text:
For most of the last decade, Iraq occupied center stage in the Arab world, as it was swiftly invaded and occupied by American forces in March 2003 before being wracked by the insurgency that sprang up in opposition and then by waves of sectarian killing that grew into something close to a civil war.
Since the bloodshed peaked in 2006, order was gradually restored, though violence remained high by any but wartime standards. The fairest elections in the country's history in March 2010 led to the creation of a government of national unity, although after eight months of political stalemate that played out mostly along sectarian lines.
On Dec. 15, 2011, the American military formally ended its mission in Iraq, one that cost the lives of 4,487 service members, with another 32,226 wounded in action; more than one million service members served in Iraq during the course of the conflict. Tens of thousands of Iraqis died in the fighting that followed, although there are no firm estimates.
The closing ceremony in Baghdad sounded an uncertain trumpet for a war that was started to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction it did not have. It ended without the sizable, enduring American military presence for which many officers had hoped, and with the country facing a political crisis.
Even after the formal withdrawal, the military still has two bases in Iraq and roughly 4,000 troops. At the height of the war in 2007, there were 505 bases and more than 170,000 troops. More than one million service members served in Iraq during the course of the conflict.
The end of America's military involvement reflected the messy, sectarian state of Iraqi politics — both in terms of the political forces that led to America's withdrawal and in the sectarian political strains that boiled over as soon as the last troops had left.
Violence and political instability have escalated across Iraq since the withdrawal of American forces, as political and sectarian factions have fought for power and influence in a struggle that, within weeks, threatened to undo the stability that allowed the pullout in the first place.
In January 2012, a Shiite governor threatened to blockade an important commercial arterial road from Baghdad to the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the north if Kurdish officials did not hand over Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi to government authorities. The Shiite-led national government has accused Mr. Hashimi, a Sunni, of running a sectarian death squad.
On Jan. 22, the advocacy group Human Rights Watch said the Americans had left behind a "budding police state," with the country's Shiite leadership increasingly ruling by force and fear. Insurgent attacks have surged across the country, and security forces loyal to the Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, a Shiite, have pressed a campaign against Sunni politicians.
The turmoil has come at a time when Iraqis had hoped their leaders would be emboldened by their new independence to tackle the nation's multitude of problems — finally confronting the social, economic and religious divisions that were papered over by the presence of American troops.
But while there remains hope that Iraqis can still unite, the country is far from the "sovereign, stable and self-reliant" place that President Obama described at the time of the American military withdrawal.
The criticisms from Human Rights Watch were released in their annual report on human rights in various countries. The group said that the Iraqi government had significantly restricted freedom of expression in the nation over the past year and that security forces had intimidated, beaten and detained activists, demonstrators and journalists.
"After the formal withdrawal last month, the political clampdown has intensified, and Maliki has threatened his political opponents with jail," the group's Middle East director, Sarah Leah Whitson, said in an interview.
At the same time, Al Qaeda has increased its attacks. On three different days in the month since the withdrawal, the daily death toll rose past 60, and on more than a dozen days the toll was more than 10. Without the help of American Special Operations forces, the Iraqi military and police forces have appeared unable to curb attacks on religious pilgrims, civilians and security officers.
As problems have persisted inside Iraq, its leaders have struggled to deal with neighbors, including Turkey, one of the largest foreign investors.
According to members of Mr. Maliki's bloc, the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called Iraqi politicians in mid-January and told them that they should peacefully deal with one another as they try to resolve their differences.
Around the same time, Mr. Erdogan called Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to express his concern about the tensions between Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq, warning that the crisis could lead to a sectarian war.
The calls angered Mr. Maliki because he felt that Mr. Erdogan, a Sunni, was criticizing how he was dealing with the country's affairs. In a television interview, Mr. Maliki said that Mr. Erdogan was acting as though he controlled Iraq, and said that Mr. Erdogan should stop meddling.
The issue has lingered. Soon after, the head of Iran's Quds Force was reported to have said that Iraq and southern Lebanon were under Iranian control. In response, top Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite politicians in Iraq called on Mr. Maliki to reprimand the Iranians as he had the Turks.
Within days of the departure of the last American convoy, the country was in political turmoil that was extreme even by its own standards. The Shiite-dominated government issued an arrest warrant for the Sunni vice president, Tariq al-Hashimi, one of the country's most prominent Sunni leaders, accusing him of running a personal death squad that assassinated security officials and government bureaucrats. Mr. Hashimi denied the charges and accused Mr. Maliki's government of using the country's security forces to persecute political opponents, specifically Sunnis.
Almost as significant as what Mr. Hashimi said was where he said it: in Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous northern region of Kurdistan. Because of the region's autonomy, Mr. Maliki's security forces cannot easily act on the warrant. Mr. Hashimi said he would not return to Baghdad, effectively making him an internal exile
The following day Mr. Maliki threatened to abandon the American-backed power sharing government created a year previously, and ward Kurdish leaders that there would be "problems'' if they did not hand over Mr. Hashimi.
On Dec. 26, 2011, a powerful political group led by the anti-American cleric Moktada al-Sadr called for Parliament to be dissolved and early elections to be held, the first open challenge to Mr. Maliki from within his Shiite coalition. The move by the Sadr bloc is not enough to immediately bring down the Maliki government. But even the prospect of a new vote adds more uncertainty to Iraq's fragile political landscape, possibly setting the country's main factions — Shiites, Sunnis and ethnic Kurds — and its byzantine networks of political allies scrambling for turf, influence, money and votes.
Less than two weeks later, Mr. Maliki's government indicated that it was welcoming an Iranian-backed militia, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, into Iraq's political system. The Shiite-led government's support for the militia, which had only just sworn off violence, opened new sectarian fault lines in Iraq's political crisis while potentially empowering Iran at a moment of rising military and economic tensions between Tehran and Washington. It could also tilt the nation's center of gravity closer to Iran.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq — the name translates as League of the Righteous — broke away from the militia commanded by Moktada al-Sadr. The American military has long maintained that the group, led by a former spokesman for Mr. Sadr, Qais al-Khazali, was trained and financed by Iran's elite Quds Force — something that Iran denies.
One of the deadliest insurgent groups operating in Iraq, Asaib Ahl al-Haq bombed American military convoys and bases, assassinated dozens of Iraqi officials and tried to kidnap Americans even as the last soldiers withdrew. Military officials said the group was responsible for the last American combat death in Iraq, a November 2011 roadside bomb attack in Baghdad.
Thousands of other militants, both Sunni and Shiite, cut deals with the government to stop fighting, and few officials see a meaningful peace in Iraq that does not include reconciling with armed groups. Yet critics worry that Mr. Maliki, facing fierce challenges to his leadership from Sunnis and even his fellow Shiites, may be making a cynical and shortsighted play for Asaib's support. They say Mr. Maliki may use the group's credentials as Shiite resistance fighters to divide challengers in his own Shiite coalition and weaken Mr. Sadr's powerful bloc, which draws its political lifeblood from the Shiite underclass.
By doing so, Iraq's government could embolden a militia with an almost nonexistent track record of peace while potentially handing Tehran greater influence in a country where the United States spent billions of dollars and lost nearly 4,500 American soldiers in nearly nine years of war.
Moreover, some American and Iraqi officials are leery about whether Asaib Ahl al-Haq is truly ready to forswear violence, especially with thousands of American diplomats and security contractors still in the country. Mr. Maliki's attempts to marginalize the country's Sunni minority and consolidate power have amplified their fears and, not coincidentally, precipitated a political crisis.
The arrest warrant for Mr. Hashimi that ignited the first spark of the the political crisis followed a near breakdown of relations between Mr. Maliki, a religious Shiite, and his adversaries in the Iraqiya coalition, a large political bloc that holds some 90 seats in Parliament and is supported by many Sunni Iraqis. Members of the Iraqiya coalition walked away from Parliament, accusing Mr. Maliki of seizing power and thwarting democratic procedures through a wave of politically tinged arrests.
In calling for the Kurds to turn over Mr. Hashemi, Mr. Maliki risked alienating a powerful minority that operates in its own semi-autonomous region and whose support he would need to form a new government without the support of the Sunni-dominated Iraqiya. While in the north, Mr. Hashemi is largely out of reach of Mr. Maliki's security forces, and from there could easily flee the country.
After the American military withdrawal, a fierce string of attacks occurred at the end of 2011 and continued into the new year, adding a new level of violence to the political and sectarian feuds.
In late December, the Sunni insurgent group Al Qaeda in Iraq killed more than 63 people in a series of explosions that ripped through Baghdad, transforming the morning commute into a bloodbath. Al Qaeda in Iraq has been accused of trying to plunge the country back into a sectarian conflict by pitting Sunnis and Shiites against one another.
On Jan. 5, 2012, insurgents launched a series of bombings against Shiite pilgrims making their way to the holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen, one of the holiest Shiite holidays. According to security officials, 68 people were killed in the attacks and more than 100 wounded.
On Jan. 14, insurgents mounted another attack against Shiites, as an explosion in the southern city of Basra killed 64 pilgrims traveling to a mosque in the city of Zubayr, just west of Basra, to commemorate the last day of Arbaeen.
The next day, in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province, insurgents detonated car bombs, and gunmen dressed as police officers wearing vests filled with explosives attacked a police compound where a top insurgent leader was being held, security officials said. Nine people, including five police officers, were killed; six insurgents, including three who detonated their explosives, also died.
No group claimed responsibility for the Jan. 14 or Jan. 15 attack, which appeared similar to others carried out by Al Qaeda in Iraq.
In the weeks following the military withdrawal, Iraqi authorities detained a few hundred foreign contractors, including many Americans who work for the United States Embassy, in one of the first major signs of the Iraqi government's asserting its sovereignty since American troops pulled out of the country in December 2011.
The detentions occurred largely at the airport in Baghdad and at checkpoints around the capital after the Iraqi authorities raised questions about the contractors' documents, including visas, weapons permits and authorizations to drive certain routes. Although no formal charges were filed, the detentions have lasted from a few hours to nearly three weeks.
The crackdown came amid other moves by the Iraqi government to take over functions that had been performed by the U.S. military and to claim areas of the country it had controlled. In the final weeks of the military withdrawal, the son of Iraq's prime minister began evicting Western companies and contractors from the heavily fortified Green Zone, which had been the heart of U.S. military operations for much of the war.
Just after the last American troops left in December, the Iraqis stopped issuing and renewing many weapons licenses and other authorizations. The restrictions created a sequence of events in which contractors were being detained for having expired documents that the government would not renew.
The Iraqi authorities have also imposed new limitations on visas. In some recent cases, contractors have been told they have 10 days to leave Iraq or face arrest in what some industry officials call a form of controlled harassment.
In 2008, Iraq and the United States signed a status of forces agreement, negotiated in the last days of the Bush administration, that called for the withdrawal of all American troops by the end of 2011. But the agreement was reached with a wink-and-nod understanding that a politically palatable way would be found to keep a substantial American troop presence in the country after that date.
But a number of Iraqi political factions publicly resisted the idea of a continued American military presence — notably the Sadrists, led by Moktada al-Sadr, an anti-American Shiite cleric who has called on his followers to attack American forces if they remain after the deadline. Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki had gained a second term only when Mr. Sadr through his support behind him after indecisive parliamentary elections in 2010.
The departure of American troops had coincided with rising concerns — in Iraq and in Washington — over Mr. Maliki's increasingly aggressive use of power. Frequent raids in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone and the arrest of 600 former Baathists in November 2011, purportedly to head off a coup, fanned fears that Mr. Maliki will use the threat of terrorism and unrest as a pretext to strike political foes — and over whether Iraq's fragile democracy will slide into a return to one-man rule.
Negotiations regarding American troops will continue. Possibilities being discussed are for some troops to come back in 2012, an option preferred by some Iraqi politicians who want to claim credit for ending what many here still call an occupation, even though legally it ended years ago. Other scenarios being discussed include training in the United States, in a neighboring country such as Kuwait or having some American troops come back under the auspices of NATO.
In the meantime, an agreement is in place to keep more than 150 Defense Department personnel, both military and civilian, in Iraq to secure the American Embassy, manage military sales and carry out standard duties of a defense attaché and office of security cooperation. They will operate under the authority of the State Department, which will be taking the leading role in Iraq.
Leaders among the Kurds and Sunnis would like some American troops to stay as a buffer against what they fear will be Shiite political dominance, coupled in turn with the rising influence of neighboring Iran. And the senior American commander in Iraq, Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, had proposed keeping as many as 14,000 to 18,000 troops there.
Even as the military reduces its troop strength in Iraq, the C.I.A. will continue to have a major presence in the country, as will security contractors working for the State Department.
The one kind of turmoil Iraq has seen little of is the pro-democracy movement that sprang to life in early 2011 across the region, the so-called Arab spring. In February, demonstrators turned out, not seeking to topple their leaders but demanding better government services after years of war and deprivation. But security forces responded with a heavy hand.
In a country where the demographics skew even younger than in places like Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, the wave of political change in the region has laid bare a generation gap split by old resentments nurtured by dictatorship and war and a youthful grasping for a stake in the new Iraq. But the forces of youth are blunted by the same forces that have robbed Iraqi society of so much for so long — violence, a stagnant economy, zero-sum politics and sectarianism — and that have prevented a new political class from emerging to take Iraq into a new democratic future.
History of the Invasion of Iraq:
Almost immediately after ousting the Taliban from power in Afghanistan following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — some argue, even before — President George W. Bush began to press the case for an American-led invasion of Iraq. He cited the possibility that Saddam Hussein still sought nuclear, biological and chemical weapons in defiance of United Nations restrictions and sanctions. Mr. Bush and other senior American officials also sought to link Iraq to Al Qaeda, the terrorist organization led by Osama bin Laden that carried out the Sept. 11 attacks. Both claims have since been largely discredited, though some officials and analysts continue to argue otherwise, saying that Mr. Hussein's Iraq posed a real and imminent threat to the region and to the United States.
In his State of the Union address in 2002 , Mr. Bush linked Iraq with Iran and North Korea as an " axis of evil. " In his 2003 address , Mr. Bush made it clear the United States would use force to disarm Mr. Hussein, despite the continuing work of United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq, and despite growing international protests, even from some allies. A week later Secretary of State Colin L. Powell made the administration's case before the United Nations Security Council with photographs, intercepted messages and other props, including a vial that, he said, could hold enough anthrax to shut down the United States Senate.
The invasion of Iraq began on March 19, 2003 — the early hours of March 20 in Iraq — when Mr. Bush ordered missiles fired at a bunker in Baghdad where he believed that Saddam Hussein was hiding. Within weeks, with a "coalition of the willing" and disputed legal authority , the United States quickly toppled Mr. Hussein's government, despite fierce fighting by some paramilitary groups. The Iraqi leader himself reportedly narrowly avoided being killed in the war's first air strikes. The Army's Third Infantry Division entered Baghdad on April 5, seizing what was once called Saddam Hussein International Airport. On April 9, a statue of Mr. Hussein in Firdos Square was pulled down with the help of the Marines. That effectively sealed the capture of Baghdad, but began a new war.
Chaos and Insurgency:
The fall of Iraq's brutal, powerful dictator unleashed a wave of celebration, then chaos, looting, violence and ultimately insurgency. Rather than quickly return power to the Iraqis, including political and religious leaders returning from exile, the United States created an occupation authority that took steps widely blamed for alienating many Iraqis and igniting Sunni-led resistance. They included disbanding the Iraqi Army and purging members of the former ruling Baath Party from government and public life, both with consequences felt to this day. On May 1, 2003, Mr. Bush appeared on an American aircraft carrier that carried a banner declaring " Mission Accomplished ," a theatrical touch that even the president years later acknowledged sent the wrong message.
In the security and political vacuum that followed the invasion, violence erupted against the American-led occupation forces and against the United Nations headquarters, which was bombed in August 2003, killing the body's special representative, Sergio Vieira de Mello. The capture of Saddam Hussein in December 2003 — the former leader was found unshaven and disheveled in a spider hole north of Baghdad — did nothing to halt the bloodshed. Nor did the formal transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people in June 2004, which took place a few months after the publication of photographs showing the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib had further fueled anger and anti-American sentiment.
In January 2005, the Americans orchestrated Iraq's first multi-party elections in five decades, a moment symbolized by Iraqis waving fingers marked in purple ink after they voted. The elections for a Transitional National Assembly reversed the historic political domination of the Sunnis, who had largely boycotted the vote. A Shiite coalition supported by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most powerful Shiite cleric, won a plurality, and put Shiites in power, along with the Kurds. Saddam Hussein stood trial, remaining defiant and unrepentant as he faced charges of massacring Shiites in Dujail in 1982.
A new constitution followed by the end of the year, and new elections in January 2006 cemented the new balance of power, but also exposed simmering sectarian tensions, as many Sunnis boycotted. In February 2006, the bombing of the Askariya Mosque in Samarra, one of the most revered Shiite shrines, set off a convulsion of violence against both Sunnis and Shiites that amounted to a civil war. In Baghdad, it soon was not unusual for 30 bodies or more to be found on the streets every day, as Shiite death squads operated without hindrance and Sunnis retaliated. That steady toll was punctuated by spikes from bomb blasts, usually aimed at Shiites. Even more families fled, as neighborhoods and entire cities were ethnically cleansed. Ultimately, more than 2 million people were displaced in Iraq, and many of them are still abroad to this day, unable or too afraid to return.
Arab and Kurdish tensions also ran high. In Mosul, a disputed city in the north, Sunni militants attacked Kurdish and Christian enclaves. The fate of Kirkuk, populated by Arabs, Kurds and smaller minority groups, remains disputed territory, punctured routinely by killings and bombings. After a political impasse that reflected the chaos in the country, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, a little-known Shiite politician previously known as Jawad al-Maliki, became Iraq's first permanent prime minister in April 2006.
At Home:
The messy aftermath of a swift military victory made the war in Iraq increasingly unpopular at home, but not enough to derail Mr. Bush's re-election in November 2004. Almost immediately afterwards, though, his approval rating dropped as the war dragged on. It never recovered. By 2006, Democrats regained control of Congress. Their victory rested in large part on the growing sentiment against the war, which rose with the toll of American deaths, which reached 3,000 by the end of the year, and its ever spiraling costs. Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death just before the Congressional elections, and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld resigned the day after the vote, widely blamed for having mismanaged the war.
In the face of rising unpopularity and against the advice of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan group of prominent Americans, Mr. Bush ordered a large increase in American forces, then totaling roughly 130,000 troops.
The "surge," as the increase became known, eventually raised the number of troops to more than 170,000. It coincided with a new counterinsurgency strategy that had been introduced by a new American commander, Gen. David H. Petraeus, and the flowering of a once-unlikely alliance with Sunnis in Anbar province and elsewhere. Moktada al-Sadr, the radical anti-American Shiite cleric, whose followers in the Mahdi Army militia had been responsible for some of the worst brutality in Baghdad, declared a cease-fire in September. These factors came together in the fall of 2007 to produce a sharp decline in violence.
Political progress and ethnic reconciliation were halting, though, fueling calls by Democrats to begin a withdrawal of American forces, though they lacked sufficient votes in Congress to force one. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, an early opponent of the war, rose to prominence in the Democratic race for the nomination in large part by capitalizing on the war's unpopularity. But by the time Mr. Obama defeated Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for the nomination in 2008 and then the Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, Iraq hardly loomed as an issue as it once had, both because of the drop in violence there and because of the rising economic turmoil in the United States and later the world.
Bush Reaches for an Agreement:
At the end of 2007, Mr. Bush and General Petraeus had succeeded in maintaining the level of American forces in Iraq above what it was before the "surge" began. Mr. Maliki's government, increasingly confident of its growing military might, expanded operations against insurgents and other militants that had once been the exclusive fight of the Americans. The militias loyal to Mr. Sadr, who had gone into exile, were routed in a government-led offensive in southern Iraq, though significant assistance from American forces and firepower was needed for the Iraqis to succeed. By May, the offensive extended to Sadr City in Baghdad, a densely populated neighborhood that had been largely outside of the government's control.
American and Iraqi officials spent most of 2008 negotiating a new security agreement to replace the United Nations mandate authorizing the presence of foreign troops. Negotiations proceeded haltingly for months, but Mr. Bush, who for years railed against those calling for timetables for withdrawal, agreed in July 2008 to a "general time horizon." That ultimately became a firm pledge to remove all American combat forces from Iraqi cities by the end of June 2009 and from the whole country by 2011. He also agreed to give Iraq significant control over combat operations, detentions of prisoners and even prosecutions of American soldiers for grave crimes, though with enough caveats to make charges unlikely.
Plans for Withdrawal:
The American military returned control of military operations to Iraq's military and police on Jan. 1, 2009. The American combat mission — Operation Iraqi Freedom, in the Pentagon's argot — officially ended on Aug. 31, 2010.
President Obama marked the date with a prime-time address from the Oval Office, saying that the United States had met its responsibility to Iraq and that it was time to turn to pressing problems at home.
The mission's name changed from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn, and the 50,000 remaining transitional troops were scheduled to leave by the end of 2011.
At the end of June 2009, also in keeping with the security agreement, the vast majority of American troops withdrew from Iraq's cities, garrisoning themselves on vast bases outside. Mr. Maliki declared June 30 a national holiday, positioning himself as a proud leader who ended the foreign occupation of Iraq. But Mr. Maliki's fanfare about ending the occupation rang hollow for Iraqis who feared that their country's security forces were not yet ready to stand alone. A series of catastrophic attacks in August, October, December and January 2010 — striking government ministries, universities, hotels — only heightened anxiety and suspicion among Iraqis.
Iraq's Fractious Postwar Politics:
Iraq's latest parliamentary election was originally scheduled for December 2009, but was delayed for months by political bickering. A parliamentary commission with disputed legal standing disqualified more than 500 candidates on the grounds they were former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party or remained sympathetic to it.
Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, hoping to build on his success in the 2009 provincial elections, sought to form a broader, cross-sectarian coalition that would include Sunnis, Kurds and other minority groups. Other parties followed suit, appealing for "national unity" in a country where it has rarely before existed, and only then a unity ruled by an iron hand.
They faced a formidable challenge from a coalition led by Ayad Allawi, a Shiite who served as interim prime minister before the 2005 elections. Mr. Allawi's alliance, called Iraqiya, drew broader support across the country's sectarian lines.
The pre-election turmoil unfolded against a backdrop of violence and intimidation, and a steady withdrawal of American troops. On Feb. 12, 2010, the Islamic State of Iraq, the insurgent group that now includes the remnants of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, vowed to disrupt the elections. While the level of violence plunged from the shocking carnage of 2006 and 2007, suicide bombers continued to attack, seemingly at will, plunging Baghdad into chaos on a regular basis and undercutting Mr. Maliki's claims to have restored security. Political disputes between Arabs and Kurds in the north continued to fester, prompting the Americans to intervene. Mr. Maliki's use of the military and security forces to settle political disputes also raised alarms, and put the Americans in the awkward middle.
Election Day in March 2010 was marked by violence that left at least 38 dead, but that did not dissuade voters from turning out in large numbers. The vote counting process proved to be more chaotic than expected, with accusations of fraud by leading parties, divisions among highly politicized electoral officials and chaos in disclosing the results.
The initial results showed the coalition led by Mr. Allawi taking a slim lead over the slate of Mr. Maliki. Mr. Allawi, although himself a Shiite, benefited from a surge in voting by Sunnis, many of whom boycotted earlier elections.
Mr. Maliki vigorously challenged the results, but Mr. Allawi's narrow lead survived a recount. Mr. Maliki also forged an alliance between his coalition and the other major Shiite bloc, a move that cleared the way for a Shiite-dominated government for the next four years. Together they were only four votes short of a majority, leading many in Iraq to expect that a deal could be reached with Kurdish parties, once the Kurds extract new promises of expanded autonomy.
But as weeks dragged on, the Shiite alliance had not agreed on a candidate for prime minister, as many of its members strongly oppose giving Mr. Maliki a second term. The leader of one Shiite faction, Moktada al-Sadr, an anti-American cleric, even met with Mr. Allawi in an apparent effort to increase pressure on Mr. Maliki to step aside. American efforts to have the two men share power also failed to resolve the issue.
On October 1 it was announced that Mr. Maliki's party, State of Law, and another Shiite party with ties to the cleric Moktada al-Sadr shut out a third, the Iraqi National Alliance, and its contender, Adel Abdelmehdi, in negotiations within the Shiite bloc.
The Kurds, with 57 seats in the new 325-member Parliament, emerged as powerbrokers in the final talks, throwing their support behind Mr. Maliki in exchange for holding onto the presidency.
The Obama administration had for months urged Iraq's quarreling factions to create a government that included all major ethnic and sectarian groups, lest the country descend into the chaos that consumed it in the worst years after the invasion of 2003.
Under the new pact, the county's current president, Jalal Talabani, a Kurdish leader, remaiedn as president, solidifying the role of Iraq's Kurds. The new government that will oversee the withdrawal of American troops on paper looked much like the one that has governed in the past four tumultuous years. But Mr. Allawi's role in the new government was ill-defined.
Mr. Maliki was formally granted a second term on Dec. 21, when Parliament unanimously voted to accept the cabinet he had painstakingly assembled.
By the following summer, feuding between the two men had brought the government into a state of paralysis. Mr. Maliki and Mr. Allawi, who still refused to speak to each other, had not even been able to agree on choices for the two most important ministries, defense and interior.
Deadly attacks in August 2011 heightened political tensions as Mr. Maliki appointed a member of his governing coalition as acting defense minister. Sunni leaders criticized the appointment as reneging on the earlier political deal.
The Drawdown:
The protracted election turmoil, and the strengthened position of the fiercely anti-American Mr. Sadr, cast doubt on establishing any enduring American military role in Iraq after the last of nearly 50,000 troops withdraw. Given Iraq's military shortcomings, especially in air power, intelligence coordination and logistics, American and Iraqi officials had long expected that some American military presence, even if only in an advisory role, would continue beyond 2011.
But strong opposition, especially from Mr. Sadr, complicated the question. Militias linked to Mr. Sadr produced a burst of violence against American forces in the spring of 2011, and he gave hints that he might renew such attacks if troops stayed on past the deadline.
Military experts and some Iraqi officials had said that U.S. forces should stay to help with tasks that included training Iraqi forces to operate and logistically support new M-1 tanks, artillery and F-16s they intend to acquire from the Americans; protecting Iraq's airspace until the country can rebuild its air force; and perhaps assisting Iraq's special operations units in carrying out counterterrorism operations.
But with the year-end deadline looming large because of the lead time the Pentagon needs to withdraw forces from Iraq, the combination of the political and logistical questions led to Mr. Panetta's proposal for a 3,000-member training force, which analysts called a bare-bones approach.
But even that foundered in the face of the Iraqi decision to revoke legal immunity.
The departure of the soldiers is by no means the end of a large American presence. The administration had already drawn up plans for an extensive expansion of the American Embassy and its operations, bolstered by thousands of paramilitary security contractors. It also created an Office of Security Cooperation that, like similar ones in countries like Egypt, would be staffed by civilians and military personnel overseeing the training and equipping of Iraq's security forces.
And the State Department was to assume responsibility for training the Iraqi police, a task that will largely be carried out by contractors. With no American soldiers to defuse sectarian tensions in northern Iraq, it will be up to American diplomats in two new $100 million outposts to head off potential confrontations between the Iraqi Army and Kurdish pesh merga forces.


