10.00 dollars for it, by purchasing a box of cigars being offered. While I'm not sure it is worth $50.00 dollars, it is worth far more than the money I spent. Again, if the complaints I had are not importanT to you, then this lighter with a torch for a flame is solid as a tank.
The Bugatti B1.....Solid all metal construction, easy sidebar ignition, large reservoir and it's a great looking lighter. So if your in the need of a good dependable flame........here it is.
Now i have been carrying a Xikar Crossover with me for the last two years however, on another great CI deal, i got the Bugatti B1 Torch lighter for 10 bucks. Looked OK, had a nice weight to it and it felt good in my hand. Well i decided to carry it with me for a month to give it a fair test. It did well lighting up the first time, most of the time. I really liked the side starter as my fingers were well away from the flame. In the wind it performed nicely. I noticed the large reservoir was giving me a nice total burn time. No complaints there. The built in cutters, if that's your choice, was a nice touch. My opinion was, well, it was a good lighter so I gave it to a fellow smoker who was thrilled. He's making good use of it with no complaints. Me, well, i never give up on something that works.... yet i would have no problem recommending the Bugatti lighter.
2/26/11 Good lighter overall, heavy and durable. But like most torch lighters..the damn torch fouls up. But they all do that. The punch is the best part for me, I keep the lighter on my desk and constantly use it for the punch alone, if not for the flame as well. I don't recommend carrying this in your pocket with change or a knife or any other metallic objects since the finish tends to rub off easily.
The best lighter for the price, if you do not jump at this great deal you are insane
Hands down, the best lighter i have ever owned at any cost. This thing makes my Lotus and Xikar lighters look like bics.
My Bugatti B-1 Torch just arrived today, and let me say this, "This torch is AWESOME"!! Hands down, the best. Love the easy side-ignition.
Great torch. I purchased this torch last week mainly because it was on sale for $17. Tested it out today Great light, durable, can light a cigar very fast. Perfect product, great as a gift.
Got this with a cigar combo and it's one of the best buys I've ever had. This lighter is gorgeous. Everything is tight and functional, very well-constructed. The built-in punches are nice, I prefer a regular cutter but it's nice to have the option. All in all a great buy.
The Bugatti B-1 lighter is a real winner that I picked up for a measly $25.00 from CI. I love the built in punch cutter so I don't have to carry one with me. It's a work horse of a lighter that looks great and is not a fuel hog. I've worn out a lot of Colibri lighters over the years that cost me big bucks. The Bugatti is solid and lights perfectly every time. Worth the full price if you can't pick one up at a discount. A great accessory for the serious cigar smoker.
Great torch! Picked it up for 10 bucks as a promotional deal at the store. Definitely worth the 50 bucks on its own!
I got this item as a gift and I'm nothing short of impressed. The construction, weight the finish its all very well made. A+ lighter
it berry berry goo.......
I am absolutely amazed at this beast of a lighter! I have a tri-cutta Colibri and I thought that was a nice lighter. The Bugatti blows it out of the water. Solid construction, and it will toast the foot in no time! The lowest setting on the Bugatti is the equivalent of the highest setting on my Colibri.
This is the best torch I have owned. Powerful, reliable ignition. Toasts the feet of any cigar as fast as my Vector Triple Torch.
Something on your mind? Get a little more 411, pal. Ask a product specific question about Bugatti B-1 Torch Lighter.Ask A Question


text:
Topic: Switching to jQuery replacing remote_function (from RJS)
So I am in the process of switching over to using jQuery and can't quite get the replacement for remote_function to work.
(basically I have a html5 music player that you can click a link to play next track which is working, but also has a handler to detect the end a song and then used to use remote_function to call the same function.... with jQuery I am close but having trouble)
Everything works fine when I click on the link....
<%= link_to image_tag("control_fastforward.png"), playlists_next_track_url, :remote => true %>
def next_track
puts 'next track was called'
# code to set next track
respond_to do |format|
js (next_track.js.erb):
.html("<%= escape_javascript(render(:partial => 'playlists/player_with_controls', :object => @playlist)) %>");
This works fine.... but when its called a javascript function I have not been able to figure it out.
function next_song() {
url:'<%= url_for playlists_next_track_url %>',
success: function(){alert('worked')},
error:function(request){ alert('Error playing next track')}
It does make it to the controller function and sets the next track but the format.js to replace the html never happens (so my next track never starts playing)
I noticed that in the console when I click the link it shows...
Started GET "/playlists/next_track" for 127.0.0.1 at Sat Aug 06 18:02:22 -0500 2011
Processing by PlaylistsController#next_track as JS
and when the javascript function is called the console shows...
Started GET "/playlists/next_track" for 127.0.0.1 at Sat Aug 06 18:04:04 -0500 2011
Processing by PlaylistsController#next_track as
I assume since the link uses :remote => true that data-remote is being set and the controller knows to respond to format.js where as the url I am constructing does not.
I'm very new to jQuery so I may not even be approaching this the right way but any help would be appreciated... I've already spent 1/2 a day googling and tweaking just to get this far.
Last edited by BradenWright (2011-08-07 17:11:51)


text: In a reversal of the usual trend, games originally designed for computer play are becoming board games. With the holiday shopping season approaching, Hasbro has unveiled several new games based on popular games that Zynga created for Facebook including Words with Friends, Draw Something, CityVille, and FarmVille. Hasbro has turned FarmVille into a series of card games, each packaged in a stuffed animal. There is also a twist on Hasbro's Hungry Hungry Hippos game using FarmVille animals. (PC Mag)(Wired)(NASDAQ)(Inside Social Games)


text:
Beach Homes withstand Hurricane
Project Categories: Residential, Impact, New Construction, Ultra Series
Featured Kolbe Products
- Laminated impact glass
- K-Force impact performance product upgrades
"The builder ... told us how impressed and pleased they were at how Kolbe's
|Project Information
Galveston Homes Withstand Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike's onslaught of the Galveston area was so intense that most homes in the storm's path were severely damaged, if not completely destroyed, by its 115 mph winds. Notable exceptions were a pair of beachfront houses that emerged intact, with the aid of K-Force impact certified windows and doors from Kolbe.
With three stories and an average of 45 windows and 15 doors apiece, these multi-million dollar homes, which were still under construction, would seem to be tempting hurricane targets. "These houses were on the very front line of the hurricane, right on Galveston Beach, but the structures and the windows and doors beat the storm," said Bob Petersma, Houston area sales manager for Grand Openings, a multi-state distributor of Kolbe products.
"The builder, American Villas, had a chance to see the properties right after the storm, and told us how impressed and pleased they were at how Kolbe's K-Force windows and doors withstood Ike," added Petersma.
All the windows and doors installed in the Galveston Beach homes are from Kolbe's Ultra Series, which features traditional styling, wood interiors, and extruded aluminum cladding. The builder included a mix of casements, Sterling double hungs and outswing doors in standard sizes, with optional divided lites and impact performance modifications.
Kolbe's impact products feature laminated glass, which is designed to stay intact even if the glass is broken. A specialized glazing retention system further ensures the unit will hold the glass securely in place. K-Force window and door units are independently tested to withstand hurricane force winds and the impact of flying debris, and will meet or exceed the strict building codes of the coastal region.


