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Skip to comments.Federal Agent says Approvals are SOP for Operations that Break Laws(Gunwalker)
Posted on 08/10/2012 8:31:09 AM PDT by marktwain
The only things we know for certain about ATFs disastrous Fast and Furious operation so far are: thousands of firearms were secreted into Mexico by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) without the Mexican governments knowledge; hundreds of Mexicans and one US Border Patrol agent were killed by these guns; Attorney General Eric Holder has lied before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee about his involvement in the operation, and President Barack Obama has invoked Executive Privilege to keep Fast and Furious documents hidden. All of this under the most corrupt administration since Warren G. Harding.
What does it take to put together an operation such as Fast and Furious and who would necessarily have to be involved? A fully credentialed law enforcement officer and former undercover operative for ATF and US Customs, Mike Downie provides an insiders view for TGM.
Depending on which agency youre working, for an operation such as Fast and Furious is either called a Class 1 or Group 1 undercover operation, informs Downie. Any time the number one comes into play there is a special committee that has to approve it before it can be worked. As soon as a Group 1 operation is approved, it is assigned an assistant US attorney (AUSA). As for an operation such as Fast and Furious where laws were broken and regulations ignored, there are exceptions that allow for it.
You can get permission to break the rules but each time it has to be approved, explains Downie. The AUSA takes it up to his boss for approval. As for Fast and Furious, I am positive at that level with those kinds of weapons request for permission had to go right up to the Attorney General. And anyone thats ever worked a Group 1 op will tell you that it takes a lot of planning and paperwork. First, you have to write an ops plan.
Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Downie was working an undercover operation known as Operation Leatherneck with US Customs Special Agent Frank Caliendo. This was basically a sting operation to catch several US citizens attempting to illegally bring into the US millions of dollars worth of firearms out of Vietnam. At the time, the US had no real trade agreements with Vietnam and the importation of firearms from that country would have violated the Trading with the Enemy Act.
When we wrote the plan for Leatherneck we submitted it to our bosses in Cleveland, then it had to be kicked up to Chicago and then up to the undercover committee. Each agency has an undercover committee. Every one that I was ever exposed to had members of the undercover committee from other agencies so that everybody stayed on the same page. The amount of paperwork involved in a Group 1 operation is unbelievable. As for Fast and Furious, Downie states, There is no way a special agent in charge (SAC) in Phoenix or whoever they are blaming this week just said okay Im going to do this undercover and Im going to walk 2,000 guns over into Mexico.
A major problem with Fast and Furious and what contrasts it from a similar operation known as Wide Receiver under the Bush administration is control. Innocent people died via Fast and Furious because ATF chose not to control the weapons it secreted across the border. Downie remembers, The last terrorism case I did involved a deal where I was going to sell 100 AK rifles to a bad guy. The AKs were never going to leave our control. And we still had to have all kinds of extra paperwork and we had to make sure the AKs were not operable. Concerning Fast and Furious, Downie observes, As soon as it became obvious that there was going to be border involvement, they had to have notified Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). If you notice the television footage they run all of the time theres a rifle laying on a table with a Customs blue table cloth cover. So, ICE had to be up to its neck in this thing. To me, it was Leatherneck all over again. I respect the ATF agent who blew the whistle on Fast and Furious and Im sure his career is finished. And the bosses are doing the same thing they did with Frank and me saying that he doesnt know what hes talking about and hes crazy. ATF Special Agent John Dodson first blew the whistle on Fast and Furious in February 2011when he revealed ATF was running guns to Mexican cartels.
In May 2010, Dodson warned his supervisors that supplying Mexican drug dealers with firearms was going to get American law enforcement officers killed as well as any number of Mexicans. Dodson told Fox News, So, they cant claim that was an unforeseen consequence. According to Dodson, his former chain of command filed a complaint against him for lying and he remains on leave, stuck in a professional limbo by the claims against him.
It is to the governments advantage to retaliate against Dodson because it keeps the attention away from the individuals who actually kept Fast and Furious running even after the guns were known to have been used in multiple killings. Says Downie, Im sure thats why they dont want those papers to come out because somebody had to sign off on them. Then add to that no tracking in place. ATF didnt notify Mexico that they were letting these guns into their country. When you orchestrate sneaking weapons into another country, thats no less than act of war. Group 1 operations are important enough to warrant constant monitoring and supervision. It is obvious now that ATFs operation lacked both monitoring and supervision of any kind. Once one of these operations is approved, you are monitored hourly as to what youre doing, explains Downie.
Ultimately, the way they should have been monitoring Fast and Furious, the Assistant US Attorney in charge of the project would have been listening to and making transcripts of every tape on every contact made. That would include telephone and personal meetings and, whatever else has to be taped. Nowadays, that would also include copies of e-mails, Internet sites, tweets, etc. Its this lack of tapes that doesnt make sense. On Leatherneck, and we didnt get as far as we should have, we made over 9,000 tapes. And again, we werent moving or monitoring thousands of guns. With Fast and Furious, there should be thousands of tapes, e-mails, tweets and website tracks. It has been suggested by some in the responsible media and among law abiding gunowners that Fast and Furious was not about stopping illegal weapon trafficking or putting a stop to drug cartel violence, but that it was an effort to discredit the entire firearms industry and the public it serves. A high death toll as a result of ATF covertly supplied illegal weapons is a perfect public relations ploy to enact a slew of gun control measures on a duped public.
The rules at all of the agencies have always been the same, never worry about money, reveals Downie, Let all the money in the world walk. Money doesnt mean anything, its just a commodity. You dont let drugs walk and you dont let weapons walk. With the FBI, and to some degree Customs, if there ever was a threat of anyone getting hurt, you could literally get a whole operation shut down. You know ATF had to have heard of the hundreds of Hispanics being murdered. After two or three died as a result of Fast and Furious, they should have shut the operation down. But they let it run.
Thats why I have to believe, knowing what I know about the other side, they let it ride as an excuse to re-write the Gun Control Act of 68. Downie explains, All of these Group 1 operations are run the same way and there had to be an undercover committee somewhere and sitting on that undercover committee would be somebody from the US State Department because they were crossing the US border. You would have had Department of Justice there, ICE, Homeland Security, and you would probably have had some FBI involvement.
The Arms Export Control Act is still in place. There should have been some military personnel sitting in on the undercover committee, too. They broke every rule that was written about special ops. The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) of 1976 gives the President the authority to control the import and export of defense weapons. It requires governments that receive weapons from the US to use them for legitimate selfdefense.
The Act also places certain restrictions on American arms traders and manufacturers. When the President is aware of the possibility of violations of the AECA, the law requires a report to Congress on the potential violations. Obama not only ignored his responsibility to have a report sent to Congress, his invocation of Executive Privilege puts him in direct violation of the AECA.
There had to be reports, there had to be formation of an undercover committee to clear Operation Fast and Furious and somebody would have had to have written a very detailed ops plan to be submitted to the committee. Holders contention that he was not briefed on Fast and Furious and had no inkling of a Group 1 committee defies credibility.
It is quite conceivable that the final approval for Fast and Furious may have gone as high as the Oval Office.
Im surprised that the Border Patrol isnt making more noise since it was one of their own that was killed, says Downie. But then again, thats what were all asking.
Gunwalker / Murdergate ping.
The Romney campaign should be tying the corpses of 200 dead Mexican citizens and Agent Terry around Obama's neck every single day from now until November.
The fact that they're not tells me they have idiots in charge of the campaign.
This account is perfectly logical. This wasn't a rogue operation. Holder, Clinton and Obama were all in the loop.
This guy would be on 60 minutes this weekend if it were a GOP President you had pulled this operation.
Romney should make a statement that his administration will continue the investigation of Fast and Furious and prosecute everyone who participated.
The only thing about this operation that was a failure was the slightly inconvenient fact that they got caught doing it!
The folks working with Zero and Holder knew what F&F was for and the all had to keep some "distance" for "Plausible Deniablity". That is all one needs to know. That ALONE tells you the gummint has become a crminal enterprise.
I abandoned the alleged "article" in the first sentence. If you don't know what the verb "secrete" means, but can't come up with enough ambition to exercise a dictionary, kindly don't expect me to waste time listening to you.
Secret is probably more correct than give or issue; perhaps release would have been better, as the government ordered the gun shops to release the guns to the cartel straw buyers.
Mexican Drug Cartel Used "Fast and Furious" Gun in Failed Assassination Plot
Posted on August 10, 2012
Just when you think the news about the disastrous "Fast and Furious" gun-walking operation can't possibly get any worse, a U.S. government report has disclosed that Mexican drug cartel operatives used a firearm from the infamous scheme in a failed attempt to assassinate a high-ranking Mexican law enforcement official.
According to a recent Daily Caller article, the gun "was seized in Tijuana in connection with a drug cartel's conspiracy to kill the police chief of Tijuana, Baja California, who later became the Juárez police chief."
An August 6, El Paso Times article gives further details:
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Does Yankees' Rafael Soriano Deserve to Be a 2012 AL All-Star?June 26, 2012
Twelve months ago, no one could have foreseen the present Yankee bullpen before us.
After recording his best year in the majors, Rafael Soriano swapped AL East uniforms and joined the Yankees in 2011. His 45 saves in 2010 with Tampa had catapulted him into a setup role and a lucrative $35 million contract.
Much was expected from the 32-year-old, even if general manager Brian Cashman wasn't fully on board. "I didn't recommend it," he curtly explained at Soriano's press conference.
As for the 2011 season, Cashman looked like a soothsayer of the highest power.
In a rather short amount of time, Soriano managed to pitch ineffectively, call out his new teammates and set up shop on the disabled list. To make matters worse, his excruciatingly bad body language did nothing to gain sympathy from an already frustrated fanbase.
At season's end, he finished with a 4.12 ERA, an all-around disappointing freshman year with the Bombers.
In an eerie twist of fate, Soriano has managed to put the first year disappointment behind him. When Mariano Rivera tore his ACL in Kansas City with a freak pregame injury, the Yanks had to choose between David Robertson and Soriano. However, the eventual answer became even clearer when Robertson hit the DL with a strained ribcage.
It was time to respond to the sea of naysayers.
So far, the right-handed closer is answering the call.
Since officially taking over Rivera's big shoes, Soriano has blown just one save in 15 opportunities. His ERA of 1.65 is not the best in the American League, but it stands shoulder to shoulder in the Top Four. Even more impressive, the right-hander has given up only five earned runs in 27.1 innings.
So will he be joining the game's elite in Kansas City on July 10?
He certainly has a favorable shot, but only Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington knows for sure. Because pitchers aren't voted on by the fans, no one exactly knows the answer except for the manager of the defending American League champs.
In the 2011 All-Star Game, there were nine relief pitchers selected for the American League. If the quirky Rangers manager is a creature of habit, Soriano will be wearing his Yankee grays at baseball's summer classic.
But regardless if he is one of the chosen few, his contribution to the club in the first half cannot be understated. Suggesting he would be in this spot 12 months ago would be an aberrational statement met with a chorus laughter.
Now, Rafael Soriano is the one laughing, perhaps all the way to the All-Star Game.

