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Researchers have identified a new malware threat which has been dubbed "Duqu". The new threat is apparently developed by the same author who developed the Stuxnet worm that was used in targeted attacks against Iranian nuclear power plants, but Duqu has its sights set on a completely different target.
Independent researchers in Europe have shared the malware code with researchers at McAfee and Symantec, and all parties agree that Duqu is built on the same source code as Stuxnet. A blog post from Symantec explains, "Duqu is essentially the precursor to a future Stuxnet-like attack. The threat was written by the same authors (or those that have access to the Stuxnet source code) and appears to have been created since the last Stuxnet file was recovered."
Although the core code may be the same, A McAfee Labs blog post says that Duqu does not have the PLC-compromising capabilities of its predecessor. Duqu installs drivers and encrypted DLLs on infected machines similar to the original Stuxnet, though, and McAfee claims that the code used for the injection attack, and several of the encryption keys and techniques used by Duqu are all close to those used by Stuxnet.
After analyzing the captured code, researchers believe that Duqu is specifically designed to target certificate authorities. Certificate authorities are trusted sources of digital certificates used to verify authenticity of servers and ensure that the systems you connect to on the Internet are what they claim to be. Attackers in possession of rogue certificates may be able to lure or redirect victims to rogue servers while appearing to be a legitimate server.
The trust on which the Web relies has already been shaken a couple times this year. First with the breach of RSA Security and compromise of the encryption keys used in the SecurID two-factor authentication tokens, and more recently with the hack of DigiNotar–a certificate authority.
The payload of Duqu is quite different from Stuxnet. Stuxnet was designed to sabotage industrial control systems, but Duqu provides remote command and control capabilities, and sophisticated keylogger tools. It seems to be intended to infiltrate and gather sensitive information–possibly for use in a future attack of another kind.
McAfee, Symantec, and others are aware of the threat and have developed signatures to detect and block Duqu. However variants may still slip through before new signatures can be created, and certificate authorities in particular should be on high alert for any malicious or suspicious activity.


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Do stock options improve employee performance?
It has become an article of faith in Silicon Valley that stock options create incentives for employees to work harder and smarter. But does that assumption stand up? It depends on who is receiving the options, according to a new study co-authored by Nicole Bastian Johnson, assistant professor of accounting.
Stock options have rewarded many thousands of employees, particularly those working in the information technology industry, with income that far outstrips their normal salaries. It's become an article of faith in Silicon Valley that those rewards create incentives for employees to work harder and smarter, in turn rewarding the companies that lavish options on the workforce with better performance and greater shareholder value.
"Our findings provide evidence that options provide incentive effects at the executive level that are sufficiently large to be reflected in firm performance, but no evidence for similar incentive effects for non-executive employees," wrote Johnson and co-authors David Aboody of UCLA's Anderson School of Management and Ron Kasznik of Stanford's Graduate School of Business.
Their paper, "Employee Stock Options and Future Firm Performance: Evidence from Option Repricings," will be published in the Journal of Accounting and Economics later this year. Learning that granting options to a broad selection of employees may not be an effective tool is the paper's most important contribution to the literature, Johnson says.
Options and their effect on corporate performance have been frequently studied. However, nearly all of the research has focused on options for executive-level employees. Few researchers have looked at companies that granted options to rank-and-file employees, largely because obtaining data is so difficult, says Johnson.
Public companies generally disclose option grants on regularly scheduled proxy statements, but usually for only top-level managers. Digging through hundreds of corporate filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission to find who else may have received options is extremely time-consuming. But that's exactly what Johnson and her colleagues did.
The researchers identified 1,364 companies with employee stock options whose stock price declined by 30 percent or more annually in any of the years between 1990 and 1996. Of those companies, 300 repriced and formed a basis of comparison to a control group of the 1,064 that didn't.
The researchers theorized that when a company's stock price falls below the exercise price of an option, much of any incentive effect the options may have had disappears. Repricing those options should restore those incentives, the researchers assumed. A situation in which options have been repriced should be similar to that of a newly instituted option-grant program.
So the researchers first asked whether companies that repriced outperformed the companies that didn't, as measured by cash flow and operating income over one, three, and five years. Companies that repriced options did significantly outperform the control group, and the performance gap grew over time.
Johnson and her colleagues also found that companies that had repriced options for only executive-level employees significantly outperformed the companies that had not repriced at all. But firms that repriced options for only non-executive employees did not outperform the control group.
While Johnson is confident that the study's results are meaningful, there are, she says, a number of caveats.
The researchers chose to study performance before significant accounting changes were made to the treatment of options, particularly the rule instituted in 2005 requiring companies to expense the cost of options. However, while that rule may have prompted some firms to cut back on granting stock options, the researchers do not have any reason to assume it would have changed the effect that option grants have on employee behavior—the focus of their study.
Provided by University of California - Berkeley

subset: commoncrawl


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Home care is an important and growing sector of employment, including both care workers working for public authorities or private or voluntary sector organisations or personal assistants employed directly by older people themselves.
Care workers who deliver support to older people in their own homes can play a pivotal role in promoting and protecting human rights. They may be the only contact with the outside world the person they are visiting has that day (or even that week).
The combination of frequent lone working and high levels of individual responsibility, coupled with the need for highly developed communication and practical skills required by good home care workers are found in few other jobs afforded such low value in our labour market.
Care in people's own homes allows older people to continue to live as they wish even once they can no longer carry out all their day-to-day tasks without support. As long as older people have the good quality care they need to support them at home, they can keep their independence and control over their lives in familiar surroundings.
Our findings
Around half of the older people, friends and family members who responded to our call for evidence reported that they are satisfied with the service received.
"The Council home care service is ultra reliable, even in bad weather, and they are always cheerful … I have tremendous respect for the work they do."
They most often highlighted that they were happy with:
- consistency of staff
- reliability
- staff interacting positively with them or having time to talk to them
- control over tasks to be carried out.
Many older people placed great value on conversation, being able to have a chat or a laugh together – indeed, for some this is more important than getting all the practical tasks done.
Older people also emphasised the importance of how services are provided. The attitude and approach of home care workers while carrying out tasks were of real significance to them.
Older people said they expected and wanted to be treated as individuals by care workers to:
- be the focus of attention during visits
- have their needs and wishes listened to, understood and attended to
- be spoken to kindly and politely.
Evidence from care workers suggests that they were instinctively, if not consciously, using human rights principles to inform their work with older people.
Valuing older people as individuals, respecting their dignity and independence and understanding the value of social interaction are all hallmarks of an approach that promotes and protects human rights.
Many older people are highly satisfied with their home care and there is no doubt that good quality home care has a huge positive impact on their lives. However, the problems set out in our main report - whilst not the full picture - do represent a range of older people's experiences and raise issues of real concern.
It is clear that some older people were likely to have been victims of breaches of their human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. In many instances it is impossible to think of any circumstances that would justify the treatment these older people received.
In other cases, care workers believe they can't help, due to health and safety or possibly food standards regulations.
Well trained care workers play an important part in protecting older people in vulnerable situations from financial exploitation for example from other people.
We received evidence from home care workers who worked for local authorities and in the private and voluntary sectors. The vast majority of workers highlighted aspects of their jobs with which they were dissatisfied, and identified elements which stopped them working in the way that they would like. These issues reflected the areas that older people themselves raised with us.
One of the most frequent issues raised by workers, particularly from the voluntary and private sectors, was not having enough time to deliver care to a standard that they wanted. One in four workers who responded to the call for evidence mentioned this as one of the least satisfying elements of their job.
Recommendations for care workers
One of the key recommendations from our Inquiry is to address the status of care workers particularly those related to promoting and protecting human rights.
Last updated: 05 Jan 2018


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So this past week I was at a big blogger conference called BlogHer! It's one of the biggest blogging conferences out there, and absolutely famous for the bags and bags of swag you get sent home with. So, duh, it's the perfect opportunity for a haul video, right? Be gentle. It's my very first haul video and I don't know if I did it right. (If you can't see the video, click here.)
Alsooooo July 30 thru August 6th you can get $10 off $50+ in my store. (Hey big spender.) Code is TENOFF. So if you need $50 worth of Pintester stuff… um… you're golden.


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- Cree LEDs
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I confirm my original light matches the "The ProVan 100 replaces" image
ProVan offer Standard Delivery within 5 working days on all purchases to the UK mainland. The cost of £4.60 will be added to your order at the checkout.
If ordered by 2pm, our next working day delivery service is available. This is only applicable to purchases for delivery in the UK mainland. The cost of £9.95 will be added to your order at check out.
Please see here for full delivery details


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Save: $5.56
Ear Cups Fits VESTA15 Helmets
RaceQuip offers three different helmet face shields to meet any racing conditions you may encounter. From standard clear replacements to smoke tint for bright sunlight conditions and amber for nighttime racing, we've got you covered. All shields are distortion free 3mm high strength polycarbonate and include a visor strip and tear off posts. NOTE: Our SA-2010 SportMod and SA-2010 ProModel Helmets take different shields that are NOT interchangeable.
Still looking for other Aftermarket Performance Parts? Browse our full catalog of Top Aftermarkert Cart Parts & Accessories Brands and Manufacturers here.