text:
PyXspec 1.1.0
PyXspec is an object oriented Python interface to the XSPEC spectral-fitting program. It provides an alternative to Tcl, the sole scripting language for standard Xspec usage. With PyXspec loaded, a user can run Xspec with Python language scripts or interactively at a Python shell prompt.
Not all of the full standard Xspec functionality has been implemented (see What's Missing). However we will continue to add to this, and we look forward to hearing users' comments and suggestions to help us prioritize the future work.
The manual contains a Build/Install and Troubleshoot section, a Quick Version tutorial showing basic PyXspec usage, and an Extended Version tutorial for greater functionality. The Quick Version is the recommended starting point for all users.
A class reference guide follows, with descriptions for each of the PyXspec public class methods and attributes. The guide is auto-generated by Doxygen directly from the PyXspec Python code files.
PyXspec was developed by Craig Gordon and Keith Arnaud
HEASARC Software Development, Astrophysics Science Division,
Code 660.1, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt MD 20771
Please send questions, comments, and bug reports to firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Recent Coventry Reviews
Exceptional home!
This is a beautiful home. And it is a home, not a rental property, and it makes a world of difference. You feel as if you're visiting your own family or dear friends, it's comfortable and welcoming. The decor of the house is wonderful, it's a classic old farmhouse with rustic wooden doors but with all the conveniences of a modern home. Wireless internet, cable, wonderfully outfitted kitchen, plenty of nooks to sit and read in or have a nap, VERY comfortable beds, bright, airy....this home is perfect for large families or a group of friends. The house is set up so there are 2 bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor, then 2 of the bedrooms are at opposite ends of the house on the second floor, and each has a bathroom. The other 2 bedrooms are in between, and totally convenient to the bathrooms, so it's a wonderful set up. The surrounding property is glorious, open fields, beautiful trees, stone walls....there's a field behind the property that my daughter loved to ride her bike around. The outdoor shower was heavenly, we are already planning our own at home we loved it so much! It's also perfect for returning home from the beach. The house is also very close to so many places, and easy car rides to Wickford center, grocery stores, beaches, etc. You can go on some wonderful walks as well, and we definitely recommend walking down to the Gilbert Stuart museum, the grounds are lovely, and for those interested in colonial era farms/homes/furniture, it's a lot of fun to take the tour. This is a property for people who want to feel as if they are at home, and will treat it that way. The owners are lovely, and we are extremely grateful to them for opening up their home to us. We found we didn't want to leave the house much, and spent a lot of time there relaxing, catching up with our extended family, and eating! We will come back another time, and already miss "our" home away from home. Thank you Jane and family, you were so welcoming and gracious. Thank you so much!


text: LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE CURRICULAR GUIDE Legal Assistant Associate in Business Degree Curriculum Code: 0101 (Effective Fall 2000 - Summer 2005) Legal assistants, also know as paralegals, assist lawyers by performing many of the same tasks, except for those considered to be the practice of law. To help lawyers prepare cases for trial, they may investigate the facts; perform legal research to identify relevant laws, legal articles, judicial decisions and other documents/materials related to the case; and prepare written reports after organizing and analyzing all the information. Other duties may include drafting briefs and pleadings, obtaining affidavits, assisting the lawyer during trial, and organizing and maintaining document and correspondence files. Some legal assistants may help with completing forms, tax returns, and drafting contracts. PREREQUISITES Students should see the "Course Descriptions" section of this catalog or the Course Schedule for course prerequisite information. Basic skills assessment and advising information may be found on page 8 of this catalog. GENERAL EDUCATION General education is an important part of this program and includes a mathematics competency requirement. To fulfill the mathematics competency requirement, students may need to complete specific course work in mathematics. For information on how to fulfill all general education requirements, see page 23. INFORMATION Contact the Business Careers Department, Old Central Building, Room 210, telephone number (517) 483-1522. REQUIREMENTS TOTAL: 39 CREDITS CODE TITLE CREDIT HOURS CABS 113 Microsoft Word Office/ Int Key 4 LEGL 115 Legal Assistant Career/Ethics 3 LEGL 120 Legal Research I 3 LEGL 121 Legal Writing I 3 LEGL 160 Critical Thinking in Law 3 LEGL 210 Litigation Procedures 4 LEGL 211 Tort Law 2 LEGL 215 Busn Law I, Basic Principles 3 LEGL 225 Legal Research and Writing II 3 LEGL 228 Computer Tech for Legal Assist 3 WRIT 121 Composition I 4 WRIT 122 Composition II 4 LIMITED CHOICE REQUIREMENTS TOTAL: 21 CREDITS Complete the indicated number of credits from each CHOICE listed below. CHOICE 1: General Education Core Areas 9 Credits (See the "GENERAL EDUCATION" section above) Writing Core Area (See Note 1) 0 Speech Communication Core Area 3 Science/Technology Core Area 3 Global Perspectives and Diversity Core Area 3 Mathematics Competency (See page 23 for information on how to fulfill this requirement. Course work may be needed.) CHOICE 2: Business Law 3 Credits LEGL 216 Busn Law II, Commercial Law 3 LEGL 217 Busn Law III, Busn Organiza 3 LEGL 220 Internat Legal Issues/Organiza 3 CHOICE 3: General Law 9 Credits LEGL 218 Litigation Specialties 3 LEGL 221 Real Estate Transaction 3 LEGL 222 Probate Law and Procedure 3 LEGL 223 Domestic Relations 3 LEGL 224 Administrative Law 3 LEGL 226 Legal Interview/Investigation 3 LEGL 227 Bankruptcy and Collections 3 LEGL 280 Legal Assistant Internship 3 MINIMUM TOTAL 60 NOTE: 1. Students completing "REQUIREMENTS" have fulfilled the requirements for this Core area. SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE Students should see course descriptions to find out when departments plan to offer courses. Students who for any reason are unable to follow the course sequence suggested below (for example, those who are part-time, have transferred in courses from another school, or have prerequisites to fulfill) should contact an academic advisor or counselor for help with adjustments. I II III IV CABS 113 LEGL 120 LEGL 121 LEGL 225 LEGL 115 LEGL 211 LEGL 210 LEGL 228 LEGL 160 WRIT 122 Lim.Ch.1 Lim.Ch.3 LEGL 215 Lim.Ch.1 Lim.Ch.2 Lim.Ch.3 WRIT 121 Lim.Ch.1 Lim.Ch.3


text:
U.S. National Sled Team opens USA Hockey Sled Cup with 5-0 win
Indian Trail, N.C. – The U.S. National Sled Team kicked off the inaugural USA Hockey Sled Cup with a 5-0 victory over the U.S. National Developmental Sled Team here today at the Extreme Ice Center.
"I was pleased with our overall play tonight," said Jeff Sauer, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Team. "It was great to get offense from so many players, but I really liked our defensive effort as well. We have talked about playing consistently each time we get together for a tournament and we did that tonight."
The U.S. National Team struck just 52 seconds after the opening faceoff when Greg Shaw (Merritt Island, Fla.) buried a goal-mouth feed from Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.). At 8:33, Adam Page (Lancaster, N.Y.) made it 2-0 following a pass from Joshua Sweeney (Phoenix, Ariz.).
The U.S. National Team's lead doubled to 4-0 with a pair of second period markers. Paul Schaus (Buffalo, N.Y.) tallied at 6:38 and Alexi Salamone (Buffalo, N.Y.) scored with 1:41 to play in the middle stanza.
Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) capped the scoring 44 seconds into the third period with a redirection near the left post.
Goaltenders Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) and Jen Lee (San Francisco, Calif.) shared the shutout for the U.S. National Team. Cash made two stops in the first period, while Lee had three saves in the final two frames. The U.S. National Developmental Team goaltender, Justin Kreger (Waterford, Wis.), had 19 saves.
Tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 24), the U.S. National Team takes on Russia at 6:40 p.m. Prior to the game, NASCAR driver Joey Logano will make a donation to the U.S. National Sled Team and participate in a ceremonial puck drop. Earlier in the day the U.S. National Developmental Team opposes Korea at 4:00 p.m.
FASTHockey will provide live streaming coverage for all tournament games. Those interested in watching should sign up for a free account in advance at USAHockey.FASTHockey.com


text:
Aldi is selling bread makers.
Deluxe Breadmaker each 24.99 GBP
Create your very own bread the simple way. There's no need to
knead - just plug in, pop yourmixture in, and watch your
loaves rise beautifully.
* Capacity: 750g, 1,000g, 1,350g loaves
* 11 settings: basic programme, white bread,wholegrain bread, quick-baking, sweet pastry, dough,
short-baking, jam, sandwich bread,baking
* 134 programs
* Cool touch housing
* Timer
* Browning control (light, medium,dark)
* Keep warm function (1 hour)
* Extra large window to monitor progress
* LCD display
* Memory function
* Baking pan
* 2 dough hooks with Teflon(R) anti-stick coating
* Measuring cup and spoon
more here
I know we buy from nice people, but it would be much cheaper and more convenient to make our own.
Any ideas? This bad boy goes on sale 10am Sunday 17th.


