text:
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
- Malaysia's crime wave clouding investors' perception
- DAP appoints Kok to head anti-crime task force
- Protecting our borders
- Tread carefully on religious matters, says Ikram sec-gen
- Malaysia mulls return of strict laws to fight crime
- Khairy slams Sarawak DAP leader
- It's 2006 all over again
- Najib's Peace Overtures
- Ruling multiracial Malaysia
- Book on Pak Lah meant to threaten Umno unity, analysts say
- An 'Awakening' conspiracy? Unlikely, say analysts
- Revisiting the "unity government" idea in Malaysia
- Support for Pakatan soared, says UMCEDEL
- 'KDN ignored my ideas to help ex-cons'
- Unnecessary Censorship in Malaysia
- Polis kesal orang ramai kurang kerjasama
- Christian Church opens doors to Muslims
- Does Kuan Yew fear a Pakatan rule?
Malaysia's crime wave clouding investors' perception
Posted: 14 Aug 2013 11:40 AM PDT
(TMI) - Investors regard the rule of law as one of the most important requirements of deciding on the destination of their investments and Malaysia has been a favourite spot since the 1970s.A spike in drive-by shootings and gangland killings in Malaysia has got foreign investors worried about the state of security in the nation in recent months.
There have been at least 35 reported shootings nationwide since May which left 22 people dead. The high profile daylight killing of banker Ahmad Hussain Najadi last month attracted attention and sent a signal to the business community that all is not well in terms of safety.
Canadian Business Council of Malaysia president Roger Poulin said the rise in violent crimes was a concern to investors.
"We hope the government has a handle on it," Poulin told The Malaysian Insider in Kuala Lumpur this week.
American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) past president Datuk Nicholas Zefferys (pic) said members were concerned but not to the extent of considering to pull out their investments from Malaysia yet.
"As long as there are continuous measures to fight crime, I think the investors will be assuaged.
"Things are bad but it has not boiled over," Zefferys told The Malaysian Insider in Kuala Lumpur this week.
The British, German, Japanese and Korean Chambers of Commerce declined to comment on the matter. Businessmen from all four countries have a sizable investment and presence in Malaysia.
One of the executive directors of these chambers of commerce said that she did not want to comment as her job was to promote investments into Malaysia and the hike in crime would ruffle the feathers of investors.
Investors regard the rule of law as one of the most important requirements of deciding on the destination of their investments and Malaysia has been a favourite spot since the 1970s.
DAP appoints Kok to head anti-crime task force
Posted: 14 Aug 2013 11:36 AM PDT
(The Star) - DAP has appointed Seputeh MP Teresa Kok to head the new crime action task force set up to help restore public safety.Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who announced Kok's appointment in a press statement yesterday, said the task force would work towards getting the police to increase the number of CID personnel.
Presently only 10,150 or 9% of the total police force of 112,583 are in the CID.
"The DAP want the numbers of CID officers to be increased to 56,000 or half the force, in order deal with the rise in violent crime.
"The deteriorating crime situation is developing into a full-blown crisis in Malaysia, with adverse impact not only on personal security but also on tourism and the business climate," said Lim.
He added that the Government could not attribute the spike in cases to the repeal of the Emergency Ordinance.
He pointed out that the repeal of the law, which allowed for preventive detention, could not explain why firearms were now so readily available.
"Only the omnipresence of the police can deter criminals and bring down the crime rate," he said.
Posted: 14 Aug 2013 11:30 AM PDT
NST Editorial
Border criminals are getting serious and so should weSMUGGLING is big business. If there ever was any doubt of that, the shooting of an army border patrolman mending a hole in the fence along a smuggler's route last Saturday and revelations that 20 out of 27 border surveillance cameras along the Perlis-Kedah stretch have been deliberately knocked out, ought to be a clear indication of how high the stakes are. Weapons, drugs, wildlife, humans, whatever is in demand is deliverable and anyone who gets in the way had better watch out. With the escalation of shooting incidents in the country, aided by what is believed to be a lucrative gun-running industry, Malaysia should be asking itself: are we doing enough to protect our borders?
The United States Border Patrol, for instance, started out in 1924 as a means to keep out illegal immigrants, but has grown to cover the smuggling of arms, drugs and currency, and its priority mission now is "to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States". Its investment in tactical infrastructure, intelligence and patrols bears rich harvest. Last year, it apprehended 364,768 people and seized 1,043 tonnes of marijuana in 14,396 seizures.
Over the years in Malaysia, there have been numerous reported cases of organised groups of poachers from neighbouring countries, coming in on social visit passes, and going into our protected forest reserves to harvest various endangered flora and fauna. Arrests by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) in the reserves and near the border have turned up poachers armed with machetes, axes and guns. Some of these guns were home made, some were powerful enough to fell an adult elephant and many were of a higher calibre than that carried by rangers, whose sorry job it is to apprehend these criminals. Whether it be pangolins, tigers, agarwood, weapons, drugs or humans, and as long as it is illegal, these people will be armed. In 2009, then Terengganu Perhilitan director Rozidan Md Yassin said: "For villagers living on the fringes of the jungle, coming across illegal poachers from neighbouring countries with high-calibre weaponry, including M16s, is not an unusual occurrence."
Where are these weapons coming from? It is just as well that there are now plans to build a concrete wall along parts of the Malaysia-Thai border, for chain link fences are hardly a deterrent. Ideally, the entire 96km stretch from Perlis to Kelantan should be walled up. In any case, the real battle in securing our borders rests with stepping up enforcement and alertness at border crossings, increasing Customs intelligence, and making sure that there are no "holes" at checkpoints. As an up-and-coming transit country for various contraband, Malaysia should waste no time in evolving with the challenges.
Tread carefully on religious matters, says Ikram sec-gen
Posted: 14 Aug 2013 11:18 AM PDT
Astro removed the earlier disclaimer on the documentary on Pope Francis following complaints by viewers. — The Malay Mail pic
(The Malay Mail) - He also advised the public to be sensible and hold people responsible for their own actions without generalising based on race or beliefs as this would focus and minimise issues.Recent allegations of insults against religions are causing unease among locals and could go down an ugly road if they are not dealt with tactfully.
Activists say such cases would be better countered with knowledge instead of the authorities coming down hard on religious offenders.
Muslim non-governmental organisation Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram) secretary-general Zaid Kamaruddin said education rather than punishment could be a good way out.
"It is better to educate the public than stoke the fire.
"A better understanding through education is preferable to enforcement. Laws should be the last resort."
He said this did not just refer to religious tolerance and respect being taught in schools, but also through socialisation.
"People are living apart and not engaging enough (with others of different backgrounds).
"I hope in our mixed community, leaders should come together instead of taking sides," he said.
Zaid said people are living apart and not engaging enough.
He also advised the public to be sensible and hold people responsible for their own actions without generalising based on race or beliefs as this would focus and minimise issues.
"If you draw the trajectory, it looks like this (religious tension) is building up and it makes people uptight," he said.
Zaid said one of the main causes leading to the recent trend was the speed by which information circulated.
"It is almost instantaneous. This means anything that happens anywhere will get reactions, especially religious issues.
"Thirty years ago, whatever people chatted about in coffee shops often wouldn't even leave the table," said Zaid.
He said some issues touched on the raw nerves of Muslims, especially if taken without a pinch of salt.
"A buka puasa with bak kut teh may have been meant as a joke," said Zaid, referring to the case of Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee who shared a Ramadan greeting featuring them eating a dish made of pork.
However, he said Muslims were generally forgiving once a mistake was acknowledged but education was the best panacea.
He said in the case of Tan and Lee, although the two were of a certain ethnicity or religion, only the two individuals should be held responsible.
Regarding the surau in Johor being used by Buddhists, Zaid said it was good of the Buddhist high priest to come forward and apologise even though he should not be held responsible.
"The Buddhist group asked for permission and was given permission. How did they know if it was against Islam?" he asked.
Muslim NGO Sisters in Islam said a different picture would be painted if the authorities practised selective prosecution along with excessive use of power.
Civil liberties lawyer Shahredzan Johan told The Malay Mail Online yesterday that the crackdown by religious authorities was going to create a climate of fear in which "people would not want to say what they want to say."
He even painted a possible future scenario where non-Muslims find themselves thinking twice before inviting a Muslim into their homes, fearing that even this would upset them.
They also quoted Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI) director Dr Lim Teck Ghee who said non-Muslims were alarmed at the "growing trend of religious fundamentalism" and noted that businesses would become more wary of Muslim sensitivities
The Malay Mail Online had on Monday highlighted a letter by a viewer Patricia Anne Martinez who complained of a visual warning displayed repeatedly during a documentary on Pope Francis, the head of the global Catholic Church.
Shown four times during the documentary, the message read: "This program portrays depiction of religious figures and represents views other than Muslims'. Viewer discretion is advised."
Martinez, who is Roman Catholic, labelled the warning as "insulting" and "insensitive", saying it was akin to portraying a show on the head of one of the world's largest religions as similar to pornography.
She questioned "how threatening or offensive to Muslims' views could a biography of such a man of God and peace," noting that Pope Francis was the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to personally greet Muslims for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Many echoed her sentiments and following the uproar Astro reworded the disclaimer at noon yesterday during a rerun of the documentary. The new disclaimer read: "The following programme may contain religious views, statements or scenes that may require viewer discretion."
Several people, approached by The Malay Mail yesterday, were reluctant to comment over the matter for fear of a reprisal.
Malaysia mulls return of strict laws to fight crime
Posted: 14 Aug 2013 05:13 AM PDT
Malaysia is considering the return of strict laws that allow for detention without trial, to clamp down on violent gun crime.
(CNA) - Malaysia is considering the return of strict laws that allow for detention without trial, to clamp down on violent gun crime.
This comes after a recent spate of killings sparked concern among the public.
Since mid-April, more than 30 shooting cases have been reported across the country.
Most of them were said to be linked to the illegal drug trade or turf wars between rival gangs.
Malaysians are jittery over the unprecedented level of gun violence in the country.
They want the police to double their presence on the streets, and they want tighter controls to stem the flow of illegal firearms from across the border.
"It's quite worrying to go out now at night, especially at night, because you don't know what's going to happen. It may not happen to me, or my friends, but someone else in the same area," said a local resident.
The Kuala Lumpur city police have again tried to allay public concerns.
Ku Chin Wah, CID Chief of Kuala Lumpur, said: "Rest assured that there is no random shooting of innocent bystanders. If you are targeted to be murdered, you can be killed anywhere, you don't have to come to KL to be killed."
The government and the police have blamed the surge in violence on the abolition of the
Emergency Ordinance two years ago, which was said to have returned some 2,600 hard core criminals or well connected gangsters back on the streets.
The Home Ministry is now mulling bringing back preventive laws that allow for detention without trial.
All state police CID chiefs have been tasked to personally handle investigations into the shooting incidents.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties have set up their own crime task force.
They said at least half of the entire police force ought to be patrolling the streets, and getting involved in criminal investigations. Currently only less than 10 percent of the 112,000 strong police force are doing that, they added.
Khairy slams Sarawak DAP leader
Posted: 14 Aug 2013 05:03 AM PDT
(Bernama) - Umno Youth strongly condemned Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen who allegedly claimed in a statement to the Borneo Post on Monday that rampant shooting cases in the country are part of the drama by the Barisan Nasional.
"Umno Youth strongly condemns Chong's dirty political statement and hopes it will open up the eyes of the people on the quality of thinking and political struggles of the opposition leaders," said movement head Khairy Jamaluddin on Wednesday.
Chong had claimed that the murder cases involving firearms were allowed to spread to enable the Barisan government to formulate a new law to replace the Emergency Ordinance (EO).Commenting further, Khairy said Umno Youth had also lodged a police report against Chong so that legal action could be taken against him.
Meanwhile in KUCHING, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Nancy Shukri also criticised Chong, saying that his statement was irresponsible.
"It was so irresponsible of Chong to make such statements. As a responsible government, we are working very hard to ensure peace and stability in the country, perhaps it is also a strategy to divert people's attention from their political crises," she said.
Nancy said everyone should work together in tackling criminal cases instead of pointing fingers at others."We should work together to monitor serious crimes and make sure the situation does not worsen," she said.
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 05:16 PM PDT