subset: commoncrawl


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Rider: Josh Dirksen
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Wing Chun is a close range combat martial arts style that is extremely practical. Learn more about by visting our Wing Chun Resource Center!
History of Wing Chun Kung Fu
The History of Wing Chun can be traced back to the Ching dynasty, over 275 years ago. The Manchus, who made up about 10% of the population, ruled the Hans and created many restrictions to keep them dependent on the small ruling class. Through the years, however, the Manchus gradually began to accept the Han culture and to respect the Sil Lum (Shaolin) Temple as a place of worship and sanctuary. Even so, to repress the Hans, the Manchus banned all weapons and martial arts training. Secretly the Hans began organizing rebel groups within the Sil Lum Temple.
Because the classical animal styles of kung fu took 15 to 20 years to master, it was necessary to develop a new style that would enable students to become proficient fighters in a much shorter time span. As the Manchu soldiers were often trained in classical kung fu styles, it was important that this new style be designed to be effective in neutralizing the existing techniques. Five kung fu masters pooled the knowledge of their own respective styles in order to come up with a new, more economical style, utilizing only the most effective methods of combat from each. What these five kung fu masters developed would create an efficient martial artist in only 3 to 5 years.
Before they could teach anyone the new style, a traitor within the temple opened the gates for the Manchu soldiers and the temple was burned to the ground. Only one master, a Sil Lum nun named Ng Mui, escaped. She later passed her knowledge on to a young orphan girl, who she named Yim Wing Chun (Beautiful Springtime) and who shared this knowledge with her husband, Leung Bok Cho. Through the years, the style became known as Wing Chun kung fu.


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There were those who thought Bishop Montgomery boys basketball would be in rebuilding mode this season. They lost eight seniors from a 32-2 team and returned only two players who played meaningful minutes.
"It was going to be a weird year," said Justin Bibbins, the lone senior on this year's team. "I didn't know how it would turn out, but I knew this team was special."
The Knights were small, unproven and not expected to win the Del Rey League, much less be a factor in the state regional tournament.
But here they are, preparing to face Moreau Catholic of Hayward on Saturday in the Division IV state final at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.
Last year's team won neither a CIF divisional nor regional title. This year's squad was supposed to be too young and inexperienced but they still won the Southern California Division IV regional championship.
Head coach Doug Mitchell spared his team no favors by giving them a tough schedule that included John Bosco, which will play in the Division II state title game, El Camino Real and Westchester, the finalists for the City Section Division I championship. Another opponent was Long Beach Poly, the Division I-AA champion.
"You play a schedule like this so you're prepared," Mitchell said."That's what hurt last year's team a little bit. We didn't have a really tough game for the longest time until playoffs,"
Bishop Montgomery faced 16 teams that made the state playoffs. All six of its losses were to teams that made the Southern Section Open Division.
"It taught us to play on the road in different gyms as well as sticking to our game plan," Bibbins said.
The Knights' young players, as it turned out, grew up quickly.
Ethan Thompson hit big shots in a win over Westchester to win the Trevor Ariza Tip-Off Classic. In the Mission Prep Christmas Classic, Bibbins was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after posting a triple-double in a win over Crespi in the final.
"You don't think the focus would be there with a young team but they played every game like it was their last," he said.
The Knights did struggle in a loss to Redondo in December, and they were beaten JW North of Riverside, rival Serra and Compton in the span of a week in January.
The rematch with Serra was another story.
"Guys weren't nervous this time," Bibbins said, "Everyone played relaxed."
Blake Miles had a solid game along with Stephen Thompson, who had 31 points. It not only clinched a tie for the Del Rey League but propelled the Knights into the Open Division where they met Chino Hills.
Chino Hills prevailed, but the game was another test for the Knights, most of whom had not been in that type of atmosphere.
"I'm happy we experienced that loss because we learned a lot about ourselves and how to improve," Bibbins said.
The Knights did not lose again until the finals of the Open Division consolation bracket to Sierra Canyon. They beat St. John Bosco on the way and regained some of the confidence that had been missing since the season started. When they faced Serra a third time in the regional playoffs, the Knights were ready.
Sophomores Matthew Mondesir and Morgan Means came off the bench to play good defense against Serra guard Jason Richardson.
Against Cantwell-Sacred Heart, fellow sophomore Abdul Sheriff had key contributions along with Miles and Christian Oshita, who held their own against Cantwell's frontcourt.
For all the critics who said the Knights are a two-man team, the season has watched their young players develop into major contributors. That could prove essential in t heir quest for the school's first state title since 2001.
"They're a much more confident team now," Mitchell said.