text:
Nothing is sacred to Dr. Doofenshmirtz, not even... waffles?! The bumbling villain of Disney Channel's Phineas and Ferb has big plans for next month's D23 Expo, where a real-life version of his latest contraption, the Waffle-inator, is set to be installed. The 40-foot tall "video skyscraper" will spout flying foam waffles at this year's edition of the biennial event, a festival of all things Disney, held Aug. 9—11 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. Attendees can board the interactive game and help the adventurous stepbrothers outmaneuver Dr. Doof and help free Agent P.
The game is part of the celebration for the show's upcoming superhero episode, Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel, in which Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Hulk and Thor will meet the boys' world and encounter, among other things, the Waffle-inator. The special premieres Friday, Aug. 16 at 8/7c on Disney Channel.
"'The Waffleintor' captures the spirit, fun and larger-than-life adventure of the Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel story," says Richard Loomis, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Disney Channels Worldwide. "It's a once in a lifetime chance for kids to challenge Dr. Doof to save everyone's favorite secret agent, Agent P."
More information about the D 23 Expo can be found at D23expo.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Welcome to Eisho-ji.
We bring together the classical tradition of Soto Zen, founded by Dogen Zenji in the 13th Century, with the contemporary world. We attempt to protect and preserve the time tested Zen practice begun by Dogen and carried though the centuries in the Soto lineages. At the same time, we want to address the many challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.
Although we remain flexible and open to these challenges, we also believe that it is important to maintain continuity with and deep respect for the Soto Zen tradition in Japan. We want to have our feet securely in both worlds: the demands and culture of our time as well as the venerable institutions and practices of Soto Zen in Japan.
Our spiritual founder is the Reverend Minimizawa, vice abbot of the headquarter temple Eihei-ji (the training monastery, founded by Dogen, located in present day Fukui Prefecture). Our spiritual leader is Resident Priest and Operating Director Kosho Itagaki.
Roshi Minamizawa
Kosho Itagaki


