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This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Jennifer Ludden, in Washington. Neal Conan is away. For same-sex military couples, a lot has changed since the end of "don't ask, don't tell." Just last week, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced a list of benefits that will now or soon apply to the same-sex partners of service members.
But the Defense of Marriage Act is still law. Military officials say that means they can't extend all the same rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples. We'd like to hear your stories today. If you're in a same-sex partnership, and you or your partner serves in the military, what has changed, and what hasn't? Our number is 800-989-8255. Our email address is firstname.lastname@example.com, and you can join the conversation at our website. Go to npr.org, and click on TALK OF THE NATION.
Later in the program, 3-D printing. The possibilities seem endless: custom Pez dispensers, human cartilage. We'll talk about it all. But first, same-sex relationships and the military. Ashley Broadway is director of family affairs for the American Military Partner Association. She and her partner, Army Lieutenant Colonel Heather Mack, have been together for 13 years. Ashley joins us now by phone from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Welcome to TALK OF THE NATION.
ASHLEY BROADWAY: Thank you, thank you for having me.
LUDDEN: Let's start with a recent change for you. The Fort Bragg Spouses' Club, you can join it now, but it wasn't always that way. What happened?
BROADWAY: No, I initially inquired about membership just after Heather and I decided to - we finally, you know, tied the knot and got married. You know, we were together almost 15 years before we decided to get married. But once I was a military spouse, I, you know, inquired about, you know, applying for this spouses' club here, officer spouses' club here at Fort Bragg.
And after about a month back and forth in conversation, I was basically denied because they said that I wasn't issued - I didn't have or obtain a military ID.
LUDDEN: And you didn't have a military ID because...
BROADWAY: Because, you know, up until recently, which, you know, we still haven't been issued the ID, the Department of Defense did not issue military IDs to same-sex spouses or partners.
LUDDEN: So what happened then?
BROADWAY: Well, I - you know, I was extremely frustrated, you know, living under the dark shadows of "don't ask, don't tell" for so many years. You know, I was extremely frustrated. I mean, here "don't ask, don't tell," you know, had been repealed. You know, I was - things were slowly beginning to change. And, you know, I just did not expect to be told that.
And I basically wrote an open letter to the president and, you know, asking her to reconsider and basically outlining, you know, my - who I am as a person, you know, where I've been as both a former educator and a military spouse and my work with the American Military Partner Association.
And there the letter basically took off. And what I mean took off is I had many, many other military spouses - and when I mean military spouses, I'm referring to the heterosexual military spouses, that basically came to my defense and, you know, said you are a military spouse regardless of who you're married to.
And basically, you know, they, you know, started sharing my story, and it just, you know, it became, you know, rampant on the Internet, and that's kind of when the media got involved. And from there it - you know, there was a firestorm, of course, on the media. Eventually the spouses' club, you know, did change their mind.
It took quite a while, but, you know, now they have stated that I can become a member.
LUDDEN: And do you go to meetings? I mean, is it OK? Or are they...
BROADWAY: They actually, they actually told me that I can now become a member, it was about three days after my wife had given birth to our daughter, which was just a few weeks ago.
LUDDEN: Congratulations.
BROADWAY: So, you know, so I basically, you know, said thank you, you know, thank you for the invitation, I will be sending...
LUDDEN: You haven't had time to go...
BROADWAY: Actually I haven't had time to do much. I'm lucky I was able to fill in today. But no, you know, obviously the birth of our daughter, you know, comes first and that they had invited me to a function in February, which, you know, I respectfully declined. So I'm hoping, you know, now that things are slowing down for us as a family that I can be able to start attending functions and participating, you know, hopefully next month.
LUDDEN: And now this was your second child, is that right?
BROADWAY: Yes, yes, we have a son that's almost three, and then of course our daughter was just born.
LUDDEN: And was there a difference with the birth of the first - the second one over the first one in terms of your role there with the military?
BROADWAY: Oh absolutely. It was night and day. For our daughter here at Fort Bragg, I just can't say enough about the hospital staff. We - you know, my wife gave birth at a military hospital here at Fort Bragg. Everyone was very respectful of me, treated me like a military spouse. You know, I had full, you know, full rights. I was there with my daughter the whole time, I was there where - when my wife, you know, was, you know, in the procedure, you know, which was such a relief because the first - you know, our first - when our son was born, it was under "don't ask, don't tell" in 2010.
And basically we had to lie then so that I could be with her and say that we were sisters. And to, you know, to add, you know, insult to injury, he was born nonresponsive, and she had complications during birth. And he was rushed to another hospital under a NICU, and during this whole ordeal I still couldn't be honest with anyone there at the hospital where he was born in Texas, the military hospital, because, you know, I was - you know, it's bad enough I'm worried about my son, I'm worried about my partner, but, you know, I couldn't be honest because of her career.
You know, so it has been a world of a difference for me personally in that aspect.
LUDDEN: All right, same-sex partners in the military, what is changing, what has not changed for you? Call us, 800-825 - whoops, I'm forgetting the number, 989-8255. And CJ(ph) is in Tucson, Arizona. Hi CJ.
CJ: Hi.
LUDDEN: What's your story?
CJ: Hi, well, first off, it started last September 20, the first anniversary of repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." I had a little problem. I lost my keys to my truck. And I called my partner to get me - let me into my truck, but he couldn't get on base. I had to walk three miles just to meet him outside the gate and let him in. But now, so we can get him this ID, he'd be able to finally rescue me if I need rescuing.
But as far as different changes that we still don't have, I'm currently an Air Force officer, I'm retraining for a different job. I'm moving to Texas, well I actually moved to Texas, but we decided it's better for him to stay in Arizona while I'm going to my retraining in Texas for eight months because he doesn't have health care, if he's going to lose that if he moves to a different state.
He's also - will have to pay out-of-state tuition if we move there. And also, like, this location allowance that they gave me to move from one state to another, it only reflects for a single person, going to lose out on roughly about 16 percent of what they would have given me if they - if we were actually married.
LUDDEN: And none of this will be addressed by the new rules, the new benefits announced by Secretary Panetta?
CJ: We haven't applied for his ID card yet. I'm not exactly sure if they're up and running yet. But as far as the dislocation allowance and school benefits and things like that, I do not think so, as far as I know.
LUDDEN: All right, well CJ, thanks so much for sharing.
CJ: All right, thanks.
LUDDEN: We're joined now by Amy Bushatz. She's the managing editor of military.com, its spouse and family blog, SpouseBUZZ. She joins us via Skype from her home in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Welcome to you.
AMY BUSHATZ: Thank you so much. Thank you for having me.
LUDDEN: So can you give us a rundown here of what the announcement by Secretary Panetta includes? What is on - slated to change now, and then what was left out? First, what's happening?
BUSHATZ: Sure, so Secretary Panetta announced via a memo on February 11th that some benefits will be extended to same-sex spouses starting no - really no earlier than the end of August but by the first of October, the new fiscal year, at the latest.
So the policy will give same-sex spouses some benefits. The biggest one that they'll be able to have is receive ID cards, which Ashley mentioned earlier as being one of the things that the Fort Bragg club gave as a reason that she couldn't be in their club.
I say this is the biggest because really ID cards are what opens the door to many other things for military spouses. Because of it, they'll have access to the base, they'll have the ability to use the military grocery store, known as the commissary, they can use the gyms, they can use other recreation and many other things that are just kind of a part of the daily life of a military spouse.
Another big thing is for same-sex couples who are also service members, where they are both service members. The new policy will allow them to petition the military to station them together at the same base.
LUDDEN: Kind of key.
BUSHATZ: Yeah, kind of key to having a relationship, definitely. And if the service member spouse was to be killed, under the new policy, they would also be given an exemption that would allow them to not deploy or to return home from a deployment after their partner's death.
Another major benefit is the availability of emergency leave. Now under the new policy, if a gay spouse has an emergency at home during a deployment or extended training that her service member is at, her spouse would be eligible for emergency leave to come home and take care of her. That has not been the case in the past.
So you wanted to know what's still not available.
LUDDEN: Right.
BUSHATZ: Well, the answer is plenty. According to a brief from the gay military support group known as OutServe, there are about 101 benefits that are still not available because federal law does not recognize gay marriage as legal. The biggest ones are access to military health care system, known as Tricare, and a payout of the military housing benefits available to those who are married and - or people who want on-post housing for families who do not have children.
If a gay service member has children that are legally adopted right now, he can still receive on-post housing. So...
LUDDEN: And these are because of the Defense of Marriage Act, is that...
BUSHATZ: These are because of the Defense of Marriage Act, that's...
LUDDEN: Which is coming up in the Supreme Court very soon.
BUSHATZ: It is. It is. One more major benefit that they will not receive has to do with military moves. Right now if you're a military spouse, when you're ordered to - when your husband or wife is ordered to move, you are able to receive a payout from the military to cover the cost of your expenses to move, as well. Gay spouses will still not be able to receive that under the new policy.
LUDDEN: As our caller from Arizona was just lamenting. All right, we're talking about same-sex partnerships and the military. Our guests are Amy Bushatz of military.com; and Ashley Broadway of the American Military Partner Association. If you're in a same-sex partnership, and you or your partner serves in the military, let us know: What's changed for you, and what has not? 800-989-8255. Or email us: firstname.lastname@example.com. I'm Jennifer Ludden. It's TALK OF THE NATION from NPR News.
LUDDEN: This is TALK OF THE NATION from NPR News. I'm Jennifer Ludden. Early last week, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta signed a memorandum extending new benefits to the same-sex partners of members of the armed forces. After what he called a thorough and deliberate review, the Defense Department determined same-sex partners will now have access to more than 20 new benefits, from commissary and exchange privileges to space-available travel on DOD aircraft.
In the memo, Panetta also indicated more changes may be coming in the event that DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, is struck down and that the benefits will be reassessed in the future to determine whether unmarried partners in same-sex domestic partnerships will also be eligible.
So we'd like to hear from you. If you're in a same-sex partnership, and you or your partner serves in the military, what has changed so far, what has not? Tell us your story, 800-989-8255. Or send us an email, firstname.lastname@example.com, and you can share your story at our website. Go to npr.org, and click on TALK OF THE NATION.
We've been joined by Amy Bushatz, she's managing editor of military.com's spouse and family blog, SpouseBUZZ, and she's with us via Skype from her home in Fort Campbell, Kentucky; also Ashley Broadway, director of family affairs at the American Military Partner Association.
Ashley, you were saying what a difference the changes have made for the birth of your second child. But what are the gray areas that remain for you and your family?
BROADWAY: Well, you know, we - I think the overall - for my family personally it's the overall, you know, yes, you know, we have - I've been given some additional benefits, but still, I mean, it's the overall inequalities that still faces our, you know, our families. You know, what really - as I hear from people all over the country, what's really disturbing is that there's so many lower enlisted service members who are really being affected not only, you know, emotionally because they're having to be separated from sometimes their kids, sometimes, you know, their loved ones, but, you know, Amy was mentioning the housing. As of right now, most enlisted - and, you know, we in the military terms it's anywhere from like an E-1 to an E-5, according to what base you're stationed at and what branch, they're not allotted BAH, which is basic allowance for housing.
And so we have a lot of same-sex married couples who are having to pay, you know, out of pocket for that. And this is putting a major strain on our families. And, you know, this is something that when I was on the conference call last week with the Department of Defense, when they, you know, when they were, you know, announcing these changes, this is something that I said, you know, we need to discuss this. We need to do some exception policies for these service members and grant them at least a single rate...
LUDDEN: So is, though, tied to Defense of Marriage Act, or is this something that the military could do on its own?
BROADWAY: They can do this on their own. They can issue exceptions to policies, you know, based on, you know, financial constraints. And that is exactly what is happening. You know, a lot of these parents - I mean a lot of these service members are having to pay, you know, like I said, out of pocket so that they can live with their significant other.
And, you know, we all know - I mean, our service members definitely need to be paid more, but our lower enlisted service members do not make what's compared to, say, you know, an officer or a higher enlisted, and, you know, almost their whole paycheck going basically for - just to live.
And, you know, it's an outrage because I know that we can make more changes, that we don't have to wait on DOMA. And I'm hoping that the Department of Defense will look at some of these issues because in the end, it affects all soldiers because if there is a soldier, if there is a Marine, if there is a sailor, there is an airman that is stationed in Afghanistan, they should not be worried about if their family back home is being taken care of.
LUDDEN: All right, let's get another caller, Jay(ph) in St. Petersburg, Florida. Hi Jay, welcome to TALK OF THE NATION.
JAY: Hi, thank you. Yes, I was in the Air Force for 20 years, I retired a couple years ago. I have a spouse, but I'm retired, and the impact of DOMA on the retiree population is, of course, I can't extend the benefits to my spouse, either. There's a host of benefits retirees get, one of them being the survivor benefit. When I pass away, my retirement, if I was in a heterosexual marriage, my retirement pay would pass on to my spouse.
Also, he would be able to be buried in a national cemetery along with me. That's all prevented by DOMA. And even some civilian companies follow federal guidance for same-sex - or I should say they follow federal guidance for marriage standards like my bank. USAA follows the federal guidance for what constitutes a legal marriage, which prevents my spouse from receiving some of the benefits that USAA provides uniquely military members. So there's a whole host of benefits that DOMA blocks.
LUDDEN: All right, Jay, thanks so much for the call. Amy Bushatz, do you think that the military - new benefits announced by the military will have any impact there on private businesses? Our caller was just saying they look to the federal government.
BUSHATZ: Well, you can certainly see that private businesses follow what the federal government does, just like the caller just mentioned. In terms of the businesses right outside the gate, I don't see that they will, beyond the bank question, have really any impact, no.
LUDDEN: And Ashley was saying that DOMA aside, there's a feeling that she's hearing that the military still hasn't gone far enough in making changes it can on its own. Are you hearing that from your community?
BUSHATZ: Well, what I'm hearing is that the changes are slow in coming. You notice that these changes aren't going to be implemented until the end of August at the earliest is - they didn't say at the earliest in the memo, but they said no later than October, so you've got to wonder.
And of course that has to do with needing to upgrade the IT system and needing to train employees on all of this stuff. But August is quite a ways away, and we're talking about military families who would like access to base and would like the ability to use these facilities and these benefits today.
LUDDEN: All right, let's get a call, Sam(ph) is in Fort Drum, New York. Hi there.
SAM: Hi.
LUDDEN: Go right ahead.
SAM: I just wanted to call and let you guys know that even though all these changes are happening, there's still so many people that are so confused about what's going on. Like I go into the shoppette, which is like the gas station on post, and I'm not allowed to shop there because I don't have a military ID, but I'll hold something for my friend.
And one of the cashiers told me the other day I'm not allowed to hold anything for someone if I don't have a military ID. And it's - I've never heard that before, but now they're trying to implement that. And even just coming onto post, they ask you...
LUDDEN: So it's - in a way, the issues been brought up to the surface, and now maybe some people are restricting where they didn't before because they may be thinking about it? Is that what you're saying?
SAM: Yes. That's also odd because people can get waivers for practically anything. Like people - lower enlisted can get a waiver to live off-post because lower enlisted, you have to be like an E-6 on Fort Drum to live off-post, and technically my wife is not supposed to live off-post. So she has a barracks room, and she also has to pay for our apartment and everything for us to live together off-post.
But as their - her chain of command found out that she was living off-post, she could get in trouble, like a lot of trouble from the Army.
LUDDEN: All right, so you're waiting for a lot of this to trickle down then. Sam, thanks so much for the call. There's an email from Alex, who says: Not much has changed for those of us who identify as transgender. We can still be removed from service for no other cause than simply being transgendered.
And let's get another phone call in, Max in Swansboro, North Carolina. Hi Max.
MAX: Hi, how are you?
LUDDEN: Good.
MAX: The - it - this extension of benefits has prompted us to get married after a 28-year relationship because if DOMA is overturned, we can see that these benefits might hinge on getting married, might hinge on the marital state as opposed to simply signing an affidavit saying that we're in a long-term, committed relationship, which is what will originally be required to extend the early benefits.
LUDDEN: Right, although the military says they're going to look at whether they should extend these to unmarried partnerships. But you're right, that seems down the line.
MAX: Right. So up to now, getting married would have been purely an act of symbolism, and we are practical people. When we saw that there may be some material benefits, that I might actually be able to do some shopping on the base myself and go unescorted, then we decided to go ahead and tie the knot.
LUDDEN: Well, congratulations on that. Did you have a big affair?
MAX: No. It was a very private, very small affair. We located an officiate, as they call them up in Washington, D.C., and headed up there and did a very private thing just with the two of us and the officiate.
LUDDEN: Well, best to you.
LUDDEN: That's great. And so now, what will be the most meaningful to you of the benefits that are to come online?
MAX: Well, the immediate benefits will be access to the base. And that will be good, but that's not life-altering. What would be helpful is if I could get some health coverage through my partner, because as its stands right now, I have to be insured in a neighboring state and get all of my health care delivered in a neighboring state because the benefits of the policy that I have will not convey in a state other than the one where I purchased the policy. And so it would be nice to be able to get, you know, health care locally.
LUDDEN: All right.
MAX: But for now, we have to maintain the pretense that I live in one state, when, in fact, I spend almost all of my time in another.
LUDDEN: Hmm. Well, Max, thank you so much for sharing with us.
MAX: Sure.
LUDDEN: Amy Bushatz, what is the sense - I mean, in the military, they don't have a position on the DOMA case. Is this coming up to the Supreme Court? If it's struck down, what do you think would happen?
BUSHATZ: Well, I would be surprised if the military did not extend the same benefits that straight partners have or straight husbands and wives have rather to gay husbands and wives, although I would be surprised if they did not require a marriage as part of that.
If you look at the requirements for declaring a same-sex partnership that the military has issued as part of this, and you see things like a promise to be together indefinitely. And what I read that as is the Department of Defense trying to break down what is implied when you get a marriage certificate from the state. And since not every state issues a marriage certificate, and since - or to same-sex couples, rather. And since federal law does not recognize those as being legal, the Department of Defense really had to break down what is in there for this application.
LUDDEN: All right. Ashley Broadway, you know, rules and policies are one thing, but the culture is another. And you talked about, actually, finding a lot of support, even from heterosexual couples, when you were trying to get into a spouses club there in Fort Bragg. Have you seen any cultural shifts inside the military in these recent years?
BROADWAY: You know, even living under the hat of this - of "don't ask, don't tell," Heather and I were very fortunate. No matter where we were located, we were able to connect to at least one or two heterosexual military families who are very accepting and understanding and - of, you know, of our relationship.
You know, I will say there is, you know, there has been a culture shift. I've had numerous messages on Facebook, emails, you know, various communications where I've had other military spouses and even active duty people who have contacted my spouse and say, you know, I'm not sure I'm quite there yet on the gay marriage, you know, but I do believe that you and your family should be treated equally. If you're - you know, if you are going to - if your wife's going put the uniform on, she should be allotted the same exact rights as any other service members. And I see an overwhelming majority of that sentiment.
And, you know, for various reasons, people, like I said, they're just not there yet on gay marriage. There are, you know, civil unions, domestic partnerships, yes, but, you know, they're evolving. And a lot of people are, and I respect that. I respect when people are up front and honest with me. And so I feel, you know, it's somewhat of a duty of mine and my family's to show people who are kind of, you know, on the fence about gay marriage that we're just like any other family, whether they're, you know, military, non-military, you know, we have the same issues. We just - our makeup is just a little different than most families in America.
LUDDEN: All right. You're listening to TALK OF THE NATION, from NPR News. CJ's on the line from Nashville. Hi, CJ.
CJ: Hi.
LUDDEN: Go right ahead.
CJ: Yes. My partner lives in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He's in the infantry. And prior to recent events, he was very guarded about seeing us in public. In fact, he would prefer to visit me in Nashville instead of me going there. And as a result of the recent events, he is now seriously considering coming out publicly with our relationship.
LUDDEN: That would be a big step.
CJ: Exactly.
LUDDEN: And what are your thoughts on all of this? What's your experience been?
CJ: What has my experience been? I felt like there's still, perhaps, many people who are closeted, and recent events such as this should have a favorable impact to those situations.
LUDDEN: Are you hopeful, then, or concerned that it's still going to be difficult?
CJ: I'm hopeful that it's getting better, there's progress.
LUDDEN: All right. CJ, thanks for the call.
CJ: Thank you.
LUDDEN: Amy Bushatz, you're there in Fort Campbell. Do you...
BUSHATZ: I sure am.
LUDDEN: Do you sense changing attitudes, or might there be many more people coming out?
BUSHATZ: I definitely do sense changing attitudes, and not just here at Fort Campbell, but across the military. I hear a lot of stories from a lot of different military spouses as part of my job. And over and over again, I've heard stories of military spouses who are attending a military ball, and they go, and a same-sex couple will take the risk and show up. And they look to the command team at the ball to see, you know, how they react to this situation.
And I've heard story after story of the commander and his wife and the first sergeant and his wife just acting like it's just another day in the life. And then everyone acts the same way, as a result. And those are the stories that are coming back to me here, that this is becoming more and more accepted and just another day in the office. I spoke to a gay - a lesbian couple here at Fort Campbell not long ago. I actually met them in line at Target on Black Friday. And we talked a little bit about how they...
LUDDEN: You had a long talk then, right? A long, long...
BUSHATZ: Yes. We did have a long talk. I talked to them about how they've been treated here at Fort Campbell. And they had nothing but good things to say. She - the service member is part of the Special Forces Unit here, and her wife actually lives on post with the service member's legally adopted children. And they have never had any problems. In fact, as soon as "don't ask, don't tell" was repealed, she said, they - she went up to her commander and told her, hey, I am a lesbian. This is my life. And her commander said, OK.
LUDDEN: All right. Thank you so much. Amy Bushatz, managing editor of Military.com's military spouse and family blog SpouseBuzz, joined us from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Ashley Broadway, director of family affairs for The American Military Partner Association. Thank you so much, both of you.
With new 3-D technology, if you can dream it, you could print it. We'll hear how, coming up. I'm Jennifer Ludden. It's TALK OF THE NATION, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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subset: commoncrawl