text:
Hey Wilco fans! When you purchase Wilco's new album The Whole Love at Garrett Popcorn Shops, $2 will be donated to the Jane Addams Hull House Association. The CD will be available tomorrow (9/27/11) at our 625 North Michigan Avenue, 26 West Randolph, Navy Pier, and Merchandise Mart locations.
Both Wilco and Garrett Popcorn believe in giving back to the community. We chose Jane Addams Hull House because of their work in improving social conditions for under-served people in Chicago.
The organization provides child care, domestic violence counseling and prevention, economic development, family services, job training, literacy training, senior service, foster care, independent living, and housing assistance for 60,000 children, families and community members each year. Hull House also advocates for social and public policy reforms and initiatives that impact the lives of the men, women, and children in the communities they serve.
Learn more about Jane Addams Hull House Association on their web site and on Facebook.


text:
Formal Long Wavy Hairstyle
This hairstyle may look intimidating, it has sophisticated waves bursting with class and elegance. But, all you need is a hair roller and setting spray. Her black locks were parted in the center and the waves are created on the sides to create that voluminous look. This kind of layered locks were very common during the 80's. However, the style never dies!


text:
Stock Futures Mixed After Trade Data; Apple Rises
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Stock futures were trading mixed Friday as investors showed little reaction to the latest U.S. trade data. Apple(AAPL) shares gained ground.
Weather alerts also were in focus, as the National Weather Service warned that the Northeast and New England is expected to be impacted by a major winter storm Friday and into Saturday. As much as one to two feet of snow is forecast for the New York City metro area to Maine.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were falling 11 points, or 6.05 points below fair value, at 13,887. Futures for the S&P 500 were down 0.25 points, or 0.54 points below fair value, at 1505. Futures for the Nasdaq were up 5.25 points, or 4.05 points above fair value, at 2747.
Apple(AAPL) shares gained 0.61% to $471.07 on Friday, just a day after David Einhorn asked shareholders to vote against the company's proposal to do away with preferred stock.
Major U.S. equity indices closed lower Thursday after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi warned of risks to the eurozone economy, and U.S. economic data came in weaker than expected.
A note from optionsXpress said that a break above the resistance level of 1509 in the SPX could "pressure the new shorts" and potentially catalyze the market to the best levels of the week.
Right now though "nibbling on dips is all that would be appropriate if you might be looking to participate on the long side and when there are whippy extremes in either direction, might be worth potentially looking at out-of-the-money credit strategies at those levels, since volatility could be rising," the optionsXpress note said.
The Census Bureau said Friday that the U.S. trade deficit shrank to $38.5 billion in December from $48.7 billion in November. Economists were expecting the deficit to shrink to $46 billion.
The Census Bureau at 10 a.m. is expected to report that wholesale inventories rose 0.4% in December after increasing 0.6% in November.
Asian markets closed mostly higher Friday following strong trade data from China. The Nikkei in Japan was an exception, however, finishing down 1.8% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed up 0.16%.
The DAX in Frankfurt was higher by 0.22% and the FTSE in London was rising 0.49%, as European markets digested the China data and as peripheral bond yields fell.
Gold for April delivery was down by 60 cents at $1,670.70 an ounce at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, while March crude oil futures were up 25 cents at $96.08 a barrel.
The benchmark 10-year Treasury was rising 4/32, diluting the yield to 1.943%. The dollar was down 0.19%, according to the U.S. dollar index.
In corporate news, LinkedIn (LNKD) , the social network geared for professionals, beat Wall Street's earnings expectations. Shares were surging more than 10%.


text:
Celebrate great taste and good fortune with a limited edition Zodiac Tin. This beautiful tin comes adorned with the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac, and is available in either 1 gallon or as a twelve pack of quart-sized tins, ready for gifting.
If you're in New York City or Las Vegas, pop into one of our Shops to pick up your quart-sized tin today.
Hurry, the Year of the Snake begins February 10, 2013!


text:
Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (1519 votes).
In short: the bestDate of review: October 15, 2006
In short: Once is enough for anyoneIn full: Jeeezz why do people love this race? It's hilly, really poorly supported considering the route it takes. The route is one big undulation along a dual cariageway for 10 miles. BOOORRRRIIINNNGGGGGTranfer bus got lost from car park to race start, took 1.5 hours and we missed the baggage bus. No pen control whatsoever. I stood next to a banana in the elite pen, approx 10 metres fomr the start line.Race is dull,dull,dull,dull never again.Date of review: October 24, 2005
In short: The Geordie hospitality on route is extra specialDate of review: September 6, 2005
In short: 1st half marathon, 1st race ever actually!!! Ran for the first 2/3 then walk jogged the last 1/3. I am running this year as well, hope to do better.Date of review: August 23, 2005
In short: My first 1/2 marathon - great race cannot wait to do it again!!In full: It is true what they are saying on here the dodging people etc is really soul destroying.They should have a seperate begining line further back in the same way that the people who have run for 10yrs or so have and be supervised by Marshalls. It could be done in stages e.g expected time sub 2hrs, sub 3hr, sub 4 and fun runners/walkers This should be explained when entering. I know it wont stop all of them but a little organisation in this area would be for the better.Apart form that its an excellent race and cannot wait to do it again!!Date of review: July 15, 2005
In short: great fun but make sure you train and dont go too quick at the start.In full: my first half marathon, had a great time, all the trainning was worth while and was so well organised. the finish at south shields was amazing. one of my best memories (and major buzz) was the red arrows flying low over the tyne bridge as we ran over it. i even joined the great north run organisation so i can have a place for next three years.Date of review: July 15, 2005
In short: Great Race for atmosphere but not for the hard core runnerDate of review: May 25, 2005
In short: superb event and a great experienceDate of review: May 14, 2005
In short: Worth travelling the length of the country to take part in this eventIn full: dont bother if you dont like crowds and get there early cos everyone tries to get to the front irrespective of personal abilities/timings. good warm up and a very pleasant day all roundDate of review: April 30, 2005
In short: Great EventIn full: Very well organised for such an immense eventDate of review: April 19, 2005
Visit the official Runner's World page
Follow Runner's World on Twitter
Click here
Other Natmag-Rodale Sites
Run For Charity
Injury Clinics
About Runner's World


text:
Hardy Diagnostics ABMM/ABMLI Professional Recognition Award
Recognizes a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) or the American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology (ABMLI) for outstanding contributions to the professional recognition of certified microbiologists and/or immunologists and the work they do.
The top candidate for this award would contribute in many or all of the following criteria and the nominators should clearly describe how the candidate:
- Conducts or participates in local, regional, national, or international efforts to actively promote the profession of medical microbiology or immunology through public service, organizational skills, and other contributions.
- Works through mentoring and other activities to encourage students to choose medical microbiology or immunology as a career.
- Serves actively on non-ASM committee's or workgroups (i.e. CLIA, CLSI, CAP, ASCP, JCAHO, CMS, CDC, WHO, FBI groups, FDA panels, etc.) that directly impact medical microbiology or immunology.
- Publishes textbooks, review articles, or journals articles of an applied nature that assists laboratorians in their day-to-day responsibilities.
- Actively promotes interaction and communication among colleagues.
- Frequently presents invited lectures dealing with medical microbiology or immunology topics.
- Participates in activities that encourage laboratorians to become certified or that encourages professional achievement.
- Leads a major initiative or negotiation that impacted the profession.
- Enjoys a compelling career and personal achievements that are noteworthy and that bring credit to themselves, the ABMM/ABMLI, and to the profession.
May 14th, 2016.
Nominations will be considered without updating for three years. Self-nominations and more than one nomination per nominee will not be accepted. Only one nominating form and two supporting forms are accepted per nomination. The two supporters must be persons other than the nominator who are familiar with the nominee's qualifications and accomplishments. Only one of the three individuals involved in the nomination may be employed at the nominee's institution. The nominator and supporters must not share employers. Nominations must consist of the following:
Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications, emailed to email@example.com
ASM awards are granted at the discretion of award selection committees and may not be awarded every year.
View Past Laureates
Sponsor: Hardy Diagnostics


