text:
Gov. Jeb Bush credits his gun legislation and tougher penalties for the state's lowest crime rate in 30 years.
By ABHI RAGHUNATHAN and JENNIFER LIBERTO
Published July 12, 2006
TALLAHASSEE - The state's serious crime rate fell to the lowest level in three decades last year, a development Gov. Jeb Bush hailed Tuesday as validation for his policies on gun control and criminal justice.
Bush credited tougher penalties as one reason for the lower crime rate. He also said the figures show that controlling human behavior, not guns, is the way to reduce crime.
"I think law-abiding citizens who have guns for protection are actually part of the reason we have a lower crime rate," Bush said at a press conference in the Capitol. "I don't think that there's a lot of data that suggests that gun control reduces crime."
But Ronald Akers, a professor of criminology and sociology at the University of Florida, said scholars were uncertain why the crime rate has steadily decreased nationwide since the 1980s. He said tougher sentences for criminals may have kept repeat offenders off the streets, but that demographic factors like an aging population may have played a role.
"I would say there are some reasonable hypotheses, but no one has been able to come up with some hard data for why the crime rate has been steadily declining," Akers said.
The rate - which includes crimes such as murder, rape, assault and major theft - dropped 3.7 percent in 2005 to 4,677.2 per 100,000 residents, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The total number of reported serious crimes also dropped 1.5 percent from the previous year.
Bush cited the "10-20-LIFE" crime bill as an example of an effective law. It requires a minimum 10-year sentence for crimes committed with a gun, a 20-year sentence for firing a gun during the commission of a crime and 25 years to life if the bullet fired causes death or injury.
Local law enforcement officials cheered the state news. St. Petersburg police Chief Chuck Harmon said he was glad the city's rate of serious crimes also saw a reduction last year. He said the trend was expected to continue this year.
"I'm pleased that we're paralleling the state of Florida in crime reduction," Harmon said. "That's good news for all Floridians."
Tampa police Chief Steve Hogue said he credited his officers and improved technology that gives a real time accounting of crime patterns for the decrease.
"They're working smarter, and they're working harder," Hogue said.
St. Petersburg saw its serious crime rate drop from 8,428 per 100,000 residents to 7,979 in 2005. Tampa's rate fell from 9,272.9 per 100,000 to 7,649.
The crime rate fell statewide in nearly every category. The number of murders fell 6.9 percent to 881. Forcible sex offenses dipped 1.6 percent to 12,230. And burglaries edged down 0.9 percent to 164,777.
Those figures show that Floridians are less likely to be burglarized or killed today than in decades.
Times reporter Abbie VanSickle contributed to this report. Abhi Raghunathan can be reached at (727) 893-8472.
[Last modified July 12, 2006, 05:51:05]
© 2011 · All Rights Reserved · Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South · St. Petersburg, FL 33701 · 727-893-8111
Contact Us | Join Us | Advertise with Us | Subscribe to the Times
Privacy Policy | Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright


text:
New Markdowns
view full screen
Sandra Dress
Style: 2570039041
Out of Stock
A timeless botanical print and a bust-enhancing twist ensure this soft knit dress will be a favorite for many seasons to come.
- Exclusive print.
- Shirred shoulders.
- Bra-friendly V-neck.
- Double-layered knit bodice for soft support.
- V-back.
- Approximate length: 37.5".
- 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex. Machine wash, cold; tumble dry low. Imported.
Read more… Read less…

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Friends and Family,
A lot of know that I have been covering boxing and mixed martials for a few years now.
My co-host and I recently decided to start a boxing tshirt company Pound4Pound Apparel and have signed a handful of boxers to contracts.
Our first client, Ronald Hearns(the son of Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns), fights one week from today on the 28th. It will be airing on Showtime and he will be wearing our product. I attached a picture of the shirt.
This is a huge night for both me personally and our company.
To help celebrate, we will be watching the fight at Coach's Place in Willowick on Euclid Ave (Former BW3/Pacer's/MVP)
I invite all of you to come watch the fight with us, it starts at 11pm but we will be there earlier for hoops. There will be food and drink specials.
It would mean a lot to me if you could make it.
Thank you and I look forward to seeing all of you next Saturday.


text:
Fluffy Raisin Pumpkin Bars RecipeRead Reviews Be the first to add a review
4.5 2 3
Chocolate-covered raisins are a fun surprise inside these moist pumpkin bars. The traditional cream cheese frosting never fails to please.
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups canned pumpkin
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup chocolate-covered raisins for baking
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- Decorator sprinkles, optional
- In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices; gradually add to the pumpkin mixture. Stir in walnuts and chocolate-covered raisins.
- Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
- For frosting, in a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Add milk and orange extract; beat until smooth. Frost bars. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 4 dozen.
Originally published as Raisin Pumpkin Bars in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2004, p141
Reviews for Fluffy Raisin Pumpkin Bars
Please Log In or Join to add a rating and review.
Click stars to rate
Any changes to your rating or review will appear where you originally posted your review
Reviewed Nov. 5, 2011
"My husband and brother ate the pumpkin bars before I pit the frosting on them! I liked them very much too! Definitely would make them again. I could not find the Chocolate covered raisin for baking,so I used regular chocolate covered raisins...."
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2011
"I have not made this recipe as of yet, but wanted to know if there is a difference from chocolate covered raisins to chocolate covered raisins for baking as stated in the recipe."


text:
A Username is a required entry.
Your Username must be at least 6 characters long.
A password is required.
Your Password must be at least 7 characters long.
Username and passwordmust be entered
Your Password must be at least 10 characters long.
Your Account has been Locked. Please use the Forgot Password link to unlock your Password.
Sign Up Now


text:
Cyprus Crisis!
So, Cyprus is a European Union Member State which is about to go bankrupt. Naturally, the Cyriot Government asked the European Union for a Governmental Bail out.
Brussels responded that they would be happy to give the bail out, so long as the demands are met. These Demands are set by Germany, because Germany is the biggest giver in these bail out.
When the Greek Government refused to pass her laws, Germany feared the very distruction of the Euro Currency, and thus she made a Provincial Government for Greece...called a "Unity" Government, and got rid of the Ellected Greek Government and replaced it with the Unity Government....When Italy went through the same problem, The German Chancellor did exactly the same thing.
I dont know the current situation in Greece, but I do know that Italy has returned to a Democratically ellected Government recently.
Spain was warned, but for some reason Germany held back on Sanctions that were beyond Spains ability.
So...What makes Cyprus Different?
Well Cyprus is small, and so Austerity is a silly imposition. However, Cyprus has one thing going. Its a Haven for Savings accounts, like the Caymen Isles, or Switzerland...Cyprus has wealth of individual citizens, and those from around the world, stored up in its vaults.
These are PERSONAL SAVINGS, belonging, not to the Governments, nor to the Banks...but to individual people.
The German Chancellor has told the Cypriot Government, that her Demands for the authorization of a bail out from the European Union are simple. a One Off payment from EACH ACCOUNT of around 10 percent.
She is asking for 10percent of each individuals savings in their banks. This is nothing short of theaft. The stealing of money from bank accounts...we arent talking the loss of money through shares...we are talking, really simply about, if you had $10 in a Cyprian Account...the German Chancellor will releave you of a Dollar.....
To avoid a run on the savings account, the Cypriot Government have put withdrawal limits on savings accounts...so you CANT get your money out.
They have thus far voted NOT to meet the Germans Demands...but without that bail out, they face...well, extinction one supposes. Bankruptcy...and Merkel has refused to change her demand
Tell me...if its possible for the German Chancellor, to replace Democratic Governments, with her own Unity Provincial Governments, and its possible for her to go into the account of any person in the European Union and TAKE WITHOUT PERMISSION TEN PERCENT OF THEIR SAVINGS...what is stopping her from doing it to people in England if she felt like it?
At what stage do we say that she is a threat to us? At what stage do we say that she has no right to rule over an ENTIRE Continent??? When will other Nations in the World help us?
Well the answer to the third question is already answered.
Cyprus has entered into talks about a possible bailout from....
The European Union have threatened to cut Cyprus off if she goes to Moscow for help. Russia has a huge stake in the accounts on Cyprus, and wont want to see this go to Germany or Brussels...Moscow already gave them a loan two years ago, in the worry of this spreading from nearby Greece...and it looks like those fears were warrented.
The other offer of help, GOD bless them, has come from the Orthodox Church, the Primate, Chrysostomos I, Said that he would mortgage the Churches assets to buy Government Bonds, or something
"We don't have days or weeks, we have only hours to save our country," Averos Neophytou, deputy leader of the ruling party Democratic Rally, told reporters as crisis talks in Nicosia dragged into the evening. Banks are to stay shut for the rest of the week and so not reopen till Tuesday after a holiday weekend
"We can provide emergency liquidity only to solvent banks and ... the solvency of Cypriot banks cannot be assumed if an aid program is not agreed on soon, which would allow for a quick recapitalization of the banking sector," The European Central Bank's chief negotiator on Cyprus, Joerg Asmussen
President Nicos Anastasiades, a conservative elected just last month with a mandate to secure a bailout, held meetings with party leaders, his cabinet and officials from the "troika" of lenders from the EU, ECB and International Monetary Fund. A senior source in the "troika" said dealing with Cyprus was even more frustrating than protracted wrangling with Greece.
Even allowing for inflation, 10 billion euros can still buy you quite a lot these days.
For example, if you were Russia, and you used your 10 billion to bail out Cyprus, you could buy another few decades of European dependence on you for energy.
You might also get a dent in people's confidence in the EU thrown in. If you invested it all wisely, in the longer term you could even get a warm-water naval port out of it.
Not bad a return.
The Russian offer to better the terms of the EU bailout for Cyprus is not just commercial. It is an attempt to regain influence in a region of growing energy importance.
Russia had already lost power in the Mediterranean and Middle East when Egypt was flipped and turned towards the USA.
After the implosion of the Soviet empire in 1989, Moscow lost any chance of a quick return to the region and was left only with a small port on the coast of Syria to play with.
But Russia is now back on its feet, and the discovery of the potentially huge gas field in the eastern Mediterranean has given it an opportunity to again engage in the region.
It has already done a deal via Gazprom with the Israeli's over its gas fields, and is now trying to get in on Cyprus's potential gold pot.
Europe has for years been looking for a way to wean itself off energy dependency on Russia, and Cyprus was one route.
However, if Gazprom secures the rights to explore the Cypriot gas fields, this will give Moscow massive influence there.
Influence is power and that power could feasibly result, down the line, in Cyprus suggesting that the British bases on their island close.
From there, the possibility of a Russian base might emerge in what is a key part of Nato's Mediterranean strategy and an intelligence gathering post.
The UK, Greece, Turkey, and the US - all Nato members - might object. But money talks and we have seen in the last decade that Russia wins some and loses some.
The ties between Cyprus and Russia are not just commercial and political.
We should not underestimate the cultural ties between the two, which are based on Russia's perception of itself as the guardian of Orthodox Christianity.
Whether Russia wins this geopolitical fight or not, it will continue to watch with interest the political and social fallout of the euro crisis and the democratic deficit which has been part of it.
The EU has crossed an intellectual line in Cyprus. Previous bailouts of other countries may have required austerity measures, but now unelected Eurocrats, in consultation with Cypriot leaders, have told the people that they are going to take up to 10% of their money without asking them. In Cyprus they have a word for this - theft.
This has been noticed across the European Union. If it might happen in Cyprus then it might happen in Greece, or Spain, or Italy. The raison d'etre of the Union is to ensure prosperity and the safety of its peoples, not to take money from their bank accounts.
The Cypriot politicians fear they could become the target of retribution from the people and so have hot-footed their way to Russia.
Not only might they get what in the short term looks a much better deal from Moscow, but, and this might be really what's going on, they might force Brussels to offer a much better deal to prevent Cyprus from "falling" to the Russians.
Either way - terms and conditions apply.
The Good news is Cypriot Banks will reopen on Tuesday.
The bad news is that Cyprus caved into the demands of the German Chancellor.
In order to qualify for the bail-out, the Cypriot Government shall steal up to ten percent of each individual Citizens savings account in banks on the Island, and surrender that money to Brussels.
If they do that the European Union will give them a government bail-out and the International Monetry Fund and European Central Bank will be happy...until that money runs out...and then Cyprus will be back at square one.
Same thing is going to start here in the USA. States like California and Illinois are going to require bail outs, soon.
Cyprus eventually gave in to the demands of the European Government...and they think Slovenia might be the next country to go now
Thats the problem with Different Soverignties sharing the same financial currency...I am so against Federalization, I really do not believe in anything but pacts and treaties to govern different soverignties together...I dont like Financial Union, and I absolutely despise Political Union
These BIG Governments have become something they were never supposed to be. They are no longer a consensus of individual soverignties...they are a form of Tyrany over individual soverignties...in the US its gone on for so long the State Governments seem to have forgotten that, technically speaking, they are independant countries in their own right.
the reason why its not such a problem for the US States...is because most were formed and annexed deliberatley, their creation was with the purpose of being a union...thats not the case with Europe, where different States have up to 1500 years of Pure Soverignty without any wish or will to join a union...and now they notice when the Union takes away what they've had for centuries...we werent created for Union, Whereas, with the exclusion of Texas...the US was.
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
Linear Mode


