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Kingdom of Belgium
Area: 32,547 square kilometers (12,566 sq. mi.), about the size of Maryland.
Cities: Capital--Brussels Capital Region (pop. 992,041). Other cities--Antwerp (452,474); Ghent (228,016); Charleroi (200,460); Li�ge (184,303); Bruges (116,811); and Namur (105,705).
Population (2003): 10,355,844; urban--69%.
Annual population growth rate: 0.4%.
Density: 861 per sq. mi. Linguistic regions--Dutch-speaking 58%; French-speaking 32%; legally bilingual (Brussels) 9.3%; German-speaking 0.7%.
Religions: Predominantly Roman Catholic (although less than 20% practicing); Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islamic, Anglican, Greek and Russian Orthodox recognized, as well as secularism.
Languages: Dutch, French, German.
Education: Literacy--98%.
Type: Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch.
Independence: 1830.
Constitution: 1994 (revised).
Branches: Executive--King (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government), Cabinet. Legislative--bicameral parliament (Senate and Chamber of Representatives). Flemish Parliament with the Flemish Government for regional, educational, and cultural affairs; Walloon Regional Council (legislator) and government for Walloon Regional Affairs; Francophone Community Council and government for Francophone cultural and educational affairs; Brussels Regional Council and government for Brussels regional affairs; and German language Community Council and government for cultural and educational affairs.
Major political parties: Christian Democratic, Green (ecologist), Liberal (conservative philosophy in American terminology), Socialist, Vlaams Blok.
Suffrage: Over 18, compulsory.
Political subdivisions: Ten provinces, three regions, three communities, 589 municipalities.
GDP (2002): $227.4 billion.
Annual real growth rate (2002): 1.1%.
Per capita income (2002): $21,865.
Natural resources: Coal.
Agriculture: (1.4% of GDP) Products--livestock, including dairy cattle, grain, sugarbeets, nursery products, flax, tobacco, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables.
Industry: (24% of GDP) Types--machinery, iron, coal, textiles, chemicals, glass, pharmaceuticals, manufactured goods.
Trade (2001): Exports--$160.3 billion: Iron and steel, coal, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds, petroleum products. Imports--$154 billion: Fuels, chemical products, grains, foodstuffs. Trading partners--EU 74%; United States 6%.
Belgium is located in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea. Although generally flat, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly and forested in the southeast (Ardennes) region. Climate is cool, temperate, and rainy; summer temperatures average 77�F, winters average 45�F. Annual extremes (rarely attained) are 10�F and 100�F.
Geographically and culturally, Belgium is at the crossroads of Europe, and during the past 2,000 years has witnessed a constant ebb and flow of different races and cultures. Consequently, Belgium is one of Europe's true melting pots with Celtic, Roman, Germanic, French, Dutch, Spanish, and Austrian cultures having made an imprint.
Belgium is divided ethnically into the Dutch-speaking Flemings and French-speaking Walloons, the 70,000 residents of the eastern German cantons, and the bilingual capital of Brussels. The population density is the second highest in Europe, after the Netherlands.
Belgium derives its name from a Celtic tribe, the Belgae, whom Caesar described as the most courageous tribe of Gaul. However, the Belgae were forced to yield to Roman legions during the first century B.C. For some 300 years thereafter, what is now Belgium flourished as a province of Rome. But Rome's power gradually lessened. In about A.D. 300, Attila the Hun invaded what is now Germany and pushed Germanic tribes into northern Belgium. About 100 years later, the Germanic tribe of the Franks invaded and took possession of Belgium. The northern part of present-day Belgium became an overwhelmingly Germanized and Germanic-Frankish-speaking area, whereas in the southern part people continued to be Roman and spoke derivatives of Latin. After coming under the rule of the Dukes of Burgundy and, through marriage, passing into the possession of the Hapsburgs, Belgium was occupied by the Spanish (1519-1713) and the Austrians (1713-1794).
Under these various rulers, and especially during the 500 years from the 12th to the 17th century, the great cities of Ghent, Bruges, Brussels, and Antwerp took turns at being major European centers for commerce, industry (especially textiles) and art. Flemish painting--from Van Eyck and Breugel to Rubens and Van Dyck--became the most prized in Europe. Flemish tapestries hung on castle walls throughout Europe.
Following the French Revolution, Belgium was invaded and annexed by Napoleonic France in 1795. Yet with the defeat of Napoleon's army at the Battle of Waterloo, fought just a few miles south of Brussels, Belgium was separated from France and made part of the Netherlands by the Congress of Vienna in 1815.
In 1830, Belgium won its independence from the Dutch as a result of an uprising of the Belgian people. A constitutional monarchy was established in 1831, with a monarch invited in from the House of Saxe-Coburg Gotha in Germany.
Belgium was invaded by the Germans in 1914 and again in 1940. Those invasions, plus disillusionment over postwar Soviet behavior, made Belgium one of the foremost advocates of collective security within the framework of European integration and the Atlantic partnership.
Since 1944, when Belgium was liberated by British, Canadian, and American armies, the nation has lived in security and at a level of increased well-being.
Language, economic, and political differences between Dutch-speaking Flanders and Francophone Wallonia have produced increased cleavages in Belgian society. The Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and the 19th century accentuated the linguistic North-South division. Francophone Wallonia became an early industrial boom area, affluent and politically dominant. Dutch-speaking Flanders remained agricultural and was economically and politically outdistanced by Brussels and Wallonia. The last 50 years have marked the rapid economic development of Flanders, resulting in a corresponding shift of political power to the Flemish, who now constitute an absolute majority (58%) of the population.
Demonstrations in the early 1960s led, in 1962, to the establishment of a formal linguistic border, and elaborate rules made to protect minorities in linguistically mixed border areas. In 1970, Flemish and Francophone cultural councils were established with authority in matters of language and culture for the two-language groups. Each of the three economic regions--Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels--were granted a significant measure of political autonomy.
Since 1984, the German language community of Belgium (in the eastern part of Li�ge Province) has had its own legislative assembly and executive, which have authority in cultural, language, and subsequently educational affairs.
In 1988-89, the Constitution was again amended to give additional responsibilities to the regions and communities. The most sweeping change was the devolution of educational responsibilities to the community level. As a result, the regions and communities were provided additional revenue, and Brussels was given its own legislative assembly and executive.
Another important constitutional reform occurred in the summer of 1993, changing Belgium from a unitary to a federal state. It also reformed the bicameral parliamentary system and provided for the direct election of the members of community and regional legislative councils. The bilingual Brabant province, which contained the Brussels region, was split into separate Flemish and Walloon Brabant provinces. The revised Constitution came into force in 1994.
A parliamentary democracy, Belgium has been governed by successive coalitions of two or more political parties. The centrist Christian Democratic Party often provided the Prime Minister. The June 13, 1999 general election saw a significant drop in overall Christian Democratic support, however. Driven in part by resentment over a mishandled dioxin food-contamination crisis just before the June 1999 election, Belgian voters rejected Jean Luc Dehaene's longstanding coalition government of Christian Democrats and Socialists and voted into power a coalition put together by Flemish Liberal Leader Guy Verhofstadt. The first Verhofstadt government (1999-2003) was a six-party coalition between the Flemish and Francophone Liberals, Socialists, and Greens. It was the first Liberal-led coalition in generations and the first six-party coalition in 20 years. It also was the first time the Greens had participated in Belgium's federal government. In the most recent general election in May 2003, however, the Greens suffered significant loses, while the Socialists posted strong gains and the Liberals also had modest growth in electoral support. As a result, Liberal Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt was able to reconstitute a four-party coalition government in July 2003, this time with only the Liberals and Socialists in power.
National Government
Belgium is a hereditary constitutional monarchy. The current monarch is King Albert II, who took the oath of office on August 9, 1993.
As titular head of state, the King plays a largely ceremonial and symbolic role in the nation. His primary political function is to designate a political leader to attempt to form a new cabinet following either an election, the resignation of a government, or a parliamentary vote of no confidence. The King is seen as playing a symbolic unifying role, representing a common national Belgian identity.
The Belgian Parliament consists of a Senate and a Chamber of Representatives (also called the House). The Chamber of Representatives has 150 directly elected members. The Senate has 71 elected members. The executive branch of the government consists of ministers and secretaries of state (junior ministers) drawn from the political parties that form the government coalition. The number of ministers is limited to 15, and they have no seat in Parliament. The Cabinet is chaired by the Prime Minister and consists of the ministerial heads of the executive departments.
The allocation of powers between the Parliament and the Cabinet is somewhat similar to the United States--the Parliament enacts legislation and appropriates funds--but the Belgian Parliament does not have the same degree of independent power that the U.S. Congress has. Members of political parties represented in the government are expected to support all bills presented by the Cabinet.
The Chamber of Representatives is the "political" body that votes on motions of confidence and budgets. The Senate deals with long-term issues and votes on an equal footing with the Chamber on a limited range of matters, including constitutional reform bills and international treaties.
The largest parties in the current Chamber are the Flemish Liberal Party (VLD), 25 seats; the Francophone Socialists (PS), 25 seats, the Francophone Liberals (MR), 24 seats; the Flemish Socialists and Spirit alliance (SP.A/Spirit), 23 seats, the Flemish Christian Democratic party (CD&V), 21 seats; the right-wing Vlaams Blok party (VB), 18 seats; and the Francophone Christian Democrats (CDH) 8 seats. The Francophone Greens (ECOLO), have 4 seats, while the New Flemish Alliance (NV.A) and Francophone Front National each have 1 seat. The Flemish Greens (AGALEV) did not win any Chamber seats in the 2003 election, but have one "co-opted" Senator.
The Prime Minister and his ministers administer the government and the various public services. Ministers must defend their policies and performance in person before the Chamber.
The Cabinet and the Ministries
At the federal level, executive power is wielded by the Council of Ministers (or Cabinet). The Prime Minister is President of the Cabinet. Each minister heads a governmental department. No single party or party family across linguistic lines holds an absolute majority of seats in Parliament. Consequently, the Cabinet reflects the weight of political parties that constitute the governing coalition for the Chamber, currently the four-party Liberal-Socialist coalition.
Principal Government Officials (protocol ranking)
Prime Minister--Guy Verhofstadt
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs--Louis Michel
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice--Laurette Onkelinx
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Budget and Public Enterprise--Johan Vande Lanotte
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior--Patrick Dewael
Minister of Defense--Andre Flahaut
Minister for Employment and Pensions--Frank Vandenbroucke
Minister for Development Cooperation--Marc Verwilghen
Minister of Finance--Didier Reynders
Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health--Rudy Demotte
Minister for the Economy, Engergy, Foreign Trade, and Science Policy--Fientje Moerman
Minister of Transport and Social Economy--Bert Anciaux
Minister for the Civil Service, Social Integration, and Urban Policy--Marie Arena
Minister for the Self-empolyed and Agriculture--Sabine Laruelle
Minister for the Environment, Consumer Protection, and Sustainable Development--Freya Van Den Bossche
State Secretary for e-Government, deputy to the Minister for the Budget and Public Enterprise--Peter Vanvelthoven
State Secretary for European Affairs, deputy to the Minister for Foreign Affairs--Jacques Simonet
State Secretary for Financial Modernization and Combating Tax Fraud, deputy to the Finance Minister--Herve Jamar
State Secretary for Work Organization and Well-being at Work, deputy to the Minister for Employment and Pensions--Kathleen Van Brempt
State Secretary for the Family and Disabled Issues, deputy to the Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health--Isabelle Simonis
State Secretary for Administrative Simplification, deputy to the Prime Minister--Vincent Van Quickenborne
Ambassador to the United States-- Frans van Daele
Ambassador to the United Nations--Jean De Ruyt
The Belgian Embassy is located at 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-333-6900; fax 202-333-3079).
The Electoral System
The number of seats in the Chamber of Representatives is constitutionally set at 150, elected from 11 electoral districts. Each district is given a number of seats proportional to its total population (not number of eligible voters) ranging from 4 for the Luxembourg district to 24 for Antwerp. The districts are divided along linguistic lines: 5 Flemish, 5 Walloon, and the bilingual district of Brussels. Eligibility requirements for the Chamber are a minimum age of 21, citizenship, and residency in Belgium.
The Senate consists of 71 seats. For electoral purposes, Senators are divided into three categories: 40 directly elected; 21 appointed by the community assemblies; and 10 "co-opted" Senators. For the election of the 25 Flemish and 15 francophone directly elected Senators, the country is divided into three electoral districts--Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels Capital Region. Of the 21 Senators representing the communities, 10 are elected by the Flemish Council, 10 by the French Council, and 1 by the German-language Council.
The remaining category, the 10 co-opted senators, are elected by the first two groups of senators. Eligibility requirements for the Senate are identical to those for the Chamber. The princes and princesses of the royal line are also members of the Senate--currently Prince Phillippe, Prince Laurent, and Princess Astrid.
In Belgium, there are no "national" parties operating on both sides of the linguistic border. Consequently, elections are a contest among Flemish parties in Dutch-speaking Flanders and Francophone parties in Wallonia. Only in officially bilingual Brussels can voters choose from either Flemish or Francophone parties. Several months before an election, the parties form a list of candidates for each district. Parties are allowed to place as many candidates on their "ticket" as there are seats available. The formation of the list is an internal process that varies with each party. The number of seats each party receives and where on a list a candidate is placed determines whether a candidate is elected.
Political campaigns in Belgium are relatively short, lasting only about one month. For all of their activities, including campaigns, the political parties rely on government subsidies and dues paid by their members. A campaign finance law restricts expenditures of political parties during an electoral campaign, and there are restrictions on the use of billboards, one of the more prominent forms of campaign advertising.
Voting is compulsory in Belgium; more than 90% of eligible voters participate. Belgian voters are given four options when voting. They may:
Since no single party holds an absolute majority in Parliament, after each election the strongest party or "party family" will create a coalition with some of the other parties to form the government.
Belgium has 25 seats in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Belgium's Linguistic Divide
In August 1980, the Belgian Parliament passed a devolution bill and amended the Constitution, establishing:
Subsequent constitutional reform established similar regional and community councils for the German cantons in 1983, and for Brussels in 1989.
The regional and community councils and governments have jurisdiction over transportation, public works, water policy, cultural matters, education, public health, environment, housing, zoning, economic and industrial policy, agriculture, foreign trade, and local government. They rely on a system of revenue sharing for funds. They have the authority to levy taxes (mostly surcharges) and contract loans. Moreover, they have obtained treaty-making power for those issues coming under their respective jurisdictions.
Of total public spending--interest payments not considered--more than 40% is authorized by the regions and communities.
Regional Executives
President, Flemish Government--(VLD) Bart Somers
President, Francophone Community Government--(PRL) Herve Hasquin
President, Walloon Regional Government--(PS) Jean-Claude van Cauwenberghe
President, Brussels Capital Government--(MR) Daniel Ducarme
President, German Community Government--(PS) Karl-Heinz Lambertz
Provincial and Local Government
In addition to three regions and three cultural communities, Belgium also is divided into 10 provinces and 589 municipalities.
The provincial governments are primarily administrative units and are politically weak. A governor appointed by the King presides over each province. Each governor is supported by an elected Provincial Council of 47 to 84 members (depending on the size of the province), which sits only four weeks a year.
Municipal governments, on the other hand, are vigorous political entities with significant powers and a history of independence dating from medieval times. Many national politicians originate from municipal political bases; and many often double as mayor or alderman in their hometowns in addition to their federal political positions.
The Lower House is officially called Chambre des Repr�sentants (in French) or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers (in Dutch). In English, it is called either the Chamber of Representatives, Chamber of Deputies, or the House of Representatives; all are acceptable.
Political Parties
From the creation of the Belgian state in 1830 and throughout most of the 19th century, two political parties dominated Belgian politics: the Catholic Party and the Liberal Party. In the late 19th century the Socialist Party arose, representing the emerging industrial working class.
These three groups still dominate Belgian politics, but they have evolved substantially in character and face new electoral challengers.
The Christian Democratic Parties. After World War II, the Catholic (subsequently Christian Democratic) Party severed its formal ties with the Church. It became a mass party of the center (more like a political party in the United States). In 1968, the Christian Democratic Party responded to linguistic tensions in the country by dividing into two independent parties, now known as the Democratic and Humanistic Center (CDH) in Francophone Wallonia and the Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V) in Flanders. The two parties pursue the same basic policies but maintain separate organizations. The CD&V is the larger of the two, getting more than twice the votes than the CDH. The CD&V Party Chairman is Yves Leterme. Deputy Joelle Milquet is president of the CDH.