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La Toya Jackson Calls For Family Truceby Free Britney at . Comments
La Toya Jackson is calling for a truce in the bizarre saga involving her famous family. She's asking that her siblings stop airing the family's dirty laundry in public.
Janet, Jermaine, Rebbie and Randy Jackson have all weighed in on the custody battle surrounding their mother, Katherine, and Michael Jackson's three children.
La Toya is calling on all parties, regardless of which side, to come together and sort it out sensibly - and behind closed doors, away from celebrity gossip sites.
Also weighing in on the debacle is Michael's disgraced doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, who reached out to the maligned Katherine Jackson, 82, from prison.
The man found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of her son has invited Katherine for a jailhouse talk "to answer any questions she may have."
Meanwhile, Katherine, whose whereabouts were undetermined for a brief period, was finally able to meet with her attorney, Perry Sanders, on Thursday night.
Sanders, who was denied access to the matriarch days earlier, plans to have Katherine's custody of Michael's three children reinstated as soon as possible.
Since her grandmother's return, Paris Jackson, 14, has been sending late-night tweets, raising red flags about the toll this stressful situation is taking.
[Photo: WENN.com]


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Officials worked Thursday afternoon to activate a highway warning system at a South Lubbock County intersection following a fatal crash the day before.
The Texas Department of Transportation also planned additional improvements - rumble strips - for the near future on U.S. 87 near Woodrow Road after the three-vehicle crash that left a tractor-trailer driver dead.
The crash was the second smash-up in a day near the intersection and came just a month after the Texas Department of Transportation installed signal lights at the intersection.
Lights and other safety features, including warning signs near the intersection, were installed at a cost of more than $500,000 in late February to improve safety conditions at what has for years been considered a dangerous intersection.
But the intersection's Advanced Warning End-of-Green system - blinking lights and traffic sensors designed to notify US 87 motorists of the approaching traffic signal - had not been activated by the time of the fatal crash Wednesday, said Dianah Ascencio, a spokeswoman for TxDOT.
The Texas Transportation Institute, the state entity in charge of activating the system, for weeks had been scheduled to activate the system Thursday, Ascencio said.
The blinking lights of the Advanced Warning system had been covered in black plastic and were not activated during the traffic signals' first month in operation.
Texas Transportation Institute officials by Thursday afternoon were at the intersection activating the new system, Ascencio said.
Following Wednesday's fatal crash, TxDOT officials evaluated the intersection and decided to add 14 sets of rumble strips along U.S. 87 within the next few weeks, she said.
The strips will be placed along the highway 800 and 1,500 feet before the intersection and will cost about $3,000.
Wednesday's crash happened when a northbound tractor trailer collided with the back of another northbound tractor trailer that was stopped at a red light in the left lane of U.S. 87 at Woodrow Road, said Cpl. John Gonzalez with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Investigators believe the rear tractor trailer, after hitting the trailer of the front tractor trailer, collided with the back end of an SUV that was stopped in the right, northbound lane of the highway.
The SUV was thrown to the roadside ditch just north of the intersection.
Several people were hospitalized, including one man who was airlifted by AeroCare and later died, following the crash about 2:25 p.m. Wednesday on U.S. 87 near Woodrow Road.
Jorge Orlando Santos, 45, of Houston, was pronounced dead at University Medical Center about 4 p.m. Wednesday after he was airlifted to the hospital.
Three other people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.


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Solar Reading Lights
Purpose-Built Solar Reading Light Designed at UC Santa Barbara
1.5 billion people do not have direct access to electricity and rely on kerosene, candles or firewood for lighting. Lack of suitable home lighting is directly linked to illiteracy, poverty and heath problems. Too many children are burned or impacted by house fires linked to lighting. Lighting should be safe, clean and affordable to all.
The Unite-to-Light project started with a visit from Pastor Kofi Fosuhene and Osei Darkwa to Santa Barbara. They explained that many people in Africa, who rely on kerosene
for reading, suffer health problems and financial hardship. Aware of the work done at UCSB's Institute for Energy Efficiency on high-efficiency LED lights and high-efficiency solar cells, Fosuhene and Darkwa asked if the Institute could design an affordable reading light. Although many solar powered flashlights are available, they were interested in reading lights because of the problems related to children and education, a focus for both men. With assistance from Engineers without Borders, John Bowers, David Schmidt, Norm Gardner and Jock Bovington set about to solve this problem. After going through several designs, the first samples were sent to Ghana and met with great enthusiasm. Unite to Light is now engaging with other organizations to supply solar-based lighting to the developing world.
For more information visit www.unite-to-light.org