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ExcellentBased on 37 reviewsMike Nickerson2023-05-23Harvey's the real deal. Excellent experience highly recommended.shelly abramowitz2022-12-18When Harvey Cohen answered my first call I was hooked...In this day and age we need more personal attention and less technology...Great settlement totally satisfied ...Bravo HarveyCarmen Rivera2022-08-17Gary and his staff are very kind and knowledgeable will fight for you keeping in mind that you are first above all. I will recommend them always Thank you so muchFernando Alicea2022-08-13I definitely recommend Mr. Cohen as attorney. He worked with my case and get me a fair compensation for my injuries and other headaches and bad situations due my car accident. Their secretaries are so kind and courteous and are willing to help and serve you in the best possible way. - FernandoMary Newsome2022-04-08Great experience! Easy to work with , they made everything a smooth process. I would highly recommend.Annette Mountain2022-01-24My case was not the largest, but I always felt like it was . Cohen & Juda were professional , courteous and kind. They would not rest until they knew, I received what I deserved for my accident. I would recommend them to family and friends .Nathalie Zulkarnine2021-11-16Our deapest appreciation goes out to Harvey Cohen and his entire staff. He was our biggest advocate and had the best interest of my husband and myself at heart. His 30 years of experience is evident in how he handled our case. We were not easy clients to deal with. Our case required someone who needed to be very diligent and understanding of the extreme sensitivity of the situation. We were very apprehensive of who represented us and had multitude of questions before and during the entire legal process. Due to his high level of professionalism and empathy towards my unfortunate injury, it resulted in us feeling grateful to have met him. He was relentless in making sure that there was a positive outcome. Should we need any assistance in the future, we will not hesitate to call. Thank you for making a difference.Kat A2021-11-06Words cannot explain how grateful I am to have found this firm! I came to them with a case that other attorneys would've probably turned down, but they took on it and not only they gave me hope, but they provided a seamless service by communicating every step of the way. They truly went above and beyond my expectations. Thank you Cohen and Juda! A special thanks to Harvey Cohen, and his assistant Julia for their commitment and hard work. I am truly speechless for what they have accomplished on my case!Sherrill's Tv2021-03-02Hi my name is Tiffany Collins, I wanna take the time out and thank Mr. Harvey and Juda for taken on my case. they did an amazing job. with my case from finding the right therapist to get me back in good health. Cohen and Juda is a very professional law firm. Thank you.
If you need a Personal Injury Claim Lawyer in Pembroke Pines, look no further than Cohen & Juda. We have successfully represented countless members of the South Florida communities, and we can do the same for you. There are no attorney's fees unless we recover for you! Call us today to get started and schedule your free consultation.
How To Get Started
- The first step is to call our office and schedule your free consultation.
- During your free consultation, one of our experienced attorneys will evaluate all the details of your specific case.
- We will then explore your legal options, and devise a sound strategy on how to move forward.
- The best part is that you will not have to pay any attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you.