text:
By Ed White
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) -- By the end of the year, Detroit wants to submit a plan to emerge from bankruptcy, an attorney said last Friday, an aggressive timetable that's two months earlier than a judge proposed for a city hoping to shed billions of debt.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes held the second hearing since Detroit became the largest city to file for Chapter 9 protection two weeks ago. It mostly was a housekeeping docket, with key deadlines and dates discussed, but also served as a forum for Rhodes to encourage all sides to keep talking about ways to settle debts.
Detroit claims it has at least $18 billion in liabilities, from underfunded pensions and health care costs to bonds that lack city revenue to be paid off.
Rhodes gave creditors a week to privately file opinions on the appointment of a mediator, Detroit chief federal judge Gerald Rosen, but said he strongly believes it's a good idea.
"Consensual resolution is in the best interest of the citizens of the city of Detroit," Rhodes said, adding that it could be hard for a "strong, vibrant" city to emerge if the parties turn to "long, bitter litigation."
A deal is "better than a cram-down" from the court, the judge said later.
David Heiman, an attorney for Detroit, agreed and said the city and some unsecured creditors have been talking regularly, although significant differences remain. He said the city hopes to submit a plan by Dec. 31 to emerge from bankruptcy.
"Our view is that time is our enemy," Heiman said. "The facts are not going to change."
Nonetheless, there still are many hurdles.
Rhodes, for example, has to determine whether Detroit is even eligible for bankruptcy. Creditors will have an opportunity to argue that the city hasn't negotiated in good faith. A multi-day trial on the eligibility question has been proposed for Oct. 23.
And there's another critical issue: Michigan's constitution bars breaking public pensions, which are a key part of the city's liabilities. Rhodes agreed that a committee should be formed to represent the interests of more than 20,000 Detroit retirees. The committee will have a professional staff, and the city will foot the bill.
Babette Ceccotti, an attorney for the United Auto Workers, said key dates proposed by Rhodes "might be too aggressive." And a lawyer who represents Detroit's pension funds said mediation could be too early without a better look at the city's finances.
"We want to caution against expediency merely for the sake of expediency. ... The stakes are high," Robert Gordon told Rhodes.
The judge opened the hearing in an unusual way, declaring to the public that he doesn't run Detroit. It wasn't clear what motivated him to make the statement.
"The city's elected and appointed officials remain in full control of the city and its operations," Rhodes said, adding that any complaints or compliments should go to City Hall.
Detroit is being run by emergency manager Kevyn Orr, a bankruptcy specialist appointed in March by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.
Published: Tue, Aug 6, 2013


