text:
My heart goes out to the people suffering from this week's tornadoes. I grew up in tornado country and have vivid memories of tornado drills. Watching the Weather Channel terrifies me.
I used to have this recurring dream when I was a kid. I'd be at my grandmother's house, just down the road from the farm where I grew up. In her living room hulked a big rounded armchair that was heavy enough to be a weapon. I would hear the sound of the train blasting down the tracks that ran alongside her property. Coming closer. Closer. I would look out the window. Instead of the train, I would see a giant tornado racing toward me, sweeping up tractors and horses and trees, huge and hungry and unavoidable.
The only thing more terrifying than a tornado was the Michigan basement at my grandmother's house. That's where my dad and his sisters had lived as children one winter, after their house burned down in the middle of the night and before a new house was completed above them. My grandmother had barely survived starvation during the Depression, so she saved everything: bags of pinecones, broken dolls, bits of machinery, plastic bags. The basement was a maze of precarious junk.
So rather than run to the basement to shelter from the tornado, I would crouch behind the old armchair. They'd taught us, during drills at school, to curl up as small as possible and shield our necks with our hands to prevent our throats from being slashed by flying glass.
The tornado would come nearer. It spun right outside the house. The windows exploded. The heavy armchair was torn away. Nearly paralyzed with fear, I woke up before I could look into the storm.
No doubt Freud would have much to say about the dream, but that doesn't interest me. What interests me is that the dream was always in black-and-white. All of my other dreams were and continue to be in color. Only the tornado dream played in chiaroscuro. I was an adult, watching The Wizard of Oz for the zillionth time, when I finally made the connection.
Dorothy was so brave in the face of that implacable funnel cloud. I never had the sense that my tornado was going to whisk me off to a technicolor adventure. Now, as an adult, I'd like to go back to that dream and see if I could ride the wind to Oz. Of course, it's been a long time since I had a tornado dream. Once I figured what inspired its imagery, it came to me less often.
I sort of miss the dream, if not the reality of tornadoes themselves. Now that my grandmother is gone, I would love to dream of being in her house again.


text:
So when champion freestyler Supernatural — who's arguably one of the best battle rappers in history — spewed his latest, S.P.I.T. (Spiritual Poetry Ignites Thought), expectations were actually low. See, Supernat's been mesmerizing audiences with his uncanny gift of gab for more than a decade, but can his studio rhymes generate the same excitement of his live on-stage wordplay? No.
Here he's got a few superior tracks that bang out with precision, but his collaborations with other artists come off flat; check the lackluster "Gunfire" with Cypress Hill's B-Real, or "Black Opera," which sports a weak Raekwon rap and doesn't have a drop of cohesion. It's obvious that Supernatural is never one to shy away from showcasing his vocabulary, but S.P.I.T. won't build on his legacy. He'll be lucky if it doesn't give his competitors plenty of ammo in future battles.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
In the largest genome study of migraine yet, researchers have more than tripled the number of known genetic risk factors for migraine. Among the identified 123 genetic regions are two that contain target genes of recently developed migraine-specific drugs.
The study involved leading migraine research groups in Europe, Australia, and the United States working together to pool genetic data from more than 873,000 study participants, 102,000 of whom had migraine.
The new findings, published in the journal Nature Genetics, also uncovered more of the genetic architecture of migraine subtypes than was previously known.
Neurovascular mechanisms underlie migraine pathophysiology
Migraine is a very common brain disorder with over a billion patients worldwide. The exact cause of migraine is unknown, but it is believed to be a neurovascular disorder with disease mechanisms both within the brain and the blood vessels of the head.
Previous research has shown that genetic factors contribute significantly to migraine risk. However, it has long been debated whether the two main migraine types – migraine with aura and migraine without aura – share similar genetic backgrounds.
To gain more insight into the specific risk genes, researchers from the International Headache Genetics Consortium assembled a large genetic dataset to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS), looking for genetic variants that were more common in those who had migraine in general, or one of the two main migraine types.
The results demonstrated that migraine subtypes have both shared risk factors and risk factors that appear specific to one subtype. The analyses highlighted three risk variants that appear specific to migraine with aura and two that appear specific to migraine without aura.
"In addition to implicating tens of new regions of the genome for more targeted investigation, our study provides the first meaningful opportunity to evaluate shared and distinct genetic components in the two main migraine subtypes", said the first author of the study, Heidi Hautakangas from the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki.
Furthermore, the results supported the concept that migraine is brought about by both neuronal and vascular genetic factors, strengthening the view that migraine truly is a neurovascular disorder.
Potential to point to new therapies against migraine
As migraine is globally the second largest contributor to years lived with disability, there is clearly a large need for new treatments.
A particularly interesting finding was the identification of genomic risk regions containing genes that encode targets for recently developed migraine-specific therapeutics.
One of the newly identified regions contains genes (CALCA/CALCB) encoding calcitonin gene-related peptide, a molecule involved in migraine attacks and blocked by the recently introduced
CGRP inhibitor migraine medications. Another risk region covers the HTR1F gene encoding serotonin 1F receptor, also a target for new migraine-specific medications.
Dr. Matti Pirinen, a group leader from the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, who led the study, commented: "These two new associations near genes that are already targeted by effective migraine drugs suggest that there could be other potential drug targets among the new genomic regions, and provide a clear rationale for future genetic studies with even larger sample sizes".
The study was a joint effort between research groups from Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, UK, and the USA.
Source: Eurekalert


text:
Cheese is one of those things I can't live without. Whether I go to France, Italy, Turkey, or Switzerland, I always take home a piece of the local cheese. And then there is Dutch cheese. When I was living in the United States, there was only one thing I missed, and that was my Dutch cheese. I use cheese in my cooking as well. So when I found out about this book I was delighted and had to have it. A Year in Cheese, a seasonal cheese cookbook by Alex and Leo Guarneri with recipes by Allessandro Grand couldn't have been published at a better time than now, just before the holidays. Because it is especially during Christmas that we celebrate life with cheese platters and are more inclined to spend on top notch cheese varieties. [continue reading after jump]
Lex and Leo Guarneri are the brothers who run the acclaimed Androuet in Spitalfields, London. The seasonal cheese shop has a long heritage in France, where the first of six Androuet fromageries opened in 1909. Today, Androuet in London supplies many Michelin-star restaurants and it also has a celebrated restaurant of its own.
A Year in Cheese, a seasonal cheese cookbook is a celebration of the diversity and uique flavours of cheese both in savoury and sweet recipes. The book is packed with surprising combinations as well as with classic dishes. The writers have used a variety of different cheeses, some I had never heard of before, to create seasonal recipes. Cheeses are also seasonal like fruits and vegetables, did you know that? There's always an ideal time to produce a variety of cheese and a time when it reaches its best and tastiest moment. Therfore the book is divided into 4 chapters, as the 4 seasons with for each season a cheese platter. Also all four chapters start with an one-page breakdown of what cheeses are in season and why. So educative!
The recipes are mouthwatering, whether it be a salad, risotto, a pie, or a dessert. Some sound peculiar like cheese ice-cream but the photos made by Kim Lightbody make everything look good. For Christmas I have decided to try my hand at the fig and ricotta tart with rum custard even though it's a summer recipe. The brillat-savarin cheesecake with marinated cherries also got my attention.
So if I were you I would run to the bookstore and get this book so you can wow your guests this Christmas with a surprising cheese recipe. The images above are all from A Year in Cheese: A Seasonal Cheese Cookbook by Alex and Leo Guarneri, Recipes by Alessandro Grano. Photographs by Kim Lightbody. Published by Frances Lincoln (£20)


text:
Chicago band Ratboys' latest single might sound like a Covid-inspired anthem, but that's just a fortunate (or unfortunate) coincidence.
The band's newest endeavor "Go Outside" follows the release of their 2020 album Printer's Devil. Before the band could start the tour in support of their third LP, the pandemic hit, forcing them to cancel all their dates. While "Go Outside" applies perfectly to the universal experience of a yearlong shutdown with lyrics like "I wanna be eloquent / I wanna take all my best friends / And show 'em where I live," the song was written a year before the pandemic started. "Go Outside" also marks a change of form in the band's sound, leaning into the country influences that previously only peeked through their predominantly indie-rock sound.
Singer-songwriter Julia Steiner explained the song's inspirations in a statement:
We wrote this song on a whim when we were home in between tours in April 2019. It's this carefree and wistful, totally innocent song about wanting to travel and spend time with loved ones. We didn't realize that we wouldn't be able to do either of those things before long.
Watch the lyric video for "Go Outside" below. Keep scrolling to revisit Ratboys' 2015 Daytrotter session.


text:
There are just two weeks left in July and I'm traveling 5 of those days so my goals are pretty modest … first up was to assemble my July Precut Party HST top – I know it's simple but it will make a nice donation quilt when done … no borders on this one so it's ready for quilting but like all my tops, it will age a bit in the closet while it waits for it's turn!
I mentioned when I started it last week that these fabrics are from stash but my inspiration was a pattern from a Craftsy kit I'd bought a while back. They used 10 inch squares but I cut mine using my 6 inch finished HST GO die from Accuquilt.
Also on the list for July is to finish this ripple – I might even get it done tonight watching the Tour de France. I don't have any specific number of rows I do on these, I just spread it across my lap and stop when I think the proportions are right.
The remaining items on the list:
- Bind a Happy Block quilt
- start a Kite quilt
- quilt a UFO
- finish weaving ends in on the linen stitch blanket
- packing
- get my mammogram!
- laundry … lots of laundry!