text:
Christian Bale visits Colorado shooting victims
The Columbus Dispatch - July 25, 2012 11:40 AM
The Dark Knight Rises star Christian Bale visited victims of the July 20 shooting in Aurora, Colo. Tuesday night.
Bale was at the Medical Center of Aurora for more than two hours, spending time with some of the people receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the shooting. Carey Rottman, who was being treated at the hospital, posted photographs of himself with Bale on his Facebook page.
Bale, an actor famous for some epic on-set blow-ups, showed his caring side during his visit. The actor made the visit unannounced, and he wore casual attire.
The move came after a petition was posted on Change.org asking Bale to visit Colorado.


text:
Topic: Railsconf
Who is attending Railsconf? Let's get a meet up
Currently in Capistrano tutorial right now.
This is an archive from Rails Forum. Check out the new community here!
A forum for Ruby on Rails users
Pages 1
Who is attending Railsconf? Let's get a meet up
Currently in Capistrano tutorial right now.
Yeah, honestly - it's nothing special so far. A lot of stuff he is talking about is on the site, or already from 1.4.
Let's see the second half though.
Which one are you in?
Look for the youngest, tall, shaggy hair guy and that'd be me. Last post I did has pic: http://www.danielfischer.com/
I'm in the DRY your views tutorial. Maybe we can meet up afterwards. I'm wearing a bright blue coat and have a Railscasts shirt on.
Yeah, for sure. How is the DRY one? Just talked to a 'co-worker' and said it is alright.
Any of you look at the IRC? It's a completely crackup at times. I have to struggle not to laugh.
I'm really into the topic they are talking about, so it's pretty good to me, but they do get on some confusing tangents that they could probably save for another time. I did the Javascript session this morning and it wasn't as intersting to me.
I'm an IRC newbie, how do you get into the room?
Yeah I was at javascript too. It was rather boring to me, even though I'm not a JS pro - I know a lot of that crap could be found on google.
/join #railsconf on the irc.freenode.net server
I wish I were in the views, but already started with cap.
Great meeting you Danger! If I see you again we should share what sessions we will be attending. I'm curious which one's you're going to.
Still need to meet up with you DFischer. I'll try to catch you on IRC.
Wish I could be there. Have fun guys.
Hey, nice meeting up with you Ryan. Wish I could have talked to you about some things I had questions for, but I was way too hungry!
Danger, why were you MIA? lol
I really enjoyed meeting up Daniel, I'm up to getting together again. Too bad we couldn't find Danger.
Yeah, apparently he went with the OTHER people. Yeah, what a guy eh?! Haha.
Just playing, yeah let's do a get together sometime over the weekend then. Or might up after railsconf, either way.
Video Transcoding is fun! Yay for office videos, ya?
I wasn't expecting much out of the video session, but I'm happy I went. It was very entertaining and educational.
I'm covering a lot of Rails Conf through blog posts, so if you aren't attending and would like to see my notes, and some of my pictures, and or opinions check it out .
Here is one for day two:
http://www.danielfischer.com/2007/05/19 f-day-two/
Last edited by DFischer (2007-05-19 23:16:15)
Pages 1
Hosting provided by aTech Media


text:
You will find instructions on how and when to perform most of the maintenance operations in your Operator´s manual.Maintenance schedules and part chartsSearch for maintenance schedules and parts charts for service of your engine. To make sure you get the correct manuals please have your engine serial number available.Please keep in mind there are certain tasks that should only be performed by your Volvo Penta dealer, as they have the tools, expertise, and most current information to properly perform these tasks. The Dealer Only items are listed in the Maintenance Schedule.
Laying up and launching guideThese instructions cover most of the items to be checked and seen to on your diesel engine and drive when laying up and launching your boat.Do it yourself books and manualsIf you plan to do more extensive work on your Volvo Penta equipment, we recommend you to purchase a do it yourself book that relate to your particular equipment.


text:
Topic: Q: How can I select columns for my find results
I would like to refind the SQL statement that Rails creates when I do a find. Right now my log shows the following:
SELECT * FROM users
I'd like to make it say:
SELECT id, name FROM users
In my controller I may have some code doing a find like the following, how would I modify it?
@user = User.find_all


text: Oops, let me pick that up... Ah, what the heck. Sure, consider the gauntlet on the floor, where your jaw will drop to when you see the ZX12 spank Nina's panties.....;-) Assuming I find a decent one in driving distance for my price, that is. I sent Mr. Daniels to eyeball one today. Sounds like a fairly decent one, though it's not nearly as mint as the owner described it. That one is on the back burner for now. Guess I'm not in too big of a rush, but the garage sure looks empty. If I don't fill it back up soon, the wife will fill it with flower pots. Dave B Jerry Clair wrote: > Did I just hear a gauntlet hit the floor? > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Dave Daniels <dwaynedaniels at sbcglobal.net> > To: Jerry Clair <darkclarity2k at yahoo.com>; Kawasaki GPZ1100 discussion <gpzlist at micapeak.com> > Sent: Sunday, July 6, 2008 4:49:11 PM > Subject: Re: The Orange Beast is gone > > Oh boy.....I see a race coming next year. > > Jerry Clair <darkclarity2k at yahoo.com> wrote: > ah! but Nina has that awesome dark RED color that makes it faster...I ain't lying! > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: David Beard > To: Jerry Clair > Cc: Kawasaki GPZ1100 discussion > Sent: Saturday, July 5, 2008 10:47:57 PM > Subject: Re: The Orange Beast is gone > > Let's see, 12 is one louder than 11, ain't it???? ;-) > > > Jerry Clair wrote: > >> -but-but-but, You just want to out do my Nina, don't ya? >> >> >> ----- Original Message ---- >> From: David Beard >> To: GPZ LIST >> Sent: Saturday, July 5, 2008 6:14:15 PM >> Subject: The Orange Beast is gone >> >> Well, I'm afraid I went and sold the Orange Beast. As some of the guys >> at the Ohio ride know, I've been thinking about upgrading. I decided to >> put the bike up for sale when I got home and ask a fairly ridiculous >> price for it. I figured I'd either sell it for my price or I'd hang on >> to it. Well, today someone has agreed to my price and has already sent >> payment for the bike. The new owner of the Orange Beast will be a >> gentleman named Chris from Frankfurt Kentucky. I will inform him of the >> list when he picks up the bike, which will hopefully be tomorrow. >> >> I intend to hang around the list, even though I will be Geepster-less >> now. I have my sights set on picking up a ZX12r in the very near future. >> I've seen some in the low to mid $5k range, and these bikes intrigue me. >> I'm hoping to be on the back of one for next years Ohio gathering. If >> you see any or know of any ZX12r's for sale within driving range of >> Illinois, give me a shout. >> >> I will probably have a few odds and ends to sell shortly. Over the years >> I have had three 95 GPZs. Though there is always a possibility I will >> end up picking up another one someday, I'm not going to hang on to the >> stuff I've accumulated. I'll put the parts up for sale as I get them sorted. >> >> If anyone is down around Frankfurt, KY, keep you eyes open for a blazing >> orange streak flying past you on the road. That'll be my old girl. >> >> Dave B >> >> >> > >