text:
Kakadu Canvas Tailor Made Seat Covers - Pink
Special Offer
Item No. SPO7549931
Additional Information
Full Product Info
Getting into nature doesn't have to leave a mess. The Kakadu Canvas seat covers from Sperling provide the protection you need on your next big adventure. Featuring thick 6mm foam padding and waterproof backing, these seat covers help to protect against life's little accidents. These covers are machine washable for easy maintenance and come with a poly-spandex backside with hook and loop stretch tie fitting system, making installation a breeze. Spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your drive in the great outdoors with the Kakadu Canvas covers by Sperling.
- Super strong 14oz poly canvas construction for comfort and durability
- Easy cleaning - just sponge, dry and walk away
- Waterproof backing to ensure your seats stay dry underneath
- Poly-spandex stretch backing for a contoured fit
- Fun pink highlights for a stylish, practical option


text:
Neighborhood cleanup events kick off Earth Month 2014, with a community focus
Spring cleaning season is here, with a focus on Earth Day 2014 in Portland. Neighborhoods all across Portland hold cleanup events to give residents a chance to reduce waste and unwanted clutter from their homes, basements or garages.
There are 47 neighborhood cleanup events scheduled throughout Portland during the spring months. Accepted materials at cleanups vary. Materials typically include bulky items like furniture, mattresses and appliances, hard-to-recycle materials, scrap metal, building materials and wood.
Neighborhood cleanups prioritize and promote both recycling and reuse over throwing away. Volunteers from neighborhood associations coordinate these events and have been offering more options for reuse and swapping at the events every year. Last year, 33 neighborhood cleanups incorporated onsite reuse options, allowing neighbors to take, swap or buy items immediately.
The seven Neighborhood Coalitions have listings of the scheduled cleanup events by neighborhood association.
- Central Northeast Neighbors (CNN)
- East Portland Neighborhood Office (EPNO)
- Neighbors West/Northwest (NW/NW)
- North Portland Neighborhood Services (NPNS)
- Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN)
- Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Coalition (SEUL)
- Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI)
Find contact information for your neighborhood association from the Office of Neighborhood Involvement or call 503-823-4519.
Contact the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability at 503-823-7202 for possible cleanup dates, locations, costs and accepted materials.
Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day at Portland's largest community celebration on Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free event takes place in Kenton Park in North Portland and has something for everyone: Live music, entertainment, kids' activities and information tables from a variety of organizations and businesses


text:
|The Maekok River Village Resort is idyllically located
on the banks of the Mae Kok River with sweeping views across the valley
to the distance forested mountains. The peaceful, rural setting makes
an ideal getaway for those wanting to escape the usual city tourist
traps. For the interested and adventurous the resort also makes an excellent
jumping off point for discovering Northern Thailand.
There are also numerous activities available at the resort and in the surrounding area which allow guests to fill their days with a variety of experiences. This makes the M.R.V.R. particularly suitable for families. It is no surprise that the most common complaint we receive from guests is that they wished they had been booked for longer.
We pride ourselves on providing the best possible service - all enquiries are personally handled by the manager, and we endeavor to make sure that your stay is as perfect as we can make it and as good as you would wish for. In the words of one of our guests 'The Maekok River Village Resort is much more than just a hotel'.
Located by the river, The Maekok River Village Resort offers simple and
attractively styled accommodation with private patio/balcony set in beautifully tended gardens.
All rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with mini bar and TV.
The en-suite bathrooms have Balinese open style showers.
Fresh fruit, cookies, tea and fresh local coffee from the Wa Wee hills are provided complimentary.
The rooms are prepared with care and attention to detail including fresh flowers from the gardens.
All the 36 rooms are the same in size (36 sq metres) and layout and enjoy a pleasant and peaceful outlook, but the frontage and views from the rooms vary.
Superior Room - have garden outlook and small garden area adjoining patio
Deluxe Room - all rooms afford fuller view of the gardens. Front 'deluxe' rooms have their own larger garden area. The second floor, upper 'deluxe' rooms enjoy views of valley and mountains from their private balcony.
Family Room - are made up of two superior rooms, one double and one twin with an interconnecting door. A third bed/or cot can be added. Rooms have children sized gowns, slippers and toys available. PLEASE NOTE these family rooms are only available for families with children under 16 years.
The main upstairs restaurant has been built to afford full panoramic views of the river and valley and has its own bar. The menu offers a wide range of Thai and Western cuisine and includes a children's section. In particular it offers Northern Thai dishes as well as seasonal 'specials'. Depending on the season much of the fruit and vegetables come from our organic farm. Room service can be ordered from the restaurant.
Aod's Bar'
Aod's Bar is built from reconstituted teak and rosewood in traditional Thai style, complete with fireplace for the cooler winter months. It opens out onto a balcony which looks across the gardens and to hills beyond. With its stunning views it is a perfect spot for a afternoon tea, an early evening drink, morning coffee or a quiet read.
Swimming Pool
The swimming pool is set into an attractive garden landscape looking out to the surrounding hills. It includes a Jacuzzi and toddler's pool. The pool is adjacent to Aod's Bar where all day bar service is available.
The gardens have been specially designed for guests enjoyment and interest. They comprise vegetable, herb, fruit and flower areas as well as quiet areas to sit and relax.
Recreational Facilities
Small children's playground, snooker, table tennis, darts and half court basketball are available. (See Activities)
Thai Cookery
Gift Shop
The gift shop is located in the restaurant area. All profits go into our community project fund to support the local schools and many of the handicrafts are made by local school children.


text:
Ben Moseby
From the February 20, 1925 issue of the PN&C:
Luray Colored Man Aged 104 Dead
Ben Moseby, colored, who claimed to have seen 'the stars fall' in 1833 when he was twelve years old, died on Wednesday at the home of Lena Cyrus, wife of John Cyrus, at Luray. Ben was a slave in Fluvanna county when the shooting meteors of Nov. 18, 1833, lit up the heavens with the brilliancy of day and struck consternation to the hearts of the people, the fright by no means being confined to those of Ben's color. With the exception of the fall of the stars the old colored man had no first-hand recollection of historic events of importance. He belonged to Benjamin Flannagan of Culpeper county, who owned a big landed estate as well as twenty-five slaves. Charles W. Flannagan of Charlottesville, Va., a nephew of Benjamin Flannagan, is a brother-in-law of Charles S. Landram of Luray. The latter is able to verify a good many of the facts as Ben gave them.
Nobody is able to take issue with the old negro as to his great age. Until a week before he died he was able to be about and looked after the garden and other work about the house of Lena Cyrus whom he raised in his prime he was a man of powerful physique. He came to Page county about 1900 and ran the blacksmith shop at the White House, then belonging to Cletus M. Brubaker, deceased. He was a skilled workman and while a slave was employed regularly as a blacksmith, his master getting the proceeds of labor until he was freed as a result of the war. He came to Page county from Culpeper where he followed his trade for many years. Ben always bore a good character. He belonged to Bethel Baptist Church. The funeral will be held at the church on the hill by his pastor, Rev. G.W. Thomas today, the body being interred in the colored Odd Fellows cemetery near the Jake Kelly place.
November 21, 2009 8:58 pm
This is a wonderful site. I am working on a similiar site for Rappahannock County, VA, only I focused on free people of color and slaves. There is family named Shaw in Rappahannock 1840 census by the name Shaw – Mahala, Lucy, Letty and Mary. They show up in the 1813 census of Culpeper COunty. My great great great grandmother was Elizabeth or Betsy Shaw married to Samuel Lawler, they were both free. After the 1840 census I could not find any of the Shaws in Rappahannock COunty, but I found a Mahala and Ellen Shaw in Page County in 1850. I am trying to determine if this is the same family. ANyone with information about the free Shaw family, please contact me at firstname.lastname@example.com. Thank you.