text:
Shaping Flight Tracking
ADS-B MLAT FLARM Flight Tracking Solutions
'Made in Germany'
Your satisfaction
The products developed and produced by Jetvision support airspace surveillance with ADS-B, MLAT and FLARM. Airports and customer applications around the world benefit from our solutions. The accessories available from Jetvision enable professional complete solutions for indoor and outdoor use.
Our hardware and software systems are outstanding by many technical innovations. Especially to mention are robustness, interface diversity and modifiability for special solutions. Our service is known for fast responsiveness and technical knowledge.
About us
Jetvision is the registered brand name of the Günter Köllner Embedded Development GmbH from Vierkirchen near Munich – founded by owner and managing director Günter Köllner. Since 2010, the company has developed into a globally recognized inventor and manufacturer of high-performance ADS-B receivers and precise Multilateration (MLAT) server systems.
Jetvision products are used worldwide – by global players.
Flightradar24, FlightAware, OpenSky Network are also among our customers, as well as government organizations from different countries and thousands of other users.
Behind Jetvision stands a highly motivated team of developers, technicians and support staff who develop custom solutions and quickly and reliably implement desired changes.
Trust in Jetvision, as many thousands before you.
Are you looking for professional technology for real-time flight tracking?
Do you need a partner who is passionately committed to your project, who realizes individual solutions with a team of experienced developers and who can be reached quickly? Then get in touch with us: [email protected] or use the floating contact button.


text:
La Academia CICALICS 2015 se llevará a cabo en el Campus Zijingang , la Universidad de Zhejiang , Hangzhou del 23 al 30 de agosto de 2015.
The CICALICS Academy 2015 will take place 23-30 August 2015. Eligible applicants are both Chinese and international PhD students at an advanced stage (at least at the second year). First priority will be given to PhD students who work explicitly on issues related to 'Inclusive Innovation and Sustainable Development in Emerging Countries'.
As an important part of China's Innovation Circles and Academy – a Network on Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems, the CICALICS Academy invites well-known experts in the field on innovation to deliver lectures for the students. The participants are encouraged to present their paper and each presented paper will be commented and guided by two experts.
Deadline for application: 30 June 2015
For more information please visit the academy webpage


text:
That's the one thing I can't stand about photographing Bridal Shoots! 🙂
I've been dying to share images from Catie's beautiful Bridal Session last month. But of course her gorgeous wedding gown had to be kept a secret until the Big Day. Now that her and Justin tied the knot this weekend, I can finally show off how amazing Catie looked in her elegant and unique wedding dress. The waiting is over!!!
I love this southern tradition of photographing Bridal Portraits about a month before the wedding. It's quite likely that this is the most expensive garment a young lady will ever own in her life! Sure she'll have a few shots of herself in the dress on her wedding day. But with the hustle and hurry of that stressful day, there just isn't time to truly do it justice. I always encourage my brides to schedule a Bridal Shoot to truly document how gorgeous they look in the gown of their choice.
These fun "fashion style" photo shoots are scheduled for a more relaxed time and place. Hair and make-up is fresh. It can be planned around the best light of the day (instead of being squeezed in wherever it fits among the zillions of other pictures to be taken on the wedding day). Due to time constraints, all the photos on wedding day are done at the wedding or reception venue. Bridal Sessions allow brides to pick a totally different location. Maybe it's somewhere special to them (where they had their first date?). Maybe their wedding is downtown, but they want some photos at a plantation? A Bridal Shoot is a great time to be creative and come up with some cool and creative wedding photos that simply can't be done on the wedding day due to the constraints of time and space.
Catie & Justin LOVE the many beautiful plantations around Charleston! After all, their wedding was held at the historic Boone Hall Plantation. However, leading up to the wedding, they also had photo shoots with me at Runnymede Plantation, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, and finally these inspirational images from Charlestowne Landing.
Catie…you were absolutely STUNNING!!! What a pleasure it was to share this afternoon with you and your parents, capturing your amazing spirit, and documenting the spirit of your stunning wedding gown.


text:
Non-compete Enforcement: What Employers Need to Know about the Latest Employment Law in Maryland
Non-compete Enforcement: What Employers Need to Know about the Latest Employment Law in Maryland
Non-compete Enforcement: What Employers Need to Know about the Latest Employment Law in Maryland
The "Disclosing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act of 2018″ goes into effect on October 1, 2018. The Act first concerns a provision in an
A recent Federal Court case demonstrates the advantage an employer enjoys by including FMLA notice requirements in its employment handbook. In Everson v. SCI Tennessee
In Allied Fire Prot., Inc. v. Thai, No. PWG-17-551, 2017 WL 4354802, at *1 (D. Md. Oct. 2, 2017), the plaintiff employer filed suit against its former employee
Most Maryland employers wisely utilize non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. Many of these agreements also contain provisions that protect a company's confidential information, called a confidentiality
[youtube id="d8uHGmHZQD0″ width="600″ height="400″] Employers are always looking for new ways to be more cost effective and efficient. One area in which companies often try
[youtube id="k0vxzIr_c8Q" width="600″ height="400″] Many employers believe that if they get involved in a lawsuit and win, then the loser has to pay the employer's
[youtube id="hvigxVkAEH8″ width="600″ height="400″] As advisors to Maryland business owners and managers, we have seen many legal problems avoided in the workplace by a well-drafted
[youtube id="-v3BLGFKMr4″ width="600″ height="400″] When an employer fires an employee, the company commonly faces a difficult decision – should the employee be issued a termination
[youtube id="-5a5tNynwas" width="600″ height="400″] Employers want to avoid potential lawsuits from their employees. Maintaining written employment agreements with your employees is one way to do
Call us at 410-522-1020 or fill out the form below to receive a confidential initial consultation.


text:
… Puno and The Titicaca Lake …
From the Kollao plateau, we can see Puno, considered as the "Peru folk capital". The city dazzles the visitor with its landscapes, made of valleys and rough terrains.
Merging with the sky, the Titicaca Lake, higgest navigable lake, is a source of inspiration for many legends and is the cradle of the Aymara civilization. The lake is nowadays inhabited by Uros indians, famous for their art of weaving reeds to build their houses and Islands.
Puno is a city where take place various celebrations, the biggests in South America with its carnival in february, where you can enjoy colored suits, mooving to the sounds of saya, tuntuna and caporales, typical dances of the region.
EVASION PEROU suggests:
2 or 3 days stay.
The musts see :
- The city center of Puno (Churches, streets).
- Uros island.
- Amantani and taquile island (with an overnight in a family).
- Sillustani.
- Agriculture-discovering tours.
- Llachon penisula.