text:
9:00AM to 5:30PM PST, Monday to Friday
Venture to a world of mighty pharaohs and pyramids on an expedition that highlights the wonders of ancient Egypt. Marvel at the mighty Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Sphinx.
Located on the banks of the River Nile, the Ramses Hilton hotel is a stunning destination in the heart of Cairo. Take in views of the Nile and the Pyramids from this Egypt hotel s 36th-floor Windows on the World restaurant. Relax by the outdoor pool or enjoy coffee and pastries at the Garden Court Cafe. The Ramses Hilton hotel boasts a British-style pub, an Indian restaurant, a shopping Galleria and Executive Lounge. Only 45 minutes from Cairo International Airport, the Ramses Hilton hotel is 5 minutes from the Egyptian Museum and within easy reach of famous Cairo attractions. Let the staff at this Cairo hotel arrange a day trip or organize transport to the surrounding region.
Address:1115 Cornish El Nile, Cairo, Egypt 12344
Comfort and superior service are the assets of Wings Cruise ships. An average of 70-person crew on each boat to serve our esteemed guests. The trip along the Nile will take you back 7000 years to discover the realms of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Visit the Valley of the Kings, Queens, The Karnak Temple combined with the friendly smile and the warm hospitality of the people.
Address:21 A El-Oboor Gardens, Salah Salem Road, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt
Tel:20 (2) 2-4070-511


text:
That's all about to change as new CEO Bob Moran has set his sights on reinventing the company, reclaiming its heritage of leadership and innovation, and revitalizing the entire organization.
Aware that he's facing fundamental challenges in everything from what the company makes and sells to demands for an evolving product mix, Moran said he plans on building upon the success the organization already brings.
"We want to bring Congoleum — a name that has been synonymous with vinyl flooring — back to market leadership. This is a brand everyone knows, a brand everyone respects, a brand with a value. That's part of our culture, its part of our heritage. We are going to own that again,bCrLf he said.
With long-time senior vice president Dennis Jarosz at his side, the two are working on changes from the inside out.
"My principle goal with Dennis is to find out what he needs to be successful. Is it price, is it promotion, is it product development, is it merchandising? Turns out to be a little bit of everything,bCrLf he said.
The big three initial objectives will be focused on merchandising, product development and messaging, specifically the website.
"The first part is merchandising, getting the right display; then education and training and getting the word out about the quality of our product via the website. With websites, if you don't have the right information, the right message, people will gladly move on and go to the next one,bCrLf he said. "Our website is not as robust or as friendly as we want and does not tell the Congoleum story or the wonderful story of our product and how we can solve problems for our customers.bCrLf
New product now
As for product development, Moran said, "We have been somewhat stoic in the introduction of products. Now, Dennis will lead the surge forward with Duraceramic and all structures for vinyl, including Airstep, from higher end to lower.bCrLf
Jarosz calls it a cultural shift. "One of the things that Bob has done is reenergize new product development, so we get back to being the innovator everyone has expected of us,bCrLf he said.
"We've opened up our horizon in terms of how we source and deliver products. In the past, if we didn't make it, we didn't do it. The different proposition we're working under now is that if we need it, then we need to go out and get it, and if we can't make it, then we should get it someplace else.bCrLf
Moran added, "It' a world market and if we need to buy something from another country, then we will do so. It's the same with acquiring companies: If something fits a niche or a need for our line and distribution network, we will consider that as well.bCrLf
With a green light for new product development and a committed distribution network, Jarosz said Congoleum is not wasting any time.
"The common message from distributors is that Duraceramic is great, you don't need to reinvent it, but you need to look at the ceramic market and look at other sizes and shapes,bCrLf Jarosz said, pointing out that despite all the competition, Congoleum is still the leader in this category.
At the same time, he recognizes that some distributors have moved into importing LVT on their own as a defensive measure, but remains confident they'd prefer to stick with Congoleum even for imported product "if we're running point on this, if we're assuring the quality and overseeing the manufacturing processes.bCrLf
Another big push on the product development side will be with its successful felt-core Airstep line, where distributor response has been equally enthusiastic. "Our distributors told us we have to move faster to AirStep, that dealers are demanding it. That's where we've put our energy — into new designs and new product in the AirStep concept,bCrLf he said.
Airstep, he explained, has advantages even over fiberglass because it is a felt core product that can go over wood subfloors either perimeter installed or loose laid without worries over buckling.
Internally, there are changes as well. Moran said that as they look at operations, they are finding ways to take out unnecessary costs that have been baked in, through inefficient processes and asset allocation.
"We are patrolling all of that and are taking costs out of the business so we can be the value proposition in the marketplace,bCrLf he said.
Added Jarosz, "We probably have an 18 month agenda from this fall through 2013.bCrLf
"The good thing is we identified what we need to do,bCrLf said Moran. "We have a team and a culture to keep pushing the product, what's next, how do we make it better, how do we make it more exciting, how do we make people proud of what we're doing. You believe in what you do, you believe in the product, you believe in your distribution and you can win."


text:
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Thank you both Ev and c0ml3x for following this build. Yes, for every revolution of the motor on the grinder, the final drive is 1/4. I am just using the ability of the angle ginder to turn vertical rotation into horizontal rotation. I Think.The simple solution as to why is this: On the perfect diving arm mixer, every portion of the side of the bowl is wiped by the kneading arm. Said differently, if the distance around the bowl is 21", and the kneading foot is 3", then the bowl must travel 1/7th rotation for every "dive" of the arms.I hope this makes things more clear. More to follow.
wouldn't using a garage door opener make a better low speed drive?


text:
Less than a month into the New Year and the e-retailer and marketplace announces plans for three additional U.S. fulfillment centers.
Gap and Visa make ingenious move with texts
But will consumers enter their credit card number to participate?
Text message marketing has been all about sending offers or content to customers who opt in to a mobile phone number database—offers or content designed for the crowd, not the individual. There have been some retailers that narrowed the crowd down into groups. Vans and Moosejaw, for example, have let consumers check off groups or features they wish to belong to or receive when opting in to texts. A Vans customer might check off "Surf" and then receive only content from Vans.com relating to surfing.
Gap has taken this process of honing text message marketing to the next level by providing offers custom-made for individuals. Partner Visa combs opt-in customers' Visa transaction history to get an idea of the kinds of things a customer would be interested in, and Gap sends out offers based on that information. I think that's brilliant.
But the big question is, will customers offer their credit card numbers to get these kinds of text messages? Customers received an e-mail a few days ago announcing the program and sending them to a secure Visa.com page to sign up. All they have to do is enter their mobile phone number and Visa card number and they're all set. No name, expiration date or other information is collected, so a charge can't be made. And the numbers are handled on a secure, encrypted site.
But when I received the e-mail, my first question was, why do they need my Visa number? You see, they don't explain in the main e-mail marketing copy that you're receiving offers based on your purchase history. You have to read the fine print to understand what is happening. Why hide this fact? The fact that offers are personalized is a big selling point, and I think one that could convince many people to take that big step of entering their credit card number. As it is, without reading the fine print, there's no real reason given why Gap needs the Visa number.
Gap is clearly blazing a new trail in text message marketing with this program. It just needs to speak up, brag about what it and Visa can do for customers. That will help overcome the hurdle of convincing those customers who worry about giving out their credit card number that this program is worth that number.
I hope more retailers move into personalized text messages. It's an ingenious idea by Gap and Visa. And if other retailers do make the move, they should make clear the benefits and how the program works. Customers will love it.


text:
Cascade Heritage Silk Yarn is a similar yarn: machine wash, fingering (27-32 sts/4 in), 7-8 sts / inch, 100 gram, on size 2-3 US needles, and 437 yards. You may also like Crystal Palace Mini Mochi Yarn, which is another similar yarn: machine wash, fingering (27-32 sts/4 in), 7-8 sts / inch.
What about yarn that have the same look and feel? Find more yarn with a smooth / uniform texture, a high energy twist, and is machine dyed.
You may enjoy taking a look at the Cascade Heritage Spectrum Sock, Cascade Heritage Turnalar Sock, Cascade Heritage Men's Sock, and Cascade Heritage Wavy Scarf kits all using Cascade Heritage Yarn.
Hopefully our suggested project ideas for Cascade Heritage Yarn can help you come up with your next exciting new project idea!


