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In January 2006, the Austrian-Iraqi Association for Development held its first conference on extremism and terrorism around the world, in Vienna. The conference was attended by Arab, Muslim and European researchers, intellectuals and diplomats. In the closing statement, the participants made the following recommendations: to present the humane and rational side of Islam which calls for co-existence and acceptance of the other; to condemn all forms of violence and terrorism; to promote dialogue and cooperation among all the world's cultures; and to call upon religious scholars to halt the spread of extremism. The participants also emphasized the Palestinian people's right to an independent state, and called to consolidate Iraqi national unity based on citizenship, democracy, and peaceful co-existence between all sectors of Iraqi society, while preserving the country's Arab and Islamic character. [1] Dr. Kamel Al-Najjar, a reformist who writes on the reformist websites www.kitabat.com and www.elaph.com, expressed reservations regarding the validity of these recommendations. [2] The following are excerpts from his article: "Islam was Tolerant Only During the Mecca Period, When it was Weak""The phenomenon of Arab and Islamic conferences has come to dominate activities in the Arab and Muslim world almost completely, especially since the tragedy of September 11, 2001 in the U.S... Experience teaches us that those who talk a lot do little, while those who act do not talk. I hope that the conference held by the Austrian-Iraqi Association for Development is not an Islamic conference of that sort, but a look at its recommendations does not inspire optimism... "The conference participants did not bother to explain what the humane side of Islam is. When was Islam humane, and when did it respect others and call for co-existence? Anyone who studies Islamic history discovers that Islam was tolerant only during the Mecca period, when it was weak. This is the period in which the tolerant verses were revealed, such as the verses... 'You have your religion and I have my religion [Koran 109:6]' and 'Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly preaching, and reason with them in the best ways [16:125].'... "Later, the Prophet emigrated to the city of Al-Medina, and the first Koranic sura revealed to him there - the sura of Al-Baqara - starts with a rejection of the other... Later [verses] call to fight anyone who does not convert to Islam: 'And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out [2:191]'... Subsequently, the sura of Al-Tawba was revealed, and the 'verse of the sword': 'So when the sacred months have passed, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captive and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush [9:5]'... The 'verse of the sword' and all the [other] warlike verses of the Al-Medina period were revealed later than the verses of the Mecca period, and as the newer verses, they [come to] replace the Mecca verses. According to the religious scholars, the 'verse of the sword' abrogates at least 120 tolerant verses. So where is the tolerant side of Islam?... "If we put aside the theoretical statements of the Koran and the hadith, and examine the actions of the Prophet and his companions... will we find anything that can be regarded as tolerance and acceptance of the other? The Prophet, after all, drove the Jews out of the Arab peninsula and made raids on the Arab tribes so that they would convert out of fear. "[The First Caliph] Abu Bakr fought against the tribes who abandoned Islam, and [the Second Caliph] Omar [bin Al-Khattab] imposed his famous contract on the Christians, which forced them to cut their hair and wear special garments so they would be easily recognizable, and forbade them to ring their church bells. Islamic conquests of non-Muslim [lands] continued until the time of the Ottoman Caliphate during the 15th century, and even later. Can we find the radiant face of Islam in any of these statements or actions?" "Violence is Rooted [in Islam] From its Very Inception"Regarding the recommendation to condemn all forms of violence and terrorism, Al-Najjar wrote: "The problem with Islam is that violence is rooted in it from its very inception. Islam commands beating a 10-year-old child if he does not pray regularly. Islam permits beating a woman if she does not obey her husband... "The [Islamic] states terrorize non-Muslim minorities, as occurs in Egypt. There is also the terrorism of the religious clerics... who carry a stick to beat women on their legs if any part of the leg is showing, and to beat the men in the marketplace on Friday so they hurry up and get to the mosque. There is the terrorism of religious groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, the Taliban, the Shi'ite groups in Basra, and the Sunni groups in Falluja which burned down shops selling computer diskettes and shops selling wine... Every day, we encounter the ideological terrorism of Al-Azhar [University] and other religious institutions, which ban books, newspapers and movies that do not conform to their views, and issue fatwas accusing Muslim intellectuals of heresy..." "How Can We Call for Co-Existence Between Religions When the Religious Scholars... Say Every Day That the Bible and New Testament are Falsified, That Christians are Polytheists... and That Jews are the Descendants of Apes and Pigs?"Al-Najjar next refers to the recommendation that calls for cooperation between the world's cultures: "How can we call for co-existence between religions when the religious scholars of Al-Azhar, Najaf, and Qom say every day that the Bible and the New Testament are falsified, that Christians are polytheists because they worship the Trinity, and that Jews are the descendants of apes and pigs? [When] every Friday, the [Muslim] worshipers call upon Allah to eradicate the Jews, and when the Muslims ridicule the Hindus for worshiping a cow? Who are those who [supposedly] call for [dialogue]? Are they religious scholars who believe in the superiority of Islam?..." Regarding the recommendation to recognize the Palestinians' right to establish an independent state based on U.N. resolutions, Al-Najjar said: "The hostility that both sides have instilled in their children will not allow them to co-exist peacefully in the near future. As long as there are religious scholars like Sheikh Al-Qaradhawi who permit Palestinian youths to blow themselves up among Israeli civilians, [and as long as there are] religious scholars and sheikhs from Hamas who recruit and train these youths, there is no use in emphasizing the need to establish a Palestinian state based on international resolutions." About the recommendation to consolidate Iraqi national unity while preserving the Arab and Islamic character of Iraq, Al-Najjar wrote: "The homeland has no religion. Faith belongs to Allah and the homeland belongs to all [its citizens]. But since Islam does not recognize any other [religion], the conference participants called to preserve the Arab and Islamic character of Iraq. [However, it should be noted that] before it became Arab or Muslim, Iraq was Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Christian, and now most of its population is Muslim. So how can we preserve the unity of the homeland and say that it is [only] Islamic and Arab? [Additionally,] which Islam are we referring to [when we characterize Iraq as Islamic]? Shi'ite Islam and the rule of the religious scholars, or Sunni Islam which accuses the Shi'ites of heresy?..." "Since When are the Muslims a Nation of Peace?""Islam includes theoretical principles that the Muslims do not implement in practice. For example [the Koran says in sura 42, verse 38]: 'Those who... conduct their affairs by mutual consultation [shura].' But when the Taliban seized power in order to implement the laws of the Islamic shari'a, they did not come into power by means of shura and did not implement the principle of shura in governing [the country]. When Al-Turabi and Al-Bashir took over Sudan in the name of Islam, they [also] did not come into power by means of shura, and did not implement [this principle]. In the Gulf states, power is inherited, and not gained by means of shura... "The Muslims are always boasting groundlessly of what they do not have, and claiming that Islam has [characteristics] that it [actually] lacks. Mr. Khaled Mash'al, head of the Hamas political bureau, said in Damascus: 'Muslims are the nation of peace, and they extend their hand to anyone who wants to make peace.' Since when are the Muslims a nation of peace? Who spilled rivers of blood in Asia Minor, conquering its cities and enslaving its people?... Who conquered Spain and North Africa? "If the Muslims are Serious About Presenting the Radiant Face of Islam, They Must Drop This False, Hollow Arrogance and Acknowledge Their Dark Past and Even Darker Present""If the Muslims are serious about presenting the radiant face of Islam, they must drop this false, hollow arrogance, and acknowledge their dark past and their even darker present. They must establish a global judiciary council whose function will be to punish any sheikh that issues a fatwa encouraging or permitting violence - whether physical or ideological... They must also re-interpret the Koran, putting the warlike verses - the verse of the sword and similar hadiths - in historical perspective as verses that are no longer valid... Perhaps they should take an example from those who follow the Koran alone and do away with all the hadiths and with the sunna..." |
you've probably already read it, but if not you should also check out "why i am not a muslim" by ibn warraq.
Thank you hope, that was very illuminating. I think his recommendations are a tall order to fill, but who knows how far the next generation will take this spirit of reform? It may become possible.
Thanks Ernie and Kairan.
@ Fadi,, I read your blog post..that was great from you..thanks for sharing!
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It's that time of the year again when high fashion takes over the Capital with a vengeance. The five-day Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013 opens today at Pragati Maidan. And Satya Paul with designer Masaba Gupta debuting as the label's creative head, will open the week.
We glimpsed at the collection titled 'Old Streets, Neon Lights', when we spotted the lipstick print on actor Sonam Kapoor recently. Retro telephone booth and ink splatters are other prints that make up Masaba's collection.