text:
25 November 2002, Volume 5, Number 43
For daily reports on events in Iran, Southwestern Asia, and the Middle East, see www.rferl.org/newsline.
IRAN TENSE AS 'QODS DAY' APPROACHES. By instructing the judiciary on or around 17 November to "review" the death sentence against political activist and university lecturer Hashem Aghajari for alleged blasphemy, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared to give in to popular sentiment. (There had been demonstrations on Aghajari's behalf throughout the country since 9 November. Scholars had also approached Khamenei and requested his intervention, and Speaker of Parliament Hojatoleslam Mehdi Karrubi and President Mohammad Khatami criticized the verdict.) Nevertheless, the demonstrations continued even after Khamenei's order; there has been a violent reaction, and the situation could get worse as Qods (Jerusalem) Day -- the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, 29 November -- approaches.
Indeed, the demonstrations are about something bigger than Aghajari or Iran's judicial system: They are about a desire for complete systemic reform. Abdullah Momeni of the Office for Strengthening Unity's majority branch (the Allameh branch) told RFE/RL's Persian Service on 17 November that there is dissatisfaction with the country's system of government and the demonstrators want it reformed, and on 13 November, Momeni told RFE/RL's Persian Service that the demonstrations are on behalf of all the country's political prisoners. Another student told RFE/RL's Persian Service on 13 November that the demonstrations are an expression of opposition to the regime. He added, "The students have lost hope in reform of the system."
The continuation of the demonstrations and the sentiments behind them may explain Khamenei's implicit threat in a 22 November Friday-prayers sermon that if people do not return to their homes popular forces would intervene against them.
There were gatherings in Mashhad, Qom, Shiraz, and Tehran after the supreme leader's speech. Some 80 people were arrested after student protests in Mashhad and Shiraz, according to the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA). In Tehran, a demonstration commemorating the deaths of national-religious activists Dariush and Parvaneh Foruhar turned into a six-hour brawl between the demonstrators and hard-line elements.
(Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between officially sanctioned repressive elements, such as the Basij Resistance Forces, and unofficial ones, such as the Ansar-i Hizbullah, who purportedly act spontaneously. Often, there is little real difference between them. Basij personnel staged a rally at the tomb of Father of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on 23 November and in front of the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran on 24 November, according to IRNA, and they and their colleagues throughout the country railed against the United States.)
Until 18 November, events seemed to be contained and everybody seemed willing to constrain their behavior. In the following days, it became clear that many people have bigger concerns than the fate of a political activist such as Aghajari, however, so the Iranian leadership apparently felt obliged to lay down the law and demonstrate its ability to suppress any anti-regime actions. It is also possible that the hard-line extremists are getting the green light so that they do not feel completely alienated in the behind-the-scenes system of political compromise.
In Iran, the last week of November could be full of tension and violence. Qods Day is traditionally an occasion for the regime to stage rallies throughout the country, and it could turn into an excuse for some of the hard-line groups to act against individuals they see as domestic enemies. (Bill Samii)
JAZAYERI VERDICT TOUCHES ON EXTENT OF CORRUPTION... The 18 November sentencing of Shahram Jazayeri-Arab to 27 years in prison on corruption charges is just the tip of the iceberg. The long-running trial, which started last year, is only one of several corruption-related investigations that have exposed the corrosive influence of Iran's "aqazadehs," the offspring of high-ranking clerics.
Judge Husseini, who presided over the Jazayeri case, said on 18 November that in February 2000 "the judiciary opened an investigation into the illegal activities of the progenies and relatives of certain officials," and in this way it identified Jazayeri, according to state radio. Jazayeri is the primary focus of the case, which also includes another 49 defendants. All the money that Jazayeri is said to have paid to the other defendants has been identified and will be returned to the government. "We are trying to collect those funds," Husseini said, adding that Jazayeri's assets in Iran have been identified and frozen, and efforts are under way to sequester his overseas assets.
Another corruption case involves the son of Ayatollah Abbas Vaez-Tabasi, who runs the Imam Reza Shrine Foundation in Mashhad. Nasser Vaez-Tabasi was released on bail on 22 July, according to IRNA, and barred from leaving the country. One week later, "Kayhan" newspaper reported that the State Audit Office would investigate the Imam Reza Shrine Foundation, which receives huge donations from pilgrims and wealthy benefactors. State Audit Office chief Hojatoleslam Ebrahim Raisi said the courts are investigating more than 60 cases involving the aqazadehs, and some of the corruption cases relate to the privatization of state firms. Raisi added: "These individuals took advantage of their fathers' status to commit some transgressions. The matter is being investigated by the courts."
Administrative Courts chief Qorban Ali Dori-Najafabadi said that public complaints against administrative and judicial institutions had increased 15 percent in the last year, according to state television on 26 October. He said that there were approximately 62,000 complaints last year and 41,000 complaints from March through October this year. Dori-Najafabadi called on institutions to be more disciplined and to act within the framework of the law. Dori-Najafabadi's son, Mohammad, allegedly received millions of rials in bribes from Jazayeri, "Hambastegi" newspaper reported on 16 February.
In yet another case, parliamentarian Mohammad Dadfar said on 21 April that the legislature would investigate the Marine Service Company for its role in the alleged disruption of oil transfers from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf, IRNA reported. Dadfar said that disrupting the flow of oil played into the hands of the United States, and "it was definitely at the request of the U.S. and other countries." Moreover, this discouraged other companies from undertaking oil transfers. On 6 August, parliamentarian Davud Hassan-Zadegan said that President Khatami had appointed a commission that included the minister of intelligence and security, the justice minister, and the Central Bank governor to investigate the case. Hassan-Zadegan said that "some circles" delayed the investigation.
The 28 October edition of "Kayhan" reported that the seven-man team that President Khatami appointed to investigate corruption at the Petropars Company has concluded its investigation. "Kayhan" did not reveal the outcome of that investigation. Petropars is a semiprivate company that had several major contracts with the Petroleum Ministry, and the case was significant enough that Khatami, Speaker of Parliament Karrubi, and judiciary chief Ayatollah Mahmud Hashemi-Shahrudi discussed it at a 21 April meeting on corruption, according to the Iranian Republic News Agency (IRNA). The case itself involved major oil contracts, and allegations of corruption were made against parliamentarian Behzad Nabavi and Central Bank Governor Mohsen Nurbakhsh.
In the last year, there have been other similar incidents. Minister of Intelligence and Security Hojatoleslam Ali Yunesi said on 26 August that 15 bank officials had been arrested on charges of embezzlement and bribery, state radio reported. He added that 47 state officials were arrested for fraud. The chief judge in the Airport Judicial Complex announced, according to the 8 April edition of the "Tehran Times," the investigation of a corruption case involving Atlas Aviation Company and allegedly illegal income of some 208 billion rials ($119.5 million) through the "misuse" of subsidized gasoline. And in September 2001, some 5,000 Iranian businessmen, some of whom had run state companies, were barred from leaving the country because they had failed to repay loans, according to AFP. (Bill Samii)
...BUT THERE IS SKEPTICISM ABOUT TRIALS' EFFECTIVENESS. University professor Mohsen Sazgara said that the ruling establishment pursues cases such as the one against Jazayeri when there is an economic crisis, and by attributing the problems to a few individuals, the establishment tries to assuage the public, "Hamshahri" newspaper reported on 24 February. In reality, Sazgara said, this has little impact, because Jazayeri has cohorts in different government apparatuses that should be brought to justice as well. Sazgara advised monitoring the economic activities of all the "above-the-law apparatuses," and he added, "they should let the parliament and the press scrutinize such institutions closely even if they have not committed any economic fraud." Sazgara concluded that free economic competition and free participation in political affairs go hand in hand.
Mashhad parliamentary representative Ali Zafarzadeh seems to agree with the need for transparency. He said in the 20 October "Hayat-i No" newspaper that secrecy has become institutionalized in the administrative structure, and Iranian officials have feared transparency for a long time. He added, "Some secrecy has resulted in administrative and financial corruption, rentierism [exploitation of a locational advantage], cronyism, and nepotism." (Bill Samii)
CHANTING GANG AT AIRPORT ATTACKS PARLIAMENTARIAN. Twenty chanting people attacked and beat up Ahvaz parliamentary representative Mohammad Kianush-Rad and two companions when they arrived at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport on 17 November, according to ISNA on 18 November and IRNA on 19 November. Kianush-Rad refused to make a formal complaint against his attackers, saying that, instead, one should complain about those who gave the orders and about those who theorize about the acceptable use of violence. He told ISNA: "I am sorry that a group of ignorant young people, some of whom may even have religious concerns, use the foulest possible expressions when they encounter their opponents. They are doing so because they have been provoked by a closed-minded group that is acting under the pretext of defending our values." According to IRNA, which was quoting the "Mardom Salari" daily newspaper, police and security personnel who saw the event did not try to intervene. (Bill Samii)
DEBATE OVER COUNTERNARCOTICS STRATEGY... Byung Kun Min, heading a delegation from the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services, said on 18 November that Iran's Noruz drug-control plan is progressing in a satisfactory fashion, IRNA reported (the Noruz Plan addresses interdiction, demand reduction, legal reform, and public awareness; see www.odccp.org/iran/projects.html). The UN delegation also visited an outpatient clinic in Kermanshah, IRNA reported on 19 November, where it learned about a program that uses a new sort of anti-addiction medication and about a program to gather data about addicts. In Isfahan Province, however, Governor-General Seyyed Mahmud Husseini said that there must be change in the anti-trafficking and anti-drug-abuse strategies, IRNA reported on 17 November. Husseini called for a joint national-, regional-, and international-level strategy. (Bill Samii)
...AND A DISPUTE OVER THE CAUSE OF HIV/AIDS. Antonio Mazzitelli of the United Nations Drug Control Program praised Iran for the attention it has given the AIDS issue, IRNA reported on 5 November. He said that there is a relatively low level of the disease in Iran but warned that this could change in the future. Many Iranian officials say that drug abuse is the main reason for HIV/AIDS in Iran, but the director of Iran's Hemophilia Center blames sex.
Iranian Welfare Organization chief Mohammad Reza Rahchamani said on 16 November that drug addiction is the biggest contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Iran, IRNA reported, and only 15 percent of the cases are contracted through sex outside marriage. Health Ministry official Ali Mansuri was quoted by IRNA on 5 November as saying that prisons are the main place for contracting HIV/AIDS, and Prisons Organization Health Director Parviz Afshar said during a 5 November seminar on "Prevention and Treatment of AIDS in Prisons" that about half the people in Iranian prisons are there on drug charges. Afshar said that by March 2005, there would be some 44 health clinics in Iranian prisons to deal with HIV/AIDS.
According to an article in the 26 October edition of "Imruz," 85 percent of the AIDS cases in Iran are contracted through sex but that it is taboo to acknowledge this. The article speculated that many more people have AIDS but are afraid to come forward, and it warned that the problem would become worse due to the prevalence of prostitution. (Bill Samii)
CONFUSION OVER DISRUPTION OF AFGHAN RIVER FLOW. Farmers in Iran's southeastern Sistan va Baluchistan Province depend on water from Afghanistan's extensively used Hirmand (Helmand) River to irrigate their crops, and the division of the waters has been a contentious issue for many years.
In March 1969, for example, Kabul would agree to ensure water flow to Iran only in exchange for credit facilities, improved access to Iranian ports, and development assistance, according to the diaries of Iranian Minister of Court Asadollah Alam ("The Shah and I," Alinaghi Alikhani, ed., London, 1991). And when the Afghan legislature discussed a new agreement on the Hirmand in October 1972, Tehran feared that it would be costly: Iranian monarch Mohammad Reza Pahlavi said, "authorize him [the Iranian ambassador to Kabul] to make the payoffs if you really think they're necessary."
The prime ministers of Iran and Afghanistan signed an accord in 1973 that determined the specific amount of water that should flow into Iran: 26 cubic meters of water per second. Taliban violations of this accord, four years of drought, and the silting up of the waterways combined to badly damage farms in Sistan va Baluchistan Province. A new agreement was reached during President Khatami's 13 August visit to Afghanistan, and the Hirmand's waters reached Iran on 25 October (see "RFE/RL Iran Report," 4 November 2002). This did not last very long, however, and the water stopped about 10 days later (see "RFE/RL Iran Report," 11 November 2002).
Afghan Minister for Housing and Urban Reconstruction Yusef Pashtun on 15 November registered surprise regarding the interruption of the flow of the Hirmand River's water to Iran, according to IRNA one day later. Pashtun told Iranian officials in the city of Zahedan that the water is supposed to flow for 60 days, and he speculated that Afghan farmers might have diverted the waters for their own use. Khalid Pashtun, the spokesman for Afghanistan's Kandahar Province, said in an interview with Mashhad radio's Dari Service on 16 November that he reassured Iranian Ambassador Ebrahim Taherian that the Hirmand water would reach Zahedan in 10 or 15 days. (Bill Samii)
NORWEGIANS AND IRANIANS EXCHANGE HOSPITALITY. During an official visit to Norway on 18 November, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European-American Affairs Ali Ahani met with Norwegian Petroleum and Energy Minister Einar Steensnaes, IRNA reported the next day. Steensnaes said that Norway believes there are good prospects for long-term cooperation between Tehran and Oslo, and he expressed the hope that during his forthcoming trip to Tehran he would discuss cooperation in the energy sector, Norway-OPEC collaboration, and efforts to stabilize oil prices. Ahani credited superior Norwegian technology with that country's increased access to Iran's oil-and-gas sector. Norway's Statoil and Iran's Petropars recently signed a $330 million deal to develop the South Pars natural-gas field (see "RFE/RL Iran Report, 4 November 2002).
Ahani met with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vida Helgesen on 19 November, IRNA reported, and he suggested cooperation in fisheries, as well as cooperation in parliamentary, judicial, scientific, and academic affairs. Helgesen noted Oslo-Tehran collaboration in the oil market, and mentioned Iran's counternarcotics activities and its assistance to Afghan refugees.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Norwegian parliamentarians, including Foreign Policy Committee head Thorbjorn Jagland, was in Tehran. Jagland met with Speaker of Parliament Karrubi on 19 November, and Karrubi called for the expansion of bilateral ties, according to IRNA. Karrubi said that Europe can play a major role in settling the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, and Jagland noted Iran's constructive role in Afghanistan. (Bill Samii)
IRAN PURCHASES DANISH ARMS. The Foreign Ministry in Copenhagen issued a report that Denmark sold some $77.1 million in arms to Iran, Libya, Ukraine, China, and other countries in 2001, whereas in the previous year, Denmark sold only $31.1 million in arms, according to a 19 November report from the Danish government's official "Danmarks Radio P1." The deputy chairman of the Danish parliament's Foreign Policy Committee, Jeppe Kofoed, said, "It is deeply reprehensible that we are selling military equipment to Iran, which has one of the most loathsome administrations in the world." Danish legislators did not seem to have such moral qualms a few days earlier, when according to the "Jyllands-Posten" daily newspaper on 14 November, the Danish parliament gave the green light for the government to continue with its new policy toward Iran, so that Tehran is "rewarded for democratic progress with political and commercial agreements." (Bill Samii)
TEHRAN'S TAKE ON NATO EXPANSION. The Iranian government probably watched the 21-22 November NATO summit in Prague very closely because of its concerns over the organization's enlargement. Tehran believes that its archenemy, the United States, dominates NATO, and it is reluctant to see any increase in U.S. power and influence. Moreover, the U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and, possibly, in Iraq contributes to Iran's growing sense of isolation and apprehension.
One of the individuals seemingly most concerned about NATO expansion is General Yahya Rahim-Safavi, the commander of Iran's elite Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. In several speeches in September, he warned that the United States would like to extend NATO into the Middle East and the Caucasus by changing some regional governments. "Over the next 20 years, the Americans intend to extend NATO from Turkey to Iraq, the Persian Gulf littoral, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and, finally, Central Asia," Rahim-Safavi told one gathering, according to an ISNA report on 27 September. He added that the United States aims to consolidate its "military and political foothold in three sensitive regions -- namely, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucasus" -- in order to control most of the world's energy resources. In an interview with state radio on 26 September, Rahim-Safavi described another U.S. objective: "They want to help the Zionist regime by providing security for the Zionist regime."
Tehran is also worried about NATO expansion in the context of the Caspian Sea. Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said in a 29 August interview with the newspaper "Al-Watan" that, although Tehran believes the Caspian should be free of any military activities, it would conduct naval maneuvers there because, "If we do not carry out the necessary measures, one can imagine a situation in which the NATO countries will conduct such maneuvers in the near future."
Within this context, Russia's improving relationship with NATO is a matter of some concern to Tehran. Elaheh Kulyai, who serves on the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Relations Committee, said in the 4 July issue of the "Hayat-i No" daily that Russian-led multinational naval exercises then being conducted on the Caspian are worrisome. "At a time when Russia has established a close relationship with NATO, as a member of that collective body, it is natural that staging a military exercise in the Caspian Sea could in a way become protracted thanks to that country's dominant role," Kulyai said.
Not all members of the Iranian legislature share this concern, however. Parliamentarian Ali Tajernia, who also serves on the National Security and Foreign Relations Committee, said Tehran should not react negatively to a Russia-U.S. relationship as long as it does not threaten Iran, ISNA reported. He stated Russia's weakness relative to the United States leaves it little choice but to acquiesce in NATO's eastward expansion. However, in light of Iran's regional importance, "Russia attaches great importance to relations with Iran," Tajernia said.
Other comments from Tehran over the last few years also indicate concern about NATO expansion and the Western military presence in the region. Tehran promoted a South Caucasus security system in May 2000 that would include only regional states, and the previous month Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Mehdi Husseini accused the United States of promoting the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline with the ultimate objective of "taking control of all countries in the region." Chief of the Joint Staff General Hassan Firuzabadi warned in January 1999 that "the Israelis and the Americans are approaching us from the north," and he made veiled threats about "Shiite Azeris with Iranian blood in their veins." Army commander Major General Mohammad Salimi told a Tehran military seminar in November 2000 that the armed forces must be on the lookout for an attack by NATO or Israel near the Caspian Sea. "Iran's powerful army is the messenger of peace and security in the region, and with the blessings of God, Iran and other regional states will foil all threats posed by the trans-regional troops," he said.
NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia in 1999 on behalf of Kosovar Muslims also greatly disturbed Tehran, although Iran chaired the Organization of the Islamic Conference at the time. Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei said in September 1999 that NATO's actions were meant to "legitimize a new mode of crisis-handling behavior that would merely set a precedent as a rule for future contingencies." Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani said during his Friday-prayer sermon on 2 April 1999 that "if the Islamic world was coordinated and had stopped these atrocities, NATO would not have had a pretext to go there." He admitted that helping the Kosovars is a good thing, but "the problem is that this is being done by an organization like NATO, led by America." (Bill Samii)
For RFE/RL's special report on the NATO summit in Prague, see www.rferl.org/specials/nato/specialreport.asp.