Hence to attack Pak Lah would not bring him down because there is nothing to hit him with. So we had to look for another target (bomb the water to bring down the dam strategy). And this target was his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin.
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Much has been written about this subject over the last seven years since 2006. Some, no doubt, have been able to connect the dots. Most, however, treat what they read as sheer entertainment and do not understand the relationship or link between one article and another.
And this is why we constantly need to resurrect old articles and say, "I told you so!" If not, many would not understand that what they are seeing today is merely something that has been predicted a number of years ago.
It is not easy to change things or to bring someone down. It takes time for that to happen. And sometimes you need to hit a different target. During WWII, when they wanted to destroy a dam, they did not drop the bombs on the dam. The dam would never be brought down that way. They would drop the bombs into the water so that they could bounce on the surface of the water and hit the dam.
In 2006, when we wanted to bring down Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, it would have been futile to hit him. The March 2004 general election result that saw Barisan Nasional perform its best in Malaysian election history proved that Pak Lah had good support. Hence if you wanted to defeat him in the next general election expected in 2008/2009 it would have been impossible.
So how do you bring him down? You bring him down from the inside, not from the outside. And for that to happen the Umno leaders themselves must turn on Pak Lah.
But then Pak Lah was Mr Nice. He was considered holy who could lead prayers as an imam. He hardly had any faults other than a medical problem (which Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah or Ku Li also suffers from) called sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea? This is what the NIH says:
Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They may occur 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.
Sleep apnea usually is a chronic condition that disrupts your sleep. When your breathing pauses or becomes shallow, you'll often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep. As a result, the quality of your sleep is poor, which makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is a leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness.
And that is why Pak Lah sleeps during meetings and so on. He is not lazy or disinterested in his job. He has a medical ailment like many other people also have (Ku Li included). And Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad knew that Pak Lah suffers from this when he appointed Pak Lah as his successor.
Hence to attack Pak Lah would not bring him down because there is nothing to hit him with. So we had to look for another target (bomb the water to bring down the dam strategy). And this target was his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin.
So, in 2005/2006, we launched a 'Get Khairy Campaign'. And this started with the series that was carried in Malaysia Today called 'The Khairy Chronicles', which was later translated into Bahasa Malaysia and published into a book. And that did the trick. People, in particular the Umno leaders (Dr Mahathir included), became very angry with Pak Lah because of what Khairy was said to be doing. And that was the beginning of the end for Pak Lah.
But our target was not really Pak Lah. In fact, Pak Lah is a nice man, as is his wife Jeanne Danker whom I knew since back in school in the 1960s. So it was nothing personal. It is just that Pak Lah was the Prime Minister and one anointed by Dr Mahathir on top of that. So we had to attack the Prime Minister if we wanted to hurt Barisan Nasional in the next general election expected in 2008/2009. And to hurt Barisan Nasional we had to hurt the Prime Minister through his son-in-law, Khairy.
Our hope, of course, was that Barisan Nasional would be defeated in the general election expected in 2008/2009. Failing that, and if Barisan Nasional still remains in power, then we wanted a new Prime Minister. And, of course, this new Prime Minister will have to come from Umno.
If we cannot defeat Barisan Nasional and if an Umno man was still going to be the Prime Minister, then at least that man must be someone from the 'middle', not a rightist (Malay nationalist) or a leftist (Islamist). And this man has to be Ku Li.
So, to ensure that Ku Li and not Najib Tun Razak becomes the Prime Minister, we had to sabotage Najib. And, just like how we sabotaged Pak Lah by hitting his son-in-law, Khairy, we had to sabotage Najib by hitting his wife, Rosmah Mansor.
Hence, soon after the 2008 general election, we launched a 'Get Rosmah Campaign' -- similar to the 'Get Khairy Campaign' in 2005/2006. I had nothing personal against Rosmah. She just happened to be the wife of the man who would most likely become the next Prime Minister after Pak Lah. And we did not want her husband as the Prime Minister. We wanted Ku Li in the event Barisan Nasional cannot get kicked out.
However, there were two factors that we had no control over. The first factor was Dr Mahathir. Just like Dr Mahathir decided who would succeed him, Dr Mahathir would also decide who would succeed Pak Lah. And Dr Mahathir had a choice between Najib and Ku Li, with Najib as his first choice.
The 'Get Rosmah Campaign' in a way succeeded, just like the 'Get Khairy Campaign' did. And Ku Li now became Dr Mahathir's first choice and Najib dropped to second choice. But it was the second factor that gave Najib the edge and brought him back up to first choice.
This second factor was that both Ku Li and Dr Mahathir had huge egos. And with the 'history' that they had between them, their egos stood in the way of any possibility of reconciliation. If Ku Li wanted to become Prime Minister he would have to kowtow to Dr Mahathir. But Ku Li would not. He wanted Dr Mahathir to kowtow to him instead, which would never happen. And because of that Najib instead of Ku Li became the Prime Minister.
In short, Ku Li refused to become a Dr Mahathir 'nominee' and a 'rubber stamp' Prime Minister. And that would have been too dangerous for Dr Mahathir to allow. Pak Lah has shown how dangerous an 'independent' Prime Minister who refuses to listen to advice can be. So Dr Mahathir is not about to allow it a second time.
And that screwed Ku Li's chances and Najib became Prime Minister instead. But then Najib too proved he is hard at listening. He was told to call for the general election in 2011/2012 when Barisan Nasional was still strong. But he waited until May 2013 instead when the 'window' had been closed somewhat.
He also chose the wrong candidates to contest the general election (mostly those from his inner circle), against the advice of the 'experts'. Najib was proving to be as difficult as Pak Lah was in taking advice. And just like what happened to Pak Lah when he refused to listen to advice, the same thing may happen to Najib as well.
So now we are seeing the Umno people making their move against Najib. What happened to Pak Lah five years ago in 2008 is now happening to Najib. The pressure is on for Najib to take responsibility for the May 2013 election disaster and to hand over the reins to his Deputy. But maybe we can talk about that in the next episode.
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 03:58 PM PDT
Presumably the Najib gambit opens another front against Mahathir, who has been allowing surrogate bloggers to attack the wounded prime minister ever since the election, in addition to delivering his own blistering attacks on Malaysia's ethnic Chinese, who make up about 25 percent of the population, making allegations that they are trying to take over the country politically as well as economically.
Hornbill Unleashed
Anwar confirms Malaysian PM's feelers for a unity government
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, beset on his right flank by an implacable former Premier Mahathir Mohamad critical of his performance in the May 5 general election, has been making quiet overtures to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to explore the outlines of a unity government.
The overtures, made through former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, are a long, long shot at best. However, they have included three visits by Kalla to Kuala Lumpur, the latest in mid-July. Kalla earlier this year acted as an intermediary between Anwar and Najib at Anwar's initiative to seek to broker a commitment for a peaceful result in the May 5 general election.
Kalla, now a businessman and head of the Indonesian Red Cross Society, has emerged as a major Southeast Asian peacemaker, brokering peace agreements in various conflicts across Indonesia during his time as vice-president from 2004 to 2009; he also played a role in attempts to settle conflicts in Thailand and Sri Lanka.
While the pre-electoral contacts were made public in mid-May, with Kalla accusing Anwar of breaking a written agreement to accept the outcome of the election, the contacts have continued, according to sources in Kuala Lumpur.
Anwar confirmed the new contacts, saying they had been initiated by Najib, who emerged from the election severely weakened within the United Malays National Organization, the country's largest ethnic political party, which he heads. The overtures were made via Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Home Minister in Najib's cabinet, a source told Asia Sentinel. Ahmad and Anwar were friends before Mahathir fired Anwar as finance minister and had him arrested and jailed in 1999.
It is unsure if the contacts will go anywhere. They would require the three components of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat all to sign off. The idea of reaching out to the opposition, particularly Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat, is likely to drive Mahathir into a fury and energize whatever followers the septuagenarian former leader still has in UMNO.
Anwar, in an interview, said he had sent word through intermediaries that the incendiary racist attacks by the UMNO-owned broadsheet Utusan Malaysia on the Chinese and Indian communities would have to stop, and that the racial temperature in the country would have to cool before any progress could be made.
"I said the fundamental issues must be addressed, ending the racial stuff, there has to be a clear understanding and commitment to reform and change," Anwar said. "I made it clear that discussions must deal with this first and that the racial rhetoric must not escalate. The UMNO president has always had a direct say in running Utusan."
He said so far no answer has been forthcoming.
Presumably the Najib gambit opens another front against Mahathir, who has been allowing surrogate bloggers to attack the wounded prime minister ever since the election, in addition to delivering his own blistering attacks on Malaysia's ethnic Chinese, who make up about 25 percent of the population, making allegations that they are trying to take over the country politically as well as economically.
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 03:53 PM PDT
There's no need to wonder who should rule in Putrajaya: what's more important is how they rule.
June H. L. Wong, The Star
LEE Kuan Yew got it right. Whether it is Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat in Putrajaya, this country will still be under Malay rule.
So what, this aunty would like to ask?
For this citizen of Chinese descent, it is a given due to our history, racial composition and politics.
To quote Deng Xiaopeng, it doesn't matter if it is a black or white cat, as long as it can catch the mice.
Similarly, I can accept Malay rule, regardless which side is in power, as long as it provides good government.
But as a voting citizen, I do have my hopes and expectations from my leaders.
You see, I am fine with Malay rule as long as the leaders cherish and respect the Constitution and continue to abide by the provisions in this document and not to tinker with it as they like.
I have no problem with Malay rule as long as those in power upholds Islam's position as the official religion but will also respect other religions and protect the rights of all Malaysians to practise their faiths without discrimination, harassment or fear.
I am really okay with Malay rule as long as those who rule are not afraid of the past; who understand history should not be reinterpreted to make one community look better than others and who will acknowledge the contributions of other races in the building of this nation.
I will defend a leadership that will not use other races to invoke fear in the Malays by insinuating that these ungrateful interlopers are greedy and grasping and will steal the nation from under them if they are not careful.
I will support leaders who are strong and courageous to stand firm against those who preach hate and divisiveness and punish them appropriately, regardless of who these hate-mongers are.
I will cherish a Malay-led government that is fair to women and believe in gender equality; that will end all laws that continue to discriminate against women and treat them like simple-minded creatures.
I will admire a leadership that recognises the competition is beyond our shores and if we don't stop bickering among ourselves and trying to frighten each other, our country might be left far behind, even within the region as all our neighbours get their act together and grow from strength to strength.
Hence, I will rejoice to have leaders who embrace meritocracy and will fight to nurture and retain all its talented citizens to benefit our society and nation and give us the edge on the international front.
I am all for a principled government that upholds the rule of law and that means, as defined by thefreedictionary.com, the government exercises "its power in accordance with well-established and clearly written rules, regulations, and legal principles" and "no branch of government is above the law, and no public official may act arbitrarily or unilaterally outside the law".
In other words, a leadership that enforces laws with fairness, morality and justice.
I will support those in power who believe in educating and empowering its people and not keeping them stupid and poor in order to control them and making them dependent forever.
I will happily live under a leadership that nurtures a thinking society and does not fear dissent or those who challenge its authority through peaceful expressions be it in words, or through art, performances, music and film.
I will cherish a leadership that is inclusive with a consistent message to all, actively promotes true racial accommodation and acceptance and not play lip service to mere tolerance.
That is simply intolerable.
I will be in awe of leaders who can articulate and defend their policies by speaking with intelligence, backed up with quality research, facts and figures, and not insult the intelligence of others, especially those who question them.
And I can cheer them on proudly when they promote or defend Malaysia's interests abroad because they can speak in crisp, clear English with authority, knowledgeably and wittily.
I will respect leaders who understand that becoming Yang Berhormats does not automatically elevate them to a status that demands obeisance from others.
Rather, they understand they are the people's servants and respect must be earned.
I will honour a government that is led by leaders who are morally clean and upright, with zero tolerance for corruption and will not use underhanded means to enrich themselves and to keep themselves in power.