text:
Robert L. Simon
SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa – Funeral services for Robert L. Simon, 89, of Spirit Lake, will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, at Grandview Baptist Church, Estherville, Iowa, with Pastor Joel Jorgenson, officiating. Interment with military graveside rites by Nessen-Detert American Legion Post 529, will be in Palestine Lutheran Cemetery, Dolliver, Iowa.
Robert passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at Keelson Harbor in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. today at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.
Robert L. Simon was born March 7, 1924, on a farm near Dolliver, Iowa, the son of Fred and Mabel (Schley) Simon. He received his education in the Dolliver schools. He then attended Morningside College and later the University of Iowa. Robert served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, receiving many medals and honors, including the Purple Heart. On May 13, 1945, he was united in marriage to Doris Benton in Armstrong. Robert taught high school for three years in Melbourne before moving back to farm in 1951. He farmed in the Dolliver area for many years retiring in 2005. Robert moved to Fairmont, Minn., in 1998 and then lived in Spirit Lake from 2005 until 2013. Robert was a past member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Ceylon, Minn., and then attended St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Spirit Lake.
Left to cherish Robert's life are his two sons, Greg Simon of Estherville and special friend, Ms. Reggie Kelly, of Aurelia, Iowa, and Robert (Bonnie) Simon, Jr. of Dolliver; three grandchildren, Joshua (Heather) Simon, Elizabeth and Michael Simon; three great-grandchildren, Tristan, Landen and Adilee Simon; step-children, Greg "Skip" (Jan) Olney of St. Petersburg, Fla., Donna Olney (John) "Ace" Passmore of Sugarland, Texas, Ron (Chris) Olney of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Sue Olney Beck of St. Petersburg, Fla.; siblings, John (Faith) Simon of Sacramento, Calif., and Mrs. Alice (Paul) Neppel of Spirit Lake; and sister-in-law, Evie Simon of Estherville.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; both wives, Doris and Velma; and two brothers, Jim and Fred Jr.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.


text:
Series: Two Popes, One Canonization
Celebrating the Lives of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II
On April 27th, Popes John XXIII and John Paul II will be declared saints. Immaculata's Campus Ministry has offered a special series to mark this event and to highlight these two extraordinary men who changed world history.
Join us in Loyola Hall Room 127 for the final event in this series, the second half of the movie Pope John Paul II, an epic feature length film in which Jon Voight delivers an incredibly inspirational portrayal of the life and spiritual journey of Pope John Paul II.
For more information, please contact Fr. Rogers: email@example.com.


text:
Q. Solaris and FreeBSD both provide the truss command to monitor and debug system calls. I'm unable to find this command or package. How can I install truss under Linux?
A. truss is a debugging utility in Solaris and FreeBSD to monitor the system calls used. It is used to trace call and useful debugging many problems. Linux provides strace command. This command is installed by default. strace is a useful diagnostic, instructional, and debugging tool. System administrators, diagnosticians and troubleshooters will find it invaluable for solving problems with programs for which the source is not readily available since they do not need to be recompiled in order to trace them.
[click to continue…]


text:
Table of Contents | Search Technical Documentation | References
Nonresponse is unavoidable in any voluntary survey of a human population. Nonresponse leads to the loss of sample data that must be compensated for in the weights of the responding sample members. The purpose of the nonresponse adjustments is to reduce the mean square error of survey estimates. While the nonresponse adjustment reduces the bias from the loss of sample, it also increases variability among the survey weights leading to increased variances. However, it is presumed that the reduction in bias more than compensates for the increase in the variance, thereby reducing the mean square error and thus improving the accuracy of survey estimates. Nonresponse adjustments are made in the NAEP surveys at both the school and the student levels: the responding (original and substitute) schools receive a weighting adjustment to compensate for nonresponding schools, and responding students receive a weighting adjustment to compensate for nonresponding students.
The paradigm used for nonresponse adjustment in NAEP is the quasi-randomization approach (Oh and Scheuren 1983). In this approach, school response cells are based on characteristics of schools known to be related to both response propensity and achievement level, such as the locale type (e.g., central city of large metropolitan area) of the school. Likewise, student response cells are based on characteristics of the schools containing the students, and student characteristics, which are known to be related to both response propensity and achievement level, such as student race/ethnicity, gender, and age.
Under this approach, sample members are assigned to mutually exclusive and exhaustive response cells based on predetermined characteristics. The weighting adjustment for each responding unit will be equal to the summation of adjusted base weights for all units divided by the summation of adjusted base weights for all responding units. In this way, the weights of responding units in the cell are "weighted up" to represent the full set of responding and nonresponding units in the response cell.
The quasi-randomization paradigm views nonresponse as another stage of sampling. Within each nonresponse cell, the paradigm assumes that the responding sample units are a simple random sample from the total set of all sample units. If this model is valid, then the use of the quasi-randomization weighting adjustment will eliminate any nonresponse bias. Even if this model is not valid, the weighting adjustments will eliminate bias if the achievement scores are homogeneous within the response cells (i.e., bias is eliminated if there is homogeneity either in response propensity or in achievement levels). See, for example, chapter 4 of Little and Rubin (1987).


text:
Pricing and Discounts
Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Catalog offers special discounts to encourage product placements that we hope will result in additional exposure for Aerostich gear. Rider to rider endorsements and referrals help introduce our products to potential customers. Aerostich gear is sold factory direct to provide you with the highest handmade quality, expert service and lowest prices possible on the best riders' apparel and gear available.
International Orders - Currency conversion rates are close estimates only. All sales are processed in dollars (USD) and conversions are made by card-processing banks on the actual transaction date.
Military Discount - If you are an active member of the U.S. Military you are eligible for a 10% discount on all Aerostich branded RiderWearHouse catalog items, including Roadcrafter and Darien riding apparel (proudly made in the USA). Submit your order by calling 800.222.1994 or email your order to firstname.lastname@example.com. Discount applied upon verification of military service.
Motorcycle Industry Discount - A 15% discount is provided to MSF instructors and select OEM/motorcycle industry persons.
Sale Items - Sale items are available on our website (www.aerostich.com/sale-items) at savings of up to 50%. These are all top-quality items that are discounted because of discontinued merchandise, irregulars, returns, closeouts, special purchases, samples, etc. Inventory rotates quickly so check these deals often, or sign up for our weekly email list.
Please contact us if you have any questions.