The Socialist Parties. The modern Belgian Socialist parties are labor-based parties. Despite the post-WWII dominance of the Christian Democrats, the Socialists headed several postwar governments. The Socialists also split along linguistic lines in 1978. Steve Stevaert is head of the Flemish Socialist Party now in alliance with the small Flemish nationalist party Spirit (SP.A-Spirit). Mayor of Mons, Elio Di Rupo, is president of the Francophone Socialists (PS). In general, the Walloon Socialists tend to concentrate on domestic issues. During the 1980s, the Flemish Socialists focused heavily on international issues and on security in Europe, in particular, where they frequently opposed U.S. policies. However, subsequent Socialist Foreign Ministers Willy Claes, Frank Vandenbroucke, and Erik Derycke progressively made a significant shift to the center adopting less controversial stances on foreign policy issues. The francophone Socialists are mainly based in the industrial cities of Wallonia (Li�ge, Charleroi, and Mons). The Flemish Socialists' support is less regionally concentrated.
The Liberal Parties. Liberal Parties in Belgium have chiefly appealed to business people, property owners, shopkeepers, and the self-employed. In American terms the Liberals' positions would traditionally be considered to reflect a conservative ideology. The two current Liberal parties were formed in 1971, after the original all-Belgium Liberal Party split along linguistic lines, currently known as the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD), PM Verhofstadt's party; and the Reform Movement (MR) in Wallonia, Foreign Minister Louis Michel's party.: The VLD) is the largest single political party in Belgium. The VLD Chairman is Karl De Gucht, member of the Flemish regional Parliament. The MR is headed by Senator Antoine Duquesne.
Greens. The Flemish (AGALEV) and Francophone (ECOLO) ecologist parties made their Parliamentary breakthrough in 1981. Following significant gains in the 1999 general elections, the two green parties joined a federal coalition cabinet for the first time in their history in Prime Minister Verhofstadt's six-party coalition government (Verhofstadt I). The parties experienced significant losses in the May 2003 election, however; with ECOLO wining only four seats in the Chamber and AGALEV failing to win any seat. They were thus excluded from the new coalition formed by returning Liberal Prime Minister Verhofstadt between the Flemish and Francophone Liberals and Socialists.
The Linguistic Parties. A postwar phenomenon in Belgium was the emergence of linguistic-based parties, which were formed to defend the cultural, political, and economic interests of one of the linguistic groups or regions of Belgian society.
The far-right Vlaams Blok (VB-Flemish Bloc) is the most militant Flemish regional party, with a separatist, anti-immigration, law and order platform. The VB broke out of its "fringe" party status in the 1991 federal election, when it posted significant electoral support in much of Flanders, especially Antwerp. Since then, the VB has continued to gain in popularity in each successive federal election.
In Wallonia, the small Francophone nationalist Front National (FN) surprised many political pundits by gaining enough votes in the May 2003 election to survive the new 4% cutoff limit for votes in any precinct required to enter Parliament. FN retained its 1 Chamber seat and gained 2 new Senate seats.
The now defunct Volksunie Party (VU) was the most militant Flemish regional party in Parliament in the 1950s and 1960s, drawing nearly one-quarter of Belgium's Dutch-speaking electorate at the height of its popularity. However, as much of the VU's nationalist agenda was realized through subsequent Constitutional reforms that saw the devolution of significant power to the Regions, the VU suffered severe setbacks in more recent elections, winning only 8 seats in the 150-seat Chamber in 1999. In 2001, Volksunie splintered into a traditional Flemish nationalist faction, the NVA, and a more liberal faction, Spirit (which subsequently formed an electoral alliance with the Flemish Socialist Party just before the 2003 election).
Labor Unions
Belgium is a highly unionized country, and organized labor is a powerful influence in politics. About 53% of all private sector and public service employees are labor union members. Unlike many American unions, Belgian labor unions take positions on a wide range of political issues, including education, public finance, defense spending, environmental protection, women's rights, abortion, and other issues. They also provide a range of services, including the administration of unemployment benefits and health insurance programs.
Belgium's three principal trade union organizations are the Confederation of Catholic Labor Unions (CSC/ACV), the Belgian Socialist Confederation of Labor (FGTB/ABVV), and the Confederation of Liberal Labor Unions (CGSLB/ACLVB). Until the 1950s, the FGTB/ABVV was the largest confederation; since then, however, the CSC/ACV has become the leading trade union force.
The Confederation of Catholic Labor Unions (CSC/ACV). Organized in 1912, the CSC/ACV rejects the Marxist concept of "class struggle" and seeks to achieve a just social order based on Christian principles. The CSC/ACV is not formally linked to its party political counterparts, the Christian Democratic parties (CD&V and CDH), but exercises influence in their councils. The CSC/ACV is the leading union in all Flemish provinces and in Wallonia's Luxembourg province. It has almost equal strength with the socialist confederation in the Brussels area. Its President is Luc Cortebeeck.
The Belgian Socialist Confederation of Labor (FGTB/ABVV). The FGTB/ABVV derives from the Socialist Trade Union Movement, established in the late 19th century in Walloon industrial areas, Brussels, and urban areas of Flanders. Today the FGTB/ABVV is the leading union in the Hainaut, Namur, and Li�ge provinces and matches the CSC/ACV in Brussels. The FGTB/ABVV is led by President Michel Nollet.
The Confederation of Liberal Labor Unions (CGSLB/ACLVB), with 240,000 members, is the smallest of the major union groups. Drawing primarily from management positions, the Brussels-based CGLB/ACVB is Belgium's most pro-business union. The union is not formally affiliated with any political party. CGLB/ACVB is led by President Guy Haaze.
Current Issues
By tight budgeting, the Dehaene II center-left coalition (1995-99) succeeded in qualifying the country for the Economic and Monetary Union. Budgetary issues remain a key concern of the current Verhofstadt II government, particularly given the slow economic growth Belgium and most of Europe have experienced of late.
As a result of bills enacted in 2001, control over local government, agriculture, and foreign trade was devolved from the federal to the regional governments. The Verhofstadt I government (1999-2003) also implemented justice and police reforms. An integrated federal police force is now fully operational. Also under that government, a liberal euthanasia bill came into force in fall 2002, and the legality of gay marriages came into effect in early 2003.
During the second half of 2001, Belgium held the EU Council Presidency. As EU President, Belgium helped boost the issue of EU enlargement, culminating in the Laeken Summit in December 2001, when the EU named the 10 countries now set to become EU members in 2004. Belgium also successfully chaired the Eurogroup in 2001, which played a key role in helping the EU work through the economic and financial issues related to the launching of the Euro currency. Additionally, Belgium helped shepherd an agreement on an EU Constitutional "Convention" with a broad mandate to consider issues on the future of the EU in preparation for the 2003 EU Inter-governmental Conference.
Because of the events of September 11, 2001, much of Belgium's original EU agenda was necessarily sidetracked, given the EU's increased focus on regional and international cooperation in the war on terrorism. Belgium's reaction to the September 11 terrorist attacks was strong and supportive. For example, Belgium played a key role in helping to obtain EU-wide agreement on a European arrest warrant and in facilitating extradition of terrorist suspects. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Belgium contributed a navy frigate in the Mediterranean, AWAC crews for surveillance flights over the United States, as well as aircraft for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Belgium has contributed groundtroops to ISAF3 (to secure Kabul airfield) and provided humanitarian airlift assistance to Iraq.
Current issues before the new Verhofstadt II government include job creation, having promised to create 200,000 new jobs; election reform, including possibly extending the franchise to non-EU immigrants for municipal elections; modernizing the civil service; and adjusting the federal social security system to a rapidly aging population. The Cabinet also is still reviewing the process of reforming the armed forces. The military seeks to increase its rapid reaction and peacekeeping competencies by improving efficiency.
Belgium is seeking to add to its counter-terrorism capabilities by adding domestic legislative and judicial tools that increase its ability to prevent or respond to terrorism. The government also has been assisting other European states and the United States in investigating cases of international terrorism; the Brussels trial of al-Qaida-related defendants ended in September 2003 with prison sentences for 18 of the 23 accused. Belgium continues to work within UN and EU frameworks concerning the freezing of terrorist assets, while seeking to develop the domestic framework to act independently.
Belgium, a highly developed market economy, belongs to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of leading industrialized democracies. In recent years, with a geographic area about equal to that of Maryland, and a population of just over 10 million, Belgium ranks seventh in per capita GDP worldwide. In 2002, the per capita income was $21,865. For 2002, the federal government presented a budget that was almost in equilibrium (0.2% of GDP deficit). GDP growth remains moderate at 1.1%.
Densely populated Belgium is located at the heart of one of the world's most highly industrialized regions. The first country to undergo an industrial revolution on the continent of Europe in the early 1800s, Belgium developed an excellent transportation infrastructure of ports, canals, railways, and highways to integrate its industry with that of its neighbors. One of the founding members of the European Community (EC), Belgium strongly supports deepening the powers of the present-day European Union to integrate European economies.
With exports equivalent to about two-thirds of GNP, Belgium depends heavily on world trade. Belgium exports twice as much per capita as Germany and five times as much as Japan. Belgium's trade advantages are derived from its central geographic location, and a highly skilled, multilingual, and productive work force.
The Belgian industrial sector can be compared to a complex processing machine: It imports raw materials and semi-finished goods that are further processed and re-exported. Except for its coal, which is no longer economical to exploit, Belgium has virtually no natural resources. Nonetheless, most traditional industrial sectors are represented in the economy, including steel, textiles, refining, chemicals, food processing, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, and machinery fabrication. Despite the heavy industrial component, services account for 74.6% of GDP. Agriculture accounts for only 1.4% of the GDP.
Belgian Economy in the 20th Century
For 200 years through World War I, French-speaking Wallonia was a technically advanced, industrial region, while Dutch-speaking Flanders was predominantly agricultural. This disparity began to fade during the interwar period. As Belgium emerged from World War II with its industrial infrastructure relatively undamaged, the stage was set for a period of rapid development, particularly in Flanders. The postwar boom years, enhanced by the establishment of the EU and NATO headquarters in Brussels, contributed to the rapid expansion of light industry throughout most of Flanders, particularly along a corridor stretching between Brussels and Antwerp (now the second-largest port in Europe after Rotterdam), where a major concentration of petrochemical industries developed.
The older, traditional industries of Wallonia, particularly steelmaking, began to lose their competitive edge during this period, but the general growth of world prosperity masked this deterioration until the 1973 and 1979 oil price shocks sent the economy into a period of prolonged recession. In the 1980s and 1990s, the economic center of the country continued to shift northward to Flanders.
Foreign Investment
Foreign investment contributed significantly to Belgian economic growth in the 1960s. In particular, U.S. firms played a leading role in the expansion of light industrial and petrochemical industries in the 1960s and 1970s. The Belgian Government encourages new foreign investment as a means to promote employment. With regional devolution, Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia are now courting potential foreign investors and offer a host of incentives and benefits.
More than 1,400 U.S. firms invested over $24 billion in Belgium by 2001. U.S. and other foreign companies in Belgium account for approximately 11% of the total work force, with the U.S. share at about 6%. U.S. companies are heavily represented in chemical, automotive assembly, and petroleum refining. A number of U.S. service industries followed in the wake of these investments--banks, law firms, public relations, accounting, and executive search firms. The resident American community in Belgium now exceeds 20,000. Attracted by the EU 1992 single-market program, many U.S. law firms and lawyers have settled in Brussels since 1989. Other foreign firms, particularly French ones, have invested locally for the same reason.
On May 1, 1998, Belgium became a first-tier member of the European Monetary Union. Belgium shifted away from the use of the Belgium franc (BF) to the use of the Euro as its currency after January 1, 2002.
About 74% of Belgium's trade is with fellow EU member states. Given this high percentage, Belgium seeks to diversify and expand trade opportunities with non-EC countries. Belgium ranks as the 10th-largest market for the export of U.S. goods and services. If goods in transit to other European countries are excluded, Belgium still ranks as the 12th-largest market for U.S. goods.
Bilaterally, there are few points of friction with the U.S. in the trade and economic area. The Belgian authorities are, as a rule, anti-protectionist and try to maintain a hospitable and open trade and investment climate. As a result, the U.S. Government focuses its market-opening efforts on the EC Commission and larger member states. Moreover, the Commission negotiates on trade issues for all member states, which, in turn lessens bilateral trade disputes with Belgium.
The social security system, which expanded rapidly during the prosperous 1950s and 1960s, includes a medical system, unemployment insurance coverage, child allowances, invalid benefits, and other benefits and pensions. With the onset of a recession in the 1970s, this system became an increasing burden on the economy and accounted for much of the government budget deficits. The national unemployment figures mask considerable differences between Flanders and Wallonia. Unemployment in Wallonia is mainly structural, while in Flanders it is cyclical. Flanders' unemployment level equals only half that of Wallonia. In general sunset industries (mainly coal and steel) dominate in Wallonia and sunrise industries (chemicals, high-tech, and services) in Flanders.
Belgium's unemployment rate has declined since 1999, falling to from 8% to 6.9% in 2002. A total of 4.4 million people make up Belgium's labor force. The majority of these people (73%) work in the service sector. Belgian industry claims 25% of the labor force and agriculture only 2%. As in other industrialized nations, pension and other social security programs have become a major concern as the "baby boom" generation approaches retirement.
Although Belgium is a wealthy country, it overspent income and undercollected taxes for years. The Belgian Government reacted with poor macroeconomic policies to the 1973 and 1979 oil price hikes: hiring the redundant work force into the public sector, and subsidized ailing industries like coal, steel, textiles, glass, and shipbuilding in order to prop up the economy. As a result, cumulative government debt reached 121% by the end of the 1980s. However, thanks to Belgium's high personal savings rate, the Belgian Government financed the deficit from mainly domestic savings, minimizing the deleterious effects on the overall economy.
In order to meet one of the five criteria for membership into the first-tier group of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) under the Maastricht treaty, the Belgian Government had to attain a budget deficit of 3% by the end of 1997, a goal that was successfully attained. Historically, Belgium has done relatively better on its budget in times of cyclical downswings. The total budget deficit in 2001 (federal, regional, plus social security) amounted to 0.2% of GDP. This represents a substantial decrease from the 7.1% deficit recorded in 1992, as well as a significant difference from the expected figure of 2%, well within the Maastricht criterion. Belgium cannot possibly bring its accumulated debt down from the current 2003 level of 101% of GDP to the Maastricht target of 60% within the required time period. In order to meet the "substantial progress" criterion" for its debt, Belgium has run a substantial primary surplus.
The Concert of Nations sanctioned the creation of Belgium in 1830 on the condition that the country remain strictly neutral. During the two World Wars Belgium tried, but was unable, to follow a policy of neutrality due to the German invasions. In 1948, Belgium signed the Treaty of Brussels with Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and a year later became one of the founding members of NATO.
Belgium remains a strong proponent of both NATO and European defense efforts. Belgium also is a strong advocate of strengthening economic and political integration within the EU. Having federalized their own country, many Belgians view themselves as the ultimate "European federalists."
Both NATO (since 1966) and the EU have their headquarters in Brussels; SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) is in the south of the country, near Mons.
Belgium actively supports the expansion of NATO and EU membership to the new democracies of central and eastern Europe and is actively engaged in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The United States and Belgium are good friends and allies, despite occasional disagreements on a limited number of foreign policy issues. Good will and affection for Americans continues as a result of the U.S. role during and after the two World Wars. However, there also is a Belgian willingness to criticize certain U.S. policies and a tendency to adopt a more explicitly European viewpoint on a number of issues. A major bilateral irritant occurred in early 2003 when private parties filed a number of politically motivated criminal complaints in Belgium alleging "war crimes" by a number of past and present U.S. civilian and military leaders. The Belgian Government reacted quickly to amend, and then repeal, the nation's expansive law of "universal competence" for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. In September 2003, Belgian courts acted to remove the cases related to U.S. leaders from the Belgian judicial system.
As an outward looking nation, Belgium works closely with the United States bilaterally and in international and regional organizations to encourage economic and political cooperation and assistance to developing countries. Belgium has welcomed hundreds of U.S. firms to its territory, many of which have their European headquarters there.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Charge d'Affaires--Brenda B. Schoonover
The U.S. Embassy in Belgium is located at 27 Boulevard du Regent, 1000 Brussels (tel. 02/501-2111, fax 02/511-2725). The European Logistical Support Office (ELSO) is at Norrderlaan 147, Box 12A, 2030 Antwerp (tel. 03/542-4775, fax 03/542-6567). The Consular section in Brussels is located at 25 Boulevard du R�gent.
U.S. Mission to NATO
Permanent U.S. Representative to NATO (USNATO)--Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns
Deputy Chief of Mission, USNATO--John M. Koenig
The U.S. Mission to NATO (USNATO) is at NATO Headquarters, on the Autoroute de Zaventem, 1110 Brussels (tel. 02/724-3111, fax 02/726-5796).
U.S. Mission to the EU
Ambassador to the European Union--Ambassador Rockwell Schnabel
Deputy Chief of Mission, USEU--James J. Foster
The U.S. Mission to the EU is located at 40 Boulevard du Regent, 1000 Brussels (tel. 02/508-2222, fax 02/502-8117).
For the most current version of this Note, see Background Notes A-Z.


