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ORNL FCU Gets New CFO
The $1.4 billion ORNL Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge, Tenn., has named Nebraska banker Colin Anderson as its new chief financial officer.
Anderson will succeed Dennis Bowker, who is retiring after three decades at the 157,300-member Tennessee credit union, ORNL FCU said.
Anderson has been in the financial services industry for 29 years, moving from teller to president and CEO, and most recently was at Great Western Bank in Omaha, Neb., where he had been a regional president.
The latest in several senior management changes at ORNL FCU, Anderson will be responsible for the credit union's investment portfolio, financial analysis and asset liability management, and will help the CEO with developing and monitoring the credit union's performance standards.
"Dennis Bowker contributed more than 31 years of distinguished service and visionary leadership to ORNL Federal Credit Union, and his service and commitment will certainly be missed," said CEO Chris Johnson.
"In preparation for Dennis Bowker's impending retirement, we are taking yet another positive step forward in our transition to the next era of financial services excellence with the addition of Colin Anderson to our family," Johnson said.
ORNL FCU has 32 branches, with plans for a 33rd under way, and is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends schools in the 16 counties of east-central Tennessee.


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Options for Broadcast changes to the Home Run Derby
Here we go again people, eight hours until all the fun starts all over again. But hopefully tonight;s game will not have that rambling and prognostic feel of last night's State Farm Home Run Derby. Oh, don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching a home run as much as the rest of us, but it did not have the same flavor this season for some reason. Not to say there was not a few majestic swats into the outfield caverns there at Busch Stadium. There were a few blasts that evoked an awe factor from me watching on my big screen, but for some reason the anticipation and the true spectacle of it all was dulled for some reason.
I sat there and tried to remember, or even fathom why I felt this way until I heard the "back, back back!" thundered over my television screen by ESPN legend Chris Berman. It was then that it all finally began to click and fall into place. The event was not falling by the wayside for me, it was the stale and predictable audio coming out of the mouth of commentators Berman, Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, and former Met GM Steve Phillips. Sometimes I think they should instead maybe pick some of the great voices of the Major Leagues to come out and broadcast the Home Run Derby as a tribute to their announcing chops.
Locally here with the Tampa Bay Rays we have been blessed with a pretty good broadcast crew on both the television and the radio. But then again every city has that distinction. But maybe MLB can regenerate the enthusiasm and the bravado of the Home Run Derby by instituting a chance in the on-the-field staff to cover the event to maybe include a member of the MLB family who usually only does their own local broadcasts. Not that I would not like to see Joe Buck maybe pop down there like he did last night, but he is reserved for the big game. I am all for maybe one of the voices being from the home stadium crew, which would replace Phillips and do a better job just by sitting down in the chair.
I hear too much of Phillips just on "Baseball Tonight", do I have to be subjected to him again during a fun event like the Home Run Derby? So with that in mind, even thought the event is now over, we could have gotten Al Hrabosky, who is not only a St. Louis folk legend and former Cardinal player, but a pretty good broadcaster in his own right.
Hrabosky has been up in the television booth for the Cardinals now for his 13th straight season for FSN-Midwest. He started with the team back in 1985 doing broadcasts on several different venues before finally finding his home on FSN-Midwest. "The Mad Hungarian" would have been a instant hit for the fans watching at home who used to watch his antics on and behind the mound during his playing career. But also of note would have been the telling of stories by fathers and grandfathers to the kids watching about this great reliever legend.
That would bring a spark to the Home Run Derby. To bring a local figure onto the broadcast team for the entire event. It will also add a air of local pride and resources as this is their domain, and they know the nooks and crannies of Busch Stadium as well as the men who built it. They are there every day and would have additional stories and ad libs that would keep the audience interested even during a lull in the action at the plate. Do not fret Phillips, I do not instantly dislike you banter on the panel, but I want to All Star game to be about special instances and situation, not the one guy I get to hear 162 games a year and beyond every night on ESPN.
By me picking Hrabosky is no slight to the other broadcasters like Mike Shannon in the radio booth ,or even Jay Rudolph or Dan McLaughlin. I am only trying to find the diamond-in-the-rough that most people do not get to hear during their team's broadcasts. Who knows, maybe in the 2010 event hosted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim we can get ex-player Rex Hudler or Mark Gubicza to come on board and bring some special Angels flavor to the Home Run Derby panel.
And Joe Morgan, well I love your stories sometimes, but maybe you need to go for someone else who can keep me doing more than re-twitting and pausing away hoping for a break in the action to see some more exciting commercials than your re-hashed speculations about the Derby hitters. I am beginning to see a pattern in your observations on the hitters. I have heard the same lines, but tweaked a bit left or right about hitters for the last few years by you on the ESPN Sunday Night games, and it is growing old to me. So my idea to replace Morgan might be the best one yet.
You see, I am not voting for myself or another fan to replace Morgan, that would be too easy, but maybe MLB, which is spending millions on this 3-day festival can get ESPN to waiver a bit from their mundane announcers to let a current MLB legend or newcomer take the reins from Morgan. I am going to use the Rays Dewayne Staats only because I have some familiarity with him. He is someone who will be the in the broadcaster wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame before it is all said and done and would be a breath of fresh air not only for the fans to get another perspective, but to hear a voice that has called some of the most remarkable and memorable games.
To let the youth, and the older generation like me enjoy some of the voice around the league at that table would be an true All Star experience. Maybe if not Staats, then Seattle Mariners voice Dave Niehaus, who was admitted into the broadcasters wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. He is a voice that people on the east coast of the United States do not get to hear, and would bring about more energy and substance to the game knowing it is their national time to shine.
That is not to say I would not like to hear others like Arizona's Daron Sutton, who is in his third year with the Diamondbacks. Each of these guys, even at their opposite points in their careers would be another taste of the MLB for each of us to savor during the All Star week. To bring about the change where the MLB audience gets to hear some of the voices and charisma that fans throughout the league and America get to hear each night might be a great influx of new energy and enthusiasm at the broadcast table during the Home Run Derby. They are voices that do not get to be heard unless it is below a clip on the Internet or ESPN now. Or their voices get echoed around the playoff times for substantial calls or historic moments.
The third change might be the hardest for ESPN to imagine, but it might also be a great springboard for their broadcasters. Each segment of their network seems to have their gems, or up and coming guys/gals who have displayed their talents and the crowd has warmed to them during that season. Maybe the broadcaster who is considered their number one person that year, be it a newcomer or an old veteran gets a shot at the big time stage by sitting in Chris Berman's chair.
I have loved Berman for year and years, but in that statement is the problem. Years and years I have also heard the same phrases rolled over and over until they should have a toe tag attached to them. How many time last night did Berman try and elevate Pujols to cult status during the broadcast even though he was involved in a 3-way tie in the first round.
Josh Hamilton last season deserved that praise, Bobby Abreu a few years ago also garnered that respect and attention, but Pujols was not the giant that night. After his first round 11 home runs, you really did not get the feeling the panel really was going for Prince Fielder until his semi-final round was complete. But the worst thing about last night was the odd comment getting thrown around left and right to fill air time.
There could have been better stories about players like Carlos Pena or even Nelson Cruz that would have made you root for them. Like the fact Pena had a dream before the end of the 2007 Spring Training with the Rays, where he was a non-roster invitee, about getting on the plane with the players for the first series against the Yankees. About how and injury in the last Spring Training game to Greg Norton opened the door for Pena to hit 101 Home runs since that moment in the major leagues.
Or maybe a short stint to show he went from a scrub and almost a non-issue minor leaguer with the New York Yankees system in 2006 to the 2007 Comeback Player of the Season, to a 2008 Silver Slugger in the American League, to a Gold Glover last season. The elevation of his game was the reason for his All Star selection, not just his current home run total. It was the mythical rise of the phoenix of his career from the bottom to the top.
Heck, I even got a few people twitting I should do the broadcasting of the Derby. First off, I am honored, and I did take a aptitude test back at Eckerd College in 1976 that told me my two vocations that stressed my strengths was law and radio in that order. But that is another chapter to discuss at another time. I have some ideas to maybe invite fellow fans who love to broadcast to maybe be invited to participate in the on-air duties during the Taco bell celebrity and athletes softball game to give it a different flavor. Maybe that is the stage for me to see the MLB break out of the norm and have a good time with it all.
I have to admit, I did have more fun watching Nellie make diving catches and Shawn Johnson doing her rendition of Ozzie Smith's flip. It made me want to watch the softball game. And that is new for me. I usually watch about 10 minutes of it all then click to something else, but last night I got interested. And no, it was not because I fell in visual love again with Jenna Fisher from "The Office". I have had a TV crush on her since I first saw her, but that is fantasy people. Anyways, the Home Run Derby was based on a 1959 show with the same title. That show evolved into the present day model we see during the All Star game.
For this event to again evolve might take some hard stances by MLB with their broadcast partners, but for one night shouldn't the event be about the broadcasters of the MLB and their premier hitters. A combining of the two forces both vocal and physical could bring about a renewed interest in the viewing of the Home Run Derby. The All Star game is still going to be the focal point of the three days, but to elevate the Home Run Derby a bit would only bring more money and more exposure to other facets of the MLB.
By letting their league broadcasters showcase their talents during the event would make someone in San Diego, California, or even another country want to hear a game called by Boston Red Sox's Jerry Remy or maybe the Chicago White Sox's Ken Harrelson or Steve Stone. It would mean more revenue for the MLB through the MLB.TV packages, and also retain some interest of fans outside their current markets.
To expand the minds of baseball fans is not always an easy task, but for us to enjoy hearing some of the legends and growing talent around the league maybe call the Home Run Derby would be a deep, deep shot into the night. It is now your choice MLB. You can take this advice and use it as your own, or you can just let the Derby stagnate until the viewership goes down and you do not know why. It is time for a change, and here I listed a few easy solutions, the rest is up to you. Do it for the fans. Do it for the International viewers. Do it for the expansion of the sport around the globe. Or like Nike loves to say………"Just Do it!"
10 Comments
Love the idea of bringing in other broadcasters to do the game. It would be great if each hitter's radio or tv guy got to call the tv broadcast of that player's time in the contest so fans without access to MLB.TV or XM/Sirius could hear some of the great voices in the game. Berman's act is overexposed and tiresome.
I like that iea too, but the logistics might be murder at first.
But a change has to be done. The entire week has evolved into such a fan friendly time that the H R Derby must be the next to transform.
I know ESPN will fight to the death about this, but they will love the ratings if they replace their three amigos with a new crew every season.
I think that keeps it fresh and exciting for everyone to just tune in and see the difference each set of broadcaster's make on each years event.
Rays Renegade
Rays – I was NOT kidding last night! I would vote for you to broadcast during the HR Derby! I would love to hear you – not only do I think you would be funny and entertaining – I think you would give a much more honest perspective of what was going on. The ball is not "Back, back, back – a towering hit" when it barely clears the wall.
I like the idea of having local broadcasters doing the Home Run Derby, and I think most of us would rather listen to the Mad Hungarian than Berman, Morgan, and Phillips. Too bad ESPN would never go for it, though. Neither would FOX. -Erinhttp://plunking-gomez.mlblogs.com
Morgan talks too much about himself. He likes to say "Back when I played…..'. A local broadcaster sounds good. Keep working at it and maybe soon we'll see on the screen. I loved watching the celebrity softball. They were hving fun with it and so was I. D.Nelly sue was showing his moves.
I would not use that phrase.
I liked the idea of the tracker, but it seems to be a work-in-progress for ESPN right now.
I would kill to do the celebrity softball game. I would have loved to make the call on Nellie's diving catch or the two long ball last night.
Hopefully someone might like these ideas, but I doubt it!
Rays Renegade
I just think that people are getting robbed sometimes by not hearing some of the other great voices out there.
I still love to tune in and check out Vin Scully doing a game by himself out in LA.
I got tuned into Dave Niehaus after the Rays did not do a telecast one season.
He is in the Baseball Hall of Fame for a reason.
Change is good, even for baseball.
Rays Renegade
I have started to do that same phrase, and it frustrates me.
I do not condone that phrase anymore.
I just think there are too many great voices broadcasting games both at the major league and minor league level in baseball.
Sometimes hearing something different helps you enjoy the game and the sport better.
Plus it shows us a different perspective and tone to the game.
Baseball is a game, but it is also an entertainment source.
Rays Renegade
Cliff had I been apt enough to be on the computer I would have seen Julias blog before and seen that you were there and told you to try the El Birdo Cantina on the first level. The food is good and I know what a fan of food you are. Sorry for the delay as much of my life is on delay right now. Hope you enjoyed the game and glad for you your guy robbed my guy but I guess that makes up for us taking the series in Denver. Guess we're somewhat even : ) Be safe my friend.
I actually was at Busch Stadium last year ( 2008) for the Inter League series with the Rays and Cardinals.
I love the stadium more for its sightlines than the food I tired there.
I am not a huge food fan, but it can enhance a experience at a ballpark. Can't tell you I have ever had a bad hot dog at a game, but they can make the games seem better.
Hope all gets sorted out and things get better for you.
I know for mysaelf getting used to that saying "one day at a time" is rough, but life goes on.
Rays Renegade