Couture master Tarun Tahiliani will showcase on day two, and his collection, The Kumbhback, is inspired by sadhus. Tahiliani calls their style "sensual and unconscious in their layering."
Designer Sulakshana Monga will showcase her collection on day three. "Blue, pink and ivory come out strong in my creations along with shimmer," reveals Monga. Bollywood's favourite, Manish Malhotra, who ends day three, will showcase creations with an indulgent touch of Punjab. "My collection, Threads of Emotion, highlights phulkari embroidery by craftsmen from Patiala, and intense and ancestral hand embroidery called Bagh. It will be Indian evening wear," he told us. Designer Namrata Joshipura also gave us an insight into her designs. "It's all about strong silhouettes and warm colours for a bold woman. The mood this time is darker, deeper," says Joshipura.
Mumbai-based designer Rahul Mishra, known for his organic creations, will showcase his collection, The Baroque Tree, on day four, and so will designer Rina Dhaka, whose creations this time is inspired by the early 90s. "My collection in a way looks back to the style of the early 90s. I have used elastic yarns on silhouettes that are primarily rectangular. " Designer Aneeth Arora who, for the first time, will show solo also features on day four. "It will give me more freedom, so the show will be more elaborate," says Arora.
Called Fatal Vanity, designer Kanika Saluja's creations imbibe hues that evolve from nudes to black on the ramp. With over 30 shows lined up, the grand finale on March 17, will be one to watch out for. Internationally acclaimed designer Manish Arora will showcase at the fashion week finale for the first time since 2008. From embroidered peplum and neons, to sweatshirts — it's going to be an amalgamated, fashion riot.

subset: commoncrawl


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SWANTON - A 40-unit rental complex for people ages 55 and over with moderate incomes is being mulled for Swanton by the central Ohio developer that built Paigelynn Place.
The Woda Group LLC of Westerville on Monday told village council it is considering constructing Madeline Village by Paigelynn Place. Madeline Village would include one bedroom units of more than 660 square feet, two bedrooms with more than 880 square feet, and two bedrooms with a den with almost 1,100 square feet. Rental rates would be $500 to $550 a month, Woda President Jeffrey J. Woda said. The maximum annual income for residents would be $28,300 for a couple.


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So I'm a little afraid of the term Basshead and some people saying potential bass fatigue on some sets. That said, I like a fair amount of bass increase.
I listen to every major genre of music (seriously, all of them), so I like clarity for something like John Mayer or Tom Petty and some serious oomph for maybe a song with the hip-hop or dance bass, but smooth enough for film scores and classical. However, as some fairly bass-heavy pop is probably my most listened to, I want bass, but I'm weary of the bass fatigue mentioned in some headphones, as well as supposed lost clarity or overly sharp treble.
I have read a lot on here and it seems like I might be okay with Monster Turbine, Klipsch S4 or the HiFiMan RE-400. I know people dodge Bose around here, but the IE2 have been praised on design and sound on mainstream sites, and I'm not entirely opposed to the premium that the brand has placed on them. I like the idea of not inserting an IEM, so the interesting earpieces for the IE2 also intrigue me even if insertion isn't a deal breaker.
I've checked a number of reviews and guides though and don't feel like I can be decisive on it yet, especially since a lot of the opinions don't seem up to date. My only other headphones experience is with some open Astro A40 headphones, which are gaming headsets that do their job, but are obviously meant to be a convenient surround experience and not necessarily the best stereo headphones. I looked at this list as well: http://theheadphonelist.com/articles/earphone-buyers-guide/
So what are your up-to-date recommendations on an excellent sounding IEM or earbud with increased bass?


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BimmerBoost would like to thank member GeorgiaTech335Coupe for his openness and honesty regarding his Vishnu/FFTEC single turbo setup. Recently, this member took his single turbo upgraded 6-speed manual 335i to the PBIR (Palm Beach International Raceway) dragstrip in Florida to do some testing. His best run was a email@example.com alongside a 12.8@117. Yes, these times are quite a ways away from the 10.8@131 glory pass from Vishnu demonstrating the kits capability.
This is in no way the fault of GeorgiaTech335Coupe who experienced misfires on his car and had to short shift at 6300 rpm in order to avoid them. Now, Vishnu has basically portrayed this kit as perfect and ready for sale with nobody having any issues. The reason BimmerBoost is bringing this issue to the attention of the community is for potential buyers to understand what they are getting into.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having issues when modifying a car to this level and BimmerBoost is confident Vishnu will resolve them. There is something wrong with pretending nothing is wrong. A few cars with the single turbo kits have gone up for sale and apparently a total of three people, that are willing to open their mouths, are having misfire issues with these kits.
These issues will no doubt get resolved but potential buyers and current customers needs to be aware of the process, effort, and that progress is being made. Pretending nothing is wrong and collecting money simply is the wrong way to go about this and once again (it's becoming a trend) BimmerBoost is the only site bringing these issues to the attention of the community.
For the record, a member by the name of @tmo335tt says he has a hardware solution for the misfires that he will likely share with Vishnu (hopefully not for free). Interesting that it isn't Vishnu but the community solving this.
Thanks again to @GeorgiaTech335Coupe for sharing his details, good or bad, as we all learn thanks to honesty and openness. There is more to tuning than just collecting money.
Trouble in paradise? Vishnu/FFtec N54 335ii Single Turbo kits experiencing issues as a BimmerBoost member runs 12.5@121 with misfires and having to short shift
This article was originally published in forum thread: Vishnu Single Turbo at PBIR - firstname.lastname@example.com having to shift all gears at 6300rpm started by Sticky View original post1090 Comments-
that makes not sense to me..now if was part of a company or something and didnt want to damage the reputaion of the company with premature results, then I totally get it..but thats not what it sounds like to me..this is a public forum to share ideas and information..and if he isnt in it for the money(which I would also understand if he was), than whats the motivation to hold back..idk..sounds like a bunch of bs to me..but I digress
rudypoochris - 12-11-2012, 01:20 PMThis is nothing but a hobby to me. I have no business in this market and don't plan to make a dime. Everyone has been skeptical so I don't want to "jump the gun" here. Be patient.
As a matter of fact I help people out a lot for nothing in return. One guy just emailed me and has a blown DME, he is coming to my house to have me fix it and I don't expect anything in return. All that I get is the satisfaction that the dealer didn't get to take another person for a couple thousand bucks when it can be solved for less than $5.
It's always been a problem of "Red Herrings" that lead you off on tangents. But with the "flatline fix" I think we're finally making solid progress. The first step was accepting it was an actual mapping issue and not just knock. It took me 2 years to get to that point. Then I realized it was coming up more frequently on the ISO firmware which pointed me towards the analysis that led to this potential fix. Anyway I'm hoping for the best on it. As I told Chuck I've been fooled before so until we get a few previously "flatlining" cars out doing 1/4 mile pulls with the new firmware we won't know for sure. At the very least we're on the right track.
On the manual trans misfires, in my experience it's different every time. We have a few manual cars putting out 500-520rw without reporting any misfire codes so I'd be surprised if there was some inherent hardware issue that affects all manual transmission cars in that power range. Beyond that power level I have not personally explored much so I'll defer to those who have. I do understand the mechanics and electronics of the N54 very well so if anyone wants to throw a theory out I'd be happy to give it a thumbs up or thumbs down.
rudypoochris - 12-11-2012, 01:30 PM
I must admit I am having fun here.
He is recovering from yet another operation to remove a potentially lethal amount of sand from his vagina. I think he also took the opportunity to get his breasts done so Vishnu fanboys literally have something of his they can suck on to feel better.
No, there is more going on here. I believe he has been working on his motor and I believe he may be on to something but I also believe he may be jumping the gun. His confidence earlier and his responses since don't mesh.
Shiv's gone silent because he's probably working like a monkey to get a solution and to avoid questioning at all costs. This is his style; he must know it wont be long before customers get really disgruntled and no longer stay silent. I think 3 sold cars and no performers prove this.


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The TH Plantation company within Malaysia
Published: Last Edited:
This essay has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work written by our professional essay writers.
As everyone knew TH Plantation is a plantation company that listed in Burse Malaysia. Their principle activities are plantations and contracting services while subsidiary activities are information technology and healthcare or biotechnology.