I am all for Malay rule as long as my leaders are committed to and believe in a multiracial, multi-cultural and multi-religious Malaysia and want to keep it this way.
Book on Pak Lah meant to threaten Umno unity, analysts say
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 03:43 PM PDT
Melissa Chi, MM
The timing of a book on Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's tenure as prime minister was meant to create discord in Umno ahead of the annual general assembly in December, according to two political analysts yesterday.
In a report by Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia, Geostrategist at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Dr Azmi Hassan said the editors and publisher of "Awakening: The Abdullah Years in Malaysia", have been accused of portraying the book as based solely on Abdullah's opinion, which was not the case.
An 'Awakening' conspiracy? Unlikely, say analysts
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 03:37 PM PDT
"The book confirms what's already known out there ― it provides details and evidence of the policies and choices made by Abdullah Badawi... [as well as] evidence of conservative and ultra nationalists within Umno and their resistance to any reforms or changes or status quo, either in politics or economics," he told The Malay Mail Online.
Malissa Chi and Boo Su-Lyn, MM
Political analysts have dismissed suspicions that Tun Abdullah Badawi's hard-hitting comments published in a book of his years as prime minister was timed to coincide with the upcoming Umno election.
Revisiting the "unity government" idea in Malaysia
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 03:30 PM PDT
In the past few months, the idea of a unity government is rearing its head again, but from the BN's side, especially among supporters of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as first reported by The Malaysian Insider.
Zulkifili Sulong, TMI
After campaigning tirelessly in several by-elections before 2013, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was featured in political weekly Siasah in a front-page report headlined "Country without Opposition".
But Hadi's suggestion was met with resistance from within his own party, and was labelled as an attempt to unite PAS and Umno, for the sake of Malays and Islam.
PKR leaders say Najib is offering the post of deputy prime minister to Anwar, and for four key party leaders to be made ministers.
Support for Pakatan soared, says UMCEDEL
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 03:18 PM PDT
BN only manage to maintain its support base in the region of 40% to 49%.
K. Pragalath, FMT
According to a study by a university research centre, the support for Pakatan Rakyat has increased tremendously since 2011 till the 13th general election; where else Barisan Nasional's support base is somewhat the same.
A series of surveys conducted by University Malaya's Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL) since 2011 revealed that Pakatan only had 18% support in 2011 compared to BN's 43%.
BN's support base was highest during the first quarter of 2012 at 49% but Pakatan only received 21% during the same period.
The third survey carried out during the first fortnight of September 2012 revealed the beginning of BN's support declining to 44% whereas support for Pakatan rose to 30%.
During the last quarter of 2012, BN had 42% support compared to Pakatan's 37%.
The number of undecided voters reduced from 39% in 2011 to 21% in the last quarter of 2012.
On nomination day for the 13th general election that was held on April 20, Pakatan had the majority support of the people. A total of 5% of the undecided voters supported Pakatan.
That gave an edge for Pakatan against the ruling coalition with 48% support. BN was trailing with 43%. Nine percent of the voters were still undecided.
On May 5 polling day, BN received three percent support of the undecided voters and obtained 46% votes. On the other hand Pakatan received a boost of five percent vote swing to gain 53% of the popular vote.
However the final outcome of the 13th general election saw BN winning 133 parliamentary seats. Pakatan only clinched 89 out of the 222 parliamentary seats in total.
'KDN ignored my ideas to help ex-cons'
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 02:53 PM PDT
Malaysian Crime Preventive Foundation vice-chairman Lee Lam Thye says his numerous suggestions to the Home Ministry to help rehabilitate former prisoners were brushed aside.
Alfian ZM Tahir, FMT
The Home Ministry's impotence in helping former prisoners obtain a new lease of life is among the factors that has contributed to the recent escalation in crime rate.
Malaysian Crime Preventive Foundation vice-chairman Lee Lam Thye said for the past 10 years he has written numerous letters to the ministry (KDN) on how to help rehabilitate former prisoners.
"Since 2000 I have given my views on these issues but I've not received a single feedback from the authorities. I've given up," he said in a phone interview.
Lee said the government should be the one to lead the initiative to help create job opportunities for these former prisoners.
"The government should have come up with a plan. The problem now is when prisoners have served their sentences and are released, the private sector is unwilling to offer them jobs.
"So, instead of depending on these private companies, why not the government create projects and offer job opportunities to these former prisoners?" asked Lee.
"By doing this, it will definitely give an impression to the private sector that these former prisoners are capable of performing jobs just like everybody else.
"This was my idea back in 2000 but until today the authorities have yet to be hear me out or review my suggestions," he said.
Unnecessary Censorship in Malaysia
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 01:00 PM PDT
Perhaps by easing the rules and regulations on what is acceptable for us to see, hear and think, we as a society will have the space to discuss these matters in a mature manner and grow. I am not a parent, but I am sure as hell glad that my parents gave me the sex talk when I was a teenager.
by Chin Guo HengI remembered two things from watching The Wolverine: when no other outlets are available, it is always possible to perform impromptu chest surgery on oneself; and the amount of cuts and bleeps in the film.
Admittedly, this was my first time catching a film at a local cinema after spending the last few years abroad, where censorship is a lot more laissez faire. The censored scenes were pretty jarring to me until a friend reminded me that liberal application of cuts and bleeps are part and parcel of the Malaysian cinema experience, besides the awesome cineplexes and delicious popcorns.
Growing up a film buff, I've always wondered if film cuts compromise the artistic integrity of the film (not that The Wolverine was brimming with artistic merit) and the vision of the director. Imagine how Yasmin Ahmad's Sepet would feel like without the eight cuts imposed upon it. Complaining about cuts in films may seem petty but aesthetics and annoyance aside, film censorship, like all other forms of censorship, underlies what we are allowed to see, experience and by extension, think.
The watchman setting and implementing the guideline that defines the social, religious and moral values the rakyat are allowed to be exposed to in the cinema is the Film Censorship Board, operating under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry. An updated guideline for film censorship came into force on March 2010 espousing the regulations in which films are expected to follow under four categories: public safety and harmony, religion, culture and manners, and morality, including a list of words deemed too rude for the rakyat to hear or see. According to the Board, the rules contained in the guidelines are of prime importance as films exert influence on the mind-set and actions of society, especially children and teenagers.
It seems reasonable that the Censorship Board adopts the monkey see, monkey do view towards public mores, but is there solid evidence to justify heavy-handed censorship in the name of defending the public morality? The significant body of research into the issue unsurprisingly offers conflicting conclusions. A segment of studies and meta-studies suggest that exposure to media violence – movies and video games – increases the propensity of violent behaviour due to desensitisation and increase in aggression-related thoughts. Critics argued that those papers are biased and methodologically flawed, and do not take into account issues beyond exposure to media violence such as family environment, peer delinquency and depressive symptoms as a predictor of youth aggression or violence. A 2008 study found that exposure to media violence is not even a predictor of youth aggression compared to the factors above, suggesting that the correlation between youth aggression and media violence is not necessarily the causation. Furthermore, longitudinal and cross-national studies yielded more non-supportive results over supportive results. A recent analysis of the data for youth sexuality and the initiation of sexual intercourse concluded that exposure to sexy media may not actually exert any significant impact compared with other well-established factors such as parental permissiveness and having sexually active peers.
Polis kesal orang ramai kurang kerjasama
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 12:57 PM PDT
Mohd Jasmani menunjukkan borang yang diedarkan kepada orang ramai setiap kali menjelang cuti sempena hari perayaan.
(Sinar Harian) - Sambutan dingin dan kurangnya kerjasama orang ramai terhadap usaha polis membanteras kejadian curi dan pecah rumah di daerah ini dikesalkan.Ketua Polis Daerah Kuantan, Asisten Komisioner Mohd Jasmani Yusof berkata, beliau secara peribadi kesal dengan sambutan diberikan sedangkan pihaknya bersungguh-sungguh cuba melindungi harta dan rumah penduduk daripada menjadi mangsa penjenayah.
Menurutnya, lebih dikesalkan apabila kejadian curi atau pecah rumah berlaku, pihak polis yang dipersalahkan kononnya 'tidak bekerja' dan lambat bertindak.
"Bagi saya perkara ini berlaku bukan disebabkan kurang maklumat sebaliknya lebih kepada sikap segelintir masyarakat yang ambil lewa terhadap keselamatan harta benda masing-masing," katanya di sini, semalam.
Mohd Jasmani berkata, pengenalan borang balik kampung yang diperkenal sejak beberapa tahun lalu terbukti berkesan apabila rumah yang ditinggalkan di bawah pengetahuan pihak polis selamat.
"Kita memberi perkhidmatan secara percuma untuk masyarakat namun peluang yang diberikan itu langsung tidak dimanfaatkan," katanya.
Beliau berkata, daripada lebih 3,000 borang diedarkan, hanya 168 atau kira-kira enam peratus yang mengembalikan dengan maklumat lengkap.
"Kita mengadakan perjumpaan dengan pelbagai pihak termasuk Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) institusi kewangan, pusat perniagaan dan sebagainya namun maklum balas berhubung perkara ini tetap mengecewakan.
"Kita tidak menganggap sambutan dingin masyarakat sebagai kegagalan usaha yang dijalankan ini sebaliknya akan pengagihan borang itu akan diteruskan setiap kali menjelang perayaan utama," katanya.
Menurut Mohd Jasmani, pihaknya akan melipat gandakan usaha dalam menyedarkan masyarakat terhadap usaha itu termasuk mengadakan kempen berterusan di sekolah, agensi kerajaan, swasta dan NGO.
Christian Church opens doors to Muslims
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 12:39 PM PDT
St John's Episcopal Church has opened its doors to Muslims for Friday prayers
(BBC) - Reverend Poobalan adds: ''I felt very distressed when I saw my neighbours praying out in the cold and I knew I needed to do something to help.''On a bitterly cold and snowing afternoon in Aberdeen, the doors of St John's Episcopal Church are open to hundreds of Muslim worshippers, arriving for daily prayers.
The familiar sounds of Christian hymns have been replaced with Islamic prayer in the chapel this Friday lunchtime and the church priest with the imam from the neighbouring mosque.
Muslims from the Syed Shah Mustafa Jame Masjid mosque next door share this church with Christian worshippers up to five times a day.
Church leaders believe this may be the only place in the country where Christian and Muslim worshippers pray side by side.
The rector at St John's has opened his doors to Muslims because there was not enough space for them to pray in their own mosque and many were forced to worship outside on the street.
The Reverend Isaac Poobalan, who grew up in Southern India surrounded by Islam, said he would not have been true to his faith if he did not help his neighbours.
"It was a very cold day, like today, and when I walked past the mosque I saw dozens of male worshippers praying outside, on the streets, right near the church.
Does Kuan Yew fear a Pakatan rule?
Posted: 13 Aug 2013 12:30 PM PDT
It is in Lee Kuan Yew's interest for BN to hold on to power forever as he has seen what Pakatan can do in Penang and Selangor, and this would challenge his Singapore.
He would most definitely not want Pakatan to helm the nation because he is shrewd enough to know that if Pakatan is the federal government, Malaysia can compete with Singapore and give the island nation a run for its money.
Selena Tay, FMT columnistLee Kuan Yew in his new book 'One Man's View of the World' has described Pakatan Rakyat (PR) as "an opportunistic and ad hoc group not held together by even a vaguely coherent set of ideas but by a common desire to unseat the government" (as reported in an English daily on Aug 8).
He is absolutely wrong as all of Pakatan's three component parties are championing the cause of good governance and that is the main ideology that holds the opposition coalition together.
Lee of course would love Barisan Nasional to go on controlling Malaysia so that Singapore can surge ahead in terms of economic prosperity. As long as BN is in power, Malaysia cannot hope to catch up with Singapore. Therefore Lee is certainly a great fan of BN.
This columnist's Singaporean cousin who was in Malaysia for an aunt's 80th birthday dinner last September had made this insulting remark about Malaysia:
"As long as BN continues winning general elections, I am very happy. With BN at the helm, you guys can only chase after the dust we left behind."
Another Malaysian cousin of mine defended Malaysia by saying that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and ETP (Economic Transformation Programme) can challenge Singapore but this Singaporean cousin only laughed it off.
Thus Lee's remark talking bad about Pakatan is certainly a great boost to BN. Many Singaporeans think that Malaysia is far behind Singapore in terms of economic progress.
Singaporeans brag that many Malaysians find greener pastures in the republic especially in terms of jobs and education.
This columnist's friend who works in Singapore but stays in Johor is earning well and benefiting from the cheaper cost of living in Johor although he mentioned that he had to face the daily hassle of travelling across the causeway to his workplace.
Lee prides himself on building Singapore to what it is today and it is in his interest for BN to hold on to power forever as he has seen what Pakatan can do in Penang and Selangor.
|You are subscribed to email updates from Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.
|Email delivery powered by Google
|Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610


