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NEW Links for the Week of 2/19/01
We Are Here For You!
To assure your experience at Chicago-Kent College of Law is a positive one, the Center for Law and Computers is available to assist you with your computer and technical questions and concerns. You can reach a member of our staff by calling (312) 906-5300 (6-5300 house phones) or sending an email to email@example.com.
By now, you should be familiar with your Kent email and network accounts. We ask that you purge all unnecessary messages and files as often as possible from your accounts to help us preserve space on the C-K server. As a reminder, you must delete messages from your "Deleted Messages" folder for them to be permanently removed from the mail server. It is also a good maintenance procedure to delete any unneeded messages in the "Sent" folder.
To select a new password:
· Access Webmail (http://webmail.kentlaw.edu) from your internet browser, (i.e. Internet Explorer)
· Select the option CHANGE PASSWORD
· When prompted, enter your username, password and desired new password when successfully completed, you will receive the message PASSWORD SUCCESSFULLY CHANGED
· Your new password takes effect immediately and will give you access to your email account and network files.
Technical Training and Support:
Please feel free to contact Technical Support any time we can be of assistance to you with technical issues:
CLC Main Office (Help Desk): Room 525
Technical Support Help Desk Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Phone: (312) 906-5300
Fax: (312) 906-5165
Obtaining Microsoft Office 2000 Professional Edition and FrontPage:
The Center for Law and Computers has MS Office 2000 Professional Edition and FrontPage available for purchase at a discounted educational use rate. The disks can be purchased at the Help Desk in Room 525. Each student is allowed to purchase only one copy for the price of $25.50. Please bring your student or other photo ID with you to purchase a set.
The principle printers in the KENTNET system are Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 8000N Printers. There is one printer in each lab 700, 760 and 900 that is set up as the default printer when you sign on in that lab.
Individual Student Printing Accounts
The CLC is in the process of upgrading the print accounting system. A notice will be sent via e-mail and posted to the Web describing how to use the print accounting system once the user interface has been completed. What follows here are the policies that will be implemented when that new system is initiated.
Each student receives 400 pages of printing per semester. Any printing past 400 pages will be charged to your student printing account at 5¢ per page. You must settle your student account with the Bursar's Office before receiving your 400 page allotment for the following semester. Students with outstanding balances will have their Kentnet accounts deactivated until the balance is paid. Graduating students with a delinquent printing balance will not receive their diplomas until the accounts are paid in full.
If you print work for a faculty member, you must print out a detailed balance and have the faculty member sign for their pages. Present the signed balance sheet to the Help Desk in the Center for Law and Computers (Room 525). Your print account will be credited accordingly.
Print jobs that are sent to the Document Center printer (9th floor-library) require payment when picked up.
Please report any problems with printers or printing to the Help Desk by Email: firstname.lastname@example.com or in house phone number 6-5300.
The Email stations located throughout the building are intended to allow students convenient and quick access to Email and the Record. Please be considerate to your fellow students when using these stations. If you want to compose many or long messages, or browse the Internet at length, please use one of the 3 computer labs in the library. Thank you for your cooperation.
As always, it is a good idea to update the virus protection software on your personal computer periodically to catch any new viruses lurking out there in cyberworld. Since we have a volume license to McAfee Virus Scan, each student should have a copy of this software on his/her computer. (It is free to C-K students so...No excuse not to have it!)
As many of you have noticed in the past weeks, instances of computer viruses were becoming more frequent on our systems here at Chicago-Kent. Although the Center for Law and Computers takes a proactive stance in trying to eradicate these viruses by cleaning them as they come through our servers, we cannot protect each individual PC. We are asking that you also be proactive to ensure that your PC does not become infected.
With the latest outbreaks of the Creative.exe (Shockwave) and new Melissa viruses, we want to stress the importance of everybody having the latest virus protection software and updated virus definition (.DAT) files. We'd also like to remind you that regular virus scans of all drives (weekly, if possible) are necessary in order to detect and clean any viruses so they are not sent to friends and/or colleagues.
Chicago-Kent is licensed for and supports McAfee Virus Scan from Network Associates. According to information on their website, there are over 50,000+ viruses out there and the potential for damage is continuous. We here at the Center for Law and Computers want to make sure you have the best possible protection for your PC. Please follow the instructions below to install the latest virus definition updates (.DAT files) for your McAfee software.
FIRST: Check to see that you have a recent version of the virus scanning software on your computer.
You can do this by clicking on the small blue and red "VShield" icon in the lower right corner of your screen with the right mouse button. When you do, a small menu will pop up. Select the "About" choice in this menu by clicking on it once with the left mouse button.
These procedures may force a reboot of your computer. In order to avoid loss of data, close all programs except Outlook before completing any of the following steps.
While signed on to the C-K network, run the update with the following three steps:
Once the "SuperDat" update program starts, click on "Next."
You may be promted to restart your computer.
THIRD: Run a virus scan on your PC.
This will begin the scanning process. It will check all the files on the drive you designated. It may take a few minutes to several hours depending on the speed of your computer and the number of files you have. Your patience will pay off, remember you will be preventing problems in the future.
Note: The above procedures can be used in the future to update your .DAT files.
A great source for additional information about viruses is the Network Associates site:
As always, if you have questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to contact the help desk at (312) 906-5300.
Please Note: Network Down Time 2/24/01
The Center for Law and Computers needs to reorganize the NCC room for more efficient use of our existing servers and to free up space for additional equipment that we expect to house in the NCC room in the near future. This will require that we take down the entire network for a few hours. Once we restart the equipment, staff will need to test/check all routing, dns, web services, etc. to ensure everything works properly when we're back on-line.
We've scheduled the work
to be completed on the following date/times:
This work will not interfere with any Saturday classes since they end prior to 2:00 pm and there are no other events scheduled in the building on 2/24 during this timeframe.
Regular general maintenance of the network is necessary to ensure greater performance, both in terms of speed and the prevention of any serious problems. To achieve these goals, the Center for Law and Computers will periodically take down the network to perform this maintenance. Every attempt is made to schedule maintenance at times that inconvenience the least amount of users.
There are three computer labs in the school, one on the ninth floor and two on the seventh floor all inside the library. The labs feature Pentium II or Pentium III-based machines running Windows 98. Additional Email and basic application machines can be found in the Concourse and Cafeteria areas.
Lab 900 is on the ninth floor of the library at the west end of the building and has 12 computers. Turn left when you enter the library through the ninth floor entrance. The printer for the ninth floor lab is in Room 986, in the corner of the area.
Lab 700, the large, glass-walled room on the seventh floor of the library, is the largest lab, with 30 computers. This lab is sometimes used for larger research classes and it is always used for exams. LEXIS-NEXIS and WESTLAW representatives conduct office hours in Lab 700. The schedule of their office hours will be posted weekly in the Record. They can help you with online research questions.
Lab 760, also on the seventh floor of the library, is equipped with 20 computers. It is often used for research classes.
From time to time, the law school schedules classes or exams in the labs. When this occurs, a sign will be posted outside the door of the lab. Please be considerate and use one of the other labs during these scheduled activities.
If you have any problems getting onto KENTNET from any computer, call the CLC at extension 6-5300 from any black house phone located between the public telephones on every floor.
Security and Proper Shutdown of Lab Computers
In order to secure your login name and password, it is important to log out completely. To shutdown properly, prior to leaving any of the computer labs, logout and close all programs---click START (located on tool bar in the bottom left corner of the screen) SHUTDOWN | RESTART. If the system is shutdown successfully, the next individual who sits at that lab computer will be prompted to enter their own login name and password.
Q: What is the URL for Chicago-Kent's internal web page?
Q: What is the website address to get my grades?
A: Go directly to http://ck-info.kentlaw.edu or go to http://ck.kentlaw.edu/ and click on the link labeled Chicago-Kent Student Information System (Online Grades).
Q: What do I do if I can't find my pin number for the online grade system or if my pin number is not working?
A: Send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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mxthinkshare needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 110 designs submitted by 36 freelance designers.
We are launching MxThinkShare.com and need a clean distinctive logo to help launch the site.
We are a online web service currently in beta and need to update our site and image for launch. The logo will also be used to redesign the site in a later contest, it will be used in business cards and other marketing materials. We want a logo that expresses a clean modern design.
- A simple, clean , distinctive design
- Looks good, on both a dark and light background
- Something a bit web 2.0ish
- vector format
- Nothing Curvy
- Too Many Colors
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.