text:
- Home
- News
- Sports
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Features
- Special Sections
- Classifieds
- Public Notices
Forgot Password? | Not a User? Sign up
Rental property owner Allen Murphy, who came under fire last week for allegedly refusing to fix frozen pipes in a trailer he owns in Waddy, said his refusal to fix the pipes wasn't vindictive.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Sentinel-News, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
If you are new to the award winning Sentinel-News and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.
|ZIP Code:


text:
The Gallatin County High School boys' basketball team took care of Galatia 76-22 in the first round of the Greater Egyptian Conference Tournament Monday night at Southeastern Illinois College.
The Hawks, the tournament's No. 1 seed, now advances to Friday's semifinal round where they will play Thompsonville.
The GEC Tournament continues tonight (Tuesday) with No. 2 seeded Carrier Mills playing Hardin County at 8 p.m. The first game of the night will feature Norris City (3 seed) against Crab Orchard at 6 p.m.
On the consolation side of the bracket, Galatia will play Pope County Thursday at 8 p.m., while the loser of Carrier Mills/Hardin County and Norris City/Crab Orchard play Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
The seventh place game will be played Friday at 5:30 p.m., with the consolation championship tipping off at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
The third place game will then be played at 7 p.m. with the championship game going off at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
7 Tips For Your Most Organized Vanity Ever
Along the milled edge of the British £2 coin (the highest denomination in general circulation) you will find the phrase "standing on the shoulders of giants." It's a quote from Isaac Newton, describing with a certain humility how his scientific breakthroughs were based on the work of those who had gone before him—but it could almost be the motto of London in the early 21st century. The city has changed (it is always changing), but in contrast to the rather self-conscious futurity of the millennial years, there is a sense that Londoners have learned to couple their characteristic creativity and energy with a new appreciation of the value of what has gone before. Those who witnessed director Danny Boyle's exuberant opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics will have gained an insight into how the city now sees itself: polyglot and defiantly cosmopolitan, playful, eccentric, at ease with its past yet consistently innovative. It's an approach that can be seen in everything from the sleek revamp of the famous double-decker bus, updated by the English designer Thomas Heatherwick, to the triumphant revival of George Gilbert Scott's St. Pancras Station hotel, a majestic slice of high Victorian Gothic that had stood empty since the late 1980s.
Renzo Piano's Shard, overlooking the Thames.
Even the new skyscrapers that soar above the city stand upon a street plan that has remained substantially unchanged for a thousand years. And make no mistake, London's skyline is growing exponentially taller. The precedent set by Norman Foster's Gherkin in 2003—named for its ellipsoid silhouette, although the Pinecone might be a more accurate sobriquet—means that many of these high-rise projects have been accorded catchy nicknames. There's Rafael Viñoly's bulbous Walkie-Talkie, the wedge-shape Cheesegrater by Richard Rogers, and the helter-skelter Pinnacle, currently on hold but aiming to be the tallest tower in the Square Mile, London's financial district. (The current incumbent is the 755-foot Heron Tower, with an open-all-hours restaurant, Duck & Waffle, on its 40th floor for fans of panoramic eating.) And looking down on them all is Renzo Piano's Shard, a gigantic splinter of mirrored glass that looms over London Bridge as if superimposed by some kind of CGI effect. At 1,016 feet, it is the highest habitable structure in Western Europe, offering unrivaled views of the River Thames (capricious English weather permitting).
Gothic-inspired colonnades in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, formerly a railway office.
4 One-Of-A-Kind Hotel Spas


text:
The team at BrandTree Creative have been the only reason I have been able to establish my own corporate identity. They have helped me define my business and have created many different marketing strategies to aid in my success. They are all extremely gifted, talented and profes..
Wildman ware have been on point with every. Enquiry I had and made sure I was completely happy with all aspects of the design and shirt before purchase. Will now use wildman ware from here on in.
Get your job done right
We verify our businesses
Only hire the best
Free to request and free to hire!
Surfers Paradise, QLD
A single project
Anything else
I am coming to Australia next week from the UK, I need certificates printed and delivered to RACV Royal Pines Resort for 1 NOVEMBER. Please email me any info as the mobile number belongs to a Brisb...Make a similar request
What next?
Businesses like to send a quote as soon as possible. You may receive
your first quote within an hour.
Call us on 13 18 18Visit our help centre Back to job form
Keep an eye on your email for quotes that we send you from relevant businesses.
We will notify you here when quotes come in.
Why do we need this?
Businesses who send you a quote may get in touch to chat about your request.
Login to submit your job.
Forgot your password? Reset your password
We have sent an email to
We have re-sent the email. Check your email and follow the link to change your password.
Send again
Be sure to check your spam folder for an email from firstname.lastname@example.com
Only businesses that send you a quote will see your contact details.


text:
Lunmar Boat Lifts specializes in producing high quality, affordable boat lifts and accessories. From galvanized and aluminum boat lifts to cargo lifts and floating docks, we have a wide selection of products that will provide a solution for your boating needs. Browse our 2 and 3 point pick up lifts, cradle kits, and sling kits. We also offer a large range of wood mount boat lifts, PWC lifts, ladders, and an extensive series of replacement parts to keep your boat lift and floating dock equipment operating smoothly.
All Lunmar products are manufactured in the U.S.A. and ship worldwide. We offer one of the best warranties on the market and have built a service and technical department second to none in the industry. If you have questions about any product or cannot find a specific item, please call us at 1-800-965-8544 or e-mail us at email@example.com. Shop our selection of electric, wood-mount, galvanized, and aluminum boat lifts today!


text:
What David Einhorn Is Doing Foreshadows the Beginning of the End at Apple
If Tim Cook views it the same way, that's a major mistake. We could be watching the beginnings of the long-term, post-Steve Jobs unraveling at Apple I warned about shortly after his death.
What David Einhorn is in the process of doing to Apple is nothing short of groundbreaking and monumental.
In recent months, I left my long-term bearish view of a post-Steve Jobs Apple on the back burner.
Because, at some point during the second half of 2012, the financial media and Wall Street analyst community latched onto the argument, diluting, misunderstanding and bastardizing it in the process.
We now have whole swaths of people confounding Apple's short-term prospects with its long-term fate under Tim Cook. That led to a sell-off that came at least a year too soon . While we do not know what the future holds, we do know that Apple continues to dominate mindshare and, to the extent it can via its current strategy, market share against scant meaningful competition.
So, in some respects, you have to give Tim Cook a pass. Apple remains Apple, with or without Steve Jobs. In others, your long-term radar of concern absolutely must pique . It's all about keeping short-term vs. long-term Apple and the media's Apple vs. Apple's Apple in proper perspective.
Steve Jobs Would Have Hated iPrefs Even if He Actually Liked Them
This whole thing would not be about capital allocation for Jobs. He would not give David Einhorn credit for offering an imaginative and unconventional idea (iPrefs) to solve Apple's cash "problem." Jobs would not have spent much time with that angle; rather, he would have been annoyed that Einhorn is (A) no matter the method, prescribing MBA convention for Apple and (B) doing it in the most public way.
The MBA side of this would not interest Jobs. Nor should it interest you because it's not the interesting part of this epic tilt. The psychological aspects matter more. What's fascinating here is the rhetorical battle Einhorn decided to wage. He's not an MBA. And, based on what I know of the guy, he realizes that, even as he talks up iPrefs, what he's doing is bigger than Apple and bigger than preferred stock.
In a war that requires the best rhetoricians, Apple lacks. In Steve Jobs, David Einhorn had a more-than-worthy battle partner. In fact, if Steve Jobs were alive, my guess is that Einhorn would not have charted the present course. If he did, Jobs would never have let it get to this. He would have shot the whole thing down before it turned into such a massive issue.


text:
Pasco Hernando Early Learning Coalition's board will meet today to discuss the issues.
By LISA BUIE
Published May 11, 2007
The executive director of an agency that oversees child care programs for Pasco and Hernando counties has resigned amid complaints of poor management practices, prompting one board member to renew his call for each county to go its own way.
Jo-Ann K. Fuller stepped down Wednesday afternoon, said Lisa Hammond, chairwoman of the Pasco Hernando Early Learning Coalition. A letter Fuller submitted offered no explanation, and she could not be reached for comment.
A special board meeting has been called for 9 a.m. today at the coalition's office on County Line Road to discuss what steps to take next.
Fuller went on leave May 2 while Hammond interviewed staffers about "labor concerns" that had arisen, according to a memo sent to board members. Hammond said Thursday the complaints centered on management practices, including setting short deadlines for projects and problems in delegating duties. She also did not provide enough oversight to Childhood Development Services, the agency that has the contract to oversee subsidized child care for the working poor, Hammond said.
"There was a lot of chaos and uncertainty," she said. "Having been in management myself, I take these issues seriously."
Fuller, who once headed the Hernando coalition and served as deputy director of the merged group, took over the larger agency in 2006 after her predecessor resigned, saying he feared for his job.
A recent evaluation of Fuller showed she scored an overall 3.3 points on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest. Categories she scored lowest in were budget matters and public relations.
She scored highest in working with state agencies, hiring qualified staff, overseeing contracts and monitoring providers.
"She was in a good place in the Hernando Coalition - a much smaller budget, an informed and active board, no voluntary pre-kindergarten, a familiar territory and a record of success. She is in over her head," wrote board member Dave Marshall, a longtime critic of the agency's operations.
Marshall blasted Fuller for being at the helm when the board denied the Pasco County School District request for $228, 000 to pay for social and medical assistance for poor families with preschool age children. But the agency failed to spend that money and doled it out in the form of minigrants.
"This dumping was the ultimate insult to the many people in Pasco County who worked for years to establish a program to give needy children an extra chance, " Marshall wrote in his evaluation.
He said Thursday that the coalitions should split, adding that Pasco children were being underserved and apologizing for any role he played in supporting the merger.
Fuller did receive praise for providing leadership in early childhood care education and for developing continuous quality improvement.
"Jo-Ann's wealth of experience with children's services is a strong attribute. She understands the needs of children and providers and works tirelessly to improve service delivery, " Hammond wrote.
Lisa Buie can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or toll-free at 1- 800-333-7505, ext. 4604.
Fast Facts:
A fractured agency
A summary of the problems plaguing the Pasco Hernando Early Learning Coalition
June 2005
After three votes, coalition rejects funding of pre-K program for needy kids sponsored by the Pasco County School District.
Pasco School Board questions whether coalition merger is in Pasco's best interest, closes down pre-K program and dissociates from the coalition.
Office of Early Learning launches review of coalition.
July 2005
Executive director Jim Garrett sells his home and moves family out of state. He later resigns, saying he fears for his job.
August 2005
State audit determines coalition may have to pay back $695, 854. Problems later are resolved.
June 2006
Coalition fails to spend money denied to the Pasco County School District, gives it out to agencies as minigrants.
Board member and Pasco County Health Department director Marc Yacht criticizes coalition's management.
October 2006
Board approves a $25-million budget after the fiscal year begins; coalition is told later by state official that it is "in jeopardy."
[Last modified May 11, 2007, 06:50:20]
© 2011 · All Rights Reserved · Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South · St. Petersburg, FL 33701 · 727-893-8111
Contact Us | Join Us | Advertise with Us | Subscribe to the Times
Privacy Policy | Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright


text:
GPA Calculator
How to use the GPA calculator:
Enter your course names, the course credit hours, as well as the grade received in the class. While the course name is not required, it will help you better identify your classes taken.
Acceptable Entries:
The calculator accepts all letter grades as well as special codes such as AU, CR, I, NC, RD, SP, and W.
Not sure of the exact courses taken?
If you are unsure of the exact classes taken in prior semesters, but know the cumulative GPA and their total credits, you can enter them below to give those orignal classes their proper weight.
Note: If you add new semster and later want to remove it then make sure all the entries in the semseter your don't want is deleted before calculating GPA.


text:
Asklepios Stadtklinik Bad Wildungen
Bad Wildungen, Germany
stereotaxic biopsy for glioblastoma (program ID: 203469)
Dr. med.
Frank Maier
Department of Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery
Specialized in: neurosurgery
About the department keyboard_arrow_down
The Department of Neurosurgery offers conservative, minimally invasive, endoscopic and surgical treatments of back pain, radiating pain in loins and legs, pain and going degradation caused by wear, pain in neck, schoulder and arm and nerve compression syndromes.
Clinical focuses are:
- Diseases of the spine
- Nerve compression/Constriction of the nerve
- ISG-blocking
- Tumors
Program includes:
- Initial presentation in the clinic
- clinical history taking
- review of medical records
- physical examination
- laboratory tests:
- complete blood count
- general urine analysis
- biochemical analysis of blood
- inflammation indicators (CRP, ESR)
- indicators blood coagulation
- neurological examination
- CT/MRI scan
- neuropsychological tests (on indications):
- ENMG (electroneuromyography)
- EEG (electroencephalography)
- SEPs (somatosensory evoked potentials)
- VEPs (visually evoked potentials)
- BAEP tests (brainstem auditory evoked potential)
- preoperative care
- tumor biopsy under neuronavigation
- histologically and immunohistochemically
examination of the remote tissues
- postoperative MRI control
- symptomatic treatment
- control examinations
- the cost of essential medicines and materials
- nursing services
- full hospital accommodation in 2 bedded room
- developing of further guidance by specialists
in oncology and radiotherapy
About hospital
Accommodation in hospital
- Bad Wildungen, Germany
Glioblastoma diagnosis
2565.00More chevron_right
Surgical removal of glioblastoma
18684.00More chevron_right
Total amount:
Program [Description]
stereotaxic biopsy for glioblastoma
- Hospital: Asklepios Stadtklinik Bad Wildungen
- Department: Department of Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery
- Head physician: Dr. med. Frank Maier
- Type:
- access_time Duration
- date_range
Booking Health free services
- Transfer
- Visa support
- Interpreter 3 hours
- Interpreter 10 hours
- Translation of medical documents 4 pages
- Insurance in case of extra expenses for the treatment of foreign patients
Selected additional services
You may also book:


text:
Oh, Selma Blair - it's hard to keep a low profile when you're rocking a neon red Marc Jacobs Antonia Satchel. Selma looks especially snuggly in that chunky, oversized cardigan, but her outfit says "I'm desperately trying to blend in to the sidewalk", while the bag practically screams "Hey, it's me, Selma Blair! Remember me as an awkward, sexually adventurous teen in Cruel Intentions?" Oh, we do, Selma. We absolutely do.
Not to imply that Selma's career has completely dried up, by any means (though that satchel is big enough to contain every single DVD from her entire body of work) - she's currently starring opposite Charlie Sheen in FX's "Anger Management." Is anyone watching that? Is it good? Also, she's never given up on those crazy 90's bangs. So she still has that going for her. Pick up her bag for $1395 via Neiman Marcus.