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Working with AfricaGuide for 18 years
Established in 2002, we are a fully registered, specialist tour operator with our central reservations office strategically located in Arusha Tanzania.
We offer adventure trips and safaris primarily to Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda with professional services for all varieties of cultural and wilderness tourism as well as customized itineraries to meet your specific interests.
All of our guides are professionally trained and experienced in the tourism industry.
We have international language guides to suit our customers needs and can provide French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, and Chinese guided safaris - for an additional fee upon request.
We are committed to excellent service and guaranteed customer satisfaction.


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The fall season is upon us, with winter to follow shortly after. Soon we will all be bundled up in our coats, scarves and hats, with dripping noses and chapped lips. Though seasonal changes bring joy and new adventures, they also tend to bring another component: sickness.
In the coming months, bugs, colds and flu will be floating around in the air and sticking to everything we come in contact with. When a friend or family member gets sick, it's difficult to see them lay in bed stifling their sniffles and running a fever. What can you do to make them feel better? Luckily, we have some ideas. Check out these six ways to cheer up someone who is sick in these upcoming months.
1. Listen first, then respond.
The greatest thing you can do to comfort someone you love who isn't feeling well is simply to listen. Oftentimes when a friend or family member is ill, we try so hard to make them feel better, that we push solutions they might not be comfortable with. For example, maybe we think it's best that they sit up, when really they just want to sleep. The first thing you can do to cheer someone up who isn't feeling well is to actually listen to what their needs and desires are before trying to fulfill them. Don't simply tell them what they need. Ask questions and be a comforting ear to cheer them up, before trying to respond and "fix" their problems.
2. Take on their to-do list.
Being sick can be incredibly stressful because our schedules are so full, so trying to take time off makes things come to a grinding halt. Keeping up with kids, work and chores while you're sick is exhausting. If this is the case, listen to what your loved one is stressed about, then ask if there's anything you can take off their to-do list. Maybe you could pick up the kids from school this week while he takes a nap. Or, perhaps you could stop by the office to drop off paperwork for her coworkers. Simple things like this will help enormously in taking the stress off of the ill person. Then, he or she can relax more and focus on getting better, rather than worrying about everything else.
3. Bring food and drinks.
When it comes to sickness, comfort food and hot drinks are some of the best medicine. Ask what you can cook up for your loved one to cheer them up. Or, if food isn't a good option for their stomach at the moment, try a hot, refreshing beverage. Herbal tea is a great choice for comforting the ill and making him or her feel refreshed and rejuvenated. And of course, water is always a perfect choice. When we're sick, it often results in intense dehydration. Keep your friend or family member hydrated and feeling better by drinking water consistently.
4. Do something simple they love.
Being sick can be pretty boring. So, try to engage your loved one by watching a movie with him or her, reading a book together or playing a game. If it's something they enjoy and they're up for, it's a great option. Have fun and make sure they don't get too bored while they're sick, and they will start cheering up and feeling better quickly.
5. Give them space.
Finally, one of the greatest things you can do for a sick friend or family member is just to give them space. They probably don't want to get you sick, and having conversation with someone may be pretty difficult at this point. So, make sure all of their needs are met, then simply leave them alone. When they have space and time to rest and relax, they will start feeling even better.
With seasonal changes coming up, illness is in the air. If your friends or family members get sick, try out some of these tips to cheer them up and make them feel better faster.