text:
iHerb Customer Reviews
Savings of: $4.39 (20% off)
Delicious but not so nutritious
Posted by jcdasilva on Oct 06, 2012
I bought these as a supplement for my 16 month year old. He absolutely loves them,but in order for him to actually get something out of these he would shave to eat like 6 a day, and they are coated in sugar. Good as a treat but not as a supplement
Very good product
Posted by Reviewer1730430 on May 15, 2010
My son likes it very much.
great price! great taste! great quality!
Posted by Reviewer2704486 on Oct 07, 2011
can't go wrong!
Great tasting supplement
Posted by Reviewer3227442 on Sep 12, 2012
Bought these for a friend's child and she loves them. No reports though, on improved immunity yet.
My kid loves it
Posted by Reviewer1738515 on Oct 04, 2012
It is nice tasting with my girl looking forward to having them on those days when I allow her to. She knows they are good for her but to her,they are more like gummy bears. Good product recommended by my PD. From SL, Singapore
Items 1-5 of 5 total


text:
New Markdowns
view full screen
Endearing Long Nightgown Amethyst
Style: 570086752
Out of Stock
As supportive as it is romantic, beautifully fitting nightgown is lavished in exquisite Rosette pink lace, leaving soft, soothing Cool Nights knit next to your skin. Shoulders and a band of lace under the bustline are left sheer to add a bit of lacy mystique.
- The sensual softness of Cool Nights knit also keeps you cool and dry.
- Double-layered knit cups, princess-seamed bodice and contour seam under the bustline provide gentle lift and soft support.
- Non-stretch tricot smoothes and shapes the bodice at the sides and back.
- Double V-neckline with wide, stretch lace straps also help support.
- Clean-finished seams on the inside are gentle on sensitive skin.
- Approximately 54.5" from shoulder.
- 93% Rayon, 7% Spandex. Machine wash. Imported.
Read more… Read less…


text:
Join, share and uploadsound bites and be the firstto get latest sound bites.
Various sounds of carnivorous animals classified and optimized in high quality mp3 and freely downloadable on universal-soundbank. lion calling
Choose a player below then copy & paste the embed code below into your web page, blog, or email.
Sign up for info about Hark's new features,upcoming movie releases, and new clips!