Since TH Plantation is a famous corporation, why we still choose it to make improvement in maximizing shareholders wealth? There are two reasons. First, although TH Plantation's profits are stable every year but it does not give any surprise to their shareholders. Its profit always increase or decrease in very slightly way. Second, according to their CEO, Haji Zainar Azwar Haji Aminuddin, he plan to push TH Plantation to be the top three most efficient and lowest cost producing plantation companies in Malaysia.
Because of these two reasons, we plan to implement a project called Oil Palm Waste Management for TH Plantation which able to match these two reasons. In this project, we need three new assets: Organic Diesel from Biomass, Gasification System and Biomass Power Generation. Besides, we also plan to merge TH Plantation with other corporation, Harbour Link Group Berhad and/or Paos Holdings Berhad. We will explain in details in the following pages.
What is our new asset?
Our new asset is oil palm waste management. The other major solid waste streams comprised of empty fruit brunches (EFB) and Palm Kernel shells (PKS). In order to generate steams and electricity for crude palm oil (CPO) processing plant, we are going to use Palm Kernel shells (PKS) as a fuel. Remaining of the PKS are either used for road hardening or, where demand exists, they are sold to third parties. Other than that, EFBs are either incinerated or useful to the field but some palm oil mills return part of the untreated EFB for mulching in the plantation while the excess EFB are incinerated. Mulching is biased to areas along access roads and indiscriminant dumping, which results in inefficient distribution characterized by excessive piles of EFB. We can sell the ash recovered from the incinerated EFB or we can use as fertilizer in the palm plantation. The current baseline activities have impacts to the environment. The anaerobic digestion generate biogas is allowed to escape into the environment which the biogas contains about 65% methane and it is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases. Besides, incineration of EFB emits particulates into the surrounding atmosphere and indiscriminate dumping of EFB causes additional methane emission into the atmosphere.
The palm oil mill (POM) is designed to be a self sufficient plant in terms of its energy requirements. Black start diesel generator sets is using for the POM power system to start up. Pressure steam is delivered to the back pressure steam turbo generator to generate electricity once the boiler reaches its operating temperature. The diesel generator are taken off and shut down after the turbo generator sets are synchronized to the low voltage busbar and operating steadily. The diesel generator sets are operated to provide auxiliary supply and electricity to the housing estate when palm oil mill is about shut down for the day. Waste management of POM should apply the best practice methods on recycling and re-use of waste based on existing regulation. Solid wastes and liquid waste are the two main wastes resulted from an operation of a Palm Old Mill. The solid wastes may consist of palm kernel shells, mesocarp fibers and empty fruit brunches while the liquid waste generated from an extraction of palm oil of a wet process comes mainly from oil room after separator or decanter. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is the liquid waste with combination of the wastes from sterilizer condensate and cooling water. Palm kernel shells and mesocarp fibers are the mainly for solid waste to be use in-house energy generation while empty fruit brunches (EFB), either in raw form or in reduces form and incinerated EFB ash are applied for mulching in oil palm plantation.
It has several disadvantages such as the loss of oil content in EFB and the loss of potential renewable energy source is the cause of incineration of EFB. The current liquid waste treatment causes methane emission into atmosphere thus contributing to green house gas and thereby loss of potentially renewable energy source. In addition, the liquid waste treatment requires quite large lagoons area. Biogas containing methane generated during POME digestion is currently not being captured or utilized and it just escapes into atmosphere. Methane gas is one among other green house gases which can cause ozone depletion. During POME digestion odor released into surrounding air reduces the air quality in the surrounding lagoons area. Disposal of EFB into oil palm plantation without recovering remnant oil in the EFB contributes to oil spills. Meanwhile, incineration of EFB means wasting renewable energy source and heat which actually could be provided for boiler in POM.
Although there are some disadvantages but the waste management at a Palm Oil Mill can be improved through the practice. EFB is dewatered and remnant oil is recovered before it is being sent to plantation. Besides that, Palm Kernel Shells is used as fuel in a gasification plant. Considering the high calorific value of the shells, the use of the excess shells as fuel for generating power or electricity in gasification plants for villagers or POM is an optional for an optimum waste utilization. Liquid effluents are digested in a controlled digested system whereby biogas resulted from the digestion is combusted in biomass boiler. Biogas combustion could prevent emission of methane gas into the atmosphere. The waste management improvement strategies adopted for this project is an integration of energy capture and optimum use of unutilized wastes. Efficient combustion of dewatered EFB in biomass boiler for providing steam can replace incineration of EFB. The biogas collected can be combusted in biomass boiler extracting the energy from it. The palm kernel shells used for generating electricity could displace the diesel oil consumed by diesel generator sets. The POMs use generation sets to provide electricity during black start. A synchronous electrical interconnection would assist the POMs that are adjacent to PLN's 20 kV distribution grid and have excess installed capacity to reduce its black start diesel consumption. With this kind of interconnection PLN could reduce its diesel requirements for generation of electricity servicing subsidized domestic needs.
Waste management practice brings benefits to us. Dewatering of EFB which can help to reduce oil spills to environment and recover remnant oil useful as feedstock for biodiesel, potential income for POM. Besides that, it can improve the quality of EFB for fuel in biomass boilers in term of calorific value, and dewatered EFB can be used as biomass input into a catalytic conversion cycle system that can convert biomass directly into organic biodiesel. Another benefits of capturing Biogas include reduce odor in the surrounding area, less methane releases to atmosphere, less pond area required for digesting effluent, utilize biogas as renewable energy for boiler, and potential to sell CER as additional income for POM. Thirdly, benefits of gasification of palm kernel shells can help to reduce the diesel oil consumption for generating electricity, saving fuel cost, reduce CO2 emission into atmosphere, cheaper fuel feedstock than diesel oil, and utilize renewable energy source help reducing acceleration of ozone depletion. Technology intervention of a synchronous interconnection system will have the benefit for the POM such as reduce the diesel oil consumption for black start, saving fuel cost, and provide excess energy to the grid for rural electrification. Other than that, catalytic conversion cycle as a technology intervention can help to reduce biomass waste and converting it into energy and utilize shells that are just being used for road hardening for energy generation.
A cluster of palm oil mills would consist of two or more POMs which are considered enough to provide biomass wastes for supporting the cluster activities for generating energy. The POMs in a cluster selected should have reasonable distances in order to minimize the collection or transportation cost of the biomass wastes. A cluster waste management and energy capture such as Biomass Power Plant which is dewatered EFB from a cluster of POMs selected is sent to a biomass power plant. EFB is combusted in a biomass boiler to provide steam for generating electricity. The electricity could be sent to the nearest grid. Other than that, Biodiesel Plant is the remnant oil recovered from dewatering of EFB from POMs selected as a cluster could be used as feedstock for the preparation of biodiesel in a biodiesel plant. The plant could also receive remnant oil from other POMs outside the cluster. The benefits of the cluster of Biomass Power Plant include potential income of POMs to sell dewatered EFB, potential to sell electricity to grid, potential to sell CER generated from the activity, and help reducing the use of fossil fuel in the grid by utilizing renewable energy. Another benefit of cluster of Biodiesel Plant is potential income of POMs to sell remnant oil recovered, potential income from selling of biodiesel and help reducing the use of diesel oil by addition of biodiesel.
Potential environmental impact of dewatering of EFB is disposal of liquid waste produced to the watercourse. This wastewater still has high content of BOD and COD. To minimize the BOD and COD content, the waste water should be treated in the existing POME management system. There is no potential impact from biogas capture system. Potential impact from gasification system is the emission of gases that can reduce the quality of air and can cause nuisance odor. There are potential environmental impacts of biomass power plant during preparation or construction phase are generation of particulates especially if the construction is carried out during dry season and generation of ambient noise levels. These impacts will be happened temporarily during construction phase. The potential impacts during operation phase are the emission of particulates and nuisance impact such as noise and visible smoke. The potential impact during operation phase of biodiesel plant will be primarily from waste water discharge from washing process. To comply with existing regulation, the effluent discharged to the watercourse should be below the standard.
Improvement of waste management would give positive effects either for POM as well as for atmosphere. A recovery of unutilized renewable energy source such as biogas containing methane gas and recovery of remnant oil in EFB is the proposed waste management system. Biogas capture would help reducing acceleration of ozone depletion through the combustion of the biogas eliminating methane gas which has 21 times global warming potential compared to CO2 gas. Remnant oil recovery from EFB would reduce oil spills to environment and the POM could harvest extra oil useful as feedstock for biodiesel. Gasification of palm kernel shells would reduce diesel oil use. This would consequently improve environment quality through the reduction of CO2 emission which would otherwise occur if current practice continues. In case that the POMs could apply this kind of interconnection system to the PLN's grid there would be environmental improvement by the reduction of green house gases emission through the reduction of the PLN's diesel consumption. The diesel consumption would be displaced by the biomass used for generating electricity in the POMs.