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By Chadwick R. Gore, CSCE Staff Advisor
U.S. Special Coordinator for Cyprus Ambassador Thomas G. Weston participated in a Commission public briefing in Washington on December 4 just hours after Greek Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot Leader Rauf Denktash resumed contacts in Nicosia, Cyprus. The briefing was moderated in the Cannon House Office Building by Commission Chief of Staff Ron McNamara who opened the discussion by noting that the Cyprus conflict predates the 1975 signing of the Helsinki Final Act, and that Cyprus was an original signatory. McNamara underscored the human dimension of the longstanding conflict.
Weston reviewed the outcome of the talks that had transpired that morning between Clerides and Denktash at the residence of the U.N. Chief of Mission in the presence of Mr. Alvaro de Soto, the Special Advisor to the U.N. Secretary General on Cyprus. They agreed that the Secretary General, in the exercise of his mission of good offices, would invite the two leaders to direct talks to be held in Cyprus starting in mid-January 2002 on United Nations premises with no preconditions and with all issues on the table. They are to negotiate in good faith until a comprehensive settlement is achieved, and nothing will be agreed until everything is agreed.
Ambassador Weston viewed this as a major step forward in the stagnant Cypriot peace process noting that Clerides would dine at the home of Denktash that evening, an unprecedented event. "Efforts to settle the Cyprus problem have been going on for a long, long time," Weston remarked, describing the process' evolution since 1999 and its subsequent breakdown, concluding, "I think what you're seeing here is a culmination of a long effort rather than something which just came out of the blue."
"I should make very clear," said the Ambassador, "that the suggestion for direct talks did come from the Turkish Cypriot leader [and] that needs to be acknowledged. …It's important to remember who actually suggested it and give credit where credit is due."
Weston made clear, "The efforts of all others who have been pushing in this direction, including Greece and Turkey, but all others, are also to be strongly commended. …The efforts of the U.N. Secretary General, his direct involvement in this process repeatedly over the last two-and-a-half years, and the excellent work done by his Special Advisor in getting us to this point—all are to be commended."
While the resumption of talks was of interest, what could be expected to be the outcome was the real focus of the briefing.
"What can we expect to come from the process is obviously the key," said Weston. "I think the fact that these two leaders have agreed to go to direct talks under these circumstances, with no preconditions, all issues on the table, and with a commitment to continue to negotiate in good faith until a comprehensive settlement is achieved, are very dramatic indications of a willingness on the part of both leaders to actually try and get a comprehensive settlement in the short period of time we have available before Cyprus secedes to the European Union.
"I do not believe that this should be underestimated in any way in terms of what it indicates about the willingness of these two leaders to move forward."
Ambassador Weston was not prepared to predict whether these resumed contacts would lead to a comprehensive settlement in time to permit a unified Cyprus in the European Union at an early date. On the other hand, he was much more hopeful that that could be achieved.
"It is incumbent on all of us interested in a just and durable settlement of the Cyprus problem to redouble our efforts in support of this effort to get a comprehensive settlement in a brief period of time," Weston concluded.
A career Foreign Service Officer since 1969, Weston has served as the special coordinator for Cyprus since August of 1999. Ambassador Weston has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs responsible for multilateral diplomacy with Europe including the U.S. participation in NATO, the OSCE, and the OECD as well as U.S. relations with European Union and the Council of Europe. He has also served as Chargé and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to the European Communities.
A Helsinki Commission delegation visited Cyprus in January of 1998 to assess developments in the security, economic and human dimensions. Members of the delegation held a series of meetings with officials, international peacekeepers, and private citizens.


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The crowd is gathering near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., for Wednesday's celebration of the March on Washington's 50th anniversary.
Much has already been said and written about the day when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech and the ceremony being held today. Click here for a collection of NPR's coverage.
We don't need to go on at length just now. Rest assured that we'll have coverage from the scene and of the speeches this afternoon by former presidents Carter and Clinton, Caroline Kennedy, President Obama and others.
We'll also embed an audio player so that you can hear NPR's special coverage, which is set to begin at 2 p.m. ET.
What we want to alert everyone to before things get going, is that the OfficialMLKDream50 website expects to start its webcast at 11 a.m. ET. If there are any technical problems with that broadcast, C-SPAN is among others who will be streaming coverage.
Check back with us as the day continues for more coverage.
Update at 11:50 a.m. ET. Trayvon Martin's Parents:
Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fuller, parents of Trayvon Martin — the Florida teen whose 2012 death reignited a discussion of race relations — just appeared on the memorial's steps to sing "Blowin' In The Wind" with Noel (Paul) Stookey and Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary fame).
Update at 11:10 a.m. ET: The webcasts just started.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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To learn more about Maplesoft and what our products and technology can do for you, take advantage of any of our upcoming trade shows, conferences, and other Maplesoft events.
The Maplesoft Seminar Series allows anyone to attend free, online events hosted by senior Maple experts covering a wide variety of topics in both commercial and academic realms. Join this list to hear about new online seminars and upcoming events as they are announced.


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Project Members
- Leonardo Lancia
Interactions across time scales in speech perception
Flexibility is a key property of our perceptual system due to the richness and to the relative unpredictability of our environment. We investigated how flexible behavior can emerge from the interaction between fast perceptual dynamics, which adapt our perception to the environment "as fast as possible", with slower processes like habituation to the stimuli and learning. We tested some non trivial prediction raised by a nonlinear dynamical model of these interactions (Lancia and Winter, 2013). Also we used the model-guided parametrization of perceptual behavior to investigate the relations between perception of sounds without a linguistic content and sounds correspondng to speech events.
Lancia, L. & Winters B. (2013). The interaction between competition, learning and habituation dynamics in speech perception, Journal of Laboratory Phonology, 4.1 (2013): 221-257.
Lancia, L. Non linear Dynamics of speech perception and perceptual learning: interaction across nested timescales. Twelfth Conference on Laboratory Phonology, Stuttgart, Germany, July 2012 (Poster presentation).
Lancia, L., Nguyen N., Tuller, B.; Nonlinear dynamics in speech perception: critical fluctuations and critical slowing down; Acoustic '08, International Conference of the Acoustic Association of America, Paris, Paris, July 2008 (Poster presentation)