subset: commoncrawl


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Minnie 2200SS
Winnebago Industries Towables Minnie 2200SS travel trailer highlights:
- Spacious Rear Bath
- Slide Out Sofa
- LED Lighting
- Outdoor Kitchen
You will find this lightweight Minnie travel trailer to be an inviting home base for any weekend adventure. The single slide out sofa instantly increases your living space inside, and the spacious rear bath will make you feel like you are still at home. Enjoy the natural light coming in through the shower skylight when you are getting ready in the morning, or enjoy the twinkling stars up above at night. With this Minnie travel trailer you can even choose to cook inside or out. For those who enjoy fishing, the included exterior camp kitchen will allow all of the smells to remain outdoors when your catch of the day becomes dinner! This unit also features an outdoor shower so you can rinse off all the days evidence of fun before heading inside for the night!
In any Minnie travel trailer by Winnebago Industries Towables you will find increased living space with a fantastic single slide out, plus abundant storage and livability throughout these vary functional floorplan layouts. Each Minnie is expertly constructed starting with a BAL engineered chassis designed with strength to weight ratio, rust protection, and durability. Next, tongue and groove plywood flooring is fastened onto the chassis providing the best foundation for all furniture and cabinetry. The welded aluminum tube sidewall frame features solid inserts where needed for attachments which keeps the weight light enough to be towed by your family SUV or small truck easily, and you can choose from eight colors of Noble classic T60 high gloss fiberglass to match your personality and style, or maybe you just want to make a statement when you pull into the campground! On the inside, you will find each Minnie trailer to be full of life with light colored interiors along with efficient LED lighting, complete kitchen and bath accommodations, plus ample storage and so much more!We have 2 2200SS availableView Inventory
Sleeps 3 Slides 1 Length 26 ft 9 in Ext Width 8 ft Ext Height 10 ft 6 in Int Height 6 ft 5 in Exterior Color Blue, Champagne,Cherry, Green, Platinum,White Hitch Weight 575 lbs Gross Weight 7000 lbs Dry Weight 4900 lbs Fresh Water Capacity 37 gals Grey Water Capacity 41 gals Black Water Capacity 25 gals Tire Size ST205/75R14C Furnace BTU 25000 btu Available Beds Queen Refrigerator Type Dbl. Door Gas/Electric Cooktop Burners 3 Number of Awnings 1 Axle Weight 3500 lbs LP Tank Capacity 20 Water Heater Capacity 6 gal. Water Heater Type DSI Gas/Electric AC BTU 13500 btu TV Info LED TV Awning Info 19' Power Axle Count 2 Number of LP Tanks 2 Shower Type Radius
Similar Travel Trailer Floorplans
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Come check out this amazing deal!
- 30 Photos
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Framework: HF055 – hr055_0305
3 - Primary or Horizontal Divisions
5 - Secondary or Vertical Divisions
Part of series: HF055 Horizontal Flow 055 – Parallel and Successive Flow
Series Keywords: combination flow, succession, successive, parallel flow, concerted flow
This series is a combination flow of parallel and succession activities. The top half is split to show activities that happen at the same time, and the bottom half shows a successive flow of activities. Together they comprise a single process.
There are 36 variations: both top and bottom halves have variations of up to six segments from which to choose.
Refer to the tutorial for further usage and formatting suggestions.
Key search words: combination flow, succession, successive, parallel flow, concerted flow


text: In the old days, when a machine was a machine and the internet was arpanet, we kept a logbook for each machine. It had much of the data that you would want to keep, plus a log of all changes made to the system. These days, we generally use a wiki for this. You could do it in a db, but the wiki is a much friendlier format. Mike Carsten Aulbert wrote: >Hi all, > >we are currently looking into the problem, how to keep track of >computers which we are going to buy. On the one hand there are the >standard tools to monitor a running cluster like ganglia, nagios, >zenoss, ... but these are - to my understanding - just for monitoring >the current status. > >However, I would like to have something where we have something like a >large table about the hardware in question. In there information like > >* vendor >* serial number >* MAC addresses (eth0, eth1,..., IPMI, RAID,...) >* maybe even firmware versions and serial numbers of exchangeable >internal hardware (hard disks) >* basically all physical information of the box > >another table should hold the current setup, i.e. a mapping between the >hardware and the "logical" setup, e.g. > >Hardware box number #1234 from above table has in the current setup the >following... > >* hostname >* IP addresses >* running services >* ... > >And finally, another table where special problems, like memory errors >and the like can be entered. > >I know this sounds just like three medium sized SQL tables, but at least >I wanted to ask what people are using if more than a single person is >working on the cluster. One person can probably do this with a simple >text file and a set of papers in a filing cabinet. > >Thanks a lot for any answers > >Carsten > >_______________________________________________ >Beowulf mailing list, Beowulf at beowulf.org >To change your subscription (digest mode or unsubscribe) visit http://www.beowulf.org/mailman/listinfo/beowulf > >


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Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum
Teacher professional development and classroom resources across the curriculum
Workshop 7
List of Transcripts, Activities, and Reflections
This workshop explores public health epidemics in the 19th and early 20th century and the tension between public health needs and individual rights, particularly in the case of Mary Mallon (a.k.a. "Typhoid Mary").
There are several options for planning your professional development. Decide how much time you have to spend and whether you will be viewing Primary Sources on videotape or broadcast live. (Find out when this program is broadcast on the Annenberg Channel, or how to purchase it on video.)
You can receive graduate credit only if you take all eight workshops in two-hour sessions. Find out more about graduate credit.
Lecture Transcript One: Infectious Diseases in the 19th-Century City
Activity One: What Should Be Done About Mary Mallon?
Workshop 7: Introduction | Before You Watch | Lectures & Activities | Classroom Applications | Resources
© Annenberg Foundation 2017. All rights reserved. Legal Policy


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Knot List: Alpine Butterfly Bend ‐ Step-by-Step
Home Page References Press Reviews Testimonials F.A.Q. Thanks Grog Story
Terminology Safety Rope Properties Which Rope Essential Knots About Contact Knot Store
Speed LoopMirror
Use Arrow Keys
Alpine Butterfly Bend TyingJoin the two ends temporarily. Wind the rope around your hand so that the join is by your finger tips. Go around again. Fold the join back and then up under the other ropes. Push the knot off your hand and tighten to see the appearance of the Alpine Butterfly. Finally, release the temporary join.
Alpine Butterfly Bend Details
Uses: The Alpine Butterfly Bend is derived from the Alpine Butterfly, or Lineman's, Loop (ABOK # 1053, p 191). It is one in a family of knots based on interlocking overhand knots. It is a reliable bend used to join two ropes of roughly similar size and can be untied even after being heavily loaded. The Alpine Butterfly Bend version enjoys a good reputation - probably because of its association with the better known Alpine Butterfly Loop.
Similar Knots: The Alpine Butterfly Bend is remarkably similar to several other bends including the Zeppelin, the Hunter's, and the Ashley. Essentially these knots employ interlocking overhand knots with the ends threaded through or across the middle. David M. Delaney tested these bends and the Carrick Bend for their tendency to jam. He heavily loaded the knots tied in 1/16 inch braided nylon. The Ashley and the Hunter consistently jammed tight and would have had to be cut to release them. The Alpine Butterfly Bend, the Zeppelin, and the Carrick could all be untied easily using fingers and fingernails. Amongst the family of bends based on linked overhand knots, it would seem prudent to avoid the Ashley and the Hunter's.
Tying it: Several methods are described for tying it. We devised the method which is used in the animation. It is an improvement on other "hand-winding" methods and helps locate the junction and where it is to be tucked. This simple technique sets the Alpine Butterfly Bend apart and makes it one of our preferred options.
Variation: Our technique does not require the ends to be joined. After the initial wrap, tuck the end of the first rope between your fingers. Then tuck the end of the second rope beside the first and complete the wrap. The two ends can then be passed together as though they were taped.
Evil Impostor: Correct tying is critical. Roo illustrates the Evil Impostor which results from threading the ends incorrectly. The Hand-Wrapping technique introduced here is designed to avoid this risk.
Advantages: The Loop version enjoys the reputation of reliably accepting strain between the ends or between the loop and either end. In this version the loop doesn't exist and the strain only falls between the two ends. It has a reputation for strength and reliability. The big advantage of the Alpine Butterfly Bend is its similarity to the Alpine Butterfly Loop - which means learning only one widely trusted knot – and one that is easy to undo even after a heavy load.
Breaking Strain: The Alpine Butterly Bend, like the other similar knots, passes the strain around the pair of ends in the middle. This double thickness should minimize the kinking and help to preserve strength. Indeed, the knot is commonly described as "one of the strongest". However, some quoted breaking strains are as low as 53% to 58% – similar to breaking strains for many other knots.
Disclaimer: Any activity that involves ropes is potentially hazardous. Lives may be at risk - possibly your own. Considerable attention and effort have been made to ensure that these descriptions are accurate. However, many critical factors cannot be controlled, including: the choice of materials; the age, size, and condition of ropes; and the accuracy with which these descriptions have been followed. No responsibility is accepted for incidents arising from the use of this material.


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Chris and Corrina's Secret Garden
Name: Chris and Corrina G.
Location: Downey, California
Size: 134 square feet
Your Favorite Thing About Your Outdoor Space: Our space is very private (Secret Garden) and we get great breezes in the evening.
Biggest Design Challenge With This Space: When we moved into our house, there was only dirt and weeds in our space. The soil is very hard and sandy in some areas. We decided to use potted plants only, cover the ground with "weed cloth" and apply bark and gravel. We have the same type of soil in front of our house, which is also a small space. It gets full sun, and we have used wild flowers to brighten up this area.
Tips for Creating a Great Small Outdoor Space: It is important to remember that gardens are forever changing, and there really aren't any rules. Because our house is so small, our small garden space gives us an additional place to have coffee in the morning, or a glass of wine in the evening.
Thanks, Chris and Corrina, and good luck!
* * *
* * *
Don't forget to vote! Finalists will be announced Monday, August 29th.
The entry voted the favorite by our readers gets a brand new PUBLIC bike!


