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Imaginary Friends Come to Life
Let's face it. I don't get out of the house to socialize very often. Don't get me wrong, I love to do it - but I also prefer the path of least resistance and going 'out' sometimes requires 'effort'. And I tend to fixate on the unfinished tasks & projects, so I have on occasion used those tasks as an excuse not to go somewhere or do something. (I know, I have some issues).
This past year though, I've been trying to make efforts to get out and do some much needed socializing. I enjoy it. I've been trying to get to the knitting meet-ups that the CNY Ravelry group has created, and the knit-in at my local LYS The Yarn Cupboard. I really enjoy my time when I go, and most times I seem to pack 20 projects (because you never know), and not knit on any of them. I find myself just enjoying the chatting with everyone so much that I don't want to be distracted with projects (what kind of knitter am I, anyways??). I find myself the last to want to leave, willing to drop the 'to do' list faster than a bag of scratchy, worsted acrylic yarn from 1972.
Recently, at a CNY group meeting, we got on the topic of food (no, really? food? Knitters who meet at a coffee shop?). We talked about our different favorites, international dishes - things our grandmothers' taught us, or great-grandmothers shared with us, or some other special person in our lives. Food that helped us connect with heritage, or with a community or with an individual by the time spent cooking together. We decided that as we were all quite hungry now, we should turn this into an actual dinner meeting.
Marcela graciously opened her home to us last night and the food was incredible. German Potato Salad and Butternut Squash Soup (chicken optional for the vegetarians who came), Mexican Bean Soup, Chili, Pepper Steak (vegetarian), A Serbian Meat Pie, Stuffed Grape Leaves (Lebanese, not Greek)... I know I'm forgetting something. There was also desert-! Strawberry cake, Apple Pie, Ice Cream, Whoopie Pies-! It was wonderful. We brought spouses and ate food and had a wonderful, social time. Nora got to spend the evening at her friend's house, so a good time was had by all ;-)
When's the next meeting? My calendar is wide open.


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Cowboys outlast Browns for win
Tony Romo persevered through a career-high seven sacks, even avoiding costly mistakes that have dogged his career as he ran from constant pressure.
Just when he had Dallas in position to finish a rally and beat Cleveland, Romo lost a fumble that left the Cowboys scrambling to survive a wild ending Sunday in the first overtime game at Cowboys Stadium.
Dallas did find a way to extend the Browns' road losing streak to 12 games when Dan Bailey kicked a 38-yard field goal with 6:07 left in the extra period, giving the Cowboys a 23-20 victory. Bailey also made a tying kick with 2 seconds remaining in regulation.
"Had it all the way," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, smiling, as he walked into the postgame locker room.
Not quite, but it looked that way late in the fourth quarter when Romo had just put the Cowboys ahead 17-13 with a 28-yard scoring pass to Dez Bryant, who had a career-high 145 yards receiving. Anthony Spencer sacked Browns rookie Brandon Weeden on the next drive, forced a fumble and recovered it at the Cleveland 18 with 5:45 remaining.
Romo gave it right back, though, fumbling two plays later — his first turnover in three games — as he was hit by Frostee Rucker while trying to avoid the sixth Cleveland sack. Dallas' offensive line didn't have left tackle Tyron Smith for most of the game because of an ankle injury.
"I obviously need to hold onto the ball and not let the guy come from behind and let the ball come out," Romo said. "That could have been a big one."
The Cowboys made one goal-line stand in the final minutes, but the Browns (2-8) got another chance and went ahead 20-17 on Weeden's 17-yard pass to Benjamin Watson with 1:07 remaining.
Dallas drove to the Cleveland 9 in the dying seconds, keyed by a 35-yard pass interference penalty on Sheldon Brown. The Cowboys tried to throw into the end zone twice, then settled for Bailey's tying kick.
Dallas won for the first time in six games when Romo is sacked at least five times. Despite the constant pressure, he still finished 35 of 50 for 313 yards with the touchdown to Bryant, who had 12 catches for a career-high 145 yards.
"Tony did a really good job of playing with poise," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "When you play quarterback and you have a lot of negative plays … it's easy to kind of get out of yourself and do some things you shouldn't be doing."
Referee Ed Hochuli carried on a running commentary in explaining replays and other rulings on the huge video board, and the most critical came in overtime when the officials ruled an incompletion on a throw that Miles Austin dropped.
The Cowboys were in position for a winning field goal, and replays appeared to show Austin had possession and took two steps before the ball was knocked out. The Browns recovered the loose ball, and called timeout to allow more time for a review. Hochuli announced that the play wasn't reviewable, although that was one time he didn't explain his reasoning; it wasn't reviewable because a whistle had blown the play dead.
"I pretty much knew by the way they called it that it was not reviewable," Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. "But I wanted to make sure they had time to get it all right."
Cleveland looked like the winner at halftime, leading 13-0 while Romo was running for cover and the crowd was booing repeatedly. But Dallas scored on its first three possessions of the second half, capped by Romo's toss to Bryant.
After Weeden and Romo traded fumbles, Weeden took the Browns to the Dallas 1, but bruising running back Trent Richardson was stuffed on third down and Weeden threw incomplete with 1:42 remaining.
The Browns weren't finished, though. They used all three timeouts and forced a Dallas punt. The Cowboys' John Phillips was penalized for a horse collar tackle on Joshua Cribbs, even though replay showed Phillips grabbing Cribbs' hanging dreadlocks rather than his jersey. With the ball at the 17, Weeden found Watson in the middle of the end zone on the next play, just as he did on a 10-yard play for the game's first score.
The Cowboys had finally scored on a 44-yard field goal with 5:44 remaining in third quarter, then abandoned an ineffective running game. Romo completed passes on the first seven plays, including a 30-yarder to Bryant, before Felix Jones went the final 2 yards on the ground to get Dallas within 13-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Dallas got the ball back quickly when safety Gerald Sensabaugh stuffed Richardson a yard short of a first down in the open field, and the subsequent drive to Bryant's touchdown included two of seven penalties on Cleveland's secondary. There were also two defensive penalties on Dallas' tying drive in regulation, and the Browns had 12 penalties for 129 yards overall.
"What are you supposed to do when a receiver is pushing you?" said Browns safety T.J. Ward. "I felt like we were playing one-handed out there."
Richardson fell just short of becoming the first Browns rookie with three straight 100-yard games. He finished with 95 yards rushing, and added 49 yards receiving.
Weeden was 20 of 35 for 210 yards with the two scores to Watson, who had four catches for 47 yards.
NOTES: Browns K Phil Dawson, who grew up in the Dallas area, extended the NFL's longest active field goal streak to 25 by hitting from 51 and 47 yards. He's 19 of 19 this year. … The Cowboys are 125-125 in the regular season since 1997. … Browns WR Josh Cooper didn't return after injuring a knee in the second quarter. CB Buster Skine, who started in place of Joe Haden, sustained a concussion on a play when Ward was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct on a hit to Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree.

subset: commoncrawl


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I just learned of the upcoming Americans for the Arts Annual Conference: "Risk and Reward: Balancing Acts in Arts and Community"
From the website homepage:
"Risk and Reward: Balancing Acts in Arts and Community is more than just a theme, it's the approach we've taken for the whole experience.
The convention is packed full of edgy ideas and useful tools. This year, we introduce seven new program tracks that ensure both close connection with your colleagues and expanded opportunity for crossover among important areas of the larger arts field.