text:
This summer sees the opening of the new Baia wing at the glamorous Regent Porto Montenegro hotel. Baia will be the third wing to open at the hotel, now in its fifth year of operation, joining the existing Venezia and Aqua wings.
The spaces have been designed by leading London design consultancy WATG Architects and MHZ Paris with 67 luxury rooms, suites and penthouses. Each room will have either sweeping views across the bay and marina, lush surrounding countryside or the dramatic Vrmac mountain range. The architecture of the Baia wing will mirror the Venezia and Aqua wings, combining Venetian and Italian Riviera aesthetic with a rich palette of natural hues, that blends seamlessly with the adjacent luxury 5* Regent Porto Montenegro.
Montenegro hotel. Kai Dieckmann, General Manager at Regent Porto Montenegro said, "The opening of the Baia wing is the finishing touch to Regent Porto Montenegro's project and offers our guests a diverse selection of rooms, residences and elite penthouses to choose from. We want to offer a sense unobtrusive luxury which has been brought to life through WATG and MHZ Paris's contemporary designs, whilst tying into the existing aesthetic of our two others wings with the recognisable nautical design. " During their stay, guests will have access to the award-winning infinity pool, residents only courtyard with landscaped gardens, lap pool, children's pool, poolside restaurant and beds, gym, private walkway to Aqua and Venezia wings, four restaurants and elegant spa facilities.


text:
Hello new readers and visitors… If you're here for infertility insights you're in the right place. You'll find 279 blog posts and 5,042 comments — all shared since Coming2Terms started in February 2007. Take a&hellip
Letting Go But Not Forgetting
Just Five More Days of Marketing Mayhem
Well, heeeellllllooooo! Had enough, yet, of the Mother's Day marketing? Just a few more days, ladies, and then we can look forward to the distractions caused the barrage of email marketing associated with May 18&hellip
Plate Smashing, Anyone?
Just for the record, I do think about a whole bunch of things that have absolutely nothing to do with broken reproductive systems, but given the charter of this blog … infertility is what I&hellip
In the Company of Writing Women
I'm a little amazed at the great writing company I find myself in these days. You can find my latest contribution at Exhale. It's a sneak preview of sorts. My column contains the opening&hellip
You Found Me How? Part Deux
You can learn so much from the search terms people type in. As I've done in the past, I'm sharing a few of the more unusual search queries that brought readers to my blog. I'm&hellip
Can We Find Another Scapegoat?
I think it's high times we found a new catch-all scapegoat for infertility. I'm getting seriously bored with the now specious "feminisim killed my chance at motherhood" argument. Knowledge about the ticking female biological clock&hellip
Dreamer or Masochist? You Decide
The calendar doesn't lie. It's my two year blogoversary. A pomegranate-infused martini or other adult beverage anyone? I'm pouring. So…hundreds of posts, a book manuscript, a BlogHer panel, a New York Times feature article and&hellip
Barren, Not Beaten
When I started this blog nearly two years ago I was in a world of hurt. Not just your ordinary owie or gosh, darn I'm disappointed. I'm talking the World Series of Hurt. Think caged&hellip
Outside the Panic and Anger Bubbles
Give it time…the wounds will heal. Oh how I hated hearing those words. No! You don't understand. My heart is breaking now. My soul is bleeding. The ache is too much to bear. When you're&hellip
Unfinished Business
There are some experiences in life that continue to shape and forge us long after the actual experience has ended. We stretch and grow and learn a lot while living it. Then we learn a&hellip


text:
Community Eye Candy: Firsts
April 27th, 2016
It's always fun to see projects that are exciting firsts, where the maker is learning or doing something that they haven't done before.
knittily's first mosaic knitting, addiesma's Dude, it's my first steek! and crochet-hello's first crocheted garment.
shinedivine's first grown up socks, slemmon48's first weaving project, and Melusinchen's first colorwork sweater using her own gradient handspun.
thefawnknits' first brioche, LuSaMama's first project from her own flock! and sparklink02's boyfriend's first knitting project.
[cheers and applause for all!]