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FIFA 12 – Messi Foundation
To celebrate Lionel Messi's incredible 73-goal season with FC Barcelona, FIFA 12 Ultimate Team is releasing a special Messi player item this weekend for a limited time.
From Friday June 1st 7pm BST to Sunday June 3rd 11:59pm BST, Ultimate Team players will have a chance to get this 99-rated special in-form player.
To mark this historic season, EA SPORTS is also making a $250,000 donation to the Leo Messi Foundation to support social, educational and health care related initiatives for children around the world.
For more information about the amazing work of the Leo Messi Foundation, visit the http://www.fundacionleomessi.org. To keep up with the latest FIFA Ultimate Team news, Like and Follow the FIFA 12 Facebook and Twitter pages


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by Hugh Gilmore
Our Maine vacation is the only time all year when I'll read a book in the daytime. Notice I say, "book." I read all day back home, but only short stuff – newspapers, magazines, Internet information and so on, almost all of it in the guise of "work." But not books.
Books seem significant in a way that all those short pieces do not. They require time and a willingness to give over my schedule and stop living my life in short well-defined installments. They engage my attention for a longer time than movies or music.
And I enjoy them so much I can't help but think of them as my day's-end reward. Work first, then pleasure. Neither can happen without the other. Earned pleasure is more satisfying than empty leisure.
Except during a Maine vacation. For 25 years we've been lucky enough to borrow "Cousin Jeannie's cottage" in Lincolnville, overlooking a pond at the end of a long gravel road. Every year I step out of the car, breathe deeply of the fresh air, look at the sparkle of sunlight on the water, and head, as soon as I can, for my favorite deck chair and start reading. Daytime book reading: the first sign of moral degeneracy!
If my back, neck, arms and eyes could stand it I'd read all day long in Maine. But they can't, so I take body/mind refreshment breaks by noticing the family who've been kind enough to keep me company on the drive up here.
I'm very amenable in Maine. I'll do anything anyone else wants to do. And do it cheerfully, knowing that sooner or later they'll tire and need to take their north woods naps. Then I'm back to my book until interrupted again.
Ah, fresh air. Ah, the sight of blue spruce. And ah, after 5 p.m., a jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou, my latest book!
Any reader worth his salt, or her sugar, knows that planning only takes you so far when it comes to vacation reading. Unless you are a re-reader (which I am not), you don't know whether you'll like a book until you read it. As bad wine can spoil a meal, a dull book can ruin a hammock lie.
The question always is: how many books do I take along this time? Since we drive, I can allow for bad prejudgment by throwing some extras into the trunk of the car. But even that noncommittal approach has limits. My spouse, Janet, is a Reny's (a discount store) devotee, my son Andrew is a 78-rpm record collector, and I am a used and rare book dealer always looking for merchandise. (This is one area where Kindles, which can store hundreds of books in a little tablet-sized device, have the advantage over printed books.)
There is a Plan B, however: a trip to town to go shopping. The others may go where they want – I'm heading toward the bookshops. Maine is so abundant with used books that if you stopped at every place with a "Books" sign on Routes 1 or 3 you'd never get where you're going.
Some of these places have antiquarian books and some only carry dog-eared paperbacks. I'll brake for rare books I can resell, but skip by the book barns. When I'm looking for something recent to read, I try to support the retail shops by buying there. And many of the small towns in Maine, at least those that get a decent tourist trade, have a retail bookstore tucked away somewhere.
Since we stay near mid-coastal Lincolnville, our shopping expeditions take us south to Camden and north to Stockton Springs, with visits to all towns in between. Most often we got to the charming two-traffic-light town of Belfast. Over the years we've enjoyed its good restaurants, movie theater, Salvation Army Thrift Store and The Fertile Mind bookshop.
Last year we drove into town and The Fertile Mind was closed – a real estate office in its place. The owners retired to the Caribbean. Oh well, much better than the usual demised-bookstore story of revenues killed by the Internet and eBooks while rents continued to rise. I was disappointed but glad for the owners, two people who'd steered me to many enjoyable reads over the years.
I had a Plan C: drive over to Reny's Plaza and visit Mr. Paperback and its adjoining Bell The Cat cafe. I did that and found the last copy of Jennifer Egan's "A Visit from the Goon Squad." An enjoyable read. A daytime read, I must add. Thank goodness for Mr. Paperback, I thought.
Then a few days ago, Cousin Jeannie called to reaffirm our coming visit to Maine, and she added: "Oh, I thought I should tell you because I know you go there, Mr. Paperback closed. And Bell the Cat moved."
Gulp. Mr. Paperback had 10 stores in Maine. After 50 years, the owners were forced to close. Internet, Amazon, eBooks and raised rents, according to the news stories I Googled. Now where would I go for new books while up in Vacationland?
The town of Camden is no longer an option. It still has a good used bookshop, ABCdef, but the great little The Turtle and Owl new books shop closed a little while ago (lowered revenues/raised rents).
Plan D: I'll have to drive to Searsport and stop at The Left Bank, a classy little red brick building on the way to Bangor. The Left Bank is the only store I know of in our section of Maine that sells new books. I hope it's still there when I visit a week from now. Or that some young-at-heart optimist has decided to give retail bookselling a go. I'll find him or her if so.
P.S. I read Sunday morning in Section B of the Inquirer that one of our region's best independent bookstores, Chester County Book and Music Co., has decided to close. The cause: high rent and income hurt by Internet sales, eBooks and Amazon. As much as I lament, I plead guilty to all three trends of modern book buying. Still it's a shame that the end game for many retail book businesses seems to be shaping up this way.
Hugh owns and operates Gilmore's Books in Chestnut Hill, specializing in antiquarian books. He is also author of the acclaimed vacation read "Malcolm's Wine," a bibliomystery, and the story collection, "Scenes from a Bookshop." Both are available through bookshops and Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle formats.


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The interview process works both ways, and it would be fascinating to know the questions the GM candidates are asking of the Wilpons this week.
I would think these would be some of them:
During the press conference to announce the dismissals of Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel, both Wilpons said ownership took responsibility. However, other than saying they hired the wrong people, what mistakes did Jeff and Fred Wilpon specifically make?
Do the Wilpons have a timetable for success, which is defined as the playoffs? If the new general manager said the team is three years away from being competitive, is that acceptable?
What do the Wilpons believe is the reason for the team's failures from 2007 through 2010? Is it all on Minaya, the managers or bad luck, or did the organizational policies sidetrack them from winning?
With $130 million in salaries already earmarked for 2011, how much over that is ownership willing to spend?
Is ownership willing to increase spending for scouting and player development as to upgrade the minor league system?
Define autonomy. It was stressed during the press conference that Minaya had autonomy, and Fred Wilpon said ownership never vetoed a move the general manager wanted to make. However, other organizations and agents indicated in negotiations they were left hanging for answers because nobody would get back to them. Just how hands-on does ownership expect to be and how much input will they provide?
Reportedly, the Wilpons will request the new general manager interview Wally Backman for the managerial job. Is that a request or an endorsement?
As incomprehensible as this is, Jeff Wilpon said Minaya never approached him about waiving Oliver Perez. If the new general manager can't engineer a trade, would ownership be willing to eat that $12 million contract?
The Mets have long had a checkered history in dealing with injured players. Is ownership willing to overhaul the medical department?
Does ownership consider any player or prospect untouchable to trade?
I am sure there are others, but that's just a start.


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City of Standish considering police millage
STANDISH — The Standish City Council approved wording outlining a two-year, two-mill police millage, which will be presented in millage language to be voted on by the council at its Aug. 18 meeting.
The council approved the wording 4-0 at a Thursday, Aug. 11 special meeting. Council members Clark Sanford, Ed Reno and Tosha Tunney were absent.
If the council approves the language, the millage will be voted on by residents in the Nov. 2011 election.
Mayor Mark Winslow said that the city's general fund is currently funding the Standish Police Department. He said that the department's 2011-2012 budget currently stands at $82,800.
"(The millage) would take a lot of pressure off of our general fund," Winslow said.
He said that the council debated on how large to make the millage, finally settling on two mills, which would bring in around $77,000, nearly enough to fund the police department.
"It was the consensus of the council that we should do two mills for two years and see where we're at in two years," Winslow said. "We really don't know what the future holds.
If the millage fails, Winslow said, the city would continue operating the Police Department, but would likely reexamine the department's budget, which could result in cuts to the department. He said that the department will continue to operate regardless of the outcome of the millage vote.
"We would be able to continue to fund it, but it would be very much of a strain (on the city)," Winslow said. "The community has indicated to me that they want a Police Department.
Winslow said that, if passed, the millage would increase taxes to city residents that have property with a taxable value of $40,000 by about $80. He said that the total of all city millages currently stands at 17.9 mills, around $718 for properties with a taxable value of $40,000.
"I understand that the residents are paying a fairly high tax bill," Winslow said. "We didn't look at this lightly. I hope that the people understand that a Police Department is an important feature of a community. We're hoping this will help solve some problems we're having here."
According to Winslow, the wording is being sent for review by the city's attorney, who will write the language of the millage, which will be voted on at the next council meeting. He said that the millage has to be submitted to the Arenac County Clerk by Aug. 30 in order to appear on the November ballot.
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Oh, come on... give me a break. Another example of a City Council abdicating their duty to the people who elected them. Never mind making the tough decisions, just go back to the trough again and soak the residents for more money. People simply can't afford this constantly increasing drain on their incomes. When are you guys going to understand this?
The Council should be looking at disbanding the police force instead of hijacking the residents with another "millage". Given the level of law enforcement personnel in the city vs. the actual amount of crime that occurs, the SPD is completely unnecessary.
You've got the State Police running up and down 13, the State Rd, and back and forth from I-75, the Tribal Police seem to be crawling around everywhere except the casino and reservation, and most of the time it seems like you can't swing a cat by the tail without hitting an Arenac County Sheriff cruiser.
How much law enforcement does a sleepy backwater town like Standish need?
What will the residents get for their additional money? More ridiculous "stings" on the local bars and party stores? More speed traps in the downtown area?
NO MORE TAXES! Either use some of the casino money to fund the SPD or do the SMART thing and disband the department altogether, saving the $80,000 budget to use elsewhere.
C'MON, COUNCIL... get a spine and do your job!
If you have someone you love...hopefully those "ridiculous stings" and "speed traps" will save them from the drunks and speeders the stings and traps catch. If not, then no harm to you.
It would be nice to stop under age drivers as well.
so true joejoe!
OK, so you folks are actually saying that you're each willing to pay an extra $80 or so a year (and make everyone else in the city pay as well) so the SPD can spend their time chasing under-aged drivers around?
Is that worth $80,000 a year?
That's insane!
$80 dollars for you and your family to be safe. Can we put a price on safety? I would hope BuffaloBilious that when common sense kicks in you will realize that $80 is well worth the investment. I'm sure you can go around town and pick up pop cans to cover the $80.
Here Here, I live in the city of standish and watch some evenings as the city officer drives around, and around and around, burning gas and making not a lot of impact! I think our Sheriff can handle our town and the county without additional funds, allocate current dollars to the county and lets move forward, the city's water fiasco has already laid a large bill at the city residents door steps, mine is up almost 40%, have we made cuts in the water department? Have we adjusted staffing after losing the prison which was a huge consumer of our resources? No, just pass the additional costs on and continue with the status quo, Mr. Hillman, I HOPE you are listening!!!