Convention highlights include the national release of Arts & Economic Prosperity III, the culminating session of the MetLife Foundation National Arts Forum Series, the introduction of new recognition awards at our Annual Report and Awards Ceremony, guest artist Jenny Holzer and the Public Art Year in Review, as well as inspiring speakers, ARTventure tours, and all the events we know you enjoy!"


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2005 Readers' Choice Awards
Check Out Which Companies Have Been Recognized by Our Readers for Providing the Best Technology Values, Services and Support
In some circles, it might be as big an event as the Oscars. Potential winners hold their breath with anxious optimism to find out if they'll be feted by CONTROL DESIGN's academy of readers for doing a good job to help those readers solve automation and control problems. Perhaps that's a small exaggeration.
Our model for this balloting hasn't changed since we first presented Readers' Choice results in 2001. During September, we sent survey forms to about 15,000 CONTROL DESIGN subscribers, who tell us they have authority to specify, recommend, or purchase industrial automation and control products for industrial machines.
Vendors can't vote, so we didn't knowingly let any supplier get a ballot. If we did come across a vendor in the responses, we vigorously expunged it. This voting is entirely and only for our machine builder and system integrator readers.
As before, our ballot is what's known as an unaided survey. We don't include a list of vendors or product brands to choose from. We listed 50-odd hardware and software categories and asked participants to name the best company for the products with which they have experience. We received responses from more than 240 readers.
While they chose the best technology value providers, we also had them rate the service and support they receive from these companies on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
Our published results include only those companies that received at least a 5% share of the vote in their category.
The number of companies making the cut this year dropped noticeably to 82 from 93 companies in the 2004 result. Some of this is caused by market consolidation and three fewer categories this year. Nonetheless, 11 companies are new to the listing this year.
2004 Readers' Choice Awards
Among that group, there were a number that lapped the field. Some 28 companies received at least double the votes of the second-place finisher, and nine companies garnered a clear +50% majority vote in their category, down from 12 last year.
The number of close races—decided by margins of 5% or less—increased to 10, compared with nine in 2004. Four of the races ended in statistical dead heats between two companies, one fewer than last year.
As was the case last year, nine companies turned in multiple-category wins. Continuing the dominant vote-getting power of previous years, Rockwell Automation won outright or tied for first place in 16 hardware and four software categories. Other multiple winners include Emerson Process Measurement with four; General Electric/GE Fanuc won three times; and Hoffman, Honeywell, National Instruments, Parker, and Pepperl+Fuchs each won twice.
Selective Service
Of those 82 companies that made the list, you awarded 55 of them (67%) service and support scores of 4.0 or better—very good-to-excellent performance as measured on a scale of 1-5. By comparison, in 2004 you gave service kudos to 74% of the listed companies. That seems to say you're getting a little tougher giving out high praise on service and support.
However, for those you did chose to put on the list, you awarded higher praise a little more than last year. As you did in 2004, you chose to recognize seven companies a total of 12 times with service scores of 4.5 or better, although last year's 4.7 score (by two companies) wasn't duplicated.
The noticeable difference is that of the 144 times you recognized those 55 companies this year, a healthy 44% received a score of 4.3 or above. Compare that with last year when you gave service scores 4.3 or better 38% of the time.
Whether achieving a score of 4.6 or 4.0, any company making the service and support list should be pleased to receive these readers' vote of confidence. As was the case last year, some of the companies achieved these commendable service marks more than just once. The Service and Support table (p.46) lists those companies that readers identified as providing service with ratings of 4.0 or better.
Baldor, Rockwell Automation, and Yaskawa were alone in achieving the highest service scores of 4.6.
Five companies—AutomationDirect, Galil Controls, Numatics, Rockwell Automation and Siemens E&A—tallied 4.5 scores across nine product categories, with both AutomationDirect and Rockwell each achieving this commendable score three times.
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It has not been heated during processing and therefore retains its full nutritional value. Unfiltered California olive oil is available in three varieties, Albequina, Manzanilo and Mission. The Albequina is the lightest and the Mission is the strongest of the three varieties with the Manzanilo sitting somewhere in between. We purchase the California olive oil directly from farmers that own both the olive groves and have their own olive mill on the ranch. This allows them to process the olives right away and at low temperatures, which results in raw living and unfiltered olive oils with very low acidity and superior quality, taste and aroma. As a result, we stand 100% all of our California olive oil and we guarantee them to be absolutely wonderful oils in terms of both taste and aroma. As a result, they carry the same 100% satisfaction money back guarantee as our Greek olive oil.As you probably know, all olive oils are not created equal. The composition of olive oil, which as all vegetable oils is made up of triglycerides and minor components, greatly depends, among other things, on climatic conditions, soil quality and fruit variety. We want to assure you that all of our products are of the highest quality available. All of our Greek olive oil is in compliance with all Greek and European laws that govern the production, harvesting, processing and labeling of extra virgin olive oil and meets or exceeds all standards set by Greece, the European Union and the U.S. with respect to olive oil. It is stone ground and cold pressed and contains 100% natural olive juice with no additives or mixtures of lower grade olive oils or less expensive oils, as is often the case with cheaper olive oils available in the marketplace. The acidity of our olive oils is always guaranteed to be between 0-0.8% and in most cases it is in the range of 0.25-0.6%. Our California olive oil has acidities as low as 0.25%-0.5%.Our Greek extra virgin cold pressed gourmet and organic olive oil is available either as standard or as completely unfiltered. Both retain their full nutritional value and are excellent products. Our cold pressed California olive oil is always unfiltered, it can be cloudy although this is not always the case, and you may notice a little sentiment at the bottom of the bottle, which is quite normal for premium quality unfiltered cold pressed extra virgin raw olive oil.In addition to our high quality stone ground raw gourmet and organic extra virgin cold pressed and unfiltered Greek olive oil and our unfiltered living California olive oil, we also have available for your satisfaction a number of amazing flavored oils, dipping oils and various types of barrel-aged balsamic vinegar. 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Most flavored oils and dipping oils available in the market are made by infusing the olive oil at high temperature for extended periods of time in order to gain the flavor from the herbs and spices. This however damages the oil because it kills the essential nutrients for which olive oil is known. These are in large the same nutrients that allow premium quality olive oil to taste so good and to be good for our health in so many ways. We avoid damage of the oil by infusing the oil at room temperature. Please visit the flavored oil and dipping oil section of our website for more information on these incredible cold pressed flavored Greek olive oils.


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I woke up very early Thanksgiving morning.
I was thankful. I was well rested. The house was quiet. Steve was still asleep. And I didn't want to wake him. I wanted to savor some time alone with my thoughts. I went into the kitchen, lit a candle, put a batch of corn muffins in the oven (my 2nd time using our muffin tin...ever!)
And I prayed. I shed tears as I counted my many blessings. I took in the peace of knowing that we had the whole day to be at home. To prepare for a day of good and great things.
Somewhere around 7, Steve joined me downstairs. He had a smile on his face. A slight smirk almost. His expressions did the talking before he even spoke. You see, it's a rare occasion - to find me in the kitchen with a few different projects going on at once. And NOT burning the house down. It's also extremely rare I hear my husband say, "All the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen woke me up."
The oven was now unoccupied...ready to host the bird for the day. I moved into the living room to tackle some cleaning while Steve prepped the turkey. I turned on my music, opened the shades, and let the sunny day in. I decided it was the perfect time to pull off the couch cushions and do some deep vacuuming and treasure hunting.
Muffin had to get in on the action.
Here it was, Thanksgiving morning, somewhere nearing maybe 8am. I was filled with such intense emotion. It was hard to put into words exactly what I was feeling. In the three hours I'd already been up, I played so many memories through my mind. Thought about Thanksgivings past...the past couple, especially. I thought about where I was in that very moment.