text:
Assigning Blame in the Battle of WanatBY Herschel Smith
12 years, 11 months ago
From Greg Jaffe of The Washington Post:
The Army's official history of the battle of Wanat – one of the most intensely scrutinized engagements of the Afghan war – largely absolves top commanders of the deaths of nine U.S. soldiers and instead blames the confusing and unpredictable nature of war.
The history of the July 2008 battle was almost two years in the making and triggered a roiling debate at all levels of the Army about whether mid-level and senior battlefield commanders should be held accountable for mistakes made under the extreme duress of combat.
An initial draft of the Wanat history, which was obtained by The Washington Post and other media outlets in the summer of 2009, placed the preponderance of blame for the losses on the higher-level battalion and brigade commanders who oversaw the mission, saying they failed to provide the proper resources to the unit in Wanat.
The final history, released in recent weeks, drops many of the earlier conclusions and instead focuses on failures of lower-level commanders.
The battle of Wanat, which took place in a remote mountain village near the Pakistan border, produced four investigations and sidetracked the careers of several Army officers, whose promotions were either put on hold or canceled. The 230-page Army history is likely to be the military's last word on the episode, and reflects a growing consensus within the ranks that the Army should be cautious in blaming battlefield commanders for failures in demanding wars such as the conflict in Afghanistan.
Family members of the deceased at Wanat reacted with anger and disappointment to the final version of the Army history.
"They blame the platoon-level leadership for all the mistakes at Wanat," said retired Col. David Brostrom, whose son was killed in the fighting. "It blames my dead son. They really missed the point."
The initial investigation, conducted by a three-star Marine Corps general and completed in the spring, found that the company and battalion commanders were "derelict in their duty" to provide proper oversight and resources to the soldiers fighting at Wanat.
Petraeus reviewed the findings and concluded that based on Army doctrine, the brigade commander, who was the senior U.S. officer in the area, also failed in his job. He recommended that all three officers be issued letters of reprimand, which would essentially end their careers.
After the officers appealed their reprimands, a senior Army general in the United States reversed the decision to punish the officers, formerly members of the the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
Gen. Charles Campbell told family members of the deceased that the letters of reprimand would have a chilling effect on other battlefield commanders, who often must make difficult decisions with limited information, according to a tape of his remarks. He also concluded that the deaths were not the direct result of the officers' mistakes.
The Army's final history of the Wanat battle largely echoes Campbell's conclusions, citing the role of "uncertainty [as] a factor inseparable from any military operation."
In its conclusions, the study maintains that U.S. commanders had a weak grasp of the area's complicated politics, causing them to underestimate the hostility to a U.S. presence in Wanat.
"Within the valley communities there had been hundreds of years of intertribal and intercommunity conflict, magnified by hundreds of years of geographic isolation. Understanding the cultural antagonisms present in [Wanat] was difficult and complicated," it said. "Coalition leaders had difficulty understanding the political situation."
But the history focuses mostly on the failures of lower-level commanders to patrol aggressively in the area around Wanat as they were building their defenses. It also criticizes 1st Lt. Jonathan Brostrom, a 24-year-old platoon leader, for placing a key observation point in an area that did not provide the half-dozen U.S. soldiers placed there a broad enough view to spot the enemy.
"The placement of the OP [Observation Post] is perhaps the most important factor contributing to the course of the engagement at Wanat," the report states.
The initial investigation, by contrast, found that the placement of the post was not a major factor in the outcome of the battle.
That investigation also found that mid-level Army officers failed to plan the operation beyond the first four days and as a result failed to provide sufficient manpower, water and other resources to defend the base from a Taliban attack. The official history makes little mention of such conclusions.
Analysis & Commentary
This information and perspective is mostly known to regular readers of The Captain's Journal. We have discussed the Battle of Wanat many times before, and linked the final report as soon as it was released (as well as commented on the original Cubbison report).
The main theme of Jaffe's analysis is the reversal of reprimands for senior staff level officers and the switch to holding lower level field grade officers accountable for the failures. But there are other aspects as well, and we must address those in order to crawl through the weeds. Unfortunately, the weeds block our view and add little to nothing to the overall reality of the situation.
One such weed garden is this notion that:
"Within the valley communities there had been hundreds of years of intertribal and intercommunity conflict, magnified by hundreds of years of geographic isolation. Understanding the cultural antagonisms present in [Wanat] was difficult and complicated," it said. "Coalition leaders had difficulty understanding the political situation."
Maybe true, maybe significant for other considerations, and maybe frustrating, but irrelevant in this context (the battle proper, and whom to hold accountable for what happened). It's just weeds that block our view. In Analysis of the Battle of Wanat, we discussed how "The meetings with tribal and governmental officials to procure territory for VPB Wanat went on for about one year, and one elder privately said to U.S. Army officers that given the inherent appearance of tribal agreement with the outpost, it would be best if the Army simply constructed the base without interaction with the tribes. As it turns out, the protracted negotiations allowed AAF (anti-Afghan forces, in this case an acronym for Taliban, including some Tehrik-i-Taliban) to plan and stage a complex attack well in advance of turning the first shovel full of sand to fill HESCO barriers."
Local intelligence, also from tribal elders, pointed to massing of forces and planned attacks on VPB Wanat. However complicated the tribal machinations and our attempts to understand them, they weren't so complicated that we didn't have good intelligence or even good counsel. Had we followed the elder's advice, the patrol base might have been manned and fortified well before the massing of forces that occurred by the Taliban, and in fact local atmospherics might have been different with time for interaction with U.S. forces.
But if the notion of tribal complexities is a smoke screen, so is the issue of limitations in weapons capabilities. As we have discussed before:
It's tempting to point the finger at weapons systems, just as it is tempting to fault the company with lack of soft COIN efforts. But in the end, they were outnumbered about 6:1 (300+ to about 50), they were on a poor choice of terrain, they had poor logistics, they suffered lack of air and artillery support, and most importantly, they simply were never given the proper number of troops or the resources to engage in force protection, much less robust force projection. They were under-resourced, and no analysis of weapons systems can change that fact. Rather than focus on why the M4 jams after firing 360 rounds in 30 minutes, the real question is why this particular M4 had to be put through this kind of test to begin with?
It's wise to deploy the right weapons for the job, and if that means that each squad carries an M-14 for the DM position, then so be it. Commanding officers should make that happen. There are plenty of M-14s left in our armories, and they should be put to use in the longer distance engagements. But in the end weapons systems malfunctions is simply not a compelling excuse or even one of the root causes of what happened at Wanat. It just isn't, and time spent on worrying over that is time wasted.
Col. David Brostrom is rightfully indignant over his son's role in the report. Dead men cannot defend themselves, and Lt. Brostrom represents too easy of a target. In that respect, the final report is petty and cowardly. Nonetheless, I maintained, and continue to maintain, that OP Top Side was a poor tactical choice.
Most of the men who perished that fateful day did so attempting to defend or relieve OP Top Side (8 of the 9 who perished), and the kill ratio that day still favored the U.S. troops ("There were between 21 and 52 AAF killed and 45 wounded. Considering a clinical assessment of kill ratio can be a pointer to the level of risk associated with this VPB and OP. 21/9 = 2.33, 52/9 = 5.77 (2.33 – 5.77), and 45/27 = 1.67. These are very low compared to historical data (on the order of 10:1).").
In previous discussions, one commenter weighs in with the following:
I definitely disagree with the idea of OP Topside as far-flung. It was only located 60 yards from the edge of VPB Kahler. In fact, the Company Commander was not pleased with the placement of OP Topside, but the LT believed placing the OP among the bounders in proximity to Kahler would make it easier to reinforce if a big attack did come. This in fact, proved to be the case as Topside was reinforced multiple times and proved the key to defeating the enemy attack at Wanat.
Strange analysis, this is. OP Top Side proved to be the Achilles heal of the whole VPB. Without having to relieve it, it is probable that most of the men who perished that fateful night would not have. More salient is this comment by Slab:
Where I think you hit the nail on the head is when you mention the terrain. The platoon in Wanat sacrificed control of the key terrain in the area in order to locate closer to the population. This was a significant risk, and I don't see any indication that they attempted to sufficiently mitigate that risk. I can empathize a little bit – I was the first Marine on deck at Camp Blessing back when it was still Firebase Catamount, in late 2003. I took responsibility for the camp's security from a platoon from the 10th Mountain Div, and established a perimeter defense around it. Looking back, I don't think I adequately controlled the key terrain around the camp. The platoon that replaced me took some steps to correct that, and I think it played a significant role when they were attacked on March 22nd of 2004. COIN theorists love to say that the population is the key terrain, but I think Wanat shows that ignoring the existing natural terrain in favor of the population is a risky proposition, especially in Afghanistan.
Moving on to Bing West's analysis of assigning blame for Wanat, he observes:
In my forthcoming book, The Wrong War, I describe Wanat in the larger context of a multi-year struggle for control of the mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan. Grave tactical and operational errors culminated in the Wanat battle. In The Wrong War, I conclude that at the operational level of war, Wanat "provided the classic case study of how insurgents conquer a superior foe. . . . The Americans intended to separate the people from the insurgents. Instead, the insurgents succeeded in separating the people from the Americans."
Reporting from the Wanat area on Monday, Jaffe quoted the on-scene U.S. battalion commander as saying, "We fight here because the enemy is here. The enemy fights here because we are here. The best thing we can do is to pull back, and let the Afghans figure this place out." The essential problem in the valley that includes Wanat was not a tactical mistake. The vexing nature of the tribal loyalties in eastern Afghanistan along the Pakistan border far transcends the conduct of a single battle.
The Army, however, was heavy-handed and obtuse in handling the reviews of the Wanat battle. Many officers disagreed with the reviewing generals who recommended the reprimands, and others disagreed with Cubbison's draft. Combat veterans can make a reasonable case one way or the other. But for the Army as an institution to zig-zag invites criticism and raises unhelpful suspicions.
At a larger level, the incident illustrates the inherent problem in the promotion system of all the services. Errors happen in every war. Often victory goes to the side making the fewer mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes: Washington at Great Meadow and later Long Island, Lee at Gettysburg, Halsey and the typhoons, Chesty Puller at Peleliu, MacArthur and the Chosin, etc.
One of the three officers at Wanat cited by Petraeus for reprimand is a superb officer; I believe he would make a fine field general. It should be possible for a selection board to assess a reprimand, place it in balance against an entire career and continue to promote an outstanding officer. In business, CEOs fail miserably and are rewarded, illustrating the selfish, back-scratching nature of too many corporate boards of trustees; in the military, the services demand that an officer receive upwards of 40 fitness reports without a blemish in order to qualify for general officer selection. The services thus institutionally tend to reward the cautious, rather than the bold.
Separating the people from the Americans is also a bit exaggerated (or at least, somewhat irrelevant) when discussing the battle proper. Using only open source information, we can develop patterns of behavior with the Taliban that would have alerted U.S. commanders to expect such massing of forces. If I can do it, Army intelligence can do it. Good historiography brings in all elements of the problem to set the proper context, but even with proper context the basic outline of the problem doesn't change.
There weren't enough U.S. forces. It took too long to set up VPB Wanat. The Taliban worked much more quickly than did we in setting up their military operations. The U.S. sacrificed control of key terrain around VPB Wanat – and especially OP Top Side – in an attempt to provide proximity to the population. They summarily ignored both tribal counsel to set up the patrol base and tribal intelligence concerning massing of forces and imminent attacks, attacks that in fact followed tactics that could even be known by studying open source information.
Bing weighs in on holding officers accountable, and demurs insofar as it costs us openness and a learning environment. Whatever. I will observe that Marine Corps concepts of force projection and force protection are different and generally more aggressive. Aggressiveness could have helped in the Waygul valley, but their aggressiveness was limited by the lack of resources.
Col. Brostrom is right about holding commanding officers accountable. If his son objected to the placement of OP Top Side, so much the better. But whatever responsibility must be shouldered for the engagement, it increases with increasing rank. Pressing authority up and accountability down is the tactic of cowards. Refusing to hold higher ranking officers accountable for fear of creating a climate of suspicion runs both directions. If we cannot hold senior officers accountable, then neither can we (morally and rightly) hold lower ranking field grade officers accountable. And if we hold anyone accountable, higher authority means shouldering more of the responsibility. It's just the way it is. This is true in the family, in business, in relationships, and in church. To claim that it could be anything else in the military is laughable and worthy of ridicule.
Drone Front and Other Recommended Reading
Close Air Support of COP Kahler at Wanat
What Really Happened at Wanat?
Wanat Officers Issued Career-Ending Reprimands
Taking Back the Infantry Half-Kilometer
Second-Guessing the Battles of Wanat and Kamdesh
The Battle of Wanat, Massing of Troops, and Attacks in Nuristan
The Contribution of the Afghan National Army in the Battle of Wanat
Investigating the Battle of Wanat


