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The Battle for the Future
Meskerem.net is asking us a rhetorical question, 'how is it possible that a state itself a victim of Jihad can be a sponsor of terrorism?'
As our forefathers said, "kab kifu'e zigeberukha, kifu'e zelmedukha!"
How can a nation that was victimized through Woyane's expulsion of over 80,000 precious Eritrean citizens proceed to expel equivalent numbers of its own citizens out of their own land?
The latest developments within the Eritrean political arena clearly indicate the dawn of a new era. Active opposition against the regime is proliferating, with new civic societies and opposition websites popping up every week. PIA is reduced to campaigning for his regime on his own, leaving Mr. Yemane Gebreab to entertain very young and passionate Eritrean in Diaspora, whom we always want to nurture. Ali Abidu's one line snipes on international news media is now replaced by PIA's multiple snipes on the same international news media.
If we were to map the current struggle onto our struggle for independence, the opposition is today at the point of February 10, 1990 – Operation Fenkel, the liberation of Massawa and the beginning of the end of the dergue regime. One can only be heartened by the planned rally on October 19, 2007 in London of all the opposition parties, regardless of their differences. That is political maturity that will build a nation! We can learn to agree to disagree – without losing respect for each other. We all want the same thing! All our hearts are in the same places!
PIA has placed our Eritrea in mortal danger. Propaganda aside, it would be naïve to think that the political world is divided into 'good vs. evil'. Instead, it is more prudent to believe that 'the way to hell is paved with good intentions'. We all carry the seeds of destruction. Fighting the likes of PIA begins by understanding ourselves. The root of evil is found in absolute self-righteousness that borders on believing one's own infinite wisdom. Only tolerant societies have flourished the longest throughout history – until they begin to adopt or to import intolerant beliefs. If there is one lesson in history, it is that people [leaders] never learn from history. Hence man is condemned to repeat tragic history. Indeed, as King Solomon is alleged to have said, "Nothing is new under the sun." We should be aware of Eritrean cocoon politics, which isn't healthy.
While we were all euphoric over our independence on May 24, 1991, Eritrea faced the single biggest challenge to its future. EPLF carried within it two diametrically opposed outlook for Eritrea's future. One side believed that only an EPLF style rigid military structure assured the success of future Eritrea. It was to be the Chinese Communist Party transplanted in Eritrea. The other side believed that a constitutional government must be established over a phase out period. Based on the 3rd EPLF Congress and the Central Committee and National Assembly meetings of September 2000, the wishes of the vast majority of the ruling class was indeed to embark Eritrea on a path towards a constitutional democracy. This ideological conflict is now consuming Eritrea.
Today's struggle is about the future of Eritrea. Woyane, Somalia, Sudan and the US are simply sideshows. These are simply smokes and mirrors designed to divert us from PFDJ's tricks to impose its despotic beliefs. Within the tragedies of PFDJ dungeons, the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, we see the increasing rise of mature political activism that will assure the success of Eritrea's future. Examining the [Diaspora] opposition political scene three years ago and today, one can't help but notice the 180 degree turn in content and span of opposition. The sharp increase in the number and size of opposition rallies, the quality of analysis, discussions and articles in opposition websites are first rates that give high hopes for our future. As much as we criticize each other in the opposition, sometimes too passionately, we have to learn that this is the nature of the beast called freedom of expression, i.e. everyone is free to express his/her peaceful views. National consensus is a long process that can only be achieved through debates and discussions, mixed in with a healthy dose of tolerance. We are indeed on the dawn of new Eritrea. Keep up your excellent efforts! Given the opportunity, domestic opposition politics can only be more realistic than Diaspora opposition politics.
We all wish if the thousands of PFDJ hostages could see the degree of our commitment to their, and our, vision of future of Eritrea. We hope that they can read us through telepathy so that they can gain strength to see the truly free Eritrea which is just around the corner. Their sacrifices and braveries are the cornerstone of our future Eritrea.
In contrast, the dwindling regime supporters are becoming demoralized – reduced to cheap shots that expose their true natures. The regime and supporters ignored the opposition for years hoping that we would eventually disappear – that we would forget and abandon our brothers and sisters in PFDJ dungeons. They forgot our own history; they forgot our traditions and cultures; they forgot who we are, and what we are; they forgot who we are as Eritreans. Now we must teach our own that patriotic Eritreans refuse to bow down to tyranny and will only increase their activism. Unable to stop the gathering storm, the regime and supporters have begun to acknowledge the opposition – but then to dismiss it in the same breath. That is only natural progression towards the inevitable!
But again the time is ticking. For PIA, the moment of truth is here. If he truly loves Eritrea he has to stop his belligerent policies and return to a path of sanity. Our mortal enemies are never found outside our borders. Instead, they eat with us; sleep us; and marry us. The very notion that Woyane is our mortal enemy is simply a dying regime's propaganda. Our enemies aren't defined by what 'Haddas Eritrea' says, but what they do to us. Aster and Senait aren't imprisoned by Woyane. The thousands of political hostages and prisoners' of conscious, and the thousands of refugees aren't where they are because of Woyane. The brutalities are being inflicted by our own – and that can NEVER be acceptable.
AS A LAST WORD, we have a tendency to underestimate the degree and size of Eritrean opposition movement. If we examine many other Diaspora and internal opposition movements around the world, Eritreans may actually rank as one of the highest political activists in the world. Over twenty thousand Eritreans are languishing in PFDJ Dungeons for their beliefs. Instead, they could have simply bowed to the Pharaoh and lived like the other kedemti, neither alive nor dead. Let us not sell ourselves short! The regime finds itself in a state of paranoia NOT because of a sole grudge against PMMZ, but his war is more against Eritrean political activism. For those who conveniently capitulate to dictatorship under the false pretenses of demarcating the border, let them know that today's Eritrean political battle is about its future – its directions. It is about the legacy we leave behind for our children! We can't sell slavery to our children. They were born free, and they shall remain as free men and women. That is our solemn oath to our martyred brothers and sisters.
On the border,
Mr. Berhane M. Tekeste has written yet another excellent article on the border stalemate "Eritrea: A Perverted Understanding Of The Algiers Agreement"
Based on Mr. Berhane's previous analysis, this writer, among many others, had fretted that PIA's decision to deploy its troops inside the TSZ would only provide PMMZ with further excuse to stall the demarcation process. Surely enough, in its excerpts and analysis titled, "Awate Exclusive: Transcripts of EEBC's 09/06 – 09/07 Meeting" http://www.awate.com/portal/content/view/4630/9/ we learn that Ethiopia is precisely using the same excuses to stall the process as many within the opposition had earlier speculated.
The question is, what is PIA's approach to push the demarcation process forward? There can only be the following approaches to resolve the border issue,
- Legal and peaceful approach – this would mean Eritrea must abide by every section and clause of relevant treaty and decisions. As Mr. Berhane pointed out, a party to such agreements can't pick and choose which sections to abide by. Eritrea can't blame the other side while it is engaged in breaching the very same treaty. Moreover, as Mr. Berhane pointed out, one can't say that certain sections are more important than the others, but all the sections must be adhered to in their entirety. If PIA wants to pursue only legal and peaceful approach, then he himself must adhere to every section and clause in the treaty. Under this approach demarcation may take long time to finalize. But what will be lost if demarcation takes another decade? Nothing! PIA has dismissed this option because this would mean an even stronger pressure to implement the Eritrean Constitution and releasing political hostages.
- Threaten war or regional destabilization to push demarcation process forward: this is most likely PIA's current position. This is a bluff aimed more at the US than Ethiopia. PMMZ has his own internal political juggernaut to pursue and is less likely to agree to the border decision. PIA hopes to play on US fears of total chaos within the Horn to put indirect pressure on PMMZ to proceed with demarcation. Judging by the political developments in the last few weeks, this hasn't worked – and may even land our precious country on a blacklist [something that OEA is unwittingly helping PIA to achieve]. But this is a muddled option. This is neither pursuing legal option nor pursuing open war. This is can only be slow death! PIA has chosen to escalate his belligerent policies, going through marked phases in the past seven years. Each phase was unmitigated disasters requiring even more belligerent policies to cover earlier mistakes. Muddled options must either revert back to legal and peaceful options or must escalate to war. In reality, muddled options are never options at all – at best they are phases, moving from legal and peaceful option to war option.
- Open War: the question really is, can an open war lead to the finalization of the border demarcation? It won't! Discussions of this option would take volumes to address. However, it would be simplistic to argue that regime change in Ethiopia would result in demarcation. It is more practical to assume that any instability within Ethiopia can only be a bad omen for Eritrea.
PIA's sole political philosophy is "Might is Right". Indeed, West's political philosophy is that no nation or leader is ever a permanent friend or permanent enemy. Their political positions are governed by the facts on the ground.