text:
Exclusive nanoGel technology will change the way women
purchase and wear high heels
Atlanta, GA, August 11, 2014. UKIES is excited to introduce its new women's shoe
line with patented nanoGel technology
providing exceptional, unique comfort in classic women's heels.
Customers will immediately notice the difference when they slip on their
UKIES. These timeless styles are
at a price point currently
under served in the market, and UKIES new technology now provides
the opportunity to deliver your customers a unique level of comfort never before felt in high
UKIES was born from a very
specific question, from a very specific problem that busy women all over the
world asked: Why must a stylish pair of heels hurt my feet? Why must I make a
trade-off between comfort and style? Kavita Khaitan believed that she and her husband
Umaesh Khaitan could use Umaesh's years of experience and success in engineering
and manufacturing, along with Kavita's sense of style and design, to reinvent
heels and the experience of wearing heels.
"We believe women should
never have to choose between looking great and feeling great", said UKIES
founder Umaesh Khaitan. "Our initial product line provides customers with a
differentiated, timeless heel that meets the needs of women everywhere."
"Why should a woman not enjoy
the feeling, benefit, and style of looking great in their heels, without
feeling like they can't wait to take them off? What if they can look great and
actually choose to keep their heels on? This is what we have created here,"
said Kavita Khatain.
Welcome to the world of
About UKIES:
UKIES has paired timeless
elegance with ultra-comfort through a patented nanoGel technology. The materials
used in each pair of UKIES reflect our commitment to deliver the very best
technology, design and materials in every pair of shoes. UKIES is passionate
about delivering a solution to help women look good, feel good, and project
that feeling outward. For more information about our story and products, please
visit our website at www.ukies.com and
follow us on twitter @ukiesllc
# # #
Remember Me
8/17/2018 » 8/19/2018Northwest Shoe Travelers Market
8/19/2018 » 8/21/2018Toronto Shoe Show
8/19/2018 » 8/21/2018Atlanta Shoe Market
8/20/2018NSRA Retail Training Workshop
8/22/2018 » 8/23/2018Chicago Shoe Market