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With all the options and project available, especially the size of most of them, Open Source can be pretty daunting for a newbie to it all. My question is, how can I start helping and learning from open sourced software? Where do I start? Which files do I read first? Any advice to help a programmer above beginner level start contributing?
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Find an (open source) application which you enjoy running. In this way, you're already a "tester". It could be anything (an operating system, an application like a media player, or a library, or a network tool, or an application skin, or a desktop theme). Find out what languages such software is written in; pick the ones you know or learn a new one. Get the source. Read it and the developer docs. Build it, then run your own builds. Make some tweaks through your own usage and what you think might be neat to add. Learn diff. Make a patch diff and email it to the developers; do this a couple times then ask if you have commit permissions.
Then put it on your resume and circulate this online.
I release a lot of my own work as open source and free, that way others can see your work and judge it, thus making it easier to join an existing open source project or have others contribute to your open source project.
Try OpenHatch. There you can find projects to contribute to. I haven't used it yet, but I plan to when I feel comfortable.
This fall I'll be working with other students on an open source project via UCOSP. There's other groups like that, for instance, Google Summer of Code. If you're still in school, definitely try to get into these programs.
You can also subscribe to a mailing list of your preferred project or join their IRC room and get to know some of the people and go from there.
Try some online code repositories. Some are more social than others, but they're all good. You can submit patches, or even submit bugs (which is still contributing). Some of the popular ones are GitHub, Google Open Source Code (specifically Google Project Hosting), and SourceForge.
You can read this free book on how to produce open source software. I use it as a reference sometimes.
There are two approaches to development:
The first approach is much less constructive and productive than the second one. In the first method, you simply wander the web world, surfing web pages one after the other, till you find an open source project (for example Joomal), then you decide to build a website with it. Not really good, if you're a game developer for example, or if you're interested in jQuery development.
Thus, I strongly suggest you first specify what do you want to do. Do you want to become JavaScript developer? An iOS developer? A project manager? What do you want to do?
Of course, it would be daunting. Because you haven't filtered it yet. You first should specify what you want to do. Then you see that it's becoming narrower and narrower, till you only have 2 or 3 open source solutions at hand, and here, you're fine to go.
I think the most important thing is to find a project you are passionate about then start learning everything you can about it.
Subscribing to all the mailing lists will give you a good idea about how the community interacts with each other and don't be afraid to jump in and ask or answer questions. Just make sure you do your research and ask intelligent well thought out questions.
How to contribute:
Note: The above links all pertain to the WordPress open source project but could apply to just about any large open source software project.