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In the wake of a tragic shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, my heart is particularly torn. As a Hindu, I share a bond with the Sikh faith rooted in Dharma; more tangibly, their immigrant community in American suburbia closely resembled my own childhood. I can visualize the temple coming under siege, and parents and children alike — not unlike my own uncles and aunties — permanently scarred for life in their worship.
Yet at the same time, I'm a veteran, just like Wade Page. In most news articles, Page's military service is somewhat tangential to his biography, mainly because he served so long ago, from 1992–98. He never had to see combat, and his record was tainted with alcohol abuse and AWOL status. It's easy to marginalize him as just an anomaly of the Armed Forces. But to those who continue to read headlines about the lack of cultural civility in our combat arms — whether stories on "Kill Teams" in Afghanistan, the Haditha shootings or Abu Graib in Iraq, or even the suicide of an Asian service member after being racially targeted in his own unit — the 98% of Americans who have no relation to the military service start to see this as common place about the way our service members regard diversity.
(PHOTOS: Sikh Temple Shooting: Wisconsin Community Reacts to Shocking Attack)
If there's one thing I hope America remembers about our military, it's that we are indeed a cross-section of the country. If bigotry and insensitivity exists in our ranks, it's because it originated in our society first. The context of serving in the military simply gives a visible and strategic platform upon which such ignorance can severely affect our mission abroad, and our image back home.
For an immigrant soldier like myself, this is an important distinction because in immigrant and minority communities around the country, there is a growing sentiment that the military ethos is not one of tolerance, but of conformity; that the military puts pressure upon its people to abandon their ethnic identities for a manufactured "made-in-America" brand. I spend several hours each week speaking to parents whose kids passionately want to serve our great country, but the family is fearful about the way their child will be treated.
(MORE: Soldier Suicide: The Stigma to Seeking Help)
To date, the most telling example of this fear is the reaction a Muslim soldier I served with had to the military's colloquial use of the word "Hadji". In his faith, it was a term of endearment bestowed upon people who made the pilgrimage to Mecca. But over the course of our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the term Hadji has become the equivalent of Vietnam's "Charlie" — a derogatory term to reference locals. When this Muslim soldier heard his teammates say "Search the Hadji," he heard "Search the grandfather".
With examples like these, the argument for an immigrant enlisting can fall short. But the story I try to tell is the one of compassion and tolerance; the one where my soldiers treated me with respect and dignity, as long as I did my best to serve them. I tell them how my Protestant Battalion Chaplain strove to meet my religious needs in combat. I tell them of how honored I am to have served with the finest men I've ever met.
(MORE: The Sikh Temple Shooter's Army Past — and a U.S. Army Sikh's Reaction)
Whether or not Page's military record had any effect on his racist views, the fact that he is a veteran makes him an ambassador for the military brand. I can tell my story to every skeptical immigrant parent in the country, but Page's narrative on a news broadcast undoes so much progress that my colleagues and I have made in our diasporas around the world. Diversity is a force multiplier on the front lines. It offers a means to relate to our enemy, our coalition partners, and to those within our own ranks. But folks like Wade Page make the family-nature of the military experience harder to tell; and though our wars are ending and troops are coming home, the next time we invade a country, the consequences of that perception may follow us there.


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Larry Abramson, who covers national security for NPR, sent us this missive, about how the shutdown of the federal government is affecting the Pentagon:
If you are a soldier, sailor, airman or marine, you will be paid during a shutdown. But only half of civilian defense workers are supposed to show up for work, and the rest do not get paid.
That's just one of many hardships facing military families. Another is figuring out just what is open, and what is closed. It's only day one, of course, but Pentagon lawyers are still tinkering with funds and legal interpretations to figure out what services they can offer. Here are a few selections:
Sexual assault response and prevention services will still be offered at bases worldwide, so will emergency medical services. But elective surgery and routine care may be delayed.
Department of Defense schools will remain open. But some child development centers will close — you have to check your local base to find out for sure.
Commissaries will remain open overseas. Stateside commissaries will be open Oct. 1 to reduce the supply of perishables, then they will close. Military Exchanges worldwide stay open. But the Pentagon Channel has gone dark. The streaming and broadcast service about all things military is running a text crawl that blames the government shutdown, saying it can only provide limited TV, radio, print and web services.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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GV-5080FA-P-GL Rev.1.2
ソフトウェア (4) 登録が必要です
IDS peak 2.10.0 Windows 64ビット版 - standard setup
The installation package for Windows 64-bit only includes the necessary drivers without the development environment or IDS peak Cockpit.
このソフトウェアバージョンの詳細は、IDS peak リリースノートをご覧ください。
インストールする前に、ReadMe ファイルのヒントをお読みください。
- Windows 11 (64ビット) / Windows 10 (64ビット)
IDS peak 2.10.0 Windows 64ビット版 - extended setup
The installation package for Windows 64-bit also includes the uEye camera drivers for UI models in addition to the standard setup.
このソフトウェアバージョンの詳細は、IDS peak リリースノートをご覧ください。
インストールする前に、ReadMe ファイルのヒントをお読みください。
- Windows 11 (64ビット) / Windows 10 (64ビット)
IDS lighthouse
サービスアーカイブ (24) 登録が必要です
IDS lighthouse
仕様 (7) 登録が必要です
RCM: DoC / Importer Agreement
マニュアル (4) 登録が必要です
IDS peak
License terms for IDS Software Suite and IDS peak
IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH ("Licensor") has developed an additional Software Suite ("Software") for the purpose of operating and programming of all purchaseable cameras of the Licensor ("IDS cameras") and integrating it in other products which use IDS cameras, from which the customer ("Licensee", Licensor and Licensee hereafter also referred to as a "Party" or the "Parties") intends to acquire certain rights of use. For this purpose, the Parties agree on the following Licence Terms.
1 Licensed Software
1.1 Licensor will license the Software as described on the Licensor's website at www.ids.imaging.com, its subdomains and at www.ids-imaging.us. The Software contains, inter alia, executable programs, libraries and header file(s), example source code for using the libraries, and the respective documentation.
1. 2 The Software contains Open Source components, meaning components which are licensed under terms that fulfil the criteria of the Open Source Definition of the Open Source Initiative as of 2007 (the definition is available at https://opensource.org/osd). A list of such Open Source components and the respective applicable licenses is part of the Software and can be reviewed after the installation.
1.2 Software is not offered to consumers within the meaning of section 13 of the German Civil Code (BGB).
2 Rights of Use
2.1 As of the Effective Date as defined in clause 5 Licensor grants to Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable worldwide right to use, distribute, duplicate or reproduce and integrate part or all of the Software in his own products only if they operate with IDS cameras and to distribute the Software in connection with such products Moreover Licensee shall have the right to
2.1.1 Integrate or cause to be integrated the Software into Licensee's products only if they operate with IDS cameras and to duplicate or reproduce (or make duplicates or reproductions) and distribute these products to end users or third parties (including retailers, e-tailers, wholesalers or Original Equipment Manufacturers, etc.). For the avoidance of doubt, Licensee shall not be entitled to sublicense the Software unless otherwise agreed in the following clause 2.1.2.
2.1.2 Licensee shall be entitled to sublicense the rights granted herein only to his subcontractors solely for work directly related to Licensee's products and updates. Other than that, Licensee shall not be entitled to sublicense the Software.
2.2 The Parties agree that notwithstanding the above grant of rights of use, Licensor will continue to hold any and all intellectual property rights in the Software.
2.3 Licensee is not entitled to
2.3.1 sell, rent or lend die Software as a stand-alone to others,
2.3.2 to edit, arrange, translate or decompile the Software,
2.3.3 to use the Software with or integrate the Software into a camera that was or is not offered by the Licensor or that is self-produced by the Licensee,
2.3.4 to use Software or parts thereof to create an own comparable control software or to integrate the Software or parts thereof into own comparable control software,
2.3.5 to assign his rights and obligations resulting from these License terms to third parties without the prior written consent of Licensor,
unless any of the above is explicitly allowed by statutory law.
2.4 Any software, apart from Open Source software. is offered in object code only. Licensee is not entitled to access the source code.
3 Warranty
3.1 Licensor accepts warranty for the Software only as explicitly described in this clause 3. Any further warranty is excluded.
3.2 Licensor is not aware of any patent infringements related to the Software and undertakes to inform Licensee without undue delay, should he be made aware of any such patent infringement, and in such case, to undertake reasonable measures to remedy such infringement. Other than that, Licensor does not assume any warranty with regard to third party patent rights.
3.3 Licensor warrants that the Software are free from defects which cause the Software not to operate in accordance with the functionality as described on the product website at the Effective Date of these License Terms. Licensee undertakes to report any defects discovered to Licensor without undue delay.
4 Download
4.1 The Software will be delivered by Licensor to the Licensee via download from the Licensor's website.
5 Effective Date, Term and Termination
5.1 These License Terms come into force upon successful download of the Software not later than the commencement of use by the Licensee.
5.2 These License Terms are not limited in the term.
5.3 The Licensor may, at its choice and without prejudice to any other legal right or remedy that it might otherwise have, terminate these License Terms for cause with immediate effect by written notice to the Licensee upon the happening of any one of the following events:
5.3.1 any failure by the Licensee to perform one or more of its obligations hereunder or any other breach hereof which shall not have been cured within sixty (60) days after receipt of written notice specifying the nature of such failure or breach;
5.3.2 the Licensee makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or becomes insolvent or enters into liquidation or files bankruptcy;
5.3.3 a receiver, trustee in bankruptcy or similar officer of all or substantially all of the property of the Licensee is appointed and not removed within ninety (90) days.
5.4 Termination shall not excuse the parties from any obligations incurred hereunder prior to the date of termination.
5.5 Termination of the License Terms for any reason will not affect the rights of any end user to use the Software under any license granted in accordance with this License Terms.
5.6 Furthermore, in the event of termination, products already manufactured or in the distribution channels may still be distributed and sold. This is not applicable for Licensee's products offered to its customers via download or any other non-physical form. Such products must not be distributed and sold after the termination of these License Terms. For the avoidance of doubt: Apart from the regulations in this clause 5.5, no new products containing the Software may be produced and the Software may not be used anymore by the Licensee.
5.7 Within ten (10) business days from the termination of these License Terms, Licensee will delete or destroy all versions of the Software. Upon Licensor's request, Licensee must attest in writing that Software has been deleted or destroyed.
6 Liability
6.1 Licensor's liability for intent, gross negligence and in the event of personal injury, bodily harm or damage to death, and if a claim according to the law on product liability ("Produkthaftungsgesetz") is affected is subject to the respective applicable legal regulations.
6.2 Other than that, Licensor's liability and that of his agents, employees and bodies shall be excluded.
6.3 The Licensor is not liable for the loss of data and software.
6.4 The restrictions of liability in this clause 6 shall apply to Licensor himself and his agents, employees and bodies.
7 Miscellaneous
7 1 These License Terms constitute the complete understanding between the parties regarding the subject matter. No oral or subsidiary agreements have been concluded or entered into. All previous agreements between the Parties with regard to the subject matter are replaced by these License Terms. Amendments, supplements and notices of termination of these License Terms must be made in writing. The rescission of these License Terms or an alteration of the requirement of the written form must also be made in writing. This requirement also applies to any changes of this provision.
7.2 If individual provisions of these License Terms are ineffective, then this shall not affect the effectiveness of the remaining terms. However, the ineffective provision shall be deemed to be replaced by an effective provision, which is as close as possible to the commercially desired purpose of the ineffective provision; the same shall apply in the case of a gap.
7.3 These License Terms are presented in two languages (German and English). In case of discrepancies or doubt with regard to their interpretation, the German version shall prevail.
7.4 The legal relations between the parties regarding the subject matter shall be governed and construed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany excluding the UN law on the sale of goods (CISG) and German Private International Law.
7.5 In the event of any dispute or controversy arising out of these License Terms or any breach thereof, Licensor and Licensee shall make a good faith effort to settle the dispute through negotiation. If the dispute or controversy cannot be solved amicably, place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from or in connection with the subject matter is Berlin. In addition, Licensor can bring an action against Licensee at the general place of jurisdiction of Licensee.
Last revised: 2020-07-20
IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH
Dimbacher Str. 10
74182 Obersulm, Germany