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Charles Mann Award for Applied Raman Spectroscopy
The Charles Mann Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated advancement(s) at a conference presented by FACSS in the field of applied Raman Spectroscopy and/or demonstrated dedication to the advancement of the Raman spectroscopy program at a conference presented by FACSS and/or the ASTM Raman subcommittee.
2017 FACSS Charles Mann Award for Raman Spectroscopy Recipient
Duncan Graham, University of Strathclyde
Duncan Graham is the Research Professor of Chemistry and Head of Department for Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. He obtained his BSc Honours in Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh in 1992 and his PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry in 1996 under the direction of Prof. Tom Brown investigating the use of modified oligonucleotides to inhibit HIV. He then moved to the University of Strathclyde where he joined the group of Prof. Ewen Smith as a postdoctoral fellow to examine the use of surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) for DNA analysis with Zeneca Diagnostics. Breakthroughs during that period of research lead to the award of a five-year David Phillips fellowship from the BBSRC to examine the area of DNA analysis by SERRS. In 2002 he won the RSC's Analytical Grand Prix Fellowship which provided funding for another period of five years to further develop his chosen area of using synthetic chemistry to create and develop new methods of bioanalysis using optical spectroscopy. In 2004 he was awarded the SAC Silver medal for the 'Innovative synthesis of new analytical reagents for sensitive and selective analysis' and in 2005 he was presented with the Nexxus Young Life Scientist of Year award. In 2007 he was elected to the fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (Scotland's National Academy) and is a cofounder and director of Renishaw Diagnostics Ltd (formerly D3 Technologies Ltd) which formed in 2007. He has published over 200 papers with 16 patents and has supervised or co-supervised over 55 PhD students and 30 postdoctoral researchers. He was appointed as a lecturer in 2002 and promoted to professor in 2004. He was awarded the Corday Morgan prize of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2009 for 'outstanding and pioneering contributions to nanometrology in support of molecular manipulation and chemical and biological systems' and a Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award in 2010. In 2012 he was awarded the Craver Award of the Coblentz Society 'in recognition of his pioneering work in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to generate ultra-sensitive and highly selective methods of detection for a range of analytes, especially bio-analytical targets' and a Fellows Award from the Society of Applied Spectroscopy. In 2016 he was recipient of the RSC's Theophilus Redwood award for 'innovation and leadership in exploiting surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy in the analytical community.' He is chair of the editorial board of Analyst and serves on the advisory boards of Chemical Society Reviews, Chemical Science, Analytical Methods, Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, Journal of Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging and the new Cell press journal, Chem. He is president elect of the analytical division of the Royal Society of Chemistry, assuming the presidency in July 2017 and represents the RSC on the FACSS governing board. He is currently co-chair of the Raman programme at SciX with Ian Lewis and Pavel Matousek who share his love of cheese and stage musicals. His scientific interests are in using synthetic chemistry to produce nanosensors that respond to a specific biological species or events as measured by SERS and collaborating with scientist from different disciplines to exploit these approaches.
Interview with Duncan Graham by Spectroscopy
Previous Charles Mann Award Winners
2002 Fran Adar
2003 Michael J. Pelletier
2004 Michael Carrabba
2005 D. Bruce Chase
2006 Michael Morris
2007 Neil Everall
2008 Ian R. Lewis
2009 Pavel Matousek
2010 Richard L. McCreery
2011 H. G. M Edwards
2012 Don Pivonka - Interview with Don Pivonka by Spectroscopy
2013 Volker Deckert - Interview with Volker Deckert by Spectroscopy
2014 Richard P. Van Duyne - Interview with Richard P. Van Duyne by Spectroscopy
2015 Sanford Asher - Interview with Sandford Asher by Spectroscopy
2016 Brian Marquardt - Interview with Brian Marquardt by Spectroscopy
2017 Duncan Graham - Interview with Duncan Graham by Spectroscopy
Information for those individuals wishing to nominate candidates for the Charles Mann award along with the applicable requirements and timeline are given in the pdf files below. Nominations may be sent to the committee members listed or to the FACSS International Office.
Downloadable Files:
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(CNSNews.com) - A bipartisan group of senators Wednesday introduced legislation calling for substantial increases in fuel economy standards for American cars and trucks, a proposal strongly opposed by the automobile industry and pro-SUV interest groups.
The lawmakers to increase corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for all cars, SUVs, and light trucks by ten miles a gallon - from the current 25 miles per gallon to 35 miles per gallon between 2011 and 2020. Subsequent increases of four percent would then be added every year after that until 2030.
The legislation, called the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act, is part of the comprehensive energy package being debated in the Senate this week.
"We understand there's no silver bullet with respect to global warming," Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) said at a news conference. "But we also know that emission reduction is a right thing to do."
Feinstein was joined by several Democratic senators, including Richard Durbin (Ill.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), and Byron Dorgan (N.D.) Republican senators Olympia Snowe (Maine), Susan Collins (Maine), and Ted Stevens (Alaska) also signed onto the bill.
The senators criticized previous sessions of Congress for failing to set stricter standards for automobile emissions. "It's been an entire generation since we've made substantial changes in the CAFE standards," Snowe said. "In that time we've gone from land-lines to cell phones, from record players to CDs to iPods.
"We can do it - and this bill is the right measure to finally set those wheels in motion," Snowe added.
The bill's supporters claim it would save 2.1 million barrels of oil a day, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 18 percent, and save consumers $70 billion in fuel costs, based on current gas prices.
"What do we need to convince us?" asked Durbin. "Rising gas prices? Dependence on foreign oil that forces us to work with dictators who don't share our values? And of course there are all the environmental problems."
The senators also criticized the automobile industry for not taking the lead on CAFE standards themselves.
"I want the automotive industry to do well, but they always resist things like this," Dorgan said. "They resisted seat belts. They resisted air bags. Now they're resisting this too."
Nevertheless, the senators claimed that their bill would also help the automotive industry by investing $50 million a year in hybrid battery technology and providing tax credits on hybrid vehicles to make them more economical.
"It's not enough to just say to the auto industry: eat your spinach. We must have a policy of tough love with them," said Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.). "That is, be tough with them, but love them as well."
Critics of the bill charged that raising fuel economy standards would not solve anything and would lead to increased costs for automobile consumers.
"Why would you need a law to force fuel efficiency on the market when the market would love it?" Ron DeFore, communications director at SUV Owners of America, told Cybercast News Service.
"If there is any manufacturer in the world that could build an effective 35 mpg light truck at an affordable price, they would have done it already and reaped billions of dollars in profit," he said.
"That's why when people talk about tough love for the automobile industry, they are being dishonest," he added.
DeFore also cited a 1999 USA Today study, which found that efforts aimed at greater fuel efficiency had led to smaller cars and an increase in fatalities from automobile accidents. The study estimated that 46,000 people had died as a result.
When asked about the USA Today study, Feinstein dismissed the idea that the fatalities were connected to fuel economy standards. She also pointed to seatbelt laws, airbags, and enforcement of drunken driving laws as safety measures that had saved lives.
CAFE standards were first imposed in 1975 at 18 mpg and rose slowly over the next decade. They are set at about 25 mpg today.
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(PRWEB) March 06, 2014
Car manufacturing has changed significantly in the United States over the last twenty years. With tougher laws on emissions, the use of computer technology, and creation of hybrid vehicles, car manufacturing has had to change with the times in order to remain relevant.
The "Leading Edge" show with host Jimmy Johnson explores the changes in the car manufacturing industry in the United States. With the recession hitting in 2007, fewer new cars were being purchased in the United States. Americans love their cars for fun, work and business. As the economy continues to improve, the demand for new cars will continue to grow.
Distributed to Public Television stations throughout the United States, the "Leading Edge" edge series is not distributed through PBS. If you are interested in more information about our upcoming programs, please send an email to producers at info(at)leadingedgeseries(dot)com or visit the Leading Edge website at http://www.leadingedgeseries.com.


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BOSTON (WWLP) – The state's House Ways and Means Committee released their state budget proposal today.
Many will be glad to know the House Ways and Means Committee's spending plan won't call for new tax hikes, but they do plan to spend billions on local aid, subsidized health insurance and to combat the state's drug epidemic.
Democratic leaders in the House plan to spend $36.182 billion in fiscal 2015, almost $191 million short of the Governor's proposal in January. More than one-third of the budget would go towards MassHealth, the state's version of Medicaid. Funding for cities and towns are also priority.
"Then you look at, what are the needs we want to meet this year. Well clearly local aid. We made a commitment as a part of the resolution to increase local aid," said House Ways and Means Chair Brian Dempsey.
Both the House and Senate agreed to spend $125 million for school aid and state funding for cities and towns. The recent surge of opioid and heroin-related deaths across the Massachusetts also took center stage.
"We need to send a strong message that we need to make some targeted investments relative to, you know, making sure there's prevention and some education that goes along with this because, I mean, this epidemic could continue to spiral out of control," said Springfield Democrat Angelo Puppolo.
The House Budget Committee wants to spend $6.3 million towards preventing drug abuse and treating those struggling with the problem.
Lawmakers in the House have until Friday to file changes to the budget. The full House will vote on the spending plan on April 28th.


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Grass: Guard part of solution to U.S. fiscal constraints
Published 5:58 pm, Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The National Guard is part of the solution to the challenges of a fiscally constrained environment, said the top officer in the National Guard Sept. 11.
"The key to reducing the overall size of the armed forces while maintaining capabilities and readiness is the National Guard," Gen. Frank Grass, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, told attendees at the 134th General Conference of the National Guard Association of the United States meeting in Reno, Nev.
Speaking on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Grass cited the National Guard's track record in the years since that event.
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"In the past 11 years, the National Guard has seen its role in our nation's defense evolve from a strategic reserve to an operational force," he said. "The attacks of 11 years ago today and the subsequent wars have thrust the National Guard into the front lines of our nation's defense overnight. We now have the most competent, relevant and battle-tested National Guard in the history of the nation."
Since the 9/11 attacks, the National Guard has supported more than 667,000 mobilizations. More than 700 Guard members have died in service. National Guard members have served in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn; in Kosovo, Bosnia, the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, the Horn of Africa and elsewhere.
On the day Grass spoke, some 27,000 Army and Air National Guard members were deployed worldwide and 6,000 more were serving in domestic operations.
"What makes the National Guard extraordinary is our home game," Grass said. "No other military organization has the unique dual responsibility to serve the nation and the state. No other military team responds to the commander-in-chief in Washington, D.C., and the governors. The National Guard's versatility is what makes us such a unique treasure."
The latest Defense Strategic Guidance calls for building partnership capacity through low-cost, small-footprint approaches.
"We in the National Guard have done that for many years." Grass said, giving examples including joint Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams and Agricultural Development Teams.
"The National Guard is a model for innovative, low-cost, high-impact approaches to international security engagement," he said.
The National Guard's State Partnership Program now involves relationships between states and about a third of all the officially recognized nations on the planet, with 66 partner affiliations and more in the pipeline.
The National Guard also offers critical chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response capabilities, including its Civil Support Teams and Homeland Response Forces, Grass said.
Noting that employer support is crucial to the National Guard's success, Grass, who was promoted to general and took responsibility as chief of the National Guard Bureau Sept. 7, pledged to represent the interests of the National Guard's soldiers, airmen and their families.