text:
By: Davina Bhandar in Vancouver
Within the space of a few moments, Jagmeet Singh became one of Canada's most admired politicians. His cool-under-pressure reaction to being confronted by an angry heckler is just one of the reasons Singh is considered to be the favourite contender for leadership of the federal New Democratic Party.
A video of the Sept. 6 incident at Singh's campaign event in Brampton, Ont., went viral and has been viewed millions of times in Canada and around the world. Moments into the event, an angry white woman interrupted Singh and shouted Islamophobic and vitriolic statements at him, and physically gesticulated, demonstrating her feeling of entitlement — to space, voice and position - in relation to others at the event.
Singh seemed undeterred by the outburst. His response to her rant was to rally his audience to help him relay his campaign message. He asked his guests to chant: "Love and courage."
What is the nature of Singh's call for love? His political slogan is based on a message of universal love and courage. Singh's message — and chant that evening — is uniquely situated among the slogans of the three other candidates: Charlie Angus "Got your back," Niki Ashton "Building a movement, together," and Guy Caron, "Let's Build a Progressive and Sustainable Economy."
The dramatic events at the Sept. 6 meeting demonstrates something about Singh, as a person and as a candidate. It also points to new undercurrents of religion and spirituality and its role — not only in Canadian politics, but also in the leadership race for the NDP.
Singh's campaign and potential leadership arrives in a climate of increasing hatred, fear and division. His call for universal love is coherent with Sikhism, which challenges the division between daily life and a devotional love that guides all thought and action. How does the language of love and courage relate to a New Democratic Party trying to find its way in a shifting political landscape?
Singh's outward appearance solicits questions from some Canadians — as in the case of the heckler — regarding his secular position: To what degree does Singh's religion relate to his policy ideas or conduct?
Canadian political institutions and traditions are imbued with Judeo-Christian values and symbols. Yet the separation of church and state maintains religion does not dictate the making of policy and law. However, in the game of politics, courting ethno-racial, national and religious identified voters has become a central art of party campaign strategists.
Political parties of all persuasions have had to navigate this division in a variety of ways. In Canada, the left social democratic tradition, represented now by the NDP, has had less experience with faith-based movements and the religious identity of its leaders than their right-wing counterparts and left-leaning parties elsewhere in the world. Singh's leadership challenge will likely change that.
While Singh is positioned as a secular politician, his ethos, sense of justice and formation of his identity is connected to a Sikh practice. The very essence of the message of universal love and courage is embedded in a Sikh devotion, rather than a secular idea of loving all humankind. Practising Sikhism defines a way of life — one that is contemplative, meditative and committed to spiritualism and positive actions.
To understand the contemporary role of religion in politics, we need to look at one of our turning points: 9/11. The attacks on New York City and the Pentagon served as a marker of the time foreign and domestic policy in North America was called upon to name Islamic terrorism as a universal enemy.
Once North America and other western governments embraced the rhetoric of a civilization divide, the psyche of liberal democratic nations split apart. The already tenuous divide between the religious and secular began to rupture further.
This reinforced a binary division and emboldened a powerful discourse of racism and Islamophobia. The basic premise is that Islam represents something universally distinct from Christian belief systems.
This discourse of racism and difference has gained strength and societal control through the election of conservative governments with moral platforms that build on fears and anxieties of susceptible citizens.
Sixteen years of corrosive discourses since 9/11 has led to: Us vs. Them, the Clash of Civilizations and racism. We are now at the point of the normalization of white supremacy. It is no longer an oddity or a left-wing conspiracy theory to discuss the presence of fascism and neo-Nazis — these are events widely circulated in our social media feeds and featured during the evening news.
Islamophobia and racism are often understood to be twinned structures of oppression. In many ways they are, but there are complex differences between them. They disseminate and exist in different political, cultural and social taxonomies.
Islamophobia operates through systems of stereotypes, often misunderstanding or misrepresenting the traditions, religious practices and customs of highly diverse ethno-national and racial communities. Islamophobia has been manufactured in multiple ways in society through popular culture, media, policy and criminalizing targeting Islam and Muslims.
Racism is a larger systemic operation of power denigrating one race while validating or elevating another.
When the Harper Conservatives were in government, they attempted to map onto Canadian national values a form of social conservatism. This was articulated through a distinction between Canada and the "barbaric cultural practices" of others.
The clear lines that were being drawn between what Harper referred to as "old stock Canadians" during a 2015 federal leaders' debate brought into discourse front and center the relationship between white supremacy and Islamophobia. It connected the dots between a normative white Christian Canadian identity that could stand against the racialized others.
Now the Conservative Party has a leader who proudly accepts the label: "Harper with a Smile."" Andrew Scheer has the support of social conservatives in the Conservative Party. He has steadfastly supported free speech over the condemnation of Islamophobia and was absent during the House of Commons vote for the Anti-Islamophobia Motion M-103, overwhelmingly passed in the House of Commons.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
Singh said his ability to remain cool under pressure was largely owed to his experience of being a brown, Sikh and turbaned man, growing up in the 1980s in Brampton, Ont., just northwest of Toronto.
His past experiences of religious and racist intolerance helped to fortify him against racist language and assault.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
In the moment in which the racist woman yelled at him, she assumed he was a Muslim. Many wondered why Singh did not attempt to correct her misconceived perception; he is not a Muslim, but rather, a Sikh.
Suggesting such a distinction in the moment, he said, would only further the misunderstanding that somehow being Muslim means such treatment is considered justifiable. His reaction, he said, should not be to proclaim his religion. By not correcting this misconception, Singh was acting in solidarity against Islamophobia.
Sikhs have been affected throughout the post-9/11 discourses of Islamophobia, mainly because of this misunderstood identity. In the U.S., and elsewhere, there has been a rise in hate bias attacks against Sikhs, with the 2012 Oak Creek, Wis., shooting as a visible example.
While there are those who, in the similar vein as Singh, have sought to challenge Islamophobia by standing in solidarity, there have also been many instances where Sikhs in America, the U.K. and Canada painstakingly distinguish themselves from Muslims.
However, in countless examples, when Islamophobia is experienced in the public sphere against properly identified Muslims, there has been a lack of outcry.
In Canada, the shooting deaths in Quebec's Sainte-Foy's Mosque, in which Azzedine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubakar Thabthi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry, and Ibrahim Barry were killed, was unmistakably an act of terrorism. Canadians across the country mourned this tragedy. And yet was it recognized as an act of terrorism against the citizens of this state?
The day-to-day effects of Islamophobia have led to many Muslims living with heightened experiences of fear and not knowing what they might encounter on a walk to school, a day at work or even waiting for a bus.
The left social-democrats of the NDP hold steadfastly to their conception of justice, fairness and equality in a secular world. The ways in which people are encountering the public today, however, is seemingly much murkier than these stark divisions.
The issues of racism, religious intolerance and social justice are not central issues for any federal political party. These issues, however, should no longer be viewed as separate from major policy platforms including health, welfare reform, employment, national defense, national security, aboriginal relations and education. Perhaps a political leader such as Jagmeet Singh will be able to navigate these debates with an alacrity and style we have yet to witness in the Canadian political world.
Davina Bhandar, Adjunct Professor in School of Communication and Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies, Simon Fraser University
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
by Alireza Ahmadian in Vancouver, British Columbia
Identity determines how we value ourselves and how others perceive us. Its significance has increased with globalization, migration and technological advancements. Many people today consider themselves to have multiple identities, while others are happy with a single identifier.
In The Relevance of Islamic Identity in Canada: Culture, Politics, and Self, a book edited by Nurjehan Aziz, 12 authors grapple with the idea of Islamic identity in Canada.
Panel discussions on the book have been held throughout Canada, including in Vancouver.
The book documents the everyday lives of several Canadian Muslims. Some authors write about their own experiences, others about the Muslim community in Canada. Some essays are written in an academic style, while others are personal narratives.
Islam in post-Harper Canada
Almost every chapter criticizes the government of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper for "targeting" or "scapegoating" Muslims for political gain.
Haroon Siddiqui's chapter, "Anti-Muslim Bigotry Goes Official — Canada's Newest Dark Chapter," deals with the experiences of Muslims under the Harper government.
He presents a list of what he calls "Islamophobic" actions, speeches, policies or legislation undertaken by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, immigration ministers Chris Alexander and Jason Kenney, and other Conservative members of Parliament and senators.
Ihsaan Gardee and Amira Elghawaby call on Canadian Muslims to reclaim their identities and reframe harmful narratives that were on the verge of becoming mainstream under the Conservative government.
This requires active civic engagement from Canadian Muslims, something that has increased thanks in part to groups such as Canadian-Muslim Vote and the National Council of Canadian Muslims.
Authors debate Muslim identity
In some instances, one author in the book responds to the concerns or questions raised by another. Safia Fazlul says she "lives on the fringe of being 'somewhat liberal Canadian' and 'somewhat conservative Muslim South Asian.'"
Her inability and unwillingness to live strictly in one category led her to be discriminated against and excluded by "both liberal and secular Canadians and traditional Muslim Canadians." People do not accept her even though she is comfortable with her multiple identities.
Ameen Merchant, on the other hand, raises a valid point about subjectivity and somewhat ignores the opinions of others about his relationship with Islam.
"My sense of Muslim identity may not be another's definition of what a Muslim ought to be and it also may not be in line with scripture and sacred text," he writes. "Then again, my subjectivity is also not anyone else's. It is multifarious absorbent, and always subject to change. And it is my own."
Mohamed Abualy Alibhai's suggestion that Muslims in North America "abandon the belief in the verbal revelation of the Qur'an," mirrors arguments raised by activist and author Ayaan Hirsi Ali, mainly that the literal understanding of the Qur'an must be "reformed or discarded."
Alibhai and Hirsi Ali are in agreement on their understanding of controversial topics such as jihad, sharia and the importance of the afterlife in Islam.
Furthermore, Alibhai advocates for a conscience-based Islamic denomination, as if it does not exist. However, a look at Karim H. Karim's chapter illustrates how Aga Khan, the Imam or spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, has been doing what Alibhai argues is needed.
"The Islamic leader presents the concepts of ethics, democracy, development, meritocracy, pluralism and quality of life as some of the 'brides that unite' ways of understanding that are religious and secular," writes Karim about Aga Khan.
The Ismaili leader's ideas of the Qur'an underlie his discourse, but he rarely makes overt religious references in his speeches.
At the same time, Alibhai is dismissive of Muslim reformist thinkers who reinterpret the Islamic texts to accommodate the realities of modern life. Monia Mazigh's chapter, for example, illustrates how Islamic discourses can be invoked to disprove the notion of men's perceived superiority over women.
Interpreting modern Islam
There are different ways to convince different people of the same issue. You can argue that robbery is socially unacceptable, morally reprehensible, illegal, or against your religion. Each one of those arguments is valid depending on the audience. The argument based on religion is more appealing to a religious person.
In the same vein, we need Muslim reformist thinkers to use Islam to fight against radical interpretations of the religion.
Some of the authors identify as "inconsistent Muslim" or "cultural Muslim," however, we do not see a representation from an "observant Muslim" – those who may imprecisely be called conservative or traditional Muslims.
These are the proud Canadian Muslims who follow all Islamic laws and traditions and believe that they can also be civically engaged Canadians.
Furthermore, three of the authors are of Arab origin and the rest are South Asian. The Muslim community in Canada is much more diverse and the overwhelming majority of them are not represented in this book.
Overall, Aziz's book is a success as it represents a segment of an underrepresented group of Canadian citizens: Muslims who are spoken, about but rarely given the chance to speak for themselves.
Alireza Ahmadian is a Vancouver-based writer and researcher. He has a Masters of Arts in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He has appeared on BBC World News and BBC Persian to discuss world affairs and is published on online forums such as New Canadian Media, BBC, and foreign policy blogs.
This content was developed exclusively for New Canadian Media and can be re-published with appropriate attribution. For syndication rights, please write to email@example.com
This content was developed exclusively for New Canadian Media and can be re-published with appropriate attribution. For syndication rights, please write to email@example.com
by BJ Siekierski in Ottawa
Patrick Brown has already taken the Ontario Progressive Conservative party in a new direction since becoming its leader — now he's encouraging his former federal colleagues to do the same as they try to reinvent themselves in the post-Harper era.
On Saturday afternoon, over 300 people filled a warehouse in Barrie, Ontario to hear from Brown and six current Conservative MPs, all of whom are at least exploring the possibility of running for the Conservative party leadership.
The event was called "Conservative Futures" and the majority of them were confident about the party's prospects in 2019, convinced the Liberal government will defeat itself through a combination of bigger-than-promised deficits, unmet promises, and arrogance.
Fewer, however, were willing to really look critically at the past — and specifically the last election.
Patrick Brown was an exception.
"(It's) important to have this pause and understand where mistakes have been made so we can go into the future with a sense of conviction that we're on the right path. My sense, showing up to probably about 1,000 cultural events in the last year in the GTA, is that if we do not defend minority communities of every religion, of every race, then every other cultural group will say: are we next?" he told the crowd.
"I think we lost our way when we did not say that unequivocally. I think there were mistakes made, and I think we have to learn from that."
Reconnecting with ethnocultural communities
As both his and Jason Kenney's persistent outreach to different ethnic communities have proved, Brown added, many ethnic minorities share Conservative values. But the party went "too far" with its niqab rhetoric during the federal election campaign.
They alienated voters they'd spent years bringing into the Conservative tent.
It was a blunt assessment that only Conservative MP Michael Chong would come close to matching on Saturday.
"I think it's clear in the last election we lost the ethnocultural communities in this country, and we need to regain their trust," Chong said.
He then recounted the struggles his father faced as a Chinese immigrant to the country in the 1950s, only four years after the repeal of the Chinese exclusion act. And the struggles he faced as a "mixed-race kid" growing up in rural Ontario in the 1970s.
"I tell you these stories because we need to reconnect with ethnocultural communities. We need to tell them that we understand the challenges of coming to a new country, often with a foreign language. We need to tell them that we understand the barriers that they face; that we understand their fears, hopes, and aspirations; that we understand the plight of Syrian refugees coming to this country, scared, facing an environment unknown," he said.
Closer to turning the page
Though Chong acknowledged the mistakes, he didn't mention the niqab specifically. Nor did he mention the barbaric cultural practices tip line Conservative candidates Kellie Leitch and Chris Alexander introduced in the final weeks of the last campaign, and which was met with widespread scorn and derision.
Leitch, who spoke of the need for tolerance on Saturday, didn't touch on it either.
"We know as Conservatives that we have to make sure that every Canadian is treated fairly and equally," she said.
"We are the party where families of all religious backgrounds, of all ethnic backgrounds, have a home. As Patrick was mentioning, Jason Kenney has done outstanding work in reaching out to so many different groups across this country. He did a remarkable job. And he had many of us join him in doing that."
A few weeks ago at the Manning Centre Conference in Ottawa, it was clear Conservatives were still bothered by the divisive identity politics that featured so prominently in the last campaign.
On Saturday in Barrie, five months to the day Canadians replaced a Conservative majority with a Liberal one, they came a bit closer to turning the page.
But they didn't get all the way there.
"The reality is, in four years there will be people looking for change," Brown said. "And if the Conservative Party has the courage to talk in a positive fashion…I believe there's going to be a lot more Conservative MPs, and one of the people running for this Conservative leadership will be the prime minister of Canada."
Republished in partnership with iPolitics.ca.
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by Alireza Ahmadian in Vancouver
In this piece, journalist Alireza Ahmadian discusses Canada's arms deal with Saudi Arabia with Cesar Jaramillo, Executive Director of Project Ploughshares, a non-governmental organization working in Canada and abroad to advocate for policy reform to prevent war and armed violence.
The deal, valued at almost $15 billion, is the largest arms export contract in Canadian history and was awarded during the 2013-2014 fiscal year. It will see the shipment of an undisclosed number of light armoured vehicles, manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, based in London, ON, to Saudi Arabia.
Why should Canadians be concerned about an arms deal between their government and Saudi Arabia, a country that both Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) say violates human rights?
It is not just HRW and AI who condemn the abysmal human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. Every authoritative organization in the world consistently ranks Saudi Arabia among the worst human rights violators [on] the planet.
There is a widespread and well-documented pattern of violations of virtually every category of human rights in Saudi Arabia, so Canadians should definitely be concerned about the possibility that Canadian-made goods might be used to sustain a repressive regime and enable the further violation of human rights of civilians.
What do we know about how Canadian arms are being used in Saudi Arabia? Are there any safeguards or ways of ensuring these weapons will not be used to violate human rights?
We certainly know about the proclivity of the Saudi regime to systematically target civilians. In 2011, there were reports of Saudi forces using armoured vehicles, such as the ones Canada is set to ship to Saudi Arabia, to crush peaceful civilian protests in neighbouring Bahrain.
The primary safeguard to ensure Canadian goods are not misused should be Canada's own military export control policy, according to which the government must first determine that "there is no reasonable risk" that Canadian-made military goods might be [used] against civilians.
Given what is widely known about the Saudi dire human rights record, it is hard to comprehend how there can be "no reasonable risk" of misuse. But so far the government has resisted calls to explain how the Saudi arms deal can be reconciled with the human rights safeguards of existing exports controls.
Former foreign affairs minister, John Baird, also said that this deal has economic benefits for Canada. For instance, the arms deal supports "3,000 unionized workers in London, Ontario." What's wrong with an arms deal that hires 3,000 Canadians?
Of course there is nothing inherently wrong with job creation … However, we must recognize that this is a special case that merits special scrutiny. Valued at $15 billion, this is by far the largest military exports contract in Canadian history. And, as stated above, it is widely accepted that Saudi Arabia is a human rights pariah.