text:
The 2nd installment, in my opinion, is the easiest one to view your officers stats. I try other ones like III, IV, VI, and they are near impossible to see who should be assigned to what task. Maybe I'm just really fast at II, but i'm finding iii and iv, soooo sloooow. I like how fast I can move at II, it makes the game feel so fluent.
I've been playing II since the day it came out (I was so young, I had to ask my parents what "plotting strategy" meant) and now I find the game to be better than ever. I've discovered fun ways to play to keep the game interesting; playing all the rulers except the three kingdoms, playing as just the 3 kingdoms, new ruler, and finding rhythms to any one ruler (playing the perfect game). Early to mid-game is extremely fun for me. Scenario 1, choose Liu Bei. Recruit Lu Bu first turn and re assign all the soldiers, even taking some away from Liu Bei to balance out the other three officers. Wait until July to attack Gongsun Zan. You will find Zhao Yun when you search come Jan, the following year. Take out Yuan Shao. Province 6 is your new capital and next you can declare war on Cao Cao! Lu Bu is under rated. As long as your opponent has no gold he's yours! He also seems more fond of Shu than the other guys.
Recently, I've discovered how much fun it is to play along to the aggression/trust numbers. It adds a whole dimension I usually ignore. Yes, even the most trusted AI will turn on you if you tempt him, but you can count on him for joint attacks and reinforcements.
If you schedule a joint attack and do not follow through, the trust of your ally can plummet, and you may not get another chance. The trust on the main screen I think has more to do with other officers than to other rulers (contrary to the manual), and your ruler trust you can see anytime you open Ally, Joint, Gift, etc. If you're having trouble with loyalty, get your trust rating higher, or the officer may just simply not like you!
More later...


text:
Monday, February 7, 2011
on 180-degree turns, and im not talking about skateboarding
Posted by The Author at 9:19 PM
5 comments:
- IzziaraYusoff said...
apa motif tulis ayat ni,
"they even promoted some of my friends to my cousin, who is single."
- February 7, 2011 at 10:54 PM
- Rashidah A Hamid said...
This is a wonderful read, Ikmal =)
- February 8, 2011 at 12:04 AM
- The Author said...
izzie: ni nak tunjukkan yg allah tlg kita ubah org punya perception haha
edie: thank you :)
- February 8, 2011 at 4:20 AM
- Izzat Md Yusoff @ Za'ba said...
me likey this very much iki~!
owh and believe me, i get this all the time:
"takde ke kawan2 izzat yang single and searching?"
I was afraid to tell my family about usrah but I guess, there's nothing to be afraid after all :D Just hope that one day, I can tell them everything about dakwah
- February 8, 2011 at 5:34 AM
- Reader said...
honestly..i've been reading your blog from the earliest entry..ok mybe not that early but you get the picture right :)
and i saw the changes in your writing.
and i think that's good
u'r in oversea kan?
mostly..there are 3 types of people whom used to live or study abroad will be;
1.Changed to be someone better in making Islam the way of life
2.Nothing changed
3.Became worse
hopefully we're in the 1st group :)
keep on writing
and ya..my english isn't good as yours but reading your blog somehow improving mine
- February 8, 2011 at 11:31 PM


text:
In a continuing effort to advance the use of environmentally responsible technologies in residential construction, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the International Code Council (ICC) and the NAHB Research Center are nearing the end of a process that will result in an ANSI standard for green dwelling design and construction practices. The entire process, from the formation of a consensus committee to public review and final ANSI approval, is expected to be completed in early 2008. The result will be a voluntary green building standard that can be adopted by local green home building programs or local building departments as a conformance guide. After completion of the ANSI process, the standard will be promulgated as a joint publication between NAHB and the International Code Council (ICC).
The Consensus Committee developing the new standard started with the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines developed by the NAHB Research Center in 2004 with participation from a Stakeholder Group of over 64 organizations representing various vested interests in residential construction in the United States. (Described below)
As of early November, the Committee was immersed in the process of addressing nearly 1,000 public comments submitted by a broad group of interested parties on the first draft. The revised draft is expected to be posted for a new public comment period on December 21, 2007. An opportunity to submit further public comments will begin at that time. In accordance with ANSI procedures, the public comment period will continue for 45 days. The resulting ANSI-approved standard will provide a common benchmark for recognizing and rewarding green residential design, development, and construction practices in a manner that is transparent, verifiable, and meaningful to builders, product manufacturers, and consumers.
Based on the wide acceptance of the predecessor guidelines, it is expected that the new standard will become the preferred one for adoptions by organizations and jurisdictions desiring to maximize the transformation of their housing stock into a sustainable and environmentally sensitive asset.
All information dedicated to the standard development process is posted to an NAHB Research Center website at www.nahbrc.org/GBStandard. All questions related to the standard development process should be forwarded to firstname.lastname@example.com.
The NAHB Model Green Building Guideline has 7 sections.
Part One - The Checklist
Part One of these guidelines contains the checklist of line items. Each entry includes the line item title, the point value, and the items that should be provided by the builder to verify that the line item was implemented. The verification column assumes there is a green building program coordinator or other third-party. However, the guidelines and point system can be used independently even if a formal green building program does not exist in a particular region.
It is again recommended that a builder first become familiar with the line items prior to designing a home to help introduce concepts that a builder can incorporate into the home's design, construction, and operation.
To help a builder holistically incorporate green building into homes, the NAHB Research Center team established different point levels to achieve for each guiding principle for each level of green building. The point system is described below.
Point System
There are three different levels of green building available to builders wishing to use these guidelines to rate their projects - Bronze, Silver, and Gold. At all levels, there are a minimum number of points required for each of the seven guiding principles in order to assure that all aspects of green building are addressed and that there is a balanced, whole-systems approach. After reaching the thresholds, an additional 100 points must be achieved by implementing any of the remaining line items. The table below outlines the various green building level thresholds.
Points Required for the Three Different Levels of Green Building
Guiding Principal
Lot Design, Preparation, and Development
Resource Efficiency
Energy Efficiency
Water Efficiency
Indoor Environmental Quality
Operation, Maintenance, and Homeowner Education
Global Impact
Obtain additional points from sections of your choice
*If the home does not have a ducted distribution system for space heating and cooling, deduct 15 points from the number of points required in the Energy Efficiency section.
A reduction in the required points for a home without ductwork for the space heating and cooling systems reflects the fact that there are more points available for homes that do have ductwork. It is not intended as an indication of preference for one type of system over another.
To determine point values for each guiding principle, a builder simply adds the points for each line item applied to the home for each guiding principle. Comparing the project's points for the individual guiding principles to the chart above will determine whether the project is deemed a Bronze, Silver, or Gold level green home.
Part Two - The User Guide
Recognizing that some of the line items needed more than a one- or two-sentence explanation, the User Guide further explains each concept. For each line item, the User Guide contains an entry with the following subheadings:
Appendix A provides additional ideas to consider for builders and developers who can affect change at the subdivision level, i.e., multiple home levels.
If a local green home building program does not exist, a builder can use the checklist and User Guide herein and self-certify a home. However, if a local association has used this document to create a local green building program, the builder can use the checklist and system from that program to show a home's relative green value.
Remember Me
10/27/2020WDMA Fall Virtual Conference
4/14/2021Spring Meeting & Legislative Conference
6/8/2021Technical & Manufacturing Conference
10/6/2021Executive Management Conference


text:
Enjoy a different GBS Beard oil every day for 5 days! (work week)
One 1oz. GBS OG Beard Oil
One 1oz. GBS PINE scent Beard Oil
One 1oz. GBS VIKING BLEND Beard Oil
One 1oz. GBS BAY RUM scent Beard Oil
One 1oz. GBS GENTLEMEN'S BLEND Beard Oil
1 business day
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
If you would like to substitute the given oil or balm scent that is included in a combo pack for a different scent, you can leave a request in the notes before checking out and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
We do not offer gift wrapping or packaging for any of our products. Combos and Gift Packs are not packages in special wrapping either.
Please email email@example.com


text:
The goal of the NEA in this area is to assist member countries in ensuring high standards of safety in the use of nuclear energy, by supporting the development of effective and efficient regulation and oversight of nuclear installations, and by helping to maintain and advance the scientific and technological knowledge base.
Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI)
Full list of CSNI reports since 1973
Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA)
Full list of CNRA reports since 1992
The Agency's joint projects and information exchange programmes enable interested countries, on a cost-sharing basis, to pursue research or the sharing of data with respect to particular areas or problems. The projects are carried out under the auspices, and with the support, of the NEA. Such projects, primarily in the areas of nuclear safety and waste management, are one of the NEA's major strengths
The NEA has been invited to perform the Technical Secretariat functions for the Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP). MDEP is a multinational initiative taken by national safety authorities to develop innovative approaches to leverage the resources and knowledge of the national regulatory authorities who will be tasked with the review of new reactor power plant designs.
CSNI Code Validation Matrix Integral Test Data
CSNI Code Validation Matrix Separate Effects Test Data
External link to EC Stresa project (requires password)
Last reviewed: 17 February 2020


text:
Harley Pasternak Blogs: How the Hottest Women in Film Get Fit
Get a body like Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie and more of Hollywood's hottest women
There are three things most people are very opinionated about: religion, politics and who has the finest, fittest female body in film.
For those of you who read my blog last week, I presented a list of the fittest male physiques in movie history. Some agreed, some didn't. But my list of women must be handled with a bit more finesse.
First, what defines the "best" female film body?
She has to be fit. Just plain skinny doesn't cut it. She has to look like she's got some muscle tone – not necessarily Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2 – and she shouldn't have a physique that looks lean but feels like marshmallow.
On the other hand, she needs to be feminine. The natural curves of a woman are a prerequisite. Female bodybuilders are a little too extreme to make this list.
There is not one ideal female body type. As you can see from the list, there are many different types of bodies that impress.
Armed with my criteria and votes that many of you have Tweeted (thanks Twitter followers!), I combined your votes with those of my clients and added in a few of my own personal choices to create the list below.
Halle Berry in Catwoman
Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider
Jessica Simpson in The Dukes of Hazzard
Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element
Jessica Biel in Blade: Trinity
Eva Green in Casino Royale
Kate Beckinsale in Underworld
Megan Fox in Transformers
Eva Mendes in Ghost Rider
Jessica Alba in Sin City
Ashley Greene in Twilight
Jordana Brewster in The Fast and the Furious
Think I missed someone? Feel free to Tweet me your vote for best female film body @harleypasternak.
In the interest of full disclosure, I must say that I've actually trained eight of these 12 ladies, and I can assure you, they work their butts off (literally) and eat very well to look the way they do.
If you want to make your body red-carpet ready, aside from a good diet and regular cardio, the following workout will surely help.
1. Start with a 5-minute cardio warm-up. Try speed walking, jogging, jump rope, jumping jacks, or climbing stairs.
2. Then it's time for walk lunges. From the standing position, step forward into a lunge, then swing your trailing leg ahead of you as you move upwards and alternate legs as you move across the room. Do three sets of 20 reps.
3. Next is shoulder lateral raise. Standing with a light weight (or bottle of smartwater) in each hand, slowly raise your arms away from each other out towards the wall, then return down. Do three sets of 30 reps.
4. Then the seated trunk twist. Sitting on the ground and leaning back 30 degrees, hold your arms in front of you like a boxer. As you twist your torso to the left, reach towards the left wall with your right hand, then immediately do the same in the opposite direction. Try three sets of 50 reps.
5. End with a 5-minute cardio cool down. Try speed walking, jogging, jump rope, jumping jacks, or climbing stairs.
Try phases 2, 3 and 4 as a continuous non-stop circuit.
Check back every Wednesday for more insider tips on Hollywood's hottest bodies – and learn how to get one yourself! Plus: follow Harley on Twitter at @harleypasternak