There is environmental benefit arising from proposed waste management. In a cluster, though the choice for using dewatered EFB for mulching or generating electricity are left to the POMs selected as a cluster, the proposed EFB use for generating electricity would help reducing the use of fossil fuel in the grid. This would help reducing global warming acceleration through the utilization of renewable energy. Other than that, Biodiesel will be used in a mixture with diesel oil. Even the portion of the biodiesel in the mixture is only 10%, it would help reducing the acceleration of ozone depletion by replacing 10% use of diesel oil.
Why we need a new asset?
Sustainable increase profit
Basically, TH plantation is a very stable company. TH Plantation Bhd which is 67.9% owned by Lembaga Tabung Haji earned a net profit doubled to RM17.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, from RM8.37 million a year earlier. Revenue rose 29% to RM77.22 million from RM59.98 million a year earlier despite lower sales volume thanks to higher prices of crude palm oil and palm kernel compared with the year before. Earnings per share also doubled to 3.65 cent from 1.72 cent a year ago. It is clearly shows that 50% dividend payout policy from TH plantation to shareholder and tendency market will give a positive sign and will bring more investor to come in and caused stock price to increase. Even though the net profit for TH plantation is soar, it also wants to sustainable increase its profit. As a result, open a new asset- oil palm waste management will sustainable increase the profit of TH plantation. This is due to the unstable in plantation industry in Malaysia before. In year 2009, decline in FFB productions due to the dry spell that hit Peninsular which may have affected THP's FFB yield. This cause the profit or revenue of TH plantation unstable compare previously. Other than that, limited plant able land banks available also cause the yield of palm oil become lesser and lesser. High cost of CPO opening stock and amortization also suffered the operating profit of TH plantation. In addition, environment NGOs has been launching spurious attacks on palm oil as a contributing factor in global warming. Agriculture industry in Malaysia become more competitive also is a threat to TH plantation. The most important problem that will cause the profit reduce of the TH plantation is incurable oil palm disease in Malaysia. This type of disease called Ganoderma Basal Stem Rot (BSR) that is caused by bracket fungus Ganoderma. It is deathly and incurable. During replanting, if the old oil palm trunks are left to rot on the ground, various fruiting bodies of Ganoderma may be produced and thrive. Ganoderma Basal Stem Rot (BSR) is fast becoming a major threat to oil palm cultivation and palm oil production in Malaysia. There have many problem occurred in the agriculture industry caused the instability of the profit in TH plantation. If the problems become serious, it will directly influence the operation of TH plantation. Hence, development a new asset that is oil palm waste management can improve the operating even increase the profit of TH plantation. Besides, oil palm waste management is also protecting our environment then increases the image of TH plantation.
Maximize shareholder wealth
Oil palm waste management is not only to protect our environment but it can lead company to gain profit. Every year, TH plantation will give out 50% dividend as in the dividend payout policy. If the oil palms waste management combined with the high quality business process of TH plantation, it can see a great return on their investment. It will increase the value of TH plantation and increase the confidence of shareholders although that the future performance is risky. The shareholders can maximize their wealth though the operation of oil palm waste management such as MF and some of PKS are used as fuel to generate stream and electricity for the crude palm oil (CPO) processing plant and excess PKS used as road hardening or sold to third parties if demands exist. It is indirectly increase the dividend and shareholders' wealth. Thus, it will attract the more and more investors to invest in TH plantation due to higher dividend payout policy that TH plantation gave. This shows higher dividend payment will lead to higher market value. Undeniable, the confident of the investors toward TH plantation strengthen when the dividend is rising. Thereafter, the investor will buy the share of TH plantation and lead the price of share increase drastically.
Environmental Friendly
Today, environmental concern in the oil palm industry is becoming serious issue that needs serious consideration by the stakeholders. Worldwide, consumers are becoming more sensitive and aware of the origin of the product they purchase. They are increasing demanding for product from sustainable sources. In maintain the consumer's confident, ensuring the oil palm industry, TH plantation need to implement the oil palm waste management in the consistent and effective manner. This fulfill the objective of the Malaysia because Malaysia try its very best to practice sustainable palm oil such as zero burning, prudent usage of chemicals and pesticides, biological controls and optimum water management in lowland areas, in order to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, oil palm waste management which is environmental friendly which is capturing biogas include less odor in the surrounding area, less methane releases at atmosphere. Dewatering of ELB which can reduces oil spills to environment, recover remnant oil useful as feedstock for biodiesel. We can reduce the diesel oil consumption for generating electricity and saving fuel cost. In a well run palm oil mill, it is expected that each 100 tones of FFB processed yields 20-24 tons of crude palm oil and about 4 tons of palm kernels. Thus between 72 to 76 percent of the FFB comes out at various stages of the process as waste. We can turn this waste as our profit by implementing waste management. Therefore, the eco-friendly on the oil palm industry will support by the government and it indirectly enhances the image the company. In addition, biodiesel becomes economically competitive when feedstock prices are low and petroleum prices are high. Export for the biodiesel to other country like Singapore, United State and Australia will indirectly increase the profit of company. This is because there have more and more country concern with the problem of environment so they will try their best to save the world though uses the biodiesel to reduce the pollution. The demands of biodiesel increase, the demand of feedstock of oil palm waste also increase. Other than that, government maybe will provide directly subsidies for the production of oil palm to support for this industry.
Competitive advantages
Sustainable competitive advantage is the focal point of a company's corporate strategy. It allows the maintenance and improvement of an enterprise's competitive position in the market. It is an advantage that enables business to survive against its competition over a long period of time. Due to a competitive in oil palm industry become incandesce, TH plantation need to come out a new project to sustain its competitive advantages. Therefore, oil palm waste management will be a potential competitive advantage in the oil palm industry. As far as I know, oil palm waste management has not yet come out in any oil palm corporation in Malaysia. Thereby, TH plantation will become the first plantation company that develop oil palm waste management themselves. This will become the big news in the agriculture industry. The price of share of TH plantation will rise drastically. Although there will be competitor come in to compete, TH plantation also earns a big advantages in time period. This is due to when the rivals come in, TH plantation maybe come out the new idea of oil palm waste management to stay in the competitive advantages.
Top three plantation company in Malaysia
From one interview of CEO of TH plantation, Haji Zainar Azwar Haji Aminuddin, we know that his personal plan is to become one of the top three most efficient and lowest cost producing plantation companies in the country. His mission is to have very high productivity from their plantation. Therefore, oil palm waste management is the best project for TH plantation to accomplish this mission or plan. MF and some of PKS are used as fuel to generate stream and electricity for the crude palm oil (CPO) processing plant can save the cost of the plant. The EFB are either incinerated or applied to the field. The ash of recover from the incinerated EBF is used as fertilizer in the palm plantation. This can be save the cost of fertilizer to the palm oil. Due to the oil palm waste management, TH plantation can fulfill this mission quickly. If it is top in Malaysia, it is probably going to be top in the world.
Organic diesel from biomass is an asset that able to sell it as bio organic diesel and replace biodiesel. Its payback period, NVP, IRR, DOL, DFL and DTL analysis are as below:
Organic Diesel from Biomass
Initial Investment
Cost of Capital
Cash flow:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Payback period
6.85 years
The initial investment which amounted to RM5,120,000 will be consumed as: Catalytic Conversion Cycle (RM3,800,000), storage tanks (RM130,000), infrastructure (RM74,000), land (RM150,000), professional fees (RM500,000), and others (466,000).
Proceedings from calculation show NPV greater than RM0 and IRR of the project, 7.82%, is greater than cost of capital, this asset can be accepted.
DOL= % change in EBIT / % change in Sales
Case 1: DOL = (+110%/+40%) = 2.75
Case 2: DOL = (-110%/-40%) = 2.75
From DOL, we know that RM1 in sale contribute to RM2.75 in EBIT. If sale increase RM1, then DOL will increase RM2.75.
DFL = % change in EPS/% change in EBIT
Case 1: DFL = (+110%/+50%) = 2.2
Case 2: DFL = (-110%/-50%) = 2.2
From DOL, each ringgit in EBIT contribute to RM2.20 in EPS. RM1 increase in EBIT, RM2.2 will increase in DFL.