However, at the same time, the West is very conscious of 'precedence'. They are wondering what kind of precedence be created if PIA is perceived as the "winner" in this border conflict after PIA's acceptance of the Border Commission's ruling that Eritrea is responsible for starting the border conflict? What 'precedence' is being created by PIA's belligerent policies [including clear violations of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities] if the West ignores PIA's violations and pressure the other party to the Algiers Agreement to proceed with the demarcation process. These are not just legal questions, but carry severe international political implications. Of course, those who judge us aren't holding themselves to the same standards. But unfortunately, we need them and thus must play by their rules without abandoning our core beliefs.
PIA and company can afford to be belligerent because they get their three square meals a day and don't have to line up for 5 hours for two loafs of bread. They can be belligerent because their children are well provided for, and won't have to face severe consequences when their belligerent policies surely go awry. Leadership, especially for a poor and small country, is all about aligning people's interests with the regime to make use of every available domestic resource. Slavery and threats of cruel punishments can never align national interests. These are very short term and illusionary solutions that are self-defeating.
On Sudan,
One of the regime's [i.e. Eritrea's] illusionary selling points is the 'peace' it brought to Sudan. Unfortunately, Sudan is a ticking time bomb. Under the Machakos Treaty, which is part of the comprehensive peace agreement with the Southern Sudan, the South can conduct its referendum on self-determination in six and half years [in 2012]. Based on human history, it is almost inconceivable for the Khartoum regime to simply cede away the South. Moreover, if the South gains its independence, the rest of Sudan, beginning with the Darfur region will demand nothing less.
One would be naïve to believe that the Sudanese political challenges are simply an internal problem. The West, and esp. the US, perceives the Khartoum regime as unreliable partner in its [West's] quest for long-term economic certainty. Separating the rich oil fields of [Animists and Christian] Southern Sudan from the Khartoum regime can only be the West's ultimate goal. This writer strongly recommends that its readers read 'The Prize' by Daniel Yergen on the history of oil. The 20th Century West has been, with a kind of this writer's ambivalent admiration, pursuing to shape its future into two or three generations ahead. Some of their acts have been unmitigated disasters while many others have borne them their plentiful fruits.
Eritrea must learn to live with the political uncertainties that surround it. Tiny Djibouti has quietly survived in a brutal neighborhood. Eritrea must realistically assess the prospects in its neighborhood and avoid from getting dragged into their political vortex, which PIA has sunk into. Eritrea must formulate its long term strategies knowing that this region may remain unstable for years to come.
Eritrea's contributions towards this region aren't by sacrificing its precious sons and daughters in endless and pointless conflicts in the region, but by creating its own vibrant society based on its own values. Eritrea can become the socio-economic locomotive engine in the region only by practicing its own shared values. We can never build our Eritrea and the horn region by losing ourselves in other people's conflicts.
To reiterate, today's battle within the Eritrean political arena is about Eritrea's future. It isn't about demarcation, but a battle of diametrically opposed visions of the future of Eritrea. Let us not reduce it to demarcations.
The US,
The current American administration is pursuing a conflicting strategy to bring about stability to the horn. It wants to pressure PIA to abandon his Somalia campaign, and yet wants PIA to bail out the US from the Sudanese quagmire. PIA is calling the threat of blacklisting a game of bluffs precisely because he is gambling that the US needs him to resolve the Sudanese quagmire. Stabilizing Somalia is only a short-term interest for the US, but separating the oil-rich south from Khartoum's grips is a long term interest. Aware that the Sudan card is critical, Ethiopia is pledging to send 5.000 troops to the Darfur region. But the UN/AU forces can never be peacemakers. The powerbrokers work behind the curtains, and countries such as Eritrea, Libya and Chad play the bigger roles in the Darfur region – and South Sudan. The South Sudan and Darfur are more politically and economically sensitive for the US than Somalia.
We should be aware of US' ambivalent game in the Horn that gives PIA the impression that the US needs him. The thousands of Eritreans in PFDJ Dungeons, the Sahara and Sinai Deserts and the Mediterranean Sea have become expendable pawns for the players in the region. But who cares about African lives – beginning with Africa's own leaders who have no respect for human lives?
PIA's biweekly trips to Tripoli are possibly designed to sell the Sudanese card to the Libyan leader as a political card to be used against the US and EU. No leader would ever want to pass up an opportunity to own an ace in the hole – some trump card that can be used as leverage against bigger players. The Hugos, Kims and Ahmedinejad's of the world have learned how to partially make up for the Cold War game when dictators could threaten to run to Moscow. Libya suffered in isolation for over a decade because there was no Moscow, and finally repented reluctantly.
For the US, wishy-washy approach to resolving the horn problem will only exacerbate uncertainties in the horn region. The US should be made aware that inherently unstable dictatorships in Eritrea will always be causes of instabilities in the horn to the detriment of US' long-term interests in the region. On the other hand, Eritrea is ripe for democracy and if the US and the EU play their cards right in Eritrea that it can become the socio-economic engine for the entire horn region. It will be like tiny South Korea, Singapore and other tigers that are pulling giant China, Indonesia and others.
If the US is to play a constructive role to bring about comprehensive solution to the horn region, instead of bluffing or seriously considering ineffective blacklisting, the US can bring about change in regime behavior by beginning serious meetings with Eritrean Diaspora opposition groups. Which opposition organizations to negotiate with? First, the purpose of meeting these groups is more an acknowledgement of the opposition camp designed to raise the opposition camp's profile hence putting pressure on the regime to reform itself. No serious negotiation can take place except with post-PFDJ government. Second, as to which organization to negotiate is probably the easiest in Eritrean opposition case. There are two blocs and a couple of independent ones. A group of some ten of these representatives can probably represent 99.9% of the opposition camp – and that is really a testimony to Eritreans' ability to coalesce for common cause, which can't be found anywhere else in the world. There is no excuse for the US or EU to pretend that they don't have Eritrean opposition partners to push forward reform in Eritrea.
To reiterate, without resolving the Eritrean political quagmire, the US will only further ensnare itself into the horn crisis. Wishy-washy politics won't work! The threats of blacklisting or even blacklisting won't work. International media are surprised that PIA is relaxed when conducting interviews, but they forget that PIA is a guerilla fighter that has lived through significantly worse challenges than merely blacklisting. PIA's sole game is to win – at whatever cost. If the US is pursuing a standardized policy manual on dealing with dictators, they will soon find themselves in an unpleasant surprise. The US Administration must make hard decisions based on realistic and focused assessments if it wants to bring about stability in the horn region.
Yes, Eritrea's self-confidence is damaged – thanks to PFDJ. We are full of doubts about our future. However, from today's tragedies will arise the new horn tiger called Eritrea. Looking at Warsai Yikealo, remembering the 100,000 martyred, and looking at the thousands of Diaspora Eritrean activists – Eritrea is indeed a land of tigers.
Political Ideologies of today & tomorrow,
PIA and his supporters' political ideologies are outdated by at least 25 years. The global village precipitated by the information revolution, the fall of communism, the rise of multinational corporations and heavy global trading is seeping into national politics. The false praise of 'self-reliance' is not reflective of the time.
Today's ideological anchor, which remains dynamic, is about creating the right domestic conditions that allows a nation to link itself with changing world socio-economic factors. PIA's continued ideological defense based on cocooning his turf as if it is some kind special and fragile creature is only reflective of an outdated ideology.
As for creating Japan Inc., Singapore Inc. or especially Dubai Inc. where Sheik Al-Makhtoum and his government probably own half of its explosive growth in the last 15 years, that will be left for another discussion.
This writer is struck with admiration of ever increasing excellent articles by such people as Simon Woldehaimanot, Daniel Rezene, Dawit Maekele, Berhane Tekeste, Yosef G., Selam and many others – and the usuals such as Gadi and Younis. My continued admirations for Asmarino, Awate, TV ADAL and TV ZETE and many other media organizations! Eritrean civic organizations across the world are blossoming and give us unfettered hope about the future of Eritrea. The former editors of the popular independent newspapers of Setit, Keste Demena and others have now become the central forces for change. Many new websites are gracing the opposition camp such as, www.adiabeito.com www.qalna.com and http://www.ehrea.org/ http://www.freeeritreanjournalists.org/
all political hostages ARE RELEASED!
Bitweded speaks through us! Hassan speaks through us! Germano speaks through us! All the other hostages speak through us!
We must fight for our freedoms because — there is no alternative to freedom!
Hijiwin Ab Metkelna!
Ewe, Kiwegh Eyu – Absolutely right Asmarino.com! The first rays of Dawn are breaking through the horizon!
Congratulations to Zeresenai Tadesse! You are what Eritrea and Eritreans are all about!
Berhan Hagos
October 13, 2007
Short URL: https://english.farajat.net/?p=1234