text:
Joe Trohman 'stepping away' from Fall Out Boy after mental health 'rapidly deteriorated'
The guitar player said he needs a break to recover but assured fans he would 'return to the fold'
Fall Out Boy guitarist Joe Trohman has announced he is "stepping away" from the band amid mental health struggles.
The star, 38, posted a long message on social media explaining that his mental health had "rapidly deteriorated" in recent years.
He said while it pained him to make the decision he needed to put his mental health first and take a break and recover.
Read more: Fall Out Boy continue to tease new music with cryptic letter
However, Trohman assured the band's fans that he would "return to the fold" in the future.
He said in his statement: "Neil Young once howled that it's better to burn out than to fade away. But I can tell you unequivocally that burning out is dreadful.
"Without divulging all the details, I must disclose that my mental health has rapidly deteriorated over the past several years.
"So, to avoid fading away and never returning, I will be taking a break from work which regrettably includes stepping away from Fall Out Boy for a spell."
Trohman went on: "It pains me to make this decision, especially when we are releasing a new album that fills me with great pride (the sin I'm most proud of).
"So, the question remains: Will I return to the fold? Absolutely, one hundred percent. In the meantime, I must recover which means putting myself and my mental health first."
The guitar player went on to thank everyone, including his bandmates and family, for "understanding and respecting this difficult, but necessary, decision".
Fans posted messages on social media wishing the musician well after his announcement.
"Take all the time you need Joe," said one.
Another wrote: "Mental health comes first, we understand. We'll be patiently waiting for your return, no matter how long it takes!"
Read more: Fall Out Boy send seashells to fans including Oli Sykes as they tease new album
The US rock band is comprised of Trohman, Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump and Andy Hurley and they are known for tracks such as Dance, Dance, Irresistible and Sugar, We're Goin' Down.
They have just announced their new album, So Much (For) Stardust.
Watch: Fall Out Boy's Joe Trohman talks new memoir


text:
The loss of a job, the rebellion of a child, marital strife, prolonged illness, the death of a spouse, divorce, financial ruin, adultery, overwhelming work responsibilities, church strife, cancer, addiction, depression, the loss of a child — these are but a few of the storms and trials we might face in this life. These are the kinds of occurrences that push us to our limits, and sometimes far beyond what we thought were our limits. The question we frequently ask in the midst of such trials is, "Where is God in this?" Or perhaps more poignantly, "Why is God letting this happen to me?"
On Sunday, we looked at Matthew 14:22-33, which is the story of Christ sending the Disciples into the storm and then coming to them by walking on the water. One particular fact of that story is that Jesus intentionally made the disciples get into the boat and go out onto the sea even though He knew a storm was coming. Then He intentionally allowed them to remain in the peril of the storm for eight or nine hours before going out to them on the water.
Why did Jesus do this to His men? Mark 6:52 tells us that they had not gained any insight from the feeding of the 5,000 and that their hearts were hardened. Thus, His purpose in sending them into the storm was to refocus them on what was most important (the kingdom, not themselves), to return them to total dependence upon Him, and to deepen their faith in Him as the sovereign Son of God. His purpose was indeed accomplished. As a result of encountering Christ through the storm, Matthew 14:33 tells us that for the first time, the disciples corporately worshiped Jesus and said together "You are certainly God's Son!" The storm brought them to the end of themselves and gave them a much deeper and much more profound understanding of Christ.
God's purpose is the same in our trials and storms, wherever they may come from. Sometimes we face storms simply because we live in a sinful world where harmful things happen. Sometimes we face storms because the forces of darkness are assailing us. Sometimes we face storms because of our own sinful choices and decisions, or because of the sinful choices of those close to us. But ultimately, everything we experience comes to us through the hand of our Heavenly Father who either allows or initiates our trials according to His sovereign purpose.
God has the power to spare us from any hardship, even hardships of our own making. In fact, we must realize that each of us have been spared a multitude of trials that were secretly kept at bay by the exercise of His protective grace. However, we must also realize that we will suffer other hardships; hardships that come to us as a consequence of sin. Our comfort lies in realizing that the trials we do experience are ordained for us according to His sovereign plan — to teach us, to correct us, to mature our faith, and ultimately to give Him glory.
Therein lies our source of joy in the midst of suffering. Though we may be utterly crushed by the weight of abandonment, loss, betrayal, and ruin; though we may be brought to the place where there are no words to speak, where there are only deep groans and sobs; though we may suffer a kind of inward pain that makes us pray for death, even in these darkest of hours, we have hope. We know that our God is on His throne. We know that He is good, and that even now, He is laboring in the world to undo the curse of sin. We know that Christ is one who will never leave us nor forsake us; He will always love us, always be true to us, always shepherd us, and always intercede for us. We know that every wrong will one day be righted, and that an eternity in His perfect presence, without suffering, loss, and pain, awaits us.
These wondrous beauties of His grace sparkle ever more brilliantly when we behold them against the backdrop of the darkest night. They undergird and inform our faith even in the fiercest storms, enabling us to say with Job, "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21) Even more, we can rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory (1 Pet 1:3-9) knowing that our sovereign God is exalted as our earthly dependencies are wiped away and our faith in Him is strengthened. So take heart my beloved; Christ has embraced ultimate suffering that we may ultimately be free from suffering. To Him Be The Glory!


text:
Freeman Dyson said this quote
" Every orchid or rose or lizard or snake is the work of a dedicated and skilled breeder. There are thousands of people, amateurs and professionals, who devote their lives to this business. Now imagine what will happen when the tools of genetic engineering become accessible to these people. "


text:
This is a 21 slide lesson, animated power point presentation on "How can one religion have such a wide range of ideas about God?". All of the slides are editable so you can modify the slides if you need to. There are teacher notes on some of the slides to provide further instructions.
The learning outcome for this lesson is:
- To understand the diverse Hindu beliefs about the nature of God
Some key terms covered in the lesson
- Supreme, God
This Lesson Pack Contains:
- 1 Fully Editable PowerPoint (Learning Outcomes, Variety of Tasks, Embedded URL Clips, Editable Quality PPT Slides.
- A handout
- Assorted materials for varying levels of ability
- Teacher Notes (On some slides)


text:
Use up leftover cranberry sauce with these easy overnight oats. Plus, get new ideas for using up extra cranberry sauce.
I hope your Thanksgiving was great. I enjoyed the time off and making some of my favorite dishes in the kitchen.
If you're like me, you have some leftovers in the fridge.Use up leftover cranberry sauce in these Cranberry Almond Overnight Oats! #mealprep #cranberries
Though I grew up on canned cranberry sauce, I've been making fresh, homemade cranberry sauce for the past couple of years and probably won't go back to the other stuff. At least not unless I'm in SC with the rest of my family. In any case, we always end up with extra cranberry sauce!
For this recipe, you only need a few ingredients: leftover cranberry sauce, equal parts oats and milk, and nuts or seeds. Oh and jars. Aren't they the cutest?
Prep your overnight oats
To build the overnight oats, layer a couple of tablespoons cranberry sauce, then add the oats and milk. Finish with another tablespoon of sauce and sprinkle on lots of almonds or pumpkin seeds.
You can also add cinnamon to the oats for more flavor. For a boost of protein, use dairy milk or pea protein milk to keep it vegan.
Because tis the season, you might also enjoy my gingerbread overnight oats recipe too!
Ways to use up leftover cranberry sauce
Eat cranberry sauce for breakfast. Swirl it into warm, cooked oatmeal with a sprinkle of walnuts.
Swirl the sauce into yogurt. Add it to a Greek yogurt bowl with granola or pumpkin seeds.
Make a PB&C. Use cranberry sauce instead of jelly on a peanut butter sandwich.
Make a cocktail. Add two tablespoons cranberry sauce, vodka, and ice to a shaker then combine with soda water for a cranberry cocktail.
Make an easy cranberry tart. Add a bit of cornstarch, tapioca flour, or arrowroot powder to cranberry sauce to help it thicken. Add to pie dough or puff pastry and bake for an easy dessert.
Bake a sweet treat. Add leftover cranberry sauce to a muffin or quick bread batter or make these No-Bake Cranberry Cheesecake Jars.
Freeze it. If you won't be using it all up in a few days, freeze the cranberry sauce in a freezer jar or freezer bag. You can thaw and use it for future meals.
This list could go on. How do you use up your extra cranberry sauce? I'd love to hear it in the comments!
Recipes featuring cranberries
Instant Pot Cranberry Orange Sauce
Vegan Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberries
50 Best Cranberry Recipes for All Your Fall Meals
Cranberry Sauce Overnight Oats
- 3 tablespoon cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup old fashioned oats
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 2 tablespoon sliced almonds
- dash cinnamon (optional)
- Add 2 tablespoon cranberry sauce to a jar. Add the oats and milk. Top with more cranberry sauce and sliced almonds. Close the jar and refrigerate overnight. Top with more milk in the morning if desired.