So, while job creation is a legitimate pursuit of any government, in a case as egregious as this, we must assess as a society what is the real value we place on the protection of human rights.
If economic gains are taken as the sole justification for arms exports authorizations, what's to stop a country from selling weapons to ISIS or North Korea or organized criminals halfway around the world?
The Harper government did not sign the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that seeks to regulate international arms trade and prevent military exports from fuelling armed conflict and human rights violations. Canada is the only country in North America, the only member of the G7 group of industrialized nations, and the only one of the 28 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, that has not signed the treaty.
It is worthwhile to note that countries such as Syria, Pakistan, North Korea and Saudi Arabia are also non-signatories.
Do you think that signing this Treaty would address concerns over lack of transparency in Canada's arms deals with other countries? How so? Do you think the new government will sign the treaty?
Yes, I believe the new government will accede to the Arms Trade Treaty. It was an election pledge of Prime Minister [Justin] Trudeau, and was a specific priority of foreign affairs minister [Stéphane] Dion's mandate. This is a position to be welcomed and encouraged.
The ATT entails increased expectations of transparency around arms deals and greater vigilance in regards to the end users of military exports.
At the same time, Canada may find itself sending a mixed message about its willingness to live up to the ATT's heightened expectations of transparency when legitimate concerns about the human rights implications of the Saudi arms deal remain unaddressed.
It has been reported that in May 2015, Martin Zablocki, the president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Commercial Corporation, the crown corporation that brokered the arms deal with Saudi Arabia, said that the Middle East is a "strategic region" for Canadian arms sales. How does this deal serve Canada's strategic interests? What would you say to those who argue that other countries are selling arms to the Middle East?
It is a strategic region from a purely business perspective, of course. It is no secret that the previous government made economic diplomacy a cornerstone of its foreign policy. In this context, the Canadian [Commercial] Corporation has acted as an active facilitator in the pursuit of these deals, not just as a passive intermediary.
"Everyone else is doing it," sounds like an argument void of any ethical considerations and undermines the credibility of Canada's military export controls — which Ottawa calls "some of the strongest in the world."
The Liberal government said that it would honour the arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Why do you think the Liberals decided to follow through with this deal even though they are trying to undo other aspects of the Conservative's legacy?
This deal would present a complex policy challenge for any party in power. There is a real confluence of economic, strategic and human rights dimensions that must be taken into consideration. But, again, Saudi Arabia isn't a case of a handful of unconfirmed human rights violations. The human rights situation in the autocratic kingdom is absolutely abysmal.
In a case where red flags are so apparent one would hope that the government would recognize, at a minimum, the need to publicly explain how this deal can be justified in light of existing export controls.
The Canadian public has a right to know that the economic well-being at home is not being tied to the suppression of human rights elsewhere.
How would you suggest the new government pursue future deals like this?
There are specific human rights safeguards that are part of Canadian military export controls. Of course, however strong they might be on paper, they are only as effective when implemented.
Beyond the need to abide by domestic and international regulations (including the Arms Trade Treaty, following accession) there is a need for greater transparency and oversight around the process by which arms exports authorizations are granted.
This content was developed exclusively for New Canadian Media and can be re-published with appropriate attribution. For syndication rights, please write to email@example.com
This content was developed exclusively for New Canadian Media and can be re-published with appropriate attribution. For syndication rights, please write to firstname.lastname@example.com
Commentary by L. Ian MacDonald in Montreal
In one sense, the Liberal majority in the House is good for the Conservatives. It puts them in a position where they needn't be in any rush to launch a leadership campaign and convention.
No one sees a convention before the spring of 2017, and there's every reason to consider putting it off until the fall of next year, mid-mandate for the Trudeau government. Unless the Fixed Elections Act is amended, we know now when the next election will be held — on the third Monday in October four years from the previous election. That would be October 20, 2019.
Two years is all the time a new opposition leader needs to establish his or her presence in the House, recruit new candidates, fill the party coffers and hit the hustings.
The money factor is also an argument for delaying a leadership convention. Individual donations are limited by law to $1,500 a year, and by putting the convention off to next year, candidates would be able to raise twice as much money by announcing in the second half of 2016.
In the meantime, the Conservatives have the opportunity to refurbish their brand, in the Commons and in the country. This starts with putting Stephen Harper in the past, where he belongs. But Conservatives can't really do that while he's still sitting in the House.
He needs to leave town, and soon. When it's over, it's over. And it's definitely over for Harper, even — and perhaps especially — within the ranks of Conservative MPs, who have been liberated by the departure of the Harper gang. They're even having fun. Imagine that. And the interim leader, Rona Ambrose, has set a refreshing and exemplary change of tone.
Reflecting on what went wrong
Then there's the policy convention set for Vancouver at the end of May, which will allow the Conservatives to complete the election post-mortem. That shouldn't take long. They ran a lousy campaign and deserved to lose. Exhibit A: the barbaric practices snitch line, the precise moment when moderate Conservatives gave up and crossed over to the Liberals.
Conservatives must ask themselves how they can make their party relevant again in Canada's major cities, where they were clobbered in October. The Greater Toronto Area is the prime example. Where the Conservatives held nine out of 23 downtown 416 seats in the last Parliament, they went zero for 25 in the new House. And where the Tories owned suburban 905 in the last House, with 21 out 22 seats, they were knocked back to only a handful out of 29 in the new one.
Maybe closing Harper's GTA campaign with the Ford brothers wasn't such a good idea.
The Conservatives also won zero seats in downtown Vancouver and on the Island of Montreal. It was the same in Ottawa and every city to the East Coast, excepting only Quebec City. Calgary and Edmonton — Conservative heartland — were the only cities in the West won by the Conservatives.
It's clear that in 2015, most Canadians living in cities didn't recognize themselves, or their aspirations, in the Conservative party. That should be an important part of policy development, and clearly needs to be addressed in the leadership campaign.
So who's going to jump in when the race does begin?
Well, Tony Clement for one. He can't win — but he probably can't be talked out of it, either.
Maxime Bernier, for another. He can't win, either. But he represents the economic-libertarian wing of the party, and in the Quebec wing of the party, he would begin as a native son.
Kellie Leitch probably can't be talked out of running. She was working the room hard last November at the Albany Club's Sir John A. Macdonald dinner at the Royal York ballroom in Toronto. She is one of the smartest people in any room — but she made a major error in agreeing to front the snitch-line announcement, and she'll have to get past that.
Michelle Rempel, only 36 at her birthday next month, is probably too young, but that may not stop her from running.
Then there's Jason Kenney, whose candidacy once was regarded as inevitable. In government, he was in charge of the party's outreach to multicultural communities, and he built his own network among them. But there's been very little talk about or support for a Kenney candidacy in the Conservative caucus. It may be that he can be kingmaker, but not king.
Lisa Raitt is whip-smart and, as transport minister in the Conservative government, was among the strongest members of Harper's last cabinet. A Cape Breton girl turned suburban Toronto hockey mom, she would be a strong candidate. At 47, she represents generational change, with a strong profile in the GTA. But she would need to work on her French.
Outside the caucus, the name of Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall keeps coming up. But he has an election this spring and doesn't speak French, either. Kevin O'Leary? Please. This is a leadership race, not a reality show.
Finally, there's Peter MacKay, who probably leads the prospective field in name recognition. He definitely would be the favourite son of Atlantic Canada, and would be the clear choice of the Progressive Conservative wing of the united-right party he co-founded with Harper in 2003. And he's still only 50.
But MacKay is at a different place in life right now — married to human rights activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam, with two young children at home. As a former justice minister he can practise law in any province, and as a former foreign minister and defence minister, he has a network in G7, G20 and NATO countries. Any big Toronto law firm would be lucky to get him.
The thing is, he hasn't ruled out a return to politics yet. Unless and until he does, his name will be on the list.
L. Ian MacDonald is editor of Policy, the bi-monthly magazine of Canadian politics and public policy. He is the author of five books. He served as chief speechwriter to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney from 1985-88, and later as head of the public affairs division of the Canadian Embassy in Washington from 1992-94.
Re-published in partnership with iPolitics.ca.
by Alireza Ahmadian in Vancouver
Analysts and members of the Iranian-Canadian community say they are optimistic about a thawing of relations between Iran and Canada now that a new government is in power.
Despite the fact that a large and dynamic Iranian diaspora calls Canada its home, recent relations between the two countries have been complicated.
In 2012, the Harper government put Iran on the list of State Supporters of Terrorism, closed the Canadian embassy in Iran and expelled Iranian diplomats from Canada. The diplomatic relation between the two governments has since been suspended.
The Conservative government also enacted unilateral sanctions against Iran, some of which adversely affected the lives of Iranian Canadians.
But in June 2015, then prime minister candidate Justin Trudeau told the CBC that he hoped "that Canada would be able to reopen its mission" in Iran and he was "fairly certain that there are ways to re-engage" the Iranian government.
Reasons for a different approach
Observers give different reasons for the Liberal party's decision to re-engage Iran.
First of all, the Harper government failed to achieve its objectives with regard to its policy toward Iran.
John Mundy, Canada's last ambassador to Iran, says he believes that the fundamental reason for the Harper government's Iran policy was "to isolate and de-legitimize Iran."
The opposite happened though, as the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) re-engaged Iran and reached a nuclear agreement with Tehran.
"Now it's time for Canada to play catch-up," says ambassador Mundy, who is writing a book about his time in Iran.
Secondly, there are commercial reasons for re-establishing diplomatic relations with Iran.
Political scientist Thomas Juneau says that re-engagement with Iran is in Canada's best interests as it provides access to an emerging market for Canadian businesses and citizens who want to do business with the country.
Moreover, Jayson Myers, president and chief executive officer of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters told the Globe and Mail there are tremendous opportunities for Canadian businesses looking to sell to Iran.
Thirdly, there are geopolitical reasons for a change in policy towards Iran.
Political scientist Houchang Hassan-Yari says that the crises in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Iraq, and the rise of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) have created a new strategic environment in which Iran is an important player in the fight against IS.
"This [new geopolitical environment] may have had the Canadian government decide to engage Iran."
Finally, the Harper government's Iran policy created problems for members of the Iranian diaspora in Canada who maintain links to Iran and are in need of consular services from the Iranian government in Canada and the Canadian government in Iran.
Mohsen Taghavi, the editor-in-chief and publisher of Persian-English bilingual Weekly Salam Toronto, says that the majority of Iranian Canadians disagreed with the Harper government's decision to suspend diplomatic relations with Tehran and to impose unilateral sanctions against Iran.
He says that the level of support for the Liberal party amongst Iranian Canadians was much higher in the recent federal election than what he had observed in previous elections and that the party's Iran policy was an important factor contributing to this.
The Iranian diaspora and the Liberal party
But it was not all about Iran policy.
Taghavi says that Trudeau's humility, energy, and vision appealed to many members of Canada's Iranian diaspora.
Furthermore, many of them felt that the Liberal platform best manifested Canadian values. Therefore, their love for Canada and Canadian values, combined with the Liberals' pro-diplomacy approach towards Iran, swayed their vote.
Ambassador Mundy expects Canada and Iran will re-establish diplomatic relations and says he hopes that it becomes possible for Canada to re-open its visa section in order to be able to facilitate immigration and travel between the two countries.
He says that in 2007 when he was Canada's ambassador to Tehran, "Iran was Canada's fourth source of new immigrants and the Iranian community in Canada was growing quickly."
Addressing Canada's concerns
Having diplomatic relations, however, does not mean that Iran and Canada are going to agree on different issues of mutual concern. In fact, all the interviewees for this article acknowledged Canada's concerns over Iran's human rights record and regional activities.
Professor Hassan-Yari says that having diplomatic relations with Tehran and starting a dialogue about "our differences with them" could be beneficial.
He concedes that, at first, Iran may not take Canada's concerns seriously.
"However, when Canada and the Europeans address the same concerns, over time, they can influence the leadership in Tehran," says Hassan-Yari.
Many Iranian Canadians view the Trudeau government's approach to Iran as part of a larger worldview in which pragmatism outweighs ideology and diplomacy is utilized to resolve differences.
The future will show whether the Liberals can strengthen its relations with the Iranian diaspora and earn their future votes.
This content was developed exclusively for New Canadian Media and can be re-published with appropriate attribution. For syndication rights, please write to email@example.com
This content was developed exclusively for New Canadian Media and can be re-published with appropriate attribution. For syndication rights, please write to email@example.com
by Janice Dickson in Ottawa
Fulfilling a promise made during the election campaign, the Trudeau government said today it plans to drop the federal government's appeal in the case of the Canadian woman, Zunera Ishaq, who fought to wear a niqab during her citizenship ceremony.
In a joint statement, Immigration Minister John McCallum and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said: "On November 16, 2015, the Attorney General of Canada notified the Supreme Court of Canada that it has discontinued its application for leave to appeal in the case of Minister of Citizenship and Immigration v. Ishaq.
"The Federal Court of Canada found that the policy requiring women who wear the niqab to unveil themselves to take the Oath of Citizenship is unlawful on administrative law grounds, and the Federal Court of Appeal upheld this ruling. The government respects the decision of both courts and will not seek further appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
"Canada's diversity is among its greatest strengths, and today we have ensured that successful citizenship candidates continue to be included in the Canadian family. We are a strong and united country because of, not in spite of, our differences."
Samer Majzoub, the president of the Canadian Muslim Forum, said he believes the Liberal government's decision is the "right direction."
"Canadians have their main concerns beings reflected in the last federal elections results, certainly the niqab issue is not the one," he said.
The controversial debate about whether a woman should be permitted to wear a niqab during citizenship ceremonies was a failed attempt to sway voters, he said.
"We believe and hope that any divisive debate that leads to friction amongst Canadians will be set aside for [a] long period and never used for political or special interests," he said.
Re-published in partnership with iPolitics.ca.
BY HARNOOR GILL Grade 12 student Christ The King Catholic Secondary Georgetown, Ontario THE longest Canadian election campaign in history along with its debates, party marketing and annoying commercials ended with the Liberal Party of Canada winning a majority government with 184 seats in the House of Commons and representation from every province. The […]
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Indo-Canadian Voice
by BJ Siekierski in Ottawa
John Manley — the president and CEO of Canadian Council of Chief Executives — criticized the Harper government Tuesday for mismanaging bilateral relationships with China and Mexico, and reiterated a call for the incoming Liberal government to pursue a free trade agreement with China.
There are reasons to think that isn't out of the question.
"We have very important trading relationships with both Mexico and China. And quite frankly, the Harper government didn't manage those relationships particularly well," Manley, whose organization represents 150 CEOs of Canada's biggest companies, said in an interview on BNN.
This comes after an open letter Manley sent to Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau last week, which called for a "comprehensive bilateral economic agreement" with China, the reversal of the visa requirement for Mexican visitors and the ratification of the Canada-EU agreement and the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership).
"We urge your government to reverse the 2009 decision that requires most travellers from Mexico to obtain a visa before visiting Canada. With regards to China — our country's second-largest trading partner, and soon to be the world's largest economy – we believe the time has come to seek a comprehensive bilateral economic agreement. Smart, principled engagement of China must be at the centre of Canadian foreign policy," Manley wrote.
China requires immediate attention
He elaborated on those points Tuesday, days after the CEO of Ford Canada, Dianne Craig — a member of the Canadian Council of CEOs — spoke out against the TPP.
"Ford is one of our members, likewise is Linamar, one of our largest auto part companies, which supports TPP. So I don't think there's a unanimous view. I think overall, though, what I'd say…is this: if TPP doesn't happen, well then life goes on. If TPP does happen, and the United States and Mexico are part of it, then Canada really needs to be there. We can't afford, for our national interests, to be excluded from an an agreement in which two of our three largest trading partners are there," Manley said.
Since TPP ratification on the U.S. side could be held up by Congress, Manley didn't think there was any reason for Trudeau to "lose sleep" over it yet.
He said China, however, required immediate attention, adding that, like Australia and New Zealand, Canada should pursue a free trade agreement.
"Australia, while being a strong proponent of human rights — a strong supporter of rule of law — all of the things that Canada stands for, has managed to negotiate a free trade agreement with China. As has New Zealand. And they are benefiting — their economy is benefiting significantly in both cases," Manley said.
"We seem to have a hard time deciding whether we want to do business with China or not, and we blow warm and cold. I think a consistent, lasting approach to China — multiple visits by our prime minister, by our minister of foreign affairs, by our minister of trade, and by our minister of industry, would yield benefits in the years to come. We don't have to agree with China on everything, but we do need to engage China."
Deepening relationship with China
While the Harper government signed and ratified, not without controversy, a foreign investment protection agreement with China, and released an economic complementarities study in August 2012, Ottawa preferred an incremental approach with regard to trade liberalization, reaching individual market access agreements for products such as beef, cherries, and blueberries.
"There are many mechanisms other than free trade agreements to allow us to deepen our trade relationship with China," Trade Minister Ed Fast said last November.
In May, he clarified that the Harper government wanted to see the "more balance" in the trading relationship before moving forward with negotiations.
The Liberals have seemed more eager.
As Australia moved to implement their concluded free trade agreement with China, Liberal MPs — including Ralph Goodale, Chrystia Freeland, and Scott Brison — accused the Conservatives of bungling the relationship.
More recently, the Liberals named Peter Harder, who serves as president of the Canada-China Business Council, to head their transition team.
That could be a sign of things to come.
Published in partnership with iPolitics.ca.
-- Canada's economic development minister Navdeep Bains at a Public Policy Forum economic summit