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Mike Forbes
Mike Forbes is the local pastor at Asbury UMC and Jeffersonville UMC. Mike is bi-vocational and is currently employed by Applied Paper Technology, Inc., in Marietta, GA. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech and the Institute of Paper Chemistry. While his professional interests lie in paper testing and paper physics, he also enjoys astronomy, photography, and community theater.

subset: commoncrawl


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WASHINGTON (CNS): United States Catholic bishops' pres-ident Cardinal Francis George of Chicago praised the US House for approving a reform bill that provides "adequate and affordable health care to all" and "voting overwhelmingly" for a prohibition on using federal money to pay for most abortions.
An amendment to ban abortion funding sponsored by Republican Bart Stupak and other House members passed 240-194, and led to passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act in a 220-215 vote.
In a statement issued late on November 9, the cardinal lauded the November 7 vote and urged the Senate to follow the House's example.
The House "honoured President (Barack) Obama's commitment to the Congress and the nation that health care reform would not become a vehicle for expanding abortion funding or mandates", he said.
The Senate is expected to take up its version of health care reform later this month. The House and Senate bills differ significantly, so any version the Senate passes will have to be reconciled with the other, and each body will vote again on the final legislation.
The Senate bill does not include language on abortion similar to the Stupak amendment.
Cardinal George said the US Conference of Catholic Bishops "will remain vigilant … to assure that these essential provisions are maintained and included in the final legislation".
The House bill would provide a combination of subsidies, employer mandates, insurance company requirements and incentives and an option to buy into federally run health care, all intended to provide coverage for millions of uninsured Americans.
It also aims to bring spiralling costs under control and eliminate some of the frustrations of the current health system, such as exclusions from insurance coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.
Cardinal George said the Catholic Church was concerned about how health reform "affects the poor and vulnerable, and those at the beginning and end of life".
"We will continue to insist that health care reform legislation must protect conscience rights," he said.
"We support measures to make health care more affordable for low-income people and the uninsured. We remain deeply concerned that immigrants be treated fairly and not lose the health care coverage that they now have.
"In the national discussion on how to provide the best kind of health care, we bishops do not claim or present ourselves as experts on health care policy," he said.
"We are not prepared to assess every provision of legislation as complex as this proposal.
"However, health care legislation, with all its political, technical and economic aspects, is about human beings and hence has serious moral dimensions."
Cardinal George had been among those in contact with members of Congress as they moved toward a vote on the legislation; for instance, he urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi on November 6 to allow Mr Stupak's amendment to come to the floor for a vote.
In a series of letters leading up to the vote, the bishops who head the USCCB's committees on Pro-Life Activities, Migration, and Domestic Justice and Human Development had pressed House members to back Mr Stupak's amendment, and expressed their pleasure that it was going to be brought to a vote.


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Theme: How to Receive God's Blessing
This week's lessons instruct us of the need to put our trust in God throughout our lives, because he alone will never let us down.
Scripture: Psalm 25:1-22
There is one more thing that we need to see about this psalm, however. It presents a problem; it suggests a solution; it expresses confidence that God will provide the solution needed. But, finally, it also shows the attitude of heart that will enable the psalmist to receive the anticipated blessing. It has several parts.
Humility (v. 9). Verse 8 says that God will instruct sinners in his ways because he is good and upright. But that implies that sinners know themselves to be sinners and that they come before God humbly, as the next verse makes clear: "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (v. 9). There is no promise in the Bible that God will teach an arrogant mind or a haughty spirit. On the contrary, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6; cf. Prov. 3:34).
Obedience (v. 10). The reason why many of us do not learn much about God or God's ways is that we are not ready to obey him when he makes the way plain. We want to know what the way is before we will obey it; that is, we want to keep the options for sin open. David tells us that this will not work, since "the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant" (v. 10). We must be committed to obedience before God unfolds his loving and faithful ways to us.
Reverence (vv. 12, 14). Some of us are brash in approaching God, regarding him more or less as some celestial buddy, rather than as the great, holy, awesome God he truly is. Verses 12 and 14 remind us that reverence is necessary if we would know him: "Who then is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him." "The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them."
Expectation (v. 15). Finally, God desires a spirit of believing expectation, for, as David says in verse 15, "My eyes are ever on the LORD." He is telling us that if we want to be taught and led by God, we must get into the habit of looking to him regularly.
Each of these characteristics need to be possessed and practiced by us. In fact, in my judgment, this is the note on which the psalm ends. You will recall from my original analysis of the acrostic pattern of this psalm that the final verse does not fit the pattern. It begins with the letter pe, for one thing. But even more noticeably, it suddenly refers to Israel when the earlier material was exclusively a personal prayer of David. This is no accident. On the contrary, it has the effect of broadening what has been said to include all Israel and therefore also to include us. It is an invitation to us to put our own name into the final couplet.
If we will come to God as David came to him, then we can say expectantly, "Redeem me, O God, from all my troubles!" and know that he will answer.
Study Questions:
From the lesson, review the basic outline of this psalm. Where are the divisions for each section of the outline within the psalm itself?
List and describe the elements of the heart attitude that enable the psalmist to receive the anticipated blessing.
Application: Of the four parts of our attitude, which one do you struggle with the most, and why? How will you seek to improve in this area?


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The paper explores the linkages among political risk, organizations, and foreign, immediate investment inflows. To get a data sample of 83 developing countries covering 1984 to 2003, we identify signals that matter most for the activities of multinational companies. The results show that authorities balance, external, and internal conflict, corruption and cultural tensions, law and order, Democratic accountability of government, and quality of bureaucracy are highly significant determinants of international investment inflows.
Average fees on variable annuities are 2.33%, compared with mutual funds' 1.32%, however they can top 4%, including death-benefit fees, administrative fees, and underlying mutual fund expenditures. Michael Zhuang, an advisor at MZ Capital in Washington, D.C., said a buyer asked him to go over his adjustable annuity contract lately. However, it's entirely possible to discover a lower-cost variable annuity, such as those offered by Vanguard, Fidelity, Charles Pacific, or Schwab LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE Co., among others, advisors say.
And for investors who've maxed out contributions to a 401(k), IRA, or other tax-favored savings plans, a variable deferred annuity will make sense, some advisors say. THE PUREST OF ALL annuity products-favored most broadly by advisors-is an instantaneous annuity. The insurance is distributed by you company a chunk of money, and it converts it right into fixed regular payments for life or a specified period away. Some economists say these are baffled by the reduced level of participation in the products, given their benefits.
Aside from the guaranteed income, lifetime annuities actually give retirees higher regular obligations than they would get if they self-managed their income stream. Jeffrey R. Brown, a finance teacher at the University of Illinois and associate director of the National Bureau of Economic Research's Center for Retirement Research. With a basic lifetime immediate annuity, you quit resources to the insurance company if you perish early.
- Jaya Holdings – In Liquidation
- 358 D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI) -63.7% 4.78 13.17
- 2nd calendar year Analyst – $100,000 – 130,000
- Social security and Medicare fees
- 65% of 18-24 year olds expect a niche site to download in two secs or less
- By-laws of the Association
- In the offer document at the time of release of the system
Jean Fullerton, a consultant at WJM Financial in Bedford, N.H. But many insurance providers, such as New York Life and Aviva, offer guarantees that they can continue steadily to pay the annuity for five to 25 years. If you die within this era, the payments go to your heirs. Special features always cost extra, and with immediate annuities, the form is taken by the expenses of lower monthly payouts. 602, according to Cannes, which tracks annuity data.
Rosemary Caligiuri, a financial advisor at Harvest Group Financial Services, says she likes to use immediate annuities in combination with fixed deferred annuities for her clients in retirement. In a set deferred annuity, assets are paid out later and grow based on underlying interest rates. The rates can be reset predicated on insurers' underlying investments. Or, investors can choose a set rate for a certain period.
You might also consider index-linked annuities, says Caligiuri, who ladders annuities to secure income in stages and diversify across insurers. These cushion the downside-you'll do not have a return below zero, season like 2008 even in a. For the upside, returns on they are pegged to an index, but are usually capped.
Jack Marrion, leader of Advantage Compendium, which tracks indexed annuities, says over many historical intervals they have proven to be better options than either CDs or the currency markets. Periodically, usually each year, an insurance provider can reset its caps or other terms. Also consider the financial-strength rankings by A.M. Best, Standard & Poor's, and other companies. If you wisely choose, you'll finish up with a good income flow, low fees, and minimal risk of problems with the supplier relatively. That's saying a lot in these uncertain times.
Many people I speak to realize we are in an activity of a massive transformation in how we generate business success and that this change must be lead by those in the professional ranks. Therefore the case for powerful professional development programs hasn't been more powerful because the demand for true management hasn't been more powerful. Again, before I discuss a suggested approach to executive development it is important to remind ourselves of the foundational purpose of the command – which is to create.
A fundamental focus on providing their clients and/or the market place. An obvious and compelling eyesight whose foundation is dependent on the organization's core business. A high-performing culture that is disciplined and guided by a primary set of values. A hype about the business that draws in the best in course in resources and skill.