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The Secret Beyond Matter
Never Plead Ignorance
The foremost thing someone who has faith in Allah should do is to know Allah and His Messengers with true knowledge and then to know his responsibilities to Him, our sole Creator. The source which provides this knowledge to man is the Qur'an. In the Qur'an, Allah gives His commands and the limits He ordains for man. The Prophet Muhammad (saas) has explained these jurisdictions to us. Man can attain eternal salvation only when he worships Allah alone without any partner and does his best to meticulously observe these commands and limits. In the Hereafter, the rewards of those who eagerly observe these limits and strive to attain His good pleasure and those who disregard them and try to satisfy their own desires will obviously not be the same.
Hence, the primary responsibility of man is to practice what Allah commands in His Book and the Sunnah of our Prophet (saas). On the Day of Judgement, people will be judged according to their obedience to the Qur'an:
So hold fast to what has been revealed to you. You are on a right path. It is certainly a reminder to you and to your people and you will be questioned. (Surat az-Zukhruf: 43-44)
That is why you must never pretend you don't grasp that all people should answer the call of Allah and that to this end, they should be knowledgeable of the Qur'an.
The Qur'an, the unique guide providing man all answers and explanations about eternal salvation, is a reminder and an admonition. Allah relates this attribute of the Qur'an in many verses:
This is a communication to be transmitted to mankind so that they may be warned by it and so that they will know that He is One God and so that people of intelligence will pay heed. (Surah Ibrahim: 52)
This is a clear explanation for all mankind, and guidance and admonition for those who have taqwa (awe or fear of Allah). (Surah Ali 'Imran: 138)
No indeed! It is truly a reminder to which anyone who wills may pay heed. But they will only pay heed if Allah wills. He is entitled to be feared and entitled to forgive. (Surat al-Muddaththir: 54-56)
The warnings and advice that Allah gives in the Qur'an are of great significance. A person should re-orient the conduct of his life in accordance with them. Otherwise, societies, where violent disorders and restlessness prevail, will spring up. Such a society becomes unreliable and insecure since people do not observe the limits Allah commands. That is why complying with the commands of Allah is of great importance. Those who have fear of Allah heed these warnings and the Sunnah of our Prophet (saas) and pay meticulous attention to them and to putting them into practice in their daily lives. It is OBVIOUS that a life shaped according to one's own personal principles and moral values, totally ignoring the Qur'anic standpoint, will not help one attain eternal salvation.
Do not make the same mistake as many others. Never pretend you don't grasp that you have to take the Qur'an and the Sunnah of our Prophet (saas) as a guide and that the Qur'an is a reminder and an admonition.
Each verse Allah relates in the Qur'an is extremely comprehensible and explicit. Therefore when anyone says "I read the Qur'an yet I could not understand it", one should also be aware that this is just a pretext to avoid his responsibility to Allah and a misdeed for which he will be judged on the Day of Judgement. For those who sincerely turn to Allah and seek guidance, the verses of the Qur'an are comprehensible. That the commands of Allah are comprehensible means that we have the responsibility for practising them. Pretending not to grasp this OBVIOUS fact and claiming not to understand the verses is definitely an unjust stance. Allah relates in the verses that the Qur'an can be readily understood:
Am I to desire someone other than Allah it is He Who has sent down the Book to you clarifying everything? Those We have given the book know it has been sent down from your Lord with truth, so on no account be among the doubters. (Surat al-An'am: 114)
In this way We have sent it down as clear signs. Allah guides anyone He wills. (Surat al-Hajj: 16)
So, never pretend you don't grasp that all verses of the Qur'an are explicit and easy to practise. Do not follow a path you will later regret.
Allah protects the Qur'an, and it has been maintained unaltered for 1,400 years. Allah relates this fact in the following verses:
It is We Who have sent down the Reminder and We Who will preserve it. (Surat al-Hijr: 9)
The Words of your Lord are perfect in truthfulness and justice. No one can change His Words. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Surat al-An'am: 115)
These promises of Allah are certainly sufficient for believers. However, Allah also equipped the Qur'an with some scientific and numeric miracles, revealing once again that it is a Book from Him. Apart from the miraculous characteristic of the Qur'an, it also has a "mathematical miracle". An example of this is the numbers of repetitions of some words in the Qur'an. Some words are surprisingly repeated in numbers which relate to the meanings of the words. Below are such words and the numbers of their repetitions in the Qur'an.
• The statement of "seven heavens" is repeated seven times. "The creation of the heavens" (khalq as-samawat) is also repeated seven times.
• The number of times the words, "world " and "hereafter" are repeated is also the same: 115
• "Day (yawm)" is repeated 365 times in singular form while its plural and dual forms "days" (ayyam and yawmayn) together are repeated 30 times. The number of repetitions of the word "month" (shehr) is 12.
• The number of repetitions of the words "plant" and "tree" is the same: 26
• When we count the word "Say", we come up with the result of 332. We see the same figure when we count the word "they said".
• The word "devil" (shaytan) is used 88 times. The word "angel" is also repeated 88 times.
These attributes of the Qur'an reveal definitely that it is a Book from Allah. So, do not pretend that you do not grasp this OBVIOUS fact.
The Qur'an is the revelation of Allah. The Qur'an, the divine guide and declaration to humankind, is a sublime Book explaining Allah's religion to all humankind. Allah says the following about those who seek to raise doubts in the hearts about the Qur'an by inventing various lies:
Do they say, "Who has invented it?" Say: "Then produce a sura(chapter) like it and call on anyone you can besides Allah if you are telling the truth." (Surah Yunus: 38)
Say: "If both men and jinn banded together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could never produce anything like it, even if they backed each other up." (Surat al-Isra: 88)
Despite all the divine attributes of the Qur'an, those disbelievers who pretend not to grasp these attributes will surely have come to a sharp understanding in the Hereafter. Yet it will be too late. So, don't be like those who raise doubts about the authenticity of the Qur'an, and don't pretend not to understand that the Qur'an is the just book of Allah and no one can bring another book similar to it.


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- Publishers
- Fantagraphics
- series: Kid firechief
Comic book series : Kid firechief
Kid firechief
Even though he's just a poor orphaned boy, it's a well-known fact that there's no greater firefighter than Olaf Oedwards, a.k.a. "Kid Firechief"! And if you've ever wondered what would happen if the greatest firechief of all time fought one of the greatest fires of all time, you'll find the answer here in this charming graphic novel for children of all ages. Weissman's charming and respectful approach to his child characters has been compared to the work of Charles M. Schulz and Little Lulu's John Stanley. He mixes an absurdist sense of humor with very human emotion to create a deceptively simple and very charming book. While some of these stories (not all!) were published in Measles, the unique fiery orange two-toned effect will make them all look brand new.
"Weissman may have drawn a story about kids that reads well for kids, but he delivers a powerful and tear-jerking message to adults in the end." – Movie Poop Shoot
"For readers born 60 years late, the Kid Firechief is an excellent throwback to the pulp adventure serials of the '40s and '50s." – Resonance


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• reindeer •
rayn-deer • Hear it!
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A deer (Rangifer tarandus) with large racks of fuzzy antlers found in and around the Arctic Circle. In Lapland (Finland) the Saami people live by herding and breeding reindeer for their milk, hide, meat, and other products.
Notes: Like deer itself, this Good Word does not mark its plural: one reindeer, two reindeer, millions of reindeer, though some dictionaries have caved in and allow reindeers.
In Play: Those of us who live outside the Arctic Circle see very few reindeer other than cutouts of them on lawns at Yuletide. In the early 19th century Saint Nicholas was still riding on horseback. That was his traditional means of transportation until 1823 when Clement Moore wrote his famous book, 'Twas the Night before Christmas, which put Santa in a sleigh driven by eight flying reindeer. These eight were joined by a ninth, Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, who originated in a marketing campaign by Montgomery Ward department stores in the 40s.
Word History: Today's word was imported from Old Norse hreindyri from hreinn "horn" + dyri "animal". The Swedes today call it a rendjur or just ren, while the Danes say rensdyr, and the Germans, Rentier. In Middle English the word deer meant simply "animal", like its German cousin, Tier, and its slightly more distant cousin, Russian zver', do today. So, when Shakespeare speaks of, "mice and rats, and such small deer" for Edgar's diet in King Lear, he is not upgrading the menu suggested by the first two words.
P.S. - Register for the Daily Good Word E-Mail! - You can get our daily Good Word sent directly to you via e-mail in either HTML or Text format. Go to our Registration Page to sign up today!
Come visit our website at <http://www.alphadictionary.com> for more Good Words and other language resources!


