text:
[vc_row enable_container="st3″ section_back_opt="light-bg-2″ row_padding_top="top-padding-30″ row_padding_bottom="no-padding-bottom"][vc_column][xen_text text_style="p-style-medium"]An influencer promoting and amplifying your message, your brand, to their audience means credibility. It means additional reach. And it means you get an outsized modifier to the conversion process.
– Rand Fishkin, Found of Moz
Marketing spend is a precious commodity. The budget for this business process is often rigid and marketers must carefully choose how to invest it in the long list of potential marketing and advertising strategies and tools.
One of the biggest budgetary decisions is the one between organic and paid marketing. Due to the barrage of advertising that consumers face every day, many marketers have sided with more heavily relying on organic content. It often feels more natural to consumers and, in the eyes of many marketers, it is free.
The truth, however, is that while organic marketing can be a valuable tool, marketers need to look at the numbers and consider the power that certain types of paid advertising can have.[/xen_text][vc_empty_space height="30px"][xen_text text_style="p-style-medium"]
Marketing Budget Wasters
The fact that organic reach is down is no secret. Over the past few years, Facebook and other social platforms have been very open and honest about their decision to show less content from brands' pages and more content from family and friends.
This change in social algorithms has been dramatic. In 2012, Facebook page organic reach surpassed 15%. Every year since has seen a dramatic amount shaved off, with Facebook page organic reach only touching the 2% mark in 2016. Over the last few years, organic reach has widely stayed at this level, with most European pages seeing a reach of 2%. In Asia-Pacific over the course of 2018, though, brands saw their organic reach cut in half, down to 1.2%.
Due to these figures, some marketers have taken a 'try harder' approach to organic content marketing. They aim to create viral content and incentivize liking, sharing, and commenting, among other tactics. And sometimes this works, but very minimally. When it comes down to it, it is time to see organic content for what it is and what it should be: A valuable method for marketing to those who have intentionally visited the brand's various social media pages. It is not, on the other hand, a method for attracting new customers or convincing former customers to return. Therefore, by default, organic marketing needs to take a backseat to paid marketing, both in terms of marketing time and marketing spend.[/xen_text][vc_empty_space height="45px"][xen_text text_style="p-style-medium"]
By The Numbers: Conversion Rate
Relying on organic content is not the only mistake that is too often made in digital marketing. Another misconception is that the conversion rate is the be-all and end-all across all marketing efforts. This is simply not the case.
Conversion rate is absolutely important, which is why CRO can be beneficial. However, it is not where too much of the budget should be allocated. The reason for this is that only about 7% of leads turn into customers (important note: this varies by industry). In other words, even if a company captures leads on their website or social platforms, those leads do not necessarily go very far in terms of creating revenue. Therefore, the ROI of heavily investing in conversion rate strategies is fairly low.
Conversion rate should be looked at in the same way as a number of other metrics, such as bounce rate. It does provide insight and optimizing for it is correlated with a better user experience and a better search engine ranking. It is just not as strongly correlated with customer loyalty or revenue as many marketers might initially believe.[/xen_text][vc_empty_space height="45px"][xen_text text_style="p-style-medium"]
Marketing Budget Winners
[/xen_text][vc_empty_space height="35px"][vc_video link="https://player.vimeo.com/video/325956201″][vc_empty_space height="45px"][xen_text text_style="p-style-medium"]The vast majority of a marketing budget should be spent on content creation. This area of marketing has sky-rocketed in importance over the last few years and the reason is that consumers want more than just the end-product or service. They want to receive value throughout the entire customer journey.
Side note: We are choosing to refer to the customer journey, rather than the more widely known sales funnel. The reason for this is that in the current digital world, it is not truly a funnel that customers travel through. A funnel leads to a single destination. With how sales works currently, it is much more of a journey—it goes back and forth at different speeds, it takes alternate routes, and sometimes ends in different, yet equally beneficial destinations.
To return back to the initial argument, though, the customer journey is relying much more heavily on quality content not only for enhanced value, but also for trust. Consumers are demanding better products, more responsible brands, and an experience that aligns with their values—this is where trust is created. High-quality content illustrates to consumers that a company puts thought, consideration, and an investment into their activities—creating a correlation between the quality of the marketing content and the quality of the product or service. This helps to increase and deepen consumer trust.
The value behind content creation can be seen in the website traffic that it creates. A recent Hubspot report found that companies that create and publish their own content have over 400% more indexed pages than companies that do not. They also uncovered that this leads to over 50% more website visitors. The reason for this is that search engines will rank websites with more pages and more content higher and a higher rank leads to more consumers finding the site, learning about the company, and becoming a loyal customer.
In short, rather than CRO effectively increasing conversion rates on social pages and websites, it is the creation of engaging and trustworthy content that accomplishes this.[/xen_text][vc_empty_space height="45px"][xen_text text_style="p-style-medium"]
By The Numbers: Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing falls under the content creation umbrella. Harnessing the power of influencers is one of the smartest ways a marketing budget can be used because it has compounding long-term effects.
There are two reasons that influencer marketing is so effective at creating an unparalleled ROI. The first and most obvious is that it is new and unique content, leading to more indexed pages for search engines and nearly 100% more inbound links.
The second reason is that influencer marketing creates consumer awareness that is scaled up exponentially. Every influencer has a significant following of like-minded individuals. These individuals could have a lot in common, or they could have one very strong belief or interest, including anything from being environmentally conscious to having an interest in crocheting clothing for pets. A company can partner with an influencer to retarget their content and reach a very specific buyer persona and, potentially, an entirely new customer base that they were previously struggling to reach.
The benefits that influencer marketing create range from increased trust to the pounds that are produced. When it comes to the ROI, for each pound spent on influencer marketing, an average of £5 is brought back in—it is not rare to see an influencer marketing campaign create an ROI of £15.50 or higher per pound spent. The reason it works to get influencers involved is that consumers trust influencers. In fact, nearly half of consumers rely on recommendations from influencers.[/xen_text][vc_empty_space height="45px"][xen_text text_style="p-style-medium"]
Getting Influencer Marketing Right
When the facts and figures are lined up, it becomes clear that too many brands are wasting their marketing spend by focusing solely on conversions. Instead, companies should be dedicating at least three-quarters of their marketing budget to creating high quality content and spreading awareness by utilizing partnerships with influencers. In the long run, it is these investments that will increase conversions—the kind of conversions that lead to high-value sales and high customer lifetime value.
Much of the success with influencer marketing depends on companies identifying the right influencer. These influencers are the ones that fit in with the brand and embody the company's culture and values. This influencer could be among the most popular on Instagram or YouTube, costing a company tens of thousands of pounds, but also reaching tens of millions of consumers. Alternatively, the influencer could be what is known as a micro-influencer. Partnerships with these individuals will go for a fraction of the cost and still reach tens of thousands of consumers.
It is important to note that it is not just about choosing the right influencer, but also about using the right influencer in the right way. The most effective way to use influencers is at the beginning of the customer journey and at the point in the journey when customers have purchased a product.
When influencers are used at the beginning of the customer journey—the awareness stage—they can communicate the message authentically to their followers. Using influencers in video for this is ideal and efficient. For the broad audience that a company needs to create awareness across, video consistently ends up being the most cost-effective content. This is mainly because algorithms prefer it, which can be seen through public statements from Facebook.
The influencer method can then be used again after customers make a purchase. These customers can be re-utilised as micro-influencers and share their success with the product or service in an organic and trusting way. This type of influencing is what Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms are built for. Consumers rely on those around them, that they admire and trust, to help them make their buying decisions. When even just a fraction of a brand's customers share their positive experiences, the product or service is then advertised to thousands or even tens of thousands of new consumers. It creates excitement and inspires others who may have interacted with the brand in the past to engage with the new customer. It sparks discussion and awareness—and it does so in a much more cost-effective way than many other forms of paid advertising.
It is vital, though, for brands to use the influencers' messaging correctly. They cannot shoe-horn social content into existing activity. Content must be filmed, edited, and marketed specifically for the social channels it is to be seen on. What works on Facebook, will not work as well on Instagram—unique content needs to be created for each individual platform.
Beyond this, content must be rigorously optimised and tested with multi-variant testing on header titles, images, and call-to-actions across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. This last platform is particularly important to pay attention to. Currently, it offers the biggest investment returns due to the fact that there is noticeably less competition on it when compared to the likes of Facebook and Instagram.
Another key consideration pertains to the influencers and their relationship to the brand. Today's consumers are savvy. They can quickly pick up when an influencer is being paid for a post by a specific brand. It is untrustworthy and ineffective at driving conversions. Instead of using the pay-per-post method and getting minimal interaction, brands should only work with influencers who are willing to commit to a partnership. These partnerships are built out of mutual admiration and trust, which will shine through to Generation Z and Millennial audiences.
In the end, the campaign will be 80% planning and 20% execution, with continuous optimisation and great care given to picking out the right influencers for partnerships. For many marketing teams, this will take an adjustment. It will force them to change how they look at their budget and how they measure campaign success. This adjustment is necessary, though. It is the only way to maintain pace with how social media platforms and consumers have fundamentally changed. It is also the best way to avoid resource misuse, in terms of both money and time.
To do this successfully, it requires a partnership with experts in influencer marketing. At Vouch Global, influencer marketing is our speciality. In order to create successful campaigns for all of our clients, we prioritize their customers. This means that we start with the audience, building multiple demographically-based audience profiles. When we have our client's audience sorted into different personas, we build the right creative content that is comprehensively based on deep social media insights. Then we target the campaigns, execute them, and optimize.
Get in touch with us today and let's have a chat > Contact Us[/xen_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]


