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With Phase II of the Client Relationship Model (CRM II) fast approaching, Canadian investors will likely be on their own when trying to make sense of their reported rates of return (which will generally be meaningless for benchmarking purposes). The Modified Dietz rate of return calculator (available in the Calculators section of the blog) continues to be my recommended choice for DIY investors who want to calculate their annual return in a given year. But once they have a long string of annual returns, how do they go about calculating an average (or "annualized") return?
Enter the geometric average annual rate of return. For those investors who still have their G-card, this can be a terrifying equation to tackle. I'll admit that the equation has no place in everyday life – it should be restricted to Excel spreadsheets and only allowed to see the light of day once a year (preferably after year-end).
Geometric Average Annual Rate of Return:
I find it best to just jump right into an example when trying to understand how to calculate this return. Let's assume an investor has calculated the following annual returns over the past 10 years:
The investor now wants to calculate their 10-year annualized return in order to compare it to a suitable benchmark return. Here are the steps they would take using Excel:
Step 1: Enter the calendar year in column A
Step 2: Enter the corresponding annual returns in column B
Step 3: Enter an equation in column C that adds 1 to each annual return in column B:
Step 4: In a different cell, multiply all numbers from column C together (this can be done by using the PRODUCT function in Excel). Take the result to the power of 1 divided by the number of years in the measurement period (in our example, the number of years is 10). Subtract 1 from this result. This sounds confusing, but the equation in our example would simplify to:
This would result in a 10-year annualized return of 5.00%.
It's been over two years since I first wrote about using Norbert's gambit in client accounts to cheaply convert Canadian dollars to US dollars (and vice-versa). Various white papers followed, showing DIYers how to get around the big banks' high currency conversion costs. I even spoke with a few advisors and portfolio managers who had recently started implementing gambits in their own client accounts.
After the switch-over from TD Waterhouse Institutional Services (TDWIS) to National Bank Correspondent Network (NBCN) in early 2014, I was forced to learn the process at yet another brokerage firm. I still tend to favour the Horizons ETF products (rather than inter-listed stocks) when converting currencies, but this choice is totally up to the advisor. I'll start off by briefly discussing the products I use and then go through the various steps required to implement the Norbert's gambit in a taxable NBCN account.
DLR and DLR.U
The Horizons U.S. Dollar Currency ETF (DLR) is an ETF that holds cash and cash equivalents that are denominated in U.S. dollars. It is traded on the TSX and priced and transacted in Canadian dollars.
The Horizons U.S. Dollar Currency ETF (US$) (DLR.U) is the exact same ETF as DLR. It holds cash and cash equivalents that are denominated in U.S. dollars and also trades on the TSX. The only difference is that it is priced and transacted in U.S. dollars.
Both DLR and DLR.U have the same International Securities Identification Numbers (ISIN), which is basically the DNA of the security. The first two characters are the country code (CA), the next nine characters are the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP) number (44049C302), and the final character is the check digit (1)
Now that you have a quick overview of the products we will be using, let's walk through the steps an advisor would take if they needed to convert $50,000 Canadian dollars to US dollars in a client account at NBCN.
Step 1: Log-in to the NBCN member site at www.nbcn.ca and obtain an exchange rate quote
In this example, NBCN was offering $43,591.98 US dollars in exchange for $50,000 Canadian dollars. In steps two and three, we will be determining whether implementing the gambit would be expected to generate more US dollars for our client than the amount offered by NBCN.
Step 2: Calculate how many shares of DLR you could purchase for $50,000 CAD at the current ask price
By dividing $50,000 by the current ask price of $11.35, we determine that we could purchase 4,405.2863 shares of DLR. This is a purely hypothetical calculation, as we cannot purchase partial shares.
Step 3: Multiple the number of shares from step two by the current bid price of DLR.U
If we sold 4,405.2863 shares of DLR.U at the current bid price of $9.94 USD, we would receive US dollar proceeds of $43,788.55. This transaction would leave the client with an additional $196.57 US dollars in their account ($43,788.55 minus $43,591.98). In this example, implementing the gambit would be the preferred choice.
Step 4: Buy 4,405 shares of DLR in the Canadian dollar "A" account
Since we can't buy partial shares, we will round down the number of shares of DLR from step two to the nearest whole share. We recommend placing a limit order directly at the current ask price. Ensure that the market is "CDN" and that you are in the client's taxable Canadian dollar account (the one ending in "A").
Step 5: Sell 4,405 shares of DLR.U in the taxable US dollar "B" account
Once you have noticed the purchase of 4,405 shares of DLR has been accepted, immediately switch to the US dollar "B" side of the same client account. Once there, place a limit order at the current bid price to sell 4,405 shares of DLR.U. One tricky part of placing this trade at NBCN is that the market must be "TF" (it stands for Toronto Foreign). If you type in "CDN" instead, the trade will be rejected.
Every so often, this trade will not be accepted right away. If this happens, feel free to pick up the phone and contact an NBCN trader, who will be able to push the trade through.
At this stage, you may also want to purchase a US-listed ETF with the US dollar proceeds; this is generally okay, as long as all trades settle on the same day. Beware of settlement periods that contain a market holiday for either the Canadian or US stock market.
Step 6: On T+4, log-in to iMOST Next Generation and transfer 4,405 shares of DLR from the Canadian dollar account to the US dollar account
In order to avoid debit interest, this step would be required by the trade date plus three business days (T + 3). Unfortunately, iMOST will not let advisors request a journal on T + 3 (it has to be done the next day). To get around this, change the effective date in the request to one business day earlier, giving the reason that iMOST did not allow you to request the transfer on the settlement date.


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Recent research has served to emphasize the crucial relevance of the body when considering both how severe traumatic experiences can adversely affect us AND how we can treat such adverse effects (including posttraumatic stress disorder).
One very important finding in relation to this is that traumatic experiences can lead to chronic excess tension in the skeletal muscles. And, because the body and the mind are so intimately connected, this, in turn, can make us hypersensitive to stress to such a degree that we may find even very minor stressors create in us feelings of overwhelming anxiety.
Indeed, as the role of the body in how traumatic experiences affect us (especially if we are suffering from PTSD) becomes better understood there is a concomitant increase in interest in supplementing psychological therapies to treat responses to trauma with somatic (physical) therapies.
Neurogenic Tremors :
Tremors are a natural, automatic / instinctual response to anxiety, fear, panic attacks, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any shock to the nervous system. This response has evolved because, when the nervous system becomes out of balance, it helps to return the body and emotions back into a state of equilibrium; it achieves this by reducing our level of arousal and shutting down the 'fight or flight'response.
Furthermore, tremors are a way of dissipating the excess energy residing in the body that accumulated during the state of high arousal. In this way, tremors can help us escape from the unpleasant symptoms (both physical and mental) that may have arisen due to trauma.
In technical terms, tremors help to reduce over-activity in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis ( a complex neuroendocrine system whose functions include regulating our response to stress, our emotions and bodily, energy storage and release) and are called neurogenic tremors.
Applications To Therapy :
Tremors (or shaking or trembling) help to deactivate and calm the nervous system. Such deactivation signals to the brain that danger and threat has passed ; this, in turn, allows us to relax again : our muscles are able to release the excess of energy they have stored up whilst in fight / flight mode which, in turn, permits chronic tension patterns that have developed in the body to be eradicated.
People who have suffered trauma and have developed PTSD have often been 'locked into' the fight/flight response for a protracted period of time and have suppressed their feelings of anxiety (often with the 'help' of alcohol or drugs) because they believe, on a conscious or unconscious level, that showing and expressing one's feelings 'a sign of weakness.'
And, because of this erroneous belief, such individuals tend to be averse to physical displays of distress (such as trembling and crying). The price to be paid for such suppression is that the excess energy stored in the body becomes trapped, ensuring that the person habitually remains in an uncomfortable state of bodily tension and associated mental distress.
Based on the ideas presented above, Dr Peter Levine, a leading expert on the effects of trauma, has developed a therapy that he has called 'somatic experiencing' which helps the client to release the pernicious, pent-up energy that was generated by their traumatic experience and, thus, alleviate their physical and mental suffering incurred.
eBook :
Above eBook now available from Amazon for instant download. Click here for further details.
David Hosier BSc Hons; MSc; PGDE(FAHE).