And as I dug a little deeper into the couch...
and into my heart,
I collected quite a handful of peace and clarity.
Forget the 89 cents, the green peanut M & M from last month's Halloween candy, or the packet of fire sauce that makes Taco Bell even more heavenly...
It was the fresh, almost brand new crayon that caught my attention.
It's name...Bittersweet.
Yep, that was it. Tears filled my eyes. There it was, the perfect word to describe the sweet aching in my heart.
The happy.
The sad.
You blend them together, and you get the goodness that is...
Thanksgiving 2011 exceeded our expectations. All the hours spent cooking, making huge messes, cleaning them up...
They're all rewarding hours.
Last Thursday proved to me, again, how important TIME is. To each and every one of us.
Time allows us to reflect. To evolve. To appreciate.
Time allows us another chance...whether it be to make another batch of muffins...
or to "make a baby."
Time IS a healer if you give it the time to be.
Time builds your confidence.
Time is such a bittersweet gift.
And I'm so very thankful I got to spend Thanksgiving (and the days surrounding it) with such true blessings.
Tuesday's blessings.
Wednesday's blessings.
Babysitting this beautiful little girl.
Thanksgiving blessings.
A visit with our Nani.
Plenty of food to go around...
Let's not forget about the fluffies.
And my favorite of all blessings...
It represents the sweet reward of time.
Friday's blessings.
Sleeping in. Not participating in the never ending lines and crowds at the malls. A day with the Mr.
An unbelievable sunset when and where you least expect it.
A sky that went from this...
To this...
A double dose of Jessica in one week.
Saturday's blessings.
Spending all afternoon with this girl.
Being treated to happy feet, pumpkin coffee and a long lunch.
Being treated to...
There's always much to be thankful for.
Give thanks each day.
I'm so grateful for the blessings in my life. The ones in this post. The ones throughout this blog. The dear and sweet people that have come into my life through this blog.
To all my blessings...
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
"And I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life.
Oh, just to be with you, is having the best day of my life."
Thank You,


text:
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Product carries full 2 year Celestron factory limited warranty (within US/Canada only).


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Friday August 3, 2012 2:45 pm
United's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner interior in pictures
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Features, Transportation
We hit you with the exterior shots of the United Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and now we've got a bunch of images of the inside of the first US-based 787 airplane. We've got images of the cockpit, BusinessFirst class, Economy Plus, Economy, and even the meals and lavatories. Head on over to our United 787 Dreamliner interior gallery to get a look at how the company outfitted its new aircraft. Those multi-course meals look delish, no?
Gallery: United's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner interior in pictures
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Yes, and I am sorry about that. My social/comprehension discussion skills (I have been told I can be overly literal) have been something that I have always struggled with my entire life (largely due to a neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder that I have). I don't mean to be pedantic/redundant in my conversations that is not my intention, I only wish to generate discussion on the series.
Do you think Farnese will vastly improve her magical skills/capabilities on Skellig, I'd like to think its obvious there's a good chance that Schierke will, but how about our newbie witch?
What purpose could Azan serve on the island? He is a capable fighter and obviously can help defend their group, but I don't think Miura would point out that he's accompanying them onto the island unless he had some role to play..... Maybe I'm just over-thinking it.
Hello Maginus, and welcome to our community. If I may issue you a recommendation, I think you will benefit in the future from reading or at least skimming what others have said in a thread before posting your own thoughts. It helps answer questions as well as keep the discussion productive and less redundant.Time does flow on Skellig (the island's name), just differently than from the outside world.Like it was mentioned earlier in the thread, I think it's clear Miura presented things that way so that the place would retain its mystery for the time being.Well we'd already speculated back when the merging occurred that this might happen. Mind you, there were no "magical seals" that kept the astral world and the corporeal world separate. They merged when Ganishka was split open and caused the wave of light to cover the world. Also, while the stones were recently erected to ward off the curious, from what Puck says the strange magical field was already there when he left.We don't know their age. They could even be younger than Schierke. It's also yet to be seen whether they have any assigned role or just happened to be there at the right time. So far the defenses have worked on their own.No, I don't think that's a correct interpretation of what we're shown in this episode. Farnese believes that Guts will leave Casca on the island and then depart, so she doesn't even consider the possibility she will be cured. As for her becoming a "villain", that's groundless and basically impossible at this point. Will there be some drama caused by her feelings for Guts? Sure, if only for her own internal character development. But you're going way too far here.
I think the fight will end soon as these witches/wizards realize these are no ordinary humans. Before that happens though, it'd be neat if the group was overwhelmed. A change of pace for the group and a chance to see what three magic users can do together. ... Or not At for how it ends, maybe someone will recognize Puck, and call the fight off so he can explain things. How do you think Schierke will be regarded by the other magic users?
It could be possible they stop their attack when they see Schierke, a fellow witch.
Like wasn't there some New Years art from 2000/2001 that Miura made that had Azan with Guts' new party (like Schierke was in it but only had her hat shown)?
It's also a nice opportunity for Falconia to age. One thing i ask myself is how we will get to see the coronation of Griffith after this new developemnt. [...] After rereading through some parts in Vritannis, i wonder now how a reunion between Isidro-Mule and Sonia-Schierke would be. The age difference could be kind of akward for them, but who knows.
The magic field was definitely a nice touch, i really like the designs of the scarecrows. Can't wait to see how all of this will look in the volume.
How do you think Schierke will be regarded by the other magic users?
It looks like there's a bit of distance between the three witches/ wizards and Guts & co. It could be possible they stop their attack when they see Schierke, a fellow witch.
I wonder if it is mentioning anything special about berserk ? http://www.younganimal.com/magazine/next.html
I wonder if it is mentioning anything special about berserk ?
The first page will be in color.
Miura's comment is: I was interviewed about Star Wars. It will be published on the website "Everybody's Star Wars" in mid-December.
http://ddnavi.com/news/276358/a/ - is this the interview Aaz?!


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Akhe Abdullah
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Posted: 17 August 2009 at 7:00pm
Ex-wife started Kuwait wedding tent fire that killed 43
A spurned ex-wife started a fire at the second marriage of her former husband which killed 43 women and children, according to police sources in Kuwait.
By Richard Spencer in Dubai
Published: 1:51PM BST 17 Aug 2009
Previous1 of 3 ImagesNext Disaster was worsened by the stampede which took place after the fire took hold Photo: AP
Fire took minutes to consume the wedding tent Photo: AP
The authorities have not released the name of the bride or groom, or said whether the bride survived. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
Maids saw the woman, 23, pouring petrol over the marquee in which the women's celebration was taking place in a town west of Kuwait City.
She was later arrested and made an immediate confession saying she was upset over her "bad treatment" from the groom, who had divorced her.
Colonel Mohamad al-Saber, spokesman for the interior ministry, said: "We have identified the perpetrator, who confessed to committing the crime for personal reasons."
The fire, on Saturday evening, took hold at immense speed, spreading through the flammable upholstered seating and consuming the wedding tent in three minutes.
"There were a couple of hundred women in the tent," Abdullah al-Zafeeri, whose mother and sister are among the injured, told local reporters. "I heard the women screaming. Some children died in the arms of their mothers."
Many of the women and children, who were segregated from the men in separate parties as is conventional for Gulf wedding ceremonies, died after being caught in a stampede for the marquee's only exit.
Rescue services were impeded by the fact that the tent had been erected in a narrow space between residential complexes.