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Meats and Sausages
Salami Polish-Traditional (Polskie salami)
The following is the official Polish Government recipe for making traditional salami. When the war had ended, this recipe was used to make the salami that was sold in Poland to the consumers.
|lean pork cuts
|800 g
|1.76 lb.
|pork back fat or fat trimmings
|200 g
|0.44 lb.
Ingredients per 1000g (1 kg) of meat
|28 g
|5 tsp.
|Cure #2
|2.5 g
|½ tsp.
|sugar, 0.15%
|1.5 g
|⅓ tsp.
|2.0 g
|1 tsp.
|1.5 g
|¾ tsp.
|garlic powder
|1.0 g
|⅓ tsp.
|OR fresh garlic
|3.5 g
|1 clove
- Cut meat into 10 cm (3-4") pieces and place in a slightly raised container with holes in the bottom to allow for draining of curing liquid. Leave for 24 hours at 1-2°C (33-35°F). Then grind with ¾" plate and leave for an additional 2-3 days following the above procedure. During that period turn meat around 1-2 times. Leave sheets of unsalted back fat for 2-3 days at -2° C (28° F) to -4° C (24° F) and then cut into 3 mm (⅛") pieces.
- Mix meat, back fat, salt, nitrate and spices together. Grind through 3 mm (⅛") plate.
- Leave the sausage mass for 36-48 hours at 2-4°C (35-40°F).
- Stuff casings firmly. Do not add water. Prick any visible air pockets with a needle.
- Hang for 2-4 days at 2-4°C (35-40°F), 85-90% humidity.
- Apply thin cold smoke 16-18° C (60-64° F) for 5-7 days, until dark red color is obtained.
- Hang in a dark, lightly drafty area at 10-12°C (50-53°F), humidity 90% for 2 weeks until salami develops white, dry mold on outside. If green and moist mold appears on salamis they have to be washed with warm salty water and wiped off dry with a cloth. Hang for 4-5 hours in a drier place, then move back to the original room and continue drying.
- Place salamis covered with white mold for 2-3 months in a dark and lightly drafty area at 12-16° C (54-60° F), 75-85% humidity, until desired yield is obtained.
In the original recipe 0.08 kg potassium nitrate was added to 100 kg of meat.

subset: commoncrawl


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Heartless by Marissa Meyer
Rating: 5/5 stars
Published: November 8, 2016 by Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 464 (hardcover)
Series: Stand alone
Genre: Young Adult Retelling
Summary from Goodreads: Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.
At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King's marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.
Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.
This book only proves my love for Marissa Meyer even more. She's been one of my favorites since I first read Cinder back when it came out in 2012 and I've been obsessed with her writing ever since. Though I LOVE the Lunar Chronicles, I don't know, I think this book may have been even better. But it's hard to tell, I love them both so much.
"These things do not happen in dreams, dear girl," he said, vanishing up to his neck. "They happen only in nightmares."
All Lady Catherine Pinkerton of Rock Turtle Cove wants is to open up her own bakery with her maid and best friend, Mary Ann. But one night at the Royal Ball, she meets the new court joker, Jest. At the same time, the king, who has had his eye on Catherine for some time, is about to make an announcement that he is going to marry her. Catherine flees the palace, only to later find out that a Jabberwock had attacked. The king decides instead of formally proposing marriage, to ask her to court him, and she accepts. As Catherine is courting the king, she and Jest begin to court in secret, doing whatever they can to be with each other.
I loved Catherine. She was very kind and sweet, which just helps further develop the plot and how she turned into the infamous Queen of Hearts. She loves to bake, and can kind of appear as a push over. But finally, she gives up and starts to defend herself as she slowly turns into the Queen of Hearts we know. Her parents, the Marquess and Marchioness of Rock Turtle Cove, love her, but want her to marry the king. They don't support her ideas of becoming a baker and instead focus on impressing the king so he won't give up and marry someone else.
Normally, I hate insta-love. But, Alice in Wonderland is a fairy tale of sorts and this book is a prequel, so I was fine with it here. If this had been a contemporary, I would have taken off about fifty stars, but Marissa Meyer made it work. Jest instantly charms Catherine, and she charms him. Catherine then realizes, that the dreams she had been having were about him. I really liked their relationship and it didn't seem forced at all.
She rounded on him, teeth flashing. "I am not empty. I am full to the brim with murder and revenge. I am overflowing and I do not think you wish for me to overflow onto you."
"There was a time" – Cheshire yawned – "when you overflowed with whimsy and icing sugar. I liked that Catherine better."
Marissa Meyer is able to make all her characters feel so real, and at times, relatable. This goes not just for Heartless, but The Lunar Chronicles as well. She creates wonderful, flawed, imperfect characters that stand right off the page as if they were real.
And of course, the writing was wonderful. Not only do the characters float off the page, but so does this amazing setting and the delicious desserts. The dessert descriptions made me want to stop everything and stuff my face with some sort of fancy pastries like the ones Cath made. Thanks to Meyer, I was hungry about 75% of the time I read this book. But I didn't have a single problem with it.
There were so many parallels to the original story of well. Of course we have Cath, who eventually becomes the Queen of Hearts we all know and love. Then we have the Cheshire Cat, Hatta (the Mad Hatter), the Duchess's prequel, and so much more. I really loved getting to read Meyer's twist on all the characters that we met during Alice in Wonderland.
Overall, Heartless was a delicious, but heartbreaking, read. The desserts made my mouth water and the romance was just right. I would recommend this to just about anyone, especially if you loved Marissa Meyer's first series, The Lunar Chronicles, or Alice in Wonderland.