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Towne Centre Mall is located on downtown Kelowna's main retail corridor, and is home to numerous retailers and 2 restaurants. Currently able to provide a range of size options and configurations suitable to both retail and professional/office users. Unit #30 is 680 sf Unit #31 is 1101 sf Both units are located on the main floor of this indoor mall with easy access to the free customer parking along Lawrence Avenue.
Towne Centre Mall is the only enclosed mall in downtown Kelowna, and is located on Bernard Avenue, downtown's main retail corridor.


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What is Supara?
Supara is a super heroic mythology about a fictional city called Supara Valley, California. This city has a rich legacy of people born with different and often times extraordinary super natural abilities commonly referred as "Powers". Though the mysterious origin of these super natural abilities predates the founding of Supara Valley itself but on August 7th 1948 was the day that Supara changed the world forever. In an attempt to ease the public's outcry of the most recent World War; the National Division of Sciences would introduce a supreme policing force called "The Foundation". That day was the first day the existence of Powers was revealed to the public for the first time.
Our story begins present day, long after the rise and fall of The Foundation and the idea of the costumed super hero. A series of horrific attacks on the city would then set in motion our current main characters stories from all walks of life. For example: Dr. Nicolas Welles, a non-power loses his wife and seeks revenge on those with "Powers" underneath an anti-hero persona of "X". Dario Rickman, detective and first responder to the most catastrophic attack on the city realizes that his ability needs be put to use but must do so in secret as the vigilante known "Warden". "Sync" is Ellen Eckhart; a prodigy turned cybercriminal with the secrets to what's really going on behind the curtain of the attacks. Dakota Gretchen is a young, idealistic, social butterfly that is all too informed of anything Foundation. Unlike most Powers that are born with their ability, she is granted hers through an old friend with a mutual understanding that it's time for the costumed hero to come back… as she does so mimicking an original Foundation member as "Starstruck".
Supara in itself is about the lives of these characters within this great city that has embraced and disowned certain aspects of the Power community. The repercussions of the past echo through the minds and laws of today, while this group, exemplifies idea of hope and sacrifice. Morality is tested and lives are lost. Each of these characters and dozens more will be brought to the brink of their humanity and what it means to embrace the mask. Welcome to Supara Valley, the city… is the future.
Who is The Foundation?
The Foundation is a group of seven Powers recruited into a policing force by government funded agency called The National Division of Sciences (NDS). Each one of these members was chosen based off their likeness and abilities. Their primary goal was to be a symbol, a beacon of hope for the U.S. meanwhile providing display of mysterious power to the rest of the world.
In conjunction with the United Kingdom, the first member recruited was one of their most dedicated soldiers and a master weapons expert; Agent Pierce, a Power who never misses. Next was a Dana Hernandez, "The Reader" with the ability to read people's minds. A Native American, Aylen Ticutta known as "Strong Arm" with superhuman strength and the burden of nearly unbreakable skin. A Brooklyn greaser, Conner Whelan dubbed "Shifter" with his ability to morph parts of his body into beast-like limbs.
The team even got a little more interesting after the famous Roswell crash on July 7th, 1947 where a saucer-like long-range pod was discovered with a blue humanoid life form named Vor-Khai trapped inside. He was sent a mission only to wreck on Earth by accident. He suffered memory loss due to the event and then was housed and retrained by the NDS. In return for a little freedom, they would reveal him to be a Power named Marcus Moore and a member of The Foundation as "The Imperial".
Shortly after the Roswell incident, another pod landed outside a bottling factory where it came in contact with Margaret Ericson. In defense, she surprisingly struck this life form in the chest with a copper pipe. Ericson struck and ruptured a glowing yellow stone that was surgically embedded in its scaly chest. The energy within would then flow into her body and rendering her unconscious. She awoke in the facilities of the NDS where they performed experiments testing her new abilities. The energy she absorbed grants her flight and she can absorb, manipulate, and expel shocking beams/balls of light. From there on out, she was turned into the most powerful member of The Foundation as "Star Striker". To this day, it's still a mystery how she was able to absorb that strange alien's energy.
The entire group was led by a master tactician Charles Hudson, with the Power to assume, predict, and calculate motives and movements on a superhuman level of not only those around him but abroad. He was orphaned as a child and taken into the NDS at the early age of 12 where he assisted in combat deployments as well as surveying certain social groups. He was given the named "Sargent" only to tout the readiness he exploits in any given situation.
Early on, The Foundation was a success. But to those who opposed these Powers, now have a target... and it was a public one. It only took a decade to nearly wipe out half the original team before they started to replace members with other different kinds lesser and untrained Powers. Though regardless of the fatality this inevitability caused, there were dozens upon dozens of sanctioned and unsanctioned super teams (heroic and otherwise) popping up all over the world. This all came to a head February 22nd, 1964.
Now known, as "3 Day Wars" or "The Power War of '64"… there was a semi-global equalist conflict between extremists with and without superhuman abilities. It lasted 3 days but it changed the way people look at Powers (since they were more on the defense.) The first and final blow ended in Supara Valley with a total of 5,472 lives lost. The most on American soil since the Civil War. Some theorize this was in response of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy the November before but most believed this was inevitable either way.
On March 7th, 1964, middle aged Charles Hudson, the only remaining member not missing, kidnapped, or dead from the original Foundation team takes the stage again where he was first revealed, and declares the costumed super hero era needs to come to an end. At the same time, during the first major recession since the 1920's, Hudson acquires the rights to the National Division of Sciences. He did this with the intention of rebranding and repurposing the image of Powers into a product of advancement for all rather than a free service to the people.
What is a "Power"?
So far as what we know, a Power is a person born with a super natural ability. It can range from so subtle that they might not even notice they are one to completely restructuring and dismantling someone's physical and/or mental well-being. But those cases only happen maybe once or twice a year. It's not about luck or even destiny because a Power's ability may manifest itself at any point in their life. We have no known way of tracking when the manifestation occurs or who a Power is but we do know it manifests most in teens. There have been cases where they're younger and some older but those tend to lead to some difficulties. In most cases, Powers either keep their ability a secret or they might exploit it for whatever reason they see fit. Being a Power isn't a crime, and they're not considered a lower class citizen but showing off certain kinds of abilities can be illegal as explained in the revised 1965's 25th Amendment which defines what a Superhuman is and what rights they retain. Even to this day, there are those who view them as a threat though in all honesty, they are just mutated versions of their former selves.