DTL = DOL x DFL =2.75 x 2.2 = 6.05
Gasification system is an asset that avoids diesel cost that able to replace diesel that needed. Its payback period, NVP, IRR, DOL, DFL and DTL analysis are as below:
Gasification System
Initial Investment
Cost of capital
Cash flow:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Payback period
2.82 years
The initial investment which amounted to RM250,000 will be consumed as: plant equipment (RM80,000), installation cost (RM10,000), capital cost(RM60,000) and others (RM40,000).
Proceedings from calculation show NPV greater than RM0 and IRR of the project, 22.22%, is greater than cost of capital, this asset can be accepted.
DOL= % change in EBIT / % change in Sales
Case 1: DOL = (+100%/+50%) = 2
Case 2: DOL = (-100%/-50%) = 2
From DOL, we know that RM1 in sale contribute to RM2 in EBIT. If sale increase RM1, than DOL will increase RM2.
DFL = % change in EPS/% change in EBIT
Case 1: DFL = (+100%/+40%) = 2.5
Case 2: DFL = (-100%/-40%) = 2.5
From DOL, each ringgit in EBIT contribute to RM2.50 in EPS. RM1 increase in EBIT, RM2.5 will increase in DFL. DTL = DOL x DFL =2 x 2.5 =5
Biomass power generation is the most important asset in this project because it able to generate products that can sell as electricity replacement to others (Eg: rural areas that do not have or unable to get connection on electricity supply). Its payback period, NVP, IRR, DOL, DFL and DTL analysis are as below:
Biomass Power Generation
Initial Investment
Cost of Capital
Cash flow:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Payback period
7.88 years
The initial investment which amounted to RM6,000,000 will be consumed as: engine (RM1,600,000), infrastructure (RM1,500,000), equipment (RM880,000), and others (RM20,000).
Proceedings from calculation show NPV greater than RM0 and IRR of the project, 7.6%, is greater than cost of capital, this asset can be accepted.
DOL= % change in EBIT / % change in Sales
Case 1: DOL = (+120%/+40%) = 3
Case 2: DOL = (-120%/-40%) = 3
From DOL, we know that RM1 in sale contribute to RM3 in EBIT. If sale increase RM1, than DOL will increase RM3.
DFL = % change in EPS/% change in EBIT
Case 1: DFL = (+120%/+36%) = 3.3
Case 2: DFL = (-120%/-36%) = 3.3
From DOL, each ringgit in EBIT contribute to RM3.33 in EPS. RM1 increase in EBIT, RM3.33 will increase in DFL.
DTL = DOL x DFL =3 x 3.33 = 9.99%
TH Plantation current financial status
The retained earnings for TH Plantation group are RM 142,033,000. The higher amount of retained earnings of a company, the lower risk it may bear. Thus, TH Plantation group can invest in more projects as the retained earnings is high enough. It will undertake low risk as TH Plantation group has about RM 142,033,000 of retained earnings.
The long-term borrowings for TH Plantation group are RM 16,802,000. A large amount of loan leads a large amount of liability of a company and vice versa. As a result, it leads to a small amount of liquidity of a company. The amount of TH plantation Group's loan is sufficient for financing its current finance situation and select or pick more projects. If the loan is quite high, the company unable to undertake the risks for the projects as the company's liquidity is low too.
Where we should find that money??
As we need total RM11,370,000 in this project, we need to find those funds for it. We have three options here. First, straight borrow all funds from Bai Murabahah medium term notes. Second, 70% of the funds borrow from bank and another 30% of funds issue bond. Third, ask other corporation or association to invest or joint venture in this project.
Bai Murabahah Medium Term Notes
THP has a stand-by credit of approximately RM 150 million issuance of Bai Murabahah Medium Term Notes to its parent Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) as the sole subscriber as a return for THP that provide managerial skills to them. The stand-by facility is a back-up plan for THP's expansion and development initiatives. It also enables THP to capitalize on LTH's position as a fund manager. THP may straight borrow 100% from Bai Murabahah Medium Term Notes because it is totally enough for them to implement this project.
Take loan from bank and Issue Bond
Or else, we divide the funds needed into two parts. First part is 70% of the fund needed would be gets from taking loan from bank, even though most of the banks are likely to provided same amount of interest rate which is 5 %. However, the final decision of bank whether how much interest rate that they want to charge sometimes also depend on the project itself, so we will select the bank which provided the lowest interest rate among them. Besides, there is also some reason why we chosen taking loan from bank instead of others options. One of the reasons is that debt financing is tax-deductible. It can help us to reduce our income-tax in long term. Besides, another advantage is that we can get one lump sum of funds that is needed shortly by taking loan from bank. In addition, the repayment and structuring options to suit our project can be choose as well. Depend on the options that we choose, we can manage our repayments over time to match the changing cash flow requirements.Apart from that, we decide to take a long term loan from bank instead of issue new share because the overall profit of TH Plantation just began to become stable in these couple years. At the same time, by taking long-term loan can also help us to maintain our policy without breaking it and avoid diluting the voting right of existing main shareholder as well.
The remaining 30% of funds can settle we by issue bonds because there are several advantages of issuing bonds or other debt instead of stock when acquiring assets. Firstly, the interest rate of bond is lower and other debt is deductible on the corporation's income tax return. In the other way around, if we issuing share instead of bond, the dividends on stock are not deductible on the income tax return, since dividends are a distribution of profits to the owners of the corporation. For instance, if a $10,000,000 of bonds with an interest rate of 8% will be issuing by a company, then its annual interest expense will be $800,000. If the federal and state income tax rate on this increment is 40%. Therefore, $320,000 ($800,000 of less taxable income X 40%) of income taxes will be saved.
Other than that, the second advantage of financing asset with bonds instead of stock is that the ownership interest of existing shareholder in the corporation will not be diluted by adding more bondholders. This is because bondholders and other lenders are not either the owners of the assets or of the corporation, so there is no legal obligation to pay dividends. Therefore, all of the profit that we get from the new asset will belongs to the stockholders. However, the bondholders will receive only the amount that agreed upon interest. By issuing debt, the corporation retains their control over a large portion of the asset by using other people's money instead of its own. At the end of the day, it could help enhance the owners' financial position if the asset ends up being very profitable.
Find people to invest our company or find a suitable company to create a joint venture
Because of this project can generate electricity, thus we can find government to invest such as TNB and JKR. As we know, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is the largest electricity utility in Malaysia which is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia. TNB's extensive broader electrical network serves as one of the major opportunity for us to act as energy supplier to TNB Generation by utilize the empty fruit bunch (EFB) of palm oil as its major source of fuel to fire its boiler. However, this venture can also enhance the energy policies to support renewable energy because this is in line with the Government's Fifth Fuel Policy which among others aimed at reducing emission of greenhouse gases. This investment not just only can promote the utilization of renewable energy in power, it also could greatly change the character of the palm oil industry due to matured and emerging technologies for renewable energy. We also plan to developing others business ventures with JKR in order to value adding our core business activities. The reusable palm kernel shells can be used by JKR for road hardening.
Besides, we can also invite environmental association such as NGOs to invest in this project as this is a golden opportunity to eliminate waste product and generate electricity by using palm oil. We can also encourage Biomass power plant; organic diesel plant as well as biodiesel plant comes to invest.
TH Plantation and Harbour Link
TH Group is the holding company of the TH Plantation. Besides the TH Plantation, there have another three principle division in the TH Group include contracting, biohealthcare division, and information technology. The main purpose of the contracting division is involved in coal mining contracting services, design and build, civil and infrastructure construction projects. For biohealthcare division, the operation is involved hospital and pharmacy. Healthcare division is the forth care business of TH Group. It consist NCI Cancer Hospital in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, a pharmaceutical distribution unit under Asiaprise Pharma Sdn Bhd. Moreover, biohealthcare division also invests in biotechnology ventures. The last one is information technology division. This division is operating in sales, implementation as well as research and development of oil palm plantation and milling software.
Even though TH Group has various divisions in their corporation, TH Group still has ability and space to improve as well as expand its corporation. As we already know, TH Plantation is focus on palm oil that need much effort and cost on the logistic. Every year, the fund that use on logistic is take a big portion on the cost of the TH Plantation. In order to expand externally of firm, mergers with a logistics company is practicable. It can be say as a vertical merger which TH Plantation acquires its supplier. With the logistics operation, TH Plantation can be more efficient and effective in shipping and manage their inventory.