text:
U.S. Women Advance to Final 4 Gold Match
Bill Kauffman
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: email@example.com
ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sept. 12, 2009) – The U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team used a balanced offense to power past NORCECA rival Dominican Republic 25-20, 23-25, 25-22, 26-24 Saturday evening in the first semifinal match of the 2009 Final Four Intercontinental Cup being staged at Lima, Peru.
Team USA advance to the gold-medal match on Sunday and will face top-ranked Brazil as it defeat host Peru 25-21, 25-13, 25-15 in the other semifinal tonight. The U.S. lost to Brazil a five-set battle to open the Final Four Intercontinental Cup pool play on Sept. 9.
The U.S. used a key 3-0 run to take an 18-14 lead in the opening set as it took control in the 25-20 set victory. Trailing 12-10 in the second set, Dominican Republic put together a 7-1 run to take 17-13 lead and scored three of the final four points to win 25-23. Team USA put together an 8-2 spurt to rally from a 10-7 deficit in the third set, then scored five of six points to build a 21-16 advantage en route to the 25-22 victory. Although Dominican Republic overcame a 20-12 deficit with a 10-1 scoring run to take a 22-21 lead in the fourth set, the U.S. regrouped to take the set 26-24 on its third match point opportunity.
On Friday night, Dominican Republic had swept the U.S. 25-20, 25-19, 25-23 to conclude the pool play portion of the tournament.
Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) and Angie Pressey (Lake Mary, Fla.) each tallied 14 points according to the bench statistics (official stats not available at press time). Bown scored nine kills on 13 errorless swings to go with five blocks. Pressey tallied 12 kills and two blocks for her 14 points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) scored all 13 of her points on kills, while Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) contributed 13 points on 11 kills and two blocks. Christa Harmotto (Aliquippa, Pa.) posted nine points, including a match-high seven blocks to go with two kills on three attacks. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) charted five kills on nine errorless swings with a block in a reserve role, while Lindsey Berg (Honolulu, Hawaii) rounded out the scoring with one kill, one block and the only USA ace for three points.
Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas) tallied a team-leading 25 digs for the Americans while posting a 56 percent positive service reception on 34 attempts. Metcalf added 15 digs, while Pressey chipped in 11. Barboza scored a 69 positive percent on 29 reception attempts to go with nine digs.
U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) started Berg at setter, Metcalf at opposite, Pressey and Barboza at outside hitter, and Harmotto and Bown at middle blocker. Sykora was the U.S. libero for the match. Fawcett and Nellie Spicer (Barrington, Ill.) were part of double switches for Metcalf and Berg in all four sets.
Bethania De La Cruz led Dominican Republic with a match-high 23 points, including 20 kills, two blocks and an ace. Annerys Vargas and Milagros Cabral each tallied 13 points in the loss.
The U.S. converted 39 percent of its 135 swings into points as part of a .244 hitting efficiency. The Americans held Dominican Republic to a 33 percent conversion ratio on offense and .158 hitting efficiency after committing 31 attack errors. Team USA held an 18-13 advantage in blocks to offset a 5-1 deficit in service aces. However, Dominican Republic committed 14 service errors to the USA's five.
The U.S. gained the first two-point cushion of the opening set at 6-4 after a Pressey kill and Dominican Republic error. However, Dominican Republic came back to tie the set at 6-all. Pressey and Barboza connected for consecutive kills to yield an 8-6 USA advantage at the first technical timeout. Out of the break, Bown combined for separate blocks with Berg and Barboza as part of a 4-0 run that pushed the lead to 10-6. Dominican Republic responded with four of the next five points to close to within one at 11-10. Metcalf connected for a kill before a Dominican Republic error that extended the American lead to 15-12. Dominican Republic took advantage of consecutive USA errors to close to 15-14. After a Dominican Republic service error, Bown won a joust at the net and Fawcett connected for a kill at 18-14. Dominican Republic cut the gap in half with a service ace at 18-16. Fawcett crushed a kill and combined with Fawcett for a block at 21-17. Metcalf collected a kill for set points, then Harmotto followed immediately with at block at 25-20. Metcalf scored five points for the USA in the opening set.
Dominican Republic scored twice in a row to take a 3-1 advantage early in the second set. USA answered with consecutive Dominican Republic errors to tie the score at 3-all, then Bown and Pressey combined for a block to yield a 4-3 USA advantage. Dominican Republic scored three of the next four points to retake a 6-5 lead. After a Metcalf crushing kill, Barboza won a joust at the net off an overpass to produce an 8-7 USA advantage at the first technical timeout. Harmotto scored consecutive blocks to jump USA's lead to 11-9. Dominican Republic answered with a 7-1 run to take a 17-13 lead. Barboza scored a cross-court winner after a Dominican Republic error to cut the gap in half at 19-17. USA moved to within one at 20-19 with a Metcalf kill after a Dominican Republic service error. Consecutive blocks by Dominican Republic extended its lead to 22-19 prompting a USA timeout. Metcalf tallied a kill and combined for a block with Bown to move the USA to within one at 22-21. The Americans tied the set at 22-all on a Pressey kill. Dominican Republic scored the next points to grab set points at 24-22. After Metcalf saved the first set point with a kill, Dominican Republic closed out the set 25-23 with a kill on the next point.
Dominican Republic scored the first four of five points of the third set to take a 4-1 advantage. USA closed to one at 5-4 with a Metcalf kill and Dominican Republic error. USA tied the set at 6-all with a Bown block and Berg cover that crossed over the net untouched. Dominican Republic answered by taking a 10-7 lead after an ace and block. A Harmotto block after a Dominican Republic service error moved the Americans to within one at 10-9. Once again, Harmotto followed a Dominican Republic service error with a block, then USA picked up a point off an errant Dominican Republic pass to take a 12-11 lead. For the third time in the third set, Harmotto followed a Dominican Republic service error with a block at 14-12. Pressey added to the USA lead with a third straight point off a kill at 15-12. Out of the second technical timeout, Dominican Republic scored two in a row to move to within one at 16-15. A Fawcett kill and Dominican Republic error allowed the U.S. to regain a three-point cushion at 19-16. Out of a Dominican Republic timeout, Bown tapped an overpass for a kill and Barboza claimed a cross-court winner at 21-16. Dominican Republic rallied for three consecutive points to whittle the gap to 21-19. Barboza answered with consecutive kills to produce a 23-19 USA advantage, only to have Dominican Republic score two points in a row to inch back to 23-21. Team USA sided out to the 25-22 victory ended on a Dominican Republic error. USA scored five points off its opponent's service errors, while Barboza and Harmotto collected four points each.
The Americans came out of the fourth set with a 3-1 lead after a Harmotto kill and two Dominican Republic errors. However, Dominican Republic came back to tie the set 3-all after a block. Dominican Republic gained its first lead of the fourth set at 5-4 on an ace. Metcalf and Bown connected for consecutive kills to push the U.S. back in front at 6-5. After a Dominican Republic service error, Bown hammered an overpass for a kill to extend USA's advantage to 8-6 at the first technical timeout. A Bown kill and Dominican Republic error stretched the American lead to 10-7. Consecutive errors by Dominican Republic allowed the U.S. to establish a four-point cushion at 12-8 prompting a Dominican Republic timeout. Out of the break, Berg served an ace lifting the advantage to 13-8. Harmotto scored consecutive blocks after a Barboza kill to increase the American advantage to 16-9 at the second technical timeout. Out of the break, Dominican Republic scored three consecutive points to close the gap to four points, 16-12. Harmotto and Metcalf combined for a block and Pressey followed with consecutive kills to allow the U.S. back to a seven-point edge, 19-12. Metcalf and Bown added another point to the run with a block at 20-12. Dominican Republic answered with five straight points to cut the deficit to 20-17. Dominican Republic's rally continued as it tied the set at 21-all with four consecutive points capped with an ace. Dominican Republic then took the lead at 22-21 as part of a 10-1 scoring run. Pressey and Bown scored consecutive kills for the Americans to put the U.S. in front again at 23-22. A Dominican Republic attack error gave the U.S. a 24-22 lead. Dominican Republic saved both match points to tie the set at 24-all. Bown crushed a kill on the slide and the U.S. finished the match at 26-24 with a Dominican Republic hitting error. Bown scored five points in the fourth set.
The Final Four Intercontinental Cup matches can be watched online at clicking here.
The U.S. Women's National Team Press Kit for the Final Four Intercontinental Cup can be downloaded by clicking here.
The Final Four Intercontinental Cup Web site can be viewed at www.final4.pe.
U.S. Women's National Team Final Roster for 2009 Final Four Intercontinental Cup
# - Name (Pos, Ht, Hometown, College)
1 - Nicole Fawcett (OPP, 6-4, Zanesfield, Ohio, Penn State)
3 - Angie Pressey (OH, 5-8, Lake Mary, Fla., California-Berkeley)
4 - Lindsey Berg (S, 5-8, Honolulu, Hawaii, Minnesota)
5 - Stacy Sykora (L, 5-10, Burleson, Texas, Texas A&M)
6 - Nicole Davis (L, 5-6, Stockton, Calif., Southern California)
7 - Heather Bown (MB, 6-3, Yorba Linda, Calif., Hawaii)
8 - Cynthia Barboza (OH, 6-0, Long Beach, Calif., Stanford)
9 - Alexis Crimes (MB, 6-3, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Long Beach State)
12 - Nancy Metcalf (OPP, 6-1, Hull, Iowa, Nebraska)
16 - Christa Harmotto (MB, 6-2, Aliquippa, Pa., Penn State)
17 - Nellie Spicer (S, 5-10, Barrington, Ill., UCLA)
19 - Jane Collymore (OH, 6-0, Seattle, Wash., Florida)
Head Coach: Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand)
Assistant Coach: Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.), Tom Pestolesi (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
Technical Coordinator/Team Leader: Jamie Morrison (Dana Point, Calif.)
Athletic Trainer: Jill Wosmek (Silver Lake, Minn.)
2009 Final Four Intercontinental Cup Schedule
Round Robin Phase
Sept. 9: Brazil def. USA 25-12, 18-25, 25-22, 19-25, 15-13
Sept. 9: Dominican Republic def. Peru 25-14, 25-22, 25-13
Sept. 10: Brazil def. Dominican Republic 25-18, 25-18, 25-18
Sept. 10: USA def. Peru 25-10, 20-25, 25-14, 25-20
Sept. 11: Dominican Republic def. USA 25-20, 25-19, 25-23
Sept. 11: Brazil def. Peru 25-18, 26-24, 25-11
Semifinal Round
Sept. 12: #3 USA def. #2 Dominican Republic 25-20, 23-25, 25-22, 26-24
Sept. 12: #1 Brazil def. #4 Peru 25-21, 25-13, 25-15
Classification Round
Sept. 13: Dominican Republic vs. Peru, 4 p.m. (Bronze-Medal Match)
Sept. 13: USA vs. Brazil, 6 p.m. (Gold-Medal Match)