subset: commoncrawl


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INTERPOL condemns murder of foreign hostages in Nigeria
LYON, France – While meeting during its 177th session, INTERPOL's Executive Committee (EC) on behalf of the world police body has condemned the 'cold-blooded' execution by a Nigerian Islamist militant group of seven foreign hostages it seized last month.
The 13 INTERPOL EC members, comprising the President of the Organization, three Vice-Presidents and nine Delegates from its four regions, Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe, said in a statement:
"INTERPOL's Executive Committee expresses its condolences with the families of the victims and condemns the murder of these innocent hostages in the strongest terms.
"This senseless, cowardly act will have appalled citizens of all nations and can only strengthen the resolve and solidarity of police in Nigeria, the region and around the world to intensify their fight against terrorism.
"On behalf of INTERPOL's 190 countries, we call on police in the region and beyond to cooperate with Nigeria's efforts to apprehend and bring to justice the terrorists responsible for this cold-blooded murder."
The militant group Ansaru, suspected of being an offshoot of the Boko Haram network, said in an online statement that it had killed its captives.
The hostages – from Britain, Greece, Italy and Lebanon – were construction workers captured in a raid in the northern state of Bauchi.
INTERPOL has made available its global resources to the Nigerian authorities to assist them in bringing the perpetrators behind the killings to justice.


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Machines of different sizes and with multiple uses represent your best partners in specific industries, but especially in heavy industries, such as constructions. A machine can work faster than a hundred men and without too much effort anyway. When it comes to heavy domains like landscaping or construction, the necessity of a machine is obvious. A loader, for example, will ensure that you never need to carry all those heavy materials on your back, along with your work mates. Engines do it within seconds only and without any pressure.
From this point of view, loaders represent some of the most common engines in the construction industry. There is a reason wherefore you can find so many loaders for sale and the impossibility to work without them is one of them. They can do things you are unable to do alone, such as lifting materials, sand, rocks or earth. A few buttons and a couple of handles are more than enough to ensure a good result. Besides, aside from construction, any industry that requires carrying some weights can use this engine.
The wide variety of units ensure that any worker or manager can find something appropriate. If the job site cannot accommodate large machines, you can find smaller and more compact units. At the same time, managers may also opt to look after a backhoe for sale, which is better known for the large back wheels and the loading capabilities. There are numerous features and capabilities out there and each of them obviously varies by users' necessities. There is something for everyone out there, but unless you are experienced in this industry, it might be a good idea to seek help from a professional.
Other than that, the ease of use is not to be ignored either. You do not have to be an expert in order to use a loader, but just assist at some training sessions. There are a few controls only and they are very easy to deal with. The benefits they bring in are hard to describe. Forget about efforts, hard work, dirt and sweat. Instead, you can perform all the loading operations while sitting on a chair in a very comfortable machine. Training on a loader is piece of cake and can be done within a day only.
Last, but not least, do not forget about the reliability of such units either. A loader is obviously used in a series of different activities and tasks. It is great to lift some construction materials, but also shovel the ground or move materials around.
With so many obvious advantages, loaders do not represent a caprice, but an actual necessity in this industry. They are essential and can seriously reduce the time consumption, as well as the effort needed.