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By MATT HUNT GARDNER
SYDNEY - Students at Cape Breton University are calling on islanders to oppose plans to burn contaminated material from the tar ponds and coke ovens at Victoria Junction.
"We'll never be able to attract students here," said Jamie Crane, president of the students' union.
"Our students' health will be impacted so this is important," she said. "They want to plunk it down in the middle of our community and it's just not acceptable."
The students' council voted unanimously to oppose burning contaminated sludge less than 2 1/2 kilometres from the university. The tar ponds and coke ovens sites are the result of 100 years of steelmaking in Sydney.
There are 700,000 tonnes of contaminated sludge containing cancer-related chemicals like PCBs, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in the tar ponds, which cover more than 31 hectares of Sydney's downtown core.
The 72-hectare coke ovens site contains 300,000 tonnes of contaminated sludge.
A plan developed by the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency and its consultants will result in the worst of the material being burned in a mobile incinerator to be set up in Victoria Junction. The rest of the site will be treated and capped.
The plan has proved controversial, drawing criticism from community groups, the Sierra Club of Canada and environmentalist David Suzuki, who either prefer other methods or simply oppose incineration.
But officials say the public hasn't been giving them much feedback during a 30-day public review of the incineration proposal that's now underway.
"I'm not going to say the silence is deafening, but not a lot of the community is showing up at public meetings about it," said Sydney Tar Ponds Agency spokesman Parker Donham.
Federal officials who are collecting public opinion couldn't be reached for comment.
"We haven't heard anything from the (students) union," said Mr. Donham. He said had the union contacted him he would have set up a presentation for the students' council before it made its decision.
"Incineration makes many people nervous, but it is the most comprehensive method of destroying PCBs in the world," said Mr. Donham.
The 30-day review period, which ends March 9, isn't meant for commenting on the cleanup method but rather to help Ottawa choose a type of environmental assessment.
No matter which assessment is chosen - full-panel review or public consultation - people will be able to comment on the cleanup method.
A list of ways to submit comments is available at www.tarpondscleanup.ca.


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-How long have you been natural?
Well…I grew out my relaxer in 2001…still was flat ironing because I didn't know what else to do with my hair , thus I had tons of heat damage. So I stopped flat ironing, and slowly trimmed off the damage, and then August 26, 2008 I cut off the rest of the damage so now, no more crappy ends!
-What is your regimen?
As many of you ladies know, I am a product junkie and resident product pusher, but I strictly shampoo, usually with a shampoo bar or other natural product, acv rinse, deep condition for an hour with a heating cap, then use my preferred product of the day to do double strand twists, which stay in my hair for about a week, and then I'll do a twistout. A few times a week I have different oils for my hair and scalp. I also dust my ends myself when needed, but I get a professional trim once a year.
-What is the one thing you'd tell a newbie to help her on her journey?
STICK WITH IT! Ignore adversity! Everyone and their mother will have an opinion about your hair, be it good, bad or indifferent. Don't pay them any mind! At the end of the day you have to live with yourself. Also, hair does not make you. Yes, EmpressRi is saying it. Hair is fun, and it can help or hinder someone's looks, but it is not your end all and be all.
Read, read and read some more. There is always something that you will learn that may surprise you. When I first decided to go natural, I poured over every website, article…anything I could find that would help me! I also asked a bunch of questions, and thank goodness for the lovely patient ladies that helped me through the transition.
Also, please let your hair grow on it's own. Do not worry about using 50 million products to make your hair grow from 1 inch to 100 in less than thirty seconds. It's not realistic. Once you leave it the heck alone, you will be pleasantly surprised to find out that your hair will grow when it wants to, not when you feel like making it grow.
AND FOR GOODNESS SAKE, DON'T PUT VAGISIL/HORSE STUFF/MONKEY SWEAT/ANYTHING SUPER SILLY to make your hair grow. PLEASE?!?!?!
-How do you maintain length?
Twists! It's a staple protective style for me. The less I have to fuss with my hair, the better it looks and feels.
Moisture is also key. I love using the richest, thickest product I can find to help keep my hair moisturized. Qhemet Biologics, Karen's Body Beautiful, and Oyin Handmade make great products that I can always count on to keep my hair at it's optimum level of moisture.
And I may ruffle some feathers with this one, but heat is NOT our hair's friend!!! I don't care what anyone says. Flat irons, blow dryers, curling irons, all of that jazz, is not your friend, be your hair kinky, curly, straight, wavy, long, short, whatever! If your hair could talk, it would probably say, "Get that (insert tool) away from me!!!!"
-What's the best thing about being naturally glamorous?!
Knowing that the hair on my head was chosen by God for me to have! Natural is beautiful, and nothing can compare in my opinion. No two heads of hair are exactly alike, and I think that makes us so unique.
Want to see more of Ms. Empressri?
FYI- The Head Product Pusher herself will be posting reviews of her product exploits, and……… YOU can find them HERE!!! Keep checking back 😀


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Online gambling has become one of the best ways of making money online. And it is not a surprise why online slot companies are all hands on deck to come up with new innovative ideas. There is no doubt that they want to convince and lure online gamblers to play slots for real money. Online casinos such as choice online casino have done so by making sure they create new and exciting gaming features. There is a real competition in online gambling when it comes to attracting players. These software developers are making sure that they create unique gaming titles for real money gamblers. One good example is the Big Time Gaming's idea on Megaways game engine. The gaming provider has decided to legalize their new game engine to other slot machines. How do Megaways Slot Games Work?To have a real understanding of this unique game engine behind Megaways slot games. This is because it is very important to understand how regular slot paylines work. There are certain games such as Starburst that carries 10 paylines. This simply means there are 10 patterns you can make to win massive payouts in this exciting game. In the event that you land the winning symbols anywhere, else they won't pay. Moreover, most Megaways slot games also carry six reels as opposed to five reels, which most slot games carry. Megaways Slots can be found at most online casinos - especially those that offer Big Time Gaming software. |
- Online Casinos - Bingo Peace and Quiet |


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Meye is a free, colorful and simple application that helps you fully control your mouse cursor and moye the most interesting effects from your cursor. It allows you to create interesting and readable text effects in a few clicks and is a must-have app for those who use the mouse for a long time. In addition, you can create amazing animations, graphics and funny pictures. It is also possible to perform amazing tasks by combining the mouse cursor with other objects.
Meye App is a free universal Remote control to watch TV and Videos on PC, Laptop, Mac and mobiles. Meye App is very easy to use with the touch screen and can be used to watch TV and videos on PC with a touch, and with a mouse. Meye App supports devices like, smart TV, DVD player, BLUETOOTH, DVD player, AV receiver, PS3, Xbox , PS4, Wii, Wii U, WiFi, TV Box, Remote, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Chromecast, Play Station, etc.
Meye is an application for PC users to use to control your PC from your iOS device. It has been developed to allow you to control your computer by using a remote control, mouse, keyboard and other hardware devices on your iOS device.
The cameras are needed for security. Installing a camera system for your home, office and other properties is the best way to secure your assets. Once a camera system is installed on your property, it stores all the video footage in its memory. But with the apps, you can control all the cameras from your phone or computer. For this we need to find the best camera application. The Meye app has good features and capabilities to control surveillance cameras. So, in this article is a guide to download free Meye for pc windows 10, 8, 7 and Mac.
What is the Meye application?
Meye is a surveillance camera management application that allows you to manage all your surveillance cameras via an Internet connection. So you can control it from computers, tablets and smartphones with the Android app. You have more options to control the camera.
What are the characteristics of the meie
Moreover, the Meye application offers more possibilities to manage the camera system at any time and any place. Here is a list of key features
- Compatible with most DVR systems and cameras.
- With this application you can view live images from any camera.
- Support for multiple DVR systems.
- Easy operation of the PTZ camera.
- You can get a snapshot when the video is live.
How to download Meye for PC Windows 10, 8, 7 and Mac
Tired of searching for Meye installation files for Windows and Mac? Currently there is no official version for Mac or Windows computers. Therefore, we need to install the Bluestacks emulator on our computer and install the Meye application on it. You can then use Meye for Windows or Mac computers. You can follow the instructions below.
1. First download the Bluestacks Android emulator on a Windows or Mac computer. You can visit the official link and download the appropriate files for Windows or Mac computers.
2. After downloading it to your computer, you need to start the installation on your computer. If you need installation instructions, check out our Bluestacks installation guide.
3. After installing the Android emulator Bluestacks on your computer. Click on the shortcut and open the Bluestacks application. It takes a few minutes to load. After downloading, in the search bar in the top right corner, type Meye and click search.
4. Search for the Meye app and read the information and screenshots if you want more information. Then find the Install button and click it to start the installation.
5. After a few minutes the installation will be complete and the shortcut of the Meye application will be visible on the Bluestacks home screen after the installation.
6. Now open the Meye shortcut and start connecting to your DVR and control all cameras through the Meye app. You can now use the Meye application for Windows PC and Mac.
In addition, the Meye app offers good features for managing DVRs and surveillance cameras. With Bluestacks we can download Meye for Windows PC and Mac. I hope this article will help you find a solution to install Meye for Mac and Windows.The Man is a superhero in the comics, and in the new DC movie, Suicide Squad (2016). He has a super power called the Man of Steel, which is to fly and be bulletproof. He has been a great inspiration for many people.. Read more about cctv camera software for pc windows 7 free download and let us know what you think.