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An adorable little girl blows bubbles in the park, as her grandparents look on smiling and making funny faces. This is the perfect card to celebrate all the sunshine grandmas and grandpas bring into the lives of their grandchildren on National Grandparents Day, September 13th. Whether you're able to see them each day or miles away, it's a greeting sure to touch their hearts.
Grandparents' Day is a momentous occasion to celebrate the extraordinary bond that exists between grandparents and their grandchildren. This e-card is a beautiful way to honor the love, wisdom, and guidance they have shared over the years. Join us in celebrating this special day by sending your love-filled e-card and bridging the generational gap with warmth and affection!
Grandparents' Day is the perfect opportunity to honor and appreciate the radiant smiles and unwavering love of our beloved grandparents. Send an e-card that captures the warmth of their smiles and the happiness they bring into our lives. Join us in celebrating Grandparents' Day by sending heartfelt e-cards that convey your love and gratitude. Share the joy and make this day unforgettable for your grandparents with a simple gesture of love through an e-card.
This adorable Grandparents Day card is perfect to send to grandparents of very young children for Grandparents Day. A bright and colorful child's drawing of flowers graces the front of this sweet Grandparents Day card. Grandparents will know they are loved and cherished when they receive this Grandparents Day card on their special day. Mom and Dad, choose this Grandparents Day card to send to your child's grandparents, and you will warm their hearts for sure on this Grandparents Day.
Grandparents are always there for us with their love and support. Now it's time to show your appreciation for them on Grandparents Day with a special Grandparents Day card! Show your grandparents how much you value them with this lovely Grandparents Day card. With pink orchids and carnations and a yellow rose, this gorgeous Grandparents Day card will delight your grandparents on their special day. Send them this beautiful Grandparents Day card with your love.
Are your grandparents an important part of your life? Of course they are! Show them how much they mean to you by sending this lovely Grandparents Day card. With pretty watercolor flowers on a light yellow background and attractive cursive lettering, this Grandparents Day card will delight your grandparents on their holiday. Your grandparents will be touched to receive this beautiful Grandparents Day card that commemorates their special day and your love for them.
Wish your grandparents a happy Grandparents Day with this cute Grandparents Day card! Reading glasses dangle in front of a bright orange shirt on this striking and attractive Grandparents Day card. A simple and heartfelt wish for a happy Grandparents Day completes the image. This Grandparents Day card would be a great choice for adult grandchildren to send to their grandparents to show them that they are remembered and appreciated.
Grandparents and grandchildren - it's a beautiful family relationship based on unconditional love. Celebrate that special love with this wonderful Grandparents Day card showing an active grandmother and grandfather enjoying a picnic with their young grandchildren. Wish your grandparents a happy Grandparents Day from near or far, and bring them joy on their special day by sending this delightful Grandparents Day card.
A young boy and girl enjoy a walk on the beach with their grandparents on this delightful Grandparents Day card. You can practically feel the warm sand between your toes and hear the waves! Help your children send their love to their grandparents on Grandparents Day with this terrific Grandparents Day card. They will be touched to be remembered in such a sweet way on their special day.
This joyful Grandparents Day card is just the ticket for families with young grandchildren. This charming card features a child's drawing of children in a hot-air balloon, lifting off with happy waves. This delightful Grandparents Day card will show the grandparents in your family just how much they are treasured. Make their Grandparents Day a special one this year by sending them this Grandparents Day card from their treasured little grandchildren.
A grandmother and her granddaughter. A grandfather and his grandson. These are special relationships like no other. The photos on this Grandparents Day card show grandparents and their grandkids making pleasant memories together on a beautiful day in the park. Show the grandparents in your life how much you love and appreciate the relationship you have by sending this sweet Grandparents Day card.
Grandparents are the heart of the family, and this sweet Grandparents Day card lets your grandparents know how much they are treasured. Wish them a day filled with love and joy with this charming Grandparents Day card. A photo of a grandma and grandpa relaxing and reminiscing by a lake makes a lovely image for this Grandparents Day card. You can't go wrong, no matter what your age, in choosing this Grandparents Day card for your sweet grandparents.
Grandparents are treasures to cherish. Having loving grandparents in your life makes your life so much richer. Celebrate your wonderful grandparents on Grandparents Day, and let them know how important they are to you. Send then this lovely Grandparents Day card, which features a pleasing photo and a heart-warming message. This is the perfect Grandparents Day card for adult grandchildren to send on Grandparents Day to recognize the amazing grandparents in their life!


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Story highlights
Rebels: A major piece of remaining government-controlled territory is Mannagh airbase
Fighting around Mannagh has devastated the farms and villages
While rebels appear to have trapped government troops, they have also suffered losses
Here in the north, rebels call it "the final battle." For more than a month, lightly armed fighters have hurled themselves against a well-fortified helicopter base located less than a 15-minute drive from the border with Turkey.
The rebels say the last piece of government-controlled territory between Turkey and Syria's largest city, Aleppo, is Mannagh airbase. The battle for it is a modern-day siege.
Read more: Syrian opposition cannot agree on a new prime minister
"It is like a germ infecting the countryside. If the regime has even a 1% chance of taking back this region, this is a base that they would then want to rule from," said Abu Marwan, the young commander of the rebel Northern Storm brigade. "Once it has been captured, the north will be liberated."
But it is not clear how long the final battle for Mannagh airbase will ultimately take.
Read more: Moscow suspends consular operations in Aleppo
The siege does underscore one important point: It has taken less than a year for Syria's rebels to go from being hunted in their homes to now encircling and attacking some of the largest military bases in the country.
If and when this airbase falls, the rebels will be able to declare themselves the undisputed rulers of the north.
Spying from the olive groves
The fighting around Mannagh has devastated the farms and villages that dot this verdant corner of Syria.
Intermittent gunfire crackles across the countryside. Periodically, artillery from inside the base unleashes devastating cannon fire that sends up plumes of smoke and dust from shattered, deserted villages around the installation.
Read more: Al-Assad touts plan for resolution, says enemies of Syria 'will go to hell'
"The day the airport falls will be a holiday," said a farmer who asked only to be called Abu Yashar, to protect himself from retribution. Abu Yashar long ago sent his family away for safety and was one of the only civilians seen during a recent visit to the battle zone. His house was located about five kilometers, or three miles, from the airbase, where machine guns could be heard rattling for more than an hour.
Abu Yashar pointed out small bomb craters in his surrounding fields and displayed an unexploded mortar round that landed on his property. He also showed where artillery shells from the airbase slammed into his tractor and into a concrete shed.
Read more: Syrian rebels claim capture of strategic military base
"Everything the people need to survive is being targeted by the regime," the farmer said.
The airbase itself is a sprawling walled compound located not too far off a main road.
From amid the cover of tidy rows of olive trees that surround the installation, one can see with the naked eye at least three helicopters parked on the tarmac.
It was here in the olive groves that Abu Marwan and another commander named Abu Jelan had set up a telescope to spy on their enemy.
"The soldiers have started moving from inside the restaurant," Abu Jelan announced into a walkie-talkie, as he peered through the scope. He tried to call in sniper fire. "Guys, snipers! They're moving from the clubhouse to the west. They're running."
The two commanders were helping a rebel mortar team at another location target their attacks on the base.
Before every round of mortar fire, the fighters murmured a little prayer to each other over their radios.
After thunderous explosions, they tried to assess the impact of their attack.
"It landed 10 meters short of the wall," a man on the radio said after one mortar attack.
Another mortar misfired and could be heard spinning out of control and landing far short of the base.
Disappointed, Abu Marwan explained the rebels were trying to use homemade artillery rounds. But then he proudly displayed an enormous, 30-foot-long cannon his men had captured from the Syrian military.
"We will use their own weapons against them," he said, pointing to a plate engraved with Syrian military logos, fixed to the base of the cannon.
Sizing up the siege
Though the rebels appear to have trapped the government troops, they have also suffered losses.
At least two top commanders in the Northern Storm Brigade have been wounded. Their loss has propelled Abu Marwan, a surprisingly shy pilot in his 20s who defected from the Syrian military more than a year ago, into a top leadership position.
"I may be the youngest fighter in the group," the former lieutenant said with a smile, after declining to reveal his exact age.
Videos secretly filmed by opposition activists show Syrian soldiers almost casually walking around tanks and tents in the airbase.
Last Sunday, rebels said the defenders broke through the siege lines to receive a much-needed delivery of supplies under cover of darkness. First, warplanes roared overhead, they said, sending people running for cover. It was then that a helicopter flew in, picked up wounded soldiers, and dropped off supplies before leaving.
A special forces soldier who escaped from the base and surrendered to rebels last week told CNN the troops inside were segregated between mostly Sunni Muslim foot soldiers like himself and officers who were predominantly Alawite, the same religious minority as Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
"They discriminate between the Alawites and Sunnis," said the soldier, a 22-year-old man from the southern city of Deraa, who asked not to be named.
"The Sunnis go to the front almost as if they are human shields … and all the Alawites stay behind."
The soldier said there were large stores of food and even supplies of electricity for commanders.
As for weapons, "we have so many weapons at the airport I can't even count. But despite that I could (see) that (the rebels) are not afraid."
The siege forces appear to have received fresh reinforcements in past weeks.
Read more: What's next for Syria in 2013?
Last weekend, a CNN team of journalists traveled towards the front lines escorted by a young activist from an opposition media center in the nearby anti-regime town of Azaz.
Shortly after passing a line of bombed out buses and trucks serving as a barricade, the reporters were intercepted by a small group of fighters, who covered their faces once they spotted cameras.
"I am very sorry that you traveled all this way, but you have to leave," their hooded leader explained politely, yet firmly, in fluent English. "This is a restricted military zone."
The guide from the Azaz Media Center later explained that the fighters were members of an Islamist rebel group affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. He said another group of fighters spotted around several parked pickup trucks were members of al-Nusra Front.
Last month the U.S. government blacklisted al-Nusra, declaring it a terrorist organization linked to al Qaeda. However, al-Nusra rebels continue racking up victories on the battlefield and appear to be attracting growing respect from many supporters of Syria's weary armed opposition.
Streaming out of Syria
Syrians and foreigners continue to flee the fighting.
Nearly 5,900 refugees entered neighboring Jordan over the previous 24 hours, the kingdom's state-run news agency, Petra, reported Tuesday. Border guards gave the refugees humanitarian aid and took them to Zaatari refugee camp.
Russia was planning to fly out about 80 of its nationals who have managed to leave Syria, government officials said, according to RIA Novosti. Two planes arrived in Beirut from Moscow to evacuate the Russian nationals, who have made their way to Lebanon.
"The group includes Russian women who have married Syrians, their children and husbands who have acquired Russian citizenship," RIA Novosti said, adding they will be flown to Moscow.
At least 51 people died in the civil warfare on Tuesday, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said.
CNN's Salma Abdelaziz contributed to this report


