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"This is a brand new way to price car insurance that allows drivers to pay based on how they actually drive." -Richard Hutchinson, general manager for the new "MyRate" program at the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies
Here's an idea that should be readily applied in the trucking industry: give insurance discounts based on good driving data. It's a concept now being applied to the car-insurance world, but one easily applicable to truckers, since the technology being used is already onboard many commercial vehicles already.
It's called "behavior-based insurance" and it relies on data recorded by a small device at attached to the vehicle that records vehicle speed, hard braking incidents, following distance, and other metrics, along with when the vehicle is being operated (specific time periods during day and night. Data that indicates good driving habits equals a lower risk profile for a crash - and that means lower premiums for those drivers, says Richard Hutchinson, general manager for the new "MyRate" program at the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies.
"Are you the poster child for safe driving, always leaving plenty of space between you and the car ahead? Or a business traveler who parks your car at the airport or train station several days a week? Or maybe you have a car that you only take out for a spin on warm summer days. If so, your car is probably less likely to be involved in a crash - so shouldn't you pay less for car insurance?" he notes in a press release announcing the new program.
MyRate offers lower rates on vehicles that are driven in less risky ways - giving car drivers a customized rate based on how, how much, and when their car is driven. It's now available to drivers in Maryland, Alabama, and New Jersey that purchase polices directly from Progressive online or by phone though it'll become available through independent insurance agents beginning Sept. 26 this year.
"MyRate is designed for consistent and safe drivers," Hutchinson says. "It's for people who drive at low risk times of day and who keep alert for others on the road. They don't make fast lane changes or follow too closely behind other drivers so they don't have to over-react or slam on the brakes."
The small wireless device Progressive plugs into a port in their car allows the company to "see" see how cars are being driven, how much they drive, and when it's being operated, he explains. Cars driven less often, in less risky ways and at less risky times of day can receive a lower premium - a first-term discount of up to 10% just for signing up. Then, upon policy renew, they could get a 25% discount or more based on their driving habits. There is also a $30 technology expense each policy period for the cost of the device and data transmission, Hutchinson adds.
"Customers can also access their driving data on a secure, password protected Web site and get an up-to-date view of their driving habits and how those habits are affecting their rate," he says. "Customers who don't like what they see can modify their driving behaviors in ways that can lead to a discount, such as driving more defensively, driving less, and driving at less risky times of day."
This isn't the first time Progressive has dabbled in information technology to find ways to lower insurance premiums for customers and risk exposure for themselves. The company's initial foray into usage-based insurance started in 1999 with a program in Texas called Autograph, followed by a pilot program in Minnesota, Michigan, and Oregon using "TripSense" back in 2004. Now, MyRate is stepping to the fore, with plans to roll it out nationwide pending regulatory approval by the states.
Needless to say, a program like this would be an easy slam-dunk in trucking's corner of the world, I think. For starters, devices capable of detailed data capture and transmission already exist onboard many commercial vehicles from many different vendors - Qualcomm, PeopleNet, and Xata, just to name a few. Insurers could easily tap into these systems for the data they need and offer safe drivers - from owner-operators up to the big fleets - insurance discounts.
Of course, it can't be done overnight, but the benefits seem clear. Any independent or fleet willing to share data proving they drive safe and professionally at all times deserves an opportunity to save money on their premiums - for that, in turn, gives the insurance carrier proof of a lower risk profile. This is a pretty clear-cut win-win for truckers and their insurance providers, courtesy of technology. Let's hope someone picks up this ball and runs with it.


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subset: commoncrawl


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With seven Executive MBA campuses around the world — based in Canada, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States — the Kellogg Executive MBA Program offers the largest, most immersive network of its kind.
Our premier Executive MBA Global Network offers unparalleled access to a broad range of global study opportunities. Take global electives taught by local experts on any of our campuses, investigate emerging markets, and study alongside international students during Global Network Week. You'll experience complete immersion in global markets, connect with business leaders from around the world and develop local knowledge that cultivates global expertise.
"It is a thrilling experience to meet Asian or African folks in Germany who are thousands of miles away from their home countries, and instantly feel connected with them."
– Tiberiu Toader '15


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President's Testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education Appropriations
March 16, 2011
Good afternoon.
First, thank you, Chairman Schuitmaker, for inviting me to talk with you and the members of the subcommittee.
A President's Michigan story
Eastern Michigan University is many things, including a collection of success stories.
They are stories of humble beginnings, from students being schooled in subjects such as forensics/debate at our public universities; stories that result in great careers and great lives.