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The Austin Air® HealthMate™ Plus Series is Austin AIr's flagship series and is specifically designed for those individuals suffering from chemical sensitivities. It also performs extremely well in controlling dust and other particulate matter. The AustinAir® HealthMate™ Plus for example uses 60 sq. ft. of medical-grade HEPA and is certified to remove 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns and larger. The HealthMate+ also contains 15 pounds of granular carbon and zeolite for the adsorption of odors, gases and chemicals. The activated carbon in the HealthMate+ is impregnated with potassium iodide for the removal of additional chemicals. The AustinAir® HealthMate+ stands 23" tall and 14.5" wide. Comes with wheels for easy portability. Ideal for spaced up to 750 sq. ft in size.
In the aftermath of 9/11, Austin Air purifiers were the purifiers of choice by the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Red Cross and for many of the New York City victims of 9/11.
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Your tax invoice can be downloaded on flysaa.com under Manage & Fly 72 hours after the e-ticket has been issued.
If a Tax Invoice has been successfully generated from the South African Airways Tax Invoice System, the onus rests on the recipient to ensure that his/her mailbox has enough space to receive an e-mail - with a PDF attachment; and that his//her service provider or exchange server allows for delivery of such e-mails. South African Airways, can not take responsibility for undelivered e-mails due to any other reasons beyond our control including the above.
Prescribed details required from the South African Revenue Service on a tax invoices
Tax invoices must ordinarily reflect the following details as prescribed by the South African Revenue Service Act, 1997 (Act No. 34 of 1997):
CAPE TOWN. 3 November 2013. South African Airways (SAA), Africa's leading airline, is proud to announce the winners of its annual wine selection process.
The winners were announced at a prestigious banquet in Cape Town attended by the country's foremost wine makers. The wine awards banquet is the culmination of SAA's rigorous selection process which started in August.
This year, the South African wine producers submitted a record entry of 1017 wines for the 2014 SAA Wine Selection year. A panel of the most eminent, independent local and international judges assessed the wines over a period of three days of blind tasting sessions.
"Choosing SAA's on-board wines is one of the longest traditions in the airline. This is the 29th year that the airline has selected only the finest South African wines. Only the best of the best, and proudly South African wines, will be served on board the airline's entire route network and its lounges," says Kim Thipe, SAA Head of Marketing.
The six category winners, who received trophies for having the highest score across the board from all 12 judges were:
Méthode Cap Classique of the Year: Villiera Brut Natural Chardonnay 2009
White Wine of the Year: Spier Creative Block#2 2012
Red Wine of the Year: Provenance Rooi Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/ Malbec / Carb Franc / Petit Verdot 2011
Port of the Year: Boplaas Cape Tawny Show Selection Reserve Tinta Barocca/Touriga Nacional/Souzao
CEO's Award went to DGB, the leading South African wine and spirit producer, wholesaler and distributor of premium wine brands including Boschendal, Bellingham, Douglas Green, as their wines won the most accolades, with more than four of their wines who made it on the 2014 listing.
The Chairperson's Award went to DGB for the largest volume of wine supplied to SAA per annum.
This year's judges were:
1. South African judges
Mrs. Bongi Sodladla
Bongi, is SAA's Sommelier and Global Food & Beverage Manager. She coordinates the SAA Wine Selection and Wine Awards for the airline. She is a full time member of the tasting panel. The fifth graduate in South Africa to achieve the Sommelier prestigious qualification and the first black woman through the Cape Wine Academy. She also judges in other wine competitions such as the Veritas Awards.
Ms. Yegas Naidoo
Yegas is one of SAA's frequent flyers and a Voyager Lifetime Platinum member. She is the founding director of Wine Street CC and a regular member of the SAA wine selection panel. She also judged the annual International Wine Challenge (IWC) in the UK, the India Wine Challenge, the Calyon Trophy Bordeaux Blend Challenge and the Fairbain Trophy Wine Selection.
Mrs. Sandra Lotz
Sandra is Manager of Shiraz SA since 2008. Previously she was the CEO of Paarl Vintners for 12 years and serves on the Wine and Spirits Board's Paarl tasting panel. She has tasted for various wine competitions including the SAA wine listing.
Mrs Susan Erasmus
Susan is a viticulture and oenology graduate from the University of Stellenbosch and spent time in France perfecting her craft. She heads up the team in the cellar at Vrede en Lust and has an innate passion for winemaking and the vineyard. This passion shines in her crafting of wines in a classical new world style. She is the proud winner of the Landbou Weekblad South African Woman Winemaker of the year competition for 2007.
Mrs Danielle le Roux
After graduating with a B.Sc in viticulture & oenology at the University of Stellenbosch, she set off to explore the wine regions she was interested in, working vintages at Chateau de la Colline (France), Verite (California) and Terreno (Italy) to deepen her understanding of wine. She graduated as a Cape Wine Master in 2009. Danielle serves on the tasting panels for Veritas, SA Young Wine Show, SA Wine and Spirit board, contributes to WineLand's tasting column, and is a qualified Pinotage judge.
Miss. Carmen Stevens
Carmen is a graduate of Elsenburg Agriculture, and is cellarmaster at Amani Vineyards since 2005. She has tasted for SAA before and also tastes in other wine competitions such as Veritas, SA Young Wine Show, Winelands magazine and Swiss International Airlines.
Miss. Tatiana Marcetteau,
Tatiana is Food and Beverage Manager at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town and was born in Pessac, a suburb of Bordeaux in France. Tatiana's current position includes overseeing all beverage activity at the Taj such as staff training, stock level management, and the ordering and pricing of all beverages. Tatiana is a natural when it comes to her chosen profession - she believes that doing what you love makes you naturally good at it.
Mr. Gregory Mutambe
He is a Sommelier at Azure Restaurant, at the Twelve Apostles Hotel, Cape Town and has a true passion for wine and food which has allowed him to compile an extensive wine list for guests' enjoyment. He tastes for other competitions such as Best Value Wine guide, John Platters Guide.
Mr. Colin Frith
Colin, is an experienced wine judge, having judged on the S.A. National Wine Show for over 20 years, as well as for Veritas, John Platter Wine Guide, Diners Club Wine Maker of the Year, a regular panel member for Winelands magazine, Swiss Air awards, and many regional wine shows. He is an honorary member of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters.
Mr. Miguel Chan
Mauritian-born Miguel Chan is Group Sommelier for Southern Sun Hotels, with his day to day task the responsibility of the Wines and Beverage Standards. Chan represented South Africa in 2007 at the Inaugural Concours Internationales des Jeunes Sommeliers final, in Frankfurt, Germany. He has been a wine taster for the Platters South African Wine Guide, the Old Mutual Wine Trophy and other competitions.
International judges
Mr. Ralf Rudolf Anselmann
Born in 1965 into a traditional family-owned wine estate, Mr. Anselmann grew up in constant contact with viticulture and wine making. He holds the title Diplom-Agraringenieur (Masters Degree) and studied agriculture and viticulture at the University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim. He is the owner and technical director of the "Weingut Werner Anselmann", one of Germany's largest wine experiences in wine making and sensorial analysis. He participates as wine judge in more than twenty countries and at numerous international wine competitions. He is also a member of tasting panels of wine magazines and an authorised expert of the Chamber of Agriculture.
Mrs Debra Meiburg
Debra is based in Hong Kong and a celebrated wine journalist, TV personality, wine educator and in-demand speaker who is pleasing palates across Asia with her fresh take on the world of wine. Awarded Master of Wine, the highest wine industry honour, Debra has a serious palate for wine, but her approach is a little "tongue in cheek".
About SAA
South African Airways (SAA), Africa's most awarded airline, operates to 42 destinations worldwide.
In its domestic market SAA has an extensive schedule operating 660 flights in total per week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth, from its Johannesburg hub, as well as code-shared flights between Lanseria – Cape Town and Durban. SAA offers more frequencies than any other airline in South Africa.
Regionally, SAA offers 26 destinations across the African continent including Abidjan, Accra, Blantyre, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Cotonou, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Douala, Entebbe, Harare, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Luanda, Lusaka, Maputo, Mauritius, Nairobi, Ndola, Pointe Noire, Victoria Falls and Windhoek.
SAA's international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 11 direct routes and code shares, with daily flights from Johannesburg to London (Heathrow), Frankfurt, Munich, Mumbai, Perth, Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, Washington, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. SAA has codes share agreements with 27 other airlines across the markets it serves. SAA's core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its four wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA and South African Travel Centre (SATC).
SAA is a Star Alliance member which offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. SAA is the winner of the 'Best Airline in Africa' Award in the regional category for eleven consecutive years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spots as South Africa's most on-time airlines.
For more information contact:
SAA Group Corporate Affairs
Tlali Tlali
SAA spokesperson
Tel: +27 11 978 3819
Mobile: +27 82 333 3880
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Website: www.flysaa.com
Twitter: @flysaa
Facebook: www.facebook.com/flysaa


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let's look at the vehicle itself and why it's been such a hot
seller in Japan and promises to be an equally great sales success
in the U.S. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h (HS stands for "harmonious
sedan", a very Japanese title) starts at $34,200 – typical for
an entry-level sedan from a tier 1 luxury brand. This is
relative bargain compared to other Lexus luxury hybrid sedans -- the
2010 Lexus GS 450h, priced at $56,550 and the 2009 Lexus LS 600h,
priced at $106,035.
For your money, the Lexus HS gives you
some attractive luxury and eco-friendly features -- Smart Access,
push button start/stop, a HomeLink universal transceiver (can
accomplish functions like closing your garage door), UV-reduction
windshield glass, bioplastics (from sources including kenaf fibers
and castor seeds), an OLED gauge cluster, a 10-speaker premium sound
system, XM radio, LED taillamps and more. LED headlamps, a
backup camera, and a navigation system are all optional
From a performance perspective, the sedan
has 187 net horsepower (from a 2.4L 2AZ-FXE inline-four engine and a
40 hp electric motor). This compares comes favorably to the
Toyota Prius (134 hp combined, via electric motor and 1.8L engine).
0-60 mph acceleration for the small four-door is around 8
seconds. Meanwhile, the sedan's fuel economy of 34
mpg (combined) stacks up between the Prius's
industry-leading 50 mpg combined fuel economy and the Lexus
LS/GS's not so great fuel economies (21/23.5 mpg,
Driving the Lexus HS, the first thing that
popped out was a bit of a negative -- one of only a handful that
marred the experience. The car has one of the smallest
automatic shifter sticks that we've seen. We've seen small
knobs, but this thing was tiny -- nearing the size and average
thickness of a human thumb (though a bit wider at its crest).
In fact, we dubbed it the "fairy stick" due to its
diminutive size. This stick marred the car's look -- we're not
quite sure what the designers were thinking. Fortunately, the
situations in which you have to interact with the unsightly little
stick were limited.
Otherwise the seats were comfortable
(bioplastics and all) and our model came with the LED headlamps,
which were very bright and clear. Our vehicle also came with
the navigation package, and the display was bright enough to be
easily read.
In terms of on road performance, we averaged 36
mpg over 345 miles, slightly better than the EPA estimates.
While not as efficient as the Prius, this meant that we still weren't
on empty even after a long week of driving. The disc brakes
were extremely responsive and not overly jumpy -- regenerative
braking is usually a low-point with hybrids. Acceleration was
smooth, but is largely a matter of perception. Moving up from
the Prius, it will feel powerful, but for those who have experienced
the LS/GS hybrids, it feels underpowered (but that sacrifice seems
worth it, to us, as the fuel economy is significantly improved).
NVH is very low -- inside the cabin is quite quiet. The car
absorbed potholes on a poorly maintained Detroit street with aplomb,
offering minimal jostle to the passenger.
Overall the sedan
seemed a relatively good value for its price. A couple more
minor complaints were the "feature" auto-dimming mirrors.
For those easily distracted, they may be a good idea, by minimizing
incidental glare. However, for those with good vision, they
prove to be a headache as it's hard to see vehicles at night in them,
particularly those with dim headlights. We'd rather deal with a
bit of glare and retain the ability to actually see what's coming at
us. Perhaps a future implementation can fix these problems.
Our other minor gripe was that the remote unlock on the trunk
did not seem to work (it could have just been our unit) and the trunk
seemed (in general) hard to open. These detractions considered,
we still enjoyed our time with the vehicle and felt that it's
definitely something for entry-level luxury buyers to consider.