subset: commoncrawl


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8 Real Grade Schools That Went Completely Insane
Teaching is hard. Kids are tough to deal with, the pay is bad and parents are always complaining. We understand that, and salute our teachers for the crucial job that they do.
Well, the ones who haven't gone utterly insane anyway. Apparently quite a few of them have...
#8. South Oak Cliff High - Student Cage Matches
Teaching proper conflict resolution to the more troubled students can be tricky. These are kids who let their fists do the talking, and the only word they know is punch. But we do know one thing: It's probably not a good idea to let them settle their differences in school-sponsored illegal bare-knuckled cage matches, like South Oak Cliff High did.
Reportedly, a number of teachers from the Dallas South Oak Cliff High let their more violent pupils into a makeshift Thunderdome in the boys' locker room and left them there until only one was able to walk back out again.
The boy with the dwarf on his head usually won.
Testimonies claim that the entire staff was in on it and that these practices went down for more than two years, between 2003 and 2005.
The entire faculty completely denies the allegations, especially the principal, who claims "ain't nothing to comment on," though considering his bizarre past (including staging his own kidnapping and fatally shooting an old guy) we're not sure why Texas put him in charge of kids instead of making him principal of the exercise yard at the county prison.
It was probably due to some kind of communication breakdown.
Since then, more reports from whistleblowers have surfaced, claiming that the staged matches were "gladiator-style entertainment for the staff," meaning that this whole silliness could probably have been avoided if the principal simply bought a TV set for the teacher's lounge.
#7. Blackminster Middle School Plays Murder
We've been hearing for years how schools only teach useless facts and hone skills that have no application outside their walls. Well, a certain school in the UK recently decided to change that.
What is the one thing that all modern kids have to eventually deal with? That's right: MURDER. Wait, what? Oops, no time for follow-up question we have already put in motion the genius alternative lesson where we fake-murder the kids beloved teacher in front of their very eyes!
Sometime around March this year, children ages 10 to 13 at the Blackminster Middle School in Evesham were rushed into the playground for what they assumed was a fire drill, when a masked gunman appeared out of nowhere and "shot dead" a popular science teacher. While the rest of the school faculty (completely in on the "joke") rushed to his aid to perform hopeless CPR and shake their fists at the God who abandoned them, the students reacted less than favorably, suffering panic attacks and shellshock that will scar them for the remainder of their troubled youth.
Damn. The British D.A.R.E. is hardcore.
It took a whole 10 traumatizing minutes before the staff revealed that the incident was faked in order to set up some kind of bizarre Clue-style scenario, "to teach Year 8 pupils how to investigate, collect facts and analyse evidence".
All they had to do was look for the paw prints.
More troubling, maybe, is the spectacular degree to which the staff failed to learn a lesson from the whole thing. The head teacher, Terry Holland, shrugged the whole thing off and quipped, "It was one of the more popular teachers who played the victim, I don't think there would have been as much concern if it was one or two of the others." We can at least grade him a B+ in missing the point.
#6. Itawamba Agricultural High School's Non-Lesbian Prom
Back in the prudish golden age of March 2010, the Itawamba Agricultural High School in Mississippi faced the greatest moral crisis in its history: lesbians.
The gender-role-bending catastrophe emerged when a student named Constance McMillan declared that she wanted to bring a female date to the school prom while wearing a tuxedo!
Clearly, the school board was forced to intervene to prevent such insanity, lest up would become down, and sandwiches would leap from student lunchboxes to devour their human oppressors. After throwing a hissy fit and threatening to cancel the entire prom altogether, they finally decided to compromise by organizing a fake prom for the gay kids, far away from the normal students.
The fun they had missed.
We don't mean that the school sent the couple to a sham address in the middle of a haunted swamp or anything. We mean that together with the parents, they rented out an entire country club, stocked it with punch and other refreshments, put a few teachers inside as chaperones, and then only invited the lesbian couple.
To bolster the numbers, they also sent the word out to the school's population of disabled students. Because you don't want to be discriminatory with your discrimination policy.
All of this went down while the rest of the school partied at a secret location, without any queer kids making a mockery of the proud and noble tradition of the high school prom.
No gays would taint the spiked punch this night.
And thus the school faculty could pat each other on the back content with the knowledge that, while homosexuality might exist, at least there wasn't any that they knew of going on in that one particular building that one particular night. Money well spent!
#5. Seven Hills West Public School's Kid Cage
Generally, you can forgive a school for being zealously overprotective of pupils with special needs, especially when you're living in Australia, where every animal, vegetable and mineral yearns to murder you and your entire family. Following that logic to its stupidest extreme, there is the Seven Hills West Public Schools in Sydney, which puts autistic students in a cage at lunchtimes.
"All the cages are taken. You stay here."
OK, maybe "cage" isn't the right word, because cages at least keep you safe from the elements and dive-bombing koalas. The special ed reserve at Seven Hills West is really more of a cow pen; a fenced area with a bench and a dirt floor outside the school building, where the handicapped students are rounded up each recess.
There's plenty of room to run around and all the grass they can eat.
This autistic detention center was allegedly implemented due to fears that some of those kids might venture off school grounds and, presumably, get run over by a gang of junk-clad gasoline thieves.
There of course has been some opposition to the Seven Hills Free-range Project from the kids' parents and anyone who isn't a horrible human being, but dammit, the safety of the children is at stake here. How else are the teachers supposed to keep an eye on literally a dozen additional students each lunch break? If you have any better ideas Mr. Brainy Trousers, the school board would love to hear them. All schools cage their students, right?