Let me tell you of two Eastern success stories. Dann Florek, the longest standing star on the TV show "Law & Order," now in "Special Victims Unit," came to Eastern and found his way onto the stage as he performed in Shakespeare's Richard III. He headed off to New York shortly after that, leaving his wife Karen behind. She wanted to earn her degree, and to be a part of winning the first national forensics overall championship for Eastern in 1973.
Soon after, Rodney Slater came to Eastern from Arkansas to play football, and joined the forensics team. He later became Secretary of Transportation in President Clinton's cabinet, and now chairs our fundraising campaign. This year's forensics team is ranked sixth nationally. In all, Eastern has won 11 team national championships and 38 out of 40 State championships.
There are thousands of these stories on our campus. EASTERN is the essence of a great public university that any Michigan citizen can come to, get access to faculty, afford the degree, and head from Eastern to live productively, earning $1 million more on average than citizens who do not have college degrees.
I accepted the job as President at Eastern because I, along with my leadership team, believe this is very meaningful work for the State of Michigan, a state that we love. We seek to educate students and produce more degrees for citizens who will actually LIVE here, will want to stay, and, when they complete their degree, become part of reinvigorating our economy.
I have a similar story of staying here. I grew up on a dairy farm in the Thumb – a first-generation college student. I went to a one-room school and my teacher, Iris Murray, graduated from Michigan State Normal, now Eastern Michigan University.
I was the baby of the family. Our house was heated with wood. My mother was often tired from milking 100 cows morning and night. She washed clothes in a wringer washer, and was determined to hang them on the clothesline in the dead of winter regardless. I would haul those icy stiff clothes back in and then lay them on a wood drying rack over the one vent from the wood fire heating the poorly insulated home. I drank unpasteurized milk fresh through a little filter like you put in your coffee machine. It was great, and I am still standing at age 60.
I took a test in high school and scored well, and I must personally thank the taxpayers of the State of Michigan for supporting me, as I had my tuition and fees fully paid. I only had to earn enough to pay room and board. I worked my first summer in college at Aunt Jane's Pickles, and as a teller in a bank during future summers. I emerged from college only $1,000 in debt with a degree in public speaking and traveled the country on the college debate team at CMU. I earned an MBA and Ph.D. at MSU.
Today I am the President of Eastern Michigan University. But with the proposed state budget, if I were standing in those same shoes today, my parents and I would be completely bewildered and frightened by the cost.
Michigan taxpayers deserve the opportunity to earn a degree so they can live in the State they love, raise a family, own a home, and not be burdened with a large debt for college tuition.
I had that opportunity. Did any of you?
EMU's special role in Michigan
During this challenging economic environment in Michigan, Eastern has sought to do its part. For two years in a row, Eastern has led the State's 15 public universities in tuition restraint. Last spring, our Board of Regents approved a zero percent increase in tuition, fees, and room and board. ZERO, ZERO, ZERO.
And yet we are still reinvesting $195 million in capital improvements on campus in learning and living centers, including 75 percent in academic space. We hired 43 faculty last year, we are conducting 30 searches this year, and we increased financial aid to our students significantly. That marked the first time in many years that any public university in Michigan held the line at zero.
The year before, we held our increase to the Consumer Price Index of 3.8 percent, also the lowest percentage increase in the state. And Eastern has the lowest tuition increase over the last five years. We now stand third lowest in freshman tuition among the state's public institutions. These dramatic measures provided some difficult and extraordinary budgetary challenges.
Yet the Board of Regents and I believe that taking such action was the right thing at the right time for students and their families. We acted as a public university that creates a space where you realize dreams you didn't know you had – "I got a college degree?" Eastern made that happen. Such stories occur again and again for our alumni, 140,000 strong, with more than 100,000 in Michigan, part of an incredibly important historic university founded 161 years ago and the second oldest in Michigan.
But if you accept the Governor's recommendation for the drastic cut in higher education of approximately 20 percent, it will have a devastating impact on students and their families. We will not be able to increase financial aid and may have to decrease it. Tuition will increase and some students and families cannot take on any more debt due to their troubled financial situations. They want to realize the dream and get a college degree so they can earn a living in Michigan. This shuts the door to a college degree for many Michigan citizens.
Michigan taxpayers have a tremendous higher education asset which the state invested in many years ago, and which citizens expect to serve them NOW in times of trouble, despair and uncertainty. Some states, such as Wyoming, have one public university. We have 15 complementary and diverse institutions, which serve as a powerful engine for economic growth in Michigan.