Police were forced to conduct DNA tests on the remains in order to try to identify them. Photographs of the scene showed charred wreckage of tables and chairs, and rows of shoes burned into the ground.
The names of the dead, and of the bride and groom's families, have not been released in accordance with local sensitivities. But local observers said the couple were both members of the extended al-Anzi family, who come from a traditional area of western Kuwait where many Bedouin desert tribes have settled in recent decades.
The bride was said to survived the blaze, since she was still being prepared with make-up and henna and had not yet arrived at the banquet. But her mother and sister were believed to be among the dead. The 23-year-old woman detained over the fire was also said to be an al-Anzi.
The woman has yet to be brought before a court, and her fate is unclear. The death penalty is in force in Kuwait, including for women, although the emirate can offer leniency in the case of mental impairment.
"It all depends on her lawyers and what she tells the court," one source said. "But I think she is bound to get a big sentence, maybe even the death sentence, as the toll is so big. Too many people died."
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La hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.
Edited by abuayisha - 17 August 2009 at 7:24pm
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Asked about her motives for starting the fire, the unidentified 23-year-old woman said that she had wanted to take revenge on her parents-in-law, whom she accused of destroying her marriage. She added that she had argued continually with them, saying they wanted to "burn" her heart by making her ex-husband marry another woman. Asked by the interviewing officers whether she had experienced problems with her husband, she said these problems had increased because of his family, adding that he had begun to bea
Akhe Abdullah
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Salams Abuayisha. A woman scorned,could that be the missing part in marry 2,3or4 but one is best if ye but knew.May Allah give the deceased the best of His Jannah(Ameen
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text:
Transfer News: Crystal Palace sign striker Dwight Gayle from Peterborough United
Crystal Palace have completed the signing of striker Dwight Gayle from Peterborough United for £4.5m.
Last Updated: 03/07/13 5:13pm
The 22-year-old has signed a four-year contract with Palace and is looking forward to working with boss Ian Holloway.
He told the club's official website: "I'm ecstatic really. I just want to get pre-season started now.
"The chance came and I had to grab it because I might not get another chance. To be playing in the Premier League from where I've come from is a big achievement really.
"I'm just really looking forward to it and hopefully I can take the opportunity with both hands and do well.
"Ian Holloway is good manager and for him to point out my talent and my ability is a good feeling. I just hope I can repay him with goals for the club and help them stay in the Premier League.
"He's built a very attacking side, which is what you need really. You need to score goals to win games to keep you up and to win trophies, which he proved last season."
Gayle originally joined Peterborough on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge in November 2012 before making the move permanent for a fee of £500,000 during the January transfer window.
He made a big impact at London Road with 13 goals in 29 appearances but was not able to prevent their relegation to League One.
The transfer to Palace could reportedly be worth up to £8.5m to Peterborough when add-ons are included, while the Daggers stand to net a windfall after inserting a 20 per cent sell-on clause when Gayle moved to Posh.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony tweeted: "Just want to wish Dwight Gayle all the best in scaring the life out of Prem League defenders for Crystal Palace. What a signing for them!
"Also want to say that Palace & their Chairman were different class to deal with & incredibly professional. All the best!"


text:
Thank you Jason for putting together so much interesting material in one short paper. And offering some original insights, or at least positions and analysis, with value-added, that have been dormant in the superficial and "major in the minors" types of discussions that are standard fare in internet discussions and scholastic writing.
It is interesting that you generally agree with Nehemia Gordon against much of the current scholarship, about vav as a v rather than a w sound.
While many points could be considered, including the earlier questions unanswered on the previous Trinitarian Bias thread, and some omissions, let us start with the most basic starting point claim from the paper:Originally Posted by Jameson;n4840470
First, why would this be an admission? (This little slip bewrays a circularity in your approach.)"...most scholars today are quick to admit that the "the exact pronunciation [of יהוה] was forgotten and [its] vocalization is uncertain" and that it "was probably pronounced Yahweh" but that we cannot be sure "since the vowels were forgotten in ancient times"...
This could easily be an error of ignorance or convenience on the part of many scholars. One that would increase their importance and position and status as they go about individually conjecturing their various reconstructions. It is rather heady to be claiming to tell God, the Creator of the Universe, his name!
Putting aside the diffuse Greek evidences, clearly the best place to go for the question of whether the name was actually lost would be to review the Hebraics (including various talmudic and rabbinical and karaite references over the years.)"As we saw before, it is popularly held that the vowels of the Tetragrammaton were lost to history and that we now have mere suggestions in the Greek language of how to pronounce it from momentary mentionings of how people in certain places pronounced it..."
The only direct reference in your paper in this regard seems to be from David Paul Drach, even though a number of additional references were given to you for study. And, with Drach, you were puzzled in our conversations by his assertion that the Jews know the name as Yehovah, stated as a simple fact, having been a rabbi in France in the early 1800s with ultra-solid talmudic and hebraic background. Your experience as a secular Jew in Israel two centuries later is different. Quite understandable. Yet there is no reason to doubt that Drach was in fact relaying his own knowledge and study and background properly.
You did not even include the Zohar references that acknowledge the cholam in the name which has been posted right here on CARM.
As another example, I shared with you from:
Book of the Divine Name, by Eleazar Roke'ach of Worms
Written: 1225 Published: 2004
The book includes a ceremony for transmitting the name, and I gave the English translation of the section as well, from Nehemia.
And I also shared with you another point from Nehemia Gordon, that we have an acceptance of this as an actual event by a world-class Hebraic scholar, an expert on these writings, Joseph Dan (b. 1935). the first incumbent of the Gershom Scholem Chair in Jewish Mysticism at the Hebrew University.Y"Y is the unique honorable and terrifying name... It may only be transmitted to the modest... It may only be transmitted over water... Before the rabbi teaches his disciple, they must wash in water and immerse in 40 se'ah [of water], donning white clothes. They must fast on the day they learn it, standing in water up to their ankles. The rabbi will then open his mouth in awe and sat), "Blessed are you Y"Y, our God, king of the universe. Y"Y, God of Israel, you are one and your name is one. You commanded us to hide your great name, for your name is terrifying. Blessed are you Y"Y, and blessed is your glorious name forever, the honorable and terrifying name, Y"Y our God. ...Blessed are you Y"Y who reveals his secret to those who fear him. The rabbi and bis disciple shall place their eyes upon the water and say), "... The sound of Y"Y upon the waters (Psalms 29:3)..."
"The voice of the LORD is upon the waters"
The obvious question arises"...in this description, Rabbi Eleazar presented a tradition that was practiced in his surroundings and family, and that be may have participated in himself, both as a
disciple and a rabbi..."
Joseph Dan, History of Jewish Mysticism and Esotericism, vol. 6. page 561
- how could one transmit a name that was, you claim, unknown?
There are many Hebraic references that will affirm the opposite of the "admission".
And if that basic, fundamental claim is wrong, then the whole paper must be reconsidered, top to bottom.


text:
My name is Sharon Ojala. I make tree dollhouses and furnishings for Gnomes, mice and other wonderful creatures. My youtube channel is also called, Where The Gnomes Live.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Greg With Video Tutorial
13 comments:
I'm currently making this sitting in my floor by my bed using a magnifying mirror for light, Its almost 2 am. I have a 5 month old who doesn't sleep through the night, and two boys I have to get up and ready for the bus at 6:30, so I SHOULD be sleeping. But I can't put this doll down, I love it so much. Thank you so much for the pattern my boys love the books/movie.ReplyDelete
haha, I hear that! I was doing the same last night getting a gift ready for my niece when I should have been sleeping! This morning came really early, lolReplyDelete
I'm so happy you like the pattern! I do hope you get some rest tonight, I can imagine how tired you must have felt today. Thank you so much for the post, I really appreciate it. All the best to you and your little ones :)
Sharon XO
Made this for my son. One leg turned out longer than the other, but he loves it. Thanks so much for the pattern and the video tutorial.ReplyDeleteReplies
Hello Mellymel! So glad you got a Greg doll made for your son and he loves it even with one leg longer than the other, lolDelete
Thanks for the message!