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Review: Richard II (Two Pence Theatre Company)
Richard II
Written by William Shakespeare
My two
pence cents worth: a must see!
|Two Pence Theatre presents
|Richard II
Review by Anuja Vaidya
There is no drama like family drama. And if the family happens to be quarreling over the throne of England, well, that just makes it all the more gripping. Shakespeare's Richard II recounts the story of said King, his downfall and consequently the rise of his cousin, the future King Henry IV. The Two Pence Theater Company effectively transports us back to 14th century England, to watch as Richard's world crumbles around him.
Richard II rules by divine right, or so he believes. The ineffectual king, however, seals his fate over the course of the play as he squanders the coffers of his country and surrounds himself with flatterers. Henry Bolingbroke, the king's banished cousin, returns to England out of frustration with the king's inability to run the country. Henry finds allies in the aristocracy and the poor alike, as they have grown weary of Richard. Things come to head and in true Shakespearean tragedy-style, the end is a bloody one.
Two Pence's production is a skilled one, despite the challenges inherent in the script. Perhaps the biggest hurdle is the family tree. Unless the audience has an in-depth knowledge of British Royal history, figuring out how all the characters are related is puzzling. This production takes care of that problem with a handy flow chart chalked out on one of three blackboards that make up the set. Another blackboard is used to note down where each scene is taking place. The rest of the set is sparse but the few pieces are effectively used.
I give high kudos to the cast for delivering excellent and engaging performances. Shakespearean language can be alienating, but the cast mitigates this with incredibly expressive performances. The cast comprises only six actors, four of which play a number of different roles. Ally Carey, in particular, seamlessly transitions from one role to another. Her portrayal of John of Gaunt, the aging but proud uncle of Richard II, is extremely well done.
The star of the show, however, is undoubtedly Michael Mercier, who plays the title role. He brings Richard to life in all his pettiness and insecurity. Richard certainly gets what he deserves, but we can't help but feel for him when he is stripped of his life as he knows it. He is, at once, pompous and pitiable. Mercier brings out this and other contradicting aspects of this character with finesse.
It might seem intimidating to have to sit through a Shakespeare play, but this one is worth a watch. There are enough twists and turns to draw you into the world of court intrigue and absorb you. The simplicity of the production helps enhance the stellar performances and compelling script, which is, ultimately, a winning formula.
|Rating: ★★★½
Richard II continues through March 16th at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport (map), with performances Thursdays-Sundays at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15-$20, and are available by phone (773-935-6875) or online through OvationTix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at TwoPenceTheatre.org. (Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes, no intermission)
Sarah Augusta (Aumerie, Queen); Ally Carey (John Of Gaunt, Bushy Northumberland, Exton); Jared Fernley (Bollingbroke); Eliza Hofman (Duke Of York, Bagot, Ross); Alexander Lane (Mowbray, Green, Carlisle, Percy, Duchess); Michael Mercier (King Richard the Second); Peter G. Andersen, Maggie Scrantom (understudies)
behind the scenes
Kathryn Walsh (director); Maggie Scrantom (asst. director); Lucy Carapetyan (movement coach); Jessica M. Carson (production manager, lighting); Sarah Hoeferlin (stage manager); Izumi Inaba (costumes); Jeff Kelley (sound design, original composition); Dan Stratton (set, props): Justin Verstraete (violence design); Tom Wells (artistic director, voice coach).
Category: 2013 Reviews, Anuja Vaidya, Two Pence Shakespeare, William Shakespeare
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Pretty Little Liars Clip: Welcome to Ravenswoodby Hilton Hater at . Comments
In October, ABC Family will spin-off Pretty Little Liars and introduce fans to the new characters of Ravenswood.
But viewers need not wait that long to visit this mysterious town, as tomorrow night's installment of PLL will find Toby and Spencer taking a road trip there themselves.
For what purpose? It's unclear. What will they find there? It's hard to say. Is the town stuck in some kind of time warp, based on the cars spotted in the clip below?
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Macon - Australian Matthew Lloyd pulled out of the Tour de France on Tuesday after breaking his elbow.
Lloyd, who suffered the injury in a crash at the start of the hilly eighth stage to Porrentruy on Sunday, becomes the second rider from Lampre after Davide Vigano to pull out of the three-week race.
A team statement said: "Matthew was told, after a medical scan, that the head of the radius of his left elbow was broken. The Australian cyclist crashed in the early kilometres of the 8th stage, Belfort-Porrentruy."
Lloyd, a 29-year-old climbing specialist who was taking part in his third Tour de France, insisted on taking part in Monday's stage nine time trial before undergoing a scan on the rest day.
The Lampre team doctor said: "The head of the radius is broken, so Matthew is forced to quit the race. His arm must be in plaster for eight days, then he'll be able to start a light mobilisation."
Lloyd said: "I'm really sad to quit the Tour de France after a bad first part and just before some stages that suit me better.
"This morning I had pain to the elbow, so I'm not surprised it's broken. I'll wait to recover and I'll try to be ready for the Tour of Spain."


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Click here to print the obituary below
In Memory of
August 18, 1922 - September 17, 2013
F. Raymond Coons born August 18, 1922 to Ray and Nelle Coons in Houston, Texas, passed away at his home in Houston, September 17, 2013.
Raymond grew up in the Houston Heights, He graduated from from Reagan High School where he was an outstanding athlete, receiving a track scholarship to Rice University. Raymond proudly served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
After the war, he returned to Houston, married Floy Wynne, worked for the 1st National Bank while completing his degree at the University of Houston. He then went to work for the Prudential Insurance Company Home Office and retired after over 30 years when the Home Office closed. He then went to work for the IRS, retiring in 2000 with 19 years of government service.
Raymond spent many years offciating basketball games and umpiring girl softball games. He and Floy had a house at Jamaica Beach and had many wonderful times there with family and friends. Raymond was a lifetime member of Heights Christian Church and an active member of VFW Post #8790.
Raymond was preceded in death by Floy, his wife of 54 years, and his brothers, Donald and Paul Coons. He is survived by daughters, Diane Mills and husband Dick and Cathy Edwards and husband John. He leaves 5 grandchildren, Minot Edwards and wife Lauretta, Jennifer Mills Martin, and husband Benoit, Laura Edwards-Smith, Christopher Mills and Kimberly Mills Tutor. He was proud of his 7 great-grandchildren, Kali, Blake, Emma, Kennedy, Layla, Savannah and Tristan. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lucy Coons, several nieces and nephews and many friends, including special friend, Betty Burns.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 22, 2013 at Heights Funeral Home. His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 23, 2013 at Heights Christian Church, 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, Texas 77008. The service will be conducted by Rev. Herschel Moore and Rev. Harry Meissner. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Houston, Texas.
Sunday, September 22, 2013 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Heights Funeral Home
1317 Heights Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77018
Driving Directions
Funeral Service
Monday, September 23, 2013 | 11:00am
Heights Christian Church
1703 Heights Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77008
Driving Directions


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okay so I would LOVE to play this mod (i swear, Receiver is like my favorite game right now lol)
except i cant figure out how to get it all installed
I'm a little technologically impaired, so if you could do it in screenshots or something that would be great. also I'm having trouble with the original version of the game lagging pretty bad on my computer as is so i was wondering what kind of things you did to address lag, if any. (actually, will it be worth it to try for this mod if my computer is lagging out?)
but anyway i would really love to experience this for myself, its KILLING ME just to watch that thompson gif
thanks for whatever consideration i might get,