Michigan citizens can't sell their homes, a spouse may still have a job, but the wolf is at the door serving notices via the mailbox and email. Yet at Eastern, you can come to us with some college but no degree, and we will serve you. We will graduate you as you turn your life around and stay in Michigan. This is how we must and will revive this State – one life at a time, one student, one job gained as a result of an affordable degree.
Eastern provides an accessible, affordable, nurturing undergraduate experience for Michigan citizens to achieve a degree while working many hours to put themselves through college. Our graduation rates are lower because we serve many students who come to us with some college but no degree, transfer students from community colleges and displaced workers.
We fill a critical role in the future of this great State of Michigan.
Effects of the Governor's proposal
Eastern understands shared sacrifice and was prepared to work hard to deal with a cut in our funding, but we were extremely disappointed to find that we were cut 19.3 percent. The proposed budget invests in Medicaid and increasing the appropriation for corrections, but how is that investment going to get a return on investment in Michigan's future and economic growth?
Our strong partners at community colleges were completely spared with a cut of zero percent, despite their independent millage support from Michigan taxpayers, which we do not enjoy. And Eastern works with many community college partners, with more than 100 articulation agreements that accept 84-92 credits toward an Eastern degree.
Michigan is 50th of the 50 states in funding higher education. If you adopt this budget proposal, we can assure that we will occupy that dead last spot for the indefinite future.
At Eastern, the Governor's proposal would mean a $14.7 million cut to our operating budget. This will have a dramatic impact on the 23,500 students who attend Eastern – the vast majority of whom are from Michigan. The largest piece of our operating budget is personnel, particularly faculty. Another large piece of our budget is financial aid to students. A reduction of this magnitude to our operating budget from the State will force cuts in these and other areas. And tuition must go up. None of these outcomes will help Michigan as we strive to increase the number of our residents who hold a four-year degree.
Even if Eastern and other universities limit tuition increases next year to a fixed amount, the Governor's budget would still slash $11.4 million from Eastern's budget, and $213 million from the entire public university budget.
Moreover, this proposal – which the administration refers to as "tuition restraint grants" – does not actually reward past tuition restraint or encourage tuition restraint at all. Instead, the Governor's proposal encourages every university to increase tuition next year by at least 7 percent. Eastern has not done that, but I will certainly recommend it to my Board if this proposal is enacted. The tuition "restraint" add-on is only an add-on – our operating appropriations have been slashed by 19-22 percent, depending on the university.
It is a very, very harsh message, a disinvestment in a crown jewel asset of the State of Michigan that my parents paid taxes to invest in, but is now being cast aside, as are those unfortunate State taxpayers who would like to attend but can no longer afford it.
The gap between rich and poor grows wider and has huge implications for future state budgets across time for the social services, and for the possible incarceration costs of the uneducated, disadvantaged citizens who did not have the opportunity I did to get an affordable, accessible college education.
Worse yet, the Governor's proposal will punish those universities, such as Eastern, that have been holding the line on tuition for years.
Michigan's 15 public universities are all different, and EMU does not support an across-the-board funding formula for all 15 universities. Each university should be held accountable based on metrics and measures that uniquely reflect its role in advancing this great State of Michigan.
EMU responds to economic challenge
Some might argue that the Governor's proposed cuts to public universities will force universities to trim the fat. But Eastern has been cutting costs for years. Eastern's low tuition, room and board rates are largely the result of management's focus on cost savings and efficiencies. Here are just a few indicative examples:
- EMU has reduced its staffing levels by 140 personnel since 2004.
- 75 percent of EMU's employees are effectively paying 20 percent of the cost of their health insurance; we plan to move the remaining employees into this 80/20 plan when their union contracts are re-negotiated.
- EMU has reduced energy costs by almost $2 million/year.
- We have in place a 90-day freeze on replacing vacant positions.
- In 2009, we instituted an 18-month pay freeze for the top 100 highest compensated employees.
Investing in Michigan's future
Despite strict cost controls, Eastern continues to invest in new facilities.
Renovations are continuing on the Pray-Harrold classroom building, Eastern's busiest academic facility, with 10,000 students circulating daily through its halls. This year, we executed a massive, temporary move-out from this building, the beginning of a fast-track construction schedule that aims to complete work on the $42-million project by this fall. The move-out plan is called "Swing Space," a collaborative effort that will expedite construction by one year and save $3 million in construction costs that can be reinvested in this first-class facility. We again thank the State of Michigan for the capital outlay appropriation for this project.
This semester we opened the spectacular addition to our self-funded, $90 million Science Complex project. This move added 80,000 square feet of new science space, with a planetarium that will also be open for community use, but with no additional overall energy costs. We are now renovating the adjacent Mark Jefferson building. The complex and renovation, which form the largest building project in Eastern's history, will encourage interdisciplinary research and help train scientists and science teachers in Michigan.