Hi, I have a 4 year old grand daughter and a one year old grandson...my grand daughter has been asking me for a look alike doll of herself for the past one year, now she wants one of her brother too!!! Your Caroline doll and this one are ideal...cannot wait to get my hands working on them!!! Must go and buy the supplies first...ReplyDeleteReplies
So sorry for the late response! So glad you planned to make the dolls, now I wonder if you did and how everything turned out?Delete
Thanks for the message!
Sharon XO
Çok güzel olmuş Greg'e bayıldım benim oğlumda kitaplarını çok severek okuyor bende hemen bugün malzemelerimi alıp Greg örmeye başlıyorum...ReplyDeleteReplies
teşekkür ederim!Delete
Sharon :)
- AnonymousJune 6, 2012 at 1:38 PM
I am in LOVE with everything you post. I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will be making as many of all of these that I can. OH, the Leather boot is awesome. I will make a few because I will want to keep one and I know my kids and grandkids will want their own. You are amazing.ReplyDelete
Hi Leah! Thanks so much for the awesome comment and I'm so glad you like my blogDelete
Good luck in your crafting adventures, your family is very lucky! Homemade gifts are the best things to give :)
Many, many thanks
Sharon XO
Dear friend,ReplyDelete
I never followed up with you. I completed the Greg doll and my son loved it. I make you a promise that I will finally photograph the ami and send it to you.
- AnonymousOctober 16, 2012 at 1:23 PM
I am just curious as to what size eyes are used for these adorable dolls? I would like to make one for my son and do not want to get the wrong size eyes lol. Very creative! These are amazing. Sincerely, TeshiaReplyDeleteReplies
Hi there, these were buttons because at the time I had no safety eyes but I believe they were between 8mm and 10mm. So sorry, I wish I had a more definite answer for you.Delete


text:
Background Note: Iraq
Official Name: Republic of Iraq
Area: 438,317 sq. km; about twice the size of Idaho.
Cities: Capital–Baghdad (5.7 million, 2004 estimate). Other cities–Basrah, Mosul, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil.
Terrain: Mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in the south with large flooded areas; mountains along the borders with Iran and Turkey.
Climate: Desert, mostly hot and dry.
Nationality: Noun and adjective–Iraqi(s).
Population (July 2011 est.): 30,399,572.
Population growth rate (2011 est.): 2.399%.
Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurd 15%-20%, Turkoman, Chaldean, Assyrian, or others approximately 5%.
Religions: Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%; Sunni 32%-37%), Christian and others approximately 3%.
Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish (official), Turkoman (a Turkish dialect), Assyrian, Armenian.
Education: Years compulsory–primary school (age 6 through grade 6). Literacy (2006 UNESCO est.)–74.1%.
Health: Infant mortality rate–41.68 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy–70.55 yrs.
Type: Parliamentary democracy.
Constitution: October 15, 2005.
Independence: On October 3, 1932, Iraq gained independence from British administration under a League of Nations mandate. Several coups after 1958 resulted in dictatorship, with the Ba'ath Party seizing power in 1963 and again in 1968. From July 1979 to March 2003, Iraq was ruled by Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party. The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) assumed administrative and security responsibility for Iraq following the March-April 2003 overthrow of the regime, while Iraqi political leaders and the Iraqi people established a transitional government. On June 28, 2004, the CPA transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government. A new 4-year, constitutionally based government took office in March 2006, and a new cabinet was installed in May 2006. On June 31, 2009, U.S. troops withdrew from urban areas, a step that reinforced Iraqi sovereignty. On March 7, 2010, Iraq held a second round of national elections to choose the members of the Council of Representatives and, in turn, the executive branch of government.
Branches: Executive–Presidency Council (one president and up to three vice presidents; Council of Ministers (one prime minister, three deputy prime ministers, and 43 cabinet ministers). Legislative–Council of Representatives (COR) consisting of 325 members.Judicial–Supreme Court appointed by the prime minister and confirmed by the Council of Representatives.
Divisions: 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular – muhafazah)–Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Erbil, As Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit. One region–the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Nominal GDP (2010 est.): $82.2 billion.
Nominal GDP per capita (2010 est., PPP): $2,564.
GDP real growth rate (2010 est.): 0.8%.
Rate of inflation (2010 est.): 3.3%.
Unemployment rate (2009 est.): 15.3%.
Budget (2011 est.): Revenues–$69.2 billion; expenditures–$82.6 billion.
Public debt (Dec. 2010 est.): $52 billion to $79 billion.
Natural resources: Oil, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur.
Agriculture: Products–wheat, barley, rice, corn, chickpeas, beans, dates, cotton, sunflowers, cattle, sheep, and chickens.
Industry: Types–petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing.
Trade: Exports (2010 est.)–$50.8 billion; export commodities–crude oil, crude materials excluding fuels, food and live animals. Export partners (2009)–U.S., India, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Netherlands, and Japan. Imports (2010 est.)–$45.2 billion; import commodities–food, medicine, manufactured goods. Import partners (2009)–Turkey, Syria, U.S., China, Jordan, Italy, and Germany.
Iraq is bordered by Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The country slopes from mountains over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft.) above sea level along the border with Iran and Turkey to the remnants of sea-level marshes in the southeast. Much of the land is desert or wasteland. The mountains in the northeast are an extension of the alpine system that runs eastward from the Balkans into southern Turkey, northern Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, terminating in the Himalayas.
Average temperatures range from higher than 48°C (120°F) in July and August to below freezing in January. Most of the rainfall occurs from December through April and averages between 10 and 18 centimeters (4-7 in.) annually. The mountainous region of northern Iraq receives appreciably more precipitation than the central or southern desert region.
Almost 75% of Iraq's population lives in the flat, alluvial plain stretching southeast from Baghdad and Basrah to the Persian Gulf. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers carry about 70 million cubic meters of silt annually to the delta. Known in ancient times as Mesopotamia, the region is the legendary locale of the Garden of Eden. The ruins of Ur, Babylon, and other ancient cities are located in Iraq.
Iraq's two largest ethnic groups are Arabs and Kurds. Other distinct groups include Turkomen, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Armenians. Arabic is the most commonly spoken language. Kurdish is spoken in the north, and English is the most commonly spoken Western language.
The majority (60%-65%) of Iraqi Muslims are members of the Shi'a sect, but there is a large (32%-37%) Sunni population as well, made up of both Arabs and Kurds. Most Kurds are Sunni Muslim but differ from their Arab neighbors in language and customs. Communities of Christians, Mandaeans, and Yezidis also exist. Iraq's once-substantial Jewish community has almost completely disappeared from the country.
In recent years, a large number of Iraqis have been displaced, and there are currently 199,179 Iraqi refugees registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran. UNHCR estimates that approximately 1.5 million Iraqis displaced by sectarian violence following the Samarra Mosque bombing of February 2006 remain internally displaced inside Iraq. For more information on Iraqi refugees, internally displaced persons, and conflict victims, please visit:http://www.state.gov/g/prm/108717.htm.