text:
New Roma signing Kevin Strootman relishing chance to play in Serie A
Kevin Strootman is relishing the chance to have a crack at Serie A after joining Roma from PSV Eindhoven.
Last Updated: 18/07/13 11:38am
The Holland midfielder has signed a five-year deal with the Giallorossi after the two clubs agreed a fee reported to be 20 million euros.
Strootman wrote on his personal website: "I am very excited to be able to play for this great club.
"It is the next stage in my career development after being at Sparta, FC Utrecht and PSV, a club at which I had a lot of fun."
The 23-year-old admitted he had sought the advice of PSV team-mate, and former AC Milan midfielder, Mark van Bommel before opting to move to Italy.
Strootman told De Telegraaf: "He was the man with experience of Italy.
"Mark said how great the passion of the fans was, how special the atmosphere in the stadiums was and how there was a totally different football culture.
"What counts for me is the number of big games I am going to play here.
"I will train every day with top players and get to play against the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli."


text:
Saturday 19 September 2020
28 January 2013
On 28 January 2013, the IASB held a discussion forum on the topic of disclosures in financial reporting. The purpose of the forum was to obtain a clearer picture of the 'disclosure problem' and to explore ways of addressing this problem, within existing requirements, to improve the quality of disclosures.
The discussion forum was attended by about 120 people including preparers, auditors, regulators, users of financial statements and standard-setters. It was evident from the discussion at the forum that each of these groups has a role to play in improving the quality of disclosures in financial reporting.
The key messages from the forum are included in the Feedback Statement: Discussion Forum–Financial Reporting Disclosure.
The forum included:
A copy of the agenda and presentations is available from the 'documents' section of this webpage.
© IFRS Foundation.