subset: commoncrawl


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OLD THEATRES has become recognised as Britain's unique magazine for everyone who appreciates the value of our country's wonderful halls of entertainment and the artistes who have trod their boards. Three beautiful highly collectable editions are produced each year, under the Patronage of Ken Dodd OBE, Duggie Chapman MBE, and by Nick Thomas, Chairman of Qdos Entertainment, the world's most prolific pantomime producer. OT is rapidly developing a cult following, not only in Britain but from theatre devotees world wide. It gets wonderful reviews from theatre organisations everywhere, including The Theatres Trust, whose aim is to protect theatres for everyone.
It features 'lost' theatres, old theatres which have been restored, stories of artistes' experiences in them. together with extra information which is not normally obtainable in other theatre publications. Each highly collectable edition contains over 100 rare illustrations and articles about theatres past and present, enabling subscribers to go behind the scenes to see how they operate, and read their histories and hopes for the future. Space is also given for readers' and artistes' memories and experiences within theatres, so that each issue becomes part of our history, recorded for future generations to cherish and pass on.
We acknowledge with gratitude the work of all local groups and organisations, reference libraries, collectors and preservation societies who help us to perform this worthwhile and essential task.
Everyone who helps in the production of OT magazine is a volunteer and include retired journalists and authors who are eager to ensure that we all do our best to keep Britain's theatres 'alive'. Your imput is important to us, and we urge everyone to do their best to promote and support us in this worthy quest.
Many theatres and theatre production promoters also support OLD THEATRES within their own marketing, which is much appreciated. Advertising space is available in each edition of the magazine from as little as £7 for a 35 word announcement. Space is also allocated for display advertising in full colour or in mono.
For further information, please contact Jayne Darcy PA, OLD THEATRES magazine
E Mail: email@example.com
Telephone (01243) 829904
(Our photograph shows bird whistler, Ronnie Ronalde at his home in Australia, reading his copy of the magazine)
OLD THEATRES magazine
Our address:
20, Rife Way, Felpham, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 7BW
General inquiries, including marketing and advertising please E Mail email@example.com
For those sending information for the magazine, Newsletter or web page links please E Mail firstname.lastname@example.com
Web pages: www.oldtheatres.co.uk
Telephone: (01243) 829904
This site contains details of each magazine, including back numbers, information from readers,
together with 'links' by supporting groups, organisations and supporters.
We accept UK cheques/postal orders. We also accept PayPal.


text:
Reviews of Yuasa NP12-12 Valve Regulated Lead Acid Battery 12V 12Ah
Yuasa NP12-12 Valve Regulated Lead Acid Battery 12V 12Ah
Our Price: £25.99 inc VAT
(5.0 / 5.0) Average Rating:
Total Reviews:6
Customer Reviews
Great service and great price.
MDG - Lancashire, United Kingdom -
fast delivery ordered one evening delivered one working day later.
CT - Sta, United Kingdom -
Used yuasa np12-12 as replacements for the original Multipower mp12-12 for 3 years now they last a lot longer than the mp12-12 battery's and seem the best battery in this category in my opinion
dm - West Yorkshire -
Fitted To: Alber E-FIX E26
Second to. None
AH - Stanley -
Arrived quickly. Battery as ordered. This was for a childs sit in toy car.
SH - West Yorkshire -
Excellent service, swift delivery and extremely reliable.
MLG - Scunthorpe -
Fitted To: TGA Eclipse


text:
A fine gentleman (I assume) named Sam Bishop over at IGN has been kind enough to write up a hands-on preview of our own Mimana Iyar Chronicle, a game which will be released on the PlayStation Portable. And if that weren't enough, another fine gentleman (I assume) named Ryan Clements has written up a similar hands-on preview of BlazBlue Portable, also for the PSP. I would provide you with highlights, but that would both dilute the impact of these wonderful examples of quality journalism, and make this post even more blatantly self-serving than it already is. As such, I entreat you to visit IGN and read them. If the Mimana article wets your appetite, I would humbly remind you that it is available for pre-order from a number of quality retailers.
IGN Handstravaganza
by belisarius | Feb 11, 2010 | Product News | 4 comments
4 Comments
WildArms on February 11, 2010 at 4:27 pm
I assume that you assume that what they assume is correct
Rogue Ninja on February 11, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Sounds like IGN enjoyed both games! Great news for Aksys!
Hollow_Ninja on February 13, 2010 at 8:03 pm
As far as BlazBlue, I'll wait for CS on consoles. But Mimana is intriguing, it sound almost like a Tales game, and god knows Namco Bandai doesn't localize enough of those.
masuto on February 16, 2010 at 10:55 am
Hey, great hands-on preview. I'm liking Mimana more.


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This is hilarious! We might not see Derek during the cross-fit – well…more like cross-fit dance break – but we can hear his laugh ☺ After that, he headed to Universal.
Check out Derek's posts below.
UPDATE: I just saw this video (added below) on Instagram….both Brooks and Derek showing their dance moves….in case you haven't seen it, it's a must! 😂


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What is PBIS?
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) is a school-wide commitment to teaching students appropriate behavior, acknowledging them when they get it right, and supporting them when they don't.
What to expect
Children who show positive behavior at Cascade Brook School will be able to receive:
Children who struggle to demonstrate responsible, respectful and safe behavior will receive support and re-teaching in the appropriate behavior. Interventions may include:
Office Discipline Referrals (ODR)


text:
Bestfoods Nears Deal to Buy Brazil's Arisco for $490 Million
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. -- Bestfoods is in final negotiations to buy Arisco Produtos Alimenticios SA, a privately held food company in Brazil, for $490 million.
The acquisition of Arisco, which has annual sales of $440 million, includes assumption of about $262 million in debt, Bestfoods said Monday.
Arisco, which is 80%-owned by the founding...


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Ahhhh Sunday… the day to gorge your face with all sorts of wonderful food, sip at a glass of sparking wine, or nestle a glass of your favourite red. Or maybe Sunday for you is a day of chase with beers or ciders? Whichever you choose, Sunday is most definitely a day for catching up with old friends or enjoying some much-needed time with the family. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, everyone loves spending time together on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Ever since I could remember, the one thing I truly loved about Sundays as a kid was knowing that it was the day to spend with family and friends. It felt as though every Sunday consisted of family birthday parties both young and old, Christening or Communions, or just a hot spread of food at my Nanas house for all my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins to enjoy. Those Sundays spent at my grandparents' house eating hot prepared meals by my Nana were the best Sundays by far; it was always great to see everyone together. No matter the meal, it was shared amongst us and we feasted like Royalty every Sunday lunch.
Feasting on a Sunday has slowly but surely become one of my favourite past times, which I still love to do today. Although now that we are all a tad older, our Sundays have become the day where we all come together and enjoy a spread of delicious food and a selection of vintage wines at some of our favourite Restaurants in the Geelong area. There are always so many places to choose from, but our family always finds ourselves coming back to the same place to enjoy the incredible array of food and drinks. And that's what I love most about Dennys. Our extended family always ensure that we gather together regularly and book our Sunday Feasting functions at Dennys. Let's be honest, we need the whole day and the whole restaurant to accommodate for our family and their food!
The food hits close to home, as the pizzas and pasta are full of love and flavour. Not only is it flavourful but also the spread of colour throughout every dish makes every bite just as exciting as the last. Plus the great thing is, you don't have to be stuck with ordering just one meal.
The traditional Italian way of eating is all about sharing which is perfect for Sunday gatherings with the family and of course close friends. We all know that sharing is caring but when it comes to food, food is best served hot and to be shared amongst your favourite people.
Dennys Kitchen
Open on Sundays upon request for large group and function bookings only (T&Cs apply).


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text: "An anonymous tipster (or at least, someone named Anonymous) dropped an email in our inbox, informing us that the Japan-only PSP game, Idolm@ster SP, comes with firmware 5.05. Oddly though, the email didn't give much evidence on the matter, except to say that the leaked version of the game doesn't work on any existing CFW. Here is the email: I know that URL is tempting, but it is not recommended you try it out unless you're a dev who knows what s/he's doing. Besides, it might cancel out your CFW by installing an official one. So until we hear official confirmation from the usual circles (Sony or the homebrew community), this is tagged as a rumor." Source


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BB Styled girls embrace trends and understand that fashion is one of the best parts of being a woman. We love to bring you unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, that you can't live with out and will find yourself wearing again & again.
Questions or Comments? Contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com


text: Hello everyone, new guy here! Let's just jump straight to the point... I've been trying to get the Warcraft Tower Defense(v 0.5) working on my M3 Real(Sakura firmware), but for some reason I just end up with some error saying i should check the logbuff or so, even though I've followed the instructions. (Place the Maps folder in the root of the M3, and the .nds file in the root as well, please correct me if I'm wrong or missing something.) Then there was something about dldi patching, and I've done this and that with it. I think I've done it correctly, but hell, I've been so confused with the dldi patching I have no idea really, if someone could give me a step-for-step guide for this it'd be great! Thanks in advance!


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NEW YORK (AP) — Sean Penn is writing a novel about a "divorced, disillusioned man."
And, yes, he did once release an audiobook under the pseudonym "Pappy Pariah."
Atria Books told The Associated Press on Monday that Penn's "Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff" will come out March 27. The novel builds upon an audiobook from 2016, narrated by one Pappy Pariah and promoted by the usually press-shy actor. During an appearance last fall at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Penn acknowledged a close bond with Pariah, while also referring to him as a sociopath.