Eastern remains hopeful that the University can be considered for a capital outlay bill that funds needed renovations at Strong Hall to complete our science complex. Capital outlay should reward tuition restraint and self-funded investments in facilities.
Eastern has also worked diligently and successfully to increase enrollment. Eastern's enrollment has increased by almost 7 percent over the last two years, to more than 23,500 students. For next fall, freshman applications are up 29 percent, transfer applications are up about 30 percent and graduate applications are up 16 percent.
Eastern has also increased financial aid by 57 percent, to $33.7 million. Such aid is crucial. About 80 percent of Eastern's students received some form of financial aid in the 2009-2010 academic year, with an average award of $11,762. More than 6,400 students received Pell Grants, amounting to about 38 percent of the undergraduate student body. The percentage total of Eastern's Pell Grant recipients is among the highest of Michigan's public universities.
An example of the distinct opportunities we create at Eastern is the new "Keys to Degrees" program, which enables single parents to earn a college degree. Parents will live on campus year-round, and have easy access to the University's on-campus child care facility. It's the realization of what program director Elise Buggs calls "a dream deferred" for young, single parents. The program has been widely featured in the state's media.
Along with such internal efforts, Eastern remains highly conscious about working with other complementary institutions around the state. Notably, we have a program to train nurses at Jackson Community College, a partnership that illustrates the ideal way to allocate resources and work with community colleges. We see no need to institute four-year degree programs at community colleges.
With all due respect, if the State is struggling to fund the existing 15 public universities and cutting their appropriation by 21 percent, how can Michigan afford to create more four-year universities by permitting community colleges to offer four-year degrees?
Affordable, accessible, excellent
Our focus at Eastern Michigan University is clear: higher education is the path to prosperity for Michigan. Eastern Michigan is accessible, it is affordable, and it emphasizes academic excellence. The sum of our efforts is that Eastern is an economic engine in southeast Michigan: Eastern returns $42 to Michigan's economy for each $1 invested by the State.
The data are undisputed: college-educated workers earn far more than those with associates or high school degrees. Higher education must be the centerpiece of our shared goal of reinventing Michigan's economy and ensuring prosperity in the coming decades.
Having worked in Michigan government in positions such as assistant auditor general, deputy state treasurer and as commissioner of revenue, I acutely understand the financial challenges facing Lansing.
Please do NOT cut public university funding by 21 percent. Support Michigan students and recognize the desperate need of our students for continued support to enable them to earn a college degree and not give up hope on a pathway to success.


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|File type
|Asterisk Gateway Interface Format
If you cannot open the AGI file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable application that supports AGI among those that are installed on your computer.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the AGI file can be found below. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
This site also defines other possible causes causing the problems with AGI files.
The inability to open and operate the AGI file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Asterisk Gateway Interface Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the AGI file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the AGI file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the AGI file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
|Unix Static Object Code Library Format
|Alice Program World Format
|DS Game Maker Action Description Format
|ADA Language Source Code Format
|Microsoft Visual Studio Addin Format
|Ada Package Specification
|Asterisk Gateway Interface Format
|Alpha Five Data Dictionary
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.AGI) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected AGI file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK.
Many files contain data in the form of text or numbers. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. AGI) a popular Windows simple text editor, which is Notebook will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.


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About Us
|FAT| Arts & Fashion Week celebrates inventive, pioneering and contemporary expression through 50+ runway shows, live performances, fashion films, photography exhibits and art installations. This annual multi-arts event, held every April, features 200 Canadian and International fashion designers and artists each year and welcomes over 5,000 guests; including buyers, curators, the media, and fashion and art lovers in general.| FAT | Arts & Fashion Week has a mandate of showcasing artistic disciplines rooted in fashion and their exploration of clothing in today's time. The festival emphasizes this mandate through the showcase of fashion design, photography, installation, film, video, performance, music and dance, in an effort to push forward and redefine our perception of the fashion phenomenon.


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Former Viking Top Pick Gets 15 Months for Fraud
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A former NFL first-round draft pick has received a 15-month federal sentence for participating in a Florida fraud scheme.
Michael Bennett was sentenced Friday in Fort Lauderdale federal court. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
Bennett was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2002 and played for six teams, last appearing for the Oakland Raiders in 2010.
Prosecutors say the FBI operated an undercover check-cashing store in North Miami used by Bennett, two other former football players and five others from February through April. The group allegedly cashed about $500,000 in fraudulent tax refund checks.