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Gold-filled rhodochrosite necklace
-Chain: Gold filled 14k on brass, does not tarnish over time and under water
-Stones: rhodochrosite
-Stone color: pink
–Stone virtues: Rhodochrosite is considered a stone of love and compassion, it soothes emotional stress. It also creates a positive attitude and promotes creativity.
–Stone origin: California
| Our products may vary in shape and color due to their natural origin. |
| Estimation delivery period: Between 5 & 7 business days. |


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We'll admit it, we're a little obsessed with Steph Curry's homes.
We can't help it. Whenever Curry cuts a check or lists a home, it makes headlines. He can't seem to do anything without commanding attention.
These days he and his wife, Ayesha, live in a mansion in Alamo (Contra Costa County) in another big trade-up, with five beds, ten baths, and over 10,000 square feet on the estate.
While the family still lives in the East Bay, the Currys could eventually move to San Francisco, should the mood strike. After all, not only will the Warriors' new Chase Center be open for swishing come 2019-2020, but Ayesha' new restaurant, International Smoke, will take over the old RN74 spot in the Millennium Tower. Time will tell. But seeing as how they've bought so much property in the East Bay, it seems like the family loves it over there.
Before the Golden State Warriors take on the Cleveland Cavaliers this Thursday, let's take an inside peel at the homes of Steph and Ayesha.
We can't help but notice that Curry is inhabiting a new East Bay city practically every year. Back in 2013, for example, Curry was living it up in his loft penthouse in Oakland:
Later, he traded up for an 8,000-square-foot mansion in Walnut Creek:
And then in 2016, the Curry family listed this Orinda home for $3.9 million:
And now he's taken to Alamo. Clearly, Curry is a man who love the East Bay in all of its flavors, regardless of the fact that his team is making a move to San Francisco.
- Curry Buys MVP Home [Open House]
- Curry Wins Walnut Creek Mansion [Curbed SF]
- Curry Puts Orinda Home For Sale [Curbed SF]
- Curry Lists Oakland Penthouse [Curbed SF]
- Riley Curry's Playhouse [Curbed SF]
- Ayesha Curry's International Smoke Will Take Over RN74 [Eater SF]


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Handmade Scattered Pink & Yellow Sapphire, White Diamond Bracelet
$ 7,200
Sorry, this one-of-a-kind piece is sold out.
BESPOKE. Final Sale.
Stack on your wrist and watch them sparkle!
• Handmade in San Francisco
• Approx. 6.4 ct. sapphires, .50 ct white diamonds
• 14k rose gold
• Dimensions: 58x50mm, standard size
• Hinged closure
• Each bracelet sold separately


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Harris Corp. this week gave financial analysts an upbeat forecast for its fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, increasing its "initial guidance" from $3.25 to $3.35 per diluted share.
Company-wide, said CEO Howard Lance, "In fiscal year 2006, we expect to achieve revenue growth for the company in a range of 8-10 percent higher than fiscal year 2005."
While pressure remains on federal budgets, he said, the company expects its government communications systems business will outperform the market.
"Revenue and profitability improvements are expected to continue in our broadcast and microwave businesses, which are benefiting from cost reduction actions, some recovery in international markets, and new product launches," he stated.
The company is holding its annual analyst meeting in Melbourne, Fla., this week.
Harris Bumps Up Fiscal Guidance
Harris Bumps Up Fiscal Guidance


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Corn Flour
It is high quality corn flour that is used in making corn chips, corn snacks, bakeries, fish, beer industry, corn flakes and similar products. Corn flour lysine and tryptophane proteinbiological value are under effects of amino acids limiting. The crude oil it contains is the nutrient agent that has the highest value after oat. Besides producing Corn Flour, Extra Corn Flour is also available in our product range.
- It is corn bran that is obtained from corn grains kernels of which are removed.
- Its natural odor is free from deteriorated or other bad odors.
- Ensures obtainment of product at the desired quality.
- Does not cause crack in products when coming out of the extruder.
- Preserves its freshness for 12 monts from production date.
Type of packing | Kraft Package | PP Package | Big Bag |
Net Weight | 25 Kg | 50 Kg | 1000 Kg |
Shelf life | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
Corn Flour
Storage Conditions
Product needs to be stored in cool and dry place in intact packed original package and away from walls and products of intensive odors to avoid contamination.


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Unreported Europe hears that unemployment, corruption and frustration are fueling the rise of the right in the French city of Hénin-Beaumont.
Hundreds of people sing the national anthem in the northern French city of Hénin-Beaumont.
On stage is Steeve Briois, the mayor since 2014, and the vice-president of the National Rally, France's main far-right party, formerly called National Front.
Municipal elections are a week away, and this close ally of Marine Le Pen is running for re-election.
Six years ago, half of the voters in this city of 26,000 people voted for Steeve Briois in the first round of the local elections.
Unreported Europe went to Hénin-Beaumont to find out why the city illustrates the party's vision for France, and why the people in this part of the country embrace the National Rally.
Man of the people
"He (Steeve Briois) does lots of good things," one voter said. "He even comes to our houses. If we call him about problems in the neighborhood or whatever else, he comes. He visits everyone, does great things. Honestly, we're really happy with him."
It's not just National Rally supporters who are happy with their mayor. Even citizens like Arnaud Contrainne, a 40-year-old nurse, who dislikes the party's nationalism, says the city is run efficiently.
"I think they do good stuff, socially, for the community, things for children and for housing, even though it is not a party I agree with at all," said Arnaud.
Despite the coronavirus lockdown the government decided to maintain the municipal elections.
The main challenger is Marine Tondelier, a Green member of the city council, who leads a broad-based coalition to topple the National Rally.
"It's hard to predict what is going to happen," explained Marine, "especially with the coronavirus and all that, the campaign is quite shaken up."
Tondelier faces an uphill battle. Steeve Briois, is seen as an approachable mayor, close to the people. And at 47, he has already accumulated more than 30 years of grass-roots activism in Hénin-Beaumont.
"We are always on the ground, all the time. We don't just listen to voters two months before the election. That kind of work pays off one day or another."
Unemployment fuels anger
Another factor explains the National Rally's appeal. Hénin-Beaumont lies at the heart of the French coal region.
For centuries, the mines shaped the local identity, providing jobs but also a sense of community. It was the bastion of the left.
Then, one by one, the mines closed. The other industries, like steel or textiles, also came crashing down a couple of decades later.
David, a communist councilman and history teacher, witnessed the transformation of Hénin-Beaumont.
"First of all there was the closure of lots of big factories in 2008-2009, so lots of workers found themselves unemployed, and they found refuge in abstention and a protest vote, a vote in anger."
The anger in this town is still fueled by a 20% unemployment rate and one resident out of four living below the poverty line.
Adding to this is a massive political scandal in 2009 involving the former socialist mayor, who was arrested for corruption and embezzlement.
Revolted, voters eventually turned towards what seemed like the best alternative. Jean-Robert Havet, a retired factory worker and National Rally militant is an embodiment of this radical transition.
His grandfather fought in the Resistance and his father was a miner.
"I signed up for the National Front because I was repeatedly betrayed by people on the left, supposedly pro-worker." explained Jean-Robert. And then you see them on TV being put on trial for money here, money there. You quickly get the idea that they are not in it for the workers, they are in it for themselves, that's it. The city was dead. There was nothing left in Hénin. Now it's alive again."
Management by fear
Not everybody is pleased with the National Rally. Some condemn the policies that were enacted against migrants, Roma communities and human rights organizations.
But the most frequent criticism relates to the climate of fear, intimidation and bullying that looms over anyone who doesn't fall in line with the far-right party.
Journalists, political opponents, activists, regular citizens and even public workers.
One of them agreed to be interviewed, on the condition that we ketp his identity secret.
"The National Rally set up a management of fear, " he told us. "It's really a management-style based on fear. Every day there are threats, intimidation, bullying, orders, counter-orders. From the moment they decide that you are not with them, you are finished. That's it."
Several media reports seem to confirm these allegations and indicate high levels of sick-leave among the city's staff. The mayor denies any wrongdoing.
"Listen, this is crazy. It doesn't work like that in Hénin-Beaumont," countered Mr Briois. "That's the militant, Bolshevik, version from the Libération newsroom, helping out my political opponents. But the reality is that 90% of the staff at the municipality are happy with us.
"How do you know?"
"Because we see them every day."
As the elections draw closer, the opposition ramps up its campaign, going door to door and hanging the last posters.
For their front-runner, Marine Tondelier, the objective is not just to win the election: it's to counter the narrative of the National Rally.
"This is their showcase. They want to show that this is the un-demonized National Front, that they are kind, that everything is going well. The reality is that their natural tendencies come back quickly. If you are with them, there is no problem. But if you are not with them, then they think you are against them and you pay a heavy price. And that's not OK. A mayor has to work for all the population."
Election day arrives. Across France, the coronavirus triggered even more abstention than usual. In Hénin-Beaumont, only 44% of the voters went to the polls. But the results are undeniable.
With 74,2% of the votes, Steeve Briois wins by a landslide.
The National Rally's success in Hénin-Beaumont is a subject of intense scrutiny in France.
As the country grapples with economic inequalities and anger against mainstream politicians, the party of Marine Le Pen continues to portray this town as a model of governance that must be extended nationwide.
For the other parties, here and in the rest of France, the challenge remains how to expose the far-right's weaknesses, while offering a credible alternative likely to strike a chord with disenfranchised voters.