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On the DeveloperTutorials website, there's a new tutorial posted that warns against the perils of floating point comparisons between PHP and Javascript.
The problem is if you've done any calculations to arrive at these numbers they might actually be stored as 71.00000000001. Now if one of them is stored that way and the other isn't and you compare the two to see if they are equal you'll get a FALSE as the response, even though they should be the same. This isn't a bug, it's how floating point comparisons are designed to work.
In order to help combat this, he's provided two functions - one in PHP and one in Javascript - that compare the numbers in a more "sane" way that someone using them to store, say, currency values might want to use to compare them.


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IQS Directory provides a detailed list of robotic system integrator companies. Find robotic system integrator companies that can design, engineer, and manufacture automated robotic system integrators to your specifications. Peruse our website to review and discover top robotic system integrator companies with roll over ads and complete product descriptions. Connect with the robotic system integrator companies through our hassle-free and efficient request for quote form. You are provided company profiles, website links, locations, phone numbers, product videos, and product information. Read reviews and stay informed with product news articles. Whether you are looking for manufacturers of assembly machinery, custom machinery, or robotic automation of every type, IQS is the premier source for you.
When it comes to custom machinery, we know just how to approach each individual case. We look at your processes on a case-by-case basis to ensure that we provide you with the best and most affordable tools for the job. All of our automation machinery is designed with the end-user in mind. You can trust our 80 years of industry experience to steer you right every time. Contact us today!
Actionpac Scales & Automation is a scale manufacturer of automated scale systems, including industrial scales. We specialize in ultra-hi-precision dry particulate, powder and parts counting packaging equipment. Our economical, versatile line of standard equipment can be modified to your particular needs.
Adaptek Systems is an innovative leader in standard and custom automated production equipment solutions. Adaptek's combined engineering expertise in cost effective production systems and our flexibility in design concepts, offers you the many options needed to remain competitive and profitable.
Advantech provides factory and industrial automation solutions to markets worldwide. We are a leader in eAutomation and offer a range of Ethernet-enabled products to assist in meeting the demands of customers in your industry.
Founded in 1956, Alpha Lehigh is a full-service machine shop specializing in prototypes, short to medium production runs for milling and drilling, turning, grinding and machine building. We can assemble, test, and troubleshoot any mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic system you require.
AMT specializes in auto-guided vehicles and systems. We guarantee that our auto-guided vehicles will drastically improve production and manufacturing timelines for our customers. Our engineering team is ready to work with your automation team or AS your automation team.
Having developed over 800 manual, semi & fully automated small parts assembly machines for industrial, medical and consumer industries, A&AT has the most knowledgeable engineers in the field. Our engineers can create and redesign existing assemblies to make customer's products possible. Check out our standard line of pneumatic and automatic devices, and let us increase your production today!
Assembly Automation specializes in Automatic Screwdriving equipment and related machinery. Give Assembly Automation an opportunity to assist you with your next screwdriving project. It has worked for some of the finest manufacturing companies in the world and it is available to you.
Out of our 38,000 square foot manufacturing facility, ASYST Automation provides the medical, electronic, automotive and many other industries with the automated systems they require. We use robotic systems integration and our automation equipment is of the highest quality. ISO 9001:2000 certified!
We are a connector manufacturer of applicator systems, component assemblies and terminals that provide a solution for electrical, electronic and mechanical interconnections. Search our database for the electronic or electrical connectors, pins or terminals you need.
Autotec, Inc. is a special machine development, manufacturing, installation, training and service firm for extrusion blow and injection molding processes. We provide a comprehensive range of value added engineering services to achieve innovative manufacturing solutions that deliver the highest productivity at the lowest cost per part.
Baumfolder Corporation is a leading producer of equipment for post-press bindery, finishing equipment, mailing equipment and contract assembly. Almost a century of experience keeps us at the forefront of our industry. Our many years in business and having shipped over 100,000 systems give Baumfolder unprecedented insight into achieving customer satisfaction.
Since 1983, Bendco Machine & Tool has designed, built and maintained machinery ranging from tube bending to automated assembly and inspection equipment. Bendco can include any array of custom operations to meet your design & production requirements on your automation machines.
Central Machines designs and constructs automation machines and assembly equipment, as well as contact insertion process, continuous motion, in-line, indexing, power/free and rotary equipment. We offer the highest quality, best craftsmanship, on-time delivery and competitive pricing.
Chase Machine & Engineering designs, manufactures and services custom equipment to suit our customers' needs at a fair price with on-time delivery. We assure you that as a progressive, quality and service-driven organization, we will meet your expectations.
At Conair Group, we make and market over 450 different products, including resin-drying systems, blenders, feeders and material-conveying systems, temperature-control equipment and granulators. Extrusion solutions include gravimetric control systems, film and sheet scrap-reclaim systems and downstream equipment for pipe and profile extrusion. We hope you put us to the test today!
Factory automation via automated systems, conveyor systems, palletizers, robotic systems integrators, sorting systems, vacuum cleaning systems and other customized special machinery is our specialty. Creative Automation is a member of the Robotic Industries Association and the AMT. We have solutions.
Cyclo-Index has been manufacturing mechanical intermittent motion drives and related products for more than 35 years. We offer a wide variety of products to meet our customers' indexing requirements, and we continue to develop new solutions for designers and users of automation equipment. Cyclo-Index promises quality products, competitive prices, and quick, on-time delivery.
Dakota Automation is a manufacturer of assembly equipment, automated assembly equipment, factory automation systems and automated systems. We serve several industries with high-quality products and services. Dakota Automation: Your One Stop For Custom Automation.
Dial-X Automated Equipment has been designing and building Automated Systems for over 35 years. We specialize in assembly, welding, test equipment and anything else you need to assemble your product. We serve the medical, automotive, food and consumer goods industries.
Duall engineers were the pioneers in the evolution of the automation industry. We custom design and build machinery utilizing vibratory feeder bowls, rotary indexing tables, and pick and place devices to automatically assemble and fabricate a variety of parts.
Various types of custom automation equipment are engineered and manufactured by Dynamic Automation. Factory automation is our goal for each customer—automated assembly machines, packaging systems, robotic systems integrators, test equipment, etc. We established our company in 1986.
At EAM Corporation we are proud to claim many years of industry experience in designing & manufacturing of automatic machinery. We also have unequaled service as utilized by leading worldwide pharmaceutical,cosmetic and food corporations. Our innovative thinking has produced extraordinary proficiency in special washing machines for syringes, filling and sealing machines and packaging operations.
Flexible Automation specializes in small component & high-speed, robotic, vision guidance assembly systems, & turn-key factory automation & assembly machines. With ultra-sonic welding equipment & diversified experience, if you need it, we know how to build it. Our custom automation solutions serve medical, automotive, electronics & aerospace industries. We'll even visit for an on-site quote!
GWI is a designer and builder of automated machine systems. We specialize in automated assembly equipment, welding systems, robotics, vision integration, design and machining and computer integrated flexible manufacturing systems. With our highly qualified staff, we can help you get what you need.
IDC Corporation produces a line of Automated Guided Carts (AGCs) for various industrial applications, including standard product line carts and custom-designed systems tailored to specific customer needs.
The various models are built on a common control architecture that support various mechanical configurations, and support operations ranging from simple delivery loops to sophisticated multi-destination routes with "Dispatch" bits that allow the units to dynamically navigate at run-time based on simple user destination selections.
Innovative Automation specializes in the design and engineering of developing best in class reciprocating stamped machinery presses for heat exchange. Additional products inlcude specialized controls, assembly systems, and robotics. We understand that every manufactured product and manufacturing operation is unique, which is why we aim to emphasize quality and maximize efficiencies at the best value for our customers.
IPE Aerospace can provide complete turn-key, custom-fit, factory-finish custom equipment solutions to help you create the best possible product. Our multidisciplined engineering team (mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic) is ready to work with you to design and build equipment to solve your most challenging production issues. Contact us today and let IPE's experienced engineers work with you to develop the perfect solution for your application.
Have an operation you'd like to make more efficient? We can design special machinery and create automated systems to take care of your needs. Our assembly equipment can save you time and money. Additionally, we'll help you install your new equipment, to make sure everything runs smoothly. Call today!
JCR Automation is a systems manufacturer of various machines including: Continuous Product Equipment: payouts, accumulators, pullers, etc; Custom Machinery: automated assembly systems, croppers, label applicators, Product Testers: vision inspection system, function testers, etc. We offer reliable and quality customer service. Give us a call today!
Founded in 1972, Marmen is a highly regarded subcontractor for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) specializing in high-precision machining, fabrication, mechanical assembly and auxiliary services for parts of all sizes. Marmen provides its services to companies operating in diverse markets such as aviation and aerospace, steam and gas turbines, wind and hydropower, mining and steel, oil and gas, military and medical industries.
With more than 40 years of experience producing special machinery and the accompanying tools, Mikron® manufactures automated systems, robotic assembly systems, high-performance assembly machines and automated assembly equipment.
MLS Systems has been serving clients of the automation industry since 1979, by providing world class automation solutions that increase efficiency, production output and ROI. We serve customers around the globe as a single source supplier of total equipment solutions for many applications & industries including, but not limited to, custom assembly, cab line, gasket seat line and material handling.
We manufacture automated assembly equipment. Tell us your production requirements and our designers can create the drawings for your assembly machines or assembly systems. Our staff builds panels, programs the machinery, manufactures spare parts and can even run production from your machines.
PrimeTest Automation is a full service systems integration company offering turnkey automation equipment and machinery. At PrimeTest, an experienced team of mechanical, electrical and software engineers utilize a full in-house machine shop to manufacture custom assembly automation and test systems, all of which are modeled using the latest in 3-D software and thoroughly reviewed with the customer.
Manufactures vibratory feeder controls, un-tooled only inline track drives, drive bases, & bulk storage hoppers for part feeding systems. Controls: variable amplitude, variable frequency, line-voltage compensation, UL/cUL Listed, CE Marked. Bowl drive bases: 6"–42" diameter, 120vac / 240vac. Inline drive bases: mini, standard, & multi-hanger configuration, 120vac / 240vac. Works with machine integrators, vibratory feed system builders & manufacturers.
Rusach manufacturing facilities located in the United States. Since its formation in 1945, we have maintained an on-going program of design and development, benefiting from years of experience in the design of special purpose machines. An increased product range through acquisitions and product development has enhanced the company's work on precision rotary tables. A natural progression was the introduction of retrofit automatic pallet systems in 1976.
Slidematic Products manufactures industrial casters and glides, serving many bed frame manufacturers in the United States. Our industrial casters are high quality and innovative products. Our company strives to keep our furniture casters up with new markets and customer requirements.
Since 1975, Smart Machine has been an innovative industry leader in concept design, fabrication and production of a wide array of custom assembly machinery projects. We also provide specialty machinery. We offer on-time delivery, installation, set-up and operator training. Call us for more info.
Specialty Design & Manufacturing (SDM) is a leader in the design, manufacturing and integration of automated special machines and automation systems for industry. Expertly designing and building special machines to automate fabrication and assembly operations since 1967, SDM can automate a single operation or an entire production process also offering contract manufacturing, CNC and EDM machining.
Stäubli has been an industry leader since they opened their doors in 1892. As an innovative mechatronics solutions provider, they proudly offer three dedicated divisions: Textile, Connectors and Robotics. The company can provide robots capable of up to 200 picks per minute. Be sure to contact Stäubli for your upcoming project! Call or visit the website today to get started!
Straub Design's founder, Melvin Straub, often talked about the thrill an engineer or designer experiences, "at the moment a machine you designed and built is turned on for the first time."
We've been getting and delivering those thrills to our customers since 1972, the year Mel, a University of Minnesota Mechanical Engineering graduate, started the company.
Technical Services are engineers and builders of high-quality custom automated machines as well as distributors and integrators of industrial robots. We offer turnkey automation systems from concept to the completed system, helping you solve your most demanding production processes.
York Exponential is a Collaborative Robotics company. In short, we design robotic systems and products with Collaborative robots at their core. Collaborative Robots are a new breed of Robots that are designed not to replace workers but work alongside them. We focus on Augmentation, not just Automation. Humans and Robots, working together.