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Will Smith
Born: September 25, 1968
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Dr. Bennet Omalu
Born: September 1968
Birthplace: Nnokwa, Idemili South, Nigeria
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Born: April 21, 1983
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK
Prema Mutiso
Birthplace: Nairobi, Kenya
Alec Baldwin
Born: April 3, 1958
Massapequa, Long Island, New York, USA
Dr. Julian Bailes
Born: July 4, 1956
Albert Brooks
Born: July 22, 1947
Beverly Hills, California, USA
Cyril Wecht
Born: March 20, 1931
Birthplace: Dunkard Township, Pennsylvania, USA
David Morse
Born: October 11, 1953
Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA
Mike Webster
Born: March 18, 1952
Birthplace: Tomahawk, Wisconsin, USA
Death: September 24, 2002, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA (heart attack)
Position: center / Steelers
Luke Wilson
Born: September 21, 1971
Dallas, Texas, USA
Roger Goodell
Born: February 19, 1959
Birthplace: Jamestown, New York, USA
Position: NFL Commissioner
Paul Reiser
Born: March 30, 1957
New York City, New York, USA
Dr. Elliot Pellman
Position: NFL Concussion Committee Chairman / Rheumatologist / Attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico
Matthew Willig
Born: January 21, 1969
La Mirada, California, USA
Justin Strzelczyk
Born: August 18, 1968
Birthplace: West Seneca, New York, USA
Death: September 30, 2004, Herkimer, New York, USA (car chase accident)
Position: offensive tackle / Steelers
Bitsie Tulloch
Born: January 19, 1981
San Diego, California, USA
Keana Strzelczyk
Born: November 22, 1972
Birthplace: USA
Richard T. Jones
Born: January 16, 1972
Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Andre Waters
Born: March 10, 1962
Birthplace: Belle Glade, Florida, USA
Death: November 20, 2006, Tampa, Florida, USA (suicide by gunshot to head)
Position: safety / Eagles
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Born: August 22, 1967
Islington, London, England, UK
Dave Duerson
Born: November 28, 1960
Birthplace: Muncie, Indiana, USA
Death: February 17, 2011, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, USA (suicide by gunshot to chest)
Position: safety / Bears
Arliss Howard
Born: October 18, 1954
Independence, Missouri, USA
Dr. Joseph Maroon
Born: May 26, 1940
Birthplace: USA
Stephen Moyer
Born: October 11, 1969
Brentwood, Essex, England, UK
Dr. Ronald Hamilton
Birthplace: USA
Eddie Marsan
Born: June 9, 1968
Stepney, London, England, UK
Dr. Steven DeKosky
Born: March 23, 1947
Birthplace: USA
Yes. Mike Webster, nicknamed "Iron Mike," was a former center for the Pittsburgh Steelers who passed away of a heart attack in 2002 at age 50. Like in the Concussion movie, he had spent years battling depression, dementia, amnesia, and severe back pain. The real Bennet Omalu discovered CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) while trying to make sense of why Webster's symptoms were present at his relatively young age.
Yes. The real Mike Webster had become so plagued by chronic back pain that he bought a stun gun so that he could zap his leg, sometimes up to a dozen times, to knock himself out (ESPN.com). The movie shows him on the autopsy table right after zapping himself, falsely implying that he Tasered himself to death (other factors, including his lifestyle and drug use, were the more likely causes of his heart attack). He died in Allegheny General Hospital's coronary care unit in Pittsburgh. As mentioned in the movie, he had also Super-Glued his rotting teeth (GQ).
No. In researching the Concussion true story, we discovered that Omalu's coworker in the movie, Daniel Sullivan (Mike O'Malley), is a fictional character who opposes Omalu's unorthodox methods, including talking to cadavers (the real Omalu did that). Sullivan is also a voice for the Pittsburgh Steelers faithful, many of whom would oppose seeing one of their heroes, Mike Webster, cut open and dissected.
In real life, Dr. Bennet Omalu felt embarrassed for obsessing over one brain for so long, sometimes staying at work until 2 a.m. to study Webster's brain. Worried what his coworkers were thinking, he decided to take the brain home to his condo in the borough of Churchill near Pittsburgh. -GQ
Yes. Prema Mutiso, portrayed by Gugu Mbatha-Raw in the film, is indeed a real person. Like in the Concussion movie, she was a nurse from Nairobi, Kenya who immigrated to the U.S. to advance her studies. She went to the same Pittsburgh church as Omalu. They first met at a party, and when the sparks didn't fly, Omalu decided to reintroduce himself after church one day. He began doing favors for her—he drove her places and left surprises on her doorstep. However, Prema did not initially live with Omalu like in the movie, yet he did offer to pay her rent. -Concussion book
They were dating when Omalu made his initial discoveries, and according to Jeanne Marie Laskas's GQ article on which the film is based, Prema helped Omalu with his research, documenting his work as he examined the brain samples of former NFL players that were sent to him by their loved ones. She did this in part by taking photos, a strategy that Omalu says "was very valuable."
Similar to the movie, the two married as Omalu conducted his research. They moved to California and currently have two young children, a daughter, Ashly, and a son, Mark. -Bustle.com
Yes, but this occurred later, after he began ordering too many slides. In the Concussion movie, it is stated that Omalu spent $20,000 of his own money to research the brain of former Steeler Mike Webster. "Game Brain," the GQ article on which the movie is based, states that Omalu spent as much as $100,000 of his own money on CTE research and testing.
No. In fact, before he became Omalu's patient zero following his death, Mike Webster's doctors had known that his repeated concussions had caused damage to his frontal lobe, which led to cognitive impairment, difficulty concentrating and an attention deficit, essentially causing him to become punch-drunk (a condition most commonly found in former boxers). In 1999, Webster was charged with forging 19 Ritalin prescriptions, which he said he was using to combat the brain damage caused by repeated trauma to his head as an NFL player, damage that he claimed had led him to behave erratically. -NYTimes.com
Following Mike Webster's death, Dr. Bennet Omalu studied his brain and became the first person to discover what was causing the damage that had led Webster to experience Alzheimer's-like symptoms. Omalu discovered the degenerative disease known as CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), a result of repeated trauma to the head.
Yes. Three handpicked NFL doctors, Ira Casson, Elliot Pellman and David Viano, gave opposing opinions and said that Omalu's research had "serious flaws," calling for Omalu's initial article to be retracted. None were neuropathologists and the head of the trio, Pellman, was a rheumatologist. In the end, Omalu's findings were in fact proven valid, despite the NFL's continued attempts to downplay a link between professional football and CTE (International Business Times). "Anybody still denying the disease is out of his mind," Omalu told GQ in 2009. "The issue now is treatment. That is my next step, now that I understand the pathology."
Yes. As we investigated the Concussion true story, we learned that the real Bennet Omalu thought that the NFL doctors would be pleased with his findings and that the league would use his research to try and correct the concussion problem. "I was naive," Omalu admits. "There are times I wish I never looked at Mike Webster's brain. It has dragged me into worldly affairs I do not want to be associated with. Human meanness, wickedness, and selfishness. People trying to cover up, to control how information is released. I started this not knowing I was walking into a minefield. That is my only regret." -GQ
Currently, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) does not show up on a CT scan and can only be diagnosed posthumously.
Yes, but the extent to which CTE can be blamed for these suicides is much more complicated than what is presented in the Concussion movie. For example, though Mike Webster did not outright kill himself, the movie implies that CTE is what caused his downward spiral, a slow suicide of sorts that ultimately ended in his death. However, the real Mike Webster had a history of mental illness on both sides of his family. His mother had suffered a nervous breakdown and his siblings were bipolar. One of them tried to commit suicide several times. In addition to suffering from CTE, Webster, a former steroid user, was depressed, hooked on painkillers, divorced, had lost money in bad investments, and had faced numerous lawsuits.
Similar histories can be attributed to the other suicides addressed in the movie, which might lead one to believe that the tragic aspects of these men's lives put them at an elevated risk for suicide. Of course, the opposite could also be concluded, that the effects of CTE led them down these dark paths - marital problems, depression, drug abuse, mood swings, etc., ultimately ending in suicide.
No. In the movie, Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) arrives at work to discover the feds sifting through the files of his boss and mentor, forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht (Albert Brooks). Wecht was charged with 84 counts of corruption, primarily for using government resources to advance his private practice. The charges against Wecht are real but the movie conveniently implies that the feds went after Wecht to get to Omalu. "You are attacking him to get to me!" exclaims Will Smith's character.
In reality, the FBI did raid Wecht's office. However, it occurred three months before Omalu published his findings regarding concussions in football. The raid and charges against Wecht had nothing to do with Omalu, CTE or the NFL. No, the feds were not in cahoots with the NFL to make Omalu go away. -Slate.com
No. There is no mention of this in the GQ article on which the movie is based—no mention of Prema being followed by a suspicious car or suffering a miscarriage afterward from the stress. There is also no mention of this in the Concussion book that expands upon the article. In fact, there is no mention of a miscarriage at all.
Omalu was not invited. Like in the Concussion movie, they asked former Steelers team doctor, neurosurgeon Julian Bailes. He presented Omalu's slides and research. The NFL dismissed it, stating that the only valid evidence of CTE was in boxers and some steeplechase jockeys. -GQ
Yes, and Dr. Bennet Omalu, along with colleague and friend Dr. Julian Bailes, are working toward it. The current thought in finding a cure is to develop a medication that would prevent the buildup of tau proteins in the brain, which is the characteristic component of CTE. "You pop a pill before you play, a medicine that prevents the buildup of tau," Omalu says. "Like you take an aspirin to prevent heart disease." Of course, another way to prevent the disease is to limit the amount of head-to-head contact. One way to do this would be to have the linemen start from a squatting position instead of lining up with their helmets ready to collide, an idea the NFL is not ready to consider. -GQ
Broaden your knowledge of the Concussion true story by watching the Bennet Omalu interview below. Also watch an interview with former Steeler Mike Webster, which shows him experiencing the likely effects of CTE.


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Professional Roofing Solutions
In the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, building owners, facility managers, consultants and general contractors count on Pioneer Roofing for their commercial roofing needs. Since 1978, we have set the standard for quality workmanship and service in roofing replacement, repair and new construction. We specialize in energy star certified thermoplastic roofing, vegetative roofing, metal roofing, custom and ornamental sheet metal, daylighting, solar solutions and roof restoration.
Pioneer has installed millions of square feet of flat commercial roofing and metal. At Pioneer we understand that a roof replacement is a substantial investment. Whether it's installing a new roof, or extending the life of your existing roof with preventive maintenance, we keep the well being of the people and the material inside of your building at the forefront.
If your current roofing contractor is not providing you with the service you deserve, let us show you the Pioneer difference. Talk to us today about your upcoming roofing needs.
Maintenance, Service and Repair
Phone: 703.550.3600
[email protected]
Our service department is ready to respond with 24-hour emergency roof service, repairs on all roofs and preventive maintenance programs to make your roof last longer. We offer free estimate and budget assistance for upcoming replacements. We also offer GPS-based roof condition surveys to help you better understand your current and future roofing needs.
New Construction & Reroofing
Today's building owners are concerned with cool roofs, green roofs, LEED certification and PV solar panels. Whether based on environmental protection, energy savings or service life, Pioneer Roofing Systems can help building owners decide what roof best fits their needs.
Pioneer has been installing cool roofs since the early 80s and has led the way in energy savings and environmentally sound roofing practices.
For all building owners, the good news is energy efficient and environmentally friendly roofs can pay for themselves through reduced energy bills and tax incentives. Whether you decide to install a white membrane, an extensive green rooftop garden, a metal roof or another quality roofing system, Pioneer has the experience to provide the best value. Call us today to discuss your roofing needs!
- Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
- Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Washington
- National Roofing Contractors Association
- Virginia Roofing Contractors Association
- Washington Area Roofing Contractors Association
Licensed, Bonded and Insured
Contact Us Today!
[email protected]
Bonded & Insured


text:
delete by PJF
Introducing the RackBETA
The rack is nearing its completion: multiple devices in one patch. It's a bit basic but it should work just fine, mobile/touchscreen support is pretty poor at this stage. Please send me an email if you find any bugs or inconveniences.
Feel free to submit a patch just for testing purposes and label it with rack-test tag so I can identify it as so.
Trying to simulate a voice going "Dooo".
Model-D Volume and Neutron Attn1 control the mix. Output is from Neutron.
Basing this on an FFT analysis of voice which shows fundamental + 2 harmonics + noise.
NO1 = fundamental (32'), NO2 = 1st harm (16'), MDO1=3rd harm (8'), MDO1=4th harm (4')