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Frequently Asked Questions
Our sales office and physical store are in Australia while our Production unit is in India. We directly ship all the garments and products from India. Our address in Australia is 2B/202 Sunnyholt Road, Kings Park Blacktown 2148.
All the clothing are on our website are Panache Curated Outfits at the moment.
Please visit our Gallery or Testimonial pages to see the quality of our work. You can also send us a message through Whatsapp +61470219564 for more photos what we have made for other customers.
No, there is no extra charge for Made to Measure outfits.
That depends on your requirement. Like if you want to add sleeves we don't charge extra but if you want embroidery on the sleeves too then you have to pay extra for the embroidery.
We use hand embroidery for most of our garments. We don't use computerized embroideries.
Once you place the order you will get one order confirmation email with measurement form link. You need to download the measurement form which you have to fill-in and send us back.
Alternatively, you can also download the Measurement Form Online to follow the link below:
Shipping time depends on the outfits. We use hand embroidery in most of our garment which take time to make. We don't want to rush through the order because we don't want to compromise for the quality.
For Wedding Lehengas our usual production and shipping time is 2-3 months but due to uncertain conditions of Covid-19 it has been increased to 4-6 months now.
Please discuss your requirement with our sales consultants through WhatsApp +61-470219564, they will help you out and will check whether its possible to deliver the outfit in your time frame or not..
The outfit cost depends on many factors like fabric, embroidery, embroidery material etc. Please discuss your requirement with our sales consultants through Whatsapp +61-470219564, they will help you out with more fabric and embroidery options which might cost you less.
We do accept customization as well. If you like some other products please discuss it with our sales consultants through Whatsapp +61-470219564, they will help you out.
We use DHL/FedEx/TNT/UPS for shipping and do provide tracking details. We do ship globally.
All the outfits over $1500 USD are eligible for split payment (only for our Australian Customers). For all other countries we split the payment is the order is for 2+ garments. You can book your outfit by paying 50% of the price at the time of booking and balance should be clear before the shipping.
Please note we don't split the payment during festival time (September to End of December) except Australian Customers. You can discuss this option with our sale consultants through WhatsApp +61-470219564.
We don't accept the returns if the outfit is Made to Measure or Custom Made unless it is faulty or damaged. We take all the photos of the measurements and outfit before we ship to customer and in most of the scenario we share the full garment photos to our customers.
For all the earrings, necklaces with earrings once sold cannot be exchanged or returned due to hygiene issues.


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To the editor:
On September 12, five West End civic associations hosted a candidate forum focused on issues confronting the city's west side that was attended by all of the candidates running for Alexandria City Council. These same civic associations invited the mayoral candidates to participate in a similar forum, but as Mayor Bill Euille's campaign staff explained, the incumbent is way too busy to spend an evening with West End voters.
A review of comments during the forum, especially from the four past and present city councilors who voted for Washington Headquarters Services at Mark Center — Tim Lovain, Del Pepper, Paul Smedberg and Justin Wilson — indicates why our elected officials would want to hide from West End voters. The forum revealed that no city councilor has any idea what happened or what to do next:
• Lovain said he advocated for the Victory Center — the other site in Alexandria under consideration — and should not have taken staff's advice.
• Pepper repeated what she has said publicly — that no one wanted WHS at Mark Center.
• Smedberg said the decision should not have been made in closed sessions.
• Wilson said they decided the issue based on erroneous data.
These responses were disturbing and do not augur well for the future. Since 2008, elected officials have repeatedly assured residents that WHS was no big deal. City Hall enthusiastically supported the site in writing. Once it became obvious that the project was a very big deal and a planning disaster, city councilors tried to distance themselves from the decision, saying they really opposed it all along. While the mayor gave gushing endorsements of the project when Mark Center was selected, Euille now asks us to forget about his support.
The 2011 Department of Defense inspector general's reports and other documents from the time tell a very different story from that offered by City Hall. It tells a story of city officials working with the developer and Army to get the building at Mark Center, of city officials arguing with the state Transportation Department when Richmond raised valid and serious concerns about the site. It tells a story of city officials informing the inspector general — for its 2011 report — that they stood by their original enthusiastic endorsement of the site, despite public proclamations to the contrary.
It also tells a story of finding no one in Alexandria raising any questions about this decision despite officials' retroactive opposition to WHS. It tells a story of Fairfax County explaining why the Mark Center site was insane and Alexandria officials' silence. It tells a story of one of the fastest-awarded $1 billion contracts in federal government history. It tells a story of the Army refusing to do further analysis because city officials thought the Pentagon annex would bring no significant impact to local roads — after a few minor improvements.
The stories told at the candidate forum two weeks ago were just as disturbing. City staff is to blame; the Army is to blame; VDOT is to blame; Fairfax is to blame; and city councilors were weak and helpless. When the decision was made, they were asleep at the switch and apparently at the mercy of malevolent forces.
As for the future, the four city councilors' position is that there is nothing they could have done or can do to change the outcome. Why this recommends them for another term is never explained. City Councilor Frank Fannon — as well as challengers Bob Wood and Allison Silberberg — correctly observed that the decisions were made in a backroom and electing the same crowd and expecting different results makes no sense.
The time has come for city officials to stop treating the West End as a cash cow. The mayor and two city councilors who survived the last election — Pepper and Smedberg — also enthusiastically supported the city's Beauregard corridor redevelopment plan that will triple the density around Mark Center. They rushed to pass this unfinished plan over the objections of local residents without any explanation for the haste or appreciation of what it will cost the taxpayers. Then again, city officials might be considering returning the West End to Fairfax County. By doing so, the complaints about the painting of Alexandria (which excludes the West End) hanging in city council chambers certainly would cease.
– Joe Fischer, Joseph Gerard, Mac Olsen
and Frank Putzu,


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Fans of Fredericktown Ferry Seek Support to Keep It Afloat
Washington PA
Observer Reporter
2 March 2013
By Scott Beveridge, Staff Writer
FREDERICKTOWN – Bar owner John Bower, whose business sits at the Washington County entrance to the historic Ferryboat Frederick, says he has been beating his "head against a brick wall" to keep the vessel afloat on the Monongahela River.
"It's one of the most beautiful tourism attractions in Washington County and nobody's interested," said Bower, co-owner of Bower Brothers Lounge in Fredericktown.
Bower organized the Fredericktown Ferry Festival in 2010 in an attempt to draw tourism to the village in East Bethlehem Township at a time when the ferry was under threat of permanent dry docking because a new nearby bridge was under construction.
Opposition to its demise was overwhelming, prompting commissioners in Washington and Fayette counties to pledge to keep the vessel afloat after the new Mon-Fayette Expressway bridge opened last year between Centerville and Brownsville.
The 2011 election, however, changed the makeup of the commissioner offices, which are again considering scrapping the ferry because ridership is down and costs are increasing to keep it running. This time, commissioners say, there hasn't been much outcry from the public about the plan.
"I've gotten two emails since mid-February," said Angela M. Zimmerlink, a commissioner in Fayette, the county that operates the ferry service, splitting its nearly $200,000 annual cost with Washington County.
Washington County Commissioner Harlan Shober said he has received only a couple of emails about the ferry since it came under threat again last month, and that he's heard from people who don't want the county to spend any more taxpayer money on the service.
Another proposal was issued last week by a Fredericktown businessman who wants to put the boat in a museum along the river.
"It's going to take the counties and local people to keep this thing going," Shober said Thursday.
In an attempt to draw attention to the ferry, a group of historians has created a Facebook page, Friends of Fredericktown Ferry, as a place for people to share photos and memories of the vessel, one of several used in the 200-year-old service.
"We're just trying to get people interested," said the page's creator, Evan Williams, a Carmichaels native now living in Connecticut. "A lot of people don't know it's even still there. It's not promoted very well."
Williams said one of the page's purposes is to determine if there is enough interest in raising money to keep the boat in the water.
"It's actually a functioning piece of history," he said.
The boat used to carry 200 vehicles a day, mostly driven by employees of the State Correctional Insitution-Fayette, which is across the river from Fredericktown. That number has dropped nearly in half since the new bridge opened in July.
Bower said more people would use the ferry if its hours of operation were reliable.
"If they knew it was going to be open they'd use it," he said.
Zimmerlink said she isn't aware of any issues with the boat being out of operation during normal hours.
She said the commissioners have not set a deadline for making a decision on the future of the ferry.