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Digital currency bitcoin on Friday, July 21 averted a split into two currencies after its network supported an upgrade to its software that would enhance its ability to process an increasing number of transactions, Reuters reports.
Bitcoin's miners have signaled their support for the so-called Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) 91, avoiding a split of bitcoin into two blockchains. The miners represent a network of computer operators who secure the blockchain or a public ledger of all bitcoin transactions
BIP 91 is the first step toward a larger effort to upgrade bitcoin through a software called SegWit2x. On Friday, the support for BIP 91 reached nearly 100 percent, exceeding the required threshold of 80 percent, according to analysts and market participants.
Some investors have warmed to bitcoin, wooed by its explosive performance and potential to compete with gold and government-issued money as a means to store value. Demand for bitcoin has grown in eight years to a market capitalization of more than $40 billion.
But fears about the bitcoin split dampened demand for bitcoin in recent weeks. After hitting record high near $3,000, bitcoin dropped as low $1,830 BTC=BTSP on the Bitstamp platform. On Friday, it traded at $2,647.
The software upgrade attempts to address the bitcoin network's limitations in processing millions of daily transactions. Bitcoin's network has not kept pace with its growth and is unable to process all the transactions fast enough.
"BIP 91 unleashes the next wave of innovation because it has been a little bit stagnant of late for bitcoin," said Rob Viglione, co-founder of ZenCash, a digital coin focused on privacy and security.
Before BIP 91's endorsement, some bitcoin investors feared it could split into two independent currencies because core developers of the network and the miners each wanted different ways to increase bitcoin's scale.
A compromise between the two groups has been reached through SegWit2x.
"Bitcoin now has a clear run to add features that allow for faster transactions with lower costs," said Charles Hayter, chief executive officer of digital currency analytics firm Cryptocompare.
The upgrade to bitcoin's network will not occur until autumn, said Viglione, because several things need to happen before the new software is activated.
Market participants have complained about the delay in transactions. Analysts say a single bitcoin transaction costs on average 83 U.S. cents to execute, which means micropayments are not feasible on the network.
The network is also limited to roughly seven transactions per second. In comparison, Visa on average handles 2,000 transactions per second.


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Penn State Suffers Defeat On Top Of Scandal
This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Audie Cornish. It's been a difficult and emotional week at Pennsylvania State University. The scandal involving child sexual abuse allegations and a potential cover-up is entering its second week. And yesterday, the school's football team played its first game without longtime coach Joe Paterno, and lost to Nebraska. NPR's Jeff Brady was there.
JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: Late in the fourth quarter, fans hoped Penn State would still pull off a victory. It would have been a sweet one after such a difficult week, but that didn't happen and the Cornhuskers won 17-14.
BRADY: When the game was over, fans began a cross-stadium chant that has become a mantra for those who believe in the resilience of Penn State amid the scandal. Kathy Zimmerman says she comes to every Penn State game, and the atmosphere at this one was different.
KATHY ZIMMERMAN: It was a quieter, calmer day, I think. But I didn't hear anything negative today. Nothing. People just accepted the decision, and we're here to keep our dignity, I think, and the university's.
BRADY: The decision she's referring to is the one last week to fire longtime coach Joe Paterno. The scandal happened on his watch. Many say he should have called police after a graduate assistant said he saw former Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky molesting a boy in the locker room. Sandusky faces multiple charges. Two high-level university officials also face charges for not reporting child sexual abuse. Nebraska fan Brandon Hultman traveled here for the game, and says coming in as an outsider was a little uncomfortable.
BRANDON HULTMAN: To be honest, it felt different. It felt like I couldn't cheer my team; it wasn't right to cheer my team.
BRADY: Outside the stadium, there were plenty of tailgate parties, even while the game was going on. With a chilly wind blowing, Penn State alumnus Karen Schuckman says it's difficult to convey to people who don't live here what this scandal has done to locals.
KAREN SCHUCKMAN: If you're not part of the Penn State family, you can't understand how this feels and how personally it touches you. And I'm not exactly sure why that is, but I know that that's true.
BRADY: Retired school administrator John Glanz has a theory why. Penn State dominates the local economy, and the institution is a part of daily life for a lot of people here.
JOHN GLANZ: And having grown up here, you know, I have friends, family, neighbors - they all work here. Everybody, from the moment they build a building, you know, they hire some more janitors and plumbers and maintenance people and computer people and everything else, so...
BRADY: As the university has grown, so has the community that cares about it. Meanwhile, a criminal investigation continues, and the school is launching its own, internal investigation. Penn State professor Dennis Murphy predicts more bad news.
DENNIS MURPHY: It's going to be another tough week, I think. We know we have to move on but it's - there's still going to be things come out, we think, that I don't - we don't know about yet. And I think it'll stay - it's going to stay tough for a few weeks yet.
BRADY: As the marching band left the stadium Saturday, Penn State fans walked to their cars, a disappointing final home game behind them. Maybe next year will be better. Jeff Brady, NPR News, State College, Pennsylvania. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Wobble Man 21.04.29 Apk + Mod (Unlimited Money) for Android
Wobble Man 21.04.29 Apk + Mod (Unlimited Money) for Android
Go ahead! Find the secret unknown in the unlimited floor building!
This could be one of the top fun free games which you can play as an agent to find the secret in the unlimited floor building! To finish your mission, you need to avoid the hunt by other agents, use the terrain advantages and institutions to reach the next floor!
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——Collect coins & find the keys help you level up quickly!
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——Free fun game with free & cool skin system!
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——Different maps, different machines, different escape routes!
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Beat them all!