Bennett's attorney says Bennett "had nothing to do with cashing fraudulent tax checks, nor was he charged with such."
Former Raiders and New York Giants defensive tackle William Joseph and former Syracuse player Louis Gacheline are awaiting sentencing on related charges.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.


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Fox's competition series "MasterChef" is headed to Chicago as part of its nationwide search for Season 5 contestants.
The casting call will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Oct. 19 at Le Cordon Bleu, 361 W. Chestnut St. "MasterChef" judge Graham Elliot will attend the casting event.
Those planning to audition must bring one prepared dish to be served to the judges. You will be given a chance to plate your dish, but there won't be a kitchen to cook or warm the dish.
You can pre-register for the call and download an application at the "MasterChef" web site to bring with you when you audition. The site also offers tips on how to audition.
Here are the national locations and dates for open calls. All casting events take place form 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 19
Le Cordon Bleu
361 W. Chestnut St.
Chicago, IL 60610
Saturday, Oct. 5
Embassy Suites Biltmore
2630 E. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
New Orleans
Saturday, Oct. 5
Hyatt French Quarter
800 Iberville St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
Saturday, Oct. 12
Doubletree Suites Hotel Houston Galleria
5353 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
Saturday, Oct. 12
Holiday Inn & Suites
Orlando 5905 South Kirkman Road
Orlando, FL 32819
Saturday Oct. 19
Hyatt Regency Columbus
350 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Kansas City
Saturday, Oct. 26
Kansas City Marriott Downtown
200 W. 12th St.
Kansas City, MO 64105
New York City
Saturday, Oct. 26
Doubletree Suites Times Square
1568 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Saturday, Nov. 2
Crowne Plaza Denver Downtown
1450 Glenarm Place
Denver, CO 80202
Saturday, Nov. 2
Doubletree Philadelphia Center City
237 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Los Angeles
Location TBD
Nov. 9
Want more? Discuss this article and others on Show Patrol's Facebook page.


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Quiet American, The (UK - BD RB)
The next Miramax BD for Marcus takes him to Vietnam with Michael Caine....
Saigon, Vietnam the early 50s. Thomas Fowler (Michael Caine) a British journalist is in love with Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen), a young Vietnamese girl but when Pyle (Brendan Fraser) an American strategic operative who is seemingly steering the war for America's own interest also falls for the beautiful woman, the two men's relationship becomes strained.
The Quiet American is really two films. The first is a look into America's involvement that led to the Vietnam War the second is a love triangle between two men who want the best for Phoung. Strangely these two very different threads coexist incredibly well and even though the war side of things isn't quite as explored as the love triangle at times the intertwining of the two somehow feels seamless.
The story is told by Michael Caine's character with almost poetic narration. His character has a way of speaking that fits his voice perfectly and his relationship with Pyle provides a playing ground for more. The two have a friendship that seems to rely solely on honesty. Pyle loves Fowler's woman and he intends to marry her. This hasn't really been discussed with Phoung but when all three discuss the situation in the calmest of fashions, the two men are even supportive of each other's intentions even though they obviously have opposing agendas. They remain friends and openly discuss their rivalry, never in a playful way, just as a matter of fact and when they meet up with each other after spells of being apart are very fond of one another. It's an odd relationship but a deep one and really the core of what makes this story work so well.
As for the war backdrop, this too is well handled. When it over powers the love triangle in a few scenes such as the devastation of a small village by the unseen army or the bombing of Saigon, the instability of Vietnam is really shown. The outcome of both events is truly horrifying and Michael Caine's performance in both scenes is pitch perfect. The Quiet American is another great film in the Miramax catalogue, even if it feels like one of the lesser appreciated ones. But how does this catalogue title look in HD?
And I thought The Talented Mr. Ripley Looked bad. From the opening credits The Quiet American looks rough (especially when compared to the truely awesome HD Miramax logo on these releases). The opening shot of the Vietnamese cityscape looks soft, grainy, grubby and just plain off. The warfare raging in the background does little to light up the sky "like fireworks" as the Michael Caine narration tells us it does and really nothing gets much better. In fact it gets worse.
The daytime scenes are so light it makes colours all but disappear. The interior scenes look bad with grubby blacks and all that grain, the exterior scenes fare worse, especially at night. In fact the scene with the outpost getting attacked has some of the worst images I've ever seen on a Blu-ray release with varying levels of grain and visuals that are quite inexcusable.