text:
G'day & Kia ora!
… To my blog. I'm a social democrat, with centre-left tendencies in some areas; centrist in others; and centre-right in bugger-all (if any).
If you look over to the right (excuse the implications), you'll see a brief list of my beliefs for a better New Zealand. Funny thing – we used to have so many of those things in this country, once upon a time…
And below that, a list of my Recent Posts. Feel free to have a read and, if you're inclined, leave a comment. I welcome your ideas and responses to my comments. (Please note that most of my blogposts first appear on The Daily Blog, and are then re-published here five to seven days later. So check out both blogs – there are heaps of excellent writers on TDB!)
My blog, my thoughts, my five cents plus 15% gst worth. Hopefully it didn't leave you bored…
– Frank Macskasy
– Blogger
Recent Blogposts
That-a-way → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → →
Upcoming events
= fs =
16 August 2011 at 7:10 pm
Experience demands that the rich are the only animal of his own kind that are not lazy enough not to prey on the poor.
[Post refers to Quote-Of-The-Week: "Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor." (Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826) – Admin.]
9 August 2012 at 10:42 pm
It's not laziness that prevents the poor from preying on others but an actual moral standing which the rich don't seem to have.
27 August 2011 at 7:36 pm
I like your posts, Frank. But New Zealand is still the name of our country – not Aotearoa New Zealand. Actually you won't find Aotearoa mentioned in either the English or Maori versions of the Treaty of Waitangi. Only a name, Niu Tirani (or Nu Tirani). Just a little point between friends?
Actually the Key led government is making me sick; Rob mulddon would turn in his grave.
10 October 2011 at 12:04 pm
Oh the irony of left wing bloggers who constantly engage in censorship of opposing points of view moaning about one of their own being banned from appearing on State radio for a mindless and completely biased rant.
It is quite clear why he got 'banned'. He basically stated as fact that the PM was blaming the Labour Party for the guy attempting to jump over the barrier at Parliament and that he made some sort of offensive gesture. These have both been denied by the PM. Hence there was no sense of balance in his little rant.
10 October 2011 at 10:02 pm
That was the Treaty Frank, not a Pakeha opinion. But Maori don't have the right to change the name of our country, anyway, a majority of Kiwis do.
But that is immaterial when the fascists are at the door.
And now dissidents will be publicly reviled as being against the better interests of the country. I cut my political teeth on Muldoonism, – these are over- privileged wankers! I love it when they have a crack at me. The problem is we only have one daily newspaper now, and it is difficult to get your opinion published. They are reluctant to publish anti-Key statements. I'm not anti-semetic, but I can understand why some were abused if they operated like Key?
11 October 2011 at 12:37 pm
Gosman do you ever see beyond your own nose? Trying to justify Key is just unbelievable. You're ok with banning people just because they disagree with your precious politicians? I bet you wouldn't be so happy if it was someone you agreed with!
10 October 2011 at 10:09 pm
Is the Labour caucus prepared to lose an election to get rid of Goff? If they are , then they don't deserve to be in power in the future.
11 October 2011 at 12:57 pm
…It is quite clear why he got 'banned'. He basically stated as fact that the PM was blaming the Labour Party for the guy attempting to jump over the barrier at Parliament and that he made some sort of offensive gesture. These have both been denied by the PM. Hence there was no sense of balance in his little rant.
Do you believe everything politicians say?
Hee hee hee if I was a politician I wouldn't believe myself! LOL!
11 October 2011 at 11:22 pm
http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/57462.html HERE'S THE VIDEO url
12 October 2011 at 12:18 am
Excellent! Thanks for that, Peter! I had heard that TV3 did a story on it – whereas TV1 News totally ignored the issue! (Our state broadcasters are getting absolutely hopeless!) I'd been meaning to find that TV3 xsegment but kept forgetting.
It's an amazing piece of footage. It shows Key in the very uncomfortable position of having to explain himself – and you can tell that he's covering up a lie. He's lied and has been caught out; his facial expression, tone of speech, and body language gives him away.
I think that the Left have discovered a new meme for John Key: liar.
17 November 2011 at 12:59 pm
Great site Frank, just found it thru your link on Dompost comments today, i'll have a good look around and read when i get home from work tonight, how right you are about the billboards, the tagging, moustaches, swastikas, and genatalia are far more offensive than the stickers being refered to, infact they blend in so well alot would prob not even notice
17 November 2011 at 2:28 pm
Great site Frank, just found it thru your link on Dompost comments today, i'll have a good look around and read when i get home from work tonight, how right you are about the billboards, the tagging, moustaches, swastikas, and genatalia are far more offensive than the stickers being refered to, infact they blend in so well alot would prob not even notice
Cheers, Kevin. Enjoy!
18 November 2011 at 10:56 pm
I saw your spam on Stuff. I also noted the things you support include "Being nice to each other".
So why are you so nasty about our Prime Minister? You hate him because he is rich? That's not a very good reason. You seem quite irrational in your intense hatred for someone who has done a hell of a lot of good for our country.
18 November 2011 at 11:07 pm
Tristanb :
I saw your spam on Stuff. I also noted the things you support include "Being nice to each other".
So why are you so nasty about our Prime Minister? You hate him because he is rich? That's not a very good reason. You seem quite irrational in your intense hatred for someone who has done a hell of a lot of good for our country.
Hi Tristan.
No, I don't "hate" John Key.
But I dislike some of the things he has done, and things he is planning to do. Hence why I have criticised his policies.
You see, Tristan, we live in a democracy where one is permitted to criticise actions by our elected representatives. Unlike North Korea, where everyone must love their Dear Leader (or end up in a Labour Camp).
Have you ever lived in a One Party state, Tristan, where you were not allowed to criticise the party and/or leader of the country? I have. In the late 1970s I lived in an Eastern European country for about a year. I had to be very careful what I said, in public. Sometimes even in private situations, I had to be careful of who was around me, in case someone was an informer.
Would you like to live in a country like that, Tristan?
I would be interested to know what examples you can offer when you claim that John Key is "someone who has done a hell of a lot of good for our country".
19 November 2011 at 4:19 pm
Yup. Plus it kinda rolls of the tongue quite nicely; Aotearoanewzealand. Hmmmm, it could just about be a whole new naming, describing the First People and subsequent arrivals…
If we take the diversity of all cultures and revel in the best that each can offer, instead of fearing change, I think it might lift us out of the dark underbelly of this country. It may be the wellspring source for a whole new pride (as our American cuzzies take pride in their Star Spangled Banner; the French in their culture;the Japanese in theirs, etc…)
20 December 2011 at 12:29 pm
LOL! I loved it!
I think I'll have a green balloon though I think we'll be lucky to get that! I get what your saying Frank and I think only the rich will benefit from the sales.
10 February 2012 at 9:02 pm
I signed the SAVE OUR PORT petition Frank. Well done promoting it!
29 February 2012 at 1:24 pm
"I'm a product of the welfare state"
What a hypocrite.
1 March 2012 at 1:59 pm
The fault is on both sides. I was taught "Lead by Example". Every generation has to relearn this. No one needs a salary of $200,000 or more. How can they call on others to suffer Austerity if they have not experienced it. "Lead by Example". If a politician or civil servant feels that a job owes him $300,000 /yr he does not like the job, only the money, and should seek employment elsewhere. In every life some rain must fall, but money will not stop it raining.
10 March 2012 at 6:59 pm
just got into your blog Frank. some things to ponder on … thank you !
10 March 2012 at 7:46 pm
just got into your blog Frank. some things to ponder on … thank you !
Welcome, Christine… I hope you don't find it boring. 🙂
14 March 2012 at 3:05 pm
"People on a benefit have a lifestyle choice" – John Key
That's news to me, a New Zealand citizen aged 31 years, unemployed and holding a B.Sc. in Geography and a Postgraduate Diploma of Science in Hazard Management. Would Mr Key mind living in my shoes for a week on $210 from W.I.N.Z. a week, applying for jobs every day, quite aware that if W.I.N.Z. find me a job before I find myself a job – I have to accept it or risk having my benefit cut.
Trust me, I did not ask to be made redundant for more than a year.
12 April 2012 at 10:28 pm
I work when the ends justifies the means, if I work so someone I don't know gains more income than I do for doing their work and or society and or the environment is worse off because of that work the ends doesn't justify the means, by not doing such work, I'm minimizing my carbon footprint and providing the opportunity for someone with a family to support the means to do so. Workers wages and conditions have not been condusive to me working for large companies since 1986, so I've been on strike since then. It's not a lifestyle choice I simply do what's right.
6 August 2012 at 9:21 pm
Nice to see a blog like this taking on the Tory establishment!
The sooner Key is out on his well padded backside, the better for this country!!
7 October 2012 at 3:53 pm
What a splendid blog site! The best I have ever encountered…by turns serious and humorous, it really does inform and entertain, and by golly it does you good. The John
Key Looks At feature is hilarious. Though with those eyes it hard to discern if he prefers
looking at drag queens or mince pies.
Satire in the Private Eye class. Congratulations to all concerned with the production of this
web site. I have signed up to follow, but not in The Dear Leader kind of way. Cheers.
21 October 2012 at 4:36 pm
What week to be away frank
21 January 2013 at 6:27 pm
Go get key.
11 July 2013 at 3:56 pm
Hi Frank
Any chance of you putting up your excellent blog on the GCSB which is on The Daily Blog today ?
I'd like to copy it and send it to my bro overseas, but I cannot copy anything off The Daily Blog.
Or could you just email it to me please.
5 December 2013 at 1:21 pm
HI. I was reading your article on polling (on the daily blog site) and thought that would mention that the BC election of May 2013 was a pollsters' disaster. Every major poll was wrong by much more than the margin of error – leaving everyone (or at least all skeptics) to wonder (a) if the election was rigged (and thus the polls were wrong) or (b) the election was correct and the polls were rigged.
With respect to land lines, many households will retain the land line for a monitored alarm system. Wireless (ie off the grid) monitoring is increasingly common but requires capital outlay (over $1000). I suspect that only the well off have alarm systems and only the comfortably well off have monitored alarm systems (although in Vancouver an alarm system must be monitored). This would suggest that those with land lines are both older (as home owners) and richer than those without. However, they may not be Conservative Party supporters as they do not rely on faith to protect their stuff?
Nadine McDonnell
5 March 2014 at 4:32 am
Its about CONSCIENCE
5 March 2014 at 4:34 am
they can actually learn to be morally conscious, they should visit http://www.google.com to read about the kind of mind they carry
27 April 2014 at 9:44 pm
For people wanting a better New Zealand, can I be so bold as to say the only way I can see that will beat the apathy caused by traditional, exclusive and nonsensical NZ politics, is to give people an immediate and real say on political matters that affect their lives: http://thepeopleslaw.co.nz In the meantime enjoy the Article of the year about about selfish egomaniacs: http://thepeopleslaw.co.nz/very-rich-white-men-with-extremely–tiny-penises
25 May 2014 at 3:17 pm
I just read your blog about me (2011) which features high on the list for anyone who might "Google" my name.
Your comments indicate that you have some limitation in understanding of my case.
I, in 1997, acted upon what was then deemed to be prudent advice for medical professionals by setting up a family trust. I then became an employee of the trust via a company. At that time there was NO TAX RATE DIFFERENTIAL between individuals and companies nor was a future differential contemplated. I took further advice as to what was an appropriate salary to be paid and acted accordingly. (the rate of a full time public hospital salary.)
I received some bonuses to clear personal debt and carried on with that base salary.
When the tax laws changed in year 2000 I changed nothing but because of a marital break up at the same time I no longer received (or needed) the bonuses.
The IRD latterly contended that that change amounted to or provided evidence of tax avoidance behaviour.
They approached me in 2004 or thereabouts with a tax debt notice including 100% penalties.
Gary Hooper and I challenged their decision acting upon very learned accountancy and legal advice.