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Discover Thomson Reuters
By Lionel Laurent
5 Min Read
PARIS (Reuters) – The French may love to look good but few are willing to work up a sweat over it.
People practice Tai-Chi as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beach) opens along the banks of the River Seine in Paris July 20, 2010. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
Despite increasing awareness of the benefits of healthy eating and physical exercise, going to the gym in France is still a niche activity that has yet to capture the mainstream.
France's generous healthcare system, its cultural preference for outdoor sports and its lack of affordable good-quality clubs are seen as reasons behind the country's low rate of gymgoers, even relative to laid-back neighbors Spain or Italy.
"It appears to me that more people are sitting in cafes smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee than working out … the French don't see fitness as a lifestyle," says American-born fitness consultant Fred Hoffman, who has lived in Paris for 21 years.
Only 5.4 percent of French people belonged to a health club in 2008, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, compared with 9.5 percent for Italy, 11.9 percent for the United Kingdom and 16.6 percent for Spain.
The figure doesn't include France's numerous community fitness groups, or "associations," which are entitled to government subsidies and tempt many consumers with cheap prices despite their often unsophisticated facilities.
Even taking into account this potential numbers gap, mass-market chains Club Med Gym and Fitness First say the $2 billion French market is a particularly tough slog. Property and staff are costly while competition from other sports is fierce.
"Football, tennis and cycling, those are the top three activities of the French," says Nadege Gaillard, marketing director for Club Med Gym, a Paris-focused brand that has not opened a single new club in nearly a decade. It is due to open a new venue in Paris in 2011.
Although rival Fitness First has had more luck opening clubs in and out of Paris, it is feeling the heat from the growth of no-frills centers that are stealing customers from pricier venues in a stagnating market.
"No services, no staff, that's what's growing … It's a lot simpler just to open a shoebox and throw in some machines," says Michel Parada, who heads Fitness First's French operations.
Working out also has an image problem in France, where few celebrities seem keen to publicly endorse the mucky business of sweating and straining on a cardio machine.
Even the sight of President Nicolas Sarkozy in running shoes jogging after his election in 2007 proved too much for some.
"I would rather see the president in his suit than in his sweat," said philosopher Alain Finkielkraut at the time.
Consumers seem to prefer the aesthetic appeal of creams and cosmetics that claim to have slimming properties, according to Christophe Anandson of the IHRSA fitness club association.
"The credulity of the French isn't favoring the growth of the fitness market," he said.
For those who can afford it, there is also designer gym "L'Usine," a chain of three discreetly chic clubs in Paris and Geneva, which is said to boast singer Lenny Kravitz and actress Melanie Laurent as clients.
L'Usine co-founder Patrick Rizzo says the club's high prices, luxury layout and upscale equipment serve a "niche" and manage to rise above the troubles of the mass market in France.
But even he thinks there is a limit to luxury gym growth in Paris and is eyeing possible expansion in Italy or the U.S.
Some industry figures believe the French market will have a brighter future once the government does more to promote working out as a health measure that could potentially save the healthcare system a lot of time and money.
Gyms could also do more to respond to French consumer tastes, says consultant Hoffman. He does not think low-cost gyms will be able to hold on to a broad client base, as most French consumers are not experts and need assistance to work out.
Just as Starbucks and McDonald's have had to fit their menu to France's cultural preferences, clubs could change as well.
"You've got to get into the French psyche…Maybe a cafe, or a little area for food," Hoffman says.
"But (the problem) is bigger than that. I don't think it can come from the clubs alone. It's getting people more aware of their wellbeing."
Editing by Steve Addison
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays.
Gym culture not working out for the French – Reuters
Discover Thomson Reuters


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This is from "Irene A. Mystery" , modified by Stan Kegel, and posted to the groaners listserv.
A story is told of a Jewish man who was riding on the subway reading an Arab newspaper.
A friend of his, who happened to be riding in the same subway car, noticed this strange phenomenon. Very upset, he approached the newspaper reader:
"Moshe, have you lost your mind? Why are you reading an Arab newspaper?"
Moshe replied, "I used to read the Jewish newspaper, but what did I find? Jews being persecuted, Israel being attacked, Jews disappearing through assimilation and intermarriage, Jews living in poverty."
"So I switched to the Arab newspaper. Now what do I find? Jews own all the banks, Jews control the media, Jews are all rich and powerful, Jews rule the world. The news is so much better…"


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Imagine this: It's 1976 and you're dating a man named Rick. He has a mustache and owns at least one reindeer sweater. High off of reading The Easter Parade and The Great Santini, he's all pumped up to write the next great American novel but, to make ends meet, he's currently working for Hallmark. He's been really cagey about his latest project, only revealing that this will be the first time Hermann Zapf's Crown font is used in a publication.
The fact is, things could be better between the two of you; he forgot your birthday… then your anniversary. Then there was that time he bit your head off on the car ride home for making fun of him during a game of Monopoly at a friend's house.
Now, imagine it's Valentine's Day and you're not expecting much – but Rick surprises you. It turns out that book he was working on – it's all about you! And your relationship! Your eyes well up with tears of joy. Then, as you skim through, they become tears of something else. You discover that the book is full of lines like this: "Please don't get mad at me if I forget your birthday or some special day we share."
And this: "Please don't expect me to always be good and kind and loving. There are times when I will be cold and thoughtless and hard to understand."
And there's even a photo depicting couples board game night paired with this text: "Please don't… make me look foolish in front of other people."
I spotted this amazing treasure at Spoonbill and Sugartown and, of course, I had to buy it right away. Aside from the prose, the photographs are priceless – but even more priceless are the hand written annotations and underlined passages in my copy, beseeching the reader to re-read certain lines. It's out of print (as you might have imagined) but, as your faithful friend, I've digitally preserved this amazing book; every magical page can be viewed after the jump.


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Subsection of: Creating an Effective Business Plan
Adapted from content excerpted from the American Express® OPEN Small Business Network
- Do I need a business plan if I'm not seeking financing?
- How do investors read a business plan, and what do they look for?
- What steps should I expect a venture capital firm to take with my plan?
- How long should my business plan be?
- Should I hire someone to write my business plan for me?
- Should I use business plan software?
Do I need a business plan if I'm not seeking financing?
For your small business to succeed, you need to know where you're going and how you'll get there. Creating a business plan forces you to set goals, determine the resources you will need to carry out your plan, and foresee problems that might otherwise broadside you.
If your business plan is not being used to solicit funding you can create an informal plan that serves primarily as a planning tool and a device that will keep you on track. An informal plan can also be used to show to potential business associates and partners.
You can choose from the array of business plan elements presented on this site to create a business plan that suits your needs. For example, while management biographies are very important to venture capitalists, they are not critical to an informal plan. But a word of caution, be sure to make your business plan comprehensive enough that it will serve one of its most important functions, helping you to think through the development of your business ahead of time. The minimum any business plan, even an informal one, should include is: business description, target market, competition, positioning, customers, sales distribution and marketing, and a cash flow statement.
How do investors read a business plan, and what do they look for?
Don't expect every person you will send your business plan to read it thoroughly. In fact, you really can only count on them to skim it. Investors know what they're looking for in a plan – they want to see a business that will grow rapidly and someday return a handsome profit. Venture capital firms, for example, expect to receive an average of five times their original investment within 5 to 7 years.
Keep in mind that investors rarely put money into a "product" — they invest in a business. Many great products have floundered because the inventors did not understand how to get people to buy them. So be sure to show that you understand how to market your product or service.
Your executive summary will likely be the first thing read. Make it stand out by highlighting the unique nature of your product or service, the strength of your management team, and why your business will make money. If the executive summary grabs their interest, many potential investors will move to the rest of the plan. But they probably won't read it in order. Some investors go straight to the description of the management team – they want to see if anyone involved with the company has had experience with successful start-ups, and has relevant experience in this industry. Others may go to the financials section to see when and how you plan to attain long-term profitability.
What steps should I expect a venture capital firm to take with my plan?
The average venture capital company receives several business plans every day. That translates into several hundred plans a year. They invest in only a handful – under 1%.
Expect your business plan to go first to a junior-level person, who will scan your plan, perhaps highlight some important parts, and, if you pass, send it on to a partner. Maybe one or two out of ten get this far. If it interests the partner, you will probably be called in for an interview, or the partners will go and visit your place of business. If there's still sufficient interest (maybe one out of 100 of the original plans sent get this far), the partners at the firm will begin serious discussions and evaluations, and perhaps think about how to negotiate an investment. This is far from a guarantee of investment – most companies that reach this stage are subsequently turned down. If you pass this stage, you are on your way to securing investors.
How long should my business plan be?
30-50 pages should suffice. Anything longer than that and you risk alienating a potential investor, or you force them to skim through the document rather than read it. You won't be impressing anyone by creating a 200-page document – what's contained in the plan is much more important than how long it is. The more concise and readable you business plan is, the more focused your business will appear.
Focus on those details that tell your business' story, that set you apart from your competition, that make your business appear to be a good financial investment, and that show you will be profitable.
In terms of style, make sure your plan looks professional, but not flashy. There's no need to spend lots of time creating glitzy graphics and charts – just make sure that the ones you use tell your story and are easy to read and interpret. You also don't need to use multiple fonts – one or two standard business-like fonts like Times or Helvetica will do the trick.
Should I hire someone to write my business plan for me?
It is essential that your business plan reflects your personality and your goals. As the small business owner, you need to decide what your business' short and long-term goals are, and you need to make the planning decisions. You cannot leave these decisions up to a surrogate, whether it's a business plan consultant, your lawyer or your accountant.
Moreover, creating your business plan is an extremely useful exercise for you to go through because it forces you to think about many issues small business owners would rather avoid – your industry, position in the market, competition, development and manufacturing capabilities, pricing, risks you may face, and ultimately your profitability. Taking the time to do this yourself will help you focus.
That's not to say hiring a business plan writer is a bad idea. But if you do, make sure you are heavily involved in the process. The writer should spend time interviewing you to get your input and be familiar with your goals and personality. You need to be able to provide documentation for any statement you make in the plan and the finished document must reflect your goals – so don't be afraid to request extensive editing and rewrites if necessary.
If you are not confident in your writing abilities, you might want to hire a business plan writer to rewrite your plan after you've taken a stab at a first draft.
Finally, have someone review your plan for grammar and typos before you send it out to investors. Ask a colleague, friend, or spouse to read your plan.
Should I use business plan software?
There are a wide variety of software programs on the market designed to help you prepare a successful business plan. These programs vary, but most include a dedicated word processor, a detailed outline, and some interactive tools which can serve as a starting point for creating a plan.
Much like using a consultant, don't expect the software to write the plan for you. It is still up to you to make sure that the plan honestly reflects your business' goals. Also, be on the lookout for software that will generate a plan in a "cookie cutter" approach. You don't want your business plan to look just like someone else's. It needs to stand out from the pack to get noticed.
Copyright © 1995-2016, American Express Company. All Rights Reserved.