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The moment above, on the afternoon of June 13th, was the zenith of the 2018 Mariners season. It felt like a high mark at the time, but even the most curmudgeonly didn't anticipate the A's ascent would coincide with Seattle's downturn. In that moment, however, it was hard not to feel elation.
If the Mariners have delivered joy in the past two years, there's been a good chance Mitch Haniger has been involved. He's led the team in position player fWAR since his arrival in 2017, and having freshly turned 28 he looks primed to do so once again in 2019.
But what Haniger produces in 2019 is far less important than the fact that he will be producing it for the Mariners. Despite their assurances that Edwin Diaz, Marco Gonzales, and Haniger would be building blocks of whatever schemes Stepback J drew up, Edwin was dealt to the Mets, Paxton went to the Yankees, and Mitchell remains. Haniger has been described not only as a core piece, but a role model:
"He represents everything we want to build around and be about as a team," Dipoto said of Haniger. "Not to put any more pressure on him, but if Mitch Haniger is no better than he was in 2018, we think that's a terrific player who fits us perfectly."
Assurances of no pressure aside, Dipoto is stating an unsurprising sentiment that has been backed up by each of his moves this offseason: he hopes Haniger will be the ur-Mariner of the core on which he's staking the next half-decade or more. It's a worthy aspiration, even as it is aided by the fact that Mitch is the hitter who will be paid the least over the next four years compared to the other stars dealt this offseason. A team pointing to Haniger as their lodestar, nonetheless, has chosen well for an inspirational guide.
If you're unfamiliar with the story, you can have the long version, or the short one: Taken in the 1st round of the 2012 draft, Haniger rose slowly over three years before being traded from the Brewers to the Diamondbacks, subsequently hitting a wall in AA. Frustrated with a lack of power, Haniger followed the advice of teammates A.J. Pollock and Jake Lamb and took it upon himself to seek out coaching to refine his swing. He requested a demotion to High-A to receive more playing time in 2015. There, as a 23-year-old, he would obliterate inferior pitching, earning his way back up to AA, and, by 2016, AAA and the Majors. You know the story from there, as do opposing pitchers, All-Star voters, and incautious baserunners.
That mold, of talented tinkerers motivated to make up for lost time, has been the target for Seattle all offseason. Outfielders Jake Fraley and Dom Thompson-Williams are the most on-the-nose examples, each arriving fresh off dominant 2018 campaigns at age-23 in High-A following swing changes. But that is also the vision they likely have for embattled once-top-prospect J.P. Crawford. Even Mallex Smith has (optimistically) mentioned a desire to learn from Haniger about his offensive approach. The Mariners have built a lineup that will have a minimum of eight players in it on any given day who are coming into 2019 with something to prove. From a pedagogical standpoint, there is value for the coaching staff to be able to point to their remaining star and say "he was once just like you, and if he could do it, we believe you can too."


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Ben Bohane is an Australian photojournalist and tv producer based in Vanuatu in the South Pacific.
For the past 30 years he has specialised in reporting religion, conflict and culture across the Asia Pacific region for a variety of Australian and global media including TIME, Vanity Fair and National Geographic. Most of his work since 1994 has been focused on the much under-reported Pacific islands region, where he has documented the forgotten conflicts of Bougainville, West Papua, East Timor and New Caledonia among others.
With the global "centre of gravity" moving from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, the Pacific region is now on the frontline of climate change and geopolitical tensions between China and the US, and Bohane has focused on these stories in recent years. Another area of interest for him has been the role of kastom, cult and cargo-cult movements across the region; how religion and indigenous belief systems collide and co-exist, how they spark but also end conflict, ushering in kastom reconciliation processes and peace.
His photos are collected by The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum and Australian War Memorial, as well as being held in private collections.
He is the founder of Waka Photo Agency, the first photo agency in the Pacific, as well as a co-founder, along with Tim Page, of the Australian war photographers collective degreeSouth. He is on the Advisory Council for the main think tank in the Pacific, the Pacific Institute of Public Policy, and currently works with the Pacific Security College based at the Australian National University.
His books include Follow The Morning Star about the struggle for independence in West Papua; War by the degreeSouth collective; and The Black Islands – Spirit and War in Melanesia, a 20 year photographic journey through kastom and conflict in Australia's closest island neighbours. In 2014 he made Island Style, a one-hour documentary following the experience of Pacific island soldiers serving in Afghanistan that screened widely across the Pacific. In 2019 he was the inaugural winner of the Walkely/Sean Dorney award for Pacific journalism.


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Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
January 14th, 2003, 02:43 PM | #1 |
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vallejo, California
Posts: 4,049
RFI problems
I just fired up the new PD150 that Sony gave me in replacement for the 10 month old unit that failed.
I have confirmed that the SteadyShot function even in this new camera is susceptable to RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) problems. If I key a hand-held police radio anywhere within about 4 feet of the camera, the picture shifts. I also tested one of the Family Radios sold by Radio Shack. It too will cause the picture to shift although not as much. A cellular telephone did not seem to cause any visible problem (flip-out LCD panel). Clearly the Sony VX-2000 & DSR-PD150 DESIGNS are susceptable to RFI. Radio Frequency power is created not only in radio transmitters but RADAR, Television transmitters, spark plug wiring, sparks of any nature, etc. I'd guess that really strong fields may damage the camera. How strong and what source could do this I'll leave up to the reader :-)) Just on the cautionary side, I'd not dry this camcorder out in the microwave oven! Lauri Batwin of Montage Video in NY is a member of the WEVA camera committee and will discuss this with Sony in February. I've supplied her with a tape showing the SteadyShot problem and footage that records the noise made by the failing drum that my PD150 had and as has been reported by others in these hallowed forum halls.
Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel! |
January 16th, 2003, 03:33 PM | #2 |
Major Player
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Belgium
Posts: 804
Electromagnetic radiation immunity is a big issue in medical, avionics and defence equipment. Mil standards go up to 200V/m over a broad frequency spectrum for approvals. Such high fieldstrengths (though not advisable for humans) are still not destructive in general but do introduce (sometimes) dangerious malfuntioning specifically in digital circuits. In some enviroments (power plants...) radiation can be that strong that little sparks are generated on close conductors. Microsparks are much more destructive on electronic circuits than the primary radiation, and can introduce explosions in explosive ambients. I doubt that camcorders are specified w.r.t. rad immunity.
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Thread Tools | Search this Thread |