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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving !!!
ARTmostfierce wishes everybody a Happy Thanksgiving!
There is a lot to be thankful for!
I always remembered this Francesco Scavullo November 1984 cover of Vanity Fair for Thanksgiving with the photo of Brooke Shields. Pretty fierce right?
Enjoy !
1 comment:
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!!
- November 26, 2008 at 1:16 PM
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OK guys, you've got your wallet in your back pocket, your change in your right front pocket, your mobile in your left and where do you put the keys? You could always opt for the small bag that was so famous in the seventies and briefly exposed manhood to what it could feel like having a purse, but that was a time that we'd rather forget…
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The beauty is that it can be worn in different ways: You can either wear it under the arm using the shoulder holster, as a waist pouch using the belt or diagonally as a shoulder bag using the shoulder strap (Please note: Neither of these three items comes with the standard pack, those need to be purchased separately).
The Koffski is hand made out of Rugato calfskin crafted in small batches in a tannery in Tuscany – yes Italy. Following a combined chrome and vegetable tanning process, a special finish ensures that the leather is water repellent. Particular attention is given to the fact that the leather remains its natural surface structure. All metal parts are polished nickel, also produced in Italy, emphasizing the masculine look of the bag.
To make sure that you are not buying a mass produced and anonymous piece, each Koffski comes embossed with its own unique code, but don't worry, it doesn't have to be registered to you.
One last thing – we don't recommend you wear this when going through airport security, you will most likely miss your flight…
Get yours from charlesandmarie.com


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TOKYO – One of Japan's most influential securities firms is bullish on this year's global auto sales. Nomura Securities forecasts worldwide auto sales of 61.1 million units, up 4.6% from 58.4 million in 2003. This includes modest increases of 2%, to 17 million in the U.S. market; 1.3%, to 5.96 million in Japan and a 1.8% decline in Europe, to 15.8 million. Japan's top auto makers have shifted focus to hybrids such as Toyota Prius. The Asia/Pacific region is viewed as the ...
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Santa Carolina Island, part of the Bazaruto archipelago, off the coast of the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane, will soon have a luxury hotel, thanks to a 50 million US dollar investment by the Rani Resorts Group.
The Mozambican Tourism Ministry approved in March a proposal for the building of the new hotel.
Rani Resorts, founded by Saudi businessman Adel Aujan, owns a chain of hotels in Mozambique, including the Indigo Bay Island Resort on Bazaruto, the largest island in the archipelago, the Pemba Beach Hotel, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, and luxury resorts on Medjumbe and Matemo Islands in the Quirimbas archipelago, off the northern coast.
The group is currently designing the architecture of the hotel on Santa Carolina, which should be presented to the government before the end of this year. In the meantime, work is underway to demolish the ruins of the existing hotel.
Read the rest of this entry »
Maputo, Mozambique, 1 July – Portuguese construction company Teixeira Duarte is this week due to start refurbishment work on the jetties of Maputo and Catembe, two projects funded by the World Bank, according to a report in Mozambican newspaper NotĂcias.
The paper said that the work, estimated to cost 71 million meticais (US$3 million), is due to be concluded in the first half of 2009.
The refurbishment project also includes remodelling the terminal buildings and the water and electricity supply.
Work was last done on the jetties in 1997.
The project was granted to Teixeira Duarte, in a public tender that was launched in June and July of last year.
The jetties are used by ferries transporting passengers between Maputo and Catembe.
In 2007 the governments of Mozambique and China agreed to study the possibility of Chinese funding for building a bridge to link Maputo and Catembe.
Travelling by road between Maputo and Catembe takes around two hours.
Bazaruto, Mozambique – Mozambique is mobilising investments in the tourism industry, for the country to benefit considerably from the large number of tourists who will visit South Africa for the 2010 World Cup football competition.
The PANA quoted Tourism Minister Fernando Sumbana as telling the Mozambican news agency, AIM, that new tourist establishments, including hotels and holiday homes , have been approved, mostly in Maputo.
He admitted "the challenge is to continue mobilising investments to develop other potential areas already identified."
The areas included the northern province of Cabo Delgado, Mossuril, in the neighbouring province of Nampula and the Vilankulo area, in the southern province of Inhambane.
Sumbana claimed that medium to long term projects in these areas were valued at US$ 1.1 billion for Vilankulo, US$ 1.2 billion for Cabo Delgado, and US$ 800 million for Mossuril.
The investments, to be implemented between five to seven years, would create 20, 000 new jobs.
As for the spin-offs from the World Cup, Sumbana said the government had mobilised investment of about US$ 500 million for new accommodation, including hotels o f three to five-star qualities.
Among the new ventures is a five-star, 150-room hotel to be built at the Joaquim Chissano Conference Centre on the Maputo seafront, at a cost of US$ 80 million.
Work should already have started, but, despite all the government's speeches against red tape, "bureaucratic questions, such as licences, are holding it up," Sumbana said, adding "however, the investment has already been mobilised."
A much larger investment, put at US$ 320 million, is the building of two hotels and several holiday homes on Xefina Island in the Bay of Maputo.
Here the work has been held up by geography – the investors have found it diffic ult to transport equipment to the island, because there is no bridge from the mainland to Xefina.
Desite these constraints, Sumbana believed that one of the Xefina five-star hote ls would be ready by early 2010.
In the Mozambican section of the Greater Limpopo Cross-border Park, in Gaza province, investment of US$ 83 million is under way to build a hotel of 100 rooms and holiday homes with 200 rooms.
Given the proximity of the new hotel and homes to South Africa, Sumbana was conf ident they would attract tourists during the World Cup.
He disclosed that a project was also in hand to build a three-star hotel, with 80 rooms, valued at US$ 12 million in the southern city of Matola, which he believes would also be ready before 2010.
Sumbana was speaking ahead of a meeting Saturday, on Bazaruto island, in Inhambane, with his South African and Swazi counterparts, intended to discuss how to attract more tourists to the region.
Earlier in the week, Sumbana and American millionaire Gregory Carr signed an agreement for the co-management of the Gorongosa National Park, in the central province of Sofala, for the next 20 years.
During the 20-year period, the Carr Foundation promised to invest a minimum of U S$ 1.2 million annually in the park.
The counterpart from the Mozambican government will be US$ 150,000 annually, for the first three years.
In the first five years, the stress will be on restocking the park, which lost most of its large mammals during the war.
Another 4,000 animals will be brought into the park, including endangered specie s such as rhinoceros.
As for tourist infrastructures, a further three camps, two of them luxury standard, will be built in the park.
According to Sumbana, the adoption of the joint management model allows access to a greater diversity of sources of funding, and reduces the burden of the park on the state budget.
Community involvement in the park management will also be maximised, ensuring th at local communities enjoy benefits from natural resources.
The government hopes that, as from the fifth year, the park will be receiving 500,000 tourists a year, with an income of US$ 75 million (on the assumption that each tourist will stay for an average of three days, and spend at least US$ 50 a day).
The Gorongosa Park contains 54 separate ecosystems, ranging from the Cheringoma plateau, to the flood plains of the Pungue river, to miombo woodlands, to Lake Urema, to the Gorongosa mountain range that gives the park its name.
Bazaruto – 27/06/2008
Maputo, Mozambique, 03 July – Rebuilding of the 117 kilometres of the road linking Catemba to Ponta do Ouro in the Mozambican province of Maputo, began last week Mozambican newspaper NotĂcias reported this week.
Work, which is expected to take two months, will be the responsibility of Empresa Nacional de Obras PĂşblicas (ENOP), which was granted the tender for management and maintenance of the road for a three-year period.
Despite not giving a figure for the value of the project, LuĂs Matsinhe, councillor for the Municipal District of Catembe, said funding came from the government via the National Roads Administration (ANE).
The rebuilding of the road will make Access to the tourist areas of Maputo province easier, namely Ponta do Ouro, Bela Vista, MatutuĂne, Ponta Malongane, amongst others.
Maputo – Mozambique's President, Armando Guebuza, witnessed the signing of a joint management accord to run Gorongosa National Park, in Sofala province, in central Mozambique Tuesday. The agreement was between the Mozambican government and the Carr Foundation, a non governmental organization which aims to bring back the park to its previous splendour, as a major tourist destination. President Guebuza was quoted by state-owned Radio Mozambique as saying that the agreement opened up the opportunity to involve the park dwellers in the management, abandoning the trend of removing people living in the areas surrounding such parks. "By involving residents the park seeks to valorize the thousands of Mozambicans living in the park and thus having them taking care of the natural resources and the biodiversity in the park," the president said. "This allows for a healthy interaction between populace, government and the foundation, for the benefit of nature and all involved."
Guebuza was optimistic that international interest in tourism in Mozambique is on the rise. The country was seeing increased investment in hotels, the number of tourists visiting the country was growing, and there is considerable hope that Mozambique will benefit from tourist spin-offs from the 2010 Football World Cup to be held in South Africa.
A few weeks ago, the President recalled, the Bay of Pemba, in the north of the country, was admitted to the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World. That event and Tuesday's ceremony "shows how diversified are our tourism offers".
The Gorongosa ceremony, he added, "also represents our commitment to conserve and value the biodiversity we inherited from our ancestors, and our unbending determination to use it in a sustainable manner".
Conservation of ecosystems was not an end in itself, Guebuza stressed. Instead the conservation areas, and their fauna and flora, should serve the country's socio-economic development. The government had no intention, he said, of abandoning the interests of the 120,000 or so Mozambicans who live within the boundaries of the conservation areas, and their buffer zones.
Instead the "new paradigm" adopted was one of "participatory management" of natural resources, so that Mozambican communities would be "strategic partners" in tourist undertakings, with the opportunity of benefitting from tourism. The interests of local communities, private business and the state would be integrated in tourist projects "in a balanced manner", Guebuza pledged.
The country's wild life, he insisted, must in the first place "benefit Mozambicans and the development of Mozambique and of all humanity".
Guebuza recognised that current logging activities and slash-and-burn agriculture on the Gorongosa mountain range posed a serious threat of erosion. "We shall continue to seek solutions to ensure that the Gorongosa range, an integral part of this ecosystem, is protected from erosion", he said. "This necessarily involves replacing, in cooperation with the communities, the current economic activities with others that do not degrade the soil and damage biodiversity".
He called for the replanting of ironwood and other precious hardwood trees on the mountain range, and suggested involving local schools in the reforestation activities. The mountain range, he said, "should continue to be the renewable source of clean water that feeds the park, the crops of the communities, their livestock and other activities in the surrounding areas."
The President of the Foundation, Greg Carr, told the ceremony "people from across the world will come here, and they will see the best that Planet Earth has to offer, for the Park is extremely beautiful, and they will also see the best that humanity has to offer – creative, generous and kind human beings".
He thought that Gorongosa was an example "of the highest beauty that God has created in any part of the world". It contained, on the mountain slopes, "the only true humid tropical forest in Mozambique – it is a world treasure of biodiversity".
Tourism in the national park, Carr said, "creates jobs for the local communities, and the division of tourist revenues with the communities helps build schools and health centres in the traditional communities around the park". In addition the park management team was helping peasant farmers increase the productivity of their fields.
He stressed that his foundation was assisting in what was a genuinely Mozambican project. 98 per cent of the park's management and work force are Mozambican nationals, and "the restoration of the Gorongosa Park is a Mozambican project guided by a Mozambican vision".
The Tuesday ceremony follows a contract signed in January between the government and the Carr Foundation to co-manage the Park for 20 years. That contract came after three and a half years of restoration activities under a Memorandum of Understanding between the government and the foundation. Up to 2007, the Carr Foundation had invested 10 million US dollars in the park.
Gorongosa's wildlife was devastated during the war of destabilisation, when the park was occupied by the apartheid-backed Renamo rebels. The once thriving elephant population was virtually wiped out, as were most other large mammals. The current management has been painstakingly restocking the park, particularly with grazing species such as buffalo, zebra and wildebeest that are key to the stability of the ecosystem.
The park management is currently engaged on a large herbivore count, a survey of the carnivores (Gorongosa once had the largest lion population in Africa), a fish survey and a map of the highly varied vegetation. There are plans to set up a permanent biological research centre in the park.
The park covers 4,000 square kilometres, located at the southern end of the East African Rift Valley. Towering over the park is the Gorongosa range, which is 1,862 metres above sea level at its highest point.
Quilalea is a tranquil island in Northern Mozambique positioned in an idyllic corner of Mozambique's Quirimbas Archipelago. Entirely uninhabited, this Indian Ocean island offers complete exclusivity and unmatched natural beauty. There are nine private villas each with stunning sea views, providing a malaria-free nirvana of luxury accommodation. Quilalea Island Resort is surrounded by the sparkling, blue waters of the warm Indian Ocean; Quilalea is the ideal honeymoon destination for those in search of the perfect romantic island getaway, or the ultimate holiday for those in need of relaxation, adventure and rediscovery.
Portugal on Tuesday cancelled more than 390 million dollars in debt owed by Mozambique and agreed to a separate loan to help key sectors of the African country's economy, officials said.
Mozambican finance minister Manuel Chang said the cancellation of the 393.4 million dollars (249 million euros) Mozambique owed former colonial power Portugal, dating back to 1975, would help fight poverty in the country.
Portugal's finance minister, Fernando Teixiera dos Santos, also signed a line of credit of 100 million euros to help develop economic sectors such as agriculture and mining.
Mozambique's economy is still struggling to recover after a long period of civil war between 1975 and 1992.
Mozambique Holiday
Maputo, Mozambique, 1 July – The Ponta do Ouro Marine Reserve, in the south of Mozambique, is to be given World Heritage status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in December of this year, the Mozambican Tourism Minister said.
Fernando Sumbana told Mozambican news agency AIM, at the end of a meeting with his South African and Swazi counterparts that the decision aimed to protect and conserve marine species such as turtles, whales and dolphins.
Read the rest of this entry »