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It's a curious fact of the Obama presidency that the American people basically tuned him out during much of his first term. Despite his stellar communications skills, Obama was unable to convince Americans to support his signature program — Obamacare — and none of his prior state of the union speeches seems to have moved the needle. We also know that the president's utterances on behalf of Democrats in 2010 didn't sway public opinion, at least not in the way he intended.
This changed in 2012, though. With a presidential election on the horizon, and with the economy slowly improving, the public naturally wanted to hear what Obama had to say. And his message — that Republicans are evil — was easier on the ears than the ones that folks had tuned out — the virtues of Obamacare, the strength of the recovery, etc.
As the public settled, albeit quite narrowly, on Obama as its preferred candidate, it naturally began to view him in a more favorable light. In reality, he may have been seen as "the lesser of two evils," but most voters would rather not view their decision that way. And Obama's victory renewed his status as a "winner." People tend to listen to winners.
By December, the public was ready to tune out politics. But the looming tax increase meant that attention still had to be paid. For a man of Obama's talent, the transition from campaign rhetoric denouncing Republicans as tools of the rich to post-campaign rhetoric denouncing Republicans as tools of the rich was not difficult.
But now there is no election, no looming middle class tax increase, and no particular reason to listen to Obama. Accordingly, barring a major crisis down the road, Obama's state of the union speech may well be the last address Obama delivers as president that receives serious public attention. Alternatively, it may be the first of a long line of Obama speeches that the public ignores.
Assuming the former scenario, the speech takes on the appearance of a high stakes affair. With potential battles ahead over sequestration, the tax ceiling, and the continuing resolution, Obama desperately needs to reclaim the winning hand he held in December by re-coupling the concepts of spending cuts and tax increases for the wealthy. I expect the president to make this the central point of his address.
His theme, I imagine, will be that we can solve the debt crisis while continuing to do great things as a country, if only Republicans will agree to eliminating tax breaks for the rich that they have already put on the table, at least in principle. The sub-theme will be that if arbitrary budget-slashing results in cuts in services and a stalling of the "recovery," it will be the fault of Republicans who are unwilling to have the "rich" pay "their fair share."
Obama is convinced he can win this debate — he has said as much — and he may well be right. But you can't win a debate that people aren't listening to. No matter how hard Obama pounds Republicans tomorrow night — and we should expect quite a pounding — the speech is likely to have a short half-life, with no obvious opportunity for a notable sequel on the horizon.