text:
Submit News
Secret DOJ Memo Suggests Drone Strikes May be Necessary to Kill American "Terrorists"
Jason Mick
February 5, 2013 1:55 PM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
A drone strike in 2011 killed to American citizens associating with the terrorist group al-Qaida. The citizens had not been charged with crimes.
(Source: Drone Wars UK)
If Americans become "senior operational leaders" of al-Qaida or "an associated force", the memo suggests a death strike
U.S. Department of Justice
and Obama administration likely wished that a 16-page memo/white paper building a detailed case justifying killing American citizens with
drone strikes
never made it into the hands of the media. But that is precisely what ended up happening. The memo -- titled "
Lawfulness of a Lethal Operation Directed Against a U.S. Citizen who is a Senior Operational Leader of Al Qa'ida or An Associated Force
" --
NBC News
via a source who had access to it. And the memo's suggestion of highly qualified scenarios for death strikes is reviving a major debate over
due process and terrorism
I. Should the Feds Kill American Terrorists With Drones?
The memo in question was distributed to members of the
Senate Intelligence
Judiciary committees
in June. The committee members were asked to keep the information secret from the public and not discuss the memo's existence. Now the secret has slipped.
The debate revolves around whether Americans involved in terrorist groups such al-Qaida can reasonably be killed overseas, even if there is no intelligence to indicate that they are actively engaged in a plot to attack the U.S. Such was the case in the Sept. 2011 strike in Yemen that killed alleged al-Qaida operatives Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan. Neither man had ever been indicted by the U.S. government or formally charged.
The memo leak comes on the eve of the confirmation hearing for potential
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
director John Brennan. Mr. Brennan, a former counterterrorism advisor to President Obama, was among the first to make the case publicly for deadly drone strikes on Americans involved with terrorist groups. At a speech last year he argued such strikes were "consistent with the inherent right of self-defense."
Those comments were echoed in March at a
Northwestern University
by Attorney General Eric Holder, who argued killing Americans targets could be justified if there is "an imminent threat of violent attack."
II. Memo Argues for Redefinition of "Imminent Threat" for Drone Killings
But the white paper goes beyond the public comments of Mr. Brennan and the Attorney General, arguing that even in cases where there is
a known imminent risk, use of deadly force is justified. This principle is described therein as a "broader concept of imminence", which suggests that mere membership and training activities in high-profile terrorist groups represents an imminent risk.
The memo suggests that if a capture operation on an American involved with a terrorist group would pose "undue risk" to American special forces soldiers, a death strike may become lawful, even if it was not already.
AG Holder perhaps alluded to such a premise in a comment in his speech, in which he said, "The Constitution does not require the president to delay action until some theoretical end-stage of planning, when the precise time, place and manner of an attack become clear."
The memo suggests joining a terrorist group and committing to "threatening" activities may be justification enough for the U.S. government to kill an American citizens without warrant.
[Image Source: Al Arabiya]
States the paper:
The condition that an operational leader present an 'imminent' threat of violent attack against the United States does not require the United States to have clear evidence that a specific attack on U.S. persons and interests will take place in the immediate future.
A lawful killing in self-defense is not an assassination. In the Department's view, a lethal operation conducted against a U.S. citizen whose conduct poses an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States would be a legitimate act of national self-defense that would not violate the assassination ban. Similarly, the use of lethal force, consistent with the laws of war, against an individual who is a legitimate military target would be lawful and would not violate the assassination ban.
The Obama Administration argues that targeted killings do not constitute assassinations (which an executive order bans). It also argues that they are Constitutional and not a war crime, when placed in the context of counterterrorism.
II. Even More Classified Memos Remains Secret
But the Obama Administration has also fought to keep precise details of its policy secret. The white paper, while confidential, mirrors arguments in even more highly classified memos on targeted killings from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, memos that are used as the basis for actual operations. Reportedly, the DOJ has refused to turn over these memos to Congress or even acknowledge they exist.
Sen. Ron Whyden
(D-OR) and a bipartisan group 10 other senators, have written
a letter
[PDF] to President Obama asking him to release the rumored classified DOJ memos on drone strikes on Americans. In the letter the group writes, "[T]here will clearly be circumstances in which the president has the authority to use lethal force [against Americans who fight against their own country]... [However] it is vitally important ... for Congress and the American public to have a full understanding of how the executive branch interprets the limits and boundaries of this authority."
The Obama administration opposed releasing classified details on its rules about killing terrorist American citizens. [Image Source: Matt Ortega/Flickr]
Jameel Jaffer, deputy legal director of the
American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU), argues in an
NBC News
interview about the less-classified memo, "This is a chilling document. Basically, it argues that the government has the right to carry out the extrajudicial killing of an American citizen. … It recognizes some limits on the authority it sets out, but the limits are elastic and vaguely defined, and it's easy to see how they could be manipulated. [It] redefines the word imminence in a way that deprives the word of its ordinary meaning."
The fight to release the more classified memos has been the subject of a court case brought by the ACLU and reporters at
The New York Times
. In U.S. federal District Court in New York,
Judge Colleen McMahon
expressed sympathy and support for the plaintiffs' arguments.
In her opinion she writes, "[Administration officials] had engaged in public discussion of the legality of targeted killing, even of citizens. [But they did so] in cryptic and imprecise ways, generally without citing … any statute or court decision that justifies its conclusions."
She told the plaintiffs that she would like to order the release of certain classified documents, but that a "thicket of laws" prevented her from releasing the information, even if it pertained to a topic in which the government, at face value, appeared to be behaving unconstitutionally.
NBC News [1]
, [2; memo],
"Well, there may be a reason why they call them 'Mac' trucks! Windows machines will not be trucks." -- Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer
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text:
I'm curious mainly for the reason I'm bored and love march madness. If we got a top 3 pick who would you draft? or what would you do with the pick. If i had my choice id trade away any of the picks. There has only been 3 players so far (pre march madness) that have really caught my eye and i would like to see in raps uniform. 1 Nerlends Noel, 2 Anthony Bennet (not just he's canadian.) 3 Trey Burke.
When drafting im thinking of our needs, another C (prob not best idea having two young C's), backup PF and PG (future and backup.) Noel is great defender and raw offensively, would be nice and there are mins available for him to develop at PF and C. I love Bennet's energy and athleticism would fit in perfectly here obviously would be instant fan favourite. Trey Burke i'm not really sure what it is i can just see his skills translating to the NBA and i dont see that in many players in this years draft. March madness always showcases all the young studs and we will all have better grasp of who we like but i'm curious pre madness as well.


text:
INTERPOL condemns terror attacks in India
LYON, France – INTERPOL has condemned Wednesday's terror attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai in which at least 20 people were killed and more than 100 injured, and pledged its full support to national authorities in their investigation.
Following the three explosions across the city, INTERPOL's Command and Co-ordination Centre (CCC) at its General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France immediately contacted the National Central Bureau in New Delhi to offer any assistance required.
All requests for information from Indian authorities are being treated with the highest priority by the CCC which operates 24-hours-a-day, and INTERPOL has also offered to deploy an Incident Response Team consisting of specialized officers from its Disaster Victim Identification and/or Public Safety and Terrorism units, operational assistants and analysts.
If requested, INTERPOL can also issue one of its colour-coded international notices to alert law enforcement around the world about the modus operandi behind the attacks, to obtain additional information about individuals in relation to the investigation, or to seek the arrest of persons wanted in connection with the incident.