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Business Valuation in Collaborative Divorce: Best practices with the professional team and the divorcing parties
David Goodman, CPA, a Collaborative practitioner with expertise in business valuations and forensic accounting, will discuss his work as a neutral in valuing a business in which a divorcing party has an interest, noting what works best and what to watch out for.
Usually meets the 4th Tuesday of each month
Bring your lunch, water will be provided
Email Joan Atkinson for more info . . .
May 23, 2017 12:00 PM through 1:30 PM
80 William Street
Fields and Dennis
Suite 210
Wellesley, MA 02481
United States
Fields and Dennis
Suite 210
Wellesley, MA 02481
United States


text:
Ever had that assignment, to read a "how to" book? Real life nine year old Alec Greven took the assignment one step further and wrote How to Talk to Girls. How do you get a girl to like you? You may be surprised at what impresses girls and what doesn't. You may even have second thoughts on what to say and not to say. Alec has all the answers!
Book read by Loreen S., Youth Assistant


text:
> As good as vdrportal is as a VDR resource, the language barrier _is_ a problem for english speakers.
Same with this mailing list for german speakers ... and now? > or feeling like a welcome visitor/member A little tale, if I'm in the US, I have to speak english all time. If my US friends do visit me or colleagues are staying in Germany, I also have to speak english all the time. They don't even try to speak my/our language while staying in Germany. And hey, don't think they ever welcomed me in german language ... ^^ This is just a chicken-and-egg problem, you all don't try to use it, so no information is collected or any kind of community will be set up. There is an rarly used international part, but if somebody does ask in english, she/he gets an answer in english, wherever postet. Time and patience could solve a lot, even losing shyness of nativ german speakers to answer in english, but this up to you all ... Unfortunately the search function of vdr-portal sucks IMHO, so in all languages, better use google w/ "site:vdr-portal.de what-you-search-for". === Kind regards fnu _______________________________________________ vdr mailing list firstname.lastname@example.com http://www.linuxtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/vdr


text:
Extraction (2015)
Extraction (2015) Full Movie Watch online Free at Moviezmania, Watch Free movies online and Download Movies online free, Extraction (2015) Putlocker, Extraction (2015) Megashare9
Extraction (2015) Plot: A former CIA operative is kidnapped by a group of terrorist. When his son learns there is no plan for his father to be saved, he launches his own rescue operation.
Director: Steven C. Miller
Writers: Max Adams, Umair Aleem
Stars: Bruce Willis, Gina Carano, Kellan Lutz


text:
TUKWILA, Washington — The Seattle Sounders FC traded designated player and two-time MLS All-Star Freddie Ljungberg to the Chicago Fire on Friday for a conditional pick in either the 2011 or 2012 SuperDraft.
The Sounders quietly announced they had parted with the fading 33-year-old Swedish star in a team statement.
Ljungberg hadn't practiced with the Sounders for weeks while he rehabilitated an ankle injury on his own. His muted exit from Seattle for a draft choice is the opposite of his ballyhooed entrance to the city and the MLS in October 2008.
That month, the former championship-winning star for Arsenal in England's Premier League became expansion Seattle's first designated player in a glitzy announcement. His signing was seen as the latest coup for the upstart American league.
Ljungberg then finished fourth in MLS with nine assists in the Sounders' inaugural season in 2009.
But he's been mostly a non-factor this season. He had three assists in 15 games while the Sounders struggled. He hasn't played since July 4, and his Seattle contract was set to expire in November.
Ljungberg had been Seattle's highest-paid player at $1.3 million this season. He irritated some teammates during preseason training by showing up late, saying he was waiting for the league's labor dispute to be settled before joining the squad. He also drew some criticism from Sounders coach Sigi Schmid earlier this season for spending too much time complaining to officials.
"Freddie is a tremendous individual and an exceptional player who contributed greatly to the huge success of Sounders FC, both on and off the field, in the past year and a half," Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer said in the statement. "Freddie, along with Kasey Keller, gave this club immediate stature in the world's game, and we are grateful for his service. We wish him all the best in Chicago."
The Sounders may see Ljungberg again soon. The Fire will visit Seattle on Aug. 28.
"I want to start off by saying how proud I am to have been part of the most successful new franchise in MLS history, the Seattle Sounders FC," Ljungberg was quoted as saying in the statement, referring to Seattle regularly drawing MLS crowds of 30,000-plus since it began play. "I didn't know exactly what to expect when I first came to Seattle but I have to say that how the city and the fans have embraced me has gone beyond my wildest dreams and for that I am forever grateful.
"I also want to thank my teammates who are absolutely great on and off the pitch. I have made some very close friends who I know I will be in contact with forever."
The Sounders added new midfielder Alvaro Fernandez to the active roster. The 24-year-old, who played for Uruguay at the recent World Cup, was acquired on Thursday. He has received his international transfer paperwork and is eligible to play for Seattle on Saturday night at San Jose.
Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.


text:
Applying for the BA in English at UCL is competitive. We receive over 1000
applications a year, and aim to make around 200-220 offers.
We assess applications by looking very carefully
at the UCAS Form, including GCSE grades, and A Level
predictions (or equivalents), the tutors' reference, and the UCAS Personal
Statement. We then shortlist the strongest candidates. Most shortlisted candidates are then invited
to interview at UCL, where applicants talk to tutors for around twenty minutes
and then write a short essay. We then make our final decisions based on a
combination of all of the above criteria. In some cases, students receive offers without being interviewed.
Given the large number of applications, it is unfortunately not possible for us to interview every candidate who is predicted our A Level requirements of AAA or equivalent. We therefore place considerable weight on the UCAS Personal Statement when deciding who to invite for interview.
In total, we normally shortlist around 400 applicants.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview should not worry- the interview is not intended to be combative or stressful! This is primarily an opportunity for tutors to find out a little more about you and your reading interests, and although your tutors will seek to push you a little bit, and ask some academically searching questions, this is more an opportunity for you to talk about texts you enjoy and that you've been studying at school than a test of your wider knowledge. The best preparation for the interview is simply to:
- Revise what you have been studying at school
- Make sure you have been reading in your spare time in the run up to the interview
- Try not to worry about it!
After the interview- which will take place with two tutors- you will then be given a short piece of poetry or prose, and will have forty minutes to write a short essay, highlighting everything that you find interesting or noteworthy in the text. Do let us know if you normally have any special circumstances in exams- extra time, or the use of a laptop- as we should be able to accommodate these.
In total, shortlisted candidates can expect to spend around an hour and a half at UCL.
After an interview, we normally aim to give shortlisted candidates a final decision on their application within two weeks, although unfortunately this may occasionally be longer at the busiest times of the year.
Candidates applying from overseas
Overseas candidates are not expected to come to interview. If shortlisted, overseas students will be sent a short questionnaire, which asks many of the same questions that an interview would, and you will also be sent a piece of poetry or prose to comment on as well (again, as if you had come for an interview in person). There is no particular difference in application success rates between candidates who come to interview in person, and those who complete this questionnaire.
UK students who are currently out of the country, perhaps as part of a gap year, will also have the option of submitting this written exercise rather than coming to interview in person.
Further Information
Additional information, including international entry requirements, can be found on the BA English prospectus page.
If you have any further questions about the application process, or about anything else UCL-related, please email Dr Clare Stainthorp, the Admissions Officer: email@example.com


text:
Game key Giveaways on #twitch
Hi All. Just a quick post to let you all know that I will be doing some giveaways on my Twitch channel. Individually purchased (at today's prices) on Steam these will cost over £42 combined. I know the games aren't the latest AAA titles but if anyone wants to donate so I can buy some… Read More Game key Giveaways on #twitch


text:
200g pack Waitrose Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips
170ml tub essential Waitrose Soured Cream
200g tub Waitrose Vine Ripened Tomato Salsa
25g fresh jalapeno peppers, roughly chopped
75g essential Waitrose Cheddar Cheese, grated
Mexican tortilla melt
- Total time: Ready in 10 minutes
Serves: 4
200g pack Waitrose Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips
1. Place the tortillas on a large ovenproof dish. Top evenly with spoonfuls of the soured cream and salsa, scatter over the jalapenos then the cheese.
2. Place under a preheated grill for 1–2 minutes until melted. Serve straight away with chilli con carne or as a snack.


text:
From furniture to flatware, all orders over $49.00 ship free* 2-Day Delivery on Best Sellers
Enjoy 2-day delivery on more than 480,000 items $4.99 Shipping Under $49.00...For orders that don't qualify for free shipping, it's just $4.99
This Sheltered Hector Coir Coco Rubber Doormat features a richly squared design with a unique coir patch that allows guests to wipe off grime and dirt from their shoes before entering your home. Widel.. See Full Details »
Delivery Estimates : Enter your shipping zip or postal code to calculate shipping estimates Get Delivery Estimate
We want you to love it. If you don't, you may return your purchase within 30 days of delivery. All you need to do is visit our Self-Service Return Center for instructions. Return credits are issued within 24 hours once the item is received and inspected. Please note that shipping charges are non-refundable. The cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund. Read More
Today consumers are trying to find actual deals and they also cannot be fooled. If the net shopping provides value, quality, after sale support, timely delivery and reasonable deals folks are willing to invest. Shopping out of this page provides you all what you want to make your shopping easy, affordable and tension free. If you have wasted hours trying to find Sheltered Hector Coir Coco Rubber Doormat then don't waste anymore single minute. Shop for Sheltered Hector Coir Coco Rubber Doormat at best price from this level and get delivery at the door step. Keep yourself tension free as you will likely be delivered best quality Sheltered Hector Coir Coco Rubber Doormat at best price. Your luck can even help save shipping charges.
|Liza Brown/Ivory Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug Rug Size: Rectangle 5'3" x 7'6"
|$ 122.99
|Royal Zeigler Hand-Knotted Beige/Gray Area Rug Rug Size: 3' x 5'
|$ 569.99
|Talmo Hand-Hooked Red/Brown Area Rug Rug Size: Runner 2'6" x 10'
|$ 135.99
|Lilac Novelty Rug Rug Size: Round 3'
|$ 66.99
|Ottawa Beige Area Rug Rug Size: Rectangle 5'3" x 7'3"
|$ 162.99
|Victorine Slash Modern Bohemian Blue Area Rug Rug Size: Rectangle 5'6" x 8'6"
|$ 222.99
|Bergama Rug Rug Size: Rectangle 4' x 6'
|$ 179.99
|One-of-a-Kind Beni Ourain Moroccan Hand-Knotted Wool Cream Area Rug
|$ 1799.99
|Roshan Multi Area Rug Rug Size: Rectangle 5' x 8'
|$ 99.99
|Innovation Tobacco Wabi Area Rug Rug Size: Rectangle 2'8" x 3'10"
|$ 57.24
Tell us what you think! Tell us what you think about this product.Read and Write