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Featuring Serena in Life on a swing
We bring you the most beautiful and natural girls in the world. They are all you could ever wish for and more. Some of them are already famous and popular on the web; others are being photographed in all their natural nakedness for the very first time.


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|Weather station and rain guage
mounted on the roof.
|Temperature sensor
enclosure on a pole
in the backyard.
The weather station used is a kit from Dallas Semiconductor. It is mounted on the roof of our house and provides wind and rain data. The temperature inside this weather station is also available, but it tends to read somewhat high, especially on sunny days, because it is in a sealed enclosure. Instead, the temperature data is collected from a Dallas Semoconductor direct-to-digital sensor mounted in a ventilated enclosure in the backyard.
Barometric pressure is obtained from a Motorola MPX4115 silicon pressure sensor, an op-amp, and a Dallas Semiconductor DS2438 smart battery monitor (to perform 1-Wire analog to digital conversion).
Lightning is detected with a short antenna connected to a couple of transistors that switch the input to a Dallas Semiconductor DS2423 counter via an opto-isolator.
All the sensors use the novel 1-wire communication protocol invented by Dallas Semiconductor. This protocol allows supply voltage, clocking, digital sensor commands and digital return values all to be sent over a single wire (plus a ground wire, of course).
|The TINI in a TILT development board
from Systronix.
The data sampling of the sensors is done by a TINI. The TINI is a single board computer the size of a memory DIMM that contains an MPU, flash memory, RAM, an ethernet controller, serial ports and more. It runs a Java VM, and is programmed in Java. Being another Dallas Semiconductor product, it has the ability to read 1-wire protocol devices directly.
The TINI samples the sensors every 3 seconds and then multicasts an IP message with the values.
Since adding more sensors and a 1-Wire hub, there has been a change to the sampling. Not only does each sensor take time to scan, but the hub has to be switched to connect each sensor to the TINI and this also takes time. The wind direction and speed are still sampled every 3 seconds, but the other sensors are now sampled only every 6 seconds. The temperature is read on one sample and the rest of the sensors on the alternate sample. The wind is read every sample to get the maximum number of samples for the only sensors that change within seconds.
|The Mac Mini
from Apple Inc..
The multicast messages are received by a Java program running under Mac OS X (Leopard) on a Mac Mini. Exactly every 5 minutes, it constructs a reading from the previous 100 or so samples. These readings are saved in a MySQL database.
The Samples chart on the front page shows the number of samples (taken every 3 seconds) that were used to construct each 5 minute (300 second) reading. Ideally, this would always be 100, but the data gathering Java application sometimes has communication problems with sensors, and samples are therefore lost. This sampling approach to gathering the data allows averaging of the wind speed and direction over the 5 minute period, providing smoother data. The Gust wind speed is the peak 3 second sample within each 5 minute reading. The sampling and averaging also allows a finer granularity on wind direction than the 22.5 degrees provided by the wind vane.
The temperature at the airport and COP are obtained from Environment Canada's 24 Hour Retrospectives of hourly readings (airport, COP) which is why they are shown on the front page as discrete samples on the hour.
Early every morning, the readings for the previous day are statistically summarized into another MySQL database table.
|Java development made easy by Eclipse.
These web pages are being served by a Mac Mini running Mac OS X (Leopard). The software behind them is written in Java, but instead of just JSPs, it's using Jakarta Tapestry which allows web pages to be written with a event driven model - view - controller pattern instead of in an adhoc scripting language.
All of the charts are generated with Ploticus.