Once known as Mesopotamia, Iraq was the site of flourishing ancient civilizations, including the Sumerian, Babylonian, and Parthian cultures. Muslims conquered Iraq in the seventh century A.D. In the eighth century, the Abassid caliphate established its capital at Baghdad. The territory of modern Iraq came under the rule of the Ottoman Turks early in the 1500s.
At the end of World War I, Ottoman control ended and Iraq came under the authority of a British mandate. When it was declared independent in 1932, the Hashemite family, a branch of which also ruled Jordan, ruled as a constitutional monarchy. In 1945, Iraq joined the United Nations and became a founding member of the Arab League. In 1956, the Baghdad Pact allied Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, and established its headquarters in Baghdad.
Gen. Abdul Karim Qasim took power in a July 1958 coup, during which King Faysal II and Prime Minister Nuri as-Said were killed. Qasim ended Iraq's membership in the Baghdad Pact in 1959. Qasim was assassinated in February 1963, when the Arab Socialist Renaissance Party (Ba'ath Party) took power under the leadership of Gen. Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr as prime minister and Col. Abdul Salam Arif as president.
Nine months later, Arif led a coup ousting the Ba'ath government. In April 1966, Arif was killed in a plane crash and was succeeded by his brother, Gen. Abdul Rahman Mohammad Arif. On July 17, 1968, a group of Ba'athists and military elements overthrew the Arif regime. Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr reemerged as the President of Iraq and Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC).
In July 1979, Bakr resigned, and his cousin Saddam Hussein, already a key figure in the Ba'ath party and the RCC, assumed the two offices of President and RCC Chairman. The Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) devastated the economy of Iraq. Iraq declared victory in 1988 but actually achieved only a weary return to the pre-war status quo. The war left Iraq with the largest military establishment in the Gulf region but with huge debts and an ongoing rebellion by Kurdish elements in the northern mountains. The government suppressed the rebellion by using chemical and biological weapons on civilian targets, including a mass chemical weapons attack on the Kurdish city of Halabja that killed several thousand civilians.
Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, but a U.S.-led coalition acting under United Nations (UN) resolutions expelled Iraq in February 1991. After the war, Kurds in the north and Shi'a Muslims in the south rebelled against the government of Saddam Hussein. The government responded quickly and with crushing force, killing thousands, and pursued damaging environmental and agricultural policies meant to drain the marshes of the south. As a result, the United States, United Kingdom, and France established protective no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq. Coalition forces enforced no-fly zones in southern and northern Iraq to protect Iraqi citizens from attack by the regime and a no-drive zone in southern Iraq to prevent the regime from massing forces to threaten or again invade Kuwait. In addition, the UN Security Council required the regime to surrender its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and submit to UN inspections. When the regime refused to fully cooperate with the UN inspections, the Security Council passed a series of Chapter VII sanctions to prevent further WMD development and compel Iraqi adherence to international obligations.
Citing Iraq's failure to comply with UN inspections, a U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq in March-April 2003 and removed the Ba'ath regime, leading to the overthrow of the dictator Saddam Hussein. (Following his capture in December 2003 and subsequent trial, Saddam Hussein was executed on December 30, 2006 by the Government of Iraq.) The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) assumed security and administrative responsibility for Iraq while Iraqi political leaders and the Iraqi people established a transitional administration. The CPA's mission was to restore conditions of security and stability and to create conditions in which the Iraqi people could freely determine their own political future. The UN Security Council acknowledged the authority of the Coalition Provisional Authority and provided a role for the UN and other parties to assist in fulfilling these objectives.
The CPA disbanded on June 28, 2004, transferring sovereign authority for governing Iraq to the Iraqi Interim Government (IIG). Based on the timetable laid out in the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), the IIG governed Iraq until elections were held on January 30, 2005; thereafter, the Iraqi Transitional Government assumed authority.
In May 2005, the Iraqi Transitional Government appointed a multi-ethnic committee to draft a new Iraqi constitution. The new constitution was finalized in September 2005, and was ratified in a nationwide referendum on October 15, 2005. On December 15, 2005, Iraqis again went to the polls to participate in the first national legislative elections as established by the new constitution. The new 4-year, constitutionally based government took office in March 2006, and the new cabinet was approved and installed in May 2006. By that time, following the February 2006 bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samara, violence in the country was widespread.
The ongoing violence and instability prompted President George W. Bush to increase troop numbers in Iraq (the "surge" in U.S. forces) in an attempt to improve the security situation and give Iraqi political leaders an opportunity to address the many problems that plagued the Iraqi people. Following the troop increase and adjustments to military strategy, violence declined, thereby providing political space and an improved environment for leaders to make progress on difficult national issues.
In January 2009 two bilateral agreements between the United States and the Government of Iraq took effect: 1) the "Agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq On the Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities During Their Temporary Presence in Iraq" (referred to as the "Security Agreement") governs the presence and status of U.S. forces in Iraq, and addresses the withdrawal of these forces; and, 2) the "Strategic Framework Agreement for a Relationship of Friendship and Cooperation between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq" (referred to as the "Strategic Framework Agreement" or "SFA") sets out a variety of areas and aims for bilateral cooperation and forms the basis for a long-term partnership with the people and Government of Iraq.
On January 31, 2009, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all provinces except the three provinces comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Kirkuk province. On March 7, 2010, Iraq held national elections in which parties competed for positions in the Council of Representatives and the executive branch.
In June 2009, in accordance with the bilateral Security Agreement, U.S. forces withdrew from urban areas in Iraq. On August 31, 2010, President Barack Obama announced the end of major combat operations, the completion of the withdrawal of all U.S. combat brigades, and the transition of the role of the remaining U.S. military force of 50,000 troops to advising and assisting Iraqi security forces. By December 31, 2011, all U.S. military forces will withdraw from the country.
Iraq is a parliamentary democracy with a federal system of government. The 2005 Iraqi constitution guarantees basic rights. The executive branch consists of the Presidency Council (one president and up to three vice presidents) and a Council of Ministers (one prime minister, three deputy prime ministers, and 43 cabinet ministers). The president is the head of state, protecting the constitution and representing the sovereignty and unity of the state, while the prime minister is the direct executive authority and commander in chief. The president and vice presidents are elected by the Council of Representatives. The prime minister is nominated by the president and must be approved by a majority of members of the Council of Representatives. Upon nomination, the prime minister-designate names the members of his cabinet, the Council of Ministers, which is then approved by the Council of Representatives. Subsequently, the prime minister and the new ministers are sworn in. The executive branch serves a 4-year term concurrent with that of the Council of Representatives.
Iraq's legislative branch consists of an elected Council of Representatives (COR). After the 2005 elections, the Council of Representatives consisted of 275 members, each of whom was elected to a 4-year term of service. Following the March 7, 2010 elections, the COR consists of 325 members to reflect an increase in the population of Iraq. At least one-quarter of the members of the Council of Representatives must be female. The responsibilities of the Council of Representatives include enacting federal laws, monitoring the executive branch, and electing the president of the republic.
Iraq's judicial branch is independent, and is under no authority but that of the law. The federal judicial authority comprises the Higher Judicial Council, Federal Supreme Court, Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary Oversight Commission, and other federal courts. The Higher Judicial Council supervises the affairs of the federal judiciary. The Federal Supreme Court has limited jurisdiction related to intra-governmental disputes and constitutional issues. The appellate courts appeal up to the Court of Cassation, the highest court of appeal. The establishment of the federal courts, their types, and methods for judicial appointments are set forth by laws enacted by the Council of Representatives.