text:
6x32mm Ceramic Fuses 440V-500V Slow Acting (3AB)
Slow Acting 440V to 500V.
- FREE express shipping to anywhere in Australia for orders over AU$ 99.00.
- Goods can be exchanged* within 7 days.
- On-line freight tracking of your parcel.
- Same day dispatch of orders received before 3pm AEST.
- Read more about... Australian orders or International orders.
Add products: You can add multiple products to the cart by typing a quantity for each product, then click add to cart button.
Modify product: You can change the quantity of any product already in your cart, then click add to cart button.
Remove products: Simply change the quanity to 0, then click add to cart button.
Ordering Information
Order Multiple: An order multiple of 100 means the product must be ordered in multiples of 100 pieces ie. 100, 200, 300 etc. It is not the pack quantity.
Pricing Each: All prices are for 1 piece (each) and listed in Australian Dollars (AU$) including GST. (GST is deducted from international orders at checkout).
Stock Quantity:Stock quantities are updated daily but subject to prior sales, please contact us if there is not enough stock to complete your order.
Order Quantity:Type in the quantity you require ie. 100, 200, 300 etc.
Specifications: *Specifications may vary, please check product datasheet before ordering.
Disclaimer:All information on this website is subject to the terms of our disclaimer notice.


text:
Originally from the Washington D.C. area and it was tough all those years following the Bullets/Wizards. I'm a huge NBA fan and generally just follow the major story lines for the league in general. Looking forward to some good National TV games today.
The Jordan comparisons do get a bit tiresome. They'll never end if he manages to get a 6th ring, haha. I can understand some of the comparisons insofar as his game is modeled so much after Jordan's, his work ethic, and just his overall determination. Other than that, I do agree, Jordan is just on another level.
Looking forward to the Heat-Lakers game later today.
^The Heat-Lakers game should be exciting. Looking forward to the Clippers-Rockets game, too.
The best part of this compressed schedule is that there is a compelling game on almost every night of the week. I've watched a lot less college basketball this year because it always seems like there is a better NBA matchup on.
What a great Knicks-Celtics game. Rondo with a monster game, he didn't shoot well but 20 assists and 17 rebounds for a PG? Damn.
Rondo is one of those special, special point guards who is always going to know how to get himself to the ball, I think. You see these little guys who pull down all of these rebounds, and it makes me think they "get it" more than most. Evan Turner could be another one of those guys, he's putting up some great numbers in that department lately. I too, was a Knicks fan for most of my life and I really just finally jumped ship with the Carmelo Anthony deal; couldn't get behind it. I loved the team they were building before they blew it up (Felton, Chandler, Gallinari). So now I've moved to Philadelphia and am thinking about investing some time in the Sixers.
I hear ya, like I said before, I really never liked Carmelo Anthony as a player and they gave up way too much just for him. That said, they're playing pretty well under Woodson's style of defense and I think they're poised to make the postseason a little more interesting in the East. They have way too much talent on their roster.
One thing I love about Rondo is that he's got a big heart, and it shows in his game.
Oh man, absolutely; I thought it was amazing when I think he dislocated his elbow? And kept playing through it against the Heat in that playoff series, that was kind of nuts. And really inspiring. And agree about the Knicks in Woodson's system, it's so interesting how up and down they've been. And it looks like the Jeremy Lin craze has cooled off finally, but that was such a great story too.


text:
[IMGCAP(1)]Today's small business owners are more discerning when it comes to choosing an accountant. Not only do they have a better understanding of their finances, but the online world lets them shop around for the firm that best suits their needs.
These changes affecting the accounting industry are not only unstoppable, but provide an opportunity for accountants to be more strategic in growing their firm and its profitability.
At next-generation CPA firm Blumer and Associates, we're becoming a lot more profitable by changing the way we work with our clients. Here are some things we've done to become more strategic:
Deepening our niche
The Internet helps you deepen your niche by making geography redundant. Creatives are our niche. We're experts at helping businesses like ad agencies, graphic designers and copywriters.
Thanks to Skype, Google Docs, Xero and other online applications, we're able to work with creatives from all over the world. Our potential client base has become orders of magnitude larger, we've developed more expertise, and we're shielded from regional economic downturns.
We know we're the best accountants for creative businesses. We also know that we're not the best accountants for grocery store owners or mechanics. By deepening our niche, we've been able to become more selective with who we work with. We refer unsuitable clients to other accounting firms, and they do the same for us.
Going beyond tax season
I guarantee there's someone out there who will charge less than you do to prepare taxes. We rise above by complementing tax preparation with business consulting services. It's more profitable and far more fun than getting involved in a race to the bottom.
One example is the coaching we offer clients in creative industries. We meet with them once a month and help with things like pricing, client selection and effective marketing. As their accountants, we know their businesses inside and out, making us the best people to give relevant advice that they can apply today.
Services like this set us apart from other accountants. Our clients now see us as a key part of their business and a key driver in its growth. What's more, they're happy to pay more for these services than they would for tax preparation. After all, they're getting way more value out of it!
So there's no need to eliminate tax preparation. But for strategic accountants, it's the foundation for more exciting and profitable extra services.
Getting rid of hourly rates
Here's a newsflash: your clients don't care how much time you spend working on their accounts. All they care about is how much they owe you and whether they're getting their money's worth.
That's why you need to use fixed-price agreements. Fixed prices are relevant to their world—clients pay for the amount of value you deliver, not the amount of time you spend delivering it. Compare this to hourly billing, which treats every client as a drain on your time, energy and resources.
Fixed fees focus your firm on the client. What we do is sit down with our clients before we do any work and agree on what we'll do for them and how much it will cost. They get something that is directly relevant to their business, and the price they pay is directly relevant to the value we add.
Finally, fixed fees make us more attractive to our clients because there are never any surprises. They pay the fee they agreed on. No more, no less.
Creating software solutions
Lots of online applications can talk to one another, so we choose the exact set of software our clients need. An online retailer can get cloud e-commerce and accounting software, while a brick and mortar retailer can get accounting, point of sale and payroll software.
This approach also applies to the cloud software we use to run our practice. It's a huge improvement on the software suites the Big Four offer, which put us in the unenviable position of choosing between spending too much and getting a bunch of stuff we don't need or not spending enough and missing out on what we do need.
Being the practice owner
As the owner of an accounting firm, you're more than an accountant – you're an entrepreneur. You might do some of the technical stuff, but your real value is in your ability to create long-term strategies,
Staff is key. You've got to find ways to empower them. We've removed all barriers from out team in serving our clients by removing dress codes, office hours, required work locations, employment agreements and boring annual reviews.
Your relationship with your clients is just as important. This doesn't always mean face-to-face time (although a coffee with a client never hurt). Give them a call with some proactive advice; email them articles that are relevant to their business.
Becoming a coach
Want to become more strategic? Become a coach. Coaching is all about asking the right questions of your team and your clients. Help them see why they are growing, what they are passionate about, and how they set their prices. Ask your clients to explain their full process on serving their customers and then listen. Listen for situations where your client is giving value to their customer and then try to discover new ways to add additional value while also adding to your bottom line. When you become strategic and add more value, then you get to raise your prices, too. Your client is happy, and you are happy!
Jason Blumer is owner of Blumer & Associates and an accountant in Xero's network, provider of online accounting software for small businesses.


text:
When looking at possible paratransit options, use this checklist to keep careful notes for each service you call, both about basic services offered and about whether the company can cover any special needs.
Basic services
What's your service area?
Are there eligibility criteria such as age or physical or cognitive disability?
How much does service cost?
Are donations accepted instead of fees?
- If so, are there general guidelines as to amounts?
How much advance notice is required to secure service?
Is it necessary to preregister passengers for the service?
- If so, how?
Is there a cancellation policy with time limits or charges imposed?
Special needs
How much assistance does the driver provide with:
Helping passengers into and out of the vehicle?
Ensuring passengers get safely from door to door?
Assisting with packages?
Are special arrangements needed for those who use wheelchairs or scooters?
Can an aide or companion ride along?
- If so, is there a charge for those who do?