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Zhongyi.chen necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 66 diseños de 15 diseñadores freelance.
Tea Lulu (registered trade mark), the slogan is Health in Your Cuppa.
Tea Lulu is a new premium tea (and teaware) company out of California offering best Oolong tea in the world - TieGuanyin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tieguanyin) to tea lover across the world. We source pure authentic, supreme quality TieGuanyin with amazing unique aftertaste sweet and orchid aroma on a small scale directly from tea farmers in China's ancient tea capital - Anxi county, Fujian, China.
Here we take the meaning of lulu as "a person or thing considered to be outstanding in size, appearance, etc."
Tealulu is also promoting the healthier way of drinking for life of each of us.
Our target audience is tea lover, world travelers, stylemakers and global sophisticates who are willing to pay a premium for artfully packaged high quality goods for better health and shape, actively seeking out genuine artisan food products, and enjoy unique fully sensual aesthetic experiences rooted in traditional cultures.
Our main competitors in the tea world for our target market is: Tea Forte, and the republic of tea. You can take a look at their websites to get a feel of their logo and products.
The logo should incorporate 1. the company name in English "Tea Lulu" 2. the slogan "Heath in Your Cuppa"
We would like the logo to embody: TieGuanyin's unique aftertaste sweet, orchid aroma and the health it brings to tea lover.
We like the logo to capture the idea of a distinctly Chinese, modern vintage brand with American element for a global audience.
The criteria for the logo is simplicity, elegance, and ability to convey and embody the idea of unique aroma, aftertaste sweet and health.
We can't wait to see your works!
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Sheena Meagher is a visual artist working in counties Clare and Kildare, Ireland.
All images and content are copyright to Sheena Meagher unless otherwise stated.
Contact; email@example.com
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East Carolina gives McNeill extension
Greenville, NC – East Carolina University has extended head football coach Ruffin McNeill's contract through the 2017 season.
The three-year extension provides a total compensation package of $1.15 million with the possibility of earning incentives.
McNeill's existing five-year contract was set to expire after the 2014 season, but has been extended to June 30, 2018.
McNeill was named East Carolina's 20th head football coach on Jan. 21, 2010. In his three years as head coach, McNeill has led the Pirates to two bowl appearances with a combined 11-4 divisional record. The Pirates have ranked in the Conference USA East Division's top three during McNeill's tenure.
"As a former student-athlete in our football program, he understands the expectations and passion of our fan base," ECU Director of Athletics Jeff Compher added. "I am extremely happy for Coach McNeill, his family, our assistant coaches, and most of all for our student-athletes. This contract extension is well-deserved and signifies an outstanding commitment to Coach McNeill and his continued leadership of our football program."
The 54-year-old head coach previously served on the Texas Tech defensive staff for 10 years from 2000 to 2009.


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I usually try to keep posts on my dA account strictly related to my models and various projects, but I've found myself in need of a larger sounding board than biased online reviews. As the title states, my iPod (160gb 7th gen classic) recently died on me, and given that it's out of warranty, I'm looking for a replacement/alternative.
Since high school, I've gone through maybe five or so iPods, and in my experience, they typically barely out last their 1-year warranty. On top of that, the one time I did have a legitimately defective in-warranty device, dealing with Apple's customer support was akin to pulling teeth.
So I'm curious as to what the populous here at dA uses for their on-the-go musical needs; does anyone actually use anything other than Apple? (die hard Apple-fanboys need not reply )
TL;DR - What would you recommend as an iPod alternative?


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- Technical Support
- Company
- Custom Services
F(ab')2 fragment antibodies are generated by pepsin digestion of whole IgG antibodies to remove most of the Fc region while leaving some of the hinge region. F(ab')2 fragments have two antigen-binding Fab portions linked together by disulfide bonds and therefore they are divalent. The average molecular weight is about 110 kDa. They are used for specific applications, such as to avoid binding of secondary antibodies to live cells with Fc receptors or to Protein A or Protein G.
1:50 - 1:200 for most applications
Dilution factors are presented in the form of a range because the optimal dilution is a function of many factors, such as antigen density, permeability, etc. The actual dilution used must be determined empirically.
Allophycocyanin (APC) is among several kinds of light-harvesting phycobiliproteins found in red, blue-green, and cryptomonad algae. APC is isolated from the blue-green alga Spirulina, and is chemically cross-linked for stability. After phycobiliproteins are conjugated to secondary antibodies, there is little fluorescence quenching, which results in conjugates of high specific fluorescence compared with conventional fluorophore-antibody conjugates. APC can be excited by light over a wide range of the visible spectrum, is highly water soluble, has a relatively low isoelectric point, and lacks potentially sticky carbohydrates.
It should be noted that the relatively high molecular weight of APC may preclude its use in procedures requiring good penetration into cells and tissues. It is predominantly intended for surface labeling of cells for flow cytometry.
This product is for IN VITRO RESEARCH USE ONLY. It is not a medical device and it is not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.


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Walgreens is threatening to stop filling Medicaid prescriptions at 64 of its 121 pharmacies in Washington state because of state cuts in payments.
Walgreens, the biggest drug-store chain in the country, has been down this road before. It threatened to pull out of Medicaid programs last year before settlements were reached in Delaware and in an earlier dust-up in Washington state.
This time, the chain says it is losing money on 95% of the brand-name drugs it dispenses to Medicaid patients in Washington, so it will end Medicaid participation at the 64 stores on Feb. 15.
Programs for the poor are poor programs. Medicaid should just be federalized and merged with Medicare. Then we can deal with their costs together an in a realistic fashion.