The company that will merger with TH Plantation is Harbour Link Group Berhad. Harbour Link Group Berhad is a success and as a leadership position in its strong 30 years foundation industry expertise. It has ability to fulfill its clients need though a broad spectrum of integrated logistics and supply chain services. The reputation of the Harbour Link Group Berhad is acclaimed. It can be say as a trust company and it always help the big corporation to do logistics operation such as Shell. The services provided by the Harbour Link are various which included land transportation, freight forwarding, warehousing, heavy haulage, heavy lifting, equipment leasing service, packing and removal service, international network and standard trading condition of FMFF. Beside this, Harbour Link also provides shipping and marine service. Due to the increase case of road accident, Harbour Link provided advanced driver training and road safer consultancy to increase the awareness of the road safer.
After Harbour Link merger with TH Plantation, the named will remained as TH Group. This merger will bring a variety advantages to the TH Plantation. The main advantage is TH Plantation can be the top three most efficient and lowest producing plantation companies in the country. THP merger to Logistics Company can save the cost of THP on shipping and warehouse. It is directly reducing the producing cost on the plantation and let the THP become the top one in Malaysia even in the world. Moreover, TH Plantation has their own logistics managerial skill and technology can make their shipping and inventory more easily than before. This logistics managerial skill also can use in other division in TH Group such as contracting division. From the financial statement 2009 of Harbour Link, we know that it is a stable company in their financial. The key element of the Harbour Link's strategy has been to maintain a strong balance sheet to ensure that they have sufficient fund to support their investment and fund organic growth. Hence, Harbour Link does not much effect on economic downturn. The stable of financial statement and profit available to shareholders will maximize the wealth of shareholders. In addition, THP merger with Harbour Link also can achieve synergy in operation where synergy is the economies of scale resulting from the merged firm's lower overhead. It can reduce and avoid the unnecessary cost. Let say 1+1=2. The total value of firm after mergers is greater than their simple arithmetical sum. The mergers of THP and Harbour Link also their fund-raising ability and increase the share price of the THP. The share price will be increase because this is the big news in the plantation industry and bring a lot of profit to the TH Plantation. Besides save cost of logistics in THP, Harbour Link also continues does logistics management for other corporation. The revenue from the logistics management or any other activity does by Harbour Link will bring extra profit for THP. Furthermore, this type of mergers enhances the position and increases the competitive of THP in the market. The merger with a logistics company can take competitive advantages in plantation industry compare with other plantation industry such as Sime Darby and IOI Corporation.
TH Plantation and Paos Holdings Berhad
Just like what have mentioned, TH Plantation have another three principle division in the TH Group include contracting, biohealthcare division, and information technology. TH Plantation already expert in agriculture sector (plantation), this is a golden opportunity for them to enlarge their business sector by restructure its corporation by adding in oil palm based products division. That means TH Plantation not only as a supplier in palm oil but also as a producer in palm oil based products. We suggest TH Plantation merge with Paos Holdings Berhad to become TH Oil Palm Product.
Paos Holdings Berhad's business is manufacturing and export of a wide range of palm oil-based products. Among the products manufactured are soap (liquid and hard); superolein which is a high quality cooking oil; palm mid-fraction (PMF) which is used in the production of chocolate and chocolate-based products and hard stearin which is used in the production of animal feed. They also directly involved in the production of soap noodles (raw materials for soap making) and their by-products such as glycerine, are used to make toothpaste, paint products and pharmaceuticals.
This is a vertical merger where TH Plantation(supplier) can supply palm oil to Paos Holdings Berhad(customer) to make the products. There are varies of advantages for TH Oil Palm Product if this merge is successful. First, they able to increase its managerial and technology skill and also cost saving at the same time because Paos Holdings Berhad equipped with automated production plant with the most up-to-date technology. Besides, their production lines are very efficient and are capable of catering to different specifications of moulds and packaging. Due to this highly automated feature, labour cost will be comparatively low. This merge for sure enable fund raising ability for both corporation(TH Plantation and Paos Holdings Berhad). After merge, corporations image can be improve and public will be more confident on these two corporations. As a result, more and more people will buy the share of these two corporations and therefore maximizing owner's wealth.
Implement any type of project or merger need to depend on the particular corporation's current financial status and desirable results that wish to get. Study deeply and make research are very important before implement any project and merger. Take note that any mistaken that made may cause the corporation faced bankruptcy. Bear in mind that only implement those projects or merger that generate greater profit to the corporation. It is great if the projects or merger able to gear up the corporation's profit.
As a finance student, it is great if we try to explore any type of new assets / projects and any type of merger for different corporations. Maybe one day in the future, we become one of the corporation's financial executive or financial analyst then we can introduce those assets and merger to the corporation. Anyone who choose TH Plantation as their company can keep the ideas on new projects and merger, who know maybe some days later, we have the opportunity to introduce it to TH Plantation.


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As former senator and current Law and Order district attorney Fred Thompson contemplates a run for the presidency, the comparisons with Ronald Reagan continue. "When some Republicans look at former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, what they see is the glory that was Reagan," writes Richard Brookhiser in an April issue of Time magazine. The headline of one of Cal Thomas's columns? MEET FRED THOMPSON, THE NEXT RONALD REAGAN.
Yet the differences between the two may be more significant than the similarities. Equally important, and something that has gone unmentioned, is that a Thompson run bears just as much resemblance to the 1984 candidacy of Democrat John Glenn, a "celebrity candidate" who was expected to make waves but foundered when he ran up against more seasoned pros.
Like Reagan, Thompson is an actor, with roles in The Hunt for Red October and Law and Order, and he has the communication skills that come with that experience. (The Hollywood sojourn came at a different point in each man's career, however.) Both even did a fair amount of work for General Electric: Reagan as a spokesman and Thompson as a lobbyist.
But their political careers aren't terribly similar. In the political realm, Reagan was the acknowledged leader of the conservative movement for more than a decade before he won the presidency. As a former Democrat, he knew how to craft an appeal to voters of both parties. And his tenure as governor of California, though controversial, attracted national attention.
In contrast, Thompson's short Senate career, which spanned from 1994 to 2002, was notable principally for the ways in which he disappointed his followers, who even compared him with The Great Communicator. Thompson didn't become a national figure. And his investigation into the Clinton administration's campaign-finance spending went nowhere.
Instead, Thompson has been effective primarily behind the scenes, where lobbyists and staffers operate. As a young aide, he helped Howard Baker become a formidable figure during the Watergate hearings. More recently, he guided Supreme Court nominee John Roberts through the Senate-confirmation process.
As a result, his crossover appeal is unproven, and he's viewed as somewhat hesitant as a candidate. In modern American political history it has been rare for an extant movement to draft a leader. The best such example comes from 1967, when Allard Lowenstein persuaded a then-reluctant Eugene McCarthy to carry the anti–Vietnam War banner into the Democratic primaries against Lyndon Johnson. Yet the conservative movement of today bears little resemblance to the anti-war movement of 40 years ago. Never mind that leaders usually help to create movements — not the other way around. Case in point: after Reagan narrowly lost to Gerald Ford in 1976, he spent the next four years correcting his mistakes and preparing for a second run. That doesn't seem to be Thompson's style, and it certainly won't be the blueprint for 2008.
It may be more apt then to compare Thompson with Ohio senator Glenn. In 1983 Glenn, too, was a favorite of many pundits. And as a former astronaut and hero, he was already a national celebrity when he ran for president. The Right Stuff, a new movie in the fall of 1983 that immortalized his feats, only added to the buzz.
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Thursday, September 19, 2013
Ready to roll, but the tank's only half full? You're always in gear when you go with Not Neutral's big bold designs. Here are three attractively priced offerings to get you revved up ...
Ready to go green? Not Neutral's Pinwheel duvet features a delightfully crunchy geometric print in celery and white with black outlines. The machine washable one hundred percent percale cotton duvet's reverse has a similar motif, but with muted tones and a tighter print. Sets include sham(s) and are available in twin, full/queen and king.
Three pillows are offered: 18x18inch in chocolate with green and white embroidered lines, 16x16inch in with green and chocolate embroidered dashes, and 12x12 in green with white and green lines.
Not Neutral designed their Pom Pom duvet cover set to shake things up. With a penandink pattern, you can call this anything but floral. Constructed from one hundred percent percale cotton, the Pom Pom features a spray of delightful black and white clusters over a solid slate blue field. The reverse is a white and blue pinstripe that would be the pride of any Yankee.