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Team: Programs | Commitment: Consultant | Location: Pakistan
International Postharvest and Cold Chain Specialist – Shrink Wrap
CNFA-AMD Project
US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development
Project Name
CNFA-AMD/ Project Number AID-391-C-15-00003
Consultancy Assignment
Use of shrink wrap as innovative technology for the extension in shelf life of citrus and vegetables
Consultant Title
International Postharvest and Cold Chain Specialist with experience in handling and processing of fruits and vegetables
Reports to
Chief Technical Advisor – AMD
Place of Performance
Lahore, Pakistan with likely travel to Sargodha and Karachi to visit packers and exporters.
21 working days (including travel days)
Project Description:
US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) activity in Pakistan is a USAID funded activity implemented by CNFA with the goal of supporting the development of Pakistan's commercial agriculture, particularly through improving the ability of Pakistan's agriculture and livestock sectors to meet both international and domestic demand and requirements in targeted product lines in Citrus, Mango, High value/off season vegetable and livestock. AMD envisions transforming the four targeted product lines into efficient, private sector led value chains that deliver competitive products to domestic and export markets. AMD's targeted training, matching grants, and technical assistance will leverage private sector investment and encourage innovation. Together these approaches will support upgrading, streamline supply chains, optimize profit margins, increase participation of women entrepreneurs, and ultimately make Pakistani mango, citrus, meat and HV/OSV more profitable and more competitive.
Objectives of Technical Assistance:
The technical assistance (TA) provided by AMD will be delivered through an international consultant and will include the preparation and oversight of Introduce, demonstrate and provide training workshop on value-added shrink-wrap postharvest technology to kinnow and high-value off-season vegetable exporters. Supervise trial test of individually shrink-wrapped kinnow fruit for significant extension of kinnow fruit storage life and preservation of fruit market quality. The introduction of the technology is time sensitive and based on the seasonality of the kinnow production season, necessitating a February visit.
The international STTA will provide onsite technical guidance and supervision in the preparation of Kinnow fruits and vegetables for a trial shipment by using shrink wrap film under managed atmosphere conditions. The consultant will recommend grading, packing, and storage of kinnow fruits and summer vegetables under optimum conditions to minimize the electricity load for the extension in shelf life. Capacity building of processor and exporters will also be the part of consultancy which include but not limited to technical support and knowledge sharing on handling and post-harvest handling of selected vegetable and Kinnow mandarins, ethylene production, ethylene compatibility and sensitivity, international labeling and packaging and cold chain requirements. The SOP's will include guidelines from harvesting to post-harvest handling and extending the shelf life of products in reefer containers or under cold chain.
Assignment Scope:
All of the products exported from Pakistan are neither processed in the cool chain system nor transported to distant market in their optimum storage environment and hence they only possess a shelf life of few hours to few days depending on the perishability of crops. They reach to the destination in poor quality due to its inability to retain the product, the exporters are forced to sell the produce at the throw away prices. It is anticipated that the use of shrink wrap for individual fruit and vegetable will enhance the keeping quality of produce to several folds resulting in to direct benefit to exporters.
Obtain necessary supplies and conduct demonstration and training workshop on individual fruit shrink-wrapping of kinnow fruit and selected high-value off-season vegetables. Initiate trial test of individually shrink-wrapped kinnow fruit at exporter packinghouses in Sargodha. Introduce and demonstrate portable fruit quality testing supplies for monitoring kinnow sugar content and acidity. Provide detailed recommendations for maintaining and improving postharvest care of kinnows and high-value vegetable crops, including well-illustrated postharvest care guides for individual crops.
Expected Outcomes:
Future adoption of new and innovative postharvest care technologies, including individual fruit value-added shrink wrapping by kinnow and high-value off-season vegetable marketers and exporters. The positive results obtained from the trial test of extending the product postharvest life and maintaining the fruit quality will encourage the adoption, investment in, and utilization of this technology in the future. Kinnow and high-value off season vegetable marketers and exporters will have improved fruit quality and a significant extension of product storage and market life. New and expanded market opportunities will be realized by the exporters.
The successful introduction of this technology has the potential to initiate a new era for export of Kinnow mandarins & vegetable from Pakistan. Assistance will be required in following areas;
· Product pre-harvest handling; including field handling and transport to pack house for selected citrus and selected vegetables
· Maturity indices and methods of field heat removal.
· Cleaning, sorting, grading, and waxing requirements for each identified product
· Cold chain requirements as well as transportation and humidity requirements
· Ethylene sensitivity/compatibility and product competitiveness
· Shrink wrap packaging requirements of different products including labelling.
· Important post-harvest diseases/insects, their management and SPS measures.
· Temperature and Relative Humidity (RH) and air circulation in extended storage in cold stores.
· Loading and preparation of reefer container
The STTA's tasks will include but not be limited to:
§ Coordinate with AMD program team for development of work plan, field activities and strategies;
§ Work with AMD Sr. VC Specialist (Horticulture) to specify the time lines, field transportation and quantities required of Kinnow and selected fresh summer vegetables.
§ Coordinate with AMD staff and vegetables exporters for Identification of key importers; especially engage in the business of export & marketing of vegetables and citrus in regional markets for proposed trail shipment;
§ Develop an in-term and final report with recommendations on the use of shrink wrap plastic film for fruits and vegetables;
§ Identify the required grade plastic films in the local market or the alternative film grade for the purpose for the commercial use in future;
§ Guide lines for the use of machines and shrink wrap film along with handling and upkeep of machines;
§ Identify the products (Fruits and Vegetables) suitable for the use of shrink wrap on commercial scale;
§ Identify the markets (High end retail market) for citrus and vegetables;
§ Develop the SOPs for selected vegetables and citrus for the use of individual fruit shrink wrap film;
§ Develop and demonstrate the use of data sheets to be used for quality and extension in shelf life citrus and vegetables;
§ Economic use of film versus the quality and extension in shelf life of kinnow and selected vegetables;
§ Any other tasks assigned by the COP and CTA relating to the evaluation of fresh vegetables via sea shipment at importing country.
· Develop a detailed work plan to execute the assignment within 2 days of assignment commencements;
· One day Capacity building session at Sargodha and Karachi with project beneficiaries for the use of shrink wrap technology;
· Submit a written report identifying appropriate temperature requirements and ethylene sensitivity as well as suitable international destinations with sizeable profit margins
· Develop the SOP's for extension in shelf life through the use of plastic film including postharvest handling, recommended packaging, storage requirements and loading.
· Submit a report with identified products (Fruits and Vegetables) suitable for the use of shrink wrap on commercial scale;
· Submit a weekly report on the assignment to COP or his designee;
· Submit final report on technical assistance with power point presentation;
· Identify potential market in Middle East for Pakistani for individually shrink wrap vegetables and develop timeline for export of vegetables from Pakistan.
· Any other task assigned by CTA or AMD technical team.
Estimated level of effort (LOE) for the assignment:
21 Working days; 19 working days in Pakistan including local travel days, and 4 days for report writing and presentation.
Week 1
International travel 1 day
Background reading Work plan development 2 days
Field visit and discussion with exporter, processor and traders for the use of plastic film for PH processing-Punjab 3 days
Week 2
Onsite demonstration for the use of shrink wrap of Kinnow mandarin 1 day
Capacity building of processor, traders and exporters of vegetables 3 days
SOP's for preparation for selected vegetables and Kinnow mandarin under shrink wrap technology. 2 days
Week 3
Report writing and presentation 3 days
Week 4
Deliver presentation to AMD staff 1 day
Submission of final report 1 day
Travel back to home country 2 days
Timing of the Assignment:
The consultant will commence working on this assignment on or about Feb 1st, 2018
The consultants should have:
§ An advanced degree in the field of Horticulture, Agriculture, Post-harvest Technology, Agriculture marketing, Business Management and/or Food Engineering;
§ 5-10 years' experience of having worked with commercial agriculture traders or exporters as well as other players in the HV/OSV;
§ Sound knowledge of cold chain and Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) in processing agricultural products and maintaining quality standards;
§ Prior experience of working as a consultant with USAID or donor funded projects in Pakistan with Good Agriculture Practices, SPS, Post-harvest handling of fresh produce, pre-cooling, cold storage and international marketing;
§ Excellent computer skills, in particular: Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point;
§ Demonstrable interpersonal and communication skills;
§ Documented excellent writing skills in English;
§ Oral fluency in English;