text:
current budget for NASA that will be used in fiscal 2012 is under some intense
debate by those close to the agency. NASA chief Charlie Bolden went to Capitol
Hill recently to defend
the budget that NASA wants for 2012 against those in Congress that
think the budget doesn't adhere closely enough to the outlines that were
approved last year.
The debate around the budget has to do with how much funds will be offered to
encourage the development of commercial spacecraft, and how much of the money
will be put towards building a new heavy lift rocket that could be used to send
astronauts into orbit and to the ISS. The heavy lift rocket was being viewed as a
potential backup to the commercial spacecraft and private craft like the SpaceX
capsule that became the first private spacecraft to hit orbit.
The NASA Authorization bill that was signed into law last year by Obama and set
aside money from NASA to fund privately-developed spacecraft that would
potentially take over after the final
space shuttle mission. The problem some have with the budget that is being
outlined for NASA is that it puts less money into the development of the
next-generation spacecraft for NASA and more money into funding private
The total
budget for NASA for fiscal 2012 has the backing of Obama and will lock NASA at
2010 levels amounting to $18.7 billion.
"While last year's Authorization Act was by no means a perfect bill, it
did clearly articulate Congress' intention: that NASA pursue a means of
transportation that builds on all the work that's been done over the past five
years," said the committee's ranking Democratic member, Eddie Bernice
Johnson (D-Texas). "I do not see it reflected in the proposed NASA budget
Committee chairman Ralph Hall (R-Texas) said, "The new budget proposal
disregards — yes, ignores — our authorization law."
"I get your message loud and clear and so does the president," Bolden
said. "I think the budget does, in fact reflect following your
guidance." Bolden does admit the funds were redistributed in the budget.
He continued saying, "Because these are tough fiscal times we also had to
make some difficult choices. Reductions are necessary in some areas so we can
invest in our future."


text:
The Feelix Growing project aims to design and build a series of robots that can interact with humans on an emotional level, and actually adapt their behavior in response to emotional cues from their human counterparts.
The official goal of the project is to conduct "interdisciplinary investigation of socially situated development ... as a key paradigm towards achieving robots that interact with humans in their everyday environments in a rich, flexible, autonomous, and user-centered way." To achieve this, the 2.3 million-Euro effort has assembled more than two dozen roboticists, developmental psychologists and neuroscientists from six nations.
The robots used in the project are simple designs, including some "off-the-shelf" models. The complexity lies in the software, which will construct artificial neural networks to pick up on human emotions exhibited via facial expressions, voice intonation, gestures and other behaviors.
The leader of the European Commission-funded project, Dr. Lola Canamero is a senior lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire, England. She also serves as the principal investigator and coordinator of the university's Adaptive Systems Research Group, which focuses on researching socially intelligent agents, emotion modeling, developmental robotics, human-robot and human-computer interaction, embodied artificial intelligence and robotics, sensor evolution and artificial life.
In a recent interview with BBC, Canamero said the robots will be designed to detect basic human emotional states such as anger, happiness, and loneliness. Once the states are detected, the robots will be programmed to perform a support role, by seeking to soothe an angry human, or cheer up a lonely or depressed one.
One of the first fruits of the Feelix Growing effort has been the production of a robot capable of "imprinting" behavior. The behavior is similar to the way many baby animals develop an instinctual attachment to the first adult they see at the time of birth, usually the mother. The imprinting robot prototype learns to recognize a particular human and follow that individual around, gradually adapting to the human's actions and emotional state, then interacting accordingly, Canamero said.
At the conclusion of the project, the scientists intend to build two robots that will combine aspects of the research being conducted at each of the eight partner sites scattered around Europe.


text:
Click here to see complete game statistics.
The Nationals started the scoring on Brice Queener's first goal of the season, but the Cannons answered immediately as Chris Eck won the ensuing face-off and beat goalie Scott Rodgers on a bounce shot. Matt Poskay scored two man-up goals in the quarter and Sussman, playing in his first game since May 5, notched his first on a crease dive and the Cannons ended the quarter ahead, 4-3.
Hamilton controlled the second quarter on four goals from Cody Jamieson, Stephen Keogh, Kevin Crowley and David Earl. Buchanan scored and then assisted Sussman on a power play to keep the Cannons within one as the Nationals took a 7-6 lead into the break.
Rabil, held without a point in the first half, contributed two assists and a diving goal in the third quarter. Sussman added two more and the Cannons moved ahead 10-8 entering the final 15 minutes of play.
Earl and Jamieson each completed a hat trick for the Nationals in the 10-goal fourth quarter, but it was not enough as five Cannons scored, including Martin Cahill's first goal of the season on a behind-the-back assist from Rabil, to seal the victory.
"A lot of my goals were products of my teammates," Sussman said. "The middies were dodging a bunch and I was able to find the open spots on the crease and cut to them and score."
Cannons goalie Jordan Burke finished with 18 saves to lead the Cannons defense. Burke leads all MLL goalies with a 9.95 goals against average and .578 save percentage.
The Cannons travel to Long Island next Saturday, July 14 to face the Lizards at 7pm. The Lizards beat the Cannons, 13-10, on June 9 at Harvard Stadium.
# # #


text:
Find the nearest showroom to you.
Browse through our exclusive brochure and picture yourself in your new unique kitchen.
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Monday-Friday: 09.30 - 6.00pmSaturday: 10.00am - 5.00pmSunday: By appointmentOur showrooms will be open on Sundays throughout January: 10.00am - 4.00pm
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Find out how we'll make your dream Original, Linear or Shaker kitchen become a reality…
Request a copy of our beautiful 80-page brochure, full of real Linear, Original and Shaker bespoke kitchens


text:
What a surprise! A liberal columnist blamed the Bush administration for our economic problems. Should I remind Kevin Russell Cook that the Democrats controlled the House and Senate for the last two years of Bush's second term? Or is that off base? Because apparently I'm not allowed to tell him about the democratic majorities in 2009 and 2010. By the way, they call that a "Super Majority" because the Democrats ruled all branches of government. During that time their crowning achievement was to pass a behemoth health care bill that no one understands and despite what they promised us, will raise the cost of health care. Never mind that the majority of Americans were opposed to it, they still rammed it down our throats.
I've got news for Mr. Cook: This is now the Obama economy. He is the one who has put us almost seventeen trillion dollars in debt. People like Mr. Cook need to pull their heads out of their sand trap, stop blaming others and realize we cannot maintain this current rate of spending. It's economic suicide for our children and grandchildren.
Grant Moore
Via email


text:
Maple Recipe Collection
Collection Overview
The Maple Recipe collection offers a unique glimpse at the variety in maple sugar and maple syrup use over the last half-century, as it is prominently featured in a range of dishes, from the sweet to the savory. The collection includes entrees, side dishes, appetizers, breads and desserts, and draws recipes from a variety of sources, including commercial cookbooks, regional cookbooks, and community cookbooks.
Highlights of the collection include: a selection of recipes from Judith Jones, cookbook editor for Julia Child and part-time Vermont resident; published recipes from celebrated Vermont food establishments, including the Inn at Shelburne Farms, the Cobble House Inn, and the New England Culinary Institute; and recipes from community organizations, including local Vermont church groups, the Green Mountain Folklore Society, and the University of Vermont.
The materials in this collection are a small sampling of the cookbook collection in the University of Vermont Libraries Department of Special Collections.
Time Period Covered: 1952 - 2008
Published: May 19, 2010, University of Vermont, Bailey/Howe Library, Special Collections
Rights: Requests to reproduce this item should be sent to the UVM Libraries' Center for Digital Initiatives at email@example.com. For more information, see http://cdi.uvm.edu/about/rights. More information.
Browse Options
- Cutillo, Diane [1]
- Luce, Betsy [1]
- Pierce, Charles, Mrs. [1]
- Breakfasts [7]
- Brunches [7]
- Cooking (Maple sugar and syrup) [7]
- Baking [3]
- Bread [3]
- Fruit breads [1]
- Frying [1]
- Side dishes (Cooking) [1]
- Vegetarian cooking [1]
- | 1 - 7 of 7 |
- Thumbnails | List
Title: Baked eggs in maple toast cups
Resource type: recipes
Matches [0]:
Title: Maple banana bread
Creator: Pierce, Charles, Mrs.
Resource type: recipes
Matches [0]:
Title: Maple biscuits
Resource type: recipes
Matches [0]:
Title: Maple doughnuts
Resource type: recipes
Matches [0]:
Title: Maple sticky buns
Creator: Luce, Betsy
Resource type: recipes
Matches [0]:
Title: Maple-bacon strata
Creator: Cutillo, Diane
Resource type: recipes
Matches [0]:
Title: Smokey maple-black bean hash
Resource type: recipes
Matches [0]:
- | 1 - 7 of 7 |
- Thumbnails | List


text:
Week 4 That's a wrap! Who's your pick for Miss June? I like Heather from Ormond Beach, Christel from Kailua, Ashley from Miami, and well, the list continues. Enjoy the weekend!
Week 3 of the Model Search sees some good talent from the East Coast and SoCal. Our favorite of the week? Christel from Kailua…she's got this Mariah Carey thing going on that's pretty hot.
Week 2 of the TransWorld SURF search for Miss June brings a few bangers into the mix. My favorite was Rylee from nearby Newport Beach. That's not to say the East Coast wasn't repped well…check out Ashley from Miami!
Week 1 of the TransWorld SURF Model Search for Miss June kicks off in style with a few knockouts from Florida and Hawaii. My personal favorite was Veronika from Orlando. Yours?
To enter the TransWorld SURF Model Search email your photos to email@example.com. Please include name, age, hometown, and some information about yourself. Monthly winners get a free bikini from B. Swim, sunglasses from Spy, and an interview in TransWorld SURF Magazine.
Do yourself a favor and check out all the Girls Of TransWorld SURF.