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text: Air Jordan VI(6) GS Valentine's Day Retro Women Air Jordan VI (6) Retro was released in late 1990. This is right shoes that Michael Jordan wore when he won the first NBA championship. Nike air jordan 6 shoes has a gleamy jumpman log in the middle of the shoe tongue and also has a innovative style. So, it is looks very exquisite. We are a famous air jordan shoe seller online and we have a wide selection of Nike jordan shoes. Here you will find the right shoes for you. Do not feel hesite any more. Just move your mouse and you will get this high quality and air jordans for shoes. The Air Jordan VI (6) Retro infrared is undoubtedly one shoe to remember. Not only did Michael Jordan won his first NBA title while sporting the shoe but also for the reason that he won his first MVP NBA Finals award at that time. It was in the 1990-1991 season when the first Jordan 6 oreo was initially released, the cheap jordans season when Chicago Bulls won the championship against the Los Angeles Lakers. As an improvement to the past five models cheap jordans for women, Tinker Hatfield included


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I'm back with another review and Friday Giveaway! I've featured Aveda's Fall Collection in a few looks and tutorials already but I wanted to make sure to give you a detailed review and also give you guys a chance to try out the products!
Let's start off with my favorite, the eyeshadows! I love how they come in pans because they stick perfectly to a z-palette. You can also choose to buy the containers separately, but this way is more ecologically friendly. These shadows are really nice...they're pigmented, smooth and aren't overly shimmery. I like that you can wear all of them together without them being too matte or shiny...it's a nice, metallic texture with no powdery effect or crumbling.
Next we have the Tessearae tri-color bronzer/blush/highlighter. I find that when mixed together this is a nice, neutral cheek color on me. It comes off as a pinky bronzey brown on my skin tone. I think this is a good option for those who are a little timid of blush - for that reason I gave it to my mom!
Next we have the lipsticks. I find them all to be nice and pigmented as well as moisturizing. They all have a really refreshing minty scent. Unfortunately, I'm not really a fan of metallic finish lipsticks which most of these are. However, I am absolutely in love with Tanzanite - a creamy deep wine tone. You can wear it sheer or build the color up...watch out though, it's super creamy so it can tend to move a bit. It's best to wear it with a coordinating lip pencil.
I was able to try one of the lip glazes and I actually love the color they sent - Wineberry Nourishmint Rehydrating Lip Glaze. It's also very moisturizing and minty and this is an everyday, appropriate color.
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Xagave would like to give away a bottle of Xagave and the Delicious Meets Nutritious cookbook to one lucky winner. The giveaway will end on December 6th 2009 at 6.00pm (Eastern Time). All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address here and I will randomly draw the winner . GOOD LUCK!!
Adapted from Cooking Bread.com
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons shortening
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup Xagave or honey
4 - 4 1/2 cups bread flour
2 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg - for egg wash
1. Pour milk into a saucepan and bring to a scald. Set aside. Pour the Xagave or honey into a large bowl, add in the shortening and butter. Pour in the hot milk. Stir till all the shortening and butter is melted. Add in two cups of flour and mix till smooth. Allow to cool to a temperature of 110F
2. Add in the salt and yeast. Mix till smooth and allow to rest uncovered for 15 minutes. Add in another cup of flour and stir. Add some flour to a flat surface and pour out the mixture on top. Begin to knead and slowly add in more flour as you need. You may or may not need all the 4 1/2 cups of flour. You just don't want the dough to be to sticky. Knead for 10 minutes
3. Pour a little oil into a clean bowl. Place your kneaded dough into the bowl and turn over till all sides are very lightly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 1 hour or till double in bulk
4. At this stage you can shape your dough into any shape you like. Cover with plastic wrap for 1 hour or till double in size. Brush the tops with an egg wash to get that shiny coating. Sprinkle with some sesame seeds or poppy seeds.
5. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree F oven for 15-20 min (depend on the size of your buns) or until golden brown.


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From the air and the ground, camera phones captured another huge dust storm in Phoenix on Saturday.
As the city's 12News reports, in 2006 there were 15 such storms reported statewide in Arizona. Last year, there were 24. And so far this year, there have been 13. Drought conditions over several years have made already arid conditions even drier. And with temperatures continuing to be sky high, Phoenix residents are going to have to continue to live with haboobs for the foreseeable futures, weather experts tell the station.
Two posts about huge dust storms in 2011:
-- VIDEO: Lubbock Goes Dark As Dust Storm Swallows City.
-- VIDEO: Third Haboob Of Summer Covers Phoenix In Sand And Dust.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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The weather certainly has gotten cooler as of late and I have been craving heartier meals. It recently came to my attention that I have not been doing much Japanese cooking lately and I was missing it. I decided to combine the two and make nikujaga or meat and potatoes. Nikujaga is a Japanese version of a beef stew that is simmered in the classic Japanese seasonings of soy, sugar, sake and mirin. The stew ends up with a really nice blend of sweet and salty which works surprising well. Nikujaga is easy to make and tasty and because of that I make it fairly often. Recently I seem to always have some extra pumpkin lying around that just screams "use me" so I decided to replace the potatoes with pumpkin this time. I garnished the nikujaga with some chopped green onions and some shichimi togarashi. Shichimi togarashi is a Japanese condiment that is made from a blend of chilies and other things like sesame seeds, nori, etc. I enjoyed the heat that the shichimi togarashi added to the nikujaga.
Notes: Nikujaga is often simmered until most of the liquid has evaporated but I prefer to have some liquid left. I prefer to use dashi as the liquid but I have also used beef stock or even just water.
Nikujaga (Japanese Beef Stew)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound beef (thinly sliced or cut into bite sized pieces)
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 2 cups potatoes (or pumpkin cut into bite sized pieces)
- 1 carrot (cut into bite sized pieces)
- 2 cups dashi (or water or beef stock)
- 3 tablespoons soy
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon sake
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 green onion (sliced)
- shichimi togarashi to taste (optional)
- Heat the oil in a pan.
- Add the beef and brown on all sides.
- Add the onion, squash and carrot and saute for 5 minutes.
- Add the dashi, soy, sugar, sake and mirin, cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender.