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Edit: I am not using Sabayon Linux anymore. I suggest to close this question.
I just started experimenting with ZFS on Linux. I use Sabayon Linux with kernel 3.8. I used a whole single USB disk to create a pool. I tried to do only the basics
zpool create -f testing /dev/disk/by-id/usb-WD_My_Passport_0748_575837314333323139313238-0:0
Which create the zpool successfully.
zpool export testing
Goes without any errors. However, when trying to import the pool back:
zpool import
pool: testing
id: 18027227446368584194
state: FAULTED
status: One or more devices contains corrupted data.
action: The pool cannot be imported due to damaged devices or data.
see: http://zfsonlinux.org/msg/ZFS-8000-5E
testing FAULTED corrupted data
sdb UNAVAIL corrupted data
I'm using 64 bit kernel with 2 GB of memory. I'm finding it hard to believe that this is a ZFS on Linux bug, since it's very trivial.


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Summit Racing Carburetor - Sometimes More Really Is Better!Written by on October 19, 2010 Summit Racing's Three-Deuce Combo
As most of you folks have already determined, I'm pretty much a fan of old-school hot rodding-whether it's in the classic truck, pre-'48 hot rod, or motorcycle realm. You're more likely to see me building and driving relatively low-tech traditional-styled vehicles of either the two- or four-wheeled variety than you would a fuel-injected, billet aluminum, trinket laden one. It's not because I'm opposed to technical advancement, trends, or change in general mind you, it's just that for me simplicity is a personal preference.
When it comes to drivelines my preferences are the same-the more traditional the setup the better I like it. And there's no traditional induction setup I like more than a trio of two-barrels. The last Tri-power-equipped truck I owned was a '29 Model A closed-cab much like the one I drive now. That one was equipped with a swap meet three-Deuce setup that had seen better days-but it was the best I could afford at the time. Still, it looked awesome and worked well enough for what I had invested in it. Recently while perusing my latest Summit Racing Equipment catalog I stumbled across their new Three-Deuce Combo package (PN SUM-CSUM1900) and it reignited my interest in Tri-power induction.
In all honesty, it was the price point that really grabbed my attention-the Summit setup retails for the extremely fair price of $2,262! That's for a completely new package that includes an aluminum intake, carbs, air cleaner assemblies, and progressive linkage! Heck, that wasn't all that much more than the well-used setup I'd purchased a few years ago! And, the real bonus of the Summit combo is that it uses high-quality Holley 2300-series carbs (a 350-cfm primary and a pair of 325-cfm secondaries) rather than the old Rochester's my old one did. That said, I decided that I wasn't going to pass this one up and ended up ordering one for the early small-block Chevy I was building for a future project.
About a week later I came home from the office to find UPS had dropped off my latest Summit purchase and I proceeded to unpack it and get right to work-I figured my other projects could wait another day. So take a look at this affordable, high-quality Summit setup going together in my garage-I think you'll be impressed (with the three-Deuce setup, not my garage), if so you can check out the combo yourself via the Summit Racing website-I don't think you'll find an equivalent at a fairer price.
More Photos From This Article View Slideshow
Summit Racing has teamed up with Holley, Z3x2, and O'Brien Truckers to offer the ultimate in top-quality fairly priced performance Tri-power systems. The system includes everything needed (less intake manifold gaskets) to equip your classic truck with an equally classic induction system that provides as impressive performance characteristics as it does great traditional styling.Since it'd been way too long since one of my vehicles had sported a Tri-power setup I decided to go for it and equip my early style small-block Chevy with the new Summit Racing SUM-CSUM1900 triple two-barrel setup. Summit offers the combo in two versions-one with a natural manifold finish, and one with a polished look powdercoated manifold. I chose the natural finish as it was the least expensive of the choices (plus I think it has a more traditional look).As I said earlier, almost everything you'll need to complete the installation is included in the setup. The only things you'll need to source separately are manifold to head gaskets, a tube of sealer, plugs and/or fittings (for vacuum and coolant), a thermostat, gasket, and housing, and the fuel line from the pump to the carbs. (Check out those cool finned traditional-style cast O'Brien Truckers air cleaner assemblies-no cheapo tin air cleaners for this Summit setup!)The heart of the Tri-power setup are the top-quality 2300-series Holley carburetors. The center (or primary) carb is a 350 cfm and equipped with an electric choke. The outers (or secondaries) are un-choked 325-cfm units.Installation is a snap (especially in my case where the engine is sitting on an engine stand and not in the engine bay). The first order of business is to strip the top end of the distributor, carb, and intake. Then clean up and prepare the gasket surfaces. This engine was due for some fresh valve cover and oil pan gaskets as well, so I thought I'd take care of those at the same time.As is the case with all the kits or assemblies I've ever purchased from Summit the three-Deuce setup came with nearly everything needed for installation. Whatever is not supplied new can be reused from the prior intake-like mounting bolts, vacuum fittings, thermostat and housing, and heater hose fittings. Here you can see the new intake/carburetor studs, carb base gaskets, air cleaner studs, preformed fuel lines and blocks, and the progressive throttle linkage.Summit chose to use the Z3x2 dual-plane mid-rise intake manifold. Z3x2 manifolds are manufactured using high-quality permanent-mold castings with CNC-machined surfaces and smooth rounded internal surfaces for unrestricted airflow.Once my engine was stripped and ready to receive its new components I started the process by installing the carburetor mounting studs into the new manifold. I'm not quite sure that it's a must (or even recommended) but in the last few installs I've done I started using thread locker-I hate it when those studs back out instead of just the nuts coming off.
Once the studs were all installed I double-checked the gasket fit-just for my own peace of mind. Of course, everything was fine ...Next, I placed fresh gaskets in my valve covers and cylinder head to intake surfaces, lowered the intake into place, and tightened everything up to spec.The fittings and plugs came next. I chose to temporarily plug the coolant temp sensor bung with, a plug as I have no idea what I'll be using for gauges with this motor at this point in time. Also, don't forget the vacuum fitting at the rear of the manifold as well.After reinstalling the carb base gaskets I installed the carbs. The center carb (the one with the electric choke) goes on first. Next come the outer ones. These are identical so either one can go in either position (though you may have to tip the carbs a bit to place them correctly). Make sure all three are sitting completely flat on the intake before tightening the mounting nuts.Before I got carried away and forgot about them I made sure to place the D-shaped air cleaner gaskets on the carburetors and checked that they fit nice and snug.This part was the only phase that caused a bit of head scratching for me. There was no real guide as to how the lines go together (in my kit anyway), so I winged it as usual by assembling them on my benchtop first. At this point I thought I had it figured out.Apparently not ... The last engine I installed was in my '29, and that one utilized an electric fuel pump down on the left framerail near the fuel tank. I had routed that fuel line up to the engine at the back of the intake-so this time I was evidently thinking along the same lines and set up the hard lines to match that configuration. In doing so I found that the L-shaped line at the front carb ended up short, so I bent up a replacement that was the correct length and proceeded to assemble the balance of the line assembly. In reality that L-shaped line is supposed to go to the rear carb and face forward so that the fuel supply line from the pump attaches to the carbs at the front of the engine rather than the rear. Well, I figured I'd screw up at least once during the install-so I guess I at least I met my expectation in that regard.
With the fuel lines plumbed I then switched sides and started on the throttle linkage. Initial linkage installation is easy and straightforward since it'll only work one way anyway (at least I hope so). As long as you've got the correct carb in the center you're home free, and the only point of contention is adjusting the linkage so that it operates in a truly progressive manner and the outer carbs are opening at the same time and to the same degree.The finishing touch looks-wise was bolting on the trio of awesome, finned, cast-aluminum O'Brien Truckers air filter assemblies. Summit's choice to use these in place of some inexpensive plated tin cheapo's goes a long way in illustrating the fact that they care about quality-I'm impressed.And here it is in all its glory. This is a great-looking traditional Tri-power setup that really will perform as well as it looks. Now all I have to do is build something around this motor, and I'll be good to go!The Summit Triple Two-Barrel Carb and Manifold Combo has been dyno tested utilizing a 350-cube small-block Chevy, first equipped with a stock cam and four-barrel and then re-tested with the Tri-power setup. As you can see here, the Summit setup produced 346 hp at 5,200 rpm versus the standard single four-barrel at 337 hp at 5,400 rpm-not too shabby!