text:
Was $899.95 NOW $369.95
This is the 7 1/2'-tall prelit spruce with flocked branches that make it look as if it had just been cut from a wintery boreal grove. Unlike the unconvincing, clumped appearance of flocked branches made solely from polyvinylchloride (PVC), the carefully molded 2,484 polyethylene (PE) tips used in this tree are patiently flocked by hand with a thicker layer on the outer bough tips and thinner on the 1,549 PVC inner branches to replicate a convincing snowfall pattern. The tips will hold their shape, securely support ornaments, and are pre-strung with 1,200 commercial clear mini-lights rated for 3,000 hours of operation. Unlike lesser lights, they withstand bulb failures for reliable illumination throughout the holiday season - if one light goes out, the rest will remain lit. With a uniform shape that gently tapers from its base to its tip, the tree is supported by a four-point, powder-coated steel base and trunk that provides reliable stability. 7 1/2' H x 65" Diam. (69 lbs.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The Most Realistic Flocked Prelit Spruce (7.5' Full) comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.
Should you have any questions, we are available seven days a week (8:00 am – midnight EST). Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a specialist or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com to receive a response within three business hours or less.
Sale item quantities are limited — please order soon.
Shipping charges noted in parentheses apply in addition to our standard shipping & service.
We're sorry, but gift wrap is not available. Please call 1-800-395-7006 for Premium or Express delivery rates.
Oversized items scheduled for expedited delivery (Premium or Express) may incur additional shipping and services charges because of their unusual size. Please call 1-800-321-1484 for an estimate of S&S charges. International callers, please call 1-513-860-3397.
We're sorry, but gift wrap is not available for oversized items.
Shipped via truck and may require customer assistance upon delivery. You will be contacted to make an appointment for delivery.
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COPYRIGHT © 2018 HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER & COMPANY, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. W109147 E. 57th ST • NEW YORK, NY • 10022 • 1-800-_321-1484


text:
[View the story "The 113th Congress will be the most diverse ever" on Storify]
The 113th Congress will be the most diverse ever
The 113th Congress will be the most diverse in U.S. history, though it still lags behind the changing demographics of the country.
Storified by Digital First Media· Thu, Jan 03 2013 07:47:58
The 113th Congress will be the most diverse in U.S. history, though it still lags behind the changing demographics of the country. Below, a look at some of the firsts among the new senators and representatives.
First Buddhist senator
Photo courtesy of Mazie Hirono.
Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, will succeed retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka. Raised in the Jodo Shinshu school of Pure Land Buddhism, she considers herself a non-practicing Buddhist. Two other Buddhists serve in Congress: Reps. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., and Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii.
First openly gay senator
U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin celebrates her victory in November. (Darren Hauck/Getty Images)
A seven-term member of the House, Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin will be the first openly gay senator and one of seven lesbian, gay and bisexual members of Congress, making them the largest such group to serve in Congress to date. In the last Congress, just four members were openly gay.
First Hindu in Congress
Tulsi Gabbard speaks at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
A former state legislator in Hawaii, Democrat Tulsi Gabbard was elected to the House in November and plans to be sworn in on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. She is also the first American Samoan woman elected to Congress as a representative. (Del. Eni Faleomavaega serves as a non-voting delegate from American Samoa.)
First openly bisexual member of Congress
Kyrsten Sinema photo courtesy of kyrstensinema.com.
A former state legislator in Arizona, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema was elected to the House in November. She will be the first openly bisexual member of Congress, although she prefers not to talk about it.
The most female senators
Sens. Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, Claire McCaskill, Debbie Stabenow and Amy Klobuchar speak at a 2012 press conference (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
The incoming Senate will have 20 women (16 Democrats and four Republicans), the largest number in the history of the Senate. The previous Senate had 17 women.
Seventh African-American senator
Then-Rep. Tim Scott leaves a Senate Republican lunch with Sen. Jim DeMint in 2012. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, was appointed to the Senate to replace Jim DeMint, who left to become president of the Heritage Foundation. Scott is the seventh African-American senator and the first from the South since the Reconstruction era.


text:
These avatars have no use, being un-used. They once served a purpose, but no longer since i/no one uses them anymore. Here's your chance. Grab one.
Standard sized:
Premium sized:
If you are to use one, please tell me so. Also when the time comes you don't use the avatar anymore, also let me know. Cheers!


text:
Prosecution of Felony Arrests, 1986: Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Portland, St. Louis, and Washington, DC (ICPSR 9094)
Principal Investigator(s): Boland, Barbara, Abt Associates
This data collection represents the sixth in a series of statistical reports sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The purpose of the series is to provide statistical information on how prosecutors and the courts dispose of criminal cases involving adults arrested for felony crimes. With this purpose in mind, information was collected on items such as an individual's arrest date, sentencing date, court charge, and case disposition.
Access Notes
The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.
This dataset is maintained and distributed by the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD), the criminal justice archive within ICPSR. NACJD is primarily sponsored by three agencies within the U.S. Department of Justice: the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Study Description
Boland, Barbara. Prosecution of Felony Arrests, 1986: Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Portland, St. Louis, and Washington, DC. ICPSR09094-v3. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2004. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR09094.v3
Persistent URL: https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR09094.v3
Export Citation:
- RIS (generic format for RefWorks, EndNote, etc.)
- EndNote XML (EndNote X4.0.1 or higher)
This study was funded by:
- United States Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs. Bureau of Justice Statistics
Scope of Study
Subject Terms: arrest records, case processing, court cases, courts, disposition (legal), felony offenses, prosecuting attorneys, sentencing
Geographic Coverage: California, District of Columbia, Indiana, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Louisiana, Missouri, New Orleans, Oregon, Portland (Oregon), St. Louis, United States
- 1986
- 1986
Universe: All felony arrests disposed in 1986 in Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Portland, St. Louis, and Washington, DC.
This study was conducted by Abt Associates.
Original ICPSR Release: 1989-09-26
- 2006-03-30 File CB9094.ALL.PDF was removed from any previous datasets and flagged as a study-level file, so that it will accompany all downloads.
- 2005-11-04 On 2005-03-14 new files were added to one or more datasets. These files included additional setup files as well as one or more of the following: SAS program, SAS transport, SPSS portable, and Stata system files. The metadata record was revised 2005-11-04 to reflect these additions.
- 2004-03-22 The data were converted from card image to logical record length format. The documentation and SPSS data definition statements were updated to reflect the new format and SAS data definition statements were prepared.
Related Publications
Metadata Exports
- Citations exports are provided above.
Export Study-level metadata (does not include variable-level metadata)
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text:
So, this may be OT (and I know we have one these every few months) but, after the Spurs game, I feel the need to rant about our broadcast team and assume others feel the same. On the off-chance that someone on the production team might read Raptors' sites to see what fans are saying, some pleas from this fan:
1. Stop complaining about the officials. If you want to highlight the odd bad call then that's good but every single time a Raptor drives to the basket and misses a shot it isn't because he's fouled. "No call!" "Derozan can't believe there's no call!". It's 10 times a game and it's annoying as hell. Please stop. It's also extending to other parts of the game like Calderon's obvious five-second call, which led to more bitching and whining from Devlin and Leo. Just stop, already. Enough.
2. Feel free to tell the truth. Enough with the MLSE talking points. I understand you get paid by MLSE but Greg Zaun (as much of an idiot as he is) also gets paid by Rogers and he isn't afraid to speak his mind and call out the organization. More of this please. I know you want to - I can hear it in your voices. Free the beast!
3. Why is Leo Rautins still on the air? He adds nothing to the broadcast and hasn't for years. His condescending demeanour is a huge turnoff for viewers. If you must employ him for some reason, leave him in the studio where we only have to hear from him 4 times a night.
4. Stop making excuses. I am so sick of the litany of excuses that get trotted out after every game for this team. The fans are not stupid. Stop insulting our collective intelligence. You are embarrassing yourselves.
I won't even start on the "guys in the truck" and the subpar production values but feel free to complain about this as well....