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CBD Dosage for Epilepsy. If you want to use CBD to treat epilepsy and seizures, you also need a certain dosage. Actually, it was Epilepsy that made CBD so well known. In children and adults, amazing results have been achieved in the treatment of epilepsy. But it was not so easy to find a suitable dosage. It took many trials and adjustments to find an effective dose for epilepsy. Based on the experiences that others have had, as well as on isolated studies and research, at least a good orientation about the dosage can now be given. So, how much CBD for epilepsy?
CBD has been used successfully in treating Epilepsy, but this is not as easy as taking just a few drops. The right individual dose must be discussed first. You are encouraged to take the initiative yourself to match your individual Epilepsy dose. We will assist you with this guide and help you find your dose through dose initiation and the dose target. Before that, however, a few other important points need to be clarified. Read on to find out more.
The CBD Product Quality is Crucial
As we have often mentioned, the quality of the CBD product is crucial for identifying the optimal dosage and the success of the treatment. The quality of CBD products on the market varies greatly. It ranges from presumptuous CBD products that in fact do not contain CBD, to CBD products with less CBD content than stated, to very good CBD products.
Some time ago tests were carried out by the FDA confirming this. So do not buy CBD products where you cannot find or receive an official analysis certificate for the products. Or better still, make your own CBD to play it safe.
Instructions can be found on our website:
Important Information for Determining the CBD Quantity
Another important factor in being able to arrive at the correct dosage is to properly understand the actual CBD content and to distinguish it from the CBD product content. What that means exactly, we would like to explain.
No matter which CBD product you buy, it should also be stated how much CBD this particular product contains. However, this CBD quantity is not the same as the content of the product.
If for example you buy a CBD oil with 1250MG CBD in a total of 30 ML, then this amount of CBD is distributed to the total amount of oil. A calculation can be used to determine the concentration (%) of CBD in the product.
Find out more in our article:
It is important that you actually dose in MG CBD and not in ML CBD oil. Depending on the product and CBD concentration of the product, the same amount of CBD oil (content ML) has a different CBD content.
The Individual Dosage of CBD should be considered
For very sensitive patients, such as children under 2 years of age, and those who are already taking various medications for epilepsy, a smaller dose should be used at the beginning.
Furthermore, there is no dosage recommendation that applies to everyone.
This is because everyone needs a slightly different dose.
This individual dose does not only depend on the body weight and the disease being treated.
It also depends on age, gender, metabolism, disease history, use of medication and the body's cannabinoid profile.
Therefore, it is important to find your own CBD dosage base at the beginning. Since epilepsy generally requires a higher dose than other applications such as anxiety, we recommend a slightly higher dose to start when discussing the CBD base dose.
Initiation of CBD Dosage for Epilepsy
Start with: 0.5 MG CBD per KG body weight. (For example 70 KG = 35 MG CBD) per day. Divided into 2-3 doses distributed throughout the day. Keep this dose for 1-2 Weeks.
Increase the dose every 1-2 weeks, each time by 0.5 MG CBD per KG body weight. Continue this cycle until the following dosage (targets) are achieved (Stop increasing the dose if it is not well tolerated or the seizures have already noticeably declined.)
- CBD dose target in treating epilepsy (Children): Target: A daily dose of 2-10 mg CBD per KG body weight. The dose should be divided into 2-3 doses throughout the day.
- CBD dose target in treating epilepsy (Adults): Target: A daily dose of 100-300 MG CBD per day. This dose should be taken in 2-3 doses throughout the day.
Clinical Information & Response to CBD in the treatment of Epilepsy (Seizures)
Drug Interaction in the Use of CBD in treating Epilepsy
There are also medications that can interfere with CBD, weakening or intensifying the effect. Especially drugs that affect serotonin, dopamine, endorphins. But also drugs that are already targeted directly at the endocannabinoid system and interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors.
In the case of epilepsy, the seizure drugs clobazam (Onfi) have a strong interaction with CBD. Therefore, when taking clobazam (Onfi), start with a lower dose of CBD.
Learn more about:
General Dosage Instructions for CBD
The general dosage instructions for CBD are a rough guide. However, this is not specific for CBD in epilepsy. Therefore, do not consider this dosage table as a guide for dosing for epilepsy. This results in the dosage being based on body weight and the disease to be treated (mild – Severe)
Different CBD Products differ in their absorption
In general, it is recommended to administer CBD sublingually in treating Epilepsy. Nevertheless, there are other ways to take or use CBD. Because there is a different mode of action depending on the type of intake, we also want to briefly explain this.
The following CBD products differ in their duration of onset, duration of action, and bioavailability to the body:
- Sublingual administration of CBD (Via Drops, Tinctures & Concentrates): Fast absorption of CBD, medium duration of action (2-5 hours) and medium bioavailability
- Oral administration of CBD (Via Capsules, Pills & Edibles): Slow absorption of CBD (30-90 min), longest duration of action and lowest bioavailability
- Pulmonary administration of CBD (Via Vaporization): Fastest absorption of CBD (30-90 Sec), shortest duration of action and highest bioavailability
It is up to you which CBD product you use. Note, however, the peculiarities of the various CBD products. In conclusion, when using CBD in epilepsy, we recommend taking CBD Orally by drops/tinctures/concentrates.
More related Infos & Guides


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Brunch and Bubbly - Bridal Shower Invitation
Pink watercolor flowers embrace "Brunch and Bubbly" in faux gold foil for bridal shower invitations that impress even the most stylish of guests.
Note: The gold color on this product is digitally printed, not foil-stamped. This digital alternative to foil gives you the gold look you want for a much more affordable price.
- Price Includes: Invitations and Envelopes
- Size: 4 5/8" x 6 1/4"
- Card Type: Flat Card
- Printing Method: Flat/Digital
- Ink Color(s) Shown: Peach
- Font(s) Shown: Baker Signet (BKS) and Splendid Script (SDS)
- Personalization Options: Pink floral design prints as shown with faux gold foil accents and "BRUNCH and Bubbly" in matching faux gold foil. Wording prints in white in your choice of fonts.
If ordered today, we estimate your order will be ready to ship on Wednesday, September 27.


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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Ottawa: Aboriginal and church leaders will gather late Sunday afternoon in Ottawa to mark the beginning of a multi-city tour to draw public and media attention to the upcoming work of Canada's Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Ottawa launch is being held in the Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2008. The event, which is open to the public, is expected to draw a large crowd of indigenous, religious, and political leaders.
Guests expected to attend the leaders' tour launch include the President of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, George Erasmus; the Interim Executive Director of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Bob Watts; and the Executive Director of the National Residential Schools Survivors Society, Ted Quewezance.
As key participants, along with the federal government, in the operation of Indian Residential Schools, the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and United Churches have committed themselves to full participation in the Truth and Reconciliation Process.
The Aboriginal and church leaders agreed to participate in the Remembering the Children tour because they wanted to highlight the significance of the work to be done by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
They hope their multi-city tour will raise awareness and help to educate both church members and other Canadians about the legacy of residential schools and the impacts of colonization on Aboriginal people and their communities.
Participating in the tour will be Phil Fontaine, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and representatives of the four mainline Christian churches who, along with the federal government, operated Canada's Indian Residential Schools. The Protestant church leaders include:
Throughout the tour the Roman Catholic Church will be represented either by local bishops or individual priests and nuns whose religious orders were involved in operating residential schools.
Also participating at various times in the public events will be representatives of other faith groups, regional Aboriginal leaders, and representatives of both Inuit and Métis groups.
"We believe it is essential that Canadians pay close attention to this process of truth-telling," explains Hon. David MacDonald, the United Church's Special Advisor on residential schools, and one of the organizers of the leaders' tour.
MacDonald adds, "This is the opportunity for all of us to hear the voices of the children who attended residential schools, to listen to their stories, and to learn, maybe for the first time, of the impact that residential schools have had on Canada's First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities."
The Remembering the Children tour includes stops in Ottawa, Vancouver, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. In addition to making themselves available for media interviews and speaking engagements in each city, the leaders will participate in a series of public events that are being planned by local organizing committees in the four cities.
The tour's public events include:
For further information about the Aboriginal and Church Leaders' Tour, please visit: www.rememberingthechildren.ca
To arrange media interviews with church or Aboriginal leaders who are taking part in the Remembering the Children tour, please contact:
Mary-Frances Denis
The United Church of Canada
416-231-7680 ext. 2016 (office)
1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016 (toll-free)
Tash Cote
Assembly of First Nations
613-241-6789 ext. 274


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Local Businesses You Can Trust
Have you ever wondered what a business coach does? Of course, you have, you are here! Well, there are several things that a business coach does that helps with the success of their client. Let's take a look at all the things that a business coach does and if you could benefit from one. Need […]Read Full
There's an emerging source of reading that many are paying attention to. The blog. A blog was once thought of as just an online space to fill with words. However, it has now become an almost essential piece to promoting businesses, nonprofits, and personal brands. The blogosphere is a spot to connect with other industries […]Read Full
Your next project is well underway and you have decided that you need a level detector to measure level in a closed system. You know what a level detector can do, but with so many options on the market, you aren't sure what your best option may be. Luckily, we are here to help. A […]Read Full
Everyone can be a little forgetful sometimes, it's just human nature. At times these forgetful streaks can get you into some trouble. It's sad to say but my local locksmith has gotten me out of some sticky situations, either from being locked out of my car or my house. There aren't a lot of feelings […]Read Full
An architect is a licensed professional that designs structures, and in many cases, they also supervise their construction, as well. Architecture involves more than a talent for basic carpentry or drawing, according to Couvaras, a professional architect in Sutherland Shire. From design to installation, architects are involved in every aspect of the development of a […]Read Full
When applying for any job, it is very important to have a well written CV and/or resume. While these two seem a lot alike, there are some differences. It is important to consider having both already written and ready to hand out at a job interview. While a lot of people may have heard of […]Read Full


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3M™ Carbon Black Stretch reflectivity in critical motion zones helps drivers recognize your kids.
When you go hiking or camping, this jacket surely should be durable. A small cutter cannot cause any damage to the fabric.
It's knit using a special technique that makes it repels the water. You'll never be upset by a sudden rain during climbing, trekking, camping, etc.
Our innovative quick-dry fabrics pull moisture away from skin keeping your little ones dry and comfy.
Fun in the sun just got safer thanks to our innovative fabric that protects against harmful UV rays.