Principal Officials of the Iraqi Government
President–Jalal Talabani
Vice Presidents–pending
Prime Minister–Nuri al-Maliki
Deputy Prime Minister–Husayn al-Shahristani
Deputy Prime Minister–Rowsch Nuri Shaways
Deputy Prime Minister–Salih al-Mutlaq
Minister of Defense–pending
Minister of Finance–Rafi al-Issawi
Minister of Foreign Affairs–Hoshyar Mahmud Zebari
Minister of Interior–pending
Minister of Oil–Abd al-Karim al-Luaybi
Recent Elections
On January 31, 2009, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all provinces except for the three provinces comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Kirkuk province.
On March 7, 2010, Iraq held national parliamentary elections based on an open list system that elected the members of the Council of Representatives, who elect the president and approve the executive branch appointments. The Iraqi National Movement coalition led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi won the most seats (91), followed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's State of Law coalition (89 seats), the Kurdish bloc (headed by Kurdistan Democratic Party President Masud Barzani and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan President Jalal Talabani, with a total of 57 seats), the Iraqi National Alliance led by Muqtada al-Sadr (70 seats), and other smaller political and minority parties (18 seats). On November 11, 2010, the Council of Representatives convened to elect Jalal Talabani to another term as President of Iraq. Osama al-Nujayfi of the Iraqi National Movement coalition was elected as Parliament Speaker. On December 21, 2010, the Council of Representatives approved President Talabani's nomination of Nuri al-Maliki for a second term as Prime Minister, as well as a majority of Prime Minister Maliki's Council of Ministers.
Major Political Parties and Organizations and Leaders
Badr Organization [Hadi al-Amiri]; Da'wa al-Islamiya Party [Nuri Kamil al-Maliki]; Goran List [Nowshirwan Mustafa]; Independents Bloc [Husayn al-Shahristani]; Iraqi Front for National Dialogue [Salih al-Mutlaq]; Accord/Withaq [Ayad Allawi]; Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq or ISCI [Ammar Adb al-Aziz al-Hakim]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Mas'oud Barzani]; National Movement of Reform and Development/Al-Hal (Kamil Karem al-Dulaimi]; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal Talabani]; Renewal/Tajdeed List [Tariq al-Hashimi]; Sadrist Trend [Muqtada al-Sadr].
Smaller Parties and Organizations and Leaders
Future Gathering [Rafi' al-Issawi]; Iraqi Islamic Party [Osama al-Tikriti]; Iraqi Justice and Reform Movement [Ajeel al-Yawer]; Iraqi National Congress/INC [Ahmad Chalabi]; Iraqi Turkoman Front [Saad al-Din Mohammed Amen]; Iraqiyoon [Osama al-Nujaifi]; Iraq Unity Alliance [Jawad al-Bulani and Sa'doun al-Dulaimi]; Islamic Virtue Party/Al-Fadilah [Hashim al-Hashimi]; Kurdistan Islamic Union [Salah ad-Din Muhammad Baha al-Din]; Kurdistan Islamic Group [Ali Bapir]; Life Current [Eskandar Witwit]; National Reform Current [Ibrahim al-Ja'afari]; Sons of Rafidain [Salam al-Zowba'e].
Minority Parties and Organizations and Leaders
Rafidan List/Assyrian Democratic Movement [Younadam Kanna]; Assyrian Chaldean Syriac People's Council [Khalis Estepho]; Shabak [Jamshed al-Shabaki]; Yezedi [Ameen Jejjo]; Sabi'/Manda'i [Khalid al-Roomi].
Historically, Iraq's economy was characterized by heavy dependence on oil exports and emphasis on development through central planning. Prior to the outbreak of the war with Iran in September 1980, Iraq's economic prospects were bright. Oil production had reached a level of 3.5 million barrels per day, and oil revenues were $21 billion in 1979 and $27 billion in 1980. At the outbreak of the war, Iraq had amassed an estimated $35 billion in foreign exchange reserves.
The Iran-Iraq war depleted Iraq's foreign exchange reserves, devastated its economy, and left the country saddled with foreign debt of more than $40 billion. However, after hostilities ceased in August 1988, oil exports gradually began to increase, with the construction of new pipelines and the restoration of damaged facilities. But Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international sanctions, damage from military action by an international coalition in January and February of 1991, and neglect of infrastructure devastated Iraq's economy again. Government policies that diverted government income to key supporters of the regime and sustained a large military and internal-security force further impaired the economy and left the typical Iraqi facing desperate hardships.
The UN created the Oil-for-Food (OFF) program in April 1995 (UN Security Council Resolution 986) as a temporary measure to provide for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people because of the effect of the continued sanctions regime. The OFF authorized nations to allow the importation of petroleum and petroleum products from Iraq worth $1 billion dollars (U.S.) every 90 days. The Security Council directed the Secretary General to create an escrow account that would hold the proceeds from the sales of oil, and allow Iraq to purchase food, medical supplies, and other goods for essential civilian needs. Although GDP fell in 2001 and 2002, largely as a result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices, per capita food imports increased and medical supplies and health care services improved. However, the military action of the U.S.-led coalition from March to April 2003 disrupted the central economic administrative structure. Since then, the rebuilding and enhancement of oil and utilities infrastructure and other production capacities has proceeded steadily, despite attacks on key economic facilities and internal security incidents. Iraq is now making progress toward establishing the laws and institutions needed to make and implement economic policy.
Iraq's economy remains dominated by the oil sector, which currently provides about 90% of foreign exchange earnings. Oil production currently averages about 2.5 million barrels per day, of which about 2.0 million barrels per day are exported. Following two successful oil bid rounds in 2009, the Iraqi Government has plans to dramatically increase production and export capacity over the next decade. The government must overcome some significant financial, technical, and infrastructure constraints to achieve stated goals, however.
Iraq is seeking to pass and implement laws to strengthen the economy, including a hydrocarbon law that encourages development of the oil and gas sector and a revenue sharing law that equitably divides oil and gas revenues among the central government, the provinces, and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Implementing structural reforms, such as bank restructuring and private sector development, while simultaneously reducing corruption, will be key to Iraq's economic growth.
Foreign assistance has been an integral component of Iraq's reconstruction efforts since 2003. At a donors' conference in Madrid in October 2003, more than $33 billion was pledged to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq. Following that conference, the UN and the World Bank launched the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) to administer and disburse about $1.7 billion of those funds. The rest of the assistance is being disbursed bilaterally. Since 2003, international donors have pledged about $18 billion in financial and technical assistance, soft loans or potential loan facilities, and trade finance. International donors have exceeded their combined pledges for grants and technical assistance, totaling about $6.5 billion, by more than $1.3 billion. Total soft loan pledges amount to about $12.8 billion, of which $6.5 billion has been committed. Japan is the leading soft loan contributor, having committed nearly $3.3 billion to projects around Iraq. New programs approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank will substantially close the gap between soft-loan pledges and commitments.
In February 2010, the IMF and World Bank approved $3.6 billion and $250 million of support to Iraq, respectively. Both programs are focused on helping the Iraqi Government maintain macroeconomic stability and mitigate Iraq's vulnerability to external shocks due to volatility in global oil markets. The Iraqi Government has worked closely with both institutions since 2003, including the December 2008 completion of an IMF Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), after which Iraq received the balance of the Paris Club's 80% debt reduction.
U.S. foreign assistance to Iraq since 2003 has totaled $58 billion. The bulk of this assistance has gone toward reconstruction and security. The focus of U.S. foreign assistance in recent years has shifted from bricks-and-mortar reconstruction to technical assistance and capacity building. The U.S. Government is working with the Iraqi Government to build political, economic, rule of law, and civil society institutions throughout Iraq.