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7 Secrets Only Two Living People Know (For Some Reason)
What do you suppose are the most well-kept secrets in the world? The launch codes for the American nuclear arsenal? The location of Jimmy Hoffa's bones?
Not even close. Below are secrets that only two people on planet Earth know. Sometimes they have very good reasons to keep these secrets so fiercely. Other times, not so much.
#7. The Formula for Coca-Cola
What is it?
It's no surprise that one of most profitable companies ever would want to keep their formula a secret. Even with hundreds of imitators, Coke still dominates world-wide sales of caramel colored drinks. But doesn't that stuff only have, like, four ingredients? Fizzy water, high fructose corn syrup, caffeine and Brown Dye #4? There isn't exactly a vibrant symphony of flavors in each can.
Yet, the formula is so fiercely protected that the company even pulled out of India in the 1970s because they would have been legally required to divulge their ingredient list to their government.
It even managed to stall a divorce case. When one of the Coke heirs ended his marriage to his wife, she demanded some of his great-grandfather's (the founder of Coca-Cola) original notes as part of her settlement. The company had to get involved and put a stop to it out of fear the notes could contain information on the formula.
Who Knows:
Only two Coke executives know it. Urban legend says they each only know half, but that's false--that part was invented for an old ad campaign.
How it is Kept Secret:
The original copy of the formula is kept in an undisclosed SunTrust Bank in Atlanta. To keep SunTrust on the side, Coke gave them some 48.3 million shares of stock as well as having executives from each company sit on the other's board of directors.
The company has policies surrounding the secret that range from the paranoid (the two executives who knew the formula could not fly on the same plane) to the bizarre (no one could view the formula without God, Jesus and Elvis present or something to that extent).
All of this is pointless in the end. Coca-Cola still derives some of its flavor from the coca plant; the same place that cocaine comes from. Due to the obvious drug related issues that would arise from importing lots of coca plant into America legally, only one company has government permission to do it. That company is Coca-Cola. So even if someone broke into the bank and managed to take the formula, they would never be able to produce an exact Coke rip-off.
And if another company did somehow get permission to import coca, hell, there is at least one better way to make money with it.
#6. KFC's 11 Herbs and Spices
What is it?
The secret KFC recipe dates back to the 1930s when Harland Sanders served chicken to people who stopped at his gas station in North Corbin, Kentucky. It was an amazing success. And while he never joined the military, in 1936, he was given the title of honorary Kentucky Colonel by the governor in recognition of his contribution to the state's cuisine.
Other contributions to Kentucky's cuisine.
Eventually, Sanders expanded his restaurant into a chain. While KFC has diversified its menu over the years, the main thing that sets the restaurant apart is still its special blend of 11 herbs and spices. And boy do they know it.
Who Knows:
As with Coke, only two executives have access to the recipe for KFC's 11 herbs and spices. Man, wouldn't it be weird if it was the same two guys?
How it is Kept Secret:
The recipe is at KFC's headquarters. But unless you are Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, you have no chance of getting it.
We'll let security expert Bo Dietl speak for himself:
"We fortified the ceiling and the floor around here with concrete bricks two feet thick," Dietl said. "We put in motion sensors also CCTV that's hooked up to security downstairs. They have 24/7 armed guys downstairs, so in the amount of 30 seconds you'll have somebody up here. Once in here, you have to have two people with two keys and two different PIN numbers, and that's what you have to have. This safe is bolted down and there is no way anybody can get in here unauthorized without us knowing about it."
Holy. Fuck.
But will this be enough to thwart the hordes of people who are trying to steal the secret recipe? Just in case it's not, half of the ingredients are mixed at one location, half at another, and they are combined at a third.
This is chicken we're talking about. CHICKEN! Fast food chicken. See, we're going to share a little secret with you guys who're risking your lives to protect that recipe: no one eats at KFC because they have the best chicken in the world. People eat it because it's a pain in the ass to make at home and the line was too long at Popeye's.
#5. The Location of Oliver Cromwell's Head
What is it?
The top part of this guy:
Oliver Cromwell--an Englishman from the 1600s who pretty much singlehandedly ended the monarchy and took over ruling the country himself. After he died of natural causes and the monarchy was restored, King Charles II ordered his body dug up so it could be "killed" again.
Because why let God getting there first stand in the way of your revenge?
After hanging from a scaffold for over 12 hours (hey, if you are going to kill someone who's already dead you need to put in the extra effort) the body was cut down and the head placed on a spike. Eventually it fell off and was passed around museums and private collectors. Yes, apparently there are collectors of decapitated heads. Their conventions must be awesome.
When the last owner, who sometimes showed the head to school children, died in 1957, his son decided not to continue the illustrious family tradition of being a head collecting weirdo. He tried to give it a proper burial, but it took him over three years to find a place that would accept it.
Why? Because even 300 years after Cromwell died, there was a very real fear that royalists, who should really just let it fucking go already, would dig up the head and do unspeakable things to it.
Let your imagination run wild.
Seem a little paranoid? Only 60 years before, a proposed statue of Cromwell led to fierce debate in Parliament and the threat of riots. Finally, the college Cromwell had attended for one year decided to take their chances with the damn head.
Who Knows:
Two professors at Cambridge University's Sidney Sussex college.
How it is Kept Secret:
Only a small group of people was present at the internment. There is no marker, only a plaque on a wall saying that the head was buried "nearby." Worrying even this wasn't super-secret enough, there was no announcement of the burial for another two years.
Since then, only a handful of people other than the original group have known the location. The currently accepted system is that when a clued-up professor retires he or she tells another professor precisely where the head is located.
Everyone knows that if they should ever let the location slip, somebody's going to be rubbing that skull in dog poop within the hour. Or at least posing it in some kind of ridiculous hat.
#4. The Location of Lena Blackburne's Baseball Rubbing Mud
What is it?
So, there is this special mud, and Major League Baseball absolutely depends on it.
A brand new baseball just out of the box is slippery; so much so that a pitcher has no control when throwing one unless it's dirtied up a bit first. So, an umpire spends a lot of his time before a game rubbing mud into dozens of balls. But not just any mud works.
Before the 1930s, teams tried all kinds of substances, including tobacco juice and shoe polish, but nothing really worked. Then one day Lena Blackburne, a no-name player turned coach, was taking a walk near his house in New Jersey when he stumbled upon some strange mud. Obviously having a "Eureka!" moment to rival Archimedes', Blackburne took some home and tried it out. It worked brilliantly.
By 1938, the American League was using Blackburn Rubbing Mud exclusively on all their balls. The National League wouldn't use it until the 1950s, mostly because Blackburn refused to sell it to them, but they've been using it ever since.
Who Knows:
Mud business owner Jim Bintliff and his wife.
How it is Kept Secret:
Mud Tycoon Jim Bintliff. As if you give a shit.
The location of the mud has been a closely guarded secret since Blackburne stumbled upon the source in the 1930s. All that is known is that it is found on a tributary of the Delaware River, somewhere near Palmyra, New Jersey.
Blackburne and his business partner, John Haas, never revealed the location to anyone, going so far as to shovel 500-pounds of the mud themselves every year, well into their 80s. When Blackburne died, probably due to a massive heart attack during one of these rigorous excursions, Haas brought his son-in-law, Bintliff, in on the secret. Bintliff made the yearly trip into his 70s, along with his son Jim, to gather all the mud needed for a whole year.
Just one barrel lasts a Major League team an entire season, but it's crucial to their operation. You can just imagine what they charge for this amazing, rare substance that can only be found in one part of the world.
Actually, it's $24.
Wait, that's what all the secrecy is about? That'd be like sneaking into Fort Knox and just finding a coffee can full of quarters there.