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53 Letters For My Lover
Here's a book that has been on my "TBR list" since July, and I totally should have read it sooner! That blurb sounded emotionally, romantically angsty, and I knew it would take me right out of my comfort zone (which I absolutely love, when reading). But somehow, I kept passing it up.
It had come HIGHLY recommended a few times…
Diane: I HIGHLY recommend 53 letters, me and my reading buddy can't get it out of our heads a week later and there's a free companion novella 'From his lips'. Angst to the max and so beautifully written. Also surprisingly explicit.
Andee: I loved 53 letters too!!! **** is just so great…. That's all I'm going to say.
Diane: 53 letters!! SO intense and beautifully written! Good thing my hubby can't see this bc that and The Last Letter from Your Lover: A Novel by Jojo are my 2 faves this year, he might be concerned LOL
Maryse: Yeahhhhhh 53 Letters sounds SOOOOO GOOD!!!!! Adding that one to the top of my TBR list…
Sophia: I loved 53 Letters for my Lover! I couldn't put it down!!!
This part of the blurb totally did it for me. I just knew we'd be "in" for it, 'cause it has that "Arsen" feel, if you know what I mean (just not as tumultuous and… wrong-feeling). A much more understandable, gentle approach. And I know this reading subject matter is not for everyone…
…the perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect daughter. For thirty-three years, she has played by the rules, swallowing secrets, burying dreams and doing whatever it takes to anchor her family. Shayda Hijazi is about to come face to face with the one thing that can rip it all apart, the one thing she has always been denied: love.
How could I not put it on my reading list? But I *squirreled*, and it's only when I saw it mentioned again (in passing) last week on in my Facebook feed that I jumped on it for good. A reader mentioning to her friends… something along the lines that she couldn't get enough of this one. She loved it, and I think she even re-read it. And once I finally decided to read it, I could barely put it down. Mind you, it took me about the first 30-35% of the book to really get into it (the beginning, laying down the foundation of their connections, their personal traumas, getting to know the characters, their customs, etc…). But once I hit that 30%-ish area, I was IN!
Amy: …started 53 Letters, which so far at 25% is good with a buildup between the past and present which is pacing well.
Maryse: I need more emotional action, angst and passion and intensity, right now… So now I'm trying 53 letters.
Amy: I'm at 70% of 53 Letters, and I have no idea how this is going to end. It's definitely not on an Arsen level, but I'm still a little apprehensive as to if/when it is all going to blow up. Bracing myself here…
Maryse: …it's good! First 30% is a bit slow as we get to know the characters and their connections, but soon after that it gets emotionally intense and pretty much stays that way (at least so far)…
Jean: I am just finishing 53 Letters For My Lover and I just love it! OMG I am feeling everything in this book… my heart is pounding….so different, great writing…yep heading for a book fog!
Amy: I can't stand when a main character in a book gets cheated on by their guy, and yet I like to read books like Arsen and 53 Letters where the main character is the one doing that. But I'm going to steal Maryse's tagline again: In books…ONLY in books.
Jean: I hate cheating! But 53 Letters is different….. I accepted it from the beginning for some reason.
Amy: I finished 53 Letters and while it was no Arsen (I swear that book has ruined me for all other books like it), and for me the angst wasn't near as high, it still packed a good punch straight to the ovaries. Buh-bam! Both sides.
Jean: Oh and I can't stop thinking about 53 Letters For My Lover…… and it's days later… love when that happens!
Maryse: I ended up loving Letters to my Lover! 4 to 4.5 stars… (still thinking about it…)
So what's it about?
A… sort of… "arranged marriage". Two damaged souls with terrible scars that have yet to heal. Two members of Iranian families living in Canada (families that consist of loving members, and monsters alike), with customs, and expectations, traditions that are expected to be upheld, but for two "modern Canadian-Iranian" adults, hard to live up to. But they form a sort of friendship bond, in their marriage. A trust and an understanding. A love… albeit a different kind than the all-consuming love we love to read about. And yet, most of her young to adult life, she has crossed paths with "Troy" the arrogant Canadian "playboy" that just won't leave her alone.
"Are you happy, Shayda?" A second. That's all it takes. A single beat of hesitation on my part.
And she doesn't know if she wants him to…
Here I am, ten years later. Troy Heathgate is at my door.
Let me in.
I falter.
Sometimes I wonder how many worlds unfurled in that one second.
And how does one review a book like this? How can I love this kind of "love story" so much, when in essence, it is everything that is vehemently wrong, in a commitment.
Our eyes lock.
What is this madness?
I don't know. I don't know.
But I did. With it's gorgeous writing, exquisite detail and a thoughtful, cautious yet raw exploration of something that is absolutely illicit. I say "gentle" in it's approach compared to other books of this genre, but not so gentle that you don't actually feel it. You feel it. BIG TIME.
You feel her.
"Then leave him," he says.
"I can't. I can't just leave him. He needs me."
Troy's jaw clenches. "You can't leave him. You can't leave me. You can't handle the in-between. What do you want, Shayda?"
You feel him.
"You think I like waiting on the fringes of your life, wondering when I'll see you?"
With the kind of detail that allows us to feel every stomach-butterfly, smile and soar, and yet in her private thoughts, experience the guilt and shame of it all.
"Are you afraid, Shayda?"
"Of…?" I swallow, wishing he'd go back to pretending we're watching music videos.
"Of this? Of me?"
"Then what?"
"Of… me," I reply.
It's true. I don't know this person lying beside him.
How can something so wrong, be so right?
They tell you that an affair destroys everything, that there are no winners, that there is only heartbreak. I know this. And still I do it. Still I take his face in my hands and kiss him until he returns my fierce, desperate kisses with a fervor that pushes everything else aside.
But in a way… it is. Both. Right and wrong.
And I'm going to let you discover that on your own. Come up with your own conclusions, experience the journey she took to get there, and the heartache and loneliness, the different kinds of love. It's angsty, yet so eloquent in its portrayal. It hurts, it's exhilarating… it's traumatizing, it's wonderful.
And my heart still aches. In a good or bad way? Ah ah ahhhhh… I won't say. 😉 Shhhhhh…
4.5 stars!
➔➔➔ Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star reviews. 😀


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We not only design and develop website but also provide all the other supporting services E.G. Web hosting Ahmedabad, Virtual private server, Cloud backup and many other supporting services. As a leading Web Hosting Company in Ahmedabad , we have multiple reseller server and VPS. We understand the importance of website uptime and know that unreliable hosting can spell disaster for any online business. That's why we offer the most reliable Web Hosting Ahmedabad. services
We provide Cloud Hosting for our clients for both website and email. Cloud hosting offers more in terms of speed and advanced Search Engine Optimization techniques compared to the standard shared hosting. Our web hosting services comes with our complete website support system for everything you require keeping your website safe and secure and updated regularly.


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Photography Experience
Freelance Photographer 2008-present
The Post-Star (Glens Falls, NY) 2010-2014
Sarasota Herald-Tribune 2006-2008
Santa Fe New Mexican 2005
Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) 2004
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Photography Instructor 2010
University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
New England School of Photography
American Indian Journalism Institute
NY Associated Press Association Multiple awards
Eddie Adams Barnstorm XX
ASMP Merit Membership 2007
National Press Photographers Association Multiple awards
Freedom Forum Chips Quinn Scholar
APME New Mexico, 3rd Place Spot News
APSE 100K-250K Circ. Special Section Honorable Mention
Selected Publications
New York Times, Time.com, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, Tampa Bay Times