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Georgia Democrats Need A Trump Game Plan. Yesterday.
I woke up this morning to Trump winning Nevada by runaway numbers, and in a state of Lovecraftian horror began considering the electoral math more closely.
As it happens, so did the Washington Post. They believe he is almost certainly going to get the delegates he needs. Looking at that makes me understand why Ohio Governor John Kasich insists on remaining in the race — taking Ohio away from Trump might just be the difference between Trump making his numbers before the convention or a brokered convention. Once the revulsion of a potential Trump presidency sinks in, I can understand how stopping him would take priority over considerations about winning or conserving cash … or dignity. That said, Trump is leading in Ohio.
I've expected a brokered convention since July or August of last year — that this whole campaign was a long confidence game designed to negotiate business concessions from either Hillary Clinton or the nominee in some back room in Cleveland, something like a free pass from HUD regulation and the EPA or naming rights for national parks in exchange for throwing the election one way or another.
I don't think so any more. I think he's probably got the nomination. If that's the case, many, many Republicans in Georgia are going to sit on their hands in November. And if they do … interesting things happen down ballot. That is, if my fellow Georgia Democrats get their act together enough to pose a threat.
Someone is thinking ahead — a "Draft John Barrow for US Senate" petition started floating around this week. But Democrats have more targets. Many more.
Walk through how this all plays out. There are basically three scenarios. In scenario one, Trump simply loses the nomination and goes home. Some of his supporters gravitate to the eventual winner — Rubio or Cruz — while the rest simply sulk. This is the null case. It changes little or nothing for Georgia Democrats on the ground. It's unlikely to happen.
Scenario two is the most interesting. There's a brokered convention, in which Trump has the most delegates … but not enough to win outright … and the rest of the party denies him the nomination. The convention is pandemonium, and Trump runs a third-party race, taking all "true believers" with him. Under these circumstances, Trump's run would look self-destructive and petulant even to his own people, unless he can promise something. That something would be a slate of party-switching congress-critters and local leaders, largely in the South. This is also unlikely, but less so.
In scenario three, Trump wins the nomination, either through brokering something at the convention, or outright. It is possible that some Republicans will form their own breakaway party at that point, but I doubt it. Nonetheless, Trump will demand the loyalty of his party from top to bottom — because he's a fascist — and those who don't will be chastised at best, and targeted at worst.
Trump will call out anyone who doesn't follow him as pro-establishment flunkies, and may start looking for independents to run on the ballot. Hell, he may start setting that up right now. I think we're only a few days away from hearing about primary challenges along these lines. It's part of the negotiation: in order for him to broker a win at the convention, he's going to need a credible threat. That's what a credible political threat looks like.
Keep a few dates in mind. The presidential primary in Georgia is March 1. Ballot qualification for the primary election for every other office on the November ballot opens March 7 and closes at noon on March 11. The primary for state house seats is May 24. Notice to run independent has to be made by July 1, while signatures for an independent run have to be submitted by July 12. And the Republican convention will be July 18-21.
After Super Tuesday, I think we'll know if we're staring at a brokered convention or not. Trump's performance here may lead a bunch of people to decide to challenge their House reps out of Trumpian zeal … or others who will want to challenge their reps because they backed Trump.
At least two Georgia state senators and an untold number of House Republicans are actively backing Donald Trump right now.
Democrats will field enough candidates in the State Senate to theoretically take a majority back, under Republican Armageddon conditions. They didn't run enough candidates in the House last year to even make that threat possible. This time may be different.
I bring all of this up because Democrats can actually win local races in strange places if the Republican electorate is split like this. How many state house seats also become vulnerable to a Democratic flip? How many state senate seats? I think it's about 15 house seats and four senate seats, but others may have better figures. Maybe more. (Please speculate in the comments.)
About Author
George Chidi
Former staff writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other publications. Former Pine Lake city councilman, Former corporate spy. Occasional contributor to The Guardian.
Three Jack
First part of the plan should be not to compare Trump (or anybody else for that matter) to Hitler. But I get it, that's the easy path for dems who falsely believe they will have a cakewalk to election success if/when Trump nails the nomination.Log in to Reply
Bombastic name calling by dems is just part of the playbook. Calling trump hitler just makes whoever is doing that look like the douche they are. Typical…Log in to Reply
George Chidi
No one voting for Trump has word one to say about "bombastic name calling."
The man meets most of the criteria for fascism. Nationalist sloganeering? Think "Make America Great Again." Check. Disdain for the recognition of human rights? Let's make Muslims identify themselves and throw them out of the country, while deporting children. Check. Racial, religious and ethnic scapegoating of "enemies of the state" as a common threat as a unifying tactic? Think about anything he's said about Muslims in the last eight months. Check. Military supremacy, even at the cost of social and political norms? In defense, that's almost any Republican these days. But still … check.
Rampant sexism? Ask Megan Kelly and Rosie O'Donnell. Check. Manipulation of mass media? Obviously. Check. Fear mongering over national security and foreign threats? Check. "Law and order" obsession with crime and punishment — think about his reaction to Black Lives Matter? Check. Protection of corporate power and suppression of labor? We're talking about Donald Trump, walking branding machine and certified union buster. Check. Disdain — if not open hostility — for intellectualism? Ahh … Check. Cronyism and corruption? Despite all the noise, Trump is a crony capitalist who has openly bragged about how many politicians he's bought over the years. Check.
There are only two criteria he doesn't meet: merging religion and the state, and the out-and-out stealing of elections. I put neither past him.
As I've said before: Consider a charismatic strong man arguing that corporate and political interests should be tied closely together, and that the nation must defend itself from vague external threats while maintaining the sanctity of its national majority culture from harm. His message is wrapped in an aggressive nationalism and a harkening back to better times, with a promise to restore "national greatness." The message is delivered with both eloquence and in language targeting the working men of the country, whose strength has been sapped by parasites from within and threatened by sinister forces seeking to infiltrate from without.
Said strong man, a political outsider, vows to be effective regardless of the political hurdles, expressing a willingness to remake or shred the basic laws of the country to see these aims come to fruition, promising a new politics in his wake.
This strong man outsider claims superior personal characteristics — intelligence, savoir-faire, and what not — that cannot be duplicated. Power, therefore, must flow from him and him alone, if the goals are to be met.
Critics of this man are denounced in the strongest, crudest possible terms. Violence against dissenters is offered or implied in pursuit of his vision, without apology. The media is recruited, masterfully, to press the agenda and to burnish the credentials of this man as an outsider and the leader of a popular rebellion.
I prefer comparing him to Mussolini than Hitler, but the genesis is the same. He's the uber-authoritarian. The single greatest predictive quality among his supporters is the strength of their own authoritarian orientation. That's Trump. He's a fascist. His supporters are fascists. And I will not make the mistake of saying less while there's still time for him to be stopped.Log in to Reply
John Konop
Even the most liberal blog claims he would be a bad match-up for your front runner Hillary who killed the middle class.
………1. The Iraq War
Hillary Clinton voted for it
Trump says it was a huge mistake and destabilized the Middle East
Sanders voted against it and predicted it would destabilize the Middle East
2. Bad Trade agreements (NAFTA)
The Clinton's both Bill and Hillary lobbied for it,
Sanders against
Trump says trade deals are 'bad' and he's going to 'bring back the jobs'
3. Special Interests and lobbyists money
Hillary has received a lot of special interests money and her Wall Street ties are a big issue
Trump — self funding, beat Jeb!'s mighty corporate PACs…………Log in to Reply
John Konop
More from the left showing Hillary would be the winning ticket for Trump. I was googling this after the debate about Trump and the general from the right in the morning. And it seems the left is very scared of Trump verse your leading candidate. You cannot get any harsher about your chances than this from the LEFT!
: Unless the Democrats Run Sanders, a Trump Nomination Means a Trump Presidency
……… Every one of Clinton's (considerable) weaknesses plays to every one of Trump's strengths, whereas every one of Trump's (few) weaknesses plays to every one of Sanders's strengths. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, running Clinton against Trump is a disastrous, suicidal proposition………
John Konop
More from Hillary from the left, taking cash for favors…..If this is from the Dem side, you know from the right it will be even rougher. Hillary/Bush…..ie establishment are getting hammered fro this BS….
………Placing a $260,000 Bet on Favorable Executive Action
Consider the final paragraph, on the final page of the ACA's FY2014 financial disclosures (New York Section), which I might add are not available currently on the ACA NYNJ site (as of 2/21/2016). It took some digging to find the information on charitiesnys.com.
"For the March 2015 Tri-State Camping Conference, the Organization hired a high-profile politician as a guest speaker, which resulted in an additional cost of $260,000. This was a one-time expense and such expenses are not expected to occur in the subsequent year."[11]
Returning then to my original question: Why does a non-profit spend 10 per cent of its annual budget, ten times what it would normally pay for a keynote speaker,[12] increase its annual total expense line item for "speaker presentations" from $102,784 to $350,619 for a high-profile politician and present her to an audience probably split in its political loyalties?
The answer is obvious. It was a strategic calculation on the association's part to secure future consideration for the J-1 visa programs the industry relies on. As a near-term-future president the former Secretary of State would have tremendous discretion in rule-making given both her familiarity with the subject and the likelihood that immigration reform in a partisan Washington may be achievable only through piecemeal executive action.
There can be no doubt that Hillary Clinton was and is aware of the industry's focused immigration interests. Of course you can make the default argument that this is just the way things are done in American politics and that there is no proof that any quid pro quo will ever take place, but it appears even more cynical to accept $260,000 from this organization in the context of these immigration and economic issues than the bottomless pockets of Goldman Sachs.
It's disappointing that even this innocuous paid speech, the last in series of speeches rife with high-profile question marks, has a lousy backstory upon closer inspection……..
According to current polling, either Democratic candidate will beat Trump.
I think his support has a ceiling. Once somebody finds a video of him having a temper tantrum, and you know there is one, and plays it on repeat in all 50 states, it will be over.
John Konop
Once Hillary has to go one on one with Trump it will get ugly for her.
First Hillary will have to explain how she was not bought and paid for by lobbyist. With the fix in against Bernie by the establishment Dems, he is still hurting her on that issue ie trust! Trump makes Bernie look like a marshmallow.
Second Hillary has to explain how she did not sell out working class voters with her trade votes in the rust belt…..good luck!
Third she has to explain how her votes/support in Iraq and Libya made sense via changing the government. How is the policemen of the world foreign policy working?
Finally if Hillary plays woman card, he will hit with Monica-gate. And we saw already how hard that hit Bill and Hillary already.
The most liberal blog gets it even on your side! Nevada vote should be a wake up call with all the working class new voters coming out for Trump. No way current polls can show numbers like this in a general yet. In Nevada he more than doubled the vote from the last cycle. Everyone knows Trump was not my first choice, but the numbers are the numbers….
"Once Hillary has to go one on one with Trump it will get ugly for her."
I think it will get ugly for everyone. Trump is an unabashed misogynist and won't be able to contain himself. Hillary is a hard person to sympathize with. Honestly, if this is the race I'm going to hide from all media for the duration.
John Konop
What you are saying is the issues do not matter to people who have lost their jobs via ill thought out trade policy by Hillary? Voters do not care for her never ending war policy in the Middle East? When she plays the woman card the Monica-gate counter will not sting like last time? Voters will ignore the pay for policy money she got caught with in her hand in the cookie jar? Your own fellow Dems do not buy it!
"What you are saying is the issues do not matter to people who have lost their jobs via ill thought out trade policy by Hillary?" Voters do not care for her never ending war policy in the Middle East? When she plays the woman card the Monica-gate counter will not sting like last time? Voters will ignore the pay for policy money she got caught with in her hand in the cookie jar? Your own fellow Dems do not buy it!"
Is your point that you can just string random sentences together and have it be persuasive? And what does "when she plays the woman card" even mean? How exactly are you envisioning the interchange?
Hillary: Trump hates me because I'm a woman
Trump: Your husband f-ed Monica
American people: WTF? I need clean water.
John Konop
Please explain how Hillary explains the following to the American people:
1) Would you consider your speaking fees for 260k from the Tri-State Camping Conference a payoff, since they latter got visas to get cheap foreign workers over hiring more expensive Americans? Was this pattern of selling out American jobs with poorly negotiated trade deals all about the millions you and your husband made via speaking fees?
2) Do you and Bill think it is ok that rich kids like your daughter on a macro were not sent to fight in Iraq and Libya verse minorities and poor white kids? How has your policemen of the world foreign policy you support, helped the average American? Did any of your donors make money off this?
3) Not only do we know your three strikes and your out get tough/ War on Drug policy hurt low income areas the most, but do you not think it was conflict of interest since you took money from the private prison industry?
4) Do you regret publicly shamming Monica Lewinsky over her rights being violated at work by your husband? How many other women did you publicly shame to protect your husband? Would you understand why most parents are upset at your husband, and your behavior, would you not be upset if your daughter was treated how you and your husband did?
Would love to hear your answers?
John Konop
From your side the Huntington Post, clear Hillary is selling people out for cash! This sell out job has hurt minority and poor white communities the most! Hillary rips the Koch brothers, yet they have pointed out this issue of the Clinton family enhanced War on Drugs as key driver behind poverty. It is bad enough the Clinton family pushed laws through that hurt minorities and the poor, but to take cash for it is sick!
Bernie Sanders Will Ban Private Prisons. Hillary Clinton Accepted $133,246 From Prison Lobbyists
…….Has Clinton ever sponsored a bill to ban private prisons?
No, and here is the prison lobbyist money at work; refusing to change structural issues while hiding behind bold rhetoric.
Clinton's website states she will "End the era of mass incarceration, reform mandatory minimum sentences, and end private prisons."
Sadly, her website forgets to mention that Hilary Clinton accepted $133,246 from two major prison lobbyists.
Why is this important in 2016?
Think Progress writes "Raking in billions of dollars, two of the largest prison corporations, GEO Group and Corrections Corpo….
Yuppie Pundit
Trump exists because the public has grown numb to being demonized. There's no shortage of "fake outrage" and the news seems to find a new topic weekly.
You made a lot of good points. Problem is his supporters don't care. They are tired of being made to feel like a villain themselves.
George Chidi
You've hit it squarely on the head, I think. His supporters are tired of being "politically correct." What that means is that they're tired of saying things that are plainly racist or xenophobic or simply and factually wrong and being called on it. They want their quiet beliefs affirmed loudly by their leaders.
John Konop
More than 50 percent of people have fallen out of the middle class. The reason the Trump and Bernie have take hold on both sides is people are tired of the same old BS, while thier standard of living keeps dropping. While both of them are not the smoothest communicators, their message that lobbyist have taken over verse their interest has merit. The truth is Hillary/Bush…..candidates hands are not clean via influence from money interest over the people they were elected to represent.
George Chidi
I happen to agree with you about the death of the middle class. And, yes, that's driving people to Trump and Sanders.
The difference, I think, is that Trump supporters are perfectly willing to blame their economic losses on the foreign other — scheming Chinese industrialists using cheap labor, Mexican laborers stealing American jobs, lazy black people mooching on the welfare state, Muslim terrorists forcing America to overspend on defense without a return on the investment. To his credit, Trump plainly acknowledges that we're turning into an oligarchy, and that folks like hedge fund managers and billionaires need a big tax increase to take power away from them. But the idea that the white working class had an artificial leg up on nonwhites because of exclusionary hiring and housing and education policies isn't a critique for these folks: it's a feature.
Sanders acknowledges this part of the economic story, and isn't willing to stomp flat everyone who isn't white in the process of "leveling" the playing field again. That's the primary difference between the two.
John Konop
You know I like and respect you. With what you wrote, bottom line, knowing Hillary is part of the problem how could you support her? We all know she will sell out Americans for cash from lobbyist. Agree or not with the tone of the Trump campaign, would he not help workers more than Hillary?
George Chidi
I do not believe ushering in the era of Fascist America, which is what he's proposing, is worth economic gains. The world knows that story, and how it ends.
Three Jack
So if I support Trump, I'm a closet racist/xenophobe. Come on George, you're better than that. Pretty shallow analysis.
Actually, Three Jack, he's not better than that. Let's hope he doesn't get carpel tunnel using that delete button!
George Chidi
My view is that one need not necessarily be a closet racist to support Trump … though I think support for Trump is itself complicity in support for overtly bigoted political policy. But closet racists are far more likely to support Trump than other candidates. At least, that's what the exit polling is starting to show. The exception appears to be racists who are also Christian reconstructionist theocrats of the Seven Mountains dominionist / David Barton flavor. Then it's Cruz, all the way.
Three Jack
Ok, I was mistaken. You convinced me that you're absolutely what you presented from the beginning of this thread.
Trump has the most diverse support of any candidate on either side if we break it down that way. He has shown strength in all political identity categories through 4 different regions of the country (IA, NH, SC, NV). It will show even more next Tuesday as he wins multiple states by attracting voters from all walks of life. His is not a racist movement. To assume otherwise exposes the assumer as someone so closeted in his victim seeking status that he cannot rationally recognize reality.
George Chidi
Show me.