It appeared to us unfair that the IRD had changed the rules in year 2000 (despite having been advised by senior tax advisors including John Sherwin that their changes would cause ambiguity)had not clarified conflicts arising from trusts such as mine and were using us as scapegoats without due consultation and notification in a punitive manner.
A high court judge agreed completely with our stance as did one judge in the Court of Appeal. Ultimately the Supreme Court ruled against our appeal perhaps from a 'greater good' stance.
Your rhetoric is inappropriate. Gary Hooper and I pay tax and have always done so. The financial rewards of our endeavours have not been concealed.
We took a stance against what we deemed to be procedural unfairness and were prepared to put our heads up to make a stand. Ultimately, whilst we lost the case, that stance has help clarify tax law application in this country.
[Kia ora, Dr Penny. I have republished your response, verbatim, under the relevent blogpost, "Greed is Good" (https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/greed-is-good/) to give balance to what I have written. – Frank Macskasy]
30 August 2014 at 4:22 pm
Hi Frank – given the email message sent to PM's office re Judith Collins and the mention therein of Jarad Savage giving info to WhaleOil – is there anything there that you can follow up with your Donaghaue Liu complaint to Press Council ? ? ?
31 August 2014 at 8:21 am
Re you piece about the attack billboards.
There is NO john Third in the wellington white pages,
and on google st view 61 Ironside rd looks like a gully with out a house.
31 October 2014 at 5:41 pm
Hi Frank
If you didn't hear Jock Anderson on Jim Mora's programme today, Oct 31, I would urge you to have a listen (link below). I could hardly believe my ears. It's another attempt by the powers-that-be to browbeat a journalist in the most blatant way.
(Jock is at 8:40)
21 December 2014 at 4:21 pm
Moan, moan, moan.
Either a corrupt system, everything should be free, should pay less tax, right wing stuffing up everything so everyone off to australia where everyone is better off (liberal in power in australia which also is right wing??????? We also have lazy people in Australia but maybe fewer than in NZ.), should have more unions so we all get more….lazy people get more….hard workers get less……moan, moan, moan.
Rich(hard workers who built up their nett worth) should pay more , bludgers, lazy , unemployed should pay less moan, moan moan.
24 December 2014 at 3:09 pm
Hi Frank,
Just wanted to say "Thank You" for all your excellent and invariably well-researched posts on "The Daily Blog". I've only just now discovered that you have a blog of your own, so i'll be looking at it often and maybe posting comments in the new year.
Wishing you all the best for a Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
And "Hey!" Why are you "hiding your bushel under a candle"? You are probably one of the most significant political commentators in this country and yet it is only today that i discovered that you have a website of your own. (Ulp, . . . may all be my own fault entirely . . . I'm getting old).
2015 could be a lot of fun.
Cheers, and 'ave one for me if you feel like it – I think we all believe in the same cause!
Best wishes, and may those inspired and totally relevant, pertinent postings keep on coming!
-Murray Simmonds
p.s. (And here was me, in my ignorance, thinking that you might be of Scottish origin (to judge, incorrectly, from the name!).
31 December 2014 at 3:15 pm
Hey Frank,
Integrity, or rather the lack of it, must be contagious.
Quite by accident I found myself monitoring the weather conditions on the Lake Tekapo webcams on the TOURISM NZ website – mainly 'cos my wife is down there on holiday at the moment
First thing this morning (31 Dec 2014) all I could see were images of very large drops of rain against a grey, grey sky on the views from the lookout windows. According to the website the views are updated every 15 mins.
I checked in again around 11 am and surprise, surprise, clear blue skies with nor'West clouds in all posted views. I thought, 'Wow, that is a dramatic change in the weather down there!'
So then I thought 'What if the aim of the game is to promote Tekapo Tourism, REGARDLESS of the actual weather'. Seemed to me to be the sort of thing that our PM, as Minister of Tourism would support, if not encourage.
So I began monitoring the shadows cast by foreground objects, and also the cloud patterns and their cast shadows on the hills. To my non-surprise, neither moved for about an hour around mid-day (despite a howling Nor'wester in the area according to Met service).
Check it out for yourself at the Tourism NZ website if you have nothing better to do (as I apparently have). Like so much that is National party policy, we only get to hear the GOOD news – the bits that would meet with the approval of our zero-integrity PM. If the news is bad, and might not encourage business, then its fudged, lied about, call-it-what-you-will.
As far as Tourism NZ goes, it looks a bit like "LEADERSHIP FROM THE TOP!"
Is this the sort of thing that will do our fragile tourist industry any good in the long term? Or does the reputation of NZ as a tourist destination only matter for the current three-year parliamentary term?
Integrity. Or the lack of it.
5 July 2015 at 12:36 pm
Hi Frank,
I recently saw a blog post from a bloke in the US who is claiming that unemployment figures have moved from the realm of wishful thinking into fantasy and nonsense. He broke down population figures and fulltime employment numbers to produce a real unemployment figure of around 47%.
I wonder if a similar analysis would not be relevant to New Zealand – because if we want unemployment and underemployment solved policymakers need to be deal with reality. The global economic climate is worsening and countries that recognise this and prepare will fare better than those led by self-interested purveyors of empty promises like John key.
19 July 2015 at 9:14 pm
This is why it is important to clear Labour's name and association with Dong Liu.
Thanks for your work on this Frank. Any thought?
19 November 2015 at 9:55 am
Dear Frank,
I am writing to your blog because the other one killed me off as she didn't like my reply. I don't mind really as my 10 days of reading Minto's blog made me realise it's ok to publish rants that the Canterbury earthquakes were caused by the US or that the French Government was behind the recent Paris bombings, but be very, very aware of the censors pencil if trying to get a different point of view across, even if it's the absolute truth.
Read my post again and then your reply where you dismissed me for being "Islamophobic" and having a "Shallow view of world affairs."
My post was Indonesia specific, not world ,but after your personal attack you go back to the Middle East, of which I have no first hand experience so don't feel qualified to comment.
I have spent more than 40% of my time in Indonesia for the last 28 years so feel that I do have some experience, rather than getting stuff off the web which you seem to assume is all true.
You refer to my experience as "anecdotes" but that's what happened.
Islamophobic? No Frank, wrong again.
In April1988 I employed a young Muslim man from Java named Suwito as he was by far the best man for the job. Two years later we employed his girlfriend, Bon, also a Muslim, who subsequently became his wife.
They had two children and we have always treated this family as our own. We have paid all medical and dental fees and other things which would impact on their salaries.( for example getting the childrens teeth straightened was beyond their means.)
They look upon us as their family too and call us "mother and father."
They are still in our employ today 27 years later and live in a house where the rent is paid by us, so you may understand why your accusation was highly offensive.
Why did you think you were qualified to make that slur Frank? You know nothing about me except you previously labelled me as "white middle class" my reply to which was also censored, probably because I said I would get a quicker suntan than you. Clue. My mother's name was Rata.
I also know many other Muslims, most of whom I trust and some I count as friends.
You also make a firm statement about my eyes being closed to suffering of others who do not happen to be Western.
How do you know that Frank?
I find that accusation highly offensive too.
We were in Bali at the time of both Bali bombings and personally knew two staff members who were killed at Sari Club and saw first hand the the effects. In the second attack at Jimbaran we were involved in counciling a young waiter we knew named Punama, who was traumatised by the bloody head which landed at his feet.
We also run a business in NE Bali which employs 10 Balinese who each take home a pay packet to a family with no other cash incomes. The effort and investment we put into this business is not commensurate with returns, but that's not the point…. it's about giving back to a community we care about.
I could tell you about putting toilets and water into the 8 schools in that area, and work identifyning cleft lip and palate children, and older people cataract blind and organising repairs. If you have ever seen the look on the faces of people who have been blind for years when the bandages come off , or a disfigured child transformed, it would probably even bring a lump to your throat, but you wouldn't be interested in that as it doesn't fit with your view.
Frank, everything I have said is true and I can verify it…except for the tee shirt as I didn't buy one of the disgusting things but you can find similar on the web.
My phone number is {phone number redacted}. I can give you Suwito's phone number in Bali and that of our Balinese business partner, Anik. I can also give you the number of Michael Hughes an Australian who lives in Brisbane who would confirm my account of the week we spent in Java in 2001 sourcing furniture for his importing business.
it would be good if you could either:
Take me to account and get me to prove that what I have said is true
apologise for attackng me on two fronts where you are totally wrong.
Personally ( can't really say Frankly can I ) I don't expect to hear from you but perhaps you will be more moderate in your personal attacks on people you know absolutely nothing about in future.
7 August 2016 at 10:52 pm
Make no mistake, this is a direct consequence of National's laissez-faire approach and an opportunistic reliance on mass immigration to keep the economy afloat at a time when dairying is no longer the main driver of economic growth.
I read this in your blog, which I appreciated discovering, after googling your name at the foot of a good letter in the DomPost. What I'd like to know is: what is this mass immigration that is keeping the economy float? Are you referring to international students? (I think the numbers are falling), or construction workers in Chch? I know quite a few immigrants including refugees. All the people I know want to contribute to our economy by having jobs and paying taxes, but they find it extremely difficult to get work. Many are professionals but instead of working in their professions (civil engineering, physiotherapy, pathology. occupational therapy, PhD graduate from NZ university to mention some jobs) they are employed in low skilled jobs. In the case of refugees, we need to improve things so that those who want work move quickly through WINZ and into paid work. We've spoken to Grant robertson on this, and he agrees – but would he walk the talk?
17 January 2017 at 12:30 am
Hi Frank,
very disappointed to see you have removed my reply to your latest personal attack on me which I replied to showing you were way out of order.
Why do you and people like Marty want to change NZ history with your distorted views?
What a pity.
I thought you may have more substance than the lightweight Martyn Bradbury but it appears you are cut from the same cloth.
Well at least you still have my reply to your first personal attack where you accused me of being Islamophobic, which of course I am not and having a shallow view of the world when my comments were based on 28 years of living for long periods in the country I was commenting on.
What is wrong with you people of the left that only your – often warped – views are allowed to stay on your blogs and where you are shown to be wrong rather than man up you delete.
Bully's and cowards actually. You must be scared of something – reality perhaps?
Lets see if you censor my 2015 post to keep your blog squeaky on a Frank is always right basis.
I'm not. I make cock ups on a daily basis and am pepared to admit them..
Disgusting actually and my Maori forebears would turn in their graves at your distortions of the reality of what happened to their people because of their exposure to diseases from Europe.
Censure it if you want, but it still happened.
You guys seem to hate Jews – is the Holocaust a lie too?
Hi people, Frank has removed 2 of my posts, which were totally accurate because they didn't agree with his warped view of history.
Frank, like I said to you on the last post – leave this up and while you are at it show some backbone and reinstate the last 2 which you have censured.
Come on – show that you are not a hypocrite.
11 December 2016 at 1:30 pm
16 December 2016 at 8:00 am


text:
Classy thin gunmetal cuff featuring pave detailing with rhinestones. Looks perfect alone for a minimal look! By Rose Pierre.
*.5" height
If you're not utterly obsessed with your recent purchase, it's now so easy to send it back! All US returns can be completed online using our fast, hassle-free system. Check out the links below for more details.
Opened makeup, earrings, ear cuffs and panties cannot be returned.