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Plextor Iterates Its Line-Up With New Components
Plextor began with its M1 drive family a long time ago. As it transitioned to the M2s, it adopted SATA 6Gb/s thanks to Marvell's classic 9175 controller. The M2 gave way to the M3, the M3 turned into the M5, and now we're seeing the first M6es. All of that is to say Plextor's nomenclature is indicative of evolutionary steps forward. The M6 brings the previous generation up to 2014 standards. It swaps in an updated controller, the latest Toggle-mode flash, and continues a trend of refining firmware to keep enthusiasts as current as possible with the latest fixes and optimizations.
And that's alright by us. The M6M and M6S aren't Plextor's flagship SSDs, yet they offer M5 Pro-like performance, a feat made more impressive by the transition to Toshiba's 128 Gb Toggle-mode flash.
Our exercise in stress testing wasn't a walk in the park, though. I spent almost 300 hours collectively benchmarking the M6M and M6S. The sole hitch involved our specialized TRIM metric; both drives simply refused to work with ULINK's DriveMaster 2012 suite. Now, taking measurements with the DM2012 isn't anything like the rest of our tests. It basically takes over the SATA controller and has its way with the entire storage stack.
Plextor's contenders were well-behaved through the rest of our benchmarks, and I don't have any reservations about using them in the real world. But if we handed out numerical scores, I'd need to dock both M6 drives for this one compatibility issue that couldn't be worked around.
Although we're unable to present our TRIM test results, Plextor still deserves recognition for its dedication to taking familiar components and adding the company's own optimized spin. Every time it revises its basic SSD formula, there are improvements. Granted, the M6S and M6M target the mainstream space, so they don't serve up a long list of value-added features. You don't get power-loss protection, Opal 2.0 or eDrive encryption support, or fancy accessories, though you can download the Plextool utility straight from Plextor's website. Better still, if you track down an older version of the software, you can secure erase your drive through Windows 8. That's a capability most tools don't offer.
Plextor's engineers clearly known their way around Marvell's controllers and Toshiba's Toggle-mode NAND. As a result, they're able to nudge the M6 family close to Crucial's M550 platform, which earned our praise in The Crucial M550 SSD Review: Striking Back With More Performance and Adata Premier Pro SP920 SSD: From 128 To 1024 GB, Reviewed. When you compare the 256 GB-class offerings, Plextor definitely makes a statement.
The big question mark is pricing. Plextor uses $250 as a suggestion for its 256 GB model. But before you write that off as ridiculous, MSRPs are rarely reflective of what you find on the street. Real-world pricing should be quite a bit lower. How much so? That's impossible to say; as of press time, the drives aren't available. I have to imagine that they'll need to show up under $200 to compete. After all, Crucial's 480 GB M500 is selling for $240 straight from the company store. Plextor's 256 M6S readily competes with that SSD's performance. The same holds true for a match-up with Samsung's 840 EVO. Now we just want to see Plextor stand up to the value offered by those strong entries.


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How to Structure and Write Custody Evaluation Reports
Everything you need to know about structuring and writing a custody evaluation report
Authored by two of the country's best known and most respected
custody experts, Dr. Barry Bricklin and Dr. Gail Elliot
This book will help in all of the following areas:
The importance of clarifying the evaluator's role.
The importance of understanding what must be included in a truly comprehensive evaluation.
What evaluators should do when they cannot secure the cooperation of all the critical participants.
The importance of clarifying the complex rules of confidentiality that apply in forensic evaluations.
The importance of clarifying fee arrangements.
The importance of determining in advance who will receive a copy of the report.
The extreme importance of clarifying whether the individual who seeks the services of the mental health professional has a legal right to waive confidentiality for the involved children and to give permission for the evaluation to take place.
The need to understand the complex issues that surround addressing the so called "ultimate issue."
The need to clarify the evaluator's possible appearance in a courtroom setting.
Who should the evaluator communicate with prior to conducting the evaluation?
How to make sure the critical legal criteria of custody dispute resolution (state level) are addressed.
How to determine which of the three major categories of purpose your evaluation will fit.
How to make sure you have included the one important section that if missing in your report, judges and attorneys will not pay attention to it.
How to make sure the nine essential goals of a comprehensive custody evaluation are covered in your report.
How to make sure your evaluation gathers information from multiple but independent sources.
that most mental health professionals do really not understand or pay attention to what it means when one speaks of the need for independently-derived sources of information.
How to make sure that one's observation scenarios are scientifically up to date.
How to make sure the necessary observation scenarios are included, without which observations cannot be scientifically defended.
The importance of focusing on the unique fit between a particular child and parent.
Dealing with complex issues like relocation, that is, if a primary custodial parent seeks to move away.
A fifteen category written evaluation format is recommended.
This book includes every word of a current full-scale custody evaluation as
written by Dr. Bricklin and Dr. Elliot.
189 pages, spiral bound


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I had been dreaming up this combination for awhile. I love spaghetti with pecorino, lemon and lots of black pepper. It hits me just right, time and again. For this salad I wanted to take my much loved trio in a different direction. I'm not sure what it is about summertime, but I go absolutely wild with food. There's always a) a cold beer, b) an ice cream treat, c) a seasonal fruit baked yum-yum or d) all of the above within arm's reach. Worthy of note: my ability to resist anything that looks even remotely good is nonexistent. It doesn't even have to be amazing, seriously.
So grains and vegetables were sounding good to me in a big way. I thought roasted zucchini would play off of the nutty qualities of wild rice beautifully. If you haven't tried zucchini sliced up and roasted, you're in for a treat. I can say with reasonable authority that roasting is the best cooking method when handling this particular summer veggie. If you season it up generously, the little browned edges and slightly sweet interiors are gonna blow your mind.
The pecans play their little crunchy, toasty part and teeny flecks of parsley make it fresh. The flavours and textures play off of each other so well. It's almost like a party in your mouth, but the kind of party where only people you really, really like show up and you're just having casual drinks in your jean shorts by the pool. Translation: It's really easy to throw together, perfect for summer and it tastes amazing. Makes sense, no?
Print the recipe here!
NOTES: I know wild rice can be crazy expensive so feel free to substitute half or all of the amount with brown basmati rice or whatever type you're into. Also, cooking rice is my nemesis so I just approach it like pasta sometimes: lots of salted water and drain when it seems done.
1/2 cup wild rice, rinsed
2 medium zucchinis, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
2-3 tbsp olive oil, divided
ground black pepper
1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
juice from half a lemon
1/4 cup finely grated pecorino romano cheese
1/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
3-4 sprigs of parsley, finely chopped
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cook the rice: in a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed rice and a pinch of salt. Lower heat to a simmer, place lid on top and cook until whites start to emerge from inside the grain and rice is slightly softer (but still a bit toothsome). Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water. Set aside
While rice is cooking, roast the zucchini. Toss slices in 1 tbsp of the olive oil and lots of salt and pepper. Lay the slices out onto a wire rack positioned over a parchment lined baking tray. Place in the oven until edges are browned and interiors are soft, about 20 minutes. Chop into small pieces when cool enough to handle.
Place rice and chopped zucchini in a medium bowl. Add remaining olive oil, lemon zest, juice, cheese, pecans and chopped parsley. Season to taste (I like a lot of black pepper here). Serve immediately or chill and store for later.


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Jobs & Rural Economic DevelopmentGoal: To be the #1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs.
One of the administration's top priority is attracting and growing good jobs in Tennessee. The opportunity to obtain a high quality job is the key to providing for a family and ensuring a happy and healthy life in our great state. The administration is working hard to foster a business-friendly environment that will make it easier for Tennessee companies to grow and make our state a more attractive place for businesses to locate.


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Domestic Pest Control Wirral.
We pride ourselves on giving a great pest control service to the people of Wirral and surrounding areas. At MERSEYPEST we treat all pest species including rats, mice, squirrels, wasps, ants, fleas, flies, bedbugs, cockroaches and many more.
Our technicians are highly trained and experienced previously working at Rentokil Pest Control for many years. Fully qualified with the industry recommended Royal Society Protection Health Level 2 Award in Pest Management and many other industry qualifications. You are guaranteed a great professional service with a quick eradication of pests.
We are fully insured with a 5 million Public Liability Insurance and a 5 million Products Liability Insurance with Advanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks for your complete peace of mind.
And all of this at a low local rate!


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Microsoft launches initiative to help 25 million people:
To acquire the digital skills needed in a COVID-19 economy
Around the world, 2020 has emerged as one of the most challenging years in many of our lifetimes. In six months, the world has endured multiple challenges, including a pandemic that has spurred a global economic crisis. As societies reopen, it's apparent that the economy in July will not be what it was in January. Increasingly, one of the key steps needed to foster a safe and successful economic recovery is expanded access to the digital skills needed to fill new jobs. And one of the keys to a genuinely inclusive recovery are programs to provide easier access to digital skills for people hardest hit by job losses, including those with lower incomes, women, and underrepresented minorities.
To help address this need, today Microsoft is launching a global skills initiative aimed at bringing more digital skills to 25 million people worldwide by the end of the year. This initiative will bring together every part of our company, combining existing and new resources from LinkedIn, GitHub, and Microsoft. It will be grounded in three areas of activity:
- The use of data to identify in-demand jobs and the skills needed to fill them;
- Free access to learning paths and content to help people develop the skills these positions require;
- Low-cost certifications and free job-seeking tools to help people who develop these skills pursue new jobs.
At its heart, this is a comprehensive technology initiative that will build on data and digital technology. It starts with data on jobs and skills from the LinkedIn Economic Graph.
It provides FREE ACCESS to content in LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Learn, and the GitHub Learning Lab, and couples these with Microsoft Certifications and LinkedIn job seeking tools. In addition, Microsoft is backing the effort with $20 million in cash grants to help nonprofit organizations worldwide assist the people who need it most.
The Problem We Need to Solve
Within only a few months, COVID-19 has provoked a massive demand shock, setting off job losses that far exceed the scale of the Great Recession a decade ago. The world will need a broad economic recovery that will require in part the development of new skills among a substantial part of the global workforce.
According to Microsoft calculations, global unemployment in 2020 may reach a quarter of a billion people. It is a staggering number. The pandemic respects no border. In the United States alone, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the country may witness a 12.3 point increase (from 3.5% to 15.8%) in the unemployment rate, equating to more than 21 million newly out-of-work people. Many other countries and continents face similar challenges.
The Ramifications of the Pandemic
The pandemic has shined a harsh light on what was already a widening skills gap around the world – a gap that will need to be closed with even greater urgency to accelerate economic recovery. This longer-term disconnect between supply and demand for skills in the labor market appears to be driven by three primary long-term factors: (1) the rapid emergence of AI-powered technologies that are propelling a new era of automation; (2) the growing need for technological acumen to compete in a changing commercial landscape; and (3) the drop-off in employer-based training investments over the past two decades. Navigating these challenges to close the skills gap will require a renewed partnership between stakeholders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
As we look to the future, we can draw insights from recessions in the past. Although recent recessions differed in their causes, each followed a trend of shedding low-skilled jobs and gradually replacing them with less automatable roles. In the late 1960s, roles that involved repetitive tasks involving manual work made up 34% of all jobs. These have been easier to automate, and as a result these jobs have now shrunk to 26% of all jobs. By contrast, jobs involving heavy cognition and problem-solving have simultaneously risen from 22% to 34%.
This pattern is poised to repeat itself, with an added emphasis on a jobs recovery that requires an increasing focus on digital skills. There are two reasons this appears likely.
First, in the shorter-term COVID-19 will continue to lead to unprecedented reliance on digital skills. In many situations, some workers may spend several months or longer in a "hybrid economy," where some will be in the workplace while others continue to work from home.
The shorter-term "hybrid economy" is a more digital economy. With continued consumer and employee reliance on almost "remote everything," we can expect digitization of the economy to continue to advance at an accelerated speed. And as companies respond to a recession by increasing efficiency, this need for digital transformation will increase even further.
Second, the economic recovery will take place amid the longer-term and already-unfolding wave of automation based on the new technologies that underpin what some have called the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Over the next five years, we estimate that the global workforce can absorb around 149 million new technology-oriented jobs. Software development accounts for the largest single share of this forecast, but roles in related fields like data analysis, cyber security, and privacy protection are also poised to grow substantially.