Eh, in fairness to Trump, much of what you say is him veering to fascism comes from fairly generic statements. Most of what he says is so vague that I don't think you could really say he has anything resembling a coherent philosophy.
And everyone running for every national office probably anywhere in the world would have some variant of paragraph five.
But yeah, no Trump supporters can whine about insults being directed at the Don.Log in to Reply
Three Jack
It would be an interesting exercise to put your description out with no name attached and see who people think you are describing. My first guess would be Obama.Log in to Reply
The only way to group Trump supporters is by their authoritarian tendencies. The higher a voter ranks on that scale, the more likely they are a Trump supporter.
http://www.vox.com/2016/2/23/11099644/trump-support-authoritarianismLog in to Reply
Exactly. Folks that prefer an orderly society, respect the law, don't want gangs killing others, drive by shootings of children or looting or a walk-in country targeted by terrorists and opportunists , when threatened would turn to a leader that calls BS on what we have. Look no further than the carry permits and the drive to arm every citizen, including those on campus.Log in to Reply
what was the question, who do you think best to keep you safe ?
Easy one, the Democrats should have come up with a viable candidate before she lined up the super delegates.
Hillary's Beverly Hills designer Susanna is available to help her switch from pants suits to prison jumpsuits.
Posting tasteless characitures of Hitler in lieu of facing the real issues plays to votes for Trump. Trumps pushback on those playing the victim suggests that is not a wise road.Log in to Reply
…and Hillary's accusations are not of the fictional right? How long has the "Benghazi Commission" been active, and yet found nothing? Keep trying but her legal issues are purely right wing fictionLog in to Reply
Some folks have enough common sense to grasp the hyperbole, hate info, particularly on Obama and the Clintons. I delete every chain email on them without reading them. But if you stick to paying attention the mainstream media and books you have a chance of reading between the lines. Hillary and Bill are very, very, undesirable amoral sociopaths.Log in to Reply
I fibbed I just opened a pic of Hillary with a caption that said "voting for Hillary because she is a woman is like drinking antifreeze because it is green." 😎Log in to Reply
Even her 1500 plus classified emails? Would you at least agree that having those on a private sever is negligent handling?Log in to Reply
"I prefer comparing him to Mussolini"
Nah, Cruz is Mussolini, Trump is Berlusconi, which I guess makes the gop Forza Americana. Sounds about right.
Good job, George.Log in to Reply
"Law and order obsession with crime and punishment?" Given the crime wave up in Atlanta with smash and grabs and holdups, maybe they could use some law and order up there. As for "Black Lives Matter", well if they really do, maybe we would see that group protesting at the many abortion clinics, which harm for more blacks than police shootings. But I am not holding my breath…….Log in to Reply
George Chidi
You're not holding your breath because you know the argument requires a religious orientation most people don't possess.
Crime has been falling for about 24 years, and is about a third of what it was at the peak in 1992 or so. That is especially true in black neighborhoods, where crime has fallen more than the nation as a whole. It's true over any five year period in the last 20. It's particularly true for street crime like robberies. And it's generally true both here and in the rest of the country. The momentary variations in crime pale comparatively with the well-established long term trend both nationally and locally. Crime is down. Atlanta — and America — is safer today than any time since about 1960.
Oh … did you want to substitute sensationalized news reports about local crime for actual crime data over time, playing on irrational fears — often tainted by racism — about the threat of crime to bolster an authoritarian candidate? I'm sorry. Didn't mean to spoil your fun.Log in to Reply
Yeah George, it is always racism when folks complain about crime. As for religious orientation, well the Supreme Court took the abortion decision out of the states' hands in 1973 so who knows how people feel about the issue overall? Blacks account for a disproportionate share of abortions in Georgia (maybe 55 percent), yet when was the last time a Democratic politician in this state denounced abortion? It is viewed as something of a sacrament. The Augusta Chronicle had a good op-ed about the issue a few days ago, the inconvenient truths about the issue. In any event, I suspect the number of abortions in this state far, far exceeds the number of blacks—or whites for that matter—killed by police in a given year. But hey, we're in the PC era, right?
As for Trump, yes he is bombastic, arrogant and the like, but even apart from style, I'd like to see the press start inquiring more about his stands. Like on entitlements—he says he can "fix" the problem by clamping down on waste and fraud. You know, the many 111 year-olds receiving Social Security. And he'll repeal Obamacare and replace it with something fantastic (like what?). "I'll hire the best people" only goes so far.Log in to Reply
George Chidi
It's not always racism when someone complains about crime. But it's not never racism, either. There's a history of conservatives using "crime" as a proxy for race that isn't going away.
And again — equating abortion to murder is something religious conservatives of a particular stripe can do all day, without meaning to the rest of us. Feel free to believe that. We don't. Neither does the law.Log in to Reply
"Religious conservatives of a particular stripe?" Like the 1.2 billion member Catholic Church? Or the 200 million+ Eastern Orthodox Church. Abortion was long ago condemned in the early, undivided Church from the teachings of the early church fathers. Yes, the law doesn't believe it because the law was dictated to us by activist judges on January 22, 1973, authored by one of the worst judicial appointments in history, Harry Blackmun. (Interesting how often, Republican-appointed justices are wobbly—like John Roberts who upheld RobertsCare, while the Democratic-appointed ones are almost always reliably liberal.) We don't know what the law would say if left to the democratic process because the Supreme Court legislated out of thin air, which is why this culture war goes on 40+ years later. But anyway, you have just confirmed the obvious that all black lives really don't matter. It is very selective, as I suspected. As for crime being down in Atlanta, well it isn't clear if all crimes are reported, and recent robberies at the Georgia State Library of all places, the four shot in Fairlie-Poplar last night and the countless smash and grabs we've had this year may lead some to wonder about that.
George Chidi
Speaking as a (lapsed) Catholic, I can tell you that what the Church describes as doctrine is a w-i-i-i-d-e gulf from what the laity view as religiously and spiritually acceptable. Most American Catholics aren't exactly subscribing to canon — 64% of U.S. Catholics say they disapprove of the statement that "abortion is morally wrong in every case."
You can pretend in these threads, all day long, that abortion equates to murder. It does not.
And if you can show me how the reporting bias across all jurisdictions over a 20+ year period means crime isn't actually down, I welcome your data. Data, friend, not innuendo.
Yes Georgia, unfortunately too many laity follow or have followed particularly bad examples like Nancy Pelosi, Teddy Kennedy, Mario and Andrew Cuomo. The "I'm personally opposed, but…" crowd. Of course church doctrine is not a matter of the popular vote (thankfully so), as we have seen what has happened in several Protestant denominations when doctrine is put to a vote at every convention. Perhaps you could tell us then what abortion is? A blob? What exactly is happening? Is life being snuffed out? If so, that is happening far more often than police shootings or even black on black crime, yet there is silence…….As I said, obviously all black lives don't matter to that group.
As for the question of crime being down…down from what? From just very high to high? Is crime down so much it is safe to walk the streets of Augusta below 15th Street and Wrightsboro Road? The streets of southwest Atlanta or west of the Georgia Dome? South Macon?
"You can pretend in these threads, all day long, that abortion equates to murder. It does not."
What do you call a premeditated, offensive, deliberative medical procedure that ends a human life, George? Let's see, hmmmm…manslaughter, negligent homicide…what? Dazzle us with those eloquent phrases and sentences on this one!! It's murder, always has been, always will be, whether the co-conspirators on the Supreme Court choose to define it that way or not.
John Konop
George and AG,
Crime issue is two fold in my opinion. One the Clinton crack down on enhancing the War on Drugs via three strikes, and your out, combined with drug laws have devasted poor communities. The Pew institute study shows changing this mistake would lower poverty by 30 percent. This has supporters from the Koch brothers to liberal Dems, it is time to end the War on Drugs and treat it like a health issue.
Yet the violent crime issue is a real problem. We cannot deny that we have areas that people are scared to live. While I am all for ending the War on Drugs, and working with non violent offenders, we cannot deny the issues with especially gang violence. I do think ending the War on Drugs will help, but we cannot be naive about the dangers.Log in to Reply
"sensationalized news reports about local crime" ? I doubt families of victims consider such accounts as "sensationalized." News reports that show disproportionate violent crime committed by blacks is reality and it's a very sad reality that some folks don't want to talk about. And yes, murders were up in several of our large cities including Atlanta during 2015.
By the way, I did not vote for Trumpet in the primary.Log in to Reply
George Chidi
An emotional appeal is not something to base public policy on. "Do it … for the children!" You're better than that.
I have no problem talking about "disproportionate violent crime committed by blacks …" I simply don't stop the analysis there, which tends to make people who think the discussion can end at skin color uncomfortable. People affected by long-term unemployment — black, white and otherwise — who have untreated mental illness — black, white and otherwise — and expect unfair treatment at the hands of the justice system — black, white and otherwise — have higher crime rates. All of these things directly connect with societal racism, and the disparities in crime rates between black and white people largely disappear when they're regressed out of the statistics.
Some folks don't want to talk about that. As you say.
And while some cities crime rates went up last year, some fell. That's how statistics works.Log in to Reply
John Konop
If this is your point why would you support Hillary who helped create the problem?
George Chidi
It's a good question, actually.
I'm on the fence between Clinton and Sanders myself, and I think the polling right now doesn't capture the softness of support for Clinton in the black community for these very reasons. We've been looking at historically high turnout among black voters for eight years now, and Barack Obama's presence on the ballot is a big part of that. Clinton may end up capturing 75 percent of a pie that's a third smaller than in recent years.
All of that said … I think Clinton is a knife fighter of a politician who has been here before, and I think that may be what it takes to beat Trump. And beating Trump matters more to me than the policy differences between Sanders and Clinton do.
John Konop
Would not a President Trump help the African American community more than Hillary?
1) Her policemen of the world foreign policy hits minority community hard as well as poor whites? Trump is clear he is not a Neocon like Hillary.
2) She has been trading off middle class jobs for years for campaign donations via her visa and trade policy? The DailyKos the most liberal website in the country pointed it out. Would not Trump be better for workers with this issue?
3) Hillary even takes money from the private prison industry that has lobbied for tougher sentences on non violent crimes and the War on Drugs. Does that not tell you all you need to know about Hillary?
George Chidi
The presidency, today, has almost no legislative sway. Congress will be deadlocked. Nothing will pass. So the power of the presidency is defined by enforcement of existing regulatory power and criminal law, the appointment of judges and high officials, foreign policy and the bully pulpit.
I'll take any Clinton-appointed judge, all day long, over anyone Trump wants in his pocket. A Clinton Justice Department is likely to be a surveillance-state monster, and I hate that. But it's also far more likely to take civil rights violations seriously than Trump, who has been sued successfully for violating the civil rights of tenants before.
As for the rest, there's a basic political calculation to make: what do you think Trump will owe black people if he wins without them, as I suspect he would? There is no political constraint, no price to pay, for him to simply screw over black voters … because, given his base, that would likely win him more votes with working class white people with an ax to grind than it might lose him.
Governance is a coalition of interests. It sucks, of course, but that's the reality of it. Trump's interest is in placating the fears of the white working class, exclusively. I think Clinton is likely to be more responsive to black political interests, though plainly — given your examples — not exclusively so.
John Konop
My main point is the reason Trump and Sanders are surprising the establishment is simple, the pocket book. Obviously, both have attracted a fringe element. But at the end the people are betting they will at least not be tainted by the lobbyist, which will help the economy depending if their view is left or right. Agree or not with them I get the frustration. I had a very good friend of mine at dinner a few nights ago, a(former chair of a county GOP). We both said if we had to choose between Bernie and Hillary we would take Bernie because at least he is sincere about his policies. Always easier doing business with someone if you get their point of view. Yet with Hillary, obviously she seems agenda driven, and not the best interest of the people. If you replace Trump with Sanders you can say the same about the GOP….. At the end of the day, I think the people get it.
"long-term unemployment" How does long term unemployment cause folks to murder, assault and rape?
George Chidi
If you think a new job is around the corner, you're far less likely to engage in the kind of anti-social behavior that will damage future employability than if you think the only way to keep a roof over your head is by knocking over a liquor store. It's worth noting, again, that crime has fallen dramatically over the last 20-plus years. Since 1993, rape/sexual assault has fallen by half, for example.
Trumpet is an entertainer that runs as a populist.
Burnie is an old socialist running as an old socialist.
Hilly is a liar running as someone that says she always "tried" to tell the truth.
Bernie is a warm up snack and already done to Hillary, what GOP candidates are standing after Super Tuesday better get the best fire and radiation equipment there is. She is preparing her A team to launch half truth and barefaced lies of nuclear attacks on the survivors.Log in to Reply
Stats : Atlanta gangs have gone from 58 to 120 in the last 10 years or so. I guess if you myob and the cops stay out of sight it's all good. Unless the drive by puts a bunch of slugs in your kid or you get caught up in an initiation.Log in to Reply
John Barrow could not even win re-election to his congressional seat, and yet folks want to draft him for the US Senate? For now, so long as Democrats are not competitive in the 40 percent of Georgia outside metro Atlanta, LOL winning a statewide office.Log in to Reply
Georgia Democrats need a plan. period. Confused, disorganized far-far-far-left folks in/around Atlanta have set the Party back light years statewide the last decade or two. Unless some centrist moderates from around the state manage to get control (unlikely), Georgia Dems are destined to wander in the wilderness for a long time.Log in to Reply
I see you are emphatic, Sally Forth. 😉Log in to Reply
I see you are emphatic, Sally Forth. 😉Log in to Reply
Sally Forth
Hey! Charlie, what's up with the double posts popping up on Calypso and me? Can you remove one of each please?Log in to Reply
ummm…mine was double-posted on purpose. I was trying to show my understanding of the emphatic nature of your comment. As Foghorn Leghorn would say, "That's a joke, I say that's a joke, son."Log in to Reply
Paging all African American Dems why would you vote for Hillary? If you combine the three strikes and you are out ie War on Drugs, and the trade deals did not the Clinton family create many of the issues in your community? Why would you double down with Hillary? Your kids under the Clinton family were not only abused by the above, but were sent to fight unnecessary wars.Log in to Reply
George, you made good on your threat to delete my posts that challenged you and hurt your poor, wittle feelings! Unbelievable! You're a bully. Speaking of Hitler, you know he burned books to stifle expression and free speech of those with whom he disagreed? And who else took away opinions they didn't agree with? You. Welcome to the club! I'm sure Mr. Harper is so proud of you tonight!Log in to Reply
John Konop
George and Charlie are both good people and friends on mine. We do not always agree, no need to make personal attacks, does not help make your point. On this issue, I called out George, but it was issue oriented not personal. Just my 2 centsLog in to Reply
I hear you, Mr. Konop. But nothing is more personal than using the Hitler/Fascist label to describe a candidate AND his supporters. Just because Chidi cloaked it in his term of "Political Speech" does not make doing that legitimate or any more palatable. Thanks for your opinion on this. Reasonable as usual.Log in to Reply
John Konop
I do agree it was way over the top, which is why I made the comments. BTW, call me John…..Log in to Reply
John Konop
George and Charlie are both good people and friends of mine. We do not always agree, no need to make personal attacks, does not help make your point. On this issue, I called out George, but it was issue oriented not personal. Just my 2 centsLog in to Reply
Great post and great responses to critics.
Trump is something that people should be concerned about. His motivations and his supporters motivations are fair game.
To be honest though, I'm more scared of Cruz than Trump. I don't think Trump really believes the B.S. he's spewing. Cruz believes all of his. Or at least, will follow through with it.Log in to Reply
More unpleasant statistics for BLM activities
1,856 US military have died in the 14 years in Afghanistan
2,491 US blacks murdered by blacks in 2013
189 US blacks murdered by whites in 2013
370,000 (est. 37% of 1 mil.) blacks @yr abort the undesirables
2014 data – same drift
Might be time to demonstrate against the gangs in poor neighborhoods as their numbers have doubled in Atlanta to 120 with a lot of members
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/expanded-homicide-data/expanded_homicide_data_table_6_murder_race_and_sex_of_vicitm_by_race_and_sex_of_offender_2014.xlsLog in to Reply
George Chidi
When a gang member shoots someone, the crime is investigated. Police make arrests, generally — 80 percent of murders result in an arrest. (We can argue about whether the police are sufficiently fastidious about who they arrest and how they arrest, but still.) The suspect is tried, found guilty or pleads guilty about 90 percent of the time and is sentenced to a very long jail term.
When a police officer shoots someone … crickets. Investigations are perfunctory. Police close ranks with prosecutors. Charges are almost never laid, and when they are, prosecutors beholden to police tank the cases, so there are no convictions.
This is why people are protesting police shootings, and not protesting gang shootings. This isn't hard to understand.Log in to Reply
For someone I think could make a difference in a community that is one lame answer. Better to leave the poor trembling in their homes than get in front of a gang, it might help encourage the majority good citizens from not closing ranks due to fear of retaliation.
I believe there are other reasons for BLM not messing with gangs that kill blacks.Log in to Reply
George Chidi
I think you lack familiarity with the people on the front lines of either the Black Lives Matter movement or those fighting gang violence in black communities. You might find that they are generally the same people.
Strange but I have never heard anything about BLM fighting gang violence or any violence in black communities; only when police use force do they speak or act. Perhaps if BLM were a little more proactive they could prevent some of the daily violence.
The BLM is a black liberalization mob that organized around the Treyvon Martin shooting and got really going by leading the Baltimore riots. I've read their web site and some news articles.
I started to list a bunch of snarky inflammatory stuff but after their crashing a $500 per Hillary event last night on her selling out blacks and getting tossed out……I retired to my fishing chair with a bag of popcorn. Go for it.