The sad thing is, this is a pretty looking film. You can see the bold colours, the reds and golds of the club, the brightly lit streets at night and the sun beating down in the day. The sets are well dressed, there's plenty of great costumes and there's a hint at some fantastic detail in close ups (if you can see past the juandis skin tones) and even some of the wide shots but its like looking at all these positives though a gauze. All the good stuff HD presents so well is under a blanket of grain and grubbiness and even though there are a handful of shots that overcome these issues (during some of the daytime scenes) they are fleeting glimpses before we cut to another god awful looking scene. I honestly can't think of a worse looking disc in the Blu-ray catalogue.
The DTS-HD Master Audio track fares much better than the video. The music and narration begins in the front speakers. Both strong and clear. The score reaches out to the rears well and creates a nice atmosphere but it's the sounds in and around the city that make this track shine. The hustle and bustle of busy streets, birds, warfare, cows you name it, something will be there and they all sound pretty damn alive with it. The track feels wide and it really feels like things are genuinely going on around you sometimes, from the obvious to the subtle. Sounds through walls or down an alley or whatever else makes the world of The Quiet American come to life and while it's not on par with the sweeping epics or the roughest action movies there's a realism here that was very effective.
The commentary by Australian director Phillip Noyce is as much a history lesson as it is a commentary track. We get a huge backstory regarding Noyce's connection to Vietnam, the original book and even Australia's connection with the Vietnam war itself This story and period of history feels very personal to Noyce's heart and his passion is captured in this part of the track . On top of that we get other elements from crew and cast towards the end of the track and all in all this is a solid commentary.
'Anatomy of a Scene' (21:32 SD) covers the highly impactful bombing scene and how it was constructed. The 'Original Featurette' (05:19 SD) is a very brief look at the making of the film with a few intercut clips. There are 25 minutes worth of interviews with the cast and crew which all combined get fairly repetitive in regards to content and topic and finally we get B-Roll footage - part one the Fox Studios (03:39 SD) and part two, Vietnam (10:46 SD).
The Quiet American is another great Miramax movie and in its central performance from Michael Caine is fantastic. However this Blu-ray release is somewhat embarrassing. The audio is absolutely fine and there are a whole handful of good extras but the video presentation is one of the worst I've ever seen on the HD format. That's two Studio Canal/Miramax titles down now and both have been appalling in the video department, lets hope the next one in the Miramax marathon turns it around.
* Note: The below images are taken from the Blu-ray release and resized for the page. Full-resolution captures are available by clicking individual images, but due to .jpg compression they are not necessarily representative of the quality of the transfer.
Review by Marcus Doidge
hogaburger Contributor Join Date: April 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,153
Ooyee that's rough on the eyes
Looks like they stretched out a DVD transfer and put some artificial grain over it.
Looks like they stretched out a DVD transfer and put some artificial grain over it.
Chris Gould Editor Join Date: May 2001 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,171
I don't remember it looking as bad as that when I took the caps, but TBH the video window probably wasn't large enough to show how bad they are. Definitely looks like a load of digital grain has been added to this one.
Marcus1138 Contributor Join Date: June 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 910
On a 60" screen this looked like a truckload of bad.
Chris Gould Editor Join Date: May 2001 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,171
I don't know why they do it. Shoddy really.
Marcus1138 Contributor Join Date: June 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 910
It does seem a little counter productive doesn't it.
Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over
Disc Details
Release Date: 19th September 2011
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Blu-ray Disc
RCE: No
Video: 1080p
Aspect: 2.35:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English
Subtitles: English
Extras: Commentary, Featurette, Interviews, B-Roll, Anatomy of a Scene
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Phillip Noyce
Cast: Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Do Thi Hai Yen
Genre: Drama and War
Length: 101 minutes
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John Hall vs. Ricky Shirah
John Hall
Ricky Shirah
John Hall has been working for Polk County government for 35 years. He was the director of three different county departments and now wants to be a county commissioner. The Republican is facing Democrat Ricky Shirah, who is making his fifth run at elected office in Polk County.
Hall started his career with Polk County digging ditches and worked his way to the top, serving in top managment positions for the past 24 years.


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Is this guy the thumper that LaRon was? If he's even close, I think that is a great substitute for LaRon.
To say the Jets have a need at safety would be the understatement of the week. They cut Eric Smith and lost starters LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell in free agency, leaving second-year players Antonio Allen and Josh Bush, neither of whom has played safety in the base defense.
So it comes as no surprise that the Jets are visiting Wednesday with former Jaguars S Dawan Landry, a source confirmed. It was first reported by NFL.com.
By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
Landry, released in early March because he was due to make $5.35 million, would seem to be an ideal fit for the Jets. Landry knows the system, having played under Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman with the Ravens from 2006 to 2008. He's LaRon's older brother and was instrumental in LaRon signing last year with the Jets as a free agent, providing intel on Ryan and his system.