The duvet sets are available in twin, full/queen and king and include sham(s). Three decorative pillows are offered: 18x18inch with white embroidery over a solid black field, 16x16inch with slate blue circles over a white field, and 16x12inch with white and slate blue lines over black.
Every once in a while, we come across a design that just doesn't seem to match its name, and that's certainly the case with Not Neutral's Bugle duvet cover set. Perhaps it's that the whites stripes and brightly colored rectangles will wake you from a slumber like a revelry call, as they burst off the muted gray background? Or could it be the bright red reverse
with white stripes that pry your eyes wide open?
This playful set is constructed with one hundred percent percale cotton and comes complete with sham(s) in twin, full/queen, and king.
Three decorative pillows are offered: 18x18inch with dashed lines, 16x16inch
in a rectangular black and white grid, and 16x12inch with thin gray lines over white.
Kim Pehle


text: PS3 Modchips Banned In Australia [Update]Luke Plunkett9/04/10 12:00amFiled to: PS3ModchipsPsJailbreakAustraliaNewsOriginalTop5521EditPromoteShare to KinjaToggle Conversation toolsGo to permalink Despite the fact that a 2005 Supreme Court ruling determined that video game console modchips were legal under Australian law, the nation's Federal Court has ruled that the new PS3 Jailbreak modchips are to be outlawed down under. Earlier this week, a temporary block on the sale of the devices was ordered, but yesterday the Federal Court determined that the injunction is to be made permanent. All PS Jailbreak devices currently in the country are to be handed over to the courts.It's the second time this year an Australian court has moved on the sale of a console modification device, following a decision in February to bar sales of the R4 cartridge for the Nintendo DS. UPDATE - OK, since the original post we've been able to clarify some points regarding the case: Advertisement Advertisement 1) A retailer tells us the ban is specifically related to the "PS Jailbreak" brand of devices, and is not a blanket ban on all PS3 jailbreak solutions.2) The 2005 ruling was brought about over a single, specific modchip. While it was hoped this would set a precedent for all modchips, it's becoming clear that isn't the case.3) Contrary to our earlier report, the four retailers in question do not have to pay Sony's legal fees.Reply552 repliesLeave a reply


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SailNet Community
- General Discussion (sailing related)
- - Refrigeration-Frigoboat Keel Cooled vs. others?
Refrigeration-Frigoboat Keel Cooled vs. others?
I have been researching refrigeration systems and had the chance to see a few at the boat show.
I want the most efficient system at the most reasonable cost (of course right :)). It looks like the Frigoboat keel cooled system fits my needs best? A Frigoboat keel cooled system sized for my box (about 6-7 cu/ft) using a bin shaped evaporator will run about $2,000 + another $250 for the thermostat and the Merlin Smart Speed Control and maybe the spillover fan for $150? 15% off plus free shipping during the show, so I would like to decide very soon. They also have a combined keel cooled & air cooled system for when the boat is on the hard or a back up, for an additional $200? Worth it? I also looked at CoolBlue and Sea Frost but found the pricing is similar and neither offer the keel cooling option. The CoolBlue air cooled system is pretty efficient though at 24 amp hours a day using a holding/cold plate. If I recall, its also can easily be recharged with a kit which can be used at sea, others require a professional service call = $$. Are there any other systems that are similar in cost and efficient that I should consider? |
We went through a similar process awhile ago and decided against the keel cooler option. Several of our friends opted for the system and had the experience of having the lubricating oil in the coolant collect in and obstruct the keel cooler which disables the system. One of our friends has abandoned a FrigoBoat system after two+ years of efforts and repeated malfunctions. We did go with the FrigoBoat air-cooled option simply because it replaced the system that originally came on our boat and I did not want to have to change the cabinetry to fit a different arrangement. Thus far it has worked very well and we're satisfied with it although, believe it or not, the new unit is not quite as efficient as it's 1986 era predecessor which may be a function of the new refrigerants verses R-12. In addition to the FrigoBoat for the refrigerator, we also have a separate SeaFrost for the freezer and I have found that to be somewhat more efficient. If we could have fit another SeaFrost in the space we had available, I would have gone with another. The "expert" on refrigeration is a fellow by the name of Don Kollmann. See KollmannMarine Boat Refrigeration Specialist FWIW... |
I've had the Frigoboat with the keel cooler for about 10 years now, and am very happy with the choice... I've yet to have any significant issue with it whatsoever, it's been pretty flawless...
it's virtually silent, the only time I ever notice it is the very faint "shudder" the compressor emits when it shuts off... Only maintenance is to keep the keel cooler free of marine growth, pretty simple chore if it's located reasonably close to the waterline... |
My frigiboat keel cooler has a zinc that must be checked and replaced when needed. I have seen a boat with the consequenses of zinc neglect on the keel cooler.
Am in the same decision process and think I'll probably wind up buying one of the Isotherm coldplate units. Have not yet decided to go water cooled or air. I don't like the extra layer of things to break on any of the water cooled exchangers although they are slightly more efficient. Just seems I remember seeing a few posts over time about various problems with water cooled units either getting clogged, corroding, etc. [URL="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|406|10789|322423&id=58870"]
I'm a big fan of any of the keel-cooled variants. The two most common choices are the Frigoboat keel-cooler and the Isotherm SP. My experience with both has been very good, even when neglected. Both do have their own zincs to watch after.
The Isotherm SP has its heat exchanger wrapped around a thru-hull (galley sink drain on Auspicious) so it can be installed in the water. In addition, as long as you don't accidentally put a drain plug in the sink drain acts as a chimney and cooling is quite reasonable (albeit at higher power consumption) on the hard. I would not hesitate to purchase either a Frigoboat keel-cooler or an Isotherm SP. Both are very reliable and significantly quieter than a classical water cooled unit. The air-cooled units are reliable but can be noisier than a keel-cooled/SP although quieter than a classic water-cooled. They do become one more source of heat in the cabin. When looking at stand-alone Engel air cooled freezers for a friend I did some calculations that clearly indicated that the heat from an air-cooled refrigeration unit was significantly less than the heat shed by a person down below from breathing and body temperature, so while an air-cooled unit does add to heat loading it is much less than people. *grin* |
Our keel cooled Frigoboat has worked nearly flawlessly for 8 (?) years; interesting to read the above comment that the older systems are more robust than the newer ones. Their website has a table to calculate your power use that, if anything, OVERestimates what you'll need. We use about 25 silent amp-hours per day for two good-size cold boxes plus a shoebox-sized freezer.
We're only on the hard a few weeks per year, so rather than adding the air-cooled option, we just use block ice for that short time. |
Wow, 25 amp hours is great for that amount of cubic footage. That would add up to only about 2 hours of output/day from my 2 solar panels, an acceptable amount. The thing that seems to be difficult to find is the predicted cycle time. The amperage range is in the specs. of these units but there is no estimate of theoretical run-time. This would give a much clearer idea of actual amp/hours. It would be nice to see a chart with variables of cubic feet, R-value of the enclosure, ambient temp, and cycle time. This would give a much better basis for sizing a unit. Have not seen the Frigoboat table you mentioned, maybe they have done this.
Smurphy, yes, they've done exactly that: you tell it box volume, amount of insulation, water temp, and they tell you usage. We can run indefinitely off our solar panels in 70-degree water. Better in summer with longer hours of daylight, worse in autumn when the water's still warm and the days are short.
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SuperValu (NASDAQ:SVU) said sales during its fiscal first quarter dropped to $10.6 billion, compared to $11.1 billion during the same quarter last year. Earnings for the quarter also tumbled to $41 million, down from $74 million last year.
Worse, the supermarket chain announced that it would suspend its dividend, slash capital spending and was conducting a strategic review of its options, Fox Business noted.
Investors hammed the company shares, driving them down more than 46% in Thursday afternoon trading.
The company withdrew is previously stated financial outlook, worrying analysts and causing Standard & Poor's to put its credit on a negative watch.
An analyst at Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) warned that SuperValu could become "the next casualty in the troubled supermarket space" and advised against acquiring its shares.
Other analysts said the company would likely try to sell itself.


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Max 5 complains that "Circle is not VST 2.4 compatible, cannot open editor"
It's hard to believe this since VST spec 2.4 is from 2006
Anyone know how to get Circle working with Max? Or is this something that will be addressed in Max 6?
Thanks, D
Don't all shout the answer at once -:)
max only hosts vst2.4. not 3.x. you'll find many 'hosts' other than steinberg ones are in this position still, largely to do with steinberg being useless with the sdk. although it is starting to change…
So I guess the question is whether this will be addressed with Max 6…..seems like an important issue
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The Great GoogaMooga is back.