text:
This profile is no longer listed in the FindAPhD
database and may not be available.
The School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR) at Kent is one of the leading and largest research centres for social science in the UK and Europe. Research is a vital part of the activities of our School, which is one of the four top institutions of its kind in the UK as ranked by both the 2001 and 2008 Research Assessment Exercises and more recently by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF). REF ranked the School 2nd for research power in the UK, 3rd for research intensity, 5th for research impact and 5th for research quality (GPA).
The School offers an unrivalled European context in which to study for a PhD in the social sciences. We are a member of the prestigious South East Economic and Social Research Council Doctoral Training Centre (SEDTC) and are one of the partner universities delivering the elite European Union Erasmus Mundus Doctorate in Cultural and Global Criminology (DCGC).
We have a thriving postgraduate community of over 200 students and offer a large and diverse range of professional development opportunities. Current postgraduate students are conducting research in a wide range of topics. Profiles of our current postgraduate research students can be found here.
Research students have access to work space with computing facilities and where appropriate, research students may also teach part-time within the School. Our weekly postgraduate research seminars featuring external speakers, further broadens our students' access to the latest research and knowledge.
Our research expertise
We offer a range of social science research degrees which benefit from the multidisciplinary nature of our staff expertise. The School also encompasses the following renowned research centres and benefits from their global research networks and specialisms:
Centre for Child Protection
Centre for Health Services Studies
Centre for Parenting Culture Studies
Centre for Philanthropy
Personal Social Services Research Unit
Q-Step Centre
Tizard Centre
Our PhD programmes
Applied Psychology
Community Care
Doctorate in Cultural and Global Criminology
Environmental Social Science
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Medicine and Health Sciences
Mental Health
Migration Studies
Personal Social Services
Social Policy
Social Work
Urban Studies
Scholarships available
Each year we also offer a number of PhD scholarships, full information and application details are available on our website. A summary of what is currently available follows:
Vice Chancellor's Scholarships
Up to five scholarship are available for entry in September/October 2016. Eligible PhD degrees are:
• Applied Psychology
• Community Care
• Criminology
• Environmental Social Science
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Mental Health
• Migration Studies
• Social Policy
• Social Work
• Sociology
For more details and information regarding the application procedure and eligibility, please visit our website.
Health Services Research Studentship
The Centre for Health Services Research is offering a PhD studentship for research into health services and evaluation.
For more details and information regarding the application procedure and eligibility, please visit our website.
Quantitative Social Science PhD Scholarship
One PhD studentship is available for an applicant undertaking a PhD with a substantive qualitative element in one of the following areas:
• Sociology
• Social Policy
• Criminology
For more details and information regarding the application procedure and eligibility, please visit our website.
Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.
FTE Category A staff submitted: 54.58
Research output data provided by the Research Excellence Framework (REF)Click here to see the results for all UK universities


text:
Over the next two days, the New Orleans City Council will consider plans to rachet up the rates that Sewerage & Water Board customers pay, possibly reaching a decision that will put the lurching, months-long process to rest -- unless Councilwoman Stacy Head and a government watchdog group can convince Head's fellow council members otherwise.
Asking for more time to publicly discuss a $583 million proposal that would double average sewer and water rates over the next eight years, Head and the Bureau of Governmental Research want to delay the council's final vote, scheduled for Thursday. But backers of the rate hike, including Mayor Mitch Landrieu and S&WB president pro-tem Ray Manning, have said further delays will only harm the cash-strapped agency and its failing network of pipes and pump stations.
"Delay is exactly what got us into this situation in the first place," Manning said. "The time to act is now."
Advisory groups and city and S&WB officials have bandied about rate hikes since 2009, seeking a way to pay for a $3.3 billion rebuilding of the city's water and sewer infrastructure and sell the increases to a skeptical public. In July, Landrieu requested the S&WB postpone any final vote on a plan in order to reduce the hit to ratepayers' wallets after a $200 million injection of federal money came in through FEMA and hazard mitigation grants.
As a regulatory body, the council has final say over any rate hikes. The water board sent a final plan to its members on Nov. 14. Under it, the average monthly residential water and sewer bill would climb from $52.50 in 2012 to $112.54 in 2020, according to a formula recounted by S&WB spokesman Robert Jackson. The new rates, which come in 10 percent bumps each year, would start being phased in Jan. 1 if the council approves them Thursday.
Tied to the rate increases are plans to revamp the board's membership. The latest proposal would eliminate a mayoral appointment and three council seats from the 13-member board. Terms would be reduced from nine years to six, and a member couldn't serve for more than 12 years.
On Friday, Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson scheduled a special meeting of the council's Budget Committee for Wednesday to discuss the rate hikes. With the final vote scheduled a day later, Head cried foul, saying there wasn't enough time to vet the latest proposal at a public hearing.
"This vote is premature, and I see no reason to rush it to conclusion in the next four days," she wrote in a statement. "I have requested a deferral on this ordinance to no avail. This is against typical council protocol as deferrals are commonplace -- particularly with an issue of this magnitude -- and the result will be to avoid meaningful public engagement."
Head's view was shared by the Bureau of Governmental Research, which had made recommendations on the rate increases and the makeup of the S&WB.
"The public doesn't know that the council is considering doubling their rates on Thursday," BGR Executive Director Janet Howard said. "My recommendation would be that they not act on this Thursday, but have a proper and adequate notice of a (public) hearing."
Clarkson didn't return messages seeking comment, but her office said she planned to issue a statement Wednesday before the Budget Committee meeting. Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer, who serves with Head on the S&WB, recalled several public meetings and discussions about the rate hikes among city and water board officials during the past two years. She said she wanted to see a schedule for implementing the proposed reforms to the S&WB and the annual rate calculations, but added that she wasn't against considering the full plan this week.
"I think in a perfect world, we should have a lot of time to do a lot of things," she said. "But this is not a new issue."
Landrieu spokesman Ryan Berni agreed, citing a long history of water board meetings and public hearings on various rate hike proposals. While a public hearing hasn't been called to discuss the plan's latest permutation, Berni said the plan's fundamental merits haven't changed.
Beyond paying for capital projects, S&WB officials have also argued that the infusion of new money is essential to meet the deadlines of a 14-year-old consent decree to fix the city's sewer system and to pay the water board's debt. The Landrieu administration is in talks with the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Justice Department to extend the 2013 deadline for sewer repairs in the Lower 9th Ward and eastern New Orleans for at least another five years.
"The financial side of the Sewerage & Water Board is in a crisis, and delay is what got us there in large part," Berni said. "We've done the work over the past two years to reduce the burden as much as possible on ratepayers."
Thursday could be the last chance the current council has to vote on the rate hike. Two new council members will be elected Saturday, throwing doubt on whether proponents of the rate increase will have the majority needed to pass it. The District B and District E races are special elections to fill vacant seats, a scenario that lets candidates take their place on the dais as soon as the final votes are verified by the state.
The two candidates heading for a runoff vote in District E, attorney James Gray and State Rep. Austin Badon, both said they were against a rate increase during a television debate on Sunday. Gray said he wouldn't support any hike until the Sewage & Water Board is brought "under supervision of the City Council," although he didn't specify what he meant by "supervision." Badon said flatly, "You have to find another way, you can't continue to put this on the backs of the people of New Orleans."
In the District B runoff, both candidates came out against the rate increases.
"I could not support the rate increase at any level, or any increase without additional information and additional input from the public," said juvenile justice advocate Dana Kaplan -- who is backed by Landrieu .
Broadmoor community organizer LaToya Cantrell, who has been endorsed by Head, has agreed.
"I'm not in favor of any rate increase at this time because there is, as we know, inefficiency and very little accountability," Cantrell said during a recent interview on WDSU. "And although these reform measures are being put in place, hopefully we will see them come to fruition, and when we do, I think I would be more comfortable with considering a rate increase."


text:
This section contains 521 words
(approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page)
Burkett, B. G., Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation Was Robbed of Its Heroes and Its History, Verity Press, 1998.
Burkett, a Vietnam veteran and reporter, was featured on the newsmagazine show "20/20" for this un-flinching look at the ways in which Vietnam veterans have been misunderstood, in part due to the actions of some who have tarnished the image of this generation. Exhaustively researched, the book helps to set the record straight about a very painful time in American history.
Eisenhower, John S. D., So Far from God: The U.S. War with Mexico, 1846-1848, University of Oklahoma Press, 2000.
Eisenhower's in-depth history of the Mexican War offers depictions of the major military leaders from the United States, some of whom featured prominently in the Civil War two decades later. The book also views the war in its historical context, addressing the different American viewpoints of those in...
This section contains 521 words
(approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page)