Landry, 30, has played seven years in the league (all as a starter), the last two with the Jaguars. He has 12 interceptions, 5.5 sacks and three TD returns.
In another free-agency developments, the Jets are showing interest in former Redskins TE Fred Davis, who recently visited with the Bills. QB Jason Campbell, linked to the Jets early in free agency, signed with the Browns. In fact, the Jets never were in the hunt.
Is this guy the thumper that LaRon was? If he's even close, I think that is a great substitute for LaRon.
not a thumper at all, i think just a good all around saftey. Better cover skills.
I always thought LaRon was villainized by many on this board because he wasn't great in coverage.
Although, I'll readily admit that, did think he would be best with a good pass rush in front of him - something the Jets really haven't had.
So if Dawan is a good all around safety as you say he is, then that should be the best of both worlds. Is there any real chance the team does sign him? What are his money demands? Anyone know?
EyeOnFootballDawan Landry meets with the Jets
By Matt Rybaltowski | CBSSports.comMarch 27, 2013 7:04 pm ET
Dawan Landry (left) reportedly met with the Jets on Wednesday. (USATSI)
If Dawan Landry needs a better indication of how the strong safety is used in Rex Ryan's defensive scheme, he can receive the answers with a quick phone call to his younger brother LaRon.
Nearly two weeks after LaRon Landry left the New York Jets by signing a four-year deal with the Colts, Dawan met with the team on Wednesday according to multiple reports. The elder Landry was released by the Jaguars earlier this month in a cost-cutting move.
If Landry signs with the Jets he will be reunited with Ryan, his former defensive coordinator in Baltimore. Landry, a fifth-round pick of the Ravens in 2006, enjoyed two of the best seasons of his career in Ryan's system before suffering a serious season-ending neck injury early in the 2008 season. Ryan left to become the Jets' head coach months later.
As a rookie in 2006, Landry finished with five interceptions and six pass defenses while playing alongside Ed Reed on the league's top-ranked defense. Landry (6-1, 212) was named to several All-Rookie teams and was one of only seven players to garner a vote for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He followed it up with a stellar season in 2007 when he recorded 82 tackles -- the third-most on the Ravens' defense behind Bart Scott and Ray Lewis.
Landry, 30, had started 32 consecutive games in Jacksonville after signing a five-year contract with the Jaguars in 2011. Last season, Landry finished third on the team in total tackles with 100. The eight-year veteran was set to make $3.9 million in 2013 before his release.
Landry struggled at times in pass coverage as opposing quarterbacks finished with a quarterback rating of 107.4 on throws in his direction, according to Pro Football Focus. Only six starting safeties in the league fared worse in the category, the website found. He wasn't helped, though, by a front seven that generated little pressure and finished last in the league in sacks per pass attempt.
LaRon, meanwhile, resurrected his injury-plagued career in his only season with the Jets. Coming off an Achilles injury that cut his 2011 season short with the Redskins, LaRon finished with career-highs in combined tackles (100) and forced fumbles (four) last season. Despite the loss of Darrelle Revis for most of the season, the Jets still ranked second in the NFL against the pass.
The loss of Landry's younger brother and Yeremiah Bell, as well as the release of Eric Smith leaves the Jets with one of the least-experienced safety tandems in the AFC. Josh Bush and Antonio Allen, the Jets' projected starters at safety, will each be entering their second season in 2013. Landy could command a contract similar to the three-year, $6.0 million deal Michael Huff reached with the Ravens on Wednesday.
At $2 mil/per, doesn't sound like a bad deal for an experienced (but not old) player that has had some success and is at least competent at the position.
If Bush can step up at FS - tall task since we didn't see much last year - I'd be okay with that tandem. Especially if Revis remains on the roster.


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Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?
Student : Yes.
Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent.)
Professor: You can't answer, can you ? Let's start again, young fella. Is GOD good?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Is satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor: Where does satan come from ?
Student : From … GOD …
Professor: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn't it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor: So who created evil ?
(Student did not answer.)
Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them ?
(Student had no answer.)
Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)
Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class was in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class broke out into laughter. )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Professor: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.
I believe you have enjoyed the conversation. And if so, you'll probably want your friends / colleagues to enjoy the same, won't you?
Forward this to increase their knowledge … or FAITH.
By the way, that student was EINSTEIN.
Thoughts on this
awesome share going around?
Views: 2383
Whether or not the story is true is of no importance really. The whole argument is flawed to the bone. And the professor in question would really have had no trouble arguing that.