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Founded in 2007, OC Cinema seeks to document and celebrate the rich history of Orange County cinema. The website provides profiles and photos (when available) of all known cinema venues that have operated in the county since 1900. OC Cinema also maintains a blog, via CINELOG, which supplements the archive with anecdotes, news, and personal reflections. An open ended project, the website will constantly be updated and expanded. We hope you will come back often and feel free to add your own input, via email.
Contact, Feedback, & Submissions
email: email@example.com


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Songbird drops Linux support
The developers of Songbird, the open source and cross platform media player, have announced they are dropping Linux support. In an announcement on the company blog, VP of Engineering Georges Auberger said that "After careful consideration, we've come to the painful conclusion that we should discontinue support for the Linux version of Songbird". Auberger cited prioritisation issues for the small engineering team which have meant that the Linux version of Songbird has fallen behind the other versions on Windows and Mac. The company has therefore decided to focus on the Windows and Mac versions and delivering new features and device support on those versions.
"We can't stand to see our Linux product be anything less than outstanding. Unfortunately, we can't make that happen right now" said Auberger, "this is one of the most painful decisions in the history of the company". Songbird will keep the build infrastructure and developer wikis running for a Linux version but Linux versions that come from this will not be tested and may not get newly developed features. Initial reaction to the decision, in the comments to the blog posting, was overwhelmingly negative with some suggesting that Songbird's deal with Philips, announced in January, may be driving the developers' priorities.
Songbird plans to deliver the next version of the player, NOFX, at the end of the month. Songbird NOFX for Windows and Mac will add MPEG4 and WMV encoding, support for two more handsets and improved stability; Auberger says that future plans include full support for Windows 7.


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