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Dear David,
I thought my house was conditionally sold. The buyers and I signed a deal after some negotiation. The next day, their agent said they were backing out and wouldn't be delivering the deposit cheque. What gives? –LET DOWN
DEAR LET DOWN: I'm seeing this happen more in the last 2 to 3 years. Personally, I find it increasingly prevalent among inexperienced buyer's agents. There seems to be a growing disconnect between some buyers' actions and their obligations according to the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. There's an accepted method for to dissolving a real estate deal once it has been signed, but this isn't it. The offending agents should know the law, so they can avoid exposing their buyers to risk.
In Canada, real estate offers are signed "under seal". You can Google the significance of the term if you're so inclined, but it boils down to the notion that once an Agreement of Purchase and Sale is signed, all of its terms are binding. Buyers and sellers can't change their minds after the fact (at least not without signing additional paperwork) and a deal isn't nullified by simply not delivering the deposit.
When a deposit fails to arrive, it's unlikely that the deal is going to move forward to close. It is possible for the seller to seek legal restitution if they can prove damages, but this rarely happens. You can't force someone to buy a house. Most people prefer to save time and legal expenses by carrying on with the selling process.
That said, buyers should understand that by not delivering the deposit, they are in breach of contract and may not be able to walk away with clean hands. If the offer was unconditional and the seller ended up re-selling their home for a lower price, that seller may be able to pursue legal action against them.
Dear David,
I know the snow is coming eventually. What are my obligations with regards to clearing snow and ice? – JACK FROST
DEAR JACK: Home and business owners in Kitchener-Waterloo have 24 hours to clear their sidewalks once a snowstorm ends. You are responsible for the removal snow and ice (down to the pavement) on sidewalks adjacent to your property. If you don't clear them, the city may do so at your expense. Be sure to avoid blocking drainage routes, fire hydrants or roadways. Salt (and melting products) can be used to reduce slippery hazards, but are damaging to the environment. Sprinkle lightly on icy areas only. Below -10 degrees, salt is no longer effective as a melting agent, so skip it altogether. When it gets this cold, try non-clumping kitty litter, or sand, which is available free to Kitchener residents at the Kitchener Operations Facility (gates 3 & 4, off Wabanaki Drive). Pro Tip: take your spouse's car to pick it up, sand can get pretty messy.


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Stated Income Commercial Real Estate
What Is Stated Income Commercial Real Estate Financing?
Whether you've recently been turned down for real estate financing or you simply want to simplify the application process, a stated income commercial real estate loan may be the perfect choice. This option is similar to a traditional bank loan as far as capital amounts go, but it offers several distinctive benefits for business owners with less-than-ideal credit. Here are the answers to several common questions about this flexible financing solution.
What Kind of Credit Score Do You Need To Qualify?
One of the biggest advantages of applying for stated income real estate financing is that it accommodates a wide range of credit scores. While each business is unique, generally speaking we look for a score of 600 or above. This is in the "fair" credit score category. That means that even if you company has below-average credit, you can still get approved for a loan that allows you to purchase excellent real estate.
How Many Business Documents Do You Need To Show?
Another benefit of this type of real estate financing are the minimal document requirements. The application process is far simpler than proving your company qualifies for a government-backed SBA loan, for example. Usually, we request documentation that shows your company's corporate structure or proof of business operations. It's good to prepare limited financial documents such as balance sheets as well, but you don't need to go to an extreme. What we're primarily looking for is evidence that you're doing your best to run a successful business.
How Can You Use a Stated Income Commercial Real Estate Loan?
There are many uses for this type of financing. It's especially helpful for business expansion:
- Buying a business property
- Purchasing an investment/management property
- Remodeling existing business locations
- Consolidating business loans
- Refinancing loans to minimize interest rates
- Acquiring working capital
This type of loan is popular with restaurateurs, owners of retail businesses, real estate investors, small business owners and other entrepreneurs. To apply, contact our friendly team right away.


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If you sustain injuries while on duty, filing for worker's compensation benefits is crucial in ensuring that you can cover your bills while you recover. While it's your employer's responsibility to collect the benefits you're entitled to, they can sometimes put their interests first, and this is why you need a worker's compensation lawyer. They do this because they know most workers are often not well-informed on how filing compensation works. This means that if you make a mistake in the process, the chances are that it will cost you. Here are a few mistakes you need to avoid.
1. Never underreport your injuries
A common mistake that most injured workers make is failing to describe the accident correctly. When filing your worker's compensation claim, your worker's compensation attorney will ensure you specify how your accident happened. If you underreport your injury, you hinder any chances of a successful claim. Downplaying the severity of your injuries early on makes it difficult to obtain the medical benefits you need in the future if the injury becomes serious.
2. Don't assume that the medical advice you receive is adequate
While it's necessary to seek medical assistance from a medical provider pre-approved by your employer, you shouldn't solely rely on their medical advice. Some doctors may not have your best interests at heart. By working with a knowledgeable worker's compensation lawyer, you can seek treatment from a physician of your choice. This can happen if you believe that the doctor pre-approved by your employer prematurely discharges you from care.
3. Filling claim forms without the guidance of an attorney
It's not mandatory to have a worker's compensation lawyer when filing for benefits. Filing a worker's compensation claim requires that you fill specific forms accurately. If you miss a deadline, misstate or omit information, it could cost you the compensation you've been longing for. Your lawyer will ensure that your claim is filed correctly and on time. They'll also take extra measures to safeguard your rights throughout the claim process.
4. Don't go back to work too soon
After your work injuries, don't be in a rush to return to work. Going back to work before you receive approval from your doctor is a costly mistake. You're likely to re-injure yourself, be less productive, or even make your injuries worse. If your doctor advises you to go to work, and you believe you've not fully recovered, or your employer decides to reduce your pay after you resume work, seek the help of a worker's compensation lawyer.
Seeking worker's compensation benefits is a complicated process that requires you to seek legal counsel. Besides helping you meet deadlines for the important paperwork, your worker's compensation lawyer will protect your right to fair compensation.


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Friday, October 31, 2014
Progress on the Bluebirds.....
31 comments:
- Terry said...
Your quilting is beautiful! :0)
- October 31, 2014 at 11:00 AM
- CathyC said...
as always, your work is beautiful! Thanks for sharing how you tackle the quilting - I am yet to try this style of quilting, I usually just stick to straight lines LOL
- October 31, 2014 at 11:38 AM
- WoolenSails said...
That looks stunning with the blue, you have really been busy with your projects.
Debbie - October 31, 2014 at 1:03 PM
- Dawn said...
The bluebird quilt is a lovely pattern and the colors are just beautiful. Do you quilt on a longarm machine or your normal sewing maching. Its beautiful whatever you are using. Love the table runner too, just in time for Christmas.
- October 31, 2014 at 2:58 PM
- Michelle Ridgway said...
I love the bluebirds quilt....the blue borders really sets it off. Your quilting just lifts it to another level altogether!!! Looks like you are back in the needle turn groove x
- October 31, 2014 at 3:27 PM
- marina said...
great job with your quilting Fiona!
I like your table runner stitching too.
I think you are going to do a great job of that pattern I sent you. It is going to look wonderful in needleturn applique.
We had 31 degrees today. Had to go into the city for an appointment. hot stuff. - October 31, 2014 at 3:46 PM
Hi Fiona,gee i really love this quilt it is looking awesome,you are so clever my friend.xx
- October 31, 2014 at 4:19 PM
- Jane said...
Oh Fiona, that quilting is a delight. and love the appique
- October 31, 2014 at 4:50 PM
- Karen S said...
Lovely quilting with the bluebirds. The patterns are looking lovely around the birds. I agree -- looking at the back really gives you a good idea of the pattern.
Good luck with your stitching.
- October 31, 2014 at 5:03 PM
- KERYN B said...
The back is just as beautiful as the front - amazing quilting.. Love the stitchery I bet one of your buddies in FHFS would love that.....
- October 31, 2014 at 5:03 PM
- Susan said...
Wi love looking at the back of quilting too, and yours is amazing. I can't believe you have done the christmas stitchery already, very speedy. I would stay by the aircon if I were you, it is hot here as well. Let's just skip over summer!
- October 31, 2014 at 5:13 PM
- Elyte said...
Your quilting looks fabulous and very professional. Your blogging friends have been keeping you very busy with lovely projects.
- October 31, 2014 at 7:42 PM
- Christine said...
Beautiful quilting, it really makes the embroidered squares special.
- October 31, 2014 at 8:16 PM
- Noela said...
Your quilting is outstanding Fiona. Love your bluebird blocks. Hugs.....
- October 31, 2014 at 8:27 PM
- Cheryl said...
Your little bluebirds are so gorgeous Fiona. And your xmas runner is going to be lovely when finished. Do love redwork. I havn't done much needleturn but it is quite addictive one you start
- October 31, 2014 at 9:53 PM
- Sheila said...
Your bluebird quilt is stunning and I also love the redwork runner to be . I learned a new word here today "ham fisted" I will have to remember that one ;-) Great work as always Fiona . Hugs Sheila
- October 31, 2014 at 11:39 PM
- Chrissie said...
Beautiful work, love the bluebirds, have a great weekend xcx
- November 1, 2014 at 12:35 AM
- Sue SA said...
Your machine quilting looks amazing as always. I am thinking that your needle turn project (and the lack of paper) is a method I might like to try - did you do a class or use a book for instructions on this method?
- November 1, 2014 at 5:50 AM
- Rosie said...
Gorgeous work. Love the blue birds.
- November 1, 2014 at 7:02 AM
- Tarnyia said...
Loving your quilting... it is making your bluebirds pop xxx
- November 1, 2014 at 8:19 AM
- Jindi's Cottage said...
Bluebirds is absolutely gorgeous, love those blue frames around the blocks...have fun with the stitchery and needleturn...
- November 1, 2014 at 9:50 AM
- Cheryll said...
I can hear those blue birds down here...singing in praise of the job you are doing. Beautiful quilt Fiona!
- November 1, 2014 at 11:16 AM
- Narelle said...
Wow Fiona ... your quilting is amazing!
- November 1, 2014 at 4:56 PM
- Peg - Happy In Quilting said...
Awesome Bubz
- November 1, 2014 at 8:18 PM
- Chantal said...
Thanks for sharing an update on the Bluebirds quilt. I love looking at that quilt and it is coming along so beautifully. Lovey little table runner too. Enjoy!
- November 1, 2014 at 11:15 PM
- Anthea said...
beautiful quilting there Fiona - love the blue block outlines, shows them off so well!
- November 1, 2014 at 11:46 PM
- Lin said...
Beautiful bluebird quilting and your table runner looks great. xx
- November 2, 2014 at 3:04 AM
- Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...
Beautiful quilting there Fiona....just lovely!
- November 2, 2014 at 7:57 AM
- Allie said...
Those bluebirds are just amazing, girl, you're doing beautifully!!! I'm afraid I couldn't be anything BUT hamfisted when it comes to needleturn...thank goodness for fusible web...
- November 3, 2014 at 1:51 PM
- Wendy said...
Oh wow, your bluebird quilt is looking gorgeous! Hugs Wendy
- November 3, 2014 at 3:55 PM
- Maria said...
Oh if only I lived closer I would get you to quilt for me....
Love that nice long Christmas stitchery. Wonder where Susan got the pattern ?? - November 4, 2014 at 12:31 PM