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1. Sign up to Hands on Hong Kong
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The B4B Rewards Program is a rewards program offered by Basics for Basics to its customers located in Hong Kong. Membership to the Program is limited to individuals only and is limited to one account per individual. Employees, officers, directors, agents and representatives of Basics for Basics and its affiliates are eligible for Membership but may be excluded from certain promotions. You must be age 18 years or older and a legal resident of Hong Kong to be eligible for Membership. Eligible minors must obtain their parent's or legal guardian's consent prior to participation.
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Under the Program, you earn 100 B4B Reward points for every 1 volunteer activity participated in full through Hands On HK. Subject to the Termination provision of these Terms, points do not expire. Points may be redeemed for rewards to be determined by Basics for Basics in its sole discretion; provided, however, that in order to redeem your points for any Reward, you must (1) accumulate a minimum number of points as established by Basics for Basics and (2) make an additional purchase of merchandise from Basics for Basics at the time that you redeem your points. Program members are able to redeem no more than one of each Reward per transaction. Program members cannot redeem more than 10 of any one unique Reward sku per year.
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The Adventurous Side of Cape Town
From high speed power boats to stepping off the edge of the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town has it all!
Penguin Paddle
Using easy to paddle two man kayaks, explore the cool, sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean to view the resident penguins of Boulders Beach in all their glory. As you glide through the water, watch as the penguins play, dive and dance in the waves during this unique experience.
Power Boat Excursions
Choose from two spectacular trips and discover the Cape as it was first viewed by the adventurous explorers of old.
Cape Point - The Cape of Storms, learn all about the history of the shipwrecks, ghost ships and sea life which have made this peninsula famous. Take a high speed journey round the Cape of Storms in a powerboat and experience the dramatic rugged beauty of Cape Point and the endless stunning views.
Hout Bay - Head to the favourite dining venue of the Great White Shark, Duiker Island and experience the colony of Cape Fur Seals. With the majestic Sentinel Mountain as your backdrop, follow the rugged coastline to view the wreck of the Boss 400 before following Chapman's Peak back to the harbour.
Table Mountain Cycle
Nowhere else in the world does an area of such spectacular beauty and rich bio-diversity exist almost entirely within a metropolitan area as it does in the thriving and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. Cape Town's iconic landmark offers bumpy off road single tracks for experienced riders and gentle tar for the novice with the option of finishing in Camps Bay.
Cape Point Cycle
Cycle to the Cape of Good Hope and see ostrich, baboons, antelope and even whales. Several route options are available. Explore the Cape Point Nature Reserve on two wheels while enjoying the natural wildlife and fynbos indigenous to the Cape.
Township Cycle
Experience the vibrant culture of Township life whilst on a cycling tour through Masiphumelele. With a local guide leading the way, weave through the community stopping along the way to visit an informal creche, the pavement shops and watching a traditional Sangoma work her African Magic!
The tour offers a real insight into township life and the entrepreneurial spirit and humour that shines through, leave feeling you really have experienced being part of this great community.
Deep Sea Fishing
Departing from Hout Bay this full day excursion is for the very keen fisherman as the travelling distance to deep sea is far. The rewards can be huge though with Tuna and Yellow Tail being the most common catches.
Hike Table Mountain
There are dozens of spectacular hiking routes on Table Mountain ranging from an easy wander across the Table Top to a challenging summit hike.
Table Mountain Abseil
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Surf Lessons
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Sand boarding in the Atlantis Dunes is a 45min drive from the centre of town and the trip would be 2 hours in duration, which includes walk-in and walk-out time from the Dunes.
A visit to Cape Town really does offer something for every adventurer, so contact the Southern Africa Travel team today to start planning your dream luxury African vacation!