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It has been a while since we posted about those crazy Spaniards at Radical Ducati, but long-time readers will remember fondly the exquisite custom motorcycles that Pepo and Reyes have created from the various pieces of Ducati's finest.
It is hard to pick a favorite from machines like the Radical Ducati RAD02 Imola Cafe Racer, Radical Ducati Café Veloce, Radical Ducati Mikaracer, Radical Ducati Raceric, and Radical Ducati RAD 02 Corsa EVO, but our moto-lust keeps bringing us back to the Radical Ducati 9½ – a café racer styled motorcycle that uses an ST2 motor, a Monster 900 frame, and a 916 fuel tank and swingarm.
Getting its name from the ST2's 944cc engine displacement, the 9½'s designation should tip-off where the Spanish firm has gone in its creation with the Radical Ducati 7½ Sportiva. Another water-cooled machine, the 7½ Sportiva ups the ante with the Ducati Superbike 749R taking the honor as its donor bike, while still remaining true to its predecessor's café racer look and feel.
Surely a peppy machine, we doubt anyone at Borgo Panigale imagined that a 749R would one day take the form created here by Radical Ducati, which once again only proves how appropriate of a name the company has given itself. Our new favorite machine from the boys from Madrid? Hmm…quite possibly, quite possibly.
Radical Ducati 7 ½ Sportiva Build List:
- Donor bike : 749 R'04
- RAD 02 montjuich aluminium front bracket modified.
- RAD 02 montjuich aluminium rear subframe.
- Hand made licence plate support.
- Montesa rear light.
- 749 R original fuel tank.
- RAD 02 fiberglass montjuich solo seat.
- RAD fiber glass front fairing.
- 10 cm diameter front light with high/low beam , endurance type.
- RAD blinkers.
- LIPO Batery.
- Repositioned electrical wiring, ECU and regulator.
- Ohlins front fork
- Ohlins rear schock
- Rear brake caliper go down position
- SP regulable ergal footrest
- Carbon fiber front mudguard
- Carbon fiber rear mudguard
- Carbon fiber side swingaram protectors
- Carbon fiber belt covers
- Carbon fiber water pump protectors
- Magnesium head covers
- EVR CTS antihoping clutch
- EVR slave piston
- Brembo radial calipers,rotors
- Brembo PR 19 radial brake pump
- Quick open throttle Acossato
- WOLFMAN 2 in 1 exhaust system with SPARK omologated megaphone
- Modified air funnels
- 749 R engine
Source: Radical Ducati; Photos: DEL PERRO


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The question is, what's more valuable to the Murdoch clan: power or money?
I'd follow the money every time. Oh, Dad, cares about power, for sure. He cares about his legacy, too. Given his time left on this earth, I'd say there's no time to repair that legacy in journalistic and political terms. If he also leaves a company worth nothing to his heirs, then he has no tangible legacy. That is surely what his heirs care most about — most do: money.
So I wonder whether News Corp. will have to get out of the news business to save the business of News Corp. For it's not so bad to be rapacious when you're in the entertainment business.
You might say that Rupert would have his newspapers pried from his dead hands and that might well be the case. But know well that he is not loyal to media. I used to work for TV Guide. He loved magazines then. Things turned sour. He got rid of them. He worked his ass off to get satellite TV in the US. When he had it, it turned out to be inconvenient; he got rid of it. When he had a choice of owning TV stations or newspapers in Boston and Chicago, there went the papers.
So I could see stockholders and managers and heirs pressure Murdoch to get rid of his news properties.
Only problem is, who'd want them? The News of the World is dead. The Sun has been eclipsed by the Daily Mail in the online and global future. Murdoch gave up on the future for The Times of London when he built his wall around it. But that also means it's not so valuable a bully pulpit anymore, what with only 100k online readers versus the enemy Guardian's tens of millions. The New York Post, on which he loses tens of millions of dollars a year just as the price of a bully pulpit, would die, unless there's an ego and bank account even bigger than Rupert's to resurrect it once again. He sold his other pulpit, The Standard. Fox News? Ah, that's interesting. Maybe we should all gang together on Kickstarter and buy it, eh? There'd be a market for that thing and maybe that'd be good for the country. Sky News? He'd already sacrificed that to get BSkyB (see: money trumps power). The Australian papers? A fine spun-off gift for Lachlan, I'd say.
Oops. I forgot the Wall Street Journal on which Rupert overspent mightily. You want to leave a legacy, Rupert: Make it the beneficiary of the Murdoch Trust (just as the Guardian is to be sustained in perpetuity by its Scott Trust).
And what's left? A gigantic, profitable media conglomerate and an inheritance for the Murdoch clan.


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|<< Shula
|Shun Min
|Sialeeds >>
Star: Chisyu
Origin: Unknown
Events: Sun Rune War
Position: Assistant
Born: IS 438
Death: N/A
A charming young girl, Shun Min is the daughter of Retso and assistant in all of his culinary endeavors. Her father's speciality is cooking fish, and Shun Min raises the fish all by herself, a technique taught to her by her mother.
Shun Min is dutiful and listens to her father, always remembering his lessons. She was taught that life is sacred, and so, when the fish gives it's life for the person for food, it is disrespectful to the fish if it goes to waste. She has such sad eyes when people don't eat all of their food that people often force down the rest of it.
When the Prince brings Retso a strange fish for sashimi, it tastes so awful Shun Min starts to get sick, but she wants to eat it to respect the fish. When Retso asks to see where the fish came from, he subsequently joins the Prince's army as chef, and Shun Min comes along as well.
Shun Min often says she will not get married unless it's to a man who can cook better then her father. She also keeps her strong sense of morality when her father becomes a Black Dragon Lord. She distrusts Jinkai, the leader of the group, and thinks that his plan to use the technique Retso perfected to make Mystical Fish Sashimi taste so good is just to satisfy Jinkai's power lust. Shun Min steals this 'Moon Bird' recipe and gives it to Hai Yo, another Black Dragon Lord and her lover. However, Jinkai's thugs catch and kill her just as she secrets the recipe away. - Matt620 (article), Basel (image)
How to Recruit: Joins with Retso.