Agriculture is Iraq's second-largest economic sector (after the oil sector), producing about 12% of GDP, and the second-largest source of jobs (after the public sector), employing at least 15% of the labor force. However, despite its abundant land and water resources, Iraq is a net food importer. Obstacles to agricultural development, most of which existed prior to the removal of the Ba'ath regime in 2003, include government policies and subsidies that distort the market and undermine productivity and competition; outdated technology in plant and animal genetics, fertilizers, irrigation and drainage systems, and farm equipment; inadequate and unstable electricity; degradation of irrigation-management systems; insufficient credit and private capital; and inadequate market information and networks. In addition, the policy of the Ba'ath regime to destroy the "Marsh Arab" culture by draining the southern marshes and introducing irrigated farming to the region destroyed a natural food-producing area, while concentration of salts and minerals in the soil due to the draining left the land unsuitable for agriculture. Assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other international partners since 2003 has helped Iraq begin the necessary improvements. Current U.S. efforts are focused primarily on helping Iraq transition to a private sector-driven agricultural system.
The United Nations imposed economic sanctions on Iraq after it invaded Kuwait in 1990. Under the Oil-for-Food program, Iraq was allowed to export oil and use the proceeds to purchase goods for essential civilian needs, including food, medicine, and infrastructure-repair parts. With the lifting of UN sanctions after the Ba'ath regime was removed in 2003, Iraq is gradually resuming trade relations with the international community, including the United States. The United States designated Iraq as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program in September 2004. Iraq was granted observer status at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in February 2004, and began its WTO accession process in December 2004. Iraq has participated in two Working Party meetings as part of the accession process, one on May 25, 2007, and the other on April 2, 2008. During this long-term process, Iraq must align its trade regime with the rules-based, multilateral international trade system. Through USAID technical assistance, the United States is continuing to support Iraq's accession to the WTO. Completion of the requirements for WTO membership will help Iraq establish a proven framework for fostering a more stable and transparent economy that will encourage both domestic and foreign investment.
The Iran-Iraq war ended with Iraq sustaining the largest military structure in the Middle East, with more than 70 divisions in its army and an air force of over 700 modern aircraft. Losses during the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and subsequent expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991 by a UN coalition resulted in the reduction of Iraq's ground forces to 23 divisions and air force to less than 300 aircraft.
In April 2003, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) officially dissolved the Iraqi military and Ministry of Defense. On August 7, 2003, the CPA established the New Iraqi Army as the first step toward the creation of the national self-defense force of post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. The U.S. Forces-Iraq (Advise and Train–A&T) Command currently trains and equips Iraq's security forces. The Ministry of Interior, with the help of A&T, is training and equipping civilian police forces to establish security, stability, and overall policy primacy for Iraq's internal defenses. Initially under the command and control of the Multi-National Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) Command, in 2006 police and Iraqi Army units began to transition to Iraqi control. By November 2007, all of the original 10 Iraq Army divisions had completed the transfer to Iraq Ground Forces Command. The process of transferring provinces to Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) began in July 2007, when Muthanna became the first province where Iraqi security forces took the leading role of security in a province. By December 31, 2008, all provinces had transferred to PIC. U.S. forces remained in Iraq under a UN Security Council mandate until December 31, 2008, and under the bilateral Security Agreement thereafter, continuing to provide security and support to the freely elected government. On June 31, 2009, U.S. forces withdrew from Iraqi cities, villages, and localities, in accordance with the Security Agreement. By August 31, 2010, U.S. forces had drawn down to 50,000 troops in Iraq, whose mission transitioned from combat operations to the conduct of stability and support operations through continued advising, training, and assistance to the Iraqi security forces.
With the fall of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath regime, Iraq has taken steps toward re-engagement on the international stage. Iraq currently has diplomatic representation in 54 countries around the world, including three permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, and the Arab League in Cairo. Forty-three nations have diplomatic representation in Iraq.
The Republic of Iraq belongs to the following international organizations: United Nations (UN); Arab League (AL); World Bank (WB); International Monetary Fund (IMF); International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Nonaligned Movement (NAM); Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC); Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); Interpol; World Health Organization (WHO); G-19; G-77; Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA); Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD, suspended); Arab Monetary Fund (AMF); Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU); Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD); International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); International Community for Radionuclide Metrology (ICRM); International Development Association (IDA); International Development Bank (IDB); International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); International Finance Corporation (IFC); International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS); International Labor Organization (ILO); International Maritime Organization (IMO); International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); International Organization for Standardization (ISO); International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO); International Telecommunication Union (ITU); Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC); Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA); United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA); United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); Universal Postal Union (UPU); World Customs Organization (WCO); World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU); World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); World Meteorological Organization (WMO); World Trade Organization (WTO) observer.
The goal of United States policy is the emergence of an Iraq that is sovereign, stable, and self-reliant. U.S. policy promotes a just, representative, and accountable Iraqi government. The Security Agreement and the Strategic Framework Agreement provide the basis for the development of U.S.-Iraq relations. When announcing the timeline for withdrawing American combat forces from Iraq, President Obama emphasized that the long-term solution to Iraq's problems must be political and that decisions about the country's future must be made by the Iraqis themselves. On August 31, 2010, the United States completed withdrawal of combat brigades in accordance with President Obama's timeline. The remaining U.S. forces (approximately 50,000 troops) will advise and assist in training and equipping Iraqi security forces, and will withdraw by the end of 2011 in accordance with the terms of the Security Agreement.
U.S. Embassy–Baghdad
Ambassador–James F. Jeffrey
Embassy website: http://iraq.usembassy.gov/
American travelers must apply for a visa prior to travel to Iraq. The visa application, application process, and further information can be found on the Iraqi Embassy's website athttp://www.iraqiembassy.us/consular-services-2/.
Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, Trip Registration
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program advises Americans traveling and residing abroad through Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings. Country Specific Information exists for all countries and includes information on entry and exit requirements, currency regulations, health conditions, safety and security, crime, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Travel Alerts are issued to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country because the situation is dangerous or unstable.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site athttp://travel.state.gov, where current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found. The travel.state.gov website also includes information aboutpassports, tips for planning a safe trip abroad and more. More travel-related information also is available at http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.
The Department's Smart Traveler app for U.S. travelers going abroad provides easy access to the frequently updated official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more that appear on the travel.state.gov site. Travelers can also set up e-tineraries to keep track of arrival and departure dates and make notes about upcoming trips. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (requires iOS 4.0 or later).
The Department of State encourages all U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad to register via the State Department's travel registration website or at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate abroad (a link to the registration page is also available through the Smart Traveler app). Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency and will enable you to receive up-to-date information on security conditions.
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada.
The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4-USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778); TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793. Passport information is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. You may speak with a representative Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Health Information
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) and a web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. The CDC publication "Health Information for International Travel" can be found at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentYellowBook.aspx.
More Electronic Information
Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://www.state.gov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including more Background Notes, the Department's daily press briefingsalong with the directory of key officers of Foreign Service posts and more. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides security information and regional news that impact U.S. companies working abroad through its website http://www.osac.gov
Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance and market information offered by the federal government and provides trade leads, free export counseling, help with the export process, and more.
Mobile Sources. Background Notes are available on mobile devices athttp://m.state.gov/mc36882.htm, or use the QR code below.
In addition, a mobile version of the Department's http://www.state.gov website is available at http://m.state.gov, or use the QR code below. Included on this site are Top Stories, remarks and speeches by Secretary Clinton, Daily Press Briefings, Country Information, and more.