text:
1. Why are marketers interested in the level of disposable income?
a) it accurately represents future buying power
b) it increases current buying power
c) it is what is left after taxes to buy luxuries with
d) it is a ready source of buying power
e) None of these
2. Which of the following companies would probably be most interested in tracking discretionary income levels?
a) Asda Supermarkets b) BMW automobiles c) The Post Office
d) Kraft General Foods e) None of these
3. What type of competitive structure exists when a firm produces a product that has no close substitute?
a) Monopoly b) Oligopoly c) Monopolistic Competition d) Perfect Competition
e) None of these
4. In the beer industry, a few large brewers supply the majority of the market. The brewing industry is an example of which of the following competitive structures?
a) Monopoly b) Oligopoly c) Monopolistic Competition d) Perfect Competition
d) None of these
5. Which of the following firms would most likely have a monopoly for its competitive environment?
a) Sunset Cablevision b) Montgomery Transport
c) Post Office Parcel Services d) Telecom Car Phones
e) None of these
6. Essex Office Products has decided to use a particular competitive tool that it feels will have a major impact. Its consultant, Dr. Bell, contends that this particular approach is the one most easily copied by the firm's competitors. The tool in question is
a) price b) market segmentation c) distribution d) promotion
e) None of these
7. A small hardware store whose only competitor is a huge discount store would be least likely to use which competitive tool?
a) services b) price c) product offering d) distribution
e) None of these
8. Technology assessment is
a) assessing how much technology has been incorporated into an organization
b) trying to foresee the effects of new products and processes on a firm's operation and on society in general
c) assessing how much technology one wants to put into a company in the future
d) assessing the cost of new technology to determine whether a firm can afford to use it
e) None of these
9. When Bell Laboratories attempts to anticipate the effect of new products and processes on its own innovations, other business organizations, and society in general, it is engaging in
a) product differentiation b) monopolistic competition
c) technology assessment d) innovative marketing
e) None of these
10. If VIDEOCON developed a new technology that made 3-D imagery possible through the use of videotape played on an advanced television set, it would be more likely to market this innovation if it could obtain a
a) competitive advancement b) patent c) low price advantage
d) technological assessment e) None of these
11. USA Chemicals president is very excited about the possibility of the firm's British subsidiary having access to the entire EU. He realizes that it will be some time before this area truly becomes one market, primarily because of differences in
a) Available advertising media b) culture c) law d) technology
e) None of these
12. Countries in the Pacific Rim encompass _______ of the world's population
a) 40% b) 50% c) 60% d) 70% e) None of these
13. The lowest level of commitment to international marketing, and also the most flexible approach is
a) a joint venture b) direct ownership c) exporting
d) licensing e) None of these
14. Export agents
a) bring buyers and sellers from different countries together and collect a commission for arranging sales
b) purchase products from different companies and sell them to foreign countries
c) are specialists at understanding the needs of customers in foreign countries
d) arrange for licensing agreements between domestic and foreign countries
e) None of these
15. Cuisinart Corporation owns the Spalding name but does to produce a single golf club or tennis ball. This arrangement could indicate what type of organizational structure for international marketing?
a) exporting b) trading c) joint venture d) licensing
e) None of these
16. Nuhitzu believes it has the technological expertise to produce communication systems that will be the leaders around the globe. Boston Electronics is widely regarded as having excellent management systems and superior marketing programme. The two might form ________ to work together on a worldwide basis.
a) a licensing agreement b) an export trading company c) a joint agreement
d) a strategic alliance e) None of these
17. Once a company makes a long term commitment to a foreign market that has a promising political and economic environment, what becomes a possibility?
a) Exporting b) Joint Venture c) Limited exporting
d) Direct ownership e) None of these
18. ICI has subsidiaries in many countries. ICI is
a) an exporter b) a licensing company c) a trading company
d) a multinational company e) None of these
19. Body Shop and Benetton are examples of companies which has employed _______ as a market entry strategy
a) franchising b) exporting c) Joint Ventures d) licensing
e) None of these
20. Which approach to international marketing involves least risk and minimum effort?
a) licensing b) exporting c) franchising d) joint venturing
e) None of these
21. The difference between a voluntary chain and a retail cooperative is
a) only one does group buying b) in the merchandising and promotional aspects
c) one is independent, the other is not d) there is no difference
e) none of these
22. The concept under which a company carefully coordinates its many communication channels to deliver a clear, consistent, and compelling message about the organization and its product is called
a) integrated direct marketing b) the marketing mix
c) direct marketing communication d) integrated marketing communications
e) none of these
23. Which of the following factors should be considered when setting the advertising budget
a) stage in the product life cycle b) market share
c) product features d) (1) and (2) e) None of these
24. Low competition, high repeat exposure, and low cost are advantages of which type of media?
a) magazines b) news paper c) television d) outdoor
e) None of these
25. Which consumer promotion tool consists of certificates that give buyers and saving when they purchase specified products?
a) samples b) cash funds c) sweepstakes
d) coupons e) none of these
26. Salespeople write their completed activities on ____
a) sales quota reports b) expense reports c) call reports
d) annual territory marketing plans e) None of these
27. The inside salesperson was screening out good leads from poor ones by contacting all prospects on the telephone. The inside salesperson is
a) follow-up b) closing c) prospecting d) approaching
e) None of these
28. Setting call objectives is done during this stage
a) preapproach b) follow-up c) approach d) presentation
e) none of these
29. The marketing manager was asked to update the sales force on direct marketing. She should explain that direct marketing is
a) one to one communication
b) used to match marketing offers to individual buyers of narrowly defined segments
c) another word for sophisticated direct mail programs
d) (1) and (2) e) None of these
30. A corporate website is designed to do all the following except
a) directly sell products b) build customer goodwill
c) respond to communications initiated by the consumer
d) indirectly sell company products e) none of these
31. Family life cycle is most likely to be based on:
a) buying power and gender b) geographic location and family size
c) marital status and age of children d) occupation and marital status
e) None of these
32. Zerex markets its radiator liquid as a coolant in Southern Europe and as an antifreeze in Northern Europe. Which of the following segmentation variables is in use here?
a) Demographic b) Psychographic c) Geographic
d) Life cycle e) None of these
33. The psychographic variable that includes numerous characteristics related to people's activities, interests and opinions is
a) motive b) social class c) personality d) lifestyle
e) None of these
34. Through marketing newsprint to newspaper publishers and glass manufacturers that use it in packaging. Consolidated Bathurst segments its market based on:
a) customer size b) psychographics c) demographics
d) use of product e) None of these
35. Marketers of Procter & Gamble products define markets on the basis of both volume usage of the product and annual family income. This is an example of which market segmentation approach?
a) homogeneous b) multisegement c) variable d) multivariable
e) None of these
36. A product's _____ is the place it occupies in the minds of consumers relative to competing brands
a) segment b) position c) attribute d) image e) None of these
37. If Pepsi and Coca-Cola were to use celebrities to challenge the taste of each others cola, this would be an example of _______________ positioning
a) direct b) focused c) head-on d) avoidance e) None of these
38. A product's position is defined by
a) the consumer b) the marketer c) the industry d) competitors
e) None of these
39. Campbell offers "Soup for One" to small households. In this instance, the firm is conducting segmentation based on:
a) income b) ethnicity c) taste d) family life cycle
e) none of these
40. By expanding its selection of cards for Grandparent's Day. Hallmark is responding to changes in which segmentation based on
a) Religion b) Family life cycle c) income d) Gender
e) None of these
41. If IBM was concerned about the interest rate it must pay in the next quarter to acquire needed financial resources, this concern would involve which one of the following
a) A marketing environment input b) Its marketing mix
c) Its marketing approach d) A marketing environment output
e) None of these
42. To effectively monitor changes in the marketing environment, marketers must engage in
a) Use of the marketing concept b) environmental scanning and analysis
c) information collection d) Marketing research
e) None of these
43. If Cadburys found a magazine article which provided key information on the television viewing habits of heavy buyers of chocolate, this would be an example of information obtained through environmental
a) scanning b) forces c) analysis d) management
e) None of these
44. Jenkins is a small retail chain in South Wales. When considering changes in its marketing strategy, the firm's management looks only at changes in shopper attitudes and spending patterns. With regard to responding to environmental forces Smith's approach can best be described as?
a) passive and proactive b) aggressive and proactive
c) dominant and proactive d) passive and reactive
e) none of these
45. Many marketers view political forces as
a) easily ignored b) easily influenced c) simple to recognize
d) beyond their control e) none of these
46. Which one of the following statements about self-regulatory programmes is FALSE?
a) they are usually less expensive than governmental ones
b) their guidelines are generally more realistic and operational
c) non-governmental ones have neither the tools nor the authority to enforce guidelines
d) the guidelines are generally stricter than governmental ones
e) none of these
47. Why is a high material standard of living simply not enough in society today?
a) people desire a variety of Intangible benefits from products
b) human beings never totally satisfy their desires
c) material goods are not for the purpose of happiness
d) people also desire a high degree of quality in their lives
e) None of these
48. Marketing strategy during a recession should include
a) a reduction in the number of sales personnel
b) a reduction in the expenditures for new product development
c) a reduction in advertising
d) promotional efforts that promote value and utility
e) none of these
49. If the Kellogg Company decides to build a new cereal plant because it anticipates the next five years will bring low unemployment and increases in buying power, it is forecasting a period of
a) depression b) prosperity c) recovery d) austerity
e) None of these
50. In a period of recovery, the best marketing strategy for Electrolux would be characterized by which of the following?
a) flexibility b) aggressiveness c) austerity d) retrenchment
e) None of these
1.d 2.b 3.a 4.b 5.a 6.a 7.b 8.b 9.c 10.b
11.b 12.c 13.c 14.a 15.d 16.d 17.d 18.d 19.a 20.b
21.b 22.d 23.d 24.d 25.d 26.c 27.c 28.a 29.d 30.a
31.c 32.c 33.d 34.d 35.d 36.b 37.c 38.a 39.d 40.b
41.a 42.b 43.a 44.d 45.d 46.d 47.d 48.d 49.b 50.a


text:
A new evil has risen and threatens to take over not only the Hidden Leaf Village, but all the other villages and ninja clans as well. An ancient organization which was long thought disbanded is alive and well and in search of several orbs to resurrect a mechanical horror that will ravage the land. It's now up to Naruto and all the Hidden Leaf Genin to join forces with those of the Hidden Sand Village to stop this menace.
Features :
- New Original Adventure: Live the life of a Leaf Ninja as an original story unfolds leaving the fate of the ninja clans in your hands. Unravel the mystery of the Shirogane Clan and their nefarious army of "puppet walkers". Explore the intriguing locations from the world of Naruto beautifully rendered in 3D anime style!
- Multiple Playable Characters: Choose your favorite ninja, including Naruto, Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Kakashi, Guy, Neji, Choji, and more, to complete story-driven missions and intense challenges.
- Multi-Player Battle: During the game, a second player is able to join in on the action for a simultaneous two-player adventure! Want to prove your skills? Fight head-to-head with a friend and battle it out to see who's got the greatest ninja skill.
- Character Customization: Prove yourself in battle and earn money to create the ultimate warrior using Chips and Plates that can customize your character's speed, strength, stamina and even special moves.
- Lethal Attacks and Weapons: Harness the power of Rasengan, Lightning Blade, Sand Coffin, and other moves, straight from the series! Face off against multiple enemies using either close combat or long-range weapons, including over 30 attack items that will give you the upper hand in battle.
- Multiple Modes of Play: Play alone or with a friend in Story Mode where you can traverse a lush, 3-D anime-style world in which Naruto and his friends work together to deter the evil threat. Or, battle it out in Head-to-Head mode where only the best ninja survive. Want to gain even more experience and training? Try Mission Mode to take on a series of challenging side missions or Survival Mode to test your skills against an onslaught of powerful enemies. Hone your skills to become the ultimate warrior and unlock a secret chapter of the story.
Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2 is set to be released in late-summer 2007.
More articles about Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2