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Cop Out establishes its movie lineage right away, with a slow-motion toe-to-head tilt up, set to the Beastie Boys' "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn." Black-cop/white-cop buddies Jimmy and Paul swagger stone-faced toward the camera. Director/editor Kevin Smith immortalizes his heroes as stock crime-flick badasses in their very first frame.
Smith complicates matters by following that shot with an opening sequence that sends Cop Out swerving into smarter territory: Determined to prove his bad-cop "acting" chops to a skeptical Jimmy (Bruce Willis), Paul (Tracy Morgan) interrogates a perp by subjecting him to an unrelenting marathon of movie character impersonations. Beginning with Al Pacino in Heat and moving, logically, through In the Heat of the Night and Training Day, Paul's "homage" (which he pronounces "homm-ige") eventually jumps off the rails. Jimmy, on the other side of the interrogation-room glass, can only gape at his partner's increasingly non sequitur charade: "Dirty Dancing? Star Wars? Everything on cable?!?"
And so Cop Out announces itself as both loving "homage" to "everything on cable" and a sly subversion of genre. It's a movie that shamelessly traffics in the clichés of other cop movies, while also engaging both characters and audience in the spectator sport of catching references to those very movies. Cop Out only works as well as it does—and it works exponentially better than it should—because the movie-trivia game is played smirk-free, with palpable joy from everyone involved. Notably, Smith didn't write the Cop Out script; this is the Clerks auteur's first feature-length work-for-hire.
Jimmy, a swinging-dick career NYPD cop threatened by his ex-wife's young, rich new husband (Jason Lee), tries to sell a priceless, long-treasured baseball card so he can pick up the tab for his daughter's wedding. That plan immediately goes horribly awry, thanks to interventions from Seann William Scott as a parkour-practicing thief, and the scene-swiping Guillermo Diaz as a textbook Mexican movie gangster with an atypical baseball obsession (and an in-home batting cage/torture chamber to match). Jimmy and Paul have no choice but to Break All the Rules.
The plot is almost an afterthought, an obvious MacGuffin intended to steamroll a path for the charisma and chemistry of the two leads. Morgan has been brutally undervalued for his work on the otherwise heavily awarded NBC series 30 Rock, possibly because it's assumed that the incorrigible comedian he plays is just a riff on himself. In Cop Out, unchained from the temporal constraints and standards and practices of network TV and, according to the press notes, given free reign to improvise, Morgan of course works broad and blue, but he really surprises with his timing and self-control. There are comic set pieces in Cop Out that play out at a snail's pace, turning awkward and uncomfortable for long stretches in order to build toward a big funny, and Morgan not only hangs on, but steers. Willis' main order of business is to stay cool and look good—to provide a solid backboard for Morgan's delirious lunacy—and this he does well.
Like most of Smith's movies, from Clerks to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back to Zach and Miri Make a Porno, Cop Out tracks a small arc of maturation for dudes who filter their own lives through popular culture. There was a sincere love letter to the transformative power of filmmaking baked into Porno, but its impact was diluted by what felt like strained overtures to the Apatow audience. On the contrary, Cop Out works as a love letter to film fandom, and, amid the ample violence and genitalia jokes, its strength is its sincerity. Working with a full-on studio budget for the first time in his decade-and-a-half career, Smith is still making movies about guys just like him. It may be masturbatory, but it's also some kind of creative integrity.


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As some of you may have heard by now, actor Paul Walker was tragically killed in a horrific car accident yesterday while on his way to a charity event. The "Fast and Furious" and "Running Scared" star was 40 years young, and was set to star in the "Brick Mansions" film (a remake of Pierre Morel's "Banlieue 13") alongside RZA due out in 2014. As a tribute to the kinship he struck with the late actor, RZA delivers a heartfelt tribute with the assistance of newcomer Will Wells. Rest easy, Paul Walker.
This song, entitled "Destiny Bends" was written last night after hearing the tragic news of the loss of a good man named Paul Walker. I met Paul on the set of the film Brick Mansion, where we talked, laughed, and exchanged ideas of life and fatherhood. I only knew him personally for less than a year, but we knew each other through our work and art. We saw in each other a kindred spirit of men coming from unlikely circumstances, and rising to be the light and beacon of our family and loved ones. Men who learned the joy and pains of love in life, and success, while coming to realize that nothing is more important than family, friendship, and the brotherhood of humanity. Millions of people get to know an artist or movie star through their work, but few are allowed to cross each others' paths and see through the veil of stardom and find the common denominator that we share. As all physical things will decay and wither away, film, art, and music remain longer than the vessel that delivered them. In this vein, the one thing we can't take away or give back is time. So, thus, time is the most precious gift. I dedicated my time to compose this song with my two sons and new friend Will Wells, who was kind enough to sing and perform it for me. We dedicate it to Paul Walker. A good man. We had plans to continue working with each other in the future. It seemed destined, but "destiny bends".
*Note* This song is not for criticism, it's just a sketch demo. Please enjoy and reflect.
Your comrade in the struggle,


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Enjoy Your Stay
Welcome to Meadow Villas at Warm Springs.
Streams. Forest. Mountains. Fresh Air. They're waiting for you. Time here at Meadow Villas is precious - just ask any of our guests.
Clear your head on a hike, spend the weekend romancing your sweetie or bring the family. Enjoy the time any way you want, because we are not a bed & breakfast or hotel. Far from it. At Meadow Villas you have plenty of space to call your own. Each well appointed, fully furnished, private villa has a full kitchen and unique spaces for your relaxation.
Savor morning coffee on the deck. Or, if you'd rather have leisurely meals out, no problem - there are charming restaurants nearby.
Most of all, soak up the ambiance of this mountain retreat and be refreshed while you're here.
Why a Virginia Mountain Vacation?
Conveniently located, the Virginia mountains are an ideal place for your next vacation, retreat or getaway. Whether you need a vacation rental all to yourself or to accommodate a larger group, Meadow Villas is perfect.
Why settle for dreadfully ordinary lodging when you can come to the Virginia mountains and have a wonderful time in any season at a private villa?
Though we are particularly known for our Fall colors, Summers here average 70 degrees, Spring is a superb time for wildlife and the outdoors, and Winter boasts skiing, sledding and extraordinary natural beauty.
That's probably why so many visitors keep coming back.
We'd like to show you why we think a Virginia mountain vacation at
Meadow Villas should be your next one.


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President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
His Excellency Charles Angelo Savarin, D.A.H.
Charles A. Savarin was elected President of the Commonwealth of Dominica by the House of Assembly on Monday, September 30, 2013 in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica. He comes to the office of President after a long and distinguished career as a teacher, trade unionist, parliamentarian, diplomat and government minister.
Mr Savarin served as a Senator in the parliament during the Interim Government (1979-1980); during the first term of the Dame Eugenia Charles, Dominica Freedom Party administration (1980-1985); and during the Dominica Labour Party government (2005-2013).Read morePresident of the Commonwealth of Dominica


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Stopping Our War on Animals
By Dr. Will Tuttle
The last few weeks have been painfully embarrassing for the dairy and egg producing industries. First, there was the release on May 15, 2010, by Mercy For Animals, an animal protection group, of undercover video footage taken at Conklin Dairy, a typical small dairy outside Columbus, OH. It depicted shocking cruelty by workers toward dairy cows and their baby calves. This 3-minute video is so arresting, it has gone viral on the internet. This was followed just a few weeks later on June 7 by more MFA undercover video footage taken in a large Maine egg producing facility, Quality Egg of New England, causing it to be fined $130,000 for cruelty to animals in a landmark case.
While most people are dimly aware of the unavoidable cruelty involved in eating meat, the routine cruelty involved in dairy and egg production has been less recognized. The Conklin Dairy video exposes the "hot" cruelty of enraged and sadistically violent abuse perpetrated by workers, while the Quality Egg video exposes the inherent "cold" cruelty of treating beings as things, and the mentality of indifference and numbness this fosters in workers, as hens are hyper-confined for life, and when sick, tossed live into trash cans and manure pits, not with anger, as at the dairy, but without caring or awareness. These videos expose our war on animals.
The most remarkable thing in all of this is the realization that whenever an animal protection organization such as PETA, HSUS, Farm Sanctuary, MFA, or COK places an undercover investigator in any of the animal agriculture operations–egg production, dairy production, hatcheries, slaughter plants, auctions, feedlots, stockyards, or broiler, turkey, pork, or foie gras production facilities, there is always graphic footage of extreme violence by workers toward the animals. As Nathan Runkle, founder of MFA, recently said after the Conklin Dairy video, "Whenever we send an undercover worker into an animal agriculture facility, they always obtain footage of shocking violence to the animals there."
Why is this? The renowned social psychologist Robert J. Lifton has called war "an atrocity-producing situation." Animal agriculture is, in fact, a war against animals, and the soldiers in this war, the workers, are similarly in atrocity-producing situations–situations that bring out the worst in them. Lifton and other psychologists have pointed out that war reduces enemy combatants and civilians to the status of mere pests and objects, and produces two types of atrocities–the hot violence of infuriated stabbing, beating, and killing we see both in war and in the Conklin Dairy video, and the cold violence of drones dropping bombs that kill and maim, like the cruelty inflicted on hens confined in battery cages where they are routinely maimed and then killed in the industrial meat grinder.
This war on animals, with our soldier-workers killing an estimated 75 million animals daily in the U.S. alone, is the underlying war driving our war on other humans, the Earth, less-privileged people, wildlife, and, ultimately, ourselves. It is vast and invisible, and yet everyone, except for vegans, is participating and demanding it to continue. Until we understand that the mentality of disconnectedness, reductionism, and violence ritually injected into all of us through our meals is the underlying mentality driving the U.S. war machine and the war on nature and animals, we will never be more than merely ironic in our quests for peace, justice, freedom, and wisdom.
Food is our most intimate and far-reaching connection with our culture and the world. We are called to stop immediately our benighted practice of enslaving and killing animals for food if we are to survive. We have no other choice. Fortunately, we're beginning, ever so slowly, to realize this. There's nothing more important to understand and practice than this right now. When we purchase animal-sourced foods, we are paying for and thus directly creating countless atrocity-producing situations. The atrocities inevitably boomerang, as chickens come home to roost.