text:
More:January 2012 Designated "21st Century Statecraft Month"
Today, State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland held a Twitter briefing, answering questions selected from the U.S. Department of State's 10 official Twitter feeds. Spokesperson Nuland will answer questions submitted via Twitter each Friday during the month of January. Questions can be submitted using the hashtag, #AskState.
Throughout the month of January, U.S. officials in Washington, D.C. and at U.S. Missions abroad will host digital engagements across multiple social media platforms on a wide array of issues to directly connect with the public on foreign policy issues that matter to them. You can find additional information about next week's engagements here.
James V. in Georgia (U.S.A.) writes:
Well done! This is a great format to address and answer questions concerning current events and foreign policy.
Palgye in South Korea writes:
Chancellor Angela Merkel
is your side?
i want to join President election movement. in us
W.W. writes:
Democracy or waste of time ?
Maureen in Massachusetts writes:
This was an engaging set of questions and answers. The subject of "electronic curtains†in particular shows the necessity of 21 Century Statecraft in foreign policy. Communication challenges may touch on international human rights issues for citizens so this is something to pay close attention to.
Spokesperson Nuland:
"At the same time, we're also developing and distributing new technologies- more than 20 of them-to empower activists around the globe to access uncensored content on the internet and to communicate with each other and to tell their stories. And to date, we've funded the training of more than 7,500 activists around the world in these programs.â€
To say that this briefing was not of the essence in democracy just look to the question (Iran) on the Straights of Hormuz under international law being considered as international waters and the U.S. Navy... Just one day later the US Navy rescues 13 Iranian seamen from pirates. It was the right thing to do and some old fashioned traditional diplomacy doorways may open. Perhaps some twitter questions will follow.
Palgye in South Korea writes:
Have a
Abibilty, selling weapons , for maintain Jobs.
also, need making ability, needing.
buying power from abroad, 12+1 countries..."
it`s a old story....
i want try to election but have not money.
Attempt, maybe fail but i want to try....
To Iran and Italia,
have a equal percentage in there?
Come true,
UK do more for recovery.
more thinking, election win is aim, or inner circle battle and revengis is aim....
i`m tire saying that in this kind of saying.
W.W. writes:
FP : Is there anything scheduled to stop European Financial Sovietism Regime whcih is currently raping any form of liberty equality among european population?
W.W. writes:
European Austerity Plan news :
#bilderberg goldman&sachs; #monti did it right
#EAP : someone made some phone calls here... don't know who to thank but Italian measure to solve crisis are kinda perfect
Kept writing and preaching them for more then 3 years...
Is dos going to help europeans to evolute establishing an eu federal bureau of investigation and i.c.e. that actually work to avoid this massive crisis for the future ?
W.W. writes:
@ maureen in mississipi
you right I placed lot of question via twitter about jack sparrow
from if the iranians screamed huckbar allah when they saw the americans rescuing them to wonder what there was in the iranian vassel, gold, nuclear waste, bin laden body and i was scared that ahmadinejad was gonna be shootin some long range missle to somalia and the horn of africa already struggling by famine to answer the pirates attack to his vassel...
of course no answer from statedept
Maureen in Massachusetts writes:
I may be grasping at straws here but what if we were to make a very public gesture on piracy initiatives to include Iran at the table (through the Swiss government and Turkey) and in return the release of our former Marine and dual citizen? This in conjunction with the US Navy's rescue of Iranian seamen could be perceived as something to work with keeping in mind the two-track policy Spokesperson Nuland mentioned. The Iranian government would benefit from the positive publicity.
Chitando S. in South Africa writes:
Shouldn't America's policy on "Aid to Africa" change to "Investment in Africa"? Many economists like Dambisa Moyo and Stiglitz have argued that Aid doesn't do much more than sustain hopeless dependence on Aid. Both American's and Africans would benefit from investment in projects, regardless of how small, in Africa. Africans will work and pay their way in the World in a sustainable manner instead of sitting back and receiving handouts, on the other hand America could earn dividends from their investments.
Ngale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo writes:
I watched online when senator Coons and the Foreign sub-committee on african affairs were making proposal whether the congolese Justice Supreme Court (supposed to analyse a request raised from opposition political parties) would have done the right thing. I mean taking in consideration fraud allegations and a possibility to cancel the previous term and organise a second term (between the last presidential candidate) monitored and financed by the International Community. At that time, someone even recommended to the US to send a strong diplomatic correspondance to warn Congolese authority on the impact of a crisis in the area. So now my point is: after the broadcasting of a documentary (Crisis in the Congo, uncover the truth) responsibilizing the Cliton Administration on the origin of the actual crisis, "Can we build something strong on a weak basis?" The Congo has many challenges to overcome and need now more friend states than vultures.. Now that the right thing has not been done, what is the position of the United States? What's kind of diplamacy will they run regarding the late election result and the CENCO press conference?
Eric in New Mexico writes:
( from the archived entry "Welcome to Dipnote")
Sean McCormack from the U.S. State Department writes:
I appreciate your comments and encourage you to keep them coming. How the blog develops over time and how useful it becomes as a tool for dialogue will depend in part on you, the readers. We will do our part in opening that window, and I would encourage you to give us feedback on which issues and areas you want to explore. Your comments, ideas, and feedback will also help me generate participation by State Department employees as they start to become comfortable with a new means of conversing with the public. I am pleased thus far with the response internally to our new venture, but there's more work to be done so that blogging becomes part of daily State Department life.
Posted on Thu Sep 27, 2007
Dan in Washington, DC writes:
@ Kevin (Army Officer) in California -- thanks very much for your service to the United States and the US Army.
I work at the U.S. Department of State in a management role. I wanted to get back to you re your comments, although I must add that I'm doing this on my own as a private blogger and not in official, public spokesperson role for the Department.
---end excerpt of post---
Posted on Tue Oct 02, 2007
Dipnote Blogger Frederick Jones writes:
@ Corine in Washington -- As a working journalist, your best sources for information from the State Department are the State Department Press Office and briefings by State Department Spokesman McCormack or Deputy Spokesman Casey. This is where you should acquire official information from the Department. The ideas expressed on this blog are not official comments from the Department and are attributable only to the author.
Posted on Wed Oct 03, 2007
There's a point to all this which will be revealed as relevent to twitter briefings if folks will bear with me for a few additional posts...(to be cont.)
Eric in New Mexico writes:
Cont.. (from the archives of Dipnote)
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Dipnote Bloggers & PJ Crowley, Assistant Sec. of State for Public Affairs,
This marks the first time the Dipnote blog has opened up the daily press briefing for public comment/and or follow-up questions in regards to the interaction between the press corps and government officials.
This is both revolutionary and evolutionary in the sense that a more interactive democratic public diplomacy process has the potential for being established on an ongoing daily basis.
I have long awaited such a development, and suggested such briefing format be included as "standard opperating procedure" in this blog's ability to create a "three way street" between the government, the press, and the public.
The results of which I think will offer greater understanding among all, and a healthy debate interactively between the respective roles this "triad" plays in our democratic processes.
Whatever issues come up, or are ongoing, it serves the public's understanding to apprise itself of the source of news stories written by the press, helps us better excercise our ability to hold the press and the government accountable for accuracy in this regard, and fosters both the press' understand and my goverenment's in the virtual real-time public reaction to deveoping situations on the world stage.
I am not one to suggest that PJ is to become master of a three-ring circus here,(chuckle) but I believe a good time may be had by all in this process.
If nothing else, we the people may inspire the press to ask good questions, and push for good answers to them through our follow up here on Dipnote.
A natural question in regards to Haiti at this point in time would be;
"Is there anything more that could have been done to alleviate suffering and disease outbreak in the aftermath of the earthquake?"
I think it is a question that both State and USAID are also naturally asking themselves in context to the QDDR's basic question of "How can we do better?"
This is not to imply that every effort was not made at the time, but posed,..accepting that there's always room for improvement and coordination in crisis situations with regards to the level of anticipation and preparedness in any critical undertaking requiring immediate response and ongoing followthrough.
Dipnote has been evolving from a "great experiment" Sean McCormack was inspired to push through to virtual reality, and it's become an essential institution at this point in my opinion, futhering our democratic traditions.
Therefore it is my hope that at this moment in time, I am witness to the evolution of those traditions in the launch of an ongoing process of the "Interactive State Dept. Daily Briefing"
Hope you'll take my question PJ, I think it to be an essential one to develop a comprehensive answer to.
Best regards,
Posted on Fri Jan 07, 2011
Eric in New Mexico writes:
(Archived thread re-opened for comment upon request of a member of the public)
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Sean, Conceptualize this --
Dipnote as a facet of the civilian response corps.
I don't mean in any formal sense, just that ideas are part of any response to issues involving the public.
I find a lot of relevance in what you are saying, and the following:
Secretary's Remarks: Remarks After Six-Party Informal Ministerial
Tue, 23 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0500
SECRETARY RICE: About -- of everybody meeting their obligations, but I don't want to go, you know, into detail about what everybody said, just to say there weren't any surprises. But it wasn't -- you know, it wasn't a standoff with people just stating their positions. I think we had probably three or four rounds of comments. So, you know, the initial -- very often, these things, the initial thing is people read a statement. But a couple of people didn't and then there were several -- it was interactive. It wasn't just people making statements, which is good.
And getting beyond statements is essential to any solution.
Institutionally, the desire for stable and effective mechanisms creates the slowness of an institution to keep up with change, or adapt to it to a certain extent. Folks get used to doing things a certain way...and get comfortable to the extent that changes are resisted on occasion.
Change is just a process of keeping what works and discarding that which no longer meets the need. Like getting rid of all those Wang computers a few years ago.
State's in a process both of rebuilding its own infrastructure and it's manpower capacity which lends a unique opportunity to really get creative in adapting to the 21st century. Including new models for the mechanisms that are in need of an upgrade.
Which is why there's a hundred folks manning the Iran Desk, instead of two.
As one of the public observing this, I think State is embracing change and adapting to it pretty well on a lot of levels.