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Palladino: Familiar name powers Watertown
The Watertown girls are off to a 3-0 start, with all three victories in the Brass Division, and for one of those wins, they have a familiar name to thank.
Freshman center Abby Collier, in her first varsity start, pulled down 13 rebounds and scored 12 points to lift the Indians over Ansonia, 50-39, Tuesday in the Robert B. Cook Gymnasium.
There have been two other Colliers in the Watertown lineup, a Maggie and Hannah, and Tuesday, Abby's debut completed the set, and what a debut. The Indians dominated Ansonia in the first half, ran off to a 36-17 halftime lead, and Collier was a big part of that. She scored eight of her points in the game's first nine minutes, and had 10 rebounds by the half.
She was in the lineup due to an injury.
"She didn't know she was starting until about six minutes before the game," said Watertown coach Ed Lopes. "When I told her, her face was bright-eyed," he added, making his own eyes wide like saucers.
With Collier having little trouble in the paint, that opened things up for Watertown's Jamie Zoldy on the perimeter. The senior scored 16, 12 in the first half, including a pair of 3-point field goals in the first quarter.
The Indians were near perfect in that first half.
"We played one of the better halves this season," Zoldy said. "We hope to execute a little more than last year, and use our post. We have an advantage in height."
The Indians crashed the boards, played defense, and ran the half-court efficiently.
"The first half was tremendous," Lopes said, "but I went in at halftime and warned them that Ansonia is potent."
News flash: Lopes was correct.
The Chargers (1-1) won the second half in Watertown Tuesday when their sensational guard, Melissa Tirella, in the words of Lopes, "took over. She can go crazy. She is one of the best players in the NVL. She did exactly what the star should do on a team."
Tirella scored 25 on the evening, 14 in the second half, and even though Watertown held a 20-point lead in the third, Tirella made the hometown fans squirm as Ansonia trimmed the lead to eight.
The way the Chargers played in that second half is "what you should expect from Ansonia," Tirella said. "We should have come out in a man (defense), because we would have had more energy."
Ansonia played aggressive defense, put bodies on bodies under the boards and did some rebounding, and then put the ball in Tirella's hands.
And as Zoldy explained, "I think we (Watertown) fell asleep and got a little too comfortable. It was a half-long struggle to pull through."
Coach Pat Lynch's Chargers have rallied from a nine-point deficit to beat St. Paul in the opener, in OT, but was too far out to do the same against the Indians.
"We didn't come out with anything," Lynch said, "but we showed a no-quit attitude. We have got to start a little better."
Tirella was all-everything, adding four rebounds and three steals, while Tierney Lawlor had seven steals and Quanisha Finney nine boards for the Chargers. Watertown received nine points and nine rebounds from Sara Selimovski, eight rebounds from Meg Perrin, and eight points from Jules Rinaldi.
But it was the double-double from Collier that won it for the Indians, or at least, created the much-needed cushion that earned the team a third win in three times out.
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Creek selling hoop tickets
WINTERSVILLE - The Indian Creek Athletic Department is selling advance tickets to Tuesday's boys 8 p.m. sectional basketball game at OUE against Harrison Central and to Thursday's girls 6 p.m. district basketball game at Zanesville against West Holmes. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the gate.
Brilliant to hold registration
BRILLIANT - The Brilliant Little League will hold its final sign-ups from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Wells Township Office. The cost is $55 for one child, $65 for two children and $5 for each additional child. It is open to all boys and girls in the area with T-Ball for ages 4-6, girls softball (7-18) and baseball (7-12).
T-shirts may be ordered at and must be paid at registration and it will be the only time extra shirts will be ordered.
For information, contact Denny Taylor at (740) 275-1465 or Tina Herrlein at (740) 598-3995.
Richmond to hold sign-ups
RICHMOND - The Richmond Baseball/Softball Association will hold sign-ups from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Richmond Lighthouse Church.
Cost is $45 for the first child, $35 for the second child and $20 for the third child. Cash or check will be accepted. Sign-ups will be at the church only. Online sign-ups will not be accepted.
Pony League will also hold registration. The cost is $60 and new players will need a copy of their birth certificate.
Creek boosters to hold fundraiser
WINTERSVILLE - The Indian Creek Athletic Boosters will hold a Night at the Races tonight at St. Florian Hall. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the poker tournament beginning at 6 p.m. and the races at 7 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, $60 for the poker tournament buy-in and $50 for an add-on.
Baseball, softball sign-ups to be held
CHESTER - Oak Glen Junior Bears baseball and softball will hold its final registration for boys ages 4-14 and girls ages 4-15 at the Chester Volunteer Fire Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
Cost is $50 for the first child, $40 for second child, and $25 for each additional child with additional fundraiser.
For information, call (330) 383-1886.
Wintersville baseball sign-ups set
STEUBENVILLE - The Wintersville Baseball Association will hold registration from noon to 4 p.m. today in front of Hibbett Sports at the Fort Steuben Mall. The league is open to children who will be 5 to 14 years old before April 30. New players should bring birth certificates when registering.
For information, visit www.wintersvillebaseball.com.
Toronto sign-ups to be held
TORONTO - The Toronto Softball League will hold sign-ups from 10 a.m. to noon today at the Roosevelt Recreation Center. The cost is $50 for the first child, $30 for the second child and $20 for each additional child. Cash or check will be accepted.
Pleasant Hill to hold sign-ups
PLEASANT HILL - The Pleasant Hill Baseball and Softball League will hold registration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Registration fees are to be paid at time of registration. A copy of the player's birth certificate is required. For information, call (740) 381-1866.
Bergholz to hold sign-ups
BERGHOLZ - Registration for Bergholz baseball and softball will be held at the Bergholz Volunteer Fire Department from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. It is open to all boys and girls in the area with T-Ball for ages 5-6; coach pitch (7-8); and baseball/softball (9-14).
The cost is $40 for the first child in the family and $30 for each additional child in a family. The fee is payable at sign-up. For information, contact Dick Law at (740) 543-3461.
Softball sign-ups to be held
STEUBENVILLE - The Steubenville Girls Softball League will hold registration for girls ages 8-15 from noon to 3 p.m. today in the Steubenville High School commons area. The cost is $40 for the first child and $20 for each additional child.


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I'd like to have an app running on my own server that stores and syncs notes, with a great interface. Any suggestions?
An interesting open source alternative to Evernote is in my opinion TagSpaces. It is basically a simple file manager with note editing and tagging capabilities. There are releases for windows, mac and linux.
Interesting by this project is that the tags are saved in the file names making syncing it easy with for example dropbox.
There's are a few aspects of your question that need additional clarification, for example; what OS does your server have, and you want notes to sync - but with what ?
I personally believe that Microsoft OneNote is a great solution to your needs. There's a OneNote client for just about every desktop and mobile OS out there. Also, if you store your OneNote notebooks on skydrive, then if you click one of the notebooks in the skydrive web browser it'll automatically open your notebooks in a web browser for rich web editing.
You can not only store rich text, but also images, video, audio (from voice note apps), the list of features is almost endless.
(adding this here as a note to myself)
Try the Org mode for Emacs , if you combine it with the MobileOrg you can create and sync notes across android , iOS and any desktop OS that can run Emacs all the while backing the notes file to your choice of "cloud" based service. Its not as polished as Evernote or DevonThink but this is a great open source alternative.
Paperwork aims to be an open-source, self-hosted alternative to services like Evernote.
disclosure I am the creator of this tool.
If you are using MacOS, I would suggest checking out DevonThink Pro.
It has the features of Evernote that I like which you can see from the link above.
Most notably storage of multiple formats, keyword tagging, and fast search capabilities.
I'd recommend checking out CintaNotes. It's lightweight and very easy to use. It also supports hot-plug syncing of its data files, so you can sync using any file-syncing tool, such as GoodSync (which you can configure to work with your own FTP), or Dropbox/Google Drive.
But it is text-only, if you need images or sounds, go with something else.


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when I try doing a juju ssh into one of the machines, it returns an error
2012-12-06 14:16:16,695 INFO Connecting to environment...
2012-12-06 14:16:25,671 INFO Connected to environment.
2012-12-06 14:16:26,994 INFO Connecting to unit sqldb/0 at ec2-54-251-4-139.ap-southeast-1.compute.amazonaws.com
Permission denied (publickey).
I can still ssh into nodes I created a while back (2 months ago). I'm not sure what's happening. It seems juju is not copying over my public key to the new nodes I'm adding for some reason. Is it some sort of configuration issue?


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Rock On!
Once again, the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui brought wow to Wailea. To fete the opening of the new Willow Stream Spa, the posh property went glam-rock. Invitation cards were smartly switched out with backstage-style VIP passes, heralding the presence of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS. Besides meeting the legendary musicians, select invitees also got to indulge in hot "rock" neck massages, a KISS-themed manicure station and a rockin' red lipstick bar while sipping on Veuve Clicquot Champagne and sampling scrumptious sushi rolls. After rocking the spa, Simmons and Stanley surprised resort guests and diners at Kō Restaurant with a live performance of the classic KISS tune "Hard Luck Woman." –Photos by Matthew Laine Nall


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Let $k$ be a field, and consider an irreducible polynomial $f \in k[x,y]$. Let $S(f)$ denote the singular points of $f$ (points that are simultaneously zero on $f$, the $x$-derivative of $f$, and the $y$-derivative of $f$.)
If $k$ is algebraically closed, then I can prove $S(f)$ is finite. Also, I can prove that if the field has characteristic $0$, then $S(f)$ is finite.
But what if the field has characteristic $p$ and is not algebraically closed? Is it true that $S(f)$ is finite?
I asked this question to my algebraic geometry professor last semester and stumped him! Hopefully one of you can think of a counterexample or proof.


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Home › Scene › Midnight in the Garden ›
Midnight in the Garden
A group of 400 New Yorkers that would rival Mrs. Astor's famous bunch celebrated the New York Botanical Garden at its annual
Winter Wonderland Ball benefiting NYBG's children's education programs. Under glittering lights in the garden's Victorian-style crystal palace, we asked attendees what makes this NYC institution so special. –Cho photo by BFanyc.com; all other Photos by Patrick McMullan


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Ever since apple has decided to make iTunes account access your email address instead of a username I have noticed the apps that were bought under the old username do not recognize this and there doesn't seem to be a simple way to fix this. For example when an app has an update it asks me to enter my old username/pw combo, however if I make a new purchase and then it has an update the new email/pw info is displayed. This more of an inconvenience than anything, but the other day I was trying to make and in-app purchase and the new email/pw dialog displayed for an app I purchased with the username/pw and the transaction would not go through saying I needed to purchase the app first. Is there an easy way to fix this?
Have you tried removing the app from iTunes and and the iOS device and then downloading them again? iTunes should see that you had already bought it and just downloads it.
This way I changed some apps when I got the iOS device from my girlfriend, which were bought with her account.
Was your old username linked to your current email address?
Supposing the two aren't linked, there isn't an easy way around this, although you might try contacting Apple support to see if they can transfer those purchases to your account. I've had luck doing this before when an album I purchased was link to the wrong account.
Good luck.


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30 Amazing Pet Halloween Costume Ideas
Entries in pet photo contests usually hit all the important tropes: big tough-looking dogs in adorable outfits; pets dressed as other kinds of animals; kitties as classic movie characters, and recent memes. And then there are the ones where the dog or cat looks as ridiculous or as cute as possible. If your dog or cat has a pet parade coming up, and you're angling to win a prize, look to last year's Petco Pet costume contest for inspiration...
- Re-edited from a post originally published October 29, 2013 - DF
More posts in Halloween Decorations, Costumes, Party & Craft Ideas
ATVideo of the Day


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From wikipedia:
Equivalently, a set P is a partition of X if, and only if, it does not contain the empty set and:
- The union of the elements of P is equal to X. (The elements of P are said to cover X.)
- The intersection of any two distinct elements of P is empty. (We say the elements of P are pairwise disjoint.)
I clearly understand that the intersection between partition is empty (point 2), but how can the union of a partition can be the all elements in the set?
If it is a partition, shouldnt they be just a part?
I imagine a set divided in 3 and the elements in the first part are not all the elements of the second part.
How do you explain this?