text:
Evening all
So I have always been interested in nutrition. When I was school, for GCSE I did Home Econimics (how old fashioned- now they do food tech) and we had to do modules about which vitamins and minerals were in certain foods, and what illnesses deficiancies caused. We also had to look into specific diets and analyse them (this is when I properly researched vegetarianism and proved to my mum that I could be veggie and healthy). Since then I get a lot of info from magazines, or from sites on the net. But I am looking for a book (not quite "Nutrition for dummies") which will give me a bit more info on nutrition, specifically vegetarian/ vegan or womens nutrition. I just wondered if anyone had any books they would recommend, as I have trawled through pages on amazon but it is hard to pinpoint exactly what I am after. Thanks.
Onto other things; ny cold is worse today. At the start of the week I earmarked today for a short run, but as the day has gone on I have felt worse, (stomach ache as well as the sore sinuses) so I decided to come home and have a cup of tea instead. I decided that as I am not training for anything, I could be fine but I could make it worse, and I did run Sunday, Monday and do aerobics last night so I am not sitting around every day.
Yet again I thought it was my last chocolate flake teabag, but I have one more. Delish with coconut milk. At the weekend I ordered myself some more as it is so tasty, and Andy told me I have no chance of getting tea for christmas!
I had it with some Mulu chocolate-
The "Silk", which is meant to be like milk chocolate. I found it very sweet (I only managed 2 squares which I suppose is good as the bar will last), it tasted more like cooking chocolate than normal chocolate. It has an almost crumbly texture, and it is not my favourite. But it was still nice with the tea.
So, on the subject of tea, I need to announce the giveaway winner! I am rubbish at decisions, and it has come to light that if I do another giveaway I will need to do some kind of raffle system, or something, as choosing was very difficult! I appreciate all the recipe links and will have fun making them all (and when I do I will be sure to post them), but the winner is……
The Caramel Apple Spice Cupcakes by Laura 🙂
So well done Laura, I am already wishing I had icing sugar to make them! I did contemplate making them without the frosting, but it sounds like it is important to have all elements, so will have to wait til the weekend!
So Laura, can you email me (email@example.com) your address and I will forward it on to the teapigs people so they can get your prize out to you. And thanks to everyone else 🙂 It really was such a hard decision!
And finally, while wandering on the blogosphere this afternoon, I came across a Happy Herbivore recipe for fat free, vegan pumpkin pie. It looks amazing, so it is another one I need to try. 🙂
So many recipes, so little time………


text:
109 Mountain Avenue Townsend Tennessee 37882 US
This secular Smoky Mountain overnight camp offers both educational and recreational activities, with an emphasis on free-thinking. The educational activities focus on critical thinking and scientific inquiry. Recreational options include swimming, hiking, campfires, arts and crafts, shows, group games, movie nights, and more. This camp is for kids ages 8-17.


text:
The ScoliCare approach
About us
ScoliCare is dedicated to providing non-surgical treatment options to help patients around the world get better outcomes. Our clinics have an evidence-based approach to scoliosis and kyphosis case management, the team actively conducts and supports research into scoliosis and similar spinal conditions, and ScoliCare clinicians are leaders in providing scoliosis education to other health professionals.
What makes our clinics different
ScoliCare clinicians are dedicated to the treatment of scoliosis and kyphosis patients and so have a high level of training and experience in achieving better outcomes for these patients. ScoliCare's unique approach to ensures each patient is assessed accurately so the most appropriate treatment recommendations are offered, including:
- Proprietary 3D scanning technology
- Unique custom 3D Scoliosis Bracing System
- Individually tailored scoliosis exercise programs
Our world-wide network of clinicians and patients mean that ScoliCare is at the forefront of scoliosis and kyphosis treatment, and as a group sees more scoliosis and kyphosis cases than individual clinics alone. Our brace design team, clinicians, and support staff benefit from this collective experience and shared knowledge.
Our approach
Scoliosis is a complex condition with many factors that influence chance of progression and recommendations for treatment. We always aim to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care to help our patients, and patients of other health professionals, get the best treatment outcomes.
It is important to start with accurate assessment of the posture, and then x-rays where a scoliosis is indicated. We also have the latest technology in Scoliosis Ultrasound scanning and 3D analysis.
Our dedicated scoliosis clinicians can provide recommendations for treatment that are tailored to the individual patient. Scoliosis treatment is not a 'one size fits all' approach, and our clinics offer Scoliosis Specific Exercise programs, Custom 3D bracing, and co-management services.
Our mission
Our mission is to educate Health Professionals and students about scoliosis, and foster the development of the healthcare community to provide quality and appropriate care to patients with spinal deformities.


text:
A Tour of Preston Village
Our tour actually begins outside the village where, just beyond the eastern boundary of Preston Township, a few yards north of Beach Road, stands a sandstone block which makes up the spot where stood;
The Monk's Stone
Up until the late nineteenth century the Monk's Stone (or Rode Stane as it was sometimes called) stood in front of Monk-house Farm and is said to be a marker erected to denote the limit of sanctuary assigned to the monastery of Tynemouth. The intricately carved stone was removed and now stands in the cloister garth of Tynemouth Priory.
It is said that, on the base of the stone, were once carved the words "O horrid dede, To kill a man for Pigg's hede" (altough an 18th century engraving shows the words "O Horor to kill a man! For a Piges head"). This fits in with a legend well known in the district which tells of a monk from Tynemouth who, while out walking, arrived at the hall of Lord Delaval. Delaval was away hunting at the time and, in the kitchen of the hall, a pig was being roasted. The monk, unable to resist the smell, took off its head and made off towards Tynemouth. Lord Delaval, upon his return, was furious and set off in persuit. He caught up with the monk and his ill-gotten gains near Preston and gave him a severe thrashing. The monk died a year and a day later as a result of the beating and Lord Delaval was obliged to hand over three of his estates to the monastery as a penance. He was ordered to erect the Monk's Stone to remind travellers of his dastardly deed. It is unlikely that there is any truth in the legend but Mr. R. Owen of North Shields put the story into ballad form and this is reproduced below;
(Delaval caught the monk east of Preston)
"But stay! But stay! Thou friar knave,
But stay and show me
What thou hast in that leathern poke
Which thou mayest carry so hie!"
"Now Christ ye save!" said the friar knave;
"firewood for the Priorie."
"Thou liest! thou liest! thou knavish priest.
Thou liest unto me! "-
The knight he took the leathern poke
And his boars he did espie,
And still the reek from the scorched cheek
Did seem right savourie.
Gods wot! But had ye seen the friar
With his skin of livid hue,
When the knight drew out the reeking snout,
And flourished his hunting thew;
"Grammercie, grammercie! Sir Knight on me,
As the virgin will mercy shew."
But the knight he banged the friar about
And beat his hide full sore
And beat him as he rolled on the sward,
Till the friar did loudly roar;
No mote he spare the friar mare
Than Mahound on eastern shore.
" Now take ye that, ye dog of monk,
Now take ye that from me!"-
And away rode the knightin great delight
At his feat of flagellrie,
And the snds did resound to his war-steeds bound
As he rode near the margined sea.
Now at this day, while years roll on.
And the knight doth coldly lie,
The stone doth stand on the silent land,
To tellen the strangers nigh,
That a horrid dede for a his hede,
Did thence to heavenward cry.
Leaving the Monk's Stone, as we head towards the village, we come upon the John Spence Community High School, named after John Foster Spence, Alderman and four times mayor of Tynemouth in the first half of the nineteenth century.
The school was opened on the 10th September 1957 ( one week late due to a delay in the delivery of the desks) as the Tynemouth Technical School. It was later re-named the Tynemouth Grammar Technical School and then Preston High School before taking its present name.
From the front of the school we can see, on the other side of Preston Road, the Tynemouth indoor swimming pool. Opened in 1971 by the chairman of the parks and sand committee, J. Goveas, it is the only public pool within the Preston boundary. Up until the mid-1960s, there was an open air, salt water pool in Hawkeys Lane but that has long-since been filled in and the site built upon.
As we turn our backs on the indoor pool and cross North Road, we arrive at one of the most pleasing old buildings in the village;
Preston Village 1988 Diagram