Posted on Thu Jul 24, 2008
Department Spokesman Sean McCormack writes:
Heath has started a good conversation about the blog and where we take it from here. I have the feeling that we can do a lot more with it to make it a two-way communication. At the moment, we actually talk to one another, but those episodes come in fits and starts. So we will look for ways to make using this blog a more interactive experience. I have a few ideas that involve the blog, YouTube, and new technological capabilities in the State Department briefing room, which might push us at least one step closer to having the conversation I talked about in the first post on DipNote.
Many of you raise an important question about the ability to influence large organizations, in this the case the State Department, through social media. Of course, there are a variety of ways this happens every day on sites not related to the government. We are different because of the relatively closed nature of the policy-making process (this applies across different administrations) so we acknowledge our limits up front. What that does not mean, however, is that you or we should accept those limits as immutable. One way in which I hope this blog evolves to involve you more is in bringing to our attention events (breaking or slowly unfolding). When we receive such information, it is my hope that we can internalize, analyze, and, when possible, act on the information. We are a ways from that model now, but over time culture changes. When I refer to culture in this case, I mean the State Department. It is an inherently conservative (and by that I mean slow to accept and implement change) culture. In less than a year, though, I see change with more posters coming forward to us with material they want to share with you.
I will work with you on the flip side of the equation, in which your feedback or suggestions make their way in to our decision-making processes. I'm reading a great book now, Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies. While the book is directed at use of social technologies in business, I can see some parallels on which we can draw, especially in modifying internal processes.
Finally, I would also love for you to share your worlds, whether it is daily life or reporting on the unusual, tragic, or inspiring. Maybe those things are one in the same. Whatever the case, I look forward to talking with you via DipNote.
Posted on Tue Jul 22, 2008
Eric in New Mexico writes:
( from the Archived thread "Welcome back to Dipnote)
Eric in New Mexico writes:
To Acting Secretary Robert Wood, Dipnote Editors and Staff:
Dipnote used to post news items of the day, but dropped them I think because they didn't recieve a whole lot of public comment.
Dipnote has the "Question of the Week", an inside look at travel and ceremony, special events like International Woman's Day, specialized topic areas like diplomatic security, and specific issue related posts on areas of conflict globally.
But what's lacking on Dipnote is a general forum for current events where Dipnote gets married to "Briefing 2.0" by placing the State Dept.s daily briefing up on site for public followup.
Give you an example here Robert....in the brief of the 11th, a fellow with blond hair (I didn't get his name)was following up on a question of verification (North Korea) and your answer to him left me wanting to ask specificly whether the 5 parties had agreed on the exact nature of the protocols verification must look like to be effective, and does North Korea as the 6th party understand that in order to be true to its word, it must follow the outlined steps to the letter of the 5 party's understanding and intent, which North Korea signed onto as well?
See I'm not sure everyone is on the same page with this given the "war talk".
Anyway, just a thought on how to make this a better blog...
DipNote Blogger Luke Forgerson writes:
@ Eric in New Mexico -- Thank you for your comment. We are currently considering ways to make DipNote more interactive. We are constantly seeking to improve DipNote and will take your suggestions into consideration. We are glad to count you among our readers.
Posted on Thu Mar 12, 2009
(And an unrealated Q&A from the same topic thread)
Mike in Virginia writes:
What is the average waiting period for a secret security clearance?
DipNote Blogger Luke Forgerson writes:
@ Mike in Virginia -- Civil Service positions in the U.S. Department of State require at least a secret security clearance. Investigations usually take two to four months.
For those applying to the Foreign Service, candidates who pass the oral assessment must apply for the security clearance required for appointment to the Foreign Service.
You can read more about becoming a Foreign Service Officer and the Civil Service selection process at careers.state.gov.
Posted on Tue Apr 07, 2009
@ Luke Forgerson, Here's some perspective...
Some sixty-five years ago we faced a lot of challenges, and I think of my granddad's work with Oppenheimer. Back then we were trying to end a war different than any war prior to it, and I think this brief note he wrote back in WW2 speaks volumes about the outspoken "can do" attitude of those that helped win it.
To: Sidney Newberger
From: Eric R. Jette
Subj: Security Clearances
I have recently learned that the average time for security clearances
on a large number of cases was 63 days. This is the gestation period
for a dog. Do you suppose that you might get it down to a rabbit?
E.R. Jette
An impatient patriot? Aye, he knew what the stakes were.
Thank you for listening....We the people must ask the hard questions and provide perspective to those with the burden of responsibility for the future of mankind, having a vested interest in the matter.
Mine is but one small voice in the global constituancy trying to help others find their's.
Although...(chuckle).....I have been known on occasion to thoughtfully mangle the English language in the process...perhaps it's simply a genetic trait.
-Excerpted from "A Citizen's NIE" I sent to folks in this gov. several years ago before Dipnote was even a gleam in Sean's McCormack's eye and I have a hard question or two left in the gas tank, let's see if I can get the thought home and park in someone @ State's garage bein' that my job as a citizen is trying to inspire folks to think...no offense intended.
1) Why arn't folks going to celebrate social media and have twitter briefings M-F all year round? Or is Ms Nuland just testing the waters to gauge the interest?
2) 144 character limit on questions? Oh, Please! How can one provide premis or context to questions adequately? Submit via Dipnote too! We have 5000 to work with. And I'll use more than that for sure!...(chuckle)...when outlining a concept for consideration.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
(from the archives)
Zharkov in U.S.A. writes:
@ Eric, if anyone listened to you, you would not be posting here.
(end excerpt)
John in Greece writes:
@ Zharkov
P.S.: I listen to him (I mean Eric)! and I love his posts. I suppose many other visitors too. Now, with your permission, can he keep on posting here Z? or he should write to Pravda... like you?
Posted on Fri Jul 25, 2008
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Zharkov
I've lost track of how many people have told you this on many topic threads on this blog, and part of getting yourself listened to is being able to listen to others and have a discussion based on reality. Not just putting out position papers.
Which reminds me...thanks! You have just provided example for how relevent Ms. Rice's quote actually is.
When an Ambassador tells me "You've got everyone thinking about this." on a topic thread he started on Dipnote some time ago, then I think it's gone a wee bit beyond "listening".
Common sense that cannot be rationally ingnored....at your service.
Posted on Fri Jul 25, 2008
Eric in New Mexico writes:
Once upon a time I was in doubt as Zharkov is regarding if anything I had to say to my gov. would generate a human response.
That problem was solved with one phone call.
A little "old school" perhaps, but the internet can't replace person to person contact when you want results.
If you email the Whitehouse, you'll get the eqivilent of a read reciept, but they get so much mail it will be six weeks before anyone reads it...according to the switchboard opperator I talked to there late on a Friday before Cristmas 2005. As she put it, the Whitehouse was "shut down" for the holiday and there wasn't anyone around to take my call. So she swiched me over to DoS and I spoke with a desk officer there.
I'd called about an imminent execution by stoning that the Iranian Republic was about to impose on a few women, I asked him for his email address and sent him the Amnesty Int. article with the details, along with a letter I'd tried to get to the Whitehouse in time (they had 5 days until the sentence was carried out).
So, about a half hour later after I sent the article, I got this message in reply:
"This information has been sent through immediately to the Iran Security Desk for further action."
One might think that our government knows all and sees all, and that citizen imput is irrelevent to them.
Not the case. An informed public actually helps inform the gov. , and Layla M's (one of the women above) case was included in the annual country human rights report (2006).
International pressure halted the execution and this citizen got the results I was looking for from a responsive institution of government.
Safe to say that unless you try, you'll never know just how human a response you might get from public servants.
Posted on Tue Jul 22, 2008
Question #2
What will it take to revive the dialoge between folks@State posting topic threads on this blog and members of the public?
Well it starts with being willing to have a conversation #1, then after posting a "position paper" as a topic thread folks@ State are going to have to re-engage with the public as comments, queries, and ideas flow into the moderator's hands for posting #2, and #3 Folks on all sides of the discussion have to take the time to sustain a robust dialoge that allows that "free flow of ideas" that can produce results that help generate better understanding of, by, and for both policy makers and the public to the better implementation and development of policy for the good of all concerned.
I don't know how folks expect to further 21st social media and statecraft any other way...and there's a gestational period to consider in the birth of timely ideas in context with current events.
If folks arn't listening, why would I post here?
Maureen in Massachusetts writes:
@ Eric in New Mexico
Salut Eric-let the engagements begin!
This forum can lead to some great discussions, one on one. For example, the other night I was speaking with a person in the political arena about social media. We then moved to Iran discussions then to food security issues and how that is a worrisome subject with regard to national security.
All the while I could feel "Statecraft†in the air- well maybe just me.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Maureen in Mass.,
Were you interviewing this "person in the political arena" ?
Just curious if you are a member of the press doing your job, or were you just friends making conversation over dinner or something?
And what conclusions did the two of you reach in agreement?
Cheers! (clink of glass on glass)
The challenge to engage with us has been made, but will it be well met by folks @ state?
We'll see soon enough.
In my opinion Twitter can in 144 characters help inform, but if not augmented by a blog with the capacity for full-blown thoughts in 5000 character segments-risks social media @ State being reduced to "sound-bite diplomacy" self limiting in scope, as well as in results.
John P. in Greece writes:
@ Maureen in Massachusetts
Salut Maureen -let the engagements begin, before the marriage!
I think that my friend Eric says something special, most people can't see…
That's why you love him… He is unique!
...and TRUE!
Eric in New Mexico writes:
Cheers John,
I gotta wonder sometimes if seeking "behavior change" @ State will be about as succesful as engaging with Iran, but I try to remain optimisic that folks @ State will once again join our conversation, if only to refute the premis...(chuckle).
Now I'd really like to know what you think about the solution Oppie-1 posed (click on "all comments" after the article), and maybe Maureen will invite her "politico" friend to join us for a chat along with folks @ State and see if the "art of the possible" involves a creative approach to "regime replacement therapy".
If one were to google "regime replacement therapy" in quotes, using all the search engines available, it'll lead to some interesting discussions and one might begin to understand why I believe "regime change" is an out of date, inadequate terminology the press uses to define the nature of US foreign policy when the President calls for an ethical infant to step aside from power, and let the people decide their future.