text:
MORE than two-and-a-half million complaints about payment protection insurance (PPI) are to be re-opened amid concerns that firms may have unfairly brushed them aside, the City regulator has announced.
Banks, credit card providers and personal loan companies have agreed to look again at the old complaints from 2012 and 2013, which could have involved consumers being paid too little compensation or having their complaint unfairly rejected altogether, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.
Giving a progress update, the FCA said that firms have handled more than 13 million PPI complaints and an "unprecedented" £16 billion has been paid back to consumers since the start of 2011, making PPI the largest financial services redress exercise ever undertaken in the UK.
While the scandal has "significantly damaged public trust in financial institutions", in general, firms have made improvements to the way they handle complaints and their processes are more robust, the regulator said.
The FCA said that in 2012 and 2013 the proportion of complaints being upheld by firms in consumers' favour fell. When the regulator carried out further investigations into why so many complaints were being rejected, it was not satisfied that that all consumers had necessarily been treated fairly.
Firms have been upholding around 70 per cent of PPI complaints, but by late 2012, the uphold rate dipped to around 60 per cent. The FCA said the uphold rate has started to pick up again since it stepped in.
The two-and-a-half million complaints that are being looked at again were made to firms of varying sizes across the industry. Businesses supplied samples of the way they had handled complaints to the FCA, which has asked them to look at some cases again.
Firms are also pro-actively sending more than five million letters to customers they have identified as being at high risk of having suffered a past mis-sale who have not complained. Some 3.2 million letters have already been sent and a further two million will be sent in the coming months.
The scale of the PPI scandal is thought to have peaked, and the FCA said it believes the issue is "entering its final stages".
The regulator hopes to scale back its intensive PPI work next year if complaint volumes continue to fall and firms continue to improve their complaint handling processes. It plans to publish a "potentially final" update on PPI in 2015.
Martin Wheatley, chief executive officer, at the FCA, said: "Making sure anybody previously mis-sold PPI is treated fairly now, and paid redress where its due, is an important step in rebuilding trust in financial institutions.
"In around two-and-a-half million complaints this was not necessarily the case so, at our request, firms will be looking at these complaints again.
"The process is now working well; in just over three years £16 billion has been put back into the pocket of the consumer - that is unprecedented.
"Given the enormity of this exercise it is no surprise that there have been some issues along the way but our approach is delivering a good result for consumers."
Earlier this year, a BBC News investigation estimated that victims of the payment protection insurance mis-selling scandal could have potentially been under-compensated by an estimated £1 billion due to some fees and charges being left out of calculations.
Around 45 million PPI policies were sold between 1990 and 2010, worth £44 billion in premiums.
PPI was sold alongside products such as credit cards and mortgages and it was meant to help someone repay their debts if they lost their income, for example through becoming ill or unemployed or had an accident. But the insurance was regularly added to people's policies without them needing it, understanding it, or even realising that they had it.
The FCA said that "in hindsight", the profits generated for PPI sellers were so large that its predecessor regulator the Financial Services Authority's warnings and fines were not enough to change firms' behaviour.
Last September, a spot-check by the FCA focusing on medium-sized firms found "serious problems" in the handling of PPI mis-selling complaints.
The regulator said previously that firms needed to work harder to establish the ''bigger picture'' and assess what information the consumer had when they were sold the PPI policy, how it was sold and what their personal circumstances were.
The FCA said it will continue to closely supervise firms' PPI complaint handling to ensure outcomes are fair and consistent.


text:
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text:
This study is provided by ICPSR. ICPSR provides leadership and training in data access, curation, and methods of analysis for a diverse and expanding social science research community.
American Mosaic Project Survey, 2003 (ICPSR 28821)
Principal Investigator(s): Hartmann, Douglas, University of Minnesota; Gerteis, Joseph, University of Minnesota; Edgell, Penny, University of Minnesota
The survey is from the American Mosaic Project, a multiyear, multimethod study of the bases of solidarity and diversity in American life. The survey contains items measuring the place of diversity in visions of American society and in respondents' own lives; social and cultural boundaries between groups and dimensions of inclusion and exclusion; racial and religious identity, belonging and discrimination; opinions about sources of advancement for Whites and African Americans; opinions about immigration and assimilation; diversity in respondents' close-tie network; political identity and demographic information. The survey also includes oversamples of African American and Hispanic respondents, allowing for comparisons across racial/ethnic categories. Demographic variables include race, age, gender, religion, level of education, United States citizenship status, partisan affiliation, and family income. See Appendix: Project Narrative for more information.
Access Notes
Data in this collection are available only to users at ICPSR member institutions. Please log in so we can determine if you are with a member institution and have access to these data files.
ASCII + SAS Setup SPSS Setup Stata Setup
Study Description
Hartmann, Douglas, Joseph Gerteis, and Penny Edgell. American Mosaic Project Survey, 2003. ICPSR28821-v1. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2010-12-16. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR28821.v1
Persistent URL: https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR28821.v1
Export Citation:
- RIS (generic format for RefWorks, EndNote, etc.)
- EndNote XML (EndNote X4.0.1 or higher)
This study was funded by:
- David Edelstein Family Foundation
Scope of Study
Subject Terms: African Americans, Asian Americans, crosscultural differences, cultural diversity, cultural values, education, ethnic identity, government spending, Hispanic or Latino Americans, immigrants, influence, language, marriage, public policy, race, racial discrimination, religion, welfare services
Geographic Coverage: United States
- 2003-05--2003-07
- 2003
Universe: The project consists of a random-digit dial telephone survey (N = 2,081) conducted during the summer of 2003 by the University of Wisconsin Survey Center.
The survey used a nationally representative (48 states and the District of Columbia) sample, reached by Random Digit Dialing techniques, using samples purchased from one or another of the reputable national companies (typically Survey Sampling or Genesys). It included oversamples designed to increase the number of persons of African American and/or Hispanic heritage over that which would be found in a simple national sample. The total "N" will be 2,000, targeting approximately 400 from each of the two targeted backgrounds and 1,200 persons of other racial/ethnic heritage. Oversamples were be based on the selection of areas with high incidence of African American and/or Hispanic persons, but all telephone numbers were generated at random.
Sample: The survey includes oversamples of African American and Hispanic respondents, allowing for comparisons across racial/ethnic categories. The weighted proportion of Whites, African Americans, and Hispanics is close to Census estimates, with the sample being 77 percent White, 11 percent Hispanic, and 12 percent African American.
Weight, as described above to equalize the different probabilities of coming into the sample based on selection of exchanges, release of replicates, response rates, respondent selection procedures, and number of households. Normed for a mean of 1.00 and a total of 2,081.0 (to match the raw "N").
Weight adjusting the age group by gender distribution from the above weighted procedure to match the corresponding distribution based on census estimates. Normed for a mean of 1.00 and a total of 2,081.0 (to match the raw "N"). DESWT was multiplied by PSWT1 to get the unnormed version of FINALWT. This weight is included for completeness. If one desires to poststratify based on a combination of variables other than age group by gender, one would create a new weight in the place of PSWT1 and use that to create the new "final" weight.
Final weight multiplicatively "correcting" for both design and sampling related components and to recover the age by gender distribution. This is the weight which is applied by default in the SPSS system file, and should normally be used. Normed for a mean of 1.00 and a total of 2,081.0 (to match the raw "N").
Mode of Data Collection: computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI), telephone interview
Response Rates: Depending on the method of calculation, the response rate of the survey is between 26 percent and 39 percent, with the more conservative figure corresponding with the recommended American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) definition. See Appendix: Methodological Report for more information.
Extent of Processing: ICPSR data undergo a confidentiality review and are altered when necessary to limit the risk of disclosure. ICPSR also routinely creates ready-to-go data files along with setups in the major statistical software formats as well as standard codebooks to accompany the data. In addition to these procedures, ICPSR performed the following processing steps for this data collection:
- Performed consistency checks.
- Created variable labels and/or value labels.
- Standardized missing values.
- Created online analysis version with question text.
- Checked for undocumented or out-of-range codes.
Original ICPSR Release: 2010-12-16
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text:
We've Been the Best in Pest Control in Everett, Mass for Over Sixty Years
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- Provide effective, professional advice through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to help prevent further occurrences.
- Provide an all-inclusive warranty program.
- Offer to our business customers and their employees discounts on all services for their places of residence.
Call us to discuss your pest control needs in Everett, Mass.


text:
Cortez will be represented at the Elks Hoop Shoot state competition once again.
Makayla Long is making her second consecutive appearance after winning the girls 10-11 class. She made 14-of-25 free throws to best her competitors Sunday at Hotchkiss High School.
In the boys 10-11 group, Teagan Whiteskunk hit 15-of-25 at the charity stripe to take home a first-place trophy and a trip to state.
The state competition will be held in Salida on Saturday, Feb. 23.
In the Elks Hoop Shoot, contestants have 25 foul shots and the highest scorer in each category advances through four tiers of competition to get to nationals.
Cortez brought its six winners to districts from the local competition last December.
In addition to Long and Whiteskunk, John Thomas Carver took third in the 8-9 boys class.
Other Cortez participants were Zoey Simmons, 8-9 girls; Tyra Pinnecoose, 12-13 girls; and, Cutter Mathews, 12-13 boys.
First-place winners also included Erika Kuta (Delta), 8-9 girls; Anthony Flint (Durango), 8-9 boys; Kayla Hutton (Hotchkiss), 12-13 girls; and, Enoch Kropp (Hotchkiss), 12-13 boys.
Cortez Elks Lodge No. 1,789 is extremely proud of all its competitors.
Also attending and assisting in the district event were Gini Olson and Fre DeWitt, Cortez Elks Hoop Shoot Co-Directors. Representatives from other West District Lodges volunteered their time and support as well.
For more information about the Cortez Elks Hoop Shoot, please contact Olson at 882-4904.