text:
1. Two meetings about the proposed regional homelessness authority last week highlighted new potential fault lines between the city and county in negotiating the structure and funding of the new authority—one concerning the kind of services the new authority will provide, and one having to do with who will pay for it.
Suburban King County cities that would become a part of the authority have made it clear they're concerned that the new body will be too "Seattle-centric"—an understandable concern given that just one member of the steering committee that oversees the body will be from a to-be-determined member of the Sound Cities Association, a group of suburban King County cities. (Under the proposal, another suburban representative could join the board once 20 suburban cities join the regional authority). A related but distinct concern is that suburban cities may not want to handle homelessness the way Seattle does, by offering services for as long as it takes and providing harm reduction as an alternative to mandatory treatment and imposed abstinence for people with addiction.
From the perspective of a city like Kent, where outreach workers say police have a zero-tolerance policy for sleeping in visible public areas, the tactics of Seattle's Navigation Team—which removes encampments but doesn't arrest people for living on the street or force them to "accept" services, treatment, and housing—may seem like mushy-hearted liberalism at its worst. At last week's King County Board of Health meeting, King County Council member Kathy Lambert, whose district includes Duvall, North Bend, and Snoqualmie, said she won't support the regional authority "until I see a plan that acknowledges that each part of of this county has a very different idea of where they want to be and what they want to look like, and I'm not seeing that yet."
On the flip side, at a meeting of the Seattle City Council's special committee on homelessness last Friday, city council president Bruce Harrell asked whether the Navigation Team, which (as I reported earlier this month) is not moving over to the new authority, will expand its operations outside the city or otherwise coordinate with other cities who have employees doing similar encampment-clearing functions. (In reality, the Navigation Team is fairly unique regionally and the equivalent agency in most other cities is the police). "I assumed we were trying to model some consistency overall—am I missing something?" Harrell asked.
Tess Colby, Mayor Jenny Durkan's homelessness advisor, responded that the charter creating the new authority will allow for "subregional planning, which is a way for the regional authority to engage in the various regions across the county and be in dialogue about what homelessness looks like in different parts of the region and how it's being addressed." Specifically, the charter says that the kinds of services each sub-region of the county can vary depending on "local needs, priorities, and solutions."
2. The other issue that came up this week was whether the city of Seattle might be paying more than its fair share of the cost to set up and, at least initially, fund the authority. The numbers HSD director Jason Johnson and National Innovation Service consultant Marc Dones presented to the council committee on Friday showed the city spending $1 million in startup costs next year (and $282,000 in "ongoing costs" beginning the year after that), including more than $800,000 in moving and office costs and $130,000 for a headhunter to find the $217,000-a-year executive director for the new authority. The city would also be responsible for paying that director's salary, plus the salaries of his or her chief of staff ($166,000 in 2021), two deputy directors ($189,000 each), and a human resources manager ($163,000).
"I'm concerned that city paying all the costs in that first year is going to create an expectation" that the city will continue to pay all the costs in the future, city council member Lisa Herbold said. "You say that there's an expectation that there's going to be future cost sharing around the costs of personnel, and I don't see that indicated anywhere.
The county, in contrast, would contribute tenant improvements in the county-owned Yesler Building, where the new authority will be located, and provide free rent, at a total value of about $1 million for "tenant improvements" and $455,000 for the use of the sixth floor of the building, which has been vacant. (Seattle Department of Human Resources director Bobby Humes described the tenant improvements as "wifi, new paint, a conference room [and] an ample restroom environment," among other things.)
"I'm concerned that city paying all the costs in that first year is going to create an expectation" that the city will continue to pay all the costs in the future, council member Lisa Herbold told Johnson on Friday. "You say that there's an expectation that there's going to be future cost sharing around the costs of personnel, and I don't see that indicated anywhere. I think that's something that would be important to memorialize." Council member Sally Bagshaw added that she wasn't sure the city should be spending $130,000 for a headhunter to do a national search for the director of the new authority. "I have to say that I would rather have somebody local," she said. "I would frankly rather have a team that knows people who are already working in our city, county, and region."
Other issues that came up Friday included the need for human service provider representation on the board that will actually govern the new authority, the fact that capital funding for permanent supportive housing is supposed to stay with the city while operating funds for that same housing move to the new authority, and when people can actually start moving into the new building—Johnson said it will be "ready" in December, but that because "December is a heavy month for many of our employees" the actual move won't happen until March.
3. KOMO police-beat reporter Jennifer Sullivan, who previously covered the police department for the Seattle Times, has taken a job as a strategic advisor in the Seattle Police Department, The C Is for Crank has learned. An SPD spokesman would not comment about how the department decided to hire the former reporter, and a mayoral spokeswoman told me the mayor had nothing to do with the hire—even emphasizing in a followup email, "the Mayor's Office was not involved in the hiring of Jennifer Sullivan." According to the most recent Seattle employee salary database, Sullivan is making just under $120,000 a year.
Sullivan's recent stories for KOMO have included pieces on slow 911 response times, recruitment problems at SPD, and police officers' efforts to get raises in their recent contract, which some reform advocates now want to reopen. Sullivan's husband, according to a 2018 Seattle Refined profile, is a police officer in Lynnwood .
Sullivan did not respond to a request for comment; her LinkedIn and Twitter pages still identify her as a KOMO reporter.


text:
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
2013 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 5
Stamps: Swallowtail, Friendly Phrases, Secret Garden
Paper: Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Pacific Point, White Signo Pen
Accessories: Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Boho Blossoms Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Pearl Basics, Dazzling Details
Wanna see more?? (ya KNOW ya DO!!) Click on the "Next" button to see something by the ever-amazing Amy O'Neill! OR you can click on the "back" arrow to see some MORE fabulousness from Melissa Stout!!
Posted by Wendy Weixler at 7:00 PM
Labels: 2013 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop
6 comments:
- Dara said...
This is great! I love how you used the swallowtail stamp. I never would have thought to have used it that way.
- August 14, 2013 at 7:29 PM
- brrenwick said...
Swallowtail is one of my very favorite stamps...I LOVE this card! The colors are so pretty and happy!
- August 14, 2013 at 9:48 PM
- Creating on the Run said...
Oh I love this! Your coloring on the butterfly is beautiful! Simply marvelous!
- August 15, 2013 at 4:40 PM
- Connie Collins said...
Wendy, I am enjoying getting a closer look at all of your wonderful projects. I especially love this butterfly card...it's absolutely beautiful!
- August 15, 2013 at 10:34 PM
- Cindy Beach said...
Go-Jus! I love love LOVE this card!
the colors are simply perfect and I think the butterfly looks ready to take off in flight. I love your interpretation with this stamp, friend!
- August 16, 2013 at 7:59 AM
- Unknown said...
I just love this card. Think it might just be a CASE hihi.(if you don't mind of course.
- August 27, 2013 at 12:59 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Executive director at Visa Europe, Jonathan Vaux, considers emerging startups should collaborate more closely with industry giants like Visa.
Jonathan Vaux, executive director at Visa Europe, said that instead of competing, large companies should work together with emerging startups. Speaking at WIRED Money 2015 event on Tuesday, Vaux noted that such leaders as Visa are becoming more open to new companies entering the market.
"Other than the sponsor I'm the only incumbent talking today at WIRED Money but I come in peace… By working together we will succeed together," he said, according to the Wired.
"I think that the innovation that the startups bring is fantastic and that the scale the incumbents – the banks, the Visas of the world – can bring is really really valuable," he added.
Established in 1958, Visa has become the leading company in the payments sector with more than 2,000 transactions each second. In 2014, the company's total cash volume totaled $7.3 trillion dollars and about 65 billion transactions were processed.
Vaux gave his speech in the Making Payments Friction-Free session, alongside Stefan Thomas, CTO of Ripple Labs, Roelan Prins, Chief Commerce Officer at Ayden, and Mangopay founder Celine Lazorthes.
The event also featured such speaker as expert Andreas Antonopoulos and Blockchain CEO Peter Smith, who were part of the 'Beyond Bitcoin – unleashing the potential of the blockchain' session.
Comparing bitcoin with punk rock, Antonopoulos focused on the potential of digital currency to change the financial system. Bitcoin, he said, could enable traditional banking to solve the problem of identity theft. Meanwhile, Smith discussed that bitcoin could be used by people to prove their identities and will help them to directly transact with each other.
According to Vaux, the startups have to trust the incumbents' businesses before working together. Besides, they must be sure that the products or services are designed to the needs of bigger companies.
"You want my brand, you want my money, you want my distribution. What I have no sense of is what is in it for me as the provider of that service," he said.
Vaux noted the incumbents are beginning to collaborate with new industry players. At Visa, he is focused on finding ways for startups to work more closely with the company.
The problem that bothers Vaux is that many startups are not targeted at achieving a sustainable business model, but only aimed at millenial customers, who have not been the most successful customers for Visa. Moreover, he added that startups that are eager to collaborate with the company should have a clear understanding of how their businesses will work together in the future.
Meantime, large companies have to think about the potential of startups they invest in and how they can merge into a company.
During his speech, Vaux noted that Visa recognizes the potential of the blockchain technology and is looking to learn from bitcoin.
Vaux's main message to the audience was that they want to work together with new startups. However, that doesn't mean the company is ready to collaborate with everyone.
"You have to adapt, you have to learn, the biggest risk is not recognising where you can uniquely bring value. Identification, device fraud, cloud-based payments, digital receipts, those are the sorts of services we think will be valuable to customers," he stated.


text:
K&N Engineering
K&N 2018 Ford Mustang GT V8 5.0L F/I Aircharger Performance Intake
K&N 2018 Ford Mustang GT V8 5.0L F/I Aircharger Performance Intake
Sale Sold out
Regular price $299.99
Regular priceUnit price per
Sale price
The K&N 63-2605 AirCharger air intake system replaces the restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing on some Ford Mustang GT models. K&N air intakes are designed to dramatically reduce air intake restriction as well as smooth and straighten air flow. This allows your engine to inhale a larger amount of air than the factory air filter assembly. More air means more usable power and acceleration throughout the engine's RPM range. The 63-2605 air intake comes with a chrome topped K&N high-flow air filter and a heat shield that installs into the original air box space. Air is directed through an aerodynamically engineered intake tube into the engine's throttle body for a guaranteed power gain. The tube accommodates the factory mass air sensor, idle bypass hose, EVAP vent hose and crank case vent hose. The oversized cone shaped air filter can be used for up to 100,000 miles before servicing is needed depending on driving conditions. This air intake is relatively easy to install, usually in 90 minutes or less using your vehicle's existing factory mounting points. The tools needed are a screwdriver, ratchet set and several wrenches. This air intake cannot be sold in California. It is not legal for use in California or other states adopting California emission standards.
This Part Fits:
This Part Fits:
|GT Premium
"The absolute best in the business. Not only is PP extremely knowledgeable but they take care of you as if you are family. Thank you PP team!"
- G. Gonzales -


text:
Today I have decided to endorse this blog using only English. The prior posts were in catalan, my second language, it is not my mother tongue, but I daily use it. Nevertheless, I don't use English as usual as I want so this is reason. I hope you will enjoy my posts.
What does catalan people think while they are on holidays? Probably in the money they are spreading and they will need to pay their mortgage.
Etiquetes de comentaris: Holidays, Sketchbooks
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
The Podcast
This podcast furthers our mission to preserve the past and inspire the future by telling the stories of the air and spacecraft, events, and the brave men and women who make up our shared aerospace history.
This podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, RadioPublic, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and Anchor.
You can also listen and leave us a voice message via the Anchor app at https://anchor.fm/cradleofaviation.
RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2da2ab48/podcast/rss
How a parachute went from war zone to wedding dress, S1-E2, 21:42
A visit with WWII Radar Specialist Dominick Battaglia, S1-E1, 18:06