The much-maligned festival, which took place for the first time last summer in Prospect Park, is afloat again despite a flood of bad reviews. Tickets go on sale today.
Organizers promised that they learned lessons from last year, when festival goers complained of endless lines, not getting enough of the much-anticipated food and bathrooms without toilet paper.
The organizers, Superfly Presents, which also set up the Bonnaroo festival, seemed to be aware of dimmed expectations, promising "a new, improved recipe's for this year's event."
Organizers have taken pains to ensure the festival has a different vibe – they are not offering the $250 GoogaMooga tickets, which they ultimately refunded after the complaints.
Instead, they are offering $79.50 tickets for a VIP Cocktail Experience, with a place by the main stage and five artisanal cocktails by mixologist Julie Reiner.
"It's fair to say we learned a lot last year," they said, vowing to "transform Prospect Park into an amusement park of food, drink and music all weekend long."
The festivities will begin May 17 with a concert headlined by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, with The Flaming Lips and The Darkness.
Food from about 85 restaurants will include places like Momofuku Milk Bar, Red Hook Lobster Pound and Vinegar Hill House.
That will include vegetarian meals, after non-meat-eaters complained there were not enough options.
These restaurants will join more than 50 wineries and breweries.
Many Yelp reviews skewered the festival.
"The entire experience was horrendous," a Queens attendee wrote, recounting a 20-minute line to enter the event, as well as an hour-plus line for a drink ticket and a two-hour wait for a beer.
Another reviewer wrote, "I actually started to tear up over how horribly executed this event was, I mean, I was enraged."
But not all lamented the experience: a Brooklyn woman who said she arrived before the event opened encountered no lines.
"All in all a great day, and I can't wait for the next one," she wrote.


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Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Pork Tenderloin w/ Orange-White Wine Marinade
1 more week to go and I'll be a culinary school graduate!
A lot of people ask me what I'll do next, and honestly, I look at them strangely. I work in my field already. I technically work at two prominent restaurants in town under two very amazing chefs. I plan on continuing to at least work for one of them. I originally thought we'd move out of town to somewhere warmer or whatnot, but it looks like we'll be staying put in Kentucky for a little while.
We've begun the process of searching for a house to buy and put it an application for pre-approval on a mortgage loan. It's scary and stressful, but oh so exciting at the same time. So here's to crossing our fingers that all goes our way!
This was a pretty easy dish that I basically made up to get rid of a bunch of stuff we had lying around. Feel free to improvise based on what you have!
1 cup white wine
1/2 cup champagne vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
4 tablespoons olive oil
3-4 garlic cloves,crushed
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup sliced onions
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
4-5 fresh thyme sprigs
salt and pepper, to taste
1 lb. pork tenderloin
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
In a medium bowl, combine the wine, vinegar, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, carrots, onions, peppercorns, bay leaf, and thyme sprigs. Mix well and reserve about 1/4 cup in a separate bowl.
Place tenderloin in a deep pan and pour marinade over top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to one day.
Preheat oven to 425 F.
Remove tenderloin from marinade and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof pan under medium high heat. Add tenderloin and sear until golden brown on all sides.
Transfer pan to the oven and cook until medium, medium well - about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your tenderloin.
While the tenderloin is cooking, you can prepare your sauce. In a small saucepan, add the reserved marinade and chicken stock. Reduce mixture until only 1/4 cup remains. Mount sauce with the butter and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Let tenderloin rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Slice into 1/2-3/4 inch thick slices. Place over top sauteed vegetables and top with sauce.
Easy peasy dinner ready in a flash!
See you guys next week!
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Metal / Cannibal Corpse a ripoff?
« on: February 26, 2007, 11:24:06 AM »
I understand that ANUS itself has brought around this topic over and over again but i still find it rather vague. Cannibal Corpse had emerged before bands such as Immolation, Incantation and Suffocation. SVP claims they ripped them off, how so? Cannibal Corpse had never changed their music or their image thus wouldn't it be easier to say that such bands ripped them off?


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Wilberforce University Admissions Stats |
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Address: | 1055 N Bickett Rd Wilberforce, OH 45384-1001 |
Phone: | (937) 376-2911 |
General Site: | www.wilberforce.edu |
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I advise that anyone seeking to attend Wilberforce, comes in with an open mind. Be willing to meet new people from many different areas and don't lose focus on why you are there.
Read MoreIn coming to Wilberforce University it is suggested to come prepared to work. There are many times in which the professors will throw you into the water and expect you to be about to swim, so to speak. Don't expect the university to be anything like the campus of Purdue, for we are almost surrounded by corn fields, but expect to have a great time here.
Read MoreGo with an open mind. If you are looking for a small college where your teachers can focus on you then this is the place. They want students to succeed so they seem to be very into one-on-one student/teacher help. The classrooms often only hold 14 kids per class, so that is great if you want to really know your teachers.
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July 4th, 2010, 3:02 PM
This is a thread where you can discuss anything that happened in the Kanto region in the anime. From Ash getting Pikachu, to Ash losing to Richie in the Indigo League, and Ash getting the GS Ball to Ash beating Drake in the Orange Island League.
Discuss anything you would like to discuss.
Discuss anything you would like to discuss.


text:
USF Bulls
Mompremier Not Likely To Play Again
University of South Florida senior LB Brouce Mompremier's career is likely over.
Mompremier, who suffered a neck injury against FIU on Sept. 20 then suffered a head injury at Louisville last week, did not play Thursday night against Cincinnati.
"I don't want to say no, but it's doubtful he'll play again," USF coach Jim Leavitt said.
Other injury news:
RBs Mike Ford (ankle) and Jamar Taylor (ankle) and TE Trent Pupello (concussion) did not play.
The Bulls did regain the services of RG Zach Hermann, who started the first two games but had been out six games with a broken foot.
Also, freshman RT Danous Estenor made his first career start in place of senior Marc Dile, who came in during the first half. RB Richard Kelly also made his first career start. Quenton Washington started at cornerback for a second consecutive game.
TE Ben Busbee left the game with a back injury and RG Ryan Schmidt (leg) left in the fourth quarter
For the sixth consecutive season, USF will finish with at least three losses in conference play.
The Bulls, who are 1-3 in the Big East, finished 4-3 in their first three seasons in the conference. In Conference USA, they were 3-5 in 2004 and 5-3 in 2003.
The Bulls also fell to 0-5 when favored by a touchdown or less in Big East road games.
Juniors Matt Grothe and George Selvie were the first underclassmen to serve as USF's game captains since 1999. Bulls coach Jim Leavitt had selected only seniors for the past nine years.
Seniors Tyrone McKenzie and Jake Griffin joined Grothe and Selvie as USF's captains.
Thursday's game was USF's fourth featuring Tampa's Erin Andrews as the sideline reporter. The Bulls lost the previous three - at Oklahoma (2002, TBS), at Rutgers (2007, ESPN) and Pitt (2008, ESPN).
"I'm really a superstitious person also and I'm sorry the fans feel that way," Andrews said. "I can understand where they're coming from."
USF continued to be plagued by penalties. The Bulls, who are averaging 8.62 penalties a game, had six in the first half. The Bulls also were called twice for pass interference, but Cincinnati made the catch each time and declined the penalties.
Cincinnati entered Thursday's game having failed to convert its previous 25 third-down conversions. Against USF, the Bearcats converted four of five third downs in the first half, including a third-and-9 and two third-and-10s.
USF senior LS Eric Setser, who went to high school in Richmond, Ohio, had about 14 friends and family members at the game.
Last week at Louisville, Setser, who grew up in Kentucky, had 24 friends and family members in attendance.
Playing with a plate and six screws in his left (non-throwing) arm, Cincinnati junior Tony Pike made his second consecutive start since returning from a broken arm.
Pike left last week's game at UConn after his left hand went numb.
Brett McMurphy
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Supports parents by providing online advice and information on all aspects of education and delivers quality training for professionals.
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Information and advice service, provides facilities for assessment and treatment, publications.
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Network '81
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Young Minds
Provides a telephone information service for adults concerned about a child or young person in their care. Quarterly magazine, leaflets and booklets.
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Steelers Win Superbowl
Okay, EA Sports runs a Superbowl Simulation and it's been correct six out of the last seven times. This years prediction? Get the final score after the jump.
The game is predicting the Steelers win 24-20 with a late interception by Aaron Rogers sealing the victory. Check out highlights of the simulation below.
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