text:
- Description
- Tasting Notes
- What's Inside
- Occasions
Toast a loved one or send along your best wishes with this gift of California wine paired with gourmet sweets and savory fare, presented in a bronze-trimmed wine chiller with dual metal handles.
Included in this Gift
- Your selection of Sefton Springs Cellar Master's Red, Sefton Springs California Chardonnay, or one bottle of each. For more information on these wines, please see the Tasting Notes.
- Almond Roca, Chocolate Dolcetto Wafers, Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies.
- Wisconsin Pepper Cheese, Rosemary Crackers, Almond Biscotti.
What else is in this gift basket?
Each gourmet item is carefully assembled, and the gift is accentuated with a hand-tied satin ribbon with optional personalization. A free card with your personal message is included, as well as complimentary scissors so your recipient can easily open their gift.
Signature GiftTree Container
Your gift will leave a lasting impression as they continue to use and enjoy this elegant keepsake wine chiller.
GiftTree Personalization
Personalize it! Complete the personalization option and we'll print your message on a satin ribbon. One line with up to 45 characters; requested text repeats across entire ribbon.
Gift Basket Dimensions
Measures 15" x 9" x 8"
Due to the alcoholic content of this gift, an adult signature is required upon delivery.Gift #3004
+ FedEx Adult Signature Fee $4.95
For delayed delivery, GiftTree can hold your gift and have it shipped to arrive anytime. To use this option, select "Ship Later" on the next page.
Vineyard Select Wine Basket is a hand delivered gift. These gifts are delivered by one of our local design centers located throughout the United States and Canada.
Same day delivery is available for most gifts when ordered before the cutoff time. Saturday delivery is possible if ordered before 12 PM Friday. The cutoff time for Vineyard Select Wine Basket is in the recipient's time zone.
Due to the alcoholic content of this gift, an adult signature is required upon delivery.
Almond RocaA world famous confection from Brown & Haley. Chocolate and almonds combine with butter-crunch toffee for a divine mix of tastes and textures.
Dolcetto Chocolate WafersDelicately-rolled European-style wafer rolls that are made with premium ingredients including rich cocoa and chocolate. A decadently sweet treat!
Northwoods Hot Pepper CheeseSavory hot pepper cheese from Wisconsin. Creamy and spicy with real jalapeno peppers.
Sefton Springs California Cellar Master's RedThis rich, medium-bodied red wine bursts with flavors of blackberry, plum, cherry fruit, and a hint of pepper.
Chocolate Chip Pecan CookiesThis delightful combination of just the right amount of chocolate and pecans makes this cookie perfect to pair with your favorite beverage, ice cream or just straight from the bag.
Fresh Roasted AlmondsRoasted almonds coated in a zesty seasoning mix. Perfect with a cocktail or as an after dinner treat.
Olive Oil and Sea Salt Crostini d'ItaliaItalian for "little toasts", these crisp, savory crackers are blended with authentic coarse sea salt and extra virgin olive oil. Try them topped with cheese, vegetables, dips or cured meats.
Vineyard Select Wine Basket has been purchased most frequently by our customers for the following occasions:
Average Rating:(111 reviews) write a review
Read More Reviews
MaggaNice assortment and beautifully packaged.May 27, 2016
rafflegiverGreat valueMay 13, 2016
A beautiful presentation and an amazing assortment of edibles to go with the wines. I'll be back
NinaThe Happy Couple Were HappierApril 21, 2016
When my GiftTree package was delivered, they immediately snapped a pic with their cell phone & texted it to me with their "thank yous", then telephoned me too. They said it was the best gift of all.
MrLaughterAFebruary 23, 2016
Bought one for my mother and she loved it. Reasonable price and beautiful appearance.
Thoughtful GifterFabulous Surprise!February 17, 2016
I sent this gift basket for Valentine's Day to my boy friend as he loves surprises. As he is the one who surprises me most often. I wanted to send something classy, beautiful and tasteful that would completely surprise him and make it memorable. He loved the gift and the attention he got at work, where he received it. This is a fabulous gift for any occasion and is packaged very well. I would strongly recommend this gift to anyone who is important to you.
GifterDependable and Beautiful!January 28, 2016
Winelover in VAQuality product, Fast shippingJanuary 28, 2016
The recipient sent me a picture of the basket and it was definitely a great presentation with quality products. I ordered mid day on a Wednesday and by Friday afternoon she had the basket and loved it. Thanks Gift Tree!
lexsue01Great BaskeetJanuary 26, 2016
I sent this to my sister-in-law and she loved it. Two bottles of wine are always better than one!!
NeoscrubVineyard Select Wine BasketJanuary 4, 2016
This was sent as a gift. It was shipped quickly and I was kept informed of a delivery problem which was easily resolved. The recipient said the container was of good quality as were the contents. It even came with a complimentary scissors to open it which was a great touch! I will order from Gift Tree again.
Happy MotherBeautiful PresentationDecember 30, 2015
My daughter sends and receives many gift baskets . She said the presentation of the Wine Basket was the "Best" she has seen. It made me happy that she was pleased with her gift. I would recommend and use Gift Tree again.
English gentExcellent GiftDecember 28, 2015
We ordered this from the UK for our family in Denver and we were delighted with the quality, speed of delivery, and the value. We will definitely use Gift tree again and we will recommend them to our friends. Keep up the good work!
ERASSYGIFT BASKETDecember 26, 2015
Gift basketGreat dealDecember 25, 2015
Sent to my parents who are picky and they loved it. Said it was really nice size. I thought it was a great basket especially for the price.
BudGreat Gift!December 24, 2015
Beautiful basket and yummy! Also super fast shipping.
Santa's helperPerfection!!!December 22, 2015
A last minute order over the internet turned out to be one of the quickest delivered and best choice ever for the recipient who has very good taste!! They called within 24 hours of our ordering to exclaim how wonderful the basket is and how she could not wait to serve it over the holiday! We called to make sure of the order as my husband forgot which basket was sent. The customer service representative was so sweet and gave us our order number so we could check the "sold out" basket. How lucky we were to order it before all were gone. Definitely going to order from here again. Merry Christmas and thank you Santa.
NC Sandhills DwellerGreat Gift!December 14, 2015
I am very pleased with this lovely basket. My Mother-in-Law loved it. She enjoyed the quality and variety of the contents. She also liked the beverage tub it was packed in.
However, the enclosed gift message was incomplete. I may have exceeded the allowable limit for characters and it cut off my name. Luckily we let her know it was coming, so she knew who it was from. I would suggest increasing the number of allowable characters in the message from the giver.
Overall I'm very happy and would purchase this item again. :-)
NessTruly exceptional!December 3, 2015
Even more amazing then expected! Prompt delivery and great packaging! I was told the wines were tasty and well paired with the treats! Thank You GiftTree! Happy holidays! Truly best way to send heartfelt gifts :) will be back to order.
JustLuckyFantastic 50th AnniversaryNovember 28, 2015
Our friends were overjoyed when they received their bountiful gift. We were so delighted with your beautiful gift selection and your prompt delivery service. We will definitely go to YOUR site for all our future gift items. Thank you many times over.
SandyTop Quality!November 27, 2015
Our daughter was extremely pleased with the entire basket! Thanks!!!
JoeFriends loved the Gift Basket!November 12, 2015
Thanks for delivering an excellent product to a couple that recently moved to another state. They were thrilled!
"Realtor"Perfect for any occassionSeptember 15, 2015
Tons of goodies and great keepsake. Love it!!! Will be used for many closing gifts!
skeetaGreat Birthday Present.August 9, 2015
This gift was a birthday present for one of my dearest girlfriends and she loved it. It arrived on time, and when sent me the picture, I was in awe because it was put together so well. She loved the personalized ribbon and the ice chiller added that extra flare along with all the items that we included.
Thank you for helping me to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday in a Grand Way!
CheersA great choiceMay 11, 2015
I sent this to my aunt as a thank you gift. She LOVED it.
She sent me pics, and it looked stuffed to the brim, like the pics.
I mainly chose this basket for the ice bucket, haha! I will probably have to 'borrow' it from my aunt some time!
SblackThey Loved ItApril 21, 2015
I bought this for my parent's 45 Wedding Anniversary. My mom could not stop talking about it! They were overwhelmed by it's size and impressed with everything from the wine to the sweet and savory goodies. Personalizing the ribbon gave it just the right touch.
My daughter loved this birthday gift!! She enjoyed each and everything like a kid (she turned 26)!
UKgifterFantastic gift basketJanuary 4, 2015
Great selection of gifts; super value. Lovely wine chiller as a keepsake.
holiday givingPerfect gift to send family far awayDecember 31, 2014
Beautiful display and variety. Will absolutely order again. Delivery was actually earlier than scheduled!
hotcoffeeLOVED ITDecember 22, 2014
everything was great! it was on time and beautiful. my friends were happy and it was excellent to be able to spread some Christmas cheer, even from 1000 miles away.
Ann the PainterGreat GiftDecember 22, 2014
My family members loved the gift. Put together nicely. They're having a holiday party with all the great treats. Thanks... glad I found your website.
Wisconsin WineladyGreat Gift!December 3, 2014
She loved it, and is still loving it. she's really enjoying the entire package.Nice Wine sturdy and decor Chiller, good wine, cheese, knife, and snacks to accompany.
What a surprise to her. It's always hard to have her Birthday and Christmas in the same month, but.....again she loves it.
Worth the money!
Well packed and shipped.
Thank you, I'll be back to gift my parents.
thomasdosborneiiReally Excited About It!November 29, 2014
My sister and her husband were really excited about this when it arrived and they said that it was a cornucopia of goodies that just kept on coming and they "dug in"! They loved everything about it, all their favorite treats, and, as wine lovers, they really appreciated receiving both a bottle of white wine and a bottle of red. They also appreciated the reusable "tub" that it all came in!
RisBeautiful PresentationSeptember 18, 2014
It was nice to be able to send a "thank you" gift that wasn't the standard flowers or fruit basket.
ciganiBeautiful filled basketSeptember 15, 2014
This basket was a fantastic surprise! What a wonderful tasty 67th birthday from son, daughter-in-law, and 3 grandkids.
PinkieBeautiful PresentationSeptember 15, 2014
My friends loved this gift. The basket was beautiful and the contents were very enjoyable.
Order went smoothly and delivery was exactly as promised. The presentation was excellent and the personalized ribbon was the crowing touch. This is an excellent service for me as I live in France and my daughter on the west coast USA. It is not always easy to do international orders online. Thank you for good service I will definitely be using you again and will recommend to friends.
This was a gift and my friends enjoyed the food and loved the wine. The presentation was beautiful as well. This is the second year I have used GiftTree for their anniversary and I would you this company again.
wine country jo
Fantastic presentation!
WineloverVery Nice PresentationMay 7, 2014
The recipient was very pleased with the contents and presentation. I would definitely use this company again.
CE girlMore than I expected!May 5, 2014
Gave this to a special person in my life for his birthday. It was an amazing gift basket. He really appreciated it. He was very impressed, could not believe how nicely displayed it was and the quality was just as impressive. I have purchased from GiftTree several times and have never been disappointed.
UK purchaser
Recipients of basket absolutely delighted!
WineloverBeautiful Presentation!April 24, 2014
I sent this as an Easter gift and it was very much appreciated. The quality of the items were very good and the basket was lovely.
MichNice giftApril 18, 2014
The gift arrived on time and had a nice presentation. It served as the perfect thank you for being house guests for a weekend.
KristinaEverything was great and very delicious!April 9, 2014
My boyfriend loved the basket! Thanks GiftTree!
juliaVery Nice!April 2, 2014
Great presentation, quality products! My friend loved it!
SparkleThrilled Birthday GirlFebruary 25, 2014
She was so happy and she thought it was so beautiful and loved every item in that basket..loved loved the basket also, she was looking for one!!
Mr Lover Lover258.Great!!!!February 24, 2014
The recipient really loved the basket and raved about how nice and well packaged it was. She refused to take anything out for a couple of days just so she could enjoy looking at the packaging.
SallyFriendship giftJanuary 2, 2014
The person I send this gift basket to love it.
giftgiverLoved the basketDecember 27, 2013
I sent this to my Dad and friend. Not only did they receive it exactly on time, they love it. Having received items of this nature previously, they expected to throw away half the treats. But much to their surprise, they loved all of them. Their only comment to me, I wish the package of truffles was bigger. Thank you for a great transaction and making their holiday a good one.
la Se¿¿oraBeautiful presentationDecember 26, 2013
Everyone I sent this to loved the packaging and the goodies inside! Thank you!
wreckGreat service, recipient loved the gift basketDecember 23, 2013
I found this gift to be more cost effective than other online and local in-store merchants. I would purchase from this company again.
ICT WinegiverGreat Christmas Gift IdeaDecember 18, 2013
Have used this website for the past several years and it has been easy to use.
missyGreat Service!!!December 17, 2013
thank you so much for your follow up call , that means a lot
to us consumers that a company cares enough to follow up
thank you again, they loved it
DebbyAwesome GiftDecember 11, 2013
I have purchased 2 gift baskets . Both were outstanding. One for a best friends birthday. She was very pleased. The other for a great friends Christmas & thank you gift. She also was very pleased. Will definitely order here again. Please , if you are looking for a great gift for a special person, look no further.
PleasedSo PleasedDecember 9, 2013
I sent the Wine Retreat to my sister for a "Christmas Treat". She was so excited how beautiful it was. She loved the basket and all the treats. She thought it was special to have little sissors included to open the packages and the small knife to cut and spread the cheese.
Thank you for making this package so special.
kGreat gift!October 28, 2013
Thank youMy experienceOctober 13, 2013
I bought this basket for a neighbor of mine to thank her for being a great friend. Turned out Fed Ex has specific delivery constrains since it has alcohol in the basket and was unable to deliver it to my neighbor during a time when she'd be home....go figure. I called and they were overly accommodating when trying to resolve the delivery issue. They were able to re-direct the shipping address to myself so that I could hand deliver it without charging extra. I got to say that this company went out of their way to ensure the delivery troubles with Fed Ex got resolved. I commend the staff and they exceeded my expectations in customer service. I'm definitely going to use them in the future. This is a great basket and the perfect gesture of thanks.
jhoaexcellentAugust 22, 2013
I want to thank you, my sister was completely sorprised by this gift, amazing, and all her friends took picture of it to send throughout the same company gifts to the loved ones.
jhoaexcellentAugust 22, 2013
I want to thank you, my sister was completely sorprised by this gift, amazing, and all her friends took picture of it to send throughout the same company gifts to the loved ones.
AnitasweetJust perfect!August 18, 2013
CrissyGreat Anniversary gift for grandparents!August 10, 2013
What do you get for a couple that has everything, a nice surprise! They were so shocked when they got the gift! It was so fast and so easy and my grandmother has expensive taste...she loved it! It was so great and so easy and fast I ordered another gift for a get well..this makes me look good!!! Fast, easy, reliable and affordable...I'm hooked!!!
Winelovergreat comgrats giftJuly 24, 2013
The perfect items to send to really let someone know how great their world is! I would recommend it over flowers or sweets everytime!!!
AZ Mom of NH SonGreat Gift!July 15, 2013
This basket was sent to my son for his fortieth birthday, and he was very pleased and excited to receive it. Wine and snacks were part of his celebration with his wife as he began the next stage of his life. Thanks for a great presentation and value for my dollars...
sissybarmamaWine BasketJuly 13, 2013
I didn't get to see it, but the recipient seemed to enjoy the wine, etc.
RemodeledGreat presentationJuly 9, 2013
I ordered this for a friend that had surgery. She loved
it. Nice gift to relax after having surgery.
RemodeledGreat presentationJuly 9, 2013
I ordered this for a friend that had surgery. She loved
it. Nice gift to relax after having surgery.
LindaBeautifully PresentedJune 24, 2013
This was sent as an Engagement gift to my son and his fianc¿¿. They were so delighted. Glad I found you...you will be a great resource for future celebrations/occasions.
Thank you!
Linda Savino
sissyMy Sister Loved her GiftJune 20, 2013
I didn't see it, because I had it shipped directly to my sister in California. She called immediately and told me it was a lovely basket and they couldn't wait to try the wines! Fast efficient service. Website easy to use. Will use this website again. Thanks for helping me make my sister's birthday with a special surprise.
MoGreat Products & Quick Delivery!May 5, 2013
The family really enjoyed the basket - they were surprised & pleased as they discovered more & more treats. Well worth the money and the delivery was incredibly fast! I'll definitely use this site again.
Mamma's giftLovelyApril 22, 2013
Based on the feedback received from the receipient, she loved the basket and my experience was fantastic. I was notified that the package was not delivered due to no one being home to sign and I was able to contact my friend and get it all set up for delivery.
JohanneNiceApril 20, 2013
GiftgiverEnjoyed ItApril 14, 2013
My mother in law received it as a gift for her birthday. She loved the basket it came in but wasn't too crazy about the wasabi peas. She said it was too spicy but enjoyed everything else.
AnnaGreat presentApril 12, 2013
I dont really know how it looked like, but my friend was really excited about my present! Thanks!
Lindy LouRecipient overjoyedApril 10, 2013
Thank you for the timeliness of getting the gift to recipient. They said it was very nice! I will use you again!
Lindy LouRecipient overjoyedApril 10, 2013
Thank you for the timeliness of getting the gift to recipient. They said it was very nice! I will use you again!
BadgerjohnFirst class gift and serviceApril 3, 2013
This is the second time we have used this website and we are again so impressed with the quality of the gift and the service provided. Our son and family live in Portlad OR so this is and excellent way for us in England to send something for those special anniversaries and birthdays. We wholeheartedly reccomend this gift.
Mama's girlAwesome Gift BasketMarch 17, 2013
This "Thank You" basket for a friend that provided a warm spot for me to work after my mother passed away. The basket was shipped quickly and received in excellent condition. My friend was thrilled with the contents and very appreciative. This is the first time I have used this website, but it won't be the last.
mountain momMy friends just loved it!February 25, 2013
This was a thank you gift for some friends that did something very nice for us. I ordered the basket with a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine included. They have called us 3 times to remark on how much they are enjoying the goodies and the wine. I bought this basket because it has a variety of items to enjoy, not just sweets or crackers. I would highly recommend this basket!
MarieOutstanding ProductFebruary 18, 2013
CamExactly What I Wanted!February 16, 2013
I gave the gift to my wife for Valentines day. It was beautiful and make her glad.
classy ladySimply Beautiful!January 5, 2013
My father loved it! He said that the presentation was very impressive.
katdancingBeautiful PresentationJanuary 5, 2013
My sister was delighted with the gift and impressed with the quality of the basket and would be able to display it or use it again. She was pleased with the snacks, etc. inside but hadn't noticed there was a bottle of wine. so everything was really packed well. I have yet to hear from her how she liked it. I will definitely use this site for future orders.
nick3122007Excellent service, beautiful gift.January 5, 2013
FoxmanFriends LOVED it!January 2, 2013
The gift basket arrived EARLY and was very welcomed!
The Quiet ManVineyard Select Wine Basket - Ideal Gift HamperJanuary 2, 2013
My sister and brother-in-law live in Florida so I usually send them a hamper at Christmas. As I live in Ireland it is easier to use an American based company to choose and deliver a hamper. This Christmas past (2012) I was having difficulty in locating a suitable company (the previous one I used had gone out of business). I found the website and I found the selection on offer, delivery schedule, cost and ease of use of the website to be excellent. I didn't physically see the hamper, but when received; my sister and brother-in-law were delighted with the presentation and content.
neeneegood commentsJanuary 1, 2013
I had these sent to my doctor and his nurse for Christmas. They both commented on how nice they were when I went for an appt later on. She said it was just lovely and he said he was ready to take off on a picnic. That sounds to me like they really liked them although I didn't personally see them. I know they were delivered when promised, which I appreciate too. I will probably order from this company again, unlike one of those other wine basket companies who let me down last year.
WineloverBeautiful Pressentation!January 1, 2013
-on time
-good attention
Daughter of wineloverexciting giftJanuary 1, 2013
My mom and her partner were very happy with the contents. Haven't heard if the wine was good or not, but they loved the presentation and enjoyed the first few goodies they tried.
TyatesFast deliveryDecember 31, 2012
My sister loved the basket.
K&JDescribes the gift and is very well presentedDecember 30, 2012
Our family were very excited to receive the gift and were looking forward to enjoying the contenmts over the Festive Season. It was wonderful for us to send them something everyone was able to share. Thank you. Kim and Jim
Murali Krishna NookellaMurali Krishna Nookella- On time delivery , good product qualityDecember 30, 2012
This is second time i have used this site. Both the times i recived product on time and as expected my recipients liked the product. Very good feedback from my friends who received this.
Good job, keep it up.
WineloverAwesome Gift BasetDecember 30, 2012
Great presentation and with an excellent value! Will purchase again!
IWowDecember 30, 2012
CindyWonderful Gift!!December 29, 2012
My parents on Florida, 80's, absolutely loved this gift for Christmas. They have no need for material things, so the wine basket with cheese and crackers was great! They called when they received it actually sampling t he items as they described them! They loved the packaging and had a great re-use for it! Thank you for an awesome gift!!
WineloverNice presentationDecember 29, 2012
TrueloveVery good PresentationDecember 28, 2012
I was very satisfied with the tracking of my order, the olny thing I think you should allow is that specify that the person that recives the order show evidence that the package is given to the person it is foward to. Other wise everything is very good and I sure will use your company in further ocasions.
Happy in IllinoisLoved the basketDecember 27, 2012
Our friends said it was the nicest gift basket they'd ever received. We would definitely order from you again.
JRWWine BasketDecember 27, 2012
I wanted to thank you for on-time delivery. I haven't received any feedback from the recipient, but since they haven't called to yell at me, and are still well, I have to believe the gift was well received.
Happygood giftDecember 27, 2012
The gift was great and the couple we sent it to, just loved it. But you forgot to put who it was from. I will be using you guys again.
Wine and chocolate loversWell received!!December 23, 2012
I sent this to my son and his wife for their birthday's-they truly enjoyed it. Were very receptive to the wine basket as they love their wine and chocolates. I know what to get them next time-great gift!
PattiraWonderful GiftDecember 19, 2012
Our friends in Ohio absolutely loved this gift basket. It was a wonderful touch for the holiday.
Wine lover.Very impressive.December 15, 2012
I sent it as a gift and have not seen it but the people I sent it to were very impressed and pleased with the basket. Would order again.
Pablovery nice giftJune 27, 2012
Gift GiverWonderful ChoiceJune 3, 2012
My daughter and her husband loved it! It was an anniversary gift for them.
Wine BasketVineyard Select Wine BasketJune 2, 2012
chocoGood OneApril 2, 2012
I recieved this as B'day gift from my friend today and it is wonderful!!
New customerWonderful as a Sympathy BasketApril 1, 2012
I recently purchased this as a sympathy basket for a close friend who lived several states away. She called to tell me that it was a beautiful presentation and perfect for the evening before the burial. She and her sister shared some wine as they reminisced about their father.
Thank you for such a beautiful basket and the quick delivery.
Stray CatBeautiful BasketFebruary 16, 2012
Something for everyoneDecember 26, 2011
- Sent as Gift
I sent this to my niece and her husband and baby (18mths). There was something for everyone - wine for Mom & Dad, crackers for the baby, sweets for everyone. And best of all, the basket is beautiful and re-useable. My niece used the last basket as a functional and stylish repository for useful item in her living room. This one would make a wonderful picnic basket or a towel caddy for the bathroom.
Great momBAasket of CheerDecember 22, 2011
Great gift My son and his girlfireind are welcoming in the New Year with this beautiful presentation of wine and food.Good price too.
Judy in CaliforniaNicely differentOctober 27, 2011
I received this basket today as a birthday gift from my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. It is a lovely gift. The variety is amazing. Can't wait to enjoy it.
- Sent as Gift