text:
Leading campaigners out in force
Leading figures from both sides of Scotland's independence referendum campaign will be out in force with just two weeks to go until the vote.
Labour leader Ed Miliband will join the Better Together campaign trail in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, where he will argue that a Labour government next year will provide the change Scotland needs rather than ''erecting a new border'' with independence.
The SNP's Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon will take to Glasgow city centre to set out their vision for independence over the next decade, as they mark their 10-year anniversary as the party's leadership team.
A wall in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, as the independence referendum campaign continues
Elsewhere, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson will give a speech outlining her arguments for why she believes a No vote will benefit defence.
Mr Miliband's appearance comes amid nationalist claims that growing numbers of Labour supporters are to vote Yes on September 18, with Mr Salmond saying last week that ''hundreds of thousands'' could do so.
The SNP has been trying to woo Labour supporters with the message that independence could revive the party - which has been out of power at Holyrood since 2007 - north of the border.
Mr Miliband, who will be joined by Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, will say: ''Electing a Labour government is the way to change Scotland. It is the way to build a just Scotland.''
The Labour leader will insist his party can improve social justice across the UK, contrasting that with Mr Salmond's plan to cut corporation tax if there is a Yes vote.
''The choice in this referendum campaign is not about change with Yes or more of the same with No,'' he will say.
''It is what kind of change you want.
''The change we need to build a fairer country with Labour, or the change of erecting a new border which is the only ambition of nationalists.''
With a UK general election taking place next year, Mr Miliband will insist his party is on the verge of returning to power at Westminster.
In contrast, Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon will argue that a "Yes vote is the opportunity of a lifetime to use the wealth of Scotland to create a more prosperous and fairer country".
Speaking in advance of a campaign visit to Glasgow, Mr Salmond said: "As we enter the last two weeks of this campaign more and more people are switching from No to a Yes vote because they're waking up to the gains of controlling the key decisions that affect life in Scotland.
"The 2024 Yes vision is of a society where everyone has the chance to get on in life and where opportunities are for the many not the few."
"In an independent Scotland we'll always get the governments people vote for.
"We'll be able to protect our NHS from the impact of Westminster privatisation and cuts and we'll have the job-creating powers of independence to build a more secure economy.
"With a No vote, by 2024 tax-payers in Scotland will be paying towards the £4 billion annual costs of a new generation of nuclear weapons on the Clyde. That's No vision from the No campaign.
"Independence isn't a magic wand but with a Yes vote we can take different choices."
But David Cameron urged Scots to focus on the "risks there are of separating" as he said he would be making more interventions in the campaign.
The Prime Minister, who was in Scotland last week, told Sky News: "I have played my role in the campaign and I will be making other interventions in that campaign.
"I hope people will really focus now on the risks there are of separating and focus instead on the bright future they have, I believe, as part of a family of nations in the UK.
"Scots have a chance of the best of both worlds - more government from Edinburgh, more devolution to Edinburgh, while being part of a bigger United Kingdom."
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text:
Research in Motion is scheduled to have
a press conference at 11:00am today to announce its new BlackBerry
9800 "Torch" smartphone, but launch partner AT&T has
jumped the gun a bit. AT&T just launched its product
page for the phone, so the cat is officially out of the bag.
The BlackBerry Torch is a "slider"
phone with a full QWERTY keyboard (backlit) and optical trackpad. Naturally,
the phone also sports a touchscreen dispel (3.2", 480x360), 5MP
camera, GPS, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, 3G connectivity, 624MHz processor, 512MB/512MB
(RAM/ROM), 4GB flash, and a 4GB microSD card.
The phone weighs 5.68 ounces and measures 4.4" (5.8" open) x 2.4" x .57". The Torch comes equipped with a 1300 mAh lithium
battery, and as a result, GSM talk time is rated at 5.5 hours while
standby time is rated at 17 days.
The BlackBerry Torch also has MediaSych
functionality which will allow it to sync wireless to your home music
library via Wi-Fi.
Most importantly, the Torch ships with
RIM's BlackBerry
6 OS which incorporates an all-new web browser, "next
generation" messaging system, integrate search right from the
home screen, and a "feed application" to capture all of
your Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace social networking updates."This is one of the most significant launches in RIM's history and we are proud to introduce the new BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry 6 together with AT&T," said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-ceo, Research In Motion. "With a new user interface, new browser and new handset design, the highly anticipated BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry 6 deliver integrated and uncompromising capabilities for consumers and business professionals that preserve the industry-leading strengths of the BlackBerry platform while adding exciting new dimensions."
According to information AT&T just sent us, the phone will be priced at $199 with a two-year contract and $499 with no commitment. The Torch will be available to customers on August 12.


text:
We've been hearing about Verizon's intentions to end
unlimited data plans for quite some time. We first heard about the possibility
of a tiered
data strategy in fall 2010, and it looks as though Verizon is now gearing
up to implement the new strategy this summer.
Verizon Wireless customers will no
longer be able to have an unlimited data plan for $30/month. Instead,
customers will be give tiered options will penalize customers who download
large amounts of data. Rival AT&T currently offers a 200MB data plan for
$15/month and 2GB data plan for $25/month.
To soften the blow, Verizon Wireless will offer "Family"
data plans that allow multiple smartphones or tablets to share a large pool
of data per month according to Reuters. This move has been a long time coming as customers have long
been able to share minutes, but data packages have always been assigned to each
individual phone line at $30 a pop.
"I think it's safe to assume that at some point you are
going to have mega-plans (for data) and people are going to share that
mega-plan based on the number of devices within their family," said
Verizon CFO Fran Shammo. "That's just a logical progression."
Shammo also alluded to the fact that the next generation
iPhone will be a "world phone". The baseband chip used in Verizon's
version of the iPhone supports GSM, but it is currently disabled. However,
Shammo indicated that the next iPhone will "work in as many countries as
AT&T's iPhone" and will launch at the same time (instead
of 6 months later as was the case with the Verizon iPhone 4).


text:
Day 3: Share your voice
Almost a billion people don't have access to clean water, and more than 4,000 children die every day because of dirty water. Today, let's do something about it! Join World Vision's advocacy team in sharing the joy of clean water by asking Congress to pass the Water for the World Act.
Today's challenge: Contact your members of Congress with our simple online form and urge them to support clean water!
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." –Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)
So easy, a kid can do it
Advocacy is the simple act of using your voice to speak up for others. As U.S. citizens, we can speak to our leaders and ask them to make decisions that help the most in need. This may seem difficult or intimidating, but our kid advocate shows you that it's easier than you think.
Meet Desi, our kid advocate! She's part of our Beyond 5 advocacy community – ordinary people using their voice to do extraordinary things. She may not know the ins and outs of Washington, D.C., but she knows that she can do something to help those in need.
Today, you can easily make a difference for the billions of people around the world who don't have access to clean water or adequate sanitation facilities by showing your support for the Water for the World Act. This bill would build upon the investments that the United States is making to improve global access to clean water and sanitation.
By contacting your members of Congress through our simple online form, you can help bring clean water to the world. Then, spread that joy by ordering postcards that you can share with friends and family, multiplying the impact of your voice. We want to send 30,000 letters to Congress in support of this bill by the end of the year … help us reach that goal!
We'll also be spreading joy this season by giving the person who gathers the most signatures a trip to join us in Washington, D.C. for our water summit this March!
At the top: "So easy, a kid can do it" (Photo: World Vision Advocacy team)
More than 4,000 children under the age of 5 die every day from diseases like parasites, worms, dysentery, and diarrhea, spread by unsafe water. Your gift will help bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to communities, helping to cut child deaths by more than half! Plus, kids will be able to attend school, because they won't be sick in bed or have to walk long distances to collect water. Make a one-time donation to the Clean Water Fund today!


text:
I'm not saying this to be spiteful or as a disgruntled fan right now, but as a solution to a team with no direction or identity. Rasho obviously isn't a long term fix by any means and eventhough he's slower than a tortoise, right now he's the kind of support Bosh needs in the front court. Someone to help clear space in the paint, someone who has fantastic awareness not to mention a keen knack of rolling off the perfect pick and someone who is strong on the offensive glass creating second hand chances.
Contracts shouldn't dictate who starts and who comes off the bench, but unfortunately that's what happens. Until Bargnani wakes up and shows some grit, I'd prefer to see him come off the bench. Jay sent a message to Bargnani by benching him in the 4th quarter tonight which made me happy, but anyone who thinks this kid is the player we're going to build around in the future is kidding themselves and dare I say somewhat delusional.