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Do you remember Shane Koyczan, the Canadian poet featured at the Vancouver Olympics opening ceremony?
"To This Day" by Shane Koyczan is about bullying, something he's unfortunately experienced. Now a corresponding video has been created; it consists of a compilation of 20-second animated clips contributed by different artists. And it's perfect for tomorrow's Pink Shirt Day, an anti-bullying awareness event.
Abuse, depression, suicide attempts, addiction, therapy—all themes of Koyczan's "To This Day":
"To This Day" by Shane Koyczan
When I was a kid
I used to think that pork chops and karate chops
were the same thing
I thought they were both pork chops
and because my grandmother thought it was cute
and because they were my favourite
she let me keep doing it
not really a big deal
one day
before I realized fat kids are not designed to climb trees
I fell out of a tree
and bruised the right side of my body
I didn't want to tell my grandmother about it
because I was afraid I'd get in trouble
for playing somewhere that I shouldn't have been
a few days later the gym teacher noticed the bruise
and I got sent to the principal's office
from there I was sent to another small room
with a really nice lady
who asked me all kinds of questions
about my life at home
I saw no reason to lie
as far as I was concerned
life was pretty good
I told her "whenever I'm sad
my grandmother gives me karate chops"
this led to a full scale investigation
and I was removed from the house for three days
until they finally decided to ask how I got the bruises
news of this silly little story quickly spread through the school
and I earned my first nickname
pork chop
to this day
I hate pork chops
I'm not the only kid
who grew up this way
surrounded by people who used to say
that rhyme about sticks and stones
as if broken bones
hurt more than the names we got called
and we got called them all
so we grew up believing no one
would ever fall in love with us
that we'd be lonely forever
that we'd never meet someone
to make us feel like the sun
was something they built for us
in their tool shed
so broken heart strings bled the blues
as we tried to empty ourselves
so we would feel nothing
don't tell me that hurts less than a broken bone
that an ingrown life
is something surgeons can cut away
that there's no way for it to metastasize
it does
she was eight years old
our first day of grade three
when she got called ugly
we both got moved to the back of the class
so we would stop get bombarded by spit balls
but the school halls were a battleground
where we found ourselves outnumbered day after wretched day
we used to stay inside for recess
because outside was worse
outside we'd have to rehearse running away
or learn to stay still like statues giving no clues that we were there
in grade five they taped a sign to her desk
that read beware of dog
to this day
despite a loving husband
she doesn't think she's beautiful
because of a birthmark
that takes up a little less than half of her face
kids used to say she looks like a wrong answer
that someone tried to erase
but couldn't quite get the job done
and they'll never understand
that she's raising two kids
whose definition of beauty
begins with the word mom
because they see her heart
before they see her skin
that she's only ever always been amazing
was a broken branch
grafted onto a different family tree
but not because his parents opted for a different destiny
he was three when he became a mixed drink
of one part left alone
and two parts tragedy
started therapy in 8th grade
had a personality made up of tests and pills
lived like the uphills were mountains
and the downhills were cliffs
four fifths suicidal
a tidal wave of anti depressants
and an adolescence of being called popper
one part because of the pills
and ninety nine parts because of the cruelty
he tried to kill himself in grade ten
when a kid who still had his mom and dad
had the audacity to tell him "get over it" as if depression
is something that can be remedied
by any of the contents found in a first aid kit
to this day
he is a stick on TNT lit from both ends
could describe to you in detail the way the sky bends
in the moments before it's about to fall
and despite an army of friends
who all call him an inspiration
he remains a conversation piece between people
who can't understand
sometimes becoming drug free
has less to do with addiction
and more to do with sanity
we weren't the only kids who grew up this way
to this day
kids are still being called names
the classics were
hey stupid
hey spaz
seems like each school has an arsenal of names
getting updated every year
and if a kid breaks in a school
and no one around chooses to hear
do they make a sound?
are they just the background noise
of a soundtrack stuck on repeat
when people say things like
kids can be cruel?
every school was a big top circus tent
and the pecking order went
from acrobats to lion tamers
from clowns to carnies
all of these were miles ahead of who we were
we were freaks
lobster claw boys and bearded ladies
juggling depression and loneliness playing solitaire spin the bottle
trying to kiss the wounded parts of ourselves and heal
but at night
while the others slept
we kept walking the tightrope
it was practice
and yeah
some of us fell
but I want to tell them
that all of this shit
is just debris
leftover when we finally decide to smash all the things we thought
we used to be
and if you can't see anything beautiful about yourself
get a better mirror
look a little closer
stare a little longer
because there's something inside you
that made you keep trying
despite everyone who told you to quit
you built a cast around your broken heart
and signed it yourself
you signed it
"they were wrong"
because maybe you didn't belong to a group or a click
maybe they decided to pick you last for basketball or everything
maybe you used to bring bruises and broken teeth
to show and tell but never told
because how can you hold your ground
if everyone around you wants to bury you beneath it
you have to believe that they were wrong
they have to be wrong
why else would we still be here?
we grew up learning to cheer on the underdog
because we see ourselves in them
we stem from a root planted in the belief
that we are not what we were called we are not abandoned cars stalled out and sitting empty on a highway
and if in some way we are
don't worry
we only got out to walk and get gas
we are graduating members from the class of
fuck off we made it
not the faded echoes of voices crying out
names will never hurt me
of course
they did
but our lives will only ever always
continue to be
a balancing act
that has less to do with pain
and more to do with beauty.


text:
Medicare Begins Open Enrollment, With An Online Caveat
The open enrollment for Medicare programs that began Tuesday will run into December. While the Medicare website doesn't have the problems found in the new federal health system's sites, the government shutdown means that information "may not be up to date," the site warns its users.
For Newscast, NPR's Julie Rovner reports:
"Medicare's open season is set to run from today until Dec. 7. It's when seniors and others enrolled in the program can join or change prescription drug or other health plans. But the government shutdown has meant that some of the information on the medicare.gov website about plan selections is not completely up to date.
"Government officials warn that Medicare patients may want to wait to make their final decisions until after the government reopens and the information is updated."
Congress and the White House are facing a Thursday deadline to agree on budget terms that would allow the government to resume full operations. Much of the debate has hinged on elements of the Affordable Care Act, which ushered in new health insurance exchanges this month.
As Jenny Gold reported for our Shots blog over the weekend, the online marketplaces that facilitate the ACA's health coverage have run into problems, ranging from software snags to staffing shortages.
On Medicare's page devoted to open enrollment, the agency notes, "Medicare's Open Enrollment is not part of the Affordable Care Act's new Health Insurance Marketplace, and people with Medicare do not need to do anything with Marketplace plans."
And as Julie has noted for Shots, those who want to sign up for Obamacare need to remember two looming deadlines.
"The first is Dec. 15. That's the date by which you need to be signed up if you want your coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2014," she says. "The other date is Feb. 15, 2014. That's the last day you can get coverage and avoid being liable for a penalty for not having insurance."


text:
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday it may be necessary to take pre-emptive military action against North Korea if the threat from their weapons program reaches a level "that we believe requires action."
Tillerson outlined a tougher strategy to confront North Korea's nuclear threat after visiting the world's most heavily armed border near the tense buffer zone between the rivals Koreas. He also closed the door on talks with Pyongyang unless it denuclearizes and gives up its weapons of mass destruction.
Asked about the possibility of using military force, Tillerson told a news conference in the South Korean capital, "all of the options are on the table."
He said the U.S. does not want a military conflict, "but obviously if North Korea takes actions that threaten South Korean forces or our own forces that would be met with (an) appropriate response. If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action that option is on the table."
But he said that by taking other steps, including sanctions, the U.S. is hopeful that North Korea could be persuaded to take a different course before it reaches that point.
Past U.S. administrations have considered military force because of North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles to deliver them, but rarely has that option been expressed so explicitly.
North Korea has accelerated its weapons development, violating multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and appearing undeterred by tough international sanctions. The North conducted two nuclear test explosions and 24 ballistic missile tests last year. Experts say it could have a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. within a few years.
Tillerson met Friday with his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se and its acting president, Hwang Kyo-ahn on the second leg of a three-nation trip which began in Japan and will end in China. State Department officials have described it as a "listening tour" as the administration seeks a coherent North Korea policy, well-coordinated with its Asian partners.
Earlier Friday, Tillerson touched down by helicopter Friday at Camp Bonifas, U.S.-led U.N. base about 400 meters (438 yards) from the Demilitarized Zone, a Cold War vestige created after the Korean War ended in 1953. He then moved to the truce village of Panmunjom inside the DMZ, a cluster of blue huts where the Korean War armistice was signed.
Tillerson is the latest in a parade of senior U.S. officials to have their photos taken at the border. But it's the first trip by the new Trump administration's senior diplomat.
The DMZ, which is both a tourist trap and a potential flashpoint, is guarded on both sides with land mines, razor wire fence, tank traps and hundreds of thousands of combat-ready troops. More than a million mines are believed to be buried inside the DMZ. Land mine explosions in 2015 that Seoul blamed on Pyongyang maimed two South Korean soldiers and led the rivals to threaten each other with attacks."
Hordes of tourists visit both sides, despite the lingering animosity. The Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty, which means the Korean Peninsula remains in a technical state of war.
President Donald Trump is seen as seeking to examine all options — including military ones — for halting the North's weapons programs before Pyongyang becomes capable of threatening the U.S. mainland.
Tillerson declared an end to the policy "strategic patience" of the Obama administration, which held off negotiating with Pyongyang while tightening of sanctions but failed to prevent North Korea's weapons development. Tillerson said U.S was exploring "a new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures."
Central to the U.S. review is China and its role in any bid to persuade Pyongyang to change course. China remains the North's most powerful ally. Tillerson will meet with top Chinese officials including President Xi Jinping in Beijing this weekend.
While the U.S. and its allies in Seoul and Tokyo implore Beijing to press its economic leverage over North Korea, the Chinese have emphasized their desire to relaunch diplomatic talks.
Tillerson, however, said that "20 years of talks with North Korea have brought us to where we are today."
"It's important that the leadership of North Korea realize that their current pathway of nuclear weapons and escalating threats will not lead to their objective of security and economic development. That pathway can only be achieved by denuclearizing, giving up their weapons of mass destruction, and only then will we be prepared to engage with them in talks," he said.
Six-nation aid-for-disarmament talks with North Korea, which were hosted by China, have in fact been stalled since 2009. The Obama administration refused to resume them unless the North re-committed to the goal of denuclearization, something that North Korea has shown little interest in doing.
Tillerson urged China and other countries to fully implement U.N. sanctions on North Korea.
He also accused China of economic retaliation against South Korea over the U.S. deployment of a missile defense system. He called that reaction "inappropriate and troubling" and said China should focus on the North Korean threat that makes the deployment necessary. China sees the system as a threat to its own security.
Last week, North Korea launched four missiles into seas off Japan, in an apparent reaction to major annual military drills the U.S. is currently conducting with South Korea. Pyongyang claims the drills are a rehearsal for invasion.


text:
All of them, those in power, and those who want the power, would pamper us, if we agreed to overlook their crookedness by wilfully restricting our activities.
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