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Bonnie Tsui Finds Joy After Returning to the Water
The USMS member wrote about her experience in the book "Why We Swim"
From "Why We Swim" by Bonnie Tsui. Reprinted with the permission of the publisher, Algonquin Books. Copyright © 2020 by Bonnie Tsui.
I end up joining a swim team again around the same time my own 6-year-old does. I spent a decade of my childhood competing, but it's the first time in more than two decades that I've trained and raced with others in practice. As an adult, I want to remember what it was all for. At the point of this comeback, I've just turned 40, so I guess I aspire to be an Everywoman Dara Torres. My team is the Albany Armada; Felix's is the Berkeley Barracudas.
The Armada is a Masters team, which means that it's part of U.S. Masters Swimming, the competitive swim team circuit for swimmers 18 and up. Established in 1970, U.S. Masters Swimming now has 65,000 members around the country and 1,500 teams and training groups, and it sanctions regional, national, and international meets. It doesn't matter if you're a 22-year-old water rocket just off a college team or a novice swimmer over 80—there's a spot for you. Some swimmers compete in meets, while others prioritize training as its own goal.
The head coach of the Albany Armada, Carol Nip, is a sun-burnished woman in her early 60s who wears bright-red lipstick and a big smile. Though I'd been swimming at the Albany pool for four years, I'd never swum with the Masters team. It wasn't for lack of Coach Carol's recruiting efforts—I see why she has won national awards for superlative coaching and community building—I just wasn't sure I was ready for someone to tell me what to do in the pool again. I'd spent the last 20 years focusing on how to swim for fun and exercise, to swim an hour-long workout without worrying too much about speed and without the stress of competition. Masters Swimming intimidated me.
On our respective first days of practice, Felix and I both feel the same nervous butterflies quivering in our stomachs. Those time-worn social anxieties—Will it be fun? Will I be able to keep up? Will everyone be better than me?— are streaming on loop. As I walk out on the pool deck, I'm startled by the momentary feeling that I'm walking with the shadow of my girlhood self.
At practice with the Armada, I look at all of us in the water, flitting back and forth across the pool in our flashy, colorful suits—one thing that hasn't changed is that Speedos are still as gaudy as they ever were—and I see a school of flashing fish. After just a few weeks, I realize that I'd missed training with a team, the motivation of swimming together. I find that it's easier to make myself swim fast for someone else. Having teammates picks you up and pushes you along. In that school of fish, there's a shared consciousness and a shared purpose.
I go home after a particularly grueling midday practice, and when I rise from my desk, my left shoulder complains. Or else it's my right. Some days, I give age a concession and take an afternoon nap.
One morning, Coach Carol hands each of us a little notebook. Before she lets us get in the water, she makes us scribble down two goals for the next year. What do I write?
1. Do something that scares me.
2. Swim in a meet for the first time in 20-plus years???
Later, after practice, Coach Carol stops me outside the pool. "The Pacific Masters short course championships is coming up," she says cheerfully. "I think you can be really competitive in your age group. Mark it on your calendar!"
At these words, my adrenaline spikes, a Pavlovian response I thought I'd outgrown. But I'm curious about competing again. I find myself thinking back on those Sea Devil days. Who was that girl who once thrilled at a race? And what version of my competitive self would show up at the meet?
Competition day glints like an outdoor pool, all dewy blue and sunshine. On the early-morning drive over the Berkeley hills to the Soda Aquatic Center, I feel my stomach turning over. My left shoulder is still a little cranky from when I surfed two days ago. Just enough to remind me of my 40-44 age group. To offset the anxiety, I decided to swim two fast, fun events: the 50 breaststroke and the 100 IM, or individual medley—25 yards each of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.
The pool at the Soda Aquatic Center is a thing of beauty: 18 competition lanes that allow two heats to run concurrently, with nine lanes each. The pool is so big that there are two extra lanes in between, left empty as a buffer. A thin, translucent layer of fog hovers above the cerulean water, waiting to be burned off by a still-sleepy sun. Off to the left, behind a set of metal bleachers and a digital timing board, there's also a dedicated warm-up pool, open for use between races so we can stay loose.
Hundreds of swimmers are milling about, swathed in the shin-length hooded parkas that are particular to swim teams: bulky, fleece-lined nylon monstrosities in all colors, heavy on the reds and blacks and royal blues, trimmed with gold and black and white, embroidered with inscrutable acronyms. MEMO. TOC. EBAT. ALB. (I know that last one, at least, because it's us: Albany Armada.)
I still remember what to do. I shed my layers in a heap under our team's shade tent and snap on my cap and goggles, being careful not to poke a fingernail through the delicate yellow-and-navy latex of our team cap. After warm-ups, Coach Carol hands me a rubber band—a reminder to always be flexible. She also presses a blue ribbon into my hand. "You've won already," she says, grinning. "It's your first meet since high school!"
At the lane assignment for my first event, the 50 breaststroke, I take a long look around. I can't help noticing a swimmer in the 80-84 age group standing nearby, wearing a black cap, a red team parka, and matching bright lipstick, a serene look on her beautifully made-up face. I look at her, and something about her contented presence settles me.
The official calls my heat, and I step up to the starting blocks, at the precipice of that gorgeous, glorious, ginormous pool. Swimmers, take your mark. At the signal, I take the plunge.
The rush of water in my ears, a phroom like the ocean. That delicious silence underwater, strong pull, kick, gliiiiiide. The fragment of time is so full of possibility, I almost don't want to break the surface. When I do, I don't hear anything. Arms and legs are moving mechanically now, executing the breaststroke they've been practicing so faithfully. And yet my mind is moving a beat behind, not quite there with my body. It isn't until the second lap of the two-lap race that I wake up—suddenly, and with startling clarity—and everything clicks into focus. The last 15 yards, a surging in my limbs, as if I've just remembered to hit the gas pedal.
Afterward, when I'm not cheering for my teammates, I drift around the pool deck with a foolish grin on my face. I still have another race, and the results won't come in until hours later. (I place third in both of my events.) I'm no Olympic swimmer. My goals are modest; the stakes are low. But however fleeting it is, I remember what it feels like. A momentary lightness, the feeling of having done my ever-elusive best.


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