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The sum of this little girl's dreams came down to a flowery Lilly Pulitzer dress.
Eight year old Mary Anderson from Newtown Square, Pennsylvania was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) nearly two years ago. After five rounds of chemotherapy, Mary is in remission, but she still receives maintenance chemotherapy through daily medications and and a monthly IV.Read More
ALL is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many of what's called "immature lymphocytes," a type of white blood cells. "Acute" means that the leukemia can progress quickly, and if not treated, would probably be fatal within a few months.
Signs of childhood ALL include fever and bruising, and the disease can be detected using tests that examine the blood and bone marrow. Over time, there has been a lot of improvement in treatments for childhood leukemia.
"We understand now that aggressive treatment of childhood leukemia has led to a remarkable change in the way kids do, who have leukemia," says Dr. Tom Lynch, physician and chief scientific officer of Bristol Meyer Squibb. "Now, if you're diagnosed with childhood leukemia, you have an outstanding chance of cure."
Mary Designs "Magical Mary" Lilly Pulitzer Print
Mary told the Make-A-Wish foundation that she also wanted to design headbands and water bottles, and for the proceeds to go to the CHOP hospital where she was treated to support children's cancer research.
"She was looking forward to it for months ahead of time," said her mom, Liz Andersen. "During some really challenging times of her treatment it distracted her and was exactly what she needed."
Mary described being picked up from school in the famous Lilly Pulitzer jeep as one of her favorite parts of the day. She was presented with pink donuts and given a tour before beginning her design process.
Mary in the Lilly Pulitzer studio fulfilling her wish to design her own clothes
"She came to us with a very clear vision and our reaction was 'Of course, we'd love to be part of this,'" said Michelle Kelly, CEO of Lilly Pulitzer. "She seems to have a great sense of what makes people happy, which is what the Lilly Pulitzer brand is striving to do every day."
The "Magical Mary" print features Mary's three favorite colors, pink, blue and purple, daisies because of CHOP's Daisy Days annual fund raiser, and daffodils, which are the symbol of the American Cancer Society. It also has unicorns because "I just kind of love unicorns," according to Mary.
Mary's name and the words "Mary's Wish by Lilly Pulitzer" are hidden within the design.
Mary and her brothers in a photoshoot. Her dress is a Mary Anderson original.
"I loved it a whole lot and it made me feel good," Mary said of designing her print.
Lilly Pulitzer fast tracked Mary's design to be in stores around the country by April 27th, with a portion of the proceeds going to research at CHOP. Her design will be featured on a popover jacket and dress available in kids sizes and a hat. She modeled the print in a photo shoot with her three brothers.
"We work so hard on every print. Normally we'd go through multiple rounds of editing and deciding and making sure it's exactly what our customers want," said Kelly. "This time it was about what Mary wanted, and I think our customers will be just beyond thrilled."
Mary's friends and family, as well as the Lilly Pulitzer team, will attend the launch party.
"We just want to thank everyone for their support," said Andersen. "So many people have told me they're going to come [Saturday] and just the kind words, and thoughts and prayers for Mary over the past year, we're just overwhelmed by the support."
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.


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As the New Hampshire primary fast approaches, I wish to remind voters that our next Commander-in-Chief must be of the highest character; cut from the rare cloth of our founders.
Sometimes God gives us great gifts in unassuming packages. Recent attacks on Ted Cruz from both the Trump and Dr Carson campaigns gifted Cruz an opportunity to show his character and presidential instincts. Cruz was hit from all sides when a staffer used a CNN report that Dr Carson might leave the race.
Cruz did not pull a Hillary, claiming ignorance while throwing the staffer under the bus.
Cruz took full responsibility and apologized. Do not take Cruz's apology lightly.
In the thick of the campaign battle, desire and desperation to win can cause candidates to lose themselves; saying and doing things out of character. Pressure and deep desire also has a way of exposing who one really is inside. Unlike a few of his contenders, Cruz has remained true to who he is, refraining from grabbing onto trivial non-issues to slime his opponents.
Mary, my beautiful and awesome wife of over 30 years is my second. My first wife and I married at ages 19 and 21. Before we divorced, we sought marriage counseling. Unfortunately, my young bride and I had crossed a line. We said cutting painful things to each other that we could not "un-hear" -- could not take back.
I caution our GOP presidential wannabes not to take their rhetoric too far. Do not start sounding like Democrats in your attacks on fellow GOP contenders. The stakes are far too high. The heart and soul of America as envisioned by our founding fathers is at risk.
After the nomination process, we must all come together. We have a general election to win and a country to save. With level-headedness, wisdom and character, I believe Ted Cruz is that person.
Read more at LloydMarcus.com.


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TAMPA — Christine Lee wants the world to know she does not own a bobcat.
She spent much of Thursday fending off phone calls from friends and news reporters who had learned of a lawsuit alleging she does.
The civil complaint claims a bobcat attacked a contractor who entered her home on the 18th floor of the Skypoint Condominiums in downtown Tampa.
That man, Marcos Hernandez, is suing Lee and the Skypoint Condominium Association for unspecified damages he says he suffered as a result of a creature clawing his arms, according to court and police records.
But the feline in question is not a bobcat, Lee demonstrated Thursday. Rather, Calli is a domestic long-haired cat with a fluffy mane of black, brown, blond and gray.
"How he could even think this was a bobcat, I don't know," Lee said as she cuddled Calli. "He must not know cats."
Calli was a kitten when Lee rescued her from a salvage yard in Georgia about four years ago. She lives with Lee, her husband, Rex, and a black cat named Max.
The incident at the center of Hernandez's civil complaint happened May 16. Hernandez visited the apartment to conduct a scheduled fire safety inspection, Lee said. He arrived about noon, earlier than she expected.
"All I know is he was in here alone and he must have startled her," Lee said.
Upon entering, Hernandez was scratched, he reported. Tampa police records state that he was bleeding and was taken to Tampa General Hospital.
Lee arrived home at 12:40 p.m., after Hernandez had left, she said.
Calli was near the front door. Max, who also looks nothing like a bobcat, was in a bedroom.
Condo rules require owners to be present when an inspection is conducted or cage their animals, Lee said. But she said she didn't expect the inspection to occur until late afternoon. She was surprised upon her return to learn that Calli had attacked the man.
The next day, an employee with Hillsborough County's Pet Resource Center visited and photographed Calli. Lee was cited for not having Calli's rabies certification readily available, but she later produced it.
That was the end of it. Until the lawsuit.
A flurry of media reports Thursday brought Lee to tears. Calli hissed at a reporter who came to visit.
"I'm agitated, and she's agitated," Lee said.
Among her visitors Thursday were officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A spokeswoman confirmed the agency was looking into the matter. Lee said they would put out a statement.
"They were like, 'Really?'?" she said. "I said 'You're welcome to investigate the premises and see that I don't have a bobcat.'?"
Lee doesn't know what to make of the lawsuit. She has yet to hire a lawyer.
"It's not a wild animal," she said. "It's just a cat."
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Job for an expert iOS Swift & Objective-S developer to work on multiple projects.
I'm looking for an expert web designer to re-design an existing website.
iPhone Application Development job – Looking for an iPhone App developer to do a simple character animation iPhone App development.
List of Free UK Job sites which you can use to post job vacancies.