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Cost of Ebola could top $32b
WASHINGTON (AP): EBOLA'S ECONOMIC toll could reach $32.6 billion by year's end if the disease ravaging Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone spreads across West Africa, the World Bank said on Wednesday.
The outbreak has the potential "to inflict massive economic costs" on those three countries and their closest neighbours, according to the bank's assessment.
"The international community must find ways to get past logistical roadblocks and bring in more doctors and trained medical staff, more hospital beds and more health and development support to help stop Ebola in its tracks," said Jim Yong Kim, the bank's president.
"Prudent" investment in better health systems could have lessened the economic fallout, he said.
The report estimated the costs of two scenarios:
More than $9 billion if the disease is rapidly contained in the three most severely affected countries.
$32.6 billion if it takes a long time to contain Ebola there and the disease spreads to neighbouring nations.
One way to ease the impact, the report said, would be if immediate action halted the outbreak and calmed fears. Concerns about the disease are causing neighbouring countries to close their borders, and airlines and businesses to suspend commercial activities in the three worst-affected countries.


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From 12th to 19th February 2016 the stunning resort will be transformed into a hub of musical culture as 40 exceptionally talented musicians from more than 20 different countries stay, rehearse and perform at the hotel.
The special package offers visitors the chance to listen to music played by passionate young people with a series of unforgettable concerts lined up for the sixth edition of the week-long festival.
Drazen Domjanic, the festival's musical and artistic director, promises a packed programme of highlights, including a jazz soirée with the Swing Kids, a group aged between 9 and 16 years of age, playing swing jazz at its highest level.
Guests enjoying this package can relax and rejuvenate with full access to the resort's Wellbeing & Thermal Spa, the legendary Helena pool, the Tamina Therme and daily complimentary health and relaxation activities.
Festival Next Generation runs from 12th to 19th February 2016 and the package includes:
• Four nights luxury accommodation at Grand Hotel Hof Ragaz or Grand Hotel Quellenhof & Spa Suites including a generous buffet breakfast
• The resort's unique 36.5° Wellbeing-Package including unlimited access to the 36.5° Wellbeing & Thermal Spa and the legendary Helena pool, bathing experiences in the popular Tamina Therme (public thermal spa), and daily complimentary health and relaxation activities
• Welcome drink at the bar
• Access to six concerts with closing concert including a gala dinner in the Kursaal
The Festival Next Generation package is priced from CHF / £335* per person per night** based on two people sharing a double Comfort Room at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz's Grand Hotel Hof Ragaz.