text: This figure shows the Install Application Screen. It contains an Upload Files table with columns Application Name and Size (k). There is a Remove file after deploy check box which is unchecked. There is a row with Application Name value com.bea.wlevs.example.recplay_18.104.22.168.jar and Size (k) value 8. This row is selected. There is a Deployed File field with value com.bea.wlevs.example.recplay_126.96.36.199.jar and an Application Name field with value recplay. There is a Select Target Group to Deploy field and next to it a Clear Group button. There is a table at the bottom of this screen with columns Group, Server, Host Name, Listen Port, and Secure Listen Port. There is one row in this table with Group value AllDomainMembers.


text:
So say some Jewish scholars. One per "Tribe" of the traditional 12 Tribes of Ancient Israel? Maybe even a permanent office in each Tribe, versus the occasional charismatic commander we're told about? Some of whom were more noteworthy than most? (How many Presidents, Monarchs, or Prime Ministers of any one country can you name?!)
I know enough Hebrew to know Professor Sarfatti isn't out on a limb here (no pun intended!). Conflating shevet and shofet? Consider that every Sunday School class — or Hebrew School — has been asked, "Why are they called judges?" We see them as military commanders, prophets, philosophers, power-lifters, lovers…. The answer is, They might not have been called "judges" as the word has been most commonly understood in the centuries since then!
Maybe King James should've sent the Old Testament by his translators one more time! Then again, a Biblical book of "Chiefs" or "Chieftains" around that time, the early 1600s, might've made Irish or American Indians look too favorable for His Majesty's comfort … or rather, that of his wicked counsellors….
It's a minor semantic point. The roles and deeds of the particular Israelite Chiefs upheld in Judges are clear enough for Scriptures' purposes. But since the English words chief, chieftain, chiefdom, etc., are today so identified with Indigenous Peoples, Scottish Clans, Irish Septs, and other oppressed people, "Speak to the weary a word that will rouse them."
What do we see, then, in pre-Monarchy Israel? Twelve or so loosely-affiliated "Tribes," or rather, Chiefs, each with his "staff" or "scepter," literally and figuratively — the Tribe. "Tribal Sovereignty," even! With him, various officials, aides, counselors. And within each Tribe, Clans, Houses, and so forth. And a God Who opposed a permanent royal federation under an earthly king: The Israelites' problem in Judges isn't that they keep getting harried by their neighbors, but that they keep slacking-off in their devotion to Him Who Is, so He lets them have their way, and they get the stuffing beat out of them — rightly, we are to believe, since who knows better than God how to do anything?! Their problem isn't geopolitics, it's Theology. (Even these gentlemen agree today.) Doesn't God say so often throughout Scripture? Early Israel's throne was atop the Ark of the Covenant, not in "a cedar palace."
And so should we who are "Judeo-Christians" today continue to adjudge the ups and downs of our favorite "nations": My sins, not anybody else's, not any other nations either.
(I know: "Joshua Chiefs Ruth" doesn't have the ring of "Joshua Judges Ruth"….)


text:
|Previous Page | Table of Contents | Index | Next Page
Chapter 1
If your rental income is from property you also use personally or rent to someone at less than a fair rental price, first read chapter 5, Personal Use of Dwelling Unit (Including Vacation Home).
Rental Income(p2)
When To Report(p2)
Cash method.(p2)
Accrual method.(p2)
More information.(p2)
Types of Income(p3)
Advance rent.(p3)
Canceling a lease.(p3)
Expenses paid by tenant.(p3)
Property or services.(p3)
Security deposits.(p3)
Other Sources of Rental Income(p3)
Lease with option to buy.(p3)
Part interest.(p3)
Rental of property also used as your home.(p3)
|Previous Page | Table of Contents | Top of Page | Index | Next Page