When you say "...most people can't see…"
Folks @ state arn't the only audience I attempt to engage with...in an attempt to change the nature of the conversation folks a willing or unwilling to have, as the case may be.
Maureen in Massachusetts writes:
@John in Greece
@Eric in New Mexico
It is a pleasure to read your comments and the play with words keeps us "engaged†and often laughing which is approproe to the subject of diplomacy.
What I appreciate with Eric's writing is often that long thought process that requires some research. He want's to get stuff done and that is commendable. It would be hard to "twitter†his writings.
Question -do you both get the sense that the blog is navigating away from itself in some respects to different social media sites? On one hand this is a good teaching tool for those interested but on the other hand it could possibly self extinguish. This might be more about the audience.
In answer to your question Eric, I'm not a member of the press. This was an event type gathering and it is invigorating to exchange ideas with people who have some knowledge of the work being done at the Dept. of State.
John in Canada writes:
@ Eric
Couldn't agree more - twitter has its place but is a small tool.
This site is generous with thought space.
Telephones are not what they used to be - automation, answering machines (hate these things - I refuse to leave messages) and then somethings are not for telephone calls either.
Person to person is the Gold standard but is not always feasible.
Eric you want to share your ideas on Iran - take them to the other half of the problem.
Seems the supreme leader of Iran is using the internet in a more interactive way than some western govs. (Laugh)
Why not share your thoughts direct with him - you never know - he may just listen.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Maureen,
It's always been my opinion that regardless of what social media platform State wants to employ in their "engagement" with the public, that Dipnote is the logical clearing house for all of them to funnel into, whereas the only limitations a blog has on the persuit of a "free flow of ideas" is in the capacity of those that maintain the blog to handle the "traffic" coming and going.
"Question -do you both get the sense that the blog is navigating away from itself in some respects to different social media sites? On one hand this is a good teaching tool for those interested but on the other hand it could possibly self extinguish. This might be more about the audience."
Interesting question, and just for grins and giggles maybe the three of us ( based on an experiment John once tried in another context) we could try a little role-playing game where the three of us had just been contracted by State to serve as Dipnote's "Civilian review board" to come up with the answers to this and other issues that affect State's effective usage of social media, wheras no complaint comes sans solutions...(chuckle).
Now until Ms. Nuland decides to officiate these proceedings, nothing we say or opine herein can or will be used for or against us, so onward through the fog, and let the games begin!
I'll start with the last point first Re: "This might be more about the audience."
When Shakespere said, "All the world's a stage, and all the people players." he forgot to mention that all the world's the audience as well. But he may be forgiven since social media wasn't global in nature at the speed of light in intantaneous transmission in his day.
2) Dipnote is like a muscle, if the folks @ State don't allow the blog to live up to its potential, then it will atrophe for lack of usage by both themselvers and the public.
Sustainability is in the healthy dialoge, but it is up to them to do their part, if they build it, we will come and engage with them in vested self interest...(as in asking the hard questions that lead to a sustainable future in general I spoke of initially)
3) To "Navigate" implies one has a sense of direction, and as with the "twitter briefing" I get the sense folks are still experimenting with social media's potential in general, which isn't a bad thing, but runs the risk of failing to create a center of gravity that will be condcive to pooling thoughts, concepts and ideas into manifest reality of future policy based upon public imput-melded with "the art of the possible" in one central location.
Dipnote has the potential to become the greatest public think tank of the 21st century, if folks @ State accept the hypothetical of its potential medium as its prime vehical for creative interactive thinking, but only if folks @ State can step out of their present comfort zone of not dealing with hypotheticals and embrace the great "what if?" where it involves the grave issues before us.
ie: 27 months to build the first a-bombs with only theories to go on, how can folks @ State assure the public Iran doesn't have them by now?
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ John in Canada,
If there is one thing about people that's a given, it's that they can only change themselves. You can try to understand them, change their circumstances, try to point the roads to peace, but in the end, they must want it for themselves knowing what the alternatives are. Bold steps and perhaps controversial ones are required; when a plan is not working, everything must be considered to find one that does.
I'm probably among a dozen or so people in the world still living who has held a piece of "trinitite" in my hands. This is the fused sand from the first atomic explosion, bubbled green glass, encased in leaded crystal, given to the department heads and leading scientists at Los Alamos at the end of WW2, including my granddad. The rest has been bulldozed underground at the site in White Sands. It is the most concrete example I can show any one of the risk of nuclear war, or the results of it. Any leader holding this potential future in hand, will have something to remember, and think about.
My point here John is that it will take more than words to convince the leaders of Iran that the path they tread leads over oblivion's cliff, and since that is best done face to face; unless my gov. is fully on board with the approach I'm willing to take, then I'd be wasting my time.
Thanks for the vote of confidence though.
John P. in Greece writes:
@ Maureen in Massachusetts
Your question is extremely interesting and thought-provoking!
QUOTE: Question -do you both get the sense that the blog is navigating away from itself in some respects to different social media sites? On one hand this is a good teaching tool for those interested but on the other hand it could possibly self-extinguish. This might be more about the audience. END OF QUOTE.
Well, I'll speak for myself, looking forward at the same time to read what Eric has to say on this… He always offers great, spiritual ideas. And I think you raised a GREAT subject!
If I understand the question correctly, you probably mean that the use of multiple technologies (Twitter, RSS, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube etc.) can create a foggy mosaic of different platforms and technologies that could drive DipNote "Core-Central†site –the mama platform- into self-extinguish on the ground that ONE audience (readers) can become multiply different ones, obviously difficult to follow.
Tough question indeed!
First, let me say that I am not an expert…
A couple of months ago, I attempted to visit our favorite site (Dip) using a "smart†phone, just to see how it looks like through a mob (cell) view. At the beginning, I felt frustrated, because I could see the site, but not the comments; at least this is what happened to my attempt.
My first disappointment made me think: Now what? Is this good, that people can't see the whole picture, or it's good because they can at least see the posts?
After some thought, I decided that according to my opinion, it's better to be able to view some of the material, instead of being totally blind.
And then I recalled what Sean (genius) McCormack had answered in a similar question years ago. In my words, I think he had said that "we work with allâ€!
I like this theory! We work with all platforms and technologies to achieve the GOAL!
And I think that this is the right strategy in today's 0-1 digital world. If you cannot keep up with all the paths, you'll never find the highway. It's the paths that feed the highway and the highway which feeds the paths.
I remind you that I am not an expert, but new media/ social media & new media marketing is also not a science yet. So, all of us are researchers…
I will close my poor comment with this thought and I'm sure, Maureen, it will make you think more on your brilliant question:
Decades ago, we had to deal with a similar dilemma. Should I use a Mac or a PC?
If you ask me –the choice is personal- I prefer Macs, but I use a PC, because I can't afford a Mac at Greece's prices. All of which is a no problem, because today, I can perfectly communicate with you, who may have a Mac…
Decades ago, we had to deal with a similar dilemma when the question came on whether to build a site in a Mac or IBM code. During the "old school days†if you had a Mac, you could see only Mac designed web sites. If you had an IBM compatible you couldn't see Mac sites and vice versa.
Today, browsers were developed and "everyone can work with everyoneâ€!
Best Regards!
Maureen in Massachusetts writes:
@Eric in New Mexico
Your articulate response provokes yet more questions. It might be worth mentioning that for me it is the entirety of the mission at the State Dept. and not just any one component which makes it an enormous resource and think tank.
@John P. in Greece
The question I asked does not do justice to your response. It is touching to see that people are so committed.
I have a dell therefore, I use a dell.
John P. in Greece writes:
@ Maureen in Massachusets
I think that you misunderstood me and now I want my $, as wisely Eric says... LOL)
Dell, Packard Bell, or Mac… who cares?
We can communicate… this is my "diper†comment.
This is DipNote!
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Maureen,
a) The State dept. twitter briefing represents a milestone in the fact that this is the first time the state dept spokesperson (assist, Sec. of Public Affairs) has devoted an entire on-the-record briefing to "taken" questions from the public.
b) As Niel Young once put it, "It's better to burn out than rust." but if Ms. Nuland is willing to make this a regular M-F thing and take a question submitted on Dipnote as well as all the other various feeds, she won't have to burn out doing double duty between press and public briefings because she has deputies to spread the love. I think it goes without saying that in such a bold undertaking, the State dept is polishing it's "game" and the public won't ever let them rust on their policy laurels...(chuckle).
c) Re; "...not just any one component..."
You know how guys are, one-track mind and all, but if you want a vacation and come visit me here in "the city different" (or dysfunctional as the case may be), I'll buy lunch, show you around some, and
let you distract me.
I'm getting tired of eating Ayatollahs for breakfast anyway...but very much hope POTUS makes news in the SOTU in announcing that there was a $32 Trillion bill included in the letter he sent to the "supreme leader" (or idiot, as definately is the case) because like John, I don't just want results, I want the money! Consider chanting "death to America" to be a billable offense.
From: The White House
To: EJ (email removed for posting)
Subject: Response to Your Message
January 13, 2012
Dear Friend:
Thank you for taking the time to share your views. I have heard from many Americans regarding Iran, and I appreciate your perspective.
I am committed to making my Administration the most open and transparent in history, and part of delivering on that promise is hearing from people like you. I take seriously your opinions and respect your point of view on this important foreign policy matter. Please know that your concerns will be on my mind in the days ahead.
Barack Obama
Nice lady on Sen John Kerry's (D-Mass.) staff thought "That's a great idea!" and passed in on awhile back.
And Maureen, there's a reason the book "The Cure for Political Stupidity and/or How Not To Go To War With America (the idiot's guide) was written, concieved, and published on Dipnote- raw and unedited.
Better to bill them before bombing them as it puts another option of the President's desk.
(see my post to John in Greece prev. and follow the WaPo link to my commentary, if you like, your thoughts on this would be welcome too, as well as anyone@State wishing to opine off the record here)