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Togo's Campaign Saves the World One Sandwich at a Time [1]
Read More About
Togo's, a "West Coast Original" since 1971 serving up big, made-to-order sandwiches stuffed with the freshest ingredients, announced the debut of its latest multimedia advertising campaign.
The campaign includes a series of TV, radio, and outdoor ads that will be placed in Togo's existing growth markets along the West Coast.
The quirky new TV advertisement depicts the story of Togo's kindhearted mascot's commitment to "saving the world" one sandwich at a time.
The videos were spontaneously filmed throughout California with real people and will begin airing on April 15.
Additionally, in the Los Angeles market, 200 outdoor premium panels, extensions, and transit shelters will feature Togo's best-selling #9 pastrami sandwich accompanied by "meaty" tag lines.
"Togo's is known for its big and meaty promotions and humorous social media marketing, and this campaign truly captures the passion that Togo's raving fans have for our brand," says Renae Scott, vice president of branding and marketing for Togo's.
"We anticipate the Togo's mascot will make more spontaneous appearances in future campaigns," she adds. "Who knows where he'll show up next in our quest to satisfy the taste buds of our fans throughout the West."
As part of its 40-year anniversary, Togo's announced its goal to grow the brand to 400 restaurants over the next three years.
To help fuel growth, Togo's offers new and existing franchisees access to $15 million in financing for qualified candidates to both build new restaurants and for transfers.
At Togo's, 51 percent of its traditional restaurants experienced average unit sales in excess of $600,000, with 25 percent more than $800,000.
To become a part of the Togo's team, candidates should possess liquidity of $150,000 for a single restaurant and a net worth of $300,000.
Area developers looking to develop three or more restaurants should have liquidity of $450,000 and net worth of $900,000. Special incentives are available for qualified franchisees interested in opening three or more restaurants.


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Charisma Magazine
Page 13 of 13
A Nation at War
A Scandal in Iraq
A Cultural Exchange
Justice for Women
Pray for the President
Prophetic Warning: Confederacy of Dark Forces Planning Olympic Terror Attack
The Lord also showed me He is calling undercover intercessors to press into new realms of prayer to ...
5 Ways to Cultivate a Discerning Spirit
Even people who walk closely with God and hear His voice accurately can—and ...
Free Ebook: The Ultimate Guide to Reaching Millennials
Position your church to reach millennials by discovering what makes them tick
3 Subtle Distinctions Between Demons and Fallen Angels
Author David Diga Hernandez challenges a widely held traditional view.
5 Truths to Understand When Leading Leaders
If you are in leadership for any length of time, there will probably come a time where you will need to lead other leaders.
7 Reasons Your Organization Suffers from Marketing Malpractice
Receive Dr. Steve Greene's 7 Reasons Your Organization Suffers from Marketing Malpractice, plus 3 Things to Do Now to Prevent Further Damage as your FREE download.
Pastor Prophesies a 'Spirit of Assassination and Murder' Will Overtake RNC
Fast and pray that this dark spirit will be thwarted.
10 Things I Wish I Had Known When I Was 30
I often tell the guys I mentor: "I wish I had known this when I was your age."
How the Death of This Pastor's Son Sparked Personal Revival
Listen to these podcasts to gain insight on how the head of the Church of God of Prophecy turned ...
2 Ways the Enemy Builds Strongholds in Your Life
There is a spiritual form of a horrible disease that is being lived out way too often in the life ...
Why You Need to Pray in Tongues Now More Than Ever
The answer is found in Isaiah 60.
4 Ways You Can Grow the Gift of Spiritual Discernment
This spiritual gift needs to be understood and practiced daily.
If You Lay Hold of This Truth, It Will Set You Free
Stick to this and your path will be set straight.
Free Ebook: The Ultimate Guide to Reaching Millennials
Position your church to reach millennials by discovering what makes them tick
5 Truths to Understand When Leading Leaders
If you are in leadership for any length of time, there will probably come a time where you will need to lead other leaders.
When Thousands of Pro-Trump Bikers Rolled Into Cleveland
The easy riders wound up helping beef up security.
How God Defines Success in Your Walk With Him
In His eyes, this is much more important.
Lisa Bevere: When You Don't Make the Cut
The following account is a sadly true and embarrassingly ridiculous story about me.
When You Absolutely Cannot Hear God's Voice
There's still one clear way to discern His will when you aren't getting a signal.
A Sobering Prophecy About the Spirit of Judgment and Burning
"The remnant church will not experience the outpouring of the glory required for the awakening ...
How You Can Make Your Prayers More Powerful
When Jesus spoke, people, sickness and disease, nature, and the demonic responded in obedience.
What God Taught Me During My 30-Day 'Facebook Fast'
Could you survive 30 days without social media?
God's Power at Work in the Church Today
Charisma's founder, Steve Strang writes about today's hottest topics affecting the Christian faith.
7 Ways Your Body Tells You It's Toxic
If you are sick, tired and overweight, toxins could be holding you back from the divine health God ...
Discerning the Enemy's Mass Weapon of Destruction in This Season
This spirit is running rampant to steal your faith, kill your dreams and destroy your life.


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Battle Born [+digital booklet]: The Killers: MP3 Downloads for $4.99 + free shipping
Digital download and automatic storage in the Amazon cloud. Thursday, 11/1 only.
3 Comments add a comment
Still going strong on Friday, November 2nd. Which is not abnormal for Amazon.
Just bought this last night and it is a fantastic album!
Great album.


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VATS Versus Open Surgery
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: May 8, 2013
I had 2 surgery opinions – one would use !0VATS!1, the other would use a traditional open surgery. Are the two equal? I realize VATS may have fewer complications, but I wonder if that procedure compromises the treatment?
Taine Pechet, MD, Thoracic Surgeon at Penn Medicine, responds:
Minimally invasive surgery using VATS, as compared to an open approach (using a thoracotomy), effectively results in the same treatment, but whether or not a particular cancer would be appropriate to use VATS techniques for depends on the particulars of tumor size, location, cancer type, etc. There are fewer complications with VATS, so it is a good approach as long as the same procedure can be accomplished. What's important is what is done on the inside, and as long as it can be done with smaller incisions that will result in less pain, faster recovery, better lung function (all in the short term), then it is a good choice.
This question and answer was part of the OncoLink Brown Bag Chat Series. View the entire Focus on Lung Cancer transcript.
KeywordsClick on any of these terms for more related articles
I wish u knew... Caring for people with advanced lung cancerby Timothy J. Hampshire
January 07, 2013
3 Great Reasons To Have Gratitude On Your Cancer Teamby Marlys Johnson
July 25, 2016


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Norway's PSA said that fire protection for the main substructure and process equipment on the Ula P processing platform were inadequate and passive fire protection needed to be installed. Such protection would slow a fire from spreading and protect the steel structure of the platform from deformation.
By SELINA WILLIAMS
LONDON -- Norway's Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has
ordered BP to implement immediate measures to comply with fire-
and explosion-prevention requirements at its Ula P oil platform
following an oil and gas leak in September at the North Sea
BP's safety record globally remains under scrutiny more than
two years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, when a rig
leased by BP exploded in the US Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 and
leading to the worst offshore oil spill in US history.
The order from Norway's PSA comes as BP said Nov. 15 that it
had agreed to accept criminal responsibility in the US for
the Deepwater Horizon disaster and pay $4.5 billion in fines
and restitution.
In the order, Norway's PSA said that fire protection for the
main substructure and process equipment on the Ula P processing
platform were inadequate and passive fire protection needed to
be installed.
Such protection would slow a fire from spreading and protect
the steel structure of the platform from deformation, the PSA
said in a statement issued late Monday.
The PSA also said that walls between the processing modules
on the platform, where hydrocarbons are separated into oil, gas
and water, don't have sufficient protection from explosion and
need to be strengthened.
BP has until Dec. 31, 2012, to comply with the PSA's
BP said it is working on a plan on the short-term,
medium-term and long-term actions to resolve the shortfalls.
The short-term actions, which include reducing areas for hot
work such as welding and improving protection of valves in the process plant with
passive fire protection, would be implemented within the
"Some actions will be of longer term as these involve new
fire and explosion studies. We will in accordance with best
practice execute these and implement measures required to
comply with the notification," BP said in a statement.
On Sept. 18, BP said a leak had forced it to shut down the
platform in the southern sector of the North Sea earlier that
month. BP restarted production at Ula on Nov. 17.
At the time, the PSA said the hydrocarbon leak from the platform Sept.
12 was "substantial" and described the episode as having
"substantial potential." Nobody was injured in the
BP maintains it is placing safety at the heart of its global
operations, shutting down platforms around the world for safety
checks and extensive maintenance. Incidents like Ula risk
undermining the company's claims on safety standards.
Earlier this year, BP halted output at its Foinaven Field in
the North Sea after a leak was discovered in an underwater
connecting pipeline. Last year, a fire at the Valhall
production platform, also in the North Sea, led to a production
shutdown at the field for more than two months.
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A searchable database of project activity in the global hydrocarbon processing industry
Engineers and designers are highly skilled individuals. Forcing them to enter design changes using tables, forms and spreadsheets is unproductive and uneconomical, and it increases the likelihood of human error—this is the way that most instrumentation software systems currently work. For too long, software vendors have denied engineers and designers the simple practicality of a graphical visual engineering interface with "drag and drop" capability and inbuilt intelligence, ensuring changes are automatically replicated into all the associated data and databases.
Is 2016 the peak for US gasoline demand?
Too soon to tell
July 2016


text: On Friday evening, May 18, several hundred people stopped by the McConnell Rooftop Observatory to see planets Venus, Saturn, and Mars, plus ancient star clusters and spiral galaxies. This time lapse video shows the view from the enclosure housing the 16-inch telescope. Stars are circling the celestial pole as viewers step in and out of the room.


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Does breathing air with an increased percentage of oxygen make you more productive?
If the brain requires oxygen to function properly, does that mean that breathing air with an increased level of oxygen helps you think faster or more accurately (for example with mental calculations)?
What are the short term effects, if any, of breathing enriched air?