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Pioneer Valley Gaslamp Faire, both as a vendor and a panelist. It was a great event, and hopefully just the beginning of a very bright future for the show.
We were in the 12th floor of the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Springfield, with a beautiful view of the Pioneer Valley. The show had a steampunk theme, and many of the vendors and attendees were dressed in amazing costumes. It was an impressive display of craftsmanship, and one of the best reasons to come and check out the show.
My friend Jenn Iannaconi and I did a panel called "Something Old, Something New," which focused on the blending of different elements in genres like steampunk, cyberpunk and horror. I actually read a bit from Lovecraft's Curse, which was the first time I've ever read my own work in front of an audience. We had great discussions about our favorite genres, the influence roleplaying games had on my writing and why certain time periods just keep drawing us back to them.
The day was filled with fun and to top it all off, I met some new friends and sold enough books to cover the cost of my table. I'm really looking forward to next year, and I've started planning my costume already.


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Business owners run more than just their office. They are also in charge of the maintenance of the building in which the offices are located. Yet very few people will see the business owner up on a ladder painting the walls in the reception hall, fixing the leaking pipe on the break room faucet or cleaning the outdoor windows. When it comes to the commercial repairs and emergency services, Chevy Chase, MD commercial contractors are called to handle the task.
Business owners are seeing the benefits of working directly with commercial facility maintenance management companies versus individual repair shops. If a water pipe breaks in the restroom and the water damages wall coverings, floors and painted walls, the owners don't want to spend all their time on the phone contacting multiple painters, plumbers and flooring companies to get the best quote. They would rather call one management company who has a full staff of painters, plumbers and other craftsmen to come to the office building and perform the repairs quickly and professionally. By having a facility maintenance management company handling the problem, the business can shorten the downtime of operations and focus attention on running the business.
Why Does Premiere Works Offer Full-Service Commercial Facility Maintenance to Business Owners?
There are several reasons why Premiere Works provides full-service commercial facility maintenance to business owners. We began as a commercial painting company, and clients began requesting additional services from us because they trusted our professional staff and were pleased with the craftsmanship we brought to every project.
It was at that moment when we understood that our clients don't want to deal with each repair service company individually. They want a single management company that handles facility maintenance, and supplies and oversees all the professional workers. Business owners want to make a single phone call when they need repairs, commercial maintenance or renovations, confident that the facility maintenance company is on top of the task.
Facility Management Maintenance Services from commercial Contractors in Chevy Chase, MD
Additional Benefits of Working With a Complete Facility Management Maintenance Company
Besides only needing to call one company to perform varied maintenance services to commercial buildings and property, there are additional benefits to consider. When working with a full-service facility maintenance management company like Premiere Works, one company becomes familiar with your building, and we come to understand what problems arise and can fully tackle the problems. We can finish the repairs and renovations with minimal downtime to your operations, and we often can work during off-hours.
Another factor is the cost savings. You won't have to worry about receiving many different quotes and estimates from every craftsman and building contractor. At Premiere Works, we often offer better estimates for the variety of services we provide versus what other commercial contractors in Chevy Chase, MD can give because of the professionals we already have on staff.
Give Premiere Works a call today so we can begin repairing and renovating your commercial buildings and properties.


text: British Harper's Bazaar's October issue has a look at Jimmy Choo's H&M line, which will include women's clothes and shoes, bags, and accessories for men and women. Directly converting the U.K. prices, that one-shoulder dress, which appears to be suede, will cost about $247, while the sandals will cost about $132. Leather over-the-knee boots from the line will cost about $345. What do you think of the pieces? [Nitro:licious]


text: News More action needed to protect data, says Microsoft President and CLO Brad Smith discusses what needs to be done as part of the CLOUD Act Elly Yates-Roberts | 04 April 2018 The CLOUD Act, passed in March 2018, creates the foundation for a new generation of international agreements and preserves the rights of cloud service providers such as Microsoft to protect privacy rights until such agreements are in place. But Brad Smith, president and CLO at Microsoft, believes further action is needed to ensure that data remains protected. "Like any foundation, the CLOUD Act will be of lasting importance only if we build strong structures on top of it," said Smith in a recent blog post. "That is why the act is an important stepping stone and not the end of the journey. Like all the issues of the past four years, this will require important and even urgent action by many in both the public and private sectors." Before cloud computing, individuals stored their digital information on a computer at home and companies stored their information on server computers in their offices. This meant that if the government obtained a warrant to search someone's information on a computer, officials had to enter the premises to access a device. Now information has moved to the cloud, governments can search digital information by serving warrants to a cloud service provider rather than to the individual who owns the information. "The protection of common law comity rights is of even greater importance given the effective date next month of Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)," Smith added. "This indirectly but effectively puts the European Union (EU) in a position to help control its own destiny when it comes to the reach of US search warrants. The EU institutions can interpret the GDPR's relevant provisions and thereby determine whether there is a conflict of laws in specific circumstances that would mandate a comity analysis. Especially as the EU does so, cloud service providers such as Microsoft can then use our common law rights to go to court to raise comity issues and protect European customers." Furthermore, the CLOUD Act has resulted in a number of changes to data privacy laws, including creating the authority for the US to establish international agreements that will enable law enforcement agencies to access data in other countries. It also protects privacy and other human rights by establishing that these international agreements can only be created with countries that protect privacy and other human rights. The act allows strong norms to be created to govern surveillance requests. These incentivise governments to update their digital privacy laws to ensure that law enforcement requests are narrow, incorporate specific rule of law protections, and are subject to judicial review or oversight. "Most importantly, the passage of the CLOUD Act is an important milestone in the journey to modernise the law, enable enforcement officials to do their jobs and protect people's privacy rights across borders," explained Smith. "It has strong and broad support. But it's not the end of the road. There remains important and urgent work ahead of us."


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"President Trump's scheme subverted U.S. foreign policy toward Ukraine and undermined our national security."
So reads the Democrat's charade of an impeachment "report," suggesting President Trump's attempts to expose corruption in Ukraine were somehow politically motivated. The report's author, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., went on to describe the president as "unbound" and "unaccountable"—because Schiff is a model of even-keeled temperament. He and other Democrats formally adopted the report a party-line vote, leading up to today's impeachment hearing in the House Judiciary Committee.
Don't be fooled: Schiff's impeachment charade is exactly that, and it's incompatible with the long and esteemed history of the United States Congress.
Anti-Trump Democrats have essentially hijacked one of the three branches of federal government by consuming Congress with a bogus impeachment process, which has only deepened our divisions while grinding government to a halt.
This is unprecedented. I have served four U.S. presidents, including two tours at the highest rank of White House staff as Assistant to the President.
I have also advised six different presidential campaigns, so I've lived and breathed politics for decades.
As chairman of Great America PAC, I worked hard to help elect President Trump, so I understand just how determined the Left is to not only undermine his agenda, but ultimately remove him from office.
I have never seen such naked, self-serving partisanship. Since Inauguration Day, impeachment has been the left's primary agenda.
Mere weeks after his election, Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., pressured President Trump to divest business assets that could pose a conflict of interest, supporting legislation would make violations of federal conflict-of-interest rules "a high crime or misdemeanor under the impeachment clause of the U.S. Constitution."
Three years later, that same agenda has resulted in the impeachment "hearings" we see today. It's a farce.
After the Mueller report predictably exonerated President Trump earlier this year, Schiff embraced a whistleblower whose claims would purportedly lay the foundation for impeachment. Within months, however, a supposed truth-teller was exposed as a registered Democrat held over from the Obama White House. This was a Democrat who had previously worked with former Vice President Joe Biden.
According to one National Security Council official, the whistleblower was "accused of working against Trump and leaking against Trump." That same whistleblower reportedly worked with a Democratic National Committee operative, Alexandra Chalupa, who conducted opposition research on the Trump campaign during the 2016 election. He even invited her into the White House for meetings.
In the process, the whistleblower even sought out Schiff for "guidance." That's right: The whistleblower, a Democrat, worked with the ringleader of impeachment to remove a sitting president from office. And now we are to believe the impeachment process is "nonpartisan"?
Making matters worse, Schiff repeatedly lied about his contact with the whistleblower. In an MSNBC interview, Schiff infamously claimed, "We have not spoken directly with the whistleblower." It's a claim so egregious that even The Washington Post and PolitiFact—which are anything but pro-Trump—accused Schiff of lying to the American people.
The charade goes on. Schiff recently scrambled to stop the whistleblower from being named, while finding time to accuse President Trump of acting "for his own personal, political gain"—again, because Schiff is a model of nonpartisanship. Even as Republicans attempt to speak with the whistleblower, Democrats put up roadblocks at every turn.
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As Rep. Kevin McCarthy recently explained, "[Schiff's] focus—in his own words—is to send the president 'back to the golden throne he came from.'"
Such partisanship is not only antithetical to our democracy, but it also sets a dangerous precedent for future dealings between a sitting president and the opposition party. If the Democrats can pursue impeachment now—when there are virtually no grounds to so—are we to expect an impeachment inquiry every four years?
How can Republicans trust any Democrat, when the Democratic Party has been hell-bent on impeachment since 2016? Imagine if Republicans had launched a bogus impeachment inquiry against President Obama, solely on the grounds of him being a Democrat.
In lieu of trust, what Republicans can do is mobilize. Based on recent polling, Republicans (and other Americans) are determined to look past Schiff's impeachment charade and join together in support of President Trump.
The Democrats may have "impeachment," but President Trump has a booming economy and the safest, most secure America in recent memory. I'll take the latter, and so should you.