text: Stuka f #1 Posted February 3, 2014 My collection Belgian Congo grows very slowly, those objects are very hard to come by. Here is my latest (just in!!) Portrait was made by ,Emiel Jacques, (°Moorslede, 17 juli 1874/+Michigan, 1937)a Belgian artist who moved to the US and died as a American citizen. I still need to find out who the officer was... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Naples Island 71st Annual Boat Parade
"The Canals are Alive with the Sound of Music"
Saturday, December 9th, 2017
Wednesday, December 6th, 2017 Time: 7:00 PM Skippers Meeting at:
(Please note: This is a Naples Improvement Association function and not a LBYC event)
Saturday, December 9th, 2017 "Parade Night" Streets close at 5:00 PM
Large Boats Starts at 6:00 PM
All Large Boats will assemble along Lido Lane and off
the sea wall in front of Naples Plaza and follow
the Large Boat Parade map outline.
Small Boat Parade Starts at 6:30 PM
All the Small Boats will assemble in Marine Stadium.
The #1 boat will lead the Parade. No boat will begin
until the #1 boat has started the Parade. Boats will
travel the route outlined on the
Boats must have
Official Parade Numbers to Participate
in the Naples Boat Parade.
Click here to down load a pdf of 2012 Boat Parade Winners
Grand Prize Boat Number "8" Alan Singer "Cerritos Bahia Yacht Club"
Theme Boat Number "33" Mary Melton "Aerodragons Dragon Boat Team"
Lights Boat Number "16" Robert Gariepy "Shock and Awe"
Music Boat Number "8" Alan Singer "Cerritos Bahia Yacht Club"
Costumes Boat Number "37" Danielle Doloff "No Name"
Originality Boat Number "42" Michael Seckington "Unplugged"
Most Creative Boat Number "2" Sue Bertran "Killer Guppies Dragon Boat Team"
Most Humorous Boat Number "18" Darius Bossinas "No Name"
Additional parade photos may be seen on Facebook at the link below.
2010 - Naples Boat Parade
2011 - Naples Boat Parade
2012 - Naples Boat Parade
2013 - Naples Boat Parade
2015 - Naples Boat Parade
2016 - Naples Boat Parade
2017 - Naples Boat Parade


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Disney Cars Toddler Dash Shoe
He'll be off to the races in no time with the Toddler Dash Shoe from Disney Cars. Fun Disney Cars graphic decorate the outside edges of the PVC upper, complete with Lightyear tires and racing flag designs at the heel. The treaded manmade soles are lighted for increased traction and support while the padded insole and adjustable hook-and-loop closure assure a secure fit.
カーズ スニーカーはAmazon.comからの販売のみです。
Looking for more cute characters? Check out our Character Index.


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The Cost of the Maryland Certified Public Manager Program
The registration fee of $6,500 per person. The registration fee includes all training sessions, program materials, and textbooks.
The program fee is due in full prior to the start of the program unless other arrangements have been made.
The program qualifies for funding under the Post 911 GI Bill for eligible applicants. The program does not qualify for other forms of financial aid or tuition remission.


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Dad was having a bad morning at work, so he decided to take the afternoon off. He said that's one of the perks of being the boss. Anyhow, he came home and let us all outside. Then he loaded up just me in the van and we set off on an adventure! He sent Mom a text that said we were having some Dad and Morgan time.
It turns out we went on a scouting mission to Mathiessen State Park to see if it would be a good place to go back to with Mom and Bunny. Dad says no way could Blueberry do the hiking there, but Bunny probably could. I think that it would be fun to go back with Bunny and Mom. As long as we all stay together, that is!


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Alright all you local BCN heads, this weekend is the 2nd SWAB art fair, featuring 34 art galleries from around the world. The fair is located in the heart of the city, at the Gallery Arsenal-
Location:Drassanes Reials de Barcelona
Avda. de les Drassanes, s/n
08001 Barcelona
The fair is three days long and is on till the 18th, I personally will be attending tomorrow, so Ill make sure to snap some photos.
With rows and rows of galleries and works from the artists they show, it is truly a day experience to see works coming from all over the world.
The entrance few is 15. Euros, get all the info on the site www.swab.es


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The Crooked Creek Club is a top level golfers club with access to great amenities.
Crooked Creek Club embraces strong ties to the neighborhood and local areas, emphasizing that Club is more than just a golf course. Crooked Creek Club is a true club with deep roots in the community.
The Crooked Creek Club is a fantastic value for people looking to join a private club with an array of amenities. It is regarded as a complete club offering something for everyone… singles, young couples, families, empty nesters… will all feel a sense of community.
Our goal is to continue to develop a relaxing social atmosphere where our membership can continue to grow as a community, for years to come. Our desire is to be a place where generations will grow up, have fun and make new friends away from the hectic demands of the world outside the entrance of The Crooked Creek Club.


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|Image Overload 250.00
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