Fact is nobody has seen god, nor heard, felt, tasted or smelt him.
Fact is that the brain of the professor can be seen, if you open up his skull there it is. That the students didn't see for themselves does not count. Same goes for the fact that there has been evolution. Nobody can see gravity but since an apple falls when you let go of it proves that it's there. There is no such proof of the existence of god. Quite the opposite: anything that would prove the existence of god is factually not there, non-existent. Anything that would prove the influence of god is factually not there. Some people pray when they are sick and die anyways while there are sick people that don't pray at all but don't die. Some people pray for a new car and get one, others pray for a safe life and die in a war. Getting your prayer fulfilled therefor is not to be attributed to god. Saying that we can not know gods plan is a lame excuse to hide the flaws in the faith in god. That's about as valid as saying Because I said so.
Bullsh*t. When I see this on fb I'm marking it as offensive, just for the lulz.
Not to mention that it's offensive.
I'm hardly ever on FB. If it's managed to make it my way I haven't seen it yet.
I do remember seeing a story that was circulating a few years back of a similar nature (this was before FB - a neighbor had printed off an email). This one had an astronaut in space explaining where errors in astronomical time calculations came from using Bible stories. Supposedly NASA took these tales as satisfactory sources of scientific data and used them to re-calculate their equations. The holes in that story were even worse. I kept my mouth shut at the time for social reasons, but it was one of those lies that get spread that makes me want to throw up. I won't be so kind next time I see it.
well Einstein labelled himself as a Spinoza believer, which, God to him is a collective term for all the physical, chemical, biological and other reachable, or perceivable laws of the university, the admiration and appreciation towards the beauty of nature and the cosmos, and of course rejects the idea of an 'anthropomorphic deity'......
in my opinion, it is more of a vocabulary game than an actual classification of religious views.... before you look into controversial definition for pantheism or agnotisim, let's first look at the conventional definition of 'GOD', got it?! There's no way can the conventional definition of the word 'god' fits into the sphere of pantheism or Spinoza's faith.
in other words, the 'thing' that pantheism or Spinoza's believers believe can no way be labelled as 'god', it is no more than the admiration of magnificance of nature and the wonders on the universe in a very humble human perspective.... or who don't adore these? in comparison they're more sentimental and awared than an narrow-sense of atheism (however i personally feel the modern definition of atheism is more towards the agnostic side than the absolute rejection of anything beyond perception, well, fundamental idealism it's what i meant, though i identified myself as realist or materialist.)
actually i feel this is more correlated to the theoritical spirit of logics, reasoning and humility. take any facts as provisional and anything as possible till they're proven otherwise (the ever existing systemic religious concepts through out human history are of course all have been already proven 'otherwise' without any effort.)
Religion is based on psychological need. That is why the religious will lie, cheat, steal, kill, etc to support their agenda, mainly to establish a theocracy, and of course, with them in control. This is why we, the sane and undeluded, must constantly oppose the dangerous nonsense in the above post. As wise people once said, the price for liberty is eternal vigilance, and silence is complicity.
Also, rather than dignify the above garbage post with any further replies, I would suggest efforts in the following:
1. Establish critical thinking classes at all levels of education.
2. Get qualified atheists running for local, state, and federal government offices elected when they might otherwise not be elected because of their atheism even though they are the best candidates for the office.
3. Oust young earthers and creationists from school boards.
4. Ensure that creationism in all of its forms is not taught in science classes.
@ Jack - sounds like a well-conceived plan. Clearly 1 and 4 are dependent on 3, which seems like a good place to start.
Oh yes, as further evidence that the photo is a staged classroom, and not any real class, please explain how that rather short professor wrote the oh so impressive equations at the top of the board. LOL.
"Inspector Gadget" arms --
Christians are pathological liars, period. Anytime their faith comes up, they immediately reach for the handiest lie to make their point. I used to say that sometimes it was just ignorance, because often times they didn't realize the point they were making was based on a lie - but they've been told over and over and over that every single defense that they use is false and they continue to use them - so they are pathological liars. I trap them endlessly, pointing out the fact behind their fallacy, or demanding a citation of in what classroom was a freshman 'Einstein' speaking English to his professor - but they are, so far, completely incapable of dealing in truths. Christianity is not a path to truth, it is a fire that drives devotees to flee from the truth.
Selection bias is a common problem for them, including their own commandment about not "bearing false witness"
Don't these Christian's understand that lying is unethical?
@ Ian - No. Neither do they think it was unethical for their god to torture horses, so why should they?
JOSHUA SCRIPTURE 11:6 Horse torture. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.